As they spoke, a sudden rush of footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, jarringly loud in the still night.
Xin Ruoyin's delicate brows drew together, her eyes full of confusion. "Who would come here at this hour?" she murmured.
Xiao Mei also pricked up her ears, listening warily to the sounds outside. "Could it be someone coming to learn formations? But this is such a strange time."
While the two exchanged puzzled whispers, a muffled bang rang out. The simple defensive formation around the courtyard was smashed apart by brute force, its light flickering a few times before fading.
Immediately afterward, two figures strode into the courtyard. Moonlight revealed their faces: Li Da and Li Er.
Li Da's face seethed with anger, his eyes wide as though ready to spit fire. The moment he entered, he shouted, "Xin Ruoyin, what kind of rubbish have you been teaching us?
"I followed your instructions to break a formation and nearly lost my life! Refund our tuition right now!"
Xin Ruoyin rose to her feet. Though startled, she remained composed and asked politely, "Fellow Daoists, what happened?
"All the formation knowledge I teach has been verified. Could something have gone wrong when you applied it?"
Li Er snorted, folding his arms across his chest. "Stop playing innocent!
"We brothers did exactly what you taught us, but the formation didn't budge and nearly trapped us inside. What else could it be if not a problem with your teaching?"
Unable to hold back, Xiao Mei stepped forward, her little face flushed red as she defended her mistress. "Our young lady is highly accomplished in formations. There can't be anything wrong with her teaching.
"Perhaps you simply haven't mastered what you learned!"
Li Da flew into a rage at her words. He stepped forward, glaring viciously at