Three Years, a Dream

Before he knew it, Lu Feng had already spent three years in Exquisite Valley. During those three years, he studied the Array Deployment Dao every morning, practiced the Exquisite Movement Technique in the afternoons, and painstakingly learned array knowledge at night, never stopping for even a moment.

Although Lu Feng's theoretical knowledge was now exceedingly abundant, his own strength limited him from coming into contact with certain advanced arrays. Thus, on the path of arrays, he could at most be considered a beginner who had just stepped through the door.

Another reason was that there was simply far too much to learn and comprehend on the path of arrays. Compared to the medical path, where alchemists had to memorize countless spiritual treasures of heaven and earth, medicinal materials, and alchemy techniques, array masters were no better off. Not only did they have to remember innumerable arrays, but they also needed to comprehend them, integrate them, adapt them fluidly, memorize the strange, wondrous, profound, and unfathomable array patterns of every kind, and learn all manner of inscription techniques, Vein Connection techniques, and more...

After all, not every soul master was willing to spend countless hours immersed in this "dull" Array Deployment Dao. That was precisely why the path of arrays was so obscure across the continent, with far fewer soul masters practicing it than Martial Masters or alchemists.

In truth, there was another, even more fatal reason why array masters were scarce. Once an array painstakingly learned was broken by someone and the method of breaking it spread, that array would no longer hold any deterrent power. Instead, it might even be used by enemies.

This was also the point Old Bai had reminded Lu Feng of countless times. Whenever he finished teaching a new array, he would "force" Lu Feng to study it himself and alter the arrangement of its deployment, adapting the way it operated and giving it added "flexibility." That way, even if the array was broken and an enemy mastered the method to break it, a slight alteration could turn that widespread method of breaking the array into a killing move that lured enemies into a trap!

During those three years in the secluded valley, Old Bai had initially been the only one teaching him. But as Lu Feng's terrifying learning ability revealed itself, Old Hei could not resist joining in as well. The two even compared the paths they taught, treating Lu Feng as a chess piece.

That period could be called the most "miserable" time of Lu Feng's life. While studying Old Bai's Array Deployment Dao, he would finally manage to set up an array with great difficulty, only to be "forced" by Old Hei to use the array-breaking methods he had taught to break the array Old Bai had passed down.

In the end, neither could gain the upper hand. Each had victories and defeats, but Black and White Two Elders were full of praise for Lu Feng's performance and his flawless execution of what he learned.

Yet when Lu Feng asked how he compared to Liu Su, both elders unexpectedly hesitated. Clearly, though Lu Feng had performed brilliantly, he still could not compare to Liu Su in their eyes. This made Lu Feng immensely curious about Liu Su.

Unfortunately, Liu Su had left the valley four years ago to gain experience, saying she would only return after ten years. They were destined not to meet anytime soon.

Not to mention soon—even whether Lu Feng could survive until then remained uncertain. After all, these past three years, he had remained in the One Soul Realm, without gaining even the slightest comprehension of the remaining six arrays.

Of the seven years of life extension, fewer than four remained.

According to the two elders, even if Lu Feng somehow managed to connect all seven souls within four years, he would still find it difficult to survive. Comprehending the Seven Souls Array merely provided the threshold for cultivation. After mastering the Seven Arrays, he would also need Dragon Saliva Water to assist with their fusion before he could thoroughly connect the seven souls, draw spirit into his soul, and reach the Spirit Gathering Realm. Only Dragon Saliva Water could extend Lu Feng's life.

Yet Lu Feng had never even heard of this so-called Dragon Saliva Water. Even the two elders had only heard its name and never seen the real thing. Over these three years, they had constantly sought information in their spare time, but still had no leads.

Although his days were numbered, Lu Feng did not hang his head in despair. Hope remained in his heart as he cultivated desperately day and night.

Since he had been granted rebirth, even if he only had seven years, he would never waste a single moment.

"I found it, I found it, I found it..."

Lu Feng was studying an array diagram under Old Bai's guidance when Old Hei's extremely excited voice suddenly came from the distance. Looking toward the sound, the first thing that met his eyes was Old Hei's round belly rolling and bobbing up and down. Only then did he notice the somewhat tattered book clutched in Old Hei's hand.

"You're already so old, yet you still can't keep calm," Old Bai said with a smile, teasing him. In truth, he had already guessed that the only thing capable of moving Old Hei so greatly at present could be news of Dragon Saliva Water.

"Azure... Azure Dragon Town!"

With Old Hei's cultivation and strength, he should never have been left panting after running only a few steps. Yet his words came amid urgent gasps. It was clearly not due to old age, but excitement. After three years together, Old Hei had long since come to regard Lu Feng as family, and the distance between them had vanished. From the bottom of his heart, he hoped Lu Feng could live a long life.

Humans were not grass and trees; how could they be without feeling? Though Old Hei had always insisted that one must not invest too much or grow too deeply attached, that was precisely because he was the most sentimental of them all, the one most afraid of and least able to bear partings between life and death.

Old Bai asked in confusion, "You only know the location? You didn't go retrieve it?"

"Do you even know what I'm about to say? You've already started answering every sentence," Old Hei said, bending over as he shot Old Bai a disdainful glare.

"Isn't it news of Dragon Saliva Water's whereabouts? Since you know where it is, just go get it," Old Bai asked with a smile.

Lu Feng stood to the side, watching the two elders trade words back and forth. He was equally excited. Dragon Saliva Water concerned his very life. Though comprehending the Seven Souls Array was still a distant prospect and the Dragon Saliva Water might not necessarily be of use, finding it would at least give him some security. When comprehending the Spirit Soul Array, he would also have one less worry hanging over him.

A trace of helplessness and disappointment flashed across Old Hei's face. "How could it be that easy? I only managed to learn of a possibility with great difficulty. If I had truly found it, how could I have returned empty-handed?"

"A possibility?" This time, Old Bai became anxious and impatient. With his hopes dashed, he seemed even more agitated than Lu Feng. Pointing at Old Hei, he shouted, "What do you mean by that? Explain yourself clearly."

"Don't rush. Why are you in such a rush? Listen while I explain it slowly." Old Hei had instead calmed down somewhat. He spread open the yellowed book in his hand and pointed to a particular area on one page. "It's here. I searched for a long time, and if Dragon Saliva Water truly exists, this is the most likely place, because this is the only place where twin dragons have appeared in the past several thousand years."

Lu Feng and Old Bai both fixed their eyes on the book. A region no larger than a fingernail had been circled, and three striking ancient characters had been written beside it in cinnabar: "Azure Dragon Town."

"Don't place too much hope in it yet. I stayed in that town for several days, but never learned any news whatsoever concerning Dragon Saliva Water," Old Hei said timidly, afraid the two would hope for too much.

"Then you..." Old Bai had just begun to say something when Old Hei's next words interrupted him.

"But I vaguely sensed a trace of true dragon aura. Although it vanished in an instant, I truly did sense it, and that aura carried an intense sense of threat," Old Hei explained.

Lu Feng and Old Bai were both shaken.

Old Hei continued, "After that, I searched and sensed for it repeatedly, yet I never felt even the slightest dragon aura again. That is why I cannot be certain." After speaking, he looked toward Lu Feng. "Perhaps you will need to make the trip yourself. There are too many restrictions in the mortal world. Once one reaches the realm Old Bai and I have reached, we are subject to constraints. Perhaps that is why we cannot investigate it."

Old Bai pondered for a moment and let out a deep sigh. "It is time for him to go out and gain experience. If he remains here forever, he may only be waiting for death."

Old Bai's gaze upon Lu Feng held a trace of reluctance. "Azure Dragon Town is merely a remote little town. The cultivators there are generally weak. With your current attainments in the Array Deployment Dao, very few can harm you. Even should you encounter someone you cannot defeat, with the flexibility of the Exquisite Steps, as long as you do not act foolishly, escaping with your life should not be a problem."

Old Hei was also reluctant to see him go. "Don't worry too much either. Old Bai and I will continue searching for Dragon Saliva Water's whereabouts. Just treat this as a trip to clear your mind."

Lu Feng had already entertained thoughts of leaving in recent days, but had been troubled over how to bring it up. Now that an opportunity had suddenly appeared, he could not feel happy no matter what. Looking at the elders' concern and instructions, he instead felt a trace of sadness. He knelt deeply before them, his throat tightening as he said, "My soul should have returned to the nine heavens long ago, yet my life has now been extended for so long. I am already content. For the grace of your teachings these past three years, this junior shall never forget it through all eternity."

The elders' eyes reddened slightly. Looking at Lu Feng's figure, both felt deeply gratified.

At the moment of parting, Old Bai spoke again in warning. "The outside world has been in great turmoil these past three years. The few supreme geniuses as outstanding as you were three years ago have all suffered ambushes, schemes, and murder by people of unknown origin. Almost none escaped. So... although your appearance has changed greatly over these three years, those familiar with you may still recognize you. For your safety, do not easily use what you learned before, and do not contact those you once knew for the time being, lest that group pull up the weeds and remove the roots, until you possess strength greater than before..."

Lu Feng listened attentively and committed every word to heart. After hearing their instructions, he accepted the route map to Azure Dragon Town that Old Bai handed him and walked toward the point where the secluded valley connected to the outside world.

Exquisite Valley had peculiar terrain. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, it had no paths in or out. There was only a small Teleportation Array, whose other end had temporarily been relocated by Old Bai to a deep forest near Azure Dragon Town.

Lu Feng walked toward the Teleportation Array, turning back every few steps. His eyes could not help growing moist. This parting from the two elders might very well be their final farewell, and sadness rose within him.

Stepping into the array, specks of Flowing Light gradually expanded until they finally swallowed Lu Feng whole. His figure vanished from where he stood.

After Lu Feng left, the elders' eyes also reddened. They understood better than Lu Feng that connecting the remaining six arrays would be harder than climbing to heaven.

"Old turtle, do you think we'll ever see that boy again?" Old Hei asked emotionally. In nearly three years, what Lu Feng had brought them was far more than a few laughs.

Old Bai sighed heavily, his heart laden with worry. "Unless he experiences a great calamity of life and death, a trial with nine deaths and one chance of life, it will be difficult to stir any ripples in that boy's state of mind. His heart is too unyielding. Now, that has instead become his harm."

Old Hei also sighed endlessly. Over these three years, no matter what bizarre and strange arrays they set up, Lu Feng had comprehended them one by one and devised unique methods to break them. Countless times, he had emerged from broken arrays covered in wounds, yet his resolve had never wavered in the slightest. This also made the two elders no longer doubt the terrifying strength he had possessed before his injuries.

With such monstrous talent and a heart that dared to rise anew from nirvana, if he could survive this calamity, why worry that he could not become powerful?

At this moment, the two elders could no longer judge whether Lu Feng or Liu Su was more outstanding. They also looked forward to the day when the two returned to the valley and tested their skills against one another.