I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

No matter how private the so-called underground trade fair may be, it is ultimately conducted within the market area.

Although there are some risks, as long as we remain within the market area, there is no need to worry too much about the overt dangers.

At least, no one dared to make a move openly.

Following the shop owner's information, Xu Zhou found a cave dwelling in the market.

This cave dwelling was rented by the market to traveling cultivators. Some cultivators used it for their own residence, while others used it for some secluded activities.

As long as no one dies, the market will turn a blind eye to this.

Xu Zhou arrived at a cave dwelling and activated the restrictions at the designated frequency.

A moment later, Xu Zhou was led to a large hall.

There were already more than a dozen cultivators waiting there, each concealing their faces with various means, making it impossible to discern their identities.

Some people's gazes lingered on him for a moment, then casually looked away.

Xu Zhou did not make any rash moves and waited quietly for a while before the trade fair began.

Initially, only a few monks came out to try to sell some magical artifacts and talismans of unknown origin.

After several transactions were completed, the atmosphere gradually heated up, and finally someone offered to buy the items.

"I wish to purchase ginseng, lingzhi mushroom, and other vital energy-tonifying medicinal herbs. I am willing to pay 30% more spirit stones than the market price. I wonder if any fellow cultivator would be willing to help me?"

Xu Zhou hesitated for a while, and seeing that no one answered, he lowered his voice and said, "I have five complete red ginseng and six Xuanlingzhi mushrooms, each of which is at least fifty years old."

The cultivator who made the purchase was overjoyed and immediately took out spirit stones to trade with him.

These medicinal herbs were what Xu Zhou came to the market to buy. He obtained a considerable amount at a relatively low price through his connections with Jin Yan Lou.

Seeing that others were in dire need and that there was an opportunity to make a profit, he acted decisively.

After confirming that the spirit stones were correct, Xu Zhou did not immediately return to the group. Instead, he addressed the crowd, saying, "I'd like to purchase Five Elements Stones and Kunyu Bamboo... Does any fellow Daoist have any in stock?"

After a brief silence, several people soon spoke up to talk to Xu Zhou.

This part of the array materials is much more expensive than the previous red ginseng. After some bargaining, Xu Zhou still managed to collect quite a lot of materials.

Having achieved his goal, he returned to the crowd and remained silent.

The subsequent transactions didn't attract him much, as they were just private deals among a group of independent cultivators. He, on the other hand, was a legitimate alchemist of the Golden Flame Sect, and most things were easily obtainable for him.

After everyone had been asked, the organizers allowed everyone to speak freely.

Just as Xu Zhou was about to find a chance to leave, a masked cultivator approached and said in a slightly hoarse voice, "Fellow Daoist, please wait."

Seeing Xu Zhou turn around, the cultivator asked in a low voice, "May I ask if you are a formation master, fellow Daoist?"

Xu Zhou remained silent for a while, but did not refuse: "I know a little bit."

The materials he acquired at the trade fair were all for array formation purposes. With his return date approaching, he made no attempt to conceal it, so it's normal that people noticed something amiss.

As long as the news doesn't spread, the fact that a low-grade array master is passing through Dongling Valley won't have much of an impact on him.

The cultivator's tone immediately became more cheerful, and he said, "Fellow Daoist, please don't be offended. I have dealt with array masters before and know that 'Five Elements Stones' are special materials for array formations, which is why I asked this question."

"Fellow Daoist, please grant me a word, for I have a favor to ask. If we can reach an agreement, the reward will be substantial."

The two went to a corner of the hall, separating themselves from the crowd by several feet.

The masked cultivator spoke in a voice so low that it was barely audible to others: "Since you are a formation master, are you familiar with the 'Mystic Vortex Formation'?"

Xu Zhou nodded: "I understand."

The Xuan Vortex Formation is a relatively common Five Elements Formation with good ability to trap enemies. It is not difficult to set up, and those who have studied the Dao of Formations will have some understanding of it.

The masked cultivator was delighted and immediately explained, "It's like this: I recently purchased a set of array flags and array plates for the 'Mysterious Vortex Array.' After using it a few times, it was accidentally damaged, so I wanted to find someone to repair it."

"If you can help me repair it, I am willing to pay twice the market price in spirit stones."

Xu Zhou hesitated for a moment.

The other party is willing to pay double the spirit stones, so it seems they urgently need this formation.

Although the Xuan Vortex Formation is just a common formation, repairing it is something that no ordinary person can do, and the market price for it is definitely not low.

After thinking for a moment, he shook his head: "I don't have the time right now."

After all, as an alchemist from a sect, he didn't care about such a small reward.

"Fellow Daoist, please wait."

The masked cultivator quickly stopped him: "Well, I saw you collecting array materials before, so you obviously have a need for them."

As luck would have it, I also have a batch on hand.

The masked cultivator gritted his teeth slightly as he said this, "If you can help repair this formation, I can give you all these formation materials. What do you say?"

Xu Zhou immediately stopped in his tracks.

After thinking for a while, he reluctantly said, "Let me take a look."

Xu Zhou added, "I can't guarantee that I can fix it. I need to see the specific structure of your Xuan Vortex Array before I can give an answer."

He stopped, not only to gather material, but also because he was intrigued by the diagram of the Xuan Vortex Array.

Although the Xuan Vortex Formation is just an ordinary formation, the formation can vary considerably depending on the skill of the formation master.

As long as he can see the array diagram, even if the cooperation fails, it won't be a loss for him.

However, the masked cultivator was not fooled. Upon hearing this, he shook his head and said, "If you only want to see the array diagram, then there is no need to talk about it."

Xu Zhou immediately said, "Without the array diagram, I can't help you repair it."

He tried to leave again, but before he could take two steps, the masked cultivator behind him suddenly sighed, "Fellow Daoist, please wait. I can show you the damaged part of the array diagram, how about it?"

Xu Zhou slowly stopped walking and finally turned around.

"make a deal."

The masked cultivator borrowed paper and pen from the organizer of the trade fair, and spent some time copying a small portion of the array diagram before handing it over to Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou unfolded the array diagram, glanced at it casually, and couldn't help but frown slightly.

This tattered picture is truly a pitiful sight.

The masked cultivator was clearly someone who knew nothing about formations; even when he tried to copy a formation diagram, his drawing was a mess.

In many places, there were even some inexplicable errors that looked ridiculous. If Xu Zhou hadn't been so knowledgeable about array formations, he really wouldn't have been able to figure out what the original content was like.

However, upon closer inspection, there are still many commendable aspects.

The original array diagram must have been quite intricate, a rare gem among array diagrams.

The masked monk must have lied earlier.

Such an intricate array diagram is extremely difficult to obtain outside; it must have been created by an array master from a powerful force.

After looking at it for a while, Xu Zhou put the array diagram down.

The masked cultivator hurriedly asked, "How is it? Fellow Daoist, can you repair it?"

"It should be possible," Xu Zhou nodded. "Your part of the array diagram corresponds to an array flag. Give me that damaged array flag, and I can repair it for you in seven days."

"Handing over the array flags to you?" The masked monk's tone held a hint of displeasure. "Can't we repair them here?"

"Repairing the array flags is a time-consuming and laborious process, and I don't have time to come here every day," Xu Zhou replied.

The masked monk hesitated for a long time before finally agreeing.

"However, you must swear an oath to the Heavenly Dao that after seven days, regardless of whether the formation flag is repaired or not, you must return it to me."

Xu Zhou agreed: "Don't worry, taking just one of your array flags is of no use to me. Just prepare the array materials I need, and we'll exchange them for the array flag in seven days."

...

Repairing a battle flag isn't actually that difficult.

However, this was the first time Xu Zhou had ever seen someone else's array diagram, and he couldn't help but want to spend more time studying it.

The more he studied, the more engrossed he became. The obscure and difficult points he had encountered while learning began to subtly become clear under the dual illumination of the array flags and diagrams.

Many things that had previously puzzled me suddenly seemed to have been given a push.

"I see."

"If I had seen this picture sooner, I could have saved so much time!"

Unfortunately, it was just a fragment of a map, and its help to him was limited.

But this made him realize that his efforts to study the array formations in the mountains were somewhat like reinventing the wheel.

"Unfortunately, due to circumstances, I cannot have a chance to exchange ideas with the senior brothers of the Imperial Array Hall."

He could only console himself: "Fortunately, I have plenty of time. Even if I waste some time learning on my own, as long as I have enough time, I can still achieve something."

Seven days later, Xu Zhou finally finished studying the array flag thoroughly, and then hurriedly repaired it and returned it.

However, his array formation skills were still somewhat lacking, not comparable to the creator of this array flag. Therefore, although it was repaired, it only possessed about 70-80% of its original power.

If you give him a few more days, he might be able to repair it to 90%.

But Xu Zhou didn't have time, and the masked cultivator was also in a hurry.

The other party didn't say much, but simply handed over the agreed-upon materials, and the cooperation between the two parties was considered over.

After leaving the cave, Xu Zhou did not immediately return to his residence.

Three days later, Li Zelei's patrol mission came to an end, and he would return to his sect.

Before that, he had one more thing to do.

Xu Zhou wandered through the market and soon spotted a familiar figure.

He walked to a street corner stall and greeted the one-armed old man sitting there.

He then took out a rough diagram of an array and said seriously, "Excuse me, where did you get this?"