419: Uncle master?

The old man withdrew his gaze and looked at Xu Sanyan with a serious expression. "I am Danzhou Mountain, a Formation Guest Elder of the Tai Chang Palace in Qian Province. I have come upon invitation to observe the Formation."

Xu Sanyan felt a little surprised in his heart. Can't this old man lie?

Even if you had said you were just passing by, I would have believed it. Are you just going to sell out Li Wuxing so blatantly?

You don't even need to think to know who sent him here.

"Have you observed enough to understand it?"

Xu Sanyan was actually a bit curious. Since this old man could be sent to inspect the Formation, he should have some real skills. He wondered how much the old man could understand.

Danzhou Mountain shook his head. "This Formation is not yet complete and has not formed a full cycle. Furthermore, the Formation patterns are complex and cover a vast scope. I do not understand it and still need to study it carefully."

Heh…

Xu Sanyan sneered inwardly. It is only right that you don't understand. This is a peerless Formation created by the joint efforts of four Immortals; how could you understand it at a glance?

"If you don't understand it, then go back. Why are you running around making a fuss at your age? Don't go dying in some obscure alleyway." Xu Sanyan's attitude toward him was extremely hostile.

Danzhou Mountain did not get angry at his rudeness. After all, he was in the wrong; observing someone else's Formation setup without greeting them was already a taboo, and the vast majority of Formation Revered Masters were very repulsed by this.

However, since the Junior Lord of Fate had made a request, he could not refuse to come, so he could only grit his teeth and accept it.

Moreover, he was also very curious about what this Formation that Li Wuxing claimed required no maintenance actually looked like.

"What are you still doing here?"

Xu Sanyan was even more displeased. This old thing was merely at the early stage of Soul Refining; was he not afraid of angering him and getting slapped to death?

"I wish to take a look."

"No."

"I can exchange it with other Formation diagrams."

"No!"

Xu Sanyan's tone became heavier. What Formation could be as precious as the Soul-Gathering Life-Preserving Grand Formation?

Danzhou Mountain sighed helplessly. "Very well. I shall stay in the city for a while. Once the Formation is complete, I must record it in detail and seal it in the Tai Chang Palace as a backup. This is the rule."

Xu Sanyan did not know if what he said was true or false, but it did not matter. Without the Formation diagram, he figured the old man would not be able to understand the key points.

Danzhou Mountain left. Xu Sanyan continued to carve the Formation patterns. As the sky grew dark and most of his internal magic power had been consumed, he stopped to rest.

Actually, the magic power was manageable; the main issue was mental fatigue. After continuously carving Formation patterns for half a day, he needed to rest for a while.

He walked toward the city. The city gates were left wide open, with only two rotating government clerks on guard, who were leaning against the city wall, drowsy.

Xu Sanyan did not disturb them; instead, he considerately lightened his footsteps to avoid waking them up.

These people were his valuable assets; he had to treat them well, as they would be of great use in the future.

"Finished with your work?"

A voice asked from beside him. Xu Sanyan turned his head to look without any surprise; it was the old man from earlier that day. He had already noticed him the moment he appeared.

"Something you need?"

"Yes, I would like to have a word with you."

"Hmm… Very well."

Xu Sanyan pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement. Using him to learn more about the situation in Qian Province would be good.

Thus, the two went to the stone pavilion in the inner courtyard of the government office and sat opposite each other. Xu Sanyan spoke first: "Whatever you want to ask, go ahead, but I might not answer."

Danzhou Mountain nodded, not standing on ceremony. "What kind of Formation is that?"

"No comment."

"Where did you learn it?"

"No comment."

"…"

Danzhou Mountain felt somewhat helpless. You call that 'might not answer'? You are definitely not answering.

"Then is there anything you can tell me?"

"Hmm… My name is Liang Yongzhuo," Xu Sanyan said.

"I know that."

"Gender: Male."

"…I can see that."

The atmosphere between the two became a bit awkward. Danzhou Mountain took the initiative to change the subject. "I heard you were once a Disciple of Huai Qingzi? By that logic, I can be considered half a Junior Martial Uncle to you."

"Oh? You know my Revered Master?" Xu Sanyan feigned surprise.

Danzhou Mountain stroked his beard and smiled. "Heh, not just know him. I and Junior Brother Huai Qingzi came from the same sect. We were close in our early years, but later, due to some reasons, we went our separate ways."

Danzhou Mountain did not know what he was thinking of, but his smile gradually faded. "By the time I received news again, Junior Brother Huai Qingzi had already passed away. Truly, heaven envies talent; it is regrettable and lamentable…"

Xu Sanyan immediately changed his demeanor and hurriedly stood up to bow. "So it is Junior Martial Uncle before me. This Disciple was rude earlier; I hope Junior Martial Uncle will forgive me."

His persona was that of a youth of the Righteous Path, and respecting teachers and the Dao was his duty. Xu Sanyan had to at least put on a show.

Danzhou Mountain lightly shook his sleeve and waved his hand slowly. "Eh, those who don't know are not blamed. It is also my fault for not making it clear beforehand; I cannot blame you. Quickly, take a seat."

Xu Sanyan sat down as instructed, his expression much more respectful than before, unlike his earlier casual attitude.

Danzhou Mountain took note of this and nodded slightly, feeling very satisfied in his heart. His Junior Brother had truly taken in a good Disciple; to have such cultivation at this age was truly enviable to others.

"After Junior Brother Huai Qingzi passed away, did you, my nephew, enter the tutelage of someone else?"

Xu Sanyan nodded. "Not long after I entered the sect, my Revered Master passed away. The Senior Brothers in the sect scattered to the winds. I had no other choice but to join another sect."

Danzhou Mountain nodded in understanding; in that case, one could not blame him.

After a moment of thought, Danzhou Mountain took a booklet out from his bosom. "Since we are meeting for the first time, let this be a meeting gift."

"This…"

Xu Sanyan feigned a refusal, but unable to overcome the pedantic concept of "one cannot refuse a gift from an elder," he accepted it with a face full of gratitude.

"Now that you have entered the hall and reached the room in the way of Formations, this is my experience with the Dao of Formations over many years. As the saying goes, 'Stones from other hills may serve to polish the jade of this one.' Perhaps this can help you advance further."

"Many thanks, Junior Martial Uncle!"

Xu Sanyan bowed solemnly.

This thing was exactly what he needed. Although Xu Sanyan already had impressive insights into the way of Formations, he had spent most of his time working behind closed doors. Being able to exchange ideas with others was good.

After putting the booklet away, Xu Sanyan hesitated slightly and said, "Regarding what you asked earlier, Junior Martial Uncle, it is not that this Disciple is unwilling to answer, but that it is a secret of my sect. My Revered Master repeatedly instructed that it must not be leaked. I hope you will forgive me, Junior Martial Uncle."

"No matter."

Danzhou Mountain nodded. He knew that the "sect" Xu Sanyan referred to was not Huai Qingzi's, but his other teacher.

He was also particularly curious about what kind of sacred figure that so-called Yunshan Taoist was, and why he had never heard of him before.

To be able to teach such an outstanding Disciple, his cultivation must be absolutely extraordinary. If there were an opportunity to visit him, it would certainly be a fortunate event.

The two chatted for a while longer before parting ways.

After returning to his room, Xu Sanyan opened the booklet and studied it carefully. The insights on Formations within were very unique and detailed.

The booklet did not record any Formations, only Danzhou Mountain's personal insights, but the preciousness of this item was unquestionable, not inferior in the slightest to the diagrams of certain Grand Formations.

"Tsk… This old thing is not simple," Xu Sanyan sighed softly, finding it more profound the more he read.

The next day at dawn, Xu Sanyan had been holding the booklet and reading for the entire night. He had roughly understood the contents, and there were some unique points that benefited him greatly.

The way of Formations truly cannot be practiced behind closed doors; one must exchange ideas with others more often. Even if he had a cheat, he could not be arrogant.

Xu Sanyan sighed in his heart, turned to open his panel, and prepared to once again increase the proficiency of the Soul-Gathering Life-Preserving Grand Formation.