CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: STUDYING ARRAYS

Xu Ping was speechless.

No, you really need me to remind you of your own abilities!

After completely setting his mind at ease, Zhang Chenyu brought up that Sword Cultivator: "I wonder what kind of extraordinary person that peerless Sword Cultivator is!"

"According to those who survived the Demon Suppression Team, the final sword that defeated the Demon Cultivator was truly dazzling. It’s a shame I couldn’t witness it myself."

’No need to regret, I’ll show you a sword strike myself.’ Xu Ping thought to himself silently.

...

After sending Zhang Chenyu off, Xu Ping closed the door and took out the ’Complete Understanding of Arrays,’ eagerly beginning to study.

After sleeping, his spirit was fully restored. As for the injuries on his body, given his physique, he didn’t need to worry at all.

Yesterday, he only skimmed the ’Complete Understanding of Arrays’; today, upon closer examination, he realized its difficulty.

"The composition of an array includes several important parts: Array Source, Array Patterns, Array Hub..."

The Array Source is the source of power for the array. Some legendary Array Masters can even use the heavens and stars as arrays, possessing power that can destroy the world.

Of course, today’s cultivators mostly use Spirit Veins, Spirit Stones, or other items as the Array Source.

The Array Source is simple, what comes next is the difficulty.

Array Patterns!

This is where countless Array Masters pour their hearts and souls!

Comprehending Array Patterns mainly depends on one’s perception!

Different arrays require different patterns, which when combined create the array. This can be said to be the most fundamental part, and if there’s a conflict in the patterns, the array absolutely cannot succeed!

And the lines of the array look like ancient text yet also resemble simplistic paintings, containing endless mysteries.

When drawing array patterns, you need to communicate with the mysteries of Dao.

No wonder it’s best to have Divine Sense to study arrays.

Divine Sense can extend outward, allowing better communication with the mysteries of Dao.

Xu Ping took a look at the Entry Level array patterns, and the dense symbols instantly made him feel somewhat dizzy.

What are these ridiculous scribbles?!

"Hoo!"

Xu Ping took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down: "Don’t worry, it might just look difficult!"

Before studying arrays, he specifically ran through the Taihang Nourishing God Skill once.

After making himself utterly indifferent, he began to sink his heart into research.

This research lasted five days.

...

...

Five days later.

Xu Ping sat at the table, eyes dull, looking at the scattered white paper in front of him, all covered with dense scribbles.

"It’s too difficult, truly too hard!"

It’s been five days, and he hasn’t managed to draw a single array pattern.

Although array patterns look quite hard, they are indeed quite hard.

To know that nine array patterns can form a First Rank Lower Grade array, yet he couldn’t even draw the simplest first pattern.

Up until now, there has been no progress at all; who knows when he will learn arrays!

When he drew array patterns, his hands told him he could do it; his mind told him no, he couldn’t.

There’s always a vague feeling as if some sort of force is disrupting him.

"Try drawing once more, I refuse to believe it!" Xu Ping reinvigorated himself. If he succeeds once, he can rely on the proficiency board and grind slowly.

Another two days passed.

Xu Ping tightly gripped the brush, looking haggard like a venerable scholar diligently studying ancient texts, bloodshot eyes becoming visible:

"Damn... damn it!"

"Hmm... array symbol brushes are too expensive!"

Snap!

He kicked the wooden table, smashing it to pieces, and as if still feeling unsatisfied, he stomped on it forcefully.

After venting, Xu Ping’s mood finally improved somewhat.

The Entry Level first pattern is considered the simplest among the patterns. Those with talent can draw it in an hour, average talent in a day or two, weak talent might need five days."

Yet he still hasn’t drawn it after more than seven days...

Even with the proficiency board, learning arrays may drag on for a long time.

"Forget it, no more grind, practice Nourishing Life Skill." Xu Ping gave up.

After the Taihang Nourishing God Skill breaks through to Perfection, he’ll see if he can awaken Divine Sense.

"Nourishing Life Skill is also close to breakthrough!"

He opened the proficiency board, his gaze falling on the realm tier.

[Nourishing Life Skill Level Two: 96/100]

...

Four days later.

In a wooden barrel, Xu Ping closed his eyes, continuously operating the second level of Nourishing Life Skill.

With the absorption of medicine power, his entire skeletal structure began to feel tingly and numb.

It seemed as if countless ants were crawling, gnawing over his bones...

Soon, this sensation transformed into a burning heat...

Such alternation continued, Xu Ping could feel his muscles and bones tearing and quickly regenerating, becoming tougher and more resilient...

After several rounds of cycles, everything gradually settled.

Xu Ping opened his eyes, exhaling a long breath.

This long breath shot out like an arrow, extending out to nearly a yard, before slowly dissipating.

"Finally level three!"

Seeing the twenty years of lifespan increase on the proficiency board, Xu Ping couldn’t help but smile wide.

No one would wish their lifespan to be shorter.

His current lifespan is now one hundred forty-three years; once he breaks through to Qi Cultivation level nine, his lifespan will definitely exceed one hundred fifty.

"With my current physique, my speed should be reaching new heights." Xu Ping murmured.

...

...

In a secluded forest, Xu Ping’s figure flashed, disappearing suddenly from his spot.

The next moment, he appeared five or six yards away.

Now, whenever he wills it, he can instantly leap to any spot within several yards, even a distance of ten yards only requires the span of a breath to cover.

"Speed has increased by approximately ten percent, while my physique feels no pressure, let’s see the full burst."

Xu Ping began moving slowly at first, then faster and faster in the small open space, until multiple identical afterimages appeared simultaneously, performing the same actions, sharing the same smile.

But when all the afterimages gradually converged to the center, they merged back into Xu Ping standing alone in the middle.

"Still no pressure!" Xu Ping smiled.

After level three of Nourishing Life Skill, the enhancement to physique is tremendous. Now, he might even handle Lower Grade Magical Artifacts barehanded.

"But if I have to deal with Foundation Establishment Cultivators, my speed still isn’t fast enough."

"Foundation Establishment Cultivators can exert Divine Sense outside the body, probing areas tens of yards, even over a hundred yards wide. To prevent them from reacting, I need to be faster!"

"I wonder if breakthrough to Perfection in Light Body Technique will bring changes to speed, and by how much. Xu Ping is quite eager.

...

...

Three days later.

At Yuan Wei’s house.

"Master Zhang Changqing would like to see you." Yuan Wei said with a flattering smile.

These days, he was having a good time; everyone treated him with utmost respect.

He clearly knew who brought all this to him, so he had to hold onto this opportunity.

"When?" Xu Ping asked.

"Anytime is fine." Yuan Wei replied.

"Alright, I’ll go now." Xu Ping nodded.

"Also, there’s something else, you don’t need to help me sell items anymore."

"Ah!" Yuan Wei exclaimed in shock.

"Master, did I do something wrong?" He asked fearfully.

"No, there’s no items to sell anymore, that’s all." Xu Ping turned and walked away.

Yuan Wei opened his mouth, but said nothing, his eyes blankly staring at Xu Ping’s gradually receding figure.