Chapter 238: Advancing to a Fourth-tier Array Master, Grandmaster-level Techniques

Ten years later.

Xianxia Sect, Xianxia Peak, a quiet room.

"Finally, I have advanced to a Fourth-tier Array Master."

Zhou Sui sat cross-legged on the ground, an excited expression appearing on his face.

Ever since ten years ago, when he used Shangguan Xu to place the Array Heart Gu into the Wuji Alliance's Tier 4 Upper Grade Array, the Wuji Qiankun Array, it had taken ten years for the Array Heart Gu to successfully consume this Fourth-tier Array and become the Array Spirit of this Fourth-tier Great Array.

The reason it took so long was simply unavoidable.

After all, the Array Heart Gu had only been at the Third-Tier High-Grade realm in the past.

Wanting to consume a Tier 4 Upper Grade Array was like an ant eating an elephant; it required a massive amount of time to potentially succeed.

But regardless, looking at the result, he had succeeded.

This meant that by utilizing the power of the Array Heart Gu, he had stepped into the realm of a Fourth-tier Low-Grade Array Master.

At this very moment, countless pieces of information regarding Fourth-tier Arrays flooded into the depths of his consciousness, sparks of wisdom flashing every second as if infinite knowledge of arrays were colliding.

"Fourth-tier Arrays are different from Third-tier Arrays; they belong to dual-composite arrays."

"In other words, the fusion of two great arrays causes the power of the array to increase by more than tenfold."

"Of course, the difficulty also increases by more than tenfold."

"It is as if elevating from two dimensions to three dimensions; it is truly a qualitative leap."

"The Wuji Qiankun Array is just such a composite great array, combining the powers of a maze array and a kill array."

"Once one enters this Wuji Qiankun, they will be confused by the spatial maze and be completely unable to leave; it even fuses spatial killing power, capable of slaying enemies within the Void."

"That is why this Fourth-tier Great Array makes even Nascent Soul Cultivators tremble with fear, and its grade has also risen to Tier 4 Upper Grade."

Zhou Sui clicked his tongue in admiration.

After the Array Heart Gu devoured the Wuji Qiankun Array, he finally understood the formidable nature of this array.

One can only say it is worthy of being the core array of the Wuji Alliance.

As long as this great array exists, enemies are almost unable to breach the headquarters of the Wuji Alliance.

Even if they encountered a siege by dozens of Nascent Soul Cultivators, it would be difficult to breach this Fourth-tier Great Array.

"If I could place the Wuji Qiankun Array within the Three-Star Island Group, then what would I have to fear from the Sea Clan's Nascent Soul Cultivators?"

"Even if they came out in full force, they wouldn't even think about breaching my Guardian Mountain Array."

"It is a pity that wanting to build this Fourth-tier Great Array is simply too difficult; even if the wealth of the Three Sects were combined, I fear they could not afford the materials for a Fourth-tier Great Array."

Zhou Sui felt a bit regretful.

Even if he possessed the cultivation of a Fourth-tier Low-Grade Array Master, it did not mean he could set up a Fourth-tier Great Array.

A clever housewife cannot cook without rice.

Even building an array requires the consumption of a massive amount of array materials.

For example, the core material for the Fourth-tier Great Array, the Wuji Qiankun Array, is the Fourth-tier material Qiankun Jade; it is precisely this extremely precious Qiankun Jade that grants this array its supreme power to invert space.

However, such Fourth-tier materials cannot be bought even with money; they are resources prohibited from sale.

Therefore, wanting to replicate such a Fourth-tier Array is almost an impossible task.

"However, the most important thing in setting up an array is to adapt to local conditions."

"If the environment is suitable, then one achieves twice the result with half the effort."

"Just because that island was suitable for setting up the Wuji Qiankun Array does not mean the Three-Star Island Group is suitable for setting it up."

"The geographical environments of the two places are completely different; if one were to force the setup, it would be like trying to paint a tiger and ending up with a dog."

"It is just like how one cannot set up a water-type array while staying in a desert."

"One cannot set up a wood-type array while situated within a metal ore vein."

"The arrays corresponding to different environments are not the same."

"Unless one reaches the supreme realm of changing the environment with an array, one cannot ignore the influence of the geographical environment on the array."

"I fear such an Array Master may not even exist in the Human World; even a Fourth-tier Array Master cannot reach such a realm."

"So, for now, it is better to honestly adapt to local conditions."

"The most suitable Fourth-tier Great Array for the Three-Star Island Group should be the Xuan Yin Heavy Water Array."

Zhou Sui narrowed his eyes.

This was one of the Tier 4 Upper Grade arrays from the Fourth-tier Array inheritance he had obtained from Taohua Shangren.

If successfully set up, the power of this array would be no less than that of the Wuji Qiankun Array.

The reason he wanted to set up this array naturally had a great deal to do with the Three-Star Island Group.

Beneath the Three-Star Island Group, there exists not only a Tier 4 Upper Grade Spirit Vein but also a Fourth-tier Xuan Yin Spirit Vein, which contains vast amounts of Xuan Yin Qi.

It can be said that the geographical environment here is very suitable for setting up the Xuan Yin Heavy Water Array.

This is a composite array that combines a defensive array and a kill array.

Once successfully set up, the area covered by the array will instantly form a massive Heavy Water Barrier.

Such a Heavy Water Barrier can significantly weaken the attack power of enemies.

Even if they encounter a siege by numerous sea beasts, they will be swallowed and drowned by the boundless heavy water.

If they enter within the array, the infinite Xuan Yin Qi will also erupt with endless killing intent, forming streaks of Xuan Yin Sword Qi, enough to slice the enemy into a thousand pieces.

Even if a Nascent Soul Cultivator steps into it, they might be shredded by the power of the array, with nowhere to escape and nowhere to hide.

"The formidable nature of a Fourth-tier Great Array is not as simple as just fusing two major arrays."

"The most important thing is that a Fourth-tier Great Array will also form a dual barrier."

"Previously, a Third-tier Array only had one type of barrier."

"If an enemy were to strike with full force, they could break the barrier and escape from the array with ease."

"But what about a Fourth-tier Great Array that forms a dual barrier?"

"Even for a Nascent Soul Cultivator, it is extremely difficult to escape from within the barrier."

"Especially with the assistance of a Fourth-tier Spirit Vein, possessing endless energy, the enemy has even less chance of escaping."

Zhou Sui felt deeply moved.

It is no wonder that the status of an Array Master in the Immortal Cultivation World is so high; a Fourth-tier Array Master is almost equivalent to a Nascent Soul Ancestor.

This is precisely because an Array Master who has mastered a Fourth-tier Great Array is someone even a Nascent Soul Ancestor would not dare to contend with.

If one were to step into the array, they would inevitably be worn down by the Fourth-tier Array until they were reduced to ashes.

Of course, Array Masters also have a major weakness.

That is, they cannot leave the array.

If they leave the array, they lose most of their threatening power.

Basically, they are just fellows who are only tough when at home.

However, for Zhou Sui, that does not matter at all.

After all, he has nothing to do and simply would not leave his own base.

Anyway, his Longevity is long, and he does not need to fight other cultivators for resources.

Even by practicing step-by-step, he can still advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, or even the Spirit Severing.

Becoming a supreme cultivator of the Human World.

"To refine the Fourth-tier Great Array, the Xuan Yin Heavy Water Array, requires consuming a massive amount of resources."

"It seems I still need to discuss this with my Dao Companion."

"After all, it requires the full support of Xianxia City to successfully set up this array."

Zhou Sui narrowed his eyes.

However, he was not in a hurry to go out; he opened his Virtual Panel to see how his current cultivation progress was coming along.

【Host: Zhou Sui, Cultivation: Golden Core Early Stage (70% progress), Lifespan: 64 (5500) years】

【Aptitude: Five-element Spiritual Root (70%)】

【Sword Dao: Third-tier Middle Grade (20%)】

【Rune: Third-tier Lower Grade (10%)】

【Array Formation: Fourth-tier Lower Grade (50%)】

【Alchemist: Third-tier Middle Grade (60%)】

【Phantom Demon Transformation Art: Major Achievement (90%)】

【Five Elements Alchemy Formula: Grandmaster (50%)】

【Seven Apertures Exquisite Book: Heart Eye Identifying Objects, Heart Eye Insight, Heart Eye Communicating Language (85%)】

【Fireball Technique: Grandmaster, Wind Blade Technique: Grandmaster, Golden Light Technique: Grandmaster, Cold Ice Technique: Grandmaster, Spring Breeze Turns to Rain Technique: Grandmaster, Lightning Summoning Technique: Grandmaster...】

【Infatuation Gu: Fourth-tier Lower Grade, Clone Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade, Wine Insect: Third-tier Lower Grade, Gold-Eating Insect: Third-tier Lower Grade, Book Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade, Dream Soul Gu: Third-tier Middle Grade, Dragon Elephant Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade, Golden Light Myriad Poison Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade, Teleportation Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade, Array Heart Gu: Fourth-tier Lower Grade, Object Seeking Gu: Third-tier Lower Grade.】

Suddenly, the magnificent data appeared before Zhou Sui's eyes.

"Sure enough, after advancing to the Golden Core Realm, cultivation progress is getting slower and slower."

Zhou Sui felt very emotional.

He had practiced for a full ten years, yet he had only increased his progress by 70% in the Golden Core Early Stage.

And this was even with the assistance of Dual Cultivation with his Dao Companion, and even with the help of Pills.

One can imagine just how difficult it is for a Golden Core Real Person to practice.

Sometimes, a Golden Core Cultivator might not have much progress in their cultivation for decades, or even one or two hundred years.

The reason for this situation.

Besides the lack of Pills, the most important factor is the issue of Spirit Root aptitude.

A Five-element Spiritual Root was barely enough during the Foundation Establishment Realm.

But after reaching the Golden Core Realm, such Spirit Root aptitude is somewhat of a burden.

This also leads to his very slow cultivation progress.

But there is no help for it.

Improving Spirit Root aptitude is, in itself, an act of going against the heavens.

That he can use the power of the Infatuation Gu to help improve his Spirit Root aptitude is already quite heaven-defying.

Even if the improvement speed is slow, it is improving nonetheless.

And now that the Five-element Spiritual Root has 70% progress, it is already considered quite good.

It is estimated that in another period of time, there will be an opportunity to advance to a Four-Grade Spirit Root aptitude.

By then, his cultivation efficiency will definitely improve by a large margin.

"Sure enough, my Array Formation cultivation is also only at the Fourth-tier Lower Grade."

"It will take some time to reach the Fourth-tier Upper Grade realm."

Zhou Sui stroked his chin.

Understanding one Fourth-tier Upper Grade array only allowed him to grasp the mysteries of Fourth-tier arrays.

It does not mean he has truly raised his Array Formation cultivation to the Fourth-tier Upper Grade.

If his Array Formation cultivation were raised to the Fourth-tier Upper Grade, it would mean he had thoroughly understood every Fourth-tier array.

No matter which Fourth-tier array it was, he would be able to set it up with ease.

To be honest, even if he were only a Fourth-tier Lower Grade Array Master, he would still be considered a top-tier existence in the Canglan Sea, worthy of being called an Array Grandmaster.

People who could compare to his Array Formation cultivation are likely few and far between.

After all, he knew exactly how difficult it was to comprehend a Fourth-tier Array.

The difference between the Third-tier and Fourth-tier levels is like the gap between a kindergartner and a university student.

The difficulty increased by more than tenfold.

In the Canglan Sea, there are still quite a few Third-tier Array Masters, but as for Fourth-tier Array Masters, they can be counted on one's fingers.

"Heart Eye Communicating Language also seems to be nearing completion."

"It seems I still need to find some time to completely refine this Heart Eye."

Zhou Sui was very satisfied with the progress of Heart Eye Communicating Language.

After all, over these past ten years, he had not placed too much importance on the cultivation of the Heart Eye.

Because the ability of this Heart Eye did not provide a particularly large boost to his current cultivation base, nor could it increase his combat power by much.

It simply could not compare to his Array cultivation.

Although he had temporarily postponed the cultivation of this Heart Eye, even so, he had raised its progress to 85%, and it was not very far from truly taking form.

Once successful, he would be able to understand the languages of all things.

This was a rather important ability.

Because in the Canglan Sea, there exist countless living beings and species.

They all have their own languages, which ordinary Humans simply cannot understand.

But if one possesses the power of Heart Eye Communicating Language, then even without needing to learn the other party's script and language, one can know exactly what they are saying; this is equivalent to a universal translator.

"However, the skill that has improved the most is surely the techniques."

Zhou Sui looked at the various basic techniques on his Virtual Panel; almost every single technique had been raised to the Grandmaster level.

The reason his technique ability improved so quickly was all thanks to the power of the Three-Tier Book Gu.

He entered the Xuni Tushuguan to practice various techniques, and his comprehension increased threefold.

Therefore, his progress in comprehending various techniques was simply rapid.

Plus, they were at most just basic techniques.

So, cultivating them to the Master Realm was an easy task.

After all, he was already a Golden Core Real Person now; looking back to cultivate such basic techniques was simply a piece of cake.

It was just like a university student going back to solve kindergarten problems.

"Fireball Technique."

"Wind Blade Technique!"

"Cold Ice Technique!"

"Golden Light Technique!"

At this very moment, Zhou Sui stood up and began to cast one technique after another.

Boom~~

Suddenly, a fireball smashed over like a cannonball, instantly hitting the wall in the quiet room, smashing a huge hole in it at once, with flames splashing everywhere and infinite power.

A wind blade also flew out, like sword Qi, sharp and exposed; with a 'thud', a crack several meters long instantly appeared on the wall in front.

When casting the Cold Ice Technique, the ground was also instantly frozen, forming a thick layer of ice, and the temperature dropped by several dozen degrees.

The power of every technique was extraordinary.

"Sure enough, even for basic techniques, when cultivated to the Master Realm, they will have unimaginable power."

"Added to the fact that they are driven by Golden Core Dharma Power, the power of the techniques is even more astonishing."

Zhou Sui also recalled the famous Dharma Cultivators of the Immortal Cultivation World; they specialized in various techniques and were adept at fighting with many techniques, their combat power being no less than that of a Sword Cultivator.

Every Dharma Cultivator is a mobile artillery platform in the Immortal Cultivation World, enjoying a resounding reputation.

Now, he also possessed some of the aura of a Dharma Cultivator to a greater or lesser extent.

It could be said that every type of ability in the Immortal Cultivation World, when cultivated to the extreme, would produce immense power.

"Relying on the thick Golden Core Dharma Power within my body right now."

"Becoming a Dharma Cultivator is simply a piece of cake."

"Other Dharma Cultivators would probably have to rest and recover their Dharma Power after casting a few dozen techniques."

"But I would likely have no problem at all even after casting hundreds of techniques."

"I am the true mobile artillery platform of the Immortal Cultivation World, capable of manipulating the power of techniques from a distance to blast enemies to death."

Zhou Sui was full of himself.

Half an hour later, he finished testing his various abilities and walked out of the quiet room.

He had ended this closed-door cultivation.

"Husband, is your closed-door cultivation finished?"

"Did your cultivation base break through?"

At this very moment, Ji Bingyu, Xia Jingyan, Mu Ziyan, Leng Yuexi, Lin Yazhu, and Shen Biqian and his other Dao Companions were also in the living room, looking joyfully at Zhou Sui as he walked out of the quiet room.

They knew that their husband must have achieved a great breakthrough in his cultivation base during this closed-door session.

"How could a cultivation base be so easy to break through?"

Zhou Sui waved his hand.

Although he had cultivated bitterly for ten years, his cultivation base was still at the Golden Core Early Stage.

After all, after advancing to the Golden Core Realm, the speed of cultivation had slowed down by a large margin.

Even if one does not break through for several decades or even a hundred years, it is a very normal thing.

Some are even trapped at the Golden Core Early Stage for their entire lives.

Of course, under his bitter cultivation, his cultivation base had still made decent progress; at the very least, he had advanced 70% of the way through the Golden Core Early Stage, and with another 30% progress, he would be able to advance to the Golden Core Middle Stage.

Such speed, compared to ordinary Golden Core Cultivators, was already fast enough to be astonishing.

"Although my cultivation base hasn't broken through, my mastery of arrays has."

"I am now a Fourth-tier Array Master."

Zhou Sui smiled slightly and shared this good news with his wives and concubines.

What?!

As soon as these words were spoken, the beautiful eyes of Leng Yuexi and the others immediately lit up, and everyone was incomparably excited.

To tell the truth, this was even more shocking than a breakthrough in cultivation, and the benefits were even greater.

After all, even if their husband were to advance to the Golden Core Middle Stage, his combat power would at most increase by one or two times.

But if his array mastery had broken through to become a Fourth-tier Array Master, and he added a Fourth-tier Great Array, such combat power could likely rival a Nascent Soul Cultivator.

Such a benefit was simply unimaginable.

"Could it be that Husband can now set up a Fourth-tier Great Array?"

Lin Yazhu immediately thought of this possibility.

"That's right, this time I wanted to discuss with you all about setting up a Fourth-tier Great Array in the Three-Star Island Group."

"Once the great array is successful, it will be able to cover a sea area of nearly 200,000 kilometers across the entire Three-Star Island Group."

"By then, even if we encounter a Beast Tide, we won't need to worry about anything."

"Of course, the resources consumed to build a Fourth-tier Great Array are not insignificant; I fear it might bankrupt our three major sects."

Zhou Sui also stated his plan, which was his intention to set up a Fourth-tier Great Array.

"Oh, I wonder how many resources and how many Spirit Stones it will consume?"

Shen Biqian and the others asked curiously.

"Well, the main materials for building a Tier 4 High-Grade Array of Xuanyin Heavy Water are Xuan Yin Crystal and Heavy Water Crystal."

"However, both of these are Fourth-tier materials and are quite valuable."

"Although they are abundant and not considered rare treasures,"

"I fear it would still require us to go bankrupt to purchase them."

Zhou Sui also gave a rough estimate.

Hearing this, Shen Biqian and the other Dao Companions smiled lightly, their expressions relaxing quite a bit.

"So it's only that much money? You really gave me a fright just now; I thought it would cost much more."

"With just that much money, our Xianxia City could probably earn it back in five years."

"Husband has been in closed-door cultivation for years, so perhaps you don't know just how profitable our Xianxia City is now."

"That's right, our Xianxia City's population has now exceeded five million, and every year, just by collecting rent, we earn an astronomical amount."

Shen Biqian and the others smiled lightly, each of them showing a proud expression.

The current Xianxia City was no longer what it used to be.

"No way, is that true or false? Has the population of Xianxia City grown that fast?"

"Is Xianxia City that profitable now?"

Zhou Sui was a bit stunned.

He truly did not pay much attention to the management of Xianxia City, leaving it all to his Dao Companions to handle.

After all, in his past life, he was just a shut-in, and he was completely clueless about such management matters.

Even after coming to this world of cultivation for decades, most of his time had been spent in bitter cultivation.

As the saying goes, there is a specialty for every trade, so he simply didn't concern himself with these things.

"Husband, in these ten years, the sea area of the Wuji Alliance has undergone earth-shaking changes."

"Especially the attacks from the Sea Clan; they have become increasingly intense and fierce."

"A large number of islands have been captured by the Sea Clan, leading to countless human casualties."

"Even with the strength of the Wuji Alliance, they can only protect a few important islands."

"Those ordinary islands were simply abandoned."

"In order to survive, many Cultivators fled here from the northern sea area."

"After all, our sea area is located in the rear and is not the main direction of the Sea Clan's offensive."

"So, over these ten years, our sea area has become a rare pure land."

Ji Bingyu explained.

Because over these ten years, the Sea Clan's attacks had caused this sea area to become increasingly chaotic.

Moreover, after losing the management of the Wuji Alliance, a large number of Robber Cultivators also took the opportunity to burn, kill, and loot.

The Sea Clan's attacks, the appearance of the Beast Tide, and the ravages of the Robber Cultivators made this sea area extremely cruel, with countless casualties.

Thus, the Three-Star Island Group also became a pure land in the eyes of many Cultivators.

In order to obtain a safe environment, many Loose Cultivators brought their families, and many Cultivator families relocated, one after another, to the Three-Star Island Group.

After all, the area of the Three-Star Island Group is still quite large.

Even the three main islands have a diameter of over ten thousand kilometers, fully capable of accommodating a population of hundreds of millions.

"But besides our Three-Star Island Group, there are other Three-Tier Islands, right?"

"It's not necessarily the case that they must arrive at our Xianxia City to live."

Zhou Sui asked in confusion.

Because the Three-Star Island Group still had competitors, and those fleeing Cultivators could also go to live on other islands.

"Normally, that would indeed be the case."

"The problem is that several Golden Core families in our sea area have run into major trouble."

"For example, Jin Dan Powers like the Yu Family, Dai Family, and Song Family have been unable to withstand the attacks of the Beast Tide in recent years."

"Their island-protecting Arrays were breached by a massive number of sea beasts."

"Coupled with many Loose Cultivators and Robber Cultivators taking advantage of the chaos to commit arson, murder, and looting."

"Now, those Jin Dan Powers have almost been wiped out."

"Only a small portion of their clansmen managed to escape from the chaos."

"Unfortunately, because their Golden Core Ancestor fell and they lack the protection of a Golden Core Real Person, they can no longer recreate the glory of their former Jin Dan Power days, and the families are left with only some small fry."

Mu Ziyan said in a deep voice.

Over these past ten years, the surrounding Jin Dan Powers have almost all been exterminated.

Apart from the Xianxia City power, all other Jin Dan Powers were unable to survive and have completely vanished.

"That's it?"

Hearing this, Zhou Sui's expression was very strange.

In the past, the many Golden Core Real Persons of these Jin Dan Powers joined forces, wanting to annihilate their Xianxia City.

They were aggressive and menacing.

Their prestige was unmatched for a time.

The Yu Family was even the Jin Dan hegemon of this sea area, extremely arrogant.

But now, times have changed.

There was no need for Xianxia City to even make a move; simply due to the chaos of the Beast Tide and the Robber Cultivators, these Jin Dan Powers were naturally wiped out and disappeared into the long river of history.

It can be said that the power of time is terrifying, enough to wear down countless enemies.

He hadn't even made a move yet, and the enemies were all finished.