Chapter 1 The Start

"The time limit is one day. Begin timing."
As Young Master Lei activated the formation's core, the formation diagram before him instantly turned three-dimensional in his eyes.
Every formation foot, every single line, was laid bare.
Having memorized these elements, Wan Lei immediately took out the materials and began to set up the formation.
This formation was even more complex than the Sky Net Myriad Manifestations Array; it was in no way comparable to formations like the Lei Sha Array. Materials were indispensable for its construction.
With the experience of setting up the Sky Net Myriad Manifestations Array before, Wan Lei did not recklessly rush into it this time. Instead, he continuously simulated it in his mind.
Previously, there was no time limit for the Sky Net Myriad Manifestations Array, and he had spent half a month to set it up. This time, he only had one day, and if the task failed, the formation master test would not commence.
After reviewing the deployment sequence of the Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array several times in his mind, Wan Lei began to set it up.
"The formation flags go here, spiritual energy needs to be input here. But I don't have any spiritual energy, darling, help me.
The formation eye is set up here, this is the formation foot... tracing the Dao patterns. Huh? Failed? Try again..."
Wan Lei busied himself tirelessly with the formation. Fang Xiaoyu squatted beside him,
occasionally resting her chin on her hands, like a little girl watching her deskmate diligently do homework.
At other times, she would stand up and go to the places he designated to input spiritual energy, helping him set up the grand formation.
"The Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array emphasizes defying heaven to alter destiny, drawing upon the Yuan Qi of heaven and earth to transform oneself, turning decay into the miraculous, and impossibility into certainty. Once successfully set up, it not only heals one's injuries but also allows for further advancement.
While 'Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding' does not explicitly mention 'defiance,' every Dao pattern represents defiance.
Defying heaven to act, defying heaven to alter destiny, reversing yin and yang, forming one's own realm, establishing one's own rules..."
Wan Lei's formation was nearing completion, but he grew increasingly perplexed.
"Such a powerful array cannot simply be for healing. This is an array that defies heaven, it's the Dao of Rules. If cultivated to its depths, it could even alter the rules of a space.
No... this formation must have been simplified, retaining only the healing function.
This formation, the Dao of Rules... can someone in this world truly change rules? Change the rules governing the normal operation of a universe? Replace the universe with their own rules? How could such a heaven-defying person exist? Who developed this array..."
The little yellow dog in the distance watched Wan Lei speak to Fang Xiaoyu while setting up the formation. It let out a sneer and muttered,
"Little Lei is quite impressive. At the mere Nascent Soul stage, he can discern that this array is actually a simplified version integrating the Dao of Rules.
In this world, there are countless Daos. Lower-tier ones include Daos of Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Sword, Ice, and so on. Higher-tier ones include Daos of Light, Darkness, Creation, Destruction, and so forth. However, all these Daos are based within the universe. Only the Dao of Rules does not cultivate Dao techniques within the universe, nor does it obey the universe's rules; it focuses on altering the universe's rules.
Back then, that kid surnamed Xia, relying solely on a nascent form of the Supreme Dao technique of the Dao of Rules, with a mere Boundless stage cultivation, could refine an entire universe into his own physical body.
Later, he refined and controlled several universes. Each of them possessed a universe, how imposing was that?
Little Lei, cultivate diligently. If you truly have the talent for the Dao of Rules, I will take you to find that kid surnamed Xia."
On Wan Lei's side, eleven hours had quickly passed, leaving little time before the one-day limit.
And he had completed the setup of the formation.
However... something felt off.
The formation was set up perfectly according to the diagram, it did not collapse, and it stood there in good condition, already operating. Everything was without fault or flaw.
But why did it have no healing effect at all? The countdown on the stone tablet continued, and it did not announce mission completion.
"What could be wrong?"
Young Master Lei stroked his chin, pacing back and forth within the formation, meticulously examining every line, but he could find no issue.
Suddenly, Young Master Lei looked at Fang Xiaoyu.
"Darling, move over there a bit."
"What? You were so enthusiastic when you used me, and now that you don't need me, you want to chase me away? Hmph, men."
Hearing his darling wife's sarcastic words, Young Master Lei quickly plastered on a smile and explained,
"No, I've checked everything else. Only the spot beneath your feet remains unexamined. Move aside so I can see."
"Hmph, an excuse."
Fang Xiaoyu snorted coldly but still stood up and moved to the side.
Wan Lei meticulously examined it, but still found nothing amiss.
"What's going on?"
"Tch, you're just disgusted with me, you stinky man."
"Oh, stop talking, let me think properly."
Fang Xiaoyu's eyes widened upon hearing this and she was about to argue with Wan Lei, but remembering that he was at a crucial juncture of setting up the formation, and that this formation was related to his recovery, she fell silent.
She might have her petty grievances, but she would never, due to minor emotions, quarrel with her man without regard for the occasion like other foolish women.
Time ticked by, and Wan Lei grew increasingly anxious. The grand formation was operating perfectly, but he still hadn't heard the mission completion announcement.
"Ten... nine... eight..."
"What exactly is wrong? The Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array, defying heaven to alter destiny, the core is in the word 'defiance'..."
"Seven... six... five..."
"Defy... Right, defy!"
Wan Lei suddenly looked up.
"Three..."
He reached out, controlling the grand formation, and forcibly halted its rotating operation.
"Two..."
"Rise!!"
Wan Lei roared towards the sky.
"One!"
The grand formation began to operate in the reverse direction.
"Mission complete. Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array setup complete. Commencement of Formation Master test is permitted."
"Phew."
Wan Lei let out a long sigh and slumped onto the ground.
The Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array began to operate, activating a continuous stream of heaven and earth Yuan Qi, which entered Wan Lei's body.
Wan Lei did not know what this Yuan Qi was, but it should still be within the realm of energy.
Even if he didn't understand it, as long as it could heal his injuries, that was enough.
Moreover, this thing entering his body caused no pain during the process of reshaping his physique. Instead, it felt rather comfortable.
"That is the power of Laws, the power of Law of Thunder. Once you reach the Primordial Spirit realm, you will be able to cultivate this kind of energy," the little yellow dog said from outside.
"What are Laws?"
"It's too early to tell you now. I'll explain in detail when you break through to the Primordial Spirit realm. Little Yu, come out. Let him begin the Formation Master test.
You've been studying formations for almost two years now; it's time to advance."
Fang Xiaoyu nodded and flew out of the Life-Turning Yuan-Guiding Array.
"Formation Master advancement test begins. Break through the grand formation within one month and complete the task to advance to Formation Master. Failure results in death."