Chapter 1992

"This is Hei Ru. He prefers to be cautious rather than risk breaking the formation rashly," the Elf Queen remarked from the side.

Zhu Yanyi sighed helplessly. "Doesn't she see? My formation changes automatically based on the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches. If she doesn't break it within one shichen—two hours—the formation will change to a different one. Is she stupid?"

Zhu Yanyi felt a mix of emotions. Caution was good, but excessive caution looked strange.

Hei Ru was just starting to understand the formation when it changed.

She froze, then stepped back a few paces. Wu Shang, who had been watching Hei Ru’s odd behavior, stepped forward. "Lord Hei Ru, aren't you going to break the formation?"

"This formation is quite clever. It uses the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches to change. Different times mean different formations. I need to study how many variations there are. Breaking it slowly is better."

Hei Ru was not in a hurry. Wu Shang and Ruan Mengtuo were anxious, but they could do nothing.

Zhu Yanyi watched, yawning. Everyone else hiding in the Lucky Forest also yawned. They decided to take turns resting.

Since Hei Ru wasn't rushing, they certainly wouldn't. Let him take his time.

Zhu Yanyi tied a hammock to a nearby tree and lay down in mid-air. "Hei Ru won't attack today. I'll take a nap."

"How do you know he won't attack?" Sikong Xuran asked curiously.

"My formation is simple but has many changes, especially based on time. Each formation is different. He will likely wait until the same time tomorrow to break it.

But he never expects that even within the same shichen, the formations look similar but are actually different.

However, my formation is a big lure for formation masters. Hei Ru is clearly a master.

She wants to fully understand my formation. Since she arrived at the Lucky Forest perimeter today, she won't rush to attack.

So, we can rest well today."

Zhu Yanyi explained while yawning, then closed her eyes to rest.

The others listened and brought out lounge chairs and rocking chairs. Since no one would attack, they might as well rest.

The Elf Queen laughed. "Is this okay?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. It's not a tense moment right now, so Your Majesty need not worry," Zhu Yanyi said, waving her hand with her eyes closed. It was rare to have such leisure time, so she naturally wanted to sleep well.

Not only Zhu Yanyi’s side was resting. Wu Shang and Ruan Mengtuo, seeing they couldn't help, set up tents and rested inside.

As for Hei Ru, with his high cultivation and status as a formation master, he would rest when he wanted. They didn't bother managing him.

Hei Ru counted the formations in his head. He took out a Judge’s Brush and drew on the ground.

"Junior Sister, it seems Hei Ru has found a trick," Hong Mei observed.

"It's useless. The trick exists, but it's not that complex. She’s making it too complicated. At this rate, it will take her half a month to break my formation." Zhu Yanyi covered her mouth and yawned widely. "Forget it. Let her calculate. If she’s still like this in five days, I’ll open a corner and let them in. We can’t keep them outside forever; it would show our hospitality isn't sincere."

Sikong Xuran snorted. If it were sincere, would he let them lose their lives here?

Obviously, Zhu Yanyi had this idea. For now, she wouldn't harm them. But if they didn't break the formation in five days, waiting would be a waste of time.

Of course, Hei Ru was not her equal in formations, but she could serve as a practice opponent for the formation masters she was training in the Lucky Forest.

Zhu Yanyi planned how to make Hei Ru a practice opponent, saving time and effort.

Hei Ru didn't know Zhu Yanyi’s thoughts. She frowned, drawing constantly on the ground with her Judge’s Brush. Wu Shang and Ruan Mengtuo had fallen asleep from boredom. The surroundings were particularly quiet.

Others watching the development found it boring and yawned too.

Xiao Yun said helplessly, "Sister Yanyi, when will he finish drawing like this?"

Zhu Yanyi shrugged. "With her current thinking, she truly can't break my formation in less than half a month. Forget it. Tell everyone to eat well and rest. In five days, I’ll open a gap and let them in."

Zhu Yanyi’s tone was absolutely condescending.

Xiao Yun nodded and hurried to notify everyone.

Zhu Yanyi’s estimate was spot on. As the formation changed every shichen, Hei Ru realized that no two formations were ever exactly the same. Even similar ones were only similar, never identical. Her approach was clearly wrong.

Hei Ru thought for a moment, his eyes shifting. He looked at the ground. Three days later, he erased the marks on the ground.

Zhu Yanyi became curious. She saw Hei Ru start drawing again.

Watching her draw, a satisfied smile appeared on Zhu Yanyi’s face. "No wonder the Queen praises Hei Ru. She really has skills. In two more days, I won't need to open a gap. She should be able to tear one open herself.

Tell everyone to prepare. Hei Ru has some insight into formations. The formation operators must be careful not to be tricked by him."

After Zhu Yanyi gave her orders, someone notified everyone.

Hearing that a gap would appear in two days, everyone felt nervous. This was the first time the Lucky Forest faced an enemy on its own.

As Zhu Yanyi predicted, two days later, Hei Ru really tore open a gap. Although small, it was wide enough for two or three people to enter side by side.

Wu Shang and Ruan Mengtuo looked at each other, then led their people through the gap.

However, after entering, the scenery was beautiful, but the events were not.

"What is this place? Why is it dark? Is it going to thunder and rain?" asked those who had fallen into another formation.