Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Mountain Protection Array
"Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer?!"
These words instantly left Fang Qingyao and Ji Xiaotian utterly stunned on the spot.
It took them quite a while to regain their senses, their faces still showing an incredible expression.
Ji Xiaotian took a deep breath, "Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer... This... am I dreaming?"
It must be known that when Ji Chen left the Lingyun Sect to attend the Queen of Chu’s birthday, he was only at the Vein Condensation Realm Seventh Layer.
During this time, even including the ten days at the Emperor Ye’s Ancient Ruins, it has only been over half a month.
Yet when Ji Chen returned, not only did his cultivation break through to the Spirit Transformation Realm, but he also reached the Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer in one fell swoop, only one step away from the Returning Ruins Realm!
If it weren’t for the terrifying aura emanating from Ji Chen, Ji Xiaotian would have definitely thought the other was joking.
He simply couldn’t imagine what kind of heaven-defying opportunity could have caused Ji Chen’s cultivation to soar to such a degree in such a short period?
This is the Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer!
It has far surpassed me, surpassed Fang Qingyao.
In fact, such cultivation almost makes him one of the top powerhouses in Lingyun Sect’s history.
Even in Lingyun Sect’s most glorious days, there was only a Returning Ruins Realm First Layer expert in charge.
But that glory is long gone, Ji Xiaotian never thought he would witness someone of such stature in Lingyun Sect again in his lifetime.
He was ecstatic, yet deeply gratified.
"Although it’s just the Spirit Transformation Realm Ninth Layer, with nine spirit veins, my combat power now may be comparable to some ordinary Returning Ruins Realm experts," Ji Chen spoke again.
These words once again shocked Ji Xiaotian and Fang Qingyao.
Currently, in the Chu Kingdom, the strongest is undoubtedly the Emperor Chu, the only person in the entire Chu Kingdom to have reached the Returning Ruins Realm level.
But now, Ji Chen said his strength is already not inferior to some ordinary Returning Ruins Realm experts.
Undoubtedly, this means that in the Chu Kingdom, not even the Royal Family poses any threat to the Lingyun Sect.
Unknowingly, has the Lingyun Sect already approached the level of surpassing royal power?
"Besides my martial sister and father, few people know about this, so don’t casually disclose it," Ji Chen warned.
The two nodded, naturally understanding that if this matter were leaked, it would certainly invite unnecessary trouble.
In just half a month, Ji Chen’s cultivation soared to this level, which truly defies common sense. If people knew, many covetous eyes would definitely focus on him.
Soon, after leaving the main hall, Ji Chen didn’t return to the Drunken Ink Residence.
Under the moonlight, he wandered around the entire mountain gate of Lingyun Sect alone.
Along the way, in some bamboo grove paths and by cliffs, some chatting disciples noticed his figure, greeted him, and curiously asked what he was doing.
Ji Chen did not explain but continued circling the mountain gate on his own.
During this, some disciples who couldn’t resist their curiosity followed him, but Ji Chen did not chase them away, allowing them to tail him.
Finally, after circling five times, Ji Chen stopped in front of the mountain gate.
He brought his two fingers together and suddenly pointed towards the void ahead.
"Buzz..."
In an instant, a white light emerged, radiating from around the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate, like beams of light rushing to the sky, eventually intertwining to form a giant celestial net that enveloped the entire Lingyun Sect.
"What is this?"
The sudden spectacle naturally attracted the attention of everyone in the sect, with many disciples being alerted and gathering on the mountain.
Among the disciples who had been following Ji Chen, someone couldn’t help but inquire.
Ji Chen smiled faintly and said, "It’s nothing, just casually set up a Mountain Protection Array."
"Mountain Protection Array?"
These words surprised the disciples present.
After exchanging glances, someone couldn’t help but ask, "The Young Sect Leader also knows Array Dao?"
Ji Chen didn’t answer, but continued, "In the future, with the protection of this Mountain Protection Array, even an ordinary Returning Ruins Realm expert won’t be able to pose any threat to our Lingyun Sect."
"Really? Could this Mountain Protection Array actually withstand an attack from a Returning Ruins Realm expert?" Many disciples were astonished, finding it hard to believe.
How profound must one’s understanding of Array Dao be to set up such a sturdy grand array?
In their impression, they hadn’t heard that the Young Sect Leader had any contact with Array Dao at all.
But on second thought, it seemed that matters concerning Ji Chen couldn’t be explained by common sense.
The person transformed from a wayward Young Sect Leader into an Alchemist suddenly, wasn’t that beyond everyone’s expectations too?
"Is this the Cen Ling Array Canon..."
Meanwhile, in a courtyard within Lingyun Sect, Nangong Ao, who was meditating under a tree, was also awakened.
His gaze swept over the protective array that enveloped the entire Lingyun Sect mountain gate, and he couldn’t help but murmur, "Worthy of Emperor Ye’s legacy, such an array, with such solidness, can likely resist not only the Returning Ruins Realm but also the stronger Celestial Essence Realm experts beyond it."
...
Soon, Ji Chen returned to the Drunken Ink Residence.
He brought over a half-human-high boulder into the courtyard and dug a groove at the top of it.
Then, with a flip of his hand, he took out the Holy Dragon Source Stone and placed it in the groove.
In the darkness, the Holy Dragon Source Stone emitted a brilliant radiance, like a shining star in the night sky, extremely dazzling.
Inside it, boundless spiritual power constantly dispersed, and in just a short moment, all the disciples within the Lingyun Sect’s mountain gate felt a change in the environment as if the entire sect had become a paradise. The richness of spiritual qi was nearly ten times more abundant than before!
This sudden change understandably caught everyone by surprise.
Some even thought a heavenly treasure was about to emerge in some part of Lingyun Sect, potentially drawing in a massive tussle among cultivators shortly, turning the place into a living hell.
Fortunately, Ji Xiaotian and Fang Qingyao quickly appeared, informing everyone not to be overly alarmed, and that in the future, they were to focus on cultivating in peace within Lingyun Sect without concerning themselves with other matters.