It wasn’t as if arrays that did multiple effects weren’t unheard of, but usually they were very strict in their functions. The more that an array could do the more complicated it became. At the same time, they always did the exact same things. If an array was especially powerful or useful it would become popular. With that popularity, people would also learn how to defeat them. Once they saw the sky covered in red clouds and the ground turn black they would narrow down which arrays it could be. With a few other observations, a knowledgeable person could pinpoint what array it was and then easily break it.

On the other hand, Sage’s Formation Machine could be different every time he used it. All he had to use was swap out the types of attacks, defenses, or traps and vary what triggered them. If anyone ever escaped he could easily change the arrays to something completely different, or merely swap out one or two parts to trick them. He was also free to tailor the arrays to the situation he was in. Of course, the problem was the Formation Plates themselves as well as Sage’s own knowledge. To make the best use of the Formation Machine he’d need to use far better materials in its construction as well as focus on learning more basic formations.

The orthodox training method of a Formation Master was to focus upon just handful of favorite formations, becoming masters of their usage. At the same time, they would learn the attributes and weaknesses of all the other most popular and powerful Formations used by other Formation Masters. The idea being to have a strong tool as well as break the tools of others. Sage was also forced to follow this doctrine, as it was encouraged by the testing standards of the Formation Master Profession rankings. In the future he would be turning this idea on its head by focusing instead of learning a vast volume of arrays and effects rather than pursuing the most complex and powerful. He would seek variation through quantity instead of quality through complexity.

Formation Plates were usually considered to be consumable items, since they were weaker than permanent formations and very limited in their use. Only the most wealthy of individuals would commission expensive magical tools with formation effects on them, either to protect themselves if they weren’t cultivators, or to give to their weaker descendants. Being able to swap out the functions on a whim meant that Sage could get far more use out of it then others could. Hmm, if I could find a way to route most of the stress to the main plate then I could just make or commission an artifact level formation machine plate. Hah! Another idea I can sell to the Sect!

Before selling it, he’d need to build a few more versions and do more testing. Brushing aside all these thoughts, Sage quickly cleaned up the battlefield. Not wanting to leave any evidence, he scooped up all six bodies into his storage ring along with the three wolf carcasses from earlier. After that he collected the bodies of his dead insects in the same manner and went back to the space where he picked up that cyan sphere. Extending his senses, the area felt unusual. It was a similar feeling to when he found the Eye of the World, which he had realized with time that it was the sensation of concentrated energy. Most people would only be able to notice higher energy concentration when it was the universal energy of the heaven and earth, or if the energy matched their own nature. So, a Cultivator focused on fire arts would recognize the enhanced density of energy in the mouth of a volcano. Others might just feel uncomfortable in the area without the help of special techniques or training. After a careful search, it didn’t seem like there was anything else in the area, but Sage continued to have that strange feeling.

Did this energy create the sphere, or did the sphere create the energy?

Pursuing this question, Sage called up the Warp Worm that was still hidden under the ground and hopped inside it. Using the Worm’s senses, he started track the source of the energy. It was a process of trial and error, moving in one direction a distance and then checking if it was weaker or stronger. Neither his own or the worm’s senses were sharp enough to let him triangulate the source, so he had to do a lot more searching to narrow it down. Burrowing deeper into the mountain, Sage finally came upon the greatest concentration of energy and with some time he seemed to understand a little.

Above the ground it looked just like some mountains with a canyon or valleys between them. From down here, Sage was reminded of a larger concept. Tectonic Plates. Without any geological background, there was no way he’d understand such a thing. It actually was the energy in the area that intrigued him and gave him the thought. Beneath the surface it was like the corner of an immense stone plate had smashed up against the side of another. The corner shot upwards and became a huge mountain, while the other one was having its top smashed up and pushed around, forming a mountain range around the huge corner point. The reason this was obvious was the energy. From up close, Sage could distinctly feel two different ‘flavors’ of energy, one from either type of rock. The place he found the cyan sphere was a sort of ‘vent’ for this spot where the two energies combined and mixed together with the greatest concentration.

Sage wasn’t an earth natured cultivator, so this place would have little benefit for him. On the other hand, it might be of use to others, or become a spot where spirit plants could grow from in the future. Sage took note of this position and headed directly towards the surface, taking note of all the landmarks around him and adding this spot to his ‘Map’ memory sphere. It was already filled with all the possible ancient landmarks he wanted to investigate, and he also kept a ‘modern’ map as well as a map with all the places he’d personally visited along with notes on what he found there. After that, he went to where the men had made a camp. Raising up a Steel Silk Centipede he merged with it, the Centipede’s were too aggressive and vicious on their own. He’d created them to use for construction, but they were far more adept at aimless destruction when left unguided. With control of the Centipede, Sage collected their tents and bedding, then used the centipede’s blades and acid to wipe out every last shred of their being there. In the end all that was left was a half-acre of churned up soil. Everything else had been melted down and even the residue of the acid would be gone in a few days. Sage fled the area with another Warp Worm, using a different method to leave as when he arrived. Even if either bug was noticed by anyone in the area, using different bugs would confuse the trail a little more.

After traveling a few dozen miles away from the site of the battle, Sage finally started going through his spoils. He burrowed underground with a Warp Worm, then dug out a cave with a Centipede before checking each and every corpse very carefully. He’d learned long ago that most people wouldn’t just hide all their valuables in an obvious storage bag. The four minions at the third rank were pretty standard, each of them had a few hundred spirit stones as well as a manual for their signature moves. It would seem stupid, but it was a common practice. While traveling, most would want to keep training their favorite technique. It only made sense to carry a copy around with you. It would fall into the hands of the one who killed you, but who cared what happened when you died? Could you take that book into the afterlife if you left it at home?

Unless it was a clan technique or highly valuable, at which point it became a strategic resource, and powerful groups would even put mental locks on the techniques, so they couldn’t even be stolen with mind techniques. Suffice it to say, these four men had nothing so valuable as that. They were decently good techniques, so Sage copied them into his Library Memory Sphere and burned the books. Normally, he wasn’t so careful as all this, but he had overheard the men talking and along with their matching clothing he knew they were all from the Cult of the Woodlord. As a rival of the Holy Flame Sect, he didn’t want to be responsible for causing an incident, so he did all that he could to hide this confrontation.

The Tamer had a Beast Bag in addition to his Storage Bag, but sadly it wasn’t very full. This guy seemed to be pretty down on his luck. It was no wonder he was seeking the help of this other group of fellows to merely track a Tortoise Hare. He didn’t have enough resources to ensure his success so he had to share. The Beast Bag only had a handful of weaker supporting animals like bird messengers and small watch dogs. Those three pony sized wolves were his only battle beasts.

The Leader of the group was a different story. Just as Sage imagined he was some sort of big shot, maybe an Inner Disciple with a gang of his Outer Disciple thugs. He had nearly ten thousand spirit stones in his bag and dozens of pill bottles. There was also a couple technique manuals, and surprisingly they were all wood natured. There was also a large signet ring and when Sage brought it out, he felt something strange. It was like there was a reaction from the ring and Sage’s previously elated mood suddenly fell.

I was hoping this didn’t happen.