Chapter 63: Chapter 62: Kui Water Profound Array
The sky was a gloomy gray, and a boundless desolation stretched out as if to swallow him whole. Qin Feng gazed at this void world with wonder.
He stretched his limbs slightly and found that it felt exactly the same as the outside world. All his feelings and senses were identical. He could even simulate the circulation of his Inner Breath as a Late-stage Martial Arts Fourth Layer practitioner.
"Although all the sensations are here... it still doesn’t change the fact that I’m a Spirit Body!" Qin Feng remarked with a sigh. He was no stranger to the Void World.
To outsiders, the Void World before him was merely a simulated emptiness created by a Profound Array. He, however, knew that the Void World was real.
Truly powerful Martial Arts Strongmen could indeed create a small world within their bodies, known as an Inner Heaven and Earth. And the Void World, as legend had it, was the very Inner Heaven and Earth created by the Xuandao Ancestor Master, the Profound Ancestor.
But the Profound Ancestor was a legendary figure; if he were still alive today, he would be a true Demon God. The Inner Heaven and Earth he created would surely be unimaginably vast.
The Void World before him was merely a phantom space, half-real and half-illusory, formed by using a Profound Array to channel a mere sliver of the true Void World’s power. It was used for trials.
Holding the assessment in this phantom world had a major benefit: it could simulate an infinite number of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects.
As everyone knew, Array Formation required the consumption of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects and involved countless tedious procedures. If one had to set up arrays directly in the outside world instead of this phantom one, the cost in Spiritual Objects would be astronomical—an expense not even the wealthy Mystic Master Guild could bear.
However, there was no such concern with the phantom world’s simulations. Furthermore, the power and margin for error of a Profound Array created here were identical to one in the real world, with no discernible difference.
As Qin Feng surveyed his surroundings, an invisible light suddenly blossomed within the phantom world. A great path materialized, and the projections of Zuo Song and the others appeared a great distance away.
With a faint smile, Zuo Song’s figure appeared at the forefront. He glanced at Qin Feng and said, "Young man, you may begin. Here, you need only use visualization to manifest any Spiritual Object you require for Array Formation. Of course, High Level Spiritual Objects require badge authorization to claim. As you have not yet earned any badges, the rules state that you may only manifest the lowest grade of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Objects!"
Qin Feng was momentarily taken aback. Then, with a mere thought, his vision lit up. A Spiritual Light appeared, projecting a radiant, square frame in the corner of his eye. Inside it, options for one rare Spiritual Object after another were displayed.
Qin Feng’s gaze swept across the frame, past the Spiritual Objects glittering with multicolored lights. His eyes paused, settling on a prismatic crystal as clear as jade—the Crystal Jade he knew so well.
Crystal Jade was the most common material for Array Formation. If no other Spiritual Objects were available to anchor an array, one would typically use Crystal Jade instead.
With a casual tap, a point of Spiritual Light coalesced in the Void, and a moment later, a clear, prismatic crystal landed in Qin Feng’s hand. It was cool and smooth to the touch, overflowing with wisps of Spiritual Qi. This was a Top-grade Crystal Jade. In the outside world, a single piece would fetch at least a thousand taels of Gold.
Both Alchemists and Mystic Masters pursued professions that burned through an incredible amount of money. If not for places like the Void World, very few could afford the cost.
Qin Feng didn’t select any other Spiritual Materials. Instead, he proceeded to manifest over a hundred pieces of Crystal Jade.
In the distance, Zuo Song watched Qin Feng’s every move. He nodded when he saw him first select Crystal Jade, but his brow quickly furrowed. ’He’s only using Crystal Jade, that jack-of-all-trades Spiritual Material. What kind of Basic Xuan Array is he planning to build? Using only Crystal Jade... That’s not how a novice behaves!’
Vice President Hall’s expression was grave and puzzled. "Normally, to create an Attribute Profound Array, one would choose Spiritual Materials of a corresponding attribute. This provides a bonus to the success rate of the Array Activation. For instance, to build the Wood Attribute Cyan Wood Profound Array, it’s best to use a Spiritual Material like Hundred-Year Spirit Wood. The resulting array is not only more stable, but the Spiritual Qi flows more smoothly during Array Activation, leading to a higher chance of success. Although Crystal Jade is known as a jack-of-all-trades, all its properties are merely average!"
"Generally, the only people who use Crystal Jade for Array Formation are either absolute masters or clueless rookies!"
Hall and Zuo Song exchanged a look, then shook their heads, choosing to ignore the former possibility.
"But look at how calm and collected the boy is—he seems utterly confident," Zuo Song said, his voice laced with doubt as his eyes remained fixed on the white-robed youth’s face. "Have you noticed his eyes? From the moment he entered the Mystic Master Guild, through Liu Xi’s provocations, intimidation, and threats, and now facing the Mystic Master assessment, his expression hasn’t changed in the slightest..."
"Now that you mention it, you’re right," Hall replied, visibly shaken. "The boy’s composure is almost too perfect. Could he truly be this confident? A fifteen-year-old Apprentice Xuan Master..."
"I have a premonition," Zuo Song said, a smile creeping into his eyes as he stroked his long, snow-white beard, his wide sleeves stirring. "I fear Mountain and River City is about to produce a Mystic Master whose name will shake the Great Yan Kingdom. But the boy’s origins are a mystery. I wonder which Great Profound Master was able to raise such an exceptional disciple!"
Nodding slightly to calm himself, Hall laughed with a touch of excitement. "Last year, two exceptionally brilliant young Mystic Masters emerged from Tian Nan City in the Jin Kingdom. They became Official Xuan Masters at just eighteen! Our Yan Kingdom branch of the Mystic Master Guild has been mocked by those people ever since, saying our kingdom has no talent. This time, we might finally be able to hold our heads high!"
Beside him, Zuo Song smiled faintly, stroking his white beard. "Let’s just keep watching," he said. "Look, the boy is making his move. Huh? His Array Formation technique..."
...
Qin Feng had no time to concern himself with the onlookers’ gazes. After acquiring the Spiritual Materials, he began to survey the area for the Array Formation. The art of arrays was a profound study, emphasizing the harmony of heavenly timing, earthly advantage, and human unity. "Heavenly timing" referred to the weather, which was perfectly controllable within this phantom world. "Earthly advantage" was also a non-issue, as the phantom world could simulate any terrain. As for "human unity," that was simplest of all—there was no one here to disturb him.
One by one, stone pillars were carved into existence. A Mystic Master must be versed in the dao of Runes, for they are the bridge connecting nature’s spiritual energy to a Profound Array. These pillars were known as Array Feet, the very foundation of the array’s structure.
This step was crucial. The placement of the Array Feet and the carving of the Runes had to be flawless. A single error could cause the entire array to malfunction, or even collapse and self-destruct.
Qin Feng was undoubtedly a master of this craft. Whether he was placing the Array Feet or carving the Runes, his actions were fluid and seamless, like drifting clouds and flowing water. Watching him perform the Array Formation was like witnessing an elegant art, as refined as flower arranging.
The observers found themselves mesmerized, their eyes following Qin Feng’s every move. They felt an unusual aura in each of his actions. His Array Formation technique bordered on the Dao itself, and they couldn’t help but be captivated by it.
The Profound Array Qin Feng had chosen required six Array Feet!
Qin Feng did not take long. He had everything ready in just an hour. He worked so quickly that to the group of Black-robed Xuan Masters, it felt as though Qin Feng had completed the array in the blink of an eye.
’A master!’ From the very first glance, the Black-robed Xuan Masters knew this white-robed youth was no clueless rookie, but a true expert with profound attainments in the art of Profound Arrays. ’To have such a fluid technique, he must have been immersed in the study of arrays for a very long time.’
Liu Xi’s expression turned unnaturally cold. He silently admitted to himself, ’Even I might not be able to match that speed.’
Qin Feng, however, was a little dissatisfied. ’At my peak,’ he thought, ’I wouldn’t even need Spiritual Objects. I could just draw Runes in the Void to construct a Profound Array and form a Prohibition.’
Everything was done with practiced ease. The Array Hub was typically a piece of Crystal Jade; Qin Feng casually took a Top-grade Crystal Jade and set it in the center of the formation, right in the Array Hub.
Everyone held their breath as they watched the final, most crucial step: Array Activation. The success of the Profound Array hinged entirely on this moment.
Activating an array had to be done in a single, fluid motion. The key to this step was the Array Master’s Spiritual Power. It demanded not only sufficient Spiritual Power but also incredibly precise control over it. The slightest hesitation or lapse would cause the entire array to collapse.
Qin Feng’s expression was composed, his eyes filled with confidence. His hands formed a seal, and with a clear cry, an invisible ripple radiated from his Seal Technique. Simultaneously, a brilliant white light flared from the Array Hub. Within Qin Feng’s Spiritual Sense, he perceived a formless strand of Spiritual Qi being drawn from the Crystal Jade. He guided this water-like wisp of energy with his Spiritual Power, directing it toward the first Array Foot of the Array Map.
A brilliant white light erupted from the first Array Foot, then swiftly spread to the second. One after another, the third, fourth, fifth, and then all six Array Feet lit up in quick succession. The faint white glow from the six points connected like a design sketched in a single brushstroke, forming a unique Array Map.
The Primordial Qi in the air vibrated incessantly!
"It worked!" some of the younger Apprentice Xuan Masters cried out, their eyes wide with astonishment.
The Array Map was shaped like a teardrop! An invisible vapor began to gather from all directions, carrying with it an aura that seemed to nourish all life. It was cool. Damp.
Water Attribute—the Kui Water Profound Array!
