Mortal: Li Feiyu, who came from the realm of a supreme being

Li Feiyu has not yet thoroughly examined the treasures obtained from the pagoda, except for the mountain of spirit stones, which is certain.

As the common currency in the cultivation world, tens of millions of spirit stones are already a form of financial freedom for the two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators.

However, the cultivation world is a place even more barbaric and unreasonable than the martial arts world, so in order to avoid unnecessary trouble, they cannot spend money recklessly without restraint.

It's not that they're afraid of robbing cultivators; usually, they only rob cultivators of equal social standing. After all, a cultivator's cultivation level itself represents their wealth, and robbing dozens of Qi Refining cultivators is not as profitable as robbing one Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The main concern is that if the younger child is affected, the older child will also be affected, which would be quite troublesome.

This isn't just needless worry; the cultivation world of Yuanwu Kingdom really does have a thing for this, otherwise how could Qi Yunxiao have died?

To avoid drawing too much attention, he also sold a lot of monster materials during the transaction.

However, they are not very valuable. There are still few high-level monsters in the Crimson Forbidden Land, and the value of materials from level one monsters depends entirely on the species.

To Li Feiyu's surprise, there was even a spirit beast academy here, which sold various tamed demon beasts.

Unfortunately, after looking around, the highest they could find was a first-tier high-level demonic beast. Second-tier demonic beasts required advance booking, and the prices were inflated.

Although Li Feiyu was thinking about finding a mount, he didn't care about anything low-end. After thinking it over, he realized that this was not something a Foundation Establishment cultivator should be considering.

We can look for it later if we go to the Chaotic Star Sea, since there are many different kinds of monsters there.

They stayed in the Tianxing Sect market for about ten days, shopping separately. They bought a lot of materials, but only three sets of mature formations: the Three Enclosures Gathering Spirit Formation, the Four Directions Formless Formation, and the Taiyue Returning to Origin Formation.

In addition to the array-related items, they also provided some pills and numerous talismans.

Although the two were at the Foundation Establishment stage, they were not proficient in proper cultivation techniques and their spells were still the same few basic ones. It would be good to add some talismans to increase their abilities.

In addition, when they were in Jinma City, Li Feiyu gave the ancient treasure [Crimson Fire Comb] to Han Yunshu, while he kept the [Azure Sky Bow] for himself.

……

With the one-month deadline approaching, Li Feiyu and Han Yunshu left the Tianxing Sect market and, riding on the paper kite magic weapon that had been enhanced by the weapon refiner with the cores of "Azure Stone" and "Windwood", which greatly improved its speed and stability, they once again arrived at the inconspicuous little mountain where Xin Ruyin lived in seclusion.

The maid Xiaomei had been eagerly waiting at the foot of the mountain. When she saw the kite land, she immediately ran up to greet them, her face showing both nervousness and anticipation. She respectfully led the two into the bamboo house.

Xin Ruyin was already seated in the main room, with several jade slips with intricate patterns on the tea table in front of her, seemingly the results of her research over the past month.

She still looked unwell, but her eyes were clear and calm. When she saw Li Feiyu and the other person enter, she stood up and gave a graceful bow: "Senior Li, Senior Han, please sit down."

After Li Feiyu sat down, he didn't exchange many pleasantries and went straight to the point: "Miss Xin, the one-month deadline has passed. Do you have an answer regarding that array diagram?"

Xin Ruyin seemed to have anticipated this. She hesitated for a moment, organized her thoughts, and cautiously began, "The array diagram you provided, senior, is stylistically unique and ingeniously conceived. Judging solely from the flow of the array patterns and the arrangement of the energy nodes, its core intention initially appears to be suppression?"

She paused, glancing at Li Feiyu's expression. Seeing that he was simply listening quietly, she continued, "However, after repeated deductions, I discovered that this formation is exceptionally complex. Many seemingly redundant structures are actually interconnected, forming an extremely vast and precise overall framework. This is far beyond the capabilities of ordinary 'suppression' formations. Therefore, I boldly speculate... that the fundamental purpose of this formation may not be simple suppression, but rather... 'disperse' or 'isolate.' It doesn't forcibly confront or eliminate the targeted force, but rather uses the power of the formation to create an environment within a specific area where a certain force cannot gather..."

As she finished speaking, her tone betrayed a hint of uncertainty and shock.

This speculation was so astonishing that it exceeded her conventional understanding of formations.

Upon hearing this, Li Feiyu's eyes revealed undisguised admiration. He clapped his hands lightly and said, "Impressive! Miss Xin has indeed lived up to expectations. Your talent in array formations is truly astonishing. Although your predictions were not entirely accurate, they touched upon the core. This array is indeed not simply suppressing, nor can it be said to dispel; rather, it prevents gathering."

It is unrealistic to suppress the external landscape simply by relying on a super-large formation, unless it is set up personally by a high-ranking master of the formation. However, if the master does not personally preside over the formation, the external landscape can still forcefully break through the formation.

Therefore, the great formations used by major cities in the real world to prevent external forces from causing damage are essentially designed to interfere with the operation of the primordial energy of heaven and earth. As long as the external forces cannot mobilize the primordial energy of heaven and earth to launch an attack, their power is still acceptable and will not destroy the city in one blow.

Xin Ruyin was shaken, but she maintained her composure on the surface and bowed slightly: "Senior is too kind. This junior has only managed to glimpse a tiny bit of the basics."

But deep within those clear eyes, a strong curiosity and desire for higher levels of array formations had already ignited.

Xiao Mei, who had been unable to contain herself any longer, immediately pleaded upon seeing Li Feiyu's praise, "Senior Li! You said before that as long as Miss could explain the purpose of the array diagram, there would be a way to resolve the Dragon Roar Physique! Please, Senior, save Miss!"

"Xiao Mei, don't be rude!" Xin Ruyin scolded softly, but her voice didn't carry much reproach.

She looked at Li Feiyu, her tone carrying a barely perceptible fluctuation of caution: "Senior, I was terribly rude in rushing to save my master. However... the Dragon Roar Physique is a congenital incurable disease, and according to ancient texts, it is almost untreatable. What you said, Senior, is truly..."

"I am not one to speak carelessly," Li Feiyu interrupted her, his tone calm and resolute.

He needs to demonstrate sufficient strength and sincerity to gain the trust of this intelligent and wary woman.

He flipped his hand and took out a jade slip from his storage bag. It was an ancient jade slip, neither gold nor jade, and was one of the ancient array diagrams he had obtained from the third floor of the pagoda. He handed it to Xin Ruyin.

"This is a true fragment of an ancient array diagram. Take a look. My requirements for aiding in the Dao of Arrays are extremely high, and the task to be completed is not something that can be accomplished overnight. It is definitely not something that a short-lived person can handle."

"An ancient array diagram?!" Xin Ruyin took the jade slip and probed it with her divine sense. She was immediately shocked by the ancient, profound and self-contained array concept contained within it. Her usually calm face finally revealed an undisguised astonishment.

This is incomparable to any array formation tradition currently in circulation!

Seeing her shocked expression, Li Feiyu continued, "I can provide you with these ancient array diagram inheritances, as well as those previously different array Dao concepts, for your study and comprehension. At the same time, I will do my utmost to solve your fundamental problem of the Dragon Roar Body, so that you can have enough time and energy to climb to higher peaks in the Dao of Arrays."

He stopped talking and instead proved himself through his actions.

He raised his right hand and, from a distance of several feet, made a light, almost imperceptible, press gesture toward Xin Ruyin.

There was no violent fluctuation of spiritual energy, but a gentle, mellow, and overwhelming vitality flowed into Xin Ruyin's body through the air with his palm strike!

This power is similar to ordinary spiritual energy, yet completely different. It is closer to the origin of life, carrying a Daoist charm that nourishes all things and revitalizes life.

Xin Ruyin felt a warmth spread throughout her body. Her meridians, which had been aching and gradually shrinking due to the burning yang energy, felt a comfortable relaxation, as if they had been parched by rain. Her pale cheeks instantly regained a rare rosy hue, and her entire spirit was invigorated!

What... what kind of power is this?! Xin Ruyin's heart was filled with shock and disbelief.

She could clearly feel that this power was not healing, but rather injecting a powerful source of life into her nearly depleted body, forcibly slowing down the deterioration trend!

This is something no ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, or even Core Formation cultivator, could accomplish! Just who is this Senior Li before us?

Li Feiyu withdrew his hand, turned his back to her, and looked out at the swaying green bamboo outside the bamboo window with his hands behind his back, leaving only a calm and mysterious figure.

"Now, I'll only ask you once." His voice was calm and even, yet carried an undeniable weight: "Are you willing to come with me?"

The bamboo house was quiet, with only the rustling of bamboo leaves in the wind outside the window.

The words "follow me" weighed heavily on Xin Ruyin's ears.

"Following" can mean simply learning from someone, serving them as a master, or even a closer and more complex relationship of dependence.

She instantly thought of countless possibilities and costs involved.

Did she want to live? Of course she did!

The Dragon Roar Body is like a maggot clinging to her bones, constantly eroding her life and path. How could she willingly wither away like this?

The feeling of that wisp of life entering her body just now was like glimpsing a ray of light in endless darkness, truly telling her that the person in front of her might really have the ability to defy fate!

However, Xin Ruyin was by no means someone who was afraid of death and would easily entrust everything to someone just to survive.

She has her own pride and principles; the path of battle is her obsession, and freedom and dignity are her bottom line.

The power Li Feiyu has displayed and the promise of inheritance are certainly tempting, but what comes after "following him"? What will be sacrificed? Freedom? Loyalty? Or... more?

Moreover, the other party has already revealed too much unusual information: a completely different array concept, a real ancient array diagram, this unheard-of life force... all of this points to the mystery and extraordinary origin of Li Feiyu.

If she were to refuse at this moment… Xin Ruyin felt a chill run down her spine.

Knowing so many secrets, will the other party let me go easily?

Even though this Senior Li doesn't seem to be a bloodthirsty person, how could she not know the cruelty of the cultivation world?

Silencing them might be the simplest option.

Even if they are not killed, they will probably be subject to some kind of restriction to ensure that the secret is not leaked.

She looked up at Li Feiyu's tall and silent back, then glanced at Han Yunshu beside her, who was silent but exuded a calm and composed aura.

These two Foundation Establishment cultivators gave her an unfathomable feeling, far beyond what ordinary cultivators of the same level could achieve.

Especially Li Feiyu, whose move just now completely exceeded her understanding of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Rejection could be a dead end, or a fate worse than death.

To agree is a huge gamble, risking future freedom and unknown costs in exchange for the chance to survive and the possibility of touching the supreme realm of array formations.

Time seemed to stand still.

Xiaomei nervously clutched the hem of her clothes, not daring to utter a sound. She didn't understand much, only knowing that her young mistress's answer was of utmost importance.

Han Yunshu's gaze was calm, seemingly unsurprised by Li Feiyu's decision, yet tinged with a hint of confusion.

After a long while, Xin Ruyin took a deep breath, suppressing all the chaotic thoughts in her mind.

She straightened her slightly disheveled sleeves, slowly stood up, and solemnly bowed to Li Feiyu's retreating figure.

"Senior's abilities are truly extraordinary; I, Ruyin, am filled with admiration." Her voice regained its usual cool and calm tone, but now carried a hint of determination. "Even ants try to survive; since Senior has granted Ruyin a chance to live, how could Ruyin... possibly refuse?"

She raised her head, her gaze clear and firm as she looked at Li Feiyu who had turned around: "However, Ruyin still has a question. What does 'as you wish' mean, senior? Does it mean becoming a disciple and serving your master? Or is it merely serving as a guest, exchanging array techniques for survival? Although Ruyin is seriously ill, she is not without ambition. I hope senior will enlighten me so that I can feel at ease."

She didn't directly agree to the specific form of "going with the flow," but instead first clarified the issue.

This is her wisdom, and also her effort to fight for a relatively clear future in which she retains some autonomy.

Yes, he is indeed a promising talent.

Li Feiyu nodded approvingly and smiled slightly, saying, "To be honest, I haven't thought about it yet. You can decide for yourself in the future."