Chapter 366: Forging Learned (1/2)
”Formation Arrays are inscriptions, which are carved into a weapon. Different shapes have different effects on Energy. Of course, the basic Formation Arrays only have a very subtle effect on Energy. For example, you can't convert Energy into an element with just the basic Formation Arrays,” his father explained.
”There are Formation Arrays that absorb Energy, some that move it around, some that store it. Some other Formation Arrays influence the will, Spirit, element, or awareness. The last one isn't relevant to forging weapons.”
”I'm going to teach you the relevant Formation Arrays for manipulating Energy, will, Spirit, and lightning. Energy is the base, while you need to know the ones for manipulating will and Spirit for your Lightning Crescent.”
”Contrary to the expectations of beginners, carving the Formation Arrays into a weapon is one of the easier parts. Yet, it becomes more difficult the further you progress until it becomes the most challenging part in the end.”
”How come?” Gravis asked.
”The initial Formation Arrays are only basic. As I said, they only manipulate the Energy in very simple ways. Yet, such a simple format clearly wouldn't be enough for more powerful cultivators. After all, they have comprehended their Laws, and using basic Formation Arrays wouldn't do justice to these Laws,” his father explained.
Gravis nodded. He had already guessed that the Laws would most likely become the strongest weapons of the cultivators in the future. Merely storing and unleashing an element or Energy from a weapon seemed too basic and weak for such powerful people. There were surely ways to make a weapon harness the power of a Law.
”The basic Formation Arrays are used in smithing up to the peak of Nascent Nourishing. As soon as you start comprehending Laws, such basic usage becomes useless. At that point, you would need to transcribe the concept of your Law into the language of Formation Arrays. At that point, inscribing Formation Arrays becomes difficult,” his father explained.
”Formation Arrays tailored to specific Laws are sold at a high price. Not everyone has the money, time, guidance, knowledge, or safety to practice forging. Therefore, forgers start becoming more important and sought after the more powerful the cultivators get.”
”Theoretically, to inscribe a Law specific Formation Array doesn't require the forger to understand said Law. It's as simple as copying something onto a weapon. Since cultivators all understand different laws, it becomes important for business to know the Formation Arrays for more Laws. That's why these Formation Arrays are so expensive.”
Gravis rubbed his chin. ”So, theoretically, I could find and ask a forger to create a weapon specifically made for my Punishment Lightning, right? You said that it is a Law.”
His father nodded. ”Correct. Punishment Lightning is a popular element. So, a lot of forgers know the required Formation Arrays.”
Gravis snorted. ”But the more advanced and complex the Laws become that a cultivator can understand, the harder it is to find these Formation Arrays, right?”
His father nodded again. ”Also correct. Even though the weakest Laws are, by a huge margin, the most numerous, they still have the most public Formation Arrays. After all, they're comparatively not that hard to understand. The more powerful the Laws, the fewer people are able to create or recreate the relevant Formation Arrays until only a select few know them. Such powerful Formation Arrays are highly valued in trade.”
Gravis scratched his chin. ”I guess the Divine Forger, Linus, knows a lot of them.”
His father nodded. ”He is one of the very few people that actually know Formation Arrays for more than one of the most powerful Laws. The other people that know as much as him or more are very secluded. Most of them are just acting as ancestors for Peak Sects, and they don't forge weapons for others since they think it's beneath them.”
Gravis nodded but kept quiet.
Whoop!
A small book appeared, making Gravis furrow his brows. Did he need to read even more now? Reading the small booklet had already been time-consuming. How long would it take him to read this book?
”This book has all the relevant basic Formation Arrays noted down,” his father said as the book floated over to Gravis.
Gravis opened it and was immediately surprised. The size of the writing was large enough that even mortals could read it. This was way less information than Gravis had anticipated.
”As I said,” his father said, ”the basic Formation Arrays aren't difficult, and even people in the lower worlds can use them. You should be done in about three hours or so.”
Gravis had already started reading. Going through this book was a piece of cake. His Spirit had been tempered, which had increased his comprehension ability way past what a mortal could do. Completely memorizing the book from front to back wouldn't take much time.