The attacks outside did not cease; every other hour, they attacked for an hour. These people still aimed to exhaust the array’s power, breaking it without direct confrontation.
Shen Wang didn’t bother with it; he merely replenished the Spirit Crystals according to their consumption and continued with his own affairs.
In Yun Province, towering mountains stood firmly upon the earth, their peaks shrouded in mist, and some peaks occasionally echoed with thunder, beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Profound Thunder Zhenren transformed into a streak of lightning and flew towards one of the mountain peaks, passing through the mist, where buildings and palaces could occasionally be seen on the steep slopes.
In front of one of the buildings, Profound Thunder landed with a cold expression.
"Judging by your expression, it seems your trip wasn’t smooth." An old voice echoed from inside the building.
Profound Thunder pondered for a moment and said, "Does Ling Shu absolutely need that Paper Kite’s Spirit Blood? Is there nothing else that can replace it?"
"Not necessarily, but the cost of alternatives is not small. Even for you and me, it’s unbearable; it requires the entire family to act." The old voice replied, then emerged from under the eaves, revealing an elderly man with silver hair and a white robe, with rosy cheeks and bright eyes. "The most crucial point is that woman’s blood is most suitable. After all, it was her blood back then that allowed Ling Shu to possess the dual gifts of Spirit Root and Spirit Blood."
"That’s quite difficult then, but it’s also challenging on Paper Kite’s side. The cost isn’t small either, and it could easily escalate." Profound Thunder Zhenren frowned.
"What’s going on over there? How could a mere person from the Shen Family make you look ?" The white-robed old man was puzzled.
"To put it this way, it’ll likely take at least eight Golden Core Zhenren combined with arrays to break through the defense array protecting that lad’s location. That’s quite a cost, isn’t it?" Profound Thunder Zhenren spoke with some helplessness.
"You make this old man increasingly interested; does the Shen Family really have such a foundation?" The white-robed old man stroked his beard, shaking his head. "Eight Golden Core Zhenren is unlikely; the Yun Family and Celestial Travel Sect wouldn’t send more than five. If too many know, there might even be quite a bit of sabotage."
"I didn’t expect us to be so well-prepared yet end up being embarrassed by a minor figure." Profound Thunder’s face turned gloomy.
"Think of other solutions; I’ll try to procure Ancestral Blood for Ling Shu. If we get Ancestral Blood, the results will surely be better, but it’s hard to access, with many eyes watching." The white-robed old man said helplessly, "We must cultivate Ling Shu; she has the potential for Nascent Soul Formation. If achieved, the current investments will be worth it, crucial for unifying family factions and reducing internal strife."
"With no support, I have no solutions." Profound Thunder shook his head, "That lad is as stubborn as an ox; I don’t think even capturing the Shen Family would work."
"You make this old man want to know the details." The white-robed old man was surprised.
"My clan brother, it goes ..." Profound Thunder briefly explained the matter regarding the array, affected by selfish motives, intentionally diminishing Shen Wang’s role.
"It seems to be the array left by the Shen Family back then, as it was once a prominent family. A residual array can hold back Golden Core cultivators, not exceptionable." The white-robed old man seemed thoughtful, misinterpreting the situation. "Contact Ling Shu’s teacher and see if you can find an Array Grandmaster to break the array more effortlessly."
Breaking arrays doesn’t only rely on brute force; finesse can be applied, but it requires experts in arrays to assist.
"Too many people know..." Profound Thunder Zhenren chuckled bitterly, "This would make everyone aware, thinking we’re bullying the Shen Family’s young descendant."
In truth, he was still reluctant for too many to know of Shen Wang’s existence. That lad’s treasures would be best acquired secretly by himself.
"Alas, time is short; I’ll try for the Ancestral Blood first." After careful thought, the white-robed old man said, "You have five days on your side; if you can’t obtain it within that time, then simply give up."
"Alright." Profound Thunder decided to proceed gradually.
"It’s worth a try; join me at the family’s Elder Hall. We’ll have to argue with them for half a day again." The white-robed old man sneered, "Second and fourth elders will surely oppose us, claiming that Ancestral Blood shouldn’t be spent lightly."
"Hmph, Ancestral Blood is meant to be used. Those two stubborn individuals, lacking adaptability, will only harm the family." Profound Thunder Zhenren snorted coldly.
"Discuss it at the Elder Council." The white-robed old man, also the Great Elder of the Yun Family, spoke softly.
Shen Wang was unaware of how Profound Thunder altered the narrative out of selfishness, leading the Great Elder of the Yun Family to decide on alternative materials, temporarily refraining from forceful array-breaking.
This left the Black Water Stronghold people struggling, forming arrays at fixed times to attack the defense array, a group of bandits turned into laborers.
Rest and meditation were often aided by Spirit Stones and Elixirs. A day or two was fine; prolonged duration drained both spirit and wealth significantly, resentment surged.
Yun Conghui had to extend rest periods but couldn’t fundamentally solve the problem.
Three days later, Profound Thunder Zhenren returned, checked the array, and saw no signs of weakening, thus could only say, "There’s no rush to break through; everyone disperse."
Yun Conghui was surprised but asked no further questions.
"Senior, should we return?" Gong Yu asked cautiously.
"Return for now." Profound Thunder waved.
Hearing this, many showed delight; no one wished to do such labor, attacking an unbreakable array daily with no benefit, they had long since been unwilling.
"Then the juniors will lead them back." Gong Yu led the group away, but as they descended the mountain, a thought trailed after them: "I didn’t really mean for you to leave; wait at the mountain base."
After sending the transmission, Profound Thunder Zhenren addressed the ancestral house: "Shen Wang, we have found an alternative method using our Yun Family ancestor’s Essence Blood, which is more effective, so there’s no need for Ling Shu’s blood; you can be at ease."
This statement, instead, made Shen Wang vigilant. Previously, these people were desperate for blood, and now they suddenly relented; who knew if it was true?
"Then thank you, senior." Shen Wang replied indifferently.
"Once you know, open the array; this zhenren appreciates your array talents, and the clan’s Great Elder holds you in high regard. You are also the Yun Family’s son-in-law; breaking the ice this time, follow this zhenren to the family, you should be able to secure plenty of resources after recognition."
Profound Thunder Zhenren spoke with deep emotion.
Though it sounded reasonable, Shen Wang did not believe in such good fortune and calmly said, "I plan to seclude myself for cultivation for a while and won’t go for now; I’ll visit the Yun Family when there’s an opportunity."
Seeing the lad not deceived, Profound Thunder Zhenren showed no expression: "Alright, the Yun Family welcomes you anytime, Cong Hui, Ge Changzhuang, let’s go."
The three left the ancestral house directly, the surroundings quieted, seeming they truly left.
Shen Wang merely chuckled coldly: "Really sly foxes, first verbal persuasion, now feigning departure, trying to lure me out. Do they take me for a fool?"
He was prepared to stay here for a year or two, completely indifferent.
At the mountain base, Profound Thunder Zhenren’s Divine Thought locked onto the entire mountain top; seeing Shen Wang not emerge, he could only continue waiting.
After half a day passed with no sign of emergence, he could only say, "You can return; this zhenren will summon you when needed."