For a moment, many people looked up, their mouths twitching as they struggled to hold back laughter.

Gao Feiyang swept a glance over his fellow disciples. Only under his oppressive authority did the junior brothers reluctantly and sparsely shout:

“Senior Brother Gao… mighty! Invincible!”

The shouts were scattered, dripping with perfunctory enthusiasm.

Zhou Kai was utterly dumbfounded.

Two hundred Spirit Stones for one intervention? That price was practically righteous enough to move heaven and earth!

In this Broken Wood Bay, having such a “Foundation Establishment invincible” enforcer on call at any moment was an absolute steal!

Immediately, Zhou Kai’s face showed a troubled expression as he said somewhat sheepishly:

“Well, Master Gao, it’s just that… I just spent all my Spirit Stones buying talismans.”

He spread his hands, making a gesture indicating his pockets were emptier than his face, clearly portraying the awkwardness of having his “family fortune completely drained.”

Upon hearing this, Gao Feiyang’s hand pointing to the sky froze in mid-air, and the smile on his face solidified.

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly as he looked at Zhou Kai’s “sincere” expression, feeling utterly speechless inside.

This kid… isn’t he an idiot? Gao Feiyang inwardly grumbled. Toiling hard to save up some Spirit Stones, only to dump them all on talismans? What kind of brain does he have?

And another thing, I’m clearly standing up for you here. Wouldn’t it be better if you just said thank you?

You had to say they’re all gone. So when you activate the talisman later, do I go fight or not? I’ve already made my declaration!

Most importantly, how am I supposed to feel justified and show off in front of everyone now?!

This guy called Han Cheng needs to be closely observed. We can’t really let him pass the Dragon Gate Assembly and drag down Calamity Abyss Valley’s intellectual level.

Gao Feiyang secretly resolved.

Hu Yongyu nearby glanced at Gao Feiyang, then at Zhou Kai, his eyes flickering uncertainly as if calculating something.

A long while later, seeing the atmosphere in the courtyard no longer lively, Gao Feiyang lightly coughed and was about to announce the trading session temporarily concluded when an aged voice rang out:

“This old man wishes to purchase a five-hundred-year-old spirit herb. I wonder which fellow Daoist might be willing to part with one?”

Everyone followed the voice and saw a hobbling old man slowly step forward.

The man was hunched over, his face withered.

With one glance, Zhou Kai could sense his life force was extremely depleted, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment.

Upon these words, the entire small courtyard seemed to hit a pause button, instantly falling silent.

A five-hundred-year-old spirit herb!

It must be known that most spirit herbs circulating on the market are around a hundred years old. The main ingredient used in the famously potent Foundation Establishment Pill is only three hundred years old.

A five-hundred-year-old spirit herb contains such vast spiritual energy and such pure medicinal properties that it is practically a heavenly treasure usable only by cultivators at the late Foundation Establishment stage or higher!

Spirit herbs naturally require long years of accumulation to build sufficient medicinal potency.

However, the cultivation world has countless strange techniques and secret methods; one doesn’t necessarily have to resign to fate and wait bitterly. Some ancient sects with long legacies or cultivators who have mastered special acceleration methods indeed have ways to shorten a spirit herb’s growth cycle.

This old man was only at Qi Condensation cultivation, his vitality decayed to this extent. Seeking such a spirit herb—could it be he wanted to make one last desperate gamble to defy fate and change his destiny?

“Old sir, five-hundred-year-old spirit herbs are far too rare. How about looking at this instead?” Someone took out a spirit grass. “I have here a two-hundred-year-old Revitalizing Grass and three hundred-year-old Coagulation Flowers. Their medicinal properties aren’t bad either…”

The old man merely shook his head lightly; clearly, nothing less than five hundred years would do.

Gao Feiyang raised an eyebrow slightly. He examined the old man for a few moments, his usually flamboyant expression unusually restrained as he asked, “Old sir, may I ask what you intend to use for exchange?”

The old man patted his Storage Bag and took out an item.

It wasn’t some rare treasure or divine weaponry, but rather a set of Array Stones, each about palm-sized.

The Array Stones had an ancient hue with intricate and profound patterns carved on them. There were nine in total, faintly emitting weak Spirit Qi fluctuations.

Zhou Kai’s gaze fell upon those Array Stones, and his pupils abruptly contracted!

The material of these stones, the style of the array patterns carved on them… they bore striking similarities to the Array Stones on the Spirit Gathering Array Disc he had seen in Zhao Tieshan’s courtyard!

Could it be this old man has some connection with that Master Su? Or could he even be Master Su himself?

Gao Feiyang also clearly recognized these Array Stones were extraordinary. He stepped forward with keen interest and asked, “What array is this?”

The old man said, “This is the ‘Dual-Pole Essence Gathering Array.’ Although it also falls under the category of Spirit Gathering Arrays, its efficacy far surpasses ordinary ones. Even in places with sparse Spirit Qi, it can gather quite considerable spiritual energy.”

“Oh? Quite bold claims.” Gao Feiyang grew interested. “May I test it?”

“Of course.” The old man nodded in agreement.

Gao Feiyang didn’t hesitate either. Following the old man’s instructions, he arranged the nine Array Stones one by one in an open space.

As the last stone was placed down, an invisible ripple spread out from the center of the stones.

In an instant, Broken Wood Bay’s Spirit Qi—which was only slightly better than the mortal world—seemed drawn by some powerful attraction, madly converging towards the center of the array!

“Hiss!”

The surrounding cultivators all changed expressions, faces filled with astonishment.

Such Spirit Gathering effects were practically unheard of! Many eyes already began gleaming with unusual light.

Gao Feiyang tossed out ten Spirit Stones. With a surge of Mana, they shattered. The Spirit Qi within drifted out mistily but gathered into fog swirling inside the array formation without any escaping outward.

He carefully sensed further and exclaimed in amazement, “It can even purify Spirit Qi.”

“The impurities within Low-grade Spirit Stones can slowly be filtered out, outputting purer spiritual energy!” Zhou Kai was also inwardly shocked. Initially thinking it comparable to Zhao Tieshan’s array, this Dual-Pole Essence Gathering Array was clearly more exquisite!

“What an excellent array!”

Gao Feiyang’s eyes flashed with sharp light as he praised, “In a Spirit Qi-deficient place like Broken Wood Bay, it can perform like this. If placed somewhere rich in spiritual energy, its effects would surely be even more astonishing!”

He looked at the old man with a somewhat more solemn attitude. “Did you refine this array yourself? How may I address you?”

“This old man’s surname is Sun,” the old man said calmly. “Naturally, I refined this array.”

Gao Feiyang nodded. “Master Sun, please wait a moment.”

With that, his figure blurred, transforming directly into a streak of light shooting towards the outside of the large courtyard, obviously going to fetch that five-hundred-year-old spirit herb.

Zhou Kai’s eyes flickered, understanding dawning in his heart.

This old man probably goes by Sun today, Su tomorrow, and Liu the day after!

He was only at the fifth layer of Qi Condensation yet dared to come here alone. He must harbor great secrets within him and certainly had some reliance; otherwise, knowing how possessing treasure invites crime, he wouldn’t act so recklessly.

Zhou Kai secretly calculated. If he could obtain such an array, whether for his own cultivation or for use by his beloved ones, it would be a tremendous assistance.

This time he couldn’t act like before when dealing with Hu Yongyu; too many eyes were watching now.

Having decided, Zhou Kai inconspicuously retreated several steps, quietly blending into the crowd moving towards the East Gate Courtyard’s exit. He intended to first leave here, find a secluded spot outside, wait for this Master Sun to emerge, and then request him to refine an array.

Not long after, a streak of escaping light flew back from outside the courtyard—precisely Gao Feiyang.

He held a jade box. Upon opening it, a crystal-clear spirit herb lay quietly within, spiritual light flowing over its surface clearly indicating extraordinary age. Taking a gentle whiff, one felt their soul depths slightly stir.

“Master Sun, this six-hundred-year-old ‘Soul Channeling Nether Grass’—how about it?” Gao Feiyang presented the jade box before the elder.

Master Sun’s eyes finally flickered. He took the jade box and examined it carefully for a moment.

“Six hundred years, moreover can temper the soul, medicinal properties mellow surpassing what I need. This old man won’t take advantage.”

Saying so, he took out an Array Flag and various Array Nails.

“This is also a Dual-Pole Essence Gathering Array, but it uses nails as the foundation and a flag for control. No need for Array Stones; deploy freely, more convenient and concealable.” Master Sun handed the Array Flag to Gao Feiyang. “Efficacy identical to the stone version. Use this for exchange.”

Gao Feiyang received the flag and nails, loudly exclaiming, “Master Sun is truly straightforward! I admire you!”

Master Sun stored the Soul Channeling Nether Grass, hunched over, silently turned, and departed. His steps were still hobbling, but slightly faster than his arrival.

Zhou Kai had already waited near the exit. Seeing him emerge, his eyes flashed, and he immediately followed not too close, not too far behind.

In the large courtyard, other cultivators, seeing the transaction completed, witnessing the miraculous array effects, and seeing the master leave, began to move. Some quick-witted individuals, either wishing to purchase arrays or harboring other designs, also began following in twos and threes.

“All stop right there!”

Gao Feiyang suddenly shouted coldly, his voice not loud but carrying indisputable authority.

He flung his cloak aside, his gaze sweeping over the crowd contemptuously. “This Master’s trading session is not over yet! Another half hour of trading! Who dares leave early—don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

His few Calamity Abyss Valley disciples behind him also sternly stepped forward simultaneously.

The cultivators immediately quieted down and dared not make further movement.