Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

Lu Yuan knew that what is easily obtained will not be cherished, but if this cultivator at the ninth level of Qi Refining was used properly, it would be enough to solve his current predicament.

"You won't agree?"

The female cultivator in black robes was clearly not expected by Lu Yuanhui's refusal. She immediately got up from the futon, her black robes billowing, revealing a pair of fair and jade-like legs that caught a glimpse of her.

The aura of a ninth-level Qi Refiner was overwhelming and pressing forward.

Lu Yuan straightened his body and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone: "Even if you kill me, it won't make a difference. I dare say that there is no other Qi Refining Level 4 Array Master in the market besides me."

"State your conditions," the black-robed female cultivator said, her tone once again becoming indifferent.

Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment before saying, "To be honest, it is an honor for me to be favored by you, senior. The reason I cannot help is that my life is hanging by a thread. If I agree, I will die without regret, but I will implicate you..."

Hearing his words, the female cultivator in black robes remained silent for a long while before withdrawing her divine sense and saying, "I didn't notice anything wrong with your body."

"Senior, do you still remember the array master who competed with me for the array at the auction?"

Lu Yuan tentatively said.

"Um."

The female cultivator in black robes nodded: "His name is Zhang Su, an array master from the Market Refining Hall, with an eighth-level Qi Refining cultivation."

When Lu Yuan heard her mention Zhang Su, his heart skipped a beat. He thought they knew each other, so he took out the Five Elements Mist Array Disc.

After realizing what was happening, they figured that if the black-robed female cultivator wanted to seek out an array master to set up an array, she must have some knowledge of the array masters in the market.

Only then did I relax.

"This is the person."

"He holds a grudge against me for winning the Starfall Array at the auction and has been secretly investigating me in the market. He's now targeting me. The reason I visited him so late at night was to avoid his notice. Who knows, he might make a move against me in the next few days, and if I lose my life, how can I set up the array for you, senior?"

Lu Yuan's true feelings were revealed, and he spoke these words through gritted teeth.

Incidentally, he secretly observed the reaction of the black-robed female cultivator in front of him...

Ok.

The other party remained shrouded in black robes from beginning to end, making it impossible to discern anything about them.

"Do you want me to kill him for you?" the black-robed female cultivator suddenly asked.

No.

Is my purpose that obvious?

Didn't people online say in my past life that women with big breasts have no brains? What's wrong with you?

With his purpose exposed, Lu Yuan simply admitted frankly, "Yes."

"Killing him is not difficult, but why should I believe that you can successfully set up an array for me within ten days?"

The female cultivator in black robes countered with a question.

Lu Yuan smiled slightly and generously handed over the Five Elements Mystic Array Disc in his hand.

"Please take a look, senior."

"Although my cultivation level is low, my mastery of formations is in no way inferior to those old guys. This is the Five Elements Mist Formation, which I developed on my own by combining the Mist Formation with the Five Elements Formation..."

Since the other party wasn't a formation master, they couldn't figure it out; it all depended on what they said.

The female cultivator in black robes took the array plate with some skepticism, and after probing it with her divine sense, she was secretly alarmed.

Such an intricate and mysterious formation was actually created by a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining.

Even if it wasn't a formation he created himself, the fact that he could inscribe this formation plate is enough to show that he has considerable talent in formations.

She couldn't help but look at the person in front of her with new respect. As she returned the array plate, she nodded and said, "You do have some talent in array formations."

"Then, senior..."

"If you set up the Mystic Fire Formation for me, I can kill him for you, but it must not be in the market. You must find a way to lure him out."

Lu Yuan felt reassured: "No problem."

The black-robed female cultivator continued coldly, "But I still have to remind you, if he catches up with you in the market, even if you die on the spot, I will not show myself."

"Can."

Lu Yuan accepted with pleasure.

This is their first meeting tonight, or rather, neither of them has revealed their true selves, their relationship is not deep, and prioritizing their own survival is certainly understandable.

If it were Lu Yuan, he would have gone even further than her.

"Senior, this is my plan..."

Before coming, Lu Yuan had already prepared a plan for how to ambush Zhang Su, and now he began to explain it in detail.

The black-robed female cultivator nodded upon hearing this, acknowledging the plan, but couldn't help saying, "You seem to have anticipated that I would agree?"

No.

Lu Yuan's expression showed a hint of dejection: "A rogue cultivator like me, without any roots or backing, how can I survive if I don't plan ahead when faced with a threat... If you don't agree, I will find someone else. In short, I will never sit idly by and wait to die."

Upon hearing this...

The female cultivator in black robes remained silent, lost in thought.

……

"It really was him!"

In the treasure refining hall.

Zhang Su's face was full of resentment and malice.

Yesterday, he disguised himself and went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. He learned from the shop assistants that Lu Yuanjin had been playing a little tune and was in high spirits these past few days.

He once boasted smugly in the attic that he was learning a new formation.

After some investigation...

Upon learning that on the day of the auction, Manager Luo would only go with Liu Wanhai and Zhu Meng, and Master Lu would not accompany them.

Several clues intertwined, and a clear thread slowly emerged.

At that moment, he was extremely angry, and his anger almost overwhelmed his sanity.

Previously, when he was an apprentice at the Refining Hall, he could beat and scold anyone he wanted. Now, however, someone of equal status and position was his, which was understandable.

He might feel uncomfortable, but he wouldn't think that he had to kill the other person.

But at the auction, they competed with me for the formation...

Damn!

"Manager Qian, I'm going out for a bit."

Zhang Su gave a greeting and walked towards the door.

Upon hearing this, Manager Qian of Lianbaotang hurriedly replied, "Old Zhang, why are you running around every day these past few days? Don't let it delay the progress of the array plates in the shop."

"Um."

Zhang Su responded and left the Refining Hall without looking back.

He didn't tell anyone about this from beginning to end, because if Manager Qian found out, he would definitely want a share of the profits.

After disguising his appearance, he returned to the Treasure Pavilion, pretending to ask a formation master to set up a formation.

"That's really unfortunate..."

"Our land formation master came to ask for leave early this morning, saying he was going to Lone Eagle Ridge in the Nine Ridges Mountains to find a medicinal herb for his elders."

Zhang Su originally planned to lure Lu Yuan to the outer city under the pretense of setting up an array before making his move.

Upon hearing this, I was immediately overjoyed.

This is truly a golden opportunity.

People die every day in the Jiuling Mountains. You can do something there without anyone noticing, and you don't have to worry about making too much noise and attracting the attention of law enforcement.

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, Zhang Su, fearing he wouldn't be able to catch up with Lu Yuan, kept walking and headed straight for the Nine Ridges Mountains.

The Jiuling Mountains are vast and boundless.

It can be considered one of the top gathering places for demonic beasts in the Azure Lotus Domain.

The outer perimeter of the mountain range is mostly inhabited by first-tier demonic beasts; further in, one will reach the territory of second-tier demonic beasts.

Upon arriving at the entrance to the Cloud Mist Valley of the Nine Ridges Mountains, Zhang Su released a palm-sized falcon, which soared into the air and overlooked the surrounding mountain peaks.

Not long after.

Through the sharp eyes of the eagle, a figure was spotted moving among the trees at the edge of the mountain.

Every now and then, he would bend over and look down to examine the rare herbs and flowers at his feet.

With a face adorned with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, possessing a handsome and dashing appearance, and a tall and slender figure, he was none other than Lu Yuan, the apprentice who had previously followed behind him without daring to utter a sound.

"I've found you."

Zhang Su grinned maliciously.