My dreams can simulate the future.

Jiang Chen knew in his heart that he couldn't force this hurdle.

"To escape this calamity and reach the Golden Cauldron Sect's gate safely, brute force is out of the question; we must use a clever trick."

"It's hopeless to break the formation on my own, but I can still use the formation-locking talisman and the formation-breaking bead to temporarily disable those formations."

However, both the Locking Array Talisman and the Breaking Array Bead are strategic resources, and their refining methods are kept secret by major powers, making them extremely rare on the market.

To break through the Black Stone Society's inescapable trap, we need someone at the second rank, which makes them even harder to find.

"I already know where Black Stone will lay an ambush, so I can remind Li Wusheng before we enter Qinglu Beach."

Judging from Li Wusheng's combat prowess, without the aid of an array, the black-robed Foundation Establishment cultivator would not be able to defeat him in a short time.

As long as they don't enter the formation, the Crimson Thunder Pearl can be used for early warning, so the Black Stone Society members dare not delay.

"However, if I inform Li Wusheng in advance, I will appear suspicious. Even if I arrive at the Golden Cauldron Sect safely, I will be questioned and may even be subjected to a mind-testing talisman."

At that point, the "Dream of the Butterfly" painting might be leaked. Then, I'm afraid my life will be in danger.

Jiang Chen thought long and hard, but couldn't come up with a perfect solution.

"The only reliable paths I can think of are using array-locking talismans or similar items to break the array, and informing Li Wusheng in advance."

"There are still seventeen days until the event occurs, so I can simulate it many more times. I'll slowly figure out how to eliminate the flaws in these two approaches through simulations."

"I could try asking around about the Locking Array Talisman and the Breaking Array Bead; maybe I can get my hands on one or two. If I can, they'll be at least a trump card."

"As for reminding Li Wusheng before entering Qinglu Beach, we should avoid arousing suspicion. Maybe I should provoke Black Wolf again and call Li Cheng over to capture him alive."

After some interrogation by the garrison command, the Black Stone Society was brought into the open. This will make them more cautious in their actions.

"If both routes are blocked, I'll have no choice but to abandon the waterway and venture into the old forest to report to the Golden Cauldron Sect's mountain gate."

After making up his mind, Jiang Chen drew talismans as usual.

Only after Li Decheng left did he take out the Taiyin Jade Marrow.

After three years of wear and tear, the milky white luster within the Taiyin Jadeite has dimmed considerably. In some corners, it has even turned into the appearance of ordinary rock, losing its jade-like smoothness.

"Judging from the appearance of this Taiyin Jade Marrow, the Taiyin Moon Essence contained within it has probably been nearly half consumed."

This thing is truly powerful. My spiritual sense is now stronger than most cultivators at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Otherwise, my talisman-drawing skills wouldn't be so advanced.

"The Taiyin Jade Marrow can affect the Dream Butterfly Painting, and its value should not be underestimated. It can definitely be used as one of my trump cards."

We're facing a life-or-death crisis; even the most precious treasures must be used.

He gripped the Taiyin Jade Marrow tightly with both hands and began to circulate the [Nourishing Spirit Technique].

This time, the energy of the three Dream Butterflies was completely exhausted. If they were to rely entirely on their own energy cultivation techniques to recover, it would take far too long.

Time is precious right now, and we must make the most of every second.

By evening, the sun had been blocked by Black Stone Mountain to the west of the market.

At this moment, Jiang Chen awoke from his meditation and released his divine sense to investigate the Dream Butterfly Diagram.

……

Number of Dream Butterflies: 3

[First Dream Butterfly Energy: 100%, Second Dream Butterfly Energy: 100%, Third Dream Butterfly Energy: 100%]

[Current number of dream visits: 3/3]

[The maximum time limit for simulating the future in a dream: ten days and three hours (affected by the total amount of spiritual consciousness)]

"My Dream Butterfly energy has fully recovered; it's time to enter a dream and try out my ideas."

-----------------

[First day of entering the dream]

The Black Stone Mountain market was under curfew at night, so Jiang Chen didn't go out for a stroll. Instead, he practiced the [Shadowless Escape] technique in the courtyard and drew some talismans that he might need in the future.

[The second day of the dream]

Jiang Chen left the courtyard early in the morning and headed to the Golden Cauldron Sect's weapon-refining workshop.

As a major customer, Li Yuanshan personally greeted him.

After the two arrived at the private room on the second floor, Li Yuanshan personally poured him tea: "Junior Brother Jiang, what are you here to buy this time?"

In this dream simulation, Jiang Chen saw no need to hide anything: "Senior Brother, do you have any Grade Two Locking Array Talismans and Array-Breaking Beads here?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanshan's expression changed drastically. He immediately opened the door, glanced outside, and then activated the array inside the house to isolate detection.

He patted his chest and breathed a sigh of relief: "Junior Brother Jiang, I have no grudge against you, so please don't harm me."

Locking array talismans and array-breaking beads are contraband. Anyone who dares to sell such things is courting death.

"Are you here to buy something, or are you on orders from Manager Zhao to secretly investigate our weapon-refining workshop? I've always done my job honestly and have never bought or sold any contraband."

Seeing his expression, Jiang Chen knew it was impossible to buy the Locking Array Talisman and the Breaking Array Pearl, so he immediately bowed and took his leave.

He then went to several other weapon-refining workshops and talisman shops run by major powers, but still couldn't buy any.

"I didn't expect that the Formation-Breaking Beads and Formation-Locking Talismans would be so scarce. My first step in breaking the formation has been ruined."

Alright, let's go provoke Black Wolf and try to expose the existence of the Black Stone Society.

With that thought in mind, he headed straight for the West Market.

Just as he arrived at the entrance of Zhang Laokou's shop in the West Market, he saw Zhang Henian standing at the door, bowing to him.

"Master, my great-grandfather invites you to the backyard for a chat."

Jiang Chen didn't stand on ceremony and immediately went into the shop.

The shop was quite clean and tidy at this time, but most of the magical artifacts on display were only of the first grade and the crafting methods were very crude.

Clearly, these magical artifacts were made by Zhang Laokou's children and grandchildren.

Upon arriving at the main house in the backyard, one could see Old Zhang sitting in the main seat.

He grew increasingly old; his hair had turned completely white, and his face had lost all its rosy hue, turning sallow and covered with gray-black age spots.

Judging from his appearance, he was no different from an elderly man in the countryside who was nearing the end of his life.

Jiang Chen stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting: "Grandpa Zhang."

With a slight smile on his face, Old Zhang casually took out a talisman.

"This is a drawing that He Nian just made. What do you think?"

Jiang Chen casually took the talisman and examined it carefully.

This talisman is a Fire Rain Talisman. A faint reddish-brown spiritual light appears on the talisman paper, but the light is relatively stable.

He nodded slightly: "This talisman has reached the mortal level. With ordinary preservation methods, it can be guaranteed to be usable for up to ten years."

"Judging from the brushstrokes, this must have been drawn by He Nian. Not bad, we can make a living with talismans now."

Old Zhang stood up and bowed to Jiang Chen, saying, "On behalf of my good-for-nothing children and grandchildren, thank you."

Now that He Nian can draw mid-grade first-rank talismans, he can join the Garrison Command and enjoy the benefits of a patrol guard. I no longer need to worry about my children and grandchildren having no one to rely on after my death.”

Jiang Chen quickly helped him up: "Grandpa Zhang, you're too kind. It was you who gave me the opportunity to teach He Nian, and you also gave me the Star Sandalwood Brush and the weapon-refining inheritance."

At this moment, he wanted to find out about the Breaking Array Bead and Locking Array Talisman from Old Zhang.

"Grandpa Zhang, you have lived in this Black Stone Mountain Market for decades and know this place very well."

Do you know where I can buy array-breaking beads and array-locking talismans?

Upon hearing this, Old Zhang immediately instructed, "Henian, I have something to discuss with Jiang Chen. You go out first and close the door behind you."