Chapter 383: Six Yan's Unique Fate Matching Method

Liu Changdie, having delved into array formations for many years, only needed two investigative rounds to fully grasp the distribution of the ley lines there. His eyes shone with a clear, bright light.

This eye technique, known as the "Clear-Sight Spirit Eyes," was originally from the Li family, but no one in their lineage had ever mastered it.

In contrast, Liu Changdie, whose mastery of array formations allowed him to earn a substantial amount of spirit stones and who had no family to support, traveled far and wide in search of spiritual water, taking over ten years to finally master the technique.

After extensive study, Liu Changdie settled on the "Azure Ox Leaning on River Array" for the main formation. This new array, which he had researched in Linghai Commandery, could harness the power of the lake water surrounding Qingdu Mountain, combining it with the ley lines and water veins to repel enemies.

Without the power of Foundation Establishment, this grand array would be incredibly difficult to breach, taking a long time even for a powerful attack. It could even withstand a typical Foundation Establishment cultivator for half an hour, making it an exceptionally powerful array for a Qi Condensation level.

Array formations in Linghai Commandery often incorporate witchcraft, possessing both defensive and offensive capabilities. The "Azure Ox Leaning on River Array" is one such example; it can summon a magical azure ox to injure those attacking the formation.

Li Yuanjiao listened with great satisfaction. He inquired further and learned that the array required a significant amount of Azure-Black Stone. Conveniently, the Li family possessed a mine of this very material, which would save them a considerable sum. Ultimately, the total cost would be one hundred spirit stones.

"Brother Changdie is too modest!"

Li Yuanjiao frowned, realizing that if the price was truly set at one hundred spirit stones, he would instead owe Liu Changdie a favor. He then pressed Liu Changdie to accept one hundred and fifteen spirit stones, and only then did he relent.

Liu Changdie remained for several months, during which the vast azure array gradually took shape on Qingdu Mountain. Kong Yu had previously mentioned that small peaks would emerge near Qingdu Mountain in a few years, so Li Yuanjiao deliberately marked out a wider area to accommodate these future formations.

After drinking a farewell toast and staying for another half month, Liu Changdie finally decided to journey north to the territory of the Xiuyue Sect, hoping to research array formations and find an opportunity for a breakthrough.

Liu Changdie carried too many complex entanglements. Although he hinted at wishing to remain with the Li family as an honored guest, Li Yuanjiao dared not accept him. He politely and tactfully declined, then, along with Li Qinghong, escorted Liu Changdie out of their territory.

Liu Changdie reluctantly bid farewell to Li Yuanjiao, sighing deeply in his heart:

"No longer close, no longer close... The Li family is inherently cautious, and now, without over ten years of interaction, they can't trust me."

He then flew dejectedly out of Wangyue Lake, drifting northward.

As Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong escorted him out of their territory and flew over the lake, they encountered a narrow-eyed monk riding the wind towards them. The monk clasped his hands together and offered his congratulations:

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on achieving immortal foundation."

This was, of course, Monk Kongheng, who had assisted the Li family during the demonic disaster and had since continued his cultivation on the lake. Although his intentions remained unknown, the Li family was indebted to him, so Li Yuanjiao could only respond softly:

"Thank you, Master."

Kongheng nodded and then addressed Li Qinghong:

"While traveling the world, this humble monk once heard of a peak on the Mushroom Forest Plain called Heavenly Thunder Peak. If the patroness intends to attempt a breakthrough, secluding yourself on that peak might prove beneficial."

Having said this, Kongheng excused himself and floated gracefully back down to the lake. He then rolled up his trousers, bowed his large, pale head, and began digging for lotus roots by the shore. His cultivation method was quite peculiar, and perhaps he had reached a bottleneck, as he was rarely seen cultivating in seclusion.

Puzzled, the siblings continued their journey by wind. Li Qinghong whispered,

"What does this monk mean?"

Li Yuanjiao shook his head. Being inherently suspicious and unwilling to easily trust others, his words conveyed a strong sense of disbelief as he simply replied,

"Who knows?"

Li Qinghong paused, then whispered,

"Send someone to check it out. If it's feasible, there's no harm in trying."

"The Mushroom Forest Plain is Yuan family territory. If what this monk says is true, we should notify the Yuan family. Breaking through on that peak would be beneficial..."

As they spoke, the two returned to their peak. They dispatched someone to the Yuan family to gather information, while Li Qinghong descended to cultivate and regulate her breathing. Li Yuanjiao, meanwhile, retrieved the Foundation Establishment array disk from his storage pouch and secretly began to strategize about the pig demon in Dali Mountain.

*'I must eliminate this creature quickly. Firstly, it would earn white talismans for both Ximing and Xijun. Secondly, it would free up the vast northern foothills for gathering spiritual energy and collecting herbs, significantly improving our family's prosperity.'*

Li Yuanjiao waited for several days, and soon a reply arrived from the Yuan family, delivered in person by Yuan Huyuan.

Yuan Huyuan, a peak Qi Condensation cultivator, had an incredibly complex expression, bordering on shame. He landed back on Qingdu Mountain, staring blankly at Li Yuanjiao and muttering,

"You really did reach Foundation Establishment!!"

Li Yuanjiao didn't understand the intensity of his reaction and simply replied,

"Yuanjiao greets Senior..."

He naturally couldn't comprehend the shock in Yuan Huyuan's heart.

When Yuan Huyuan first arrived at Wangyue Lake, Li Chijing was merely at the peak of Fetal Breath, and Li Tongya hadn't even broken through to the Jade Capital Wheel stage.

Later, when Li Chijing became a Sword Immortal and Li Tongya achieved his immortal foundation, Yuan Huyuan already found it hard to believe. Now, with Li Yuanjiao, the junior of a junior, also breaking through to Foundation Establishment, how could the old man not be profoundly shaken?

Li Yuanjiao called him several times before Yuan Huyuan finally reacted, letting out a long sigh.

"It was my excessive hesitation... Blindly waiting for that opportunity, wasting year after year! To have reached such a point!"

After sighing, Yuan Huyuan's expression became significantly more determined as he mused inwardly,

"When I return this time, I will break through to Foundation Establishment!"

With his resolve hardened, his entire demeanor shifted. He cupped his hands with a smile and replied,

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on breaking through to Foundation Establishment!"

After a brief conversation with Li Yuanjiao, Yuan Huyuan then stated,

"Regarding the matter your esteemed family asked me to investigate, I have already looked into it. There is indeed a peak on the Mushroom Forest Plain called Heavenly Thunder Peak. Within the peak, there is a thunder ore deposit, which causes it to be struck by lightning year after year, leaving the entire mountain scorched black from top to bottom."

"Lightning cultivators are extremely rare in Jiangnan, and our family hadn't considered that specific location until recently; otherwise, we would have informed your esteemed family much sooner..."

Yuan Huyuan's words were purely a formality, which Li Yuanjiao paid little mind to. He nodded in agreement, having already made up his mind.

*'After eliminating the pig demon, I will escort Qinghong to the Mushroom Forest Plain for seclusion.'*

After Yuan Huyuan finished explaining and presenting several spiritual items of moderate value, he asked a variety of questions, effectively demonstrating the Yuan family's respectful attitude. Li Yuanjiao naturally understood and responded warmly in kind. Once their exchange concluded, Yuan Huyuan smiled.

"Nephew, you are too polite. Your esteemed family is flourishing, and I am relieved."

He then departed on the wind, and as Li Yuanjiao escorted Yuan Huyuan to the border, he began to ponder.

*'This pig demon is at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage. I absolutely cannot defeat it alone; I must find a helper.'*

Li Yuanjiao had initially been reluctant to act with such urgency, preferring to wait until Li Qinghong successfully reached Foundation Establishment, and then invite another person, so that three of them could work together to subdue the demon.

Unfortunately, the Foundation Establishment array disk was rare, and Kong Tingyun could send someone to retrieve it at any time. Without this array, let alone three people, it would take four or five cultivators to truly subdue this demon.

He deliberated for a long time. He had initially considered asking for help from the Xiao family, but he felt that constantly relying on them would inevitably lead to being underestimated.

"Uncle Xuanfeng even requested a Suiyuan Pill. Although it's refined using human essence and we are forbidden by oath from consuming it ourselves, it can certainly be used to enlist help! In fact, there's even significant leeway to exchange it for other valuable resources."

Looking at Yuan Huyuan beside him, Li Yuanjiao tentatively asked,

"Senior, are you planning to break through to Foundation Establishment?"

"Nephew, you've guessed correctly."

Yuan Huyuan replied with a laugh,

"I'm over a hundred years old; it's embarrassing to be laughed at by a junior. I've lived long enough in this life. How can I be content without trying to reach Foundation Establishment?"

Li Yuanjiao whispered,

"Does Senior have any secret methods or pills to assist?"

Yuan Huyuan hesitated for a moment, then slowly nodded and replied,

"My Yuan family certainly does. We have specialized secret realms, incantations, and pills that complement each other, so improving by half a percent won't be an issue."

The Yuan family was a prominent centuries-old aristocratic family, naturally possessing deep foundational resources. Li Yuanjiao listened, nodded, and replied,

"I heard that Suiyuan Pills can assist in Foundation Establishment. I wonder if your family has prepared any?"

Yuan Huyuan sighed softly, raised an eyebrow, and looked at him, then vaguely stated,

"Nephew... the Suiyuan Pill is no ordinary pill..."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. Seeing that he seemed to be privy to some information, Yuan Huyuan decided to be more direct:

"Ordinary pills wouldn't be managed by the Golden Feather Green Pool for so many years. The Suiyuan Pill... has many refining methods, and some can offer far more than just a half-percent improvement. My family, of course, does not possess such pills."

Li Yuanjiao transmitted his voice with spiritual power:

"If Senior has a need, my family can provide one for you."

Yuan Huyuan was utterly unprepared; his face changed dramatically, and his heart pounded. He remained stunned for several breaths before asking, bewildered,

"Qinghong is about to break through, won't she need it?"

Li Yuanjiao shook his head and chuckled,

"Senior, you worry too much; our family already has arrangements."

Yuan Huyuan nodded thoughtfully, unable to resist the temptation, and said nervously,

"Nephew, let me see the pill's quality..."

Li Yuanjiao felt quite at ease with Yuan Huyuan, as he himself was a Foundation Establishment immortal cultivator, while Yuan Huyuan was merely at the peak of Qi Condensation. He simply took out a jade bottle, tilted it in his hand, and a pill floated gracefully out.

The pill glowed a soft white, with faint, dark patterns and several gray lines appearing on its surface. It emitted an intoxicating, dizzying aroma. Yuan Huyuan's eyes lit up as he saw it, and he exclaimed,

"Good! Good!"

He then quickly asked,

"What do you propose, fellow Daoist!"

Li Yuanjiao weighed the matter in his mind. Unable to immediately think of anything his family urgently needed, he subtly shifted the responsibility back to Yuan Huyuan, whispering,

"That depends on what Senior can offer."

Seeing that Li Yuanjiao wasn't joking, Yuan Huyuan immediately brightened, patting his chest as he guaranteed,

"Cultivation methods, pills, artifacts... my family has no shortage of these. Should fellow Daoist have any specific needs, I can even leverage my connections within the sect to acquire them for you!"

Yuan Huyuan, unsure of Li Yuanjiao's exact needs or his bottom line, hesitated to make an offer. Li Yuanjiao squinted, pondered for a moment, and then replied,

"Can fellow Daoist procure Heavenly One Pure Essence?"

Heavenly One Pure Essence was considered a precious variety among spiritual waters; it was not only a supreme healing elixir but also capable of purifying true essence and improving one's foundational cultivation, transforming cultivators with impure qi into those with pure qi.

The Li family had no cultivators with mixed qi who needed this item, and Li Qinghong's secret cultivation method aimed for the Profound Thunder Lake. However, Li Yuanjiao thought of acquiring this item for his sister to help improve her cultivation foundation.

After speaking, Li Yuanjiao suddenly remembered that the "Purple Thunder Secret Origin Art" cultivation method had also been modified. If it truly altered her foundational cultivation, it might inadvertently sever her future path.

Yuan Huyuan, on his end, repeatedly shook his head and replied,

"Fellow Daoist overestimates me! This Heavenly One Pure Essence is a primordial water, a Purple Mansion-grade material. It's likely that only the Three Sects would possess it. If any of my ancestors had obtained such a foundation-purifying treasure, they would have consumed it themselves long ago; how could it possibly be left for later generations?"

Li Yuanjiao had no choice but to drop the matter and asked,

"Does your esteemed family have methods for raising spirit beasts or subduing demonic creatures?"

Li Yuanjiao seemed to still be thinking about that hook snake.

After all, the hook snake represented a rare Foundation Establishment-level combat asset, easily manageable due to its lack of significant backing. Furthermore, the cold qi it exhaled could assist in cultivating his own "Butchering Monarch Sunflower Light" technique, making it truly appealing.

Yuan Huyuan was momentarily stunned by Li Yuanjiao's unusual request and asked in return,

"Minor demon or demon general?"

Seeing that Yuan Huyuan seemed to indeed possess such methods, Li Yuanjiao was immediately overjoyed and quickly replied,

"Demon general! Foundation Establishment demonic creature!"

Yuan Huyuan considered carefully for a moment before speaking.

"Fellow Daoist... my family does have a method, but... it's quite difficult."

"Oh?"

Li Yuanjiao promptly pressed for details, and Yuan Huyuan explained,

"One of my ancestors once traveled far north and obtained a legacy from a temple: the 'Six Dykes Life-Matching Unique Art,' a fourth-grade spell capable of suppressing demonic creatures and controlling their spiritual essence."

"However, this method has two drawbacks."

Yuan Huyuan shook his head and explained,

"Firstly, this method is incredibly expensive. It requires six types of precious spiritual items as offerings. Back then, a single casting cost ninety pieces, but now, being far from the North, resources are dearer, so it might cost a hundred."

"Secondly, this method requires a 'life-matching item,' preferably one of a much higher grade than the demonic creature itself. Otherwise, not only will the spiritual items be wasted, but this life-matching item will also be completely consumed."

Yuan Huyuan awkwardly continued,

"My family cannot obtain Purple Mansion-grade spiritual medicines, so we only used Foundation Establishment-grade treasure medicines for the matching. It took two losses before we succeeded, resulting in a total loss of seven or eight hundred spirit stones. Since then, our family's interest has waned considerably, and very few people use this method to subdue demons anymore."

Had the Li family not also been an aristocratic family, on good terms with the Yuan family, and expecting much future interaction, Yuan Huyuan would certainly not have explained it with such clarity. However, it was a straightforward transaction, so any loss incurred would not be his family's responsibility.

"So that's how it is."

Li Yuanjiao feigned a troubled expression, though his heart was racing with excitement. He deliberately hesitated, saying,

"Alas! Why is it so difficult to match!"

Yuan Huyuan shook his head, deeply empathetic, and mused,

*'Secret arts are not like pills or artifacts; once given, it's an outflow of our heritage. It would also be improper to ask the ancestor for it. Perhaps I should simply convince him to drop the idea.'*

Unexpectedly, Li Yuanjiao caught a glimpse of his expression, quickly stopped him, and with a decisive look, stated in a deep voice,

"My family is backed by Dali Mountain, so treasure medicines can be found again; it's no major issue. Let's just exchange for this secret art!"

Yuan Huyuan could only nod. Li Yuanjiao then continued,

"This secret art alone is not enough."

Yuan Huyuan's face showed a pained expression as he replied,

"What else does fellow Daoist want?"

"Two cold qi gathering methods! They must not be similar to my family's techniques."

Yuan Huyuan shook his head.

"One, no more than that. Qi-gathering methods are absolute clan secrets. Offering one that isn't particularly rare is acceptable, but we absolutely cannot exchange them in large quantities."

"Good!"

Li Yuanjiao smiled and continued,

"However, I'll also have to trouble Senior to invite a Foundation Establishment cultivator from your family to help me capture a Foundation Establishment demonic creature, so we can then use this secret method, correct?"

Yuan Huyuan was slightly taken aback, but seeing Li Yuanjiao's sincere expression, he nodded and replied,

"It's not a big deal. It's just a trip for a cultivator from my family."