Chapter 260: Mingxian Takes a Master, Divine Transformation True Inheritance

"What? The Heavenly Spirit Pill actually requires these three main ingredients?!"

"The Heavenly Spirit Flower is a rare Tier 3 spiritual medicine. Although the Moon Crystal Grass and Red Sun Vine are both Tier 2, they require harsh environments to grow, making them no cheaper than ordinary Tier 3 spirit grass."

"Senior Yanshan, for a Golden Core Perfected Being like yourself, finding these materials shouldn't be too difficult, right? As for spirit stones, rest assured. Our Xu Clan recently came into a windfall.

"We can manage to afford it."

Many people's lips curled up slightly, as if they were watching Perfected Yanshan make a fool of himself.

He tried to cause trouble for a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but ended up being mocked instead.

Even if the Qingcang Sect used the strength of their entire sect to search for these three spiritual medicines, they wouldn't be able to find them in just a few months.

It all depended on luck.

"Xu Clan Head, our sect's Elder Yanshan is just joking with you. Please don't take it to heart."

"Yan Hua, control your people. Don't look for trouble where there is none," Perfected Fire Cloud said.

"Rest assured, Daoist Friend Fire Cloud," the Qingcang Sect's First Elder replied with a faint smile.

Chen Changge was also curious in his heart. He opened the other porcelain bottle to find only three pills inside. They were entirely light cyan, adorned with cloud patterns.

"This pill is..." Elder Cang pondered upon seeing this, seemingly trying to recall the pill. "It seems to be some kind of ancient pill as well."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "This is the Azure Cloud Pill, a third-tier medicinal pill used to advance magic power."

"Our Xu Clan obtained it from a Golden Core Immortal's Cave in the past."

"Right, it is indeed the Azure Cloud Pill. Its grade can be judged by the overall color of the pill. A light cyan hue indicates a low-grade pill, and the cloud patterns are relatively blurry.

"The mid-grade is entirely cyan, and the cloud patterns suddenly become clear.

"The high-grade is dark green, with specks of golden radiance appearing within the cloud patterns. It even has some effect on those in the Late-Stage Golden Core."

"Three Azure Cloud Pills... Daoist Friend Xu, this is truly too precious." Chen Changge carefully secured the pills, intending to return them to Xu Chuan. "That bottle of Origin-Gathering Pills is already more than enough."

"Daoist Friend Chen, how can there be any reason to take back a gift once it has been given? Although three Azure Cloud Pills cannot let you rise step by step into the azure clouds, they can still lend you a helping hand and shorten the time it takes for you to step into the second layer of the Golden Core.

"Furthermore, I chose this pill because of its auspicious meaning.

"Daoist Friend Chen has survived a deadly tribulation and possesses a firm Dao Heart. I believe that one day, you will soar straight into the azure clouds and become a True Lord powerhouse!"

A Golden Core cultivator who achieved great mastery in their divine abilities could be called a True Lord, as could a Nascent Soul cultivator!

"Thank you for the auspicious words, Daoist Friend Xu!" Chen Changge solemnly cupped his fists.

Seeing this, Perfected Yanshan and Perfected Black Wind naturally could no longer find trouble with Xu Chuan.

However, seeing him today, they suddenly felt that it was not unjust for the Yuan Clan and Fang Clan to suffer defeat and perish at his hands.

He gave away three ancient pills just like that.

Such broad-mindedness and vision were beyond what ordinary people could compare to.

If Xu Chuan could hear their thoughts, he would definitely ask: 'Are low-grade Azure Cloud Pills really that precious?'

The spiritual medicines required for pills that advance magic power were much more common than those in the Realm-Breaking Category, the Spiritual Sense Enhancing Category, or the Major Realm Breakthrough Assistance Category.

The Xu Clan had also managed to collect two sets of ingredients over the past few years.

After Xu Chuan finished refining them all, he had fifteen Azure Cloud Pills in his hands.

There were seven high-grade, five mid-grade, and three low-grade ones.

Now, all the low-grade Azure Cloud Pills had been given away.

Before long, Chen Changge's Golden Core Grand Ceremony commenced.

The grand ceremony essentially consisted of eating, drinking, idle chatter among the Golden Core Perfected Beings, and Foundation Establishment cultivators flattering and attempting to network with the Golden Core experts.

Besides congratulating Chen Changge, Xu Chuan had also come to inquire if there were any Grandmasters of Array Formations among the attendees.

"Daoist Friend Chen, are there any Golden Core Perfected Beings highly skilled in formations among today's guests?"

"A Golden Core skilled in formations? Could it be that Brother Xu wishes to hire someone to set up a grand array for the Xu Clan? I heard that your clan recently occupied the Tier 2 spirit vein in Cloudstream Town.

"It is indeed necessary to lay down a powerful array formation."

Chen Changge replied, "I recently made the acquaintance of one, but unfortunately, he didn't come today."

"Which Golden Core Perfected Being?"

"Perfected Fengheng of the Cang Clan. He was the one who rearranged our Chen Clan's protective array, and it's a mid-grade third-tier defensive grand array to boot."

"And who is the one that came today?"

"Cang Yuyang. He is one of the Cang Clan's Golden Core stage cultivators and also a Golden Core Elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect. He hails from Jiaomu Peak, so he should be an Alchemist.

"That Elder Mu you met at the Heavenly Azure Sect previously also came from Jiaomu Peak.

"Since you are both Alchemists, it might be easier to build a good relationship and achieve your goal.

"Aside from that, I've also heard that the Cang Clan extends goodwill toward anyone who obtains opportunities from the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm, though I don't know the reason why."

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Chen."

Subsequently, Xu Chuan initiated a conversation with Cang Yuyang via divine sense transmission. Cang Yuyang didn't display the slightest hint of arrogance.

'It seems the rumor Chen Changge mentioned is true.'

Xu Chuan thought to himself.

A short while later.

They got straight to the point.

"I heard from Daoist Friend Chen that the Cang Clan has a Perfected Fengheng, who is a Grandmaster of Array Formations?"

"Why do you ask? Does little friend Xu want to invite my Seventh Uncle-Master to set up an array?"

Cang Yuyang's lips curled into a smile. Within the Heavenly Azure Sect's sphere of influence, many Golden Core Aristocratic Families had paid massive prices to have the Cang Clan lay out arrays for them.

'Xu Chuan is someone fated with the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm. The founding ancestor left behind teachings that the disciples of the Cang Clan must befriend anyone who brings out opportunities or inheritances from the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm.'

With this thought in mind, he added, "Inviting my Seventh Uncle-Master to set up a formation comes with a hefty price tag. For other noble families, a single low-grade third-tier grand array costs fifty thousand spirit stones.

"If it's a mid-grade one, it will be upwards of one hundred thousand.

"As for the Xu Clan, you can be considered to have an affinity with our Cang Clan. I can ask the old man to charge a lower fee, but ten thousand spirit stones is the absolute minimum."

"Senior Yuyang misunderstands. This junior wishes for Senior Fengheng to provide some guidance to my son, Mingxian.

"He is also an Array Master, but he is currently stuck at a bottleneck and has been unable to advance further for quite some time."

Cang Yuyang's pupils shrank slightly. He stared blankly before looking at Xu Mingxian beside Xu Chuan.

"Is that so..."

Cang Yuyang began to ponder. "This is a difficult matter to arrange. My Seventh Uncle-Master might not agree to it."

"I still have two Azure Cloud Pills on hand, which can be offered as compensation."

"I will ask on your behalf after I return this time. If I haven't sent someone to notify you within seven days, it means the matter was unsuccessful, and you need not hold onto any hope."

"Thank you, Senior Yuyang."

A moment later.

Cang Yuyang suddenly realized something. 'Wait. Xu Chuan is an Alchemist with a profound mastery of the Dao of Alchemy. His granddaughter has taken Perfected Fire Cloud as her master, and I've heard her Dao of Artifacts is quite extraordinary.

'And his son is actually an Array Master?

'If he were merely a Tier 1 Array Master, there would be no need to invite Seventh Uncle-Master. Unless... he's a peak second-tier or higher Array Master!'

'What kind of Immortal Arts Clan is this Xu Clan? Every generation produces someone skilled in a different immortal art. Could they possibly have another descendant hidden away with a talisman crafting talent?

'As expected of someone who could obtain an inheritance from the Heavenly Azure Secret Realm. They are indeed different.

'It seems I must urge Seventh Uncle-Master to give this serious consideration.

'With family members excelling in the three daos of alchemy, artifact forging, and array formations, as long as the Xu Clan is given time to develop in the future, it would be difficult for them not to rise to power.

'As for time...'

Cang Yuyang recalled the one-hundred-year protection Xu Chuan had sought from the Heavenly Azure Sect.

'I wonder what the Xu Clan will look like a century from now?'

With Xu Mingxian's array path showing promising prospects, Xu Chuan felt that this trip had been well worth the effort.

The grand ceremony concluded.

Perfected Fire Cloud escorted a few people back to the Xu Clan first before taking Xu Deling back to Fire Cloud Valley.

During this trip, Perfected Yanshan and Perfected Black Wind came to realize that Xu Chuan was no simple character. Furthermore, his relationships with Perfected Fire Cloud and Chen Changge were unusually deep.

They might even wage a great battle against the two of them for the sake of the Xu Clan.

That would simply not be worth the cost for them.

After mulling it over time and time again, the two decided to abandon their plans to target the Xu Clan and instead figure out a way to support other Foundation Establishment Clans.

Perhaps they wouldn't offer as much as the Yuan Clan and Fang Clan had in the past.

But even a fly's leg is still meat.

Four or five days passed in the blink of an eye.

Everything in Cloudstream Town was calm and tranquil; no trouble arose, and all was proceeding according to Xu Chuan's plans.

Xu Chuan originally thought that Perfected Yanshan and Perfected Black Wind might target the Xu Clan, but the lack of movement over several consecutive days made him suspect that the other party had given up.

After all, the Yuan Clan and Fang Clan weren't their only available targets.

"Did they give up because the price of targeting my Xu Clan was too high?" Xu Chuan murmured to himself. He immediately shook his head and laughed softly. "Forget it, this is fine too."

"Developing quietly and peacefully—that is the Xu Clan's style!"

The next day.

A disciple from the Cang Clan arrived, bearing the message that Perfected Fengheng would visit the Xu Clan in five days.

Xu Chuan felt a surge of joy in his heart.

Cang Fengheng had also heard that the Xu Clan produced immortal arts geniuses in every generation, and that Xu Chuan's son might be a peak second-tier Array Master. This piqued his interest, prompting him to come and take a look.

Xu Mingxian made ample preparations as well.

Five days later.

Cang Fengheng gracefully drifted over. Accompanying him was Cang Yuyang.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Cang Yuyang pinpointed the Xu Clan's location and landed in front of the main gates of the Xu Residence alongside Cang Fengheng.

As for why they didn't enter the residence directly...

It was simply because Cang Fengheng could tell at a glance that the Xu Residence was protected by a grand array. Forcing their way in would seem far too overbearing.

"May I ask if the honored guest is Perfected Fengheng?"

Cang Fengheng gave a slight nod.

The guard immediately and respectfully invited the two of them inside, simultaneously dispatching someone to notify Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian.

Xu Chuan and Xu Mingxian walked into the main hall and cupped their hands toward the two. "Junior Xu Chuan (Xu Mingxian) greets Senior Fengheng and Senior Yuyang."

"When I came in just now, I faintly sensed that your Xu Clan's residence has more than one layer of grand arrays laid out. Is that correct?"

"Senior has sharp eyes," Xu Mingxian replied.

"The outer layer is a high-grade second-tier array formation, while the inner one should be a low-grade third-tier grand array."

"Tier 3?!" Hearing this, Cang Yuyang revealed a look of utter shock.

"To possess a third-tier array formation attainment while only at the Eighth-Layer Foundation Establishment stage... your talent in array formations is even above mine. I am only at the mid-grade third-tier level myself. I don't know how much guidance I can really offer you."

"Thank you, Senior. This junior has utilized deduction power on a peak second-tier array formation named the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array. I boldly request Senior to enter the array and bestow your instruction."

"You can even deduce array formations?" Cang Yuyang was completely stunned.

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "My Xu Clan has a relatively small collection of ancient classics on array formations. We've gathered some Tier 1 and Tier 2 arrays, and my son has deduced parts of them himself.

"However, for Tier 3 and above, we've only managed to collect one or two formations so far. As for deducing them, it is extremely strenuous for him at his current cultivation realm."

Cang Yuyang said, "Xu Clan Head, from what you're saying, it sounds as if the only reason your son Xu Mingxian's attainments are limited to the low-grade third-tier level is that the Xu Clan could only collect formation inheritances of this grade?"

"It's not wrong for Senior Yuyang to think that way. After all, whether he can comprehend a mid-grade third-tier array formation depends on him obtaining an inheritance of that grade first.

"Only after trying to comprehend it can we determine if his current realm is capable of handling it."

Cang Yuyang fell deep into thought.

Cang Fengheng spoke up, "The limits of comprehending immortal arts basically lie entirely in one's own talent and perception. Your son's talent in array formations is high enough, and his perception is strong enough. It might even be possible for him to comprehend a Tier 4 array formation.

"Conversely, for someone lacking talent, even if they were a Golden Core Stage Cultivator, comprehending a Tier 2 array formation would be a painful struggle."

"Seventh Uncle-Master, why do I feel like you're subtly jabbing at me?"

"Do you have a problem with that? You know alchemy, but your alchemy is mediocre. You know array formations, but your attainments are mediocre. When you were born, I should have just named you Pingping!"

Hearing this, Cang Yuyang instantly wilted, completely losing the dignified bearing of a Golden Core Perfected Being he had upon arrival.

This was the so-called bloodline suppression!

Having successfully suppressed Cang Yuyang, Cang Fengheng continued, "Of course, if you were to genuinely attempt comprehending a Tier 4 array formation right now, it would likely be exceedingly difficult. And not because you lack talent or perception.

"The higher the grade of the array formation, the greater the impact its formation patterns have on the soul.

"Even if a Foundation Establishment stage soul could comprehend them, the process would likely be intermittent and difficult to sustain.

"It's just like alchemy. If a Foundation Establishment cultivator wants to refine a Tier 4 pill, even if they have flawless control over the changes in medicinal properties, they must still master flames at or above the Golden Core level.

"They would need to control the temperature shifts, judge the refining time, and see if their divine sense could support the burden."

Xu Chuan looked thoughtful.

As a man who had genuinely refined a Tier 4 pill while in the Foundation Establishment Realm and succeeded, he felt he had the most right to speak on the matter.

Except, he couldn't speak up right now.

If he were asked to refine one again at this very moment, there was a high probability he would fail.

Because he lacked the necessary conditions.

'Perhaps I should consider having Senior Fire Cloud forge a magic treasure Pill Furnace for me. Of course, if Deling could forge it, that would naturally be best. It would save me the forging fee.'

"Let this old man take a look at the peak second-tier array formation you deduced," Cang Fengheng suddenly said.

"Senior, please."

The group proceeded to the small plaza in the front courtyard.

Xu Chuan and Cang Yuyang retreated to the sidelines, yielding the space to the two of them.

With a flick of Xu Mingxian's sleeve robe, seven Formation Flags shot out from his Storage Pouch, coming to a halt around Cang Fengheng.

In an instant.

Wisps of cloud energy surged outward, completely enveloping his surroundings. The Formation Flags slowly vanished into the void, rendering them incredibly difficult to observe.

"Is this an Illusory Array? No matter how I look at it, it seems like a Cloud Mist Array."

Shortly after, the clouds and mist dissipated.

Cang Fengheng was left sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed tight, completely motionless.

Of course, this was only from an outsider's perspective.

Within the depths of the grand array, however, it appeared as a vast, stark-white world enshrouded in mist.

An invisible fluctuation began to erode Cang Fengheng's soul.

But alas, his soul was resolute, and his divine sense was mighty. It was exceedingly difficult to truly affect him.

The figure of Cang Yuyang manifested within the white mist, a look of sheer panic etched on his face. "Seventh Uncle-Master! The Fifth Elder just sent me a transmission. He said the Xi Family has finally made their move against our Cang Clan!

"The Cang Clan is in complete chaos right now. We need to hurry back!"

Hearing those words, Cang Fengheng's pupils shrank slightly. For a split second, his soul wavered.

He then swept his sleeve, releasing a powerful torrent of mana. The illusory Cang Yuyang immediately dispersed into countless wisps of mist.

"Cang Fengheng, go to hell!"

"Die!"

"Die!"

Countless enemies of the Cang Clan materialized out of thin air, launching waves of attacks at Cang Fengheng one after another.

A sharp glint swirled in Cang Fengheng's eyes, seemingly seeing through the facade. He remained entirely unmoved by their assaults.

Every magical art, magic treasure, and dharma tool simply phased right through him.

"Cang Fengheng, face your death!"

This time, the one who appeared was the ancestor of the Xi Family—currently a Nascent Soul Grand Elder of the Heavenly Azure Sect.

He flung out a golden flying sword. Carrying an earth-shattering blade aura, the flying sword shot straight toward Cang Fengheng's chest.

This scene was exactly identical to when they had dealt with the Ancient Demon back then.

"How could a mere illusion possibly disturb my mind... wait, that's not right!"

The moment the flying sword reached him, the Dharma Robe on Cang Fengheng's body abruptly flared with cyan light, blocking the sword strike. Yet, his entire body felt as though he had suffered a heavy blow, and he was sent rapidly hurtling backward.

Countless figures materialized once again. There were members of the Cang Clan, members of the Xi Family, and even individuals the Cang Clan had once sponsored. They all hurled curses as they unleashed their onslaughts.

Cang Fengheng knew that some of these attacks were illusions while others were devastatingly real.

To his utter shock, he couldn't distinguish between them immediately. It seemed the formless influence of the grand array had dulled his judgment.

'Formidable!' Cang Fengheng secretly admired in his heart.

Even he found it somewhat troublesome to deal with. Had it been someone below the Golden Core stage entering the array, unless their Dao Heart was unshakeable and their willpower immensely strong, they would be completely powerless to resist the array's soul-tampering effects.

They would inevitably sink entirely into the illusion, trapped until the very moment of their death.

"Break for me!"

The tyrannical pressure of a peak Mid-stage Golden Core cultivator erupted violently. Ripples surged outward, instantly obliterating every figure conjured by the clouds and mist.

"Oh, the positions of the Formation Flags are constantly shifting." Cang Fengheng's lips curled up slightly. "It might not be easy for an ordinary Golden Core to locate the Formation Flags, but it's hardly a challenge for a third-tier Array Master at the Golden Core level."

He swiftly formed hand seals, then formed his fingers into a sword gesture and wiped them across his eyes. A subtle glint flashed through his gaze as he scanned his surroundings.

The structural layout of the Cloud Heaven Illusionary Array gradually grew crystal clear in his vision.

"Found them."

Cang Fengheng stabbed his sword fingers into the empty void seven times in rapid succession.

Hum-hum-hum-

Seven thirty-centimeter Formation Flags were blasted out of the void and revealed themselves.

Suddenly.

The cloud energy within the grand array dispersed.

The scene in the eyes of Xu Chuan and Cang Yuyang abruptly transformed. Cang Fengheng went from sitting cross-legged to standing with one hand behind his back, his other hand holding a sword gesture in midair.

Suspended in the air were seven Formation Flags, seized by his mana and utterly incapable of linking back together to form the array.

Xu Mingxian bowed deeply. "Thank you for the instruction, Senior. This junior is completely convinced in heart and speech."

"Haha." Cang Fengheng was in an excellent mood. He withdrew his mana, and the seven Formation Flags instantly shot back to Xu Mingxian's side, completing a full circle around him before diving sequentially into the Storage Pouch at his waist.

"This old man merely took advantage of my superior cultivation and inheritance. Did you truly deduce this array formation all on your own?"

Xu Mingxian nodded. "This array uses the Cloud Mist Array, an Illusory Array, and a divine sense interference array as its foundation. By integrating a slaughter array, it can seamlessly shift between truth and illusion."

"Astounding. If you could comprehend a Tier 3 Illusory Array and integrate it inside, the formation could even affect Golden Core souls. It might genuinely be capable of plunging Early-Stage Golden Core cultivators into the inner demons of an illusion."

"Senior praises me too highly. I still implore Senior to offer a critique," Xu Mingxian cupped his fists once more.

Cang Fengheng smiled and shook his head. "I cannot critique it. In truth, your understanding and comprehension of array formations are hardly inferior to my own. Furthermore, when it comes to the Way of Deduction in array formations, you have already surpassed me.

"After all, this old man could never manage to seamlessly merge four distinct grand arrays into a single, cohesive illusion-slaughter array."

"Are you willing to become my disciple and return to the Cang Clan with me?" Cang Fengheng paused before adding, "If you agree, I—and the Cang Clan behind me—will give you our full backing to achieve Core Formation. We will also impart the Cang Clan's Formation Dao Inheritance to you without any reservations."

"I ask for Senior's understanding. Our clan's population is already sparse. If this junior were to leave, the Xu Clan would hardly have any Core Members left."

"You don't need to worry about the Xu Clan's affairs. It's incredibly easy for our Cang Clan to protect a Foundation Establishment Clan."

"Does Senior know what it means for something to be beyond one's reach?

"A few months ago, my Xu Clan had just obtained the Heavenly Azure Sect's protection. How long has it been since then? Yet the two pinnacle families of Cloudstream Town still brought their full might to attack us. If not for my Xu Clan possessing hidden trump cards..."

Cang Fengheng instantly fell silent.

For families driven to a dead end, if they truly went mad, they naturally wouldn't care about the deterrent power of a Golden Core, or even a Nascent Soul.

The Cang Clan was exactly the same.

If there came a day when the Xi Family genuinely intended to wipe out the Cang Clan, then the Cang Clan would undoubtedly ensure the Xi Family paid a terrible price.

However, Cang Fengheng was genuinely thrilled by Xu Mingxian's Formation Dao talent.

In the future, the young man was destined to become a high-grade third-tier Array Master, just like his older brother Cang Fengyan, or possibly even reach the fourth tier.

Befriending him now would bring nothing but a hundred benefits to the Cang Clan, without a single drawback.

"If that's the case, I will accept you as my disciple, and you can normally stay in the Xu Clan to comprehend and cultivate on your own. If you encounter any doubts in the Formation Dao, you can come to the Cang Clan to seek my guidance.

"You can agree to that much, right?

"If we lack the bond of master and disciple, then even if I wanted to pass on some Formation Dao Inheritances to you, my hands would be tied."

Cang Yuyang felt a slight jolt of surprise in his heart. He hadn't expected his Seventh Uncle-Master to hold Xu Mingxian in such extraordinarily high regard. This arrangement was nothing more than passing on the Formation Dao Inheritance completely free of charge.

'It seems the Southern Heaven Region is truly quite lenient when it comes to true geniuses.' Xu Chuan originally only planned on getting the other party to gift them some Tier 3 Formation Dao ancient classics.

Now, if Xu Mingxian could obtain the Cang Clan's Formation Dao Inheritance, there was a genuine hope that he could become a Tier 4 Array Master in the future.

Rumor had it that the founding ancestor of the Cang Clan—the very same founding patriarch of the Heavenly Azure Sect—was a Tier 4 Grandmaster of Array Formations. He was the one who had set up the entire Sect-Protecting Grand Formation for the Heavenly Azure Sect.

Therefore, the Cang Clan undeniably possessed a Tier 4 Formation Dao Inheritance.

"Thank you, Senior. This junior is willing!"

"Disciple Xu Mingxian pays respects to Honored Master!" Xu Mingxian dropped to his knees and kowtowed.

Cang Fengheng stroked his beard and laughed uproariously. "Hahaha! This outing truly brought an unexpected and delightful surprise!"

"Good disciple, rise. This is your master's welcome gift to you." Cang Fengheng produced a jade slip. "Inside is the Formation Dao Inheritance up to the mid-grade third-tier.

"It also contains my personal experiences in setting up formations and my understanding of array arrays. Take it and begin comprehending it. As for anything superior to this, even as your master, I must first request permission from my older brother before I can make rubbings from the clan."

"These alone will be enough for this disciple to comprehend for a very long time. Thank you, Honored Master."

Cang Fengheng smiled and gave a slight nod. He then retrieved a token, handed it to Xu Mingxian, and disclosed the location of the Cang Clan Ancestral Land.

Before long, the two men took their leave.

"Seventh Uncle-Master, wasn't accepting a disciple out of the blue just now a little too impulsive?"

Cang Yuyang asked on their way back.

"He possesses the potential to step into the realm of a Tier 4 Array Master. Do you honestly think I should let an array formation genius of this caliber slip away?"

"That's impossible, right? Over the past thousand years, our clan has produced quite a few array formation geniuses. Yet, apart from the founding ancestor, not a single one has ever reached the level of a Tier 4 Array Master."

Cang Fengheng cast a cool glance at him. "You merely scratched the surface of array formations, and the moment it grew difficult, you ran off to study alchemy. Naturally, you cannot fathom just how terrifying Xu Mingxian's talent truly is.

"The path of array formations places the highest emphasis on perception and deduction power.

"Our clan holds massive volumes of array formation inheritances, and we have no shortage of individuals with excellent array formation perception. However, not a single one possesses deduction talents on par with his."

He sighed softly and continued, "Perhaps it is precisely because the Xu Clan lacks Formation Dao Inheritances that he was forced to rely on himself, simultaneously comprehending and deducing.

"Lacking a Formation Dao Inheritance, he opted to deduce the array formations himself.

"He is forging his own inheritance!

"The future achievements of a person like this on the Formation Dao will be absolutely boundless!"

"So that's how it is. My vision was too shallow," Cang Yuyang cupped his hands.

There was something else Cang Fengheng had left unsaid. The Cang Clan's Tier 4 inheritance was flawed and incomplete. Mending it would be impossible unless one possessed supreme talent in the Way of Deduction.

Within the entire clan, only he and his older brother—both Tier 3 Array Masters—were privy to this secret.

This was the true underlying reason behind Cang Fengheng's urgency to accept Xu Mingxian as his disciple.

In the future, they might be able to borrow his hands to complete it.

————————

Having obtained the Formation Dao Inheritance gifted by the Cang Clan, Xu Mingxian entered secluded cultivation to begin his comprehension.

Xu Chuan himself was also rather busy, needing to study the "Alchemy Scripture" and comprehend his divine abilities.

Consequently, he had no choice but to appoint one person from the Wu clan and one from the Yan Clan as Steward and Vice Steward respectively. They were to handle the miscellaneous affairs of the Xu Residence and receive outsider guests.

Armed with these titles, even though their personal statuses were low and their strength meager, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of other noble families still had to treat them with immense politeness and greet them with smiling faces.

Having arrived in the Southern Heaven Region five or six years ago, they had consecutively wiped out three powerful Foundation Establishment Aristocratic Families. Now, they were firmly entrenched in Cloudstream Town, possessing numerous surrounding properties. Their accumulated foundation had completely surpassed what they had back in Dongxi.

"My Xu Clan's Tier 1 and Tier 2 foundation should be no less than that of a Golden Core Aristocratic Family. As for our high-level accumulation, we've exceeded them. All we are missing is a Golden Core cultivator from our own main lineage."

Xu Chuan sighed softly. "The Divine Ability Golden Core Path is incredibly difficult!"

"No wonder someone with Chen Changge's Heavenly Spirit Root Aptitude failed, even with the combined resources of the Chen Family and the Green Wood Sect backing him."

"I'll just have to take it slowly."

A short while later, Xu Chuan brushed his hand over the Storage Ring on his finger. With a flash of light, a moon-white flying sword appeared out of thin air before him.

Then, in the very next moment, the temperature within the quiet room began to plummet rapidly.

"Just its mere existence brings about such power. I wonder what kind of terrifying scene it would create when unleashing its full might?"

Out of his numerous spoils, this was the sole item that Xu Chuan couldn't completely decipher.

He had shown it to Xu Deling, but she couldn't determine its grade either. After all, she had had too little exposure to magic treasures. She could only guess that it was likely a High-Grade Magic Treasure, or possibly even something superior.

"Forget it. I'll just wait until I reach Core Formation in the future before refining it."

However, just as Xu Chuan was about to store it back into his Storage Ring, a voice suddenly rang out within his mind: 'Foundation Establishment junior.'

Xu Chuan's entire body trembled. His eyes immediately darted around the room as he spread his divine sense outward.

Yet, he found absolutely nothing.

"Which Senior has graced my Xu Clan with their presence? Please show yourself."

"There's no need to be nervous!"

The voice echoed again.

Xu Chuan finally pinpointed the source of the voice. To his shock, it was coming from the magic treasure flying sword floating right in front of him. An incredibly faint fluctuation rippled across its surface.

"Is Senior the Artifact Spirit of this magic treasure?"

Xu Chuan had guessed that this magic treasure possessed an extraordinary origin, but he hadn't expected it to have given birth to an Artifact Spirit.

No, that couldn't be right. Even if a magic treasure could develop spiritual consciousness, it could never reach this level of intelligence. Even a legendary Spirit Treasure couldn't achieve this.

Then there was only one possibility left.

A wisp of a Primordial Spirit belonging to an Ancient Cultivator must be residing within it.

The thought of utterly destroying this Primordial Spirit instantly flashed through his mind.

"Don't be nervous. Let alone the fact that I am in a special condition right now and lack the ability to subject you to Possession, even if I possessed the means, I wouldn't be able to carry it out."

"What is Senior talking about? This junior doesn't understand."

"You are a cautious and intelligent person. Naturally, I can guess a thing or two about what's running through your mind. Speaking of which, I should actually be considered your Senior Sister."

"You are a True Disciple of the ancient Azure Dragon Sect?!" Xu Chuan was incomparably shocked.

"Ten thousand years have passed in the blink of an eye. Has my Azure Dragon Sect truly become ancient history?"

"Time is truly a merciless thing!"

Then, the entity slowly spoke, "My name is Murong Yun. I am one of the True Disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect. This sword was my personal weapon. It is a low-grade Spirit Treasure infused with Grand Yin Power, hence I named it 'Supreme Yin'.

"During the ancient war, I perished within a Secret Realm, and 'Supreme Yin' was knocked down in grade.

"On the brink of death, I executed a Secret Method to merge a wisp of my Primordial Spirit with the spirit of the Spirit Treasure. I became an existence akin to an Artifact Spirit and slipped into a deep slumber from that day forth."

"May I ask what cultivation realm Senior had achieved in the past? What exactly occurred during the ancient war? The Southern Heaven Region used to have Great Vehicle cultivators, so why is Divine Transformation the absolute peak now?"

Murong Yun replied, "Don't be too greedy. With your current strength, knowing too much will do you no good. As for my cultivation... I had just broken through to Divine Transformation on the eve of the great war."

"Stop thinking about destroying me!" Murong Yun sighed helplessly. "With your current realm, you cannot conceal such intense thoughts from me."

"How could this junior dare?"

"Even if you wanted to, you couldn't. Although I had only just entered the Divine Transformation stage, my Nascent Soul had already undergone its metamorphosis into a Primordial Spirit. A Primordial Spirit is exceedingly difficult to obliterate unless you reach the Nascent Soul realm or possess a Secret Method specifically designed to destroy a Primordial Spirit.

"Ordinary Divine Sense Secret Methods are utterly incapable of wiping me out.

"I really didn't expect that even after ten thousand years, someone would still manage to become a True Disciple of the Azure Dragon Sect."

"Senior Yun, this junior is merely an alternate."

"With your comprehension of the Withered Glory Divine Ability, you are only half a step away from grasping the essence of a divine ability. Once your divine ability reaches the entry level, you can condense a Divine Ability Seed and charge straight for the Golden Core.

"Stop entertaining those useless thoughts. If you can't kill me, now you want to seal me?

"Wouldn't keeping this Senior Sister around be vastly more useful to you? Don't forget, all True Disciples of the Azure Dragon Sect were individuals who formed their cores via Divine Ability Core Formation. With me here, I can save you from taking numerous detours on your cultivation path."

"Senior Sister Yun is willing to help me?"

"Naturally, it won't be for free. I am far too frail. If I wish to remain continuously conscious, I must find someone who cultivates a supreme yin Cultivation Method to serve as my Host."

"Host?"

"It means becoming their Natal Magic Treasure and growing alongside them. After using that Secret Method to transform into an Artifact Spirit, walking the path of an Artifact Spirit is my only remaining option.

"That is, until the day finally arrives when I can thoroughly shed this vessel body and resume the path of cultivation.

"But rest assured. If she agrees, I can bestow my personal inheritance upon her. Furthermore, with my assistance, her future will be absolutely limitless."

Xu Chuan let out a soft sigh. "So Senior Sister Yun has set her sights on my family's Deyue."

"Who else? Now that my Primordial Spirit has awakened, it wouldn't be much trouble for me to erupt with a brief burst of power to escape. I could even slaughter you. Not even that old flood dragon in your Spirit Beast Pouch could stop me.

"Of course, the consequence of doing so would be another slumber lasting a millennium, or possibly even ten thousand years."

Murong Yun spoke frankly, "Therefore, Junior Brother Xu, if you and I cooperate, it will be immensely beneficial to you, to your granddaughter, and to myself."

"Then I must ask Senior Sister Yun to swear a soul oath. You must never commit an act that directly or indirectly harms my Xu Clan. As long as you agree to this single condition, I will gladly cooperate with Senior Sister."

"Cautious as expected. Though, you only trusted that peak Tier 3 flood dragon after it agreed to become your tamed Spirit Beast, didn't you?

"Otherwise, there is no way your Xu Clan could ever control a Demonic Beast of that caliber."

"Is Senior Sister going to agree or not?"

"Fine, I will swear the oath right now!"

"If I ever commit an act that directly or indirectly harms the Xu Clan from this day forth, may my vessel shatter, my soul scatter, and may I never enter the cycle of reincarnation!"

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Thank you for your understanding, Senior Sister Yun. By the way, does Senior Sister happen to possess the inheritance for the 'Water Emperor Scripture' in your hands?" A massive weight lifted off Xu Chuan's chest. He cupped his fists and smiled.

"Is that the Cultivation Method Xu Deyue practices?"

"This Junior Brother is unsure. Why doesn't Senior Sister help me take a look at the roots of this Cultivation Method?"

"You really know how to put people to work," Murong Yun sighed instantly. "Bring out the Cultivation Method."