The 2nd-order formations couldn’t be executed by random Spirit cultivators.
The cultivators involved needed to be thoroughly trained before they could even think about using the battle formation on a real battlefield.
There were other complexities involved in 2nd-order battle formations that made them unsuitable for many Spirit cultivators. This was why even the Big Five sects and some influential cultivation families only offered 1st-order battle formations to their members.
It was very uncommon for Foundation Building Experts to execute a battle formation against their enemies. It was said that the Foundation Building Experts who studied the 2nd-order battle formations did not have much individuality of their own. Most of them had to abandon the cultivation technique that was suitable for them and had to adopt a group-based cultivation technique compatible with the battle formation itself.
One could say that the 2nd-order battle formations could only be executed by the special forces of the big organizations. The Foundation Building Experts who could execute the battle formations were raised differently from the regular cultivators. Their identities were also secured by the Big Five Sects so that their opponents won’t be able to target these cultivators individually.
This was the very reason why the demonic cultivator Mao had become famous in his prime. He had managed to break free from 2nd-order battle formations using his Heretic Talismanic Dao several times. His ability to crack the battle formations was what made him an eyesore for the Spirit cultivators in the righteous faction.
Even the collective might of the Foundation Building Experts had failed to stop him. This was why the Core Formation Lords had decided to act to eliminate the demonic cultivator before he became an even bigger headache for the righteous sects.
***
The subordinates scrambled to obey, their Spirit essence flaring as they readied themselves for the impending fight using the battle formation.
Liana glanced at the Bloodfiend Manual in her hands, her mind racing with questions.
Who was this Zen Pewlu? How had he come to possess the manual? And why was he being pursued? Did the righteous sect cultivators want to seize the Bloodfiend manual from him?
‘No. There’s no way an outsider could know about this manual. Without possessing prior knowledge of the Bloodfiend manual’s first few editions, it is almost impossible for them to recognize the true worth of the book.
Plus, it had been encrypted using a technique that only the Lakir clan knows of. Nobody in the righteous faction would be able to decrypt the content of the manual.
This was why I left this manual in the antique shop and decided to obtain it using the legal means so as to prevent any kind of fallout with the righteous sects. How did the trouble come looking for me instead?’ Liana thought to herself and sighed.
Liana quickly deduced that the man who declared himself to Zen Pewlu was quite a mystery. Since he had decoded the manual, he had to be familiar with the Lakir clan and his Bloodfiend techniques. However, she didn’t recall any of the active retainers of the clan being sent here on this island.
Using her clan’s Bloodfiend techniques, it was completely possible for Zen Pewlu to forge the identity of Ruan Lui. However, if he really was an ally, why didn’t he contact Liana and Loshaar beforehand?
There were a lot of questions that needed to be answered by this man named Ruan Lui who had just given her a hot potato before running off. However, she couldn’t throw the book away now that it had come into her possession.
The possession of the manual didn’t matter anyway. This was because her clan was at odds with the righteous faction for a while now. There was a death warrant issued for Loshaar Lakir by the Big Five Sects.
So it didn’t matter if they provided some kind of explanation to Ruan’s pursuers. The presence of Loshaar Lakir was enough of a reason for the enemies to act against them.
***
The Spirit cultivators from the Big Five Sects were closing in fast, their intent clear.
Meanwhile, Ruan Lui sped past Shen Ji’s group, fleeing from the potential battlefield. Liana felt aggrieved seeing Ruan’s retreating figure.
She couldn’t imagine a fellow clan member or retainer running away from a fight, especially with Loshaar Lakir present. However, before she could curse Ruan for his actions, the name Zen Pewlu triggered a memory, making her eyes widen in surprise.
“Grandpa, I need to follow that man. I just remembered that Zen Pewlu was one of my brother’s retainers. He must know something about my brother’s death,” Liana’s voice sounded urgent.
There were many mysteries surrounding her brother’s death. If the man who handed her the Bloodfiend manual was indeed one of the Lakir clan’s retainers associated with her late brother, he might shed light on her brother’s death.
“Hmm? Are you sure?” Loshaar Lakir was startled by Liana’s words. He had loved his grandson-like descendant, Lian Lakir, for his talents and nature. He had trained him to become the clan’s potential successor and spent many cultivation resources on his growth.
Lian’s death was the biggest shock he had received during the Lakir Clan’s tragedy a few decades back. As such, he wanted to clear some air around Lian’s death as well.
“Lass, go follow that man and stay close to him. But don’t let your guard down. We have not established that he is our ally yet,” Loshaar spoke in a low voice. Liana nodded and didn’t waste any more time. She flew off on her flying sword, chasing after Ruan Lui, AKA Zen Pewlu, AKA Aksai.
By this point, the righteous sect members led by Calla Wei had reached the scene. They were about to chase after Ruan Lui. However, they saw a swarm of Blood Thorns filling the skies, preventing them from flying directly towards their target.
“Gentlemen, where do you think you are going? Please educate this old man in the art of war, won’t you?” Loshaar spoke in a hoarse tone to the six Foundation Building Experts.