In his mind, the array symbol diagram lit up.
In an instant, 3,600 array symbols appeared.
The array symbols were like embryonic seeds that were wrapped in a membrane, appearing extremely dull.
The array symbols were suspended in the array diagram.
Heaven, earth, sun, moon, mountain, lake, river, stream, grass, wood, star, blood, kill, gold, wood, water, fire, and soil.
Various array symbols appeared, but the one that caught Ye Ping’s eye was the word ‘time’.
“Yes, this is it.”
Ye Ping’s heart was filled with excitement and without further ado, he communicated with the time array symbol using his willpower.
In an instant, the time array symbol slowly appeared in front of Ye Ping.
Two beams of light were injected into the time array symbol.
In an instant, the membrane disappeared and was replaced by an incomparable radiance.
The dazzling light overpowered the brilliance of other array symbols.
In an instant, all the array symbols returned to the array diagram, while the time array symbol remained in Ye Ping’s mind.
At the same time, a huge amount of information appeared in Ye Ping’s mind.
The information was about the time array diagram.
The time array symbol came with the Time Array, which solved all of Ye Ping’s current troubles.
Four hours passed.
In an instant, Ye Ping woke up from his epiphany.
He smiled and he looked extremely excited.
He had already comprehended the time array diagram.
The time array symbol gave itself an array diagram.
It could change the time in the array.
A few days in the array was equivalent to one day outside.
Ten days of enlightenment of the Dao in the array formation might just be equivalent to one day outside the array formation.
At the same time, he could also use the array formation to ripen medicinal herbs. A hundred years in the array formation was equivalent to ten years outside. In other words, one would be able to obtain a hundred-year-old spirit medicine in ten years. Of course, it required the support of a large amount of spiritual energy.
For Ye Ping’s present self, it wouldn’t have much of an effect on him for the time being, but it would be extremely effective for enlightenment.
After all, there were only 24 hours in a day.
Comprehending the Sword Dao, Dao of alchemy, and Dao of array formations required a large amount of time.
However, cultivation was a top priority. Hence, he had to spend a large period of time on cultivation.
Although the two Torch Dragon Immortal Apertures had already been opened and he could already cultivate automatically, the speed of cultivation would be greatly increased if he could continue meditating.
Thanks to the two Immortal Apertures, it took him more than 20 hours to break through from the third to fourth level of Qi Refinement.
If he meditated and cultivated at the same time, he might be able to break through in just 12 hours.
However, now that he mastered the time array symbol, he could at least ease the awkwardness of not having enough time at the moment.
His excitement faded.
Without saying any nonsense, Ye Ping immediately used spiritual energy to engrave something on the Time Array.
In an instant, with him as the center, the time in the surrounding area within a radius of half a meter began to slow down.
Ye Ping could clearly sense that time had indeed slowed down.
However, how he felt in the array formation wouldn’t affect the world outside.
Ye Ping did not go to cultivate and gain an epiphany, and was instead observing the passage of time.
Four hours passed.
Ye Ping waved his hand and the array formation disappeared.
Soon, Ye Ping began to look at the sky and in an instant, he figured out how much time the Time Array had delayed.
Four hours passed in the array.
However, only two hours passed outside the array.
In other words, if he stayed in the array formation, he would have 48 hours a day.
However, Ye Ping was clear that the cultivation speed will not be accelerated because of the time delay.
Indeed, the Time Array could only slow down the passage of time, but it would not change the substantial quality of spiritual energy.
The effect of cultivating in the array formation for a day was the same as cultivating outside the array formation for a day. There would be no change unless there was the support of a large number of Spirit Stones. Otherwise, there would be no change in the cultivation speed.
However, the effect of one day of Dao enlightenment in the array formation was very different from the effect of one day of Dao enlightenment outside.
In short, the Time Array that he had set up was only suitable for the enlightenment of the Dao.
However, that was enough.
Scheduling 12 hours a day for enlightenment was equivalent to 24 hours of enlightenment.
The remaining 12 hours would be spent on cultivation. That wouldn’t affect his plan at all.
Besides, the Time Array would become stronger as one’s cultivation level increased. The ability to delay time would also become increasingly better.
It wouldn’t be an issue to make one year in the array the same as one day outside.
However, the only drawback was that it required a large amount of spiritual energy for the array formation to be maintained.
The two Torch Dragon Immortal Apertures could barely be sustained. If he wanted to increase the time ratio, this amount of spiritual energy would not be enough.
Spiritual energy!
Spiritual energy!
Spiritual energy!
At the end of the day, it was still related to spiritual energy.
The Ancient Godfiend Body Tempering Technique required spiritual energy.
The 3,600 Supreme Immortal Apertures required spiritual energy.
The Supreme Qi Refinement technique required spiritual energy.
Refining pills required spiritual energy.
Array formations required spiritual energy.
Only the Sword Dao, which was taught by Su Changyu, did not require any spiritual energy.
As he thought about it, Ye Ping finally understood why money was secondary to Dharmic powers.
There was insufficient spiritual energy.
‘So what if you can really obtain the Supreme Heart technique?’
‘Are you going to cultivate slowly?’
‘Spend 500 to a thousand years cultivating and come out only after reaching Greater Mastery?’
‘This is an interesting immortal cultivation.’
“Forget it. After I go down the mountain in the future, I’ll think about making money. I won’t be frivolous while I’m still a newbie.”
Ye Ping muttered to himself.
Although he lacked spiritual energy, Ye Ping was merely criticizing. He did not have any complaints. After all, he was still just a beginner and if he learned well in the sect, he wouldn’t have to be worried about having no treasures in the future.
As he thought about it, Ye Ping continued to set up the array formation and started comprehending the Sword Dao.
He hadn’t condensed the sword momentum of the Heavenly River Swordsmanship yet.
It had already been almost half a month and if Su Changyu found out, he might think that Ye Ping was slacking off.
Thinking of this, Ye Ping continued to comprehend the Dao.
Just like that, a few days passed in a row.
Immortal Martial Era, April 20th.
In the Qingyun Mountains, three figures broke the peace and tranquility of the morning.
Su Changyu was in high spirits and was holding a flying sword in his hand, continuously examining it.
On the other hand, Daoist Tai Hua was walking on the mountains calmly without uttering a single word.
As for Xu Luochen, he looked lost in thought.
During this trip away from the mountain, Xu Luochen finally knew what it meant to have narrow horizons.
‘50,000 taels.’
‘50,000 taels of gold.’
‘A single painting created by Junior Brother can fetch a price of 50,000 taels of gold?’
After learning this fact, Xu Luochen’s heart ached like it had been stabbed by a knife.
Daoist Tai Hua and Su Changyu did not continue to beat him up.
However, Xu Luochen slapped himself more than ten times.
The reason being, his painting was worthless.
After the pawnbroker Shi Liangjin saw his painting, his eyes reddened and he muttered that he wanted to kill him.
If he hadn’t masked his face, Xu Luochen would probably have died at the hands of the pawnbroker, and not Daoist Tai Hua or Su Changyu.
A painting that was originally worth 100,000 taels of gold was reduced to a worthless piece of item.
‘100,000 taels of gold.’
‘100,000 taels of gold.’
Xu Luochen once imagined the life that he would lead if he had 100,000 taels of gold.
Xu Luochen would consider for several hours before spending 100 taels of gold.
‘How much are 100,000 taels of gold?’
‘If I had that amount of money, I’d ascend.’
‘I’ll buy myself a pill furnace, buy Senior Brother a flying sword, become bigger and stronger, and bring glory.’
Unfortunately, he was the one who ruined everything.
He was really upset.
Xu Luochen’s head was all muddled up after being lost and dejected for several days.
However, at this moment, a line of people suddenly appeared.
Su Changyu instantly hid the flying sword, which came with a sizing array that could shrink the sword to the size of a palm.
On the other hand, Daoist Tai Hua snapped out of his thoughts.
He looked into the distance warily.
However, when Daoist Tai Hua saw the figures clearly, his expression turned a little sullen.
“Hey, isn’t this fellow Daoist Tai Hua? What a coincidence.”
Not far away, a line of figures appeared.
The leader was an elder who was leading seven or eight young men in their early twenties through the mountains.
They were dressed in white robes and were disciples of another sect.
“White Spirit Sect.”
Su Changyu frowned slightly as he stood beside Daoist Tai Hua, looking at them with a lonely expression.
At this moment, even Xu Luochen, who appeared somewhat disheveled, couldn’t help but force himself to perk up after seeing the White Spirit Sect disciples.
“What a coincidence, I never expected to run into Sect Leader Chen in this wilderness.”
Daoist Tai Hua chuckled. One could tell from the tone of voice that the two did not seem to be very friendly towards each other.
“Hahahaha, it’s mainly because carrying a sword around is too troublesome. Sometimes, I’d like to experience the life of an ordinary cultivator.”
“Daoist Tai Hua, why are you still here? Aren’t you going to attend the Sword Dao Meet in Baiguo City?”
The Sect Leader of the White Spirit Sect laughed and seemed very smug.
However, before Daoist Tai Hua answered, Sect Leader Chen continued to speak.
“Oh, I forgot, the Qingyun Dao Sect hadn’t advanced to the third-rank yet. I’m afraid you can’t attend the Sword Dao meet in Baiguo City.”
“However, that’s alright, you just have to develop well for another eight or ten years and you’d be able to advance to a third-rank sect sooner or later. Of course, if Changyu can increase the standards of his swordsmanship, attend the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet, and emerge as the top hundred, you’d be able to advance to a third-rank sect sooner.”
“Changyu, I’m not criticizing you, but what’s the point of being so good-looking? It’s not like you can make a living off it. Learn and practice the Sword Dao well. You should at least get into the top 300 places, right? Otherwise, you’d be embarrassing your master. Your master is an outstanding expert no matter what.”
Sect Leader Chen lectured Su Changyu sarcastically and even mocked Daoist Tai Hua.
As soon as he heard that, Su Changyu frowned slightly, but he didn’t retort or say anything, partly because Sect Leader Chen was right and also because he had never liked vying with others.
However, Su Changyu’s refusal to speak did not mean that Daoist Tai Hua would choose to stay silent.
“Sect Leader Chen, what you said is very true, but you ought to work hard too, lest you repeat the same mistake. You were so confident, but none of the members of your sect advanced to the top 500. Changyu may be mediocre, but he at least got into the top 500.
Daoist Tai Hua chuckled and sneered.
However, when he heard his words, Sect Leader Chen laughed out loud.
“What Daoist Tai Hua said is very true, but this time, the White Spirit Sect is lucky enough to have taken in a disciple with excellent qualifications. He only took three years to comprehend the Spring Thunder Swordsmanship. That’s at least better than the Qingyun Dao Sect.”
“Oh, yes, I heard that you recruited a disciple from somewhere too. Fellow Daoist Tai Hua, take my word, even if we starve to death, we shouldn’t deceive others.”
“Hahahaha, okay, okay, Daoist Tai Hua, it’s getting late, let’s not continue with the pleasantries. Once our disciples enter the top 100, we will definitely send you invitations to the congratulatory banquet. You should attend it when the time comes.”
Sect Leader Chen was shrewd and he didn’t give Daoist Tai Hua a chance to retort at all. He left after mocking while the disciples of the sect laughed too.
That made Daoist Tai Hua and his disciples furious.
“Hmph, if it wasn’t for the fact that the White Spirit Sect is lucky to have chosen a mountain with a spirit meridian, would the Qingyun Dao Sect be inferior to them? They’re just villains who got lucky!”
Daoist Tai Hua flicked his sleeve and cursed angrily, before continuing to walk towards the Qingyun Dao Sect.
As for Su Changyu, he stayed silent and followed Daoist Tai Hua without looking at the flying sword, as if he was troubled.
Xu Luochen was even simpler. He simply continued sinking into dejection as he walked towards the Qingyun Dao Sect.
They made their way to the top of the mountain.
Suddenly, Su Changyu’s voice sounded.
“Master, I want to sign up for the Qingzhou Sword Dao Meet.”
His voice was firm and full of determination.
Daoist Tai Hua instantly froze in shock.
He looked at Su Changyu and stayed silent for a while before answering slowly.
“You?”