Chapter 92: The Trap

As the manager of the herb garden, selling spirit rice in secret wouldn't attract much attention as long as it was done discreetly.

However, just as He Song was taking advantage of his free time to sell talismans in the market area and promote his identity as a talisman master, the arrival of a message talisman abruptly halted his plans.

On this day, He Song was preparing to go out and sell talismans as usual, while also spreading the word about his new identity as a talisman master to pave the way for selling his spirit rice.

But just as he was about to leave, a message talisman descended from the sky and landed right in front of him.

Seeing this, He Song reached out to grab it, releasing a trace of his aura. Instantly, the glowing talisman transformed into a sheet of paper in his hand.

"Dear Fellow Daoist He, it has been several years since we last met. Ping'er has now followed her master to Green Wall Immortal City. I regret not being able to bid you farewell before leaving, but circumstances were beyond my control. I hope you can forgive me."

"This message is to remind you that you once purchased the introductory chapter of formation crafting at the Spirit Technique Pavilion. I wonder if you have managed to master it."

"Recently, I heard from my master that those who master formation crafting can be exceptionally admitted into the Earth Sect as inner disciples."

"If Fellow Daoist He has this opportunity, Ping'er would like to offer her congratulations in advance."

"Ping'er."

Looking at the elegant handwriting on the paper, He Song's expression remained calm, but his heart was in turmoil.

No wonder.

No wonder he had never heard about the fate of rogue cultivators who mastered formation crafting.

No wonder he had never encountered a single formation master.

No wonder he hadn't found any spirit fields occupied by other formation masters when searching for a place to establish his own.

No wonder...

Clutching the paper in his hand, He Song turned back into his room, closed the door, and only then did a look of conflict appear on his face.

According to Ping'er's letter, if he truthfully reported that he had mastered formation crafting, he could be admitted as an inner disciple of the Earth Sect, a major sect with a Golden Core cultivator.

The Earth Sect, a Golden Core sect.

Ordinary Qi Refining cultivators were only outer disciples. Only those who were on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage, with a high likelihood of success, could become inner disciples.

Once they broke through to Foundation Establishment and became True Persons, they would no longer be disciples but elders.

Although the authority of elders varied, their status was the same.

In other words, mastering formation crafting meant that, in the eyes of the Earth Sect, one had a high chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

Therefore, they offered such an enticing condition to recruit formation masters early and foster their loyalty to the sect.

Sitting at his desk, He Song leisurely brewed a pot of tea. Only when the room was filled with the soothing aroma of tea did his mind finally calm down.

Originally, He Song had never imagined that he could join the Earth Sect as an inner disciple while still in the Qi Refining stage. But now, holding this letter, he felt that this opportunity had suddenly appeared before him.

However, being naturally cautious, even after learning this news, He Song decided to probe further after calming down.

"Thank you for your concern, Fellow Daoist Ping'er. I have studied formation crafting for several years but made no progress. Sadly, I have now switched to talisman crafting."

"After several years of study, I have become a well-known talisman master in Bamboo Mountain Immortal Market."

"It seems this opportunity is not meant for me, but I still thank you for informing me."

"However, after studying formation crafting for so long without success, I would like to ask Fellow Daoist Ping'er to enlighten me. Why is mastering formation crafting so difficult?"

"And why, once mastered, can one be admitted as an inner disciple of the Earth Sect?"

"He Song."

A thin sheet of paper appeared in He Song's hand. With a flick of his finger, lines of text were imprinted on the paper using his spiritual energy. He then sent the paper flying into the sky with a burst of energy.

In the room, at his desk, He Song no longer had the desire to go to the market area to sell talismans.

He had already mastered formation crafting and had even harvested two batches of spirit rice.

Over twenty thousand pounds of spirit rice were stored in his small cargo storage bag, waiting for the right time to be sold.

Although he coveted the status of an inner disciple of the Earth Sect, his impending annual income of over a thousand spirit stones kept him from being too overwhelmed.

After all, whether or not he joined the Earth Sect, he could live comfortably. Even if the immortal market became unsafe, he could leave and settle in a safer place.

With enough spirit stones, he could live well anywhere.

A short while later, as He Song waited for Ping'er's reply, another message talisman descended from the sky and landed in front of him. Seeing this, He Song's eyes lit up. He released his aura and quickly took the talisman in his hand.

The talisman transformed into a sheet of paper, which He Song unfolded.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist He, on becoming a talisman master. Although talisman crafting is not as favored as formation crafting, it is still a good livelihood. Ping'er congratulates you."

"As for your question, the difficulty of mastering formation crafting is something I have also heard my master discuss. Formation crafting requires innate talent. Without it, an ordinary cultivator could study for decades without success."

"But if one has talent, they can usually master it in about five years, learning the first Spirit Gathering Formation. After another five years, they can master the other two formations."

"Once formation crafting is mastered, one can indeed become an inner disciple of the Earth Sect. This is true, and it is also impossible to hide once mastered."

"Do you know why the three formations in the introductory chapter are the Spirit Gathering, Mist, and Five Elements Formations, and not others?"

"According to my master's casual remarks, these three formations, when combined, can be used to establish spirit fields and grow spirit rice or other spirit plants."

"However, these three formations were deliberately released. The output of spirit rice and spirit plants in immortal markets and cities is strictly accounted for."

"If a certain immortal market or city suddenly has an influx of spirit rice of unknown origin... I believe you understand what I mean."

"Ping'er."

As He Song's eyes scanned the elegant handwriting on the paper, his expression darkened.

Spirit Gathering, Mist, and Five Elements Formations?

Weren't these the formations recorded in the introductory chapter of formation crafting?

The Spirit Gathering Formation provided spiritual energy for the spirit fields, the Mist Formation concealed the fields, and the Five Elements Formation protected them from intrusion.

He Song had realized that these three formations could be combined to establish spirit fields and generate massive profits. So how could the Earth Sect and other cultivators in this world not have thought of the same?

According to Ping'er's description, these three formations were clearly a trap.

A huge trap!

One that had been dug long ago, just waiting for cultivators to fall into it.

(End of Chapter)