Here, in the Peach Mountain District, is where various artisans—Alchemists, Artifact Refiners, Talisman Makers, and Array Masters—gather.
Chen Ye took a turn around the building.
Finally, he stopped before a shop on the third floor with a sign that read "Iron Mouth Foretelling, Peerless in Array Dao."
The Hundred Arts Building has three layers, the higher the layer, the more refined the artistry.
And such large-scale arrays like the Mountain Protection Array are not something common Array Masters can repair; the price, however... is indeed steep.
"Forget it, although reporting to the sect will have Array Masters come for repairs, the hidden dangers remain, making one’s heart uneasy... Waiting for sect Array Masters might take several days to half a month."
Chen Ye sighed.
The shop owner is a white-haired and bearded old Daoist, wearing a shabby Taoist robe, seemingly having an aura of divine spirit yet always squinting his small eyes, appearing somewhat sly and mischievous.
"Are you here to view an array or to resolve an array?" The old Daoist lazily raised his eyelids upon seeing a guest.
"Neither to view nor resolve." Chen Ye got straight to the point, "I have a Mountain Protection Array suspecting tampering; I wish for you, distinguished Daoist, to come forth and inspect it with me."
Mountain Protection Array!
The old Daoist was suddenly alert.
An array worthy of being called a Mountain Protection Array is at least a First Tier Upper Grade! This is a big business.
The old Daoist sized up Chen Ye and extended a finger, "I can take a look, but according to my rules, you know them. The fee for coming forth is one hundred Spirit Stones, not a piece less, or no deal."
Chen Ye heard and slightly furrowed his brow.
This price is indeed not cheap.
But now his Divine Sense has grown substantially, allowing him to keenly feel that this Daoist before him has a cultivation of Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer!
He likely has quite a reputation in the Peach Mountain District, Yunxi District, and Moon Rhinoceros Lake District.
His status should exceed even the Pavilion Master of Myat Pill Pavilion, Li Guangzong.
"Alright." Chen Ye nodded without bargaining, directly taking out a purse and tossing it onto the table, "But, I have a condition."
"Oh?" The old Daoist weighed the hefty purse, a gleam flashing in his eyes, "Speak of it."
"For this matter, I need you to absolutely keep it confidential. I don’t want anyone else but you and me to know about this." Chen Ye said courteously.
"It’s doable, it’s doable." The old Daoist chuckled, "My Divine Calculator name is also renowned in the Peach Mountain District. Whoever pays me ensures confidentiality; keeping one’s mouth shut is fundamental for our standing."
"..."
Chen Ye’s eyelid twitched; an Array Master yet calls himself Divine Calculator... This old Daoist probably picked his name after reading too many novels.
The two walked down the Hundred Arts Building, one after the other.
Chen Ye wasn’t in a rush to take this Divine Calculator back to Lisong Valley, instead leading him leisurely around the market.
Supposedly to first purchase materials needed for setting the array.
Having taken the Spirit Stones, the old Daoist naturally had no objections, strolling leisurely behind Chen Ye.
"Daoist Master."
Chen Ye casually picked up a piece of Demon Beast bone from a nearby stall, seemingly without intention, asked,
"I have been secluded in the valley in recent days, upon coming out today, I find the Peach Mountain District considerably more bustling than usual, with many unfamiliar faces."
Given that this person has a cultivation of Qi Ninth Layer, he holds considerable fame among the Loose Cultivators.
His understanding of the market should far surpass the ordinary medicinal farmers of Lisong Valley and sect disciples like Li Qiuyun.
"More than bustling."
Upon hearing, the Divine Calculator’s originally squinting eyes immediately brightened up, he leaned towards Chen Ye, lowered his voice,
"Friend, you may not know. Something earth-shaking recently occurred in the Three Thousand Great Mountains!"
"Oh? I’d like to hear more." Chen Ye’s heart stirred.
"Hehe," holding back, the Divine Calculator then spoke, "The devils from that Emotion Crossing Sect are clashing with Lingyin Sect again!"
"Them again?" Chen Ye pretended to be surprised.
"That’s right!" The Divine Calculator slapped his thigh, speaking animatedly, "But this time, it’s different from the usual small skirmishes! Rumor has it, days ago, a very respected True Disciple of Lingyin Sect was ambushed deep within the Three Thousand Great Mountains by the Emotion Crossing Sect, a fierce battle ensued, shaking the heavens and earth!"
"What was the result?"
"The result?" The Array Calculator smacked his lips, lowered his voice, almost whispering, "That True Fairy from Lingyin Sect was severely injured, fought his way out, now... his whereabouts are unknown!"
Severely injured... Missing Lingyin Sect True Disciple...
Could it be referring to Bai Susu? Chen Ye’s heart was overwhelmed with shock.
"All sorts of Loose Cultivators got wind and rushed into the Three Thousand Great Mountains like cats smelling fish! If there’s war in the Three Thousand Great Mountains, they can make some profit from the dead or fish in troubled waters, right?"
The Divine Calculator chuckled and stroked his beard.
Chen Ye listened silently, his mind racing.
No wonder the Wei Family strikes at this time!
Because now Bai Susu is unable to defend herself...
"Thank you Daoist Master for clarifying."
Suppressing the surge in his heart, Chen Ye showed his gratitude to the Array Calculator with cupped hands, then led him towards a shop specializing in selling various materials.
Now isn’t the time to ponder these matters.
The most urgent task is to thoroughly resolve the hidden danger within the Mountain Protection Array and refine that "Iron Horn Corpse Puppet!"
But, as he stepped into the shop, his brows furrowed unconsciously.
By chance, he saw several familiar figures gathered, selecting something.
It was precisely those Outer Sect disciples who followed Wei Cheng to "desert" from Lisong Valley days ago.
These disciples clearly saw Chen Ye as well.
They first froze, their expressions a mix of awkwardness and peculiarity on their faces.
"Everyone, long time no see."
Chen Ye courteously greeted with cupped hands, then continued upstairs.
Though Chen Ye said nothing, these disciples felt more uncomfortable.
After all, they followed Wei Cheng to the Spiritual Peach Garden during Lisong Valley’s dire need for manpower.
Tacitly, they felt a bit guilty.
If Chen Ye had lashed out, berated their actions, they might have felt somewhat better.
Yet, indifferently, as if nothing had happened...
"Alas, what a pity."
One disciple watched Chen Ye disappear at the staircase, shook his head, speaking in a weather-discussion tone,
"He’s a decent person but a bit bullheaded. Had he softened up to Steward Wei and us back then, he wouldn’t end up in this situation?"
"Who would disagree?"
Another disciple chimed in, glancing at the pricey materials nearby, sighed,
"Those rough folks tending fruit trees know nothing of the true Spirit Plant Technique’s wonders. Those delicate Spirit Plants at Lisong Valley cannot do without us. Steward Chen, having just assumed the position, lacks experience. Truly a pity."
"Let him be."
The leading Wang Hao finally sighed, speaking in a verdict-giving tone, indifferently,
"Everyone has their fate; the road he chose can’t blame others. Being able to follow Steward Wei to the Wei Family’s Peach Garden indeed is a great fortune. As for him..."