Chapter 17: Next Time for Sure

Qi Yuan and Bai Xirou were both a bit stunned as they watched the Array Spirit show such an exaggerated expression.

What kind of tragedy could have occurred to make an Array Spirit who had lived for thousands of years so sorrowful?

The Array Spirit seemed lost in some memory, its eyes welling with tears, looking extremely miserable.

"I called Bai Yanjü my brother; we were close friends. When he failed to break through to the Hedao Realm and his Lifespan was exhausted, he entrusted me on his deathbed to look after his descendants in Luoyun Valley."

"Shortly after his death, I also faced an Array Spirit Tribulation. Under the wash of tribulation qi, I fell into a deep slumber. But when I woke up…"

Speaking of the past, the Array Spirit took a deep breath, tried its best to steady its emotions, and continued:

"While I was focused on Undergoing Tribulation, some god-forsaken thief sneaked into the core of the Formation and stripped away all the savings I had accumulated over the years."

"At that time, I had just passed the Array Spirit Tribulation and was in a weak state, desperately needing many Heaven And Earth Treasures to recover my spiritual body. But when I returned to my Immortal Cave, I found it had been robbed. Not even a chicken feather was left."

"What's even more outrageous is that for the past thousand years, every time I undergo a Spirit Tribulation, that villain comes and loots my Immortal Cave again. He hasn't missed a single time!"

At this point, it suddenly paused and looked at the two with a face full of grief and indignation:

"Because I never had enough Heaven And Earth Treasures to recover my spiritual body in time, my cultivation dropped from the Peak of Soul Transformation all the way to the Middle Stage of Soul Transformation."

"Historically, only the Sect Leader of Luoyun Valley holds the key to the Formation's hub. This matter definitely has something to do with your Luoyun Valley people."

"If it weren't for the rules of the Great Array, I would have gone to settle the score with that villain long ago. How do you two have the face to come and question me?"

So it turns out its home was repeatedly robbed until it was numb.

Hearing this, Qi Yuan finally understood.

No wonder the Array Spirit got so angry over a mere hundred Spirit Stones. Besides being poor, it probably reminded it of those unbearable memories… The Array Spirit is formed from the Origin Qi of high-level Formations. As long as the Formation isn't destroyed, its Lifespan is virtually infinite.

Of course, the Heavenly Dao is fair and wouldn't allow an Array Spirit to grow indefinitely. Every hundred years, an Array Spirit Tribulation descends.

If it passes safely, it can extend its life for another hundred years and continue to Cultivate; otherwise, its Dao vanishes, and it is reduced to ashes.

After an old Array Spirit dies, the Formation will produce a brand new Array Spirit after some time, starting the next Reincarnation.

The Array Spirit before them was truly miserable. Every time it underwent an Array Spirit Tribulation, its Immortal Cave was looted, and yet it could do nothing about it. No wonder it felt so aggrieved.

"With such a major incident occurring, why didn't you inform the Sect?"

Bai Xirou couldn't help but ask.

The Array Spirit gave a cold laugh. "This Array Spirit isn't senile. You Juniors of Luoyun Valley are the biggest suspects. Why inform you? To watch another play of 'thief crying stop thief'?"

"Senior, you might have misunderstood. This matter might not necessarily be related to our Luoyun Valley."

Bai Xirou's words carried a hint of uncertainty.

"Hmph! Say no more. Unless you provide evidence that this wasn't done by Luoyun Valley, don't expect this Array Spirit to give you a good face again."

The Array Spirit's tone was firm, leaving no room for negotiation.

Having one's net worth reset to zero every hundred years—who could stand that?

Bai Xirou bit her lip, her gaze gradually becoming firm. She asked solemnly:

"Senior Array Spirit, when is your next Array Spirit Tribulation?"

The Array Spirit seemed to realize something and looked at her intently:

"What do you want to do?"

"This Junior intends to investigate this matter and bring the truth of this cold case to light."

"You?"

The Array Spirit sneered. "In half a year, my Array Spirit Tribulation will descend again. You are just a Junior at the Late Foundation Establishment Stage. How are you going to investigate?"

"Senior Array Spirit, please rest assured. Although Xirou's strength is currently low, I am unwilling to let my fellow Disciples of Luoyun Valley suffer such an injustice. I will surely do my best to give you a satisfactory explanation."

Bai Xirou knew that to resolve this, the truth had to be uncovered. Other than that, any explanation would be useless.

After saying this, she bowed deeply to the Array Spirit. Without waiting for a response, she pulled the oddly-reacting Qi Yuan and left the Array Tower.

Only after they were completely gone did the Array Spirit's exasperated voice come from behind:

"Wait! You brat, didn't you say you were going to pay back the Spirit Stones? Come back and pay them!"

Qi Yuan didn't stop, casually brushing it off:

"Next time for sure."

"Aaaaah! You little brat, you lied to me again!"

Ignoring the Array Spirit's furious shouts, Qi Yuan pondered inwardly.

With a little thought, he knew this wouldn't be easy to investigate.

After all, a thief who could accurately grasp the timing of the Array Spirit's tribulation for a thousand years and was persistent enough to visit every hundred years—it really wasn't likely to be a normal person.

He couldn't even imagine that thief's mental state.

The Array Spirit was trapped in the Formation and wasn't wealthy to begin with. After being robbed multiple times, it was penniless, even dwelling on a debt of a hundred Spirit Stones. Even so, the thief kept stealing from this suffering victim. It was simply insane!

…A while later, in the Outer Sect.

"Thanks to your help this time, Junior Brother Qi, I was able to learn the cause of Senior Array Spirit's grievance."

"This matter is of great significance to the Sect. I will report it to Elder Mo and have him record a great merit for you in the Merit Assessment Pavilion. The Sect will issue a special reward then."

After returning to the Outer Sect, Bai Xirou set aside her worries and looked at Qi Yuan with gratitude.

"Senior Sister is too kind. Such a small matter isn't worth mentioning."

Qi Yuan waved his hand. He had no interest in getting involved with the Array Spirit's business. He just wanted to finish his Luoyun Valley tasks quickly and adjust himself to Peak condition to prepare for Nascent Soul Formation.

"Then I shall take my leave. If you encounter difficulties in the Outer Sect, you can find me at Yuzhu Peak in the Inner Sect."

Seemingly eager to investigate, Bai Xirou only exchanged a few pleasantries before hurrying away, turning into a streak of clear light that vanished into the sky.

After Bai Xirou left, Qi Yuan had only walked a short distance when a group of six or seven people appeared before him.

Most of them were dressed as Outer Sect Disciples with varying cultivation levels, but they were faintly surrounding a proud-looking fat youth. The fat youth, wearing the clothes of a Utility Disciple, was Wang Luchuan, who had made quite a splash during the entrance test.

"Is that Lin Zhen?"

Qi Yuan immediately noticed Lin Zhen lying not far behind them. At this moment, the Son of Destiny seemed to have just been beaten up, looking bruised and battered as he scrambled up from the ground in a sorry state.

"Hold on!"

Seeing this, Qi Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly as he reached out to block Wang Luchuan and the others.

Wang Luchuan, stopped by Qi Yuan, raised an eyebrow and said disdainfully, "Qi Da, I advise you not to meddle in other people's business, or I'll beat you up too."

As soon as he entered the Sect, he revealed his identity as the Elder's nephew, and with a cousin who was an Inner Sect Disciple at the Foundation Establishment Realm, he soon started acting like he owned the Outer Sect, naturally no longer regarding Qi Yuan with any respect.

Qi Yuan looked at him expressionlessly and said in a cold tone:

"Didn't I say it before? Lin Zhen is under my protection. If you dare touch him, you naturally need to give me an explanation."