[The black turtle saw that you dared not speak and snorted coldly before flying into the air.]
[It was then that you realized the black turtle was actually bound by several massive iron chains.]
[On those chains, mysterious lines were inscribed, lines that you could not understand.]
[Finally, the black turtle stopped keeping you in suspense.]
[It told you that everyone here was nothing more than a prisoner.]
[It admitted that it had lied to Bai Ruoxue, claiming it would release you for 1 billion spirit stones.]
[In truth, no one in the South Region could escape this endless sea, including itself.]
[The gap in the formation that you had hoped to use was nothing but a trap.]
[This place was where the formation spirit of the entire forbidden array resided.]
[The black turtle explained that all who entered the forbidden area were shrouded by the array, and their auras were constantly monitored by the formation spirit.]
[It stated that even if it didn't stop you, attempting to cross the formation crack would result in your death by the formation's thunder.]
[Only outsiders like Bai Ruoxue could enter and leave freely, provided they did not stay in the forbidden area for too long, as the formation spirit could not sense them.]
[However, if Bai Ruoxue remained for an extended period, she, too, would be unable to leave.]
[After hearing the black turtle's words, cold sweat dripped down your back.]
[Even so, you still could not understand why the black turtle was telling you all of this.]
[Your confusion was short-lived, as the black turtle quickly revealed its purpose.]
[It stated that it no longer wished to remain locked up here as a mere guardian.]
[It believed that, should you one day achieve the path of the gods, you might be able to break the blockade and free it.]
[Thus, it was willing to invest in you.]
[However, it also expressed disappointment in your recent performance.]
[You forced an awkward smile, but internally, you muttered, "How could I disappoint you? With a boss like you around, how could I dare to act rashly? Why didn't you just say earlier that we were on the same side?"]
[Noticing your dissatisfaction, the black turtle pointed out that the forbidden formations around you were never under its control. During your time here, it hadn't interfered with your actions. So why hadn't you tried to study or crack them?]
[You twitched your lips and retorted, explaining that you didn't even understand the basics of formations. How could you possibly tackle such a complicated one without a teacher?]
[Of course, you had wanted to study the forbidden formation—after all, you did have a natural talent for formations.]
[But, as the saying goes, even the best cook cannot prepare a meal without ingredients. Without a foundation in formation principles, your talent was useless!]
[Hearing your response, the black turtle was visibly stunned.]
[It had never considered your lack of basic knowledge. In its mind, how could a genius capable of cultivating to godhood not even understand fundamental formations?]
[In the end, it shook its head helplessly and tossed a jade slip to you.]
[It informed you that this was a divine consciousness jade slip, containing knowledge of basic formations. By studying it, you should be able to grasp some understanding.]
[The black turtle kindly explained how to use the jade slip—by placing it on your forehead, you could directly absorb the memories it held.]
Jiang Yifeng, observing this from reality, fell into deep thought.
This divine consciousness jade slip stored memories.
Could he perhaps simulate the experience deeply and bring the memories out with him directly?
If so, he could save a reward opportunity and exchange it for something else in the simulation.
Jiang Yifeng decided to act on this idea immediately.
"Activate the deep simulation for ten days," he commanded.
Fearing that ten days might not be enough, he added a few more days just to be safe. It didn't matter—after all, he could exit at any time, and the energy cost was negligible.
[Ding! Deep simulation activated for 240 hours. 240 energy points deducted. Remaining energy: 9.8 billion…]
As the simulator's voice echoed, Jiang Yifeng's soul entered the simulation.
He looked at the black turtle in the distance, its enormous form resembling a small island. The massive rune-covered chains binding it only added to the visual impact.
Seeing this in person was far more shocking than simply reading the simulation text.
After taking a brief moment to absorb the scene, Jiang Yifeng wasted no time and placed the jade slip on his forehead.
Suddenly, an overwhelming amount of formation knowledge surged into his mind.
Time passed quickly.
Three days later, Jiang Yifeng had finally digested the memories contained in the jade slip.
Now equipped with a foundational understanding of formations, he realized just how profound and intricate they truly were.
However, the sudden influx of knowledge left him slightly dizzy.
Not wanting to strain himself further, Jiang Yifeng ended the deep simulation.
Soon, his soul returned to the Jiang Mansion.
Rubbing his temples, Jiang Yifeng continued reviewing the simulator's records.
[After absorbing the contents of the jade slip, the black turtle did not allow you to remain in the area to study the blockade formation.]
[Instead, it urged you to leave, warning that the formation spirit might sense your presence if you lingered any longer, potentially dragging it into trouble.]
[In the eleventh year, you headed north.]
[Based on Bai Ruoxue's earlier route, you deduced that the southernmost region was the Endless Sea, where the black turtle resided.]
[Thus, your only option to return to Qingshan City was to travel northward.]
[By the twelfth year, you finally reached Qingshan City.]
[The journey had taken you two entire years, a distance Bai Ruoxue had covered in mere days.]
[Your progress was only possible because you had reached the second level of Jindan cultivation and could fly. Otherwise, it would have taken far longer.]
[Disguising yourself, you rented a small courtyard near the Jiang Mansion.]
[In the thirteenth year, you heard a sudden commotion and realized something had happened to your family, the Jiang clan.]
[Rushing outside, you saw a figure clad in black hovering in the air, launching an attack on the Jiang clan.]
[But shortly thereafter, your father, Jiang Fushan, arrived with a group of immortal cultivators.]
[One of the Tribulation Stage cultivators casually struck the man in black, killing him instantly.]
[Seeing the matter resolved, you revealed yourself and called out to your father.]
[Without any issues, you accompanied Jiang Fushan to Ridge Mountain.]
[In the following days, you focused on cultivating diligently at Ridge Mountain.]
[This time, however, your efforts were centered on the art of formations.]
[By the fifteenth year, you had spent two years in Ridge Mountain, achieving the level of a third-grade formation master.]
[Formation mastery was straightforwardly categorized, from first grade to ninth grade, with the rank of Immortal Formation Master beyond the ninth grade.]
[This information, along with many other basics, was part of the formation knowledge contained in the jade slip.]
[Your rapid progression to a third-grade formation master was due not only to your innate talent but also to the jade slip's invaluable guidance.]
[Before encountering the jade slip, you had never studied formations and were unaware of their intricacies. Now that you had begun this journey, you truly appreciated the jade slip's worth.]
[It had saved you countless years of familiarizing yourself with theories and foundational principles.]
[In fact, you now saw formations as akin to the mathematical calculations and formulas from your previous life—complex, intricate, and vast.]
[Without proper understanding, the path of formations would be fraught with difficulties.]
[You recognized that, without the jade slip, it might have taken you decades just to master the basics.]
[By the sixteenth year, you had grown acquainted with the residents of Ridge Mountain.]
[One day, you approached Mr. Li and expressed your desire to study the formation left behind by Senior Lu Wuya.]
[After all, studying this formation, which could withstand divine thunder, was the primary reason you had come to Ridge Mountain in the first place.]