Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life-Chapter 280: Preparations Before Departure

Several long lines stretched across the side hall, filled with disciples from various peaks who were skilled in specific crafts.

These normally arrogant technical specialists were now craning their necks, peering towards the registration window, clutching their identity jade tokens tightly, afraid the quotas would be filled.

Su Ming stood in the "Formations/Talismans" queue, silently observing.

The person in charge of registration was a middle-aged steward with a pale, beardless face, who was impatiently waving away a Pill Cauldron Peak disciple trying to slip him spirit stones:

"I said no means no! What do you think the frontline is? A place for slackers? Get lost!"

The disciple slunk away dejectedly.

Soon, it was Su Ming's turn.

"Name, cultivation level, specialty." The steward didn't even look up.

"Su Ming, Qi Refining seventh layer, proficient in formation maintenance and repair." Su Ming handed over his identity token.

The pen in the steward's hand paused. He looked up, scrutinizing Su Ming. "Qi Refining seventh layer? Your cultivation is sufficient. But formation maintenance is delicate work. The frontline grand formations concern the lives of tens of thousands. What are your qualifications? Which Formation Master is your teacher?"

Scrutinizing gazes fell upon him from the surroundings.

Su Ming's expression remained unchanged. He retrieved a thick stack of archives from his storage pouch and placed them on the desk.

"These are records of the one thousand three hundred and twenty-seven formation plates I handled and repaired during my tenure as Hall Master of the Repair Hall. Included are detailed accounts of the 'Drizzle Formation' modification case for the Spiritual Plant Garden and the 'Cold Pool Incubation Formation' flow guidance case for the Spirit Beast Peak."

The steward raised an eyebrow and casually flipped open the archives.

His initially dismissive gaze gradually grew serious.

These archives weren't just dry data; they were detailed "medical records": symptom descriptions, fault analysis, repair plans, and follow-up on effectiveness. The level of professionalism far exceeded that of an ordinary disciple.

"Your fundamentals are very solid." The steward closed the archives, his tone softening. "But this time, the maintenance involves a secondary node of the 'Big Dipper Seven Stars Demon Locking Grand Formation'. That formation is extremely complex. Solid fundamentals alone aren't enough. You also need to understand adaptability and withstand pressure."

He stared at Su Ming. "Are you certain you can handle it?" 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Su Ming knew that relying on the archives alone wasn't enough.

He smiled faintly, reached into his robe with his right hand, took out the Listening to Waves Token, subtly flashed it before the steward's eyes, and then placed it on top of the archives.

"To be honest with you, steward, apart from responding to the sect's summons, this disciple has a personal reason for going to the Northern Border." Su Ming lowered his voice. "Elder Qingquan is currently researching the topic of 'Formation Spiritual Energy Aberration in Extreme Environments'. This disciple is honored by the Elder's regard and is tasked with going to the frontline to collect data and verify several conjectures regarding 'formation self-repair'."

The steward's pupils contracted sharply.

The Listening to Waves Token! Elder Qingquan's token!

He originally thought Su Ming was just an outer sect manager with some skill, never expecting such a powerful figure—a late-stage Golden Core expert—to be backing him!

"Researching a topic for the Elder"—this reason was flawless. It demonstrated capability while also presenting a powerful backer.

The impatience on the steward's face vanished instantly, replaced by a cordial smile. He quickly picked up a cinnabar brush and drew a thick circle next to Su Ming's name.

"So you are the esteemed disciple of Elder Qingquan. My apologies for the earlier disrespect." The steward handed over a dark red waist token. "Since it's for the Elder's research project, naturally you must be assigned to a key position."

"Approved for camp entry. Assigned to the Iron Wall Pass 'Formation Maintenance Camp', Third Squad. Position: Technical Assistant Repair Specialist. Primary responsibilities: formation inspection patrols, data recording, and auxiliary maintenance."

"Many thanks, steward." Su Ming cupped his hands in thanks, collected the waist token, and left.

Envious murmurs followed behind him.

"The Formation Maintenance Camp? That's a cushy post!"

"Technical Assistant Repair Specialist... what connections does this kid have?"

Su Ming paid no heed, striding quickly out of the Administration Hall.

The sunlight was glaring. He tightened his grip on the waist token.

Step one, secured.

......

Returning to Clear Stream Valley, Su Ming immediately switched to combat preparation mode.

"Old Wang, after I leave, you will temporarily manage the Repair Hall." Su Ming handed several jade slips to Wang Defa. "These contain the key points of the assembly line repair method and troubleshooting manuals for several common formation plates. Remember, the 'standard' must not be lost."

Wang Defa accepted them solemnly. "Rest assured, Hall Master! The hall stands as long as I stand!"

After settling hall affairs, Su Ming ducked into the deepest artifact forging room within the Repair Hall, sealing all doors and windows.

"Master, there are still three days." Su Ming looked at the room full of materials. "We need to convert all our assets into capital for survival."

"Three days is enough." Lin Yu floated in the air. "Take out that elite Earth Fire Scorpion tail stinger. And the Spirit-Eroding Sand, Thunder Fire Sand... Since we're going to a battlefield, the 'Bumper Harvest Series' should also be upgraded."

For the following time, Su Ming worked without rest or sleep. Supported by the *Like Water Art* and Lin Yu's soul power, his hands were as steady as a rock.

The Water Refining Method operated at its peak.

The Earth Fire Scorpion tail stinger was refined into hundreds of red needles as fine as an ox's hair. Each needle was inscribed with miniature "Armor-Piercing" and "Flow Poison" runes—specifically designed to pierce the thick hides of demon beasts.

The Thunder Fire Sand was highly compressed and sealed inside specially crafted Mystic Iron casings, forming fist-sized "Bumper Harvest No. 2" explosives. Equipped with dual delayed and contact fuses, their destructive power was tripled.

Most crucially, Su Ming used "Moisture Stones" and the remaining Void Stone powder to craft a set of miniature "portable formation plate kits".

The formation plates were only palm-sized, usually clipped onto a belt. When activated, they could form a "Minor Zhou Heaven Water Rhythm - Defense Formation" with a three-zhang diameter within three breaths.