Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 110 - 107: Damaged Array Map, Invitation from the Li Clan
Several months later on a certain day.
This afternoon, Zhang Yao was routinely tidying up the shop, checking the accounts, and preparing to close.
For nearly ten years, he devoted a large amount of time every day to intense cultivation, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of Spirit Talismans he could produce, and he usually sold out early every day.
At this moment, a male and a female cultivator entered the shop.
The male appeared to be in his forties, with a dark complexion; the female was around thirty, graceful and charming.
"Hmm?"
Zhang Yao looked up, and with a hint of apology, he said:
"My apologies, the Spirit Talismans are already sold out."
"Perhaps you could come back tomorrow."
"No, shopkeeper."
The dark-skinned middle-aged cultivator shook his head and said:
"We are not here to buy Spirit Talismans."
"We heard that you are the most renowned Array Master in the vicinity, with unparalleled expertise in the Li Kingdom’s Cultivation Realm."
"I dare not claim such honor."
Zhang Yao waved his hand modestly, saying:
"Fellow practitioners are merely giving me some face and offering a bit of praise, which Mr. Zhang is not worthy of."
"With my skills, I would never dare to call myself the foremost in array expertise in the Li Kingdom."
The charming female cultivator smiled gracefully, her voice melodious like a yellow oriole:
"Master Zhang, you are too modest. With the reputation you’ve built over the years, in the field of arrays, even if you aren’t the number one in the Li Kingdom, you could at least be in the top three."
"We’ve come to you today because there are some array matters we’d like to consult you about..."
"Oh?"
Zhang Yao’s expression shifted slightly, and he said:
"I see, please wait a moment."
After inviting the two to sit down, he personally brewed a pot of Spirit Tea to serve them.
Consulting about arrays is often not a small matter, often involving hundreds or thousands of Spirit Stones, and he took it quite seriously.
"Master Zhang."
After some pleasantries, the middle-aged cultivator took out a jade scroll and handed it to Zhang Yao:
"This is a portion of a damaged array map we came across by chance, and we would like Master Zhang to help examine it."
"Alright, please wait a moment." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Zhang Yao accepted the jade scroll and infused it with his magical power.
Within the jade scroll was indeed a rather complex Spirit Pattern Array Vein, with many connections obviously broken.
"Hmm..."
He scanned it with his mind, and at once formed a judgment, pondering silently.
"Master Zhang, what do you think?"
After waiting for a while, the female cultivator couldn’t hold back and asked:
"Do you have any insights on this damaged array map, Master Zhang?"
Zhang Yao touched his chin and said:
"This array map recorded in the jade scroll seems to be part of a certain Combined Array."
"Judging by some Spirit Pattern Array Veins, it incorporates at least three different arrays, mainly for protection and closure, and the level is quite high..."
Upon hearing his words, the middle-aged cultivator and the female cultivator exchanged glances, showing a touch of joy.
The female cultivator eagerly asked:
"Then, Master Zhang, do you have a method for breaking it?"
Zhang Yao waved his hand and said:
"It seems the two of you may not know much about arrays."
"Any array’s internal Spirit Pattern Arrays are interconnected, influencing and overlapping, forming a complete whole, moving one part affects the whole."
"To deduce an array breaking method from a portion of a damaged array map is quite unlikely, no matter how skilled the Array Master."
He paused before continuing:
"Unless one acquires the complete array map, I have no method of breaking it."
The two showed a hint of hesitation upon hearing this.
After chatting a bit more, the two stood up, said their farewells, and mentioned they would visit again in a few days.
After sending them off, Zhang Yao returned into the shop, pondering with a thoughtful look:
"This array map is extraordinary..."
Judging from the damaged array map, he suspected the corresponding array might very well be Second Order.
Second Order arrays are few and far between in the entire Li Kingdom Cultivation Realm, only the Mang Mountain Marketplace and the Tiandun Sect’s Mountain Gate Array are of this level.
"It seems there is a significant secret behind this array."
"However, it doesn’t concern me much, just a matter of doing business. Let’s see what happens in a few days."
Zhang Yao didn’t think too much of it and after closing the shop, he returned directly to his rented cave dwelling.
Several days later.
Zhang Yao was in the shop, attending to several customers selecting Spirit Talismans, when suddenly a young cultivator in a red robe arrived.
"Fellow Daoist Li? Quite a rare guest."
Zhang Yao was somewhat surprised and greeted him proactively.
The young cultivator in front of him was from the management of Mang Mountain Marketplace, a member of the Li Family whom he had met a few times.
"Master Zhang, long time no see."
The red-robed cultivator politely cupped his hands and said:
"Here’s the situation."
"I’ve been instructed by the patriarch to invite Master Zhang over to discuss some matters concerning arrays."
"I see."
Zhang Yao’s expression shifted slightly, nodding:
"Then please wait a moment, Fellow Daoist Li, let me see these customers off, and then I’ll go over with you."
"Alright."
The red-robed cultivator nodded, patiently waiting on the side.
Soon, after seeing off the customers, Zhang Yao closed the store and went with the red-robed cultivator to the top level of Mang Mountain Marketplace.
The top level of the Spirit Vein Land of Mang Mountain is also where the Spiritual Qi is most abundant, housing the residence of the Li Clan, a vast area where hundreds of cultivators live.
"Please, Master Zhang."
The red-robed cultivator led Zhang Yao deep into the Li family’s large residence.
In the main hall, an elder in a deep red robe, with graying hair and beard, was sitting at the head seat.
Seeing this person, Zhang Yao’s heart trembled.
The elder’s aura was deep like a quiet pond, his energy fluctuating unpredictably, and even though his face was kind, there was a faint sense of pressure.
