Chapter 21: The Irritated Array Spirit

"Wait, Senior Sister, you saw the situation inside the illusion array yourself, didn't you? That Array Spirit Senior was very displeased with me, even threatening to stab me with a blade. If I go now, do you really think that senior will give me a warm welcome?"

However, Zi Ling merely shook her head and sighed at these words.

"Junior Brother Zhang Yi, you don't understand. The fact that you managed to draw the senior out is something no one in the entire Xianxia Sect can accomplish. This matter must be handled by you."

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with anticipation as she looked at Su Yi.

Su Yi's face darkened immediately.

What was this supposed to mean?

So, "haters" are still fans, then?

It was true that compared to them, who were simply ignored, he at least had a chance of meeting the Array Spirit, given their strained, almost hostile history. No wonder Zi Ling made this bizarre request.

Thinking of this, Su Yi rubbed his nose, looking troubled.

"This... Senior Sister, it's not that I don't want to help, but the senior's attitude back then was truly unpleasant. If I go, and the senior happens to be in a rage and decides to throw a punch or start swinging weapons, I'm afraid my fragile body won't be able to take it..."

Zi Ling waved her hands repeatedly upon hearing this.

"If that’s what you’re worried about, you can rest easy!"

"You carry the disciple token of the Xianxia Sect. According to the rules of our grand array, as long as you do not take any actions detrimental to the array, the Array Spirit can never attack you, or it would suffer a backlash."

Seeing there was no way to refuse, Su Yi could only sigh.

"Fine, I will give it a try. But I must say this first: I cannot guarantee that the senior will appear. If it doesn't work out, don't blame me."

Since the immediate danger had passed, he might as well try and do a favor, if only to avoid being noticed and assigned to chopping wood or tending fires later. Besides, building a good relationship with this Senior Sister would make his future life in the Xianxia Sect much more comfortable.

Seeing him agree, Zi Ling seemed to exhale in relief, a smile of gratitude touching her lips.

"It doesn't matter if it fails; I am already very grateful that you are willing to help."

The Xianxia Sect was picturesque, rich in spiritual energy, and the architecture within followed an elegant and refined style. While it could not compare to the majestic and imposing grandeur of the Tianyuan Sacred Land, it possessed a unique charm, evoking the feeling of a paradise on earth.

Su Yi followed Zi Ling through the landscape and soon arrived before a towering iron tower deep in the valley.

This tower stood several dozen fathoms high, cast entirely from dark iron. Its surface was covered in dense, intricate spiritual patterns, and the surrounding area was filled with churning mist, with ripples of array energy connecting heaven and earth, fluctuating incessantly.

"Senior Sister."

Seeing Zi Ling, the disciples guarding the area immediately bowed respectfully and consciously cleared a path.

Zi Ling smiled and nodded at the two before leading Su Yi directly to the iron tower.

"Junior Brother Zhang, this is the core of the sect's grand array."

Su Yi nodded, then called out to the tower:

"Array Spirit Senior, I am Zhang Yi, a new disciple who joined the entrance examination yesterday. I am here to pay a visit today, and I ask that you please reveal yourself."

Su Yi’s voice was loud and clear, echoing across the surroundings, but after a moment, there was still no response.

Seeing this, Su Yi could only continue calling out.

"Array Spirit Senior, can you hear me?"

Still, no response.

Su Yi tried a few more times, but the iron tower before him remained deathly silent.

Seeing this, Zi Ling could only sigh.

"Never mind. It seems the Array Spirit Senior does not wish to see us. Junior Brother Zhang, let it be; stop shouting. Thank you for helping me with this."

Su Yi smiled at her words.

"It's nothing, just a small favor. I had intended to come by and return those hundred spirit stones anyway. Since the senior doesn't wish to appear, I suppose I'll just head back."

He turned to leave, but as his voice faded, the iron tower emitted a burst of green light. With a resonant boom, a figure in the form of a young boy appeared before the tower. He had red lips and white teeth, with a handsome face—it was the Spirit of the Thousand Instant Starfall Array.

The boy glanced at Zi Ling, then looked directly at Su Yi, holding out his hand.

"Where are the spirit stones? Bring them here, quickly."

Spirit stones?

Zi Ling was stunned for a moment, then quickly grabbed the storage pouch at her waist, fished out one hundred spirit stones, and handed them over respectfully.

"Array Spirit Senior, this junior here..."

Before she could finish, she was cut off by a cold shout from the Array Spirit.

"Who is lacking those hundred spirit stones? Does this matter have anything to do with you? Do I look like I'm short of a hundred spirit stones? It's the principle of the thing!"

Seeing the Array Spirit angry, Zi Ling quickly lowered her head and bowed.

"It was this junior's presumption. Please, Senior, calm your anger."

The Array Spirit didn't even glance at her, instead fixing his gaze on Su Yi.

"You brat, bring the spirit stones here, now!"

Su Yi smiled and bowed.

"The spirit stones are easy enough, but before that, this junior has a question that requires your guidance, Senior."

"Hmm?"

The Array Spirit frowned.

"What question? Don't dawdle, be quick about it, speak your mind!"

Upon hearing this, Zi Ling felt a jolt in her heart, her pulse racing. She looked at Su Yi with sheer disbelief.

She had never imagined that this problem, which had plagued the Xianxia Sect for years, would actually find a turning point in Su Yi's hands. She had only been trying her luck.

This attempt was worth it!

Su Yi did not notice Zi Ling's reaction. Facing the Array Spirit's somewhat hostile attitude, he chuckled and asked unhurriedly:

"Senior, as the spirit of the sect's grand array, you ignore the descendants of the Xianxia Sect. I wonder, how did they offend you to make you so disdainful of them?"

"Hahaha... you say I ignore them?!"

The Array Spirit seemed to have been touched on a sore spot, suddenly bursting into wild laughter before shouting angrily: "Why don't you ask them what they have done? Ask these unfilial descendants what good deeds they've committed that they still have the face to question me?!"

What?

Zi Ling was stunned. Was it actually their own people who had angered the Array Spirit?

Coming to her senses, she knelt on one knee without a second thought, her words earnest.

"Array Spirit Senior! Zi Ning was my remote ancestor!"

"I have browsed through all the secret archives kept by the sect. Since my ancestor passed away a thousand years ago, all successors have treated you with the utmost respect and have never done anything to wrong you!"

"I can swear by the Heavenly Dao once more: if I have any deceit, may I suffer a miserable death and be struck down by the heavens! I beg you to investigate, Senior!"

Seeing her earnest expression, which did not look like a lie, the Array Spirit's expression shifted to one of skepticism. A moment later, his face softened slightly, and he said calmly:

"Little girl, then let me ask you, who is the current Sect Leader of the Xianxia Sect?"

Zi Ling replied immediately:

"The current Sect Leader is my father, Zi Shang, who succeeded to the position a hundred years ago."

The Array Spirit nodded and asked casually:

"What is his cultivation level?"

Hearing this, Zi Ning hesitated for a moment before answering honestly:

"My father's cultivation is at the late stage of the Nascent Soul realm."

"So low?"

The Array Spirit was somewhat surprised. After a moment of hesitation, he asked:

"Then who has the highest cultivation in the entire Xianxia Sect today?"

"Reporting to you, Senior, my father is the one with the highest cultivation in the entire sect."