Chapter 257: Ghostly Earth Flowers, Strange Military Chests

Chapter 257: Ghostly Earth Flowers, Strange Military Chests

Li Xuan's divine sense enveloped the manor as he carefully inspected the array Fang Hao had set up. "Although there are quite a few loopholes and weaknesses in the array, it's not bad that you were able to set up an array of this level with your rudimentary understanding of array paths."

Fang Hao was taken aback. After examining the array carefully, he couldn't find any flaws or weak spots. He respectfully said, "Disciple is dull and unable to find the flaws in the array. Please, Master, guide me!"

Li Xuan raised his hand and pointed, sending a ray of light toward a certain part of the array.

Suddenly, a gap appeared in the array.

"This is one... and this is another."

Li Xuan pointed out all the loopholes and weaknesses one by one.

Fang Hao's face turned red with shame. He had thought that the array he had set up was perfect, but now he realized there were so many shortcomings.

"Thank you, Master!"

Li Xuan looked at Fang Hao solemnly and said, "The Strange Gate Martial Path encompasses arrays, restrictions, and heavenly oddities. These are not separate entities but are fused as one, which is the true essence of the Strange Gate Martial Path.

"Don't fall into the misconception that arrays are limited to the framework of arrays, and restrictions are limited to the framework of restrictions.

"If you do so, you will lose the true meaning of the Strange Gate Martial Path. I hope you can understand and ponder on how to cultivate the Strange Gate Martial Path and uncover its true power."

Fang Hao was stunned. He realized that he had fallen into a misunderstanding, focusing only on arrays within the scope of arrays and forgetting that arrays were just one aspect of the Strange Gate Martial Path, not its fundamental essence.

"Yes, Master, I understand!" Fang Hao replied respectfully.

He now knew how to comprehend the Strange Gate Martial Path and unleash its true power.

"You also know about the Storage Bag. Similarly, in the path of artifact refining, you can create similar storage artifacts that are more convenient, efficient, and spacious than the Storage Bag.

"Of course, you'll have to figure out the refining materials yourself."

Li Xuan reminded him after some thought.

With arrays and restrictions already introduced, it was only natural to expect artifact refining as well.

"Disciple understands!"

After bowing respectfully, Fang Hao began to ponder how to patch up the loopholes and weaknesses in the array. At the same time, he calmed his mind and merged his insights into arrays, restrictions, and artifact refining within the Strange Gate Martial Path, truly comprehending its true meaning.

...

In the grand hall of the Jade Divine Sect, over ten Heavenly God Realm experts had gathered, three of whom were from the Su family.

Seated at the highest position was the Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder, the person responsible for elevating the sect to become a top-tier sect in the Spirit Realm.

Even if they were at the bottom of the list, they were still considered top-tier.

The presence of a late-stage Heavenly God Realm expert had startled even the Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder, who had been in seclusion for many years, striving to break through to the peak of the Heavenly God Realm. This showed the severity of the situation.

"Have you found out about Xu Yan and Meng Chong's backgrounds?" The Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder asked in a deep voice.

"No!" The Jade Divine Sect's Sect Master replied, his face gloomy.

"My Su family has no information about their origins either," the Su family's elder said, his face grim.

"Despite their young age, they possess such formidable strength. Even if they were direct disciples of a top-tier sect, they wouldn't be much stronger. They must be geniuses with extraordinary bodies. If they're not from Yu State, then perhaps they're from another state," the Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder said solemnly.

"We've asked for help from sects and clans in other states, but we haven't received any useful information so far. It's as if these two appeared out of thin air, and their strength was already exceptional when they first appeared.

"In the Green Sky Flood Dragon Tomb, Xu Yan alone suppressed the Green Sky Flood Dragon's corpse and then killed Dai Jia, who was at the Heavenly God Realm.

"As for the Golden Armored Giant, it was Meng Chong. Has there ever been such a powerful cultivation method in the Spirit Realm? Where did they learn their skills? Where did they inherit their legacies? These are crucial questions," the Su family's elder said gravely.

"Up to this point, we can almost confirm that they are not from any sect or clan but are wandering cultivators. For wandering cultivators to produce such geniuses, and for them to obtain such extraordinary legacies, is truly alarming.

"With our influence in Yu State, the fact that we haven't been able to find their traces so far is the most frightening aspect," the Jade Divine Sect's Sect Master said in a low voice.

It wasn't the strength of the enemy that was worrisome, but the fact that they came and went without a trace, making it impossible to even attempt an ambush.

The truly dangerous part was that they could approach so close without anyone noticing. Even a powerful sect like the Jade Divine Sect felt as if they had a sharp blade hanging over their heads.

As long as Xu Yan and Meng Chong remained, they would never be at ease!

There had once been a person of humble birth in the Spirit Realm who was expelled, but he eventually brought crisis to the sects and clans. More than one top-tier sect and clan had been destroyed because of him.

It was precisely because of this that, upon realizing the danger Xu Yan posed, the Jade Divine Sect and the Su family were willing to go to any lengths to eliminate him.

The Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder fell into deep thought before speaking, "Could Xu Yan and Meng Chong's backgrounds be related to the remnants of the Myriad Stars?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Heavenly God Realm experts present couldn't help but feel their hearts sink.

"It's hard to say," the Su family's elder said gravely. "In the past, the Myriad Stars Martial Academy was destroyed by our sects and clans, but it didn't completely perish. Instead, it fled to the Azure Sea.

"Perhaps Xu Yan and Meng Chong are geniuses cultivated by the Myriad Stars in order to return to the Eighteen States and regain their former glory!"

The Myriad Stars Martial Academy had once been renowned throughout the Spirit Realm's Eighteen States.

Although it wasn't on par with the transcendent sects, it was still considered a top-tier sect, known for its philosophy of teaching martial arts to geniuses from all over the world.

In its heyday, many disciples from first-rate clans went to the Myriad Stars Martial Academy to cultivate, becoming students of the academy.

Even geniuses from wandering cultivator families yearned for the Myriad Stars Academy, all wanting to cultivate martial arts there. However, after the Blood Demon calamity,

under pressure from the Eighteen States' sects and clans, a genius showdown was held to tell the world that the sects and clans still ruled supreme.

No matter how genius a wandering cultivator was, they still came from humble origins and could never compare to the geniuses of sects and clans.

In that genius showdown, the Myriad Stars Academy suffered a crushing defeat and was destroyed. The remaining members fled to the Azure Sea.

Since then, the Myriad Stars Martial Academy had disappeared from the Spirit Realm!

With the sudden appearance of Xu Yan and Meng Chong, displaying overwhelming strength and suppressing the geniuses of Yu State, it was natural for them to suspect that these two were carefully cultivated geniuses of the Myriad Stars Academy, aiming to suppress the geniuses of sects and clans.

No one would suspect that Xu Yan and Meng Chong were from the Inner Realm. Geniuses of such caliber could never exist in the lower realms.

The Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder took a deep breath and said, "Regardless of their origins, use all means necessary to find their traces. I will take action personally!"

The Su family's elder's spirit lifted. The Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder was a late-stage Heavenly God Realm expert, the strongest in Yu State.

For him to take action personally showed how much of a threat Xu Yan and Meng Chong posed.

"If they really are proteges of the Myriad Stars remnants, wouldn't there be guardians protecting them?" the Su family's elder asked, knitting his brows.

"Hmph! If the remnants of the Myriad Stars dare to show their faces, let's see if the Eighteen States can accommodate them!" The Jade Divine Sect's Great Elder coldly smiled.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Did that person from the Myriad Stars really die back then?" The Jade Divine Sect's Sect Master suddenly asked.

In an instant, everyone fell silent. That legendary figure from the Myriad Stars Martial Academy, who had reached the peak of the Heavenly God Realm and could rival the top experts from transcendent sects—no one knew if he had truly perished.

Now everyone was relieved. As long as the guardian wasn't that person, the rest of the Myriad Stars remnants were not a cause for concern.

Months passed...

Once again, tremors ran through Yu State.

The Jade Divine Sect and the Su family had increased the bounty.

"A divine-grade spirit herb, the Ghostly Earth Flower. The Jade Divine Sect is really sparing no expense."

"Hiss, with such a high bounty, I'm afraid Yu State is no longer a place where Xu Yan and Meng Chong can set foot."

"With such an enormous reward, I can only think of one incident in the history of the Spirit Realm..."

"Shh, do you want to die? If the spiritual sects and aristocratic families hear you, your life will be forfeit!"

Yu State was in an uproar once more. This time, even the secluded divine refiners throughout the state emerged, lured by the bounty.

Find Xu Yan and Meng Chong!

A divine-grade spirit herb, the Ghostly Earth Flower—even divine refiners would be tempted.

Ghostly Earth Flowers only grew within grand spirit mines, and only one bloomed every thousand years, hence their immense value.

As for their effects, they were said to nourish the divine soul. If a peak grandmaster consumed one, they could break through the Gathered Spirit Realm with no bottlenecks.

If a minor divine refiner took it, they could overcome the Grand Divine Refiner bottleneck and increase their chances of condensing their divine soul, improving their odds of breaking through to the Divine Refiner Realm.

For a grand divine refiner, the chances of breaking through to the Divine Refiner Realm increased by fifty percent.

Even a divine refiner who consumed it would enhance their divine soul by ten percent, increasing their likelihood of advancing to the middle Divine Refiner stage.

This illustrated the rarity and value of the Ghostly Earth Flower.

Even first-rate spiritual sects and aristocratic families would use them sparingly, often reserving them for when a divine refiner faced a bottleneck or suffered divine soul damage.

Using Ghostly Earth Flowers for cultivation was too extravagant, something that even first-rate spiritual sects couldn't afford.

Perhaps only the most superior spiritual sects and aristocratic families, capable of cultivating these flowers, could afford such luxury.

"With this bounty, not only will cultivators from Yu State be tempted, but those from other states as well."

Elder Meng couldn't help but exclaim.

The Jade Divine Sect and the Su family were indeed making a bold move.

It was foreseeable that divine refiners from other states would also rush to Yu State, scouring every inch to find Xu Yan and Meng Chong.

And the one being hunted, Xu Yan, had returned to the manor after his breakthrough.

When he reached the location of the manor, he furrowed his brows. The manor had disappeared?

He enveloped the area with his divine sense and nodded in satisfaction.

An array!

His fourth junior brother had set up an array so quickly, enveloping the entire manor.

"The Jade Divine Sect and the Su family's spirit mines... We can't let them go to waste. With an array covering it, I can figure out how to move the spirit mines."

Xu Yan wore a smile.

"There's no need to move all the spirit mines. We can set up an array to seal them off and make the spirit mines ours."

Arrays were indeed wonderful things.

Xu Yan took a step forward and entered the array, heading toward the courtyard.

In the manor, Fang Hao was filled with excitement. He held an array disc in his hand, manipulating the grand array in an attempt to trap Xu Yan.

"Senior Brother, how long do you think we can hold Senior Brother Xu Yan?"

Su Lingxiu also looked excited as she asked.

"An hour shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Fang Hao pondered for a moment before answering.

"Half an hour. I think half an hour at most," Su Lingxiu said.

"Senior Sister, you underestimate my array too much."

"No, you underestimate Senior Brother Xu Yan. You don't know his true strength!"

Li Xuan looked at the array trapping Xu Yan and shook his head slightly. Half an hour?

That was far too optimistic!

This was the very same person who had pioneered their unorthodox martial path. How could such a simple array trap him?

Thick mist and phoenix flames surged within the array, its power fully activated by Fang Hao.

Xu Yan looked around and nodded in approval. This array was indeed mysterious. If Dai Sheng, the divine refiner, were to enter, he would likely be trapped for half a day.

As for himself...

He took a step forward, and sword intent permeated the area. In that instant, the phoenix flames and mist transformed into countless swords, forming the Mountain River Sword Array!

Heart Sword Realm!

All things could become swords, even arrays!

Xu Yan strolled through the phoenix flames and mist as if they were nothing.

Fang Hao was stunned, doubting his own array. "No, Senior Brother Xu Yan is just too strong!"

Xu Yan laughed and said, "This array is not bad!"

"Senior Brother, how did you break my array?" Fang Hao asked, puzzled.

"All things can become swords, even arrays. Your array didn't exceed the scope of my control. No matter how you set it up, I can transform it into my sword with a single thought."

Xu Yan smiled and explained.

Fang Hao was taken aback. "All things can become swords? Even arrays?"

"Your unorthodox martial path is powerful, but your comprehension is still shallow. You haven't truly grasped its essence yet."

Xu Yan patted his shoulder and smiled.

"I understand now!" Fang Hao said, his expression serious.

After Xu Yan paid his respects to his master, he asked Yu Xiaolong to spit out the items it had swallowed.

"These are the things I obtained from the Dai family's treasury, along with my junior brother. Junior Sister and Fourth Junior Brother won't have to worry about resources anymore."

Xu Yan pointed to the pile of storage bags that Yu Xiaolong had regurgitated.

The treasures of an aristocratic family were indeed abundant. Fang Hao was shocked by the sheer amount.

Su Lingxiu, along with Zhou Ying, Shi Er, and Meng Shushu, had already started sorting through the treasures, categorizing them neatly.

Yu Xiaolong immediately went over to Chi Cat and started to curry favor with it.

For the sake of the Great Beast Art, it was willing to be a little brother.

Chi Cat was very pleased and introduced Yu Xiaolong to Chi Cat, the third senior brother.

Little Ha had a timid look on his face. This snake was so scary!

The fat cat was raised by his master's master, and the snake was raised by his master's senior brother, so it had the lowest status.

Seeing Fang Hao refining weapons, Xu Yan said, "Junior Brother, you can refine a unique set of weapons for yourself, encompassing array weapons, restrictions, and heavenly oddities."

"You can also refine a killing weapon that incorporates the unorthodox weapons, so that with a single move, arrays will appear, and heavenly oddities will emerge, attacking like a flood..."

Fang Hao's hand paused, and a flash of insight occurred in his mind. He was thrilled and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for your guidance. I understand now. I want to refine an unorthodox weapon chest!"

In that instant, the method to refine the unorthodox weapon chest appeared in his mind.

With a single thought, the weapon chest ejected arrays, and in an instant, a grand array appeared. Moreover, the weapon chest itself was a powerful killing weapon, shooting out numerous deadly weapons.

Xu Yan smiled and nodded. "Junior Brother, as long as you have the idea, that's good. There are countless materials in the Dai family's treasury, so don't worry about wasting them. After all, they weren't hard to come by."

"You can also try to refine a storage item with a large capacity to replace the storage bags. That way, it will be easier to store these treasures."

Fang Hao was excited. He had finally found the path of killing in the unorthodox martial path, and he nodded. "Senior Brother, rest assured. I already have an idea."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end