433: It's too early

As the saying goes, it’s better to resolve enmity than to foster it. He Shubie saw that he was so young yet possessed such cultivation, and his future achievements would undoubtedly be limitless. Even if he couldn’t befriend him, he absolutely must not make an enemy of him. It would be best if he could gain the other party’s understanding in exchange for his son’s minor injuries.

After the two chatted for a while, Xu Sanyan suddenly stammered, seemingly having something to say but finding it hard to speak. Seeing this, He Shubie sighed inwardly and took the initiative to ask,

“Brother Liang, have you come for something this time?”

“To be honest, brother, there is indeed something I wish to inquire about.”

“Please speak.”

Xu Sanyan no longer beat around the bush and stated his request, finally saying, “If this matter succeeds, it will greatly benefit my Formation Dao. Such an opportunity to set up a grand Formation is extremely rare, which is why I’ve come to you, brother…”

As he spoke, Xu Sanyan felt a little embarrassed, as if he was forcing someone to do something difficult.

He Shubie pursed his lips and lowered his head in thought. This matter was both difficult and simple, depending on how the Prefect responded.

If the Prefect disagreed, He Shubie wouldn’t dare to make a decision on his own. If the Prefect agreed, what about the Materials needed to set up the grand Formation?

Should they come from the yamen?

A grand Formation wasn’t something that could just be set up. It required countless Spirit Stones, and furthermore, it would need meticulous maintenance afterward, which would be another considerable expense.

Considering everything, He Shubie was inclined to refuse, but couldn’t directly say so. He could only deliberate, “Qian Province City already has a grand Formation. If we were to set up a new one, I’m afraid it wouldn’t be easy, would it?”

Seeing that his tone seemed to soften, Xu Sanyan quickly stated, “There will be absolutely no impact. The Formation I set up adheres to the natural Five Elements method. It does not involve weapons or attacks. It regulates the earth pulse with Five Elements Qi. Wood belongs to the east, gaining the vitality of wood. Water corresponds to the north, gaining the Qi of water. Earth is in the center, coordinating all directions…”

“If this Formation is successfully set up, not only will it not affect the city-protecting grand Formation, but it will also enhance it, reducing maintenance costs and increasing offensive power.”

“So that’s how it is.” He Shubie nodded slightly. He didn’t know much about the Formation Dao and planned to ask Dan Array Master about it later.

“But the Materials needed for the Formation are also a considerable expense. If they come from the government treasury, I’m afraid some people might disagree…”

He Shubie’s expression was troubled. Setting up a Formation was never a one-person job. Such a large project required coordination from all parties. If there was a single flaw, the entire project would be affected.

Upon hearing this, Xu Sanyan immediately stood up and patted his chest, saying, “Don’t worry, brother. I will bear the cost of the Materials myself. When I left the Sect, my Revered Master gave me a large amount of treasures. Not a single Spirit Stone from the government treasury will be used.”

He Shubie’s face showed surprise. Is this Young Master so rich?

Then he understood. Yes, with his Cultivation and status, money was probably truly just an external possession.

He Shubie said, “Since you’ve said this much, brother, it would be ungracious of me not to agree. However, this is not something I alone can decide. It still requires the Prefect’s approval.”

Xu Sanyan bowed in thanks, then added, “Please accompany me to see the Prefect, brother. With you there, many things will be easier to discuss.”

Then Xu Sanyan took out a Storage Pouch and placed it on the table. Before He Shubie could decline, he quickly said, “This is a gift for your Young Master. Please do not refuse, brother.”

The effect of this sentence was like “It’s for the child, not for you,” leaving He Shubie speechless and forcing him to accept it.

In fact, he was also curious about what someone of this person’s status would give, but he couldn’t check it openly, so he just casually placed it on the table.

“It’s late today. After the provincial examination tomorrow, how about I accompany you to see the Prefect?”

“Then I’ll trouble you, brother.”

The two chatted a few more times, then Xu Sanyan stood up to take his leave.

After he left, He Shubie opened the Storage Pouch to check. Inside, there was only a booklet with the five large characters “"Subduing the Mind Monkey Art"” written on the title page.

“This is…”

He Shubie flipped through it carefully, and the more he read, the more startled he became, his face unable to hide his excitement. “This… this…”

At this moment, Madam He also returned. Seeing her husband looking excited at a booklet, she couldn’t suppress her curiosity and went forward to look. “What’s so special about this Cultivation Technique?”

“You don’t understand. The value of this method is no less than ‘Soul-Urging Palm,’ and perhaps even surpasses it. It’s an absolute treasure for Mystic Path Realm Cultivators. As expected of a Disciple of a Revered Master, his generosity is truly extraordinary!”

Madam He was startled. Her Cultivation was low, so she couldn’t understand the significance of this Cultivation Technique, but she knew that “Soul-Urging Palm” was the He family’s ancestral secret method, extremely valuable. She never expected this item to be so precious!

The "Subduing the Mind Monkey Art" was something Xu Sanyan had obtained by chance, specifically used to subdue distracting thoughts in the heart. Earlier, when he first entered Luan Yun Mountain, the Chang family had tried to lure him with soul-urging incense, and Xu Sanyan had precisely used this method to break free.

Now, this Cultivation Technique was not of much use to him, so using it to befriend He Shubie could be considered making good use of something that was otherwise waste.

Madam He said, “This Cultivation Technique is perfect for He Wenshu. If he can subdue his distracting thoughts, he won’t spend all day lingering in brothels.”

“Hmph, him? If he can succeed in Cultivating it, I’ll call him Dad from now on!” He Shubie scoffed, curling his lips. This method was good, but the difficulty of Cultivation was equally high. He wasn’t optimistic about his son.

“Keep it for Huan’er.”

Huan’er was his youngest son. Now that his elder son was a lost cause, He Shubie placed all his hopes on his youngest son.

“Alright.”

Madam He was about to leave when she heard He Shubie sigh deeply, “Sigh… Wait, take it to He Wenshu and let him look at it. What if he succeeds in Cultivating it?”

“Mm.” Madam He smiled.

…

Xu Sanyan left the He residence and walked alone towards his home. It was late now, and there were very few people on the streets, unlike the bustling daytime.

Although Qian Province City didn’t have a curfew, not many people came out at night. Even if there were, they were all Cultivators with Cultivation.

Looking at the wide, clean streets and the houses full of human warmth, imagining that this place would soon turn into a dead city, his heart was filled with regret.

What a wonderful place, why must it suffer such a calamity?

Xu Sanyan couldn’t understand. Perhaps the feng shui was bad, otherwise, why out of so many cities in Gan Country, was this one chosen by him?

“Fate is impermanent…”

Xu Sanyan shook his head with emotion, gazing greedily at every part of the place, while also pondering how to collect human blood.

Just then, a surprised voice came from beside him, “Oh, Liang brother? Why are you here?”

Xu Sanyan turned his head, and a smile immediately appeared on his face. The person who would help him collect human blood had arrived.

“Huang Family Head? What a coincidence.”

The plump middle-aged man in front of him was indeed the Huang Family Head. They had met earlier in the provincial examination hall during the day, but Xu Sanyan was sitting in the second row, and he was sitting in the third row.

A glint flashed in Xu Sanyan’s eyes, and he roughly perceived the Cultivation of this Huang Family Head: Mystic Path Realm Perfection, capable of planting a demon seed.

This Realm was not low, enough to establish oneself in a remote city like Qian Province City. One should know that He Shubie was only at the Soul Refining initial stage.

The Huang Family Head approached with a beaming smile, “Yes, what a coincidence. No wonder the magpies were chirping on the branches when I left home just now. It turns out I was going to meet Liang brother.”

“Hehe…”

Xu Sanyan curled his lips. A demon seed slowly appeared in the Void Realm. Just as the Huang Family Head sensed the danger, the demon seed instantly merged into his Sea of Consciousness.

Clearly, the magpies chirped too early.