Stealing Immortal

Chapter 133: Chapter 132: Setting up the Array

[Nine Luminaries Return to Ruins Array: (0/500)]

[Available Immortal Seedlings: 595]

In the Alchemy Room of the small courtyard.

Chen Qingyang sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion, small golden characters floating before him.

’Studying this array is no simple matter. Compared to the Nine Luminaries Return to Ruins Array, the previous Gathering Yin Array can only be called a minor trick. I haven’t accumulated much experience, so it will inevitably be a painstaking effort that will delay my cultivation.’

He was tempted to use the Immortal Seedlings, but the thought of how much he would need them in the future stopped him. He couldn’t afford to waste them so easily. He had chosen this array in the first place because the Ziwei Scripture gave him an edge. After much deliberation, Chen Qingyang decided to save the Immortal Seedlings and rely on his own enlightenment.

’The next seven or eight days have been calm and uneventful. Hu Sheng injured his Dao Foundation, so he must be in seclusion trying to recover. Lu Sheng just took his seat of power, so he’s probably swamped with internal matters. He won’t have time to bother with a minor cultivator in the Seventh Realm of Qi Refining like me for now.’

This was the perfect opportunity, so Chen Qingyang focused all his attention on the array.

These Nine Luminaries were the Sun, Taiyin (the Moon), Venus, Jupiter, Mercury, Saturn, Rahu, and Ketu—nine celestial bodies. There were also tales of the Nine Luminaries Divine Palace, rumored to be the place where the nine great Divine Monarchs of the Ancient Divine Court once stood guard.

This array had to be laid out according to the positions of the Nine Luminaries Star Formation, subtly aligning with the profound mysteries of their movements. Fortunately, Chen Qingyang was quite knowledgeable in astrology; otherwise, he would have been stuck on the very first step.

Each of these Nine Luminaries was further divided into three aspects—Heaven, Earth, and Man—requiring a total of twenty-seven Array Building components to form the Array Base. Adding the nine separate Array Profound components brought the total to thirty-six. And with one Array-Suppressing Item needed for the center, that made thirty-seven components in total...

Chen Qingyang did nothing else these past few days, immersing himself solely in the study of the array. Through sheer effort, he managed to save the 500 Immortal Seedlings.

[Nine Luminaries Return to Ruins Array: (1/1000)]

The small golden characters floated, the upper limit having clearly changed. Just as the array’s description had said, if he continued his research, there would be a next stage.

Chen Qingyang had originally gotten forty Array Building components from Gentle Breeze, which was just enough. However, this particular array required an extraordinary Array-Suppressing Item. So he made another trip, not only spending the several thousand he had left but also ending up in debt for six elixirs.

That Shopkeeper Wang seemed shrewd, but he was also a generous person, willing to extend credit to someone he barely knew.

In his hand now was a glittering object about half a foot square, engraved with intricate patterns and a Circulation of Stars Map. This was the Array-Suppressing Item—the Star Disc.

According to Shopkeeper Wang, this item was the magical artifact of a cultivator who practiced astrology. It had been nurtured for many years and was quite remarkable, having long since comprehended the Circulation of Stars Map and developed its own Spiritual Essence. Later, the cultivator ran into some trouble, and the treasure ended up with him.

This made Chen Qingyang involuntarily think of Master Xuan Gui. However, a Master’s methods were not to be underestimated, so it couldn’t have been left by him. It was more likely from one of the Master’s disciples.

Today, the weather was excellent.

All the Array Building components were counted and laid out on a long table in the middle of the courtyard. Hong’Er stayed by Chen Qingyang’s side, bustling about to help him.

Once the positions were determined, Chen Qingyang began to walk around the small courtyard, setting down the Nine Luminaries one by one.

These Array Building components needed to be buried deep in the earth. Each time one was buried, it had to be put through a Sacrificial Refinement process. The methods were all explained in the array’s instructions and were, to say the least, extremely tedious.

Hong’Er followed Chen Qingyang closely, holding a tray with several Array Building components on it. Wherever Chen Qingyang went, she followed.

Working on and off like this, the two of them were busy for two or three days before they finally finished the Sacrificial Refinement of all the Array Building components.

"Senior Brother Chen, all that’s left now is the Array-Suppressing Item!"

Chen Qingyang narrowed his eyes, observing the celestial phenomena. "No rush. It’s best to activate the array at night when the Power of the Stars is at its peak."

"Okay, I’ll put this Star Disc away for now then."

...

The sky was black as ink, the starry night dazzling. The few people in the small courtyard had all gathered to witness how the array would be completed.

Senior Brother Chen stood in the center of the courtyard while the others sat or stood around him. When it came to unimportant matters, Chen Qingyang had always been easygoing, which put everyone at ease around him. It also fostered a greater sense of warmth among the people in the small courtyard.

Looking up at the sky again, the locations of the Nine Luminaries were perfectly clear. The changes in the star map seemed to be etched into his mind.

Chen Qingyang narrowed his eyes slightly. Cradling the Star Disc in both hands, he circulated his Qi Mechanism using the Tai Xu Star Pivot Purple Micro True Skill. When he had gathered enough power, he tossed the disc with both hands. It hovered in the air above, emitting a brilliant burst of starlight.

Even with Chen Qingyang’s cultivation, he could feel a slight pressure. True Qi flowed endlessly from his Dantian. With a soft cry, the light from the Star Disc grew even more intense. Then, points of starlight rose from all corners of the ground, connecting with the Star Disc.

As the Qi Mechanism circulated and reached for the sky, the heavens seemed to pour down starlight in reverse, drawing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to gather continuously. Everyone felt this change.

Xu Baoling, in particular, took a deep breath and realized the Spiritual Qi had more than doubled in density. Looking back at Chen Qingyang, he continued the refinement of the array for nearly an hour before finally stopping.

The Star Disc hovered overhead. As its halo of light spread out, Spiritual Qi flowed in endlessly. The moment one stepped into the courtyard, they were nourished by it. The concentration was at least double what it was before.

Gradually, the halo faded, leaving only the Star Disc spinning in the air. It looked rather conspicuous.

Chen Qingyang clapped his hands together. "It is a bit eye-catching, but there’s nothing to be done about it."

"Master, it’s a good thing we don’t have any neighbors nearby, or we’d never have any peace."

Xu Baoling’s reminder made sense. "I never expected it either. Being sent to this remote place actually came with some benefits. The Spiritual Qi on Cyan Bamboo Peak was already good, and now our little courtyard is even better."

"Senior Brother Chen, I feel that my breathing exercises are going very smoothly! My Dantian will soon be able to store a Qi Mechanism, and I’ll become an Outer Disciple!"

Hong’Er considered the title of Disciple to be extremely important.

Xu Baoling replied to her, "Indeed. You’ll break through very quickly. When that time comes, you can formally become a disciple under a Foundation Establishment Master."

Glancing at Chen Qingyang, Hong’Er added, "Even if I break through, I’m not leaving. I’ll keep bothering Senior Brother Chen. I want to cultivate the Alchemy Dao, too."

Setting up the array had consumed a great deal of his energy. Chen Qingyang took a moment to catch his breath. "The array is set. All of you must cultivate even more diligently and break through to the next level of your cultivation soon."

Hearing Senior Brother Chen’s instruction, the four of them bowed with their hands clasped. "Yes."

...

「Another day passed.」

Chen Qingyang, dressed in green robes, was walking on the White Jade Steps.

Cyan Bamboo Peak had no changing seasons. After seeing it for a long time, one couldn’t help but feel a certain weariness, to the point where it might even make you mistakenly believe that time wasn’t passing at all.

Perhaps this was one of the considerations of the person who set up the array—to use human power to create the feeling of "a single day in the mountains is a thousand years in the world."

The Cave Mansion ahead belonged to Tian Jingzhao.

’I don’t know what the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley are up to, and it’s not a good idea to seek out Hu Sheng directly. That would only earn his resentment. After thinking it over, I’ve decided to find an opening through Tian Jingzhao.’

Usually at this time, if he stood at the entrance of the cave, Hong’Er would be the one to greet him. Today, not seeing an attendant, he walked straight inside.

Finally, he met someone. "Oh, it’s Senior Brother Chen! I’ll go inform Senior Brother Tian right away!"

Having been here a few times, the attendant naturally recognized him.

Chen Qingyang acknowledged him and sat down calmly. He didn’t have to wait long before Tian Jingzhao came out from inside.

Seeing who it was, Tian Jingzhao first glanced at Chen Qingyang’s hands, then his attitude became enthusiastic. "Aiya, Junior Brother Chen, it’s been so long! I thought you had forgotten all about me. You’re quite the important man these days, Junior Brother Chen..."

His tone couldn’t help but carry a hint of mockery.

Chen Qingyang smiled, placing the elixir on the long table and covering it with one hand. He let Tian Jingzhao see it, but not touch it. "I hear an edge in Senior Brother Tian’s voice. Could it be you’re still resentful about the matter with Hong’Er?"

’Whatever happened with Hong’Er is a done deal; I can’t change it. That elixir in Chen Qingyang’s hand, on the other hand, is incredibly tempting.’

So, Tian Jingzhao immediately put on a placating smile. "Junior Brother, what are you talking about? Hong’Er was already fond of you, and I was intending to fulfill her wish anyway. If Senior Brother Chen had just come to me directly, we could have settled the matter. Why did you have to find a middleman to intimidate me!"

Whether he was being sincere or not, it at least looked genuine. Chen Qingyang tightened his grip on the elixir. "What have the seven senior brothers of Peach Valley been up to lately?"

Seeing how direct he was, Tian Jingzhao decided to be frank as well. "Surely Senior Brother Chen is aware? Because of you, Senior Brother Hu’s cultivation was damaged. He’s been in secluded meditation all day, and I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult for him to recover. However..."

Tian Jingzhao puffed out his chest. "Among the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley now, only Senior Brother Lu calls the shots. And you should know, out of the seven of them, he and I are the closest."

’Looks like this fellow not only doesn’t see this as trouble, but has actually benefited quite a bit from it,’ Chen Qingyang thought, then asked, "I wonder what Senior Brother Tian’s relationship is with this Senior Brother Lu?"

Tian Jingzhao gave a mysterious smile. "We’ve been through life and death together. In short, it’s very deep."

Chen Qingyang continued, "If Senior Brother Lu calls the shots for the Seven Immortals of Peach Valley, what about Senior Brother Long? I saw that his cultivation was the highest. Shouldn’t he be the one in charge?"

Tian Jingzhao didn’t hide anything. "The last time you went, Senior Brother Long was already severely injured, which caused his cultivation to drop..."

At this point, Tian Jingzhao gave a deliberate smile. "There’s something Junior Brother Chen may not know. Senior Brother Lu thinks very highly of you. After receiving your elixir, he’s been looking for a chance to return the favor. Perhaps he’ll be coming by soon."

’That Lu Sheng really doesn’t give up. Even now, he’s still thinking of dealing with me.’

Chen Qingyang smiled along with him. "Oh? And what kind of favor would that be?"

Tian Jingzhao waved his hand, seeming to care less about Chen Qingyang’s elixir now. "How would I know that? You’ll find out when the time comes."

’It’s my own fault for being so busy these days that I didn’t send out the Conscious Fish to eavesdrop. It’s a good thing if he comes; I was worried he wouldn’t.’

’Right now, Hu Sheng and Long Sheng are eyeing Lu Sheng like tigers. If I can also scheme against Lu Sheng and make his cultivation plummet, the balance will be restored. It might even force Lu Sheng into a position beneath Long Sheng. Now that would be a good show to watch!’

’On the surface, those seven are sworn brothers, but in the shadows, their shameless scheming never stops. Even blood brothers would develop conflicts after spending so much time together, to say nothing of unrelated cultivators seeking immortality.’

As Chen Qingyang left, he deliberately left the elixir behind.

It was a Tier Four Yang Replacement Powder. Just as he stepped outside the Cave Mansion, he saw the notification: Immortal Seedling stolen: 31.

’I haven’t fed him a poisoned elixir in so long that the toxicity was wearing off. That’s why it’s such a small amount.’

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