Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1420 - 899: Taiyin Cold Pond Array, Water of Transformation 2

Along the mountainside, a cold spring can be found.

Yang Zhenshan had been searching extensively for several days to locate this specific spot.

Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun scouted the area, conferring periodically until they arrived at the river stream's southernmost point.

"Master, this location is the most ideal!"

Ma Qiuyan indicated the eastern mountainside. "A cold spring is situated there, serving as the perfect nexus for the array!"

"However, the cold spring's water vein is not of the highest quality; we'll need time to integrate it with the river's water vein."

"The array plate can be positioned at the riverbed, and we also need to construct an underwater cave dwelling."

"The array's influence will extend over thirty miles, making it exceptionally difficult to detect by anyone approaching through the gorge."

She gestured towards the mountain stream's gorge.

Yang Zhenshan acknowledged, "So my role is to draw individuals from that direction!"

"Precisely, that's the most effective strategy to prevent the adversary from detecting the array prematurely," Ma Qiuyan confirmed.

"Is there anything else?" Yang Zhenshan inquired.

Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun exchanged a look before replying, "If Master were to introduce the transformative water into the cold spring as part of the array hub, the potency of our Taiyin Cold Pond Array would more than double!"

The Taiyin Cold Pond Array, a grand formation they had dedicated decades to developing, was meticulously crafted according to their profound understanding of the Array Dao and their personal cultivation methodologies.

This formidable array harmoniously blends Taiyin essence with the spirit of abyssal cold water. It employs the principle of "Yin Softness Transforming Kill" at its core, channeling the potent Yin Cold energy of Taiyin through the ever-shifting nature of water. Rooted deeply in the natural world's Yin attribute, it culminates in a lethal formation.

Ma Qiuyan, a cultivator of the Gui Water Nourishing Essence Scripture, and Ning Yun, who practices the Taiyin Moonlight Nourishing Heart Scripture, must work in perfect synchronicity to establish the Taiyin Cold Pond Array.

"Transformative water? It seems incongruous with a cold-dominant array!" Yang Zhenshan expressed his slight bewilderment.

The transformative water was a miraculous substance Yang Zhenshan had acquired from an ancient relic array.

This extraordinary water, a product of the fusion between Yin and Yang energies, embodies the Dao of the Five Elements' mutual generation. It possesses the dual essence of "Mother of Life" and "Spirit of Variation." It is not found in rivers, lakes, or seas, but rather manifests as a liquid spiritual mechanism, condensed from the nurturing essence of Heaven and Earth. It appears like glazed nectar, carries the fragrant aroma of countless herbs, and possesses the remarkable ability to stimulate growth in all things.

Both strange water and peculiar fire are classified as natural treasures of the third order or higher, recognized as inherently nurtured spiritual objects.

Among the most valuable spiritual objects Yang Zhenshan possessed were the True Sun Fire from the Golden Crow Eight Trigrams Furnace and the transformative water carefully stored within the Spiritual Spring Lake.

The presence of the transformative water not only fostered abundant life and revitalized vegetation on the Spiritual Spring Mountain Plateau but also transformed it into the most conducive Dao Field for Yang Zhenshan's cultivation.

However, given that transformative water is a miraculous substance formed by the confluence of Yin and Yang energies, and the Taiyin Cold Pond Array primarily functions as a cold array dominated by Yin Cold energy—their inherent attributes seemed incompatible. How could they possibly be utilized together?

"Transformative water also possesses properties that harmonize Yin and Yang; we can leverage its power to transform this locale into an area of extreme cold!" Ma Qiuyan elaborated.

Yang Zhenshan, while possessing no understanding of the Array Dao, recognized the wisdom in entrusting specialized tasks to those with specialized knowledge.

"Ah, so when will you require it?"

"Once we’ve completed the array's setup, Master can then retrieve the transformative water," Ma Qiuyan stated.

"Very well!"

Yang Zhenshan agreed, and subsequently, Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun commenced the array's arrangement.

The erection of an array is a time-consuming endeavor, with greater complexity demanding proportionally more time.

The Taiyin Cold Pond Array, conceptualized by Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun, was not a singular formation but a complex, composite array integrating both artifact and terrestrial formations.

In theory, the Taiyin Cold Pond Array could also harness the power of Taiyin Moonlight, incorporating certain components of a Celestial Array. However, Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun's command of the Array Dao was insufficient to erect such an advanced formation.

Regarding the tier of the Taiyin Cold Pond Array, Ma Qiuyan estimated that with favorable terrain, it could achieve Second Rank Top Grade, whereas unsuitable terrain would limit it to a barely Second Rank Lower Grade.

That both cultivators had not yet achieved Foundation Establishment yet were capable of setting up a second-order array was a clear testament to their incredible gifts in the Array Dao.

Over the ensuing ten days, Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun were fully occupied by the stream, with Xuanzhen, Yang Jizhen, and Bai Xiaoyun remaining close, offering their assistance.

Yang Zhenshan observed them as they redirected water veins, harmonized earth veins, positioned the array's core, laid out array flags, and constructed an underwater abode.

This so-called underwater abode was a structure built beneath the water, ideal for cultivators of the water attribute to practice within. While not directly for a cultivator's cultivation, it served the purpose of supplying energy to the array plate.

The construction of the underwater abode alone necessitated the connection to the river's water veins and the establishment of several low-tier arrays, such as the Spirit Gathering Array, the Spirit-Attracting Array, and the Illusion Spirit Array.

It was the very first time Yang Zhenshan had witnessed the arrangement of a grand array, finding the entire process both novel and enlightening.

Despite being Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun’s master, he offered no practical help with the array setup, as his expertise lay outside the domain of the Array Dao.

Ma Qiuyan and Ning Yun were entirely self-taught in their knowledge of the Array Dao.

...

A fortnight later, Yang Zhenshan made his return to White Cloud Immortal City.

During this preceding half-month, he had maintained a low profile within White Cloud Immortal City. However, this was of little consequence, as for cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage, periods of seclusion lasting ten days or half a month were perfectly normal; indeed, three to five months were not uncommon.

"Are there still any individuals observing from outside?" Yang Zhenshan inquired of Yun Xiao within the Spring and Summer Square cave mansion.

"They remain, and their numbers have even grown!" Yun Xiao reported.

"They are anticipating my departure," Yang Zhenshan remarked with a chilling smile.

Yun Xiao regarded him and asked, "Have all preparations been made?"

"Everything is ready. You should depart the city first. Someone will rendezvous with you outside the city and escort you to the designated ambush point," Yang Zhenshan instructed.

"Understood!" Yun Xiao readily agreed. These arrangements had already been discussed with Yang Zhenshan, leaving no room for apprehension.

As Yun Xiao departed, Yang Zhenshan remained within the cave mansion, extending his spiritual sense to identify any hidden watchers.

A total of six individuals were detected, all in the Qi Refining stage. Their surveillance techniques were quite adept, as they were skillfully concealed.

Nevertheless, such rudimentary observation was entirely insufficient to deceive Yang Zhenshan.

He could discern their presence with mere moments of focused spiritual sense.

Yun Xiao's departure did not provoke any immediate action from the observers. They were undoubtedly aware of his connection to Yang Zhenshan, but their focus was solely on Yang Zhenshan, thus they paid Yun Xiao no undue attention.

Yang Zhenshan did not act immediately, choosing instead to wait until the following morning before leisurely exiting the cave mansion.

He appeared to be strolling unhurriedly along the street toward the South City Gate. Just as he neared the gate, he suddenly accelerated his pace and burst out of the city.

Shortly thereafter, the Qi Refining cultivators tasked with surveillance sprang into action. Some moved to relay the information, while others discreetly followed Yang Zhenshan from a distance.

Upon exiting the city, Yang Zhenshan significantly increased his aerial velocity.

He opted not to feign ignorance, which might appear slightly contrived. Instead, he adopted the pretense of having discovered the pursuit and hastily fled White Cloud Immortal City, a tactic designed to provoke Xu Mingzhu into giving chase.

Not long after leaving the city, Yang Zhenshan detected the presence of a Foundation Establishment cultivator shadowing him.

This Foundation Establishment cultivator had not been part of the surveillance within the city but had positioned themselves to follow once Yang Zhenshan exited.

Yang Zhenshan surmised that this individual had likely been stationed at the city gate, anticipating his departure.

At this juncture, he made no move to reveal the Foundation Establishment cultivator tailing him. Instead, he maintained his pretense of unawareness, navigating through the mountains and forests with detours, intermittently suppressing his aura and employing his teleportation ability for short bursts of distance. This created the illusion that he was attempting to evade pursuit.

The Foundation Establishment cultivator following him did not disappoint, skillfully maintaining their concealment throughout his maneuvers.

Were it not for his exceptionally keen spiritual sense, he might genuinely have remained oblivious to their presence.

Yang Zhenshan continued this charade for approximately an hour. Upon spotting a flying boat descending from the north, he then frantically altered his course towards the southern mountain stream.