171: Chapter 171 The Status of Array Masters! Spatial Treasure Acquired!

Chapter One Hundred and Seventy-One: The Status of a Formation Master! The Spatial treasure is Obtained!

Lu Qiu showed a look of surprise: "An Enshrined Elder of the Liulian Hall?"

Third Mother Feng nodded hurriedly. Seeing that Lu Qiu did not immediately refuse, she was secretly delighted and immediately began to explain in detail:

"Fellow Daoist, rest assured, this position as a Guest Elder and Enshrined Elder is not part of the Liulian Hall's formal establishment; it does not require you to stay in person, does not limit your freedom, and even less requires you to handle daily trivial matters. It is merely a nominal title. There are three rights that Fellow Daoist will enjoy: first, with the Enshrined Elder token, you will enjoy a thirty percent discount on all materials purchased at any branch of the Liulian Hall; second, if Fellow Daoist needs a certain rare item that this shop currently lacks, you can entrust our Liulian Hall to use our cross-island channels to search on your behalf, only charging a small cost fee; third, you can receive a portion of remuneration every year—of course, with Fellow Daoist's wealth, you likely do not care for these few Spirit Stones, but it is a gesture of our sincerity."

She paused and continued: "As for what Fellow Daoist needs to do—it is very simple. In the future, if the Liulian Hall encounters difficulties involving high-level Formations, or needs Fellow Daoist to lend a hand, we hope Fellow Daoist can take the time to assist us. Of course, there will be a heavy reward at that time, and we will never let Fellow Daoist exert effort for nothing."

Lu Qiu remained silent in contemplation.

A thirty percent discount, searching for rare materials across islands on his behalf... these two points were indeed quite attractive to him.

Especially the latter; he was currently worried about the dust settling pill. If he could procure goods from other islands through the Liulian Hall's channels, it might be faster than waiting for the Star Palace's channels himself.

He thought a layer deeper—the Liulian Hall's deliberate recruitment was likely not unrelated to the 'Core Formation senior' Hei Sha, in addition to valuing his Formation attainments.

By recruiting him, they indirectly recruited Hei Sha, which was equivalent to creating a good affinity within the power circles of Kuixing Island.

Third Mother Feng was a person with a delicate mind who never looked at only one side of things.

"Fine." Lu Qiu nodded. "Since Steward Feng thinks so highly of me, This Lu will not decline politely."

Hearing this, Third Mother Feng was overjoyed, and a bright smile instantly blossomed on her face.

She hurriedly took out a palm-sized, silver-white token from her Storage Pouch, engraved with the symbol of the Liulian Hall on the front and the words 'Guest Elder' on the back, and offered it with both hands.

"Thank you for agreeing, Fellow Daoist! With this token, Fellow Daoist can enjoy VIP treatment at any branch of our Liulian Hall. If you have any needs, just present this token directly."

Lu Qiu took the token; it felt slightly heavy in his hand, and a scan of his Divine Sense could detect the special Restriction and contact mark contained within.

He accepted the token and nodded, saying, "Steward Feng is too polite."

Third Mother Feng sat for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and after chatting for a few moments, she sensibly took her leave.

Lu Qiu stood by the window, playing with the silver token in his hand, the corners of his mouth curving slightly.

He did not know that in the Chaotic Star Sea, the status of a Formation Master far exceeded his imagination.

The hundred arts of cultivation: Alchemy, artifacts, Talismans, Formations, beasts, plants... each required a dual investment of talent and time.

And the Dao of Formations was recognized as the most 'brain-burning' study among them.

Without extremely high Comprehension Ability and deduction skills, even a hundred years of bitter cultivation would only result in basic entry.

Therefore, every Formation Master capable of standing on their own was an object that various forces vied to recruit.

Someone like Lu Qiu, who could set up an 'Inverting Five Elements Array' during the Foundation Establishment Stage to trap and kill someone in the Early Core Formation Stage, and whose Formation attainments were approaching those of a professional Great Master of Formations, could not be found elsewhere on the entire Kuixing Island.

Third Mother Feng recruited him partly out of the factor of befriending Hei Sha, but the more core reason was Lu Qiu himself—this young, high-level Formation Master with infinite potential was worth her efforts to befriend... The next day, early morning.

Lu Qiu was regulating his breathing in the Quiet Room when a Sound Transmission Talisman broke through the air and hovered before him.

He raised his hand and tapped; the Talisman self-ignited, and a slightly urgent middle-aged male voice came from within:

"Fellow Daoist Lu, please come to Luo Lan Peak; this Li has important matters to discuss."

A faint, imperceptible smile flashed in Lu Qiu's eyes.

Li Xuan.

He had never forgotten that silver information from two years ago.

The Spatial treasure—he was determined to obtain it.

But how to obtain this treasure without alerting Wood Dragon required a suitable Opportunity.

Thus, over the past two years, he had deliberately approached Li Xuan.

Li Xuan was cautious by nature and was extremely guarded against strange Cultivators; daily negotiations were handled by his concubine.

Lu Qiu used the excuse of "hearing that Peak Master Li is skilled in Alchemy" to pay three visits, each time bringing generous gifts.

Although Li Xuan still made excuses not to meet and only let his concubine receive him, he had already accepted the gifts.

Until a month ago, when Lu Qiu visited for the fourth time and had the concubine hand over a Jade Slip.

Inside the Jade Slip was an ancient Pill Formula named 'Azure Spirit Pill'.

Although the main materials needed for this pill were rare, they were not absolutely impossible to find in the Chaotic Star Sea.

This Pill Formula was recorded in its entirety in the 'Qing Yang Pill Scripture', but to Li Xuan, it was no different from a rare treasure.

Sure enough, after the message was sent, Li Xuan's attitude changed drastically.

He not only personally replied with a politely worded Sound Transmission Talisman but also took the initiative to offer to refine a batch of Medicinal Pills for Lu Qiu as a 'thank-you gift'.

Lu Qiu readily agreed and sent a prepared set of medicinal ingredients to Luo Lan Peak.

Now that the Medicinal Pills were refined, the other party finally could not hold back and took the initiative to invite him.

Lu Qiu put away the Sound Transmission Talisman, stood up to straighten his robes, and turned into a streak of green Escape Light, flying toward Luo Lan Peak.

The distance of thirty li was covered in the blink of an eye.

Luo Lan Peak and Tianmen Peak both belonged to the Thirty-Six Spirit Peaks; although their Aura was not as towering as the three main peaks, they were still elegant, secluded, and surrounded by clouds and mist.

Lu Qiu landed his Escape Light and stood before the Restriction outside the peak, sending out a Sound Transmission Talisman.

A moment later, the Restriction fluctuated slightly, and a middle-aged beautiful woman dressed in elegant palace attire with a gentle face floated out. She was Li Xuan's concubine—Lu Qiu had seen her several times and knew her surname was Qin, with an Early Foundation Establishment Stage cultivation.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, my husband has been waiting for a long time. Please follow me." Madame Qin gave a shallow bow and stepped aside to lead the way.

Passing through the winding mountain path, they entered the Immortal Cave's reception hall.

The hall was elegantly decorated, with sandalwood incense burning on the table to calm the mind, and the residual warmth of a Medicine Cauldron still present.

A man about fifty years old, with a fair face and no beard, dressed in a green robe, stood with his hands behind his back by the window; he was Li Xuan.

Seeing Lu Qiu enter, a smile appeared on Li Xuan's face, and he quickly stepped forward: "Fellow Daoist Lu's presence is a great honor; this Li has failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive me."

"Peak Master Li is too polite." Lu Qiu cupped his hands in return.

Both sides took their seats as host and guest, and Madame Qin served Spirit Tea. Li Xuan took out an exquisite jade bottle from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Qiu with both hands: "The furnace of 'Pure Accumulation Pills' that Fellow Daoist entrusted to be refined is finished. This pill has a miraculous effect on improving Foundation Establishment Stage magic power; this Li is untalented, but fortunately, I have fulfilled the mission."

Lu Qiu took the jade bottle and pulled out the stopper; a refreshing medicinal fragrance wafted to his nose.

Scanning with his Divine Sense, the six longan-sized, light green pills in the bottle were round and full, with pill patterns faintly visible, and the quality was excellent.

"Peak Master Li's attainments in the Dao of Alchemy are indeed profound; This Lu is full of admiration." He offered a sincere compliment and put away the jade bottle.

Li Xuan smiled slightly and exchanged a few polite words.

But Lu Qiu clearly felt that the other party's heart was not on this polite small talk; he frequently looked at him, appearing as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

A moment later, Li Xuan finally could not help himself, coughed lightly, and said: "Fellow Daoist Lu, that ancient Pill Formula you entrusted Madame Qin to hand over last time... this Li has already studied it carefully many times. I wonder where Fellow Daoist obtained this formula? Might there be more similar ancient formulas?"

He tried to maintain his composure while speaking, but the eagerness and expectation in his eyes could no longer be hidden.

Lu Qiu understood in his heart.

He took out a yellowish Jade Slip with slightly worn edges from his Storage Pouch and placed it gently on the table.

"Peak Master Li has a Wisdom Eye. This fragment of the 'Qing Yang Pill Scripture' was obtained by This Lu through an Opportunity; it contains dozens of lost ancient Pill Formulas. That 'Azure Spirit Returning Pill' from before was just one of them."

Li Xuan's gaze was instantly fixed on that Jade Slip, and his breathing became a bit hurried.

"Fellow Daoist Lu... this, this Jade Slip, could this Li borrow it for a look?" His voice carried suppressed excitement.

"Naturally." Lu Qiu smiled slightly and pushed the Jade Slip over.

Li Xuan treated it like a priceless treasure, taking the Jade Slip with both hands, his Divine Sense impatiently probing into it.

His mind was completely immersed in the profound text of the ancient Pill Formula, utterly oblivious to his surroundings, and his alertness to everything around him dropped to its lowest point.

Now!

From between Lu Qiu's brows, a colorless and formless white ripple, condensed to the extreme, suddenly shot out!

Spirit Shocking Thorn!

Li Xuan didn't even have time to scream; he only felt as if the depths of his Sea of Consciousness were being pierced by thousands of steel needles simultaneously, and intense pain surged in like a tide!

His eyes rolled back, the Jade Slip fell from his hand, and his entire body went limp and fell backward, instantly losing consciousness.

Lu Qiu's figure blurred, and he was already in front of Li Xuan.

He supported the other's falling body with one hand and quickly took out a longan-sized, gray-colored pill with the other hand; it was a 'soul forgetting pill'.

He pried open Li Xuan's teeth, sent the pill inside, and used his magic power to help dissolve its medicinal strength.

Taking this pill would erase nearly three months of the consumer's short-term memory, and they would experience a period of memory confusion upon waking.

Cultivators below the Nascent Soul Stage would find it extremely difficult to detect anything unusual.

Having dealt with Li Xuan, Lu Qiu scanned with his Divine Sense and sensed Madame Qin's presence in the inner room.

He crept in silently, subdued Madame Qin who was about to check on the situation using the same method, fed her a soul forgetting pill, and placed her back on the couch, disguised as if she were in a deep sleep.

Returning to the reception hall, Li Xuan was still unconscious on the floor.

Lu Qiu took the inconspicuous greenish-gray Storage Pouch from his waist, violently broke through the Restriction with his Divine Sense, and quickly searched through it.

A moment later, his eyes lit up.

Deep inside the Storage Pouch lay a palm-sized item, completely crystal clear, as if carved from a single piece of cold jade—a Transparent Jade Boat!

The jade boat's design was simple and fluid, its hull engraved with dense spatial runes, and a restrained yet profound spatial power lingered upon it.

This is it!

Lu Qiu was delighted in his heart and quickly tucked the jade boat into his breast pocket, then took a general look at the other items in Li Xuan's Storage Pouch.

This person's net worth was quite substantial, with many rare medicinal materials, Medicinal Pills, and Spirit Stones, but Lu Qiu had only come for the Spatial treasure this time and did not wish to take more, lest it arouse suspicion.

He hung the Storage Pouch back on Li Xuan's waist and carefully inspected the scene to ensure no Divine Sense marks or residual spiritual power were left behind.

Then, he picked up the Jade Slip on the ground that served as 'bait'—this item naturally had to be taken away to avoid causing doubt when Li Xuan woke up.

Having done all this, Lu Qiu took one last look at the unconscious Li Xuan.

Sparing your life is already out of consideration for Wood Dragon.

If this were a deserted island overseas with no jurisdiction, you would already be a dead man.

His figure flashed, and he silently left the Luo Lan Peak Immortal Cave.

The Restriction closed again, and the Immortal Cave returned to silence.

Li Xuan and Madame Qin lay in their respective places, their breathing steady, as if it were just an ordinary afternoon nap.

Meanwhile, Lu Qiu had turned into a streak of green light and was speeding toward Tianmen Peak... Returning to his Immortal Cave, Lu Qiu went straight into the Quiet Room and waved his hand to set up a soundproofing Restriction.

He carefully took out that Transparent Jade Boat from his breast pocket and placed it in his palm.

This boat was less than three inches long and exquisitely clear; probing with Divine Sense, he could feel that it contained its own miniature space, and its structure was so delicate and its spatial Laws so profound that it far exceeded ordinary storage Magical Artifacts.

"Spatial treasure..." Lu Qiu murmured, his eyes flashing with brilliant light.