In the courtyard, Mu Chen held his breath, calming his spirit. On his two hands, eight spirit seals glowed with a faint light. This was the result he had achieved through practicing day and night in a short period: solidifying and controlling eight spirit seals simultaneously.
Not far away, Wen Ling still closely supervised him. During this time, Mu Chen had been guided by him in setting up minor spirit arrays, but he hadn't succeeded even once yet. Even so, Wen Ling felt as if he was nearing success; he was progressing very quickly amidst continuous failures.
"Whoosh!"
With calm eyes, his hands trembled, and the eight spirit seals suddenly shot out, merging into the air and disappearing from sight.
As the spirit seals dissolved into the air, Wen Ling narrowed his eyes, observing. The eight spirit seals became faintly discernible in his vision, occupying eight strange positions. Streaks of darkness emanated from these spirit seals, following a complex trajectory, continuously intersecting and intertwining...
When the last streak of darkness intertwined with the complex, incomprehensible diagram, Wen Ling immediately felt the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in that place begin to stir, its speed becoming faster and faster.
In the air, a faint glow flickered, then quietly faded. If one didn't carefully sense it, it would seem as if it had vanished.
Mu Chen opened his eyes, his gaze filled with a mix of joy and apprehension. He had succeeded!
"Clap, clap, clap."
Not far away, Wen Ling clapped his hands in satisfied praise, then quickly walked over and said:
"Well done, you've successfully set up your first spirit array."
Mu Chen also smiled happily. Although this minor spirit array hadn't reached Level 1, it was enough to make him feel excited for now.
Wen Ling took a step forward, entering the range of the minor spirit array. The air there suddenly twisted, flashing brightly for a moment, as ten small, thread-like streaks of light shot out, forming winding lines like ropes that bound Wen Ling's limbs and body.
"Not bad."
Wen Ling chuckled faintly. He lightly shook his body, and spiritual energy surged forth, shattering the bindings into many pieces. A minor spirit array that hadn't even reached Level 1 naturally couldn't control him.
"This minor spirit array is called the Spirit Binding Array. Although it hasn't reached Level 1, it still has some uses. If an opponent is careless, they will instinctively recoil, and that would be a good opportunity for you to deal with them."
Wen Ling said gently.
Mu Chen nodded. He had also seen that small use of the Spirit Binding Array, which was why he chose it as his first subject of study. After all, whatever one learns must have practical application.
"Mr. Wen, when will I be able to set up a Level 1 spirit array?" Mu Chen asked. Although minor spirit arrays had small uses, they were still too limited. Only when one could truly set up a Level 1 spirit array could the true power of spirit arrays be unleashed.
"A Level 1 spirit array requires at least 15 spirit seals. You should take it one step at a time; the distance isn't short." Wen Ling replied softly.
"15 spirit seals, huh..."
Mu Chen nodded slightly. Ever since he had condensed 8 spirit seals, he had begun to feel the difficulty of refining more spirit seals. To achieve 15 spirit seals, he would probably have to put in even more effort.
"Now that you have the ability to set up minor spirit arrays, in the coming days, I will do my best to help you set up other minor spirit arrays, preparing a multi-faceted foundation for you. Although these minor spirit arrays aren't complex, they are the most fundamental things."
Wen Ling revealed a rare smile on his stern face. It seemed that regarding Mu Chen's rapid progress, he was truly pleased in his heart.
"Yes."
Mu Chen nodded. Ever since he came into contact with spirit arrays, he had found himself very interested in them. Could this be a talent inherited from his mother?
Mu Chen chuckled to himself at the thought, then couldn't help but feel curious. Father had said Mother possessed terrifying skill in spirit arrays; he wondered what level of Spirit Array Master she was...
In the following days, Mu Chen didn't reduce his time cultivating spiritual energy. Instead, he neglected food and sleep to delve into other minor spirit arrays. Under such intense focus, his fundamental knowledge of spirit arrays deepened, and the number of spirit seals he condensed also increased.
Time quickly passed. A week later...
That day, Mu Chen's keen senses detected an unusual atmosphere in the Mu Estate. After a brief thought, his eyes suddenly lit up, and his feet swiftly carried him towards the Mu Estate's council hall.
Outside the council hall, numerous powerful guards stood watch. When they saw Mu Chen, they didn't stop him, perhaps having received instructions beforehand.
Mu Chen immediately entered. In the main hall were several figures, among whom five, the most noticeable, sat upright. Their builds differed, but each exuded a sharp aura, and their spiritual energy fluctuations were robust.
– They are the five City Lords of the Mu Territory.
Mu Chen was slightly surprised to see those five familiar faces. These five were his father's five capable generals, guarding five different cities within the Mu Territory. Normally, they would be stationed in their respective cities, handling major affairs, rarely coming to Mu City. He hadn't expected them all to be gathered here today.
Mu Feng saw Mu Chen enter but didn't say anything to him, merely waving him over.
– Young Master.
The five City Lords, seeing him, clasped their hands in greeting.
– Uncle Duan, why are you all still being so formal with me?
Mu Chen said with a smile, his tone friendly.
– Hahaha, the Young Master is still the same as ever.
A slightly thin middle-aged man laughed until his eyes squinted, and the other four also joined in the laughter. The tense atmosphere inadvertently became much more relaxed.
Mu Feng also smiled faintly, then suddenly raised a hand, and the main hall fell silent once more.
– I've already briefed you all. Our scouts report that the Liu Territory has begun moving towards the Black Abyss, so we must depart quickly.
Mu Feng's serious gaze swept over everyone as he spoke:
– This matter is of great importance. I will personally lead the team with Zhou Ye. Two of you will guard the Mu Territory, and the other three will come with us.
Mu Chen subtly licked his lips. It seemed the Mu Territory had mobilized all its elites for this operation. Father truly placed significant importance on the Nine Netherbird.
– For the Liu Territory, this matter is also extremely important. According to our scouts, not only is Liu Qingtian personally leading the charge, but even Liu Zong and Liu Ming are accompanying him.
Zhou Ye said.
Mu Chen was startled upon hearing this. Liu Qingtian and Liu Zong were both Spirit Soul Stage experts, and Liu Ming was also at the peak of the late Spiritual Wheel Stage, on the verge of a breakthrough. This lineup would be more than enough to sweep through any region in the Northern Spiritual Realm. No wonder even Father and Uncle Zhou were going together.
The five City Lords all grew serious, feeling a touch of pressure upon hearing about the Liu Territory's combat strength. The slightly thin middle-aged man, standing at the back, pondered for a moment before speaking:
– In that case, I, Tie Lang, and Chen Xiong will accompany the Territory Lord on this expedition. The other two will guard the Mu Territory, how about that?
– Agreed!
Mu Feng nodded:
– You will each lead the soldiers from your respective cities. Their strength must absolutely not be lower than the late Spiritual Movement Stage, and they must be experienced veterans. No unwarranted losses are permitted in this operation.
– Understood!
The five City Lords solemnly agreed, then suddenly smirked and said:
It’s been a long time since we truly went head-to-head with the Willow Domain. It’s truly been too long since I felt this exhilarated.
Mu Feng smiled nonchalantly, a burning intensity igniting in his sharp eyes. Others might fear the Willow Domain, but the Mu Domain certainly did not. Today, for the sake of the Nine Netherbird, was the perfect opportunity to clash with them.
Standing beside him, Mu Chen watched the fervent battle intent surge through the council room, and licked his lips in anticipation. He, too, was eagerly looking forward to that legendary Nine Netherbird. The entire Northern Spiritual Realm had never before witnessed the appearance of such a high-level spirit beast...
One could only wonder whose hands that creature would ultimately fall into.