Xiuxian: I use magnetic fields to prove my truth

Chapter 121 Holding the Neck Out

Taking advantage of the information delay, Zhou Qing used magnetic field induction to observe the special spiritual energy fluctuations caused by the long-distance communication array.

The fluctuations of spiritual energy will attenuate during the propagation process, just like the fluctuations in the Spirit Realm, which attenuate after about fifty or sixty miles.

However, the fluctuations of this long-distance communication array are more concentrated and the attenuation is not obvious, so it can transmit over a longer distance.

The difference is that the fluctuations in the Spirit Realm are like ripples on water, and within a radius of fifty or sixty miles centered on this place, every corner can receive these fluctuations.

The spiritual energy fluctuations of the long-distance communication array were concentrated into a single beam, with a definite direction, pointing towards another array.

Zhou Qing intuitively felt that this formation seemed to be of some use to him.

He had always wanted to develop a formation that could detect the surrounding environment, but he had no clue how to do it because there were several difficult problems to solve.

The long-distance communication array in front of him seemed to have inspired him, but he still couldn't figure it out.

Zhou Qing then silently memorized the low-grade array diagram of the core of this formation, intending to study it when he got back.

After a while, the array finally reacted.

Hu Guan: Oh dear, young friend Zhou Qing, the business of the array diagrams is not doing well, which is somewhat unexpected. We have done some investigation and finally concluded that the anti-Qing and restoration of Ming array diagrams can only temporarily appease distracting thoughts and do not have a long-term effect. They also cannot solve the fundamental problem of weak Dao hearts. Therefore, cultivators do not care much about them, and there are not as many buyers as we imagined. We believe that under these circumstances, it is beyond our capacity to provide a large amount of spirit stones to the registered disciples every month. We have no choice but to request a reduction. We hope that you will not take offense.

Zhou Qing glanced through the handwriting.

Hu Guan's tone was very humble, and Zhou Qing could easily imagine his smiling expression. He even addressed Zhou Qing, his junior disciple, as "little friend."

But Zhou Qing knew that what he said in a humble tone was all nonsense.

If the Anti-Qing Restoration Formation could completely solve the problem of weak Daoist heart, it shouldn't be priced at its current level, and it might not even be a fortune that a Golden Core sect could control.

Since arrays can soothe distracting thoughts, all cultivators who want to break through their cultivation level hope to have one when they break through.

Nowadays, there are many such basic items in the cultivation world, such as the Qi Condensation Pill for breaking through the minor Qi Refining realm and the Foundation Establishment Pill for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment realm.

These are already essential resources for cultivators to break through their cultivation levels. Therefore, the sects that invented these two kinds of pills, especially the Foundation Establishment Pill which has a high level of technology that others cannot replicate, are the richest sects in the entire cultivation world just by doing this pill business. Moreover, all cultivators in the world owe them a favor.

The anti-Qing and restoration of Ming formations also have this potential.

Hu Guan's claim that business is bad is complete nonsense.

Zhou Qing looked at Lu Qiushui and asked, "Uncle-Master, who manages the accounts of the shops downstairs?"

Lu Qiushui said, "The Miscellaneous Affairs Hall is responsible for managing the accounts. I have already looked at them. There are a total of thirty Anti-Qing Restoration Formation Formations in Nanwanbao City's inventory. As of the time the accounts were submitted, there were still twenty left in the inventory. That means that only ten were sold last month, which is indeed dismal."

Zhou Qing realized there must be something fishy going on, but he was also puzzled for a moment. Seeing Lu Qiushui's inscrutable expression, he instantly realized that she must know the inside story.

He had no interest in asking Hu Guan anything more, knowing that he wouldn't get any answers no matter how much he asked, so he might as well ask Lu Qiushui directly.

Just as Zhou Qing was about to ask Lu Qiushui to turn off the communication, the array light flickered, and another message came from the other end. Hu Guan: By the way, young friend Zhou Qing, you asked me to keep an eye out for rune trading for you. Recently, I met a rune trading individual. I wonder if you would be interested?

Zhou Qing: Of course I'm interested, but I don't know how to make a deal. Could you please invite him to the Qingyun Sect?
Hu Guan: That guest probably doesn't mind, but the runes are expensive, each costing more than ten high-grade spirit stones. I wonder if you have prepared any spirit stones?
Zhou Qing narrowed his eyes slightly and replied: "The previous agreement was that you would collect runes for me, not that you would just be intermediaries."

Hu Guan: Oh dear, we have no choice. Business was already bad, and Elder Qingxuan, who is in charge of us, wants us to pay an additional 30% interest to the sect. We really can't afford that extra amount of spirit stones.

Zhou Qing looked at Lu Qiushui and said, "Uncle-Master, please turn off the formation."

Lu Qiushui nodded, took out the spirit stone from the array's core, and after only a few words, the spiritual energy within the spirit stone was mostly consumed.

This world of cultivation, which builds its civilization upon spiritual energy, is truly inseparable from spiritual stones.

The two walked out of the tower.

Zhou Qing asked, "Uncle-Master, can you tell me what happened this time? The Anti-Qing Restoration Formation Diagram should not have such low sales figures."

Lu Qiushui said, "The reason is simple: the lion's share of the profits has already been devoured by those affiliated families."

Zhou Qing frowned slightly and asked, "How did you do that?"

Lu Qiushui asked, "Do you know why the Array Academy has its own library instead of storing its books in the sect's scripture repository?"

Zhou Qing said, "It's said that they didn't want to appear inferior to the Chuan Gong Hall."

Lu Qiushui shook her head and said, "These are just excuses. The main reason is that we're afraid of being recorded."

"All array talismans sold by the Array Academy have anti-analysis measures, and the array diagram is internal. Unless the outer shell is broken, it is impossible to see the array diagram inside. Once the outer shell is broken, the array diagram will be automatically destroyed."

"This is to prevent others from stealing it, and also to prevent our own people from stealing it."

“Those affiliated families also maintain their own array masters and array apprentices, and they also control the operation of the shops.”

"Once they master the array diagram, they can inscribe it themselves and sell it without going through the sect's accounts."

"Your anti-Qing and restoration of Ming strategy is like this. On the surface, Nanwanbao City only sold ten yuan last month. As for the actual situation, no one can say for sure. Maybe it won't even reach a hundred yuan."

At this point, Lu Qiushui said with some annoyance, "I thought you already knew all this and had countermeasures in place, but who knew you were completely unaware. What was Senior Sister thinking? Why didn't she tell you something so important?"

Zhou Qing couldn't help but smile bitterly, thinking to himself, what else could it be? Mu Zhuosha was so confident in his enhanced formation that he didn't care about the profits from this basic version.

He only planned to let these shopkeepers build his reputation first, and then use the enhanced formation to choke them.

When the time comes, the shopkeepers who have invested a lot of spirit stones to make the beggar's version of the formation will be choked by her and will have no choice but to come to her for help. She will then be able to ask for exorbitant prices and tear a big chunk of flesh from them.

(End of this chapter)