283 Basic Formations

"In this world of martial dao, the levels of arrays are denoted according to the power of their output, not their complexity. Therefore, both Lee Kee's Shrieking Array and the Sandstone Raising Array are considered Level 1 Arrays, even though the Shrieking Array only consists of two layers while the Sandstone Raising Array requires nine." Remian was reading the Alchemist's Basic Guide to Formations.

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"However, generally speaking, the more power an array employs, the more complex it needs to be. Simple yet powerful formations are the dream of every array master, but are few and usually held very secret and very precious by those who know them and are not easily learned."

Remian took a break. He glanced over at Xiao Yan, sitting next to the Food Processor. "How goes your reading?"

They had actually bought two copies of the same book so they could both read at the same time.

"I'm still at the components." Xiao Yan rubbed her head. "Core, supports, catalysts, stabilizers, accelerators… and all these are just one layer?!"

"Yep. But it actually gets simpler when you think of multiple layers each doing a single task rather than trying to squeeze it all into one layer. For example, if you laid a fireball trap; you could have one layer as the trigger, so it would activate if someone steps in it; a second layer would store the power for the fireball; the third would target the person who triggers it; a fourth would launch the fireball at the target. This would be a simple four-layer fireball trap formation." Remian explained. "If you want it to recharge itself from a natural power source, or even ambient energy, you could use a layer for that too. Or if you want more firepower, you can add a second layer to store power, and have the launcher layer draw the power from both layers when it happens. Or you can make it rain ten fireballs instead of one. As long as your layers don't conflict with each other, everything should work out."

"As long as they don't conflict?! How do they not conflict? They're almost always laid right in the same place!"

"Best bet? Use compatible materials." Remian pointed out. "I think talismans are the easiest shortcut for that. They usually get along well with other mixtures, and as long as the talismans themselves are reliable, they should be able to squeeze more power into less layers than raw reagents like herbs and beast blood. Oh, but liquid and powder reagants have the advantage of being spread into the links of the formation themselves rather than occupying a node…"

Xiao Yan stared at him. "You really never learned formations before?"

"Nope. I got the book the same time as you did."

"Then how come you already understand it well enough to teach me?!"

"Because in the end, its just studying. I have experience with studying, so…" Remian shrugged. "Comprehending the general idea isn't difficult. The hard part is in the details; the symbols, and the diagrams, and all the memorization work that goes with countless possible reagents."

Of course, Remian didn't tell her he had the advantage of comparing this world's arrays and formations with his home world's Sigils and Magic Circles.

"I don't think we really need to memorize all those endless lists of reagants and herbs and stones. We just need to keep things simple." Remian added. "Like… use spirit crystals for power instead of whatever special elemental magic stone out there. I think if we're not too fussy, we can get away with using talismans and spirit crystals for everything. In short, all of it can be bought."

"What are we learning all of this for, anyway? What do you want to do?" Xiao Yan asked.

"I want to go home. That means figuring out a formation in an ancient ruin and trying to get it to work in reverse to send me back where I came from." Remian said. "So you see, I just need to understand formations, I don't need to make a profession out of it. As for the rest, I just have to trigger it, maybe provide it with energy or something. Since spirit crystals are so compatible with most formation power needs, I figure I just need enough of them to go home."

"Then that means…" Xiao Yan stared. "I don't have to learn any of this?"

"You could if you liked. I think it will be of benefit to you one way or the other." Remian said patiently.

Xiao Yan hesitated. "But… there's no hurry, right?"

"No hurry."

"Then I'm going to take a nap!" Xiao Yan instantly ditched her studies and went to snooze.

"Too late." Remian prodded her.

"Why?!" Xiao Yan wailed.

"Because we've arrived." Remian said, laughing softly. "We've reached Mystic Herb City. Do you want to go explore the city or not?"

"I want!!" Xiao Yan leapt to her feet, suddenly totally energetic and eager to go for a romp.

***

Unfortunately, Remian could not get formations off his mind. Since learning of them, he suddenly had a hyper sensitivity to what he learned about. It seemed everywhere he looked, he now saw formations.

"This is so interesting!" Remian said, stopping by a random house on the street as he examined a formation in the garden. "This formation… I think it's meant to water the plants at sunrise every morning automatically!"

Xiao Yan, on the other hand, had already zipped halfway down the road toward a street stall. "Is that… roast meat skewers? I want some!"

"You'll have to use your own money!" Remian reminded her, and then turned back to the formation. "Nicely done… two layers to gather dew at night, and then one for timing, one for detecting sunrise linked to another one for triggering… then two for turning it all into mist and the last layer to spread it across the whole garden. I don't recognize the ingredients, but the diagrams are quite obvious…"

Perhaps most interestingly, several principles of those very diagrams were similar to the magic circles in Remian's own world. His learning speed wasn't about a genius memory or some such; it was that he already knew them, or very similar patterns to them.

But magic circles in his world were all meant to support or direct magic controlled by magi. These formations were all supposed to do things on their own, very often triggered by external stimulus or timed. As for long-term functions like that back home, they usually used Runes, which were basically permanent (or at least long-lasting) Sigils. Sometimes the lines of runes could get ridiculously extensive.

In comparing Formations to Runes, Remian felt it was like comparing pictures to written words. Both had advantages, both had drawbacks.

As if to test himself, Remian squatted down by the roadside and started to draw in the sand. Every so often, he'd look up, scrutinize the plant-watering formation, and then draw some more. He didn't use any reagents or crystals or anything, so there was no power, but the drawings themselves were copies of the plant-watering formation.

"Is that formation really so interesting?" a man asked him.

Remian almost jumped. He hadn't notice someone arrive. "Oh yes, I just started learning about formations, so I was quite impressed…"

The middle-aged man behind him laughed, a merry, pot-bellied laugh. "If you think that is impressive you should see the Grand Theatre's Main Hall! Fourteen Level 5 and 6 Formations set together in a full-sensory Illusion Array!"

"Wow!" Remian felt like there were stars in his eyes.

That impressed look seemed to please the middle-aged man. "Well, I was going to raise hell for you doodling around in front of my house like that, but seeing as you're such an earnest student, I'll let it go. Good luck, young man! Study hard!"

"Uh… thanks…" Remian said, sheepishly realizing he'd nearly gotten himself into trouble. That middle-aged man was actually the owner of the house.

***

As they went about, Remian saw more and more formations to study and learn from. On the walls, on the lamp posts, on rooftops, in devices of all shapes and sizes… formations were everywhere in this city!

Xiao Yan likewise had a lot to look at and enjoy. Meat skewers, different flavors of pies, bakery after bakery full of buns and confectionary, hand-sized cakes of at least twelve different kinds, sweet desserts of endless assortments on street after street after street…

"You're going to get fat, eating like that." Remian said, wondering how much longer Xiao Yan's money could hold out, the way she was spending it.

"I never get fat." Xiao Yan snorted in reply.