MTLNOVEL Chapter 38 - 37: First-tier Lower Grade Array Master!!
Chapter 38: Chapter 37: First-tier Lower Grade Array Master!!
In the early morning, Chen Weimo’s eyes were red-rimmed as she came to Courtyard No. 77.
“Uncle Ning…”
Her appearance was pitifully endearing.
“Chen Weimo.”
Ning Daoran walked out from the living room and said, “Don’t worry about the future; Old Lu and I will help you manage the spirit field. Furthermore, just focus on cultivating wholeheartedly. I will teach you the basic techniques of the Evergreen Technique, and how far you can cultivate from there is up to you.”
“Uncle, my aptitude for cultivation is very poor, it’s really not worth your investment…”
Chen Weimo bit her red lips, hesitating to speak further.
“Actually, this is a trade between Granny Yun Cui and me.”
Ning Daoran said, “You don’t need to feel indebted to me, after all. I have received many benefits from Granny. All you need to do is concentrate on your cultivation.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Finally, the girl’s eyes showed relief.
From then on, Courtyard No. 79 also fell under the care of Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer, with Chen Weimo assisting them.
…
As the days passed, the smile finally returned to Chen Weimo’s face, and she emerged from the shadow of Granny Yun Cui’s departure.
Apart from farming, Ning Daoran studied the Array Path in the mornings and the Alchemy Dao in the afternoons.
In the evenings, he practiced the Body Tempering Technique and the Evergreen Technique to refine his cultivation, leading a life more fulfilling than ever before.
The Array Inheritance left by Granny Yun Cui was not that of a single array but a complete set.
It included a Mid-grade Small Cloud Mist Array, a First-tier top-grade Moon Reflected Water Curtain Array, and a First-tier High-quality Five Elements Wander Array.
The Mid-grade Small Cloud Mist Array is an upgraded version of the Small Cloud Mist Array, adding the effect of a Confusion Array. The Moon Reflected Water Curtain Array is a defensive array that integrates spirit gathering, isolation, illusions, confusion, and defense, making it a top-quality protective array among First-tier Arrays.
As for the Five Elements Wander Array, it was a Killing Array. Once activated, the power of the Five Elements would surge endlessly until the intruder within the array was slain.
Being a First-tier top-grade Array Master, Granny Yun Cui was quite impressive to fully set up these three types of arrays.
Ning Daoran began to study intensely.
Several days later, he found that his talent in the Array Path was quite remarkable.
Studying arrays requires an understanding of both array patterns and array plates, and array patterns are comprised of spiritual patterns. Thus, spiritual patterns are the foundational component of array crafting.
When Ning Daoran infused his mana into the carving knife and began copying the spiritual patterns one by one, he quickly had a moment of enlightenment.
He found that each type of spiritual pattern followed certain principles, and once those principles were understood, all patterns became clear to him, and he was no longer baffled by the complex and abstruse spiritual patterns.
Thus, filled with passion, he gradually shifted his focus towards the Array Path.
Because at one point, he realized that although he might not be bad at Alchemy Dao or Artifact Refining, he could potentially excel in the Array Path.
Given the longevity granted by the Evergreen Technique and the time he had to immerse himself in it, the highest achievement would undoubtedly be in the Array Path!
…
Several months later.
Ning Daoran began to study Small Cloud Mist Arrays, and the first step to becoming an Array Master was to refine a new Small Cloud Mist Array.
Once the refinement was complete, it would mean that Ning Daoran had advanced to a First-tier Lower Grade Array Master!
At Yellow Dragon Square, within Qingfu Square.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, long time no see.”
Chen Ping’er was dressed in a simple gown which only highlighted her beauty like a lotus emerging from water, her entire demeanor extraordinarily ethereal.
“Fellow Daoist Chen, long time no see.”
Ning Daoran cut to the chase: “I want to buy some materials for First-tier Arrays, as well as some low-level spiritual medicine. Here is the list; please take a look and see how much you can gather from Qingfu Square.”
“Oh?”
Chen Ping’er glanced at the list and laughed, “Fellow Daoist Ning, we have all these materials in Qingfu Square. I will take you to the material salesroom right now.”
“Thank you!”
Soon, bags of materials were in his possession. Although they were numerous, they were quite cheap, as after all, the Small Cloud Mist Array is the most rudimentary of arrays, and its materials are not considered rare.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, are you planning to study both the Array Path and the Alchemy Dao?” Chen Ping’er asked with a smile.
“Mhm.”
Now a Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator, Ning Daoran was more confident and smiled, “The Array Path and the Alchemy Dao are profound mysteries. I, a layman in both, am simply studying them a bit and considering it spending spirit stones to practice.”
“You’re being modest.”
Chen Ping’er’s eyes were gentle: “Who doesn’t know that Fellow Daoist Ning is famous at the Outer Mountain, already a Second Order Spirit Plant Master. If you can achieve something in the Array Path and Alchemy Dao, you will surely become well-known throughout the Chaotic Sect Outer Sect.”
“I hope so.”
After paying forty spirit stones, Ning Daoran left with Big Stupid Deer.
…
The study of the Array Path is a long-term endeavor and not to be rushed.
Ning Daoran decided to start with alchemy. The First-tier Middle Grade Alchemy Dao Inheritance left by Granny included several elixir recipes, and he planned to first refine the simplest Fasting Pills.
Even if the success rate was low, it did not matter, as the materials for Fasting Pills were quite cheap, essentially spending spirit stones for practice.
Fifteen zhang underground, the Alchemy Room.
A bronze alchemy furnace was set, and Ning Daoran calmly decided to refine pills.
“Whew–”
After placing several medicinal herbs into the pill furnace, he gently exhaled a gust of Samadhi True Fire. Instantly, a strand of Samadhi True Fire enveloped the alchemy furnace, burning continuously.
The herbs began to melt, turning into droplets of liquid, filling the room with a fragrant aroma of plants and woods.
Ning Daoran methodically added other auxiliary herbs, exhaling another breath of Samadhi True Fire to increase the temperature for the liquid to solidify into pills.
Not long after, a dazzlingly colorful spirit fog rose from the pill furnace.
“Bang!”
The furnace opened!
Two pills popped out, both pitch-black lumps.
It was a failure!
The Samadhi True Fire was too fierce, and the pills were completely charred.
“So that’s how it is…”
Ning Daoran frowned and began the second batch.
Not long after.
“Open the furnace!”
Alongside the dazzling spirit fog, two more Fasting Pills emerged, but they had a gray-white surface covered with numerous cracks.
Waste pills.
This time, it was because the fire temperature was slightly lacking, again a failure!
Once more!
Unfazed by expense, Fasting Pills were something he could try refining hundreds or even thousands of times without breaking a sweat!
“`
So, one failure followed another.
“Ow???”
Beside him, Big Stupid Deer knelt on its hind legs, supporting its body with its front legs as it watched the commotion.
The elder brother, drenched in sweat, shook the furnace. Was he harboring a grudge against this alchemy furnace?
It must be said that when it came to the path of alchemy, Ning Daoran truly lacked talent.
Half a month later.
He emerged from the alchemy room with a gray and dirt-smudged face, holding a silver-colored Fasting Pill that was of genuine quality.
“Old Lu, I’ve done it! A First-tier Lower Grade Alchemist!”
“Ow~~~”
Big Stupid Deer joyfully rushed over, desperately nudging the elder brother’s arm and incidentally asking if alchemy isn’t about the success rate, and with your kind of success rate, how dare you call yourself a First-tier Lower Grade Alchemist?
Ning Daoran fondly rubbed Big Stupid Deer’s head, deciding not to argue with you today!
His daily routine began to regularize once more.
In the morning, he practiced alchemy, and in the afternoon, he studied the Array Path.
Perhaps the spirit stones and time he invested were already sufficient, for the success rate of the Fasting Pills grew higher and higher, eventually reaching over ninety-nine percent—a near guarantee of success with every furnace.
Ning Daoran had mastered the control of the flame and the timing of adding medicinal ingredients quite proficiently.
Afterward, he began refining Blood Strengthening Pills.
As the name suggests, Blood Strengthening Pills are a type of elixir that can strengthen blood qi and enhance physical strength. Both Big Stupid Deer and Little Blackie could consume them, and they were somewhat beneficial for their body refinement.
Initially, the success rate was extremely low, and he failed to refine a single Blood Strengthening Pill over several days.
However, Ning Daoran later adjusted the flame temperature and managed to consecutively refine pills!
A few days later, he began refining Spirit Nourishing Pills, a type of elixir that could advance the mana of someone in the Early Stage of Qi Refining. The primary ingredient was fifty-year-old Spirit Stream Grass.
Ning Daoran, with deep pockets and bold ambition, sought to overreach and astonishingly used five-hundred-year-old Spirit Stream Grass for alchemy!
Half a month later, he was stably producing Spirit Nourishing Pills.
A First-tier Lower Grade Alchemist, achieved!
…
At dawn, the forest of Qiongbi Peak was lush and thriving like a verdant treasure.
Near the bamboo building, morning dew splattered everywhere, an indescribable tranquility filling the air.
Clad in a light azure robe, Ning Daoran carried himself with the air of a hermit, despite wearing the attire reserved for Outer Disciples.
By the pond, he slowly stomped his foot.
“Little Blackie!”
“Squeak squeak!”
The big black fish’s head instantly emerged from the water, facing its master who was both cruel in heart and ruthless in action, it almost stood to attention.
“This is for you.”
Ning Daoran gently raised his hand, and three Blood Strengthening Pills shot out like beaded arrows.
The big black fish leapt from the water, “plop plop plop” accurately catching the three Blood Strengthening Pills and swallowing them down. Its blood qi surged through its body, it squeaked joyfully, utterly delighted.
“It’s actually still not reached the First-tier Late Stage, a bit slow…”
Ning Daoran frowned slightly and turned to walk away.
The big black fish trembled fearfully, then turned and fiercely glared at the group of spirit fish that were spectating.
The school of spirit fish was shocked, and in a flash, numerous splashes erupted in the pond.
…
In the afternoon, Ning Daoran began crafting a new Small Cloud Mist Array.
This was his first time setting an array, and he didn’t aim too high but started with crafting a First-tier Lower Grade array.
The flagpoles of the Array Flags were all made of seasoned iron, with a bit of refined gold and silver added to increase tenacity.
“Hu~~~”
A breath of Samadhi True Fire expelled, and the three flagpoles began to be refined, slowly purging the impurities from the seasoned iron. Immediately after, a few spiritual patterns containing mana were inscribed.
Not long after, the three Array Flags were completed.
The refining of the Array Plate wasn’t too difficult either. The most challenging part was the composition of the spiritual patterns. The Array Patterns of the Small Cloud Mist Array consisted of dozens of spiritual patterns, which Ning Daoran had long since memorized thoroughly.
Shortly after, three Array Plates were refined and stored together with the three Array Flags in an Array Box.
“Old Lu, prepare to set the array!”
“Ow ow~~~”
Big Stupid Deer was thrilled, its tail wagging so fast it became a blur.
After a few breaths, the original Small Cloud Mist Array’s plates and flags were removed.
Only the starry sky remained over the courtyard.
Fortunately, Ning Daoran chose to do this at night, so no one noticed the commotion.
New Array Plates were buried, and Array Flags were positioned one by one.
Ning Daoran’s brow lifted slightly as he sent three spells towards the three Array Plates.
“Buzz—”
A new Small Cloud Mist Array soared up, enveloping the whole courtyard and much of the pond.
Still, it was a small-scale array and not very large.
It couldn’t be compared with those mid-sized, Second-tier Arrays on the Main Peak that could cover an entire mountain.
But Ning Daoran was quite satisfied.
The current Small Cloud Mist Array was still a First-tier Lower Grade, possessing both Gathering Spirit and Isolation array effects, and the array’s influence extended dozens of feet downward, making it impossible for outsiders to scan the underground with their Divine Sense!
In a while, once his understanding of the Array Path deepened, he could begin to upgrade the Small Cloud Mist Array.
By that time, not only could Green Bamboo Spirit Rice be planted freely in the courtyard, but the underground spiritual medicines could also be cultivated more securely!
“Hu~~~”
Ning Daoran took a deep breath, filled with confidence and ambition.
“Old Lu, from today on, please address me as a First-tier Lower Grade Array Master!”
“Ow~~~”
Old Lu was excited, its deer eyes bulging with enthusiasm. If the elder brother is a First-tier Lower Grade Array Master, then I’m the attendant of a First-tier Lower Grade Array Master!
…
The next morning.
“Junior Brother Ning!”
Lin Sheng’s voice came from outside.
Ning Daoran deactivated the array: “What’s the matter, Senior Brother Lin?”
“A piece of bad news.”
Lin Sheng sat down, looked around, noticed Chen Weimo wasn’t present, and then said gravely, “The Inner Sect just received news; Granny Yun Cui who previously tended to Spirit Field No. 79, her body was found in a valley several hundred miles away from the Sect.”
“`