"Good."
In the blink of an eye, a day passed.
Zhou Hong successfully learned the Spirit Gathering Array.
"Zhou Hong, you must become proficient in this Spirit Gathering Array, because it is the foundation for all subsequent formations."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Do you know what differentiates the secret manual 'Ximen Grand Formation' from other formations of ancient times?"
"I don't know!" Zhou Hong shook his head.
"In ancient times, formations were varied, but all formations required a cornerstone: the spirit stones used to set them up. Without spirit stones, it was impossible to set up a formation."
Zhou Hong nodded, he could understand that.
"However, cultivation resources are constantly consumed, especially spirit stone resources, which are becoming increasingly scarce. In the late ancient era, the spirit stones of this world were depleted, making it almost impossible to find even one. At this time, the once diverse formations gradually declined and eventually became completely lost. However, one person found a different path, able to set up formations without spirit stones."
"This person is the founder of the Ximen Grand Formation, right?"
"Yes, he first created a Spirit Gathering Array, and then used the Spirit Gathering Array as the cornerstone of his formations, thus solving the problem of lacking spirit stones."
"Using the Spirit Gathering Array as a cornerstone? How is that possible?"
"Indeed, it's not something ordinary people can do. Only those with unparalleled genius in formations possess such insight. While you have now mastered the Spirit Gathering Array, the one you've learned is the most basic. The area you currently set up for the Spirit Gathering Array is at least several hundred square meters."
Zhou Hong nodded.
"When you can shrink the Spirit Gathering Array to the size of a stone, it means you have the ability to use the Spirit Gathering Array as a cornerstone."
"I understand, but that's too difficult." Zhou Hong's scalp tingled. To shrink a formation to the size of a stone, and then set up dozens or even hundreds of such small formations simultaneously, and then use these small formations to construct grand formations with greater power, was truly too difficult.
With the abilities Zhou Hong had just learned, setting up one Spirit Gathering Array would require an area of at least ten meters in length and width.
Moreover, the larger the area, the lower the effect, because the air density was lower.
If one could compress the air within a ten-meter radius into the size of a stone, then the density of the air within that stone-sized area would be so concentrated that the spiritual energy within it would be as hard as stone.
It had to be said, the founder of the Ximen Grand Formation was a genius.
"Zhou Hong, I believe you will definitely be more powerful than my previous master. It took him a full three years to learn the Spirit Gathering Array, while you did it in less than a day."
"How long did your previous master take to shrink the Spirit Gathering Array to the size of a stone?" Zhou Hong asked again.
"He spent 300 years."
"Ah." Zhou Hong was a little dumbfounded. He really didn't have that much patience to spend 300 years.
"Zhou Hong, based on the time you took to learn the Spirit Gathering Array, you are nearly 1000 times faster than my previous master. I believe you will also spend 1000 times less time to shrink the Spirit Gathering Array to the size of a spirit stone."
"Your previous master spent 300 years. Calculated over 365 days a year, 300 years is 109,500 days. If you reduce it by 1000 times, it would be 109.5 days."
"That's still over three months."
Zhou Hong nodded, hoping he could master it completely within three months.
If Zhou Hong could master this technique, then his era would begin.
After that, Zhou Hong said no more and immediately began to study and explore.
The first step was to use oneself as the cornerstone to set up the Spirit Gathering Array.
The second step was to condense the Spirit Gathering Array to the size of a stone, or even smaller.
The third step was to double the number of condensed Spirit Gathering Arrays the size of a stone, setting up ten, twenty, or even hundreds.
The fourth step was to use countless tiny Spirit Gathering Arrays as the cornerstone to construct a multitude of powerful formations with diverse and ever-changing effects.
Zhou Hong had already completed the first step and was waiting to see when he could complete the second.
This required not only extraordinary talent but also unwavering willpower and inexhaustible patience.
Time slowly passed.
Six days passed in the blink of an eye.
"All students of Class 30, come out of the Spirit Gathering Array immediately." Lu Qianqian's voice reached the ears of all the students in Class 30.
Zhou Hong sighed slightly. During these six days, Zhou Hong had not absorbed spiritual energy to cultivate. For him, it was no different from being outside for six days.
Of course, although the six days were short, Zhou Hong had achieved some results, but it was still far from what was needed.
"Zhou Hong, work hard when you go back. I hope you will have made great progress next time you come in," said the spirit of the Spirit Gathering Array.
"Okay, Xiao Ju." Zhou Hong nodded. Zhou Hong had given it a name, Xiao Ju.
After walking out of the Spirit Gathering Array, Lu Qianqian was waiting outside for everyone.
"How is everyone?" Lu Qianqian asked eagerly.
"Instructor Lu, I was already on the verge of a breakthrough before. After cultivating in the Spirit Gathering Array for six days, I have completely broken through. I am now in the late stage of Fusion." Seven or eight students on the spot reported the good news.
"Mmm, mmm." Lu Qianqian nodded happily.
"What about the others?"
"Our cultivation has greatly improved, but we always feel like something is missing before breaking through." More students sighed helplessly.
"It's alright. After all, it's only been six days, and eight students have already broken through. This has achieved our goal. The overall strength of our Class 30 has also greatly advanced due to these eight students who broke through to the late stage of Fusion. Previously, in our Class 30, except for Zhou Hong, everyone else was in the middle stage of Fusion, and now we have eight students in the late stage of Fusion. By the way, where is Zhou Hong?" Lu Qianqian suddenly asked.
"Here," Zhou Hong quickly shouted. Since Zhou Hong came out last, he was at the back of the crowd.
"Zhou Hong, how are you?" Lu Qianqian quickly asked.
"Haha, I'm just the same. No special gains, just my realm has become more stable," Zhou Hong said with a laugh. In fact, Zhou Hong had not been cultivating at all for these six days.
However, even if Zhou Hong had cultivated further, he probably wouldn't have made any breakthrough, because he had just recently broken through to the middle stage of Heart Movement. In such a short period, even absorbing a large amount of spiritual energy would be difficult for his body to absorb.
"It's okay, you just broke through not long ago," Lu Qianqian said with a smile, everything was as expected.
"Everyone has worked hard these six days. Next, we have a three-day holiday. During these three days, you are free to move around. You can go down the mountain to shop, but you cannot leave Tai Gu City."