Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2085 Chapter 991: Wood's Renewal (Part 2)

Previously on Immortality Through Array Formations...

In the oppressive atmosphere of the high pavilion, the Pavilion Elder divined turbulent heavenly secrets revealing the rebirth of a causal thread tied to the perilous Yin Yang Rebirth Formation, a forbidden array capable of upending life, death, and Dao principles. Grappling with its vast implications that could awaken slumbering elders and threaten his own position, he pondered deeply for a day and night, weighing the risks of using it as bait in a cosmic chess game. Ultimately, he modified the formation by overlaying patterns and inscribing it as the Wood Revitalization Formation, then summoned the Supervisor to play chess, critiquing his opponent's skill amid the scattered pieces.

After a brief pause, the Pavilion Elder spoke up unexpectedly:

"Have you heard of the Young Masters' Pavilion?"

This sudden inquiry made the Supervisor's hand shake while he gripped a chess piece.

The piece clattered onto the board, hitting a "dead eye" spot.

He considered retrieving it, yet recalled the rule that "a played move can't be undone," so he paused briefly before pulling back his fingers reluctantly.

Unfazed by the mishap, the Pavilion Elder kept his gaze fixed on the board, pondering his next placement.

In a hushed tone, the Supervisor murmured, "It's merely some youthful... insignificant games..."

The Pavilion Elder offered no affirmation or denial, merely stating, "'Pavilion'—this term ought not to be tossed around casually."

"Indeed..." the Supervisor responded deliberately, "The young ones fail to grasp the gravity of such matters..."

Silence fell as the Pavilion Elder concentrated solely on the match.

Anxiety gnawed at the Supervisor's mind.

The game pressed on, with black and white pieces dropping steadily onto the board.

Throughout, the Pavilion Elder remained on the losing side, committing errors often, his stones getting surrounded and taken one after another.

Midway through their play, the Pavilion Elder abruptly asked, "Do you desire my role as Pavilion Elder?"

The words struck like thunder out of a clear sky.

Startled, the Supervisor let his piece fall and dropped to his knees in terror, stammering, "Master, I, your disciple..."

With a dismissive gesture, the Pavilion Elder said, "I was only chatting idly—why act so alarmed?"

Still on his knees, the Supervisor froze, afraid to stir.

His cloudy eyes swept over the kneeling figure, blending admiration with a touch of regret; the Pavilion Elder let out a long sigh:

"The seat of Pavilion Elder—whether you crave it or not—will eventually pass to you someday..."

A wry note colored the Supervisor's voice as he replied, "Master, you think too highly of me; I..."

Another wave of the hand from the Pavilion Elder cut him off.

The Supervisor trailed off, unable to proceed.

Gazing at him intently, the Pavilion Elder spoke with profound intent:

"You need to figure out precisely what your heart truly desires. Once clear on that, chase it relentlessly."

"Be it the Dao, eternal life, renown, authority, or even the Pavilion Elder position itself—you must know your aim..."

"Avoid wandering lost, swept along aimlessly, advancing without purpose."

With genuine respect, the Supervisor affirmed, "This disciple comprehends."

Inwardly, the Pavilion Elder sighed, his head shaking faintly in quiet letdown.

"Have all arrangements for the Qian Learning State Boundary been completed?" the Pavilion Elder inquired once more.

"Yes..."

Producing a Jade Slip, the Pavilion Elder passed it over, instructing, "Incorporate this Formation into the prize for the Qianxue Debate's champion, presented as a gift from the Dao Court Tian Shu Pavilion."

Rising respectfully, the Supervisor accepted the Jade Slip with cupped hands and peeked at its inscription—"Wood Revitalization Formation"—before querying:

"Master..."

"It belongs to the Pavilion," the Pavilion Elder declared.

The Supervisor hesitated, then ventured, "Pavilion Elder, pardon this disciple's lack of insight—what lies behind the intent of this Formation?"

A look of gentle mercy crossed the Pavilion Elder's face:

"The Qianxue Debate has grown overly obsessed with triumph and rivalry. Our disciples should remember that the sword's true aim is to protect lives, not to dominate or take them."

Cupping his hands, the Supervisor said, "Your compassion shines through, Master."

The Pavilion Elder began tidying the chessboard, muttering under his breath, "Matching wits with you lacks any thrill..."

Having gathered a setup doomed to defeat in under ten turns, he flicked his hand, "Go on, depart."

Resigned, the Supervisor secured the "Wood Revitalization Formation" with care, offered a deep bow, and intoned, "This disciple bids farewell."

Paying him no mind, the Pavilion Elder settled back into his doze.

This time, his slumber came deeply serene.

As though he shed the mantle of a lofty, influential Pavilion Elder, becoming merely a simple elder fond of chess and rest.

The Supervisor withdrew with due reverence, descending from the lofty pavilion to his quarters, where he mulled over the ancient Formation's Jade Slip in his grasp, his brows knitting tight.

"Rather than a teaching for the debate participants, could the Pavilion Elder have been... directing this at me?"

"To harbor benevolent intent, like withered wood blooming anew—rescuing others equates to self-rescue?"

"Is it truly that straightforward?"

A shadow crept into the Supervisor's eyes, his mind racing, nearly prompting him to probe the Jade Slip.

Yet, the memory of the Pavilion Elder's profound, vast-as-the-sea gaze and prior counsel swiftly suppressed that fleeting urge.

What the Pavilion Elder left unsaid didn't imply ignorance.

Deceiving him was impossible.

Attempting it would be as absurd as a thief muffling his own ears—pure folly.

The Supervisor stowed the Jade Slip bearing "Wood Revitalization Formation" inside a jade box, penned a directive, affixed his seal, summoned a reliable subordinate, and ordered:

"Carry this with my seal, in the Tian Shu Pavilion's name, to the Qian Learning State Boundary—present this jade box as an extra honor for the Qianxue Debate's victor."

"Understood."

The subordinate bowed low, claimed the jade box, and withdrew to execute the task per the Tian Shu Pavilion's protocols, adhering strictly to custom.

And so, this opulent yet seemingly plain jade box reached the Qian Learning State Boundary bearing the Tian Shu Pavilion's decree.

It bore the Tian Shu Pavilion's command.

It carried the Supervisor's seal.

It remained an unopened jade box.

All seemed in order.

Yet none could foresee the earth-shaking, cosmos-rattling secret truly sealed within that jade box...

…

"Wood Revitalization Formation?"

"What's that?"

In the Taixu Gate's dining hall, Cheng Mo and fellow disciples caught wind of it too, scratching their heads in confusion.

"Idiots, the name says it all—it's clearly a formation."

"Duh, I get it's a formation. What I'm asking is, what sort of formation merits the Dao Court bestowing it as a special prize?"

"The title suggests something basic."

"What's its rank?"

"No details given, just the formation's name."

"On the topic of Wood Revitalization Formation, I think my clan has one tucked away..."

"Stop joking; yours can't compare. Whatever your clan's hoarding isn't worth much."

"True, formations might share names, but the Dao Court's version is leagues beyond anything like yours."

"Right, handing out something ordinary as a reward would embarrass them."

"Why choose this formation? Wouldn't a Sword Array, Killing Formation, or the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Talents Formation make more sense..."