Chen Tiandao
“I get it now!” Zhuge Xiaosheng finally understood how Mu Yu climbed the staircase in eight steps after the latter’s third explanation.
“Heresy is nothing to praise,” scoffed Situ Yangtian, insisting Mu Yu was purely lucky.
I don’t remember peeing in his tea, Mu Yu thought to himself.
“Situ Yangtian, he worked it out on his first attempt. You were beaten because he is superior, yet you’re disparaging him? Is that any way for an elder to behave?”
“Cultivation is an integral part of formation arts. He’s a flower vase,” argued Situ Yangtian.
“Enough. Whatever the strategy, it is a fact that Feng Mu completed the climb in the shortest time and the fewest steps. As for his cultivation problem, Junior Brother Lu will see to it. Feng Mu, did Talisman Sect make an attempt on your life as we have been told?” Zhuge Xiaosheng interjected and asked.
“Yes, I just escaped Mo Ziming’s wrath.”
“Hmph, Talisman Sect is pushing the envelope more and more. If we weren’t busy sustaining our livelihood, they’d have it coming. We’ll get even at the tournament!” declared Zhuge Xiaosheng.
Mu Yu wanted to inform Zhuge Xiaosheng about the spies. Howbeit, he surmised Situ Yangtian would argue to the bitter end given his attitude thus far. In the end, he ended up going through Zhuge Xiaoshengs quiz to prove his knowledge of formations.
“How do you know so much formation knowledge in just two months? You Talisman Sect’s spy?” Situ Yangtian suggested.
I wish I could slap some sense into you right now! Mu Yu thundered in his mind. “I happen to have a love for researching formations. I learnt from my father at a young age. After he passed away, I came here to further my knowledge. I shall deny claims that I am a spy.”
“Situ Yangtian, it’s a miracle you even managed to climb the stairs. Would Talisman Sect waste such a genius as a spy? It almost sounds as though you don’t want Formation Sect to rise,” ribbed Lu Deyi.
“I just don’t want somebody to be blindsided. I will look into your background,” Situ Yangtian coldly told Mu Yu.
Mu Yu wasn’t scared.
“Stop. Brother Situ, you must have evidence if you going to make accusations. Please do not do that again. We can find out whether Feng Mu is telling the truth or not if we investigate. It is time someone shows Talisman Sect what we are made of,” Zhuge Xiaosheng authoritatively said.
“Understood, Patriarch,” responded Situ Yangtian, shooting a hostile gander Mu Yu’s way.
On their way out of the palace, Greater Heaven Caster Lu smiled from ear to ear. “Feng Mu, you made me proud back there, haha. You know you didn’t just surprise all of us with your strategy but even beat Patriarch’s record? As long as you keep working, I guarantee I can nurture you into a qualified Greater Heaven Stage formation caster.”
“Just don’t give me any second-hand Greater Heaven Stage formation foundations,” Mu Yu wanted to say.
***
The only person permitted into the forbidden zone at Formation Sect was Patriarch Zhuge Xiaosheng – with the exception of some who made exceptional contributions to the sect.
Zhuge Xiaosheng approached a tree and said, “Your disciple requests an audience, Patriarch.”
The surroundings waved.
“Thank you, Patriarch.” Zhuge Xiaosheng stepped into a void.
The middle-aged man with a white beard was sitting underneath a tree. He ignored the leaves in his hair and on his shoulders. Though he had his energy suppressed, his demeanour was distinctly different to the ordinary man.
“Greetings, Patriarch,” Zhuge Xiaosheng knelt down and saluted. He waited in silence without a complaint.
Chen Tiandao said, “Rise. What’s the matter?”
Zhuge Xiaosheng rose to his feet and reported, “A disciple climbed Celestial Staircase in eight steps and in only one hour today.”
Chen Tiandao’s eyes flew open. Zhuge Xiaosheng, in a courteous tone, elaborated, “His name is Feng Mu, a Heaven Stage disciple. He climbed the stairs in just eight steps as you did.”
“Heaven Stage disciple? Not Greater Heaven Stage?”
“He solved two formation tablets, therefore is a Greater Heaven Stage candidate. Once he solves the third tablet, he will be a full-fledged Greater Heaven Stage disciple.”
“That’s incredible talent for a Heaven Stage disciple.” Chen Tiandao, chasing a hunch, asked, “Is he the one who has only been with us for two months?”
“Indeed. Do you know him, Patriarch?”
“How would I not know a Heaven Stage disciple who solved the eighth hexagram?!”
“He solved the eighth hexagram?! I never knew about that.”
Greater Heaven Stage formation casters didn’t bother unless there was a Greater Heaven Stage disciple. It was logistical issue to question hundreds of disciples personally one by one, after all.
“Only I know. I would assume the two on guard duty that day are also aware. It would seem they didn’t inform anyone.”
“… Why is he only a Heaven Stage disciple if he solved the eighth hexagram?”
“He chose ‘Life After Death’ hexagram and solved the fourth hexagram as his fourth hexagram and then stopped. I’m guessing he didn’t want to suffer any more pain. He doesn’t even know he solved the eighth hexagram.”
What. In. The. World. He’s the second Chen Tiandao, then! Zhuge Xiaosheng inwardly exclaimed.
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