“This guy…” Zhou Kai listened to Gao Feiyang’s shouts from inside, pondering to himself.

“Gao Feiyang acts flamboyantly, even somewhat eccentrically; that cloak on his back is practically a walking provocation.”

“But it must be said, with his level of strength and demeanor, in this chaotic world of cultivation, it’s actually quite effective. If there’s a chance, befriending him wouldn’t be bad.”

Unfortunately, within the large courtyard, there were many cultivators. Although Gao Feiyang and the group of Calamity Abyss Valley disciples tried their best to intimidate, there were always those who considered themselves clever or were simply desperate outlaws.

In the shadows, three or five sneaky figures took advantage of the night’s cover, slipped out of the courtyard, and silently trailed in the direction Master Sun had left.

Gao Feiyang certainly noticed those few individuals but did not intervene to stop them. He merely focused on monitoring several cultivators at the late Qi Condensation stage to prevent them from exploiting the chaos.

“Interesting,” Zhou Kai thought to himself. Gao Feiyang was selectively enforcing; perhaps he couldn’t be bothered with these small fry, or maybe he was waiting for them to test Master Sun’s depths?

He wasn’t in a hurry to move, patiently waiting for those people to go first. He had no desire to be the fisherman who benefits from the struggle between the snipe and the clam, only to end up getting himself into trouble.

The cultivators who had slipped out first had already scattered. They remained wary of each other, clearly all wanting to be the oriole that catches the mantis, yet fearing they might become the mantis themselves.

After another cup of tea’s worth of time passed, feeling the timing was about right, Zhou Kai seemed to merge with the surrounding darkness. The color of his clothes turned murky, his own aura was suppressed to the extreme, and even his breathing became long and nearly imperceptible.

He followed at the very rear of those few cultivators.

Master Sun’s figure flickered in and out of sight ahead, deliberately choosing secluded paths.

The fragmented moonlight added to the eeriness.

Soon, the lights of the market faded into the distance; ahead lay only endless darkness and rustling wind.

Trailing Master Sun were exactly five people—no more, no less.

Zhou Kai observed secretly; all five were at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation, none at the sixth layer—similar to him.

Master Sun’s figure turned a corner and vanished into a denser patch of woodland.

Among the five, a burly cultivator couldn’t restrain himself and suddenly burst forward with force.

Seeing this, the other four exchanged glances and also accelerated in tacit agreement, unwilling to let any benefits be monopolized.

Zhou Kai’s eyes sharpened; his right hand flipped over, and a Spirit Breaker short arrow was already grasped in his palm.

This was precisely the deposit Wang Qiaoqiao had paid Zhou Kai back when she wanted to join a sect—a single strike equivalent to the power of a ninth-layer Qi Condensation cultivator, usable three times.

Thud!

A strange sound rang out, followed immediately by a short cry that was abruptly cut off.

Zhou Kai saw clearly: that burly cultivator who had charged in first died instantly!

After a brief deathly silence in the woods, intense spiritual energy fluctuations suddenly erupted!

“An ambush!”

“It’s an array!”

“Quickly, join forces!”

The sounds of clashing metal, exploding spells, angry curses, and pleas for mercy mixed together. Clearly, the remaining four had already engaged with whatever means Master Sun had laid down.

Zhou Kai didn’t rush forward yet; his mind was crystal clear. When it comes to playing dirty tricks, array masters are truly unmatched.

This Master Sun appeared alone but was actually planning every step carefully. He had long anticipated someone would follow and set up a killing trap in advance.

A moment later, the sounds of fighting in the woods gradually subsided until only a few suppressed groans remained before they too quickly vanished without a trace.

The night wind blew past, stirring up a few fallen leaves. The woods returned to deathly silence as if nothing had ever happened.

Zhou Kai waited another incense stick’s worth of time until he confirmed there were no further movements before slowly shifting his steps.

His left hand tightened around the Flight Escape Talisman hidden in his sleeve as a precaution. His right hand still firmly gripped the Spirit Breaker arrow, pointing diagonally at the ground behind him.

In the woods lay several corpses scattered haphazardly in various states of death—clearly victims of different arrays.

Master Sun stood in a clearing with his back turned toward Zhou Kai as he collected those people’s Storage Bags.

Zhou Kai stopped about fifty paces away from him. He dispelled his Cicada Raiment Art disguise; his figure clearly emerged from the shadows as he spoke aloud respectfully:

“I am Zhou Kai. I had the fortune of witnessing Master Sun’s distinguished bearing at the trade fair and greatly admire your mastery of arrays. The divine might you displayed just now left this junior utterly awestruck! I boldly come seeking to purchase an array formation; I hope you will grant my request!”

Master Sun whirled around abruptly; a flash of sharp light gleamed in his eyes as he sized up Zhou Kai. “It’s you? There was actually someone else!”

Simultaneously, he felt a chill. Such profound concealment skills! Had he not revealed himself voluntarily, I wouldn’t have detected him at all.

He clearly recognized Zhou Kai as someone he’d seen at the trade fair.

Zhou Kai remained expressionless; he slightly bowed in greeting before continuing:

“You see clearly, Master. This junior indeed observed from concealment but not with any intention to spy—it was truly out of admiration for your array arts coupled with fear of disturbing you rashly. Now, having witnessed your divine might, my resolve to seek an array has only strengthened.”

Master Sun narrowed his eyes. “Oh? You’re quite forthright then. Why should I sell one to you?”

Zhou Kai responded calmly, having long prepared an explanation.

“This junior understands that your arrays are no ordinary goods. I have a close friend named Zhao Tieshan—a body cultivator who once trained for some time at Calamity Abyss Valley.”

“By chance, he purchased an exquisite array set from an array master surnamed Su which benefited him greatly. He often tells me that if one wishes to establish oneself in this cultivation world, mastery over arrays is indispensable.”

“I came this time specifically seeking masters skilled in arrays. Today, upon witnessing your methods, I realized you must share some connection with that Master Su—perhaps even being his successor? Hence, I boldly approached, hoping I might obtain one or two.”

Upon hearing this, Master Sun’s eyes flickered slightly. Some vigilance faded from his face, though thoughtful caution remained evident.

He remained silent for several moments before slowly speaking. “Zhao Tieshan… You mean that brute who is all brawn?”

Zhou Kai inwardly stirred—it seemed playing the Zhao Tieshan card worked correctly—so he followed up accordingly:

“Exactly! Brother Zhao is a forthright, righteous personage; he holds the highest regard for Master Su’s array skills, often sighing about how not only were Master Su’s arrays divine, but also how upright and honorable a personage he was too.”

Master Sun made a noncommittal sound, “Hmm,” while inwardly thinking:

So it turns out to be a friend of Zhao Tieshan, whom our Young Master knows… But this Zhou Kai definitely isn’t any bosom buddy; otherwise, Zhao Tieshan would’ve directly written a letter of introduction rather than just talking about trying luck coming to Broken Wood Bay…

This kid, though, is smarter than those lying on the ground here, and also a bit more cunning.

Thinking here, Master Sun’s wariness dissipated considerably, though he didn’t immediately agree either way.

He glanced at the messy scene within the woods, then looked toward the sky before pointing toward a faintly visible small river in the distance, saying:

“Tonight is rather inconvenient. I just dealt with some riffraff who sullied Fellow Daoist’s eyesight. If Fellow Daoist Zhou truly seeks arrays, come another day instead.”

He added further clarification: “Downstream along the river lies a large lake called Minshan Lake; you may find me there.”

This constituted granting permission, essentially.

Zhou Kai was inwardly delighted—this Master Sun seemed reasonable enough, directly addressing him as “Fellow Daoist”—but dared show nothing outwardly, merely bowing respectfully again.

“Many thanks, Master Sun, for granting the request! Then this junior shall visit another day. Regarding tonight’s events, this junior won’t utter a single extra word about them.”

Master Sun nodded indifferently, acknowledging the response.

Zhou Kai lingered no longer, turning swiftly and leaving the woodland, vanishing within the darkness after a few leaps and bounds.

Returning to the market, Zhou Kai felt rather pleased with his mood overall.

Although tonight’s process involved twists and turns, he ultimately managed to connect a line toward Master Sun, making purchasing arrays a hopeful prospect now.

Moreover, those casually laid arrays capable of annihilating five same-stage cultivators truly made him covetous.

If he could master such methods himself, whether for self-defense or ambushing others, it would become a great asset indeed.

Just reaching the inn entrance, he saw someone stepping out first—precisely Fu Sheng, who had earlier invited Zhou Kai to join his group.

Zhou Kai was momentarily puzzled: At the second layer of Qi Condensation, so poor he needed to pool resources to attend the Dragon Gate Gathering, yet he’s staying at this inn too?

Behind him followed two others.

The person on the left was tall and thin with a sallow complexion and a sinister gaze; perched upon his shoulder was a black crow.

The person on the right was completely opposite—robust, muscular, broad-shouldered, and thick-waisted. He was clearly a body cultivator specializing in physique, yet his gaze unexpectedly held a touch of simple honesty.

Both of these individuals had cultivation at the fourth layer of the First Realm, roughly equivalent to Zhou Kai’s own level.

Presumably, these were the fellow Daoists Fu Sheng had mentioned earlier.

Fu Sheng, beaming radiantly, warmly approached. “Fellow Daoist Han, what a coincidence indeed! Never expected to encounter Fellow Daoist here again!”

Zhou Kai halted his steps, smiling slightly. “Indeed a coincidence, Fellow Daoist Fu. Who might these two be?”

Fu Sheng laughed heartily, stepping aside somewhat, yet didn’t directly answer.

“Earlier at the market, inviting Fellow Daoist and your sister to join the Dragon Gate Gathering was rather presumptuous of me. For Fellow Daoist Han to be able to stay at the Welcoming Immortals Inn surely means he possesses exceptional qualities beyond the ordinary. Fellow Fu was shortsighted indeed, shortsighted!”

“This Welcoming Immortals Inn is no ordinary place, prepared specifically by Calamity Abyss Valley for various talents attending the Dragon Gate Gathering. An ordinary room alone costs one Spirit Stone per night; superior rooms even two!”

“The Dragon Gate Gathering opens five days later. Staying continuously is a considerable expense indeed. Fellow Daoist Han is so composed, with such confidence… Fellow Fu truly admires you deeply!”

Fu Sheng spoke sincerely, as if genuinely praising him.

Hearing this, Zhou Kai inwardly sneered. This Fu Sheng is trying to probe my background with a few words, deliberately highlighting the inn expenses to test my financial resources.