I Will Become Formation Master

In this life, Jo Yuan decided he would dedicate himself entirely to learning formations. He knew that the only way to get the jade slip and the artificial spiritual roots was to understand the powerful formations that protected them. However, it wasn't easy. Every day was a struggle as he buried himself in ancient texts and scrolls. He practiced drawing formations, tracing intricate symbols on paper until his fingers cramped, but progress felt slow.

It took him two years to grasp the entry-level knowledge of formations. He memorized the basic principles, the simple spells, and the ways to draw them, but he started to realize just how mediocre his talent was. Other students seemed to grasp concepts with ease while he struggled to keep up. Despite his hard work, he felt like he was barely scraping by.

Thirty years passed, and Jo Yuan finally managed to reach the peak of entry-level knowledge. He thought he would feel proud, but instead, he was met with criticism from his master, an experienced formation master named Master Feng. "You have no potential," the old man said, shaking his head in disappointment. "You've spent decades and still only know the basics. You will never advance if you continue like this." The words cut deep. Jo Yuan knew he had given his all, yet it felt like it was not enough. Time slipped away, and eventually, he died of old age, still trapped at the entry level of knowledge, never having progressed beyond that.

Once again, Jo Yuan found himself back under the great tree. He felt a familiar mixture of frustration and determination. This time, however, he retained the knowledge of formations he had gained over his many years of hard work. He vowed to seek out Master Feng again and learn all he could. When he approached the master, he was initially mistaken for a genius. His previous failures were forgotten as he demonstrated a deep understanding of the basics and quickly impressed the other students.

Ten years later, Jo Yuan finally managed to surpass the peak of entry-level knowledge. He had worked hard, studying formations day and night. He felt a rush of pride as he stood before Master Feng. "You have decent talent," the master admitted, nodding slightly. "Perhaps you have the chance to step at the advance stage. It's the first time I saw a diligent student like you."

Fifty years passed as Jo Yuan continued to push himself. As he neared the end of his life, he experienced a profound moment of enlightenment. The countless regressions had allowed him to see the deeper connections within the formations he had studied. He finally advanced to the mid-stage of intermediate knowledge. With his heart full of satisfaction, he smiled, knowing he had achieved what he once thought impossible.

In his final moments, he felt a peace he had never known. He closed his eyes, and the world faded away. When he awoke again, it was back under the shade of the great tree. This time, however, he felt different. With the knowledge he had retained.

...

In this life, he repeat the same things again. Killed Elder Liu, studied under Master Feng, and finally decided to act once he had enough confidence.

Master," Jo Yuan said, his voice steady. "I need to tell you something important."

Master Feng looked up from his scrolls, curiosity sparkling in his eyes. "What is it?"

"I've been studying the formations, and I believe I can bypass the guards at the mayor's manor. I have a plan."

A smile crept onto Master Feng's face, warm and reassuring. "You've grown a lot. I can see that you've put in the work. What's your plan?"

Jo Yuan explained the details of his infiltration plan, sharing how he would use his knowledge of formations to bypass the guards and sneak into the manor. "I want to find the jade slip and learn the truth behind the artificial spiritual roots," he concluded.

Master Feng listened intently, nodding along. "That's a brave plan. I trust your judgment. Just remember, the path you choose can lead to many dangers. But I believe in you. You're obsession of formation, it seems it's for this plan, right?"

"Thank you, Master. Your support means everything to me," Jo Yuan said, feeling a warmth spread in his chest. "Yes, all of this is for this!"

"Be careful, and don't hesitate to return if you encounter any troubles. I'll always be here for you."

With those encouraging words echoing in his mind, Jo Yuan set out to the manor. As night fell, he moved swiftly and silently, using his knowledge of formations to track the powerful barriers surrounding the estate. He walked through the shadows, avoiding the guards he had memorized over countless regressions.

Finally, he reached the location of the formation. Jo Yuan knelt down, his hands trembling slightly as he traced the intricate symbols in the air with his fingers. He focused, remembering the painstakingly acquired knowledge he had spent years learning.

With precision, he began to dismantle the formation piece by piece.

It was difficult work, and every second felt like an eternity. But with his heart racing, he destroyed the formation without alerting anyone. As the last piece faded, Jo Yuan felt a rush of triumph. He moved quickly to the hidden compartment he had learned about, reaching for the jade slip inside.

As he unrolled it, he felt his breath catch in his throat. The contents revealed a shocking technique: a method to sacrifice people to construct an artificial spiritual root comparable to average cultivators. He had expected something powerful, but this was dark, twisted knowledge that sent a chill down his spine.

Before he could silently leave the manor, a sharp crack echoed through the air, and Jo Yuan felt a sudden, searing pain in his head. He staggered, his vision blurring. As he fell to the ground, he caught a fleeting glimpse of the killer—a shadowy figure whose face was obscured and indistinct. Panic surged through him, but it quickly faded as darkness enveloped him.

Once again, Jo Yuan awoke under the great tree. Confusion washed over him as he recalled the moments before his death. He tried to piece together the identity of his assailant, but the blurry vision made it impossible to recognize anyone. Frustrated, he let go of the thoughts, realizing that it didn't matter.

Instead, he pondered the horrific method of constructing spiritual roots through sacrifice. The knowledge felt shitty, a burden he had not asked for. He knew that to survive in this cruel cultivation world, he would need to be ruthless—not just to himself, but to others as well. The thought settled like a stone in his gut, but he understood the truth in it.

With each regression, the world seems darker, and he needed to adapt if he wanted to endure. The cycle will always fucking continue!