Volume One, Chapter 18: The Formation (Part Three)

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Gu Mingxi eagerly used the stones by the roadside to set up a formation, finding this array truly fascinating. Following the demonstration by the master just now, Gu Mingxi successfully arranged the labyrinthine formation.

After setting up the formation, she still felt somewhat dissatisfied and rummaged through her storage ring, retrieving some ores previously given to her by Gu Moyuan.

Found them—cloudy obsidian!

Using the cloudy obsidian, Gu Mingxi reconfigured the formation. Once completed, she tested its power and nodded with satisfaction.

Afterward, Gu Mingxi continued learning from the master about how to carve formations onto formation plates.

While engraving the plate, she noticed similarities to her prior experience with talisman drawing.

The formation plate was soon completed, and Gu Mingxi looked at the flawless plate before her with great satisfaction.

She did not notice that her consecutive successes had astonished the master.

At first, the master was pacing inside the room, observing the disciples’ movements, occasionally nodding in approval, until he inadvertently saw Gu Mingxi.

Upon seeing her perfectly executed formation and the engraved plate, the master was so shocked he nearly pulled out his beard.

His heart blazed with excitement—such a genius! He had never witnessed anyone so gifted!

This talent might even surpass that of the revered ancestor of the Gu family!

Thinking that this prodigy’s formation enlightenment was under his guidance, the master’s heart swelled with pride.

Such honor! Such honor indeed!

Gu Mingxi, thinking the master’s lesson was finished, stepped forward and asked, “Master, what will the next lesson be?”

The master came back to himself and said solemnly, “The formation course, like the talisman course, only has one introductory lesson. As the saying goes, a teacher leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual. In the future, you must continuously practice formations on your own to improve. If you encounter doubts or uncertainties, you may come to the Formation Hall and ask the elders for guidance.”

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“Today, when you return, you may study some books on formations in the Treasure Library.”

Gu Mingxi nodded, saluted the master, and left.

After leaving, she went straight to the Treasure Library, as instructed, to search for books on formations. Her interest in formations had now grown immensely, and she wished to continue learning various formations.

Treasure Library

Gu Mingxi went directly to the section holding books on formations.

As she searched, she muttered to herself, “‘Detailed Explanation of Formations,’ ‘Detailed Explanation of Formations,’ ‘Detailed Explanation of Formations,’ where is it? Where is it? Where is it? … Ah! Here it is, found it!”

Having taken the book, she intended to return to her courtyard immediately to study this “Detailed Explanation of Formations.”

Just as she stepped forward to leave, she suddenly stopped, as she thought she had glimpsed something out of the corner of her eye.

Gu Mingxi walked over and picked up the book that had caught her attention. It was titled “What Is a Formation?”

“What Is a Formation?”

Could this book be about the origins of formations?

Curious, Gu Mingxi opened it, only to find it was not about the origins but rather a treatise on insights into formations.

Reading it, she found the content profound and beyond her current understanding.

Closing the book, she noticed on the cover the author’s name—Jing Ming.

Jing Ming!

Seeing this name in the Gu family’s Treasure Library and that it contained formation insights, it was clear this book was written by the honored Jing Ming, Gu Mingxi’s great-grandfather.

Looking at the book in her hands, Gu Mingxi sighed, “I wonder when Great-Grandfather will emerge from seclusion. I hope that by then, I will have mastered formations well and not bring him shame.”

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Though Gu Mingxi could not fully grasp the profound insights in this treatise, her discerning eye recognized her great-grandfather, the venerable Jing Ming, was truly gifted in the art of formations. He recorded many of his thoughts in this book, which sparked Gu Mingxi’s curiosity and opened her mind to new possibilities.

At this moment, Gu Mingxi had no inkling of how much this treatise would aid her in formations in the future.

Nor did she wonder why her great-grandfather Jing Ming’s treatise was placed in the Treasure Library and had remained undiscovered for so many years.

Her attention was wholly on the treatise, oblivious to anything else.

Thus, she was unaware that the book had not originally been in the Treasure Library. Before entering seclusion, Jing Ming had divined a prophecy foretelling the birth of a direct descendant gifted beyond measure in formations, surpassing even himself. Intuitively, he felt that this seemingly idle treatise he wrote would greatly assist that future descendant.

Holding both books happily, Gu Mingxi registered them with the library steward, who glanced at the formation treatise with puzzlement.

After Gu Mingxi left, the steward watched her retreating figure, perplexed. “Has this book ever been in the Treasure Library? I’ve never seen it before.”

Gu Mingxi then returned to the main courtyard to find Gu Moyuan.

Her obvious joy puzzled Gu Moyuan, who poured her a cup of water and gestured for her to sit.

Once seated, Gu Moyuan asked, “Xixi, what has happened to make you so happy?”

Gu Mingxi took out the treatise by Jing Ming and said, “Father, I found Great-Grandfather Jing Ming’s formation insights in the Treasure Library. I really admire some of his thoughts!”

Flipping through the book, Gu Moyuan was somewhat surprised. He knew the ancestor had divined before entering seclusion and left behind this formation treatise. He had not expected that the prophesied descendant was his precious daughter.

Gu Moyuan said to Gu Mingxi, “Xixi, before entering seclusion, the ancestor divined that after his seclusion, a descendant with extraordinary formation talent would be born. So he left this treatise to help that descendant. Now it seems that descendant is you.”

Hearing this, Gu Mingxi was astonished. She was amazed that her ancestor was skilled in divination and fate, and even more surprised to learn that she had been named in the ancestor’s prophecy before her birth.