Chapter 108: Li Ye Is Willing to Serve the Alliance Leader!
Damn it! Just one or two more years and I would've completed all my preparations why the hell do they have to bother me now?
Though Li Ye cursed inwardly, he still wore an uneasy smile on his face as he asked Luo Feibai,
"Brother Luo, we've known each other for a few years now could you perhaps give me a hint? Why exactly has the Alliance Leader summoned me?"
Despite feeling a bit annoyed, he wasn't about to refuse the summons over something so minor.
Over the years, he'd built up a decent reputation within the alliance. Apart from being a bit cautious and rarely leaving the grand formation of Mount Changcui, he had often helped various mountain lords solve formation-related issues. All in all, he was seen as harmless and easy to get along with.
Even if his identity as the Blackwood Daoist was exposed, it didn't conflict with the alliance's interests in the slightest.
After all, when they finally discovered that the spiritual land they'd long speculated about was Mount Changcui, what else could they feel but speechless?
Precisely because of all these factors, Li Ye had dared to make the trip, without fearing that Pingyang Mountain had invited him to some kind of trap.
Looking at his cautious expression, Luo Feibai chuckled and said,
"No need to be nervous, Brother Li. The Alliance Leader summoned you simply because he needs your expertise in formations. It's a very good opportunity!"
"If all goes well, the alliance will handsomely reward you. Even I'm a little envious!"
He lowered his voice as he spoke, a hint of excitement flickering on his face.
"Then I can rest easy..."
Li Ye replied with a cooperative smile, though his suspicion only deepened.
With Luo Feibai at the eighth level of Qi Refining, he was undoubtedly one of the top figures in Pingyang Mountain second only to Xu Pingyang and Xie Yushu. He had access to insider knowledge.
If even he was this excited... this matter was probably no small affair.
...
"Li Ye Pays Respect to the Alliance Leader!"
Inside a study, Li Ye respectfully cupped his fists toward Xu Pingyang, who sat behind a desk, focused on writing something.
"No need for formalities, rise…"
Xu Pingyang spoke without looking up, still carefully penning each stroke with precision.
Li Ye straightened and glanced at Luo Feibai, who subtly shook his head, signaling him to be patient.
Thankfully, Xu Pingyang didn't keep him waiting too long. Before a cup of tea time had passed, he finally set down his brush and slowly looked up at Li Ye.
He paused for a brief moment, then sent out a strand of spiritual sense to sweep over Li Ye. Surprise flickered across his face before turning into appreciation.
"You've already reached the ninth level of Qi Refining? Advancing another major stage in just two or three years your talent is quite impressive."
"It's only thanks to the spiritual energy of Mount Changcui that I was able to cultivate this quickly…"
Li Ye replied humbly.
Xu Pingyang gazed at him for a long moment. "You still look quite young. How old are you now?"
"I'm twenty-nine. My appearance hasn't changed thanks to some basic longevity techniques and I once took a Beauty Preserving Pill as well."
"Twenty-nine… You still have many years before your blood and vitality begin to decline. There might even be a sliver of hope for Foundation Establishment… not bad at all."
Xu Pingyang's voice was calm, but his tone carried an unreadable emotion.
"Foundation Establishment is no easy feat. The spiritual materials required are rare and priceless I dare not think so far ahead for now."
Li Ye replied with caution.
Off to the side, both Luo Feibai and Xie Yushu looked at Li Ye with expressions of shock, especially Luo Feibai.
He had broken through to the eighth level of Qi Refining at nearly the same time as Li Ye. How had Li Ye already advanced again after just two years?
And that comment about being hopeful for Foundation Establishment what cultivator wouldn't envy that?
Luo Feibai himself was already forty-two. With the alliance's support, he might still reach the peak of Qi Refining before his body began to decline around fifty and then maybe attempt a Foundation Establishment…
But compared to someone like Li Ye still young, with plenty of time to prepare and search for spiritual materials how could he possibly compete?
The thought sparked a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.
Meanwhile, Xie Yushu and Xu Pingyang exchanged a glance. Their eyes weren't just surprised they carried a hint of wariness.
The pie that was in the Chidi Mountains was only so big. Even now, there wasn't enough to go around. If Li Ye one day managed to form his foundation, he'd become competition at the table. Why would they want to see that happen?
Still, compared to that possible future threat, the more pressing matter was what lay before them now.
Xu Pingyang didn't make any more small talk and cut straight to the point.
"The reason I summoned you today is because we need your expertise in formations. I've heard that your skills have reached the peak of first-grade formations is that true?"
Li Ye nodded. "Indeed. The formation fragment Brother Luo gifted me some time ago gave me great insight."
Luo Feibai immediately beamed with a proud smile.
Xu Pingyang nodded in acknowledgment, then looked to Xie Yushu, who spoke up directly.
"If I gave you a second-grade formation fragment, would you be able to identify weaknesses in a simplified version of it perhaps even break it?"
"I'd need to examine it first before I can say for sure,"
Li Ye responded carefully, though his thoughts were already racing.
He'd heard that the formation used by Tengyun Market was adapted from a second-grade array by a formation master of the Tu family…
Though its power didn't reach the second-grade level, it was stronger than ordinary first-grade arrays. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator using a first-grade talisman to break it would have to expend considerable effort.
That formation had even been used in the market's advertising, boasting that its security far surpassed that of Sanhui Market.
Second-grade talismans to break arrays were incredibly valuable and none had ever appeared in the Chidi Mountains. There was no way anyone would waste one here.
Was Xu Pingyang finally losing patience and planning to tear off the mask to directly eliminate Tengyun Market?
As Li Ye pondered, Xie Yushu looked toward Xu Pingyang again.
"Give it to him," Xu Pingyang ordered.
Xie Yushu took out a jade slip, but before handing it over, he added,
"You'll have to swear an oath not to reveal anything that happened today. But if you succeed, the rewards will be generous."
At this point, even if Li Ye refused, they wouldn't let him go easily. And if things were as he suspected…
Well, then he might as well help them.
Besides he'd get to study a second-grade formation for free. How could he say no to that?
He swore the heart demon oath without hesitation, took the jade slip from Xie Yushu, and began studying it intently.
The others in the room said nothing, silently waiting as he read.
Half an hour passed.
Suddenly, Li Ye looked up. "This formation is heavily fragmented. If you're looking for weak points… it won't be difficult."
At once, the other three in the room smiled.
"But I'll need to see the simplified version in person before I can locate its most vulnerable point."
Seeing their expressions change slightly, Li Ye smiled and asked,
"So… where exactly is this array located?"
Since Li Ye had already taken the oath, Xie Yushu didn't hold back any longer.
"It's at Tengyun Market. The Chang and Luo families have turned traitors and dared to compete with us for profit. They even hired people to pose as rogue cultivators and attack Sanhui Market, causing heavy losses among our allies…"
"Such treacherous wolves can no longer be tolerated!"
"I see…"
Li Ye nodded in apparent realization, then responded with a spark of enthusiasm,
"Li Ye is willing to serve the Alliance Leader!"
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