Setting up formations wasn't as complicated as pill refining. It bore more similarity to talisman making. Even the book titled [Is Formation Making Stronger Than Talisman Making?] contained details about both practices. After studying the text thoroughly, Xiang Yu finally gained new blueprint knowledge beyond just explosion talismans.
He also developed a fundamental understanding of formation making, acquiring an eighth-grade sword formation and a ninth-grade qi gathering formation.
Since the qi gathering formation was considered one of the simplest formations to create, he decided to begin with that one. His martial aunt had generously provided spirit stones for this purpose. Unlike talismans, which used energy injected by their creator and activated by a stream of qi, formations were typically placed and left to operate continuously. This meant they required an external energy source, usually spirit stones.
