I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Chapter 118 Risks and Commitments

Juan fell silent.

After a moment, he sighed softly and spoke slowly.

"It is nothing."

"I'm here to rescue my parents."

Xu Zhou was slightly taken aback.

He originally thought that the other party's tone suggested a desperate gamble, perhaps for some inheritance, array diagram, or some treasure in the Hu family's treasury.

But to my surprise, this was the answer.

Hu Anming continued, "The Hu family values ​​my talent in array formations. Since I was a child, they have used my parents as leverage to force me to contribute to the family."

Now that I have reached the Foundation Establishment stage, they still won't let my parents go. Since that's the case, I have no choice but to go to the Hu family myself.

Xu Zhou frowned slightly.

After a long pause, he slowly spoke: "Junior Brother Hu, is your plan to directly attack the Hu family?"

"Not exactly."

Juanming pondered for a moment and said, "My idea is to sneak in first and find my parents."

Although I've been away from the Hu family for many years, I still remember many details of the family's grand formation. If I were to attempt infiltration, I'm quite confident I could remain undetected.

"Why not ask the sect to step in?" Xu Zhou asked again.

Juanming snorted coldly: "I have already asked the sect for help."

However, the Hu family only said that my parents voluntarily stayed in the clan to live out their old age, and the sect was unwilling to interfere in the affairs of a Foundation Establishment family, so the matter was put on hold.

He paused, then sighed: "If I advance further in the art of array formation, I might be able to force the sect to reconsider."

But I can wait; my parents can't wait much longer.

Xu Zhou was speechless for a moment.

Roughly speaking, Juan's parents are about the same age as himself.

Considering the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator is two Jiazi (60 years), if this continues, Hu Anming will no longer need to go and fetch people in a few years.

But then he asked the question that concerned him most: "But why did my junior brother insist on coming to me?"

Juan gave a bitter smile.

"The Hu family has some connections within the sect, so some of the fellow disciples are not very willing to help."

I even suspect that some of them might have some connection with the Hu family. If the matter were to leak out as soon as I extended the invitation, I fear I would have no hope of rescuing my parents in this lifetime.

After much thought, I realized that my senior brother is the most suitable person for this trip.

Xu Zhou sighed inwardly.

He had a grudge against the Hu family, a fact that was tacitly acknowledged by both of them.

If possible, Xu Zhou would actually be happy to see the Hu family suffer misfortune, and wouldn't mind giving them a push.

However, it's not feasible to ask him to take the risk himself.

He shook his head with a hint of helplessness: "I deeply appreciate my junior brother's filial piety."

"However, this journey is extremely dangerous. The Hu family patriarch has reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage, and his strength far surpasses ours. Once he discovers us, we may not be able to rescue him, and we will instead be trapped."

Juanming paused for a moment, then hurriedly said, "As long as you come with me, I'm 70% sure we won't be discovered."

If we are truly exposed, I will find a way to hold off the Hu family patriarch. My senior brother only needs to escort my parents away.

97

Xu Zhou still refused.

"Junior brother, please forgive my bluntness."

He said slowly, "I know you still remember the details of the Hu family's grand formation, and you are quite confident about this trip."

But no matter how much you remember, once the grand formation unfolds and changes in rapid succession, it will take you some time to find a weakness and successfully escape.

If I go with him, and things really get to the most troublesome moment, my array formation skills are not as proficient as my junior brother's. Even if I want to adapt to the situation, it will be difficult to find a way out in a short time.

Mr. Xu always acts only when he is absolutely certain of his success. Therefore, I regret that I cannot accompany him on this matter.

Juan remained silent for a moment.

He really wanted to go alone, but if something unexpected happened, he wasn't afraid of himself, but he was afraid that his parents would be affected.

Hu Anming tried to persuade Xu Zhou: "Senior brother, the trip to the Hu family will indeed be somewhat risky. As a reward, I can give you all the insights into array formations that I have compiled over the years."

If there are any consequences to this matter, I will bear all the punishment that the sect may impose.

What do you think, senior brother?

Xu Zhou shook his head: "I have never liked taking risks."

"If we are discovered by the Hu family on this trip, it could lead to us both being trapped. Even if the Hu family might not dare to harm me, I, Xu, have no habit of entrusting my life to others."

Upon seeing this, Juan realized that he had been wrong.

But now that things have come to this, he still can't give up.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. After thinking for a while, he continued, "How about this?"

Senior brother, you don't need to force your way into the Hu family with me. Just help me out and provide support when necessary.

Furthermore, after this incident, besides my insights into array formations, I can also transcribe the sect's entire collection of array formation texts from memory for my senior brother to study. What do you think, senior brother?

This time, Xu Zhou seemed slightly hesitant.

If the responsibility is simply to provide backup, the risk is indeed much lower than before.

Regardless, it is ultimately aimed at the Hu family, a long-established Foundation Establishment family. Once a trace is left, the consequences will be endless.

Moreover, Juan's reward was hardly tempting.

If it were during the first few years after he established his foundation, the library in the Imperial Array Hall might still have attracted him.

But now he possesses several second-tier inheritances, which might take decades to learn. While the treasure trove of array formation books is precious and having them would be ideal, it's not enough to justify the risk he'd take.

He hesitated for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"Junior brother, this reward might be enough for anyone else."

However, despite the many opportunities I've had over the years, I haven't yet fully mastered the inherited scriptures I possess. While the Imperial Array Hall's collection is precious, it's not something I absolutely must acquire.

He paused slightly at this point, then finally said, "Moreover, the risks of this trip are still considerable."

Juan's face turned pale instantly.

He felt a bitter taste in his mouth, but he also knew that Xu Zhou was right.

If you were in their shoes, you probably wouldn't rush to help someone else's family affairs.

Even though he wanted to repay the favor, Xu Zhou's dual cultivation of alchemy and formations filled him with despair.

For a moment, even he himself felt somewhat bewildered.

Strategies and knowledge of formations, as well as sect collections, are rare treasures in the eyes of ordinary formation masters. But for Xu Zhou, they all seemed to be missing something.

He opened his mouth several times, wanting to say something more, but he didn't know how to persuade the senior brother in front of him.

What else do I have to offer that I can be proud of?

Suddenly, a glint flashed in his eyes, as if he had thought of something.

Juan looked up at Xu Zhou, a resolute look in his eyes.

"Since you have no shortage of inheritance, I'll change my condition."

He looked at Xu Zhou and said, word by word, "As long as you are willing to help me this time, I promise that you can ask me for help three times in the future, no matter what array problems you encounter."

As long as it's a question related to array formations, no matter what it is, I will give my senior brother an answer.

Even if I don't know, I will definitely deduce the answer for my senior brother until I find a result that satisfies him.

The words fell.

Beneath the sacred tree, all suddenly fell silent, with only the soft rustling of the leaves in the gentle breeze.

This time, even Xu Zhou was slightly taken aback.

He really didn't expect the other party to make such a promise.

He instinctively wanted to refuse, but the words stuck in his throat.

Three questions, which may sound trivial.

But if this promise came from Juan's command, its meaning would be immediately different.

This was because the other party was the most dazzling genius in the Imperial Array Hall, and also the person Xu Zhou had ever seen with the most amazing talent in the art of array formation.

The limits of array formations that others might not be able to explore even after a hundred years could be completely mastered by the opponent in just a few years or even a dozen years.

The three questions he answered might be even more valuable to a second-tier array master than the inheritance itself.

At this moment, some ideas about the Dao of Battle were stirring in Xu Zhou's mind.

There are some things that I may not be able to do. Even the well-informed Cui Donglin could not provide an answer.

However, if he asked the person in front of him to help him with the research, he might be able to get a result.

Xu Zhou hesitated.

After a long while, he sighed softly to himself.

After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke again: "Junior brother, this reward is still a bit too heavy."

Juan frowned slightly.

Before he could ask, Xu Zhou continued, "For me, one question is enough."

Juan Ming was visibly taken aback upon hearing this.

He didn't quite understand why Xu Zhou would give up two opportunities.

In his view, since the promise had already been made, there was no difference between three and one.

The next moment, Xu Zhou explained, "I'm afraid my question won't be too simple. If you want to answer it, Junior Brother, it will probably take a lot of effort."

Therefore, I feel unworthy to answer the other two questions.

Juan was stunned for a long time upon hearing this.

Then, he finally realized what was happening, but he just laughed and became arrogant.

"it is good."

He looked at the other person with a firm gaze: "As long as it involves array formations, whatever it may be, I will accept it."

At this point, a hint of relaxation appeared on his face.

But Xu Zhou shook his head again: "Junior brother, don't be in such a hurry to agree."

While I am willing to intervene, the method of intervention needs careful consideration.

Juan's smile froze instantly.

Xu Zhou spoke calmly, "As I just said, I only do things I'm absolutely certain of. My junior brother's suggestion that I provide backup still carries some risk."

Therefore, even if my junior brother offered me a question as payment, I wouldn't go to the Hu family.

Juan's promises certainly tempted him.

But while he was tempted, it wasn't enough for him to take the risk.

Juan's heart, which had just settled, jumped again: "So, what does Senior Brother mean?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment, then lightly tapped the table with his fingertips.

The plan needs to be changed.

At the very least, we shouldn't be so reckless.