Chapter 178

The Pingdu Eight Array Sect is one of the top ten sects in the world and the largest sect of the array technique faction. With their people taking the initiative to offer help in setting up the array, Zhao Yongchun naturally couldn't refuse, nor did he want to. Tang Song understood this very well.

Or perhaps, they were invited by Zhao Yongchun in the first place.

Immediately, all hundred-plus array plates were handed over to the Zhao clan.

Besides the array plates, all the wasted materials were packed into five large crates, including the list of items received at the time and the list after they were wasted, all clearly noted. This was also recorded and organized by Liu Xiaolou, requiring verification one by one during the handover, the purpose being to prevent array masters from using the excuse of failed refining to hide them privately.

Watching the Zhao clan's stewards carry the crates up the mountain, all the array masters relaxed, each sighing about the hard work and fatigue of the past three and a half months. Many of them set their return dates on the spot.

Long Zifu said goodbye to Tang Song. His remuneration had already been given in advance, so he bowed and said farewell to Tang Song and Jiang Feihe.

With the burden on his shoulders lifted, Tang Song also felt relaxed and called out to the array masters to head to the Mid-Ban Shanping, preparing to distribute everyone's remuneration, "Thank you all for your hard work. I, Tang, am ashamed; there were some things I didn't handle well, and I hope you all will be magnanimous."

"Master Tang is too polite. We had many improprieties, and it was all thanks to Master Tang's tolerance. It is we who should be ashamed."

"It was Master Tang who guided us; how could there be anything you didn't handle well?"

"We must also thank Master Long. This time, we have gained a lot, and in the field of refining materials, we have made progress!"

"Easy to say, easy to say."

"Xiaolou! Xiaolou, let's go!" Tang Song saw Liu Xiaolou staring blankly at the towering Mount Fanghe and smiled, "Let's forget it this time. Next time, if there's an opportunity, I'll take you up to see it. The Zhao clan's Mount Fanghe, the scenery is truly indescribable. Let's go."

"Hey, coming, coming." Putting down his lingering attachment, Liu Xiaolou also called out to Liu Daoran, "Brother Daoran, let's go."

Liu Daoran was almost crying, "Brother, how can this be..."

Liu Xiaolou gave him a wink, stopping him from speaking. Liu Daoran followed at the very end, dejected, also looking back every three steps. Seeing him like this, Liu Xiaolou whispered, "Brother Daoran, don't worry. If something goes wrong, I'll take the blame."

Catching up with Tang Song, Liu Xiaolou, like all the array masters, expressed his gratitude to Tang Song. Over the past three and a half months, not only had his understanding of array techniques deepened and broadened significantly, but his refining techniques for array plates had also made great progress. He had even learned the Heavenly Origin Beginning Method. The biggest gain, in fact, was a set of methods for refining a grand array.

How to break down a grand array, how to arrange collaborative division of labor, how to supervise completion, and how to reasonably allocate spiritual materials.

Tracing the source, it was because he was by Tang Song's side.

Facing his gratitude, Tang Song accepted it calmly, "It is also because you did well and could discuss array techniques with Qingzhu. Your attainments in array techniques, among peers in the early and mid-stages of Qi Refinement, can be considered outstanding. After your cultivation level improves in the future, you will be able to refine array plates on your own."

Liu Xiaolou's mind again conjured up the image of that uninhibited young woman, and he bowed, "I hope Master Tang will continue to look after me in the future."

Arriving at the Mid-Ban Shanping, Tang Song entered the bamboo house in the center and said to Liu Xiaolou, "Invite Master Jiang in."

So Liu Xiaolou passed the message, letting Jiang Feihe enter the house while he waited at the door. He knew that inside they should be discussing the distribution of spirit stones. Out of curiosity, he wanted to eavesdrop, but he didn't hear a single word, as if there was no one in the room.

After a long time, Jiang Feihe pushed the door and came out, glanced at Liu Xiaolou who was waiting on the side, smiled, patted his shoulder, and walked away with his head held high. Liu Xiaolou had never been patted on the shoulder so warmly by a Golden Core expert, let alone a Golden Core, even Foundation Establishment cultivators hadn't patted him—not counting the unserious ones in the Danxia Cave Heaven. He felt his left shoulder go numb, straight to the bottom of his heart, and hurriedly bowed to Jiang Feihe behind him.

From inside the room came Tang Song's voice, "Invite the array masters from Stone Valley in, one by one."

So Liu Xiaolou hurriedly shouted the order, "Please enter, Senior Fei."

"Please enter, Senior Zhong."

"Please enter, Rogue Cultivator Guo."

"Please enter, Fellow Daoist Wan."

First were the array masters from Stone Valley, then the array masters like Diao Daoyi from Zhidun Ridge, then the array masters like Fu Conglin from Yangma Slope, and the array masters like Xing Wujiu from Qionghan Pool. One by one, the array masters pushed the door and entered, came out smiling, and walked away. The array masters on the terrace gradually decreased, and finally, only Liu Xiaolou and Liu Daoran remained.

Tang Song summoned Liu Xiaolou into the room and said to him, "You have also worked hard refining array plates this time, always busy by my side. Here are ten spirit stones, considered your remuneration."

Ten spirit stones, for someone at the fifth stage of Qi Refinement like Liu Xiaolou, were considered Tang Song's care for him. As far as he knew, it was only two stones less than other Qi Refinement array masters, but other array masters had all refined array plates, and for him, whose main job was running errands, it was really hard to compare. He happily accepted it and bowed again.

Tang Song then took out a red envelope, "This is your remuneration for refining the Li Nine Palace array plate, four spirit stones. You and Liu Daoran refined the array plate together. These four spirit stones were deducted from his share. Just know it in your heart after you go out; don't say it to his face."

Liu Xiaolou was silent for a moment, took one from inside, and pushed the remaining three back, "Master Tang, I will only take one. These three spirit stones should be his."

Tang Song said, "Don't decline. The Li Nine Palace array plate was refined by you together. Even if he knows, he can't say anything. I'm just warning you, I'm afraid it will cause you trouble."

Liu Xiaolou said, "Master Tang, the Li Nine Palace array plate was mainly refined by Brother Daoran. This junior dare not claim credit."

Tang Song scolded, "What should be yours is yours. I have always been fair in my dealings. Why be humble in front of me?"

Liu Xiaolou said sincerely, "Master Tang, you know that with this junior's cultivation level, such a complex array plate is impossible to complete. For these three Li Nine Palace array plates, over seventy percent of the planning and setting, and all the refining of the array plates, were Brother Daoran's work. If there is any credit for this junior, at most I helped configure the materials. Even for the setting and planning of the array plates, this junior only completed the Jingyun Talisman array plate. The Three-Treasure True Origin Talisman and Li-Scatter True Fire Talisman array plates were Brother Daoran's credit."

After a pause, he emphasized, "If something goes wrong with the Jingyun Talisman array plate, it is this junior's responsibility, and this junior will admit it. Therefore, this junior only takes what this junior deserves."

Tang Song was stunned, "I observed that you were also very busy for many days on the side of the earth fire at the Mid-Ban Shanping, how..."

Liu Xiaolou said, "Brother Daoran's refining techniques are seasoned, and his basic skills are also good. This junior has learned a lot. Therefore, it is absolutely not a joint refining!"

Tang Song hesitated, "This..."

Liu Xiaolou added, "This junior has learned things, so how dare I share Brother Daoran's credit? I hope Master Tang will see clearly!"

Tang Song nodded, "You are indeed honest. Since that is the case, call Liu Daoran in."

Thus, at Liu Xiaolou's insistence, Liu Daoran received three more than before.

Tang Song traveled the world and would not stay here. Going down the mountain with him was equivalent to seeing him off for a thousand miles. At the moment of parting, he said, "The field of array techniques is as deep as the sea, complex and difficult. Many talented array masters eventually changed their cultivation paths. I hope you can persist and not give up halfway."

Liu Xiaolou agreed, bowed to see him off, and watched Tang Song's figure disappear between the mountains and waters.

Just as he was feeling emotional, Liu Daoran asked anxiously behind him, "Brother, in the current situation, what should we do?"