Chapter 46: Chapter 46: Little Seven Elements Array, Upper Grade Pill Cauldron
"That’s a good suggestion."
The others nodded. The entire reason they had entered the Demon Mist Mountain Range was because Gao Jin had discovered a cave mansion.
"The Serrated Poison Tiger is still deep within the Demon Fog, which means that place is safe for now. This is a god-sent opportunity," Zhang Yao said.
A glint flashed in Huang Qing’s eyes. He had been planning to cause trouble for Ning Jiang, but upon hearing about the cave mansion, he temporarily suppressed the urge.
Beside them, Gao Jin pondered for a moment before finally letting out a cold snort, deciding not to make a move.
The cave mansion was protected by an Array. If they couldn’t break it, they wouldn’t even be able to get through the entrance.
And Ning Jiang’s skill with Arrays was clearly superior to Yan Shuangying’s. Yan Shuangying alone wasn’t a sure bet, but with Ning Jiang’s help, their chances would be much higher.
"Alright. But if you want me to break the Array, I get to pick one item first after we get inside. Otherwise, the deal’s off."
In his past life, Ning Jiang wouldn’t have cared about a mere cave mansion like this.
But now, with his foundations not yet established, he needed all sorts of resources.
"Hmph, we’ll talk about that when we actually need you. Miss Yan might be able to break the Array on her own," Huang Qing snorted.
Following this, the group re-entered the Demon Fog.
The cave mansion was located within the Demon Fog, but not in its depths.
They walked inward for about five li before stopping in a valley.
"This is the place." Gao Jin looked up.
Ning Jiang followed his gaze and saw that there was indeed a cave mansion on the mountainside of the valley.
"The entrance is protected by an Array. I’ve tried, but it’s difficult to break," Gao Jin said.
"How about this? Let’s attack together and see if we can brute-force our way through the Array," someone suggested.
No one else objected.
They walked to the entrance of the cave mansion. With a loud shout from Gao Jin, "Attack!"
Instantly, everyone unleashed their Postnatal Gang Qi. Ferocious attacks ripped through the air with a deafening roar, all hurtling toward the cave mansion.
A combined attack from more than a dozen of them would force even an Innate Realm expert to retreat, not daring to face it head-on.
BOOM.
Following a world-shaking boom, a transparent barrier of light appeared at the entrance, blocking all of their attacks.
Their combined strike slammed into the light barrier, but it didn’t even create the slightest ripple.
’What a powerful defense.’
A strange look appeared in everyone’s eyes. Forget them, even an Innate Realm expert would likely be helpless against this Array.
"Miss Yan, it’s up to you."
"I’ll try," Yan Shuangying nodded.
She took out an Array Banner.
There are thousands of ways to set up an Array.
Most Array Masters use Array Banners to set up their formations.
Other Arrays use various weapons in their construction. For instance, swords can be used to create a Sword Array. Once someone steps inside, a thousand blades will be unleashed, and they will die without a proper burial.
The Array Banner was the length of her arm. After Yan Shuangying activated it, waves of fluctuations emanated from it.
Then, holding the Array Banner, she approached the cave mansion.
As the Array Banner touched the light barrier, faint, almost imperceptible ripples began to spread across the previously unbreakable shield, filling the group with excitement.
However, after this continued for a few breaths...
BANG.
With a loud noise, the Array Banner was repelled by the light barrier, and Yan Shuangying was forced back three steps.
"I’m afraid this Array can withstand even a Peak Innate Strong Person. With my abilities, I can’t break it," Yan Shuangying said, shaking her head.
Hearing Yan Shuangying’s words, the eyes of the crowd lit up instead.
An Array this powerful meant the Array Master who set it up was formidable. In that case, what kind of good things would be inside the cave mansion?
SWISH SWISH SWISH.
One by one, their gazes turned to Ning Jiang. With even Yan Shuangying helpless, their only hope was him.
"My condition still stands. I get to pick one item first," Ning Jiang said calmly.
Although they were reluctant, they couldn’t even get in without Ning Jiang. After some discussion, they agreed.
"One item it is. Go ahead," Gao Jin said.
Ning Jiang walked up to the cave mansion, his hand gripping his longsword.
"What are you doing? Are you trying to break it with brute force? Didn’t you hear Miss Yan say this Array can withstand a Peak Innate Strong Person?" Huang Qing questioned doubtfully.
The others also frowned, not understanding what Ning Jiang was about to do.
"If you don’t understand Arrays, then shut your mouth and watch closely," Ning Jiang said expressionlessly.
"Fine, fine. I’ll just see how you break it," Huang Qing laughed, enraged.
Ning Jiang didn’t rush to act. Instead, he glanced at Yan Shuangying. "Every Array has a weakness. ’Even a sweet melon has a bitter stem; nothing in this world is perfect.’ That’s the principle. This Array is called the Little Seven Elements Array."
Upon hearing this, Yan Shuangying’s expression turned serious. She knew Ning Jiang was instructing her.
"The Little Seven Elements Array is actually an interesting name. The ’Seven Elements’ refers to the Seven-Stars in the sky. But compared to an Array that can draw upon the power of the stars, the Little Seven Elements Array isn’t even one-ten-thousandth as powerful, so it doesn’t dare call itself a Seven-Stars Array. It’s just the Little Seven Elements Array."
"This is an ordinary, small-scale Defensive Array. It has seven weak points. Attacking any single one is useless. You must strike all seven in rapid succession to break it."
As Ning Jiang finished speaking, his arm moved.
SHING SHING SHING...
Seven consecutive sword strikes, impossibly fast.
And these seven strikes formed the shape of the Big Dipper.
POP.
Like the sound of a bubble bursting, the light barrier instantly shattered.
’Incredible.’
Astonished gazes fell upon him. They were not only amazed by Ning Jiang’s understanding of Arrays, but also by the speed of his Sword Technique.
"What a fast Sword Technique. But if he were to fight me, my chances of winning would be ninety percent. No, one hundred percent," Gao Jin said confidently.
Among the younger generation of Luoyang City, the only ones whose Sword Technique could surpass his were Liu Xianyu and Wang Ziming.
Ning Jiang’s Sword Technique might be good, but Gao Jin still didn’t see him as a threat.
Zhang Yao overheard Gao Jin and secretly shook her head. ’If Gao Jin had seen the strike Ning Jiang used to wound Chen Wu, he probably wouldn’t be so confident.’
"Let’s go. We’re going in."
With the Array broken, everyone eagerly rushed inside.
After passing through a corridor about a dozen zhang long, their vision suddenly opened up.
This was a huge, hollowed-out space, thirty zhang in circumference, making it quite spacious.
The entire place was covered in a thick layer of dust, indicating that the cave mansion had been abandoned for many years.
Embedded in the surrounding walls were crescent-shaped stones, like miniature moons, emitting a soft glow that illuminated the entire stone chamber.
These were Moonstones, a type of glowing stone often used for illumination, worth several dozen Primordial Stones each.
In the center was a platform, one zhang in circumference, with a rush cushion on top.
This was clearly where the mansion’s owner used to meditate and cultivate.
Besides that, there was a Pill Cauldron in the center. It had three legs and two ears, was forged from bronze, and its body was covered with images of rare Treasures and Exotic Beasts.
They went up to examine it and, a moment later, all revealed expressions of shock.
"This is an Upper Grade Pill Cauldron!"
An Upper Grade Pill Cauldron could be worth three to four hundred thousand Primordial Stones, more than ten times the price of an ordinary Upper Grade Treasure Artifact.
Very few people in Luoyang City possessed an Upper Grade Pill Cauldron.
Besides the Pill Cauldron in the center, there were also a few books placed on either side of the cushion.
"Is this all there is? How are we supposed to divide this?"
One Pill Cauldron and a few books, but there were seventeen of them.
"I’ll take the Pill Cauldron," Ning Jiang said at this moment.
As it happened, he was in need of a Pill Cauldron.
To perform Alchemy to heal Liu Yuanlong’s injuries, a Pill Cauldron was indispensable.
"Ridiculous! This cauldron is worth three to four hundred thousand Primordial Stones. Don’t you think you’re being a bit too greedy trying to take the Pill Cauldron for yourself?" Huang Qing snorted.
"He’s right. I don’t agree either," the dark-skinned youth added.
"Are you all trying to go back on your word?" Ning Jiang wasn’t angry, instead watching them with a faint, mocking smile.
"Although you broke the Array and deserve credit, it’s far too insatiable to claim the Pill Cauldron for yourself based on that alone," Gao Jin stepped forward, speaking with an air of self-righteousness. "How about this: for your contribution in breaking the Array, we’ll give you thirty thousand Primordial Stones."
"Calling me insatiable?" Ning Jiang shook his head. "Fine. There’s no need for more words. In the world of Martial Artists, strength is what matters. This Pill Cauldron is mine. Anyone who disagrees, feel free to step forward!"
His words were blunt and challenging.
"You’re courting death," Huang Qing’s gaze turned cold.
The others also wore unfriendly expressions.
"Everyone, we already had an agreement. To go back on your word and change your minds now, don’t you think that’s a bit despicable?" Yan Shuangying’s elegant brows furrowed, her voice like smooth, round pearls. "Besides, without Young Master Ning, we wouldn’t have even been able to enter the cave mansion."
Hearing Yan Shuangying’s words, Gao Jin’s expression darkened. At such a critical moment, Yan Shuangying chose to side with Ning Jiang, causing the flames of jealousy to rage in his heart.
"I don’t agree with this either."
Zhang Yao also stepped forward.
"You all can fight it out. I’m not getting involved."
"Me neither."
Following them, another two men and one woman stepped out. They took no sides, offending no one.
"I’ll give you one last chance. Take the thirty thousand Primordial Stones and get lost. I might not hurt you," Gao Jin’s voice was icy. There were still twelve people on their side.
"You think you can force my hand just because you have numbers on your side? A pity for you, because I’m the one in charge here!"
Ning Jiang’s figure flickered, and in the blink of an eye, he appeared on the platform, crossing his legs and sitting down on the rush cushion.
"The ones who should get lost are you!"
"Get out!"
He waved his wide sleeve, his voice like a clap of thunder.
BOOM.
A vast and mighty power erupted from all directions.
This was the Array Power.
The spot where Ning Jiang was sitting was the core of the Array.
The difference between an Array with a master controlling it and one without is enormous.
Without a master, it is a dead array. Only with a master can its full power be unleashed.
He was now activating the Little Seven Elements Array.
As a Defensive Array, the light barrier at the entrance was merely the first, most obvious layer of defense. This was the true power of the Little Seven Elements Array!
"Damn it!"
Gao Jin and the others roared in fury. They felt an incomparably immense power slam into them, a force they couldn’t resist even with all their might.
The next moment, the twelve of them were sent flying like scarecrows by the Array Power, landing outside the cave mansion.
"Brat, if you have the guts, stay in there for the rest of your life!"
Outside the cave mansion, Gao Jin roared, his voice thick with killing intent.
"The moment he dares to come out, we’ll make sure he dies without a burial," Huang Qing’s tone was sharp.
Radiating murderous intent, the group stood guard grimly at the entrance.
