Chapter 73 A Level 5 Core Formation Cultivator 

Chapter 73 A Level 5 Core Formation Cultivator 

Without knowing about the commotion in Red Maple City, Shangguan Yi returned to the Meditation Garden and reviewed his spoils. This time, he had obtained the core essence of 4 level 5 Core Formation Cultivators, 12 core essences from Core Formation Cultivators ranging from level 2 to level 4, and 20 core essences from false Core Formation Cultivators.

Shangguan Yi was so excited that he had the urge to try them out right there, but he suppressed himself. He needed to arrange some tasks before entering seclusion. The deaths of many Core Formation Cultivators in the Xia Family would definitely create chaos in Red Maple City. Some might fear him and refrain from engaging in the next fight, but there would be those who would go all out, like the City Lord Manor and many high-grade families in the central area.

However, now that he had 4 level 3 arrays, Shangguan Yi felt no threat from them. In fact, he planned to visit each of them when his strength was higher. For now, he didn't want to be disturbed during his cultivation, so he had to make some arrangements before entering seclusion.

Shangguan Yi spread his Divine Sense to call Xie Xie, who was guarding outside the Xia Family. As a level 4 Core Formation Cultivator, his Divine Sense extended far enough to reach Xie Xie.

Xie Xie received the message quickly and didn't linger. He traveled from outside the Xia Family to the Meditation Garden immediately. On his way, he passed through two protection arrays: one guarding the Xia Family and another protecting the Meditation Garden. From his perception, Xie Xie knew that both were the same type of array, despite being unable to see through them. However, with his experience, he recognized that the one in the Meditation Garden was stronger. This reminded him not to go against Shangguan Yi, who, despite having the strength to dominate everyone in the Xia Family, still laid the strongest array to protect himself.

"Greeting, Young Master. What orders do you have for this old man?" The moment he arrived at the pavilion and saw Shangguan Yi, Xie Xie quickly bowed in greeting.

Shangguan Yi, who was sitting there, glanced at Xie Xie. "What do you think of the thick fog previously?"

Xie Xie was momentarily stunned at the mention of the fog. The thick fog had indeed given him a hard time. Despite being a level 3 Array Master, he had not been able to guard against it. In the last moment, he barely retained consciousness but still couldn't wake up from the illusion. This kind of illusion was legendary to him.

"This must be the rumored illusion array that hasn't appeared in Shanxi County for a thousand years. It's scarier than the rumors suggested. Despite being Core Formation Cultivators, they were helpless against it. With this array, even if all of Red Maple City attacked us, we would be safe and sound. Instead, it would be they who would suffer. Congratulations, Young Master." Xie Xie said sincerely.

Shangguan Yi just nodded before asking, "Then how confident are you in using this array?"

"This…" Xie Xie hesitated. Though he was a level 3 Array Master with some knowledge of illusion arrays, he had never had direct contact with one before.

Still, Xie Xie's hesitation lasted only a moment before turning into excitement. This was a great opportunity for him to learn the depths of the illusion arrays. "To be honest, this is my first time dealing with an illusion array. But, based on my years of experience with arrays, I am confident I won't let any enemies bypass it."

Shangguan Yi nodded slightly. "Since that's the case, I'll give you some access to control the array."

Despite not fully trusting Xie Xie, Shangguan Yi felt no problem with giving him 10% control of the array. While Xie Xie might be able to use some basic methods, the advanced methods still lay with Shangguan Yi, who could restrict or cancel Xie Xie's control anytime with a single thought.

"Thank you, Young Master, for trusting this old man. I won't disappoint you!" Xie Xie bowed in excitement. He had no intention of going against Shangguan Yi, even knowing he was getting partial control of the array. He understood that Shangguan Yi wouldn't give him all the methods, and moreover, he was inside the Xia Family, surrounded by trapping and protection arrays that he couldn't bypass.

"Give me a drop of your blood essence," Shangguan Yi said plainly.

Xie Xie was once again confused. Blood essence was the condensation of years of a cultivator's effort. Giving it away meant years of effort to create a new one. Normally, cultivators wouldn't give their blood essence to others, as it was the foundation for condensing life essence. Still, Xie Xie gave it to Shangguan Yi a moment later.

Shangguan Yi accepted it and integrated it into the system, which then the system incorporated it into the Mirage Illusion Confusion Array and the Thunderstrike Offensive Array.

Soon after, the information about the two arrays entered Xie Xie's mind. Xie Xie couldn't help but marvel at Shangguan Yi's superb method. "This... the array could even contain the blood method."

It was at this moment that he understood why Shangguan Yi gave him control of the array. His blood essence was stored in the arrays, which meant part of him was connected to them. No matter where he escaped, Shangguan Yi would still have a way to track him.

The information about the Mirage Illusion Confusion Array and the Thunderstrike Offensive Array amazed Xie Xie. 

The Mirage Illusion Confusion Array released a thick fog that when it touched with the cultivators, it would enter the cultivators' Sixth Sense, pulling them into an illusion. The consumption each time wasn't cheap either; 100,000 essence stones and the 50% core essence of a Core Formation cultivator were needed.

Meanwhile, the Thunderstrike Offensive Array released thunder, striking the cultivators. The more essence stones used, the stronger the thunder. It could also attack with multiple strikes or condense several into one powerful enough to instantly kill a level 3 Core Formation cultivator.

With this information, Xie Xie felt confident in guarding the array. He believed that even without Shangguan Yi, he could dominate any Core Formation cultivator.

After digesting the information, Xie Xie opened his eyes and said, "Thank you, Young Master. With these two arrays, I am confident in keeping the Xia Family safe and sound."

Shangguan Yi nodded slightly. "I will trouble you this time."

He continued, "That's right. I need many level 3 techniques. How many do you have?"

Hearing this, Xie Xie searched his thoughts. As a Core Formation cultivator who had cultivated for 100 years, he had accumulated some level 3 techniques, especially array type techniques.

"I have around ten level 3 techniques in total, including the array type techniques I'm currently cultivating. I will give you all." Xie Xie only hesitated for a moment before deciding to give them all. He knew his techniques weren't on the same level as Shangguan Yi's, so he didn't feel sorrow in giving them away. Instead, he hoped to gain Shangguan Yi's trust.

Soon, Xie Xie condensed his thoughts and stored them into Information Pearls. Ten minutes later, he finished the process and handed them to Shangguan Yi.

Shangguan Yi accepted the Information Pearls and checked them with his Divine Sense. After confirming there were no issues, he stored them into the system before saying, "Good. I won't mistreat you with this. You can leave now."

"Then I will take my leave," Xie Xie bowed and left.

After Xie Xie departed, Shangguan Yi immediately started absorbing and refining the white flame wisps. He began with the 20 core essences of the false Core Formation Cultivators.

After two hours of absorbing, he had refined all 20 core essences, progressing his cultivation by 5%.

He then continued with the core essences of the 12 Core Formation Cultivators. Absorbing and refining the core essences of Core Formation Cultivators was more challenging than those of the false Core Formation Cultivators. The higher the level, the harder it was.

Shangguan Yi started with the lowest-level Core Formation Cultivators, a level 2 Core Formation Cultivators, which were some of the ancestors of the high-grade families and two elders from the great families.

Five hours later, he finished refining the core essences of the level 2 Core Formation Cultivators, increasing his cultivation to 40%.

Without needing to rest, he continued immediately. Another five hours passed, and he refined the core essences of the level 3 Core Formation Cultivators and Fu Jun.

At this moment, the aura of a level 5 Core Formation Cultivator spread throughout the Meditation Garden. Shangguan Yi had officially become a level 5 Core Formation Cultivator.

But Shangguan Yi didn't stop there. He took out the four most condensed flame wisps, the core essences of the level 5 Core Formation Cultivators: Fu Jun, Tang Long, Song Yuan, and Yuan Dao.

Shangguan Yi took a deep breath and started with the flame wisp of Yuan Dao's core essence. As this was the flame wisp condensed from a level 5 Core Formation Cultivator, Shangguan Yi needed to be careful and could only start with one at a time.