The Chief Elder pondered for a moment, then said through gritted teeth, "Fine! In consideration of the centuries of friendship between our two sects, I agree to your terms!" Sect Leader Chu’s expression brightened. The Chief Elder added, "However, you can only look at this Formation Diagram here in the Formation Pavilion, and you can only look for one day. You may not take it away." Sect Leader Chu frowned, "What can one discern in just one day?" Though it was only First Grade, it was still a Large Formation after all... The Formation Patterns were complex, the Formation Pivot profound, and the Single Formations numerous. Even though he was of the Golden Core Realm, he was merely a High-Grade Second Rank Formation Master and did not have much confidence that he could master the intricacies of a First Grade Large Formation within a single day. After thinking it over, Sect Leader Chu felt not that he didn’t have much confidence, but rather, he had no confidence at all... "Three days!" Sect Leader Chu said, "Give me three days just to look at this Large Formation Diagram!" The Chief Elder cursed inwardly. Three days? Was that what one called a glance? That seemed an extraordinarily long time for just ’a look’. "Two days!" the Chief Elder said. Sect Leader Chu immediately tried to push his luck further. "Two and a half days!" The Chief Elder firmly replied, "Two days is it! If that doesn’t work for you, then forget it. I will find someone else..." "Fine!" Sect Leader Chu readily agreed, "Two days! Just two days!" The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family could not stand it any longer, speaking in a tone that was neither salty nor light, "We are Golden Core Cultivators and leaders of our sects, not peddlers in a market town haggling over every trifle, squabbling over petty profits..." Though his voice carried a strange tone, in his heart, he regretted immensely. If only he had known, he would have bargained as well! All under heaven are bustling for profit. All hustle and bustle draw them to gain. For the sake of Spirit Stones, it’s not demeaning. To take this opportunity and use some glib words to gain more benefits was better than anything else. How regrettable, it was too late... He couldn’t very well go back and renegotiate the terms after agreeing to them. One might shamelessly break one’s word, but there are limits to such shamelessness... The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family sighed. He was also somewhat curious; Sect Leader Chu, in exchange for a sizable amount of Spirit Stones, went for two days of looking at a First Grade Five Elements Mountain Guarding Formation. What was he really up to? The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family looked at Sect Leader Chu with an inscrutable gaze but did not pursue the matter further. Now that the matters of interest were settled, the Chief Elder began discussing the next arrangements, "That person has a total of three disciples." "Among them, the youngest disciple is already a First Grade Formation Master at a tender age." "The other two are siblings with astonishing talent; their depths are unfathomable, and their level of skill in formations is unknown, but since they are the senior disciples, they are undoubtedly even more mysterious than the little student." "At the very least, they are also First Grade!" "And they must be seasoned First Grade Formation Masters!" The Chief Elder was somewhat reluctant to admit it, but still said, "Now, that Junior Formation Master, with the strength of our Five Elements Sect, we can still manage." "But those two, with their shockingly brilliant abilities, we are out of our depth..." The Chief Elder saluted Sect Leader Chu and the Old Ancestor of the Shen Family with a cupped fist gesture and said, "I must request assistance from the Formation Mysterious Sect and the esteemed Proud Sons of Heaven from the Shen Family to take action and help us win the formation matchup, ensuring the inheritance of our Five Elements Sect!" Sect Leader Chu nodded and said, "Of course." He too wanted to use this opportunity to showcase the Formation Mysterious Sect’s prowess in formations. Let everyone know that the Five Elements Sect had not fallen behind, but it was their Formation Mysterious Sect that truly stood at the pinnacle of Formations. The Five Elements Sect sets the stage, and they would perform the play. It couldn’t be more perfect. The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family, remembering the large sum of Spirit Stones and the First Grade Five Elements Mountain Guarding Formation Diagram, yet somewhat puzzled, asked the Chief Elder with a frown, "Are that person’s disciples really so formidable as to warrant such a significant expense on your part?" The Chief Elder’s eyebrows twitched. If this had been in the past, with the Five Elements Sect’s abundance of talent, they naturally wouldn’t fear a comparison with Mr. Zhuang’s disciples—unless these few disciples really possessed Mr. Zhuang’s unparalleled perceptiveness and talent... The Chief Elder sighed in his heart. Objectively speaking, they couldn’t compare with Mr. Zhuang. But that being said, there has only been one Mr. Zhuang for so many years. The disciples of Mr. Zhuang, after all, aren’t Mr. Zhuang. Even if they are formidable, there will always be a limit. It was then that the Chief Elder took up the idea of organizing a debate conference to compare Formations. Although the Five Elements Sect was not up to par, the Chief Elder wasn’t willing to admit it, which would hurt his own face and dampen his dignity. So he said: "Their talents are exceptionally good, and how their Formation skill truly measures up can only be known after they compete..." "It’s possible that they might not even be a match for the disciples of our Five Elements Sect..." The Chief Elder began to pat himself on the back, and then he said diplomatically: "However, this matter relates to the Sect’s lineage inheritance, which is of great concern. I must act cautiously and meticulously to prevent any accidents that could cause our Sect’s lineage to fall into the hands of others." "Even if it means paying a certain price, it is worth it!" Sect Leader Chu and the Old Ancestor of the Shen Family both nodded in agreement. Even if they looked down on the Formation skill level of the Five Elements Sect now, the Chief Elder’s considerations were faultless. When it concerned the Sect’s top-secret inheritance, being as cautious as possible was the correct approach. Sect Leader Chu then said, "Chief Elder, rest assured, the Five Elements Sect, known for the Five Elements Spirit Formation, will ensure that this Ultimate Formation will remain within the Five Elements Sect, and no one will be able to learn it!" The Chief Elder was overjoyed, "Thank you, Sect Leader Chu!" The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family frowned and said, "However, those who dare covet the Ultimate Formation must be disciples of no ordinary talent." Sect Leader Chu calmly said, "No matter." He gave a cold laugh, "The study of Formations is profound and limitless, requiring both talent and hard study. Even with talent, it’s impossible to be proficient in everything." "Formation Patterns, Formation Pivot, Formation eye, Formation principle, as well as some advanced Formation Taoist Skills, they can’t be proficient in every aspect." "Every ruler has its strengths, and every inch has its weaknesses." "It’s the same for even the most gifted Formation Masters." "If these disciples of Mr. Zhuang are of mediocre strength, we shall win over them with dignity, teaching them a lesson to appreciate the vastness and depth of Formations, the profound and unpredictable nature of Formation principles." "We’ll make them understand that there are always higher skies and other people beyond themselves." "However, if they indeed have extraordinary talent and outstanding Formation skill..." "Then we will use our strengths to target their weaknesses!" "With so many disciples, each with their own specialties, we will certainly have areas where we are stronger than them. In such a comparison, we can also overcome them." "While it may seem somewhat unsporting, the matter of the Sect’s inherited legacy is of great importance, and we need not fuss over these details." "Winning is winning, losing is losing." Your journey continues at freewebnovel "Since they dare to come and learn Formations, they should be prepared for this. If their skills are inferior, they have no grounds to argue!" ... The Chief Elder nodded in approval, "Good!" The Old Ancestor of the Shen Family also stroked his beard and praised, "Well said." After discussing their plans, they sat upright and waited for Mr. Zhuang and his party. The bustling disciples of the Formation Pavilion gradually quieted down... Half an hour later, Mr. Zhuang, accompanied by Mo Hua and two others, entered the Formation Pavilion in front of everyone. The Formation Pavilion instantly became even more silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop. The three Golden Core Elders who were meditating with their eyes closed all opened their eyes. Their aged gaze, filled with a glint of sharpness, fell upon the newcomers. So this is Mr. Zhuang! Truly a figure of immortal grace and unparalleled presence. The man and woman following behind—are they the siblings? Indeed, they possess a regal bearing and flawless charisma. And the one at the back... All three were taken aback. Doesn’t he seem rather young? Although they had all been previously notified of a youngster in his teens—an established First Grade Junior Formation Master—seeing it firsthand was still inconceivable. He’s so young... Is this truly a First Grade Formation Master? Are you kidding me... They had earnestly discussed strategies for so long, and this is what they faced—a mere child. To compete against him, wouldn’t it be bullying?