Chapter 27: Chapter 27:Different Array
After everything calmed down, Lu Fan took a closer look at the medallion. Its transformation was remarkable—all three components, the weapon base, talisman, and spirit stone, had fused seamlessly into one unified artifact, making it difficult to distinguish where one part ended and the other began. It was now a finely crafted work of art, almost like a single, natural formation rather than a mere object.
When he tested the medallion's power, he discovered that he could now conceal himself even from a Nascent Soul cultivator if needed. And yet, he sensed that this was not the medallion's ultimate limit—it could evolve further. The medallion now held its own internal energy source, a power that felt like an independent spirit. Unlike before, when he had to constantly feed it Qi, the medallion had become self-sustaining. This self-sufficiency likely stemmed from the high-grade spirit stone, which appeared to have transformed into a kind of "heart vein" during the fusion process, providing a stable energy core.
The talismanic inscriptions had also undergone changes. They were no longer mere markings but seemed to have fused with the medallion's essence, growing in complexity and potency. The talisman's concealment ability had been enhanced to such an extent that, when used at full power, it created a sensation of complete disconnection from the world around him. It was as if he existed on a different plane, invisible and untouchable.
Satisfied with his inspection, Lu Fan reactivated the arrays around his island. With his newly acquired level 2 array manual in hand, he began studying the contents closely. He quickly noticed the stark contrast between the arrays in the manual and the ones he had developed himself. The arrays in the manual used spirit stones and array flags to create controlled effects within a small space. Lu Fan began referring to these as "artificial arrays." In contrast, his own arrays, which he started calling "natural arrays," required larger setups with materials that interacted naturally, without the need for spirit stones.
Natural arrays, while weaker in effect, operated harmoniously with the environment. Artificial arrays, on the other hand, were much more powerful, compact, and easier to arrange but required precise placements and consistent energy sources like spirit stones. He realized that each type of array had its advantages: artificial arrays offered greater control and potency, while natural arrays could sustain themselves without needing Qi replenishment.
One particular array in the manual caught Lu Fan's attention: a defense array. The defense array used dispersing patterns that reminded him of the natural dispersal and gathering patterns he had previously observed in items that gradually lost Qi over time. Inspired by this, he decided to combine dispersal patterns from his natural arrays with some elements from the artificial defense array. He envisioned an array that would create a central void of Qi while establishing a defensive shield along its perimeter.
Setting up his experiment, he arranged materials to form a disk-like structure and activated the array. The effect was immediate—a circular zone devoid of Qi, with a protective barrier at the edge of the circle. "Interesting," Lu Fan mused, feeling encouraged by this successful hybrid design.
With his curiosity piqued, Lu Fan delved deeper into experimenting with different types of arrays from the manual, incorporating both artificial and natural techniques. He began by testing a fog array that created a thick, obscuring mist, perfect for concealing certain areas. He adjusted the fog array to blend in seamlessly with his island's natural environment, making it even harder for uninvited guests to navigate the area.
He then crafted a confusion array, designed to disorient anyone who stepped inside. When he activated it, the array created subtle distortions that altered perceptions, causing paths to loop back on themselves and landmarks to shift. This array, he thought, would be perfect for keeping potential intruders guessing without direct confrontation.
Next, he worked on an isolation array, which created a barrier that blocked sound, Qi, and even spiritual sense. With this array in place, he could conduct experiments without fear of detection. He then set up a sword array using some of the harvested sword grass as anchors. When he activated it, the sword array produced an intense wave of sword Qi, which moved with sharp, cutting precision, as if hundreds of invisible blades surrounded him.
Moving forward with confidence, he experimented with a fire array, which produced intense flames, perfect for offensive use or for defending a perimeter. A nearby patch of dry earth became the testing ground for a frost array, which instantly covered the ground in a thick layer of ice. The cold aura extended outward, lowering the temperature and creating a harsh, freezing zone around it.
After each experiment, Lu Fan took detailed notes, documenting how each array responded to different energy sources, environmental factors, and structural adjustments. His understanding of arrays expanded with each trial, as he noted down which components worked best for various effects. These experiments offered him a broader foundation and inspired new possibilities for defensive and offensive measures to protect the island.
With a sense of satisfaction, Lu Fan looked at his carefully crafted arrays spread across the island. He knew that this hidden fortress would now be well-protected from any future intrusions.
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