Techniques and Dao

Chapter 62 Horizontal Blockade

"The stratosphere? The atmospheric stratosphere?" The immortals present immediately began to whisper among themselves.

Hua Sheng didn't know much about the atmosphere, but he did know that it was divided into the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. However, he noticed that the atmosphere at the meeting was a bit off, so he asked Tai Shang Xiao Jun, who was sitting next to him.

"What's going on? Everyone seems to be reacting quite strongly to the word 'stratospheric'."

Taishang Xiaojun replied, "Because it is quite difficult for immortals to fly to the stratosphere."

"What? There are places even immortals can't fly to?"

"It's not that they can't fly, but that they can't fly freely. Just like how it's more difficult for humans to climb mountains than on flat ground. Above the stratosphere, ordinary immortals need to rely on magical artifacts or cranes to fly."

"Why is that?" Hua Sheng was completely baffled.

"Immortals fly by riding the clouds and mist. However, from the stratosphere onwards, the water vapor content in the atmosphere decreases drastically, so clouds cannot form, and there is no place for immortals to land and ride the clouds. Even if they transform water to reach the stratosphere, it will dissipate very quickly. The number of magical artifacts and cranes is extremely limited. If an army of millions of strange beasts attacks, how will the disciples of the Daoist Academy fight in the stratosphere? Let alone set up formations."

At this moment, Master Jueguang said, "Not only should the Heaven-Covering Earth-Supporting Combined Formation be set up in the stratosphere, but two other formations, one offensive and one defensive, should also be set up in the stratosphere to protect this combined formation. I believe the best choice is to use the 'Six Ding Six Jia Formation' for offense and the 'Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation' for defense."

Thus, the original problem of deploying the array in the stratosphere has turned from one into three.

Master Yu Ran said, "Although these two formations are the first choice for offense and defense, each formation requires the corresponding sixty-four hexagrams of the I Ching and the presence of sixty-four guardians. The only requirement for these guardians is an extremely high synchronization rate. That is to say, they must have lived and worked together for at least two years and performed similar actions almost every day to meet the requirement. The masters of the Daoist Academy have all been transferred to set up the Heaven and Earth Harmony Formation. Although the disciples of the Academy attend classes together, it is difficult for them to achieve such a high synchronization rate."

Before the problem was resolved, a celestial master raised a new question.

But then Taishang Xiaojun spoke up.

"I know where to find the 'Six Ding Six Jia Formation' and the 'Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation' that are responsible for offense and defense. Although the power of mortals is weak, it is still indispensable in this battle. The two groups of sixty-four guardians who have lived together for more than two years and performed the same actions almost every day live in the mortal world."

The immortal masters all showed surprise. Dao Ling Xingjun held his forehead with two fingers of his left hand, his eyebrows twitching slightly. He was also curious about what Tai Shang Xiaojun was up to.

Tai Shang Xiao Jun then shared his thoughts: "Have you all heard of two popular music groups in the mortal realm? The boy group is called 'BRAVE,' and the girl group is called 'HOPE.' Each group has sixty-four members. Due to the need for rehearsals and performances, they live together year-round, resulting in a very high level of teamwork. I believe they can meet the requirements of the magic array. There are only a few days left, so I would appreciate it if you could all prepare in advance and arrange for celestial masters to tutor these mortal youths, enabling them to gain some understanding of the celestial incantations."

The immortals exchanged bewildered glances and shook their heads. How could mortals, who didn't even know basic immortal techniques, participate in an immortal battle after only a few days? So everyone waited for Dao Ling Xingjun to make the final decision.

Dao Ling Xingjun opened his eyes and slowly said, "Young people have novel ideas! We older folks may not be unable to think of them, but we lack the courage to put knowledge into practice. Time is of the essence, so how about we follow what Tai Shang Xiaojun said and entrust the cooperation between us and mortals in the offensive and defensive formations to the two of you?"

Hearing this greatly excited Tai Shang Xiao Jun. He rubbed his nose and volunteered, "Leave the matter of hiring the idol group to me!"

Although the matter of the three basic magic arrays has been settled, how to deploy them in the stratosphere remains a problem.

At this moment, Hua Sheng, who was sitting in the corner, raised his hand: "Regarding the issue of setting up formations in the stratosphere, may I say something?"

"Speak freely." Dao Ling Xingjun seemed to have already guessed that Hua Sheng, who was closely related to the human world, would not remain silent.

“Since the Dao Ancestor mentioned that no power outside the Dao Art Academy should be used, it means that all resources within the Dao Art Academy can be utilized. My idea is, could we use the Dao Art Academy as a platform to build the Heaven Covering Earth Harmony Formation, the Six Ding Six Jia Formation, and the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation within the Dao Art Academy?”

“But the battle takes place in Earth’s stratosphere, not in Saint Pingning,” said Master Yu Ran.

“This disciple understands.” Hua Sheng explained his idea. “I have seen the performance at the Lantern Festival. In that performance, the entire performance venue, ‘Liyuan Center,’ could fly into the air. Could we move the entire Taoist Academy to the stratosphere above the human world through ‘Hun Yuan Dao’?”

Upon hearing this shocking statement, many immortal masters changed their expressions, and the meeting immediately erupted in uproar.

"what?"

"What a bold disciple! He intends to use the Academy of Arts and Sciences as the front line of battle?"

"Absolutely not!"

"This move will inevitably destroy Xi Jinping's Academy!"

Dao Ling Xingjun raised his hand, stopping the immortal masters' discussion.

"Fellow immortal masters, please be patient! Listen to him first."

Hua Sheng, emboldened by Dao Ling Xingjun's permission, said, "Although I am not familiar with the various magic arrays, I have heard that the Magic Dao Academy is built on the shell of the Xuanwu Spirit Turtle, so it is originally one entity. If the entire Magic Dao Academy is moved to the human world, then the three major magic arrays will have a place to stand. I know that this will inevitably expose the Magic Dao Academy to the threat of war, but it can be repaired after all."

"This disciple objects!" a clear and loud voice rang out.

Everyone looked towards Tianjizi, the head clerk of the disciples' association, who had remained silent until now. Tianjizi cleared his throat: "The damaged buildings within the Academy can indeed be repaired, but if the Academy itself is not involved in the war, then whether or not to participate depends on the disciples' own wishes. Once the Academy is placed on the front lines, the disciples will inevitably pour out to protect it. This is tantamount to forcing all disciples to participate in the war. Moreover, the Dao Ancestor has clearly stated that those who participate in this war are not allowed to bring elixirs from Shengping Ning, which undoubtedly puts the teachers and students of the Academy in a dangerous situation!"

"But there are seven billion people in the world! And countless billions of lives! Are we just going to stand by and do nothing?" Hua Sheng, despite sitting in the audience, was unwilling to take a single step back.

"It's not that I'm afraid, but as the head clerk of the Disciples' Association, my primary responsibility is to protect the safety of the disciples of the Academy. Whether we fight or not, this is my top priority." Tianjizi seemed unmoved. "If the mortal realm truly has value for salvation, the Heavenly Realm will send troops, or at the very least, arrange for the Holy Peace Immortals to come to our aid. How could it be the turn of our academy to intervene? Besides, doing so would disregard the Holy Peace Code. We absolutely cannot rashly intervene without any support and with the enemy's situation unclear!"

Tianjizi's resounding words drew nods of approval from many of the immortal masters present.

Hua Sheng knew that Tian Jizi's words made sense. Indeed, faced with the annihilation brought by Mingyou and Xuanwu Spirit Serpent, why was only the Academy of Arts and Sciences allowed to participate in the battle, while even Shengping Ning, a gathering place of immortals, was not allowed to intervene?

In other words, aside from Laozi, the celestial realm might have knowingly stood by and watched the impending catastrophe unfold in the mortal world. What secrets lie hidden within this? Or is it all predestined, or simply the mortal world's own fault?

Hua Sheng dared not think any further. For him, although everything was still unclear, he could not back down at this moment; he had to fight to the end.

“I have met the Dao Ancestor in person! He personally promised that as long as the Daoist Academy takes action, Saint Pingning will allow it!”

Tianjizi said, "But forbidding the bringing of elixirs would undoubtedly restrict the young disciples. If so many immortals were to lose their lives, how could the value of a mere mortal be compared?"

"Mortals have no value? There are so many mortals in Saint Pingning! Are you trying to commit racial discrimination!?"

Tianjizi slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "Natural disasters and man-made calamities have been dealt with and survived by humankind for thousands of years. What does it have to do with the Academy of Arts and Sciences? The Academy is not a nanny for the mortal world! Moreover, tens of thousands of immortals are fighting against strange beasts. This is not a street brawl. This is a war! Do you think this is a child's game? Have you ever fought a strange beast head-on?"

Hua Sheng retorted, "Human technology is far inferior to that of Saint Pingning. With our current level of technology, facing such a massive disaster, even with all our efforts, it would be futile in just one week! Are we just going to stand by and watch seven billion people die in vain?"

"Before you came to Saint Pingning, you had no idea this place existed. What if Saint Pingning didn't even exist in the world?"

"Without Sheng Pingning, where would the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent come from? Without the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent, where would the Moon Control Technique come from?" Hua Sheng was furious.

"The Xuanwu Spirit Serpent was revived by the Netherworld, and that Netherworld did not originate from Saint Pingning at all!" Tianjizi retorted without backing down. "This disciple does not disregard human life. Rather, human fortune and misfortune are unpredictable, and Saint Pingning has long since severed ties with the mortal realm. I believe the Dao Ancestor has already seen through this, but perhaps due to the involvement of nepotism, he could not directly refuse. Therefore, he pushed this matter onto the already struggling Academy of Arts and Sciences, attaching conditions that were impossible to fulfill. In fact, the Dao Ancestor was politely declining this matter."

Although Tianji Zi didn't explicitly say so, his words were clearly directed at Taishang Xiaojun. The implication was that Taishang Xiaojun had taken the blame for the matter onto the Academy of Arts and Sciences. These words instantly brought the previously smoothly progressing meeting to a standstill.

Dao Ling Xingjun slowly said, "Interesting. Does this mean that the Dao Ancestor believed the Academy of Arts and Sciences was incapable of doing it, so he left it to me to decide?"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun, who had just received his mission, was now caught in the crossfire, accused of being the scapegoat for causing trouble for the Daoist Academy. His face contorted with anger, and he said furiously:

"Are you saying that the Dao Ancestor was indifferent to the life and death of billions of lives? Just to shift the blame to others? Don't be so presumptuous..."

Before Taishang Xiaojun could finish speaking, he caught a glimpse of a figure flash beside him out of the corner of his eye. Then he heard a whooshing sound.

Upon closer inspection, Hua Sheng had actually punched Tian Jizi in the face. Tian Jizi never expected that Hua Sheng would dare to do such a thing in such an important occasion. Caught off guard, he took a solid punch.

Taking advantage of the other party's unsteady stance, Hua Sheng pounced on Tian Jizi, veins bulging on his face, and roared, "You cold-blooded animal! No wonder your father Lan Caihe didn't return to Shengping Ning, he must not want to see you!"

Enraged, Hua Sheng began to ramble incoherently and raised his fist to punch Tian Jizi repeatedly in the face.

Tianjizi, being the head clerk of the disciples' association, was caught off guard by the punch he received earlier, completely unprepared for Hua Sheng's sneak attack. Now, realizing what had happened, and seeing Lan Caihe's name brought up his old wounds, he roared, "You bastard!"

Tianjizi raised his right hand, and a vortex of shattered rocks instantly appeared around his palm. Rock textures appeared on his palm, and he slammed his palm into Huasheng's chest.

With a deafening boom, the still-developing Hua Sheng was sent flying by the palm strike, his back slamming against the ceiling of the Lake Star Pavilion. Before he could even land, Tian Jizi had already straightened up. With a flick of his left hand, Hua Sheng was instantly pulled towards him, then took another solid blow. He was then sent flying directly from the Lake Star Pavilion; due to the incredible speed, the air and water churned up a meter high on both sides as Hua Sheng passed through the water.

Hua Sheng was sent flying a hundred meters away by this heavy palm strike, but unexpectedly, a loud shout came from mid-air.

"Article 5, Chapter 3 of the Student Handbook!"

After shouting those words, Hua Shengcai fell into the lake with a splash.

"How could you be so harsh on your fellow disciple? I'll teach you a lesson!" Tai Shang Xiao Jun roared in anger and charged straight at Tian Ji Zi.

Immortal Master Yu Ran shouted, "Stop! Supreme Lord, step back!"

Tai Shang Xiao Jun was stopped by his immortal master, his face turning red with embarrassment. Turning his head to look at the ripples on the lake surface caused by the fallen flower, he gritted his teeth and reluctantly jumped into Zui Xin Lake.

Fortunately, Hua Sheng, who had been struck by the palm, was unharmed, and Tai Shang Xiao Jun swam to the shore with him. The atmosphere was heavy, and neither of them thought to dry their clothes. Instead, they sat on the shore, their bodies dripping wet, staring silently at the Lake Star Pavilion.

After a long pause, Hua Sheng finally couldn't help but say, "I'm sorry, I messed up."

"You're amazing. You went from a supporting role to a leading role." Tai Shang Xiao Jun still spoke in that mocking tone.

"Just now, Tianjizi's words... if Daoling Xingjun is persuaded, the mortal realm will be doomed. I acted impulsively..."

"You spoke too harshly; you shouldn't have brought up Lan Caihe's matter."

“Just now…” Hua Sheng thought to himself that he was also an orphan, and that saying those words had indeed touched a raw nerve with others.

"However, his palm strike was indeed too brutal. He used a Xuanming-level attack spell on a fellow mortal disciple."

"You showed mercy. If you had used the Lingxiao Immortal Spell, I'd probably be floating on the lake right now."

"The Lingxiao level? Does he think these immortal masters are just sitting around doing nothing? Using the Lingxiao level, he won't even be able to get the position of registrar, he might even be expelled. You're quite cunning, even after taking a blow, you still remembered to remind the immortal masters that you violated the prohibition. This time, Tianjizi is in for a lot of trouble."

Hua Sheng vaguely sensed that Tian Jizi's views actually represented the true thoughts of many immortal masters. Compared to himself, he was more concerned about the outcome of the meeting after this commotion.

It is an objective fact that the calamities of the human world have dragged the Daoist Academy into the mess, putting its unrelated disciples in danger. Moreover, the current catastrophe facing Earth is also related to Hua Sheng.

The two sat on the lakeside embankment, their minds preoccupied with the outcome of the meeting in the Lake Star Pavilion. The hot summer breeze quickly dried their Taoist robes.

As the sun sets in the west, from afar one can see that the immortal masters in the Lake Star Pavilion have all stood up and each rode a cloud away from the lake.

"Go and find out the results!"

Hua Sheng stood up impatiently, pulling Tai Shang Xiao Jun along. Among the departing immortals, they spotted Immortal Master Yu Ran and quickly rode up on a cloud.

"Immortal Master Yu Ran!"

Immortal Master Yu Ran turned around in mid-air and, upon seeing the two of them, said, "You two naughty children, you were so reckless just now!"

Before Hua Sheng could apologize, Tai Shang Xiao Jun interrupted, asking, "What did Dao Ling Xing Jun say?"

Master Yu Ran knew exactly what they wanted to ask and said, "Hua Sheng, you didn't have to be so reckless just now. The Star Lord has his reasons."

"What is his idea?" Hua Sheng pressed.

"The Star Lord said that since it was permitted by the Dao Ancestor and the matter originated from our Daoist Academy, he, as the dean, cannot shirk his responsibility. Moreover, the deputy registrar of the Disciples Association is currently in a state of life and death, so the Academy must fight against it."

Upon hearing this news, Hua Sheng breathed a long sigh of relief.

Master Yu Ran continued, "In fact, I think that what Tianjizi said is not only what many immortal masters think, but also what Dao Lingxingjun is concerned about."

This is the truth.

Master Yu Ran said, "Therefore, Dao Ling Xingjun said that none of the disciples of Xiyuan should be forced to participate in this battle. Those disciples who do not wish to participate or are too young should remain in Shengping Ning."

Taishang Xiaojun asked, "What did Tianjizi say?"

"You must understand Tianjizi. As the head clerk of the disciples' association, he certainly has to protect the lives and safety of his disciples. After all, everyone has witnessed the Netherworld and the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent; this battle is no small matter. Tianjizi also volunteered to participate in the battle, to live and die with the Academy of Arts and Sciences." Immortal Master Yu Ran paused and said, "As for Tianjizi's violation of the prohibition earlier, using immortal incantations to attack his fellow disciples, Dao Ling Xingjun has ordered him to make amends in this battle and to be confined to his quarters for a month after the battle."

Dao Ling Xingjun's punishment was quite severe. However, considering the critical moment before the battle, he extended Tianjizi's confinement until after the battle.

Taishang Xiaojun continued to ask, "Where are the Heavenly Covering Earth Formation, the Six Ding Six Jia Formation, and the Nine Palaces Eight Trigrams Formation located?"

"Dao Ling Xingjun strongly supports your plan. The Six Ding and Six Jia and the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams will be arranged by the mortals mentioned by Tai Shang Xiaojun. He will also try to move the entire Daoist Academy to the stratosphere. Today, when we return, we need to arrange for the rapid relocation of any items unrelated to this battle outside the academy."

Since Dao Ling Xingjun had made his decision, the immortal masters had no choice but to obey. Unexpectedly, Dao Ling Xingjun had completely adopted Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun's plan. This brought them both joy and a heavy responsibility. As long as the immortal masters and disciples of the Daoist Academy were prepared, they might not necessarily suffer losses in the battle against the Netherworld and the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent.

"There is still a major problem that has not been solved during the meeting."

"What's the problem?" Taishang Xiaojun asked.

Master Yu Ran continued, "Judging from the Dao Ancestor's letter, besides the Netherworld and the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent, we will likely also face an army of millions of strange beasts. If we place the three magic arrays and the Academy of Arts and Sciences in the stratosphere, it means that the Academy of Arts and Sciences will become the front line of this battle. All attacks on the Academy of Arts and Sciences will be directly transferred to the three magic arrays. In this way, all three arrays will be extremely dangerous."

Although the first meeting yielded basic countermeasures against the Moon Control Method, once the forty-nine immortal masters, including Dao Ling Xing Jun, formed a magic array, it meant that the strongest immortals in the Magic Academy would be unable to directly participate in resisting the Netherworld, the Xuanwu Spirit Serpent, and millions of strange beasts.

This is indeed a big problem. That is to say, several barriers are needed to protect the area outside the Academy of Arts and Sciences.

"If a barrier is needed, then we're back to the old question of what to place it on. What should we do?" Hua Sheng frowned.

"Because tens of thousands of disciples are needed to defend the three main formations, it means that we need to build an ultra-long battle line in the stratosphere with an elevation difference of tens of miles and a length of more than two thousand miles. It is difficult to defend both ends with just the three formations, and the number of magical artifacts and cranes of the Academy of Arts and Sciences is also a drop in the ocean."

Hua Sheng and Tai Shang Xiao Jun were both stunned. If a stratospheric battlefront stretching over two thousand miles wasn't established, the Academy of Arts and Sciences would bear the brunt of all attacks in this battle. But establishing this "aerial battle corridor" meant that a portion of the territory…

They've all moved to the stratosphere!

(End of this chapter)