Chapter 558: The Sixty-Four Zhou Tian Arrays

Lv Yinlin sat cross-legged in the depths of his Cave Abode, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he suddenly opened his eyes.

After all, he was a cultivator of the Nascent Soul Realm; having meditated and recovered for a while, he was now full of vigor. Not only had the bloodshot veins in his eyes from six days of exhaustion vanished, but the look of fatigue on his face had also disappeared, his expression becoming gentle and tranquil.

Lv Yinlin slowly rose, let out a long, stale breath, and his figure suddenly vanished like a ghost.

The location of the Taiyi Sect is in the hinterland of the Changliu Mountain Range, and deep beneath the ground of these Endless Great Mountains lies the Dark Forest, which stretches for a thousand miles.

Fan Hongjiao, Duan Rong, and the other Inner Sect Disciples who explore the Dark Forest to hunt Origin Beasts are actually only on the outer fringes of the Dark Forest. It is just like sinking a deep well, having only dug up the first two shovelfuls of topsoil.

They have never yet experienced the true dangers of the Dark Forest!

And after passing through the hinterland of the terrifying Dark Forest, at the very core of the Dark Forest, there lies a strange place!

This place is the God-Demon Relic of the Taiyi Sect!

The true appearance of the God-Demon Relic can no longer be glimpsed from the outside, because the entire God-Demon Relic is surrounded and enveloped by Symbol Arrays.

A full sixty-four exquisite arrays, layered one around the other!

Each array is presided over by a Sect Elder!

These sixty-four Zhou Tian Arrays serve as a form of nourishment and protection for the God-Demon Relic enveloped within them!

The laws within the God-Demon Relic are different from the laws of this world!

The two types of laws, like millstones, grind against each other, and it was only after an immeasurably long period of time that the thousand-mile-wide Dark Forest was formed!

And throughout these infinitely long years, the laws of this world have also been constantly eroding the laws within the God-Demon Relic!

There are only eight God-Demon Relics discovered in this world with complete laws, which is also the origin of the Eight Sects!

The dozen or so other God-Demon Ruins all have damaged and chaotic laws; this is the result of being eroded by the laws of this world.

There is a reason why these eight God-Demon Relics are able to maintain complete laws. The difference lies in the Central Altar in their core regions and the nourishment of the God-Demon Whisper.

This nourishment from the God-Demon Whisper is not only of great benefit to a cultivator's Divine Soul origin, but also highly beneficial for the consolidation of the laws within the God-Demon Relic.

But even with the nourishment of the God-Demon Whisper, these eight God-Demon Relics are constantly shrinking and collapsing under the erosion and grinding of this world's laws...

If left to continue like this, in another several hundred thousand, or even tens of thousands of years, I fear these eight God-Demon Relics with complete laws will sooner or later also be reduced to God-Demon Ruins with damaged and chaotic laws.

Therefore, from the time the eight great sects were founded, the founding ancestors began to preside over the arrays to delay the shrinking and collapse of the God-Demon Relics.

After tens of thousands of years of development and evolution, the sixty-four exquisite Zhou Tian Arrays layered around them have not only stopped the shrinking and collapse of the God-Demon Relics. In fact, for these past few thousand years, the area of the God-Demon Relics has not only stopped shrinking and collapsing, but has instead been slowly growing and spreading...

At this moment, at the Xun trigram position in the northwest of the sixty-four Zhou Tian Arrays, an old man lazily yawned on a large bluestone outside the array.

This person is named Fu Xingjian, a Sect Elder presiding over this array.

He climbed down from the bluestone, walked slowly into the array with his hands behind his back, circled the array, and checked the Array Disk and Array Flags.

He noticed that two of the Array Disks and Array Flags had dim runes and probably wouldn't last much longer; to be safe, he should replace them in a few days.

Fu Xingjian silently noted the positions of those two Array Disks and Array Flags in his heart, then lazily walked out of the array, preparing to go back to sleep for a while.

Just as he walked out of the array and was about to head toward the bluestone, a gust of wind suddenly rose for no reason not far in front of him.

Where the wind passed, a figure suddenly appeared.

Fu Xingjian's expression turned to shock, and he immediately knelt and called out, "Greetings, Ancestor!"

The person who arrived was none other than the Taiyi Sect Ancestor, Lv Yinlin.

Lv Yinlin looked at Fu Xingjian and said, "Xingjian, no need for such formalities!"

Fu Xingjian then rose and said with a smile, "Ancestor, it has been quite a while since you last came, hasn't it?"

Lv Yinlin said, "You are all presiding over things just fine here, why would I come?"

Fu Xingjian nodded and said, "Yes, yes, there are indeed no problems with the arrays."

Lv Yinlin said, "Summon everyone here; I have something to announce!"

"Yes!" Fu Xingjian's eyes flickered as he cupped his hands and replied.

He knew the Ancestor would not come here for no reason; whenever he came, there must be something going on.

Fu Xingjian cupped his hands, stepped back twice, then turned and walked back into the array.

Once inside the array, he took out an Array Ruler, sensed for a moment, and then his figure flashed, appearing in the center of the array.

Fu Xingjian stood still there and looked up, only to see a bronze bell the size of a fist suspended in the center of the array's canopy, motionless, ancient and profound.

His gaze sharpened, and he cast a spell onto the bronze bell, followed by a clear, resonant sound that rippled across the canopy!

Of the sixty-four Zhou Tian exquisite arrays, all sixty bronze bells responded in unison! Different spells correspond to different arrays!

At this moment, clear, resonant sounds rang out across the canopies of the surrounding sixty-four arrays.

At the Gen trigram position in the southwest, Yao Zhongyu was originally patrolling the array when he suddenly heard the clear, resonant sound from the center of the array spreading across the canopy. His figure flashed and vanished, appearing under the canopy in the center of the array the next moment.

He looked up at the trembling bell above the array, his brows slightly furrowed.

Listening to the rhythm of that clear, resonant sound, Yao Zhongyu suddenly muttered to himself, "Why did that old brat Fu Xingjian suddenly summon me? Could it be he didn't make enough Array Disks and Array Flags in time and wants to borrow my stock? He hasn't even returned what he borrowed last time!? That old brat is getting lazier and lazier!"

Although Yao Zhongyu grumbled, he still turned into a streak of black light and flashed out, flying toward the northwest along the perimeter of the Zhou Tian Arrays.

He had only flashed a short distance when he saw three figures coming from behind. One of them saw him and called out, "What? Zhongyu! Did that old brat Fu Xingjian summon you too?"

Yao Zhongyu said, "Yes! I thought that old brat was looking to borrow Array Flags from me again? It seems not! I guess there really is something going on!"

"There must be something! Let's go!"

If Fu Xingjian were really borrowing Array Disks, he wouldn't make such a big scene summoning so many people, making it known to everyone as if he were afraid people wouldn't know he was habitually lazy.

Summoning so many people must mean there is something real going on!

Yao Zhongyu and his group headed toward the Xun trigram position in the northwest, meeting many others along the way, all of whom were wondering why Fu Xingjian had summoned them!

Yao Zhongyu and the others landed in front of the array at the Xun trigram position in the northwest and saw that many people were already standing before a large bluestone. A person was currently sitting cross-legged on that bluestone, and from a distance, everyone could already see who it was.

"Ancestor! It's the Ancestor!"

Yao Zhongyu and the others hurried to the front of the bluestone, knelt, and performed a salute, saying, "Greetings, Ancestor!"

Lv Yinlin made a sound from deep in his throat and casually raised his hand, which counted as a greeting. Yao Zhongyu and the others rose and stood among the crowd.

Once Yao Zhongyu stood still, he scanned the area and saw Fu Xingjian standing on the edge. He walked over slowly, glanced at Fu Xingjian, pointed his chin toward the bluestone at the front of the crowd, and asked in a low voice, "Xingjian, what is this about?"

Fu Xingjian raised his left hand and waved it lightly, indicating that he did not know either.

Yao Zhongyu then retreated back to his own position.

After not much more time had passed, the sixty-four Sect Elders were all standing before that large bluestone.

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Lv Yinlin stood up, swept his gaze across them, and said with considerable dignity: "It has been hard on you all, presiding over the great arrays year after year! Half a month from now, I intend to open the God-Demon Relic! I need you all to preside over the arrays and cooperate with me, using the power of the sixty-four Heaven-Circulating Exquisite Great Arrays to open a passage that pierces through the chaotic law zone and reaches deep into the God-Demon Relic!"

Upon hearing these words from Lv Yinlin, a slight commotion immediately arose in the area.

Yao Zhongyu suddenly cupped his hands and said: "Reporting to the Ancestor! According to ancestral tradition, the God-Demon Relic should be opened once every thirty years! It has been twenty-nine years since the last opening! There is still one year left!"

What Yao Zhongyu said was also the doubt in everyone's hearts, but he was the only one who had spoken it out.

Hearing this, Lv Yinlin's face remained expressionless; he merely gave a light cough and said: "I know there is still one year left! It is indeed ancestral tradition that the God-Demon Relic opens once every thirty years, but as the Sect Ancestor, do I not have the authority to open it one year early?"

"This..." Yao Zhongyu actually seemed to want to say something more, but he suddenly felt someone tugging at his sleeve. He turned his head and saw Fu Xingjian secretly shaking his head at him.

Yao Zhongyu then swallowed the words in his throat.

Seeing that no one was speaking, Lv Yinlin said in a deep voice: "This time, just like the past openings of the God-Demon Relic, I will preside over it personally. The Array Flags and Array Disks for the sixty-four Heaven-Circulating Exquisite Great Arrays must be brand new, otherwise, they might not be able to withstand the pressure of the laws within the God-Demon Relic. Once the passage collapses halfway, those who are crushed to death inside will be the most dazzling seedlings the Sect has had in these years. Do not be careless, everyone!"

"Rest assured, Ancestor! We have presided over the arrays for years and will certainly not let any problems occur!" As soon as Lv Yinlin finished speaking, Fu Xingjian was the first to cup his hands and respond.

Once he spoke, the others followed suit in agreement.

Lv Yinlin nodded and said: "There are only fifteen days left. Your hard work is appreciated!"

"Rest assured, Ancestor! We will certainly not delay matters!" someone in the crowd also called out.

Only then did Lv Yinlin give a satisfied hum, and immediately, a gust of wind rose, and his figure vanished.

At this moment, the crowd, which had quieted down, began to stir with chaotic noise again.

Fu Xingjian looked at Yao Zhongyu and said: "Old Yao, what is wrong with you? The Ancestor already said he was going to open the God-Demon Relic, why were you still there harping on about ancestral tradition?"

Yao Zhongyu looked displeased and said: "Isn't the ancestral tradition that it opens once every thirty years? What is wrong with me stating the ancestral tradition?"

"Fine, fine! You really are becoming more stubborn as you age!" Fu Xingjian was so angered by Yao Zhongyu's words that his face changed color, and he said: "Are you the Ancestor, or is he the Ancestor?"

"I..." Yao Zhongyu was momentarily speechless; he also realized his own rashness just now. But he was naturally a straightforward person, and although his cultivation talent was good, he had never been very adept at human relations.

Seeing Yao Zhongyu's speechless state, Fu Xingjian's irritation eased slightly, and he said: "Old Yao, haven't you heard?"

"Heard what?"

Fu Xingjian said: "The matter of the Sect marriage alliance from a few days ago! His bloodline, that girl named Lv Qingzhu, severed her own meridians at Longyu Hall!"

Yao Zhongyu shook his head and said: "I haven't heard of it."

Fu Xingjian rolled his eyes at him and said: "You really do not concern yourself with anything outside your own affairs! The Ancestor is opening the God-Demon Relic early clearly because he wants to go in and pick Divine Medicine to save his own bloodline. Why must you touch a sore spot like this?"

"So that's how it is!" Yao Zhongyu nodded, a flash of realization crossing his eyes, and then he said: "Xingjian, thank you for stopping me in time just now!"

Fu Xingjian laughed: "With our friendship! No need to thank me! But... Old Yao!"

"Hmm."

"That... that..." Fu Xingjian said with a hesitant expression: "Could you lend me some of your Array Flags and Array Disks? With only fifteen days, it's a bit rushed to refine a whole new set!"

Hearing this, Yao Zhongyu's face darkened, and he said: "No! You haven't even returned what you borrowed from me last time!?"

Fu Xingjian laughed: "I'll return them all together next time!"

Yao Zhongyu said: "No!"

Fu Xingjian laughed: "How about this! I'll just borrow half a set!"

"What!?" Yao Zhongyu stared wide-eyed and said: "Impossible!"

Yao Zhongyu truly could not fathom how Fu Xingjian had the face to open his mouth and ask to borrow half a set of Array Flags and Array Disks as if it were nothing.

"Then how about... eight Array Flags, eight Array Disks... how about that... Old Yao, Old Yao..." Seeing Yao Zhongyu turn his face and prepare to leave, Fu Xingjian immediately grabbed him and continued to pester him.

Over here, Lv Yinlin had just returned to his Cave Abode. He sat before the Stone Table and sipped two mouthfuls of clear water. Not long after, Chu Wushang walked into the Cave Abode.

Chu Wushang was the only person within the Taiyi Sect who could enter his Cave Abode without requesting permission.

Lv Yinlin raised his eyes and looked at Chu Wushang. He knew that he had been healing Lv Qingzhu for these six days, and some things must have happened within the Sect. As soon as Chu Wushang saw him come out of seclusion, he had rushed over, clearly having matters to report to him.

Just as Chu Wushang finished saluting, Lv Yinlin said: "What is it? Speak."

Chu Wushang said: "Ancestor, after the incident at Longyu Hall that day, you went into seclusion to heal Miss Qingzhu. Two days later, the alliance agreement with the Tianyan Sect was already settled."

Hearing this, Lv Yinlin let out a long, heavy sigh. For these past few days, he had been thinking only of healing Lv Qingzhu. The matter of the two sects forming an alliance to jointly resist the Shenyi Sect had not yet been finalized!

Lv Yinlin said: "Go call Chu Qiushan over."

The negotiations for the alliance were presided over by Chu Qiushan; for the specific situation, Chu Qiushan would have to report to him.

"Yes, Ancestor!" Chu Wushang replied, then took a secret letter from his robes, held it up with both hands, and said: "This is a secret letter for you from the Tianyan Sect Ancestor, Li Ku, sent two days ago. Chu Qiushan received the letter and sent it over, but you were still in seclusion at the time, Ancestor, so I did not dare to come in and disturb you!"

Lv Yinlin raised his right hand and pinched the air; the secret letter flew over and was caught exactly in his hand. He lowered his gaze and saw that the seal of the letter had wax and a stamp, which was Li Ku's personal seal.

Lv Yinlin tore open the secret letter and began to read it to himself. At this time, Chu Wushang had already retreated, as he still had to go find Chu Qiushan to come see the Ancestor.

In the secret letter, not only did Li Ku not blame the Taiyi Sect for the marriage alliance, but he instead apologized quite earnestly. He said that the marriage alliance was his own rashness, and he did not know that the boy Li Ruozhou had such corrupt character, causing Lv Qingzhu to sever her own meridians at Longyu Hall; he felt extremely uneasy about it.

"Regarding the treatment, if you need any help, Brother Lv, just speak up, and I will certainly do my utmost to assist!"

Lv Yinlin looked at the secret letter, his gaze deep and flickering. Li Ku was clearly afraid that the marriage alliance would end unpleasantly and affect the alliance between the two sects.

Lv Yinlin slapped the secret letter onto the Stone Table and sighed to himself: "Qingzhu, you are too unyielding! You have the exact same temperament as my little daughter..."

Dust-covered memories seemed to well up in his heart; Lv Yinlin's eyes actually turned slightly red for a moment, and he sighed to himself without stopping.

(End of this chapter)