Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Discussing the Tao While Sitting
 

“I must admit to you, I’ve sought the aid of several other array masters, but to no avail,” said Hu Daoren with a bitter expression.

The Hu family’s business was of significant repute, and now the safety of their spiritual land was the top priority.

Spiritual land is the foundation of a family; without a formation to conceal and protect it, the consequences would be dire should malevolent cultivators discover it.

Zhou Yi’s mind stirred, and he said, “I do have a method, but it depends on whether you are willing to part with something.”

Hu Daoren quickly asked, “Please, fellow Daoist, do tell.”

Zhou Yi said, “I propose to exchange my formation heritage for your recipe of Red Rainbow Wine—how about it?”

The “Introduction to Array Paths” is part of a complete transmission of the four arts, and it comes with three formations. Its theoretical value far exceeds that of the spiritual wine recipe. However, spiritual wine has a wide range of uses, can increase cultivation, and can continuously earn spirit stones, making its practical value much higher.

Considering both sides, Zhou Yi still stands to lose out on this deal.

Hu Daoren understood the implications and, feeling tempted, asked, “Fellow Daoist Zhu, how many formations does your transmission contain?”

“Two. You’re already familiar with the Mystifying Array, and there’s also a Minor Five Elements Array. Once set, the five elements circulate, and any Qi Refinement cultivator trapped within it is doomed!”

Ever since Zhou Yi had read the True Monarch’s notes, he kept the topic of Spirit Gathering Arrays to himself, pondering over it in private.

“It’s a deal!”

Hu Daoren quickly agreed, bowing deeply as he said, “Fellow Daoist Zhu’s generosity will not be forgotten by Hu. I will surely repay this kindness in the future.”

“We each get what we need.”

Zhou Yi had seen too many promises in the heavenly prison, with few willing to keep their word, automatically treating such statements as mere formalities.

Both took out their inheritance jade slips, swearing with their Dao hearts that the transmission was complete and would never be shared with a third party.

With the transaction complete, both parties were pleased.

…

Zhou Yi purchased a batch of ingredients according to the spiritual wine recipe.

Items such as Spiritual Spring water, distiller’s grains, and jade wine jars were common necessities for most spiritual wines, hence reasonable in price.

The core ingredient, Fire Spirit Ganoderma, required a minimum of ten years’ worth and cost two spirit stones for enough to brew five jars of wine.

“A jar of Red Rainbow costs about half a spirit stone to make, while Old Hu sells his new wine for two spirit stones. Even with a fifty percent loss, the profit margin is quite staggering. Perhaps I didn’t lose out as much in this deal as I thought?”

Zhou Yi only managed to find one piece of Fire Spirit Ganoderma in the trading area, despite going through it twice.

“Fire Spirit Ganoderma isn’t like Spiritual Medicine such as the Cultivation-boosting Herb that can be grown in any spiritual land. It requires rich fire spirit energy, which is why it’s scarce in the market, indirectly restricting the production of Red Rainbow Spirit Wine!”

Zhou Yi wasn’t bothered by this, as obtaining more cultivation inheritances was far more valuable than an immediate gain in spirit stones.

Centuries later, the Hu family might no longer exist, yet the Red Rainbow Spirit Wine would still be earning spirit stones for Zhou Yi.

Returning to his cave abode.

Zhou Yi followed the spiritual wine recipe, putting the various spiritual objects into the jade wine jar, pulverizing and mixing them with his mana.

He buried the mix three zhang underground, and it would be ready to drink after fermenting for a month.

“According to Old Hu, brewing spiritual wine is much simpler than alchemy. Even a novice can successfully brew two or three jugs out of ten; the difference with a seasoned brewer lies in the taste,” he thought.

Zhou Yi wasn’t in a rush, planning to refine the flavor over time.

Even if all attempts failed, he would only lose two or three spirit stones at most. The spirit stones he had saved up recently were enough for over a dozen more brewing sessions.

The days that followed became routine.

He tended to the spiritual medicines, irrigated the spiritual fields, mastered the magic artifact, contemplated the Thunder Arts, and sat in meditation for Qi Cultivation… His days were very fulfilling!

At the end of each ten-day period, he gathered with other array masters to exchange experiences.

In the beginning, the four array masters were reserved, keeping the finer points of the Array Dao they had comprehended to themselves.

Zhou Yi led by sharing his insights from over a hundred years of studying “Introduction to Array Paths,” revealing much exclusive knowledge.

The four array masters had revelations after listening and began to discuss based on Zhou Yi’s array insights. This discussion was genuine: they sifted out what was useful, discarded falsehoods, embraced truths, and simplified complexities…

Naturally, there were arguments—with each side asserting they were correct.

They started setting up formations to verify their ideas, resulting in clarity through debate.

In just three years, Zhou Yi and his fellow Daoists made more progress in their array experience than he had in thirty years of solitary study.

Now, without Zhou Yi’s invitation, everyone eagerly gathered at the end of each ten-day period to share their knowledge of array mastery.

When discussions became spirited, they’d go on for three days and nights without rest.

On such occasions, Zhou Yi would bring out the Red Rainbow Wine and, too lazy to pour it into bowls, everyone would just tilt their jars and guzzle it down.

“Exhilarating! Only in such a manner does one truly seek the path of immortality,” he exclaimed.

“Fellow Daoist Zhu’s magnanimity is beyond me,” confessed the old array master Pang Hai.

Hearing this, Pang Hai exclaimed, “I’ve painstakingly studied the Array Dao for over seventy years, always hoarding it like a treasure, fearful that others might learn and steal my secrets, doing everything I could to keep it hidden!”

“Indeed, indeed!”

Wang Yue and others nodded in agreement, full of admiration for Zhou Yi.

Zhou Yi couldn’t help feeling ashamed, as he was not a person of broad-mindedness, but rather somewhat vengeful.

This approach was just to scheme for the inheritance of an Array Master.

Unlike the urgency of ordinary cultivators, Zhou Yi could afford to spend ten years or even decades to become close friends with a few individuals. During the process of exchanging and discussing the Dao, he would naturally achieve his goal.

The means were not very clever, merely extending the time invested.

In a few years after sending those few people away, having been good friends for a lifetime, perhaps it would no longer count as scheming and deception.

“If it’s within my power in the future, I’ll take care of… huh?”

Zhou Yi silently prayed to the Immeasurable Heavenly Honored One and immediately suppressed the dangerous thought.

With an endless lifespan, today someone asks for care, tomorrow another, theoretically there would be countless people in need of care!

…

The central region.

Dwelling Number 475.

Zhou Yi had repaired the Mystifying Array and repeatedly cautioned the old man.

“Senior, when practicing spells, it’s best to find a spacious place. The damage this time was somewhat severe.”

“I will remember, I’ll be more careful next time.”

The elder was well-versed in the ways of the world, not arrogant despite being in the later stages of Qi Cultivation, and after paying the Spirit Stones for repairs, he said while holding a basket of spirit peaches.

“These spirit peaches are a rare variety and taste exceptionally fresh. Junior Zhu, you should try them.”

Upon entering, Zhou Yi noticed the robust peach tree in the courtyard, whose lush canopy shaded an area of more than ten zhang.

“I would be rude to refuse!”

Zhou Yi took the spirit peaches and left, not bothering to investigate the cause of the array’s damage. Perhaps it was indeed a careless mistake in spell practice, or maybe an exploration of the array’s principles—it didn’t concern him much.

After all, the more it broke, the more Zhou Yi earned.

The entire Mystifying Array cost no more than one Spirit Stone to construct, most of that cost concentrated on the Formation Flags, while the damaged patterns had almost no cost.

During the repairs, Zhou Yi deliberately took an extra hour or two, making it seem both time-consuming and laborious, to avoid creating resentment.

Since the limited number of Loose Cultivator Array Masters in Little Dan Mountain formed a group, even if someone suspected overcharging, first, there was no way to verify it, and second, even if verified, there was no way to change it.

Mere discussion wouldn’t foster close bonds in just three years. It was the joint monopoly over the maintenance of thousands of formations by the five that was the true core of interest.

Zhou Yi was no longer the youth he once was—his blood still ran warm, but his actions had become increasingly subtle and shrewd.

“I’m still that same…”

Humming a strange tune, he returned to the office and reported completion of the task.

Zhou Yi was now a temporary worker at the Dan Mountain Market, without a background or official position. Someone would come to the office to report damage to the Mystifying Array, and he would go to repair it.

Just as he was about to return to his dwelling for cultivation, he heard Brother Liu calling out to him.

“Junior Brother Zhu, I was just about to look for you.”

“Brother Liu, what advice do you have for me?”

Zhou Yi noticed a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy in white standing behind Brother Liu.

Brother Liu introduced him, saying, “This is a young relative from my clan, named Liu Heng, who has come to meet you, Uncle Zhu.”

Liu Heng bowed deeply and said, “Junior Liu Heng pays respect to Uncle Zhu.”

“No need for such formalities.”

Zhou Yi said in a low voice, “Brother Liu, you seem to be in high spirits. Has that matter been settled?”

“I can’t hide anything from Junior Brother Zhu.”

Brother Liu nodded and said, “The spot has been secured, just waiting to receive the disciple’s robe and to be recorded in the sect’s register.”

“Congratulations, congratulations!”

Not knowing the temperament of Liu Heng, Zhou Yi spoke with a smile, “We will each speak of our own matters, in accordance with the rules of the Market, so as not to invite idle talk.”

“Uncle, you’re too kind.”

Liu Heng said respectfully, “I have long admired Uncle Zhu’s reputation as an array master, and I hope to visit and learn from you in the future, Uncle, if you would be willing to offer guidance.”

“You’re welcome, you’re welcome.”

Zhou Yi’s eyes flashed with surprise, seeing the young man’s lack of competitive spirit at such a young age—he had the temperament to live a long life.

“I was just saying, your Uncle Zhu won’t be stingy with his knowledge. Don’t miss the chance to learn, but also don’t let the study of formations delay your Qi Cultivation.”

Brother Liu had tutored the younger generation before and continued to say, “Junior Brother, there’s another matter that I need to trouble you with. I’m getting on in years and planning to return to the secular world to await my final days. I’ll need you to take over the duties of the office.”

Zhou Yi nodded slightly, agreeing to the request.

It was a mutually beneficial exchange, but framed more tactfully given their relationship of more than twenty years.

“So, does this mean I’m back on staff?”