Li Wan'er lightly furrowed her dark brows, a puzzled look appearing on her face:
"I find it very strange as well. Since he is so keen on formations, he clearly understands the importance of cultivation arts. Why, then, would he act this way? Could it be that he has some misgivings? Or perhaps he has already mastered the latter half?"
"Th-this... that can't be possible, can it?"
The two exchanged a glance, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes. "Wasn't his Corpse Refining Art taught to him by Old Duan? Even Old Duan failed to learn its complete contents, so how could he possibly know?"
"Then do you think there is some other reason?"
After pondering for a moment, Li Wan'er guessed, "Perhaps he is afraid of being discovered by the people of Heavenly Xuan Sect?"
"That does not seem very reasonable either. If he were truly afraid, then why would he cultivate the first three layers? What is the essential difference between cultivating the first three layers and cultivating all of it? It is like... taking one bite of shit versus eating an entire lump of shit. Either way, it is hard to swallow!"
Li Wan'er frowned slightly, a look of disgust crossing her face. "How could you compare our Corpse Refining Art to such filthy things?"
"Er... no, no!"
The shopkeeper hurriedly waved his hands and explained awkwardly, "It was merely an inappropriate analogy. I meant nothing else by it!"
Li Wan'er nodded lightly without pursuing the matter, then said gravely:
"Compared with the possibility that he is afraid, I am more inclined to believe that he has already mastered the full contents of our Corpse Refining Art. If that is true, then just as the Holy Maiden said, he truly is a rare demonic-path genius!"
"Do you