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墨書 Inktalez
Cultivation of Various Arts Xunuo had achieved success in Alchemy, but knew little about refining tools, making talismans, or formations. To walk a long path in Cultivation, it was essential to explore various fields.
At the age of twenty, Xunuo had reached the Foundation Stage Eleven Layers. Advancing to the Foundation Establishment Stage was a rare opportunity. This meant that Xunuo had plenty of time to delve into the Cultivation of Various Arts. Each time he broadened his knowledge, it was an accumulation for him.
This time, as Xunuo left Yuzhou Celestial City, he was unsure if he would return, so he naturally did not want to miss this chance to learn. However, Xunuo would not wander aimlessly; he set his sights on tools and formations.
Especially formations, which greatly aided Xunuo. Most of the opponents he had challenged and even defeated had involved formations. Moreover, Xunuo currently only possessed one Defensive Array. He was deeply covetous of treasures like the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation. He hoped to try his luck this time.
As Xunuo navigated through Array City, he saw many Killing Formations and confinement arrays, even some that were not inferior to the Three Talents Confining Dragon Formation. However, these formations seemed somewhat weak for Xunuo at present. It could also be said that his standards had risen.
Since he could not find better Killing Formations or confinement arrays, shortly after, Xunuo focused on the means of refining formations. In a Magic Array Shop, he finally came across a copy of the Master of Array.
This copy not only detailed the introductory knowledge of formations but also various methods for refining them. It recorded the complete Rune for ten well-known formations, including the illustrious Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation.
Xunuo immediately grabbed it and couldn't put it down. When he inquired about the price, the Shopkeeper quoted an exorbitant ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Angrily, Xunuo replied, “This book is indeed precious, but it cannot possibly be worth this price. How much is a formation really worth?”
The Shopkeeper mysteriously said, “You may not know this, but this copy is an original edition. It contains analyses of some extraordinary formations and insights on breaking them. There are only three original copies in total, which is why the price is so high. A regular copy would only sell for ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones.”
How could Xunuo listen to such nonsense? He directly said, “Then give me a regular copy.”
The Shopkeeper, with a sheepish smile, replied, “Unfortunately, we are out of regular copies. However, this original copy is definitely worth collecting. If you want to stand out in the field of formations, such an investment is necessary.”
Looking at the Shopkeeper, whose face resembled that of a scheming merchant with a lewd smile, reminded Xunuo of Guo Shujiang. Every time he was schemed against by that person, it was this same expression. He wanted to throw the book at him but couldn’t bear to give up on it.
Seeing an opportunity, the Shopkeeper enthusiastically said, “I can see you are someone who appreciates fine goods; I am willing to sell to someone knowledgeable. How about this: I’ll make some concessions—buy one get one free.”
Saying this, he pulled out a dusty jade pendant from a corner of the counter and placed it on top. “This has been treasured in our shop for many years; countless people have asked about it, but I have never sold it.”
Xunuo nearly exploded with anger and slammed the jade pendant into the counter. Throwing a handful of spirit stones back at him, he turned to leave.
Once outside the shop, Xunuo felt cheated by the merchant but was helpless against it. His mood soured as he lost interest in wandering around and headed directly toward the direction of the Crimson Flower Sect.
Instead of using the Against the Wind Boat, he summoned an Intermediate Flight Talisman. The reason was that each time he escaped from being hunted in the Insect Path, it was due to the speed of the boat. The boat had almost become a basis for tracking his whereabouts in the eyes of those from the Insect Path. Additionally, flying with the boat attracted too much attention. He did not want to become a moving target in the sky; outside of Youzhou City, there were notorious Evil Cultivators. With plenty of Intermediate Talismans, he wouldn’t feel heartbroken over using one.
However, after flying for a moment, Xunuo suddenly found the scenery before him changing. He muttered to himself that it was bad news. A black light emerged from his body, and the Armor Artifact quickly enveloped him. Following that, a Golden Shield flew above Xunuo's head, instantly expanding to several meters in size, completely covering him. At the same time, Six Heavenly Shadow Darts circled around Xunuo like a black python flicking its tongue, shifting unpredictably.
Xunuo stabilized his escape light and coldly glanced around. He murmured, "It truly confirms an old saying: when you come out to mix with others, you will eventually have to pay the price."
Xunuo was most adept at using formations to ensnare others, so as soon as the scenery changed, he realized he had fallen into someone else's ambush and was trapped by a formation. The heavy snowflakes fell like goose feathers; it was evident that this was primarily an Illusion Array. With his magic power being restricted, this formation also had the effect of trapping enemies.
Xunuo unleashed his Mind Power and surged outward. He naturally did not expect his Divine Sense to break this Illusion Array. However, the greatest function of an Illusion Array is to create false images so that real attacks can be hidden within, delivering a fatal blow to the opponent.
As Xunuo's Mind Power spread out, he instantly stabilized the illusions within ten meters around him. Beyond that distance, the heavy snow continued to fall, but within ten meters, it was clear and bright. Then, Six Heavenly Shadow Darts whistled outwards, expanding his defensive perimeter to over a hundred meters.
Xunuo held a Mid-Grade Spirit Stone in one hand to maintain his magical energy while secretly gripping his Golden Flying Sword artifact in the other hand, ready to deliver a fatal strike at the slightest opening from his opponent. Meanwhile, Xunuo was also slowly sensing this formation to see what other powerful functions it might possess.
After a moment, Xunuo felt somewhat relieved. Although he wasn't skilled in crafting formations, he was an expert in using them. He quickly discerned that this formation wasn't particularly advanced. It primarily focused on trapping enemies supplemented by the Illusion Array and lacked lethal capabilities.
Breaking such a formation gave Xunuo about seventy percent confidence. The key to breaking this formation lay in whether the opponent's offensive methods were sharp enough to prevent him from focusing on dismantling it.
The four Cultivators outside the formation were left dumbfounded. One of them directly asserted, "Damn it, this guy is one of us."
This reaction stemmed from Xunuo's series of actions being too perfect and fluid—clearly indicative of someone who had long been navigating life-and-death situations.
These four Cultivators were all at the Foundation Stage: two at the tenth layer and two at eleven layers. They occupied each corner of their position with remarkable coordination; they were all seasoned experts.
Moments later, Heavenly Shadow Spikes erupted amidst the swirling snowflakes, creating explosive sounds as they destroyed countless Talismans and Spells hidden within the illusions.
The expressions of the four outside grew increasingly grim as they turned their gazes toward a bald Cultivator with a short beard, clearly considering him their leader.
These four had some standing among local Evil Cultivators and were quite methodical in their plundering and killing tactics. Their usual strategy involved trapping opponents with formations and then triggering ambushes hidden within the Illusion Array when their targets were panicked and helpless. If those ambushes failed to kill their enemies, they would apply heavy force from outside the formation—ensuring success.
However, upon entering the formation today, Xunuo not only remained calm but also swiftly dismantled their ambush tactics. This left them with no choice but to rely solely on their own abilities against him. Yet these four were seasoned fighters who had long tasted blood; they possessed both ruthlessness and keen insight.
In an instant, they recognized that Xunuo's Six Heavenly Shadow Darts were a set of artifacts. This realization made the two Tenth Layer Cultivators reconsider their options but they dared not voice their thoughts aloud; instead, they prepared themselves for a quick escape depending on how their leader handled the situation.
The leading Bald Cultivator felt incredibly troubled at this moment. The techniques displayed by Xunuo were far from those of an Alchemist; he seemed more like an experienced Evil Cultivator accustomed to plundering. This leader thought that under similar circumstances, he could not have executed such flawless maneuvers—at least not with so many methods at his disposal.
This Bald Cultivator was indeed the one who had connections with the Black Faced Refiner from Yuzhou Celestial City. He had received word from the Black Faced Refiner regarding Xunuo's direction upon leaving the city and quickly deduced that Xunuo was heading toward Crimson Flower Sect. During this period, many Cultivators gathered at Crimson Flower Sect for the Arena Tournament. Thus, this Evil Cultivator brought along several accomplices to set up a formation trap for Xunuo.
The Bald Evil Cultivator secretly cursed the Black Faced Refiner and spoke to Xunuo, "Are you an Alchemist?"
Upon hearing this, Xunuo's expression changed. The mention of the word "Alchemist" was something he dreaded most, as those who knew of his identity often had ill intentions. They could even be Cultivators from the Insect Path.
However, the second statement from the Bald Cultivator eased Xunuo's mood. "Leave behind your Thunder-Resistant Armor, and I will spare your life," the Bald Cultivator said with a hint of bravado. "Otherwise, this place will be your grave."
Xunuo quickly deduced that this highway robber was related to that Black Faced Refiner from Yuzhou Celestial City. He calmly muttered the word "fool" and began to clear a path using the Heavenly Shadow Spike, his Divine Sense crushing forward as he stepped in a specific direction.
In that direction, Xunuo sensed a different kind of fluctuation. While he couldn't pinpoint the exact location, he could tell there must be a formation eye there.
This formation posed little threat but was extremely entangling. Xunuo had no choice but to locate and dismantle each formation eye one by one. The worst part about such formations was being unable to find the formation eye for an extended period without any means to break it. Relying on brute force was not Xunuo's specialty.
Fortunately, this formation was not as perverse as the Heaven and Earth Four Killing Formation. It only had some restraining and mana-limiting functions. It wouldn't endlessly drain the mana of any Cultivator trapped within it. Even so, Xunuo would not stand idly by while his opponent attacked him freely from outside the formation.
Xunuo's attitude and his intention to break the formation immediately infuriated the Bald Evil Cultivator. The Bald Cultivator then shouted, "Since he is so ungrateful, let us send him to Reincarnation!"
With that, he summoned a piece of green stone about a foot square and suspended it above his head while chanting incantations. The other three Evil Cultivators exchanged disdainful glances at their leader before preparing their magical tools to strike down Xunuo.
It was indeed foolish of this Bald Cultivator. No one would willingly contribute their defensive treasures while trapped in a formation.
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