“Now, I will demonstrate the method of array forging for you. Watch closely. This is just a small array, not complex, but the principles are the same.”
As Yuan Zun spoke, he took out an array forging stone and a strange tool.
It looked somewhat like an alchemy furnace, but its aura was distinctly different.
“This is called an array forging furnace. It’s somewhat similar to an alchemy furnace, but its internal structure is completely different.”
Yuan Zun explained, “The disc on the array forging furnace is the array disc. When setting up an array, you do it on this disc. Don’t be fooled by its small size—it contains a vast space. Try injecting your soul force into it.”
Ling Xiao did as Yuan Zun instructed. The moment his soul force touched the array disc, a vast space appeared before him.
“See? The size of this space can be adjusted, and even the environment can be altered. It changes based on the size of your array or formation. Of course, my furnace is of a higher grade, so its range of variation is greater. Ordinary array forging furnaces can at most accommodate a large city, or at their smallest, be as tiny as the tip of a needle.”
Yuan Zun continued, “You set up the array or formation on the array disc as you would normally. You should understand this, having studied those books.”
Ling Xiao nodded.
“Good. The next part is crucial. The array forging process is very similar to alchemy and also requires controlling the flame. However, during the process, specific incantations are used, and each array has a different incantation. You must memorise them all and understand them thoroughly.”
As he spoke, Yuan Zun tossed a book to Ling Xiao, saying, “This is the Incantation Manual. Take it back and memorise it!”
Then, he personally demonstrated array forging for Ling Xiao.
Like alchemy, the first step was selecting materials.
The second step differed significantly. In alchemy, you create a raw pill, while in array forging, you set up an array or formation.
The third step, igniting the flame, was the same.
The fourth step was also flame control, but unlike alchemy, array forging required chanting corresponding incantations.
The fifth step was opening the furnace, which was no different, except one produced pills, while the other produced an array forging stone infused with an array or formation.
Ling Xiao recounted the process to Yuan Zun.
“More or less correct, but you misunderstood the fourth step. In alchemy, most pills don’t require incantations, but some with special effects do, and those pills will have unique inscriptions on them after being forged.”
Yuan Zun said seriously, “You’re not at that level yet, so you don’t need to memorise them for now. You can learn them when you’re ready to forge Earth-Grade spiritual pills.”
“I understand, disciple.”
“Good. That’s roughly the array forging process, and I’ve demonstrated it for you. This Fire Snake Array Forging Stone is yours.”
Yuan Zun gave the forged array stone to Ling Xiao.
“The Fire Snake Array is simple. When used in combat, it summons up to ninety-nine fire snakes to aid the warrior. The strength and attack power of the Fire Snake Array depend on the materials. This Fire Snake Array Forging Stone was made with low-grade materials, so it’s a low-grade array stone. Each fire snake has the attack power of an early-stage Martial Vein Ninth Layer warrior, and it can summon up to ten fire snakes.”
Yuan Zun spoke casually, but Ling Xiao was dumbfounded.
Just this stone was equivalent to ten early-stage Martial Vein Ninth Layer warriors?
If taken to the secular world, wouldn’t it become a martial treasure capable of stirring up chaos?
“Alright, off you go. If you can memorise the Incantation Manual completely and forge a Fire Snake Array Forging Stone yourself, I’ll grant you one wish!”
Yuan Zun said with a smile.
“Heh, Master, I’d like to use the Guanghan Hall of the Moonlight Sect. Is that possible?”
Ling Xiao had already investigated. The Guanghan Hall was a treasure ground of the Moonlight Sect, where the cold energy could aid in cultivating defensive martial arts and greatly benefit cultivation advancement.
He was still far from breaking through to the Mortal Realm.
But if he could break through to the fifth layer of the Nine-Turn Golden Body Art, his physical strength would reach Mortal Realm levels. Then, even if his cultivation hadn’t reached that stage, he wouldn’t fear attacks from Mortal Realm experts below the third layer.
At the very least, he wouldn’t be instantly killed or end up as humiliated as when he faced Hei Suo in Cloud Sky City, relying on petty tricks to outwit his opponent.
“Hahaha, you sly little devil. You even know about the Guanghan Hall.”
Yang Danlin laughed heartily, “Old friend, he’s given you quite a challenge.”
“What challenge? The one guarding the Guanghan Hall is the Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign, right? Hasn’t she been wanting you to forge a spiritual pill for her? Just agree to it. Let her prepare the materials, you forge the pill, and the condition is that Ling Xiao gets to cultivate in the Guanghan Hall.”
Yuan Zun cursed.
“Heh, that might actually work.”
Yang Danlin paused. Yuan Zun’s words were spot-on.
Though the Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign was cold and unyielding, she also needed pills to enhance her strength.
Allowing Ling Xiao to cultivate in the Guanghan Hall didn’t violate the Moonlight Sect’s rules, as the rules allowed inner sect elders to recommend talented youths to enter.
Yang Danlin wasn’t an elder, but his status was equivalent to or even higher than an inner sect elder.
Recommending Ling Xiao was no issue.
But recommending was one thing—whether the difficult Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign would agree was another.
Some time ago, the Demonic Flame Heavenly Sovereign had even fought the Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign over this, but Demonic Flame came out worse off and had to pay a large sum of high-grade spirit stones to let Ming Tian cultivate there for a while.
Of course, what the Demonic Flame Heavenly Sovereign couldn’t achieve was quite easy for Yang Danlin.
“Fine, I’ll agree to this. If you accomplish what Master Yuan Zun has asked, this old man will swallow his pride and beg that Guanghan Heavenly Sovereign.”
Yang Danlin said with a smile.
“Thank you, Master! Thank you, Senior!”
Ling Xiao had only mentioned it casually, with little hope, but he hadn’t expected these two elders to agree so readily. It seemed his perspective was still too narrow.
“Thank us for what? Since you’ve taken me as your master, I ought to give you some benefits. Don’t worry about the Medicine Hall’s affairs. Focus on going back to forge the Fire Snake Array Forging Stone.”
Yuan Zun yawned, “Your master is going to sleep.”
Ling Xiao bid farewell to Yuan Zun and Yang Danlin and returned to his cave abode.
He had already mastered the basics of arrays and formations, meaning low-grade arrays and formations were no longer a problem for him.
The key now was array forging.
Of course, before forging, he had to memorise the Incantation Manual completely.
Ling Xiao had thought this would be straightforward.
But when he actually began memorising, he realised it was far from easy.
