I rely on learning to achieve immortality.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions immediately changed.

Someone subconsciously frowned: "If Senior Xu intends to take over the array business in the future, we're afraid our days won't be easy."

That statement isn't entirely wrong.

A Foundation Establishment cultivator setting up an array is naturally more convincing than a Qi Refining Array Master.

Moreover, Xu Zhou's array formation skills are indeed quite strong. Once he gains a reputation in the market, many families and forces that originally planned to hire someone to set up arrays will likely prioritize seeking his help.

However, Shen Guanlan quickly laughed and shook his head in rebuttal: "I don't think so."

Several people looked at him.

Shen Guanlan pondered for a moment and slowly said, "Let's think about it ourselves. Is our array business in the market really that important?"

Protecting the house, gathering spirit stones, repairing, altering formations... most of the business is miscellaneous tasks, and the amount of spirit stones earned is limited, incomparable to that of an alchemist.

He paused for a moment, then couldn't help but chuckle, "With Senior Xu's status, surely he wouldn't be repairing courtyard formations for Qi Refining cultivators every day?"

Everyone was taken aback for a moment, then realized what was happening.

Yes.

That was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and also a somewhat well-known alchemist.

With this kind of identity, even if they were to take on business related to formations, they would most likely only deal with the truly valuable, large orders.

As for the scattered array formations in the market, Xu Zhou probably wouldn't bother with them at all.

Thinking of this, the tense mood of the group eased considerably.

Some even whispered, "If Senior Xu really advances to the second-tier array master in the future, that will be a truly great opportunity."

At that time, if the families around the market want to set up a large formation, they won't need to go through the trouble of going to the Golden Flame Sect to request it; they can just come to the market and find Senior Xu.

Shen Guanlan smiled and nodded: "Those clan-protecting formations can't be completed by one person alone. Senior Xu will most likely need to find some assistants, which presents an opportunity for us, doesn't it?"

"If we encounter any problems with array formations in the future, we might be able to come and ask for your advice."

At this point, their eyes lit up slightly.

These first-tier array masters have been stuck at their current level for far too long.

If there were truly one more Foundation Establishment Array Master in the market, it would definitely be a good thing for them.

The group exchanged glances.

"In my opinion," Shen Guanlan said in a low voice, "if we can, we should do our best to promote Senior Xu."

His idea was simple: for array masters to improve their skills quickly, in addition to learning from each other, more practice is also very important.

This can be considered a good deed; perhaps Xu Zhou will take care of them when he advances to the second-tier array master in the future.

Some hesitated, "Wouldn't this offend Senior Xu?"

"Don't worry, we're just mentioning it briefly."

Shen Guanlan pondered for a moment and said, "As for whether those who seek the formation can get Senior Xu to take action, that depends on their abilities."

...

After visiting a famous array master in the market, Xu Zhou rested for a few days.

He visited various people not only to learn about formations, but also to indirectly understand the situation of formation masters and to see how the formation market was doing.

Wait until you fully understand the situation before considering whether you need to participate.

I originally planned to ask those array masters a few more questions in a few days.

Unexpectedly, someone came to Red Maple Valley today.

Xu Zhou was puzzled when he noticed someone approaching.

He scanned the area with his divine sense and saw only a middle-aged cultivator he had never met before. Judging from the man's magnificent attire, he seemed to have some background.

After pondering for a while, Xu Zhou finally released the Abyss Mist Formation, allowing the person to enter the valley for a meeting.

"I am Fei Guanyu, the head of the Fei family. Greetings, Senior Xu."

After exchanging greetings, the Fei family clerk said with a fawning smile, "The Fei family recently has a business deal involving array formations, with generous rewards. I wonder if Senior Xu would be interested?"

"A business based on battle formations?"

Xu Zhou was taken aback.

"How did you know I know formation techniques?"

Upon hearing this, Fei Guanyu immediately smiled and said, "Senior, this is what Master Shen told me."

Master Shen said, "Senior Xu is also quite knowledgeable about formations. If you were willing to help with the Fei family's formation this time, perhaps you could come up with a better idea."

Xu Zhou pondered for a moment.

He quickly understood Shen Guanlan's thoughts.

He chuckled to himself.

He had initially feared that the array masters in the market would become hostile towards him because of his joining. He never expected that these array masters would turn around and lend him a hand.

But thinking about it, it makes sense.

Ultimately, the problem is that there are too few array masters.

No matter where you are, there aren't many array masters, so they are naturally more united.

Red Leaf Market also urgently needs a second-tier array master to maintain order, and as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he is undoubtedly the most likely array master to advance to the second tier, which is why the other array masters are so eager to speak up for him.

Having figured everything out, Xu Zhou nodded.

"Tell me, what kind of formation does the Fei family plan to set up?"

Fei Guanyu breathed a sigh of relief and then said, "It's like this, the Fei family recently discovered a mineral vein, but the location of the vein is quite close to the territory of other families."

The Fei family then planned to set up a protective array at the mine site. It didn't need to be particularly advanced; a common high-grade array would suffice.

Xu Zhou thought for a moment and said, "Take me to the mine."

"Yes, senior, please follow me."

...

The Fei family's mine is not a rare mine; it's just some gold ore.

This ore can only be used to refine some low-level magical artifacts, and it can't even reach the first-level high-grade level, so its value is not high.

However, the Fei family was not a particularly prominent family, with only one ancestor in the early Foundation Establishment stage. Therefore, the mine was of considerable significance to the Fei family.

In order to protect the mine from outsiders, the Fei family planned to find someone in the market to set up a protective array.

When Xu Zhou arrived near the mine, he first circled around to observe the environment.

The earth elemental energy here is quite strong, so setting up an array here will cause the array to wear down more than in other places, making it difficult to maintain for long.

However, Xu Zhou had other plans.

Since the energy is quite mixed, we might as well set up some simple formations. As long as the formation base is well-chosen, we can still achieve our goal.

Subsequently, he instructed the Fei family to purchase three earth elemental spirit items, which were then placed in three different locations within the mine.

Using these three spiritual objects as the foundation, a Three Elements Rotation Array was set up.

Thus, the formation is complete.

Xu Zhou then instructed the Fei family steward to dig out the spiritual items after the mine was depleted. The array he set up would not only not damage the spiritual items, but might even have a nurturing effect.

As for the payment, Xu Zhou only received a token amount when he took on the business of array formations for the first time.

Although it wasn't much, it was his first time earning spirit stones through array formations, and he was in a pretty good mood.

Thus, the first setup operation was completed.

Xu Zhou returned to the market, and life returned to normal.

He thought his reputation in array formations might spread, making it easier to get new business in the future.

Unexpectedly, more than a month has passed, and there have been no rumors about him in the market.

Out of curiosity, Xu Zhou asked around and received a result that left him somewhat amused and exasperated.

It turned out that after Xu Zhou left that day, the Fei family, still unsure of what to do, hired another array master to investigate. To avoid offending him, they hired an array master from another market.

The array master even personally tested the array's operation and found that the Three Elements Rotation Array flowed smoothly and could indeed protect the mine vein normally.

However, its array patterns are too simple, and the second-tier spiritual objects are only of low quality, so it is not very profound.

Ultimately, the only possible assessment is that Senior Xu is probably taking a cautious approach.

Upon seeing this, the Fei family assumed that Xu Zhou's array formation skills were not high, which was why they did not accept more spirit stones.

However, he was, after all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Golden Flame Sect, and the Fei family couldn't afford to offend him. Therefore, they issued a silencing order within the clan, forbidding the disciples from revealing the details of the formation.

If Xu Zhou hadn't asked Shen Guanlan to do it, he probably wouldn't have found out about this.

Xu Zhou also felt quite helpless about this.

Shen Guanlan wanted to explain himself, but the Fei family had preconceived notions and assumed that he was just trying to curry favor with Senior Xu, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so they didn't pay much attention to his explanation.

It seems that Xu Zhou's mastery of formations will not be passed on for some time.

...

About half a month later.

One night, near the Fei family's mine.

Several men in black gazed at the area around the mine, their eyes flashing with malice.

The leader whispered an order: "We've heard that the Fei family patriarch has returned to the clan, and there are currently no Foundation Establishment cultivators guarding this mine."

"Rush in later and grab whatever you can. If you can't grab anything, destroy as much as you can. We absolutely cannot let the Fei family get away with this!"

The man sneered slightly: "The Fei family patriarch was stubborn before, refusing to share any of the benefits."

Now that you're getting your comeuppance, don't blame me for being ruthless.

Suddenly, one of his men came to report: "Fourth Master, there seem to be traces of an array near the mine."

"A formation?"

The man pondered for a moment, then seemed to have thought of something interesting: "Don't be afraid. According to the news from the Fei family, the person who set up the formation is not a real formation master. Most likely, the Fei family themselves don't take formations too seriously."

He straightened his black clothes, concealing his face, and said in a deep voice, "It's already past midnight, the perfect time to act. Let's not delay, we must go and return quickly!"