Mortal: Fairy Song Yu has issued you a task.

Chapter 5 Wangxian Tower

The art of formations is not always entirely linked to a cultivator's own cultivation level.

It is not impossible for a formation set up by a Qi Refining cultivator to pose a threat to a Core Formation cultivator.

Of course, with Lin Jingchu's current level of skill, he is far from reaching that level.

However, he was more than capable of checking whether the nodes of the sect's protective array were intact and repairing some minor damage.

At this moment, he was submerged at the bottom of a ten-zhang-deep river, carefully inspecting a node of the mountain-protecting formation.

This formation is called the "Azure Wave Water Element Formation," and it is one of the sect's protective mountain formations.

By harnessing the flow of rivers and streams and connecting with the water element, the protective shield is continuously replenished and circulated.

Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Qian, and the newly arrived Junior Brother Xu Fuzi were also busy at several other nodes near the riverbed.

Meanwhile, Uncle Feng stood suspended in mid-air on a magical artifact, his job being to supervise the work of Lin Jingchu and the others.

If he is late on a business trip, he must make amends immediately.

Lin Jingchu focused his attention on examining the millstone-sized array disc in front of him, its jade surface engraved with dense array patterns.

After confirming that the array patterns were complete and intact, he also found that the spirit stones embedded within were brimming with spiritual energy. He then infused spiritual power into the array in a special way, and the flow of spiritual energy was incredibly smooth.

After confirming that everything was correct, he broke through the water and leaped back to the open space by the river, still wet.

"Uncle Feng, the inspection of the Ren-character node three of the 'Azure Wave Water Element Array' here has been completed. There is no damage and it is operating normally."

Uncle Feng simply nodded slightly, continuing to focus on the work progress at other locations along the river.

About an incense stick later, as Xu Fuzi was the last to break the water and fall back to the shore, it was already close to dusk.

Uncle Feng glanced at the four of them, his voice calm and even: "As usual, four people form a group, and each day we need to inspect twenty-four nodes. Today we have only completed twenty-two."

His gaze fell on the slightly flustered Xu Fuzi:

"Considering that Junior Nephew Xu has only just joined the maintenance team today and is not yet familiar with the sect's various formations, that's understandable. In the next few days, you three, as his senior brothers, will need to provide him with more assistance and guidance."

"We need to catch up on the schedule as soon as possible and not delay, otherwise... we'll have to make up for it during our days off."

Lin Jingchu, Senior Brother Zhao, and Senior Brother Qian responded in unison, "Yes."

Xu Fuzi quickly bowed as well: "Yes, Uncle Feng! I will familiarize myself with it as soon as possible and will not slow down the progress."

Uncle Feng nodded slightly: "It's getting late, so let's call it a day and call it a day."

At this moment, Senior Brother Qian suggested with a smile, "Since Junior Brother Xu has joined us for the first time today, why don't a few of us treat him to a small gathering at 'Wangxianlou' in the market tonight? It would be a welcome-back dinner for Junior Brother Xu, what do you say?"

Uncle Feng did not stop walking, but said calmly, "You may go on your own, but put it on my tab."

Before he finished speaking, he had already transformed into a streak of azure light and headed straight towards Tianquan Peak.

Senior Brother Qian patted Xu Fuzi on the shoulder and laughed, "Junior Brother Xu, don't mind it. Uncle Feng has always been like this, single-mindedly devoted to the Dao and disliking these worldly affairs. It's not directed at you. Let's go! By the way, how long have you been a disciple, Junior Brother Xu?"

Xu Fuzi honestly replied, "Brother Qian, I've been a disciple for almost three months, and before that I was doing odd jobs in the Array Weapon Hall."

The Array Equipment Hall is the department within the sect that specializes in producing universal array plates and array flags.

Senior Brother Zhao, standing nearby, was utterly astonished: "Only three months? You've already participated in the maintenance of the mountain-protecting formation? Junior Brother Lin only got to participate after three years back then, which was already incredibly fast. I didn't expect Junior Brother Xu to be even faster!"

After all, the mountain-protecting formation is of great importance, and the disciples responsible for its maintenance are either direct descendants who grew up in the Luoyun Sect or those who have been in the sect for many years and have undergone rigorous examinations.

If Lin Jingchu had not come from a clean background, and if the Tianxing Sect, which had been barely surviving after the internal strife, had not been completely destroyed a year ago, and if he had not had outstanding talent in array formations, he would not have been able to take on this important task so quickly.

Xu Fuzi scratched the back of his head, somewhat embarrassed: "Well... I'm not really sure either. Maybe the sect just happens to be short of people."

Lin Jingchu replied in a relaxed tone, "But then again, this job is much better than the odd jobs you used to do."

"This Azure Wave Water Elemental Array is a bit troublesome. After getting out of the water, you have to use spiritual power to dry your clothes and then use a cleansing talisman to clean them. Maintaining other arrays on a regular basis isn't this troublesome."

Amidst laughter and chatter, the group each took out their flying artifacts and, bathed in the glow of the evening sunset, flew towards the mountain gate market.

Lin Jingchu followed along at a leisurely pace, enjoying a rare moment of relaxation after a hard day's work.

He wasn't the type to work himself to the bone, but since he had come to this world, he wanted to see the scenery from higher and farther places, and he never refused to enjoy what he deserved.

The market was already brightly lit, the twinkling lights dispelling the twilight. Meanwhile, the Wangxian Tower was ablaze with lights and bustling with activity.

Lin Jingchu and his three companions stepped into the spacious hall of Wangxian Tower.

Senior Brother Qian said in a low voice, "Although Uncle Feng said he would put it on his tab, let's just use it in the main hall and not waste money in the private rooms upstairs."

Everyone naturally had no objections; they were all outer disciples in the Qi Refining stage, and there was no need for them to be extravagant.

The four of them walked towards a relatively quiet corner near the window in the lobby.

There were three or four empty tables, but one of them was occupied by a middle-aged man dressed in an ordinary moon-white robe, who was drinking alone.

Just as they were about to reach the table, Xu Fuzi suddenly stopped and bowed, saying, "Disciple Xu Fuzi greets Elder Wei."

Lin Jingchu, Senior Brother Zhao, and Senior Brother Qian were all taken aback upon hearing this. After taking a closer look, they hurriedly followed suit and began to bow.

A gentle yet irresistible spiritual force swept over them, supporting their bowing.

"No need for formalities, and avoid attracting attention."

Lin Jingchu and the other three looked at each other and then quietly sat down at an empty table nearby.

Elder Wei pondered for a moment, then transmitted his voice again: "Young Xu, I'm afraid you're feeling awkward with me here. I won't disturb your gathering of young people."

After saying that, he got up, walked through the lobby, and disappeared outside the door.

As soon as Elder Wei left, Senior Brother Qian breathed a long sigh of relief, and then eagerly asked Xu Fuzi:

"Junior Brother Xu! That... is Elder Wei, the true peak master of Hidden Sword Peak, and the undisputed number one Core Formation cultivator in our Falling Cloud Sect! You actually know Elder Wei?!"

Xu Fuzi said awkwardly in a low voice, "Senior Brother Qian, you flatter me. I am merely a descendant of Elder Wei's old friend. I was able to join the sect thanks to Elder Wei's introduction."

Senior Brother Zhao sighed, "I never imagined that Junior Brother Xu, whom I only started working with today, would have such a background!"

Lin Jingchu nodded in agreement with a look of shock on his face, but his heart was already in turmoil.

Elder Wei... If he remembered correctly, in the original story, this was an undercover agent of the Heavenly Fiend Sect, one of the six major sects of the demonic path.

Is this "descendant of an old friend" Xu Fuzi really real? This situation is probably very complicated!

Elder Wei, standing on the streets of the market, remained expressionless.

He had just concealed his aura in the main hall, enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of the Luoyun Sect, but he never expected to run into Xu Fuzi.

Six months ago, he was suddenly ordered to introduce this boy to the Luoyun Sect.

He had been secretly observing Xu Fuzi ever since he joined the sect.

For the past three months, Xu Fuzi has behaved as diligently as an ordinary disciple, without taking any action or contacting anyone.

And no further instructions came from the other side.

"Heavenly Fiend Sect, Heavenly Fiend True Lord, Master, what are your intentions?"