The moment the idea of creating puppet servants took root, Gu Xiu fell into deep contemplation.

The more he considered it, the more feasible it seemed.

Without hesitation, as soon as he finished crafting the day’s batch of talismans, Gu Xiu walked out of the backyard. He intended to head straight to the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, but just as he stepped out, he saw the maid, Xiao He, waiting eagerly by the door.

Spotting Gu Xiu, her eyes instantly lit up. “Immortal Feng, the meal is ready.”

“Meal…”

Gu Xiu was about to refuse, but seeing the girl’s eyes filled with such genuine anticipation, he ultimately smiled. “Alright, let’s eat then!”

It had been so long that Gu Xiu had almost forgotten who the last person was to patiently wait for him to eat.

He had also forgotten when was the last time he himself had waited for a meal like this.

Soon after they sat down at the table, Xiao He brought out the dishes she had been keeping warm. Her face was full of expectation as she watched Gu Xiu, waiting for him to take the first bite.

Gu Xiu did not disappoint her.

In front of Xiao He, he tasted every single dish earnestly, then nodded. “The flavor is truly excellent!”

These four simple words filled Xiao He’s eyes with pure joy. Seeing this, Gu Xiu smiled slightly as well.

The path of cultivation is not solely about riding a fine steed with a new jade saddle, or battling on sandy fields under a cold moon.

Similarly, one can occasionally pause for a moment.

Sipping four or five cups by the stream, Listening to two or three strings plucked. Brewing wine with pine flowers, Steeping tea with spring water.

After finishing the meal earnestly, Gu Xiu left the Listening-to-Rain Pavilion and headed unhurriedly toward the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

However, upon arriving at the entrance, he saw a large crowd gathered out front.

City guards were stationed everywhere, moving one corpse after another out from inside the pavilion.

Inside the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, Su Rumei could be seen with a frosty expression, shouting instructions to the other managers and servants in the shop.

“Who are these people? They are too vicious.”

“Luckily, I was a step late. Otherwise, I might have been caught up in it earlier and would be a corpse right now.”

“For so many years, nothing like this has happened… I can’t believe such violence still occurs in Cloud Firmament City.”

Hearing the whispers of the crowd, Gu Xiu frowned. He inquired nearby and learned that the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had just been attacked by a group of mysterious individuals.

That group was very strong. The weakest among them possessed at least late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Upon entering the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, they started killing without a word. There were many customers inside at the time; countless staff members and patrons died on the spot at their hands.

Naturally, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion had experts guarding it; there was always at least one Golden Core expert present in the shop at all times.

But the attackers came prepared. That Golden Core expert was entangled the moment he made a move.

Although he promptly called for reinforcements, that group of mysterious individuals was extremely slippery. They retreated before the other experts from the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion and the city guards could arrive, leaving behind only corpses and wreckage.

After hearing this, Gu Xiu frowned again.

Although Cloud Firmament City prohibited cultivators from using their cultivation power openly, disputes were inevitable where people gathered—let alone among the many unruly rogue cultivators in the city.

Occasional killings did happen.

But ordinary rogue cultivators would absolutely not dare cause trouble for the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

This time, it seemed likely that another power had set its sights on them. The reason hardly needed much thought.

It must be because his Perfect Dao Talismans were too conspicuous.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, you’ve come just in time; I was just about to look for you.”

Coincidentally, Su Rumei came downstairs at that moment. Upon seeing him, she immediately invited Gu Xiu inside.

Gu Xiu did not refuse and followed Su Rumei into the hall.

As soon as he entered, he could feel the lingering spiritual energy fluctuations from the earlier clash. They had not yet dissipated.

Sensing it briefly, Gu Xiu raised an eyebrow slightly.

This spiritual energy fluctuation was strong. Among those who attacked were Golden Core cultivators—and more than one at that.

If he hadn’t eaten Xiao He’s meal earlier and had come straight here… perhaps he would have been caught in the middle of the slaughter.

“Fellow Daoist Feng, our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will be entering a state of high alert,” Su Rumei spoke up immediately. “We hope Fellow Daoist Feng can help us improve and reinforce our defensive arrays.”

“Of course,” she added quickly, “Our Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion will offer rewards satisfactory to Fellow Daoist Feng.”

“Let’s discuss rewards later,” Gu Xiu shook his head. “Manager Su might as well tell me what exactly is happening, and what type of array is needed?”

“This…”

Su Rumei hesitated slightly, but thinking of her many speculations about the person before her, she finally decided to explain.

During this period, cooperating with that mysterious force allowed them access to eighty thousand Perfect Dao Talismans daily. Though all were only first-grade, the volume was astonishing enough to shake the market.

They understood the principle that ‘a man’s wealth is his own ruin’ all too well.

During this time, many talismans had been used by the Pavilion to handle various relationships, and the effect had been good. But some factions remained restless. Recently, they had received numerous threats demanding disclosure regarding the secrets behind these talismans.

Actually, the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion wasn’t afraid—after all, being able to survive for centuries as a merchant guild meant their foundation could not be underestimated.

But while they were unafraid of frontal assaults, the opponents instead chose surprise attacks.

Clearly, today served as a bloody warning.

“Do we know who they are?” asked Gu Xiu.

Su Rumei frowned tightly. “We cannot confirm it yet, but we suspect the attackers likely belong to one of the three major gangs within Cloud Firmament City—the Four Seas Gang!”

“Cloud Firmament City lacks entanglements from sects or families, but countless gangs stand tall here. Among them, the strongest are the three major ones: the Four Seas Gang, the Red Flower Society, and the Dragon Gate Gang.”

“Among these, the Four Seas Gang ranks second in strength,” Su Rumei explained. “They’ve shown particular interest regarding the talisman matters, repeatedly trying to pry information from us without success. Once, they threatened to make us pay a price. They are likely responsible for today’s raid, aiming to intimidate us!”

She sighed. “Originally, I planned to invite Fellow Daoist Feng to become our honorary consultant. But given the current situation, we must postpone that temporarily.”

She looked at him apologetically. “You understand the implication. Now that we are being targeted, becoming a consultant would likely draw fire onto yourself.”

“However, Fellow Daoist Feng needn’t worry. Our Pavilion Master has received the news and will arrive shortly. Once the experts arrive, neither the Four Seas Gang nor the Red Flower Society will dare show their faces again!”

“But before then… we need powerful arrays. At least, arrays capable of protecting us during critical moments to prevent similar incidents from recurring!”

“Here in Cloud Firmament City, array masters are scarce. Most are only somewhat knowledgeable. Thus, we can only seek help from Fellow Daoist Feng. Are you willing to assist?”

After speaking, she looked at him expectantly, awaiting his response.

Gu Xiu didn’t disappoint her. He nodded immediately. “Leave the array matters to me.”

As a rogue cultivator, he normally wouldn’t meddle in others’ affairs.

But recently, the Pavilion had frequently sent cultivation resources, techniques, and secret manuals in exchange for the first-grade talismans. This counted as receiving favors. The other party merely needed help setting arrays; he had no reason to refuse.

Moreover, they were ultimately targeted because of his own talismans. Since he was involved in the cause, he would not refuse to help create the arrays.

That night, Gu Xiu didn’t return to the Listening-to-Rain Pavilion. Knowing the urgency, he simply stayed inside the shop and began preparing the array creation materials.

He spent the first half of the night preparing, and in the second half, he directly started constructing the arrays.

Naturally, this was a good thing.

Su Rumei was at least pleased with his attitude and even started considering what kind of technique or secret manual to prepare as a gift for Feng Bugui.

But while she was confident, others witnessing the scene couldn’t help showing strange expressions.

Previously, Gu Xiu had visited mainly to help repair some minor arrays, incidentally letting the managers and staff know him to avoid friendly fire incidents. He had demonstrated some prowess, making everyone realize he was indeed skilled in arrays.

But being skilled was one thing.

The current situation involved a suspected attack by the Four Seas Gang, involving experts led by Golden Core cultivators. Their target was clear: enter swiftly, kill, destroy, and cause chaos.

Facing such a level of opponent, inviting a Qi Condensation stage array master…

Wasn’t this a joke?

Though most harbored doubts, they dared not voice them, questioning Manager Su’s orders.

Unlike the others, Shadow was an exception. Seeing the concerns, he immediately approached Su Rumei. “Manager Su, are you sure about letting Feng Bugui help set the arrays?”

“Why not?” Su Rumei affirmed.

Shadow reminded her, “He is merely a Qi Condensation cultivator. Though I don’t know why his cultivation hasn’t progressed rapidly, Qi Condensation is ultimately just Qi Condensation. Do you still treat him as an ordinary Qi Condensation cultivator?”

“Do you recall the Green Bamboo Dragon-Trapping Array?” Su Rumei countered. “Are there any doubts left?”

“Well, that is true, but the problem now is that we cannot afford the slightest risk,” Shadow reminded her.

Su Rumei smiled. “Rest assured. I am confident.”

“Where does this confidence come from?” wondered Shadow. He had previously harbored reservations, yet when she explained the situation to Feng Bugui, the man didn’t refuse but instead readily agreed.

“My confidence comes from the person himself,” Su Rumei said, looking towards the figure busy working in the hall. “Though his origins and identity are unclear, one thing is certain.”

“What is that?”

“This person is not the frivolous type. If he cannot do something, he won’t force himself. But if he says he can do it…”

She smiled confidently.

“Then he will deliver on his promise!”