A smile touched the little one’s lips as she prepared to release the Nine Bends Yellow River Array. Without a word, she pressed her small left palm against the earth. Formation Patterns on the back of her hand began to glow, accompanied by the cry of a phoenix. Then, as if alive, the patterns spread from her hand to the ground beneath her feet.
"Nine Bends Yellow River Array, manifest!"
BOOM!
At the little one’s cry, Formation Patterns erupted across the ground. Within them, the mighty Yellow River surged, and an enraged dragon seemed to roar from its depths. A single glance was enough to perceive its boundless power.
CRASH! As the formation materialized, the Yellow River roiled, its waves crashing against phantom banks with a shocking force. The roar of the surging water gripped the hearts of all who witnessed it.
This was a formation the likes of which Yang Ziwei and the others had never seen before; they had not even heard of it. It felt as though any defense would be utterly obliterated by the furious onslaught of the river’s waters. The sight left everyone stunned.
Afterward, a sandstorm began to form within the array. Three graceful figures stood vaguely within it, but the swirling sands obscured them, preventing Yang Ziwei and the others from making out their appearance.
"Is this... could this be an Array Spirit?" Yang Ziwei suddenly exclaimed in astonishment.
"An Array Spirit?" Many of the Array Masters looked toward Yang Ziwei. Feng Li did the same, as they all wanted to ask what an Array Spirit was.
"Feng Li, you should know," Yang Ziwei said, looking pointedly at him.
"No, I don’t." Feng Li shook his head. Back in his family, the Ancestor had mentioned Array Spirits, but when he had asked for details, the Ancestor had simply smiled and said, "You’re not yet ready to understand it." Thus, Feng Li remained ignorant to this day.
"The Array Spirit, also known as the Spirit of the Formation," Yang Ziwei said excitedly. "Every formation has its creator. It’s said that when a practitioner is truly recognized by a formation, the spirit of its creator will appear to grant them its protection. That is the Array Spirit."
"What?" the Array Masters gasped. They had studied formations for so many years, dedicating their entire lives to the craft. Yet, in all the times they had deployed formations, no Array Spirit had ever appeared.
What does this mean? Have we not been recognized by our formations at all?
"No, no, no." Feng Li couldn’t believe it either. He was hailed by many as a genius of formations, yet when he set up arrays, the spirits of their creators never appeared.
How could this little one achieve something that even I cannot? Feng Li found it utterly incredible, simply beyond belief.
Yang Ziwei clenched his fists, trembling with excitement. He had set up countless formations over the years without a single Array Spirit ever appearing. He didn’t share Feng Li’s frustration; instead, he was filled with joy. "For a thousand years, no one in the world of formations has been said to have earned a formation’s recognition and summoned an Array Spirit. I never expected this child would be the one."
"Brothers, she is destined for greatness. Do you have any objections now to her becoming the Branch Guild President?"
Hearing this, the Array Masters behind Yang Ziwei nodded one by one. A moment ago, they had agreed verbally out of respect for him, but in their hearts, they had disagreed. How could we let a child be our president? But now they understood. If the little one became their president, they would be the ones getting the better end of the deal.
Hearing this, Feng Li staggered. Is there really such a huge difference between a formation with an Array Spirit’s protection and one without?
"Who was that person?" Feng Li asked skeptically, testing to see if Yang Ziwei would dare to name him.
Knowing what Feng Li was thinking, Yang Ziwei said, "I’m sure you’ve heard of this individual’s title. Though he is now a figure of history, his fame still echoes throughout the Immortal Emperor Realm. He was a master not only of formations but was also renowned for his accomplishments in many other fields."
"Who was he?" Feng Li and the other Array Masters pressed, their curiosity piqued. Does such a person really exist? An omnipotent man?
"He is known as the greatest Immortal Emperor, second only to the Creation Martial Emperor—Wutian Celestial Emperor!" Yang Ziwei enunciated each of the final words, his face filled with the reverence of a pilgrim.
Wutian Celestial Emperor?
Upon hearing that name, Feng Li’s expression changed completely. The other Array Masters were just as stunned, their faces a mask of shock. Who didn’t revere the Wutian Celestial Emperor? Since Yang Ziwei dared to invoke the name of an Immortal Emperor, no one doubted the truth of his words any longer.
"Hehe, yes, yes, yes," Feng Li suddenly began to laugh strangely. "I admit that a formation with an Array Spirit will have its power amplified, but... my Six Cauldrons Abyssal Array is assured of victory. Because the person who gifted this array to my Feng Family was also an Immortal Emperor. My formation may not have an Array Spirit’s protection, but I have the protection of an imperial light. My victory... is assured."

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