Chapter 694: Traveling through gaps in the array
Both the host and the guests enjoyed the meal very much.
Ning Zhuo established a better relationship with Yu Heye and Chen Su.
Ning Zhuo quite agreed with Chen Xi's decision based on the current situation.
Ning Zhuo took the opportunity to ask Chen Xi about the information about the Nine Palace Formation here, and to a certain extent showed his interest in the formation magic weapon left by Xie Tang.
According to Ning Zhuo, "I have always been interested in the Dao of Formation. I believe that after communicating with Fellow Daoist Shen, I will make some small progress."
"Perhaps, the magic weapon for forming formations left by Senior Xie Tang will be a target to test what I have learned."
"Of course, even if my attainments in formations allow me to obtain this magical weapon, I will still carefully consider the pros and cons of joining the Heavy Formation Peak."
"After all, if there is a way, it would be good."
Xie Tang set up a magic array here, left behind magic weapons, and publicized it widely - he certainly didn't just reveal this secret in the lecture hall of Jiugong Immortal City.
The reason for its widespread dissemination is obvious to anyone with a discerning eye: it is to use this channel to attract talents from outside to join the Chongzhen Peak.
The magic weapons of formation here are a test that can help Xie Tang save time and effort to screen out those monks who have attainments in formation and are interested in joining the Chongzhen Peak.
Such arrangements are actually not uncommon in the world of cultivation.
The magic weapon of the formation is not so easy to obtain. On the surface, it is given to those who are destined to receive it, but in reality, there are hidden interests involved.
There is no other purpose. Just taking out a magic weapon as a game reward for no reason, how can such a good thing be possible?
Free is often the most expensive!
The same applies to a chess fanatic seeking a suitable successor for his friend's legacy. Ling Xiao, a swordsman at the quasi-god level, wasn't a qualified successor (a situation already determined), so he retreated with serious injuries.
Even after death, many monks would leave behind additional tasks in their legacy, such as passing on their legacy, promoting a particular sect, or identifying enemies and seeking revenge.
In short, cause and effect are indispensable here.
In reality, there are very few things that are truly given away for free.
Take Xie Tang's magic weapon for example. If a short-sighted or inexperienced young cultivator passes the test and takes it, he will definitely be introduced and added to the Chongzhen Peak.
Don't think this is a good thing.
Ning Zhuo had already foreseen the future: this year's Wanxiang Sect Feiyun Conference was different from previous ones. It was at a critical stage of transition between the old and the new, and there would be brutal competition. Under such circumstances, the newly joined cultivators would undoubtedly become pawns in this brutal game, while those with weaker strength would essentially become cannon fodder filling the ranks.
Someone asked, "Wouldn't it be fine if we just took the formation artifact and didn't join Chongzhen Peak? Xie Tang didn't clearly announce his purpose. Wouldn't it be better to just pretend we didn't understand?"
The person who said this is quite naive.
If they really did this, they would be cutting themselves off from the power of the Wanxiang Sect - no one would cooperate with such an ignorant person.
The Wanxiang Sect has few rules that are stated on the surface, but in fact it has more unspoken rules.
These unspoken rules were gradually developed through the internal struggles within the sect and have strong constraints on the monks.
In reality, the Feiyun Conference, a formal institution, was a brilliant solution resulting from the negotiation between various parties. It not only resolved internal conflicts and reached a conclusion, but also suppressed internal friction, preventing it from becoming too brutal. It also allowed for the absorption of new blood from the outside world into the Wanxiang Sect.
"This is one of the reasons why the Wanxiang Sect is so powerful. It is like the Wanxiang Sea of Clouds, always in an expanding posture." Ning Zhuo sighed in his heart.
After this banquet, he had a clearer understanding of the situation of the Wanxiang Sect.
Because Ning Zhuo asked Chen Xi many questions, after the banquet, when the two sides parted ways, Chen Xi directly took out a jade slip and gave it to Ning Zhuo on the spot.
"These are my class notes. They contain everything about the Nine Palace Formation and Xie Tang's magic weapon."
"I'll give it to Fellow Daoist Ning Zhuo. Please don't despise it."
Ning Zhuo immediately showed a look of surprise. After putting it away, he thought for a while and took out a golden elixir to give to Chen Xi.
This scared the other three people.
Ning Zhuo, a foundation-building cultivator, actually took out a golden elixir!
Yu Heye suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
At this moment, Su Lingkou also felt that Ning Zhuo was not just bragging. She was very clear in her mind: since Ning Zhuo casually took out a golden elixir to give to someone, it meant that he had more than just one golden elixir in his hands!
Chen Xi quickly waved his hand to refuse, his impression of Ning Zhuo rising again: "The power behind Ning Zhuo is definitely not small. He is only at the foundation building stage, but he was given the cultivator's golden elixir by the power. This shows that his status in this power is definitely not low!"
“This is really expensive.”
"My array notes are definitely not worth such a golden elixir!"
"Is this... a ghost dao golden elixir?"
Although Chen Xi refused sternly, his eyes were still inevitably attracted and he became interested.
If one could obtain a golden elixir in advance and conduct research, one would have a more practical understanding of the subsequent realms. This would be of great value to Shen Xi.
Moreover, he couldn't help but think: "If I use the golden elixir as the core of the formation, how powerful will the formation be?"
As soon as this thought came into his mind, it was so tempting that Chen Xi couldn't help but think about it more, and he couldn't suppress it.
Ning Zhuo observed Chen Xi's expression and saw the yearning deep in his eyes. He laughed heartily and directly stuffed the golden elixir into Chen Xi's hand, and "hardened" him to accept it.
When Chen Xi touched the cold surface of the golden elixir, his fingers shrank at first, but he soon held it tightly with reluctance, not wanting to let go.
His voice became stronger and stronger, and Ning Zhuo's "tough" attitude also fully demonstrated his sincerity and determination, making it even more difficult for Chen Xi to refuse.
Finally, he nodded with difficulty and accepted the golden elixir.
But the next moment, he took out a magic weapon and gave it to Ning Zhuo: "This array gap shuttle is a useful magic weapon for me to explore and learn arrays, and to make fine adjustments after setting up the array."
"Brother Ning, if you are interested in the art of battle and want to learn, you can use this treasure more often."
"If we find any clues, we can use this shuttle to explore deeper. Maybe we can find the magic weapon left by Senior Xie Tang."
Ning Zhuo never thought about getting anything in return, but Chen Xi came from a prominent family and had his own demeanor, and he would never take advantage of others easily.
He received an elite education since childhood and knew long ago that taking advantage of small things will often turn into a bigger debt!
Moreover, the magic weapon he gave to Ning Zhuo really touched his heart.
"Next, I'm going to secretly explore the Embracing Vine Cliff and look for the teleportation array that my mother used here. This array-spanning shuttle is perfect for me!"
Thinking of this, Ning Zhuo was no longer polite and accepted it directly.
Su Lingkou's gaze was glued to the shuttle in the gap within the formation. She secretly worried about Chen Xi, "This is my cousin's most useful magic weapon. It's the family's reward for him getting first place in the exam, and it means a lot to him. I didn't expect it to be given away so easily."
"Oh, my cousin only has three magic weapons. Although this one is not an offensive or defensive weapon, but just an auxiliary tool, and it is a Jindan-level magic weapon, it is still a magic weapon after all."
"Although I got a golden elixir in exchange, which is indeed quite rare, is it really more valuable to my cousin than the gap shuttle in the formation?"
Su Lingkou was secretly calculating.
Chen Xi breathed a sigh of relief.
During this banquet, Ning Zhuo successfully used Yu Heye to subtly demonstrate his strong side, which made Chen Xi even more certain that contacting Ning Zhuo was the right thing to do.
But he still didn't expect that when they said goodbye for the last time, Ning Zhuo directly gave him a golden elixir!
This doubled the pressure on Shen Xi!
Ning Zhuo's generosity made Shen Xi even more worried that the former would make some difficult requests later.
But he couldn't refuse Ning Zhuo's generous gift.
If he refused, he would not care about the situation. But he still wanted to have a good relationship with Ning Zhuo!
Ning Zhuo casually took out a golden elixir as a gift. Doesn’t he want to have a good relationship with such a person?
Therefore, Chen Xi would rather give away the Array Gap Shuttle than redeem this valuable gift in advance. This way, he could close the door in advance and prevent Ning Zhuo from making any requests in the future that he would find difficult to meet.
The group officially parted ways. Ning Zhuo left Baoteng Cliff and returned to his temporary cave.
He released Chu Lao, Qing Chi, and Sun Lingtong from the Wanli Wandering Dragon, and let them study together the magic weapon that they had obtained unexpectedly.
This precious shuttle was three inches and seven tenths of an inch long, made of green jade, with flowing star sand inside. Its body was engraved with cloud and water patterns, and its head and tail were inlaid with the eyes of a Chiwen, which could emit green and white light.
The handle is wrapped with a circle of dark blue rattan skin, and the end is decorated with a five-element forbidden-breaking silk ribbon.
Qing Chi was just curious. After checking, the chef and Sun Lingtong confirmed that there was no problem.
Sun Lingtong immediately fell in love with the treasure shuttle, and her small hands kept stroking the shuttle surface. "I have always wanted to buy a treasure like this to improve my stealing skills. This treasure shuttle is much more sophisticated than those sold on the market. It is worthy of being produced by the Shen family of Jiugong Xiancheng."
Ning Zhuo smiled slightly: "Boss, if you want it, I'll give it to you."
Sun Lingtong didn't say anything polite, not even a thank you, and just responded with a "hmm".
The two of them communicated through spiritual consciousness and did not reveal their true relationship in front of Qing Chi and Chu Lao.
Sun Lingtong has always been "serving" Ning Zhuo as a subordinate.
In the eyes of Qing Chi and Chu Lao, Ning Zhuo is a noble young man from a wealthy family, and Sun Lingtong is the little servant beside the young man.
Of course, neither of them dared to underestimate Sun Lingtong.
Because before, it was Sun Lingtong who disguised himself as several foundation-building cultivators and defeated Yu Heye's foundation-building subordinates one by one in the martial arts hall, very easily.
Sun Lingtong's cultivation level was similar to Shen Xi's, at the peak of the foundation building stage. Back in Baizhi Immortal City, he had once wanted to form a pill, but was delayed by the matter of Lord Wangchuan.
After communicating with each other through spiritual consciousness, Ning Zhuo immediately ordered the chef and Sun Lingtong to move to Baoteng Cliff.
The main task was for Sun Lingtong to lead the team in refining the gaps in the array and actively explore the teleportation array in the mountains. The old chef was his assistant.
As for Qing Chi, because he had lost his memory, Ning Zhuo kept him by his side to take care of him.
Sun Lingtong and the chef immediately accepted the order.
Ning Zhuo took out the jade slip given by Chen Xi and asked everyone to discuss it together.
Mr. Chu had little knowledge of the art of fighting, but after reading it once, he expressed that he would actively follow Sun Lingtong's arrangements and instructions.
Sun Lingtong watched with great interest.
His attainments in formations are even better than Ning Zhuo's!
Ning Zhuo only has a solid foundation in formation, but Sun Lingtong has read more classics and has rich practical experience.
"Xiaozhuo, we are lucky. If we had acted alone, we would have failed and been exposed. The formation here is quite complicated!" Sun Lingtong sent his telepathic thoughts, feeling thankful.
Ning Zhuo agreed, thinking to himself, "It's not easy for my mother to set up a teleportation array. Most likely, she should be aware of the two mountain protection arrays at Baoteng Cliff and Yunmoding, as well as the layout of Xietang's Nine Palaces Formation. Otherwise, if she rashly set up a teleportation array, it would easily conflict with these three formations."
Ning Zhuo is not making guesses out of thin air.
In the White Paper Fairy City, he witnessed with his own eyes the astonishing scene in the giant paper statue: the Buddhist doctor Meng Yaoyin took action to repair the magic circle in the giant statue.
At that moment, he was impressed by his mother's unfathomable attainments in formations!
Sun Lingtong nodded, a glint of confidence in her eyes. "I think the same as you. This way, by calculating these three magic arrays, we can figure out the possible location."
"I think we'll soon find the teleportation array in that mountain!"
Ning Zhuo was also very confident: "Of course."
"Don't forget, we destroyed the Lord of Wangchuan's century-old scheme and did a great service to Yangtian."
"We are all in the state of heaven's favor now."
"If not for this, I wouldn't have a pillow when I was sleepy—Chen Xi just happened to give me this jade slip."
Sun Lingtong nodded: "If it weren't for the magical treasure that could suppress fate in the Wanxiang Sect, the treatment we received would be even more exaggerated."
"I really want a legacy of fortune-telling."
"Hey, Xiaozhuo, my aunt is so good at divination. Could there be a legacy of divination in her cave?"
Ning Zhuo's eyes also flashed with anticipation: "If there is, that would be great!"
After their battle with the Lord of Wangchuan, the Sun Ning brothers gained a profound understanding of fate and destiny. They both desired a share of the divination tradition.
Sun Lingtong and the chef entered their respective caves smoothly.
Yu Heye, who was once the biggest obstacle, has become the biggest help.
Sun Lingtong used the Earth Escape Technique and disappeared into the mountain.
He was as free as if swimming inside the mountain, but he still encountered obstacles.
Deep within the rock, countless vines grew, coiling like a flock of pythons. Wood spirit energy continuously flowed from these vines, making it impossible for the Earth Escape Technique to penetrate.
Sun Lingtong was not surprised, as he had known about this situation for a long time.
He kept taking detours, looking for a passage.
He couldn't act recklessly. If he cut off these vine roots, it would likely trigger a counterattack from the Thousand Vine Drinking Cloud Formation.
In this situation, the ability to shuttle through the gaps in the formation was extremely useful. Apart from anything else, just the Five Elements Breaking Barrier Silk Ribbon alone would allow Sun Lingtong to directly break through these vine root obstacles.
The treasure shuttle can also drill into the gaps between the large magic circles, allowing Sun Lingtong to drill in.
Sun Lingtong's childlike small body is perfect for such exploration.
"I found the teleportation array." Not long after, Sun Lingtong discovered a stone chamber in the mountain.
The stone chamber is not big and only has a teleportation array.
The sign on the wall hinted at Meng Yaoyin's identity, and only Ning Zhuo could tell it apart.
"Xiao Zhuo, I'll go in and explore the way first." After Sun Lingtong and Ning Zhuo finished communicating, they directly activated the teleportation array.
The next moment, he entered Shuyuzhai.
(End of this chapter)
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