Eighth Layer of Qi Refining

Shen Jingchuan completed another Greater Celestial Circuit, stabilizing his level at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining. Shen Jingchuan thought it was time to go to the market.

He mounted Little Black, took off, and headed straight for Spirit Creek Market.

Upon arriving at the market town and returning to his own cave abode, he opened the protective barrier and went inside.

Xiao Mingshu and Huan'er were in the courtyard when they looked up and saw him. They were startled at first, but then their faces lit up with joy as they came to greet him.

Xiao Mingshu looked him up and down, her eyes widening, and said, "You little rascal, you finally remembered to come see me."

"Wait, your aura... it's leveled up again? Eighth Layer of Qi Refining?"

Shen Jingchuan smiled and said, "I was lucky, and encountered some fortuitous opportunities; it all came naturally."

Xiao Mingshu clicked her tongue in amazement, saying, "Your leveling up is as easy as drinking water or eating; it's terrifying!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Shen Jingchuan's smile faded, and he recounted the entire battle in Yuxi Prefecture in detail.

The entire army of 210,000 was wiped out, the Duke of Jing was killed in battle, and two Eighth Layer of Qi Refining cultivators who were hiding in the army were also killed by him and Little Black.

The smile on Xiao Mingshu's face gradually faded.

She listened quietly, without saying a word from beginning to end.

After he finished speaking, she simply hummed in response, turned around, and went back to her quiet room to cultivate.

Shen Jingchuan watched her retreating figure, understanding the situation and not blaming her.

Although she had no feelings for that royal family and had been semi-detached from them for years, she was still surnamed Xiao, and those people were her clansmen.

Caught in the middle, what can I do besides pretending not to care?

She didn't want to talk anymore, Shen Jingchuan didn't disturb her. He turned around and left the cave abode to go to the market to keep busy.

As usual, he also took out some of the mirrors and watches he had brought from modern times and sold them off.

They would sell the upgraded high-grade pills and then buy some mid-grade pills, trading them back and forth.

This trip earned them another 15,000 Spirit Stones and a large quantity of pills.

Shen Jingchuan, thinking about his upcoming wedding on Earth, went into a shop that specialized in selling array plates.

He explained his needs, and the shopkeeper took out a set of array plates, introducing it. "Young master, please take a look at this Spirit-Nurturing Formation. It's a second-tier, low-grade array, perfectly suited to your requirements."

"A single array plate, equipped with sixteen array flags, is placed around the perimeter, with the array plate in the center and Spirit Stone placed inside. It can be activated at any time."

"This formation isn't offensive; it's primarily defensive. Once activated, it's like an invisible wall."

"Cultivators at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining simply cannot enter; even those at the Qi Refining Late Stage would have to exert considerable effort to force their way in."

"Even ordinary small Lineage use it as a protective formation for their clan."

The shopkeeper added, "It also has another advantage: it can gather and nurture the Spiritual Qi in the vicinity, feeding back into the formation."

The consumption isn't high either; if it's on all day, one Low-Grade Spirit Stone is enough per day.

Shen Jingchuan nodded after listening. This formation was perfect for bringing back to the modern world. Although the Spiritual Qi on Earth was thin, it was still better than nothing. This formation could gather spiritual energy and also block people, making it easy to deal with ordinary people.

He didn't haggle, paid the Spirit Stones, and accepted the entire Spirit-Nurturing Formation.

He immediately placed the array plate and sixteen array flags into the sphere of light in his Ring, allowing it to slowly upgrade.

He then swept up all the Life-Extending Pills in the market.

This thing is nothing to cultivators; it merely adds ten or eight years to the lifespan of mortals.

It can be said that ordinary people can't afford it, and cultivators can't use it; it's a useless item, so the price is cheap.

He collected over 120 of them in one go and put them all into the light sphere to upgrade it.

This thing might seem insignificant here, but in modern times, it's a rare find that money can't buy. It's perfect for giving as a gift or selling for cash.

After making the purchases, he returned to his cave abode.

In the courtyard, Huan'er sat alone, seemingly lost in thought. When she saw him return, she quickly got up to greet him.

Shen Jingchuan didn't say anything, but took out some pills and Spirit Stones from his Ring and put them into her hand.

Huan'er didn't refuse, silently accepted it, raised her head, and gently hugged his waist.

"Young Master Shen," she said softly, "I don't know what to say, Miss..."

As a maid caught between her mistress and him, she wanted to offer advice but didn't know where to begin, so she could only keep her worries to herself.

Shen Jingchuan nodded vigorously, stroking her hair, and said, "I know."

"I should go now. Take good care of your young lady, and don't neglect your own cultivation."

Huan'er hummed in agreement, but didn't let go.

After a moment, she mustered her courage, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed Shen Jingchuan on the cheek. She lowered her head and whispered shyly:

"Then you must be careful on your journey."

Shen Jingchuan nodded and turned to walk out.

Huan'er stood there, watching his back until he left the courtyard and could no longer be seen, but she still couldn't bear to look away.

Shen Jingchuan left the market, released Little Black, and flew all the way back to Azure Cloud Stronghold.

Shen Jingchuan traveled directly from his room back to the modern world, arriving at West Mountain Separate Garden.

He first took out the sixteen array flags and, one by one, stuck them all in place along the edge of the villa's courtyard wall.

He then went to the second courtyard, measured the distance in the main room, and put the array plate into a drawer of a cabinet against the wall.

On that disc, there was a raised mechanism. He reached out and pulled it, revealing a dent.

He took out three hundred Spirit Stones, which was the maximum amount that the Spirit-Nurturing Formation Plate could hold at one time, and stuffed them all in one by one.

He pressed the button, closed it again, and then fastened the wrench-like thing next to it.

Then, he circulated his Spiritual Power, urging it on while imprinting his Divine Sense onto the array plate, thus recognizing it as his master.

A soft "boom" was heard.

A faint light barrier appeared out of thin air above the entire villa's courtyard, enveloping the whole house.

The light shield appeared for only a few seconds before disappearing and never being seen again.

Shen Jingchuan walked to the edge of the courtyard and reached out.

Sure enough, there was an invisible wall inside, softly blocking the way, and you couldn't reach your hand through.

He had a clear idea of what was going on, Spirit-Nurturing Formation was successfully activated.

The shopkeeper gave him three jade tokens, which were like keys to the Spirit-Nurturing Formation.

He took out a piece, infused it with his Divine Sense, activated it, and hung it on his body before walking towards the main gate.

Upon reaching the entrance, he carried a jade pendant. As he stepped forward, the invisible barrier immediately parted to make way for him.

He pushed open the door and walked straight out; the screen behind him quietly closed again.

Then, he tried to walk back.

He wore the jade pendant on his body without touching it. Whenever someone approached, the aura would automatically open, and then close again once he entered the courtyard.

This was exactly the method the shopkeeper had mentioned. He tried it, and it really was convenient.