Big Data Cultivation

Chapter 396: 396 Became

Chapter 396: Chapter 396 Became

Feng Jun did not know the Duke’s Mansion’s assessment of him. Two days later, his second construction of the Spirit Gathering Array once again culminated in an explosion.

This time, he directly sought out Changqing and studied the Gathering Spirit Array Plate for quite a while.

It was still Changqing’s words that reminded him, “This is a Gathering Spirit Array Plate, and what you’re trying to set up is a Spirit Gathering Array. They’re not the same, right?”

“I know where I went wrong now!” Feng Jun slapped his thigh fiercely.

No wonder he couldn’t deduce the three nodes whatsoever. Could a portable array plate be the same as a grand formation?

What he didn’t know was that a true Spirit Gathering Grand Formation, apart from gathering spiritual energy, also encompassed a defensive function, whereas the Spirit Gathering Array he was currently constructing could only be considered a large Gathering Spirit Array Plate.

Otherwise, would the people from Yongyi Duke Mansion think the Princely Heir had been deceived? A Spirit Gathering Array was certainly not constructed in such a manner.

After making sense of this, Feng Jun proceeded to adjust his methods appropriately without strictly following the array plate’s logic.

Subsequently, he expended formation materials at a rate of one explosion per day.

Finally, on the tenth day, after six explosions, Feng Jun once again activated the formation.

The next moment, the air vibrated, and spiritual energy from heaven and earth surged over wildly. This commotion far exceeded that of the nearby courtyard’s Spirit Gathering Array.

Changqing had just finished his Tun Na exercise, savoring its aftertaste within the Spirit Gathering Array, when he suddenly felt something was amiss. He leapt to his feet and gazed into the distance, “Eh? Did he actually succeed?”

Feng Jun was also taken aback: this power… how come it’s more than twice as powerful as the array plate?

The next moment, he realized, remembering Changqing had mentioned that she used a simplified version of the Spirit Gathering Array.

Therefore, with his slight modifications, this Spirit Gathering Grand Formation might be closer to the complete version.

It was much later that he came to know, the Spirit Gathering Grand Formation was not meant to be set up in this way at all. The grand formation he had currently erected was, in fact, merely an enlarged Gathering Spirit Array Plate, and the slightest alteration would cause the Spirit Gathering Array to malfunction.

The Gathering Spirit Array Plate was not subject to this issue, being intricately engraved, it could not be altered unless violently destroyed.

If someone attempted to violently destroy the array plate… Well, if the array plate was damaged, what formation would we be talking about?

Yet a true Spirit Gathering Grand Formation must withstand such destruction!

Feng Jun could not afford to consider so much. Realizing that a substantial amount of spiritual energy was being attracted, he first rejoiced, then was immediately alarmed: can these materials I’ve prepared withstand such a torrent of spiritual energy?

He hastily checked the condition of each component, concentrating on sensing any potential anomalies.

Just at that moment, a figure leaped into the air a mile away, carefully observing the formation that was drawing in spiritual energy.

Undoubtedly, someone was ready early on, planning to steal the secrets of the Spirit Gathering Array.

“Seeking death!” Feng Jun bellowed, and with a burst of energy, he lunged forward.

While still in mid-air, he unsheathed his Spirit Blade and struck, “Feel the blade!”

The spying individual was also an Innate Expert with exceptional eyesight. As he saw Feng Jun unsheathe his weapon, he gasped, “Mysterious Primordial Saber Technique? Oh no… mercy, my lord, mercy!”

Feng Jun had intended to slay the person outright. Although this place was more bustling than Zhige County City, fundamentally, he was the master of this land, and he had every right to execute those who caused trouble here.

Indeed, those who came to do business or work were operating on his territory. He chose not to intervene out of indifference, but should he wish to manage, his will was supreme here… even higher than that of the Official Government.

Some said, if that’s the case, aren’t these people asking for trouble by coming into your home? Should any issue arise, wouldn’t they be at your mercy?

While such thoughts weren’t wrong, the answer was simple… anyone who disagreed was free not to come!

According to Lang Zhen’s view, the area was becoming increasingly lively and sooner or later, the Official Government would send someone to take charge. This bustling region could be designated as a market town or even a city, and then, the government might reclaim land from Feng Jun—at least a portion of it.

Without delving into whether the government should reclaim the land, the fact was that Feng Jun killing this person wouldn’t defy reason—of course, if he really committed murder, he might face some penalty, such as a fine or forced labor.

However, upon hearing the other party utter the words “Mysterious Primordial Saber Technique,” he decided to give him a chance. So, he changed his chopping motion to a slap, and with a twist of his wrist, he smacked the flat side of his blade down heavily on his opponent.

The Innate Expert froze like a fool upon seeing the Spirit Blade coming. He neither dodged nor parried, getting squarely struck by the blow.

At this moment, although Feng Jun appeared to be an Innate Expert, in reality, he had already started wielding spiritual energy, having achieved the Qi Refining First Layer.

Additionally, he had reached the threshold of the Qi Refinement realm through Martial Enlightenment, and even if it were a makeshift version, he could easily unleash the Mysterious Primordial Saber Technique.

A Cultivator who achieved Martial Enlightenment typically possessed greater combat strength than a pure Cultivator, especially during the Qi Refinement phase.

In such a scenario, not even Gu Maoyuan in reincarnation would be a match for him in a three-to-one fight.

The innate expert recognized the Mysterious Primordial Saber Technique and dared not resist, collapsing to the ground after a hit from him.

Feng Jun did not even touch the ground before he struck with another saber strike mid-air, knocking the person out cold and loudly commanded, “Send him to my doorstep.”

After saying this, he turned around and left, going back to where he was to continue observing the impact of spiritual energy on the Spirit Gathering Array materials.

This observation took another two days and two nights, and the materials were surprisingly intact and showed no abnormal reactions whatsoever.

Suddenly, Feng Jun realized, “Damn, I’ve used way too much material for the Gathering Spirit Array Plate!”

A Gathering Spirit Array Plate was only as big as a tire, weighing at most about six hundred pounds. Feng Jun’s large-sized Gathering Spirit Array Plate, although based on the same concept, had its dimensions strictly increased per specifications, ending up with… a twenty-meter-diameter tire.

Since it was larger, it naturally could withstand more of the spiritual energy’s impact.

He had made some minor modifications that resulted in attracting more spiritual energy; otherwise, with the same structure and a single Spirit Stone to power it, the amount of spiritual energy drawn should be similar to that of the Array Plate.

There was no contradiction in this.

Feng Jun found theoretical justification and felt that his hard work had indeed not been in vain.

Before, he had gathered many materials, and quite a few were destroyed. Now, sorting them out, he discovered he had almost enough to set up five more Spirit Gathering Arrays—the most damaged material being the Luminous Bird Eggs, which connected spiritual energy through the egg liquid once broken.

Feng Jun collected all the materials and then swapped in a new set to lay out again for another round of verification.

After all, many materials might involve some accidental factors that could lead to sporadic phenomena.

Fortunately, Feng Jun strictly followed his own method to set up the formation, and there were no surprises.

He was thoroughly satisfied as he packed up the materials and returned to the small courtyard.

Hearing of his return, the Princely Heir sought an audience immediately, “Divine Doctor, my people have almost learned everything, are those undelivered goods of yours going to be ready soon?”

“You have another ten days, what’s the rush?” Feng Jun looked at him displeased, “I need three times the items on that list… can you do that?”

The Princely Heir shuddered in fear, “Three times the amount, we really can’t manage. It wasn’t easy just getting this much… How about this, give me some time, I’ll take the cart back to the Imperial Court. If someone likes it and wants to place a large order, wouldn’t you be able to name your price?”

“Well… alright,” Feng Jun hesitated but then nodded, “However, I can’t just wait for your news. If you’re late, I may not need it anymore. You understand this.”

“I understand,” the Princely Heir nodded. For him, even if he failed to broker the following deals, it didn’t matter, as those materials were valuable and usable everywhere. Otherwise, why would the Imperial Court have stored them in such quantities?

He was actually somewhat curious, “Divine Doctor, how many Spirit Gathering Arrays are you planning to construct?”

“This is my quest task, you wouldn’t understand even if I explained,” Feng Jun said dismissively with a wave of his hand, “Such matters are beyond what you’re qualified to inquire about. Remember… there won’t be a next time!”

Seeing him set up the Spirit Gathering Array and take down an innate expert with two strikes, the Princely Heir dared not be arrogant anymore and could only nod with a forced smile, “Of course… I just wanted to ask, do you sell these Spirit Gathering Arrays?”

Feng Jun gave him a peculiar look, “Even if I dared to sell, do you really dare to buy?”

Don’t think the warnings of cultivators are a joke; those who call themselves Immortals emphasize the distinction between Immortals and mortals, and a mere Duke really isn’t worth much in comparison.

However, the Princely Heir’s courage was no small matter either. Wasn’t it just some deception and trickery? Smiling, he replied, “It’s not me who would buy it. If you’re interested, I can help broker the deal… Price is not an issue.”

Feng Jun looked at him intently, and then shook his head, “Forget it… Do you think I’m that desperate for money?”

The setup of the Spirit Gathering Array was challenging, something he had figured out bit by bit. However, at the same time, the cost of recreating the Array wasn’t high; as long as he set up one Spirit Gathering Array for someone else, they could potentially grasp his core technique.

In fact, there was no core technique to the Array: given the materials, it could be assembled, though the precision needed to be meticulously controlled.

Even if Feng Jun was short on money, he couldn’t reveal this trick. Otherwise, not only would it spoil the market value, but if Spirit Gathering Arrays became commonplace, the cultivators might likely punish him.

The Princely Heir still wasn’t quite willing to give up, “Divine Doctor, can we offset the cost with materials… Won’t you truly consider it?”

Feng Jun gave him a cold look, “That half Spirit Stone you gave me last time, its source wasn’t questioned… are you challenging my limits?”

Hearing this, the Princely Heir hastily shook his head, “Not at all. I was just asking. It’s rare to find someone who sticks to their principles like you do nowadays; I truly admire that.”

To be honest, it was because Feng Jun had not pursued the matter of the Spirit Stone that he dared to tentatively ask.

Although Immortals always stress the difference between Immortals and mortals, the reality is that within the circles of mortals, a select few individuals are also largely unconstrained by restrictions—privilege exists everywhere.

Feng Jun looked at him intently, “Considering that you helped me gather materials this time… don’t let it happen again!”

Just then, Elder Deng strode in from outside, “Divine Doctor, that fellow says he wants to meet with you to discuss in detail.”

He was referring to the innate expert.