At his question, Bi Fan merely smiled. "Don't worry about her. You should worry about whoever—or whatever—crosses her path."
Xi Boyun paused, recalling how she had slaughtered the Fire Armored Scorpion King with her bare hands. He nodded, deeply convinced.
Then he asked, "Brother Bi, how exactly did you break through with your formations? You're a grade-eight upper-tier Formation Master! Even our sect has only a handful of Elders at that level."
"Well..." He gave a wry smile, unsure how to answer. After thinking it over, he said, "It comes down to insight, I suppose. Some things can only be understood, not explained."
Xi Boyun scratched his head in frustration. It was true—there was little anyone else could do to help with this sort of thing. Once a Formation Master reached a certain level, he had to find his own way forward.
Seeing his dejected expression, Bi Fan smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "If you have any questions about breaking through in the future, just ask me. I won't hold back if there's anything I can help you with."
Xi Boyun nodded eagerly and cupped his hands. "Then thank you, Brother Bi!"
"Don't mention it."
As the two exchanged pleasantries, Cheng Pingwei pointed at the dark-golden orb nearby, looking puzzled. "Brother Bi, what is that? Why does it feel like there's a living presence inside?"
Bi Fan smiled and explained, "One of my brothers is cultivating inside. An accident put him in this state." He didn't elaborate. Some things were better left unsaid.
They had waited there for less than half an incense stick when Ling Xiaoxiao appeared in the distance, seemingly holding something in her hand.
Only when she drew closer did everyone make out the object: a translucent white crystal.
The moment she stepped into the