Longevity by Grinding Skills

Chapter 563: Chapter 563: A Sit-down Talk

That was as good as telling Xu Yunfan, "If things go south, run." After all, it would be a real shame to lose an Array Dao genius like him.

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master didn’t refute this, clearly acquiescing to Lu Chuan’s opinion.

After all, losing a promising disciple like Xu Yunfan would be a huge loss for any party.

Array Dao masters were rare among the Three Sects.

Xu Yunfan said, "Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother. I will take it to heart!"

"Good."

Celestial Derivation Daoist Master made the final decision. "There’s no time to lose. With Blood River dead, the secret key and spatial coordinates for opening the passage have been transferred to me.

"In three days, you will lead the vanguard of the Primordial Sect’s forces in the assault on the Celestial Realm!"

Xu Yunfan said with a serious expression, "As the Sect Leader commands!"

Watching Celestial Derivation Daoist Master’s figure slowly disappear into the depths of the sea of clouds, Xu Yunfan let out a small sigh, the weight on his heart easing slightly.

’This Celestial Derivation Daoist Master is up to no good. If Lu Chuan hadn’t been standing by my side, forcing him to restrain himself, I’m afraid I wouldn’t have gotten off so lightly.’

’It’s good to have a big tree for shade!’

Xu Yunfan sighed internally. ’As expected, you have to pick a side no matter where you go. If you pick the right one, you’ll naturally have someone watching your back.’

Though True Monarch Qing Yuan had an indifferent personality, this still counted as him being protective of his own.

You had to be protective. In the Primordial Sect, if you weren’t, the Daoist Masters under you would switch to another faction in a heartbeat.

Xu Yunfan withdrew his gaze and turned to Lu Chuan, who was also standing mid-air beside him. He saw that although his direct superior’s expression was calm, there was a faint, almost imperceptible smile in his eyes.

’Looks like he was waiting for me.’

Xu Yunfan quickly composed himself, cupped his hands, and smiled. "Senior Brother Lu Chuan, although Divine Sky Peak has suffered at the hands of the Blood Demon today, the elegant courtyard on the summit remains. From there, one can overlook the sea of clouds and quietly observe the world.

"If you wouldn’t mind, Senior Brother, why not come down for a seat with me? We can enjoy a cup of tea and discuss the matters we couldn’t finish earlier?"

His tone was sincere. After all, with Celestial Derivation Daoist Master present just now, their words had been veiled. Now that it was just the two of them from the same lineage, perhaps they could speak more frankly.

A glint flashed in Lu Chuan’s eyes, and a smile appeared between his sharp brows. He had been waiting for this.

He flicked his sleeve, the corner of his robe fluttering in the wind, and said in a clear voice, "Junior Brother, your words are exactly what I was thinking. I’ve been wanting to see what kind of place an Array Dao prodigy like you uses for secluded cultivation."

With that, he didn’t wait for Xu Yunfan to lead the way. His cyan robes flared, and he shot like a meteor toward the elegant courtyard built into the terrain of Divine Sky Peak.

Xu Yunfan hurried after him, his heart slightly relieved.

’With Lu Chuan being so enthusiastic, I’ll naturally gain more benefits.’

’Leaving aside Artifact Refining, with my Array Dao skills, even a Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection would have to greet me with a cupped-fist salute, right?’

Divine Sky Peak was the cave residence Xu Yunfan had managed for many years. Although the base of the peak was a mess of rubble after the previous battle, the summit, protected by an Array, was naturally unscathed.

The elegant courtyard was situated on a sheer cliff. Its walls were built of Cyan Jade, dotted with exotic flowers and strange grasses that created a charming contrast with the sea of clouds beyond the peak.

The two stepped into the courtyard and saw a winding stone path leading to a small, suspended pavilion in the center. The pavilion had low-hanging thatched eaves, and inside, a low Zitan coffee table and two cattail floor cushions faced the endless sea of clouds to the east.

The waves of clouds churned, at times like splashed ink, at others shimmering with gold and purple. A faint light seemed to flicker at the edge of the sky, as if channeling the vast Spiritual Mechanism of the Taihua Spirit Ruins Realm.

The wind surged and the clouds roiled here, the atmosphere ever-changing and unpredictable—an excellent place for Foundation Establishment Cultivators to contemplate the heavens and earth.

Xu Yunfan also often meditated here to gain insights.

Lu Chuan walked straight into the pavilion and sat down. Xu Yunfan did not delay either. With a light wave of his sleeve, he took out a Jade Pot and Jade Cups from his Mustard Seed Bag. The aroma of tea wafted out—it was Spirit Tea, prepared in advance. Steam rose, and Spiritual Qi suffused the air.

Facing the sea of clouds, Xu Yunfan first poured tea for Lu Chuan.

Lu Chuan, however, did not rush to drink. He carefully studied the magnificent view of the cloud sea for a moment, then suddenly sighed, his voice filled with admiration. "Junior Brother! Today’s battle was a real eye-opener for me.

"I had thought your skills in Artifact Refining were already quite accomplished, making you a standout among Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. I never expected you to possess such extraordinary talent in the Array Dao. It’s truly surprising!"

Before Xu Yunfan could speak, his tone shifted.

"That Blood Demon was no simple foe. Even I would have to be cautious against him.

"As a Late-Stage Foundation Establishment Old Demon who had cultivated for many years, his foundation was deep and solid. Ordinary methods couldn’t get near him. It’s a pity his mind was clouded by the five defilements, allowing him to be trapped and fall for a scheme."

At this, Lu Chuan shook his head slightly. "A Demon Path Scripture can indeed save a lot of effort, but in the end, it leaves the mind and soul at their weakest. It’s easy to be driven into a killing spree and be used by others. A pity..."

’Enlightenment dawned on Xu Yunfan. No wonder the Primordial Sect is sometimes called the Primordial Demon Sect. But most of its members cultivate righteous and grand Daos. Even Hundred Desires Peak, despite practicing dual cultivation, could still be considered orthodox.’

’What? What about all the people who were drained dry?’

’Are ’materials’ even considered people?’

Just then, he heard Lu Chuan continue, "I never imagined you could lay a Grand Array on Divine Sky Peak, borrowing the power of the terrain to channel celestial phenomena, converting Yin and Yang to produce Thunderbolt, and refining him to death right on the spot.

"If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would have found it hard to believe such Array Dao Mastery came from you. To be able to perceive the Heaven and Earth Qi Mechanism, harness the Earth Vein, comprehend the nodes, and instantly lay an array to fight an enemy in such a short time... this is not just the result of hard cultivation. It is truly an innate gift, something that cannot be forced!"

Hearing this, Xu Yunfan knew it was Lu Chuan’s sincere praise, but he also heard the unspoken meaning.

’The intention of True Monarch Qing Yuan’s lineage to win over talented individuals.’

’My own standing has naturally been raised.’

’No wonder Lu Chuan is being so polite, not showing a hint of arrogance.’

He took a shallow breath, suppressed the trace of pride in his heart, and with a modest smile on his face, bowed to refill Lu Chuan’s tea.

"Senior Brother, you praise me too highly. This junior was merely fortunate. I received some guidance from my master in my early years, studied a few incomplete volumes of Array Manuals, and gained some small insights through practice. How could I be called talented?

"The Array Dao is vast. I have only just scratched the surface. When it comes to deduction and arrangement, I still have a long way to go.

"On the other hand, you, Senior Brother, are a Great Daoist Master at Foundation Establishment Perfection. Your True Scripture Techniques are profound, and the Golden Core Dao is within your grasp. You are the true role model for our generation."

His tone was sincere, without a hint of pretense.

This wasn’t false modesty, either. Xu Yunfan knew it in his heart.

The path of the Array Dao relies on discerning the Celestial Secret. One must observe the changes of Yin and Yang and perceive Spiritual Energy Nodes in an extremely short time. The slightest mistake would render all previous efforts useless. If not for his Attribute Panel, he would have been utterly incapable of it.

Although he had won today’s battle, if the Blood Demon’s mind hadn’t been in chaos, revealing a flaw, the victory would have been a pyrrhic one at best. And at that point, other Daoist Masters from the Primordial Sect might have even made a move in the shadows to profit from the situation.

However, Xu Yunfan still had many trump cards he hadn’t used. Just the Innate Divine Power Fighting Character Technique alone, as well as the Linn Character Technique which he was close to mastering to Great Success—if he were to activate these Secret Techniques, his overall strength would multiply several times over.

Lu Chuan laughed, raised his Jade Cup, took a small sip, and praised the excellent tea before continuing.

"Junior Brother, you needn’t be so modest. Within the Primordial Sect, Array Dao masters are few and far between. Now that you’ve shown your edge, you will naturally have responsibilities to bear."

As he spoke, his tone suddenly shifted, and his expression grew more solemn.

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