Oh no! My grandmother made me shoulder the responsibility for eight households!

Chapter 137 Nine Nether Soul Refining Array

Lin Chen and Ye Qingying exchanged a glance.

Ye Qingying said softly, "I'll go take a look."

"Have the Heavenly Guards follow along," Lin Chen nodded.

Ye Qingying's figure flickered and disappeared into the carriage.

The town mayor and the local gentry were dumbfounded—this lady was actually a master?

Lin Chen smiled and said, "Gentlemen, there's no need to be surprised. My wives all know some martial arts, so they can help each other on the road."

The town mayor repeatedly agreed, but in his heart he was thinking:

Everyone says that the Duke of Zhenguo is a playboy and a womanizer, but look at these ladies, each of them has an extraordinary temperament and is very skilled. I'm afraid the rumors are not entirely true.

After exchanging some pleasantries, the town mayor and the others took their leave.

Half an incense stick later, Ye Qingying returned.

"How is it?" Lin Chen asked.

"They are indeed from Zhongzhou." Ye Qingying's expression was solemn.

"There are twenty-three people in total. The leader is an old man in a gray robe. He should be at the level of a Celestial Being, no less than Han Li."

The remaining twenty-two individuals ranged in rank from late-stage Grandmaster to early-stage Great Grandmaster.

They disguised themselves as traveling merchants and had been staying there for half a month, seemingly waiting for someone.

"A celestial being..." Lin Chen narrowed his eyes.

"The outer sect steward of the Netherworld Sect is Han Li, an early-stage Celestial Being. This time, another Celestial Being has arrived, so it seems their level is even higher. Who are they waiting for?"

"I don't know." Ye Qingying shook her head.

"But I overheard their conversation, and they mentioned 'Eagle Falling Gorge' and 'Array Diagram'."

"A battle formation?" Li Chunfeng's voice came from outside the carriage. "My lord, may I come in?"

Lin Chen lifted the carriage curtain: "Mr. Li, please come in."

Li Chunfeng stepped into the carriage, listened to Ye Qingying's report, and pondered for a moment before saying:

"The terrain of Luoyingjian is unique, and it has the rudiments of a natural formation."

If it is combined with human deployment, it can indeed exert great power.

The formation they mentioned is likely a killing formation specifically designed to target Falling Eagle Gorge.

"Can it be broken?" Lin Chen asked.

"We need to see the array diagram to confirm it," Li Chunfeng said. "But all arrays in the world, though varied, share the same fundamental principle."

As long as it's not one of those legendary ancient killing formations, Li is confident.

Lin Chen nodded and said to Ye Qingying:

"Continue to monitor, but don't alert them. See who they're waiting for and what they want to do."

"Yes."

……

As night fell, Qing Shi Town was completely silent.

In the secluded courtyard of the inn at the east end of the town, an old man in a gray robe sat in his room, resting with his eyes closed.

An ancient scroll was spread out on the table in front of him, depicting intricate array diagrams and accompanied by dense annotations.

"Elder, Cui Yuanhao's men haven't arrived yet," a young man in black said respectfully as he entered.

The old man in the gray robe opened his eyes, a hint of impatience flashing in them:

"Cui Yuanhao has quite the airs, making this old man wait for so long."

"Perhaps something has delayed him," the young man in black said.

"Elder, are we really here just to help the Cui family deal with that Lin Chen?"

"Dealing with Lin Chen is secondary," the gray-robed elder said calmly. "The main objective is to obtain that item."

Han Li, that good-for-nothing, has accomplished nothing in three months and was even captured. The sect leader is very unhappy.

"That thing... is it really in Eagle Falling Gorge?" the young man in black asked.

"Uncertain, but highly probable." The gray-robed elder pointed to the array diagram.

"This is the sect's secret 'Nine Nether Soul Refining Array,' which requires special terrain to set up."

Eagle Fall is one of the most suitable places in the North for setting up a battle formation.

Three years ago, Lin Zhantian fought a major battle with Bei Shuo there, and it's very likely that he discovered traces of that item there.

He paused, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes:

"If we can really find that item and present it to the sect leader, we will both have a chance to advance to the inner sect, and even receive guidance from a terrestrial immortal."

The young man in black began to breathe rapidly: "Disciple understands!"

Just then, there was a knock on the door from outside the courtyard.

The young man in black went out to investigate, and a moment later he led someone back in.

The visitor was a middle-aged scholar in his forties, with a refined appearance. He was none other than Mr. Zhou, Cui Yuanhao's trusted advisor.

"Situ Ming, an outer sect elder of the Netherworld Sect?" Mr. Zhou cupped his hands in greeting.

The gray-robed elder, Situ Ming, said calmly:

"Where is Cui Yuanhao? Why hasn't he come?"

"Second Master is tied up with business in Dingbei City and has specially sent me here," Mr. Zhou said, neither servile nor arrogant.

"This is a letter from the Second Master to the Elder."

He handed over a letter.

Situ Ming took it, glanced at it, and sneered:

"Cui Yuanhao has quite the nerve, asking me to help him set up an array to kill Lin Chen, yet he's only willing to pay a thousand yuan stones?"

Mr. Zhou smiled and said, "Elder, you misunderstand. This thousand yuan stones is just a deposit."

If things succeed, Second Master will reward you handsomely. Besides... Elder, you have your own purpose in coming here, don't you?"

Situ Ming stared at Mr. Zhou for a moment, then suddenly smiled:

"Cui Yuanhao is a sensible man. Fine, it's a pleasure to cooperate."

He put the letter away:

"I have brought the formation diagram. The materials needed to set up the formation must be prepared within three days."

Are you all ready at Eagle Falling Gorge?

"Everything is already prepared," Mr. Zhou said.

"Three thousand elite warriors, led by three late-stage Grandmasters, await only the Elder's formation."

"Very good." Situ Ming nodded. "How many days until Lin Chen arrives?"

"At their current pace, it will take them at least five more days," Mr. Zhou said. "That's enough time to set up the formation."

"Then see you at Eagle Falling Gorge in five days." Situ Ming waved his hand. "See the guest out."

Mr. Zhou bowed and withdrew.

After he left, the young man in black whispered, "Elder, is the Cui family trustworthy?"

"We can't trust them completely, but we need their manpower right now," Situ Ming said calmly.

"Once we get that thing, the Cui family... ha, what are they?"

In the shadows outside the courtyard, a figure almost blended into the darkness quietly retreated, disappearing into the night with a few leaps.

……

On the rooftop of the inn, Ye Qingying withdrew her divine sense, her expression grave.

Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly sensed something, and in a flash, she disappeared into the shadow of the rooftop.

Almost simultaneously, a gray figure swept out from the courtyard below and landed on the roof; it was Situ Ming.

"Strange, I clearly sensed a trace of aura just now..." Situ Ming frowned, scanning his surroundings with his divine sense, but found nothing.

He stood there for a moment, shook his head, and returned to the courtyard.

In the shadows of the rooftop, Ye Qingying held her breath, her heart filled with horror.

The spiritual senses of this celestial being were so sharp. She was extremely careful, and even with the secret treasure given to her by Lin Chen, she was still almost discovered.

She waited for half an incense stick's time, and only after confirming that it was safe did she quietly leave.

……

Inside a military camp, in a horse-drawn carriage.

After listening to Ye Qingying's report, Lin Chen tapped his fingers lightly on the coffee table.

"Nine Nether Soul Refining Array...three thousand death warriors...three late-stage Grandmasters..." he murmured.

"The Cui family has really gone all out this time."

Zhuge Liang gently waved his feather fan: "My lord, this formation is no ordinary matter."

According to ancient records, the Nine Nether Soul Refining Array is an ancient demonic array that requires the blood and energy of living beings as a catalyst. It can refine all living things within the array into pure soul power.

Even a terrestrial deity trapped in it would eventually have their soul scattered.

Li Chunfeng smiled and said, "Mr. Kongming, there is no need to worry."

Although this formation is powerful, it requires extremely high standards for its setup; the slightest mistake will result in a backlash.

"Situ Ming is only at the mid-stage of the Celestial Realm; his cultivation is insufficient, and the power of the array he sets up is at most 30%. I can break it with ease."

"What are the chances of successfully refining to the Celestial Realm?" Lin Chen asked.

"If the trapped being is an ordinary celestial being, there's a 90% chance," Li Chunfeng said.

"But with Li Jianxian by my side, along with myself and General Zilong, this formation is practically useless."

Lin Chen nodded, then asked Ye Qingying:

Did they specify what that "thing" was?

Ye Qingying shook her head: "No."

Judging from Situ Ming's tone, that thing should be related to formations, and of extremely high quality; even the Netherworld Sect Master values ​​it highly.

"Ancient relics related to formations..." Lin Chen pondered, "It seems the trip to Falling Eagle Gorge won't be boring."

Qin Shuyan asked with some concern, "Eighth Brother, the enemy came prepared. Should we change our route?"

"Why change it?" Lin Chen smiled.

"They've gone to great lengths to set up this inescapable trap; if we don't go, wouldn't we be letting them down?"

Xiao Yulou also laughed and said, "Third Sister, don't worry. With Eighth Brother here and so many experts around, nothing will happen."

"That's right." Lin Chen hugged Qin Shuyan. "Third sister-in-law, you must have faith in your husband."

Qin Shuyan blushed and spat lightly, "You're so unserious."

After everyone laughed for a while, Lin Chen said seriously, "However, the necessary preparations still need to be made."

Mr. Kongming, pass down the order: starting tomorrow, the marching speed will be reduced by another 20%.

"We need to act even more convincingly, so that the Cui family and Situ Ming can completely put their minds at ease."

"Furthermore," he said, looking at Li Chunfeng,

"Mr. Li, could you please study the diagram of the Nine Nether Soul Refining Array? Sixth Sister-in-law, could you draw it?"

Ye Qingying nodded: "It's generally okay, but there might be some discrepancies in the details."

"It's alright, a general idea is fine," Lin Chen said.

"Mr. Li, take a look. Does this formation have any weaknesses, or... can it be used in reverse?"

Li Chunfeng's eyes lit up: "Does Your Majesty mean..."

"They want to refine us, but we can use their formation to refine them too," Lin Chen grinned like a fox.

"Reciprocity is the way of a gentleman."

Zhuge Liang clapped his hands and laughed, "My lord, this plan is brilliant! If executed properly, it can not only break the formation, but also severely damage the Cui family, and even capture Situ Ming, achieving multiple goals at once."

"Then it's settled." Lin Chen stretched.

"It's late, time for bed. Ladies, who will keep me company tonight?"

The three girls blushed.

Qin Shuyan scolded, "Eighth Brother! We're talking about serious matters!"

"This is the important matter," Lin Chen said seriously. "Passing on the family line and continuing the ancestral worship is of paramount importance."

Xiao Yulou pinched him: "Shameless!"

Ye Qingying lowered her head and remained silent, her ears turning bright red.

In the end, none of the three left, and the lights in the carriage stayed on until late into the night.