Chapter 47: Formation, Interrogation

“This is a formation!”

Seeing He Pingsheng’s expression, Zhao Linger chuckled and explained: “Brother, you didn’t know? This thing is incredibly useful!”

He Pingsheng took a deep breath, his eyes flickering slightly before asking: “Sixth sister, what is this formation for?”

“Heh!” Zhao Linger pulled He Pingsheng to the formation’s front, then casually pulled out a jade tablet and swept it across the earth-yellow energy barrier—immediately, the formation vanished.

“Why did it disappear?” He Pingsheng asked.

“Hehehe…” Zhao Linger covered her mouth and laughed. “Brother… it didn’t disappear—it’s just been shut down!”

“Look!”

She swept the jade tablet again.

Hummm…

The formation rose once more.

“Amazing, amazing…” He Pingsheng raised his thumb in awe.

“What’s so amazing?” Zhao Linger explained. “As cultivators, we must always protect ourselves. Even though within the sect we’re all siblings, and our Master watches over us, people’s hearts are hard to know—those who harm you most are often those closest to you!”

“One must never let down one’s guard. A formation is essential for any cultivator!”

“Look at mine—it’s a Rank One [Closedown Formation]!”

He Pingsheng asked: “Closedown Formation? What does it do?”

“Its uses are numerous!” Zhao Linger said. “First, when activated, it provides defense—it blocks outsiders from entering your courtyard at will!”

“Second, it blocks part of spiritual sense, preventing ill-intentioned people from sneakily peering in with their spiritual awareness!”

“Especially for girls—we must protect ourselves, or else some old perverts might sneak glances without you even knowing!”

As she spoke, Zhao Linger’s cheeks flushed.

He Pingsheng said: “Boys need protection too!”

“Pfft!” Zhao Linger burst out laughing. “You’re right!”

“By the way!” she lowered her voice suddenly. “Next door, under Master Yude, there’s a guy named Xu Kui—we all call him Yellow Brother. He’s obsessed with peeping. He spies on female disciples, and even male disciples—disgusting!”

“Little brother, be careful. You should do like me—set up a formation!”

He Pingsheng’s heart burned with excitement.

Why?

The anti-peeping function was secondary—he needed elixirs to cultivate, and his were top-grade. Once opened, their fragrance instantly spread beyond his room. What if his fellow disciples found out?

So even after nearly half a month in the inner sect, He Pingsheng had never cultivated once.

Sometimes he even considered returning to his family’s home below the mountain to cultivate.

Now, if he could set up a formation to enclose his courtyard, he wouldn’t have to worry about the scent of his top-grade Qi- Gathering Elixir leaking out.

“Sister!” He Pingsheng’s face was earnest. “How do you set up this formation? Could you teach me?”

“Heh…” Zhao Linger said. “It’s simple. Go to the Treasure Hall and buy a set of [Closedown Formation] materials. Place them according to the formation diagram and activate it.”

“A Rank One formation? You can finish it in half a day!”

“Thank you, sister!” After handing over his elixirs and receiving the transaction receipt, he left.

Leaving Zhao Linger’s courtyard, he went straight to the Jade Dragon Peak Treasure Hall.

Inside the Treasure Hall, He Pingsheng found the formation materials.

The materials for a Rank One [Closedown Formation] included one formation disc, sixteen formation flags, two formation talismans, and one formation diagram.

Total price: two hundred and eighty spirit stones.

Sssss…

He Pingsheng sucked in a sharp breath.

Good heavens!

So expensive.

He now had only two hundred and ninety-four spirit stones.

That meant buying this set would leave him completely empty.

Buy or not?

Of course buy.

How could he cultivate safely without it?

“Elder!” He Pingsheng brought the materials to the counter, bowing respectfully to the old man behind it. “May I ask—can an ordinary person set this up?”

“Mm.” The old man smiled warmly. “No problem. It’s only a Rank One formation—no foundation required. Just place the disc and flags according to the diagram.”

“If you run into any issues during activation, come find us anytime.”

“Understood!” He Pingsheng poured all his spirit stones out of the pouch.

After payment, he had only fourteen lower-grade spirit stones left.

Back in his courtyard, he picked up the formation diagram.

The diagram had instructions!

How to place the disc, where to position each flag, how to power it with spirit stones, how to activate it, how to enter and exit.

Everything was detailed.

After reading, He Pingsheng’s eyes narrowed slightly: Should I reinforce it?

It’s necessary.

Soon after, a commotion erupted outside the courtyard.

He Pingsheng stored all his belongings in his dantian and stepped out.

Outside the gate, his fellow disciples were gathered. Zhao Linger was explaining something to a cold-faced nun in a pale moon-white robe.

“Sister, what’s going on?” He Pingsheng looked bewildered.

Zhao Linger said: “Brother, didn’t you just buy formation materials from the Treasure Hall?”

“Yes.” He Pingsheng nodded.

The cold-faced nun stared at He Pingsheng and smiled coldly. “You’re He Pingsheng, right? You’ve been in the inner sect less than a month, yet you’ve spent over five hundred spirit stones at the Treasure Hall recently!”

“I’ve come to ask—where did you get these spirit stones?”

“If you can’t explain, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

This…

He Pingsheng gaped in shock: No way?

I just bought some stuff—and they’re already watching me?

Damn…

Grand Void Gate really is going too far.

“It’s like this!” He Pingsheng said. “My spirit stones come from two sources: first, what my parents left me; second, I can refine [Qi-Gathering Elixirs]. I’ve sold some to fellow disciples and earned a bit. All my savings combined total just over five hundred spirit stones!”

“Don’t believe me? Look!” He Pingsheng pulled out a pouch. “Only fourteen left!”

“That’s right!” Zhao Linger added. “Master Feng, my brother really can refine elixirs. Our Master even said he must refine five batches of [Qi-Gathering Elixir] each month for our sect. If you don’t believe me, I’ll have our Master explain to you!”

The nun turned to He Pingsheng again. “Where are your parents?”

He Pingsheng said: “My parents were outer sect disciples of Profound Heaven Sect. They’re both gone now.”

“Ah.” The nun nodded. “Very well.”

She turned and walked away.

Since He Pingsheng’s parents were dead and he could refine elixirs, she couldn’t investigate further—she had to stop there.

“It’s fine, brother!” Zhao Linger comforted him. “The sect is like this—disciples get questioned often. As long as your spirit stones’ source is legitimate, nothing will happen.”

“Oh…” He Pingsheng’s face remained calm, but he made a mental note.