CHAPTER 361: CHAPTER 330: HEAVEN-EARTH GRAND ARRAY!

"I’ve prepared almost everything; we can begin at any time."

In the golden bamboo sea, Dongfang Qing, accompanied by Qi Xiu, arrived at this treasured secret realm. The other Primordial Spirit Bosses had long been ready.

Zhao Gengyun, harboring some selfish thoughts, smiled and waved upon their arrival, indicating he was all set.

"The old man is being so generous this time. Are you sure you haven’t withheld any crafty plans from me?" Dongfang Qing’s eyebrows rose. Each Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator was like a thousand-year-old fox, able to sense the slightest hint of trickery with just a twitch of the eye—not easily fooled.

"You scamp, always full of tricks! If you don’t want what I’ve prepared, I’ll gladly save the expense." Zhao Gengyun feigned a huff, scratching the back of his hand as he made to leave.

"Hehe, old man, your acting isn’t up to par. Trying to use reverse psychology on me? Come, come, let’s have a private chat..." Seeing through Zhao Gengyun’s ploy, Dongfang Qing chuckled and draped an arm over the shoulders of the former flag bearer, leading him aside for a quiet word.

Left alone before the other Primordial Spirit Bosses, Qi Xiu glanced around, pursed his lips, and then bowed respectfully to his seniors. "Junior Qi Xiu of the Shenxiao Sect greets the seniors."

"There’s no need for formalities. So young yet so composed, loyal and righteous—indeed a promising seedling. I hear your calligraphy is quite exceptional. You should visit my Great Righteousness Academy if you find the time." Zhang Ping was the first to speak, perhaps appreciating the calm and gentle scholarly aura Qi Xiu exuded. He slowly raised his hand, and a formless energy gently lifted Qi Xiu as he extended the invitation.

"Thank you, senior. I will certainly visit in the future." Faced with an invitation from a Primordial Spirit Boss, Qi Xiu naturally wouldn’t refuse. Moreover, the Great Righteousness Academy, a Confucian cultivation power, housed many ancient inscriptions that could greatly benefit his calligraphic Divine Marvel.

"Harboring Yin and Yang, with the Dragon and Tiger in attendance; no wonder you could revert the acquired to the innate and cultivate the Hunyuan Saint Body. However, the energies within your body are quite chaotic. It seems you’ve cultivated Dharma Gates from the Demonic, Buddhist, and Daoist schools. Engaging in such energy-consuming practices should be done according to one’s capacity." Li Chanchan glanced at Qi Xiu, immediately discerning his essence. But upon discovering the multitude of energies from various Dharma Gates within him, her brow furrowed.

The Ingenious Mechanism Sect valued purity and unity: using oneself as the marvel, performing Spin and Transform. She was not optimistic about Qi Xiu’s eclectic cultivation approach, which seemed to dabble in everything like a hodgepodge.

"I disagree," Zhang Ping offered a different view. "This child possesses the Hunyuan Saint Body. Mastery over the Ten Thousand Laws, control over all energies, embracing all like the vast ocean—such a rare constitution should not be wasted. Wasn’t the Hundred Thieves Demon Monarch from the Middle Ancient Era one who walked this path?"

The Hundred Thieves Demon Monarch? Upon hearing this name, Qi Xiu couldn’t help but lift his gaze slightly. He knew the name: a Hunyuan Saint Body who had appeared in the Middle Ancient Era and successfully navigated his development. His title as Demon Monarch didn’t indicate he was from the Demonic Path. Rather, due to childhood trauma, he held an indescribable hatred for Demonic Evil Cultivators. He spent most of his life hunting and ambushing them. The number of demons who died by his hand was comparable to the total forces of a large sect. The demons themselves had given him the title "Demon Monarch." Furthermore, he had a passion for stealing and learning the Dharma Gates from various Sect Aristocracies, accumulating a vast array of skills, hence he was called the Hundred Thieves Demon Monarch.

Rumor had it that whenever the Hundred Thieves Demon Monarch struck, it was from thousands of miles away. Wind and rain, thunder and lightning, Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire would all arrive, an overwhelming force that left no chance for resistance, catching his targets off guard with nowhere to run. He fully utilized the advantages of the Hunyuan Saint Body, becoming a walking humanoid artillery battery.

Zhang Ping’s point was that Qi Xiu could emulate the Hundred Thieves Demon Monarch’s path; by being as broad as the sea, he too could possess unparalleled might.

As Li Chanchan and Zhang Ping engaged in their debate, Dongfang Qing and Zhao Gengyun seemed to have finished their discussion. The old man and the young man, arm in arm, walked back with joyful laughter.

"I got you a good deal," Dongfang Qing whispered, nudging Qi Xiu’s shoulder lightly and winking.

"Then I must thank the Sect Leader." Qi Xiu nodded with a smile, well aware of his Supreme Sect Leader’s tendency to pluck feathers from a passing goose when dealing with outsiders.

With all arrangements settled, the group proceeded to the location of Zhao Gengyun’s prepared Great Formation.

On a vast and open plain stood a Great Formation composed of three hundred sixty-five humanoid crystal statues. These statues were diverse in form, lifelike, each with seven apertures, resembling humans. A light, ethereal fog enshrouded the entire Great Formation like a dreamy curtain, at times thin as cicada wings, revealing faint outlines of mountains and rivers behind it, and at other times thick as ink, submerging the entire scene in a hazy illusion. Within the mists, phantoms of the boundless sky and vast earth flickered in and out of existence, as if the very sky and earth in this place had become indistinct under the Great Formation’s influence.

Meanwhile, translucent bands of light—Heaven and Earth Qi so dense it was almost visible—danced and weaved through the swirling fog. Like sentient spirits, they converged from all directions, twining around each crystal statue, forming a magnificent ocean of Qi.

The Great Formation before him spanned nearly ten thousand miles. Its immense scale left even Qi Xiu, who had witnessed many grand spectacles, slightly astonished.

"The old master sure is lavish!" Dongfang Qing exclaimed upon seeing this imitation Heaven-Earth Great Formation, nodding in satisfaction. His compliment sent Zhao Gengyun roaring with laughter.

"Divine stone spirit embryos? The old master indeed has a profound inheritance to produce so many at once." Li Chanchan clicked her tongue lightly, noticing the crystal statues used in the formation.

Divine stone spirit embryos were true Divine Objects, born and nurtured by nature’s essence. It took five hundred years for one to grow into a human shape. After that, it could open one aperture every one hundred years. Once all seven apertures were open, if nurtured by spirit veins, there was a chance to cultivate an innate sacred spirit.

Innate sacred spirits. This kind was born with strength at the Peak of Dao Entry and possessed Spiritual Wisdom not inferior to humans. Once mature, they could rival those in the Dao Body Realm. Their corporeal bodies were exceedingly powerful, almost immune to most Dharma Gates. If their numbers were to grow, even those in the Primordial Spirit Realm would have to retreat temporarily.

"This is all the stock my Nature Banner clan has accumulated since its founding. Can’t be helped, it’s all for the boy, isn’t it?" Zhao Gengyun waved his hand, an expression of profound righteousness on his face.

Act! Just keep acting!

Seeing Zhao Gengyun’s demeanor, as if terrified someone would covet his family treasures, the several Primordial Spirit Bosses present could only shake their heads helplessly. Others might not know, but how could they not? This old master’s other abilities might be lacking, but when it came to cultivating all sorts of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, he was likely unparalleled in the entire Great Xuan Dynasty. To produce so many divine stone spirit embryos at once—this was, at most, only one-third of his total stock, perhaps even less.

Noticing the disbelief in their eyes, Zhao Gengyun chuckled twice and didn’t argue further. Concealing one’s wealth was wise, even for those in the Primordial Spirit Realm.

"Qi Xiu, my boy, take a look at this Array Map first. You’ll need to take the lead in controlling this Heaven-Earth Great Formation later. I’ve heard your nickname is the Six Arts Dao Idiot. Do you understand formation arts?" Zhao Gengyun asked, handing Qi Xiu a complex and intricate Array Map that was dazzling to behold.

"I understand a bit." Glancing at the Array Map in his hand, Qi Xiu nodded. The diagram for the Heaven-Earth Great Formation wasn’t overly complicated; it was its principles and the materials required for activation that were exceedingly demanding. Simply guiding the Great Formation’s operation wasn’t too difficult; he could manage it.

"Good. A complete Heaven-Earth Great Formation requires Primordial Spirit Realm cultivation to control. The one before you has been simplified to one-tenth of its power. It’s perfect for replenishing your depleted origin. Once the Great Formation activates, you just focus on guiding its operation and replenishing your lost origin. Ignore everything else, understand?" After carefully explaining everything to Qi Xiu, Zhao Gengyun asked if he had any further questions.

Once the Heaven-Earth Great Formation was activated, it couldn’t be stopped. If it were interrupted midway, all previous efforts would be for naught. And a Great Formation of this magnitude would clearly not be set up for him a second time.

"This junior understands." Having memorized all the details Zhao Gengyun had explained, Qi Xiu nodded.

"Excellent! Today the sky is clear and bright, auspicious for all endeavors! Fellow Daoists, let’s give this young man a boost!" Grinning and rolling up his sleeves, Zhao Gengyun seemed utterly oblivious to the slightly strained expressions on the faces of those around him.

Only Dongfang Qing approached silently and whispered in Zhao Gengyun’s ear, "Old master, if you don’t know how to speak, then please keep your mouth shut."

Watching Zhao Gengyun, who looked utterly bewildered as to what he’d done wrong, Qi Xiu bowed to the Primordial Spirit Bosses, then transformed into a streak of Escape Light, heading towards the core of the Heaven-Earth Great Formation.

As he entered the center of the Great Formation, an extremely dense wave of Heaven and Earth Qi washed over Qi Xiu, prompting him to subconsciously take a deep breath. A refreshing coolness spread through his limbs and bones, revitalizing his weary spirit and shaking off the drowsiness that had plagued him.

Stretching out his hand, Qi Xiu touched the Heaven and Earth Qi, which was so condensed it felt tangible, like ribbons of light. Such rich Heaven and Earth Qi, even more potent than the Dragon Ball I consumed before. This is truly the work of a Primordial Spirit Boss.

Aware of the extraordinary nature of this Great Formation, Qi Xiu composed himself, then sat down cross-legged. The Array Map Zhao Gengyun had given him slowly materialized in his mind.

"Capturing the profound mysteries of the vast heavens, extracting the essence of the boundless earth... Seizing heaven and earth to augment one’s Dao... The Ten Thousand Laws, all living beings, enter my Xuan Gate..."

With each ethereal and tranquil murmur, Qi Xiu’s hands slowly formed a series of Daoist Incantations and Seals, activating the Heaven-Earth Great Formation.

BOOM—

The void suddenly trembled. Under Qi Xiu’s guidance, the Heaven-Earth Great Formation, personally arranged by a Primordial Spirit Boss, was activated.

From the three hundred sixty-five divine stone spirit embryos, pillars of light gradually rose, soaring to the heavens.

The majestic and boundless Heaven and Earth Qi transformed into a terrifying vortex spanning tens of thousands of miles, swirling with incomparably pure and potent energy, all of it converging and pouring into the figure seated cross-legged below.

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