ATG: Formation Master c13

~~~~~~The Next Day~~~~~~

Blue Wind Empire’s finest Sects gathered for the event that happens every three years—the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament.

For years, it was a standard practice for many of the powers in the Empire.

It was commonplace to see Heavenly Sword Villa fighting to keep their number one position. For Frozen Cloud, it was to finally beat the number one sect.

While Xiao Sect and Burning Heaven Clan tried to keep up, it was what many got used to over the years and generations.

But this status quo was broken during the Ranking session. The sharp rise of the Imperial Family left many in the dust.

All of a sudden, the first place got taken. The Eighth Prince changed the whole Empire over a night. Make Formations a forefront thing in the Cultivation world.

Sadly, many were confused, as they double checked their records and tried to copy his formation methods.

Many concluded that he has some sort of medium. While the ones who graduate from Profound Palace can use the formations, they still lack one thing…

And that is the intent behind it. While they learn the basic knowledge for new mainstream formations, they can’t make Prince’s more advanced formations… Not to mention the Dharma body, that technique makes no sense at all to the newly graduated Formation Masters.

It’s not formation at all; it's more like a result of a formation.

Regardless, people began to gather in the main arena, where a large stone was in the centre. It was time for Profound Strength's reveal.

~~~

“Remember, Juecheng, behave! Don’t provoke the Imperial Family!” Fen Duanhun said to his son in a serious tone. The last three years were brutal to his Heaven Burning Clan.

The Clan Master pushed his disciplines to the brink of mental breakdown. He forced them to work and cultivate more than anything.

Just to earn enough money to sustain their basic luxuries. All of the degenerates were whipped up; no more indecent behaviour in cities controlled by any major sect.

The Imperial rule and Emperor’s Peace have to be kept in the streets and beyond. For the Young Masters, this is torture. Thankfully, it’s not Heaven Burning Clan, as they are decent enough in that behaviour.

It was hard for Xiao Juetian’s youngest son, who is a waste of human skin. The Sect Master went an extra mile to hide his son’s activities.

Something he regrets as to his newest knowledge, the Emperor can see memories now. 

All it takes is for the Emperor to look into his eyes, and bam, he sees all the dirty deeds!

“I know, Father.” The Young Master nodded; it was not the first time he had heard that. As the next Clan Head looked at the participants' seating, his eyes eventually ended up in an elevated location. It was decorated in the blue of the Blue Wind Royals. Clearly, the Heavenly Sword Villa was paying extra attention to them.

But then Fen Juecheng’s mouth opened as he saw someone. It took his breath away. 

“F-Father, who is she?” He asked with a shaky voice.

Fen Duanhun looked where his son looked. He immediately swore under his breath. Of course, his son fell in love with the Princess!

What did his ancestors do to make him, Fen Duanhun, suffer like this!?

“That’s Imperial Princess Cang Yue, the Blue Moon Princess and the only Daughter of Emperor Cang Wanhe. I suggest you forget about her. You don’t want to turn into a meat paste on the ground.” 

The most common execution method in Blue Wind nowadays is crushed by Dharma Body’s hand, squeezed to death, and occasionally, an explosion too.

The Empire became far more centralised now, with Imperial law being followed to the letter. Now that Cang Wanhe had his son and his own cultivation, many sects folded under his rule, and the Burning Heaven Clan is no different.

“The…Blue Moon Princess…” The Young Master was mesmerised.

“You are not even close to her in cultivation, son. She is fifteen years old and already close to the middle stages of Earth Profound.

Simply put, not in her league.” Fen Duanhun tried to make him remember his place.

“...that’s…” Fen Juecheng looked at his father in disbelief. She is younger by four years but stronger than he is. What is with this talent!?

“Like I said, forget about her.” 

It was easier said than done. As the Young Master kept glancing at her, all sorts of sects went over to pay their respects to the Imperials.

…

…

…

“My Prince, I hope this year you will give us a bit of face.” Fen Duanhun cupped his fist as he and his group greeted the Imperial Family. 

“Duanhun, hoho, you got stronger.” Cang Long looked at the group before him. He noticed one of them had facial traits that were familiar to the Clan Master.

“It would seem you brought your son for this ranking tournament.”

“My improvements are minimal compared to yours, my Prince.” The Clan Master grimaced; his cultivation speed was considered pathetic to the Formation Prince before him.

“Yes, this is my Eldest Son, Fen Juecheng.” Fen Duanhun motioned towards his eldest son. The Young Man moved forward and respectfully cupped his fist. He looked at the Prince, and then the Princess, unlike most…he completely ignored the veiled beauty standing just behind his seat. His attention was on the Princess.

“It’s an honour, Your Highness.” Fen Juecheng said before taking a step back.

“Yes, that's very nice. You should return to your seats. Yuefeng is getting impatient; he wants the tournament to start.”

Cang Long looked to the side, where the Villa Master was sitting. He looked like he wanted to simply leave. The Prince took his thunder, and now the entire tournament is spinning around the Prince’s whims. That alone was a slap to his face.

“Yes, of course, my Prince.” 

The group swiftly left, and the Formation Prince motioned for the rest to return to their seats.

“You have a fan, little sister.” He joked when no extras were around.

“Hn… He looks average, with average cultivation. At that age? And only Earth Profound One? What have they been doing?” Cang Yue was not impressed; in her eyes, it was less than half of her brother. To her, she needs someone like her brother to even consider as a future husband.

So far, she has not met even one who is remotely decent enough.

Chu Yuechan looked at the Princess. What kind of world does this girl live in? Earth Profound around early twenty is an absurdly amazing cultivation.

‘Then again, with how easy it is to cultivate inside Profound Palace, it’s not impressive at all.’

As soon as everyone returned to their seats. Ling Wugou, the Sky Profound Elder, floated down and declared the beginning of the Ranking Tournament.

First was the Profound Strength measurement, with the First Sect walking down soon after.

…

…

…

“Fen Juecheng, Age 19, Earth Profound One!”

The Young Master lowered his hand. He looked quite smug as he finally showed the result of his gruelling training. 

At first, he hated his father for making him train so much, but now, after seeing how everyone is looking at him, he feels good!

His gaze went to the Imperial seating area. When he saw Cang Yue looking at him, his heart trembled, but then he saw how she looked at him. It was as if she were looking at someone with pity. 

As if asking if this is all?

That made him clench his fist! How can this not be good enough!?

After Heaven Burning Clan, there were more average clans and Sects until it was time for Frozen Cloud Immortal Palace.

One of the girls from this group was exceptional. Dressed in classic Blue and White, her hair was combed into a high ponytail, and she carried a sword on her hip.

“That’s Mu Lingxue. Frozen Cloud spends quite a lot of resources on her.” Chu Yuechan commented, as she recalled getting poisoned because she got Profound Core for this girl’s pill.

“Should I thank her for allowing me to get you?” Cang Long joked as he realised that this girl was the reason Chu Yuechan ended up in that situation.

“Not amusing, Long.” The Fairy called him by the name. They are quite intimate now.

“Hmm, can we focus on watching?” Cang Yue rolled her eyes.

“Of course.”

As the royals talked, the Frozen Cloud Fairies revealed their cultivation.

All three of them were above the last tournament, with Mu Lingxue having the highest!

“Mu Lingxue, Age 20, Earth Profound Two.”

The peanut gallery erupted into whisperings. They had never seen someone with such a high cultivation level.

But then everyone looked at the Imperial Family, who didn’t look impressed at all.

“No wonder, let’s see what they brought this year.” The peanut gallery wondered what they brought from their Profound Palace.

Less than ten years ago, the Blue Wind Profound Palace was a joke. But now, they are very curious!

Sure enough, it was time for the Imperial Family.

Three young men dressed in blue robes and carrying blue, ornamented Jian Swords walked over to the stage. 

One by one, they placed their hands on the stone.

Their results caused the stadium to turn into a cemetery, as the crowd could not believe what they were seeing.

“Xiu Ming, Age 20, Earth Profound Eight”

“Chi Yun, Age 20, Earth Profound Eight”

“Lan Tian, Age 20, Earth Profound Nine.”

~~~

The faces of every single Sect Master and Clan Leader sank when they saw this. What they were seeing was the rise of a Superpower in their Blue Wind Empire.

Part of them hoped that it would be only a small difference, but it’s turning into a runaway effect. The Imperial Family is separating from the rest.

“I-Impossible, how can they be this strong!?” Fen Juecheng hoped that he could compete with the Imperial Family! But this is a beatdown in waiting!

“Surely you didn’t forget that Imperial Prince is the benefactor of Blue Wind Profound Palace. 

There are rumours that he is constantly improving formations in that place. No doubt this is the result of that.” Fen Duanhun explained.

After the reveal, no one bothered to care about Heavenly Sword Villa’s Young Master. Two more arrived at the arena, and one by one, they placed their hands on the stone.

“Ling Yun, Age 17, Earth Profound One.” 

The Young Master turned around and looked at the crowd. He expected some reaction from the people, but no one, not a single one, cared about it. They were all discussing the unfairness of the Imperial Family.

By this point, it is pointless for them to participate in this Tournament. No one wants to fight these disciples.

The simple reason is that there is a huge difference between Early Earth Profound and Late Earth Profound. The gaps from five and above nearly double in strength. This becomes exceedingly obvious in Sky Profound and beyond. But it’s obvious even in Earth Profound.

That is why no one wants to fight these guys.

After a disappointing reaction, the Villa’s three participants went back to their seats.

Moments after the tournament’s preliminary round started.

Sadly, for eager Imperial Family disciples, nothing happened to them. All their battles were automatic victories as the opponents surrendered.

‘This is getting boring. How are they supposed to reveal the techniques I developed in free time?’ Cang Long’s frown deepened by each automatic victory.

“This is boring… the difference between us and them.” Cang Yue sighed. She looked bored, and both of her hands were holding her cheeks.

“I know," The prince replied as he leaned into his seat. Eventually, he looked at his fairy.

Chu Yuechan looked at him. He motioned for her to come over.

Her cheeks began to heat up as she realised what he meant.

“H-Here?”

“Yes, come.” He pulled her into his lap and made her sit sideways. 

“Moh! What are you two doing in the middle of the tournament?” Cang Yue complained, seeing what was going on.