Chapter 146: The Eight Trigrams Enter the Body, Unstoppable

“How have you considered it, young man? You must know that I, old as I am, have little patience. If you remain so indecisive, I see no reason to continue delaying with you. Everything is destined by fate. If you cannot make up your mind, perhaps the Eight Trigrams Formation is not meant for you. I can seek another worthy master, and you need not trouble yourself any further.” The old dean regarded Yu with a leisurely gaze, his brow barely furrowed. He did not seem eager for an immediate answer; rather, he sought to exert an invisible pressure upon Yu’s anxieties, subtly ensnaring him in his trap.

“Very well, I’ll wager on this! I will claim the Eight Trigrams Formation. If you have any conditions, speak freely. I, Yu Shang, am no despicable traitor. If your formation truly enhances our efforts, I shall serve you loyally and without complaint!” Yu Shang declared resolutely, meeting the scheming old dean’s triumphant expression. His decision was not influenced by others; he simply saw this as a win-win arrangement. If it forced Fuyou Ming to retreat, then stepping into the old man’s snare was not in vain. For Yu Shang, a small sacrifice for a decisive victory was well worth it.

“Indeed, I did not misjudge you, young man. I once worried that entrusting this precious Eight Trigrams Formation to you would be a waste. But now I see I was overly cautious. Your intelligence and foresight qualify you as the rightful owner of this treasure. Moreover, you share an inseparable bond with the formation—perhaps even heaven deems it fitting to entrust it to you!” The old dean nodded approvingly, as if he truly believed in Yu’s potential. Yet the more he praised, the more Yu felt like a lamb before a tiger. The higher the praise, the greater the challenges ahead. This old fox would never give favors without expecting something in return. What awaited Yu was surely no simple matter.

“Enough with the dithering, old man. The brat has agreed—hand over the Eight Trigrams Formation quickly. I want to see if this so-called formation truly possesses the power you claim, so formidable that even ancient gods dare not meddle for fear of entrapment!” Xiao Yin shouted impatiently, eager to witness the marvel that would manifest within Yu’s body. He had a hunch that the formation might interact with Yu’s innate divination gate, perhaps enhancing it. Possessing such a treasure would only add to his advantage.

“Yu Shang, step forward and enter the formation; others, stand back,” the old dean instructed solemnly. “I will now cast the spell to embed it within this young man. No external interference is allowed, lest we both perish and the formation be destroyed like a worthless relic.” He pressed his palms together, gathering his vital energy, then spoke loudly to the others. They immediately retreated several paces, wary of causing harm through carelessness. Yu complied obediently, stepping into the glowing formation with calm composure, betraying no hint of nervousness.

With everyone in position and Yu within the spiritually charged Eight Trigrams Formation, the old dean closed his eyes and murmured incantations—surely the secret to unlocking the formation’s seal. Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open and lifted his fingertips, which emitted a faint glow. Swiftly, his fingers traced symbols in the air. The intricate patterns were so strange and arcane that onlookers could discern nothing of their meaning. Then, the floating symbol blazed forth with a blinding light, illuminating the entire Divine Weapon Pavilion as if it were broad daylight.

The symbol darted to hover above Yu’s head, expanding rapidly until it nearly engulfed the entire formation. The Eight Trigrams Formation resisted control, spinning violently, causing Yu to stagger as if about to fall. Yet Yu was no stranger to turmoil; he seated himself cross-legged, hands resting on his knees, and closed his eyes to regulate his internal energy. Remarkably, in the midst of such unrest, he maintained an unshakable calm—a testament to his extraordinary composure.

The old dean smiled faintly and thrust his hands toward the formation. A golden-hued vital energy surged forth, striking the formation’s seal. A crisp cracking sound rang out as the seal shattered, much to the crowd’s delight. However, the formation’s condition post-unsealing was worrisome; it spun even faster and more fiercely. Concern rippled through the observers, fearing Yu might be overwhelmed by the formation’s power, causing his internal energy to surge uncontrollably and injure him gravely.

Alas, they could only watch from afar, forbidden to intervene. If they could, they would have rushed forward to stabilize the formation and help it integrate smoothly into Yu’s body. Since they could not act rashly, all eyes turned to the old dean, silently conveying that if anything happened to Yu, they would hold him accountable, even if he were their master. The old dean, however, sensed a chill from behind, glanced back to meet their gazes, shivering slightly before swiftly turning away as if seeing nothing, and continued his spellcasting.

Suddenly, Yu froze and stood abruptly, his eyes devoid of light, staring blankly ahead. Then, he spread his arms wide and roared ferociously, releasing a powerful energy from his chest. The force radiated outward, forcing the onlookers to retreat further into the shadows. The strange power enveloped the Eight Trigrams Formation before surging back into Yu’s body, causing him to collapse. Shocked, the crowd rushed forward, but before they could reach him, the energy burst forth again, lifting Yu unconscious into the air.

The power was so immense it pushed the old dean back, let alone the others. None dared approach; they were paralyzed, helplessly watching Yu float as if suspended in midair. The energy swirled endlessly around him, weaving in and out of his body—sometimes dissipating, sometimes converging—never ceasing. Yu’s form flickered between clarity and obscurity, as if he might vanish at any moment, leaving them powerless to respond.

How long this went on, none could say. Finally, the energy withdrew fully into Yu, who gently descended. The onlookers regained their freedom and surged forward, anxiously checking on him. Yu regained consciousness, weak but smiling faintly. His smile was one of relief from the brink of death, a rebirth like the phoenix rising anew. It seemed he had transcended another realm, reaching a state where cultivation level mattered less than the vast gulf in spirit and resolve.

“Brat, are you hurt? I saw that energy surge again from your divination gate. I was terrified you might lose control and do something even you couldn’t bear. But I feel different somehow—you’ve changed, become stronger!” Xiao Yin supported Yu, his worry evident, surpassing even Yu’s own concern. Yu was heartened; this little serpent was truly loyal, deserving of his trust.

“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just a little weak. It seems this time the Eight Trigrams Formation reawakened the divination gate within me. Yet, they neither conflict nor intertwine, each guarding its own domain. Thankfully, they don’t mingle much, or I’d truly suffer as their vessel!” Yu laughed freely. Aside from his pale face, he appeared unharmed. Only then did the crowd’s anxious hearts settle. This experience had truly opened their eyes—not just to the formation’s rarity but to the divination gate’s formidable power.

“I finally witnessed the legendary internal divination gate. It truly lives up to its name, surpassing any divine weapon. But Yu, I think you haven’t fully mastered it yet. It could turn on you anytime, so be cautious! I can’t imagine how awe-inspiring it’ll be when you command it fully. I eagerly await that day!” Xun Mishuang was utterly convinced by the gate’s might, yearning to experience such a thrilling advancement herself.

“I must first gather the remnants of the Broken Blade and fuse them back into my body. Only then can I hope to unlock the divination gate completely. Your warning is precisely my dilemma—if this power bursts from the gate and controls me, I lose clarity and could faint, as before. Perhaps I’m not strong enough yet to command such a formidable force,” Yu said with a hint of melancholy, his voice low. How could he tame the divination gate’s power? Each day without control was a step closer to danger. If it truly turned on him, Yu Shang would vanish from this world forever.

“All things follow their own laws and cannot be rushed. Only when the time is ripe will you grasp its true meaning. Perhaps the answer you seek lies just ahead. Impatience and anxiety are the greatest pitfalls for cultivators,” the old dean approached and spoke calmly. A newfound hope gleamed in his eyes as if entrusting Yu with weighty responsibilities. The stronger Yu became, the more trouble would find him—a fate he could not evade but must face with all his might.

“Thank you, Dean, for your guidance. I will heed your advice, striving for tranquility and peace of mind. Perhaps only then can I overcome the countless perils ahead,” Yu replied, no longer harboring resentment. He suddenly understood the old man’s intentions—to see him truly flourish. Despite his bias toward Yanlan Academy, the dean might yet become a wise mentor and steadfast ally.