“Within three zhang of him, this pearl will glow,” Xian Jian Chen once said.

When Song Qian Ji recalled these words, the spirit pearl had already dimmed. It seemed the distance was far more than three zhang, with the connection being intermittent and extremely unstable.

He looked around at the surroundings. The black mass of people spread across the hills on both shores. Most rogue cultivators were perched in treetops or hiding behind rocks. Disciples from established sects and family clans stood proudly on the hillsides, raising their banners to gather their companions.

The Qian Qu disciples and Wei Zhen Yu’s silver-armored guards formed opposing battle lines, attracting over ten thousand spectators both hidden and in plain sight.

Wu Xiang, or whoever was behind Wu Xiang, was currently hidden among them.

Putting himself in the enemy’s position, if he had been struck by Xian Jian Chen’s sword, he wouldn’t have sought a quiet place to recover but would instead have mingled with the crowd—there must be a purpose worth the risk.

If the enemy doesn’t move, I won’t move.

All kinds of magical tools, emblems, and signals lit up in succession on both banks, like enormous colored lanterns, illuminating the mountainsides in a spectrum of colors.

The rolling red river changed brilliance, flowing past like a dazzling ribbon of light.

Ji Chen turned around with a smile: “Fellow Daoists, those with money can support with money, those without can support with your presence!”

He sounded exactly like a street performer soliciting an audience, drawing waves of cheers from the crowd, with thunderous applause.

Song Qian Ji laughed inwardly. This young man was always like this—not only naturally sociable but also something of an attention-seeker.

Wei Zhen Yu’s face, however, darkened as he coldly uttered four words: “Embarrassing and disgraceful.”

Song Qian Ji found this strange. If little Ji was embarrassing himself, at most he was embarrassing me as well. No matter how outrageous his behavior, it shouldn’t make you angry.

He thought for a moment, then said in a low voice:

“If we engage in battle here, I fear some may take advantage of the chaos.”

Wei Zhen Yu glanced at him, seemingly surprised that he would offer such a concerned suggestion, and replied in a slightly softer tone: “I know.”

In recent years, his reputation had spread far and wide, and people often misused his name to cause trouble, making him take the blame and causing him considerable hardship.

“Little Song!”

A startled exclamation came from behind Song Qian Ji.

Since “Song Xun” was now standing beside Wei Zhen Yu, the rogue cultivator squad rushed up with a flurry of excitement and commotion, without being blocked by the silver-armored guards.

“You said you were going out for a walk, how did you end up here? Let’s go, we shouldn’t interfere with Prince Wei’s important matters.” Captain Lu Zhou said loudly while transmitting a message: “When it was time for you to step forward and gain face, you didn’t go, but now you’re standing so far in front—what if those from Qian Qu remember you? Is Prince Song someone to be offended so easily?!”

Song Qian Ji could barely contain his amusement as he touched his cheek: “My appearance is utterly ordinary; they won’t remember me.”

Wei Zhen Yu lowered his gaze toward the battle formation: “Since you’re here, stand behind me and watch.”

The rogue cultivator squad was overjoyed, thanked Wei Zhen Yu, and then brought out their magical tools to clear away the dense branches, creating an open viewing area.

Zhang Hou hid in a tree while the stronger squad members like the captain and the sword cultivators stood at the front. Formation cultivators, medical cultivators, and “Song Xun” stood slightly behind.

Song Qian Ji noticed their spirited demeanor and gleaming eyes, much like the other onlookers.

Had he known about tonight, he should have brought some melon seeds, peanuts, dried fruits, and preserved sweets from Qian Qu.

The silver-armored guards were poised for action, as if they would charge through the river—even if it were a sea of fire or purgatory—without blinking, at Wei Zhen Yu’s command.

Wei Zhen Yu only called Li Ci Quan to step forward.

Li Ci Quan listened to his analysis of the formation before them, his expression solemn.

Wei Zhen Yu finally said: “You were trained by me.”

Li Ci Quan’s spirit immediately lifted: “I will not fail this important task!”

Just as he was about to step forward, Song Qian Ji grabbed his arm.

“This formation isn’t just in the river but also in the air it. The formation uses the flowing water, with twelve layers of transformations inside and out. Going in alone would be unwise.”

Li Ci Quan exclaimed in surprise: “Little Song, you understand formations?”

“Just a little.”

Li Ci Quan thought Song Xun was worried about him: “It’s fine, compared to setting formations, I’m better at breaking them.” He smiled. “Besides, Ji Chen and I are about the same age and entered the Dao at almost the same time. I want to see whose formation skills are superior.”

Song Qian Ji was slightly stunned.

He suddenly realized that no matter how friendly and warm the other’s smile was, he was still a young man making his way in the world.

They eagerly sought worthy opponents and were willing to bear all consequences for it.

Although he didn’t want to see either side injured, he could only let go and look toward the equally enthusiastic Ji Chen:

“Go then.”

I respect your right to challenge each other.

Li Ci Quan gathered his spiritual energy and called out: “Li Ci Quan from the Northern Desert, here to learn from Editor Ji’s expertise!”

Qian Qu’s people had thought Wei Zhen Yu would force his silver-armored guards through the formation, but they never expected him to send out a formation master for a one-on-one duel with Ji Chen.

Out of confidence in Ji Chen, they immediately cheered.

The spectators also praised Wei Zhen Yu’s principled approach, saying it showed the temperament of a king.

The fierce wind howled as waves surged.

The bright moon shone upon the great river.

Ji Chen adjusted his formation disk and smiled: “Daoist Zhao, congratulations on your successful completion of merit!”

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure broke through the water from the river, like a lively fish being slapped toward the shore by huge waves, suddenly caught by the formation lines, and gently landing on the grassy bank.

As the figure rose and fell, countless formation lines flickered, like a gigantic fishing net covering the river’s surface.

The formation masters gasped in succession.

Zhao Ren sat collapsed on the ground. Having thought today would be his death, the sudden turn brought him back from the brink. With his courage completely shattered, he no longer harbored thoughts of revenge and fled in trepidation.

“What are they shouting about?” asked the sword cultivator from the rogue squad.

“You’re an outsider and won’t understand. With this move, Editor Ji demonstrated first that this formation has extensive range and complex, precise lines without gaps, and second, his precise control over the formation. The transformation between gentleness and force is seamless, with life and death of living beings at his whim.” The fat formation master said solemnly: “What an impressive display! This implies that once Master Li Ci Quan enters the formation, he’ll meet the same fate!”

Song Qian Ji laughed inwardly. After the spring rain at Qian Qu, he had Ji Chen manipulate the Song Academy’s formation lines to pick up earthworms from the tiles and return them to the vegetable garden.

With practice, he could fetch cats in the Song Academy from a distance without harming them.

When Meng He Ze was busy, Ji Chen would catch cats to feed them and then steadily return them to their nests.

Now catching a Zhao Ren was as easy as playing cat’s cradle.

Ji Chen called out loudly: “Daoist Li, I’ve never crossed hands with you, but I watched you play Go at the Hua Wei Sect. During the Deng Wen Conference, Brother Song analyzed your moves for me step by step, and that was when I first entered the Dao. Wei Zhen Yu taught you, and Brother Song taught me…”

The crowd gradually quieted, wondering why Ji Chen was discussing lineage and origins. They also noticed he repeatedly mentioned Song Qian Ji, and couldn’t help but remark:

“Li Ci Quan was taught by Prince Wei, and Editor Ji was taught by Prince Song. Who do you think is stronger?”

“Are you asking whether Prince Song or Prince Wei is more formidable, or whether Qian Qu or the Northern Desert is stronger now?”

“Although I’ve never seen Prince Song arrange a formation, since he could teach Editor Ji, his formation skills must be even higher.”

“A ‘polymath’ who masters all schools and establishes his style is rare, appearing perhaps once every two hundred years. Now two have emerged to found schools and impart the Dao…”

“I understand! Since Prince Song isn’t here tonight, Editor Ji is enhancing Prince Song’s reputation!” Lu Zhou suddenly said.

Song Qian Ji choked: “I think he just wants to talk and can’t stop himself.”

“Little Song, you don’t understand! When a genius formation master like Editor Ji speaks before battle, there must be profound meaning,” said Zhang Hou. “After all, with all eyes watching, both sides must observe proper conduct.”

Song Qian Ji: “…”

Ji Chen continued speaking: “When I was observing your Go match, Brother Song said your style was bizarre, skilled at setting misleading formations. You thrust hidden swords at narrow paths, produce miraculous moves in desperate situations, and strike here and there unpredictably, making people see flowers in the mist, unable to grasp your strategy. If someone gets confused by your play, they’ll be devoured by your long dragon.”

“But since your Go style was taught by Wei Zhen Yu, it’s not surprising. That man also leaves me puzzled.”

Song Qian Ji was startled—the last sentence wasn’t from me, that’s your statement, don’t blame it on me!

Just as Wei Zhen Yu was about to lose patience, his brows gradually furrowing, Ji Chen finally finished speaking: “Daoist Li, please forgive my offense!”

Ji Chen stood on the south bank. As soon as he finished speaking, countless formation lines became invisible. On the north bank, the water surged violently, huge waves washing against the cliff, as if the river’s surface was tilting outward.

Li Ci Quan stepped forward to meet the surging waves, treading on an invisible formation line in mid-air.

In an instant, the sky and earth spun, the bright moon vanished, and the crowd and scenery on both shores seemed separated by a layer of gauze, becoming blurry and indistinct.

There was nothing to rely on in any direction, only the massive waves that blotted out the sky.

“What’s happening in the formation? Why isn’t Master Li Ci Quan moving? Has he been frightened?” Lu Zhou exclaimed.

Song Qian Ji said: “He’s likely calculating his position.”

“What do you mean?”

“In the formation, space has been altered, and the position of each point differs from reality. If he lifts his leg to step forward, he might move backward; if he goes east one step, he might go west. Inside the formation, your eyes will deceive you.”

The fat formation master suddenly called out: “Little Song, I see you have a talent for formations! Don’t be a talisman cultivator anymore—come learn formation-setting with me, it has better prospects!”

Song Qian Ji smiled: “We’ll see about that.”

Ji Chen had chosen the location well; this place was indeed suitable for a containment formation.

The great river flowed ceaselessly, ever-changing. Without reference points on both shores, it was like a natural labyrinth. On the river, one naturally lost their sense of direction.

Li Ci Quan’s formation disk trembled, shooting out ten beams of silver light.

The silver lights were like arrows, flying in ten different directions. Seven arrows silently disappeared, while three made a sound as they cut through the air.

The hidden formation lines revealed traces, like a large net being torn open with a tiny tear.

Li Ci Quan moved like a swimming fish, letting out a fierce shout as he broke through the net.

Ji Chen maintained a relaxed posture, lightly sweeping his formation disk.

A gale swept through, raising water spouts on the river’s surface.

The crowd on the cliff slightly narrowed their eyes against the wind, watching as thirty-six columns of water condensed, rising like mountains from the ground.

“Won’t you let us old formation masters live anymore!” The fat formation master wailed, “Truly, the new wave of Red River pushes the old wave—the old wave is too ashamed to face their parents!”

Song Qian Ji gazed through the layers of water veils toward the opposite shore, unconsciously revealing a gratified smile.

Ji Chen felt his heartstrings move; he looked up to search again, but that familiar feeling had already disappeared.

Li Ci Quan seized the gap in the surging waves, passing through the first layer of the formation by the narrowest of margins.

“Could it be a scheme from Wei Zhen Yu’s side to distract me?” Ji Chen steadied himself and concentrated on controlling the formation.

The water columns on the river changed positions, rising and falling.

Li Ci Quan’s tiny figure moved among them, sometimes submerged by huge waves, sometimes stepping on the crest of waves.

At the most intense point of the battle between raging waves and silver light, the crowd on both shores focused intently, watching the changes in the river and gasping repeatedly.

A faint shadow silently withdrew from the rogue cultivator squad.

Song Qian Ji, with the spirit pearl hidden in his sleeve, quietly moved through the crowd.