NOVEL NEXT Chapter 142 – The Formation Master
Mount Yunmeng, nestled amidst a range of mountains bordering the Chu and Ming kingdoms. Chu, Han, Wei, Wu, and the Brahma Sound Pure Land had agreed to gather at the southern foot of Mount Yunmeng ten days later.
Fan Li was preparing to set off. He had received a reply from Lu Chunqiu, stating that everything had been arranged. With the renowned scholar accompanying him, Fan Li's confidence in winning over Guiguzi grew even stronger. However, Lu Chunqiu had arranged to meet him at the Farewell Pavilion outside Peng City.
With their relationship, couldn't he just come directly to Fan Li's residence?
Fan Li was puzzled. But this letter had been delivered by Yan Yuan, Lu Chunqiu's personal disciple, so its contents were absolutely trustworthy.
‘Perhaps Master Lu doesn't want to show his face?’ Fan Li thought to himself.
When the day arrived, he set out from the city with light luggage. His only escorts were Lu Bu and ten garrison commanders.
Lu Bu was a Ninth Realm expert in the Unity Realm, and the ten commanders were all at the Second or Third Realm of Nascent Soul, considered formidable warriors in the army.
For this trip to Mount Yunmeng, Fan Li didn't feel the danger level was high. Although the four kingdoms and the Pure Land had formed an alliance, and Fan Li didn't trust those women from the Pure Land, they wouldn't start fighting amongst themselves right away, would they?
As for the Ming Dynasty, there didn't seem to be any reason for them to kill him immediately either. Therefore, his escort was small but elite.
Outside Peng City, at the Farewell Pavilion.
A carriage was parked by the roadside, with the renowned scholar Yan Yuan holding the reins.
Fan Li smiled. In this world, perhaps only Marquis Wenxin, Lu Chunqiu, had the qualifications to make Yan Yuan drive his carriage.
"Master Yan, please ask Marquis Wenxin to come out and meet me," Fan Li said, smiling as he approached.
"Ah? This..." Yan Yuan, however, had a strange and awkward expression. He looked at Fan Li awkwardly, then at the carriage, and was speechless for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Fan Li asked, puzzled. "Could it be that the Marquis is angry? This trip to Mount Yunmeng is sudden, but it's a matter of national importance. Please ask the Marquis to understand."
Yan Yuan simply lowered his head, avoiding Fan Li's gaze.
What was going on?
In Fan Li's impression, Lu Chunqiu was gentle and prudent, truly embodying the demeanor of a great scholar. He shouldn't be throwing a tantrum over such a trivial matter.
"Could it be that the Marquis is ill?" Fan Li asked nervously.
In the Chu Kingdom, Wu Gang and Lu Chunqiu, one in the open and one in the shadows, were considered the top fighting forces. If Lu Chunqiu was unwell, Fan Li wouldn't be willing to let him risk going to Mount Yunmeng.
"No, no, no, my teacher is in good health. Thank you for your concern, Duke Jin." Yan Yuan finally spoke, saying awkwardly, "It's just that my teacher is unable to leave Lu City. He really can't make it for this trip to Mount Yunmeng."
"Ah~~~~~~~~~~???"
Fan Li was dumbfounded.
Lu Chunqiu wasn't coming? That's not what the letter said! They had clearly agreed to meet at the Farewell Pavilion on the day of departure.
"Then this carriage..." Fan Li pointed at the carriage, a sudden realization dawning on him. He had a bad feeling about this!
"Hmph!"
The carriage curtain was lifted. Before anyone could be seen, a clear and playful young girl's voice was heard.
"Oh no!" Seeing who it was, Fan Li covered his face in dismay.
It was her! Lu Chunqiu's beloved daughter and the Imperial Consort of the Chu Kingdom, Lu Fubao!
"Your... Your Highness," Fan Li greeted Lu Fubao halfheartedly with cupped hands.
"Hmph."
Fan Li suspected he was hallucinating. Lu Fubao was actually scoffing at him?
She was the apple of Marquis Wenxin Lu Chunqiu's eye, with a family legacy of Confucian scholarship. Her words and actions should be extremely well-mannered.
Lu Fubao, dressed in white, stood facing the wind like a blooming lily. She exuded an air of scholarly refinement, her youthful face showing a composure and calmness beyond her years.
In Fan Li's previous life, during his student days, she would have been the undisputed campus belle and goddess!
So, when had he offended her?
"Master Yan, what's going on?" Fan Li asked Yan Yuan, seeing that Lu Fubao didn't want to talk to him.
Yan Yuan cupped his hands and said, "After receiving your letter, Duke Jin, although my teacher was unable to personally go to Mount Yunmeng, he still researched information about the Guigu lineage, hoping to be of assistance.
The Guigu lineage has a long history, dating back even before the Qin Dynasty. The first Guigu was a master of all schools of thought, with profound knowledge and abilities."
"Especially in Confucianism, Legalism, Daoism, military strategy, and formations, he practically established his own schools."
Fan Li was stunned. "Guiguzi isn't just one person? It's a lineage passed down through generations?"
"Yes." Yan Yuan nodded and continued explaining. My teacher consulted ancient texts from the Qin Dynasty and discovered that Mount Yunmeng is quite extraordinary. This mountain is suspected to be a magical treasure, containing numerous formations and restrictions, both wondrous and perilous. Therefore, my teacher sent the most skilled formation expert among his disciples to assist Duke Jin."
Hearing this, Fan Li breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that Lu Chunqiu was still reliable.
He smiled at Yan Yuan and said, "Master Yan is indeed learned and talented, even skilled in the profound art of formations. It's truly remarkable! But why did you have the Imperial Consort sneak out of the palace?"
Fan Li was thinking about sending this girl back to the palace as soon as possible to avoid trouble.
"Um... Duke Jin, you misunderstand." Yan Yuan chuckled dryly and pointed at Lu Fubao.
"My junior sister is not only my teacher's beloved daughter but also the number one formation master in Lu City. For this trip, my junior sister is the main force, and I am just the carriage driver."
"Hmph!" Lu Fubao snorted coldly again and even rolled her eyes at Fan Li.
"The number one formation master?" Fan Li looked Lu Fubao up and down, not believing it at all.
"Do you doubt my abilities?" She glared at him with her big, dark eyes, looking like a tabby cat ready to pounce.
"It's true," Yan Yuan hurriedly said. "Although my junior sister's cultivation is only at the Nascent Soul Realm, her talent in formations is unparalleled throughout history. My teacher once said that my junior sister might be the second person in a thousand years to achieve immortality through the study of formations."
"Really?!" Fan Li was finally moved.
Achieving immortality through formations? That was truly rare!
There were very few people who specialized in formations, and even fewer who could achieve immortality through it. The reason for this phenomenon was also quite simple.
The talent required for formations was extremely demanding, and the resources needed to set them up were quite expensive. Setting up a high-level formation once could bankrupt even a medium-sized family. High talent requirements and high costs were the two main factors that made formation masters so rare.
"In the past thousand years, someone actually ascended to immortality through formations? Who was it?" Fan Li asked curiously.
"It was Guiguzi."
"The Qin Dynasty fell after only two generations, and the founding emperors of Chu, Han, and Ming fought for the world. The Guiguzi of that generation refused the recruitment offers from the three founding emperors and transcended tribulation on the spot, ascending to the immortal realm."
After saying this, Lu Fubao gave Fan Li a 'now you know' look.
Damn!
Fan Li also realized that Lu Fubao seemed to be targeting him at every turn.
What was going on? When had he formed a grudge with her?
"Alright, let's set off." Unable to figure it out, he simply decided not to think about it. The father didn't come, but the daughter did. Fan Li could only make do with it.
"Please, Duke Jin, board the phoenix carriage. I have something to say!" Lu Fubao, however, wasn't going to let him off the hook. With those words, she slipped back into the carriage.
Fan Li scratched his head, wanting to refuse, but after struggling for a long time, he finally gave in. He got into the carriage, and as soon as he lowered the curtain, he heard Lu Fubao's voice from behind.
"Fan Li, you deceived me so! The Emperor of Chu, Xiang Ning, is clearly a woman!"