The poison mists enveloping the Ancient Relics had all been dispersed.
The entirety of the relics’ perimeter and interior were now laid bare.
Before a collapsed pillar of the Turtle Shell Fire Pit, Xiao Wendao, Hou Shuwen, and a few other high-ranking members of Divine Sword Sect gazed upon the broken corpse of the Lizard Demon.
"This must have been the Poison Beast within the Great Array. Who would have thought it’d be so small in size?"
His last venture here brought him face-to-face with this Poison Beast, but he had not contended with it, choosing instead to retreat immediately.
"If it’s a demon, this is quite ordinary."
Xiao Wendao shook his head in response.
In some ancient texts, records of demons describe them as not particularly large. But upon undergoing demonization and revealing their true forms, they could become exceedingly terrifying.
Such a large lizard... given that it could pose a threat to a Heavenly Person, it naturally couldn’t be that simple.
"Elder Martial Uncle, what should we do with these pillars?"
"Didn’t Array Master Wang mention before that these are Solid Array Piles used in the array? Naturally, we’ll bring them back; the same goes for the shattered petrified Ape Demon."
Xiao Wendao gestured dismissively.
Everything within this Demon Relics site had to be moved back. Not a single hair could be missed.
Li Qian returned to the Chen Bell Platform.
Although he hadn’t practiced striking the bell for over half a month, his recent excursion had still been quite rewarding.
The appearance of a demon within that Ancient Relic... surely it was not an isolated case.
No one knew just how many such Demon Relics existed within the extensive lands of Dachang.
If similar situations were to arise everywhere, it would be no exaggeration to suggest that the Demon Race could re-emerge within the boundaries of Dachang.
Those so-called anomalies were mere trifles by comparison.
The real threat would come should true demons emerge.
That Lizard Demon was comparable to a Heavenly Person; after its demonization, it certainly wouldn’t be weaker than an Intermediate Heavenly Person.
Given more time, that Lizard Demon would have undoubtedly continued to grow stronger.
In fact, newly birthed demons like the Lizard Demon are not the gravest threat. Where did that terrifying willpower originate from within the petrified body of the Ape Demon?
That willpower, in its temptation, alluded to the Human World, the true heavens and earth...
He felt it touched upon a higher order, perhaps the ultimate truth of this world.
Otherwise, it’s a bit hard to comprehend why the most powerful figures in Dachang, seen overtly, capped at the rank of Heavenly Person, with a scant few like Old Emperor Wu at the Heavenly Phenomenon Level?
Why has the rank of Martial Saint become a mere legend?
And what about that old man who rode a donkey backward? What is his story?
So many unresolved enigmas.
The more Li Qian learned, the more he realized the depth of these waters, clearly beyond the grasp of his current strength.
Thus, it was best for him to stay at the Chen Bell Platform and continue his bell-striking practice.
He should avoid entangling himself with the disputes of the outside world as much as possible.
Xiao Wendao visited the Chen Bell Platform once more, providing Li Qian with several bottles of elixirs and two volumes of Martial Arts Secret Skills as a reward for Li Qian’s mediation with the senior.
"Li Qian, do you understand arrays?"
Xiao Wendao suddenly inquired.
"Huh? Grand-elder martial uncle, how did you know?"
Li Qian feigned surprise.
"Hehe, just a guess..."
Xiao Wendao revealed an expression as if to say ’I knew it’.
The senior who had deciphered the formation within the Demon Relics must be well-versed in the Array Formation Technique.
Given the senior’s regard for Li Qian, would it be possible that he also imparted knowledge of arrays to him?
It was highly possible.
"Li Qian, how proficient are you in arrays?"
Xiao Wendao continued.
"Just average, I’m barely getting started, after all, my main focus is martial arts. As for arrays, it’s merely a small interest of mine."
He wasn’t lying; his skill in array formation was genuinely modest.
"Li Qian, if you have the time, you might want to visit Array Valley and offer them some guidance."
Xiao Wendao said eagerly.
Barely getting started?
That means he has begun.
Yet those Array Masters in Divine Sword Sect are but mediocre.
"Grand-elder martial uncle, alright."
Truth be told, he was quite curious about the Divine Sword Sect’s array knowledge.
After all, his understanding of arrays came from the Lion Camel Ridge Array Solution, which was undoubtedly different from Divine Sword Sect’s.
If he could access new array knowledge and systems, it would significantly benefit his mastery of array formations.
After completing his bell-striking practice, Li Qian left the Chen Bell Platform and headed for Array Valley.
Array Valley was located in a valley to the southeast of Divine Sword Sect.
The area wasn’t large, with just a few buildings erected.
Among the houses of Divine Sword Sect, Array Valley had the fewest numbers.
Including servant disciples, there were only a dozen or so individuals.
Mainly because entry into array knowledge is challenging and exceedingly dull.
Not many could endure the solitude.
Most importantly, there seemed to be no future in it...
Therefore, the few Array Masters in Array Valley spent most of their days researching array knowledge and occasionally maintaining the arrays within Sword Grinding Cave and Sword Tomb.
At this moment, the Array Masters of Array Valley were congregating around a massive pillar.
Atop the pillar rested a Turtle Shell Fire Pit.
It was one of the Solid Array Piles hauled back from the Demon Relics site.
The Array Masters were scrutinizing it, unable to deduce which foundational array it belonged to.
"I’ve never seen such array patterns in all the array books I’ve read. Look, the structure of this array pattern completely contradicts the operational laws stated in the Taishan Formation Record."
An elderly Array Master said, stroking his beard and frowning.
Had this Solid Array Pile not been excavated from that grotto, he would scarcely believe that the etchings on the pillar were array patterns at all.
"Array patterns are not fixed; different array systems are bound to vary."
Suddenly, a detached voice came from behind.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)𝒆bnov(𝒆)l