As Ink Painting spent more and more time pointing out issues for his fellow disciples, his custom spiritual tools became increasingly refined. The design diagrams for these refining tools and array formations also accumulated. After some thought, Ink Painting decided to collect these array diagrams, which gradually developed into a system of customized spiritual tools.

This system of spiritual tools covers a broad range. It includes functions like detection, surveillance, and early warning to anticipate the enemy. There are also array disks for trapping opponents, such as quicksand, earth prisons, golden locks, and wood binds. For physical cultivation, there are defensive armors that counter knife and sword slashes, spear and blade thrusts, and even fist and foot strikes. Additionally, there are Daoist robes that defend against spells, like warding off fire, water, wood, and poison.

There are fewer offensive spiritual tools. This is because aristocratic family disciples primarily use inherited spiritual tools for offense, which are passed down through their ancestors. The custom weapons Ink Painting creates are certainly not as powerful as these inherited tools. His custom spiritual tools are mostly designed for specific functions. For instance, there are armor-piercing blades used to break through the enemy’s tough armor. Or there are swords imbued with elements like fire, water, or gold, used to supplement the attack methods for disciples who lack certain spiritual root attributes.

However, disciples from aristocratic families still emphasize “using one force to break all techniques.” With superior spiritual roots, deep foundations, and the cultivation of advanced techniques and Daoist methods, they rely on brute force to overwhelm enemies, using strength to suppress them. They don’t place too much emphasis on minor tricks like elemental counteractions. Therefore, they don’t use many of these types of offensive spiritual tools, and Ink Painting hasn’t designed many either.

Despite this, this entire set of customized spiritual tools has already begun to take shape. The system of array formations and spiritual tools already has a basic framework and prototype, integrating early warning, enemy trapping, offense, and defense. As long as he continuously improves the grade of the spiritual tools and array formations, iterating, supplementing, and perfecting, this system will flourish and develop greatly.

However, after careful consideration, Ink Painting discovered that this system seems to be missing one piece: spiritual power amplification. In other words, it lacks… the “Five Elements Source Array”!

Ink Painting’s eyes slightly brightened, then he frowned a little. The Five Elements Source Array is the Five Elements Sect’s most important array formation from past years, capable of strengthening the five elements and amplifying spiritual power. This is originally an extremely powerful array formation, but since Ink Painting arrived in Qian Xuezhou, he has actually used it only a countable number of times.

One reason is that there hasn’t been a need. At first, he was following his senior brothers and sisters. They had deep cultivation and strong abilities. For enemies they could defeat, they didn’t need the amplification of the Five Elements Source Array. Only during the capture of the bald eagle, under the amplification of the Five Elements Gold Source Array, did Senior Sister Murong unleash a top-tier Daoist method that condensed five colors of light, wiping out the bald eagle. But that was only that one time. And for enemies they couldn’t defeat, it was best not to fight them at all. A gentleman doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall unless absolutely necessary. There’s no need to risk danger and engage in a life-or-death struggle with a strong enemy. Using the Five Elements Source Array to amplify spiritual power and decide life and death is a matter of life hanging by a thread. A slight carelessness and it’s oneself who dies. So, if they could avoid fighting, they did.

Another reason is that the Five Elements Source Array is very demanding to use. Cultivators must stand within the array formation to receive its strengthening. Once they leave the array formation’s range, their spiritual power is no longer amplified. This is equivalent to becoming a living target. Especially for spiritual cultivators who have high attack and low defense and rely on spells, in a life-or-death battle, they are particularly afraid of body cultivators getting close. Receiving the amplification of the Five Elements Source Array increases the power of their spells, but also restricts their movement, truly making them a fixed “glass cannon.” It has its advantages and disadvantages, but the disadvantages are even greater than the advantages.

For body cultivators, the Five Elements Source Array also seems somewhat useless. The Five Elements Source Array strengthens the five elements and amplifies spiritual power. Body cultivators rely on their strong blood energy and powerful strength for close-quarters combat. However, they themselves also have spiritual root attributes, and their blood energy is itself transformed from spiritual power channeled through meridians. So, although body cultivators are not good at spells, they can similarly receive the amplification of the Five Elements Source Array. However, due to the transformation of spiritual power into blood energy, the effect of body cultivators receiving the five-elements amplification is far less significant than for spiritual cultivators who directly use spells. The biggest problem for body cultivators is also the restriction of movement. Close-quarters combat requires flexible movement, relying even more on body techniques. In actual combat, where exchanges are rapid and each other is trying to kill, it’s even more impossible to stay within the range of the Five Elements Source Array, tying one’s own hands and feet. Otherwise, one would not only be a target but also look like a fool. So, the Five Elements Source Array looks very powerful, but in actual use, the conditions are harsh and it will be restricted by various factors.

Unless… Ink Painting thought slightly. He could engrave the Five Elements Source Array inside armors, Daoist robes, and other spiritual tools. Wearing them on the body would allow for convenient movement without restrictions. This is the best solution. However, he didn’t have the conditions before. Ink Painting couldn’t find someone to refine this kind of special armor or Daoist robes. He was also busy learning array formations and taking on assignments, so he didn’t have time to ponder this matter.

And now… Ink Painting thought carefully. He is “grounded” in the sect, currently researching customized spiritual tools, and has the help of Master Gu, a third-rank refining master. The time is right, the place is advantageous, and the people are harmonious. He can just take this opportunity to research the practical application of the Five Elements Source Array. If he successfully researches it, this door’s absolute array, which the Five Elements Sect relied on for fame in former years and is now on the verge of extinction, can also “reappear in the Jianghu”! And this absolute array can also supplement the last link in the system of array formations and spiritual tools he is building: spiritual power amplification!

Ink Painting’s eyes lit up, and his thoughts gradually became clear. He would integrate the cultivation of the Dao with industry. The combination of refining tools and array formations would finally be applied to cultivators. He would build a complete array tool auxiliary system that integrates detection, enemy trapping, offense, defense, and amplification! This set of systems would first be used on sect disciples to earn some spiritual stones. Then, with the support of spiritual stones, he would continuously perfect it. One day, when this set of array formations and refining tool processes is mature, and his own experience is also rich, he can promote and disseminate it, trying to delegate it to the lower levels of the cultivation world, used to research various production uses for cultivation, relatively economical and cheap spiritual tools, and simple and easy-to-learn matching array formations.

From cultivation for killing, to cultivation for production. From customization to standardization. From expensive to cheap. Popularizing it little by little like this… “Comprehending the heavenly Dao, benefiting all sentient beings.” True array formations should not only serve a minority of people but should truly benefit the common people of the world. Ink Painting was startled, and suddenly realized in his heart that his comprehension of the array Dao of heaven and earth was also becoming more and more profound.

After that, Ink Painting impatiently began researching armor and Daoist robes suitable for the “Five Elements Source Array.” However, this type of armor is very special. The inheritance of the Five Elements absolute array is on the verge of extinction, and there are almost no records of matching spiritual tools or array media left. Even if there were, Ink Painting couldn’t possibly find them. He could only grope little by little by himself, then discuss with Master Gu. This would also take some time.

About a month later, Master Gu personally came to Taixu Gate, chatted with Ink Painting, and then drafted a prototype of an armor set. Master Gu planned to go back and refine it first to see. As for the actual effect, he wasn’t sure either. After all, Ink Painting’s requirements were very strange, and he had never refined similar spiritual tools before. However, Master Gu didn’t ask too many questions. After all, array formation problems are too miscellaneous and obscure, and he doesn’t understand them either. He only needs to be responsible for the problems at the refining tool level.

After the discussion, Master Gu left Taixu Gate and then went to the merchant pavilion in the city. The customized spiritual tools had been sold out, so he went to collect the spiritual stones. And in this month, the spiritual tools had sold very well, which was a large sum of spiritual stones.

In the Gu Family’s merchant pavilion in Taixu City, the manager of the merchant pavilion couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement when he handed the storage bag full of spiritual stones to Master Gu. “I don’t know where so many fools in Taixu Gate come from, willing to spend so many spiritual stones to buy your strange spiritual tools.” He and Master Gu usually had a good relationship, so he spoke more casually.

Master Gu laughed, “This you don’t understand…” There are complicated ways within this. Refining tool techniques, process optimization, array diagram design, array formation engraving, and the demand and sales of spiritual tools. Although it looks simple on the surface, Master Gu also knows that he alone, although he is a third-rank refining master, can actually do very little. A large part of the credit still goes to the little Ink young master. Master Gu also can’t figure out where the little Ink young master got so many connections in the sect.

He shook his head, looked at the manager, and said with a smile, “I’ll treat you to a drink at noon.” The manager readily agreed and also said with a smile, “Good, then I’ll also take advantage of the occasion.” At noon, the two of them ate spiritual meals and drank fine wine in Taixu City. The matters of the merchant pavilion would still rely on the manager later, so Master Gu was very generous. The manager was also very happy. With a little wine, the host and guest were very pleased.

After drinking, the two went back to their respective homes. Master Gu still needed to return to Gushan City to continue rushing the production of the next batch of spiritual tools. In the carriage on the way to Gushan City, Master Gu touched the several heavy storage bags at his waist, sighing emotionally in his heart, while still feeling a bit unbelievable. Fifty thousand spiritual stones! The small spiritual tools were cheaper, and the large spiritual tools were more expensive. Spiritual tools with an average price of about five thousand spiritual stones sold nearly one hundred pieces in a month. Deducting the costs, this was also an extremely considerable income. Moreover, this was just the beginning.

Master Gu’s disciple, Dachuan, also had a shocked expression. He had lived a hard life since he was born and had never seen so many spiritual stones. Master Gu thought slightly, then instructed, “Stop at the next immortal city, enter the city to buy some wine and meat, and bring them back to reward everyone.” Dachuan was extremely happy and quickly laughed, “Yes, Master!” The days at the Gushan refining tool workshop were always plain and poor, and everyone had not had a good drink or eaten a good meal for a long time. Immediately, he couldn’t help but sigh again, “Master, how should we spend these spiritual stones? I feel like we can’t spend them all no matter how we spend them…”

Master Gu laughed. This silly boy was used to poverty. Since birth, he only knew what poverty tasted like and didn’t know what could be done with a lot of spiritual stones. Even if he thought about it, he couldn’t figure it out. Immediately, Master Gu’s thoughts turned, and he felt a little heartache again. Fifty thousand spiritual stones… It was a lot. These spiritual stones were enough for the refining tool workshop to buy a superior refining furnace, purchase many superior refining materials, and buy some rare refining diagrams. The remaining spiritual stones could still allow everyone to live without worry about food and drink for a while. This sum of spiritual stones could be said to be very rich.

But… Master Gu sighed in his heart. But these spiritual stones were actually very few. Perhaps they were just the expense of one meal banquet for some aristocratic families. Even the price of a mount, a carriage, a dance performance, a fine wine, or a beauty was only so much… The world was just so unfair.

Master Gu looked at Dachuan again. This simple, hardworking child knew nothing. But not knowing was also good… Plain and light is the truth. Once one sees the flashy world, desires run rampant, and without a firm Dao heart, one’s mindset will sooner or LATER become twisted, and thus completely bad.

Master Gu looked at Dachuan and said with a smile, “There are many things we can do. We’ll talk about it when we get back, one by one. First, let everyone have a good meal, but…” Master Gu frowned, thought for a moment, and said, “We need to leave a portion for the little Ink young master.” Dachuan was startled, then nodded. They were able to do this business and earn so many spiritual stones mostly thanks to that fair and tender little Ink young master. People really can’t be judged by appearances. When he first met him, he still thought this young master was some child from which family, but he didn’t expect him to be so capable. Dachuan clicked his tongue in amazement in his heart.

“Only,” Dachuan was a little doubtful, “will the little Ink young master want it?” He always felt that although the little Ink young master was young, he already had some of the transcendent aura of an immortal. Such a figure might not care about these spiritual stones. Master Gu shook his head, “This was originally what the little young master should get. Whether he wants it or not, we all have to give it. This is the principle of being human. A drop of water’s kindness should be repaid with a spring in return.”

“What’s more, to us, the little young master himself may be much more ‘valuable’ than these spiritual stones.”

“We must not lose the big for the small.”

“But there’s no need to say it clearly now. Otherwise, it will seem like we are deliberately repaying kindness, which will create a sense of estrangement. We will silently leave a portion and save it for the little Ink young master, that’s fine.” Dachuan nodded repeatedly, “Master, you are still more thoughtful.” Master Gu patted the storage bag at his waist, and a trace of a smile appeared on his firm face.

Inside Taixu Gate. At this time, Ink Painting still didn’t know that there were already two people secretly “saving” spiritual stones for him. He inadvertently had two “small spiritual stone warehouses.”

Ink Painting continued to learn array formations. The armor still needed some time to refine. Before that, he still practiced array formations peacefully as usual. Ink Painting lay on the desk, slowly drawing out a two-rank, seventeen-pattern array formation, stroke by stroke. After finishing, he drew the second one. These were all homework assignments arranged for him by Old Mister Xun. “Learn more, the more you learn, the better. The more solid you learn, the better. If the array diagrams are not enough, come and find me again…” Ink Painting liked to hear these words from Old Mister Xun.

But he also felt a little strange in his heart. Originally, Old Mister Xun said he couldn’t ignore the sect’s system and wanted him to accumulate merits and exchange for array formations himself. But now, Old Mister Xun didn’t care about these anymore. He was constantly feeding him array formations, cramming them in. Although Ink Painting had a big appetite and digested quickly, no matter how much Old Mister Xun fed him, he could eat it all. But he still had some doubts in his heart. Old Mister Xun seemed a little anxious? But what was he anxious about? Did Old Mister Xun have any other plans? Ink Painting couldn’t quite figure it out.

He also secretly observed Old Mister Xun, but Old Mister Xun’s thoughts were as deep as the sea, his expression like an ancient well with no waves. Not even a hint of a clue could be seen. Ink Painting then cautiously asked, “Old Mister Xun, do I still need to go for grading now?” He could already draw entry-level high-tier two-rank array formations, and he had broad experience with array formations, a solid foundation, and knew a great many array formations. There should be no problem in participating in the array formation assessment and becoming a two-rank mid-tier array master.

When Old Mister Xun heard this, he slightly lifted his eyes and only said indifferently, “Not urgent.” “Oh.” Ink Painting confirmed in his heart that Old Mister Xun definitely had some arrangements. But since Old Mister Xun said it wasn’t urgent, he wasn’t in a hurry either. Anyway, as long as there were array formations to learn, that was good. The more array formations he learned, the deeper his comprehension, the higher his achievements, and the more solid his foundation. Ink Painting’s divine sense was strong, he recovered quickly, and he had the assistance of the Dao stele.

So, he learned array formations day and night. Although he only learned seventeen patterns, Ink Painting’s foundation in high-tier two-rank array formations was already more solid than many true high-tier two-rank array masters. Accumulating sand into a tower. What he wanted to do now, or rather, what Old Mister Xun was telling him to do now, was to continuously expand, consolidate, and build a deep foundation in array formations.

So several days passed, and the armor was still not refined. Ink Painting was eating in the dining hall when Cheng Mo suddenly found him and asked, “Little Senior Brother, do you have any methods to defend against demonic power or demonic qi?” Ink Painting was doubtful, “You want to deal with demonic cultivators?” Cheng Mo thought for a moment and said, “Not exactly. It’s a reward issued by the Dao Court Division, saying they need to capture several criminal cultivators. These people cultivate some evil demonic techniques, but they are not orthodox. They are considered half-demon…”

“It’s better to prevent trouble before it happens, so I came to ask you.” Ink Painting frowned. Cultivating evil demonic techniques, half-demon? A task issued by the Dao Court Division? Ink Painting was startled and suddenly remembered what Uncle Gu had told him before: “A group of demonic cultivators of unknown origin have surged into the periphery of Qian Xuezhou…”

“Their origin has not yet been investigated, and it’s unclear how many there are or what their cultivation is.”

“Their activity range is also limited to the small state boundaries of two or three ranks near Qian Xuezhou. Their plot is unknown, but it’s certainly not good intentions…” Is the person Cheng Mo wants to capture one of these “demonic cultivators”? Is the Dao Court Division short of manpower, so they can only issue the rewards for apprehending demonic cultivators to the sects? Ink Painting thought for a moment and felt it was very possible.

Moreover, when Cheng Mo said this, he thought of the disciples who had been coming to him for advice, receiving rewards, and asking questions recently. All of them involved some danger. Before, they were just catching some flying thieves and apprehending some criminal cultivators. Now, the opponents they needed to deal with were obviously all desperadoes with human lives on their hands. Looking at it now, the rewards they received were very likely all related to dealing with the “demonic cultivators” Uncle Gu mentioned.

Ink Painting thought for a moment and deliberately said, “Evil demonic techniques are also of various kinds. For example, some people will use baleful qi to seize people’s divine sense, some people’s blood is poisonous, some people are used to using sinister poisonous evil tools, and some people cultivate harvesting…”

“If you encounter those who cultivate baleful qi, you must stay far away and cannot look at their eyes.”

“If their blood is poisonous, then use fire-element spells or array formations to restrain them.”

“If they use sinister poisonous evil tools, you cannot use spiritual tools to clash hard, especially inherited spiritual tools, otherwise they will be polluted.”

“Those who cultivate harvesting generally have very good body techniques, so when you catch them, you must break three of their legs to prevent them from doing evil again…” Ink Painting spoke of the various means of demonic cultivators he had seen in the Bishan demonic cave and the many demonic cultivator techniques he had encountered, “as if they were family treasures,” telling them all to Cheng Mo.

Cheng Mo was shocked. He hesitated for a long time, looked left and right, then lowered his voice and said nervously, “Little Senior Brother, how are you so familiar? You won’t be…” Ink Painting glanced at him indifferently, “Know yourself and know your enemy, a hundred battles are not in danger. If you don’t know the means of evil demons, how can you slay demons and eliminate devils?” Cheng Mo was startled, pondered for a moment, and nodded, “You have a point!”

But Ink Painting was also very curious. He wanted to know why this group of demonic cultivators suddenly emerged and what exactly their plot was. Could it be related to the evil god? If so, then it absolutely cannot be ignored. But he was trapped in the sect and could not leave the boundary of Qian Xuezhou, so he couldn’t go explore.

Ink Painting silently thought, and suddenly an inspiration flashed. He called over Cheng Mo and a group of disciples who had relatively good relationships with him and often called him “Little Senior Brother,” then said to them, “You all receive rewards and do tasks, catching criminal cultivators or demonic cultivators. If you find any strange, odd, or unidentifiable things, remember to bring them back for me to see.” Situ Jian frowned, “For example?”

“For example,” Ink Painting thought for a moment and pondered, “statues, broken swords, sheep horns, bones, and other strange objects…”

“Or…” Ink Painting’s gaze slightly condensed, and he slowly said, “Encrypted letters, blank jade slips, transmission orders with wiped messages, and…”

“Certain types of sect tokens!”

(End of this chapter)