Chapter 789 - 135 Mountain Gate Array Diagram Stirs Emotions_2
He was seeing, for the first time, the myriad changes within a sect’s Mountain Protection Array, and couldn’t help but feel his horizons broadening.
He marveled inwardly. After all, this place was the critical heart of the sect. The momentum of the array was unfathomably mysterious. No wonder so many cultivators busied themselves here for days without making any progress—it was truly insurmountable.
The Mountain Protection Array of Zhao You Heavenly Pond was decent, but Gui Congyao had only crudely arranged it using the Little Pot Mirror, devoid of his own understanding of array principles. Compared to this array, it was riddled with flaws, simply unbearable in comparison.
Zhang Yan quietly reflected, "Zhao You Heavenly Pond is an isolated entity outside Dragon Abyss Marsh and can manage for now. However, if the Demon Tribulation erupts in the future, one cannot guarantee that malicious intruders won’t break through the Array Gate and enter the pavilion. That would certainly be troublesome. I must keep this matter in mind—this array needs to be studied more thoroughly. Perhaps I should seek out an expert well-versed in the Dao of Array Formation for advice."
Although his Cave Mansion was adjacent to the Mingcang Sect, he couldn’t solely rely on the sect when facing the Demon Tribulation. This thought had previously escaped him, but now, after seeing the true essence of a Mountain Protection Array, he was acutely aware of the deficiencies in his own formation. Naturally, he needed to find a way to make up for it.
Yet, arrays of this scale could never be entrusted to another. Otherwise, it would be akin to handing over one’s dagger to be used against oneself, an act of folly. Only if he personally arranged it could he feel reassured.
He pondered for a moment. Among those in the sect proficient in array formations, True Master Meng was one possibility. But even if he could invite True Master Meng, it was unlikely he would impart him True Skills. As for some other luminaries in the sect, he had no connections with them, nor did he have the leisure to cultivate such relationships.
As he cycled through the people he knew, he recalled one individual—the Sect Leader of Qingyu Sect, Tao Zhenhong, who resided far across the East Sea and also possessed mastery over array formations.
This Cave Heaven True Master had promised to grant him three favors. Consulting him about array formations would undoubtedly result in unrestricted guidance.
Nonetheless, this was not a matter to rush; revisiting the East Sea would have to wait until he refined the Fourth Level of God Contract.
With his thoughts settled, he refocused his attention. Surging his spiritual energy, the Golden Seal flickered gently, instantly activating the Mountain Protection Array.
The area surrounding Bronze Mountain was initially characterized by a clear and sunny day. Yet, as he maneuvered the array, within moments, chaotic mist surged forth. In mere breaths, it engulfed the mountain.
The cultivators nearby, oblivious to what had triggered the phenomenon or whether any hidden threats lurked within the mist, reacted instinctively with alarm. One by one, they employed escape skills to ascend to the skies, not daring to draw close.
In their hasty retreat, several cultivators collided magical artifacts, and disagreements soon escalated into disputes. Moments later, chaos had fully overtaken the scene.
This tumultuous situation was precisely to Zhang Yan’s liking. With a flick of his sleeve, he concealed the luminescence emanating from the Golden Seal and further stimulated the spiritual mechanism. A tremor passed through his hand as a booming sound echoed. In an instant, his Sea of Consciousness manifested an image—every aspect of Yao Yin Mountain now vividly appeared before him.
Concentrating deeply, he scrutinized the entire landscape. Within just moments, he had scanned eighteen mountain ridges as well as palaces, pavilions, and towers, missing nothing. Soon enough, he located Fang Zhenlu’s hiding place.
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but chuckle in mild astonishment. It turned out that the renowned disciple was hiding in the same Tower Pavilion where he himself had previously sought refuge. Conveniently, this made it easier to act. After selecting the Array Gate, he wielded the Golden Seal to relocate the doorway of the pavilion where Fang Zhenlu was concealed.
Fang Zhenlu had spent his recent days constantly evading detection. Eventually, discovering the mountain devoid of human activity, even Tai Heng Ancestor seemingly absent, his initial wariness gave way to relief, allowing his guarded vigilance to loosen slightly.
In the past few days, he had been seeking a way to exit the mountain. Suddenly, sensing an overpowering force, he was struck with panic and attempted to resist. Yet, how could an individual hope to contend with the might of an entire Mountain Protection Array?
Amidst twisting and disorienting sensations, when he reopened his eyes, the sight before him left him incredulous.
He... had already found himself outside the Mountain Gate?
He briefly remained dazed before steadying his heart and mind. Thinking of how he had been trapped for days, he surmised that his clan must be worried. He also needed to report this journey’s events to his sect promptly. Without wasting another moment, he leaped into the sky, transforming into a stream of radiant light and heading off.
Watching Fang Zhenlu leave in a streak of cloudlight, Zhang Yan felt a sense of relief—the sect leader’s commission was accomplished. A weight lifted from his shoulders.
With this matter resolved, he could finally return to his pavilion and devote himself to cultivation without distraction.
Glancing back at Bronze Mountain and then surveying the myriad cultivators lingering in the skies, he saw that they hadn’t given up. Shaking his head with a faint smile, he flicked his sleeve and soared through the daytime skies, heading back to Zhao You Heavenly Pond.
Though Fang Zhenlu departed slightly earlier, Zhang Yan’s sword escape was faster, allowing him to arrive at the sect ahead of time.
Opening the Array Gate, he descended onto the main hall and stood within. There, he noticed Yuan Yanhui kneeling in the hall alongside another male disciple, who Zhang Yan immediately recognized as her fellow sect brother, Weng Zhiyuan.
Upon seeing Zhang Yan return, the two promptly bowed deeply.
Weng Zhiyuan, keeping his head lowered, addressed him, "Pavilion Master, my junior sister has been cultivating within the sect since childhood. She is unfamiliar with worldly affairs and impetuous by nature. Her recent actions lacked deliberation, and I humbly ask the Pavilion Master for forgiveness."
Earlier, Zhang Yan had handed over the high crown daoist and embroidered-robed cultivator to Yuan Yanhui for disposition. She, unable to grasp his intentions, felt uneasy and ultimately turned to her elder brother—currently in seclusion—for advice.
Upon learning the details, Weng Zhiyuan deliberated and concluded that, regardless of right or wrong, the two of them were guests in another sect, and seeking forgiveness was the safest tactic. Without further ado, he pulled his junior sister along and knelt before the main hall.
At this moment, Shang Shang approached and whispered, "Master, they have remained kneeling here since your departure."
Zhang Yan remained indifferent, casting a faint gaze at the pair and asking, "What offense have you committed?"
Weng Zhiyuan, still on his knees, replied, "My junior sister acted impulsively, driven by her own interests, without considering that she is now a disciple of Zhao You Heavenly Pond. If she were to be captured outside the Mountain Gate, it would dishonor the Pavilion Master’s name—behavior unbecoming of our sect’s disciples. It is I who failed to supervise her properly, leading her to commit such actions. For this, I come to accept punishment willingly."
After speaking, he kowtowed heavily against the ground once more.
Zhang Yan, hearing his words, glanced down thoughtfully at Weng Zhiyuan. He was unexpectedly impressed.
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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is the greatest motivation.)