NOVEL WEB Chapter 291: Void Thieves Gang - Part 2
Li Qian immediately said.
After all, Xu Shucheng's expertise in array formation is a level below his, so overlooking this situation is quite normal.
"Huh, it really is like this. How could such a situation arise?"
Upon hearing this, Xu Shucheng carefully sensed the fluctuations of the array's operation and slightly furrowed his brows.
He had maintained this array before, without any problems, but now it seemed there was indeed an issue.
"Daoist Qian Yuan, when I maintained it initially... everything was fine, and there are no traces of sabotage. Could it be that the space node itself has a problem affecting the array's operation?"
Xu Shucheng said in a deep voice.
"Array Master Xu, shouldn't we just go in and take a look?"
Li Qian said.
The reason he hadn't entered the array earlier was that this array concerns the secrecy and safety of the Cangwu Secret Realm, and only array masters posted by the Yuqing Array Mansion have the eligibility.
"Very well."
Xu Shucheng nodded.
Since Li Qian could discern the anomalies in the array's operation, it demonstrated his skills in array formation are undoubtedly strong.
In fact, he was quite curious, since Li Qian was a servant disciple of the Luo Yuan Daoist School, how could he also be proficient in array formations?
Under normal circumstances, this is unlikely.
Unless this Daoist Qian Yuan could very well be a Combat Array Immortal Master.
Combat Array Immortal Master.
A very unique type of cultivator.
Proficient in array formation and integrates arrays into spiritual artifact immortal skills, usually making such Combat Array Immortal Masters much stronger than peers with similar cultivation.
However, integrating array formations with cultivation is often quite difficult and unrewarding, making it hard to achieve high accomplishments.
This is why it's a reluctant choice for those with balanced talents in both array formation and cultivation.
"You two go in."
The Hall Master of Tianlan said.
He did not enter, staying outside just in case.
After all, he was not skilled in the array formation technique...
Soon, Li Qian and Array Master Xu Shucheng entered the array and began examining the internal situation.
The interior and exterior scenery were completely different.
Inside the array, the sky was dark and profound, with a strange vortex twisting as if terrifying energy was seeping in, but the array was blocking it.
The spiritual energy here was very mixed, carrying a negative aura.
Given such space nodes, external energy could seep in, and under prolonged assault, the space node would become increasingly unstable, eventually leading to node collapse and spatial collapse...
Hence, the function of this array, besides isolating space nodes, also includes repairing contaminated nodes, maintaining stability, and purifying external negative energy.
Otherwise, if such external negative energy entered the Cangwu Secret Realm, it would contaminate and pollute a large area, severely influencing the growth of spiritual medicine within the secret realm.
"How could this happen?"
Xu Shucheng, seeing the vortex in the sky, slightly changed his expression.
Because the negative energy seepage from this space node had become much more severe, no wonder the array's operation was experiencing issues.
If left unchecked and not maintained in time, it would lead to array instability and eventual collapse...
If such a thing happens, the consequences would be dire.
As the array's maintenance master, he bore significant responsibility.
At this moment, he felt a chill down his spine.
Fortunately, this Daoist Qian Yuan gave a timely reminder, otherwise he couldn't bear such a heavy responsibility.
Moreover, if the Void Thieves targeted the Cangwu Secret Realm, it was very likely they would take advantage of this space node to slip in.
After examining, the two confirmed that several virtual array piles were severely contaminated and damaged, and it would also affect other virtual array piles.
In three to five months, this might lead to the complete collapse of the array...
"Array Master Xu, it seems these several virtual array piles need to be replaced."
Li Qian said.
"Yes, the virtual array piles really need to be replaced."
Xu Shucheng nodded and said, "But... the issue with this array doesn't seem that simple; I clearly maintained it just not long ago..."
Li Qian understood what Xu Shucheng meant.
He also judged it was an issue with the space nodes, with an accelerated penetration of external negative energy causing the array's operation to malfunction, leading to the overload of virtual array piles...
In other words, even directly replacing the virtual array piles wouldn't solve the root cause...
"Array Master Xu, what usually causes such problems?"
Li Qian curiously asked.
After all, he didn't have much in-depth knowledge of such virtual arrays.
Within the Dutian Array Sect, he had only slightly touched upon it.
This was the most lacking aspect of his array knowledge.
He wanted to take this opportunity to learn more from Array Master Xu regarding arrays.
"It could be an issue with the Outer Realm."
Xu Shucheng said after a moment of contemplation.
Regarding the outer realm, it involves the Outer Realm Void Domain, which is a domain only Heavenly Immortals can survive in.
Of course, if one possesses large spiritual treasures, survival is also possible.
The reason the Void Thieves are hard to eradicate is that they like hiding in the Outer Realm Void Domain.
"So, to identify the issue, we must go to the Outer Realm Void Domain?"
Li Qian said in surprise.
He hadn't expected the situation to be so troublesome... Going to the Outer Realm Void Domain is not easy.
Of course, Yuhua Immortal Gate surely has the channels...
"Yes, for now, we can only replace the damaged virtual array piles, report the incident, and wait for the Immortal Gate to handle it."
Xu Shucheng nodded and said.
He was just the stationed array master, responsible for maintenance only. Such business involving the Outer Realm Void Domain was beyond his duties.
Thus, with Li Qian's assistance, Xu Shucheng took out new virtual array piles and began replacing them.
Li Qian took this opportunity to observe and benefited a lot.
Once the virtual array piles were replaced, the array stabilized, significantly reducing the negative energy emerging from the vortex.
However, Xu Shucheng wasn't relieved but rather more furrowed because..... the energy invasion from the Outer Realm Void Domain still remained strong, and over time other virtual array piles would also be damaged.
If the root cause isn't addressed, the collapse of the array is inevitable.
As for relying on such patching methods, it won't work at all.
After all, the cost is too high.
The value of a virtual array pile is certainly not low.
After finishing, the two left the array space.
"How did it go?"
Outside, the Hall Master of Tianlan saw them come out and immediately asked.
"Master Chu, this space node has issues. Although I've replaced the virtual array piles, it can only last for some time. To resolve the problem, one must go to the Outer Realm Void Domain... Therefore, during this time, someone must keep watch over this array to prevent unexpected incidents."
Xu Shucheng said.
"No problem, I'll personally keep watch."
The Hall Master of Tianlan nodded and said.
After all, a space node problem indicates a potential hidden threat, so the best solution is for him, a Heavenly Immortal level expert, to personally oversee it. In this way, even if an unexpected situation arises, he can handle it promptly.
He would not trust other Daoist School disciples.
"Then I trouble Master Chu."
Xu Shucheng said.
Afterward, he left the scene with his bodyguard on a flying machine.
...
Outer Realm Void Domain.
The place was filled with strange energy.
Without Heavenly Immortal level strength, survival in this environment is impossible.
At this moment, a massive flying ship hovered in the void domain, covered by a layer of strange brilliance.
On the deck stood several figures.
They were gazing at a peculiar vortex in the air ahead of the ship.
However, around this vortex, many array flags were set, forming an extremely complicated array that encapsulated the vortex.
A massive amount of void domain energy drove by the array frantically poured into the vortex, making it seem as if it was widening and growing larger.
Suddenly... the vortex trembled violently; the originally abundant void domain energy seemed to meet huge resistance, with energy rather pouring out, causing those array flags to shake violently.
"Array Master He, what is going on?"
A shadow in black armor on the deck looked at a grey-robed old man beside and said seriously.
The grey-robed old man showed confusion, shook his array flag, controlling the array above, then his face changed slightly, "My Lord, the array at the space node in the Cangwu Secret Realm was repaired, causing the void domain energy invasion to be blocked. But that's not right, the array in the Cangwu Secret Realm was maintained only half a year ago; they couldn't have discovered the problem this quickly, could they? Is the intelligence wrong?"
"There can be no mistake... my intelligence is very accurate."
The shadow in black armor shook his head and said.
"Now the Cangwu Secret Realm has repaired the grand array, they likely have discovered the space node problem. Once Yuhua Immortal Gate sends people to inspect here, I'm afraid..."
Array Master He the grey-robed old man said.
His meaning was clear, slowly corroding the space node to open a passage into the Cangwu Secret Realm wouldn't have enough time.
Either abandon it.
Or attack forcefully.
....
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