Chapter 64

Han Luo took out the ancient bronze mirror.

Inside the mirror, Uncle Lei Xing had inadvertently triggered a formation and was currently battling a qilin. Though he wasn’t in any real danger—his strength spoke for itself—he did appear rather anxious.

“It’s Uncle Lei Xing,” Han Luo said, about to head out to greet him.

“Wait,” Hongniang stopped him. “This kind of fun doesn’t come around often. Hand me the mirror.”

Clearly in a playful mood, Hongniang reached out for the mirror.

“Aunt, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?” Han Luo knew exactly what she intended to do. This was his territory—messing around with someone like Lei Xing would definitely come back to bite him. He could already imagine the trouble he’d be in if Lei Xing decided to hold a grudge.

“You brat, are you defying my orders now? Tired of living, are you? Hand it over, now!” Hongniang gritted her teeth, revealing her domineering side. She was practically a carbon copy of Chixiao in this moment—no wonder they were master and disciple.

Helpless, Han Luo surrendered the mirror to her.

With the ancient bronze mirror now in her hands—and as it served as the core of the Immortal Trapping Formation—Hongniang took complete control of the formation. A Core Formation expert managing a third-grade formation was worlds apart from when Han Luo operated it.

Han Luo immediately took out his notebook and crouched beside her, documenting everything.

Inside the formation, Lei Xing strode forward like a dragon, eyes wide like copper bells, wearing his usual stern expression—as if the whole world owed him money.

Han Luo’s formations are getting more and more sophisticated, Lei Xing thought to himself. I can barely make sense of them now.

Suddenly, he felt a heavy pressure in the air.

“Roar...”

A deafening beast’s cry erupted as a four-meter-tall white tiger emerged from the mist, pacing forward majestically.

A fourth-grade formation! Lei Xing was startled. He knew that fourth-grade formations could trap Core Formation cultivators—and more powerful ones could even inflict serious harm.

The white tiger in front of him radiated strength comparable to an early Core Formation cultivator.

Not daring to be careless, Lei Xing adjusted his stance, his evaluation of Han Luo rising once more—so much so that he felt a strange sense of powerlessness.

A mere Qi Refining cultivator, yet his formations can actually make me feel threatened? This is enough to make anyone want to curse.

With such talent, even the top geniuses of the great celestial dynasties might struggle to compare.

The future of Luoxian Sect... truly terrifying.

“Roar...”
The white tiger shook its head arrogantly and roared again, clearly provoked by Lei Xing’s dismissive attitude. With a growl, it lunged forward.

“Han Luo! I know you’re watching! I’ve come to discuss something important—please let me out!” Lei Xing called out while fending off the tiger, switching to a more diplomatic tone.

He understood his position well. In the vicinity of Luoxian Sect, he was a respected Core Formation cultivator—admired, even revered. But outside this area, he was just a small fish in an unimaginably vast sea. The Eastern Domain was too big, and true experts were as common as grains of sand.

Luoxian Sect was but a speck on the body of a giant, and he was merely a noticeable droplet of sweat on that speck.

But with Han Luo’s existence, Luoxian Sect had the potential to become a giant itself.

He and Hongniang shared the same thoughts—to support Han Luo’s rise and achieve immortality through him.

“You hear that?” Hongniang said smugly. “Your Uncle Lei Xing is being all nice to you. Don’t forget his kindness.”

Han Luo, ever perceptive, replied quietly, “How could I? We’re family—all disciples of Luoxian Sect. But if I had to choose, I’d definitely pick you, Aunt Hongniang.”

He said it with a completely straight face.

Han Luo was nothing if not cautious. Unless an apocalyptic crisis struck, he had no plans to step out of his hideout.

What he needed were strong errand runners—people who could collect rare materials and spiritual herbs for him.

Right now, Luoxian Sect’s rising stars like Danchen and Ye Qingqing were about to head to the Golden Battlefield to participate in the holy war. He couldn’t rely on them, nor did he intend to get involved.

The Golden Battlefield was unimaginably brutal. As talented as Danchen and Ye Qingqing were, who knew when news of their deaths might come? The demon race’s power was beyond imagination.

Excluding that generation, the only usable people left were the peak masters.

First, they were Core Formation experts—strong enough to handle most dangers and ensure successful missions.

Second, he had no other options. He couldn’t exactly send Chixiao to run errands for him—not unless he wanted to get his legs broken.

After much thought, Han Luo decided: he’d rope in the peak masters and make them his errand runners.

With his talent, it would be a waste not to put it to use.

“You really do know how to sweet-talk,” Hongniang smirked. “No wonder Xian’er’s always praising you—she’s completely wrapped around your finger. But listen, if you dare bully her, I won’t forgive you.”

She shook her fist threateningly.

“Heh...” Han Luo gave her a half-smile, not bothering to respond.

A Core Formation cultivator, and she still likes to set traps for people...

“Aunt Hongniang, maybe you should let Uncle Lei Xing in first. Looks like more people are coming,” Han Luo said.

Just as he finished, Yun Ding and Yun Qianli appeared in the mirror.

“No~” Hongniang suddenly acted cute, much to Han Luo’s horror.

It was hard to describe how disturbing it was to see a two- or three-hundred-year-old "old demoness" pretending to be cute. Her skin might still look flawless, but that didn’t change the unsettling feeling—it was like eating chocolate that tasted like crap... or crap that tasted like chocolate. Just awful.

“I finally got all three of them trapped at once. I’m going to have my fun today,” she said, trying to take down all three senior brothers with the formation.

“You’re being naughty again, junior sister,” came a calm voice.

Yun Yangzi had appeared behind them, seated on a stone bench, sipping tea. He casually glanced at Jiutong, who was sprawled on the grass, before continuing his drink.

“Senior brother!”
Hongniang instantly turned meek, stuffing the bronze mirror into Han Luo’s arms like it was all his fault, leaving him facepalming.

Her behavior was hardly befitting of a Core Formation cultivator, let alone the Peak Master of Piaomiao Peak with thousands of disciples under her. She should’ve had some composure.

But Han Luo could understand.

It was like his relationship with Shen Xian’er—careful and proper in front of outsiders, but casual and playful in private.

He activated the bronze mirror and opened a portal in the formation, allowing the three trapped cultivators to arrive at the summit of Luoxian Mountain.

“You’re quick, senior brother,” Lei Xing said as he arrived, clearly aware that Hongniang had been behind the prank from the start.

“Tch.”
Hongniang refused to admit it, turning away to sip her tea.

“Wudao won’t be joining. Let’s get started,” Yun Qianli crossed his arms and frowned at Jiutong lying on the ground.

A damn mutt—six rounds of soul tempering already? That’s better than 99% of the sect. Is there no justice in this world?

“Woof woof!”
The oblivious Jiutong stuck out its big red tongue and gave Yun Qianli a cheerful greeting.

“Han Luo,” Yun Ding said, “you summoned us. What’s this all about?”
Everyone turned to look at him.