Suddenly, Luo Chen smiled. "Actually, with a few adjustments, this spell can still be quite useful in the right battlefield conditions. Try sending your spirit power into the rocks and earth under your feet. Then, draw on that terrain energy along with the spirit power within your body. I am fairly sure this will improve the power of the spell quite a bit."

Wang An was half-convinced. Just then, the flying boat slowed as it passed over a chain of islands, almost as if the universe had arranged a testing ground for him. He still had plenty of spirit power left, so he immediately tried what Luo Chen had told him.

Under everyone's gaze, the phantom mountain appeared once more. But this time, countless rocks and masses of earth infused with Wang An's spirit power rose from the ground and poured into the mountain. The suppressive force grew stronger by the moment, and by the time the spell had taken full effect, even the late-stage Initiate leading the group felt his movements slow down.

Luo Chen watched the scene unfold with well-deserved pride. Though he did not know the exact way of casting Divergent Mountain, the basic principle was almost the same as Earth Summit and Landslide. Earth Summit focused more on restraint, while Landslide emphasized the explosive force of fire. Divergent Mountain seemed to be going in both directions; its effect was restraint, but its mechanism of action relied on force amplification. Thus, it made sense that the same principle of using external objects to further amplify the power would apply to it as well.

Wang An's face flushed red with excitement. He wanted to ask more, but the others had already pushed forward and crowded him aside. Everyone could see it now: Devil Lord Azure Yang was not as domineering and bloodthirsty as rumors claimed. And today, he seemed in a good mood and willing to offer guidance. With such a rare opportunity, why not ask a few questions?

"Senior Azure Yang, I'd like to know why my flying sword always goes off target when I fight, even though my spirit consciousness has locked onto the target."

"Show me."

At once, the young man took out his flying sword and demonstrated some moves.

As he watched, Luo Chen first nodded, then shook his head. "Your foundation is quite solid. Your spirit power is pure and deep. But there's a flaw in your basic Traction. You're stuck at the level of using spirit power to force control. Since you're an Initiate, you should be using spirit consciousness to control objects. I can tell you're diligent in your practice, but when it comes to methods for protecting yourself, you need to study them more carefully."

"So that's why. Thank you for clearing that up, Senior."

"My turn, my turn! Senior Azure Yang, I once ran into a demonic beast, and even when I moved at top speed, I still couldn't avoid its attacks. If it wasn't for a protective talisman I got from a sect elder, I would've died. Was there something wrong with my movement technique?"

"What demonic beast was it?"

"It had three eyes and four legs, and it had fur and scales... Well, it looked like a weird combination of bear and fish. Oh, right, its feet were broad and webbed."

"Ah, then the problem wasn't you. That was a Three-Jade-Eyed Beast. It's born with the ability to control seawater, and when it matures, it becomes a Demon King. Even Adepts avoid them at sea whenever possible. You were actually pretty lucky, you know? The one you met was probably still young. Otherwise, whatever protective charm your elder gave you wouldn't have saved you."

***

From a corner of the boat, Sang Jiugong watched the discussion. Initially, he sported a carefree smile, but as he watched, his expression gradually turned serious. The questions these Initiates asked were not especially difficult, but they touched on every kind of subject. Some concerned spells, others cultivation, combat techniques, demonic beasts, movement arts, enchanted artifacts and treasures.... The range was so broad that even he, with his centuries of experience, could not have answered them all. Yet Azure Yang answered each one with ease. Even for matters outside his expertise, he still gave broad and insightful guidance. Those whose questions he answered all gained something after trying his suggestions, and almost no one walked away disappointed.

I thought he was only good at cultivating and fighting. After that discussion yesterday, I thought he was also very wise and well-seasoned in the matters of people. But to think his knowledge was this broad.... If I didn't know any better, I'd almost think he was one of those old monsters who cultivated for five centuries.

Cultivation, combat ability, and even discernment and skill with words could all be trained directly. But breadth of knowledge required accumulation, and there were no shortcuts. The knowledge Luo Chen displayed proved he was not some secluded monk who only knew how to cultivate. A person like him rarely ran into real trouble. At the same time, if trouble ever did come, it was bound to be absolutely terrifying.

For a moment, Sang Jiugong began to wonder whether offering that favor to befriend him had truly been wise. A faint trace of regret stirred in his heart. Then a cough sounded from ahead. "We're only half a day from Dragon Abyss Immortal City. Once we arrive, I'll be going into seclusion, so don't bother visiting. But if you ever need cultivation resources, you can stop by the Azure Yang Shop in Dragon Abyss City. It's just a small business of mine. From time to time, I leave there a few things I've refined in my spare moments. If anything catches your eye, feel free to pick it up."

With that, Luo Chen brought this impromptu seminar to an end and walked over toward Sang Jiugong. The old man forced a smile and addressed the crowd. "Everyone, there's no need to rush off once we reach the city. The Dragon Abyss Auction will be held soon, and you may as well go have a look. It may not compare to the auctions in Divine Origin City, but rogue cultivators often bring out fine resources as well. It never hurts to broaden your horizons and gain a bit more experience."

With that, Sang Jiugong and Luo Chen returned together to the hall, and the noise outside no longer reached them. The moment he stepped inside, Sang Jiugong let out a heartfelt sigh. "Fellow Daoist, what you showed just now almost made me think I was looking at one of those legacy elders from an upper sect. A casual remark brings enlightenment, and a few words of guidance resolve others' confusion. I have to say, your knowledge is astonishingly broad!"

He had been thinking for a while, but this was all he could say. Luo Chen pressed his lips into a smile, but did not say anything in response. He had done such things many times before. Whether it was his friends, low-tier cultivators of the Luo Tian Sect, or even people he didn't know, he had never refrained from giving others guidance. Back when he formed his Golden Core, he had even passed down a poem containing the principles of Core Formation to countless rogue cultivators in Tianlan Immortal City.

When it came to knowledge, Luo Chen had never been a stingy man. In fact, rumors singing his praises as a generous man even failed to express his true generosity.

Seeing Luo Chen silent, Sang Jiugong gritted his teeth and said, "Azure Yang, if you have time, come visit my Earth Mulberry Sect. And perhaps offer a few pointers to those disappointing disciples of mine as well."

He felt the favor he had received before was too small relative to what Luo Chen might eventually ask him. In other words, it was better to owe several small favors now, so repayment later would seem fair.

But Luo Chen shook his head. "That will not be possible. I really do intend to go into seclusion when I return. I won't have time to go wandering about."

Sang Jiugong froze. "Oh, I thought you were just making an excuse. So you meant it."

Luo Chen grunted in acknowledgement. Now that he had discovered the wondrous uses of the Primordial Unity Cauldron, he had no intention of leaving it idle. That Profound Rock Armor had sat unused for far too long. It was time to speed things up.

***

Half a day later, the flying boat descended into the city. The Initiates dispersed on their own, while Luo Chen and Sang Jiugong first went to the division to submit their missions. After parting ways, Luo Chen did not linger; just as he'd told Sang Jiugong, he bolted right back to Surging Lake.

After returning, he summoned Heavenjade and Zhang Jiadi. "Four things. First, take this defensive enchanted treasure I refined and submit it to the Dragon Abyss Auction under the name Azure Yang. Second, these are talismans personally made by Sovereign Thatched Mountain. Put them all up for sale at Azure Yang Shop, and let the rogue cultivators know there will be talismans of different grades available there every year. Third, issue tasks to the rogue cultivators who trade with you and have them search for Purple Monkey Flower and Five Elements Lotus Platform. If they cannot find the herbs, any leads will do. Fourth, take this list of materials and buy everything on it. If you need spirit stones, Heavenjade, come to me and collect them. If your connections aren't enough, go to the Angler. He'll make things easy for you guys."

Heavenjade and Zhang Jiadi carefully committed all four matters to memory, not daring to miss a single detail. Luo Chen had been away for a year and issued tasks the moment he returned. It was obvious that they were crucial matters that allowed no delay.

After the two left, Luo Chen stepped into Starry Palace and took out an iron scroll from his storage ring—the manual for the Two Poles Six Shields Formation.

The six "shields," meaning the six elemental defensive formations it included, were the Dark Blue Profound, Bright Yellow Rock, Yi Wood Green, Geng Metal Thick, Blazing Sun Prison, and Spiritual Cloud Armor Formations. He intended to master all six formations, one after the other, and use each to refine a low-grade third-tier defensive enchanted treasure. In the end, he would use the Two Poles Formation as the central formation to control the Six Shields and use the Demon Emperor's remains to craft his own defensive treasure. If all went well, he would finally have a true defensive treasure to safeguard his Dao!

Luo Chen's resolve was firm, and he set to work without a moment's delay. "It's a bit of a hassle, but it'll all be worth it in the end."