Immortality Through Array Formations Chapter 2085 Chapter 991: Wood's Renewal (Part 2)

After a brief pause, the Pavilion Elder abruptly spoke up:

"Do you know about the Young Masters' Pavilion?"

This inquiry struck without warning, making the Supervisor's hand quiver as it clutched a chess piece.

The stone tumbled onto the board, hitting a "dead eye."

The Supervisor considered retrieving it, yet recalled the rule that "a move once played can't be undone," so he paused briefly before pulling back his hand gradually.

The Pavilion Elder appeared oblivious to his movements, his gaze fixed on the board as he pondered his next placement.

In a low voice, the Supervisor murmured, "Merely some youngsters' unimportant games..."

The Pavilion Elder offered no affirmation or denial, merely stating, "The term 'Pavilion' ought not to be tossed around casually."

"Indeed..." the Supervisor responded deliberately, "Young ones fail to grasp the gravity of matters..."

The Pavilion Elder fell silent, concentrating on the match.

Anxiety churned within the Supervisor.

They resumed the game, with black and white pieces dropping one after another.

Across the board, the Pavilion Elder remained on the losing side, committing repeated errors as his stones got surrounded and taken.

Midway through their play, the Pavilion Elder suddenly remarked, "Do you desire my role as Pavilion Elder?"

His words hit like thunder from a clear sky.

The Supervisor let his piece slip, dropping to his knees in terror, "Master, I, your disciple..."

The Pavilion Elder dismissed it with a wave, "Only chatting idly, no need to get so worked up."

The Supervisor stayed knelt, afraid to budge.

With a mix of approval and faint regret in his clouded eyes, the Pavilion Elder glanced his way and let out a slow sigh:

"The seat of Pavilion Elder, whether you crave it or not, will eventually pass to you someday..."

In a voice laced with bitterness, the Supervisor replied, "Master, you think too highly of me, I..."

The Pavilion Elder gestured again to stop him.

The Supervisor trailed off.

Gazing at him intently, the Pavilion Elder spoke with profound intent:

"You need to figure out what you really desire. Once it's clear, chase after it relentlessly."

"Be it the Dao, eternal life, renown, authority, or even the Pavilion Elder position, make sure you're certain..."

"Avoid getting lost or swept along, advancing blindly without purpose."

The Supervisor replied earnestly, "Your disciple comprehends."

Inwardly, the Pavilion Elder sighed, shaking his head ever so slightly in quiet letdown.

"Have all the arrangements for the Qian Learning State Boundary been completed?" the Pavilion Elder inquired once more.

"Yes..."

The Pavilion Elder produced a Jade Slip and passed it over, "Incorporate this Formation into the prize for the Qianxue Debate's champion, as a gift from the Dao Court Tian Shu Pavilion."

The Supervisor rose respectfully, taking the Jade Slip with both hands, and upon a quick look at the inscription "Wood Revitalization Formation," he ventured:

"Master..."

"It's from the Pavilion," the Pavilion Elder explained.

The Supervisor hesitated, then asked, "Pavilion Elder, pardon this disciple's lack of insight, but what lies beneath this Formation's intent?"

A look of mercy crossed the Pavilion Elder's face:

"The Qianxue Debate has grown overly obsessed with winning and conflict. The disciples should realize that the true aim is to wield the sword for salvation, not domination or slaughter."

The Supervisor clasped his hands, "Your master's compassion runs deep."

The Pavilion Elder had begun clearing the chessboard, muttering, "Partaking in a game with you lacks any thrill..."

After stowing away a setup where defeat loomed in under ten turns, the Pavilion Elder flicked his hand, "You can go now."

With no recourse, the Supervisor secured the "Wood Revitalization Formation" with care, offered a bow, and declared, "Disciple departs."

The Pavilion Elder paid him no mind and drifted back into a doze.

This slumber enveloped the Pavilion Elder in deep tranquility.

As though he weren't some exalted, mighty Pavilion Elder anymore, but simply a regular elderly fellow fond of chess and rests.

The Supervisor withdrew with respect, descending from the lofty pavilion, heading to his quarters, where he mulled over the antique Formation Jade Slip in his grasp, his brows knitting together.

"Rather than a teaching for the debate participants, maybe the Pavilion Elder meant... to guide me?"

"To nurture benevolent intentions, like withered wood blooming anew, aiding others equates to aiding oneself?"

"Is it truly that straightforward?"

A shadow crept into the Supervisor's eyes, his mind racing, nearly prompting him to inspect the Jade Slip.

Yet, the memory of the Pavilion Elder's profound, sea-deep gaze and the prior counsel swiftly suppressed that fleeting impulse.

The Pavilion Elder's silence didn't imply ignorance.

Attempting to deceive him was futile.

Otherwise, it'd be akin to a thief muffling his own ears—pure folly.

The Supervisor stowed the Jade Slip bearing "Wood Revitalization Formation" inside a jade case, penned a directive, affixed his seal, summoned a reliable subordinate, and commanded:

"Carry my seal, in the Tian Shu Pavilion's name, transport this jade case to the Qian Learning State Boundary, as an extra honor for the Qianxue Debate's victor."

"Understood."

The subordinate accepted the jade case with deference and withdrew, managing the task per the Tian Shu Pavilion's protocols, adhering strictly to protocol.

In this way, the jade case—opulent in appearance yet seemingly ordinary—reached the Qian Learning State Boundary bearing the Tian Shu Pavilion's directive.

It bore the Tian Shu Pavilion's command.

It carried the Supervisor's seal.

It was a locked jade case.

All seemed in order.

Yet none could fathom the earth-shaking, cosmos-rattling secret truly hidden inside this jade case...

...

"Wood Revitalization Formation?"

"What's that?"

In the Taixu Gate's mess hall, Cheng Mo and fellow disciples caught wind of it too, yet scratched their heads in confusion.

"Idiots, it's called the Wood Revitalization Formation, so obviously it's some kind of formation."

"Duh, I get it's a formation. What I'm asking is, what sort of formation merits the Dao Court bestowing it as a special prize?"

"The name suggests it's nothing special."

"What's its rank?"

"No details given, just the formation's title."

"On the topic of Wood Revitalization Formation, I think my clan has one tucked away..."

"Stop joking, it can't be identical. Whatever your clan's hoarding is probably junk."

"Formations might share names, but the Dao Court's version is leagues beyond yours."

"Precisely, handing out something pedestrian as a reward would bring shame."

"Why choose this formation? Wouldn't a Sword Array, Killing Formation, or the Heaven, Earth, and Man Three Talents Formation make more sense..."