Chapter 15: Spirit Theft

The person who arrived was none other than Zhuo Bufan, the transmitting disciple who had been on the mountain peak earlier!

At this moment, Zhuo Bufan wore a smile as he looked at Yuan Shan and said, "Junior Brother, you are being foolish. The sect's laws are strict, and internal strife is strictly forbidden. If there is a dispute, one can go to the Law Pavilion to litigate, or go to Martial Peak to post a challenge for a duel. If one engages in a private brawl that results in serious injury or death, I presume I need not say how the Law Pavilion's enforcement disciples will handle it?"

Cold sweat poured down Yuan Shan's face as he hurriedly said, "Thank you, Senior Brother Zhuo, for your guidance. I was impulsive—truly just a moment of impulse! This Junior Brother shall take his leave!" With that, he hurried away, bringing the two accompanying Pill Vein handyman disciples with him.

Seeing Yuan Shan and the others depart in disgrace, Zhuo Bufan turned his gaze toward Liang Yan and the others, his smile as refreshing as a spring breeze. He asked, "May I ask for Junior Brother's honorable name?"

Seeing that he possessed no trace of arrogance, Liang Yan couldn't help but feel a flicker of goodwill. He chuckled and said, "Senior Brother Zhuo is too polite. My name is Liang Yan."

Zhuo Bufan nodded. "So it is Junior Brother Liang. Just now, I observed you fighting three people alone with only a second-layer Qi Refinement cultivation, yet you did not fall into any disadvantage. It seems you utilized the Way of Formations?"

Liang Yan's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself, *This man's eyes are incredibly sharp.* On the surface, however, he remained calm and said, "Senior Brother Zhuo truly has piercing vision. I am impressed!"

Zhuo Bufan smiled. "There is no need to be guarded, Junior Brother. Although I am not of the Formation Vein, I have a great fondness for the Way of Formations. From what I saw of your methods just now, it seemed as though you treated Yuan Shan and the other two as parts of a grand formation—using their own momentum to link them together into a formation themselves?"

Liang Yan knew there was no point in hiding it any longer, so he simply said, "Correct. I used those three as formation flags to form the Three Talents Earth Formation. Although it is called a formation, it does not possess the profound magical properties of a true formation; it merely slightly guides their attacks to make them clash against one another. Furthermore, if those three had slightly higher cultivation or a basic understanding of formations, my method would not have worked."

Upon hearing this, Zhuo Bufan confirmed his suspicion. He seemed quite shocked, muttering to himself, "Formations can not only be set by oneself but can also be used to manipulate the enemy into forming one... So that is how it is, so that is how it is..."

Seeing his momentary realization, Liang Yan did not know what he was thinking and felt it inappropriate to interrupt. After a moment, Zhuo Bufan regained his composure and gave Liang Yan a respectful salute with an apologetic expression. "Thank you, Junior Brother, for sharing your secrets so candidly. I reside at Green Bamboo Peak; perhaps we will have the chance to exchange ideas in the future." After saying this, he gave Liang Yan a meaningful look and took his leave.

For a moment, only the three from the Formation Vein remained in the bamboo grove.

Liang Yan looked at Sun Qianli and said, "Let's carry Brother Li back first."

Li Li-dali had been heavily injured previously, and combined with his emotional setback, he had fallen unconscious. Sun Qianli nodded silently. Alongside Liang Yan, the two of them supported the unconscious Li Dali on either side and walked toward the dormitory for Formation Vein handyman disciples.

By the time they had settled Li Dali in his room, it was already evening. After a careful examination, the two discovered that although Li Dali's injuries were heavy, they had not damaged his foundation; he had merely suffered a massive shock to his mental state, which caused his unconsciousness. Relieved, the two relaxed. Sun Qianli glanced at Liang Yan and said, "Brother Liang is a man of hidden depths. To think you are already at the peak of the second layer of Qi Refinement. It is laughable that we previously called ourselves 'Senior Brother.' Please do not take offense."

Liang Yan only gave a faint smile. "Brother Sun is too polite. In this world, how many people do not have secrets? We all understand the unspoken rules; it is simply a matter of mutual respect."

A nearly imperceptible flash of surprise crossed Sun Qianli's eyes, but he feigned confusion. "Oh? I wonder what Brother Liang means by that?"

Liang Yan waved his hand. "Just idle chatter. Brother Sun need not take it seriously. Since Li Dali is out of danger, I shall return to my room to rest." Having said that, Liang Yan turned and headed toward his own room.

Sun Qianli stared at Liang Yan's retreating back, his eyes narrowing slightly, his thoughts unreadable.

***

When Li Dali woke up the next day, he looked listless, but he still came personally to thank Liang Yan. Liang Yan comforted him for a while; although Li Dali nodded in agreement, Liang Yan could still see a deep sense of desolation in the depths of his eyes.

After Li Dali took his leave, Liang Yan looked at the stout man's helpless retreating figure and couldn't help but think: They say mortals are happier because of their ignorance, but in this world, the strong are respected and the Great Dao is heartless. If you are weak and powerless, one day someone will trample over you, and you won't even be able to protect your tiny, humble bit of happiness. His own experience was the best example.

Liang Yan sighed inwardly. "All living beings suffer. Only by swimming against the current and attaining great divine powers can one achieve true freedom." At this thought, his resolve to seek the Dao became even firmer.

Life seemed to continue unchanged. The three of them still reported to the bamboo grove pavilion in the morning as usual, collected their daily tasks, and went to work. As for Liang Yan, he continued to finish his tasks around noon and went to the pavilion to study formations. Thus, several days passed in such a tranquil manner.

One night, Liang Yan was sitting cross-legged in his room. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and whispered to himself, "I finally couldn't hold back any longer."

At that moment, a person dressed in black night-traveling clothes was outside the courtyard, acting suspiciously and looking around. After ensuring there were no issues, the figure sped off in a certain direction. Shortly after the person left, Liang Yan's figure appeared at the courtyard gate. Narrowing his eyes, he quietly followed.

The man in black turned left and right, his direction unpredictable—one moment heading east, the next west. Liang Yan followed patiently. Having practiced the Hooligan Technique for a long time, his physical skills and senses were superior to ordinary people; he could trail from a distance without losing the target or being detected.

After walking for about half an hour, the man in black suddenly stopped in an open clearing. He stood with his hands behind his back and let out a leisurely sigh. "We are fellow disciples; there is no need to hide. Come out."

Hiding behind a tree, Liang Yan was slightly startled, thinking, *How did he discover me?* Despite the thought, he made no move, continuing to observe the situation from behind the tree.

The man in black waited for a while. When no one answered, he turned around, stared at a specific spot, and said with a hint of anger, "What? Do I have to come and fetch you myself?"

Liang Yan saw that the direction the man was looking was entirely different from where he was. He realized the truth and thought, *What a clever fox.*

Sure enough, after waiting a while and receiving no response, the man in black relaxed. He turned and ran toward a different direction, this time without the zigzagging or wandering. He sprinted straight ahead. After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the two arrived before a grey mountain wall.

The man in black felt his way along the wall toward the east. After walking a few yards, he reached out to clear away the vines and vegetation on the wall, revealing an unremarkable small cave, and then ducked inside.

Though the entrance looked small, the interior was unexpectedly large. Furthermore, it was not pitch black; instead, a faint light flickered deep within the cave. The man in black walked through it with practiced ease and soon reached the source of the light.

The faint yellow light illuminated the man's face, revealing a long, narrow, pockmarked countenance. Looking at his features, it was none other than the Formation Vein handyman disciple, Sun Qianli!

At this moment, his expression was slightly excited. Before him was a springhead continuously bubbling with small streams. Upon closer inspection, the spring water actually emitted a dense fluctuation of spiritual energy, and the pale yellow light was emanating from the mouth of the spring.

Sun Qianli took a deep breath and was about to reach into the spring when a voice suddenly emerged from the darkness: "Oh? It's actually a natural spiritual spring."

Sun Qianli's pupils contracted. He hurriedly turned and retreated, looking toward the source of the voice. Standing there was a tall, thin youth in grey robes—it was Liang Yan.

"I didn't expect Brother Liang to have such a habit of following others?"

Liang Yan glanced at him and sighed leisurely, "Senior Brother Sun possesses such cultivation, yet when Li Dali was in trouble earlier, why did you stand by and watch?"

Just now, Sun Qianli's spiritual power had been stimulated by the abundant spiritual energy of the spring, revealing his true cultivation: he was actually at the third layer of Qi Refinement.

Sun Qianli's face flushed, but instead of answering, he questioned Liang Yan, "When did you find out, and how did you see through it?"

Liang Yan smiled. "Although Brother Sun looks physically slight, the vitality of blood and qi within your body is vigorous; that is something you cannot hide from me. A person like you, even if doing manual labor, would not be perpetually exhausted and needing to return to your room before dark; it is clearly caused by staying awake all night."

Sun Qianli nodded. "Since you have discovered it, I have nothing to hide. Hmph! It wasn't that I was unwilling to help Li Dali; it was simply that the other party has a background and cannot be easily provoked."

He added with some resentment, "Li Dali is a blunt person, unaware that in this cultivation world, strength is supreme. If one can achieve success in cultivation, what kind of girl wouldn't be available? With low strength, anyone can step on your head. If I had acted, my strength would have been exposed, inevitably attracting the scrutiny of those with ulterior motives. The Formation Vein handyman deacon, Wang Yuan, secretly embezzles our spirit stones and pills; one only needs to investigate slightly to know. Tell me, how could an ordinary first-layer Qi Refinement disciple advance to the third layer without the assistance of spirit stones and pills?"

Liang Yan nodded inwardly. It made sense for this man to be so cautious. He didn't believe that this spring was the only secret Sun Qianli held. At the very least, the ability to hide one's cultivation was not something a low-level disciple possessed; he must have treasures on him. Liang Yan himself possessed great treasures, so he naturally understood the psychology of being cautious.

Seeing Liang Yan's silence, Sun Qianli thought he had other intentions. Although he was at the third layer of Qi Refinement, he had seen Liang Yan fight earlier and secretly felt he had no absolute certainty of victory. Thus, he tested him: "Since Brother Liang already knows of this, how shall we handle it? Are you going to fight me for this spiritual spring?"

Liang Yan immediately replied, "There is no need for that. It's just that this spring is extremely useful to me as well. Why don't we use it together?"

Sun Qianli nodded. "As the saying goes, 'to the observer, a share is due.' Very well. How about this: in the future, this spring belongs to you on odd days—the 1st, 3rd, and 5th—and to me on even days—the 2nd, 4th, and 6th?"

Liang Yan shook his head and smiled. "No need for such trouble. I know a Spirit Induction Formation that can split the spiritual energy of the spring into two and guide it to other locations. The spiritual energy here is so abundant that it is enough for both of us to cultivate simultaneously."

Sun Qianli said in surprise, "Oh? There is such a formation? That would be wonderful."

"However, the materials required to set up this formation are not very easy to obtain." As he spoke, Liang Yan listed the materials needed for the Spirit Induction Formation one by one.

Upon hearing this, Sun Qianli immediately said, "Rest assured, Brother Liang. You just focus on setting up the formation; leave the matter of materials to me."

After a period of negotiation, they decided that Sun Qianli would cultivate here tonight. After Liang Yan carefully inspected the surroundings, he returned to his dormitory.

The next night, Sun Qianli indeed brought the formation materials to the cave. Seeing his efficiency, Liang Yan couldn't help but look at him in a new light, thinking to himself that this man was definitely not just an ordinary handyman disciple.

Liang Yan took the materials and quickly began setting up the formation within the cave. Soon, the spiritual energy from the spring was split in two by the Spirit Induction Formation, guided to the east and west sides of the cave. In the darkness, Liang Yan and Sun Qianli sat on opposite sides and began their cultivation.

Liang Yan closed his eyes and circulated his energy, feeling the abundant spiritual energy of the spring surging forth, making his entire body's acupoints feel comfortable. He thought joyfully, *With such an abundant supply of spiritual energy, it is even more efficient than cultivating directly with spirit stones. I believe it won't be long before I can break through to the third layer of Qi Refinement.*

Just as he was secretly rejoicing, a strange streak of purple suddenly emerged from the trickling stream of spiritual energy. It shot into Liang Yan's body with startling speed. The moment it entered, Liang Yan felt as if his entire body had fallen into an ice cellar, a chill piercing through him. He couldn't help but open his eyes and look at the spring in confusion.

After a good while, just as Liang Yan was beginning to doubt if it had been an illusion, another streak of purple emerged from the spring. It moved with incredible speed, shooting into Liang Yan's body in an instant, and that bone-chilling cold struck him once again. Liang Yan was greatly alarmed; he hurriedly stopped his cultivation and stood up, instinctively looking toward Sun Qianli.

Though the cave was dark, Liang Yan's senses were extraordinary, and he could still see Sun Qianli by the faint light of the spring. He saw that Sun Qianli had his eyes closed and was circulating his energy like an old monk in meditation; there was not a single sign of abnormality.

"Strange!" Liang Yan was greatly puzzled. "Could it be that only I can feel it?"