Chapter 1016: Zhang Xuan Breaks the Seal (Part 1)

As long as the formation was in operation, the Heaven's Path Library could find its flaws, far more accurate than any compass or the like.

Others couldn't find the exact location, didn't know how much or how strong a force to apply, but for him, it was the simplest thing.

"Give it a try?"

Master Wu shook his head: "I know Dean Zhang has considerable attainments in formations, but this matter is too critical; it must succeed, not fail. We absolutely cannot try recklessly..."

Once it failed, it would explode, killing everyone... This was no joke, not something to be toyed with.

"I know..."

Zhang Xuan nodded, about to speak, when a voice sounded from the air: "Give it a try? If something goes wrong, can you bear the responsibility? So young, yet so glib, what kind of behavior is that?"

Boom!

An old man flew down before the crowd and landed. It was Han Xu, the七星 peak formation master who had been overseeing the reinforcement of the seal earlier.

Now, though his face was full of fatigue, his gaze at Zhang Xuan was cold and displeased.

"President Han... Let me introduce you!"

Master Wu quickly tried to ease the awkwardness: "This is the new dean of Hongyuan Master Teacher Academy, Master Zhang Xuan, and that is Master Luo! As for me, Master Wu, no need for introductions; we are all old friends. Dean Zhang, Master Luo, this is President Han Xu of the Qingyuan Empire Formation Master Guild!"

"So you are Zhang Xuan?"

After the introduction, Han Xu looked over: "I've heard of you. You have considerable achievements in formations, comprehending the essence of level-6 formations at such a young age—a rare genius. But... as a master teacher, you must speak cautiously, think thrice before acting. Everyone knows that dredging is better than blocking, but do you know the consequences of failure? Not only would we all die, but the area within a thousand kilometers would suffer a massive blow, countless lives extinguished... Can you bear that responsibility?"

"President Han, you misunderstand. When I said 'give it a try,' I meant only after I am certain. I dare not act recklessly with so many lives at stake!"

Knowing the other party wasn't deliberately making things difficult but was driven by a sense of responsibility, Zhang Xuan wasn't angry and explained with a smile.

"Such big talk!"

Another middle-aged man walked over, a sneer on his face: "This seal before us is likely a level-8 formation, or even higher. My teacher and I calculated for two days and two nights and still couldn't find a node to release the power without harming anyone. You just arrived, haven't even looked at the formation, and you claim to be certain... As the dean of a prestigious master teacher academy, aren't you being too arrogant?"

This middle-aged man exuded a powerful aura, giving a sense of mental oppression from afar.

Saint realm third layer, Fetal Infant realm!

The Fetal Infant realm, also called the Nascent Soul realm, where the primordial embryo transforms into human form, taking a big step toward the Primordial Spirit realm. A cultivator at this level had an immensely powerful soul, easily overwhelming anyone below that level.

"Ahem, Master Zhang, this is... President Han's student, a七星 formation grandmaster, Liu Mo!" Unexpectedly, Master Zhang's words had stirred up such tension, and Master Wu was extremely embarrassed.

Over the past two days, President Han and his student had expended immense effort searching for the node to release the power, staying awake for two whole days and nights, yet still unable to confirm it.

Hearing this fellow arrive and brazenly say 'give it a try'... they were both furious.

"Liu Mo?" Zhang Xuan shook his head: "Sorry, never heard of him..."

He had never even been to the Qingyuan Empire, and he had never heard of any formation master or guild president. Even if he didn't know, he wouldn't normally say so, but given the other's attitude, he couldn't be bothered to play nice.

"You..."

Unexpectedly, the guy shot back in an instant. Though angry, Liu Mo flicked his sleeve: "It doesn't matter whether you've heard of me or not. I'm just an unknown in the Qingyuan Empire Formation Master Guild."

"You misunderstand. I didn't mean I haven't heard of your name!"

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan looked at him earnestly: "I meant I haven't even heard of President Han!"

"You..."

Nearly exploding with rage, Liu Mo's face turned bright red, and President Han almost choked on his anger.

Though Han Xu wasn't famous across the Qingyuan Empire, he had been renowned for centuries. Every year, countless master teachers specializing in formations sought to become his disciples. Yet this fellow dismissed him, even dragging him into it along with his student...

But he couldn't vent his anger, leaving him frustrated and exasperated.

Hearing their exchange, Luo Ruoxi smiled lightly from the side.

Going against this guy in a war of words... you'd be dead before you knew it!

He was someone who didn't care about rules and liked to act recklessly.

He even dared to go against Master Teacher Kong... Who did you think you were!

"Alright, no need to get so worked up just because you haven't heard of me. As the dean of a prestigious master teacher academy, I'm very busy; I can't possibly know everyone!"

Waving his hand, Zhang Xuan clasped his hands behind his back, stepped forward, and looked at the huge pit before him, his gaze profound: "Master Wu, prepare a formation flag for me, preferably at the peak of level-7!"

"This..."

Master Wu looked troubled.

"Stop! Do you really want so many people to be buried with you?" Seeing him ask for a peak level-7 formation flag, clearly intending to test the node, Liu Mo's hair stood on end as he rushed over.

Did this guy even understand the danger?

He and his teacher had studied for two days and two nights without daring to confirm or test. This guy had only been here for ten minutes and wanted to charge in... There were over twenty thousand master teachers below. If he didn't value his own life, could he disregard everyone else?

They had seen many deans who prioritized their students, but this guy was like a madman—rushing in without understanding anything. How did Hongyuan Academy end up with such a fool?

"Buried with me? You're overthinking it... The fact that you two couldn't find the node in two days and nights isn't an achievement; it's stupidity. Naturally, I won't be like you!"

Shaking his head, Zhang Xuan ignored the other and walked up to the pit.

"Dean..."

Seeing him approach, the many students guarding the pit stood up, their faces full of admiration.

"Mm, you've worked hard!"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"Serving humanity..."

Everyone nodded in unison.

"Teacher... We can't let this guy fool around!" Seeing him approach the seal, Liu Mo looked anxious and couldn't help turning to his teacher nearby.

"Don't worry. The node isn't that easy to find. We put in so much effort, studied for two days and two nights, and only deduced five suspicious points. How could he find it just after arriving?"

President Han shook his head, not believing Zhang Xuan could find the node at all.

No wonder. As a七星 peak formation master, he had studied for so long to suppress the sudden violent power below without any clue. How could a six-star formation master spot the problem at a glance?

"But... I'm afraid he'll recklessly test without understanding anything. If he makes a mistake, it could easily lead to a great disaster..."

Liu Mo hurriedly said.

"No need to rush. Finding the node takes time, and drawing out the violent power from it also takes time. Once he confirms it and is about to act, we can still stop him!"

Waving his hand, President Han was confident.

"Oh... Your student was rash!"

Hearing this, Liu Mo breathed a sigh of relief.

That was true. Finding the node took time, and even if he wanted to trigger it, that also took time. They were all people of standing; there was no need to fall out now.

As long as they stopped him when he found the node and was about to ignite it, that would be fine.

"Mm, I've heard many stories about Dean Zhang. He is extremely talented in formations, a true talent. However, he is still too young and reckless. But... young people need to hit walls to realize the vastness of the world and the profundity of formations. It's not that knowing a little皮毛 allows one to speak recklessly!"

President Han smiled: "Let him try first and see what method he uses. Once he can't find it, he'll naturally realize his ignorance..."

"Yes!"

Looking at his teacher with admiration, Liu Mo's eyes were full of reverence.

See? This was a true grandmaster. Even after being rebuffed, he remained humble and considerate, earning one's utmost admiration.

Ignoring their conversation, Zhang Xuan approached the seal and looked carefully.

In his dark eyes, textures wriggled, forming ripples of light.

"No good. My insight and experience are too limited. This formation is too profound; I can't understand it at all..."

He shook his head again.

For other formations, even七星 peak ones, with his Eye of Insight and his understanding of formations, given enough time, he could find flaws and pinpoint the crux.

But this one left him completely clueless.

"Looks like I'll have to use the Heaven's Path Library..."

He sighed inwardly, then frowned: "But to use the library, I need to activate the formation and get it running! Without it running, I can't check for flaws..."

He pinched the bridge of his nose.

The Heaven's Path Library couldn't be used arbitrarily; it required specific conditions. For example, to inspect a cultivator, they needed to circulate their true energy and perform a technique!

The same applied to formations; they had to be in operation.

Although this seal covered the entrance to the ruins and was constantly battered by strange power, it wasn't actually operating much. Calling out its flaws like this would have no effect.

What to do? How to get it running?

Zhang Xuan fell into thought.

"He didn't use a compass? And didn't examine the terrain or topography... Does this guy even understand formations?"

Liu Mo, who had been watching to see how this arrogant Dean Zhang would find the node, saw him stand before the pit, look blankly for a while, then rub his forehead...

He hadn't even taken out a compass, let alone glanced at the surrounding terrain...

Was this how one studied formations?

"Maybe it's a unique method..."

President Han was also puzzled, full of confusion.

"Hopefully... What is he... what is he doing?"

Nodding, Liu Mo was about to say something when he saw the dean's action and was so startled he nearly fainted on the spot.

The guy hesitated for a moment, then picked up a huge rock and threw it straight into the pit.