Chapter 670: The True Implications
“Let’s just begin your battle formation practice.” After Shang Xia finished his lesson with some difficulty, Sun Haiwei quickly spoke. Clearly, she had also discovered the problem. Shang Xia’s teaching was completely different from the current way of cultivation and students who had reached a certain level could no longer accept his viewpoints.
Shang Xia muttered, “If they want to unleash the true power of the battle formation without understanding…”
Before Shang Xia could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Sun Haiwei. “Your battle formation is truly marvelous. It even encompasses every manifestation of nature and even a Martial Extermination Realm cultivator like myself can’t understand it fully. How much do you think they will catch? It’s good enough if they manage to forcefully apply your teachings. Do you really think they can use it to defeat a Martial Intent Realm cultivator? It’s good enough if they manage to escape if they were hunted down by one!”
Seeing the reluctant look on Shang Xia’s face, Sun Haiwei continued, “The battle formation you came up with far surpassed what the Changbai Sect taught their students. Of our Azure Origin World and the Azure Spiritual World, do you think there are that many factions that surpass the Changbai Sect? How many of them will be able to develop a battle formation like that? Your Extremity Yin Yang Formation isn’t just a random battle formation used to supplement the institution’s knowledge. It can already be considered part of our core inheritance! It’s something our institution never had in the past. The moment it’s used in the competition, do you think the higher-ups will let you teach the essence of the battle formation as you please?”
An astonished expression hung on Shang Xia’s face as he looked at Sun Haiwei. It was true. In the past half a month or so, he had been developing the Extremity Yin Yang Formation based on his Yin Yang Sword Formation. He completely forgot the value it held.
Only when Sun Haiwei gave him a reminder did he realize that even though Martial Extremity Realm disciples had the ability to use his Extremity Yin Yang Formation, they weren’t the only ones who could do so.
Like how Shang Xia used his Yin Yang Sword Formation to heavily injure a Martial Extermination Realm expert of the Spirit Abundance World, the knowledge and principles behind it far surpassed the Martial Extremity Realm.
In all honesty, Shang Xia discovered it a long time ago. He just forgot. After all, every time the Crimson Soul Tablet came up with a special skill or secret art, it wasn’t just useful for whatever his current cultivation base was then.
Shang Xia learned the Heavenly Lightning Blood collection Art back in the Essence Realm and could still strengthen his physique with it at his current level.
In the Yin Yang Realm, he comprehended the Yin Yang Sword Formation. However, it wasn’t as simple as a mere sword formation as displayed from his current teachings.
After reaching the Triple Command Realm, Shang Xia received the Man and Heaven Synergy Chapter from the Crimson Soul Tablet. His soul became much stronger than the others as a result and his divine sense could reach a greater range. It was also a lot sharper than cultivators of the same level.
When he finally entered the Four Constellation Realm and comprehended his martial intent to enter the grand completion stage, the most obvious effect so far was his increased lifespan. His appearance remained the same the past few years thanks to it.
…
After Sun Haiwei’s reminder, Shang Xia no longer concerned himself too much with whether the students understood the essence of his Extremity Yin Yang Formation.
He emphasized the movement and execution of the formation more than anything else. The degree of execution and what they could comprehend from the formation was left up to them.
Of course, if anyone were to look for him and earnestly request his teachings, he wouldn’t hold back and teach them everything he knew.
When the training session was approaching its end, Yan Weihai, Mu Songfang, and the others challenged Ju Hang.
The battle shocked the members of the First and Second Classes when they witnessed the abilities of those from the Fifth Class.
Despite their eventual defeat, the other students in the Martial Extremity Realm couldn’t believe the 7 members of the Fifth Class could fight a Martial Intent Realm expert to such a degree.
Perhaps it was because of the stimulation of the battle, the students of the First and Second Classes who had been doubting Shang Xia’s teachings the whole time started to feel a little more serious when it came to the Extremity Yin Yang Formation.
The utilization of the Extremity Yin Yang Formation might have looked impressive when Yan Weihai and the others executed it, but they barely reached the level when Shang Xia was controlling it initially.
“Impressive… These kids are still improving! At their current pace, they should be able to fight me to a draw before the start of the competition.” Ju Hang was very optimistic about their improvements.
As the Fifth Class’ Custodian and practical combat teacher, the matter of his students achieving a good position in the upcoming competition didn’t just affect his reputation. At the same time, the way the institution treated him would also improve.
The most obvious way was the essence crystal rewards he would receive.
Zhang Yuelin, who taught the First Class, muttered, “The battle formation is something special indeed… I wonder if cultivators at our level can make use of it?”
Liu Xiang, the teacher of the Second Class sighed, “I didn’t think that our institution would also have our own battle formation. It’s no wonder Teacher Sun would get us to bring our students over…”
Sun Haiwei glanced at Liu Xiang and snorted, “You’re thinking too much. The battle formation has nothing to do with the institution. Teacher Shang came up with it on his own.”
“Since I already decided to teach it to the students, there’s no need to hide it from the rest. Fellow teachers, you can decide whether or not to implement it after witnessing its true strength.” Shang Xia chuckled.
He wasn’t done as he turned to Zhang Yuelin. “If you’re willing, you can give it a shot. After all, even at my current level, it’s still pretty useful. I have no idea how it would apply to others though.”
Zhang Yuelin cupped his fists in thanks but seemed a little confused. “Teacher Shang, what do you mean by that? Aren’t these students using it well?”
A bitter chuckle left Shang Xia’s lips. “The Martial Extremity Realm is the minimum requirement to practice the battle formation. I believe all of you can see that the principles behind the formation are different from what you know. Not everyone can comprehend it and temporarily, we haven’t come up with a way to integrate both schools of thought together.
Zhang Yuelin and Lin Xiang fell into contemplation.
Along the way, Sun Haiwei turned to Ju Hang and said with a huge grin on her face, “Hey, do you want to make a bet?”
“What are we betting on?” Ju Hang seemed a little confused by her sudden question.”
Sun Haiwei continued, “I’ll bet that those kids will be able to defeat you before the competition begins!”
Ju Hang was no fool. After hearing her suggestion, he turned to look at Shang Xia for a clue. When he saw his calm expression and slightly amused smile, he rejected it without hesitation. “I’m not betting with you!”
Only a fool would bet after seeing how confident both Martial Extermination Realm experts were acting! Obviously, his previous judgment was flawed. He couldn’t possibly see things clearer than those monsters!
He might have rejected the bet, but he quickly turned to Sun Haiwei to ask, “Are you sure they’ll be able to defeat me?”
“Of the students in the Fifth Class, a few of them have already understood Junior Brother Shang’s teachings. Their cultivation is in the initial stages of transformation. Your earlier evaluation was based on their current level of strength and you forgot to take into account an increase in cultivation.” Sun Haiwei explained.
Widening his eyes in surprise, Ju Hang asked, “Is someone going to break through?!”
As the Custodian of the Fifth Class, Ju Hang clearly understood the strength and cultivation base of each of his students. He also knew how quickly they were improving. From what Sun Haiwei was saying, it seemed as though Mu Songfang wouldn’t be the only one surprising him with a sudden breakthrough.
Shang Xia also chuckled at the side, “Actually, it wouldn’t be easy for them to defeat you if they were fighting for real. Today, you’re exchanging pointers at best. You stood passively, waiting for them to deploy their battle formation to attack you. If this was a true battle, would you allow yourself to be surrounded by them so easily?”
Sun Haiwei’s gaze wandered about and she mumbled thoughtfully, “So… Looks like they haven’t mastered the battle formation to the point they can use it with ease…”
“For a battle formation that consists of so many people, they have to lay a trap for their opponent if they wish to use it effectively. They would have to react to many changes on the spot. At the end of the day, it’s still a little too passive. If anyone sees through their weakness and decides to just run away, they wouldn’t be able to do anything!” Shang Xia explained.
“Oh yeah? Who are you referring to? To you, those students should be going around slaying Martial Intent Realm cultivators or something, right? Are you crazy? Do you think everyone is like you? During most battles, how many high-level cultivators would go around massacring those weaker than them? Who’s going to take the responsibility and start killing low-leveled cultivators without permission?” Sun Haiwei sneered in response. It was clear Shang Xia had been training the students with the intention of getting them to kill Martial Intent Realm experts.
With her rebuttal, Shang Xia was truly at a loss for words.
…
Several days passed again, and the students of the Fifth Class were much more familiar with the execution of their Extremity Yin Yang Formation. As they challenged Ju Hang time and time again, it was as Sun Haiwei had said. He was slowly falling to a disadvantage.
However, according to Shang Xia’s initial plan, the way they would do battle changed. Ju Hang no longer needed to wait for them to surround him before the fighter started. Instead, he would pretend to walk into an ambush as the members of the Fifth Class launched their attacks from different directions. That would force Mu Songfang and the others to react to any unexpected situations that would arise from actual combat. Because of training like that, their mastery over the Extremity Yin Yang Formation quickly rose to the next level.
During that period of time, the Fifth Class welcomed 2 more Martial Extremity Realm students. They were the ones who disappeared back then as they were consolidating their foundations. Now that they were back, they quickly integrated themselves into the group consisting of Mu Songfang and the others.
A team from the Inner Division would only be made up of 7 people, but no one could be sure that none of their members would suffer some sort of injury midway through the competition. As such, these 2 new Martial Extremity Realm students could act as their substitutes.
The students of the First and Second Classes would still arrive at the Fifth Class’ training plaza every day. However, they wouldn’t listen to Shang Xia’s teachings and would immediately begin their practice of the Extremity Yin Yang Formation.
As the number of people training in the battle formation increased, it was obvious it couldn’t be kept as a secret for much longer. News started to spread through the Inner Division and everyone quickly heard of it.
While the students were still spreading the news, the various Custodians, teachers, and those who knew the true implications of the battle formation quickly arrived to see it for themselves.
It was unfortunate that the competition was drawing near and it would be impossible for the other classes to take part in the training.
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