So that's how it is! Lu Qian gave a helpless smile, and suddenly, everything became clear to him as he connected the dots of Master Xuan Ji's comments and actions.
Even with just a mere exposure, he already knew that the path of arrays was profound and intricate, its might unpredictable, consisting of various elaborate and subtle combinations that required a powerful Divine Sense to control. For someone like him with a formidable "Consciousness Collection," it seemed tailor-made, as if by divine design.
To apprentice under a renowned master and learn the art of arrays, what an enticing proposition. But...
"Thank you for your kindness, elder, but unfortunately I have reasons I cannot disclose, making it impossible for me to become your disciple." Lu Qian clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
Because currently, he was the Yunshan Sect Leader.
In the Cultivation Realm, a master is as esteemed as the heavens, and one must always adhere to their orders. If he truly became a disciple, having Master Xuan Ji as a Sect Leader Master would cause endless trouble for managing the Yunshan Sect in the future.
A sect cannot have two voices; his decisions could not be interfered with by others.
Master Xuan Ji's expression froze; he jumped off the rock abruptly, his old face almost touching Lu Qian's: "What do you mean by reasons you cannot disclose? Do you know that the Consciousness Collection you possess is an incredibly rare treasure! In my 180-plus years, I've seen fewer than three individuals with a Consciousness Collection!"
He exclaimed in anger, "Do you think because I am in tattered clothes, practicing arrays has no prospects? Let me tell you, those proficient in arrays, known as Array Cultivators, are treated with respect wherever they go. Given enough Spirit Stones, or by erecting a Grand Array on a Spirit Vein, an Array Cultivator can defeat enemies far above their level!"
Seeing Lu Qian's lack of response, Master Xuan Ji indignantly continued, "Oh, you think the power of this array is just so-so, and that I'm bluffing, right? Let me tell you, this Death Array is unmanned, that's why I can break it effortlessly. But go ahead and let those two scoundrels from Shengyi Sect outside try entering."
"With your Consciousness Collection, you're a born Array Cultivator! Normal people only learn arrays at Qi Cultivation Perfection, but you can at Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation! Even arrays meant for Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, you might learn at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation!"
Lu Qian gave a helpless smile, "Elder, after listening to your teachings today, I've been truly enlightened and yearn for more. If I could hear the Dao in the morning, it would be worth it to die in the evening. If it were possible, I would sincerely wish to join you and become an Array Cultivator. But I genuinely have compelling reasons that forbid me from placing myself under another's tutelage."
Master Xuan Ji glared and said, "So what you're saying is that your master is still alive?"
Without waiting for Lu Qian to respond, he stomped around Lu Qian three or four times in anger and shouted, "Enough! What's wrong with having two masters? I've got only a dozen or so years left of my lifespan; my whole life, I've never found the right person until now. I can't miss this opportunity. Otherwise, all of my life's work would go to the grave with me!"
"I'll make an exception. Just call me your junior master!"
Lu Qian was startled, feeling somewhat moved. But as a Sect Leader, he simply couldn't accept a Sect Leader Master into the sect.
He cautiously spoke, "Elder, don't rush. Maybe in a few years, you'll break through to become a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar, and gain two more centuries of life. Then you can take your time to find the right one."
"Even though I possess a Consciousness Collection, I have only a Residual Spiritual Root, and there's no chance for me to reach Foundation Establishment in this lifetime." Master Xuan Ji's expression was bleak for a moment, then he fiercely said, "Don't stall, brat! Know what's good for you! Today, whether you want to or not, you're taking me as your master. Here in this desolate mountain, let's keep it simple: give me three bows now, and we'll handle the formal ceremonies later."
Lu Qian was caught between tears and laughter, just about to speak, when suddenly the grand array rang like thunder, and the two looked up to see the next round of attack brewing in mid-air.
"Then let's break this array first, and you can bow afterward." Master Xuan Ji muttered to himself.
All of a sudden, his face changed, and he shouted, "How can it be a Triple Transformation of fire, wood, and earth! It's composed of three Array Bases; this array wasn't set up by a Qi Cultivator but by a Foundation Establishment Array Cultivator!"
A loud and intense explosion came from the air. First, a streak of Fire Spiritual Qi rose into the sky, followed by Wood Spiritual Qi and Earth Spiritual Qi being infused in a mysterious manner. The Fire Spiritual Qi collapsed and compressed within several breaths, changing from a lively crimson to a frantic golden-white, as the sharp sound of a bird's call emitted from within the flames.
"Damn!" Master Xuan Ji regretted, "The Spiritual Pressure of this array clearly indicates a Qi Cultivation level array—why is it a Foundation Establishment array!?"
"Elder, can you not also bind three magical artifacts?" Lu Qian felt his Divine Sense tremble, a sense of extreme danger surged in his heart, and he urgently asked, "Why is his Triple Transformation considered Foundation Establishment?"
"Binding three magical artifacts is completely different from combining three Array Bases; do you think just touching a magical artifact creates an array?" Master Xuan Ji reached out, and a piece of cloth waved in the wind, expanding to half a person's height. On the silver cloth that was neither silk nor brocade, a profound path instantly lit up.
The five-sided Command Banner of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth rose high, revolving around the silver cloth.
He shouted, "Kid, there's no time to explain; you have no choice but to learn arrays now! If you want to survive, the only way is array against array. With my cultivation, I can't perform a Triple Combination Transformation on my own; you have to join me in this, I'll lead, and you support!"
The silver cloth radiated brilliantly; Lu Qian's Divine Sense sensed a strong connection between it and the five-sided Command Banner. Master Xuan Ji pressed his hand on a corner of the silver cloth, and his storage pouch at his waist opened. Spirit Stones poured towards the silver cloth like flowing water, their Spiritual Qi being drained mid-air, turning into ordinary rocks that fell to the ground.
Was this the array caster using a Spirit-Gathering Array to extract the Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stones to supply the grand array?
Suddenly, a frenzied bird call echoed through the entire grand array; Lu Qian looked up, feeling his hair stand on end.
He saw the platinum flame transforming into a colossal three-legged bird over ten feet tall, spiraling upwards, its aura locking onto the two of them!
"That's the Bing Fire Divine Crow!" Master Xuan Ji spread his arms, the five-sided Command Banner twirling, forming a pentagon.
Amidst the surging Spiritual Qi, resplendent light erupted, and another Five Elements Grand Array rose with a boom, shielding the two at its center.
Lu Qian felt a coolness in his hand as the verdant Wood Element Command Banner was thrust into his grasp by Master Xuan Ji. In front of Master Xuan Ji, the dark Water Element Command Banner and the earthy yellow Earth Element Command Banner shone brightly.
"To counter Bing Fire, you need Gui Water! Soon I will control the Water and Earth Double Array Base, and you will control the Wood Element." Master Xuan Ji gritted his teeth and shouted, "I'll teach you a mantra, you must cast according to the mantra, coordinating Wood Spiritual Qi with me. Every cultivator has studied how to measure and distribute Spiritual Qi, don't make any mistakes!"
"Lu the Kid, this is a one-time chance; you can't make any mistakes! Whether we live or die depends on you!"
Lu Qian stood solemnly, the Wood Element Command Banner lifted high in his hand.
Another bird cry sounded, the flames exploded, and high temperatures swelled; Lu Qian felt his hair curling. The Bing Fire Divine Crow flapped its wings, diving towards them!