The problem troubling Old Taixuan was: for such a massive Realm-Protecting Grand Formation, how many formation cores would be needed to support it?
Formation cores.
The soul of a formation.
Whether they could continuously supply energy, whether they could make the formation lines operate normally and achieve perpetual motion—these were crucial matters.
Old Taixuan and the research group’s initial concept was to set up many formations throughout the realm, then link them together to support a massive formation system.
Theoretically feasible.
But the Eternal Realm was so vast—how many sub-formations would need to be set up? And could they ensure perfect compatibility with each other?
The more complex a program, the more it required perfection. The slightest oversight or error would result in complete failure.
Therefore.
Old Taixuan was nearly driven mad.
Just when he and the research group were making no progress, the Eternal Sect’s Lingyan Pavilion inductee, bearer of the character “Wisdom,” Shangguan Xinyao descended from heaven with the bold idea of using the Eternal Realm’s origin as the formation core!
Readers commented: “You finally remembered the forgotten Lingyan Pavilion. When will the other disciples be arranged to enter?”
“Depends on my mood.”
Using a realm’s origin as a formation core was truly a bold idea.
Old Taixuan immediately began serious discussion with the members, reaching the conclusion that while audacious, it was theoretically feasible and currently the most perfect solution.
The problem troubling them was that supporting a realm-covering formation required massive numbers of formation cores. If they used the Eternal Realm as the formation core and perpetual motion machine, they wouldn’t need such complexity and could easily support it.
“Alright!”
Jun Changxiao decided: “We’ll do it this way!”
“Sect Master.”
Shangguan Xinyao said: “The advantage of using the origin as the formation core is that it can support a super-large formation, but it also has a fatal flaw.”
“Speak.”
“Glory shared, harm shared.”
With the current volume and energy of the Eternal Realm’s origin, supporting a massive formation should be no major problem, but the two would be tightly linked—if either side was damaged, it would backlash onto the other.
For example.
If the Realm-Protecting Grand Formation was successfully set up and entered defensive mode, if it were forcibly broken by external forces, the realm’s origin would definitely suffer severe damage.
If the origin had problems.
The worst-case scenario would be the collapse of heaven and earth, chaos in the order of things, and all living beings within experiencing apocalypse.
“Very troublesome…”
Jun Changxiao fell into deep thought.
Old Taixuan and the research members, who had been enthusiastic, also calmed down.
This.
They couldn’t gamble on!
If a formation was destroyed, they could rebuild it.
But if the heart representing the world malfunctioned, it was fundamentally beyond human power to heal.
“No good!”
Old Taixuan, after thinking it through, objected: “The method is too extreme. We can’t do this!”
Jun Changxiao placed his hands together, resting his chin on them: “Master, do you know why I’m setting up the Realm-Protecting Grand Formation?”
“…”
Old Taixuan fell silent.
Jun Changxiao said: “The formation exists to keep living beings safe. If it’s broken through by others, we won’t be far from annihilation anyway, so…” He stood up, his gaze serious: “When the formation stands, the realm stands. When the formation falls, the realm falls!”
That’s right.
The Realm-Protecting Grand Formation’s purpose was protection.
No matter what powered it, once it lost its function, the resulting harm would be equally fatal.
Since that was the case, let the realm’s origin support it, sharing existence and destruction with the Eternal Realm, with the Eternal Sect, with countless living beings.
“Formation Hall, listen to my command.”
“Swoosh!”
“Swoosh!”
The research members in the secret realm all stood at attention.
Jun Changxiao’s gaze was piercing: “Take the realm’s origin as your research direction and set up the Realm-Protecting Grand Formation covering the entire realm as quickly as possible!”
Solemn and authoritative.
Actually, Jun Changxiao had long possessed a Sect Master’s bearing and presence, but because he treated disciples like children and the Eternal Sect like home, he often preferred to act freely and casually.
Please remember, especially Little Duo.
On major matters of principle, on certain positions, Jun Changxiao had always been a man of three qualities: principles, bottom lines, and responsibility! If one more must be added, it would be: good looks!
“Yes!”
All disciples responded in unison.
That very day.
Old Taixuan led them in getting busy.
With a direction, it became much easier—at least they knew where to start.
“Grand Elder, will this work?”
“It will!”
“Grand Elder, is this acceptable?”
“Acceptable!”
The research group members repeatedly contributed their insights, placing many possibilities and different plans on the table.
Old Taixuan intended to let Jun Changxiao decide, but received the reply: “You’re the expert in this area. You decide.”
Trust those you employ, don’t employ those you doubt. Since the matter was entrusted to the Formation Hall, no matter what plan they provided, he would support it without hesitation.
This was.
The Sect Master’s charisma and boldness.
Old Taixuan felt the weight of responsibility, because Jun Changxiao was entrusting the future of the Eternal Realm and countless living beings entirely into his hands.
“Good!”
His expression grew solemn: “I won’t disappoint!”
Next, Old Taixuan continued leading disciples in ceaseless research and discussion day and night. Pages filled with pattern lines scattered throughout the Temporal Secret Realm.
“Clack clack clack!”
“Clack clack clack!”
Dozens of research group members sat at tables together, hands ceaselessly working abacuses, heads constantly bobbing, tongues sticking out, all striving to ensure every formation line had not the slightest deviation.
“…”
Su Xiaomo and others occasionally came in to cultivate. Seeing them in such a frenzied state, they couldn’t help but exclaim: “My goodness, how terrifying!”
The calendar hanging in the secret realm was torn away page by page, and time passed bit by bit.
“Thud!”
One member collapsed, eyes rolling back, foaming at the mouth.
“Sigh.” Old Taixuan couldn’t bear to look and waved his hand: “Take them away.”
Medical Hall members quickly placed the patient on a stretcher. As they carried them away, the person still raised their hand, still slowly working the abacus—even while unconscious, they remained in work mode.
“Salute!”
Along the Medical Peak’s path, disciples spontaneously formed two rows to see off the hero.
“Snap!”
Li Shangtian seized the opportunity to take a photo that would be preserved forever.
“Thud!”
“Thud!”
Inside the secret realm, as research reached a critical juncture, members who had given and worked hard successively collapsed.
“No! I can still calculate!”
Many members tried to stay on the front lines despite minor injuries, but were still carried out for treatment.
Sitting on the jujube tree behind the mountain, Jun Changxiao closed his eyes and thought silently: “Your efforts and contributions today will be forever remembered by future generations.”
…
Several years later.
Inside the secret realm, research blueprints piled up like mountains and hills.
Of those persisting on the front lines of formation work, very few remained.
“Haha!”
“Hahaha!”
Suddenly, wild laughter came from the mountain of stacked blueprints, and then Old Taixuan leaped out, like a madman: “Success, finally success!”
His head gleamed baldly, his beard white as snow.
Clearly, the sleepless research on formations had made him completely bald.
Total time consumed: ten years.
Spanning more than 3,600 days.
Hundreds of Formation Hall members working one after another in dedicated research and effort.
The formation plan centered on the Eternal Realm’s origin was finally born today.
Future generations reading this passage in the Eternal Historical Records would deeply admire their ancestors’ selfless dedication and greatness.
…
“Swoosh!”
“Swoosh!”
In the Eternal Realm, in every city, in every corner, Eternal Sect disciples successively appeared. They silently left complex formation lines in place, then moved to the next destination.
Several months later.
On the sect’s main peak.
Jun Changxiao, dressed in formal attire, walked out from the great hall and stopped at the central area of the intricate formation.
Old Taixuan and the research group stood nearby, full of anticipation.
“Thunder Sprite Clan formation set up successfully.”
“Ice Phoenix Clan formation set up successfully.”
“Stone Golem Clan formation set up successfully.”
“Dragon Clan formation set up successfully.”
“Soul Clan formation…”
Shortly after.
“Reporting to Sect Master!” Shangguan Xinyao’s voice trembled slightly: “Formations in all regions, all clans, all cities have been fully activated.”
“Swoosh!”
Jun Changxiao closed his eyes, his soul connecting with the Eternal Realm’s origin, proudly saying: “If miracles have a color, it must be…”
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”
“Whoosh whoosh whoosh!”
In an instant, the entire Eternal Realm seemed to be lit up. Major cities and major clans all released soaring radiance, then linked with each other.
“Boom!”
Visible ripples rose from the earth, rapidly spreading across the firmament.
Gentlemen.
Hear this dragon’s roar!
Sitting in the Formation Hall, Shangguan Xinyao checked the formation data and operational status displayed on the light screen. Only after it stabilized did she finally speak: “Reporting to Sect Master, Realm-Protecting Grand Formation activation… successful!”
Her voice resounded throughout the sect!
“Success!”
“Success!”
The Formation Hall members immediately erupted. They raised their arms and cheered, embracing each other. The excitement and joy in their hearts was a thousand times stronger than breaking through to the Heavenly Secret Realm.
In the boiling crowd, Old Taixuan turned around, hunched his back, and slowly walked away, then sat on distant stone steps.
He wanted to control his emotions.
But tears stubbornly flowed down his cheeks.
“All living beings, listen to my command!”
Suddenly, all living beings throughout the realm turned in unison, facing the Eternal Sect. Those within the high-level and disciple ranks turned toward the Formation Hall members, toward the weathered old man sitting on the steps.
“Perform the highest ceremonial salute!”
“Swoosh!”
“Swoosh!”
All living beings in the Eternal Realm and all disciples of the Eternal Sect moved as one, placing their right hands over their hearts.
They were paying tribute to the Formation Hall members who had constantly contributed over ten years. They were paying tribute to the Grand Elder who had always fought on the front lines.
—