I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

The art of array formations is easy to learn but difficult to master. Although Xu Zhou has entered the field, it will take him a considerable amount of time to cultivate it to a level that can be considered worthy of being called a master.

Time flies, and several years have passed. He finally felt that he had made some progress in his study of array formations.

On this day, Xu Zhou attempted to set up an array in the cave.

This was not the first time he had set up an array. Before this, he had tried to set up various simple arrays, such as the temperature-controlling fire-stabilizing array and the mind-calming array.

But this formation is different; it is a spirit-gathering formation.

When cultivators who practice array formations feel they have achieved something, it is difficult for them to resist the temptation to set up this array.

According to the jade slip, as long as it is successfully set up, Xu Zhou's cultivation speed will increase by half a percent when he cultivates in the array.

It may seem like only half a percent, but it's a one-time investment that yields lasting results, far more cost-effective than cultivation pills like Qi-Inducing Dew.

However, setting up a spirit-gathering array is not so easy.

Xu Zhou had gone through the details of this formation countless times in his mind, but when he actually put it into practice, he felt constrained.

It's not that the environment caused the error, or that the materials used for setting up the array were substandard, or that the technique was wrong. Some minor mistakes directly caused the entire unformed spirit-gathering array to go out of control.

The most dangerous time was when the out-of-control spiritual energy transformed into a blade of energy, leaving a wound on Xu Zhou's arm.

Fortunately, it was just a minor injury and healed quickly.

Xu Zhou simply dared not try again so easily.

"With my current array formation skills, setting up a spirit-gathering array is only theoretically feasible."

"But when it comes to actually setting it up, there are so many details that you can't afford to make the slightest mistake, so the chances of success are still pretty small."

Xu Zhou was not discouraged by the temporary setback.

In fact, it was indeed a bit too radical of him to want to set up a spirit-gathering array after only nine years of study.

However, he did not give up.

"I was originally planning to try to succeed on my own, but it seems I'll have to use the 'borrowing formation' method."

Xu Zhou glanced at the cave dwelling as it was now.

The layout here is different from nine years ago; there are now many more potted plants, filled with various flowers, placed in every corner of the room.

Besides, there is a small tree in the most conspicuous place in the cave.

This tree is no ordinary tree; it is a species that Xu Zhou once found in the Thousand Wood Forest. It originally came from a wood spirit and possesses certain extraordinary qualities.

Xu Zhou specially opened a hole on the top floor of the cave to let in the sunlight, which shone directly on this small tree.

As a tree seed left behind by a wood spirit, this tree is extremely adaptable. Even in a dimly lit cave, it can slowly grow with the help of a little sunlight and soil.

Xu Zhou certainly didn't plant flowers and trees just for sightseeing; he had planned it all along.

In that set of array formation inheritance, he learned a technique called "borrowing array formations," which involves using highly spiritual objects as foundations to construct corresponding array formations.

The small tree in the cave was originally a spirit tree, and when it corresponded with the surrounding flowers and plants, Xu Zhou could use the borrowing formation to set up the spirit gathering formation.

After some attempts, Xu Zhou managed to set up the Spirit Gathering Array, albeit with only two sets of materials destroyed.

Xu Zhou was in a great mood as he sensed a slight increase in the concentration of spiritual energy around him.

"The array formation is indeed a secret technique passed down through generations. It can actually set up a spirit-gathering array using only a spirit tree and some miscellaneous flowers."

"Although the spirit-gathering array set up in this way is much less effective than the original, it has the advantage of being simple to set up."

"In fact, if I don't want to be exposed, I can simply move the flowerpots in a few key locations to hide the spirit-gathering array. Unless a master of arrays comes to my cave, no one will be able to tell anything."

Although the spirit-gathering array he set up was a defective product, it only increased cultivation speed by a very small amount, not even half of the original version.

But for Xu Zhou, it was a major step forward in his mastery of formations.

The foundation of many large-scale formations is the Spirit Gathering Formation. Only by being able to set up this formation can one be considered to have truly entered the threshold of the Dao of Formations.

The Spirit Gathering Array's assistance to cultivation is secondary; what's truly terrifying about array masters is the array formations built upon it, each with its own unique uses.

"I can barely call myself a low-grade array master now."

Becoming a formation master in nine years, even though it was thanks to the convenience of formations, is still a remarkable achievement.

He did not allow the formation to operate for long.

Once this formation is discovered, it will inevitably cause unnecessary trouble.

After confirming the effect, he gently moved the nodes away. The spiritual energy dissipated, and the cave returned to normal.

Half an hour later, fluctuations of the restriction were heard outside the cave.

Xu Zhou released the barrier, and soon, several apprentices entered one by one.

Over the years, Xu Zhou's apprentices have changed again.

After a period of study, Ge Mo finally succeeded in becoming an alchemist and soon took his leave.

After that, more apprentices came one after another. Some of them graduated and left, while others, who were still not quite ready, stayed to continue learning.

Xiao Jingwen, on the other hand, had already become a low-grade alchemist several years ago, but he did not leave. Instead, he continued to assist Xu Zhou in alchemy.

Xiao Bing responded that since the child was close to the teacher and wanted to stay longer, they should let him stay. After all, it wasn't uncommon for lower-grade alchemists to assist mid-grade alchemists at Baicaotang.

Xu Zhou didn't believe this excuse at all.

Every time Xiao Jingwen came here to refine pills, he acted like it was all business, as if he wanted to leave as soon as he was done, without showing any intention of getting close to me.

However, considering the reward Xiao Bing offered, he agreed.

He had no interest in figuring out Xiao Bing's intentions; he just wanted to collect some benefits and do his own thing.

Xu Zhou told his apprentices to go about their own business, while Xiao Jingwen and two other experienced apprentices assisted him as they began refining the pills they were to make that day.

Although he almost switched to array formations, he did not completely abandon alchemy.

Although the "Hundred Refinements to Elixir" is somewhat flawed, it is still a legitimate lineage. As long as you spend time honing your skills, your alchemy level will still improve.

After finishing refining the pills, Xiao Jingwen said goodbye and left quickly as always.

In the evening, after the apprentices had all left, another person came to visit.

The barrier was broken, and a handsome young man walked in; he was none other than Li Zelei's third son, Li Pochen.

As per the agreement between Xu Zhou and Li Zelei, Li Pochen had been studying medicine with Xu Zhou since he was four years old, and would come every few days, today being no exception.

When he finished learning today's material as usual and was about to leave, Xu Zhou asked him to take a message with him.

"Tell your father that I will visit him tomorrow and have something to discuss with him."

...

So many years have passed, and Li Zelei is now over sixty years old.

Despite years of cultivation, he still looks like a middle-aged man, but the wrinkles around his eyes are getting deeper and deeper. Standing next to Xu Zhou, they look like they are from two different generations.

However, Li Zelei himself hasn't changed much. When he saw Xu Zhou, he still let out a hearty laugh, just like when he was a teenager.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Xu Zhou, Li Pozhu, the second son of the Li family, came over and greeted him respectfully.

After bowing, Li Pozhu said with a smug expression, "Uncle Xu! I've already reached the second level of Qi Refining!"

Xu Zhou was slightly taken aback, then smiled and said, "Not bad."

As he spoke, he took out a bottle of Huangya Dan and handed it over: "Congratulations on your breakthrough. This is a reward from your uncle."

Li Pozhu happily accepted it, thanked him, and ran off.

As soon as he left, Xu Zhou glanced at Li Zelei and asked, "How come you broke through so early?"

Younger cultivators often begin their practice early, but they only guide qi into their bodies to temper their muscles and bones. Generally speaking, it's best not to cultivate rapidly before the body is fully developed.

Li Pozhu is only thirteen years old, yet he has already reached the second level of Qi Refining. He probably started cultivating a year or two ago.

Li Zelei chuckled: "Zhu'er is healthy and grows fast, so it's only a year early, it's no problem."

Xu Zhou shook his head and asked again, "Chen'er shouldn't be cultivating, right?"

"Don't worry, Chen'er," Li Zelei said immediately. "Zhu'er has bragged to him about his cultivation several times, but Chen'er insists that he hasn't cultivated at all. He just says that you said he wasn't allowed to cultivate before the age of fourteen, and nothing I say will work."

As he spoke, he couldn't help but sigh, "This child is really stubborn and you can't reason with him. He doesn't listen to me much, but he listens to you."

Xu Zhou immediately laughed: "Who told you to give him to me when he was four years old? You brought this on yourself."

Ever since Li Pochen started learning medicine from him at the age of four, he has never had a day of peace.

Xu Zhou had no experience raising children in either of his lives, and teaching him was truly a nightmare. Several times he wanted to send him back, but if it weren't for Li Zelei's constant apologizing and smiling, he almost wouldn't have been able to hold back.

As Li Pochen grew older and became more sensible, he became much more obedient.

Li Zelei muttered to himself, "If I had known, I would have sent both of them to you back then."

"Then I'll have to refuse to accept it."

After chatting for a while, Xu Zhou finally got back to the main topic.

"Do you have any plans to leave the sect recently?"

Xu Zhou's question immediately puzzled Li Zelei: "Why are you asking this?"

Xu Zhou pondered for a while, then slowly said, "If so, you might as well take me with you on this trip."

Li Zelei was shocked upon hearing this: "Did the sun rise in the west? You've been holed up in the sect for over forty years, and now you suddenly want to go out?"

Xu Zhou sighed and said helplessly, "There's nothing I can do."

He paused for a moment before continuing to explain: "My alchemy skills have gradually improved, and I have already reached the threshold of becoming a high-grade alchemist."

But if I want to advance further, I'll need a lot of rare medicinal herbs for practice. However, the herbs prepared by the sect are far too few; the amount I get each month is completely insufficient.

Therefore, if I want to become a top-grade alchemist as soon as possible, I have no choice but to go out and find medicinal herbs.