He looked at his palm, his heart overflowing with joy. He had only wanted to be more cautious and temper this realm until it was more complete.
Yet he had never expected such an astonishing, unforeseen change.
"Just one Fleshly Body Inscription has brought such an incredible change. If I continue, could I make up for the weakness of my physical body?"
Bai Ze silently pondered this. In his original life's trajectory, his frail body and lack of combat prowess had ultimately led to his death and the dissipation of his Dao.
If he covered his entire body with such Fleshly Body Inscriptions, what changes would that bring?
For a time, his emotions surged, and he could not calm himself for a long while.
Only after a long time did he slowly exhale a breath of Turbid Qi and chuckle.
"This Fleshly Body Inscription has extremely demanding conditions for its formation. I obtained it only by chance and have yet to grasp those conditions.
"Moreover, too much time has passed, delaying my progress in the Array Formation considerably.
"I should first fully comprehend the Array Formation, then cultivate properly!"
After a brief moment of thought, Bai Ze made his decision. His body belonged to him, but this incomparably precious Prohibitive Array did not.
Who knew whether, if he missed today, there would still be a tomorrow?
Naturally, he had to seize the time to comprehend the array and make it his own!
He looked over the Prohibitive Array around him, closed his eyes in meditation, entered his Inner Landscape, and began weaving array patterns.
Meanwhile, in the small courtyard, Venerable Yuanshi and Venerable Lingbao, who had been playing Go, both turned to look at Bai Ze as he began comprehending the Array Formation.
Venerable Lingbao chuckled. "This little fellow's talent is quite good. In merely a thousand years, he has already grasped the key to the latter five hundred zhang of the Array Formation.
"His cultivation is rather slow, though. After all this time, he is still only at the Early True Form Stage."
"Steady without disorder. Though his cultivation has progressed slowly, this child has obtained no small opportunity," Venerable Yuanshi said calmly, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
"Senior Brother, are you referring to how Bai Ze shattered space and dispersed the Chaos Qi just now?"
Venerable Yuanshi nodded slightly.
"Though I do not know why this child has suppressed his cultivation for a thousand years without breaking through, the Inscriptive Runes that flashed upon the bones of his hand when he attacked just now show that his fortune is truly not bad.
"By sheer accident, he has actually stepped into the Extremity Realm of the Early True Form Stage."
Venerable Lingbao nodded at those words. "Those who can enter the Extremity Realm are exceedingly rare throughout the Primordial World. This is not something talent and comprehension alone can achieve. It seems his fortune truly is good.
"Still, deliberately suppressing one's cultivation and refusing to break through is ultimately inappropriate."
Venerable Yuanshi placed a stone and said indifferently, "Everyone has their own karmic opportunities. We need only observe patiently."
"What Senior Brother says is right. The Great Dao has countless paths, and all may prove the Dao. Since he enjoys suppressing his cultivation, let him do as he wishes."
A thousand years passed in the blink of an eye. Duobao and Guang Chengzi, having awakened from cultivation, once again came before the Array Spirit.
Duobao looked at the scene displayed by the Array Spirit. The great array remained as it always had, borrowing the forms of mountains, rocks, grass, and trees as it flickered in and out of sight.
Misty clouds drifted all around. In the azure sky, clusters of clouds had been dyed golden-yellow by the setting sun's afterglow, warm and tranquil.
Ancient trees stood tall and vigorous, while the lush grassland brimmed with life.
A breeze passed through, scattering petals and leaves that spiraled through the air. The emerald grass swayed in rippling waves with a rustling sound.
Yet Bai Ze was nowhere to be seen.
Duobao furrowed his brow and looked at Huanglong, who was cultivating before the Array Spirit. "Huanglong, where is Bai Ze?"
Huanglong was somewhat startled. He looked toward the Array Formation, about to point him out, only to discover that Bai Ze was nowhere within the Mountain-Guarding Forbidden Formation.
He immediately panicked and hurriedly said, "Senior Brother Duobao, Bai Ze was clearly still there five hundred years ago. H-how did he suddenly disappear?"
Duobao's brow furrowed, and his gaze gradually sharpened.
Seeing this, Guang Chengzi patted Duobao on the shoulder and said gently, "Junior Brother, do not panic. This great array allows entry but not exit. Perhaps he is hiding. Ask the Array Spirit first."
Duobao nodded and looked toward the mirror surface, forming hand seals to awaken the slumbering Array Spirit.
The next moment, ripples spread across the mirror like waves across a lake, and a glowing creature appeared.
After yawning, it looked at Duobao and the others. "Why have you summoned me?"
"Is Bai Ze still within the array?"
"Wait, let me take a look!" As it spoke, its eyes rolled, and divine light instantly shot from them, sweeping through the Prohibitive Array.
A moment later, the Array Spirit yawned and tapped the mirror surface.
The next moment, an earthen mound appeared in the mirror.
"The creature you mentioned should be inside this mound."
At the sight, Duobao could not help letting out a long breath of relief. A smile appeared on his face as he cupped his hands toward the Array Spirit. "Many thanks."
The Array Spirit waved a hand. "Is there anything else?"
Duobao shook his head. "Nothing else."
He then prepared to cast a spell and send the Array Spirit back to sleep.
The Array Spirit's eyes widened at once, and it cursed, "Fuck, you stinking rat! I just came out, and you're sealing me away again after using me? At least let me stay out a little longer..."
Before the Array Spirit could finish speaking, the spell had already struck it. The mirror surface rippled, and chains like liquid mercury wrapped around the Array Spirit, dragging it back into the mirror.
The sight made Huanglong, standing nearby, swallow hard. Senior Brother Duobao was truly fierce.
After Duobao finished all this, his expression instantly brightened. He smiled and scolded, "That bastard. Why did he suddenly decide to hide?"
A glint flashed through Guang Chengzi's eyes as he teased, "Junior Brother, you seem quite concerned about this Bai Ze?"
Duobao scratched his head and laughed. "After all, I was the one who promised to bring him up the mountain. If something really happened to him, I would feel bad about it."
Guang Chengzi smiled at Duobao. "I do not think that is all. Junior Brother cares so much about Bai Ze; it seems Bai Ze has some skill after all."
Duobao hurriedly waved his hands and explained, "Senior Brother, you misunderstand. Bai Ze and I simply get along well. There is no scheme between us."
Oh?
Guang Chengzi smiled faintly. "Is that so?"
Duobao nodded firmly. "Yes, Senior Brother. Though I have only known Bai Ze briefly, Brother Bai Ze has treated me sincerely, and he speaks pleasantly too."
Guang Chengzi immediately understood and shook his head with a laugh. "Rest assured, Junior Brother. I have no intention of targeting him.
"Still, hearing you speak so highly of him has made me increasingly interested.
"Once he joins us, Junior Brother, you must properly introduce him to me."
Duobao agreed repeatedly, though inwardly he let out a long breath. Based on his understanding of Guang Chengzi, Guang Chengzi had definitely developed killing intent toward Brother Bai Ze in that moment!
After all, although Guang Chengzi appeared calm, gentle, and refined within the courtyard, he was wary of everything outside it. Any creature that plotted against those in the courtyard would be thoroughly eradicated by Guang Chengzi with thunderous methods.
"Senior Brother, it seems Bai Ze will not come out anytime soon."
Guang Chengzi glanced at the earthen mound within the array and nodded slightly. "Since that is the case, we will not wait for him."
After speaking, he turned to Duobao. "Junior Brother, have you made any progress in your cultivation over these thousand years?"
Duobao's face fell. Knowing that Guang Chengzi had once again taken it upon himself to test him, he hurriedly said, "Senior Brother, I still have something to do, so I'll be leaving first!"
With that, he fled as though escaping for his life.
Guang Chengzi smiled slightly at the sight. "Junior Brother, where do you think you are running?"
Before his words had faded, a massive purple hand appeared and instantly covered Duobao.
Duobao immediately wailed, "I don't want to do problems!"
Before you continue