As Wu Di opened the door to the basement, the three of them entered.
Qin Yi saw that the basement was not large, only about fifty to sixty square meters, with two wooden shelves inside.
On the wooden shelves were some items, not many in total, perhaps twenty to thirty.
However, these twenty to thirty items were all rare materials for array formations, which were difficult to find elsewhere.
Qin Yi was slightly surprised to see the Wu family possessing so many array formation materials, and he couldn't help but sigh in his heart that the Wu family truly lived up to their reputation as a martial arts family.
Qin Yi walked up to the two wooden shelves and examined the array formation materials placed on them one by one.
Wu Deshang said, "Young friend, all the array formation materials of our Wu family are here. Feel free to choose whatever you like!"
Qin Yi asked in surprise, "I can choose freely?"
"Yes, choose whatever you like!" Wu Deshang nodded emphatically.
Wu Di, who was standing nearby, watched with a complex expression, wanting to say something several times but ultimately saying nothing.
Having received Wu Deshang's promise, Qin Yi didn't hesitate. After examining all twenty to thirty materials, he picked up a wooden Bagua disk and said, "I'll take this one!"
Through his observation, Qin Yi discovered that this Bagua disk was made from a special type of wood that automatically generated and attracted spiritual energy from heaven and earth. If he used it to set up a Spirit Gathering Array, the effect would be very good.
This Bagua disk was not the most valuable among the twenty to thirty materials, but it was the most suitable for setting up a Spirit Gathering Array.
Therefore, Qin Yi chose it without hesitation.
After all, Qin Yi's primary goal in obtaining an array formation material was to set up a Spirit Gathering Array for his own cultivation.
Seeing that Qin Yi had chosen the Bagua disk, Wu Di seemed to heave a sigh of relief and immediately agreed, "Certainly, this Bagua disk is yours, young friend!"
"Since young friend has made his choice, let's head back upstairs!"
He seemed eager to leave the place quickly.
Qin Yi smiled, guessing the other party's thoughts – they were afraid that if they stayed any longer, he might choose something else!
So, Qin Yi put away the Bagua disk and nodded, saying, "Alright, let's go upstairs!"
Thus, the three of them left the basement.
Upon returning upstairs, Qin Yi saw that there was nothing else to do and prepared to head directly to the Brilliant Hotel. However, Wu Deshang invited him to stay for the night, saying that he would host a banquet tomorrow to thank him properly.
He wanted to thank him for saving Wu Yao and for opening their eyes.
As Wu Deshang insisted, he kept winking at Wu Di. Wu Di, sensing his uncle's intention, also spoke up, saying, "That's right, young friend, please stay for one more night. You saved Yao'er, and due to some misunderstanding earlier today, we weren't able to thank you and entertain you properly!"
"We hope you'll give us a chance to make up for it!"
Seeing the two of them take turns to persuade him with such sincere enthusiasm, Qin Yi felt embarrassed to refuse.
Most importantly, he had just taken something from them!
So, Qin Yi thought for a moment and said, "There's no need to stay here. How about this, I'll come back again tomorrow. I'm staying at the Brilliant Hotel in the city, so it won't take long to get here!"
"Very well, then we'll be expecting you tomorrow, young friend!" Wu Deshang replied.
Afterward, Qin Yi left the small island and returned to the Brilliant Hotel.
As expected, as soon as Qin Yi left, Wu Di looked at Wu Deshang, puzzled, and asked, "Second Uncle, what's going on today? The material room is the most important place in our Wu family. Even if Qin Yi can set up a Spirit Gathering Array, you shouldn't have taken him directly to the material room!"
"We promised him one array formation material, we could have just brought it to him ourselves!"
There was a hint of blame in Wu Di's tone.
Like Wu Chongshui and Wu Yuezhou before him, he believed Qin Yi was an outsider, and even their own clansmen were not allowed in the material room. Taking an outsider directly inside was simply too much!
Furthermore, Wu Di was stunned when Wu Deshang told Qin Yi to choose whatever he liked from the materials in the room.
At that moment, he almost couldn't help but refute Wu Deshang.
He knew that there were several items in the material room that were not only precious but also held great significance for their Wu family. If Qin Yi had chosen one of them, would they have given it to him or not?
Fortunately, the Bagua disk Qin Yi ultimately chose was something they could afford to give away!
After Wu Di finished speaking, Wu Deshang looked at him and asked, "Are you done?"
"Second Uncle, I'm not blaming you, I just..."
"I have my reasons for doing this!"
Wu Deshang interrupted him and turned to gaze out at the dark river in the distance. "Our Wu family is said to be a family of formations, yet now, the entire clan has barely a handful of people who know formations!"
"Aside from you and me, those like Yao'er are still beginners and lack the ability to set up formations independently. I've been thinking recently, what will happen to the Wu family in a few years when we are no longer around?"
"Will the heritage passed down by our ancestors be lost with us!"
Hearing Wu Deshang's words, a complex expression involuntarily appeared on Wu Di's face.
In fact, he had also considered the same things Wu Deshang was thinking.
However, learning the art of formations was simply too difficult, much more so than cultivation! He also wanted to cultivate more formation masters for the Wu family, but most of the clan members couldn't learn it!
"Today, in front of everyone, Qin Yi easily set up a high-level Spirit Gathering Array using a not-so-good quality array core. His talent in formations is the strongest I've ever seen!"
Wu Deshang continued, "I brought him to the material room and promised him anything he wanted to choose, all to make him feel our goodwill towards him! If possible, I want him to join our Wu family!"
Wu Di was stunned and instinctively asked, "He won't agree to join our Wu family, will he?"
Wu Deshang: "Well, under normal circumstances, he probably wouldn't agree!"
"???"
Wu Di was completely confused by his uncle's meaning.
However, his confusion didn't last long. Soon, a wise smile appeared on Wu Deshang's face. "Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't. But what about abnormal circumstances? For example, by arranging for Yao'er to be with him."
"Perhaps for Yao'er's sake, he might be willing to marry into our Wu family. Then, he would completely become a part of our Wu family!"
Wu Di stared, frozen in place, unable to speak for a moment.
After a short pause, he regained his senses, his eyes sparkling with intense light. "Second Uncle, you're still the smartest, thinking so far ahead! I never thought of this before!"
"Alas, if I don't think more, and let the art of formations be lost with us, how can I face our ancestors after my death!" Wu Deshang sighed.