I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Chapter 126 Each Gets What They Need

Xu Zhou did not answer immediately upon hearing this.

The mansion fell silent for a moment.

After a moment, Master Fang hesitated whether to speak up and mediate.

Xu Zhou then spoke up, "Your Chen family has already heard the news?"

Chen Muqing was startled, then nodded.

"The Chen family's territory is close to the border, and the border has been unstable recently. Even without clear news, I always feel uneasy."

If the previous ancestor of the Chen family were still alive, perhaps they could have handled this. But now the Chen family only has me as the Foundation Establishment cultivator, and my cultivation is still shallow, so my combat strength is insufficient.

"Without a sufficiently robust protective formation, I have no confidence in protecting the Chen family."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou's gaze shifted slightly.

Setting up a protective formation for the clan was no longer a difficult task for him.

Exchanging formations for formation crowns would suit his needs.

Having grasped this point, Xu Zhou immediately nodded: "What level of grand formation does Fellow Daoist Chen plan to set up?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Muqing was taken aback at first, then his eyes lit up with joy.

She naturally knew that the fact that the other party had started asking about the details meant that there was room for negotiation.

She immediately replied, "If possible, I hope we can withstand the attack of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Upon hearing this, Master Fang, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh and said, "You little girl, you certainly dare to speak up."

Chen Muqing felt a little embarrassed upon hearing this.

But she still said, "I know the requirements are not low, but given the current uncertain situation, it's always better to be cautious."

As for array materials, although the Chen family is not wealthy now, they have accumulated some wealth over the years through the profits from the mines, so Fellow Daoist Xu need not worry.”

Seeing that she said that, Xu Zhou nodded.

Now, a thousand years have passed since he set up the array at the Fei family. His array skills have steadily improved, surpassing even those of the past.

Although he didn't have a rare item like Eternal Wood to help him this time, he was confident that as long as he had enough materials, he could set up a sturdy formation that would be enough to block the attack of a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Finally, he spoke up and said, "In that case, I can agree to this."

However, I won't take advantage of Fellow Daoist Chen. Let's cooperate; I'll cover the cost of the array crown's materials.

As soon as he finished speaking, Chen Muqing visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

She quickly stood up, bowed solemnly again, and spoke sincerely.

Seeing this, Master Fang, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile.

Xu Zhou glanced at Master Fang, and immediately understood that when Master Fang recommended Chen Muqing, he had most likely already guessed that this would happen.

But thinking about it carefully, it can hardly be called a scheme.

With his own crown, Chen Muqing honed his skills, and the Chen family also gained a protective formation.

In the end, everyone was happy.

Afterwards, he and Chen Muqing agreed on the details and finally finalized the cooperation.

The next day.

Within the Chen family's territory.

Xu Zhou stood alone on a hillside, looking down at the terrain below.

The Chen family's territory is not large, but it is advantageous because it is nestled against mountains and beside water. As the spiritual energy flows, it has already begun to take the shape of a natural formation.

For array masters, this type of terrain is the most suitable for setting up a clan-protecting array.

As Xu Zhou observed, he silently deduced the landing point of the formation.

As he was pondering, a streak of light slowly landed beside him.

"Fellow Daoist Xu."

Xu Zhou looked back and saw Master Fang walking slowly towards him.

He immediately cupped his hands in greeting: "Fellow Daoist Fang."

Master Fang approached, but did not speak immediately.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly sighed, "Fellow Daoist Xu won't blame me, will he?"

Xu Zhou raised an eyebrow slightly: "What do you mean by that, Fellow Daoist Fang?"

Master Fang gave a wry smile: "I actually knew that the Chen family wanted to request a clan-protecting formation, but there has never been a suitable formation master in the market."

Now that I've finally waited for Fellow Daoist Xu, I'm just going along with it.

At this point, he shook his head: "Not explaining things clearly beforehand makes it seem like you're deliberately plotting against me, fellow Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Xu Zhou simply replied, "Fellow Daoist Fang, you flatter me."

"Both I and the Chen family got what we wanted. Master Fang's trip wasn't really about scheming."

Seeing that he looked normal, Master Fang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Then, the two looked together toward the Chen family's land in the distance.

After a long while, Master Fang suddenly sighed, "That girl Mu Qing has had it tough too."

Xu Zhou didn't respond, but just listened quietly.

Master Fang continued, "Back then, when the Chen family's ancestor was nearing the end of her life, the family line almost died out. Later, she finally obtained a Foundation Establishment Pill, which enabled her to successfully establish her foundation, thus preserving the Chen family's legacy."

Over the years, she had to cultivate, refine weapons, and manage family affairs. There was no semblance of ease befitting a Foundation Establishment cultivator; her life was probably even more exhausting than that of a Qi Refining rogue cultivator.

Xu Zhou did not deny it upon hearing this.

Although he had little contact with Chen Muqing, he could still sense the pressure emanating from the other man.

For a small family with only one Foundation Establishment cultivator, establishing a foothold in the cultivation world is never an easy task.

Master Fang was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "Speaking of which, she has never found a Daoist partner."

Xu Zhou was taken aback upon hearing this.

He didn't expect the other party to suddenly bring up this kind of topic.

Master Fang stroked his beard and smiled, "It's not easy for Mu Qing to support the Chen family all by himself."

If she had someone to help her, the burden on her shoulders would be lighter.

Xu Zhou couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle.

"Fellow Daoist Fang, isn't this like inviting a wolf into the house?"

If an outsider were to form a connection with Fellow Daoist Chen, it's uncertain whether the Chen family would still be called the Chen family in the future.

Upon hearing this, Master Fang did not join in the joke. Instead, he said with a somewhat complicated expression, "It's already good enough that the Chen family has survived. What they are called is not important."

Xu Zhou glanced at him: "The Chen family is currently thriving, why does Fellow Daoist Fang say that?"

Master Fang remained silent for a moment.

After a moment, he slowly said, "The Chen family used to have a bad relationship with the Hu family, and their local resources were already suppressed."

The border is not peaceful now. If war breaks out, the Chen family, although it has a Foundation Establishment cultivator, will still seem a bit weak.

""

He sighed softly, "I have known her grandfather for many years, and now that I see the Chen family has come to this point, I can't help but worry about it."

"

Xu Zhou finally understood what the other party was thinking.

Ultimately, what the other party said was less about matchmaking and more about an elder's concern for the future of the younger generation.

Having figured this out, he shook his head and said, "I understand what Fellow Daoist Fang means."

However, I am currently too preoccupied with my cultivation to even consider matters of finding a Daoist partner.

Upon hearing this, Master Fang did not continue to persuade him, but simply laughed it off.

"I understand, I understand. I'm just getting old and like to ramble on a bit. Please don't take it to heart, fellow Daoist."

The thought flashed through Xu Zhou's mind, but he quickly put it out of his mind.

Chen Muqing possesses solid cultivation and is proficient in weapon crafting, making him a truly outstanding individual.

However, Xu Zhou was unwilling to get involved in too many karmic entanglements, and had no interest in managing a family business. For him, peaceful cultivation was far more important than romantic relationships.

Fortunately, Chen Muqing didn't seem to have that idea either.

The other party usually stayed in his cave, working on the blueprints for crafting the array crown. Occasionally, he would be called over to discuss the details of the blueprints and the selection of materials.

As for the Chen family's formation, it was entirely entrusted to the Chen family head to communicate with him.

The head of the Chen family was a Qi Refining cultivator with half-white hair. He was said to be Chen Muqing's elder brother and a steady person.

Xu Zhou talked to him for a while and, judging from the other man's figure and tone, guessed that he was most likely the Chen family cultivator who bought his Foundation Establishment Pill.

Both parties had disguised themselves that day, but Xu Zhou was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, whose memory far surpassed that of a Qi Refining cultivator, and he still recognized him after spending time together.

However, he did not make a fuss about it.

As for the Chen family patriarch, he was completely unaware that the senior Xu in front of him was the same senior who had sold the Foundation Establishment Pill in the past.

That transaction back then allowed Chen Muqing to establish his foundation.

More than ten years later, Xu Zhou made another deal with the Chen family, building an array for the clan's land in exchange for the array crown.

Things take unexpected turns, and there are some coincidences involved.

A