One of the two Ancestors wore a gold robe and was burly, while the other wore a green robe and appeared thin and gaunt.
Ian, you came just in time! Let me introduce you.
Seeing Ian Song, Ancestor Martin quickly waved him over, then pointed to the gold-robed elder: "This is your Martial Uncle Cyrus!"
Greetings, Martial Uncle Cyrus!
Ian quickly bent at the waist in greeting.
Haha, Ian, no need to be so polite! Get up!
Ancestor Cyrus said with a laugh.
This is your Martial Uncle Grimm," Ancestor Martin said, pointing to the green-robed elder.
Greetings, Martial Uncle Grimm!
Ian turned to the green-robed elder and bowed respectfully.
Mm. You may rise.
The green-robed elder, Ancestor Grimm, nodded without expression, looking stern and unsmiling.
Just then, Ancestor Martin spoke up again: "You two, it wasn't easy for me to get a disciple, and my student has already greeted you. Shouldn't you, as Martial Uncles, offer something in return?"
Ancestor Cyrus chuckled, "I knew you didn't just invite us for tea, old man. Turns out you wanted us to give your disciple some benefits!"
So, are you going to give something or not?
Ancestor Martin said smugly.
Of course I'll give you something! You're Martin's first disciple, so as your Martial Uncle, I have to give you a proper gift." As he spoke, Ancestor Cyrus took out a purple flag and handed it to Ian. "This is the Purple Cloud Array Flag. It can break through ten thousand formations. Unless you're trapped by a super grand array, this flag will help you escape easily."
Ian hesitated.
Ian glanced uncertainly at Ancestor Martin.
What are you looking at? Your Martial Uncle gave it to you—just take it!" Ancestor Martin said impatiently.
Thank you for the gift, Martial Uncle Cyrus!
Ian reached out and took the Purple Cloud Array Flag, then carefully put it away.
Suddenly, an idea struck Ian. "Martial Uncle, I have a gift for you too!"
Oh?
Ancestor Cyrus smiled, "All right, show me what you've brought!"
Ancestor Cyrus didn't expect Ian's gift to be anything special, but since it was a token of goodwill, he didn't refuse.
Yes!
Ian nodded and respectfully presented a jade slip with both hands. "Martial Uncle, please take a look and see if you like it!"
Then I'll have to take a good look!
As Ancestor Cyrus sent his immortal sense into the jade slip, his face quickly grew excited. Inside were methods for seventy-two super-grade immortal formations, and the last one even touched on the realm of god-grade arrays.
Of those seventy-two super-grade immortal formations, Ancestor Cyrus only knew three; the other sixty-nine had long been considered lost legends. He never imagined he’d see them again in his lifetime.
Seeing Ancestor Cyrus’s reaction, Ancestor Martin and Ancestor Grimm were both surprised.
But then Ancestor Martin remembered the Pill Canon Ian had given him and wondered if his disciple was now gifting his senior brother a formation scripture.
A moment later, Ancestor Cyrus calmed himself a little and stared at Ian, asking, "Ian—where did you get all these formation methods?"
Ian replied, "Martial Uncle, I found these formations in a certain ruin."
Where is that ruin?
Ancestor Cyrus pressed him for details.
"Down in the lower world," Ian answered.
When he heard the ruin was actually in the lower world, Ancestor Cyrus couldn’t help but look deeply disappointed.
"So, Senior Brother, what exactly is in that jade slip that got you so worked up?" Ancestor Martin asked with a laugh.
Ancestor Cyrus said, "This jade slip contains seventy-two super-grade immortal formations. I only know three of them. If I can master the other sixty-nine, my formation Dao will become much more complete—and breaking through to thirteenth-layer Ancestral Immortal won't be far off!"
Ancestor Martin and Ancestor Grimm were both visibly moved.
Ancestor Grimm exclaimed, "That's incredible!"
Ancestor Cyrus nodded firmly. "Ian has given me a tremendous gift. Compared to that, my present seems rather light."
Ian smiled. "It only feels valuable because it's useful to you, Martial Uncle. For me, it isn't much use. Actually, I've got some insight into formations myself. I hope you'll give me some guidance in the future!"
"Is that so? Then let me test your formation skills!"
With a flick of his finger, Ancestor Cyrus conjured a glowing screen in front of them. "This is the Small Sumeru Array. See if you can break it!"
All right!
Ian nodded. The so-called Small Sumeru Array isolates a miniature world, with all its laws controlled by the array master. Its weakness is that it can't withstand brute force and collapses easily.
For a formation expert like Ian, brute force wasn't necessary.
He swiftly formed a series of array hand-seals.
The Small Sumeru Array promptly collapsed.
Seeing this, Ancestor Cyrus was a bit surprised. Although he'd set up the array casually, it wasn't something just anyone could break.
"Try this array next!"
Ancestor Cyrus flicked his finger and set up another array.
Ian broke it just as quickly.
Interesting!
Ancestor Cyrus grew more interested and kept setting up arrays for Ian to break.
This time, the array was much more complex—a composite formation made up of dozens of different array types.
But with Ian's formation experience, it only took him a quarter of an hour to dismantle it.
You broke it that quickly?
Ancestor Cyrus's eyes lit up as he set up another array, this time revealing his true skill.
This time, it took Ian half an hour.
Over the next stretch of time, Ancestor Cyrus set up eighteen arrays in succession, all of which Ian managed to break. The longest one took him three hours.
"Junior Brother, how about letting me take your disciple?"
Suddenly, Ancestor Cyrus turned to Ancestor Martin.
"No way!"
Ancestor Martin was furious and glared at Ancestor Cyrus.
Ancestor Cyrus pleaded, "Junior Brother, you have to understand! I've taken thirty-five disciples in my life, but none of them have talent like him. If you let me have him, I'll find you a better disciple, and I'll owe you a favor!"
"No way!"
Ancestor Martin was absolutely resolute.
Seeing that Ancestor Martin wouldn't budge, Ancestor Cyrus turned to Ian. "Ian, why not join my sect instead? Don't worry—your master can't beat me, so even if you switch, he won't dare do anything to you!"
"Cyrus, you old devil, that's too much! If you keep this up, I'll fight you for real!"
Seeing Ancestor Cyrus try to poach his disciple right in front of him, Ancestor Martin was about to lose his temper and looked ready to fight.
"Hmph! As if I'd be afraid of you!"
Ancestor Cyrus sneered.
Seeing the two about to come to blows, Ian hurriedly called out, "Martial Uncle, Master, please don't fight! Let's talk this out!"