First they would test the formation disks. Only after making sure every single disk worked without issues would they be placed at the key points around Fangle Peak according to the original plan, followed by fine-tuning the whole formation.
Liu Xiaolou’s idea was to use the time gap to swap the disks. He planned to slip through the inspection by bluffing, then use the window before the actual setup began to refine a reliable Cloudscape Talisman Disk. When the time came, he could quietly replace it back in without being noticed.
There were plenty of places where he could step in, all thanks to his role as Tang Song’s helper. For instance, during the setup he could find a way to have Tang Song save the Northern Blackwater Formation for last. Given how the Li Nine Palace formation disks were usually ordered, that disk would almost certainly end up being the very last one.
That way, following Tang Song’s own schedule, there would be a gap of seven or eight days to work with. If he managed to create a bit of trouble along the way, he might even buy himself another two or three days.
Zhao Yongchun nodded in agreement. Tang Song then made a gesture to summon a formation disk from the big wooden chest. But before it could appear, Liu Xiaolou stepped in front of him, already holding one in his hands. Bowing, he presented it to Tang Song.
Tang Song didn’t think much of it. He took the disk, gave it a glance, and said to Zhao Yongchun, “This is from the Ten-thousand Blossoms Formation of the Eastern Greenwood Formation. It’s…”
Liu Xiaolou reported, “The Single-Petal Formation Disk.”
So Tang Song activated the formation disk, and in an instant, great swaths of flowers bloomed before everyone’s eyes. Roses, peonies, anthuriums, sunlotuses, and more. Each bud burst open in full bloom, the sight dazzling and endless.
Next, Liu Xiaolou handed over the Three-Petal Formation Disk and the Five-Petal Formation Disk. Tang Song activated each in turn, and before long, Fangle Peak was covered in a spring-like sea of blossoms. Flowers of every color vied for beauty, filling the mountainside with brilliant hues.
But these flowers weren’t just for decoration. Once nested together with other formation disks, each bloom became a deadly weapon.
Tang Song adjusted the formation incantations, all the flowers opened at once. Or all withered in unison. The display was breathtaking.
After testing three disks, Liu Xiaolou presented the Feathered Quill Formation Formation Disk, one of the Vermilion Bird formation disks from the Western Four Spirits Formation.
The Ten-thousand Blossoms Formation had been refined under the direction of Fu Conglin, who had poured considerable effort into it. It consisted of five disks in total: the Single-Petal, Three-Petal, Five-Petal, Seven-Petal, and Cluster-Petal. The first three had already been tested, but the last two had suddenly been skipped. Feeling uneasy, he stepped forward to remind them: “There are still the Seven-Petal and the Cluster-Petal plates left untested.”
Liu Xiaolou slapped his forehead and bent over the chest to search. “Ah… they must be at the bottom. Let me see. Here, the Seven-Petal is here… but the Cluster-Petal… where’s the Cluster-Petal?”
Tang Song wasn’t in the mood to wait. He simply activated the Feathered Quill Disk. At once, flurries of quills shot up outside the mountain, each one loosing countless arrows that rained down from the sky.
Several of the Zhao elders offered words of praise, and Zhao Yongchun stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.
Once the Feathered Quill Formation Disk was tested, Liu Xiaolou brought forward the previously skipped Seven-Petal Plate, then immediately handed over two disk from the Qian One Formation of the Northern Blackwater Formation. Only after that did he finally produce the Cluster-Petal Disk of the Ten-thousand Blossoms Formation, putting Fu Conglin’s mind at ease.
But from that point on, the order of testing was completely thrown off. Before long, everyone grew used to this way of checking the disks. After all, they were just being tested one by one, not actually arranged into a formation. If the sequence didn’t affect the results, then what did it matter if it was shuffled?
Only Liu Daoran remained fixated on the issue of order. He kept his eyes on Liu Xiaolou’s hands as he rummaged through the chest for disks. Seeing Liu Xiaolou handle things this way, he finally let out a long breath of relief. Regaining his composure, he smiled faintly at Diao Daoyi and the others, though he realized his back was soaked with sweat.
Diao Daoyi nodded as well, then suddenly beckoned him over with a look of concern. “Liu Xiaolou has a rather deep understanding of formations. When I first arrived, I heard some of the questions he raised... quite impressive. You must have learned a great deal from him these past days, haven’t you?”
Liu Daoran spoke with genuine feeling. “Indeed. After spending a month with him, I’ve gained a lot. Brother Liu is especially skilled in illusion formations…” Then he caught himself mid-sentence and dared not go on.
But his realization came a little too late. Diao Daoyi’s interest was piqued. “The Li Nine Palace Formation you two refined together is an illusion formation, isn’t it? I’ll have to see it for myself later.”
Liu Daoran opened his mouth, forced a smile, and said, “Hardly worthy of your attention…” Inwardly, though, he was groaning. He quickly found an excuse to leave, praying that Diao Daoyi’s words had been nothing more than polite small talk.
With over a hundred disks to inspect, the process was exhausting. By the latter half, the pace gradually quickened. Often, a disk would be examined for only the time it took an incense stick to burn before being put away and replaced by the next.
When he judged the moment right, Liu Xiaolou presented the Dispersed True Essence Talisman disk. Tang Song activated it, ran a swift inspection, and, finding every key point up to standard, withdrew. At once, Liu Xiaolou brought forward another disk, this one from the Central Earth Formation.
As the saying goes, insiders watch for technique, outsiders watch for spectacle. But when the spectacle drags on endlessly, it turns into noise. The Zhao clan members had already been watching for four full hours. Their initial wonder had long since dulled into numbness, and some, growing restless, slipped away with various excuses.
Zhao Yongchun, being good-natured, didn’t make things difficult. He nodded approval to anyone who wanted to leave. Each departure eased Liu Daoran’s heart a little more, putting him in a far better mood. He began to hope the inspections would keep moving faster and faster.
And things did unfold just as he wished. After more than a hundred disks had been checked, not a single one required reworking. Even Tang Song and Master Long, along with the others, started to relax somewhat. The inspection time shortened further, dropping from an incense stick’s length to barely the span of a teacup.
Liu Xiaolou also began presenting the disks at a quicker pace, subtly pushing Tang Song to speed up as well.
Just then, Diao Daoyi walked over. “Xiaolou, I’ve heard you’re skilled with illusion formations. What about the Li Nine Palace disks you refined? Earlier we only saw one…”
Liu Xiaolou’s heart skipped, but he smiled. “Master Diao flatters me. With so many seniors present, how could I dare claim any skill… Just now you already saw the Dispersed True Essence Talisman disk, didn’t you? Ordinary stuff, nothing remarkable. Ah, right, there’s also the Three Treasures True Cloud Talisman… here it is.”
Tang Song accepted it and activated it. The illusions within were perfectly proper, showing nothing unusual. Diao Daoyi felt a trace of disappointment, gave a small smile, and said no more.
So Liu Xiaolou picked up the pace again, and Tang Song unconsciously followed, testing faster and faster.
A cup of tea’s time, half a cup, less than half, faster and faster.
By the last few disks, it was little more than a glance after activation, with Tang Song casually asking the refiner, “No issues, right?”
The refiner, of course, replied, “No issues.”
And with that, the inspection passed…
That was how the Cloudscape Talisman Disk was handed over, and that was how it was tested. No one had time to step into the stone pavilion by the ferry crossing, so naturally no one saw the cliff face around the corner. Between Tang Song’s quick “No problems, right?” and Liu Xiaolou’s equally quick “None,” the illusion was dispelled.
With all the disks inspected, the next step was to set up the grand formation.
Tang Song said to Zhao Yongchun, “We’ll begin tomorrow, starting from the main peak of Fangle Peak. The first to be laid will be the Central Earth Formation, which should take one or two days. I’d ask that you not return to Jinting Mountain tomorrow.”
Zhao Yongchun shook his head. “No need. The plates are already in my family’s hands, so you don’t have to trouble yourself with the arrangement, Master Tang.”
Tang Song was taken aback. “This…”
Zhao Yongchun smiled as he explained, “An old friend of mine from the Pingdu Eight Formations Gate is here. You know they’re masters in this field as well. My friend offered to help personally, and I really couldn’t refuse. He’ll handle the setup. You’ve all worked hard for so long; this way you can return early and get some rest. A win-win, wouldn’t you say?”
After a moment’s thought, he added, “Don’t worry. The payment won’t be cut short. You’ll get exactly what was agreed.”