On the third day of their journey to the Giant’s Continent, Huang Xiao Li came out of her room and pointed at Yuan, who was casually sitting in front of the door and said to him, “I am going to look around the ship, and you’ll be coming with me, Yuan.”
“What?” Yuan was dumbfounded by her request.
“You encountered robbers just yesterday and you already want to leave your room? That’s a little dangerous if I have to be honest,” he said to her.
Furthermore, he didn’t want to be separated from the rest of the family. What if they’re attacked when he’s away and dies? That would mean the end of the trial for him!
“I will be fine. After all, you will be there to protect me if anything were to happen, right?” Huang Xiao Li said with a smile on her face.
“What about the rest of your family? I have to protect them as well.”
“Have you already forgotten that we have other bodyguards beside you? They will take your spot. Or are you making this difficult because you don’t want to be with me? Do you find me bothersome?”
“That’s not it…” Yuan sighed.
“Then it’s decided! You’re coming with me to explore the ship!”
Yuan gave up and nodded his head, “But we still need another bodyguard.”
Qin Kai raised his hand and said, “I can—”
However, he was quickly interrupted by Huang Xiao Li, “I have already spoken to my father. I can take just one bodyguard with me. You can go confirm with him if you’d like.”
“That won’t be necessary. We trust your words.” Qin Kai said.
He then turned to look at Yuan and said, “Go ahead and protect the young lady. I will call one of the other guards to take your place until you return.”
“Thank you.” Yuan nodded.
After waiting for his replacement to show up, Yuan followed Huang Xiao Li around the ship.
“I heard that you took care of the robbers yesterday.” Huang Xiao Li spoke as they walked.
“Yes, but I wasn’t the only person who took care of them. Qin Kai was also there,” he said.
“The bodyguard that was with you, right? But you killed the most. Even though you’re only a Spirit Master. I’m impressed.”
“Thank you.”
“You don’t belong to a sect, right?”
“Not at this moment.”
“Why don’t you join my sect after this journey? I think you’ll do very well there with your talents.”
“I will consider it.”
“Really?” Huang Xiao Li appeared to be surprised by Yuan’s response, as she didn’t think he would even consider her random request.
Little did she know that he’d only agreed because he knew that she would disappear after he finishes this trial and that none of them were real.
“Anyways, we can talk about my sect after we finish our business at the Giant’s Continent. I don’t want to burst your bubbles, but the robbers yesterday are not the reason we hired you guys, as we could’ve dealt with them by ourselves.”
“I figured as much.” Yuan showed a bittersweet smile.
“Then why did you hire us? And where did that peak Spirit Lord bodyguard go?”
“Are you talking about Dong Zhou? He’s currently part of the ship’s protection squad, so he’s dealing with the Sea Demons.”
“I see…”
“We hired extra bodyguards not because of robbers. We did so because we need as many hands as we can get once we arrive at the Giant’s Continent,” she said.
“The Giant’s Continent? Is it that dangerous there?” Yuan asked.
“Yes, but it’s not the giants that are dangerous. It’s the magical beasts that dwell there that are the most threatening.”
“By the way, why are you asking about Dong Zhou? Do you wish to speak with him?”
Yuan nodded and said, “I wanted to learn a little more about arrays and formations and I thought that he could help me. That’s all.”
“Arrays? If that’s the only reason why you’re seeking for him, then you can just ask me. I may not look like it, but I am also an Array Master! In fact, our entire family specializes in arrays and formations!” Huang Xiao Li revealed this fact.
“Really?” Yuan looked at her with a surprised face.
“Does it look like I am joking?” Huang Xiao Li suddenly lifted her hand to show Yuan the beautiful symbol floating on the top of her palm.
“That’s an array?” Yuan asked as he stared at the symbol with interest.
“Not exactly. This is an array symbol. You’ll need multiple symbols to create an array. Like this.”
Huang Xiao Li created a few more symbols afterward, overlapping them with each other until they formed one large symbol.
Once her array was completed, Huang Xiao Li tossed it at Yuan.
“What did you just do to me?” Yuan searched his body but didn’t feel any different.
Huang Xiao Li didn’t say anything and withdrew a small dagger before slashing it at him.
Yuan subconsciously used his bare arm to block it since he was surprised by her sudden actions.
However, the dagger didn’t manage to cut his skin even though the blade slid across his skin.
“I just cast a protective array on your body. You’re pretty much untouchable by normal weapons and treasures to a certain extent now.”
“Wow… You surprised me for a moment there…” Yuan sighed.
“Anyways, that was amazing.”
“Thank you, but that was just the very basics. If you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them.” Huang Xiao Li said as they approached the bow of the ship.
“Was it difficult learning arrays? How would you compare it to learning a cultivation technique?”
Huang Xiao Li smiled and said, “Learning arrays is much more difficult than learning cultivation techniques, almost incomparably so. If it takes the average mortal a year to become a Cultivator, then it would take the average Cultivator ten years to become an Array Master.”
“Do you want to try?” She suddenly asked.
“Eh? Try what?”
“Try learning arrays. Of course, you won’t actually learn it in such a short time, but you’ll get a feel for it.”
After pondering for a moment, Yuan nodded, “Let’s do it.”