Chapter 36 Invitation

A day later, outside the Luo Family's ancestral mountain, Chen Li came to see Luo Sheng.

After Luo Sheng notified several other families, the four Family Heads gathered at the Small Mountain Pavilion on Baifeng Mountain. The Yun Family Head had already changed from Yun Tiancheng to Yun Chengyue.

Luo Sheng didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "Brother Chen, it's like this: I've discovered a Cultivator's ruin in the Boundless Forest. I wonder if Brother Chen would be willing to explore this ruin with us?"

"Family Head Luo, may I ask if this ruin has any Restriction or Formation?" Chen Li raised a question.

"Haha, Brother Chen is indeed sharp! That's right. This ruin has a Formation. Several of us tried to break it with brute force multiple times but failed. Thinking that you are a Formation Master, Brother Chen, you should know how to break it!"

Chen Li was somewhat reluctant to go, but still asked, "How far into the Boundless Forest is it?"

"It's only seven hundred kilometers from the edge!"

Chen Li analyzed, "It is indeed quite close. If even the methods of the Late Stage Qi Refining cannot break it, then there's a high probability it's not a Third-Rank Defensive Formation. Could it be a Fourth-Rank Defensive Formation?"

Chen Li changed the subject and said, "However, I have just returned from a shopping trip and am physically and mentally exhausted. I need to rest for some time and do not wish to travel again."

Seeing this, Luo Sheng took out an object and said, "Brother Chen is a Third-Rank Formation Master. We have a Recording Stone of this Formation. Would you like to take a look?"

Chen Li opened the Recording Stone, watched for a while, and understood.

"This Formation is a Fourth-Rank Defensive Formation called the 'Four Directions Hidden Array'. It belongs to the Earth Attribute, and the Formation eye is in the northwest. If you take some Wood Attribute Magical Artifacts or a Formation to attack this Formation eye, you can break the Formation!"

Seeing Chen Li provide the solution so decisively, the others were shocked by the professional ability of a Formation Master. To know the way to break it with just one look—was he really that powerful?

If Chen Li knew what these people were thinking—that they were actually doubting him—he would certainly have scoffed: Do you even understand the worth of a Genius Formation Master!

Luo Sheng hurriedly said, "Brother Chen is indeed a standout among Formation Masters. So, will you really not go?"

Chen Li shook his head. "I won't be going."

Seeing this, Luo Sheng said helplessly, "Well then. Since Brother Chen has shared this information, if your method is correct, there will definitely be a share for you when we return from the ruin!"

Chen Li waved his hand and said, "No need, no need!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Li left.

At the Small Mountain Pavilion, only three people remained.

At this time, Yun Chengyue said, "Gentlemen, I have thought about it. I am only at the Mid-stage Qi Refining and my strength is meager. I fear I might hinder the great task, so I will not be going either!"

He then added, "My Family's Origin Qi has not yet recovered from the Yao Beast Calamity ten years ago. We are unwilling to take risks and only seek the stability and peace of the Family!"

Luo Sheng wanted to persuade him further, but seeing Yun Chengyue's determination, he could only say, "Very well then, it seems this Opportunity is not meant for you, Fellow Daoist Yun!"

...

A few days after Chen Li returned from Baifeng Mountain, he began teaching the little ones again.

Today, in the Immortal Teaching Room on the second floor of the Immortal Learning Tower, the theme was 'The Optimal Way for Cultivators to Explore Ruins.'

Over the past two months, Chen Songli had also reached the Qi Refining Second Layer with the help of five bottles of qi overflowing pill.

Every time she discussed Formations with her father, she felt her thinking broaden, as he could always solve her problems. Thus, she was very happy to see Chen Li teaching them again.

Chen Li began, "The usual rules. Songli, how should a Cultivator handle exploring a ruin?"

"Father, I believe one must first check for any Restriction or Formation, as well as toxic gas. One must also be wary of the companions they explore the ruin with. Furthermore, when it comes to distributing the items from the ruin, one must dare to fight for them!"

Chen Li praised, "Songli's summary is quite good."

The second child, Chen Songyan, said, "Father, I think Big Sister is right. My thoughts are the same as hers!"

Hearing this, Chen Songli glanced at Chen Songyan, as if saying, 'Not using your brain again?'

The third child, Chen Songxuan, thought for a while and said, "Father, I believe Big Sister's words are reasonable. However, I feel that when exploring a ruin together, strength is the most important factor. Only by being the strongest can one hold the initiative. Therefore, I believe one should not explore ruins with people whose strength is too different from their own."

Chen Li also praised, "Song Xuan's idea is also good. Fourth child, what about your thoughts?"

The fourth child, Chen Songxiao, replied, "Father, I feel that if I discover a ruin, I should hide it first and tell no one. Then, I would return home to report to Father, Mother, and my siblings. If the whole Family comes up with a plan and explores the ruin together, there won't be so many problems!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the first, second, and third children all looked over. Chen Songli's eyes lit up, Chen Songyan nodded, and Chen Songxuan was shocked. The fourth child's words were simply a masterstroke!

Chen Li also hadn't expected the honest fourth child to think this way. Although he didn't emphasize individual or small-team adventure, it was indeed the optimal solution!

Chen Li praised, "All of you did well, but Songxiao's ability to approach this from a Family perspective is truly commendable. Indeed, Family cooperation carries the lowest risk. We can resolve problems internally, and the entire Family benefits!"

Chen Songxiao smiled bashfully and said, "It's all because Father taught us well!"

The siblings took turns praising the fourth child. After this part ended, Chen Li asked the second and fourth children about their choice of crafts.

The second child, Chen Songyan, said, "Father, I've tried a few crafts over the past two months. I'm very interested in the Insect Rearing Technique. I also asked Mother to buy some insect eggs, which are currently in the hatching stage!"

Over these two months, Chen Songxiao had been following Chen Songxuan to choose which of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation suited him.

After picking and choosing, the one Chen Songxiao felt most drawn to was 'Pulse Seeking.'

Although it relied on some Magical Artifacts for searching, he felt that this was what interested him most.

"Father, what I want to learn is the Pulse Seeking Technique!"

Chen Li stated, "Song Xuan's Puppet technique, Song Yan's Insect Rearing Technique, and Songxiao's Pulse Seeking Technique... when I have time, I will go to the Beast Hunting Sect's market to buy some higher-level books."

"Thank you, Father!"

...

On the first floor, inside two small Cultivate rooms, Luo Anyue and Li Chun were still practicing the Qi Guiding Art.

Those with Five Spiritual Roots or Four Spiritual Roots generally take four or five years to successfully guide Qi and reach the Qi Refining First Layer. Other auxiliary means are limited, and the Qi Guiding Art mostly depends on oneself.

These two felt that they had done nothing for the past two months but eat and drink for free. They stayed in their rooms practicing the Qi Guiding Art and felt very ashamed, so they practiced desperately all day long.

When they saw Chen Li coming to find them, both were very nervous.

Although Young Miss Songli had told them multiple times not to worry and that it took them four or five years to successfully guide Qi, they had never cultivated before. Could they really become Immortals after four or five years?

Seeing how nervous they were, Chen Li said, "Songli told me about your situation. Just Cultivate diligently and don't think about anything else. Just practice according to the Qi Guiding Art. There's no need to worry. Once you reach the Qi Refining First Layer, you can contribute to the Family. If you have any difficulties, you can tell me!"

Upon hearing this, Luo Anyue and Li Chun said one after another, "Family Head, we have no problems. We will reach the Qi Refining First Layer as soon as possible to work for the Family Head!"

Chen Li nodded and gave a few more instructions before leaving.