Cultivating immortality begins with formations.

Although it was the Hundred Treasures Pavilion's job, Zhu Meng still gave him fifty low-grade spirit stones as a thank-you gift when he left the Zhu residence.

Lu Yuan returned to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

After reporting to Manager Luo that the mission was complete, he handed over two Qi Gathering Array Plates.

After brewing tea, Manager Luo began to instruct, "The market has been rather turbulent lately. We'll arrange for you to set up the Qi-gathering array in a while."

"Um."

Lu Yuan nodded, then asked meaningfully, "Manager Luo, how much does the Longevity Pill cost in our shop?"

Shopkeeper Luo was taken aback upon hearing this, then frowned deeply: "You're so young, why would you need a longevity pill?"

"It wasn't me, it was an elder of mine. He's nearly eighty years old, and if he can't break through this barrier soon, his time may be coming to an end."

Lu Yuan made up an excuse.

Unexpectedly, Manager Luo actually believed it, seemingly pleased yet also advising: "Master Lu's filial piety is truly admirable..."

"But the path of cultivation is inherently against the will of Heaven. Without selfishness, it is difficult to succeed. Spirit stones are not easy to earn, so it is better to use them for oneself."

Seeing that he cared about him, Lu Yuan didn't know how to explain, so he just shook his head and earnestly said, "Please, Manager Luo, name your price."

Manager Luo sighed and said no more: "The market price of the Longevity Pill is eight hundred low-grade spirit stones. Our store has two, but I can't make the decision on this matter. We need to ask the sect elders."

"Is that so..."

Lu Yuan nodded, indicating his understanding.

Longevity pills have only appeared at market auctions and are rarely sold to the public unless one has very strong connections.

Lu Yuan also felt that he didn't have that much influence, so he inquired about the date of the auction.

It was about six months later.

No matter what, he was determined to get the Longevity Pill.

The primary task is to make money.

After purchasing materials for five more sets of the Invisible Mist Array and five more sets of the Qi Gathering Array, Lu Yuan left the Treasure Pavilion and leisurely walked towards his home.

Upon arriving home, Lu Yuan first took out two talismans, folded them into paper cranes, and gave them to the pharmacist and Zhang Dashan.

Store up grain and stay home.

……

inside the house.

Lu Yuan sat cross-legged on the futon, closed his eyes to rest, and only slowly opened them when his mind was at its best.

Holding a carving knife, he moved with the grace of flowing water.

Now, the Qi Gathering Formation is as easy as turning one's hand for him.

Within a few days, he successfully created a Qi-gathering array for himself.

Two spirit stones were embedded into the Qi-gathering array, and array flags were planted on them. Under the effect of the Qi-gathering array, Lu Yuan sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing, quickly adjusting his state to its best.

They didn't stop for a moment.

They then took out all the materials for the Five Elements Mist Array.

Mist Spirit Liquid.

Blood of a demon beast.

Five Elements Array Plate.

Five guiding stones.

Lu Yuan glanced at the panel—

Name: Lu Yuan

Lifespan: 30/32 (Lifespan increased, triple effect)

[Realm Level: Qi Refining Level 4]

[Spiritual Root: Five Elements Spiritual Root (Low Grade)]

[Cultivation Technique: Five Elements Technique (Minor Success, Breakthrough achievable after 30 years of practice)]

[Skills: Qi Gathering Array (Perfected, can be broken through after forty years of cultivation); Five Elements Mist Array (Perfected, can be broken through after fifty years of cultivation)]

[Techniques: Fire Separation Spell (Mastery required, breakthrough possible after ten years of practice); Qi Concealment Technique (Mastery required, breakthrough possible after ten years of practice)]

[Lifespan can be infused into cultivation techniques and spells to increase cultivation progress. Currently, lifespan can be infused up to one year.]

He had already invested all thirty years of lifespan granted by the Longevity Pill into the Five Elements Mist Array.

All in as always.

The only problem is that he only has two years left to live.

The Five Elements Mist Array differs from ordinary mist arrays in that it can trap enemies. Once activated, it can unleash the Five Elements spells within the array.

Earth Trap Technique, Vine Rope Binding Technique, Ice Spike Technique, Golden Blade Slash, Crimson Flame Technique.

It can both attack and defend, greatly increasing its self-protection capabilities.

However, the complexity of the formation is several times greater than that of the Qi Gathering Formation.

Using the Mist Spirit Liquid as ink, draw the array patterns of the Mist Array, using this as the array base. Then, take the blood of five different attribute monsters and draw the Five Elements Magic Array patterns, connecting them perfectly. At each array pattern node, embed a magic-guiding stone.

Failure at any stage means all previous efforts are wasted.

Having sorted out the various details of the Five Elements Mist Array and gained some insights, Lu Yuan picked up the carving knife and began to carve the array patterns.

The fog array was carved smoothly.

Every single rune pattern was perfectly formed, showing no signs of being engraved for the first time.

then.

Slowly introduce the Mist Spirit Liquid into the array patterns.

"Perfect!"

Lu Yuan was slightly excited and began to inscribe the Five Elements Formation.

The array patterns for the Earth Trap and Vine Binding spells worked without any problems, but when the Ice Cone spell array patterns were inscribed and the blood of an ice-attribute monster was introduced...

"hiss……"

Lu Yuanjian frowned, his spiritual energy surging wildly within him.

Even though they already knew this would be difficult, they increased the speed of their spiritual energy circulation to dispel the effects of the frost.

However, they still did not expect that the frost energy generated when introducing the blood of the demon beast would be so powerful.

As a result, he had to mobilize more spiritual power.

The rate at which spiritual energy is consumed is at least twice as fast as before.

Not long after.

His hands were already covered in frost, his blood flow had stopped, and he was unable to proceed to the next step.

His spiritual energy was almost completely depleted.

We had no choice but to stop for the time being.

"At full strength, I can draw two sets of array patterns in succession: Earth Trap and Vine Binding. However, I have only completed two-thirds of the Ice Cone spell."

While taking Qi-Condensing Pills and Spirit-Nourishing Pills, Lu Yuan also circulated the Five Elements Technique.

After being fully revived.

He picked up the carving knife again and began to draw the ice cone magic array.

This time, there were no surprises.

Not only the Ice Cone Technique array pattern, but also the Golden Blade Slash array pattern were completed at the same time.

Faced with the even more complicated Crimson Fire Array Pattern, Lu Yuan once again chose to take medicine and circulate the Five Elements Technique before he could begin drawing the talisman.

Unexpectedly, the most difficult Crimson Fire Technique turned out to be the easiest.

The painting was completed in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Could it be because I am proficient in the Mystic Fire Spell and can apply this knowledge to other situations that I have such a miraculous effect..."

Lu Yuan's heart was stirred.

If that is the case, then the choice of cultivation methods should be based on formations, and one should not act blindly.

Suppressing his doubts and calming his mind, Lu Yuan picked up the guiding stones and embedded them one by one into the array plate.

"Click click click... Clang."

After four consecutive crisp sounds, a strange, metallic clang rang out at the end.

Lu Yuan leaned over to examine the array plate.

A crack was found on the magic stone located within the earth-trapping array pattern, clearly caused by the impact just now.

Once the guiding stone is embedded, it should be completely integrated with the array plate without any gaps.

Therefore, when the guiding stone falls, there can be no deviation whatsoever.

But just now...

A slight deviation in orientation, though only as small as a hair, caused the magic stone to rub against the array plate, resulting in a crack.

This also resulted in the absence of one of the five elements' techniques, preventing the activation of the Earth-Trapping Technique.

"Damn, it failed again."

"Even a master of formations at the Perfect Realm level is this difficult? Is this really a first-tier formation?!"

Lu Yuan sighed, his face full of disappointment.

At best, this piece is a defective product, and its value has been greatly reduced.

"This array plate must not be sold. I should keep it for myself. Selling such an array plate to someone else would damage the reputation of me, Master Lu of Arrays."

Lu Yuan put the array plate into his storage bag, then took out another set of materials and engraved the Five Elements Mist Array for the second time.