I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 265: The Refining Site, Repairing the Formation

A system prompt appeared.

Shen Xian’s eyes flashed.

Fifth-Rank Formation Art?

He hadn’t expected that gifting a formation inheritance jade slip would return… a formation inheritance jade slip as well!

This was truly a surprise.

But it was good; he had previously wanted to master the Four Great Arts, and now one had been delivered to his doorstep.

Feeling pleased, upon arriving at the Leisure Cloud Abode, he immediately chose to claim it.

The next second!

Shen Xian felt a vast, ocean-like surge of formation knowledge instantly flood into his Sea of Consciousness, with countless profound array patterns automatically evolving in his mind.

His Divine Sense seemed to be pulled into a strange space, where all things in heaven and earth could become formation bases, and the sun, moon, and stars served as formation eyes.

Was this the realm of a Fifth-Rank Formation Master?

Subconsciously, he raised his hand, and his fingertip spontaneously traced a golden array pattern.

As soon as this pattern appeared, the spiritual qi within a hundred yards converged like rivers flowing to the sea, condensing in the air into the phantom of a miniature mountain-protecting formation.

Even more astonishingly, this casually drawn array pattern was actually three parts more exquisite than the original Fourth-Rank protective formation of the Leisure Cloud Abode!

Qiu Ruoli’s beautiful eyes widened sharply: “This evil cultivator…”

She clearly sensed that the formation Dao aura suddenly emanating from Shen Xian was deeper and more profound than those Fourth-Rank formation masters of the Chamber of Commerce.

How was this possible?

Just a moment ago, he was still…

Shen Xian closed his eyes, feeling the changes within.

Originally having only a superficial understanding of formations, he could now see through the hidden array layouts in every building on the street.

The distant mountain-protecting formation of the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce appeared transparent to his eyes—where the formation eyes were, where the flaws lay, all were clear at a glance.

The skill returned by the system was actually directly mastered and integrated!

Suddenly, he pointed like a sword at a stubborn rock by the roadside.

Complex array patterns immediately lit up on the stone, transforming it in an instant into a three-foot-tall stone puppet, kneeling on one knee to salute him.

This “turning stone into soldiers” technique was precisely the Fifth-Rank secret art recorded in the “Dao Source Array Art”!

Qiu Ruoli was completely stunned.

Her voice trembled: “You… you’ve mastered Fifth-Rank Formations?”

Such exquisite formation methods, coupled with him casually giving her Fourth-Rank formation skills, inevitably made her think of one possibility.

Shen Xian smiled without speaking.

After mastering Fifth-Rank formation skills, his enhancements in all aspects were not just a little.

Awesome!

This was truly a cheat-like life!

Gazing at the swirling star phantoms in the sky, his heart swelled with lofty ambitions.

Refining and formations both at Fifth Rank; if the other two great arts also reached Fifth Rank…

This Sacred City would ultimately become the stepping stone for him to reach the pinnacle!

Qiu Ruoli was already so shocked she couldn’t speak.

With both refining and formations so formidable, how could this guy in front of her have such talent?

At this moment, she suddenly decided that she must stay by his side!

At least… for the next period of time, she had to remain.

…

Over the next few days, Shen Xian taught his disciples refining.

Until five days later, Zhao Wuchen personally arrived at the Leisure Cloud Abode to take Shen Xian to choose a refining site.

Sensing his arrival, Shen Xian said to Qiu Ruoli, who was cultivating: “Come, let’s go out for a stroll!”

Qiu Ruoli was startled!

Since following him to the Northern Region, she had been confined to this small area, with no chance to understand the Northern Region’s situation.

Now, she hadn’t expected him to be willing to take her out.

Her heart was delighted, but she remained secretly vigilant, unsure what he was up to.

“Not going?” Shen Xian retorted.

His purpose in having her accompany him was simple: since he had decided to make her submit, besides the necessary dominance, he also needed to give her some benefits.

Slap and then give a sweet date—only then could she completely resign herself to her fate.

Of course, the most important thing was that he didn’t trust leaving her alone here.

Because his three disciples didn’t know her relationship with him; if she took the chance to escape and then used the Sacred City to neutralize his poison, it would become a hidden danger.

Might as well keep her by his side.

“I’ll go!” Qiu Ruoli stood up.

Apart from being abducted, Qiu Ruoli still had a slight yearning for the Northern Region.

Seeing the scenery of the Sacred City earlier had further fueled her anticipation.

Now, with this rare opportunity to go out, she naturally couldn’t miss it!

“Master Wang, please follow me!” Zhao Wuchen led the two along the main street of the Artisan’s Quarter.

The shops on both sides of the street were lined up in rows, each hanging signs related to refining, some even directly decorated with flames and ores to display their heritage.

“Master Wang, the Artisan’s Quarter is the area with the highest concentration of refiners in the Sacred City; many high-rank refiners have opened shops here.” Zhao Wuchen introduced while guiding: “Actually, the Chamber also has some good refining sites; I’ll take you to see them.”

The owners of these refining sites were all like Shen Xian, unwilling to join the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce but having close cooperation with it.

Shen Xian followed him to the area of the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce.

But after looking all the way, these places had average locations, and the Earth Fire strength wasn’t high.

This was normal; these external refining sites hadn’t joined the Chamber, so naturally, they couldn’t enjoy better resources.

Thus, Shen Xian turned and asked: “Are there any privately sold refining sites?”

Zhao Wuchen looked troubled: “Master Wang, truly good locations are mostly occupied by the Hundred Arts Sect or the major Chambers; it’s really hard to find.”

Shen Xian’s gaze swept over a crimson pavilion at the end of the street, which was spewing dense Earth Fire aura, clearly an excellent refining site.

“What about there?” He pointed at that pavilion.

Zhao Wuchen looked over and smiled bitterly: “That’s the Crimson Flame Pavilion, a refining site directly under the Hundred Arts Sect, only open to Fifth-Rank or higher refiners, and requires passing the Hundred Arts Sect’s assessment to rent.”

Hearing this, Qiu Ruoli couldn’t help but snort lightly: “The Hundred Arts Sect is indeed domineering.”

Shen Xian wasn’t surprised, after all, the Hundred Arts Sect monopolized the Sacred City’s top refining resources.

Moreover, in such places, good refining sites were basically monopolized; external forces without background found it hard to break in.

He then asked: “Isn’t there any with good Earth Fire quality? Price can be negotiated!”

Zhao Wuchen smiled helplessly: “Master Wang, if we’re talking about refining sites with good Earth Fire quality, there is still one place, but…”

He hesitated slightly: “That place is somewhat special.”

“Oh?” Shen Xian raised an eyebrow.

“It’s an abandoned Profound Fire Cave, originally the private refining chamber of a Fifth-Rank refiner. Later, due to a refining failure, the Earth Fire went out of control, damaging the cave abode, and no one has dared to take it over since.” Zhao Wuchen explained: “However, if the Earth Fire formation can be repaired, it would be an excellent place.”

Shen Xian’s eyes flashed with a sharp light.

Repair the Earth Fire formation?

What a coincidence!

He had just obtained Fifth-Rank formation inheritance!

“Take me to see it.”

A moment later, the three arrived before a stone mountain at the edge of the Artisan’s Quarter.

Complex array patterns were carved on the mountain wall, but many were damaged, faintly revealing the chaotic fire spiritual power inside.

Shen Xian swept it with his Divine Sense and smiled slightly—although this Earth Fire was violent, if he could suppress it with the Burning Heaven Cauldron’s thunder fire and adjust it with a formation, it could instead form a stronger refining environment!

“This is the place.” He said decisively.

Zhao Wuchen was stunned: “Master Wang, this place has significant risks; are you sure?”

Repairing this Earth Fire required a Fifth-Rank Formation Master to take action; otherwise, it wouldn’t have been abandoned for so long.

Shen Xian smiled faintly: “I have my own way to solve it.”