I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Chapter 124: Want to refine the formation crown

As night fell, Xu Zhou sat alone under the spirit tree, recalling what Cui Donglin had said earlier.

With the other party's reminder, he also remembered that the prices of medicinal herbs on the market had increased slightly in the past six months, realizing that the talk of war was probably not false.

If the two countries were to actually go to war, the impact would be far from small.

However, after calming down and thinking it over carefully, Xu Zhou wasn't too worried.

The states of Mu and Yan have a long-standing feud, and their open and covert struggles have never ceased. This is not the first time such a conflict has occurred in recent years.

Although Red Leaf Market is close to the border, it is not a strategically important location. It has neither a large spiritual vein nor an important stronghold, and it has never been affected by past wars.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhou felt a little relieved.

To abandon Red Maple Valley, which has been cultivated for many years, and return to the sect to avoid disaster based on mere rumors would be a loss that outweighs any gains.

Moreover, war is not necessarily all bad.

If the two countries go to war, the demand for resources such as elixirs, talismans, and formations will inevitably increase significantly.

For ordinary cultivators, this may mean danger, but for alchemists and array masters, it may mean opportunity.

Of course, this is on the premise of staying away from truly dangerous places.

Xu Zhou pondered for a long time, but finally shook his head.

Everything is still up in the air.

Instead of worrying unnecessarily, it's better to wait and see. It's not too late to make plans when the storm is truly brewing.

For him now, the most important thing is to cultivate himself step by step.

That being said...

Since he knew that war might be imminent, Xu Zhou had to take responsibility for his own safety.

As the saying goes, one should be prepared for danger even in times of peace; he always needs to make preparations in advance to feel at ease.

Xu Zhou returned to the wooden house and meticulously listed all the protective techniques he had accumulated over the years.

Array formations, spirit wood, escape techniques, and a few spiritual artifacts and talismans...

Xu Zhou frowned slightly.

In terms of life-saving items, he actually had quite a few.

His greatest reliance is his array formation skills and the Red Maple Valley Grand Array. If an enemy were to attack, it would be difficult to injure him without the combined efforts of two or three Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

However, this method of protection has a problem.

That is why Xu Zhou cannot leave Red Maple Valley.

Otherwise, if he loses this grand formation that he has cultivated for many years, even with his second-tier formation skills, he will only be able to rely on temporary formations to fight the enemy.

While one can manage to contend with cultivators of the same level, encountering a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator is far less advantageous than being in Red Maple Valley.

Thinking of this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but recall the set of array crowns that Hu Anming had lent him back then.

Facing the Zhenyue Seal of the Hu family patriarch, that set of array crowns left a very deep impression on him.

Without this aid, the hastily constructed formation he had set up would not have been able to hold out for even a moment.

After a long while, Xu Zhou let out a soft breath.

"It seems we still need to get our own set of array crowns."

Xu Zhou had always thought that if he wanted to refine an array crown, it would be best to find a highly skilled weapon refiner to do it perfectly the first time.

But the situation is different now. If things really change in Yan, improving its ability to protect itself is the most urgent task.

Instead of waiting idly, let's refine a usable set first.

Several days later.

Xu Zhou found a second-tier weapon refiner with whom he had some prior acquaintance and personally paid him a visit.

This man, surnamed Fang, is quite famous in the market. Many of the spiritual artifacts used by Foundation Establishment cultivators are made by him.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Xu Zhou got straight to the point and stated his purpose.

"Battle crown?"

Master Fang was visibly taken aback upon hearing this.

He pondered for a long time before slowly putting down the teacup in his hand.

"Fellow Daoist Xu wishes to refine an array crown?"

Xu Zhou nodded: "That's right."

Upon hearing this, Master Fang did not immediately agree. Instead, he frowned, seemingly deep in thought.

After a long pause, he sighed softly, "If it were an ordinary spiritual artifact, I would naturally not refuse it."

But the crown of battle formations... is really not my forte.

He shook his head at this point.

"This item is different from flying swords and shields; its essence is that it is a set."

If you ask me to refine an ordinary single magical artifact and enhance its power, I will not disappoint you.

However, if it were to forge multiple sets of spiritual artifacts, and ensure that their energy resonates and works perfectly together, Fang would find it truly difficult to accomplish.

Master Fang looked ashamed: "If it were up to me, it wouldn't be impossible to refine it."

However, the final product will most likely have some flaws.

Xu Zhou was not surprised to hear this.

In fact, over the years he has inquired everywhere and received mostly similar answers.

He doesn't need much now, he just wants to build a usable set, so he wanted to say a few words of comfort.

Just then, Master Fang suddenly seemed to have thought of something.

"However, if Fellow Daoist Xu really wishes to refine an array crown, I do know someone."

Xu Zhou's expression shifted slightly: "Who is it?"

Master Fang smiled and said, "This person is a female cultivator, but she has achieved quite a bit in the art of weapon crafting."

Although her weapon-refining skills have only recently reached the second tier, she may not be able to match me in refining ordinary spiritual weapons. However, when it comes to complete sets of magical treasures, that is precisely her area of ​​expertise.

Over the years, this person has crafted many sets of spiritual artifacts and possesses an exceptional talent for fusing the energy of multiple spiritual artifacts.

"Something like the array crown, she might be more suitable than Fang to handle it."

Hearing this, Xu Zhou couldn't help but feel a little curious.

Master Fang was already a highly respected and outstanding weapon refiner in the market, yet he was now saying that someone was even more skilled than him.

Even if it's limited to a complete set of magical artifacts, this is still a very significant compliment.

"I haven't yet asked who this person is?"

Master Fang stroked his beard, then smiled and uttered a name: "Chen Muqing."

Xu Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly: "Chen Muqing?"

"right.

"

Master Fang introduced, "Fellow Daoist, you often reside in Red Maple Valley, so you may not have heard of him. Fellow Daoist Chen Muqing is the current patriarch of the Chen family."

The Chen family almost died out back then, but they were able to survive thanks to a Foundation Establishment Pill, which allowed Fellow Daoist Chen to successfully establish his foundation.

A few years ago, Fellow Daoist Chen advanced to the second level in weapon crafting. She visited me then and showed me a set of Twelve Azure Lock Blades she had made. Their quality and power...”

As Xu Zhou listened to Master Fang introduce this person, his thoughts suddenly drifted back to seventeen years ago.

When he first arrived at Red Leaf Market, he didn't have many spirit stones, so he planned to sell his Foundation Establishment Pills to get enough spirit stones.

If I remember correctly, it was the Chen family cultivator who bought his Foundation Establishment Pill.

Later, he heard rumors that someone in the Chen family had successfully established their foundation. However, Xu Zhou's mind was not on this, so he didn't pay any attention to it.

Unexpectedly, more than a decade later, I heard news of the Chen family again.

At this moment, Master Fang realized he had said too much, laughed and looked over: "If Fellow Daoist Xu doesn't trust me, I can also help with the refining."

However, I still recommend trying with Fellow Daoist Chen. If she can help, it's far better than me trying rashly."

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I hope Fellow Daoist Fang can give me some introductions."

"No problem," Master Fang nodded in agreement.

The Chen family territory is located north of Red Leaf Town, relatively close to the border, and borders the Hu family territory.

As a small family that almost went extinct, the Chen family's territory was not large, far from comparable to the Hu family. However, fortunately, the family had a legacy of weapon-refining skills, making them somewhat wealthier than the Fei family.

Along the way, Xu Zhou also took the opportunity to inquire about the Chen family from Master Fang.

Master Fang seemed to have a long-standing relationship with the previous Chen family patriarch, as he spoke of these matters with great familiarity.

"Although the Chen family's territory is small, it has several mines that are enough to support the family's inheritance."

"Especially the mine closest to the clan's territory, which is rich in Star Crow ore. This ore is exceptionally hard, and the occasional crystals that are formed within it are rare second-tier refining materials."

At this point, he suddenly smiled.

However, this mine also has its flaws.

Star Crow ore crystals are typically small in size, making it difficult to forge large magical artifacts. Therefore, long ago, the Chen family's weapon refiners began to focus on researching the combined use of various small tools.

After generations of exploration, they have actually made a name for themselves in the field of set-type magical artifacts.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou nodded slightly.

A set of magical artifacts is often more powerful than a magic weapon of the same level.

To unleash its full power, one needs not only stronger spiritual control but also careful coordination of the energy between the various magical artifacts.

Moreover, if any one of the items is damaged, the entire set of ritual implements will be affected.

For this reason, very few cultivators are truly willing to delve into this field, and there are not many weapon refiners skilled in crafting such tools.

The fact that Chen Jia could earn such high praise from Master Fang in this niche field suggests he must truly possess some skill.

Just as he was pondering, Master Fang suddenly raised his hand and pointed ahead, saying with a smile, "Fellow Daoist Xu, look."

We've arrived at the Chen family's residence.