“This…” Su Rumei’s confident words left Shadow speechless.

She had always known that Su Rumei could be extremely stubborn at times, but she truly hadn’t expected her to be stubborn to this degree.

“I know you have high hopes for this Feng Bugui, but you need to think clearly. Another attack could happen at any moment,” Shadow earnestly reminded her.

“The first time, we could claim we were caught off guard. But if it happens a second time, the reputation of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion in Cloud Firmament City will plummet. By then, I’m afraid no one will dare to set foot in our pavilion anymore.”

She admired Su Rumei’s conviction and her discerning eye, but given the critical situation, she hoped Su Rumei would exercise more caution.

However… Su Rumei clearly wasn’t listening.

She gently shook her head. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

On the other side, Gu Xiu, who was busy setting up the arrays, didn’t harbor so many conflicting thoughts.

He could sense the odd looks from the staff, but he paid them no mind. He simply continued his work with absolute focus.

He had prepared three layers of arrays for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

The first was an illusion-trapping array, the second a physical trapping array, and the last a killing array.

All three were arrays Gu Xiu had learned five hundred years ago during his travels across the world.

Speaking of which, the path of array formation and the path of talismans may seem similar on the surface, but they are actually two completely different disciplines.

If the path of talismans emphasizes affinity with Heavenly Dao Rhyme, then the path of array formation focuses more on the understanding and application of spiritual energy.

Through the placement of different array flags and cores, spiritual energy is guided to circulate in predetermined patterns, simulating or attracting Heavenly Dao Rhyme to unleash astonishing power.

This is also why ordinary people can set up arrays as long as they possess an array diagram and expend the materials, but cannot create talismans merely with ink and paper.

Anyone can set up an array, but a talisman master must possess an affinity for Heavenly Dao Rhyme.

However, this doesn’t mean array masters are inferior.

In fact, powerful array masters must possess a meticulous understanding of spiritual energy. They must be able to utilize it effectively, harmonizing with and borrowing power from the Heavenly Dao itself.

This process is exceptionally complex.

Strictly speaking, Gu Xiu isn’t a master of arrays.

In the path of array formation, he is at best a beginner who has just glimpsed the doorway. He can rely on his own strength to imitate and inscribe the arrays he is familiar with.

That’s all.

Moreover, most of the arrays he knows were acquired during his travels five hundred years ago.

But… that was the past.

Nowadays, Gu Xiu possesses the Seven-Star Jade Pendant.

This jade pendant has the ability to analyze and dismantle arrays, allowing Gu Xiu to peer into their mysteries and grasp their core essence directly.

The benefit this brings is immense. While setting up major arrays, Gu Xiu can strengthen their capabilities by observing their inner workings through this insight.

Even ordinary arrays can become extraordinary under his hands.

By noon the next day, the three major arrays were completed.

Confirming that everything was functioning properly, Gu Xiu promptly took his leave. “Manager Su, the arrays are set. If there’s nothing else, I’ll order some puppets and head back.”

Su Rumei expressed her gratitude profusely and immediately presented five cultivation technique manuals.

Gu Xiu glanced at them and was somewhat surprised.

Most of the techniques Su Rumei brought were at least Mystic-grade. There was even one Earth-grade technique among them!

Afterward, Su Rumei took Gu Xiu to the fourth floor of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, which was dedicated to selling puppets.

The floor was filled with mechanical constructs of all shapes and sizes.

“Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion isn’t specialized in puppetry, so our stock only goes up to Qi Condensation Layer Five,” Su Rumei explained.

High-grade puppets are undoubtedly rare and precious, but low-grade puppets are a staple for merchant associations like the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

They are generally used by rogue cultivators or those with low strength to explore dangerous ruins or fight enemies of similar levels.

Gu Xiu examined them carefully for a while and was quite satisfied.

Most of these were humanoid puppets carved from high-quality Iron Pear Wood.

They had simple structures and were durable. Intricate puppet runes were carved onto their limbs, and when used with the matching Spirit Thread Manipulation technique, they could provide significant assistance in battle.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, feel free to choose as many as you want. Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will gift them to you.”

“That won’t do,” Gu Xiu shook his head.

Su Rumei smiled. “Fellow Daoist Feng, please don’t be polite. You are a friend of our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. A few puppets are nothing; we can certainly afford the loss.”

“Really, it’s not appropriate. I want quite a few,” Gu Xiu insisted.

“Quite a few?” Su Rumei found it strange but maintained her smile. “Although puppets are valuable, our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion…”

“Manager Su!” Gu Xiu interrupted her seriously. “Please don’t refuse payment. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare accept them.”

Su Rumei was puzzled. Feng Bugui was usually measured and pragmatic; he wouldn’t be overly polite about minor details. She hadn’t expected him to be so insistent this time.

Then she saw Gu Xiu take out a storage pouch and hand it to her. “This is for the purchase.”

“This… alright then,” Su Rumei said helplessly as she accepted it.

But the moment her spiritual sense swept inside the pouch, her eyes widened. “This… this is…”

Gu Xiu smiled. “According to market price, this type of puppet costs around five thousand spirit stones each. There’s one million spirit stones in here. I plan to order two hundred for now.”

“How many???” Su Rumei was stunned.

“Two hundred. Of course, I imagine your store doesn’t have that many in stock right now. That’s fine; just have them transferred here as quickly as possible.”

“This…”

“Oh, and I might order another batch later on. I’ll inform Manager Su in advance when that time comes.”

Su Rumei: “Huh???”

Half an hour later.

After exchanging a few more words with Su Rumei, Gu Xiu slowly left the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

Su Rumei watched his retreating figure with gratitude in her eyes.

She truly was grateful.

Thank goodness Feng Bugui had interrupted her earlier; otherwise, she would have lost face today.

The reason was simple: Gu Xiu’s storage ring currently held thirty puppets—he had bought out every single puppet in the store!

And the Pavilion still owed him one hundred and seventy more!

This… was simply outrageous!

When Gu Xiu said he wanted puppets earlier, Su Rumei thought he meant one or two, or at most three to five. She could easily gift him that many.

But two hundred?

A full one million spirit stones!

Even as a manager of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, she couldn’t casually give away a million spirit stones!

“He’s supposed to be a rogue cultivator? To think he’s actually been a hidden tycoon all along! He can casually toss out a million spirit stones? Did he go rob a spirit stone mine or something?”

“Can you still call him a rogue cultivator???”

Shadow emerged from the shadows, staring in shock at the direction where Gu Xiu had disappeared.

The first time they met Gu Xiu was in the Heaven-Leveling Mountains. Back then, his cultivation was weak, and he used a broken wooden stick as a weapon. He didn’t look like someone with substantial wealth at all.

So they had both assumed Feng Bugui was a penniless, down-and-out rogue cultivator.

And now?

Good heavens! He casually spends a million spirit stones?

What kind of impoverished rogue cultivator is this? He’s clearly an extremely low-key tycoon!

So after all this back-and-forth… we were actually the poor ones?

“But what does he need so many puppets for?” Shadow asked curiously. “Aren’t these kinds of puppets usually bought by major families as bodyguards for their descendants? His own strength isn’t lacking; what use does he have for an army of wood?”

Su Rumei was equally puzzled.

However, just as she was reeling from Feng Bugui’s extravagant spending, she saw two figures approaching the entrance.

These two were wearing the distinctive sect robes of the Azure Mystic Sacred Land!

“Manager Su,” one said upon arrival. “We heard your branch needed someone to set up arrays. We two have come specifically to help you with that.”

“Set up arrays?” Su Rumei frowned.

Just then, Shopkeeper Jin hurried out from inside. “Manager Su! These two fellow Daoists from the Azure Mystic Sacred Land—I sent them a message last night.”

“Nonsense! Didn’t I say to wait for my decision on this matter?” Su Rumei snapped, clearly displeased.

Shopkeeper Jin looked aggrieved. “I thought Manager Su would definitely seek help from the Azure Mystic Sacred Land… so I notified them ahead of time… so when Manager Su mentioned it later… I… well…”

It was a severe oversight on his part.

Su Rumei frowned.

Not long ago, regarding the talisman business, the Azure Mystic Sacred Land had shown their true colors quite thoroughly. If possible, she preferred not to have any further dealings with them.

But now that their people had arrived, it put her in an awkward position.

One of the disciples sneered, clearly understanding what had happened. “So, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion already found someone else to make arrays? It seems Manager Su thinks our Azure Mystic Sacred Land’s array mastery is lacking.”

“Manager Su looked down upon our talismans. Now even our arrays aren’t good enough? Could it be you want to sever cooperation with our Azure Mystic Sacred Land entirely?” The other disciple added, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

This made Su Rumei frown deeply. She dared not say such things, nor did she have the authority to say them.

Meanwhile, the two extremely arrogant disciples had already reached the entrance of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

“I really want to see what kind of array Manager Su considers superior to our Azure Mystic Sacred Land’s work.”

With that, the disciple stepped inside, his gaze quickly sweeping the surroundings.

But…

Just one glance later, the disciple’s face froze in astonishment.

“The Mystic Yang Trapping Array?”

“Isn’t this our Azure Mystic Sacred Land’s array from over five hundred years ago?”

“Who helped you set this up?”