Chapter 39

"Martial Uncle."

"Martial Elder."

Han Luo and Jiu Li'er cupped their fists respectfully.

“Peak Lord, these two were caught in the act, damaging the Scripture Pavilion’s protective formation,” Big Ox reported eagerly, clearly trying to score some points.

Lei Xing looked over at Han Luo, then at Jiu Li'er.

He was familiar with Jiu Li'er—a formation genius and the beloved disciple of his junior sister, Hongniang. With her in the sect, the relationship between the Jiu Li Tribe and Luoxian Sect would only grow closer.

As for Han Luo, he was the sect's most precious talent. The future of Luoxian Sect rested squarely on his shoulders.

Seeing the two of them together gave him an odd feeling—like there was some larger scheme at play. Had Hongniang already begun taking action? If Han Luo became her disciple’s Dao companion, Hongniang would benefit immensely.

But what was he supposed to do now?

Han Luo had come right to his door—should he take the chance to build a solid connection? Even if they weren’t close, he needed to establish at least a mutually beneficial relationship.

Unfortunately, Luoxian Peak had few female disciples, and those few weren’t even in the sect at the moment.

Lei Xing's mind raced. How should he build internal ties with Han Luo?

“Peak Lord, how should we handle these two?” Big Ox asked sternly. This was a rare chance to meet the Peak Lord—he had to make a good impression, no matter what.

Han Luo remained completely calm, while Jiu Li'er looked visibly nervous. Lei Xing had a reputation for decisiveness, and his presence was naturally intimidating.

A good opportunity to build rapport, Lei Xing thought, then coughed lightly and said, “These two were actually acting under my instruction. I tasked them with discreetly investigating the integrity of the Scripture Pavilion’s formation. The materials are aging, and the formation needs maintenance to prevent any accidents.”

He didn’t know why Han Luo had actually tampered with the formation, but figured the boy had his reasons. This was his way of giving Han Luo an out—he was smart enough to understand the gesture.

Han Luo immediately took the cue. “Reporting to Martial Uncle: upon investigation, Junior Sister Jiu Li and I discovered extensive damage to the formation—aging materials, unstable foundations… if left unattended, it’s only a matter of time before the whole Pavilion explodes. If that happens, millions of valuable texts will be reduced to ashes. If Sect Master Yun Wanli finds out that the fruits of his centuries of effort were destroyed due to poor oversight, he might just storm Luoxian Sect and boil us all into soup.”

He was clearly exaggerating for effect, but it had the desired result.

Lei Xing frowned. Jiu Li’er stifled a laugh. Big Ox nearly wet himself.

“All right, all right…” Lei Xing said, helpless. This kid always had a way of making him feel chilly all over.

“I don’t know a thing about formations, but I didn’t expect the Pavilion’s array to be in such poor shape. In that case, I’ll officially assign the two of you to continue investigating the formation. As a reward, you’re both granted access to the upper levels of the Pavilion. But only you two—understand?”

It cost him nothing to say this, and with Han Luo’s potential, no one would object. Most importantly, Han Luo would now know where Lei Xing stood.

“Really?” Jiu Li’er couldn’t believe it. In the sect’s centuries of history, no one had ever heard of such a privilege.

The Pavilion’s rules were set by Sect Master Yun Wanli himself. Not even the current head, Yun Yangzi, dared to change them lightly.

And yet, a few words from Senior Brother had overturned the system.

Was Han Luo... related to Peak Lord Lei Xing?

No way—their personalities didn’t match at all!

“Little girl from the Jiu family, are you doubting my words?” Lei Xing narrowed his eyes.

“N-no, of course not! I wouldn’t dare!” Jiu Li'er panicked. Her great-grandmother had told her scary stories about Lei Xing as a child, and now she was meeting the legend in person—it was like a nightmare come true.

“All right, this matter is settled. You’re dismissed.”

Jiu Li’er was just about to leave when she noticed Han Luo wasn’t moving.

“Han Luo, anything else?” Lei Xing asked, suddenly getting a bad feeling as Han Luo smiled at him. His right eyelid twitched three times in a row.

“Well, Martial Uncle... as you know, investigating formations takes a lot of time and resources. So I was wondering if Luoxian Peak could offer some support—maybe a few spirit stones to help us out?”

Lei Xing raised an eyebrow. So that’s what you were really after, huh?

A few years ago, the Peak Lords had agreed not to offer Han Luo special resources. He had to earn everything on his own, just like any other disciple. It was a core belief: true strength came through hardship. The strongest flowers grew on the cliffs, not in greenhouses.

Big Ox was dumbfounded. This guy has guts, asking the Peak Lord for spirit stones like that. Isn't he afraid of getting smacked?

Jiu Li’er was equally stunned. Could it be that Senior Brother was really... Lei Xing’s secret son or something?

“Fine,” Lei Xing said after a brief pause.

“Big Ox, from now on you’ll assist Han Luo in his duties. Report to me monthly.”

Big Ox couldn’t believe his luck. “Yes, Peak Lord!”

He was elated. Reporting directly to the Peak Lord? His future looked bright.

“Thank you, Martial Uncle,” Han Luo said quickly. Worried Lei Xing might change his mind, he grabbed Jiu Li’er and left in a hurry. Big Ox tagged along after announcing it.

After they left, a swirl of black mist rose within the hall and condensed into a sharp-eyed young man in black—Lei Jiu, the number one disciple of Luoxian Peak’s younger generation.

“Father… this Han Luo…” he began, hesitating.

Lei Xing frowned. “What have I always taught you?”

Lei Jiu immediately stood at attention. “You taught me to mind my own business and never ask questions I shouldn’t.”

He lowered his head respectfully, feeling immense pressure from his father.

Lei Xing clasped his hands behind his back and gazed toward the direction Han Luo had gone. Just three years... and the boy’s gone from a total novice to standing shoulder to shoulder with the Jiu family's genius. The future of Luoxian Sect is anything but ordinary.

—

“Junior Brother Han Luo, just as we agreed! See you tomorrow at the Pavilion!” Big Ox waved happily as he left.

“Senior Brother, do you… know Peak Lord Lei Xing?” Jiu Li’er asked, trying to sound casual.

Something about Han Luo felt shrouded in mystery. The more she learned, the more she wanted to know.

“We met once. Not close,” Han Luo replied.

She didn’t believe him.

They’d snuck into the Pavilion, but instead of being punished, the Peak Lord had covered for them and even granted them funds? No way that was just coincidence.

“Junior Sister Li’er, can I ask you not to mention what happened tonight?”

“Of course, I understand.”

“Swear it. If you tell anyone, your face will break out in pimples, your skin will dry up like an old turtle, your formation skills will stagnate, and you’ll never get married.”

“…Fine.” Jiu Li’er was speechless but agreed.

She couldn’t understand it—Han Luo was clearly powerful, so why so cautious?

Other geniuses flaunted their strength. But this guy acted like he was scared someone might find out.

So weird.

Instead of going home, they returned to the Scripture Pavilion. Han Luo wanted to quickly study the second volume of formation theory and reinforce the Immortal Trapping Array. Jiu Li’er, naturally obsessed with formations, was just as eager.

Inside the formation section on the Foundation Establishment floor, Han Luo took out the bronze mirror to check on things at home.

Shen Xian’er and Xiaobai were both asleep. No issues there.

Chi Xiao, on the other hand, was still furiously pounding the Immortal Trapping Array, showing no signs of stopping.

According to the mirror’s alerts, she had already cracked the defensive formation again.

Time was running out.

Han Luo set the mirror aside and began studying the second scroll of the Nine Scrolls of Formation in earnest.