Xiao Kingdom – Wulei City – City Governor’s Mansion
As soon as the cultivators from the Wuji Sect arrived at the City Governor’s Mansion, their previously arrogant and domineering demeanor vanished, replaced by long sighs of relief.
The gates of the City Governor’s Mansion stood wide open, and over a hundred Wuji Sect cultivators hurriedly entered. The leading elder strode directly into the main hall.
Two imposing figures were already waiting there: a monk and a Taoist.
“Old man, did you bring the goods?” the Taoist asked bluntly.
“Hmph, do I need to say it?” The Wuji Sect elder replied, carefully setting down his bundle on the table.
He called out to the disciples outside, “Everyone, come in! Hand over the formation stones!”
The disciples streamed into the main hall, rummaging through their pouches or searching their robes.
The Wuji Sect elder said proudly, “I didn’t break my promise. I’ve brought our sect’s Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation. As long as we locate the dragon’s destination at the geomantic nexus and set up the formation in advance, no matter how great her abilities, she’ll have no choice but to submit!”
“Naturally,” the Taoist chimed in, flattering while taking a jab at the monk.
“The Wuji Sect’s formations are unmatched in the Xiao Kingdom, especially the Mountain-Protecting Grand Formation. Both this poor Taoist and the bald donkey admit we can’t compare.”
“Amitabha,” the monk said calmly, unfazed.
“Subduing demons is our duty. This poor monk only seeks to slay that dragon and gain some merit. I ask for nothing more than the dragon’s scales to forge a golden body for the temple’s Buddha.”
The three powerhouses had clearly made prior arrangements.
In just a few words, they casually divided up the dragon’s body—liver, gall, scales, tendons, eyes, blood—each part assigned a purpose and owner.
“Since we’ve already settled these matters,” the Taoist suggested, “why don’t you let this poor Taoist and the bald donkey feast our eyes on the might of your Wuji Sect’s greatest formation? It’ll give us some confidence.”
The Wuji Sect elder smirked proudly, dramatically unveiling the contents of his bundle and declaring, “Naturally!”
But when the Taoist and monk saw what was inside, they were utterly shocked, their faces filled with admiration.
“I never imagined the Wuji Sect’s formation mastery had reached such an intangible, untraceable level! This… this is truly formidable! This poor Taoist has truly had his eyes opened today!” the Taoist exclaimed.
The Wuji Sect elder froze.
“Something’s off. We’re not “that” impressive. Mutual flattery is one thing, but aren’t you overdoing it?”
To his surprise, the monk was equally astonished.
“This… this is a realm beyond my comprehension! So, formations can be crafted this way! With such concealment, even if the enemy tries to break the formation, they’d never find its source. Brilliant! Truly brilliant!”
“…”
Bald donkey, you’re this good at flattery too? I’ve underestimated you!
“Too kind, too kind,” the Wuji Sect elder said with an awkward smile, then glanced down.
Wait… where’s my formation?
Damn it! Where’s the Wuji Sect’s most precious Eighth-Grade Heavenly Thunder Annihilation Formation?!
He whipped around to face his sect’s disciples, only to see them frantically searching their bundles, looking utterly baffled.
“Grand Elder! It’s gone! Everything’s gone!” one disciple wailed.
“Not a single formation stone can be found! It’s like they vanished into thin air!”
The Wuji Sect elder’s vision darkened, his head buzzing as a surge of qi and blood nearly made him faint.
Only then did the Taoist and monk realize what had happened.
They glared at the Wuji Sect elder, furious. “Well played, Wuji Sect! Trying to mooch off us, huh?!”
“Don’t panic! Don’t panic!” The Wuji Sect elder forced himself to stay calm, quickly reassuring them.
“It’s fine. To prevent the formation stones from being stolen, our Wuji Sect has long prepared a backup plan. We just need to turn a special compass, and all the formation stones will be summoned back! I brought the compass—it’s right here on me. Give me a moment…”
With that, the Wuji Sect elder began searching his body.
He patted himself down.
He searched harder.
He rummaged frantically.
He stripped off his clothes, searching like a madman.
“This defies logic!” the Wuji Sect elder nearly sobbed.
Facing the Taoist and monk, whose auras were surging and who looked ready to start a fight, the elder hurriedly continued, “It’s fine! It’s fine! Even if the compass is lost, we have a second backup plan!”
“What plan? Speak quickly!” the Taoist barked.
“To prevent the compass from being stolen, our sect also created a magical map that shows the current location of all the formation stones. Before we left, I entrusted the map to our most outstanding inner disciple, Ming Jian, for safekeeping! Ming Jian, come in!”
At the Wuji Sect elder’s call, a handsome young man with sharp brows and bright eyes entered the hall.
Seeing the youth, the Taoist and monk’s expressions softened slightly.
They were both familiar with Ming Jian, one of the most outstanding young talents in the Xiao Kingdom in recent years.
Though his personal life was somewhat questionable, that wasn’t important.
Despite his youth, Ming Jian was cunning, reliable, and mature.
Even the two of them held some fondness for him, treating him like a nephew.
But at this moment, the youth looked utterly lost and vacant.
“Ming Jian, where’s the map for the Heavenly Thunder Annihilation Formation? Hurry and show it!” the Wuji Sect elder ordered.
The youth touched his waist, giving a bitter smile.
“Master… it’s gone too.”
The Wuji Sect elder nearly had a heart attack.
“Fine,” the elder spat out a mouthful of blood, shaking his head and patting Ming Jian’s shoulder.
“You don’t look well. Don’t feel so guilty. We’ll find a way to recover the formation. Don’t let this shake your resolve.”
“No, it’s not that…” Ming Jian hesitated.
“Enough! It’s just lost items. As long as you’re safe, that’s what matters!” the Wuji Sect elder snapped.
“You are the Wuji Sect’s most precious hope!”
“…But I’m not okay!”
Two streams of desperate tears rolled down Ming Jian’s cheeks, flowing profusely.
“What… what’s wrong?”
The Wuji Sect elder’s heart skipped a beat.
He had never seen Ming Jian cry so heartbrokenly before.
He couldn’t help but think what a good kid Ming Jian was, so concerned for the Wuji Sect’s safety that he felt such guilt over his mistake.
“I… I…” Ming Jian bit his lower lip, unable to speak.
“Did you… lose something precious?” the Taoist asked cautiously.
Ming Jian nodded, sobbing.
“May I ask, benefactor… what was stolen from you?” the monk inquired carefully.
Ming Jian let out a hollow laugh.
Gritting his teeth, he pulled down his pants, revealing his lower body, and cried even harder.
She ended up stealing his privates?!?!