Concealment Formation

Zhang Tie slowly rose to his feet, already having a clear plan in mind: he would seek out Fourth Senior Brother to ask about concealment formations. Since he had decided to attempt a breakthrough within the Secret Realm, a concealment formation was undoubtedly indispensable.

After all, those entering the Secret Realm were all Immortal Cultivators at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, and none possessed divine sense. In theory, a concealment formation capable of evading the detection of Qi Refining cultivators should have been enough.

However, to ensure nothing went wrong, Zhang Tie still hoped to obtain a formation capable of concealing him from Foundation Establishment stage cultivators. After all, no one could predict whether disciples from the great sects might be carrying some mysterious detection treasure.

"I'm really not very knowledgeable about formations. Why don't you ask Second Senior Brother? His family is a major formation clan," Lei Hu said after frowning and thinking for a moment.

"Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother." Zhang Tie quickly cupped his fists in thanks and turned to leave.

"Wait, Junior Brother. Your vitality and blood seem even more vigorous now. Your cultivation must have improved. How about sparring with me?" Lei Hu hurriedly asked, his eyes full of anticipation.

At those words, Zhang Tie pushed off hard with his feet and vanished from the cave abode like a bolt of lightning. After several leaps, his figure disappeared completely into the distance.

Lei Hu looked at the vanished figure, helplessly shook his head, and let out a soft sigh.

Before long, Zhang Tie arrived outside Second Senior Brother's cave abode. Just as he was about to send a voice transmission talisman, the cave abode's doors slowly opened. "Junior Brother, come in and have a seat," Senior Brother Duan's gentle voice drifted out from within.

Without hesitation, Zhang Tie stepped inside. He saw Second Senior Brother sitting leisurely at a stone table, carefully brewing spiritual tea. Seeing Zhang Tie enter, Second Senior Brother smiled and gestured for him to sit.

"Did Junior Brother come to see me about a concealment formation?" Senior Brother Duan asked slowly after taking a light sip of spiritual tea.

"How did Senior Brother know?" Zhang Tie froze for a moment before asking with a puzzled expression.

"It's nothing. The Secret Realm Grand Competition between the major sects will be held in three months. I was present when Master gathered everyone last time. It wasn't difficult to guess," Senior Brother Duan explained patiently with a slight smile.

"Senior Brother's foresight is remarkable. Does Senior Brother truly know about concealment formations? To be honest, I am indeed in urgent need of a reliable concealment formation," Zhang Tie said directly, his gaze eager.

"I do have concealment formations here, and some of them are exceptional. I specifically brought this back from my family some time ago. It was originally prepared for you." As Senior Brother Duan spoke, he lightly tossed over a Storage Pouch.

Zhang Tie paused, then quickly caught the Storage Pouch and opened it expectantly. Inside lay a fist-sized formation plate and eighteen blue formation flags. With a single glance at the formation plate, Zhang Tie knew that this formation was no ordinary item. Its quality was undoubtedly excellent.

"This is a third-rank low-grade concealment formation. Ordinary early Golden Core cultivators will absolutely be unable to detect it. Its price in the marketplace is no less than one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones," Senior Brother Duan said again, his tone carrying a measure of gravity.

"One hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones... what a generous offer." Zhang Tie marveled inwardly. "I cannot accept such a gift without merit. What price must I pay in exchange for this formation?" Zhang Tie asked cautiously, his brow slightly furrowed.

"Junior Brother, there is no need to be so nervous. Although one hundred thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones is indeed a considerable sum, it is nothing earth-shattering to my Duan family. We merely wish to make a mutually beneficial deal with you," Senior Brother Duan replied with a smile, attempting to ease Zhang Tie's tension.

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"What deal?" Zhang Tie pressed, his gaze filled with curiosity and vigilance.

"The Secret Realm contains countless heavenly treasures, especially spiritual herbs of considerable age. This is a record of methods for identifying the age of spiritual herbs. We hope that any spiritual herbs over a thousand years old that Junior Brother obtains in the Secret Realm will be offered to our Duan family first. The price will follow fair market value," Senior Brother Duan said seriously.

"No problem." After considering the pros and cons, Zhang Tie agreed readily.

"Then many thanks, Junior Brother." Senior Brother Duan continued, "These are jade boxes for storing spiritual herbs. Junior Brother may find them useful in the Secret Realm." As he spoke, he handed Zhang Tie another Storage Pouch.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Duan." Zhang Tie accepted the Storage Pouch with both hands, cupped his fists in thanks, and continued, "If Senior Brother Duan has no other urgent matters, I will return to my cave abode to prepare."

"Take care, Junior Brother," Senior Brother Duan said.

Zhang Tie turned and left the cave abode. After several leaps, he disappeared from sight.

Not long after Zhang Tie left, Duan Feng departed the main hall and entered the cultivation chamber. He skillfully activated the isolation formation, then carefully took out a snow-white jade mirror and made it slowly float before him.

Next, he rapidly formed several intricate hand seals and continuously poured spiritual power into it. Before long, the jade mirror clearly displayed the figure of a middle-aged man. His features bore some resemblance to Duan Feng's, and he exuded an air of authority and depth.

"Elder, as you instructed, I have given the concealment formation to Zhang Tie, and the transaction has been completed smoothly," Duan Feng said respectfully.

"Well done." A satisfied smile appeared on the middle-aged man's face.

"But I still have doubts. I don't understand why we had to go to such lengths. If we truly wished to befriend him, a concealment formation capable of dealing only with the Foundation Establishment stage should have been sufficient," Duan Feng asked, frowning slightly.

"You still think too simply. Every time the competition is held, nearly all spiritual herbs over a thousand years old that are brought out are swiftly claimed by the various sects for their own use. Only to placate the dissatisfaction and resentment of Immortal Cultivation families and independent cultivators do the sects put a few thousand-year spiritual herbs up for auction, and each time they sell for astronomical prices," the middle-aged man explained heavily.

"But there was no need to choose this kid Zhang Tie. Aren't twenty people participating this time?" Duan Feng continued to ask, his doubts still not entirely dispelled.

"We have no other choice. Although twenty people are participating, which one of them does not have a powerful family behind them? Only this Zhang Tie is alone, with no one to rely on. Do you know why your master immediately accepted this kid as a personal disciple upon seeing him?" The middle-aged man asked, his gaze profound.

"Wasn't it because he has Profound tier body cultivation aptitude?" Duan Feng answered, his eyes still holding a trace of confusion.

"Of course not. It is because Zhang Tie will definitely be able to enter the Secret Realm, and with his body cultivation at the Meridian Casting Realm, there is a strong chance he will emerge from it alive. As Zhang Tie's master, he can not only receive generous rewards from the sect, but also obtain one-third of the spiritual herbs Zhang Tie brings out. The sect will also take one-third, leaving Zhang Tie with at most one-third for himself. This is our rare opportunity." The middle-aged man explained in detail, a calculating gleam flashing in his eyes.

"Feng understands." Duan Feng said, suddenly enlightened.

"Contact me again if anything comes up." With that, the man's figure instantly disappeared from the mirror. Duan Feng carefully put away the mirror as well, lifted the restriction, and slowly left the cultivation chamber.

Meanwhile, Zhang Tie was fully focused in the Technique Pavilion, searching for books on spiritual herbs and medicinal plants that he wished to borrow. He was completely unaware of the conversation that had just taken place in Duan Feng's cave abode.