Liu Jian weighed it for a moment, then declined with a bitter smile: “To be frank, Dao Friend Li, I have a direct grandson who is learning the Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation from me. If nothing unexpected happens, I plan to leave this Legacy Jade Slip to him, so it’s not convenient to exchange.”
… …
Li Mu frowned, not expecting the old man to use this reason to refuse.
“Fellow Daoist Liu, this is easy to resolve. If you lend me the Legacy Jade Slip of the Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation for a look, I will give you this Jade Slip of the Dragon Elephant Eighteen Formations. However, my Legacy Jade Slip is quite valuable, so you need to compensate me a bit.” Li Mu gestured to Liu Jian.
“Dao Friend Li, is that true?” Liu Jian was overjoyed. If the transaction was truly like this, he would gain a Formation Legacy for free and greatly benefit.
“Naturally, it’s true. Can we exchange now?” Li Mu smiled and handed over the Dragon Elephant Formation Jade Slip.
“Of course, no problem. What does Dao Friend Li need? I’ll try my best to satisfy it.” Liu Jian readily agreed, asking with concern.
“I’m not short on Spirit Stones for now, but I do like some strange and rare items. If Fellow Daoist Liu has any, feel free to show them to me.” To avoid Liu Jian’s suspicion, Li Mu casually replied.
Liu Jian nodded. If he could keep both Formation Legacy Jade Slips, he would be very willing to make up for the ‘price difference’.
Immediately, Liu Jian handed his Formation Jade Slip to Li Mu, and the two completed the exchange of the Formation Legacy Jade Slips.
After receiving the Legacy Jade Slip, Li Mu immediately immersed his Divine Sense into the Jade Slip, accepting the Legacy of the Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation Jade Slip.
The next moment, Li Mu’s Sea of Consciousness vibrated, and a large amount of Formation diagrams, Formation patterns, and array knowledge related to the Five Elements Formation, Ice Yuan Formation, Eight Extremes Illusionary Origin Array, and Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation all poured into his mind.
Li Mu closed his eyes slightly, rapidly digesting the four Formation diagrams, deducing the Formation patterns, and simulating the array layout methods in his mind.
The Five Elements Formation is a basic Formation, yet the more basic something is, the more extraordinary it is. This Formation is extremely easy to fuse with other Formations. The Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation is also like this, adding the variations of the Eight Extremes on the Foundation of the Five Elements Formation.
In addition, the Foundation of the Five Elements Sword Formation is also related to the Five Elements Formation.
After learning this Five Elements Formation diagram, Li Mu’s understanding of the Five Elements Sword Formation became even deeper.
About a quarter of an hour passed, Li Mu opened his eyes, a satisfied smile on his face. This trip was fruitful; he came for the Ice Yuan Formation and learned several more Formations through it.
【Ding, you have successfully accepted the Legacy of “Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation”. You have learned Five Elements Formation, Ice Yuan Formation, Eight Extremes Illusionary Origin Array, and Five Elements Eight Extremes Formation.】
Li Mu glanced at the character panel log and immediately saw a new prompt.
Looking at Formation Master Liu opposite him, his brows were tightly furrowed, still immersed in the Jade Slip Legacy, and he probably wouldn't wake up for a while.
Li Mu smiled slightly, picked up the spirit tea on the table, and drank it while waiting. At the same time, he surveyed the beautifully scenic small courtyard.
About half an hour later, Liu Jian woke up and looked at Li Mu apologetically: “This Dragon Elephant Eighteen Formations is truly remarkable. It took me so long to learn just a superficial understanding. Dao Friend Li, you’ve waited long!”
“It’s good as long as Fellow Daoist Liu is satisfied. I also gained quite a bit. This is the Five Elements Jade Slip, Fellow Daoist Liu, please keep it safe.” Li Mu returned the Legacy Jade Slip to Liu Jian.
“Dao Friend Li’s Formation Legacy is much higher than my Five Elements Formation Legacy. I’m truly embarrassed to have taken such a big advantage of you. Coincidentally, I’ve collected many strange items over the years. Take a look and see if there’s anything you like; pick two pieces at will!” Liu Jian accepted the Legacy Jade Slip with a face full of shame.
After speaking, Liu Jian took out a Storage Pouch from his Pregnant, pouring a pile of miscellaneous items from the pouch onto the tea table for Li Mu to choose from.
“These spiritual items, some were obtained by this old man during explorations, some were payment from Loose Cultivators for setting up Formations, and some were bought out of curiosity while browsing casual markets. Most of them have unknown origins and uses… They’ve been stored for a long time. Dao Friend Li, if you like these kinds of things, feel free to pick whatever catches your eye.” Liu Jian looked at Li Mu apologetically and explained.
“Mm! Then I won’t be polite!” Li Mu smiled and nodded. It was just a casual remark to humor him, but he didn’t expect this Formation Master Liu to be such a straightforward person, willing to bring out his treasured collection.
【A wooden fish made of Spiritual Sandalwood, a first-tier Spiritual Artifact, effective for calming the mind and expelling evil.】
【A spiritual colored clam pearl with dirt attached, a second-tier spiritual item, one of the main Materials for refining water-repelling pearls.】
【A beast hide map marked with the ruins of an ancient Cultivator’s Immortal Cave, a first-tier spiritual item. The age of the hide does not match the time of the ruins marked on the map, suggesting it might be fake.】
… …
Dozens of old and ancient artifacts with quite a history, Li Mu picked and chose. Under his Heavenly Talent - Identifying Myriad Spirits, their information appeared one by one in the character’s virtual frame.
They were all trash. The best item was just a second-tier clam pearl.
Li Mu’s expression was blank. He had thought this old man could bring out something good! It turned out to be just a pile of useless trash.
Picking up the beast hide map, Li Mu’s spirits lifted. He finally found something good underneath the beast hide map.
【spirit control treasure bracelet (Sealed)】
【Grade: six-tier spirit treasure】
【Features: Spirit Control Space (Sealed), Potent Recovery (Sealed), Accelerated Growth (Sealed)】
【Status: Host perished, Divine Object self-sealed.】
【A Natal Spirit Treasure refined from space boundary stone, Demon Emperor Heart Bone, and Ruyi Gemstone. The Spirit Treasure’s artifact spirit fell into slumber with the host’s death, and the Spirit Treasure self-sealed. It can be awakened by re-refining it with Heavenly Fire.】
If not for the character’s virtual panel, Li Mu would never have believed that this old bracelet covered in green patina was actually a six-tier spirit treasure, quietly hidden in a Loose Cultivator old Cultivator’s Storage Pouch.
Li Mu’s face lit up with joy. He couldn’t imagine encountering such a good thing.
However, the conditions to awaken this Spirit Treasure seemed simple but were very troublesome.
Heavenly Fire!
Where could he get this Heavenly Fire? Li Mu only knew of some spiritual fires, exotic fires, and earth fires. He had never heard of anything at the Heavenly Fire level.
Never mind, he would secure this treasure first.
Unknowingly, relying on the powerful Heavenly Talent of Identifying Myriad Spirits, Li Mu had already ‘picked up’ many high-tier spiritual items, such as: Spirit Luck Profound Tortoise Shell, Thunder Talisman Scroll… all high-tier spiritual items that many low-tier Cultivators could not discern.
Li Mu was about to open his mouth and ask Formation Master Liu for the spirit control treasure bracelet.
Unexpectedly, Liu Jian spoke first, smiling: “Dao Friend Li, you’ve taken a fancy to this beast hide treasure map, haven’t you! This beast map records the ruins of an ancient Cultivator’s Immortal Cave. It’s just a pity that I’m too old now, my legs are inconvenient, and my desire for exploration has faded, so I’ll give this map to you!”
“Uh! Fellow Daoist Liu misunderstood! I’ve always preferred quiet. On weekdays, I just plant spiritual flowers and exotic herbs, raise a spiritual pet, and study Formations. I don’t like to wander around, and I’m not interested in exploring ancient Cultivator ruins.” Li Mu smiled and politely declined, then seemingly casually picked up the greenish bronze bracelet and that dusty colorful clam pearl, smiling: “Fellow Daoist Liu, I’ll just take these two spiritual items!”
Hearing this, Liu Jian was slightly stunned. He had thought Li Mu had taken a fancy to the treasure map, and he was just going to go with the flow and get rid of it. Who knew, this young man wasn’t tempted, but instead casually took two pieces of trash and stopped there.
Did he see through it?
Liu Jian looked at Li Mu suspiciously, but didn’t find any special signs. His heart stirred, and he quickly said: “Dao Friend Li, are you perhaps looking down on this old man? These two miscellaneous items certainly can’t compare to Fellow Daoist’s Dragon Elephant Legacy. This Liu feels ashamed to accept them!”
“Uh! How about you give me this beast map too! Is that okay?” To shut him up, Li Mu simply accepted the beast hide map from Liu Jian.
Liu Jian was taken aback, momentarily unclear about Li Mu’s intentions.
“What, Fellow Daoist Liu, is there still a problem? Is our exchange fair like this?” Li Mu asked, looking at Liu Jian nervously.
“Alright! Let’s exchange like this, as long as Dao Friend Li is happy!” Liu Jian laughed heartily and nodded cheerfully. At this point, he had already seen from Li Mu’s expression that this young man was playing hard to get with him! He clearly had his eye on this beast hide treasure map, and his expression was extremely nervous.
“When I was young, I roamed the world, often going to explore spiritual caves and ancient ruins. To break Formations, I constantly studied Formations, and gradually became a Formation Master. During one exploration, I discovered a thousand-year-old ancient Formation,…” Liu Jian began to ramble, telling Li Mu about his youthful adventures and encounters with special Formations.
Li Mu nodded occasionally, absentmindedly responding.
At this moment, Li Mu was no longer in the mood to stay. He planned to find time to go to Gangyang City again, find Manager Wang of Wanbao Pavilion, and Elder Wei, the Spirit Identifier, to ask about ‘Heavenly Fire’.
After about a quarter of an hour, Li Mu bid farewell to Liu Jian, rose on his sword, and fled Qingping Town as if escaping, flying towards Qing'an Town. At the same time, he didn’t forget to take off his Linglong Mask and restore his original appearance.
Through their brief contact, Li Mu found that Formation Master Liu was not a simple character. His outward demeanor seemed very kind, and he was an outgoing and talkative person. However, relying on his powerful Divine Soul intuition.
Li Mu faintly felt uncomfortable, and his intuition told him not to continue interacting with him.
Having unexpectedly picked up a great bargain, Li Mu was very happy to follow his heart, and immediately proposed to Liu Jian to take his leave, departing in a hurry.
Thinking about it, it was true. It was extremely difficult for a Loose Cultivator to live to a ripe old age, healthy and enjoying their twilight years. A Loose Cultivator who could live to this age was either an old Prodigy or a timid survivor.
This Formation Master Liu was clearly the former. The beast hide map he obtained from him was of questionable authenticity, but Li Mu, relying on his Heavenly Talent, was very certain that it was a fake map and nothing worth keeping.
Flying out of Qingping Town on his sword, Li Mu casually threw away the beast hide map, not daring to entertain any other thoughts.
Liu Clan’s Private Courtyard
Not long after Li Mu left the courtyard, a burly man in his forties with a full beard entered the courtyard in a hurry, having been summoned.
“Boss, you suddenly called me here, is something up?” The burly man walked up to Liu Jian and asked curiously.
“Bait number seven has been sent out. These days, you all keep an eye on pit number seven. He might bring people to explore the pit at any time.” Liu Jian quickly gestured.
“Uh! Boss, didn’t you retire? Why are you suddenly scattering bait! Where am I going to find helpers on such short notice! Old Six, Old Seven, and Fifteen are all busy.” The burly man said with a displeased, complaining look.
“I told you to do something, why so much talk? Send someone to keep an eye on it for me! Tell me immediately if there’s anything.” Liu Jian’s face darkened, and he scolded.
“Understood! I’ll immediately have Monkey go keep an eye on it.” Seeing Liu Jian lose his temper, the burly man immediately became obedient and quickly agreed to the arrangement.
“Hmph, nothing else. Get out!” Liu Jian snorted coldly and waved his hand impatiently.
The rough man was as if granted amnesty, fleeing the courtyard.
Liu Jian looked at the Formation Jade Slip in his hand, a strange smile appearing on his face. He suddenly laughed hysterically: “Dragon Elephant Eighteen Formations, the Formation Legacy of the Foundation Establishment Xu family! I couldn’t get it before, and now it’s just like this in my hands! Hahahaha.”
… …
Qing'an Town, Listening Rain Pavilion, reception room.
“Failed! Even a Foundation Establishment Senior couldn’t kill him? How is this possible?” Wang Feng looked at Yan Ling, questioning hysterically, unable to believe this result.
Upon learning that Listening Rain Pavilion had dispatched a Foundation Establishment assassin for the assassination, Wang Feng immediately came to Listening Rain Pavilion to await news. Who knew, the news he received was not of a successful assassination, but of seeing the Listening Rain Pavilion’s Pavilion Master return with a Foundation Establishment assassin who had suffered a severe arm injury.
The assassination attempt failed, and the Foundation Establishment assassin was even severely wounded.
What kind of Prodigy was this?
Previously, that Utility Disciple he looked down on, was he disguised as a Foundation Establishment big shot?
What to do!
What to do now?
If he found out that he had hired someone to kill him, would he attack him?
Thinking of the terrible consequences, Wang Feng’s emotions instantly collapsed. During this time, he had been obsessed with ‘revenge’, thinking of the eleven mu of Medium Grade Spirit Fields falling into his pocket. Now, all hope was shattered.
A Utility Disciple at the Early Stage of Qi Refining Seventh Level, who had just entered the Outer Sect, couldn’t even be taken down by a Foundation Establishment Cultivator?
“How could this be, how could this be…”
Wang Feng muttered distractedly, unable to accept this fact for a moment.
Yan Ling’s face was grim. She threw more than twenty medium spirit stones onto the tea table, staring at Wang Feng, and coldly dismissed him: “These are your refunded Spirit Stones. Listening Rain Pavilion will not take this order. Fellow Daoist Wang, please find someone more capable!”
For a mere twenty-odd medium spirit stones, Listening Rain Pavilion suffered extremely heavy losses. Yan Lao, at the Peak of Qi Refining, and Aunt Sun, at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, both lost an arm because of it. Even the Ink Concealment Spirit Cannon, a symbol of the Listening Rain Pavilion branch master’s status, was lost, and their dignity was swept away.
Yan Ling was so heartbroken she could barely breathe. Looking at the ‘culprit’ in front of her, she wished she could tear him into a thousand pieces to vent her hatred.
Unfortunately, Listening Rain Pavilion had its rules and could not attack its employers. Yan Ling forcibly endured the humiliation and admitted defeat, withdrawing the assassination order.
Noticing the strong killing intent emanating from Yan Ling, Wang Feng was startled, and his face instantly turned pale.
“Let’s drop the assassination matter here. This Wang truly didn’t know that Utility Disciple’s background was so terrifying. Pavilion Master Yan, please forgive me. These Spirit Stones shall be compensation for Listening Rain Pavilion’s losses. This Wang will not disturb you further!” Wang Feng was at a loss, quickly bowed, apologized, and asked to leave.
“Stop, take the Spirit Stones and then leave! Listening Rain Pavilion! We don’t need your apology.” Yan Ling’s eyes were bloodshot. She stopped Wang Feng and indicated word by word.
“Yes! Yes!” Wang Feng dared not hesitate, frantically clutching the Spirit Stones to his chest, and stumbled out of Listening Rain Pavilion, looking extremely disheveled, fearing that if he delayed even a little, he wouldn’t make it out the door alive.
At this time, Li Mu arrived on his sword. Dressed in an Outer Sect Disciple robe, he landed directly inside Qing'an Town, and no one collected town fees from him anymore.
Li Mu went straight to Zhang’s Spiritual Material Shop, intending to retrieve Crimson Wolf from Zhang Baiping, when he suddenly made an unexpected discovery.