The Quest for Immortality

Inside the luxurious and refined study of the Qian family.

Qian Hong sat in a chair, his brows tightly knitted. Opposite him, a half-grey-haired, proud-looking cultivator sat at ease.

"Master Qian, are you aware of the recent events?" Qian Hong asked.

"I've heard a bit. The patriarch need not worry," the middle-aged cultivator known as "Master Qian" replied calmly.

Despite only having a ninth-level Qi cultivation, Master Qian could draw first-grade nine-pattern arrays. Although not yet officially recognized as a first-grade array master by the Dao Court, it was only a matter of time.

Therefore, even without the formal title, Qian family cultivators and allied array masters in Tongxian City respectfully called him "Master Qian."

Having the potential to become a first-grade array master, Master Qian held a high status in the family, even without a Foundation Building stage cultivation. He became an elder of the family, second only to the patriarch.

Qian Hong said, "Yu Changlin has the help of an array master. That's why he could compete with us in Dahei Mountain. Now, because of that array master's support, he has the confidence to build such a large artifact crafting shop."

Taking such a large piece of land and hiring so many craftsmen to build the largest artifact crafting shop in Tongxian City was clearly a challenge to the Qian family.

Now that they had grown stronger by eating that meat, they dared to snatch more meat from the Qian family. How presumptuous!

Master Qian sneered, "So what if they have an array master? Does the Qian family not have one?"

Qian Hong said, "That array master might be a first-grade array master!"

"Impossible!" Master Qian declared.

"The array used in Dahei Mountain was indeed first-grade..."

Master Qian shook his head, "Patriarch, you are not an array master and haven't studied arrays, so you don't understand how difficult it is to become a first-grade array master..."

"Take me for example, not to boast, but among all the family disciples, my talent in arrays is unique. I spent decades becoming a ninth-level Qi cultivator, then devoted myself to studying arrays. The struggles I've been through, not to mention, it took me ten years to cross the threshold from eight-pattern to nine-pattern arrays..."

Master Qian sighed, "Although there is only a difference of one pattern, it is as difficult as crossing a chasm. At that time, I could only draw a nine-pattern array once a day and couldn't complete it. But I still kept trying every day for over ten years, and finally, I crossed that threshold."

"I put in so much effort and perseverance for so many years to gain the strength of a first-grade array master. Even then, I failed to pass the last evaluation by the Tian Shu Pavilion."

Qian Hong said emotionally, "Master Qian, you have worked hard!"

Master Qian shook his head, "I'm not telling you this to complain, but to make you understand how difficult it is to become a first-grade array master!"

"With the family's support, I barely managed to reach this point. How much harder would it be for other array masters?"

After speaking, Master Qian sneered again, "In such circumstances, any talented and ambitious array master would look upwards, seeking to align with larger families or sects for better inheritance and advancement in arrays! Such an array master wouldn't ally with mere demon hunters. What would they gain from it?"

"Master Qian makes sense," Qian Hong frowned. "But in Dahei Mountain, the array master in the demon hunter's camp did use a first-grade array..."

"Are you sure you didn't see it wrong?"

"I personally experienced the power of that array. It was no less than first-grade," Qian Hong said, feeling a surge of humiliation.

Indeed, he personally tested the array, getting blasted, disheveled, and embarrassed.

In the end, the spirit mine fell into others' hands, and he was ridiculed by Yu Changlin.

This would be a lifelong shame for him as the patriarch of the Qian family!

Master Qian pondered for a moment, "Even so, being able to draw a first-grade array doesn't necessarily make one a first-grade array master. Furthermore, first-grade arrays are difficult to learn and master. At most, they can draw one or two types, not more."

Qian Hong felt relieved. In terms of arrays, Master Qian had profound knowledge. His assertion meant the array master among the demon hunters was not worth worrying about.

Qian Hong then felt regretful. If only Master Qian had been present on the Nameless Peak of Dahei Mountain, they wouldn't have been helpless against the demon hunters' array.

But it was common knowledge in the cultivation world that array masters should not take risks personally.

If Master Qian had gone and Yu Changlin shamelessly killed him with a single palm, the Qian family's loss would have been tremendous.

A home-grown array master with the potential to be first-grade was crucial to the Qian family.

"Their array master is not a concern, but if Yu Changlin really establishes his artifact crafting shop, it will undoubtedly threaten the Qian family. The patriarch should plan early," Master Qian suggested.

Qian Hong nodded, "Rest assured, Master Qian. I have already sent people to use some tactics. Even if we can't stop the construction, we can at least make them suffer."

Master Qian nodded proudly, "In Tongxian City, anyone who dares to challenge the Qian family must be taught a lesson."

Qian Hong pondered for a moment and said, "There is one more thing I need to trouble you with, Master Qian."

"Speak freely, Patriarch."

Qian Hong detailed his plan:

"First, we will send people to harass and provoke them, making it hard for them to continue the construction. This would be the best outcome. Even if it doesn't work, it will delay their progress..."

"Secondly, I want to forge a batch of refining furnaces, having the family's artifact crafting shops work overtime to produce spirit artifacts. When Yu Changlin's shop is completed, we will flood the market with artifacts, lowering prices, leaving them with no foothold."

Master Qian, not well-versed in artifact trading, asked, "What do you need me to do?"

Qian Hong said, "I want to forge a batch of refining furnaces. These furnaces are expensive and of high quality, with stronger fire, capable of crafting more spirit artifacts. But the arrays inside require your expertise!"

Master Qian frowned, "First-grade arrays?"

"Preferably."

Master Qian thought for a moment, "A first-grade refining furnace requires a first-grade magma array, which I haven't studied before. I'll need some time to research it."

Qian Hong quickly responded, "Of course. We will trouble the demon hunters, so you need not worry. Just focus on your research."

Master Qian nodded, "Alright."

Qian Hong's eyes lit up, and he bowed, "I entrust this task to you, Master Qian."

Qian Hong was very polite. Though he was the patriarch with Foundation Building stage cultivation, he still showed respect to Master Qian.

In the cultivation world, some matters required cultivation to resolve, while others could not be solved by cultivation alone.

Array issues could not be resolved solely by cultivation.

Cultivation levels were a personal matter, but arrays could benefit and influence many cultivators.

Combat required cultivation, but improving the efficiency and quality of various crafts and production relied heavily on arrays.

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