Formation Hall.
Relying on the Flying Immortal Steps, a journey that had taken an hour yesterday took him barely over ten minutes now.
Upon arriving at the Formation Hall, Fang Hong walked straight up to one of the disciples on duty.
"Senior Brother, could you please announce me and ask Senior Brother Su Yuquan to come out and meet me?"
Fang Hong spoke very politely.
Though he had previously killed without batting an eye and carried out the horrifying acts of wiping out entire families and massacring mansions one after another,
he was not actually someone who liked to stir up trouble.
Civilized and courteous.
That was a fine virtue he had developed over more than twenty years of growing up beneath the red flag in his previous life.
Hearing Fang Hong speak so politely, the Formation Hall disciple on duty hurriedly replied with respect.
"Martial Uncle Fang, you are too courteous. This disciple absolutely cannot accept being called Senior Brother by you."
"Please wait a moment, Martial Uncle. This disciple will announce you at once."
The disciple answered respectfully, bowed, and turned to enter the Formation Hall.
Hearing the disciple call him Martial Uncle, Fang Hong was briefly dazed.
Only then did he remember that although he had entered the sect late and had been here for only a very short time,
his seniority within the Star River Sect was not low in the slightest.
His master, Zhao Tianchen, was one of the oldest remaining old monsters in the Star River Sect.
He was of the same generation as Zhong Wanyang, the current sect master of the Star River Sect, and Chang Chunbo, the master of the Formation Hall.
As Zhao Tianchen's Personal Disciple,
only the True Disciples of the various peaks, as well as disciples of people from Zhao Tianchen's generation such as Su Yuquan,
were qualified to call him Junior Brother.
As for the other disciples, even those Inner Disciples,
were still a generation below him and had to respectfully address him as Martial Uncle.
No matter what attitude those disciples held toward him—respect, watchfulness, or even disdain—
they had to obediently call him Martial Uncle in his presence.
Nor could they show the slightest discourtesy.
Otherwise, nothing good would be waiting for them.
The more it was a massive sect organization like the Star River Sect, with rigid ranks and clear class divisions,
the more important matters of etiquette became.
"Didn't that Fang Hong just come yesterday? Why has he come again today?"
"Shut up! Are you trying to get expelled from the sect? You have to call him Martial Uncle!"
"Oh, right, right. Etiquette must not be neglected. Why has Martial Uncle Fang come again?"
"He probably wants to ask the hall master to take him in. Haven't you heard? Yesterday, the hall master personally said that he had no talent for learning formations."
"I suppose this little Martial Uncle is still unwilling to accept it."
"Heh, so what if he is unwilling? Talent for formations is something one is born with. If you do not have it, then you do not have it."
"Even if he refuses to accept it, can he conjure talent out of nothing and grow some nonexistent gift from thin air?"
"It seems Heaven is still fair. It gave him the good fortune of becoming an elder's disciple the moment he entered the sect, but it also shut the door on his path to cultivating formations."
"Keep your voice down. You're taking such delight in his misfortune—be careful he hears you and retaliates. Then you'll be in for it."
While Fang Hong waited, the disciples coming and going through the Formation Hall were all whispering about him.
All kinds of gazes, some open and others furtive, watched him.
In truth, with Fang Hong's hearing, he could clearly hear every word of their discussion.
He simply could not be bothered to argue with them.
Because even if he did, it would do him no good beyond wasting time and breath.
Why do something that brought no benefit?
No matter how much they talked, he would not suffer any loss.
Still, listening to their chatter, Fang Hong could not help feeling a touch of emotion.
What perfect material for a face-slapping scene.
No wonder all those novels I read in my previous life were full of scenes like this.
Because this sort of thing was simply far too common in reality.
Whether in the urban world of my previous life, which had no extraordinary powers, or in this fantasy world of profound cultivation and martial might.
There would never be any shortage of people watching the show and whispering behind others' backs.
Fang Hong silently let his thoughts wander.
But before long, he saw Su Yuquan stride out with the disciple on duty who had gone to deliver the message.
"Haha, Junior Brother Fang, I did not expect us to meet again so soon."
"Do you have any questions about that Detailed Explanation of Formation Basics?"
"You can tell me each one, Junior Brother. I will certainly explain them clearly for you!"
The moment Su Yuquan came out, he smiled and grabbed Fang Hong's arm.
Fang Hong smiled at that and did not stubbornly resist. Following the force with which Su Yuquan pulled him toward the hall, he walked inside with him.
As they walked, he said, "It is not that there is anything I do not understand."
"I have already fully comprehended the Detailed Explanation of Formation Basics Elder Chang gave me yesterday, so I came to find Elder Chang and learn the next stage of material."
"Oh, right. Although Elder Chang said I had no talent for learning formations, for some reason,"
"after studying diligently and comprehending the Detailed Explanation of Formation Basics, I actually succeeded in sensing Heaven and Earth's Momentum."
"I can even already stimulate it to a preliminary extent."
Swish—
Upon hearing Fang Hong's words, Su Yuquan, who had been enthusiastically pulling Fang Hong toward the hall, abruptly stopped.
He spun around, his face filled with disbelief.
"What did you just say?!"
"You said you have already comprehended that Detailed Explanation of Formation Basics and have no questions about it?"
"And you did that in only one night?"
"You also said you can already sense Heaven and Earth's Momentum, and can even stimulate it to a preliminary extent?"
Su Yuquan asked uncertainly, but there was not the slightest hint of belief in his tone.
His face was likewise full of disbelief. Only out of consideration for Fang Hong's dignity did he refrain from saying anything harsh.
What he was actually thinking was:
Do you even hear the wild nonsense coming out of your own mouth?
What bullshit are you spouting now?
You comprehended the Detailed Explanation of Formation Basics in one night and have nothing you do not understand.
You're bragging...
Do you know how much time and effort I spent learning this book, and how much scolding I took from Master before I finally learned it?
You learned it in one night?
Do you think that is something just anyone can casually learn and understand?
And then you say you sensed Heaven and Earth's Momentum, even saying you can preliminarily stimulate it.
For fuck's sake, talent for formations is something one is born with.
My master already said you do not have it. I did not even mock you, yet you are pretending in front of me... Why are you stubbornly talking tough?
Countless complaints surged through Su Yuquan's heart. He was so speechless that he almost wanted to curse aloud.
But thanks to his good personal cultivation, he did not say it, sparing Fang Hong the embarrassment.
Yet when Su Yuquan looked at Fang Hong's calm expression, as though he had merely mentioned some insignificant everyday matter,
his expression immediately shifted from utter speechlessness to astonishment, and then a flash of understanding passed through his eyes.
He sighed heavily in his heart and felt even more pity for Fang Hong.
Such a fine child—how had he been driven so hard that his mind had developed problems?
Thinking of this, Su Yuquan's expression turned complicated. With a trace of regretful pity, he patted Fang Hong on the shoulder.
"Junior Brother Fang, have you been feeling a little too much pressure lately?"
"Did my master's words yesterday hurt you somewhat? Let me apologize to you on behalf of my master first."
"However, my master has always been someone who says whatever he thinks. He merely spoke frankly because he did not want you to pour your time and effort into something impossible."
"I hope you can understand his intentions. He was not deliberately targeting you."
Hearing Su Yuquan's words, Fang Hong immediately understood that the other man had misunderstood him.
He was instantly caught between laughter and tears. What was this even supposed to be?
Just as he was about to explain, Su Yuquan directly interrupted him and continued:
"Also—oh, right, I heard that Junior Brother will be participating in the Sect Grand Competition half a month from now?"
"Mm, you have only just entered the sect and have cultivated for a short time. Suddenly having to face fellow disciples with such profound cultivation is indeed a very stressful matter."
"But you can actually think about it from another angle. You can treat this Sect Grand Competition entirely as an opportunity to exchange pointers with your fellow disciples."
"Do not think about what rank you need to achieve, and perhaps your pressure will not be so great."
"Could it be that Elder Zhao has requirements for your ranking in the competition?"
"Elder Zhao is being muddle-headed. He knows you have only just entered the sect, so how can he demand so much from you?"
"Junior Brother, you can have a proper talk with Elder Zhao. I believe Elder Zhao will understand your circumstances."
"If it is difficult for you to say it, then I can also ask my master to speak to Elder Zhao on your behalf."
"Junior Brother Fang, on the path of martial arts, one must know when to advance and when to relax. You absolutely must not force yourself too hard."
"Your health is the most important thing!"
Su Yuquan rambled on for a long while.
After finishing, he did not forget to pat Fang Hong on the shoulder again, sighing with deep feeling and full of regretful pity, as a gesture of encouragement and comfort.
Seeing this, Fang Hong's expression became even more helpless, caught between laughter and tears.
Good grief, does he think the pressure has been too much, that my brain has gone wrong and I have become mentally confused?
Before you continue