Is the Killing Array finally complete? Wu Yuan’s eyes sparkled with anticipation. He could sense fluctuations in the spiritual qi.
Over the past month, Fang Xia had first established the monitoring array, the simplest array of the three. Just a few days later, he added the mind confusion array. And now, after nearly a month of work, he had finally finished setting up the killing array.
Old Fang must have called me over for a reason. Let’s go have a look. Wu Yuan swiftly darted out of the courtyard.
…
A short while later, Wu Yuan entered the relic cave at the base of Cloudhill.
What in the world? Wu Yuan was completely awed by the sight that greeted him inside the cave. It looked nothing like what it was one month ago.
The jade chamber had undergone a complete transformation, both in aesthetics and size. The walls were now smooth and polished, bathed in the brilliant glow of shimmering pearls attached to the ceiling, which illuminated the chamber as if it were daylight.
But the aspect that changed the most was the ground. It was now meticulously paved with jade stones, each emitting a soft halo. Upon closer inspection, countless intricate gold patterns could be discerned on the surface.
Gold! It belongs to the gold attribute of heaven and earth. Wu Yuan realized.
He knew that the Domain Fang Xia controlled was the Gold Dao.
The myriad of gold patterns on the jade stones extended throughout the chamber, resembling rivers converging into the sea, eventually culminating at the center.
The large cauldron now gleamed with renewed brilliance, brimming with a large quantity of crystal-clear liquid, which was none other than spiritual liquid. With a single glance, Wu Yuan estimated that it held at least several thousand droplets. The concentration of spiritual qi in this liquid surpassed that of Cloudspring Blood by at least ten times.
But what truly captured Wu Yuan’s attention was the colossal golden sphere suspended above the large cauldron. It had a diameter of three meters and intricate patterns were etched on its surface. A torrent of golden qi currents revolved around it. Ethereal golden chains extended from the sphere, connecting to the fabric of space throughout the jade chamber, creating an enchanting, otherworldly spectacle.
From the pressure emanating from the golden sphere, Wu Yuan could tell it posed a lethal threat to him. Clearly, this radiant sphere was linked to Fang Xia’s killing array.
“Young Master, what are your thoughts?” Fang Xia stood beside the golden sphere, wearing a proud smile.
“Old Fang, this is truly remarkable,” Wu Yuan praised sincerely.
“Hahaha, this sphere functions as the core of the arrays set up on Cloudhill,” Fang Xia boasted, his satisfaction evident. “For the past month, I’ve traveled almost a thousand li in total, meticulously surveying and organizing the spiritual veins in this area. I even diverted the course of certain spiritual veins, then integrated numerous array bases into their flow.”
“Only by converging these streams into a singular current can an array take shape, forming what we call the array core,” Fang Xia explained.
“Incredible,” Wu Yuan marveled, his voice filled with admiration. “Old Fang, your mastery of arrays rivals that of a Golden Core Superior.”
No longer a naive novice of the immortal path, Wu Yuan knew that numerous Golden Core Superiors couldn’t compare to Fang Xia in terms of array cultivation.
“This is my first attempt at constructing an array, so it might still be rough around the edges,” Fang Xia admitted with a chuckle. “But with time, I can refine and perfect it. As of now, the foundation has been laid. Once activated, even a Golden Core Superior may find themselves unable to breach its defenses.”
“Fortunately for us, we acquired numerous resources from Wu Jianzhong. If I had to rely solely on the Cloudstride Sect’s meager provisions, the final product would have had far more flaws.”
Wu Yuan acknowledged Fang Xia’s words with a slight nod.
The creation of a fixed array required a specific environment. To construct this array for the Cloudstride Sect, Fang Xia had to consolidate the flow of all spiritual veins within a thousand-li radius.
Expanding the range of the array to cover a thousand-li radius while maintaining its power would increase the difficulty more than tenfold. This was the reason why large sects and powerful factions established their strongholds at locations where spiritual veins converged, such as renowned mountains and expansive rivers.
Secondly, an array required exceptional materials for construction. Only extraordinary minerals and natural treasures were capable of forming a solid foundation for the array.
Thirdly, the expertise of the array cultivator played a crucial role. It was just like constructing a house; even with the same environment and materials, different architects could produce vastly different results. Array construction operated under the same principles.
“Young Master,” Fang Xia interrupted Wu Yuan’s thoughts, “this array can be controlled by up to three individuals. I suggest that you leave your mental imprint and gauge the power of this array for yourself.”
“Three people?” Wu Yuan repeated.
“Indeed,” Fang Xia confirmed, gesturing towards the three jade platforms surrounding the large cauldron. “Controlling the arrays, particularly the killing array, requires one to have a strong soul. The arrays can be controlled by three individuals working in unison, or just a single individual. That is to say, the array can accommodate up to three mental imprints.
“An array is similar to an artifact. Once it recognizes its controller, one can wield the array’s power freely within its range,” he explained. “Young Master, give it a try. Within the Cloudstride Sect, there is no one better person better suited to control the array than you, apart from myself of course.”
“Very well,” Wu Yuan nodded.
“Young Master, since you have yet to accumulate essentia, you may leave your Soul Force imprint for the time being,” Fang Xia advised.
Wu Yuan complied, closing his eyes and extending his Soul Force toward the suspended sphere of golden light.
The moment his consciousness entered the sphere, it felt as though he had entered a vast realm. In that instant, a torrent of information flooded his consciousness.
How large. Wu Yuan was completely stunned. His perception had transformed, as though he had grown numerous extra eyes that reached impossibly high into the sky and plunged deep into the earth, into rocks, caves, and soil. Every detail came alive before him, from the martial artists training on Cloudhill to the peddlers selling their wares on the streets of Cloudhill City, and even the rabbits and mice darting through the wild forests, as well as the roaring Cloud River.
In the blink of an eye, everything in a spherical area with a 300-li diameter materialized within Wu Yuan’s mind. As long as he willed it, he could monitor any nook and cranny within this area with crystal clear definition, as if he was perceiving it with his Soul Force. Nothing could evade his surveillance.
However, the influx of information proved overwhelming for his soul. With a thought, the projections blurred and faded, leaving only the distribution of vital auras. This was enough for Wu Yuan to sense the relative strengths of vital auras within the range of the monitoring array.
The monitoring array has three distinct functions. Firstly, it provides passive surveillance. I will be instantly notified if any life form at the first-stage Qi Sea phase enters the array’s range, granted I am also within the array’s range.
Secondly, the array controller can actively search for a specific life form. One would only get a vague sense of the target, limited to perceiving the vital aura. However, it places a minimal burden on the soul.
And lastly, there is holographic sensing, which proves to be quite taxing.
Meanwhile, Wu Yuan once again began to observe the intricate patterns etched on the surface of the golden sphere. As he perceived it with his Soul Force, the encoded information within the patterns revealed instructions on how to control the array.
The mind confusion array enveloped a diameter of several hundred li. It produced a type of fog that distorted one’s senses and muddled one’s sense of direction. Any individual within the array’s range would also suffer from a weakened Soul Force.
However, these two arrays are merely supporting measures. The real power lies in the killing array.
Wu Yuan’s consciousness departed from the golden sphere, leaving behind a faint mental imprint that formed an invisible bond between him and the array. Then, he slowly opened his eyes.
“Old Fang,” Wu Yuan looked at Fang Xia. “Array cultivation is nothing short of astonishing.”
Only through firsthand experience did Wu Yuan understand the usefulness of array cultivation. It could multiply a cultivator’s strength tenfold, or even a hundredfold.
“Haha. Now that Young Master has left your mental imprint, there is no need for me to expound on its functions,” chuckled Fang Xia. “Though the Starcom Consortium and Great Jin may appear inactive, I have detected the presence of qi refiners approaching Cloudhill on multiple occasions over the past month.”
“Oh?” A glimmer of surprise flickered in Wu Yuan’s eyes.
“Of course, they kept a ten-li distance from the sect,” Fang Xia added. “It is obviously a reconnaissance effort.”
Wu Yuan nodded in agreement.
It was only logical. Without a Golden Core Superior leading the charge, who would dare to provoke Fang Xia, someone who could easily flatten a fourth-stage Qi Sea cultivator?
“They will strike sooner or later. Perhaps they will probe our defenses first,” Fang Xia remarked. “But we must be fully prepared. Young Master must understand that the killing array alone may not be enough to withstand an assault from a late-stage Qi Sea qi refiner.”
Wu Yuan listened intently. The killing array boasted a number of functions, but its true potential was intricately linked to the capabilities of its controllers.
“These arrays are sufficient for us to hold our ground in the Middle Land. But if our aim is to drive them away, this method falls short. If they have the audacity to approach, we must inflict upon them a world of pain,” Fang Xia declared solemnly.
“So, my strategy is as follows: first I will deal a full-powered strike once an enemy draws near, ensuring that they remain here.”
“But while I can still control the array at a distance from its core, its power will diminish significantly.” Operating an array while stationed at its core naturally yielded the strongest effects.
“When the time comes, it will be your responsibility to control the array, Young Master.”
“Me? Control the array?” Wu Yuan exclaimed, shaking his head. “Old Fang, I don’t have any essentia, don’t joke with me.”
“Hehe. Young Master, I have my methods.” Fang Xia smiled faintly, waving his hand. From his palm, a streak of light soared forth. Swiftly, it took on the form of a figure that bore an exact resemblance to Fang Xia, even emitting the same vital aura.
“What?” Wu Yuan was astounded.
Qi refiners typically did not recall a person by appearance alone but by their soul aura. One might alter their appearance via Transfiguration, but altering one’s soul aura was nearly impossible. Yet, Wu Yuan couldn’t distinguish between the two at all.
“Divided Soul?” Wu Yuan blurted out, somewhat incredulous.
“No,” both Fang Xias spoke in unison.
One Fang Xia chuckled, “Young master, this is my lifebound gu, the Clone Gu, which enables me to cultivate a clone in advance. This clone is normally nurtured within my qi sea and can be summoned into battle during critical moments. However, the soul strength and essentia of my clone is only one-tenth of mine.”
“If I perish, so too will my clone. If my clone dies, I will suffer serious damage, but it’s possible to nurture the clone anew,” Fang Xia explained. “I’ll have my clone control the first two functions of the killing array while my main body heads out to slaughter the enemies. This is the best coordination tactic.”
“The third function of the killing array allows the controller to administer a decisive blow to the opponents’ souls at the most critical juncture, called Soulquake. I believe Young Master is most suited for this task,” Fang Xia exclaimed with fervor, “Your soul strength far surpasses mine.”