A short while later, Fang Yuan succeeded on his second attempt, constructing a Gu formation within the dream.
The formation still used the Formation Core Gu as its nucleus, but the Earth Path Gu Insect sat motionless above the Formation Core Gu, while the remaining three Gu Insects — the Fire Path and Wind Path ones — circled endlessly around the Water Path Gu Insect. The Water Path Gu Insect, meanwhile, hopped ceaselessly below the Formation Core Gu within an area the span of a palm.
The Gu Insects formed a Gu formation that emitted a hazy white light, enveloping the mountain leopard within it.
That was correct.
This Gu formation was meant to trap an enemy — it targeted the mountain leopard, rather than protecting the Gu Master himself.
The process of constructing it had not been easy either. The mountain leopard kept leaping about, disrupting the formation's assembly. Again and again, Fang Yuan had to halt his arrangement, waiting until the leopard moved away from a particular position.
This was exactly why Tu Shicheng had left him a quarter of an hour to attempt the formation.
"Hahaha, not bad — you truly are my, Tu Shicheng's, son! Very well. For the next stretch of time, you will continue learning under me. In one month, there will be an even more grueling trial that concerns your very life. If you cannot overcome it, then just die." Tu Shicheng laughed, his laughter carrying a hint of madness.
Fang Yuan's small body stood inside the cage. He glanced at the mountain leopard thrashing within the Gu formation, then looked at Tu Shicheng, and let out a long, quiet sigh.
The second act of this Formation Dao dream was considered complete.
What followed was the third act.
Fang Yuan followed Tu Shicheng to the banks of a raging, turbulent river.
The river's waters surged eastward, crimson as blood. Fang Yuan immediately understood — this was the Scarlet Dragon River of the Southern Border.
The Southern Border had three great rivers: the Scarlet Dragon River, the Jade Dragon River, and the Yellow Dragon River — all colossal waterways that ran through the length of the Southern Border.
Staring at this river, Fang Yuan felt a wave of unease rise in his chest.
Sure enough, the very next moment he heard Tu Shicheng speak: "I've already lent you all the Gu Insects. What comes next depends entirely on yourself. If you fail to construct the Gu formation, you know full well what the consequences will be."
Fang Yuan was about to reply, hoping to buy some time, but in the very next instant Tu Shicheng slapped him hard on the back.
An enormous force surged forward. Fang Yuan had no way to resist at all and was immediately shoved into the Scarlet Dragon River.
"Damn it!" Fang Yuan cursed inwardly as the surging flood swallowed him whole. He was swept along instantly, powerless to control himself, carried downstream by the current.
Fang Yuan struggled with all his might. He was merely in a youth's body, but fortunately he had inherited Fang Yuan's deep familiarity with water. After thrashing about, he managed to break his head above the surface and gasped desperately for air.
Seizing every spare moment, Fang Yuan checked the Gu Insects in his hands.
"Damn it again!" Almost immediately he cursed inwardly once more — because this time it was not the four ordinary Gu Insects he had expected — the Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind ones — but a full twelve Gu Insects.
How was he supposed to combine them all in such a short time?
There were far too many possible combinations, and in such a horrendous environment — the chances of success were truly slim.
This time, Fang Yuan did not hesitate. He directly activated the Immortal Gu Killer Move: Dream Dispel!
Instantly, an answer surfaced in his mind.
The first three steps — how to activate the Gu Insects and arrange the Gu formation — became crystal clear in a single moment.
"Only the first three steps?" Fang Yuan had no choice but to activate Dream Dispel a third time. This time, the fourth, fifth, and sixth steps all emerged as well.
Accurate and error-free answers.
But there was still some distance before the Gu formation could be completed.
Fang Yuan was about to activate the move a third time when, suddenly, the river's current shifted. A dark undercurrent vortex seized him and dragged him violently inward.
With a muffled thump, Fang Yuan slammed into a floating piece of timber amidst the fierce whirlpool. The impact struck his head, and he lost consciousness on the spot.
The next moment, Fang Yuan's eyes snapped open as he returned to reality.
His soul had sustained severe damage — stars danced before his eyes.
He hurriedly used Courage Gu, one after another, consuming six in rapid succession before he finally recovered.
"The third act is even more difficult. The environment for constructing the formation has become this terrible."
"But..."
"My Formation Dao realm has already advanced to the level of quasi-master."
After reflecting on this for a moment, Fang Yuan slowly opened his eyes. A flash of joy quickly passed through his gaze.
What was a realm?
A realm was a Gu Master's unique way of thinking, their emotional experiences, and the insights they had accumulated from Gu Raising, Gu usage, and Gu refinement — all summarized and distilled into a quintessence. It represented one's comprehension and perception of the Great Dao of heaven and earth.
Cultivation realms were divided into five tiers: ordinary, master, grandmaster, great grandmaster, and supreme great grandmaster.
Of course, between these tiers existed finer gradations — quasi-master, quasi-grandmaster, and quasi-great grandmaster.
The ordinary realm was the level that most Gu Masters could reach over the course of their entire lives.
The quasi-master realm, on the other hand, was already quite rare. Brilliant young Gu Masters or seasoned old hands who had honed their skills over many decades often managed to achieve it.