Chapter 22: Definitely Next Time!

When mentioning this, Zi Ling looked somewhat embarrassed.

"Compared to our ancestors, the aptitude of later generations is truly dull. We have failed to live up to their expectations, and the entire Xianxia Sect has not produced a cultivator in the Deity Transformation stage for a very long time."

Upon hearing this, the Array Spirit shook its head, its expression filled with disappointment.

"Back in the day, Zi Ning was a dignified cultivator in the Body Integration stage, a figure who shook the world. It is truly lamentable to see that each generation of her descendants has been worse than the last."

Suddenly, the Array Spirit’s eyes turned red, and it could no longer suppress its emotions.

"One thousand years! A thousand years! Do you have any idea how I have spent these past thousand years?"

Its words were filled with agitation and resentment...

Su Yi and Zi Ling were both stunned to see the Array Spirit display such an exaggerated emotional outburst. What kind of tragedy could have caused an entity that had lived for thousands of years to be so heartbroken?

The Array Spirit seemed to fall into a memory, its eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly miserable.

"Zi Ning and I addressed each other as siblings; we were the closest of friends. When she failed to break through the Body Integration stage and died of exhaustion, she spent her final moments instructing me to take good care of the descendants of the Xianxia Sect."

"Not long after she passed, I faced my own Array Spirit Tribulation. Under the onslaught of the tribulation's energy, I fell into a deep slumber. When I finally awoke..."

Speaking of the past, the Array Spirit’s expression became even more agitated, as if recalling something deeply distressing, and for a moment, it could not speak. Finally, it took a deep breath to compose itself.

"When I awoke, I discovered that the savings I had accumulated for years had been completely looted! I don't know which cutthroat took advantage of my slumber to break into the core area of the array. During that entire process, I was deep in sleep and completely unaware of what was happening outside!"

"At that time, I had just finished my spiritual tribulation and was in a weakened state, in desperate need of a large amount of heavenly treasures to restore my spiritual body. But when I returned to my cave, I found it had been robbed! They didn't even leave behind a single feather!"

"What's more, for the past thousand years, every time I go through a tribulation, this little thief seems to know in advance, looting my cave while I sleep! And they have never missed a single time!"

At this point, the Array Spirit paused and glared at the two of them with indignation.

"Because I never had enough heavenly treasures to restore my spiritual body in time, my cultivation was forcibly dragged down from the peak of the Deity Transformation stage to the middle stage!"

"Only the Sect Leader of the Xianxia Sect has the key to enter the core of the array. This matter must have something to do with your people!"

"If it weren't for the rules of the array, I would have gone to find that thief to settle the score myself. How dare you two come here to question me?"

Su Yi’s mouth twitched, and he suddenly understood. So that was the problem; the spirit had been robbed. Thinking back on everything that had happened, he suddenly felt enlightened. No wonder the Array Spirit was so furious over a mere hundred spirit stones; aside from being poor, it was likely that the request reminded it of some painful memories.

***

The Array Spirit was formed from the essence of a high-level array's energy. As long as the array remained intact, its lifespan was virtually infinite. Of course, the Heavenly Dao was impartial; it would not allow an Array Spirit to grow indefinitely, so every hundred years, it would descend a spiritual tribulation. If the spirit could survive, it would gain another hundred years of life to continue cultivating; otherwise, it would perish and vanish into dust. After the old Array Spirit died, a new one would eventually be born, starting the next cycle.

The current Array Spirit was truly miserable. Every time it underwent a tribulation, its home was looted, and yet it couldn't do anything about it. It was no wonder it felt so stifled.

"If such a huge thing happened, why didn't you notify the sect?" Zi Ling asked, unable to help herself.

The Array Spirit gave a cold laugh. "Notify you? Am I senile? That person is one of you! Why would I notify you? To watch you put on a show of a thief crying 'stop thief'?"

"Senior, you may have misunderstood. This matter might not necessarily involve our Xianxia Sect," Zi Ling said, though her tone now carried a hint of uncertainty despite her attempt to defend the sect.

"Hmph, whether it was you or not, I know in my heart. If you want to prove your innocence, bring me evidence! Otherwise, it's all empty talk! Don't expect me to give you a pleasant look!"

With that, the Array Spirit flicked its long sleeve and turned its back, leaving no room for negotiation. It was understandable—every hundred years, it had to undergo a tribulation, only to wake up and find its life savings wiped out. Who could endure such a thing? It was pure exploitation!

Zi Ling bit her lip, her expression growing firm as she looked at the Array Spirit. "Senior Array Spirit, when is your next spiritual tribulation?"

The Array Spirit seemed to realize something and stared at her intently. "What are you planning?"

"This junior intends to investigate this matter and bring the truth of this unsolved case to light."

"You?" The Array Spirit sneered. "My next tribulation is in half a year. You are merely a junior at the late Foundation Establishment stage—what could you possibly investigate?"

"Senior, please rest assured. Although my strength is currently shallow, I do not wish for the Xianxia Sect to be wrongly accused and incur your resentment. As a member of the sect, I will do my utmost to ensure this matter is thoroughly resolved."

Zi Ling knew that there was no other way but to investigate it clearly. After saying this, she bowed deeply to the Array Spirit and, without waiting for a response, pulled the perplexed Su Yi out of the Array Tower.

***

Only when they were far away did the Array Spirit snap out of its stupor, becoming furious.

"Wait! That brat! What about the hundred spirit stones you mentioned! Give me my spirit stones! Where are they!"

Su Yi stopped, turned around, and coughed dryly. "Um... next time! Next time for sure!"

Ignoring the indignant cries of the Array Spirit, Su Yi pondered to himself. It was easy to see that this would not be an easy case to solve. After all, being able to accurately know the timing of the Array Spirit's tribulation for over a thousand years narrowed the list of suspects down to a very small circle. Moreover, the fact that the thief visited every century meant it was unlikely to be a normal person.

Su Yi couldn't even fathom the mental state of such a thief. The Array Spirit was trapped in the array and was never wealthy to begin with; after being looted so many times, it was dirt poor. It was so petty about a hundred spirit stones that it held a grudge, yet the thief was still relentlessly picking on this poor victim. It was simply insane!

...

Shortly after, in the Outer Sect.

"Thank you for your help, Junior Brother. If it weren't for you, I fear the Xianxia Sect would have continued to have misunderstandings with Senior Array Spirit."

"This matter is of great significance to the sect. I will report it to Elder Qi so he can record a great merit for you in the Merit Hall. The sect will issue a special reward."

Back at the Outer Sect, Zi Ling put away her worried expression and thanked Su Yi.

Su Yi smiled. "Senior Sister is too kind. I am now a part of the sect as well, so this little matter is not worth mentioning."

Su Yi waved his hand; he had no real interest in getting involved with the Array Spirit's affairs. He only wanted to finish his task regarding Luo Yun Gu as soon as possible and adjust himself to his best state to prepare for his own Core Formation.

"Then I shall take my leave. If you encounter any difficulties in the Outer Sect, you can come to the Jade Bamboo Hall in the Inner Sect to find me."

Seeming eager to investigate the case, Zi Ling exchanged a few polite words before leaving in a hurry, transforming into a streak of green light that soared into the sky and vanished in the blink of an eye.