a "formation" is a mystical array that, when activated, draws on and manipulates the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth.
Formation masters, or Array Masters, are highly respected for their ability to set up these powerful arrays, which can be used for a wide range of purposes. Formations are often categorized by their function and complexity.
Defensive Formations
These formations are designed to protect a location, whether it's a sect, a city, or a secret treasure. They are often passive but can be activated to unleash a powerful defense.
* Spirit Shield Formation: The most basic defensive formation. It creates a spiritual shield around an area, protecting it from attacks. The stronger the formation, the more damage it can withstand.
* Illusory Formation: A formation that creates a realistic illusion to deceive and confuse intruders. It can make a plain field look like a raging river or a dangerous mountain range.
* Concealment Formation: A formation that can hide a location from spiritual sense and a person's physical sight. These are often used to hide a secret realm, a hidden treasure, or a sect's main entrance.
* Heavenly Shell Formation: A powerful defensive formation that creates a literal shell of spiritual energy, making the location it protects almost impossible to penetrate.
Offensive Formations
These formations are designed to kill or trap enemies. They are often a combination of illusion and attack, making them hard to defeat.
* Sword Qi Formation: A formation that can summon a storm of sword qi, a razor-sharp energy that can cut through a cultivator's spiritual shield and even their body.
* Killing Formation: A generic term for a formation designed to kill enemies. It can be a combination of different elements, such as fire, water, and lightning, to create a devastating attack.
* Trapping Formation: A formation that can trap an enemy in a specific area, making it impossible for them to escape. This is often used to capture a powerful enemy without killing them.
* Nine Heavens Thunderbolt Formation: A powerful and destructive formation that can summon a storm of divine lightning from the heavens, capable of obliterating a whole city.
Cultivation and Support Formations
These formations are designed to aid cultivators in their cultivation and in other aspects of their daily life.
* Spirit Gathering Formation: The most common and essential formation for any sect. It draws spiritual energy from the heavens and earth, making a location perfect for cultivation. The more powerful the formation, the faster a cultivator can cultivate.
* Time Acceleration Formation: A rare and valuable formation that can accelerate the flow of time within a specific area. This allows a cultivator to cultivate for a week in the formation and only have a day pass in the outside world.
* Enlightenment Formation: A formation that can help a cultivator enter a state of deep enlightenment, making it easier for them to comprehend a difficult technique or a natural law.
Space and Time Formations
These are the most advanced and rare formations that can manipulate the very fabric of space and time.
* Teleportation Formation: A formation that can instantly teleport a person or a group of people from one location to another. These are incredibly rare and are often a sign of a powerful sect or clan.
* Dimensional Formation: A formation that can create a stable portal to another dimension or a secret realm. These are often used by powerful cultivators to explore other worlds or to find new resources.
* Cosmic Formation: A legendary and powerful formation that can draw on the power of the cosmos. It can be used to destroy a planet, move a star, or even create a new world.