Sky Flame Ancient Formation Reaches Great Accomplishment, Stone City Lord Pays a Visit!

The more Yan Xuan thought about it, the more shocked he became. His expression gradually turned somewhat exaggerated.

Yet compared to Yan Xuan, although Lin Zhentian and the others beside him were equally alarmed, they accepted it far more easily.

After all, they had already witnessed far too many miracles from Liu Yuan. They were practically used to it by now.

"Master Yan, there's no need to be so shocked."

Lin Xiao softly consoled him from the side.

"Xiao Yuan has never been someone who can be judged by common sense..."

"Besides, his Origin Power cultivation already reached Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment long ago... Isn't it only natural that he would be equally astonishing on the path of Rune Masters?"

"Natural?"

Yan Xuan's mouth twitched as he cursed inwardly, Natural my ass!

A Form Creation Realm Great Accomplishment Martial Artist, an alchemy grandmaster, and a Spirit Talisman Master—how the hell was that natural? That was utterly absurd!

Still, he had to admit that while Lin Xiao's words were crude, they made sense.

Nothing that happened to Liu Yuan seemed surprising anymore.

"Phew..."

Lin Dong drew a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the shock in his eyes, replacing it with an even more resolute gleam.

So this is Brother Liu Yuan's true strength...

He clenched his fists, secretly swearing that one day, he too would become someone like Brother Liu Yuan—someone others could only look up to!

Just as everyone was lost in their own thoughts and hesitating outside the residence gates—

Buzz!

The air trembled slightly. A calm, warm voice seemed to pass through the barriers of space and ring clearly beside every person's ear.

"Since you are all here, come in."

The voice was not loud, yet it carried an unusual penetrating force that immediately cleared their minds.

"Spiritual transmission!"

Yan Xuan's eyelids twitched again.

"Let's go."

Taking a deep breath, Yan Xuan straightened his robes and did his best to appear composed.

Then, with the others in tow and a feeling akin to pilgrimage in their hearts, he stepped into the residence.

Passing through the winding, secluded corridors, the group arrived at the spacious, brightly lit main hall.

The moment they crossed the threshold, a faint fragrance drifted toward them, refreshing their spirits.

At the seat of honor at the head of the hall sat a white-robed youth, casually leaning against the chair back.

His features were exceptionally handsome, a faint smile resting on his lips. His entire person exuded an air of lazy nobility.

At his side—

On the left sat a beautiful mature woman in a fiery red dress. She was Xuan Su, the chief auctioneer of the Myriad Gold Merchant Association.

On the right sat a maiden in a pale green dress. Delicate and refined, she resembled a Green Lotus bud about to bloom. She was Qing Tan, the treasured jewel of the Lin Family.

With beauties at his side and fragrance in his sleeves, the scene left everyone in a daze, as though they had stepped into an exquisite painting.

"Greetings, Young Master Liu Yuan!"

After their brief distraction, everyone hurriedly bowed in unison, their attitudes respectful to the extreme.

Liu Yuan smiled faintly. His gaze first fell upon Yan Xuan, carrying a trace of approval.

"Master Yan, there is no need for such formality."

"Judging by your vitality, you must have already taken that step and advanced to become a Five-Seal Talisman Master. Congratulations."

Hearing Liu Yuan's congratulations, Yan Xuan's old face reddened. He hurriedly lowered his head even further, his tone full of shame.

"Young Master, you flatter this old man!"

"If not for the opportunity Young Master bestowed upon me that day, this old man would likely have remained stuck at the peak of the Four-Seal realm for the rest of his life. How could I have attained such fortune today?"

At this point, Yan Xuan gave a bitter smile and looked up at Liu Yuan, his eyes filled with reverence.

"Moreover... this old man once believed that after breaking through, I might at least be able to see Young Master's back. Yet upon seeing you today, I finally understand how narrow-minded I used to be."

"Before Young Master, this insignificant skill of mine is like an ant trying to shake a tree. It is not worth mentioning at all!"

Liu Yuan merely smiled without speaking.

Yan Xuan swallowed and cautiously probed, "If this old man is not mistaken... Young Master's current realm has likely entered the legendary... Spirit Talisman Master realm, has it not?"

The moment those words were spoken, although everyone had long suspected it, the atmosphere in the hall still froze when Yan Xuan exposed it outright.

All eyes fixed firmly on Liu Yuan, waiting for the answer that made their hearts race.

Liu Yuan smiled faintly. Neither confirming nor denying it, he merely waved his hand Understatedly.

"They are merely some insignificant tricks, nothing worth mentioning."

Hiss—

Everyone sucked in another breath of cold air.

The Spirit Talisman Master realm was an insignificant trick? Something not fit to be mentioned?

If those words got out, who knew how many people who had cultivated bitterly for a lifetime, only to remain stuck among low-level Rune Masters, would be enraged to death!

Yan Xuan's mouth twitched even more.

However, the more calmly Liu Yuan behaved, the deeper everyone's reverence became.

After all, only someone who possessed absolute strength had the right to say such words.

"All right, enough about this."

Liu Yuan clearly did not wish to dwell on the subject. He casually took the teacup Qing Tan handed him, took a light sip, and changed the topic.

"Since everyone is here today, there is no need to be restrained. Sit down and chat."

"Yes."

Only then did everyone dare to take seats below.

Over the following period, the atmosphere gradually relaxed.

Liu Yuan did not put on any airs. Instead, he casually asked about the Lin Family's situation after their relocation, then discussed a few insights regarding the path of talismans with Yan Xuan.

Of course, most of the time Yan Xuan was humbly seeking guidance. Liu Yuan only needed to offer an occasional casual remark, and Yan Xuan would treat it like a priceless treasure, instantly enlightened. His excited appearance made him look like an elementary school student on his first day of class.

Lin Dong, meanwhile, listened attentively at the side. Although he could not understand much of it yet, he knew these were experiences that money could not buy, and desperately tried to commit them all to memory.

Their conversation lasted a full two hours. Only when the sun had set in the west did everyone reluctantly rise to take their leave.

For Yan Xuan, this visit had not only brought him closer to Liu Yuan, but had also strengthened his resolve to cling tightly to this golden thigh.

Thus, when Yan Xuan looked at Liu Yuan before leaving, his gaze was even more affectionate than if he were looking at his own father.

After that, Liu Yuan's life returned to peace once more.

However, he did not idle away his time. Instead, he continued immersing himself in cultivation.

This time, his goal was clear—to completely master the Spiritual Power secret art he had just obtained, [Sky Flame Ancient Formation]!

Previously, his Spiritual Power had been insufficient, so he had only reached Minor Accomplishment.

Now that he had broken through to become a Spirit Talisman Master, he naturally needed to press his advantage.

Thus, over the next several days, the backyard of Liu Yuan's residence became a forbidden area once again.

Waves of terrifying heat periodically spilled over the courtyard walls, raising the temperature in the surrounding area by several degrees.

Passersby and nearby residents found it strange, but given the identity of the residence's owner, no one dared to say much. They could only click their tongues in secret.

In the blink of an eye, another five days passed.

Within the backyard—

Buzz!

With a clear hum, an incomparably intricate, crimson formation diagram slowly took shape above Liu Yuan's head.

It was as though magma flowed within the diagram, while every rune emitted a terrifyingly scorching heat.

"Great Accomplishment."

Liu Yuan slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the imposing formation above him, a trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes, only for him to frown immediately afterward.

"What a pity..."

He sighed and waved his hand, dispersing the formation.

Although he had relied on his current Spiritual Power to cultivate this Qi-tier Spiritual Power secret art to Great Accomplishment in merely five days—

That seemed to be the limit.

No matter how he continued to deduce and experiment, he could never take that final step and cultivate it to perfection.

"It seems that bringing the [Sky Flame Ancient Formation] to perfection requires even more Spiritual Power than I imagined."

Liu Yuan shook his head helplessly.

The early Spirit Talisman Master realm was powerful, but it still seemed slightly lacking when it came to controlling a perfected Qi-tier secret art.

"Never mind. Haste makes waste."

"I'll deal with it later."

Having figured this out, Liu Yuan stopped dwelling on it.

He rose to his feet and stretched his limbs. That long-lost feeling of ease put him in an excellent mood.

Since his cultivation had encountered a bottleneck, it was time to enjoy life properly.

Thus—

Half an Hour later.

A scene that would make others green with envy appeared within the exquisite, elegant courtyard of the residence.

Liu Yuan reclined halfway upon a broad, soft couch, squinting in the sunlight with a thoroughly content expression.

At his left, Xuan Su, dressed in a thin red gauze gown, sat by his side.

Her graceful curves were vaguely visible beneath the sheer fabric, giving her the unique charm of a mature woman.

She extended her slender jade-like fingers, picked up a crystalline purple grape, gently peeled away its skin, and carefully placed it into Liu Yuan's mouth.

"Young Master, is it sweet?"

Xuan Su's alluring eyes seemed to drip with tenderness, while her soft, sweet voice sounded as though water could flow from it.

"Mhm, not bad."

Liu Yuan chewed the delicacy in his mouth, sensing the delicate touch at his fingertips as he gave a muffled reply. At the same time, he casually wrapped an arm around Xuan Su's slender willow waist.

On his right, Qing Tan obediently held a feather fan and gently fanned a breeze toward Liu Yuan. From time to time, she thoughtfully wiped away beads of sweat that did not exist from his forehead, her little face flushed red.

At this moment, Liu Yuan was simply a winner in life.

However—

Just as the atmosphere was tender and peaceful, a sudden voice shattered the tranquility.

"I am Shi Haotian, Flame City Lord."

The voice was loud and steady, carrying clearly from outside the residence gates into the courtyard.

"I am Shi Haotian, Flame City Lord. I recently emerged from seclusion and learned of young friend Liu Yuan from my daughter Zi Yue. I have developed great admiration for you."

"I have come especially to make your acquaintance. Might young friend grant me an audience?"