``` Lu Chengyun handed Mo Hua some more Formation Diagrams, Formation Patterns, and books on Formation Explanation. "These albums should be helpful for the gentleman in constructing the Formation eye for the Ten Thousand Corpses Compound Formation," he said. Lu Chengyun’s gaze showed neither joy nor anger, and then he said indifferently: "I will give the gentleman three days. Within three days, draw a good design for the Formation Diagram of the Formation eye. We’ll discuss it, take the essence and discard the dregs, improve it several times, and we should be able to construct a complete Spiritual Power Formation Eye Diagram." Three days... Mo Hua breathed a sigh of relief but also felt some unease, and cupped his hands in thanks: "Let’s do as the Lu Family Head said." Mo Hua then left with some Formation Diagrams and books that Lu Chengyun had given him, his heart filled with "worry and trepidation." Not until Mo Hua had gone far did Zhang Quan speak in a gloomy tone: "Brother Lu, that kid, he looks completely unsure of himself." Lu Chengyun turned his head to look at him, "If he isn’t confident, are you, Brother Zhang?" Zhang Quan twisted his mouth, "Brother Lu jests. I don’t understand Formations..." Lu Chengyun snorted lightly. Zhang Quan harbored doubts and with a provocative tone, he asked: "This kid... gentleman, can he really construct the Formation eye?" Lu Chengyun pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "He has good talent, high comprehension, and surely has inherited knowledge from a prestigious master, with profound knowledge in formations..." "The only problem might be that he hasn’t dabbled broadly in formations, lacks experience, hasn’t built many Formations practically, and is inexperienced..." Lu Chengyun then sighed and said, "However, it’s not his fault. After all, he’s still young. At the age of barely over ten, no matter how much he forsakes sleep and food, he can’t have drawn too many Formations..." "How can the experience of Formation masters, who have studied for over a hundred years, compare with his?" "That’s why I borrowed his extensive Formation knowledge to design the Formation eye, while I supervise and make corrections, to compensate for his lack of experience in Formation crafting." Zhang Quan frowned, "Even so, why don’t you design it yourself, Brother Lu?" Lu Chengyun’s expression turned slightly cold, and a trace of displeasure appeared in his eyes. He thought to himself: If I could design it myself, why would I entrust someone else? Lu Chengyun looked at the vast Ten Thousand Corpses Compound Formation, feeling a slight tremor in his heart. This is a Compound Formation that almost approaches a Large Formation! The structure of the Formation eye is almost that of a Large Formation. Large Formations and Single Formations represent entirely different systems of formation. My Divine Sense is sufficient, but my knowledge of formations is far too little. Without a profound formation heritage and guidance from a master, an ordinary Formation Master trying to study a Large Formation has no way to even begin understanding it. Relying solely on one’s own research is like working blindly; it could take decades without necessarily figuring anything out. Moreover, I simply don’t have that time. By the time I figure it out on my own, draw the Formation Diagram, construct the Formation eye, and form the Formation, the zombies in this mine will probably all have spoiled. This Zhang Quan, after all, is not a Formation Master. Talking to him is exhausting! Although Lu Chengyun was resentful in his heart, he still found an excuse for himself on the surface: "I’ve dabbled in the Evil Formation path. Now trying to reconstruct the Formation eye using a Righteous Dao method is a bit difficult." Zhang Quan was slightly astonished when he heard this and unconsciously nodded his head. He did not understand Lu Chengyun’s problem with formation learning and thought Lu Chengyun was deceiving him, so he only half-believed. But what Lu Chengyun said now, he understood. Having drawn Evil Formations, naturally, one can’t draw a standard Formation properly. The opposition between righteous and evil is simple and understandable. Zhang Quan pondered for a moment and then his confusion resurfaced: "But, is that young man’s formation knowledge truly so extraordinary?" Lu Chengyun nodded, "Naturally..." "If there wasn’t an excellent legacy and guidance from a superior mentor, relying solely on himself, even if his talent were exceptional, how could he possibly become a first-class Formation Master at such a young age?" After Lu Chengyun finished speaking, his expression became emotional: "A first-class Formation Master appointed by the Taoist Court, ah, how many Formation Masters exhaust their entire lifetimes, studying with devoted concentration, to attain such an honor." "And he’s already a first-class Formation Master at the age of thirteen..." Envy flashed in Lu Chengyun’s eyes. Why couldn’t I be that lucky, to meet such an excellent mentor? Otherwise, my own level in formations wouldn’t have been struggling for so many years, advancing slowly... A hint of wariness also appeared in Zhang Quan’s eyes. "He’s actually a first-class Formation Master..." He knew that Mo Hua was good at drawing formations, but he didn’t realize how good. Then a greedy thought arose in him. It seemed a waste to kill a first-class Formation Master. I wonder if there’s a way to keep him by my side to draw formations for me... Both harboring their own schemes, outwardly, they still appeared as if nothing was amiss. Later on, Lu Chengyun brought up the topic of the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses again. After some thought, his eyes brightened as he said: 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖 "Once this formation is successfully established, we will begin Corpse Refinement. Once the corpse is refined and can command the horde, both South Yue City and the entire Minor Wilderness State Boundary will be at our mercy." Zhang Quan’s eyes also sparkled with excitement, and he said: "I will follow Brother Lu’s lead!" The two exchanged glances, both brimming with ambition. ``` ``` "However, before that," after a moment, Lu Chengyun’s tone shifted, his gaze deepening, and he said: "I would like to borrow Brother Zhang’s Ancestral Master Picture for a look." Zhang Quan was taken aback, his smile gradually fading, "Didn’t Brother Lu already see it before?" "The Zhang Family ancestor has unparalleled elegance, I wish to admire it once more," Lu Chengyun politely said. Zhang Quan scoffed in his heart. Admire? He’s probably tasted the sweetness already. "This Ancestral Master Picture, I’ve just gotten it back..." Zhang Quan hesitated. "I’ll only borrow it for half a month." "But..." Lu Chengyun said, "I will give Brother Zhang an additional tenth of the Walking Corpses and Iron Corpses in the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses." Zhang Quan’s eyes brightened, bargaining: "Twenty percent!" Lu Chengyun’s gaze hardened, he fell silent for a moment, and slowly said, "Alright!" The deal was settled. Zhang Quan took out the Ancestral Master Picture, handing it over to Lu Chengyun with some reluctance, "This picture has been quite spoiled by that little devil, it’s significantly weakened, it probably needs people to nurture it..." Lu Chengyun laughed, "Brother Zhang, rest assured, nurturing the picture is no big deal, I have plenty of offerings, and I certainly won’t neglect the Zhang Family’s ancestor." "Moreover, I have prepared a very nourishing supplement..." Lu Chengyun revealed a smile with unclear implications. Zhang Quan didn’t know what he intended to do and frowned... ... After returning to his room, Mo Hua spent about two hours, including time spent looking at the Formation Diagrams and Formation Books, to complete the Spiritual Power Formation Eye Diagram for the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses. Once completed, Mo Hua thought for a moment, then burned it. Afterwards, he drew another one with a similar underlying layout but with hundreds of mistakes in the details. This was even simpler. In the time it took to brew a pot of tea, Mo Hua finished the drawing. After finishing, Mo Hua began to slack off. Seemingly deep in thought, in reality, he was just dawdling... He spent all day lying on the desk, poring over piles of Formation Diagrams, Formation Books, Formation Patterns, looking, flipping, doodling, and correcting while frowning deeply. His mind, however, was on other things: what to eat for lunch, whether Little Tiger had sent any news, whether his junior sister had replied. What the Formation of Ten Thousand Corpses was used for, what was inside the bronze coffin, and just where the Spiritual Pivot Formation really was... All of this was observed by Lu Chengyun. Unaware of Mo Hua’s thoughts, he simply believed that Mo Hua was diligent and responsible. Lu Chengyun gave Mo Hua three days. Mo Hua slacked off for those three days. On the evening of the last day, Mo Hua, with some "nervousness," handed the flawed Formation Eye Diagram to Lu Chengyun. Lu Chengyun glanced at it and was initially amazed. The overall layout of the Formation Eye was indeed correct. It really did have a shadow of a Large Formation. But upon closer inspection, he frowned. There were too many errors in the details. The specific arrangement of Formation Patterns, the construction of the nucleus, the conveyance of Spiritual Power—all were crude and the conception was unfamiliar. "The experience with formations is indeed lacking..." Lu Chengyun silently sighed to himself. He pointed out a few errors to Mo Hua. Mo Hua acted as if he had an epiphany and exclaimed, "As expected of the Lu Family Head!" Then he seemed to be somewhat disheartened and said in a low voice: "I’m afraid I can’t draw this Formation Eye properly..." Lu Chengyun consoled him, "You are still young, and to achieve this much among Formation Masters is already quite rare." "Constructing a Compound Formation Eye is not easy." "You must not lose heart or become discouraged, improve it a few more times, and you will certainly be able to create a perfect and complete Formation Eye Diagram." Mo Hua blinked, "Really?" Lu Chengyun said kindly, "It is natural." Mo Hua seemed to regain confidence and nodded: "Okay, I’ll try harder, correct the mistakes, and strive to revise it again!" Lu Chengyun felt reassured. His judgment of Mo Hua was further solidified in his heart. Clever, with high comprehension, serious about learning formations, but after all, a child’s nature, easily trusting of others. The inheritance of the formation was extraordinary, and he had profound knowledge of formations, but he lacked practical experience, and his technique in constructing formations was raw. Talented and knowledgeable, but lacking practice and refinement. In every sense, a promising young candidate. But also, just a candidate... Lu Chengyun’s gaze shifted subtly, and he put his mind at ease. ```