txolops Chapter 90: Received the Yellow Sand Formation Equipment! Training?
Chapter 90: Received the Yellow Sand Formation Equipment! Training?
"Master!"
Dong Xuan'er couldn't help but take a half step forward, her voice tinged with a hint of coquettishness, "I think Senior Brother Lin is very good! He is a highly accomplished disciple of Martial Uncle Li, so his character and cultivation are naturally top-notch..."
Much better than...much better than some people!
As she spoke, she secretly glared at Han Li behind her.
Upon hearing this, Lin Chuan's heart skipped a beat.
What's this woman doing?
She's already been "eliminated," so why is she still trying to create unnecessary trouble?
"shut up!"
Hong Fu's face darkened, and she coldly rebuked, "How dare you question my decisions? Han Li is calm, composed, and resolute; he is the most suitable Daoist partner for you!"
"Stop talking!"
Dong Xuan'er was scolded by her master, her eyes slightly red, but she dared not argue back.
She just lowered her head in grievance, biting her lip, and occasionally stealing a glance at Lin Chuan.
Hong Fu clearly didn't want to get entangled in this matter any further. Seeing that her disciple had calmed down, she stood up and said to Li Huayuan and his wife:
"Junior Brother Li, I apologize for troubling you today. Xuan'er is being immature and you must be sorry. Now that this matter is cleared up, I will take them back."
"You flatter me, senior sister. Take care."
Li Huayuan smiled and stood up to see him off.
Hong Fu nodded slightly, said no more, and led the unwilling Dong Xuan'er and the expressionless Han Li out of the hall.
Han Li walked at the back, and as he passed Lin Chuan, their eyes briefly met.
Han Li gave a helpless, bitter smile and shook his head almost imperceptibly.
He then quickly followed.
After Hong Fu and the other two left, only Li Huayuan and his wife, Lin Chuan, and Yu Kun remained in the hall (Yu Kun stood by the side the whole time).
The atmosphere seemed to lighten up a bit.
"Master, what was that about Senior Sister Hongfu just now...?" Lin Chuan asked, feigning ignorance.
Li Huayuan sat back in the main seat, picked up his teacup and took a sip before explaining, "It's your Aunt Hongfu who wants to choose a cultivation partner for her disciple Dong Xuan'er."
"Alas, Senior Sister Hongfu suffered some heartbreak in her early years, and therefore harbors considerable prejudice against male cultivators, especially those who are handsome and unrestrained. She prefers those of average appearance, calm temperament, and cautious conduct."
He glanced at Lin Chuan and continued, "Your aptitude is excellent, and your cultivation is progressing rapidly, which is commendable. However, while your performance in the Crimson Forbidden Land brought honor to your master, Senior Sister Hong Fu might have felt that you acted too decisively, even somewhat 'recklessly,' and not 'composed' enough. In addition, your appearance... well, in short, you are not her ideal candidate. You don't need to worry about this."
Lin Chuan quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "This disciple understands. Marriage is a matter of fate and cannot be forced. This disciple has no other intentions."
"It's good that you think that way."
Li Huayuan nodded in satisfaction, then changed the subject, "Lin Chuan, actually, besides the matter of Senior Sister Hong Fu, there is another matter I want to discuss with you today."
"Master, please speak." Lin Chuan's expression turned solemn.
Li Huayuan looked at the person beside him, his tone softening: "A few years ago, your master's wife encountered some problems while cultivating a technique, damaging her meridians and vital energy. Her condition was quite dangerous at one point. Fortunately, among the batch of spiritual herbs you brought back from the Crimson Forbidden Zone, several were precisely the main ingredients for refining the 'Strengthening Vital Energy and Nourishing Meridians Pill,' and they were of excellent quality. After I refined the pill, I gave it to your master's wife, and that's how she turned the tide..."
The teacher's wife smiled at Lin Chuan, her eyes filled with gratitude: "This is all thanks to you, Lin Chuan. If it weren't for the medicinal herbs you brought back back then, I'm afraid..."
Lin Chuan quickly bowed and said, "Master's wife, you are too kind! It is my duty to do my best for you."
The best outcome is that my teacher's wife is now in good health; I dare not take credit for it.
He understood that the "minor auspiciousness" indicated by today's divination did not actually refer to Hong Fu choosing a husband, but rather to this very moment.
Li Huayuan stroked his beard and laughed, "A merit is a merit, no need to be so modest. You are your master's wife's savior."
"As your teacher, I naturally can't leave without a reward. Tell me, what reward do you want? As long as it's within my power and doesn't violate the rules and principles of our sect, I'll grant it to you."
He looked at Lin Chuan with admiration in his eyes.
This disciple is excellent in terms of aptitude, temperament, and opportunities, and his cultivation progress is the fastest among all his disciples.
He is truly a prized student.
This award also provides an opportunity to further strengthen the bond between mentor and student and encourage them to work even harder.
Lin Chuan was prepared. After a moment's thought, he respectfully replied, "I am deeply grateful for Master's kindness. As my cultivation deepens, I often feel that my methods of self-defense are still insufficient. I have heard that formations, if used properly, can be used to overcome the strong with the weak and to trap the enemy for self-defense. Therefore, I humbly request a set of... better formation equipment from Master."
"Array equipment?" Li Huayuan pondered upon hearing this.
Unlike ordinary magical artifacts, array artifacts are complex to forge, require numerous materials, and demand a very high level of array mastery from the crafter.
A set of powerful array equipment is often worth far more than top-tier magic artifacts of the same level, and can even rival some talisman treasures.
He would never use ordinary array equipment as a reward, as it would damage his reputation as a Core Formation Master.
But since he had already promised, he couldn't refuse, and Lin Chuan's request was indeed to improve his strength, which was reasonable.
A moment later, Li Huayuan seemed to remember something, a look of reminiscence appearing in his eyes. He raised his hand and took out a set of items from his storage bag.
There were eight palm-sized circular array plates, all yellowish-brown in color, with intricate sand patterns engraved on their surfaces, and eighteen small array flags, also yellowish-brown in color, with flowing sand patterns embroidered on their surfaces.
The entire array contained an inner spiritual light, faintly exuding a profound, dense, and lingering aura.
"This array is called the 'Yellow Sand Small Array'," Li Huayuan introduced, his tone tinged with emotion. "When I first entered the Core Formation stage, I spent a lot of effort collecting materials and asked a friend who was an array expert to help me refine it. It accompanied me on my adventures for decades and made many contributions. Later, by chance, I obtained an array that was more suitable for my own cultivation method, so I replaced this 'Yellow Sand Small Array' and have kept it in my collection ever since."
He pushed the array towards Lin Chuan: "Once this array is set up, it can summon sandstorms that fill the sky. This will not only obscure vision and interfere with divine sense detection, but also continuously wear down the mana and physical strength of those trapped within it, making them feel as if they are sinking into endless quicksand, making it difficult to move. Even cultivators at the Pseudo-Core Formation level will be greatly restricted if they are trapped in this array without special methods to break it or powerful magic treasures to protect them, making it difficult for them to exert their full strength."
"Eight array plates form the foundation, and eighteen array flags determine the orientation. If multiple people can simultaneously preside over the array and cooperate with each other, the array's power can be further enhanced. Keep this safe and carefully study the array setup techniques and control methods included within."
Lin Chuan was overjoyed and quickly stepped forward to take the heavy set of array equipment with both hands.
Upon handling it, one immediately senses its unique texture and the smooth flow of spiritual energy.
This "Yellow Sand Formation" is clearly a level above the "Mysterious Armor Formation" and "Star Shadow Formation" he is currently using, and is sufficient to serve as an important reliance for him in the current stage and for a long time to come.
"Thank you for your generous gift, Master! I will certainly study diligently and live up to your expectations!"
Lin Chuan carefully put the array equipment into his storage bag and bowed again to express his gratitude.
"Well, your strength has improved again, and with the help of this formation, as long as you don't provoke Core Formation cultivators, you should be able to protect yourself."
Li Huayuan nodded with satisfaction, then asked casually, "Lin Chuan, do you have any urgent matters to attend to next? Or do you plan to continue your secluded cultivation?"
Lin Chuan's mind raced; his master's question likely had a deeper meaning. He respectfully replied:
"Master, I have nothing particularly urgent to attend to recently. If you have any instructions, I will do my best to carry them out."
"It's good that nothing's wrong."
Li Huayuan smiled and said, "I see that although your cultivation has progressed quickly, you have been in seclusion for many years and have lacked experience and tempering."
The path of cultivation requires a balance of intensity and relaxation; arduous, relentless practice is not always the best approach. Therefore, I intend to... send you out to gain some experience!
"Experience?"
Lin Chuan's doubts deepened.
He remained expressionless.
He simply listened attentively and asked, "Master, please enlighten me, what kind of training is this?"
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