Chapter 80: Profound Array Sect, Qi Refining Tenth Layer

When Su Xiaoyu looked toward Golden Dragon, the conversation over there was already coming to an end.

The woman who resembled Golden Dragon appeared indignant. She turned around, rose into the air, and flew out of the Golden Dragon Market.

Golden Dragon raised a hand as if to stop her, but her fingers trembled slightly before she ultimately couldn’t say the words to make her stay.

Only when the woman vanished into the horizon did Golden Dragon withdraw her hand and sigh.

She went to the courtyard, knelt facing the sky, and declared, “Golden Dragon requests an audience with the Heavenly Maiden.”

Su Xiaoyu had been watching curiously and didn’t expect Golden Dragon to suddenly want to see her, so she was a bit startled.

After thinking for a moment, she transmitted her voice to Golden Dragon: “What is the matter?”

Golden Dragon, kneeling in the courtyard, trembled slightly. She hadn’t expected the Heavenly Maiden to respond to her so quickly. Could it be that the Heavenly Maiden truly watches this land at every moment?

The awe in Golden Dragon’s heart grew deeper. She spoke aloud, “Heavenly Maiden, due to some personal circumstances, I may bring trouble to the Golden Dragon Market, and even to the entire Magpie Mountain region. I originally wished to leave this place alone and take the trouble away with me. But since you, Heavenly Maiden, have commanded me to stay in the market, I am at a loss. I wanted to ask how to resolve this.”

Su Xiaoyu asked with interest, “Your trouble? Explain in detail.”

Golden Dragon immediately elaborated on her situation: “I come from the Profound Array Sect in the West Sea. An accident occurred within the sect in the past, causing the death of the previous Sect Master. Unfortunately, I was considered the murderer who killed the previous Sect Master and am being hunted by the sect. Even though I was actually wronged, I have no way to prove it, nor can I find out who the real culprit is. Thus, I could only flee the West Sea, wandering aimlessly until I reached Magpie Mountain, where I stopped…”

As she spoke of this, Golden Dragon’s expression became deeply despondent.

Only those who have been wronged know the taste of it. It is something that can drive a person insane.

Golden Dragon continued, “Not long ago, someone from the Profound Array Sect passed by the market and found me. Even when I explained the matter to her, insisting that the previous Sect Master’s death truly had nothing to do with me, she still didn’t believe me. She just left. I suspect it won’t be long before she returns, and she’ll bring the people of the Profound Array Sect with her.”

Su Xiaoyu understood. This was the trouble Golden Dragon mentioned.

She looked at Golden Dragon and transmitted her voice: “In the matter of the Profound Array Sect, are you truly innocent?”

Golden Dragon replied dejectedly, “Yes, I truly did not kill the previous Sect Master. The previous Sect Master treated me with immense kindness, like a second mother to me. How could I commit such a beastly act? I am the one who wants most to know exactly why the previous Sect Master died. But being labeled the murderer, I had no choice but to leave the Profound Array Sect and never had the chance to properly investigate the matter.”

Su Xiaoyu looked at Golden Dragon, and she didn’t appear to be lying.

After pondering for a moment, Su Xiaoyu said, “I understand your situation. What is the military strength of this Profound Array Sect like?”

Golden Dragon replied, “Nascent Souls are like clouds, Formations are like gods.”

Su Xiaoyu asked curiously, “No Soul Formation?”

Golden Dragon shook her head: “There are no Soul Formation cultivators. Our sect primarily cultivates Formations. It’s not like ordinary Cultivators who separate cultivation and Formation study, treating Formations as a secondary profession. We truly make Formations our main cultivation path. Therefore, breakthroughs are quite special, requiring unique opportunities. Unfortunately, with the passing of the previous Sect Master, the method for obtaining these opportunities was temporarily lost.”

At this, Golden Dragon couldn’t help but feel sorrow.

Whether the people of the Profound Array Sect hated her to the bone for the previous Sect Master’s sake, or because the path to their breakthroughs had been severed, it was truly hard to say.

Golden Dragon added, “Though the Profound Array Sect lacks Soul Formation cultivators, the evolution of their numerous Formations is enough to contend against Soul Formation cultivators.”

Deploying Formations is rather troublesome; it’s not as simple as throwing out a Talisman or as convenient as using a Magical Artifact freely. It requires meticulous planning.

Although items like Formation Flags exist that can rapidly form a Formation, a Formation laid out on the spot is much more powerful. This is because it can be adjusted according to the environment, climate, and various other factors at the time, ensuring the Formation is at its strongest.

Because of this, once a Formation takes shape in a location, its might often transcends realms.

Almost all Immortal Cultivation Sects set up Formations around their headquarters to protect the sect, thus showing how formidable they can be.

Previously, when the Blazing Heaven Sect dealt with the Cloud Net Sect, they chose to lure the Cloud Net Sect’s people to the Golden Dragon Market. This wasn’t only to secure Golden Dragon’s assistance but also to prevent the Cloud Net Sect from using their protective Sect Formation to resist.

Su Xiaoyu was also well aware of a Formation’s might, but she wasn’t worried.

She said to Golden Dragon, “Continue to stay in the market. If the Profound Array Sect truly comes, just let them come.”

Golden Dragon detected the confidence in Su Xiaoyu’s tone and replied respectfully, “Yes, Heavenly Maiden.”

With these words from Su Xiaoyu, Golden Dragon felt relieved.

She knew that the Heavenly Maiden had no fear of the Profound Array Sect whatsoever.

In truth, based on the Heavenly Maiden’s past displays of power, Golden Dragon also knew that the Profound Array Sect simply couldn’t resist her. However, she still did not wish for the Profound Array Sect to face off against the Heavenly Maiden, because it meant the sect might suffer considerable losses.

She knew that many people in the Profound Array Sect merely misunderstood her. If the misunderstanding could be resolved, then everyone would still be loving fellow disciples.

But could the misunderstanding really be resolved?

Golden Dragon didn’t have much confidence. Her heart remained troubled.

After communicating with Golden Dragon, Su Xiaoyu’s takeout arrived.

She took the delivery, enjoyed a hearty rice bowl, and then resumed her cultivation.

Apart from eating, every day was either cultivating techniques or training spells. It seemed quite monotonous, but to Su Xiaoyu, such a life was fulfilling.

Moreover, she wasn’t without a goal. She had always harbored a hope for the future deep in her heart, so she was always fully motivated to cultivate.

Time passed like this until the morning of the next day.

The morning sun rose, casting myriad rays of golden light.

The entire city seemed to revive and grow noisy again. Su Xiaoyu opened her eyes, a flash of brilliance surging within them before vanishing.

Qi Refining Tenth Layer!

Having cultivated through the night, she had finally achieved another breakthrough. And the Eighth Grade Spirit Stone in her palm crumbled to dust in the wind, scattering across the floor.

“Huff!”

Su Xiaoyu exhaled a long breath and glanced at the Diorama Box beside her. Nothing particularly special occurred within the expansive box; it was just an ordinary morning.

She then reached out, grabbed the Diorama Box, and stored it inside her Storage Ring.

The interior space of the Storage Ring now presented itself in Su Xiaoyu’s mind. The Diorama Box stored within showed no abnormalities; the people inside continued to live their lives just as before.

Well then, it was time to move out.