"Welcome, Qu Dao-you, to join us all in overseeing the array." A middle-aged woman in her forties stood up and smiled warmly. Though not particularly beautiful, she carried a certain grace. "Ah, it's Feng Dao-you. I'd like to extend my greetings," Qu Hún said with composure, then led Han Li toward the table. As Han Li glanced around, he had already taken in the five unfamiliar cultivators in the hall. A plain middle-aged scholar, a young, elegant woman in her twenties, an elder with gray-white eyes, a young man glowing with a deep red light, and the woman known as Feng San-niang—exactly five. However, the young woman was only at the foundational stage and was seated closely beside the scholar, clearly close and intimate—seeming to be a couple. While Han Li was pondering this, Feng San-niang broke in with a bright, gentle smile: "Qu Dao-you has arrived just in time. I've been discussing the variations of the 'Six Elusiveness Water Waves Array' with all of you!" If the team had practiced and become proficient beforehand, I'm certain everyone would feel more at ease when it came time to arrange the formations. Nevertheless, before that, I'd like to introduce the other guests to Qu Daojun!" Feng Saniang clearly excelled at interpersonal interactions; with just a few gentle words, she immediately warmed the distance between Han Li and the other guests in the hall. "These two are the senior disciples of Jian Tai, the island master of Weixing Island, Ma Daojun and his spouse, Xue Daojun!" Feng Saniang first pointed to the middle-aged scholar and the younger woman as she introduced them to Han Li. "Qu Hun? I know several cultivators from Kuixing Island. I've never heard of you before." The middle-aged scholar glanced at Han Li coldly, speaking with a certain air of condescension. For some reason, he seemed to have an unfavorable impression of Qu Hun, and his first words were rather off-putting. This caused Feng Saniang's initially cheerful expression to momentarily pause, though she quickly regained her composure. "I am not originally from Kuixing Island; I only recently moved here to settle. You don't know my name, that's quite natural! Moreover, I've only just heard of your name." Qu Hun replied with calm irony. "You... " "Allow me to introduce you. This elder is Qing Suansi, a quiet cultivator from Jinbie Island. Though not widely known, his wooden-based spells are exceptionally powerful and few can match him even during the Foundation Period. As for Yan Daojun, he's even more remarkable—he possesses the rare Yin-Huo body, and his pure yang fire cultivation is truly unparalleled." The middle-aged scholar frowned, his expression darkening as he seemed about to say more, but was quickly interrupted by the woman who diverted the conversation. "Qing Daojun! Yan Daojun!" Qu Hun glanced at the elder and the young man, giving them a slight nod. Though both were at the same Foundation Period stage as the scholar, they clearly exerted far greater pressure on Han Li than the middle-aged scholar did—clearly, their cultivation techniques were no ordinary ones. Han Li was not willing to easily offend these two. "Good morning, Qu Daojun!" "Allow me to greet you, Yan." Neither of them showed any airs, and both smiled politely at Qu Hun. This scene only made the middle-aged scholar more uncomfortable. So, before Feng Saniang could say another word, he suddenly stood up, faced them with a stern expression, and said: "I would like to return to my room to meditate for a while. We can discuss the array matter later!" With that, he swept his sleeve and stepped out of the hall. The young woman, somewhat apologetic, glanced at them all before following him out. "Hmph! What's so grand about it? Isn't there a master who's going to be the island's chief any day now?" Yan, the young man, brightened with a surge of red light, and spoke with growing irritation. The elder and Feng Saniang both exchanged slight expressions of surprise, but the elder quickly regained his composure, while Feng Saniang managed a polite smile and invited Qu Hun to sit down, as if she didn't wish to speak of the scholar's matter at all. "Shouldn't there be After seating himself without ceremony, Qu Hu promptly asked questions with ease. Han Li remained quietly behind him. "There's also a guest from Huaming Island, Dou Dao-you, though it seems he's currently deep in the study of a particularly powerful cultivation technique and won't leave his room for several days," Feng Saniang smiled and explained. "Ah, I see," Han Li nodded, saying nothing further. Yet Feng Saniang appeared deeply interested in Qu Hu, frequently asking seemingly off-topic questions, which unexpectedly surprised Han Li, who had no idea of her true intentions. However, when Feng Saniang asked Qu Hu whether he was familiar with the 'Sixty-Year Water Wave Array Technique,' Qu Hu, under Han Li's guidance, naturally denied it outright. Upon this, the woman laughed and remarked that the others also lacked knowledge of the technique, then began to explain its intricacies in detail. Indeed, it was surprising—Feng Saniang turned out to be a rare array master! …Although the middle-aged scholar seemed somewhat out of place with the others, he finally returned to the main hall two days later to listen to Feng Saniang explain the key points for successfully presiding over the array. After all, the Sixth Continuous Hall had invited them specifically to be the ones to lead and manage this array! A few days later, the other cultivator who had been meditating in the room, Han Li, also finally made an appearance. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man with a shaved head, his face thick and strong, appearing quite formidable. Yet, his manner and speech were both generous and open-minded, and he got along well with the others. Thus, after listening to Feng Saniang's detailed explanations of the array's intricacies, Han Li and the others frequently stopped their sea vessels and flew out to the surrounding waters, continuously practicing and refining the coordination and evolution of the "Six Fugitive Water Waves Array," so that they could successfully capture the beast when the time came—everyone would then be satisfied and pleased. Thus, the sea vessels naturally moved at a slow pace, yet the Sixth Battalion seemed neither in a hurry. Although they paused and advanced intermittently, Feng Saniang remained cheerful throughout, showing no sign of urgency. However, once the various transformations of the array were performed with flawless mastery, Feng Saniang did not hesitate further—she promptly ordered the sea vessels to proceed at full speed. After one month, the vessels finally anchored beside an unnamed, uninhabited island measuring several miles in diameter. Han Li and the others stepped onto the island under the guidance of Feng Saniang. As soon as they set foot on the land, a brilliant golden light streaked down from the sky, circling them once before dissipating to reveal an elderly man with a pale golden complexion, gazing at them expressionlessly. This man exhibited no visible aura of magical power—appearing as though he possessed none at all, yet at the same time, his mastery of magic seemed profound and deeply concealed. This observation stirred Han Li's alertness. "Subordinate Feng Saniang, bowing to the Seed Elder!" "Feng Saniang stepped forward without hesitation, bowed deeply to the elder, and spoke with respectful demeanor. At that moment, the others standing behind her, including Han Li and his companions, immediately recognized the elder's status and approached to pay their respects. A Jiandan-stage cultivator was no one they could afford to overlook." "No need for formalities! Feng Saniang, you've done well this time—bringing these assistants promptly. Have they mastered the array's various forms? The beast we're facing this time is quite formidable; we must not be careless!" the elder said calmly. "Rest assured, Elder. Our esteemed colleagues have thoroughly mastered several variations of the 'Six Evolutions Water Wave Array' and will surely be able to contain this creature!" Feng Saniang said with confidence. "Excellent! My colleagues from the Liulian Pavilion will rely heavily on each of you. As long as you give your full support, we will certainly not fall short in our rewards." The elder, glancing warmly at the scholars, relaxed his expression and spoke with a more amiable tone. "Senior, please rest assured—we will do our very best!" The middle-aged scholar spoke up before anyone else could, with a smile full of deference. Noticing the scholar's eager, servile demeanor, the others, though their faces showed some hesitation, could only offer similar words of agreement. This young elder was most satisfied with the group's attitude. After a slight nod, he added, "The great array was already set up two days ago. All you need to do is take charge of it now. Meanwhile, Elder Gu is currently engaged in a fierce pursuit with that beast in the nearby sea region. I will go and draw it out myself. I expect to have the creature brought into the array by morning. Then it will be up to you all to show your mettle. Please take a rest on the island for now!" With that, the elder transformed into a streak of golden light and soared skyward, vanishing without a trace within moments. "Everyone, I believe you've all heard what Elder Miao has just said. Take this day to rest and recover. Tomorrow, we shall face a serious challenge!" "Feng Saniang turned to look back, her expression solemn. By this time, the others naturally fell silent, nodding to indicate they understood. Yet at this moment, the young accountant—someone who had remained largely silent throughout the journey—suddenly spoke with a composed, almost stiff demeanor. "Feng Daojun, we've asked you repeatedly throughout the journey about the specific monster you intend to confront, but you've never revealed its identity. With the battle set for tomorrow, shouldn't you now finally share the details with us?" Upon hearing this elder's question, the others found themselves stirred, all turning their attention to Feng Saniang. They too harbored the same curiosity. What kind of formidable and rare creature was this, worthy of such extensive preparations and grand strategy from the Sixth Rank Hall? A mere sixth-level monster would hardly merit such efforts.