Immortality and Cultivation: This old man seeks enlightenment through mere survival.

Centuries-old Vermilion Fruit!

Ethereal Grass Leaves!

These two items were precisely the spiritual materials that Lu Zaian had been searching for for half a year without success.

Unexpectedly, I saw the last three spiritual materials today...

If we can gather these two spiritual materials, mastering the Flying Crane Demon will be just around the corner!

Unfortunately, Lu Zaian's thoughts shifted, and his expression immediately darkened.

Putting aside the fact that I'm practically an outsider, I was originally just living on welfare in the Spirit Medicine Valley.

Moreover, with his cultivation level of the fourth stage of Qi Refining, even if he participated in the competition, he would not be able to enter the top 100.

The rules clearly state that external forces such as talismans and elixirs cannot be used in the competition.

There are no restrictions on magical artifacts.

After all, even the most powerful magic weapon requires the cultivator's own magical power to activate.

It will never exceed the limit, and it still depends on the disciple's own strength.

Talismans and elixirs are different; they are clearly external forces.

Even disciples at the first level of Qi Refining can use high-level talismans without any pressure, and the same goes for pills.

There's no need to even consider formations.

Lu Zaian's first-tier low-grade formation was unacceptable, and he also lacked the ability to set up formations on the spot.

"It's rare to come across these two rare materials; we need to think of a way..."

Lu Zaian buried himself in thought.

Han, the fat man beside him, didn't notice Lu Zaian's thoughts. He stared intently at the scroll through his squinty eyes and fat cheeks.

He was spitting and extremely excited, as if he were having an epileptic seizure.

"Holy crap, the third place prize is a set of Tier 1 High-Grade Earth Profound Armor and a Great Hunyuan Pill!"

That's a pill that can help someone at the eighth level of Qi Refining break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining perfection with just one pill! That's incredibly extravagant!

The second place winner will receive a pound of refined red copper.

Holy crap! Refined red copper, a high-quality ore enough to forge a second-tier magic weapon, and you're paying by the kilogram?!

First place, the reward... Heaven... Heavenly Profound Liquid, a single drop! Holy crap! A Foundation Establishment Spiritual Object!!!

Fatty Han looked deranged, his breathing was labored, and his eyes were bulging.

It was as if this would allow them to pocket all the pills, spiritual materials, and magical treasures on the scroll.

"Cough cough... Senior Brother Han, are you alright?"

Lu Zaian patted Han Pangzi on the shoulder, unwilling to interrupt his fantasy, yet also afraid that he might suddenly have a seizure and die...

"Don't worry about me, I'm not crazy!"

Han Pangzi snapped out of his daze, sighed deeply, and suddenly deflated like a punctured balloon.

He reluctantly shifted his gaze from the top of the scroll, and couldn't help but smile wryly.

"I was just shocked by the Valley Master and the Elders' generosity... but the spiritual materials you need, Junior Brother Lu, are also available here."

Unfortunately, we're not strong enough..."

Lu Zaian was also affected by Han Pangzi's mood and became depressed.

"Yes, the law is rarely useful when you need it, and you can only watch the opportunity slip away."

At this moment, a disciple who was standing nearby chimed in.

"Sigh, you all seem to only worry about cultivation levels, but I'm wondering what to do with my few acres of land?"

Lu Zaian and Fatty Han looked over upon hearing this and saw a senior brother at the seventh level of Qi Refining.

Lu Zaian felt that this face seemed somewhat familiar.

He must be a senior brother from the herb field. We've met a few times when entering and leaving the herb field, but we haven't interacted before.

"What makes you say that, senior brother?"

Lu Zaian's heart stirred, and he cupped his hands and asked.

The senior brother shook his head, spread his hands, and said with some helplessness:

"It's nothing, it's just that we plant masters have to take care of the medicinal plants in the fields, so we simply can't spare the time."

Several other disciples were standing next to the senior brother, and they nodded in agreement.

"Senior Brother Yuan has hit the nail on the head. This competition is happening so quickly that we didn't plan our time in advance at all."

A batch of spiritual plants won't be harvested in time by the end of the year, and they need careful care every day, but we don't want to give up the competition, what should we do...?

"Absolutely, absolutely. My few acres of white jade fairy flowers are about to be pollinated. I need to personally guide the jade bees every day and also be careful of other pests invading. I dare not leave for even a moment."

"..."

Several disciples of the Spirit Plant Masters who had taken on the task of planting medicinal herbs complained that they were overwhelmed with work.

Han, who was standing to the side, had a change of expression and his eyes rolled around. He secretly transmitted his voice to Lu Zaian.

"Hey... Junior Brother Lu, if I remember correctly, when I visited you last time, your two acres of medicinal herb fields seemed to have been set up with an array?"

Lu Zaian glanced at Fatty Han and nodded imperceptibly.

"Can the formation automatically send down spiritual rain, weed, and catch insects?" Fatty Han's eyes flashed as he pressed for an answer.

"……Yes."

"Hehe, you've bought array-related supplies from me several times, so don't try to fool me now..."

Did you do it yourself?

"You're a low-grade, first-tier array master?"

"……Yes."

Once Lu Zaian admitted it, there was nothing left to hide. He vaguely guessed what Fatty Han would say next.

Valuable people can utilize and cooperate with each other.

Sure enough, Fatty Han continued:

"Hehe, I knew you were extraordinary, Junior Brother Lu. You actually comprehended the most difficult formation at the fourth level of Qi Refining."

It's just a pity... if only I were thirty years younger..."

"Cough cough..."

"Haha, I've gone off on a tangent. Junior Brother Lu, how about we team up?" Fatty Han asked excitedly via telepathy.

"How to cooperate?"

"Hehe, aren't those herbalists in the medicinal fields worried about not being able to spare time to participate in the competition?"

Your formation has just the right use!

I will provide the basic blank array plates and array flags; you will be responsible for refining the array patterns and setting up the array.

Although our cultivation levels are low, we can still take this opportunity to make a fortune!

Fatty Han was secretly delighted and couldn't help but praise his own brilliant idea.

The art of formations is extremely difficult to master, and very few are passed down through generations.

Without three to five years, one cannot even grasp the basics, let alone inscribe array patterns or set up a complete array.

Especially for Qi Refining cultivators, whose lifespan is limited, they devote all their energy to breaking through their cultivation level and seeking Foundation Establishment.

Who would be willing to spend a huge amount of time gambling on an unknown skill?

Even those with some ideas would choose to learn the simpler paths of spiritual plant master or alchemist.

After all, these are the two main things that Lingyao Valley inherits.

Having senior elders and countless experiences can help disciples avoid detours.

Like Fatty Han himself, he also benefited from the fact that his family had a tradition of weapon crafting, coupled with the careful guidance of his elders.

Only then, with his Qi Refining Level 6 cultivation, did he learn a first-order mid-grade weapon refining technique to aid him.

Therefore, Lu Zaian's status as a first-tier low-grade array master can be truly demonstrated.

"That's a good idea. I wonder how Senior Brother Han plans to split the profits?"

Lu Zaian's thoughts actually coincided with those of Fatty Han.

If we can use the array to free the hands of those spirit plant master disciples, we will not only gain a favor.

If any of them manage to obtain the century-old Vermilion Fruit and the Ethereal Grass Leaf, I might also have a chance to acquire them.

"To be fair, how about we split it 50/50?" Fatty Han tentatively suggested.

"no!"

Lu Zaian shook his head without hesitation.

Cooperation is fine, but the profit sharing should be agreed upon in advance to avoid disputes later.

"Senior Brother Han, you only provide blank array plates and array flags, but I have to inscribe intricate array patterns and personally run all over the medicinal fields to set up the array."

Therefore, I want 70/30! I get 70%, you get 30%.

Upon hearing this, Fatty Han's eyes widened, and he shouted:

"How is that possible?! You have the technological advantage but I don't? I also have material costs. At most, it's a 60/40 split, you get 60% and I get 40%."

"How can this be the same? I can find the materials too, and others can refine the array plates. Senior Brother Han, can you find other array masters?"

Lu Zaian bluntly pointed out, leaving Fatty Han speechless for a moment.

Indeed, there are quite a few disciples in the valley who are weapon refiners.

There are even people more skilled than him, like Senior Sister Wang...

But as for disciples who are array masters, I can't recall a single one.

As for the elders, there are a few whose rank is even higher than Lu Zaian's.

However, how could someone at the Foundation Establishment stage possibly meddle in the business of Qi Refining disciples...?

It's also impractical to find a formation master outside the valley.

At this point in time, both time and transportation costs are issues.

Moreover, the valley wouldn't easily let unfamiliar array masters in.

In this respect, Lu Zaian's position in this business is truly unique, like a scorpion poop.

Thinking of this, Fatty Han gritted his teeth and said with a pained expression.

"I hope Junior Brother Lu will remember our friendship over the past six months. At most, you can have 65% and I 35%. Any less and I'll be at a loss."

Actually, of course, they wouldn't lose money; they'd just earn less. That was all Fatty Han could say.

However, seeing that he brought up the word "friendship," Lu Zai'an couldn't insist any further.

After all, he was my first friend in the true sense of the word in Lingyao Valley, so it wouldn't be bad to maintain a good relationship.

"Okay, I'll take 65%, and you take 35%."