Chapter 184: Master Qian
Chapter 184: Master Qian
In the elegant and luxurious study of the Qian family, Qian Hong sat with a furrowed brow, while a semi-elderly cultivator sat opposite him, his countenance proud and casual.
"Master Qian," Qian Hong inquired, "are you aware of the recent developments?"
The middle-aged cultivator, addressed as Master Qian, maintained a calm expression and replied in a steady tone, "I've heard a little. There's no need for the head of the family to worry."
Master Qian, despite only possessing the cultivation base of a ninth-layer Qi Refining cultivator, was capable of drawing a first-rate, nine-patterned formation. Although he had not yet undergone the official appraisal of the Path Court to be formally recognized as a first-rate formation master, it was only a matter of time.
Thus, even without the official recognition, the cultivators of the Qian family and the formation masters in Tongxian City with whom they were acquainted all respectfully addressed him as Master Qian.
Having surpassed the threshold of a first-rate formation master, Master Qian held a high position in the family. Even without the Foundation Establishment cultivation base, he had become one of the elders, his status second only to the head of the Qian family.
Qian Hong said, "Yu Changlin had the assistance of a formation master in Great Black Mountain, which allowed him to compete with us. Now, with the support of another formation master, he dares to establish such a large alchemy shop, clearly intending to rival our family."
Occupying such a vast area and employing so many artisans, their intention to establish the largest alchemy shop in Tongxian City was a blatant challenge to the Qian family's dominance.
In Great Black Mountain, they had taken a significant share from the Qian family.
Now, emboldened by their success, they were attempting to take even more from the family. It was sheer arrogance!
Master Qian let out a cold laugh. "So what if they have a formation master? Does our Qian family not have one?"
"That formation master might be a first-rate one!" Qian Hong asserted.
"Impossible!" Master Qian refuted decisively.
"The formations he used in Great Black Mountain were indeed first-rate..." Qian Hong argued.
Master Qian shook his head. "Head of the family, as you don't practice formations yourself and haven't studied them, you may not understand how incredibly difficult it is to become a first-rate formation master..."
"Let me speak of my own experience," Master Qian continued. "Not to boast, but among all the disciples in the family, my talent in formations is unparalleled. It took me several decades to reach the ninth layer of Qi Refining, after which I dedicated myself solely to the study of formations. I've faced countless setbacks along the way. Just to give you an idea, it took me ten years of painstaking research to cross the threshold from eight formation patterns to nine."
Master Qian sighed. "Although it was just one additional pattern, it was as difficult as crossing a heavenly chasm. Back then, I could only attempt to draw the nine-patterned first-rate formation once a day, and I still couldn't get it right. Even so, I kept trying, drawing it over and over again for over a decade until I finally overcame that hurdle."
"I've poured so much effort and heart's blood into my craft over the years, and it has only been recently that I've attained the prowess of a first-rate formation master. Even then, during the last appraisal at the Celestial Pivot Cabinet, despite my connections, I still fell short of receiving the official recognition."
Qian Hong sighed, "Master Qian, your dedication is truly admirable."
Master Qian shook his head. "I'm not sharing this to complain or to emphasize how difficult it has been for me over the years. I merely want you to understand how immensely challenging it is to become a first-rate formation master."
"With the support of my family, I've barely managed to reach this stage. Imagine how much more difficult it would be for other formation masters."
After finishing his explanation, Master Qian sneered once more. "In such a situation, any formation master with a bit of talent and ambition, upon reaching the threshold of first-rate mastery, would naturally look to align themselves with larger families or sects to gain access to better inheritances and further their understanding of formations. Why would such a formation master choose to associate with those destitute demon hunters instead of our prestigious Qian family?"
"Your reasoning is sound, Master Qian," Qian Hong frowned. "However, the formation master in the demon hunters' camp during the Great Black Mountain incident did use a first-rate formation..."
"Are you certain you didn't misjudge, head of the family?" Master Qian questioned.
"I experienced the might of that formation personally. It was no less than a first-rate formation," Qian Hong asserted.
In the end, all the spirit minerals ended up in someone else's hands, and he even had to endure Yu Changlin's ridicule.
This would be a lifelong shame for him as the head of the Qian family!
Master Qian fell into deep thought for a moment. "That's not a problem either. Even if someone can draw a first-rate array, it doesn't necessarily make them a first-rate array master. Moreover, first-rate arrays are not only difficult to learn but also to master. He might be able to draw one or two at most, but no more than that."
Master Qian asserted confidently.
Qian Hong was reassured. When it came to arrays, Master Qian was extremely accomplished, and his assertion meant that the array master among the demon hunters wasn't as much of a concern.
However, Qian Hong also felt a bit of regret. If Master Qian had been present at the nameless peak in Great Black Mountain, they wouldn't have been so helpless against the demon hunters' array.
But it was common sense in the cultivation world that array masters shouldn't put themselves in danger.
If Master Qian had gone and Yu Changlin, that old rascal, had been shameless enough to strike him down without regard, the loss to the Qian family would have been immense.
A first-rate array master, cultivated by their own family, was of utmost importance to the Qians.
"We don't need to worry about their array master, but if Yu Changlin really establishes the alchemy shop, it will definitely pose a threat to our family. It's better to be prepared, Head of the Family," Master Qian added.
Qian Hong nodded. "Rest assured, Master Qian. I've already sent people in secret to cause some trouble. Even if we can't stop the construction of the alchemy shop, we can at least make them suffer some setbacks..."
"On another note, I plan to build more alchemy furnaces and have our family's alchemists work overtime to forge spiritual weapons. Once Yu Changlin's alchemy shop is up and running, we can flood the market with our spiritual weapons and drive down the prices, leaving them with no room to stand," Qian Hong continued.
Master Qian, being less knowledgeable about the alchemy business, asked, "What do you need from me, Head of the Family?"
"I want to forge a batch of high-quality alchemy furnaces, but I need your help with the arrays inside," Qian Hong explained.
Master Qian frowned. "Do you need a first-rate array?"
"Preferably," Qian Hong replied.
Master Qian thought for a moment. "A first-rate alchemy furnace requires a first-rate Melting Fire Array, which I haven't studied before. Give me some time to research and understand it thoroughly."
"Of course," Qian Hong said hastily. "We'll cause some trouble for the demon hunters, so you don't have to worry. Just focus on your array research."
Master Qian nodded in agreement. "Alright."
Qian Hong's eyes lit up, and he cupped his hands respectfully. "Then I'll leave it to you, Master Qian."
Qian Hong's attitude was very polite, and despite being the head of the family with a solid Foundation Establishment cultivation base, he still showed respect to Master Qian.
In the cultivation world, some matters were resolved through sheer cultivation prowess, but there were also issues that cultivation alone couldn't solve.
Array mastery was one such matter that couldn't be overcome by cultivation alone.
While cultivation levels were personal achievements, arrays could benefit and influence a large number of cultivators.
Fighting and killing relied on cultivation, but when it came to improving efficiency and quality in various industries and crafts, arrays played a crucial role.
(End of Chapter)
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