Mystical Methods! A Lesson and a Gift!

Li Bufan headed down Blade Peak. He planned to pick two martial techniques at Scripture Peak, then descend the mountain and set out.

Qi State was far away. He had to return within two months, and with time so tight, he could not afford a delay.

He had taken only a few steps when his feet suddenly grew heavy and his vision blurred. A faint ring of light appeared around him. It came without warning or sound, enveloping him like a ripple of water.

Li Bufan's heart tightened. Instinctively, he moved to circulate his true qi and resist, but the light was gentle and warm, without the slightest hint of aggression. It even carried a familiar aura.

Before he could react, his vision swam, and the scenery around him dissolved into blurred light and shadow.

An instant later, he was standing somewhere else.

Li Bufan steadied himself and looked around. The slopes here were gentle and the trees lush. A simple little courtyard stood among them, at one with the mountain's beauty. Realization dawned on him—Formation Peak. This aura, this formation, was unmistakably Formation Peak's work.

A voice drifted from the courtyard, lazy and teasing. "What, you're going down the mountain without coming to see this old man?"

Standing before the courtyard gate, Li Bufan felt a pang of shame. His departure had been hurried, but he truly had forgotten to bid his master farewell at Formation Peak.

He hastily cupped his fists. "Please forgive me, Master. I meant to visit after collecting my reward from Scripture Peak."

"Bullshit!" Li Tianying's voice rang out from inside.

"You forgot, you brat. Come in."

Li Bufan gave an awkward smile, pushed open the little bamboo gate, and entered the courtyard. The thatched cottage looked just as it had on his last visit.