Ancient Cultivator's Ruins

"An Ancient Cultivator's Abode?"

Song Changsheng frowned. "Brother Zhu, if this Foundation Establishment Cultivator's ruins have remained intact until now, then the array surrounding it must be well preserved, and it is most likely a Second-Tier array.

I may have some understanding of arrays, but I am still powerless against this kind of permanent Second-Tier array. You think too highly of me. I suggest you invite a Second-Tier Array Master to accompany us."

Though the Ancient Cultivator's Abode interested him somewhat, some things had to be made clear beforehand. Otherwise, he would be the one left holding the blame when the time came.

Hearing this, Zhu Yiqun smiled. "Naturally, we have considered all that.

Changsheng, to tell you the truth, we already tried entering the ruins, but the Second-Tier array outside was truly formidable, and we could only return empty-handed.

Later, we found records stating that it was a grand array called the Mystic Sun Heavenly Gang Array. It was supremely yang and unyieldingly rigid, but during the Winter Solstice each year, the yang qi between heaven and earth weakened, and the grand array could no longer unleash its full power. That will be the best time for us to act."

Song Changsheng suddenly understood. The Mystic Sun Heavenly Gang Array was an array that operated by drawing upon the yang qi between heaven and earth. The stronger the yang qi, the stronger the array, and vice versa.

Although the Ziyu Realm and Blue Star were two different worlds, they shared similarities in many aspects, such as their calendars.

In this world, the Winter Solstice was the time of year when yang qi was at its weakest and yin qi at its most abundant, so the Mystic Sun Heavenly Gang Array would naturally be affected.

Choosing to act at that time was undoubtedly the best option.

However, no matter how weakened a Second-Tier array became, it could not possibly fall to the First-Tier level. With Song Changsheng alone, breaking the array was still unlikely.

Perhaps noticing his thoughts, Zhu Yiqun patted his chest. "Rest assured. We have not been idling away this past year either. We have already prepared items to assist you in breaking the array. With your attainments in arrays, I believe there will definitely be no problem."

If that was the case, Song Changsheng could have some confidence. But whether he should go was another matter. The ruins were certainly outside the Market.

Within the Market, his safety was somewhat guaranteed. But once he left the Market, quite a few people wanted his life.

After pondering for a moment, Song Changsheng nodded. "All right. I will do my best."

Ever since the attack last time, Xia Yunxue had given him a Second-Tier Low-Grade talisman for protection. He had kept it close to his body During This Period. If he encountered a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, it could hold them off for a while.

But that was not foolproof, so he still needed to visit an elder shortly.

Hearing Song Changsheng agree, a brilliant smile immediately spread across Zhu Yiqun's broad face. "With those words, I can rest easy. There are still seven days until the Winter Solstice. Tomorrow at the Wu Hour, I'll take you to meet the fellow cultivators traveling with us. Then we will set out early and make preparations."

"In that case, we shall meet here again tomorrow." Song Changsheng gave a cupped fist salute, then took his leave.

However, he did not return to the Treasure Seeking Pavilion. Instead, he headed for the Market's Garrison Manor.

Liuyun Market had been jointly established by the Six Major Powers of Ling Province, so they naturally bore responsibility for maintaining the Market's order and defending it.

Each of the Six Major Powers of Ling Province sent one Foundation Establishment Cultivator and several Qi Condensation Cultivators, dividing them into two rotations to take turns guarding Liuyun Market.

At present, the three Foundation Establishment Cultivators at the Garrison Manor came from the Earth Fire Sect, the Wang Clan, and the Li Clan.

The Wang Clan and Li Clan were both allies of the Song Clan. The Wang Clan's Old Ancestor, in particular, had received a tremendous favor from Song Yungui. Over the years, the two sides had frequently formed marriage alliances and watched over each other, as close as brothers.

During that great battle more than a decade ago, the Wang Clan had given its all in support, even losing a Foundation Establishment Cultivator in battle. The depth of their bond was plain to see.

Song Changsheng's grandfather had once told him that if he encountered anything in Liuyun Market that he could not handle, he could seek help from the Wang Clan.

For that very reason, the elder Song Changsheng intended to visit today was Wang Wanzhou, the Wang Clan elder currently stationed at Liuyun Market.

"Please inform Senior Wang that Song Clan's Changsheng has come to pay him a visit." Song Changsheng handed his Identity Waist Token to the disciple guarding the gate.

"Please wait." Seeing that he was a Song Clan disciple, the guard Did Not Dare To neglect him and hurried inside to report.

Soon After, Song Changsheng heard a hearty voice. "Has Brother Xianming's grandson arrived?"

Song Changsheng looked up and saw an Old Man walking out. He had a square face, a head full of silver hair, and an extraordinary bearing.

Song Changsheng hurried forward and saluted him. "Song Clan's Changsheng pays respects to Senior Wang."

"Hahaha, I have heard of you. You truly are an outstanding talent. Calling me Senior is far too distant. You are Brother Xianming's grandson, so by seniority, you should call me Maternal Uncle." Wang Wanzhou patted Song Changsheng's shoulder and spoke heartily.

"Greetings, Maternal Uncle." Song Changsheng hurriedly gave a cupped fist salute, his attitude extremely respectful.

The man before him was no ordinary figure. He was of the same generation as Song Xianming and already two hundred years old. His Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivation made him one of the foremost experts in Ling Province.

The two entered the Garrison Manor together. After they took their respective seats as host and guest, Wang Wanzhou lightly touched his beard and looked at Song Changsheng with a smile. "You have been at the Market for less than a year, yet you have already made such a great name for yourself. Truly, heroes emerge in their youth."

Song Changsheng gave a bitter smile and cupped his fists. "Maternal Uncle, please do not mock this junior. For me, having my edge exposed brings far more harm than benefit.

Now the Earth Fire Sect and its allies all wish to get rid of me as quickly as possible. This junior truly Had No Choice but to come trouble you."

Wang Wanzhou's smile faded, and he shook his head. "Your grandfather is simply too rigid. He could clearly take out something to keep you safe, yet he insists on treating everyone with equal fairness.

No matter what, you are his own grandson, yet you do not even have something to protect yourself. It truly makes no sense."

Song Changsheng remained silent. Someone of the other man's status could say whatever he wished, but as a junior, it was not appropriate for him to interrupt.

"Tell me, what does this old man's nephew need?" After criticizing Song Xianming, Wang Wanzhou looked at Song Changsheng with a smile.

"Maternal Uncle, this junior needs to make a trip outside the Market, but I fear someone may resort to desperate measures. Therefore, I have come to ask you to grant me a Communication Jade Slip, so that at the Crucial Moment, you may lend this junior a helping hand." Song Changsheng respectfully saluted.

Wang Wanzhou suddenly understood and nodded. "So that is the case. This is but a small matter."

As he spoke, he took a Jade Slip from his Universe Bag and handed it to Song Changsheng. "If they cast aside all shame and intend to use the strong to bully the weak, crush this Jade Slip. This old man will sense your location and rush over.

Since you have come to this old man today, this old man will naturally ensure your safety."

"Many thanks, Maternal Uncle. This junior shall take his leave." Song Changsheng felt deeply grateful. The weight of those words was immeasurable, filling him with a profound sense of security.

At the same time, he thought of his own Old Master. That rigid old man had never given him special treatment, yet had always protected him in another way.

Everything was left unspoken...