379: Chapter 380 Composite Array!

"I wish to set up a composite Grand Array on Longmai Mountain."

"I wonder if you have any specific thoughts or requirements, Fellow Daoist? Please do speak up, and we can discuss it together."

Xiao Caiyue nodded slightly, and after a moment of thought, she said, "My thought is that there is no need to completely dismantle the original Mountain-Protecting Array."

"After all, the Azure Water and Blue Sky Formation laid down by the Li family back then, while not top-tier, is still a second-tier Formation with a rigorous structure and balanced functions."

"If we were to abandon it and rebuild from scratch, not only would it be time-consuming and labor-intensive, but the resources consumed would be an astronomical figure."

She paused for a moment and continued, "My idea is to make adjustments and improvements based on the existing Azure Water and Blue Sky Formation."

"We can reorganize the Formation bases, optimize the flow of Spiritual Qi, patch up the existing loopholes and defects, and then superimpose a new layer of Formation patterns."

"In this way, we can preserve the basic structure of the original Formation while significantly enhancing the power and coverage of the Grand Array."

"The cost required would only be about one-tenth of rebuilding the Grand Array."

Upon hearing this, Master Lin's eyes immediately showed appreciation, and he stroked his beard and nodded, "Excellent, excellent! Fellow Daoist Xiao's words align perfectly with my own thoughts."

"Rebuilding the Grand Array is indeed labor-intensive and costly. Especially for a Mountain-Protecting Array that covers the entire mountain range, once work begins, it would take at least several years, and the consumption of Spirit Stones would be in the tens of thousands."

"In contrast, the method of improvement not only saves time and effort but also allows the old and new Formations to merge into one, achieving twice the result with half the effort."

The way he looked at Xiao Caiyue now held a bit more genuine recognition and appreciation than before. "For Fellow Daoist Xiao to think of this at such a young age shows that you already have a fairly deep understanding of the Dao of Formations. This old man is impressed."

Xiao Caiyue lowered her head slightly. "Great Master, you flatter me. I am merely showing off before an expert. When it comes to accomplishments in Formations, I still have many shortcomings and will need to learn much more from you, Great Master."

"You are too modest, Fellow Daoist." Master Lin waved his hand, his expression becoming serious. "However, while this method of improvement is good, it is not without its difficulties."

"After all, the Spiritual Qi circulation systems of the two Formations may not perfectly match. If we force them together, they might conflict with each other, leading to a loss in power. How to make the old and new Formations achieve perfect Fusion is the true key."

Xiao Caiyue nodded. "Great Master, your words are very true. I am also worried about this. So I was thinking, why not first inspect the distribution of the original Formation bases, the flow of Spiritual Qi, and the nodes of the Formation eyes one by one? Once we understand the details, we can make specific plans."

"With a Senior as experienced as you, Great Master, overseeing things, I believe we will surely be able to find a secure method of Fusion."

Master Lin laughed heartily. "Fellow Daoist Xiao knows how to speak! Very well, let's do as you suggest. Since this old bag of bones has come, I cannot just eat and drink for free; I must contribute some effort."

Xu Ming, listening from the side, couldn't help but take a few extra looks at Xiao Caiyue. This Madam Ye looked only a few years older than him, yet her speech was clear and logical, and she knew how to conduct herself with propriety. Her words were polite, and she arranged matters perfectly.

What was even rarer was that, facing an old Senior in Formations like Master Lin, she could remain neither haughty nor humble, responding with composure—this kind of temperament was definitely not something an ordinary Cultivator would possess.

The atmosphere in the hall was harmonious. Everyone discussed some specific details in depth and agreed to begin surveying the Formation bases tomorrow.

After the discussion concluded, Master Lin and Xu Ming were arranged to rest in the guest courtyard, while Xia Qingyue was personally led by Ye Changge to be settled in an elegant courtyard by the lake.

The night deepened, and Longmai Mountain was enveloped in silence. Spiritual Qi swirled in the mountains, and moonlight fell, draping the entire mountain range in a layer of silver-white gauze.

Ye Changge stood on the viewing platform at the highest point of the villa, looking at the distant mountains and moonlight with his hands behind his back, his gaze deep.

Behind him came the sound of light footsteps, and a gentle voice rang out, "Husband, are you not resting yet?"

Ye Changge turned his head and saw Xiao Caiyue carrying a lantern, slowly walking onto the viewing platform. The night breeze blew her sleeves and hair, and the halo of the lantern shone on her fair face, casting a soft glow over her.

She walked to his side, placed the lantern on the railing, and asked softly, "Still thinking about the Grand Array?"

Ye Changge smiled and reached out to gently wrap his arm around her shoulder. "I was thinking that you were right today; one cannot easily see into the hearts of others. Although Master Lin was introduced by Fellow Daoist Xia, we haven't known him for long. The matter of the azure pearl truly requires caution."

Xiao Caiyue leaned on his shoulder, feeling the warm temperature from his chest, and felt at peace. "Husband, rest assured. Before we officially start, I will first use ordinary Formation stones to simulate the positions of the Formation eyes and set up the framework of the entire Formation."

"After confirming there are no errors and the prototype of the Grand Array is stable, then we will consider whether to embed the azure pearl. By then, even if someone covets it, they won't be able to figure out the true location of the Formation eyes."

Ye Changge lowered his head, looking at her face which appeared even more gentle under the moonlight, and a wave of soft emotion suddenly welled up in his heart. He lowered his head and gently kissed her on the forehead. "With Caiyue here, I worry much less."

Xiao Caiyue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave a soft "Mn," burying her face in his embrace. The moonlight was like silver, the mountain breeze was gentle, and occasionally the low chirps of night birds drifted from afar.

The two stood side by side on the viewing platform, looking at the land below the mountain that was slowly awakening, neither speaking again. But within that silence, there was a kind of tacit understanding and stability that needed no words.

The future of the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain was taking root and growing bit by bit in these mountains.

The next morning.

Just as the sky was beginning to brighten, Master Lin had already woken up.

He pushed open the door of the guest courtyard, stood under the veranda, and took a deep breath of the crisp mountain air, unable to help but praise, "What a wonderful blessed land."

Xu Ming followed closely behind and said respectfully, "Master, shall we begin with surveying the Formation bases today?"

Master Lin nodded. "Mn. Let's go early and return early, so as to avoid keeping the Head of the Ye Family waiting too long."

The Master and disciple washed up simply, had the spirit porridge and side dishes sent by the maidservant, and then walked toward the main hall of the villa.

Ye Changge and Xiao Caiyue were already waiting in the hall. Seeing the two arrive, Ye Changge stood up to welcome them. "Master Lin, Fellow Daoist Xu, did you rest well last night?"

Master Lin stroked his beard and smiled. "Thanks to the hospitality of the Head of the Ye Family, the mountains are quiet and filled with Spiritual Qi; this old man slept even more soundly than at the Sect."

After some small talk, everyone did not delay further. Xiao Caiyue took out a scroll of the topography sketch of Longmai Mountain that she had drawn overnight, spread it on the table, and pointed to several red dots marked on the map:

"These four locations are where the main Formation bases of the original Azure Water and Blue Sky Formation are located. I roughly calculated it last night; if we want to superimpose new Formation patterns while preserving the original Formation, the best entry point should be this Formation base in the northeast corner."

Master Lin leaned over to look, his gaze sweeping carefully across the drawing. A moment later, he straightened up, a look of thought appearing in his eyes, and then he nodded.