Chapter 39 - Something Terrible Has Happened!

“Peak Golden Core, you say? That’s manageable,” Xiao Yu said with a slight nod upon hearing the old abbot’s explanation.@@novelbin@@

Even while enduring millennia of suppression by the formation, the wolf demon retained its peak Golden Core strength—a testament to its formidable nature.

“Immortal Master, the formation restraining the wolf demon is called the Demon-Subduing Cursed Water Formation. Its power originates entirely from the cursed water beneath the ice. However, due to the passage of time and the wolf demon’s attacks on the formation’s core, its effectiveness has waned, and it requires reinforcement,” the abbot explained as he retrieved a formation disk from his storage pouch.

With a flick of his hand, he activated the disk, causing the cursed water beneath the ice to emit a faint rushing sound.

“I see,” Xiao Yu murmured, impressed by the formation’s intricacies.

Setting up a new formation was a daunting task, but reinforcing an existing one was relatively straightforward.

“Immortal Master, take your time familiarizing yourself with the formation. When we return to the surface, I’ll have someone deliver the formation diagram to help you understand it better. Tomorrow, we’ll officially begin the reinforcement process,” the abbot said with a smile.

“Agreed,” Xiao Yu replied with a polite nod.

Despite the abbot’s Foundation Establishment level, his expertise in formations earned him Xiao Yu’s respect.

The abbot explained that the Cursed Water Formation relied solely on the cursed water’s power, making it a mid-tier formation. In contrast, truly powerful formations harnessed the forces of heaven and earth, capable of subduing even the strongest beings. Such formations left no room for escape—breaking through required contending not only with the formation itself but also with the heavens.

Xiao Yu was deeply intrigued by the potential of formations as described by the abbot.

“Immortal Master, it’s nearly midnight. The cursed water will soon rise above the ice. Let’s return to the surface,” the abbot urged.

“Very well,” Xiao Yu agreed.

The two ascended from the frozen lake via their flying swords, emerging from the dry well and returning to Iron Pillar Temple.

Led by a young disciple, Xiao Yu was shown to his guest room. Though simple and unadorned, it was clean and serene.

Whoosh!

Once inside, Xiao Yu activated the Small Five Elements Sword Formation, embedding it in the void around the room. The formation ensured that any would-be attackers would first have to contend with it.

After securing his space, Xiao Yu lay on the firm wooden bed, pulling out both the formation diagram provided by the abbot and a jade slip containing his master’s insights on formations. He delved into their study throughout the night.

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By dawn, the eastern sky was tinged with light.

Having spent the night engrossed in his studies, Xiao Yu had progressed from a complete novice to a beginner in the art of formations.

As the sun rose, Xiao Yu deactivated the sword formation, stepped out of his room, and approached the abbot. “Abbot, I believe we can proceed with reinforcing the formation now.”

Confident from his overnight learning, Xiao Yu was ready to act.

“Excellent!” The abbot nodded.

Together, they returned to the dry well, descending once more to the subterranean ice lake.

Reinforcing the formation involved channelling spiritual energy into key nodes and replacing depleted spirit stones with new ones, thus replenishing the formation’s strength.

Although time-consuming, the process itself was not overly complex.

“Done,” Xiao Yu said two hours later, finally completing the task.

“Thank heavens!” the abbot sighed in relief, gazing at the restored formation.

With the Cursed Water Formation now reinforced, the wolf demon’s howls ceased, and the ice no longer trembled.

Ding!

Formation successfully reinforced. Luck +300!

The system’s notification echoed in Xiao Yu’s ears. The act of reinforcing the formation, which benefited the populace, had earned him karmic merit and increased his luck.

“Immortal Master, we cannot thank you enough. Iron Pillar Temple will always remember Tianyong City’s kindness,” the abbot said, his gratitude evident.

“No need for thanks,” Xiao Yu replied with a serene smile.

With their task complete, the two returned to the surface and made their way back to the Pine Crane Pavilion.

However, just as they reached the pavilion’s entrance, a disciple came rushing toward them, panic written all over his face.

“Abbot, something terrible has happened!”

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