This time, when Xiao Meng returned, he had originally planned to greet Xiao Zhan before heading to the Beast Mountain Range for training. But when he thought of the threat posed by the Gale Clan, he lost the desire to go out and train.
Over the next few days, he did not leave the house. Most of his time was spent in the basement studying the Eternal Undying Art.
He still had seven fishing attempts in total, and yesterday, he had used two of them.
The first catch had been an egg, one the size of a fist. Yet after fussing over it for ages, he could neither cook it by fire nor boil it soft, and he could not smash it open either. In the end, it had somehow entered his Heavenly Abode.
Though Xiao Meng was frustrated, there was nothing he could do. On his second attempt, he caught an array experience card from the Great Ruler World. Ever since obtaining it, he had immersed himself in array cultivation all day long.
In the Great Ruler World, formations were called spiritual arrays. In this world, they were called battle arrays.
"A battle array, simply put, uses Dou Qi in a special manner to create resonance, thereby drawing upon the Dou Qi of heaven and earth to achieve offensive and defensive effects."
"However, triggering such resonance is extraordinarily complex and difficult."
To set up a battle array, one first had to condense battle seals.
In the basement, Xiao Meng sat with his eyes tightly shut, his hand seals changing rapidly. Origin Force swiftly gathered at his fingertips before ultimately forming twenty-three exquisite, tiny battle seals. These seals appeared exceptionally intricate, yet they emitted a peculiar fluctuation.
Xiao Meng abruptly opened his eyes, staring intently at the battle seals swirling around him.
"These battle seals seem somewhat different from those in my memories. They seem more powerful, weightier, and more profound than described in those memories. And the battle seals I condense do not resonate with the Dou Qi between heaven and earth. Instead, they directly mobilize, suppress, and draw it in. What exactly is going on?"
Xiao Meng searched through his memories and found a passage that gave him some understanding.
The memories stated, "In certain lower planes, setting up formations is relatively easy because the energy in lower planes is not as dense and complex as that of the Great Thousand World. Thus, in a sense, the spiritual arrays of the Great Thousand World are more advanced and complicated than formations in most lower planes."
"It seems the Origin Force I cultivate is not only superior to Dou Qi, but even surpasses the spiritual energy of the Great Thousand World. That is why, by using Origin Force to condense battle seals, I can easily mobilize the Dou Qi of the Battle Through the Heavens world to form an array," Xiao Meng muttered.
However, setting up an array required more than battle seals. There was another indispensable item: an array diagram.
According to his memories, "The creation of an array is extremely complex, like a massive construction project. Battle seals are the foundation and channels through which power is poured, while the array diagram is the blueprint. Without a complete blueprint, there can be no construction."
Xiao Meng dispersed the battle seals and prepared to search for an array diagram.
Before long, an image resembling a scroll appeared in his mind. The scroll was dark gold, with faint flashes of lightning glimmering across it. They formed lines that intertwined in chaotic patterns, and staring at them for too long made his head spin.
"This array diagram is called the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array. It is a first-tier battle array and requires a full twenty battle seals to set up. Among first-tier array diagrams, it ranks at the very top. Of course, the complexity of setting up this battle array rivals that of some second-tier battle arrays."
"I'll choose you."
Having made up his mind, Xiao Meng chose the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array as his first trial.
He immediately adjusted his state of mind, focused his thoughts, and used his Soul Force to touch the array diagram in his mind. At once, the lightning on the diagram shone brilliantly and surged even more fiercely. Those lines that appeared chaotically tangled to ordinary people now brimmed with boundless mysteries.
Although the array diagram had been deeply imprinted in his mind, those memories had not been personally experienced by him. Thus, he needed to familiarize himself with them again and again, turning memories that did not belong to him into his own.
Nearly two hours later, Xiao Meng slowly opened his eyes. He had already mastered the diagram for the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array. As long as he condensed the battle seals, he could set it up.
However, he did not immediately attempt to set up the array. The basement lacked Dou Qi, making it difficult to test the power of the Nine Heavens Thunder Battle Array there. Yet he did not leave the quiet basement at once either, instead continuing to sift through the memories in his mind.
It was nearly dusk before he finally left his side hall and wandered around.
Suddenly, he saw Xiao Yan following a servant toward the council hall. The servant looked somewhat anxious. After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Meng's heart stirred, and he immediately followed them.
"Young Master Three," a servant called out just after he had taken a few steps.
Xiao Meng turned to look at the panting servant and asked, "Is something wrong?"
"Young Master Three, the clan leader requests your presence in the council hall," the servant hurriedly said.
Xiao Meng was slightly taken aback, then said, "Understood. I'll go immediately."
"Father normally would not call Fourth Brother and me to meetings over ordinary matters. It seems the clan has encountered something troublesome." Xiao Meng frowned and quickly headed toward the Xiao Clan's council hall.
More than a dozen guards stood outside the council hall. However, none of them stopped Xiao Meng when they saw him. He walked straight in and saw that all the Xiao Clan elders had gathered, each wearing a solemn expression.
"Father, did something happen?" Feeling the heavy atmosphere in the hall, Xiao Meng furrowed his brows.
After Xiao Meng took his seat, Xiao Zhan finally said, "We received word today that the Gale Clan has suddenly gained two unfamiliar Da Dou Shi. They are very powerful and have likely reached the level of Four-Star Da Dou Shi."
"Two unfamiliar Da Dou Shi? Were they invited by Liu Xi's master?" Xiao Meng asked after considering it.
The First Elder nodded. "That is what we believe as well. However, our Xiao Clan was already weaker than the Gale Clan. Now that they have gained two formidable Da Dou Shi, the situation is extremely unfavorable for us."
"The influence of a Third-Grade Alchemist truly cannot be underestimated. He actually managed to recruit two Da Dou Shi."
Xiao Yan's expression darkened. "The Gale Clan came well prepared this time. Are they planning to deliver a fatal blow to our Xiao Clan?"
"Yet judging from the current situation, the Gale Clan shows no signs of moving against our Xiao Clan. They seem to be preparing some killing move, and that is what worries us most," the Sixth Elder said gravely.
"Preparing? What else are they preparing? With two more Da Dou Shi, does Jia Lie Bi still not have confidence in dealing with our Xiao Clan?" Xiao Meng said with an angry laugh.
Xiao Yan thought for a moment, then leaned closer and whispered, "Liu Xi's master can refine a pill called the Red Phosphorus Pill, which can greatly increase a warrior's cultivation in a short period. I also received news from the Mittel Auction House that the old man has contacted a medicinal herb merchant outside the city and acquired a batch of precious herbs. Jia Lie Nu is personally escorting them, and they should arrive in Wutan City in two days. So I think they are waiting for Liu Xi's master to refine the Red Phosphorus Pills before making their move."
"Jia Lie Bi is clearly stronger than Father. If they were only targeting our Xiao Clan, there would be no need to prepare Red Phosphorus Pills. He is likely preparing them to deal with you and Old Yao," Xiao Meng said after a pause.
"That is what I think as well."
Xiao Yan nodded, then sighed. "I underestimated that old man's connections. I never expected him to obtain medicinal ingredients in just a few days."
"So you're planning to intercept and kill Jia Lie Nu?" Xiao Meng seemed to have thought of something and asked softly.
Xiao Yan froze, his face full of astonishment. "Third Brother, you actually knew what I was thinking?"
"What is so surprising about that? Just because you can think of it means I cannot?"
Xiao Meng rolled his eyes. "Intercepting Jia Lie Nu would not only weaken the Gale Clan, but also prevent them from refining the Red Phosphorus Pills. That way, the Gale Clan would definitely have to delay their attack."
"That was exactly my thought." Xiao Yan scratched his head awkwardly.
"Third Brother, what are the two of you whispering about?" Xiao Zhan asked curiously when he saw them muttering nonstop.
"Father, I heard that a gentleman in black delivered some Third-Grade Pills yesterday?" After coughing lightly, Xiao Meng looked at Xiao Zhan and asked.
"That did happen. That gentleman came yesterday intending to take Fourth Brother as his disciple, and those dozen or so Third-Grade Pills were his meeting gift. Unfortunately, Fourth Brother was not home yesterday and missed such a good opportunity," Xiao Zhan said excitedly.
"Father, then you should all use those pills without worry to improve your cultivation during this time. Leave the rest to Fourth Brother and me," Xiao Meng said.
Xiao Zhan smiled bitterly. "Although those pills were a meeting gift from that gentleman, Fourth Brother has not yet become his disciple. How can we use them so casually?"
"Father, you may use those pills as you please. After that old gentleman left the Xiao Clan yesterday, I encountered him on the road, so I have already acknowledged him as my master," Xiao Yan said.
"Really?" Not only Xiao Zhan, but the other elders also showed expressions of wild delight.
"Absolutely true."
Xiao Yan said, "I had already met that old gentleman several times, and he taught me all my alchemy. I had wanted to become his disciple long ago, but he demanded that I become a First-Grade Alchemist within half a year before he would accept me. Later, when he learned that I had become a First-Grade Alchemist in less than half a year, he hurried over to take me as his disciple."
Xiao Meng: "..."
"Fourth Brother, you really have some nerve. You can lie without even blushing. Impressive, impressive."
Xiao Meng said disdainfully, "And aren't you afraid of angering Old Yao to death? He hurried over to take you as his disciple? Do you have no shame?"
"If I didn't say it like that, how was I supposed to explain it?" Xiao Yan rolled his eyes.
"Hahaha, good! Good! Good! My son becoming that old gentleman's disciple is a tremendous opportunity and blessing!" Xiao Zhan laughed heartily.
The First Elder also laughed. "Yesterday, I felt that the reason that old gentleman extended assistance to our Xiao Clan was because of Little Yan. Now it seems that was indeed the case."
After that, Xiao Yan was surrounded by Xiao Zhan and the elders, who bombarded him with questions until his head hurt. Meanwhile, Xiao Meng watched gleefully from the side.
The meeting did not end until nightfall.
After the family finished dinner, Xiao Meng and Xiao Yan left with their arms around each other's shoulders. On the way, Xiao Meng looked around. Only after confirming that no one was nearby did he speak. "Fourth Brother, leave the interception of Jia Lie Nu to me."
"Your injuries have healed for the most part, but you have not fully recovered. You should avoid worsening them."
Before Xiao Yan could say anything, Xiao Meng made the final decision. "Help me figure out Jia Lie Nu's route. Leave the rest to me."
Before you continue