I Have a Compass for Opportunity

"The Geng Metal Spiritual Qi refinement stage is like this: once I completely refine this Spiritual Qi and enter the introductory level of the Geng Metal Refining Form Skill, only then can I control the sharpness at will."

"In this period, it’s still best to be cautious."

Liou Yuan lowered his head, looking at the damage caused by the Geng Metal aura within him, a hint of helplessness on his face.

The Geng Metal Spiritual Qi was too domineering, that even the discreet Liou Yuan now attracted excessive attention wherever he went.

This, in the demon-cultivator-infested Jiuli State, was undoubtedly a dangerous signal.

"Hmm, with today’s cultivation session over, it’s time to begin setting up the Golden Essence Breaking Mountain Array to enhance the power of the Cold River Illusionary Water Array."

Liou Yuan rose, stretching slightly, a cunning smile appearing on his face.

He figured, even without much thought, that after setting up the Cold River Illusionary Water Array, he surely wouldn’t have many peaceful days; eventually, he’ll have to join the Wind Chasing Division disciples in combating demon cultivators, losing valuable cultivation time.

Liou Yuan was not willing to comply; it wasn’t impossible to defend it, and following patrols would be a sheer waste of time.

He might as well find an excuse to continue perfecting the array and stay in this courtyard.

"Indeed, it is true that the Golden Essence Breaking Mountain Array can enhance the power of the Cold River Illusionary Water Array. I reckon Tian Qiweng won’t find fault with me."

This way, Liou Yuan could secure at least half a month’s time for himself.

Committed to acting on his plan, Liou Yuan took the Array Disc and moved to the array eye of the Cold River Illusionary Water Array, starting to draw the array patterns of the Golden Essence Breaking Mountain Array next to the eye.

Of course, it was a simplified version of the Golden Essence Breaking Mountain Array; Liou Yuan saw no need to set up the full array and make a big scene.

"The simplified version of the Golden Essence Breaking Mountain Array can already boost the Cold River Illusionary Water Array’s power by at least twenty percent, which is quite a good enhancement. What more do they expect from me? It’s not laying down a Foundation Establishment Array." Liou Yuan muttered under his breath.

Liou Yuan steadfastly painted array patterns until late at night.

As the setup was a pretext to stall for time, he painted very deliberately.

Feeling that the painting of the array patterns was almost done for today, Liou Yuan was about to return inside for some rest.

"Hmm?" Liou Yuan suddenly halted at the array eye, sensing something, and looked down at the eye beneath.

A clang! Suddenly, blue brilliance surged upward.

The Cold River Illusionary Water Array activated itself.

This was a warning that someone had intruded into the array.

Liou Yuan turned his head to look beyond the courtyard, and using his Evil Eyes, he perceived the intruder wasn’t a member of the Wind Chasing Division but a vaguely familiar Spiritual Power fluctuation at the Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer.

This person was already enmeshed in the Cold River Illusionary Water Array, caught wandering in circles.

Even as he tried his best to resist the illusionary obstacles, slowly drawing closer to the courtyard.

But for the moment, entering was not feasible. According to Liou Yuan’s estimation, it would hold him off for at least a stick of incense’s time.

"This aura, isn’t it Bu Moying?" Liou Yuan soon discerned the owner of that Spiritual Power, wearing a half-smiling expression on his face.

He hadn’t yet used the Cold River Illusionary Water Array to trap someone as skilled as Bu Moying.

Perfect for testing the array’s efficacy.

"After all, this Illusion Array is harmless." With this thought, Liou Yuan’s playful spirit soared; he stepped onto the array eye, casting several Seal Skills, pushing the array’s power to the limit.

Swish! Influenced by the array, the Spirit River stretching across Qingbao County roiled, creating intense water wave ripples.

His eyes turned towards the interior of the array.

Above Bu Moying’s head, suspended was a jade tripod with three legs and two ears. The jade tripod radiated gentle luminosity repeatedly, aiding Bu Moying in resisting the Illusion Array’s influence.

Once the jade tripod’s brilliance shone, the illusion would be dispelled in front, revealing a small path just large enough for Bu Moying to advance.

Initially, he could steadily progress.

Over time, he managed to advance a short distance within the Illusion Array. At this rate, he’d break free from the Illusion Array in about a stick of incense.

Yet after expending significant effort, Bu Moying finally managed to traverse half the distance.

He noticed with amazement that his treasured Magical Artifact above was finding it increasingly difficult to dispel the illusions.

He was wholly entrapped in a magnificent mountain illusion.

Standing now at the base of the mountain, gazing up at the peak shrouded in mist, he saw a winding staircase, akin to a gray ribbon, extending from beneath his feet towards the heavens.

This staircase seeming endless, each step containing unknown distances and challenges.

Bu Moying’s eyes slightly narrowed; he was here to probe Liou Yuan’s array’s strength since it’s crucial to whether the Mountain Protection Array in Qingbao County could be repaired.

Having come, there’s no reason for retreat.

"It’s just a Qi Cultivation Array; it won’t hold me for long." Bu Moying had a clear awareness of his strength, paused momentarily, then stepped onto the staircase.

The illusion was exceedingly realistic, he could even hear the grinding sound as the soles of his shoes rubbed against the rough stone steps.

Initially, his steps were brisk, but as time passed, the staircase appeared enchanted, continuously extending before him.

Step by step... a hundred steps, a thousand steps, Bu Moying’s legs gradually heavy like lead, each lift demanding tremendous effort.

In the process, he continually operated his Foundation Establishment Cultivation Technique, his abundant Spiritual Power pulsating around him.

Thanks to his full exertion, the brilliance atop the jade tripod intensified.

The seemingly endless staircase began to finally reveal its true nature.

Finally, half an hour later, as Bu Moying climbed step by step, the infinite staircase disintegrated.

The illusionary scene fully dissipated, he traversed the Illusion Array’s coverage, arriving at the courtyard door where the Wind Chasing Division disciples of Five Extremes Mountain stood.

"This array can trap me for half an hour; under Foundation Establishment, no cultivator would be unaffected."

Listening to Ni Yang’s account of the array’s power was one thing, experiencing it first-hand was another.

Bu Moying stood before the courtyard gate, solemnly tidying his appearance, thinking to himself: "Could this array truly be set up in two days? The Array Master who set it up might indeed be able to repair the Mountain Protection Array."

Regardless of whether the array can be repaired, he needed to extend a sincere invitation to the array master to at least attempt it.

As Bu Moying reached out to knock on the distant door.

Creak! The courtyard gate opened by itself.

He saw the figure of an elegant young man in blue emerge from behind the door, smilingly calling out to him: "Mr. Bu."

This person emanated an unmistakable sharpness, his eyes keen like blades, such presence was rare among cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Realm.

Bu Moying would certainly not forget this youth’s identity.

"Friend Liou Yuan!"