Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

Three more days passed.

The array patterns drawn with the liquid azure spirit stone flowed slowly. In many places of the energy gathering array, spiritual light flickered, and wisps of faint, scorching heat rose up in the room.

Lu Yuan slowly put down his pen, a smile on his face.

"Did it work?"

Liu Wanhai came over, and seeing Lu Yuan nod slightly, he immediately walked outside: "I'll go call Lao Luo."

Soon, Manager Luo and Liu Wanhai entered the room, followed by a body cultivator named Zhu Meng.

Upon seeing the faintly glowing Qi-gathering array, Manager Luo's eyes lit up, and he exclaimed, "Excellent! Array Master Lu's skills are truly superb. He managed to set up the array in one go. I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

The astonishment in Manager Luo's eyes was not flattery.

Although they knew Lu Yuan would succeed, they never expected that he could form a formation in just one attempt.

It seems the other party does indeed have some talent in formations; we've truly struck gold.

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "It's also thanks to Manager Luo's excellent environment and materials that we lived up to expectations."

The location of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion is close to the center of the city, and the spiritual energy there is indeed more abundant than where he lives.

And this demonic blood seems to come from a fire-attribute demonic beast.

Therefore, this Qi-gathering array is more effective for cultivators with fire spiritual roots.

Lu Yuan then explained the characteristics of this Qi-gathering array, and Manager Luo was already quite impatient: "Array Master Lu, may I verify it?"

When Manager Luo said this, he adopted a very humble attitude.

Clearly, Lu Yuan had earned his utmost respect after demonstrating this skill.

The purpose of this action was to gain entry into the Treasure Pavilion. Since the Qi Gathering Array cannot be moved, it can be considered a welcoming gift for entering the Treasure Pavilion.

Lu Yuan stepped aside: "Manager Luo, please feel free to do as you please."

Manager Luo then bowed respectfully to Zhu Meng, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, Captain Zhu."

Two spirit stones were embedded into the Qi-gathering array, and array flags were planted on top. The Qi-gathering array was activated instantly, and a vast amount of spiritual energy poured in like a vortex, instantly condensing.

Everyone present couldn't help but take a deep breath.

And every sip is a delicate, refreshing fragrance.

Zhu Meng slowly stood in the center of the Qi-gathering array. Without any visible exertion, he clenched his fists, his muscles bulging, instantly tearing his shirt.

The naked body, with its bulging muscles, was as solid as refined iron.

As his name suggests, he is undoubtedly a tough guy.

"He's actually at the eighth level of Qi Refining!"

Lu Yuan was shocked.

He thought to himself, "This Zhu Meng looks only a few years older than me, yet he's already at the eighth level of Qi Refining. How did he cultivate like that?"

The joy of creating the energy-gathering array vanished in an instant.

At the same time, he became even more determined that in the future, being cautious and prudent would be the only option.

Putting aside the jumbled thoughts in my mind, I looked back at the field.

Zhu Meng's fists collided in front of his chest, creating a visible ripple.

Manager Luo was already standing in front of Lu Yuan, shielding him.

Liu Wanhai had to bear the brunt of the attack alone, taking three steps back before regaining his balance.

To Lu Yuan's astonishment, the spiritual energy that had just been gathered was instantly dispersed, creating a vacuum zone around Zhu Meng.

In the blink of an eye, under the effect of the energy-gathering array, spiritual energy surged back.

Although the gathering of spiritual energy was slightly slower than before, the effect of the energy gathering array was not interrupted even though Zhu Meng kept raising his power.

Lu Yuan also figured it out at this moment.

The other party is using some kind of spirit-suppressing technique to assess the effectiveness of the energy-gathering array.

"That's fine."

Manager Luo squinted and called for a halt, clearly extremely satisfied with the effect of the Qi-gathering array.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Meng stopped making a show of himself and quietly took out another piece of clothing from his storage bag and put it on.

Then he approached Lu Yuan, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and said solemnly, "Master Lu, how many spirit stones would it cost to invite you to my home to set up a Qi-gathering array?"

Lu Yuan was stunned for a moment.

Before he could answer, Manager Luo impatiently announced, "From today onwards, Fellow Daoist Lu will be a guest array master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. As for the corresponding treatment, please discuss it in the private room."

"Uh, okay."

……

We left the Treasure Pavilion.

Lu Yuan stroked a delicate glass plaque in his hand.

With this token, he can enjoy a 30% discount when shopping at the Treasure Pavilion, and his credit limit is no less than one thousand low-grade spirit stones.

Besides.

The Hundred Treasures Pavilion also provides free accommodation near the city center, a fixed amount of cultivation resources, and assistance with future upgrades to array formation skills. In addition, it can provide two complete sets of first-order array diagrams and patterns for Lu Yuan to cultivate.

The difference in treatment between him and his previous apprenticeship at the Refining Hall was like heaven and earth.

And what Lu Yuan has to pay...

Provide Baibaoge with no less than three Qi Gathering Array plates every month, and draw ten sets of Qi Gathering Arrays for Baibaoge free of charge every year.

Of course, he only provides the technology.

All the necessary materials were supplied by Baibaoge.

The Spirit Contract is valid for five years.

If Lu Yuan fails to meet any of the conditions, Baibaoge has the right to reclaim the corresponding benefits.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch... But I guess I should be considered a high-class beast of burden now."

Lu Yuan pondered to himself.

Without improving his cultivation level, the tasks he does for the Hundred Treasures Pavilion will take up half the time.

However, this condition is still within a reasonable range.

Although the cultivation time was compressed, for Lu Yuan, the crucial first-tier array master inheritance was finally secured.

As one's cultivation level increases, the time required to draw the array will decrease.

At that time, the affairs of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion will not delay my cultivation.

"Brother Lu is now a renowned array master of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion. From now on, we are brothers. If you encounter any injustices in the market, please feel free to help."

Lu Yuan stood side by side with Zhu Meng, the latter speaking in a deep voice.

Lu Yuan only then learned of his identity: a disciple of the Glazed Tile Sect, and now the captain of the No. 1 Enforcement Team of Jiulingfang City.

The Jiuling Market has four enforcement teams: A, B, C, and D. These teams were jointly established by the cultivation families within the market and several major sects in the surrounding area.

Lu Yuan had previously avoided these people at all costs.

Unexpectedly, I am now able to address the captain of the law enforcement team, who is at the eighth level of Qi Refining, as a brother.

His first task from the Treasure Pavilion was to go to Zhu Meng's house and draw a Qi-gathering array for him.

Manager Luo had just handed him the materials for drawing the Qi Gathering Array.

"Brother Lu, just let me know when you are free. I will be waiting for you anytime."

"I have to move first, and I'm afraid I won't be free for the next few days. How about we arrange to meet in ten days?"

Lu Yuan replied with a smile.

In any case, the most important thing is to move away from that troublesome place as soon as possible.

"Where do you live?" Zhu Meng asked casually.

"Qingzhu Lane".

Lu Yuan's residence, Qingzhu Lane, is near the edge of the market town. Eighty miles further out lies Yunwu Valley, which leads into the Jiuling Mountains.

Sometimes, standing at my doorstep, I can see many low-level monsters wandering outside Cloud Mist Valley, their living conditions are worrying.

Recently, as the market area has been opened up, many cultivators have been patrolling the vicinity, hunting down demonic beasts.

Meanwhile, a large number of craftsmen were busy with construction all day long, their hands clanging and banging. It was said that the area of ​​the market town was to be expanded outward by another thirty miles.

"Qingzhu Lane?"

Upon hearing this, Zhu Meng's expression changed slightly. He looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "You don't know yet, but a few days ago, a group of demonic beasts came out of Cloud Mist Valley and attacked the market. They were less than ten miles away from Green Bamboo Lane."