Chapter 73: A Pleasant Surprise

With a thought, Li Chang’an took out a Puppet.

He controlled the Puppet, had it carry the Small Forbidden Array, and sent it into the cave dwelling’s Array.

He then swiftly tossed out one Array Flag after another, setting up the Small Forbidden Array in the blink of an eye.

"Array, activate!"

Countless Array Flags released Spiritual Power, connecting with one another and instantly sealing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power in the area.

The flow of Magical Power to the cave dwelling’s Guardian Array was also cut off.

A moment later, the Guardian Array lost its effect.

The Shadowless Finch was horrified. Its body blurred into an afterimage as it tried to escape.

’Still think you can run?’

Li Chang’an snorted coldly and caught up to the Shadowless Finch in an instant.

Seeing there was no escape, a fierce light appeared in the Shadowless Finch’s eyes. Its savage nature was provoked, and it stopped fleeing, turning to attack Li Chang’an instead.

But just then, the Beast Slaying Shuttle flashed past, instantly piercing its body and ending its life.

’Zhu Gang’s Demon Taming Manual was right. This kind of Demon Beast is wild, difficult to tame, and incredibly ferocious. It’s nearly impossible to domesticate; you can only look for a chance to kill it.’

With a thought, Li Chang’an placed both the Beast Slaying Shuttle and the Shadowless Finch’s corpse into his Storage Pouch.

He then controlled the Puppet to walk over to the skeleton.

On the stone table in front of it lay a Storage Pouch.

’An unexpected surprise.’

Li Chang’an had only gone out this time to hunt Demon Beasts.

He never thought he would stumble upon a predecessor’s cave dwelling.

He used the Puppet Body to pick up the Storage Pouch, wore down the restriction on it, and opened it to take a look.

’There aren’t many Treasures. It seems this was another senior who failed their Foundation Establishment breakthrough.’

Many Cultivators at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer would trade their life’s savings for the Treasures needed for Foundation Establishment.

Then, they would risk everything in an attempt to break into a higher realm.

But most ended in failure.

The unlucky ones who suffered a severe backlash died on the spot.

This senior was rather lucky.

At least he was able to leave behind some last words.

There were very few Treasures in his Storage Pouch, and not many Spirit Stones either.

Li Chang’an hadn’t expected to find much.

But his face soon showed surprise.

’This is...’

With a thought, he took out a Jade Scroll.

Inside this Jade Scroll was a Wood Element Technique.

’A Top Grade Technique, the Small Yi Mu Sword Array!’

Joy filled Li Chang’an’s eyes.

It was actually a rare Top Grade Technique, and it was even a Wood Attribute one!

According to the description, this Magic was even stronger than an ordinary Top Grade Technique.

When cultivated to Great Success, its power was absolutely astonishing.

’Perfect. I rely too much on my Puppet and two Spirit Beasts right now. My own strength isn’t that great, so I really need a powerful Slaughter Technique.’

Li Chang’an smiled as he put the Jade Scroll away.

...

「That evening.」

Li Chang’an had just returned to the Marketplace when he heard a piece of news.

’The Zheng Family is holding another auction?’

He was lost in thought.

At the last auction, he had lucked into the legacy of a Top Grade Puppet.

Could he get lucky again this time?

Soon, he heard another piece of news.

For this auction, any Cultivator in the Marketplace could submit items. As long as the Zheng Family selected them, they would appear in the auction.

’Since anyone can submit items, maybe I’ll really have a chance to find a bargain.’

Li Chang’an went to the trading area and spoke with some other Cultivators for a moment.

He confirmed the news was true.

And from now on, the Zheng Family would hold this type of auction every year.

After getting the information he wanted, Li Chang’an was about to leave.

Just then, a familiar figure suddenly appeared in his line of sight.

’Zheng Lingfeng!’

Not far away, Zheng Lingfeng’s eyes turned cold as he also spotted Li Chang’an.

’Zhu Gang is too damn slow! He still hasn’t gotten Li Chang’an under control!’

He was getting impatient but didn’t rush Zhu Gang.

He knew that Zhu Gang’s Path of Beast Taming placed the most importance on building a relationship in the early stages.

He had to make Li Chang’an completely lower his guard through a long period of interaction.

’Forget it. I’ll give him a few more months!’

With a dark expression, Zheng Lingfeng averted his gaze from Li Chang’an.

Then, he put on a smile and began telling the crowd in the trading area about the upcoming auction.

Not far away, Li Chang’an gave him a casual glance before turning to leave.

...

「That night.」

In the courtyard, Li Chang’an focused his thoughts and executed the Small Yi Mu Sword Array.

In the blink of an eye, he launched three impressively powerful streams of Wood Sword Qi.

The three streams of Sword Qi hovered before him, their Qi pulling at one another, faintly forming a small Sword Array.

’I’ve barely reached the Entry-Level for this Small Yi Mu Sword Array.’

The corners of Li Chang’an’s mouth lifted slightly.

Once one reached the Entry-Level of this Magic, they could control a Sword Array formed from three Treasure Swords.

If cultivated to Minor Achievement, one could control a Six Swords Array.

Cultivated to Great Success, one could control the strongest Nine Swords Array!

Li Chang’an currently only had his Cyan Light Sword and no other Magical Artifact Longswords, so for now, he could only substitute with Sword Qi.

’Just this small Sword Array formed from three ordinary streams of Wood Sword Qi is already stronger than my Middle Grade Technique, Cyan Profound Sword Qi, which I’ve cultivated to Great Success.’

He sensed the power of the Sword Qi array and mused silently.

’If I follow the Magic’s requirements and form the Array with three real Treasure Swords, the power will be on another level!’

This Sword Array was truly impressive.

If he could cultivate it to Great Success and simultaneously control nine Tier One Top Grade Treasure Swords...

...then Li Chang’an’s offensive power would reach a frightening level.

But...

Tier One Top Grade Treasure Swords were not cheap.

Gathering nine of them would cost at least four or five thousand Spirit Stones.

Moreover, his Magical Power was too weak right now.

Controlling nine Treasure Swords at once would be too taxing.

’Could I use Talismans instead of Treasure Swords to create a one-time-use Sword Array?’

Li Chang’an suddenly had an idea.

With a thought, three identical Talismans appeared in his hand.

Profound Sword Talismans!

Tier One Top Grade Talismans.

When activated, they could release a stream of Sword Qi that posed a significant threat even to Cultivators in the Late Stage of Qi Refining.

"Sword Array, go!"

Li Chang’an executed the Magic and activated the three Profound Sword Talismans.

In an instant, three terrifying streams of Sword Qi shot out in unison. Their Qi pulled at one another, and they actually formed a Sword Array, which blasted toward a corner of the courtyard.

BOOM!

A loud explosion rang out!

Even the Cloud Mist Hidden Killing Array guarding the residence trembled.

’It really works!’

Li Chang’an’s face lit up with joy.

He then summoned Dahuang to spar with him.

Over the past few days, thanks to the Treasures for cultivating Earth Element Spirit Beasts from Zhu Gang’s Storage Pouch, Dahuang had grown quite quickly.

It was already a Tier One Peak Spirit Beast.

’Dahuang is equivalent to a Qi Refining Ninth Layer Cultivator. I’ll let him experience the power of the Sword Array.’

Li Chang’an once again deployed the Sword Array formed from three Profound Sword Talismans.

Across from him, Dahuang wore a serious expression, ready for battle, as it cast one Earth Element Defense Technique after another.

"Go!"

With a thought from Li Chang’an, the Sword Array shot toward Dahuang like a long spear, instantly piercing through layers of defenses.

In the blink of an eye, it was right in front of Dahuang’s body!

Seeing this, Li Chang’an made a split-second decision and immediately stopped it.

"Disperse!"

The Sword Array halted, and the three streams of Sword Qi vanished into thin air.

Dahuang immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He actually could have blocked that Sword Array, but it would have taken a lot of effort.