I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Xu Zhou had a bad feeling. He had taken a detour when he returned to Red Maple Valley and hadn't noticed that someone had come to visit him in the short time he had been out.

Seeing that the other party was about to leave, he moved swiftly, almost turning into a bolt of lightning, and arrived at the front of the valley.

The lightning flashed by in an instant, and Xu Zhou regained his composure, stepping out of the misty array.

"Manager Huang, please take care."

Xu Zhou walked over slowly, a smile on his face: "I was so focused on a crucial point in my cultivation that I had no time to attend to external matters. I apologize for my rudeness, Manager Huang."

Manager Huang snapped out of his daze and quickly said with a smile, "Not at all, not at all. It was my sudden visit that was a bit abrupt. Please don't take it to heart, senior."

This minor matter was thus let go.

Xu Zhou led the other party into the valley.

The two sat down in front of the wooden house, and Xu Zhou prepared tea, which the other person politely tasted.

"This tea is ethereal and mild, which is quite rare."

As soon as Manager Huang drank the tea, he felt a surge of pure spiritual energy, and his eyes lit up.

"Senior's skill in cultivating spiritual plants has reached a high level; this tea is comparable to my collection."

He glanced again at the Star-Picking Spirit Tree in front of the door and couldn't help but laugh, "It seems that you've put a lot of effort into spiritual plants over the years, senior."

Xu Zhou smiled unconsciously.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Xu Zhou asked, "May I ask what brings Manager Huang here in person?"

For the previous three years, he had frequently dealt with the Chamber of Commerce. But when the Chamber of Commerce came to inform him of something, they always sent someone to him.

This is the first time that Manager Huang has personally visited us like this.

Manager Huang put down his teacup, cupped his hands, and said, "I have come to inform you of something, senior."

The Thousand Pulse Merchant Guild's auction, held once every ten years in Red Leaf Market, will begin in six months.

"I wonder if you would be interested in this, senior?"

An auction?

Xu Zhou's gaze darkened slightly.

He hadn't expected this turn of events at Red Leaf Market.

Manager Huang continued, "The auction, held once every ten years, involves many second-tier spiritual items and even cultivation technique inheritances. If you have anything you're looking for, senior, you might be able to find it at the auction."

Even if we take a step back, if the senior wants to sell something, an auction is still an opportunity.

Xu Zhou paused slightly.

He was willing to participate, but he was afraid that he didn't have enough spirit stones in his pocket to support it.

He did earn a considerable amount of spirit stones by selling the Foundation Establishment Pill.

But over the past three years, he has been squandering his money. Even though he only occasionally buys second-tier medicinal herbs, the small amounts add up, and he has already spent a significant portion of his savings.

As he thought, the remaining spirit stones would be enough to support him until he learned the second-tier pill formula, so that his life would not be disrupted.

However, he did not expect that the Thousand Pulse Chamber of Commerce had an auction tradition, which immediately disrupted some of his plans.

After thinking for a moment, Xu Zhou replied:

"Since Manager Huang personally came to inform me, I naturally couldn't refuse. If there's truly something suitable, I certainly won't miss it."

Although I'm short of money, I still have to go.

If you really come across something suitable, you have to fight for it before you can give up.

Sure enough, Manager Huang immediately smiled and said, "This auction might sell some inherited skills. I will come to inform you as soon as I have the specific details."

Xu Zhou fell silent for a moment.

He also wanted the inheritance, but he simply couldn't afford the spirit stones.

He didn't say anything in the end, only simply welcoming Manager Huang to come again another day.

Before leaving, he packed some of his homemade Zhaixing tea leaves as a gift, which Manager Huang accepted with delight.

"Speaking of which, there is another matter I wish to discuss with you, senior?"

Xu Zhou nodded: "Please speak freely."

Shopkeeper Huang chuckled: "I just wanted to inquire, senior, who exactly set up the formation here?"

Seeing Xu Zhou's gaze sweep over, he quickly explained, "Senior, please don't be offended. I find the array here to be exquisite, most likely the work of a second-tier array master."

If you know anyone of such talent, please introduce me to one.

Xu Zhou hesitated: "Is the Thousand Veins Chamber of Commerce also short of array masters?"

"There's no shortage of chambers of commerce."

Manager Huang sighed softly and explained carefully: "However, second-tier array masters have a very high status in the Chamber of Commerce, so they can't come to my small shop often."

The array he set up has begun to lose its power after so many years of wear and tear.

I was thinking that if I had the chance to meet other array masters, I could properly repair the array within the shop.”

Xu Zhou tentatively asked, "How much is the compensation?"

"Well, that depends on how well this array master can do it."

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment.

Finally, he explained, "This array master hasn't had much time lately. As for when he'll have time, it depends on the situation."

"pity."

A hint of disappointment flashed across Manager Huang's face, but he still said, "If you see him again next time, please pass this on. The merchant guild will still need the help of array masters within the next ten years."

Xu Zhou nodded: "If I have the chance, I will definitely pass on the message."

...

Xu Zhou picked up his teacup and remained silent, lost in thought.

Was Manager Huang's question just a casual remark, or did he already realize something?

It's likely that my long-term purchase of array materials aroused the other party's suspicion.

However, he didn't take it too seriously.

Xu Zhou had no intention of hiding his identity as a formation master for long.

He concealed this matter during the Qi Refining process because he was afraid that the elders of Baicaotang would think he was fickle and would dislike him.

Furthermore, his array formation skills were his trump card when facing enemies. By keeping them well hidden, he could also turn the tide in unexpected situations.

Once you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, there's really no need to hide anything anymore.

At most, I'll give Senior Brother Gu some face and slowly reveal my array master skills to avoid making Senior Brother Gu think I'm not doing my job properly.

"Let's see."

"If the Thousand Veins Merchant Guild really needs it, I'm not incapable of making some profit using my array master skills."

Thinking of the status of second-tier array masters in the sect, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing.

"After reaching the second tier, the advantages of array masters gradually become apparent, and their income will likely surpass that of alchemists."

Xu Zhou took a sip of tea, his thoughts drifting.

"In the future, we really need to put more effort into this."

...

There aren't many array masters in Red Leaf Market.

Although this array formation technique has a bright future, its help to cultivators is ultimately limited unless they reach the second level, and it is also difficult to learn.

Independent array masters are almost extinct; most array masters in the market are trained by families.

There are only two or three renowned high-level array masters among them.

Shen Guanlan is one of the top-tier array masters in the market. He is extremely famous among array masters in the market and is regarded as one of the most promising array masters to break through to the second tier.

This person was originally a rogue cultivator. In his youth, he displayed a talent for array formations and was recruited by the Luo family, the core of the market.

Although he was not a member of the Luo family, he still had a place in the family because of his mastery of array formations.

On this day, Shen Guanlan was studying the art of formations at home.

Suddenly, a servant came to report that someone had come to visit.

Holding the array book, Shen Guanlan frowned upon hearing this: "Who is this person? Did they present a formal invitation?"

The servant shook his head: "That man called himself Xu Zhou. He looked quite young. He only said that he had sent me to inform the master that he had heard of the master's great name and wanted to come and ask the master for advice on formations."

Shen Guanlan burst out laughing.

It's not uncommon for people to suddenly come to you seeking advice, since the art of array formations is easy to learn but difficult to master, and for many people it's just a hobby.

Occasionally, one might encounter some talented young cultivators who, after a short period of study, become invincible among their peers in battle formations, and thus come to seek their guidance.

Most of these people are just wasting his time.

However, he wasn't annoyed.

He had done this kind of thing before, guiding the younger generation. If he could discover a genius in array formations, it might very well become a legendary tale.

He nodded slightly and said, "Alright, let him in."

The servant hesitated, "Master, this person seems to have some background."

These words made Shen Guanlan pause briefly.

His doorman was one of his trusted confidants, a man of considerable experience and discernment.

For the doorman to say such a thing, could it be that the visitor is no ordinary person?

Shen Guanlan was silent for a moment, then put down the book on array formations in his hand and asked, "He said his name is Xu Zhou?"

"Yes, sir."

Shen Guanlan frowned slightly, deep in thought.

There doesn't seem to be any Foundation Establishment family with the surname Xu around the market.

May...

It seems... my father-in-law mentioned before that the Golden Flame Sect has sent a new Foundation Establishment elder, who also seems to be surnamed Xu, and whose name is...

Shen Guanlan suddenly stopped.

The next moment, he rose from his desk and ordered the gatekeeper, "Quickly, bring him into the mansion!"

But immediately he added, "Never mind, I'll go see him myself."