Chapter 152: **Chapter 153: Cries to Heaven Unanswered**
Once He Song was able to set up a Minor Spirit Gathering Formation, it would mean that the concentration of spiritual energy he could enjoy would greatly increase.
Inside the formation, the concentration of spiritual energy would definitely be higher than in the small courtyard where he currently resided.
As a result, He Song's cultivation speed would also significantly improve.
Setting up a cave residence outside and establishing a Minor Spirit Gathering Formation to accelerate his cultivation was something He Song had planned long ago.
Now, recalling it again, his desire to advance to Foundation Establishment and gain self-protection abilities had become even more urgent.
This Earth Sect wasn't as peaceful as he had initially thought.
After pondering for a long time in the courtyard, He Song stepped out and headed directly toward the exit of the Earth Sect.
First, he needed to purchase some materials to craft the formation flags and formation plates required for the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation.
Once he successfully set up the formation, he would then learn an advanced concealment formation capable of evading spirit sense scans.
At that point, it wouldn't be too late to establish a cave residence in the outside world.
After leaving the Earth Sect, He Song soon arrived at the nearest immortal city, which was called the Mountain-Linking Immortal City.
Located to the north of the Earth Sect's main gate, it was only about ten thousand miles away. Under the jurisdiction of the Earth Sect, this place was clearly controlled by the faction led by True Lord Yan Mountain.
However, He Song didn't care about this. After leaving the Earth Sect, he had already donned a black robe and activated the Breath Concealment Technique, completely masking his presence. Upon entering the Mountain-Linking Immortal City, he even altered his appearance entirely.
Even if Wei Fan or Meng Guan were to come face-to-face with him now, they probably wouldn't recognize his true identity.
Thus, He Song naturally didn't worry about exposing his identity or being troubled by people from True Lord Yan Mountain's faction.
His sole purpose here was to buy materials for crafting formation flags and plates.
Upon entering the Mountain-Linking Immortal City, He Song quickly found a place selling various materials.
Based on his memory of the materials needed to craft formation flags and plates, after a brief moment of thought, he directly stated that he wanted to purchase five sets of materials for crafting formation plates and flags.
One set of materials could be used to craft one formation plate and ten formation flags.
For example, in the case of a Minor Spirit Gathering Formation, one formation plate and five formation flags, combined with inscribed formation patterns, would be enough to set up the formation.
He Song decided to buy five sets outright because he didn't want to make repeated trips every time he needed to set up a formation—it was simply too troublesome.
However, just as He Song voiced his request, the shopkeeper carefully spoke up after hearing his demands. "Fellow Daoist Lin, are you planning to hire a formation master to set up the formation?"
The shopkeeper's name was Sun Yong, a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Condensation.
When He Song came to the Mountain-Linking Immortal Market, he hadn't used his real name or the alias Han Feiyu.
His real name couldn't be used, and he wasn't sure whether the name Han Feiyu had been discovered by the Earth Sect.
For safety, he casually introduced himself as Lin Fan.
Therefore, Sun Yong addressed him as Fellow Daoist Lin.
"There's no need for you to concern yourself with that. I merely need these materials—will you sell them or not?" He Song gave Sun Yong a cold response to his sudden inquiry.
Buyer and seller should transact willingly. As a shopkeeper, prying into a customer's intentions was a major taboo.
If He Song had responded warmly, it might have given the impression that he was easy to bully.
Moreover, in such a large city as the Mountain-Linking Immortal City, He Song wasn't worried about not finding another shop selling these materials.
"I'll sell, I'll sell! Fellow Daoist Lin has misunderstood me. I only mentioned this because our shop has pre-crafted blank formation plates and flags available."
As Sun Yong spoke, he subtly glanced at He Song. Seeing that He Song's expression hadn't changed, he continued, "If Fellow Daoist Lin plans to hire a formation master, you can simply buy some blank formation plates and flags. This way, you avoid the hassle of crafting them, and the formation master you hire will surely be more satisfied."
However, by the time Sun Yong finished speaking, the light around him seemed to brighten slightly.
Looking up, he realized that He Song's figure had already disappeared into the distance. Watching He Song's retreating back, Sun Yong wore a look of confusion.
This person… hadn't he been listening attentively just moments ago? How did he suddenly vanish?
Regardless of how puzzled Sun Yong was, He Song, who had already left, had already made up his mind.
In the future, even if that shop offered massive discounts, he would never step foot in it again.
As a true formation master, He Song was well aware of all the taboos related to formations.
He was familiar with the concept of blank formation plates and flags that Sun Yong had mentioned.
While they seemed convenient compared to crafting them oneself, who would dare use formation plates and flags crafted by others while traveling?
He Song remembered that *Introduction to Formation Dao* explicitly warned against this.
During the crafting process, a cultivator could tamper with the formation plates and flags.
If it was just a tracking technique, it wouldn't be too bad—worst case, someone might find the location of the formation.
But if strange spells were added, it could lead to disaster.
Although Sun Yong running a shop in the Mountain-Linking Immortal City likely meant he wouldn't engage in such behavior, He Song wasn't willing to take the risk.
He didn't want to wake up one day to find a group of burly men at his door or encounter other unforeseen troubles.
At that point, it would truly be a situation where cries to heaven went unanswered, and calls to the earth went unheard.
Therefore, He Song refused to use formation plates and flags crafted by others.
Even if it was more troublesome, He Song would choose to craft his own formation plates and flags. Only this way could he ensure his safety.
Out of caution, He Song promptly left the shop, ignoring Sun Yong's attempts to persuade him to stay.
Moments later, He Song changed into another black robe and altered his appearance once again before entering another shop selling various materials.
This time, there were no complications.
After stating his requirements, the shopkeeper handed over all the materials he needed.
Due to his previous experience, He Song doubled the quantity of materials he purchased—ten sets for crafting formation plates and flags.
Money and goods exchanged hands, and after the transaction was complete, He Song left.
He then visited a place in the Mountain-Linking Immortal City that sold spirit talismans.
After some thought, he purchased twenty high-grade Earth Talismans.
Combined with the ones he had bought earlier, these talismans would further enhance his safety.
After purchasing everything he needed, He Song casually entered an inn within the Mountain-Linking Immortal City, changed his appearance, and then left the inn.
After confirming that no one was following him, he exited the city, descended underground using the Earth Traveling Art, and headed back to the Earth Sect.
Due to He Song's extreme caution, he hadn't revealed any wealth.
Moreover, he had changed his appearance at the inn before leaving the city.
Thus, his journey back to the Earth Sect was uneventful.
Upon returning to the Earth Sect, He Song began crafting formation plates and flags, preparing to set up the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation.
Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, two years had passed.
Two years ago, He Song had returned from the Mountain-Linking Immortal City with ten sets of materials for crafting formation plates and flags.
Shortly after returning to the sect, he had successfully crafted one formation plate and five formation flags.
With this, all the materials needed for the Minor Spirit Gathering Formation were fully prepared.
(End of Chapter)
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