Chapter 89

Negotiations are based on the premise that both parties are intelligent, but Muchen wasn't too worried about this. Although the Nine Netherbird is a spirit beast, at this level, the intelligence of such spirit beasts is no less than that of humans, and sometimes even higher.

Muchen's mind focused on the Nine Netherbird trapped in the prison. The latter's gaze, filled with ferocity, was fixed on him, and that ferocity left no doubt in Muchen's mind that if the Nine Netherbird had the chance, it would tear him to pieces.

It was extremely difficult to tame a spirit beast of this caliber.

"Cough."

Under the intense stare of the Nine Netherbird, Muchen coughed dryly and tried to convey a friendly intention: "Hello there."

However, the Nine Netherbird remained unmoved by his attempt to be friendly, and the ferocity in its eyes did not diminish in the slightest.

"I know you understand what I'm saying," Muchen said helplessly. "You're in this situation because you brought it upon yourself. I didn't provoke you, but you sneaked into my body and tried to erase my consciousness."

The Nine Netherbird gave Muchen a cold look, slowly drew back, and elegantly stretched its wings, which were enveloped in black flames. It then lazily lay down on the Mandala flower.

"Stalemate benefits no one. It would be better if we could discuss how to benefit both of us," Muchen suggested.

However, the Nine Netherbird's eyes seemed to fill with a mocking expression, and it ignored him completely.

"Hey, can you at least show some respect? This is my place, and do you believe I can deal with you with this?" Muchen couldn't help but feel angry and embarrassed when the Nine Netherbird ignored him.

The Nine Netherbird's eyes filled with even more mockery. Just as Muchen was getting angry, a special intention finally came through: "Despicable human, if you could control it, would you need to talk to me?"

"You really can communicate with humans!" Muchen felt a slight joy upon sensing this intention. No matter what, the Nine Netherbird had finally communicated with him, even if the communication was full of contempt and mockery.

"You deceitful humans, with your silver tongues, are just trying to take advantage of my essence and refine me. These methods are extremely lowly," the Nine Netherbird's cold intention came through.

"Hmph, as if you're any better. You also tried to erase my consciousness. All this is your own doing. If you hadn't had those evil intentions, you wouldn't have been trapped in my body," Muchen said with a cold laugh.

"Do you think you can keep me trapped forever? My clan has the bloodline of the ancient Phoenix. With your strength, you can't possibly eliminate me. My power will gradually recover, and when that time comes, the first thing I'll do is kill you!" The Nine Netherbird's intention was filled with intense ferocity.

"Then try it and see who can last longer!"

Muchen coldly snorted. He knew that negotiating with the Nine Netherbird was impossible. This damned feathered beast was too proud and would never discuss how to benefit both parties.

Muchen's mind gradually dispersed, and his closed eyes opened. He sighed helplessly. This damned Nine Netherbird...

"I need to find a way to deal with this trouble, or it will eventually become a disaster."

Muchen thought to himself. He didn't understand the Nine Netherbird well. If what it said was true, Muchen might eventually be in trouble. Therefore, he needed to find a way to resolve this hidden danger.

However, Muchen also knew that finding a solution wasn't easy. The only thing that could control the Nine Netherbird was the mysterious black paper in his body. Muchen had studied it again, but still found nothing. He could only give up helplessly, perhaps because his strength was not enough to grasp the mysteries of the black paper.

So, the matter of the Nine Netherbird could only be dealt with gradually.

In the following days, while resting, Muchen still tried to communicate with the Nine Netherbird from time to time, but the latter ignored him completely, lying on the Mandala flower with cold and mocking eyes, as if watching Muchen perform a one-man show.

After several attempts, Muchen finally gave up this naive action. It seemed that trying to reason with the Nine Netherbird was futile. He could only quickly improve his strength. Once he reached the Divine Soul Realm, he would have the ability to refine the essence of spirit beasts, which would then pose a threat to the Nine Netherbird.

At that time, perhaps this feathered beast would take him a bit more seriously.

Putting the matter of the Nine Netherbird aside for the moment, Muchen spent the next few days visiting Mr. Wenling. According to the information he got from Mufen, Mr. Wenling seemed to be about to reach the Second Rank Spirit Array Master. If successful, this would be excellent news for the Mufen Domain.

After all, in the entire Northern Spirit Region, there wouldn't be more than a handful of Second Rank Spirit Array Masters. The Mufen Domain had never had a Spirit Array Master of this level before, so once Mr. Wenling succeeded, it would greatly enhance the reputation of the Mufen Domain.

Mr. Wenling, who was usually serious and stern, was now quite gentle with Muchen. He had clearly heard about Muchen's use of a spirit array against Liang Mu Bai during the quota competition, which made him feel quite proud.

In the quiet courtyard, footsteps suddenly sounded. Mr. Wenling, who was meditating with his eyes closed, opened his eyes and smiled faintly. Everyone in the Mufen Manor knew he didn't like being disturbed, so no one would come to him at this time, except for Muchen.

"Hehe, Mr. Wenling, I came to see when you will break through," Muchen's figure appeared at the courtyard gate as expected, smiling and bowing.

Mr. Wenling looked at the young man with amusement and shook his head helplessly. "You're just being slick. If you want the array diagrams, just say so. You've been pestering me for days. You're not annoyed, but I am."

Muchen scratched his head awkwardly when Mr. Wenling saw through his thoughts. Array diagrams were the most valued by spirit array masters, and his constant scavenging of Mr. Wenling's collection was indeed a bit unreasonable.

Mr. Wenling smiled at the awkward Muchen, then gestured for him to come over. "Starting tomorrow, I will enter seclusion to advance to the Second Rank Spirit Array Master. Once I reach that level, the array diagrams I taught you before won't be the most suitable. It's fine to teach them to you."

Muchen's face lit up with surprise upon hearing this.

"How many spirit seals can you condense now?" Mr. Wenling asked, looking at Muchen.

"Eighteen," Muchen thought for a moment and replied. Due to his cultivation, his spiritual energy had gradually become stronger, and the number of spirit seals he could condense had increased with the improvement of his spiritual energy.

Although Mr. Wenling had some mental preparation, he still clicked his tongue when he heard Muchen's answer. Muchen's talent in spirit array cultivation was truly astonishing. Eighteen spirit seals were quite impressive even among First Rank Spirit Array Masters.

"The 'Tiger Flame Devouring Spirit Array' I taught you is one of the top three most powerful spirit arrays I know."

Mr. Wenling smiled, clasped his hand, and a scroll with a faint lightning glow appeared in his hand. "This scroll is called the 'Nine Heavens Lightning Spirit Array,' and it is considered my strongest spirit array."

Muchen's eyes lit up upon hearing this. This was Mr. Wenling's strongest spirit array?

"This spirit array requires twenty spirit seals. Among First Rank array diagrams, it is at the top level. Of course, the complexity of setting it up is comparable to some Second Rank spirit arrays. Originally, you wouldn't be able to handle it, but since you can enter the 'Heart Array' state, it will greatly reduce the difficulty." When mentioning the Heart Array state, even Mr. Wenling's face showed a hint of envy. This state was extremely coveted by spirit array masters.

"Once the 'Nine Heavens Lightning Spirit Array' is successfully set up, no one in the Spirit Wheel Realm can stand against it, not even early-stage Divine Soul Realm experts would dare to underestimate it."

Muchen's heart raced upon hearing this. The 'Nine Heavens Lightning Spirit Array' was so powerful.

"I'll give you this array diagram, but remember, don't act rashly if you're not confident, to avoid the spirit array backfiring." Mr. Wenling handed the array diagram to Muchen and warned him solemnly.

"Yes!"

Muchen quickly responded, then carefully took the array diagram and slowly unfolded it. Lightning light immediately filled his eyes, and the array diagram, which seemed chaotic to ordinary people but was full of profound patterns to spirit array masters, was imprinted in his pupils.

Muchen stood in place, his eyes fixed on the array diagram in his hand, completely absorbed. Mr. Wenling smiled faintly and quietly left the courtyard.

When Muchen finally came out of his trance, the sky had gradually darkened. He hurried back to his room and spent the next few days focusing all his attention on the 'Nine Heavens Lightning Spirit Array.' He understood that even with the help of the Heart Array state, he couldn't set up this spirit array yet, so he didn't act rashly. Instead, he studied it repeatedly, memorizing the complex spiritual energy patterns in his mind.

For five whole days, Muchen was immersed in studying the spirit array. One day, he suddenly heard the noisy voices outside the courtyard and frowned as he walked out. He saw some guards rushing to the front courtyard, and the atmosphere seemed off.

"What's going on?" Muchen called out to a guard and asked sternly.

"Master."

The guard bowed upon seeing Muchen, hesitated for a moment, and said, "Something big has happened. One of our cities in the Mufen Domain has been attacked, and City Lord Chen Xiong has been killed."

Muchen's face changed dramatically upon hearing this.

(To be continued)