Chapter 411: Another Advancement

Xu Sanyan might not deserve the title of Grand Formation Master, but claiming to be proficient in formations would be no exaggeration.

The Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation encompassed myriad principles. Mastering it would render nearly all other formations in the world trivial to him.

Even without fully comprehending it, his grasp of thirty to forty percent of its intricacies already surpassed most formation masters.

Moreover, he planned to advance his understanding further soon, confident that he could unlock even deeper insights.

He had formulated a preliminary plan, but refining the details would require time and patience. Rushing the process would be counterproductive; careful deliberation was key.

Yu Huisheng, observing Xu Sanyan’s deep contemplation, dared not interrupt. His gaze darted to the clerk’s corpse on the ground, his anxiety intensifying. He didn’t know the man’s purpose, but suspected his brother-in-law’s disappearance might be connected.

Xu Sanyan snapped out of his reverie and glanced at the pair. With a thought, two Demonic Seeds materialized in the void, instantly imprinting themselves on Yu Huisheng and his wife’s foreheads. Their eyes immediately glazed over with confusion.

As they slowly regained their senses, Xu Sanyan instructed, “From today onward, I am your cousin. I left home years ago to study under a master in the mountains. Now that I’ve completed my training, I’ve returned to visit my elder brother.”

“Uh…” Yu Huisheng’s face clouded with unease.

“A problem?” Xu Sanyan tilted his head.

“There’s a slight complication,” Yu Huisheng said. “I lost my father at a young age and have no living relatives. My mother passed away two years ago, a fact widely known, making it difficult to conceal.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Yu Huisheng pondered briefly. “Young master, would you condescend to pose as my junior brother? Our Master had many disciples in his lifetime, but after his death, we scattered and rarely keep in touch. Even if someone were to investigate, they’d find little to verify. This should minimize the risk.”

Xu Sanyan nodded slowly. “Very well.”

Yu Huisheng then shared detailed information with Xu Sanyan, including their Master’s name, history, and teachings, leaving no detail unmentioned.

From that moment on, Xu Sanyan assumed a new identity: Liang Yongzhuo.

According to Yu Huisheng, Liang Yongzhuo was the last disciple their Master had taken in before his death. An orphan like himself, they had been close friends. Tragically, Liang Yongzhuo had died in an accident years ago, and Yu Huisheng had personally buried him.

Few knew of this matter, further reducing the risk of exposure.

With all arrangements finalized, the prefecture officials were still several days away. This interim period provided Xu Sanyan with the perfect opportunity to focus on cultivation.

Xu Sanyan secured a small room, instructed everyone not to disturb him, and began his seclusion.

During this seclusion, he planned to first deepen his understanding of the Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation, then use the remaining pool milk.

With a thought, the panel appeared in his mind’s eye:

Xu Sanyan

Age: 25/1800

Realm: Soul Refining Realm (Peak Stage)

Cultivation Method: Dao-Seizing Vitality Origin Sutra (Peak Stage)

Mystical Arts: Subduing the Heart-Ape Method (Peak Stage), Soaring Void Wind-Riding Technique (Peak Stage), Soul Condensation Technique (Peak Stage), Lu Clan’s Spirit Refining Force (Peak Stage), Purple Mountain Heart-Planting Art (Peak Stage), Detailed Explanation of the Soul-Gathering and Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation (Peak Stage)…

Demonic Transformation: Dog Demon (1.3%)

Racial Talent: Vigilance

Techniques: Perfect Circle Stance (Peak Stage), Three Tigers Subduing Dragon Saber (Peak Stage), Horse Appraisal Technique (Peak Stage)…

Vitality: 530

The panel remained unchanged, except for his age, which had increased by another year. Time truly flew by.

He retrieved spirit stones and began absorbing them, watching the Vitality counter on the panel slowly rise.

With his current cultivation level, he absorbed spirit stones at an astonishing rate. In the blink of an eye, a handful of stones crumbled into dust and scattered.

After a day and a night, his Vitality had accumulated over two thousand points. With a mental command, he tapped the plus sign next to “Detailed Explanation of the Soul-Gathering and Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation,” and a torrent of profound insights surged into his mind.

Xu Sanyan’s face paled momentarily, but he quickly focused his entire being on absorbing the flood of knowledge.

Half a day passed, and the midday sun streamed through the paper windows, casting a bright glare on Xu Sanyan’s tightly closed eyes. He slowly opened them.

His mind was momentarily blank before clarity returned. He savored the recent breakthrough, realizing his understanding of the Formation Dao had reached a new level.

“Someone, prepare a bath.”

“Yes, sir,” the maid standing outside the door replied, hurrying to prepare.

Soon, a waist-high wooden tub filled with hot water was carried in.

Xu Sanyan poured half of the remaining seven or eight pounds of pool milk into the tub, watching as the clear water gradually turned milky white. He then cautiously dipped his toe in.

“Mmm~”

Xu Sanyan shuddered violently. Each time he used pool milk, he experienced an indescribable sensation of inner and outer bliss, as if a maiden’s delicate hands were caressing every inch of his skin. The static-like sensation was utterly intoxicating.

This reminded him of Madam Wu, the former chieftain’s wife. Among all the women he had known, she was the one he could never forget. Not only was she skilled in countless arts, but she also possessed an uncanny understanding of the male heart, making her truly unforgettable.

She had been a rare and exquisite plaything.

As the pool milk in the tub slowly absorbed, the milky white water gradually turned clear.

Xu Sanyan tilted his head back and drained the remaining pool milk in one gulp. He could clearly feel a burning heat surging down his throat and into his stomach pouch.

The burning sensation then spread to his five vital organs, incinerating impurities and enhancing their strength.

Thump, thump, thump…

Xu Sanyan could clearly hear his heart pounding violently, his blood surging through his veins like a roaring river.

His fair, handsome face flushed crimson, and steam seemed to rise from his head, dampening the tips of his hair.

Inhale…

Exhale…

Xu Sanyan gasped for breath, his chest heaving rapidly. Veins bulged on his thick arms as the burning sensation within him intensified.

Suddenly,

BANG!!

The wooden tub exploded, sending shards of wood and water flying like razor-sharp blades. The water carved deep gouges into the walls, while the wooden window was torn to shreds, allowing sunlight to stream into the room.

“Oh dear, what happened to Uncle?”

The County Magistrate’s Wife’s voice drifted in from outside. Xu Sanyan opened his eyes and found himself staring directly into her eyes as she peered through the shattered window.

The scene froze. Xu Sanyan stood stark naked on the floor, water droplets slowly trickling down his muscular body. His chiseled physique radiated raw masculinity.

The County Magistrate’s Wife seemed mesmerized, rooted to the spot in stunned silence. Her gaze slowly drifted from his face to his lower body, her cheeks flushing crimson.

“What are you staring at?”

Xu Sanyan’s expression remained unchanged as he shook himself dry. He picked up the nearby clothes and felt them—they were already damp.

“Ah… Uncle, please don’t rush. Madam will fetch you some fresh clothes right away,” the County Magistrate’s Wife said, her eyes darting nervously as she turned to leave, her steps slightly hurried.

The maids trailing behind her kept their heads bowed, never daring to look up. They knew this man was their master’s Junior Brother and treated him with utmost respect.

Xu Sanyan watched her retreating figure, secretly curling his lip. The Demonic Seed implanted within them didn’t alter their personalities; it merely planted a single thought in their minds, making them more obedient. The greater the difference in cultivation level between the two parties, the stronger this control became.

Take the County Magistrate and his wife, for example. They were merely at the Initial Stage of the Dao Seeking Realm—likely having barely reached it. Xu Sanyan could order them to sacrifice themselves without the slightest hesitation.

Unfortunately, the County Magistrate’s Wife was rather plain-looking, beneath his notice. What a waste of her status.

Soon, the County Magistrate’s Wife returned with the clothes, this time without any maids in tow.

Xu Sanyan saw through her little scheme but refused to play along. He dressed right in front of her, casually asking, “Has the prefecture’s delegation arrived yet?”

Lost in her own thoughts, the County Magistrate’s Wife stared blankly, her gaze almost sticky. She didn’t react to Xu Sanyan’s question, her eyes wandering restlessly, lingering pointedly on certain key areas.

(End of the Chapter)