Shen Wang did not use sword flight to get home; his current cultivation level was not high, so there was no need to waste spiritual power. After all, his speed on the ground was not much slower than sword flight.
When he passed by Hundred Creeks Lake, Shen Wang noticed from afar that the lake water had been drained. It seemed to be an action taken against the fish demon, though he didn’t know whether they caught it or not.
"They say not to drain the water, but ultimately it comes down to not having benefited enough, or perhaps lacking determination."
Shen Wang shook his head and did not look further, quickly returning home with five array flags in his hand.
The poles of the array flags were made of wood, as thick as an arm, hollowed out to place spirit stones inside.
The flags were square, painted with a Yin Yang Diagram, with complex patterns far surpassing his flying sword and the talismans he drew—truly worthy of being the array of the sect known as the Hundred Paths.
He didn’t study them further, as his current energy was limited. Applying the way of talismans was sufficient for now; other arts like alchemy, artifact refining, and array would be dealt with later.
Four array flags were planted in the four corners of his ancestral home, with the main banner either kept in his hand or set in the courtyard as a control hub.
Shen Wang activated the main banner, and the nearest corner’s array flag lit up, releasing a circle of power that combined with the other three flags’ power to quickly form a special domain.
This domain covered the ancestral home and an area three zhang away, especially the outer region where the light shifted, making it appear as if yin and yang were inverted.
He stepped out and looked back; the entire ancestral home had vanished, hidden from sight, making the place indistinguishable from the surrounding barren mountains.
Seeing the effect, Shen Wang nodded. "Although the cost is quite high, requiring more than three hundred spirit stones a year, it’s still quite good."
The array was divided into life, death, trap, and attack gates, with the life gate being the safe entry and exit area, while the death gate served as the attack region. The outer part of the array was a maze and trap area.
[You have set up the array to protect your home. Array +1, now 1/100]
Gaining some experience, Shen Wang smiled wryly. He had talked about learning arrays, but hadn’t expected to start directly .
He walked into the edge of the array, intending to enter it, but the array’s influence on his vision caused him to stray from the correct path, unknowingly going in circles, much like hitting an invisible wall.
Shen Wang enhanced his sensing power, carefully observing the surroundings. He found the world around him was disordered, so even if he intended to go right, he would suddenly veer to the left.
Relying on his familiarity with the surroundings, he barely managed to cross through the maze area but couldn’t proceed further, as the inversion inside was more severe. His thoughts were affected, making it impossible to see his surroundings clearly.
"Not bad. I haven’t even activated the major powers of the array yet, nor have I used fog to further disrupt perception."
Shen Wang praised the array for affecting a much greater range than magic talismans, in addition to being more sustainable and potent.
He activated the main banner, dissipating the array power around, and suddenly the real scene appeared as if the darkness cleared to reveal light.
"When I have time, I should study the array further. It’s my own array now, but if I encounter someone else’s array, it won’t do if I don’t know how to deal with it."
Shen Wang thought as he reentered the house, then gathered everyone and said, "The house is now covered by an array. In the future, you can only enter and exit through the main gate. Don’t go the wrong way, or you won’t get in."
He set the life gate at the main door, which also made it convenient for others.
Liu Shan’s eyes lit up. "Doesn’t this mean we don’t have to guard the gate anymore?"
"How can you not guard it? You can enter and exit through the main gate, but you still need to watch it. However, you don’t need to watch it all the time, just guard it when I’m away."
Shen Wang wasn’t about to neglect the main door, as he wasn’t constantly controlling the array.
"Yes, sir, that’s sufficient. I can practice more when you’re home."
Liu Shan chuckled honestly.
Shen Wang looked at him and said, "Now you all need to consider whether you want to work for me long-term."
The array was set, making it unnecessary for Liu Shan to guard it. At worst, Shen Wang could close the life gate, and ordinary people wouldn’t be able to enter.
Liu Shan exchanged a glance with his wife, and both nodded in agreement. Liu Shan expressed his thoughts, "Sir, you’re a cultivator, leagues beyond us. It’s our honor to work for you."
To finally come in contact with a cultivator, how could they bear to leave? Thus, they had already discussed it; even after the task of nursing ended, they would find a way to stay.
Especially with his wife as a wet nurse, they wouldn’t be mistreated here.
"Good, from now on, you’re with me, Shen Wang. Do your job well, and you will naturally be rewarded."
Shen Wang nodded. He needed to earn a living and wanted his wife to focus more on cultivation, so he needed someone to handle household chores. He was already familiar with the couple and found them to be upright, making them worthy for long-term use.
"We, as a couple, will not let you down, sir."
Liu Shan and Hongping promised together.
"It’s been some time since you went back home. Tomorrow you can visit your home; I’ll give you a day’s leave. Once my daughter grows a bit older, you’ll have more time to rest and return home properly."
Shen Wang considered how long they had been there, arranging a break for them.
He went to fetch some items to give to them.
Liu Shan’s family was relatively affluent and didn’t lack gold or silver. He prepared some fundamental cultivation resources instead, such as spirit rice, exorcism talismans, and house protection talismans.
Ordinary people could benefit from spirit rice, exorcism talismans would protect against evil influences, and house protection talismans could stabilize the home’s feng shui.
The couple was moved to tears, knowing these items were difficult to acquire even with gold and silver, providing great benefits to the elders in the family.
With these items, their family elders would surely be safe, and consuming spirit rice could even extend their lifespan.