Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 187: The Theory of Formations
In the midst of his anxiety, suddenly a disciple arrived with an invitation, and sure enough, it was from Li Xian!
Xiao Yuquan opened the letter and, upon reading it, found that Li Xian’s choice of words was very careful and appropriate, which made him feel warm, almost as if it were written by a scholar seeking guidance. Of course, after Xiao Yuquan later witnessed Li Xian’s literary talent, he began to suspect who had truly written the letter; after inquiring, he learned that it was actually written by Xu Ren.
But at this moment, seeing the letter, Xiao Yuquan was genuinely moved—such sincerity!
Well then… Let’s meet! It seems that not meeting is not an option.
Li Xian, on the other hand, was also feeling uneasy, uncertain of what would happen when they met. If possible, Li Xian truly did not want to face a Nascent Soul-level expert, especially one he hoped to recruit—he would probably get beaten up. But the current Brilliant Star Group indeed needed such a formation master.
Although it seemed possible to achieve something with just a few ordinary formation experts, Li Xian still hoped to try and recruit a master. After all, if someone were considered a master, at the very least, it could be confirmed that they had their own research achievements.
Ordinary experts mostly just copy others’ techniques, painting cats like tigers; asking them to reverse the process would be beyond their abilities.
While anxiously waiting, Li Xian finally saw a young man, about the same age as him, approaching. “Young Master Li, the teacher requests your presence. Please follow me.”
Song Xing and the others waited outside, with only Li Xian and Xu Ren being allowed to enter. The attendants had to wait outside, beyond the mountain gate—this was the rule.
Li Xian thanked him and then asked, “May I ask for your esteemed name, senior brother?”
The man replied casually, “My name is not worth mentioning. I am the teacher’s eldest disciple, Zeng Mingshan. You may just call me by my name.”
Li Xian carefully responded, “Senior Brother Zeng, you’re too modest. I wonder if visiting the master now would disturb his cultivation?”
After all, this was a Nascent Soul-level expert, Li Xian kept reminding himself. Though confident, he still felt a bit lacking when facing such an expert. It seemed that there were no public Nascent Soul-level experts in the entire Great Xia Kingdom, though surely some existed in secret.
This was actually Li Xian’s first time meeting a Nascent Soul-level expert—at least, that’s how he perceived it.
Zeng Mingshan seemed to understand Li Xian’s feelings. “Don’t worry, Young Master Li. The teacher is a very kind person, and many of his peers come to seek his guidance. He always answers patiently. As long as you maintain the necessary respect and politeness, that will be enough.”
Li Xian wanted to ask more questions, but Zeng Mingshan pointed to a small building ahead that appeared to be shrouded in mist. “The teacher is inside. Please allow me to take my leave.”
Zeng Mingshan left without hesitation, leaving Li Xian and Xu Ren behind.
Li Xian was both amused and helpless. Shouldn’t he have opened the door or made an inviting gesture? Oh well, Li Xian misunderstood Zeng Mingshan. This action actually meant—”I’m not eavesdropping.” After all, cultivators have strong spiritual senses.
Xu Ren was about to knock on the door, but Li Xian stopped him, thinking that if he could do it himself, he should. So, he stepped forward and knocked. “Master Yuquan, this is Li Xian. I apologize for the intrusion.”
The door creaked open on its own, revealing an environment that seemed like a fairyland, with mist swirling around, making the place look ethereal and illusory. It was truly beautiful.
Li Xian was puzzled by these effects—don’t they get damp? Well, he couldn’t ask that. After entering and meeting the master, he would have the opportunity to take a closer look at this Nascent Soul-level expert.
Hmm, he looked very ordinary. There was no halo around him, no glowing head, no radiant treasure light, just two eyes, a mouth, two ears, and two nostrils—no signs of the mythical “Nine Orifices” or other rumors (did you think Nascent Soul experts were light bulbs?).
Li Xian also touched the seat, finding it dry and refreshing, with no trace of dampness.
It seemed that Xiao Yuquan noticed Li Xian’s action and suddenly smiled. With a casual wave of his hand, the surrounding mist and fog instantly vanished without a trace. “Please don’t laugh. This is just a small illusion formation, nothing worth mentioning.”
Li Xian was very interested. It was clear that the methods of a Nascent Soul-level expert were not something a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him could understand. But Li Xian seized the opportunity to start a conversation, “Senior’s mastery of formations is truly as legendary as the rumors say. Such a small illusion formation, and I was unable to distinguish between real and fake.”
“However, I have come today with a question I would like to ask senior.”
“Please speak.” Xiao Yuquan was not in a hurry. Yang Zhong had only said that the Brilliant Star Group was good and guaranteed an opportunity for him to reach the god transformation stage. However, Xiao Yuquan was more interested in hearing Li Xian’s opinion and how Li Xian would evaluate the group he had personally founded.
Li Xian briefly organized his words, “Senior, I have seen many ordinary formations, but these formations all seem to have one problem, that is—rigidity. All formations are essentially fixed, making them difficult to adjust flexibly. In fact, once the state changes, they stop functioning. And the function of the formation is also fixed and unchangeable.
Once a formation is formed, it will gradually weaken, eventually breaking down completely.
So one day, I had a sudden thought: Is there a formation in this world that can change freely, one that can change according to our will, or even develop and evolve on its own, able to judge right from wrong, much like us humans, possessing a form of intelligence?
I asked many people, but they all said I was daydreaming; however, after thinking for a long time, I realized that in ancient times, there seemed to be similar, or somewhat similar, formations. But the records have only a few fragmented words, and we have no way to deduce further.
I heard that Senior is a formation master, so I took the liberty to visit and seek clarity on the confusion in my heart.”
Xiao Yuquan slightly furrowed his brows, “Young Master Li, what use is your idea? If it is just out of curiosity, there is no need to discuss it.”
Li Xian’s eyes instantly brightened, “No, of course, I am not merely curious. The reason I have such thoughts is that the scientific research within the Brilliant Star Group has reached a critical point. We need a new technology to promote further and rapid development.
And this future technology can be best approached through formations. Only the foundation and structure of formations align with the vision of such future technology and have a far-reaching future.
After much consideration and discussion with the researchers within the Brilliant Star Group, I decided to visit you, Senior.”
Xiao Yuquan was completely confused, his brows furrowing even deeper, “Scientific research? Technology? What are these? And why is the next step to study formations?”
Li Xian dropped a bombshell, “Senior, our formations are all derived from understanding the changes between heaven and earth. So, is it possible, through formations, to evolve the changes and developments of heaven and earth? Or even create a virtual world, or even create a real world!”
It was precisely this idea that made Li Xian rank electronic computer technology second and place the entirely new research of formation-based computers at the top.
Xiao Yuquan finally understood, “Young Master Li, is your idea… a bit too ambitious? As far as I know, our current formations cannot achieve this level. While there were many powerful formations in ancient times, they were all created by immortals, and the specific principles are not something we mere mortals can aspire to!”
Li Xian, however, looked at Xiao Yuquan seriously, “I know what is missing!”