Chapter 232: Array Artifacts

Below the cave, there was a long, bluestone staircase. The space, which had originally been pitch-black, was now illuminated like broad daylight by a white orb of light held by Ximen Mei, who was waiting at the cave entrance.

As soon as she saw Wang Yu descend, she fished a white circular disc from her person, fiddled with it with her fingers for a few moments, and tossed it toward the cave entrance.

"Bang!"

The moment the disc hit the ground, it released a thick, dense white mist, which blocked the entire cave entrance in an instant.

Only then did Ximen Mei say to Wang Yu:

"I have temporarily sealed the cave entrance area with the array disc. As long as no one comes close to inspect it, they won't be able to discover the abnormality here for a short time."

"Lin Lin Shijie is very thoughtful. However, I have always been curious about the difference between array discs and array flags. Both are array-setting tools that can be carried on one's person, and it seems both can be used to set up formations anytime and anywhere." After Wang Yu offered a word of praise, he remembered the three Azure Water Array flags in his storage bag and couldn't help but ask.

"For Junior Brother to ask such a question, it's clear you are a complete layman when it comes to the Dao of arrays." Ximen Mei laughed.

"Oh, why does Lin Lin Shijie say that?" Wang Yu blinked and asked.

"It's very simple. Because array flags and array discs that can be set up anytime and anywhere are actually just magic tools with a few minor restrictive effects attached. At most, they have simple functions like concealment or protection.

A true magic array is different. It not only requires an array master's specialized 'array artifacts' for assistance, but it also requires specific timing and terrain to be set up. Generally speaking, they cannot be moved even a fraction of an inch.

Moreover, true magic arrays have infinite power, unpredictable changes, and come in many varieties. As long as an array master is inside a magic array they have set up, they are almost invincible.

For example, even an array apprentice like me at the Qi Refinement Stage would dare to face a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator without fleeing if I were inside a ranked magic array I had set up myself.

Perhaps a low-rank magic array cannot kill a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator, but as long as I am inside my own array, a Foundation Establishment early-stage cultivator wouldn't be able to do anything to me."

As for the difference between array flags and array discs you asked about, in the eyes of us array masters, there naturally is one. Generally speaking, it is difficult to set up a complete restriction with just one array flag; at the very least, a set of three or more must be used.

Array discs are different; generally, a single one can set up a restriction.

However, as long as one is a cultivator, one can use array flags; just inject magic power and toss them out, and they will take effect.

Array discs are more complex; one still needs to know a little about array knowledge to achieve the best results. We array masters and array apprentices use them more often, and of course, the power they can unleash is also somewhat stronger." Ximen Mei explained some knowledge about array flags and array discs to Wang Yu while following the mechanical dragonfly.

"No wonder array masters and even array apprentices from various sects don't easily leave their sects." Wang Yu was suddenly enlightened after hearing this.

"Yes, if my master hadn't left the sect back then and relied on the sect's magic array, they could have even trapped a Golden Core ancestor for a period of time. How could a mere two Foundation Establishment cultivators have possibly ambushed them?" Ximen Mei sighed, clearly reminded of the events of that year, and then, having lost the mood to talk, walked silently toward the bottom of the passage.

Wang Yu rubbed the back of his head, unable to help but think of the array notebook he had obtained. It looked like he really needed to find time to study it.

As they walked deeper along the bluestone steps, he couldn't help but become vigilant. He silently activated overclocking, magnifying his five senses, and at the same time, gripped several protective talismans in his hand to deal with any sudden events at any time.

Of course, in his other hand, he still grasped the phantom of the Small Mi Yun Banner, continuously injecting magic power into it.

This talisman treasure was also quite interesting.

As long as the magic power was constant, the concealment effect could be maintained forever.

But once the magic power was withdrawn for a long time, the banner phantom would collapse and disappear. Only after Ximen Mei summoned another banner phantom from the talisman treasure could it be used again.

Of course, this kind of summoned talisman treasure phantom could only exist one at a time. Once another was summoned, the first one would disappear on its own, even if maintained by magic power.

Of course, these words were what Ximen Mei had told him; as for whether it was truly the case, he didn't know.

With the mechanical puppet clearing the way in front and staying within the concealment effect of the Small Mi Yun Banner, the two of them walked downward with peace of mind. After walking nearly a hundred zhang deep, they vaguely heard the faint sound of flowing water.

Both of them felt a surge of joy in their hearts and couldn't help but quicken their pace.

Following the mechanical dragonfly, the two turned a corner and suddenly felt a damp, moist water vapor rushing toward their faces. At the same time, bright light flickered not far away, and the sound of flowing water coming from within became increasingly clear.

"It seems that the front is it. For the sake of caution, let the puppet go over and scout first." Ximen Mei stopped, turned around, and said to Wang Yu.

"Lin Lin Shijie can decide."

Wang Yu naturally nodded in agreement.

Following this, Ximen Mei took another circular ball from her bosom and tossed it onto the ground. After a series of transformations in the white light, another mechanical dragonfly appeared on the ground.

She flicked the control bracelet on her wrist, and immediately the first mechanical dragonfly flew toward the light, while the other mechanical dragonfly hovered in front of the two. At the same time, the white light on its compound eyes flickered, spraying out a light screen the size of a mirror.

The scene appearing in the light screen was precisely the view in front of the other mechanical dragonfly.

Seeing this, Wang Yu couldn't help but twitch the corners of his eyes.

A moment later, they saw this mechanical puppet fly to the light, and what met their eyes was yet another cave entrance.

The mechanical dragonfly vibrated its wings and flew inside. Vaguely, they could see that it was a huge underground cave, with white water mist swirling on the ground, and it seemed there really was a water pool of no small area.

But before the two could see it clearly, something suddenly flashed across the light screen, and then the light screen flickered and disappeared.

This is...

Wang Yu and Ximen Mei looked at each other, both knowing that the other mechanical dragonfly had probably been destroyed.

"Is there really something existing here?" Ximen Mei shook the bracelet on her wrist, and seeing there was no reaction at all, her expression became slightly ugly.

"The Local Spirit Spring sounds like a place of pure spiritual energy. After so many years, it's not very strange that it has attracted some spiritual demon beasts in the secret realm to come here." Wang Yu said slowly.

"If it really is a demon beast, that's actually easier to handle. Our Four Symbols Sect is famous for beast taming, and we have many ways to deal with demon beasts." Ximen Mei sneered upon hearing this.

"Oh, it seems Lin Lin Shijie already has an idea in mind." Wang Yu smiled slightly.

"Brute force definitely won't work. Otherwise, if the demon beast inside is angered and destroys those few Blood Origin Mushrooms, we will have worked in vain.

I happen to have brought a few sleeping pills specifically for dealing with demon beasts. As long as we prepare some bait and sprinkle them on it, we can easily take down the demon beast inside." As Ximen Mei said this, she took a small bottle from her bosom and poured out a black pill.