I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

The Donglingfang market is much more bustling than it was ten years ago.

There were more shops on the street, and the number of cultivators coming and going was also quite large, which led to a rise in their cultivation levels.

This is naturally a good thing for Xu Zhou, as it means that there will be more resources in the market, and he will be able to acquire the resources he needs more easily.

After entering the market and visiting the current manager of Jin Yan Lou, the four of them temporarily separated to handle their own affairs.

The other two people who came with Xu Zhou were a couple of Daoists. They had other important business to attend to, so they said goodbye and left the market. Tong Jin, on the other hand, was at the Golden Flame Tower discussing the purchase of demon beast materials for weapon refining.

Xu Zhou went to his residence first, disguised himself, and then went out again.

Although he still needs to disguise himself, he is much more relaxed when walking on the street now than he was ten years ago.

He has now reached the eighth level of Qi Refining, and is considered a master in Dongling Market.

If you have to be careful in everything you do, it's just too tiring.

This change in mindset made him feel somewhat uneasy. But seeing passersby turning their heads and making way for him, he calmed down.

Xu Zhou visited several shops, bought some unimportant array materials, and casually inquired about a few things.

After wandering around, he finally found his target.

A moment later, Xu Zhou arrived at a cave dwelling in the market.

"This should be the place."

Xu Zhou glanced at the plaque in front of the door, nodded, and stepped forward to activate the restriction within.

A moment later, the cave door opened, and a young cultivator stepped out.

"You've come to see Master Peng, haven't you? Do you have an appointment?"

Xu Zhou took out a notebook from his pocket and handed it to the other person: "Show him this, and he will understand on his own."

The young man was somewhat puzzled, but he still respectfully accepted it and returned to his cave.

A moment later, an old man staggered out, his face filled with shock that even his wrinkles could not hide.

"So it's an honor to have you here, senior. I'm so sorry for not welcoming you properly. Please come to my humble abode to rest for a while."

A moment later, the two took their seats.

Xu Zhou glanced at the cave dwelling and nodded slightly, saying, "Judging from the decorations of your cave dwelling, you've been doing quite well these past few years."

The old man smiled apologetically and said, "It's all thanks to your guidance, senior. If it weren't for the notes you gave me, even if Peng Hu studied for decades more, he would never have been able to enter the realm of array formations."

"No need for flattery," Xu Zhou shook his head. "It was just a transaction that day; we each got what we needed."

The old man could only nod in agreement.

This old man was none other than Peng Hu, who had previously handed the notes to Xu Zhou.

Xu Zhou had been wandering around the market and asked around, and learned that a new low-grade array master had emerged in the market a few years ago, and that was the other person.

Clearly, the other party had truly absorbed the notes that Xu Zhou had left behind that day.

Now, Xu Zhou has come to collect the final payment.

"How has your study of divination been going all these years?"

Peng Hu seemed to have been prepared all along. He waved to the young man beside him, who then handed him a notebook.

Peng Hu picked up the notebook and held it out to Xu Zhou with both hands: "These are the insights I have gained over the years. Please take a look, senior."

Xu Zhou took the notebook, quickly flipped through a dozen pages, and roughly figured out Peng Hu's current level.

He felt a pang of regret.

Some of the ideas in the notes are still quite ingenious.

However, compared to the notebook that once impressed him, the contents of this notebook now seem much more immature.

Especially after seeing the array notes circulating within the Imperial Array Hall, the difference becomes even more apparent when looking back at the methods of array cultivators in the market.

But he didn't say much, he just put the notebook away.

Although it wasn't of much help to him, it was still a reference and had some value.

"You've made great progress these past few years, congratulations. However, you're still a bit rough around the edges in some minor details."

Bring me paper and a pen.

Upon hearing Xu Zhou's words, Peng Hu was overjoyed and hurriedly asked the young man to fetch paper and pen.

Xu Zhou then wrote swiftly, quickly filling several sheets of white paper with his pen, which he then compiled into a notebook and handed over.

"Here are some insights into array formations, which can also be used to fill in the gaps in your knowledge."

Peng Hu was overjoyed to receive it and almost knelt down to express his gratitude on the spot.

Xu Zhou sighed inwardly.

Peng Hu is indeed a talented person, but unfortunately, a rogue cultivator in the market is still just a rogue cultivator. Without a guide, he will always fall short.

Now, the other party is old and no longer as quick-witted as when he was young, and his understanding of the Dao has gone astray.

The few notes I keep can correct the other person's path to some extent, but they are unlikely to have any real effect.

Xu Zhou had a feeling that he probably wouldn't come back again.

Peng Hu, however, was oblivious to Xu Zhou's regret and was still immersed in the joy of exchanging notes.

He told the young man to put the notebook away, then pondered the wording for a long time before smiling and asking, "May I ask if this senior is a disciple of the Golden Flame Sect?"

This was something he had wanted to ask last time, but Xu Zhou left too quickly to say it.

Although Xu Zhou took a notebook from him back then, he also gave him a stroke of good fortune. If he weren't a disciple of the Golden Flame Sect, who would care about such a tragic old man?

Xu Zhou smiled but didn't say anything more.

"You don't need to ask anymore. We did meet once, but time has passed and there's no need to bring it up again."

Peng Hu was taken aback, then nodded: "Absolutely, absolutely, senior is right."

A moment later, Xu Zhou got up and left.

After settling this matter, he had nothing else he needed to do.

...

In the time that followed, Xu Zhou spent his time acquiring materials and reviewing the notes Peng Hu had given him.

Although Peng Hu went astray, he did not undergo systematic training at the Imperial Array Hall, but many of his ideas can still provide a lot of inspiration.

For example, the notes show that Peng Hu has recently begun to think about how to inscribe array patterns on objects.

The ability to draw objects into the formation is a hallmark of a mid-grade formation master, something Xu Zhou only recently achieved.

However, Peng Hu made a mistake. He was thinking about how to inscribe all the array patterns on one item and then directly activate the array using that item.

However, this is the path of weapon crafting. Once the array patterns are engraved, they cannot be changed. An array that cannot be changed is no different from an ordinary magic weapon.

This is why Xu Zhou felt that the other party had gone astray.

"However, the theories about array plates and array flags are much more accurate."

"As expected of a formation cultivator who learned from the bottom up, most of his ideas are feasible, except for some that are too far-fetched."

Peng Hu mentioned an idea.

If array patterns could be inscribed onto countless parts, and then the parts could be assembled into a magical artifact, a cultivator could wield it with ease, as if it were an extension of their own arm.

It's also because his vision was too limited; he didn't know that this thing already existed.

Xu Zhou knew that this item was called the Array Crown in the cultivation world.

That is something that only a true high-level array master can control.

Countless array patterns are disassembled and reassembled, hidden within. When facing an enemy, one can instantly conjure different arrays with a mere thought.

Attack, defense, trapping, and killing are all decided in a single thought.

It is said that a Foundation Establishment elder of the Imperial Array Hall once used his Array Crown to trap and kill a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator with only early Foundation Establishment cultivation.

However, the crafting process for this item is extremely difficult, and the control required is very high. It is difficult for Qi Refining cultivators to control with their divine sense, so few people know about it.

Xu Zhou also came across this term while browsing through the array notes of the Imperial Array Hall. He then consulted many other books before learning of its existence.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but glance at the idea that Peng Hu had left behind.

The opponent was completely unaware of the existence of the array crown, yet still managed to figure out a similar direction little by little on their own.

This shows that Peng Hu's talent is truly remarkable.

Unfortunately, there was no one to give directions.

The principles that others could understand with a simple notebook, Peng Hu could only repeatedly stumble on the wrong path, ultimately wasting his life.

Xu Zhou remained silent for a moment, but eventually put the notebook away.

As for the battle crown, that's still too far out of his reach.

It's not too late to consider refining it after you've established your foundation.

...

Over the next three months, he would occasionally have a drink with Tong Jin or stroll around the market.

He didn't have many elders, disciples, or fellow disciples to deal with carefully. When the cultivators in the market realized his cultivation level, they all had to give way and smile obsequiously.

They lived a very comfortable life, even more so than in the sect.

Three months later, time flew by.

Xu Zhou acquired all the necessary materials.

The market no longer needs repairing the grand formation, and with no one competing with him for it, the process of acquiring materials is going very smoothly.

Even if some things are hard to find and require searching in underground trading markets, with his current late-stage Qi Refining cultivation, no one dares to provoke him.

Everything is ready now; we just need to wait for everyone to arrive before we can set off.

Xu Zhou waited for a long time at the agreed location.

As darkness fell and the number of cultivators on the streets of the market gradually decreased, no one came.

He frowned slightly.

Given the personalities of the other senior brothers, even if something delayed them, they should have at least sent a message.

Just as he was pondering this, he suddenly saw a staggering figure rushing towards him.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be Tong Jin.

At this moment, Tong Jin's face was deathly pale, his forehead was covered in cold sweat, and he looked panicked.

"Something terrible has happened! Something terrible has happened!"

His voice trembled slightly: "Something has happened."

Xu Zhou's gaze sharpened.

"Fellow Daoist He and Fellow Daoist Zhang..."

Tong Jin swallowed hard, and it took him a long time to utter the next sentence.

"He's gone!"