Those who can’t swim fear the ocean, but for someone like Han Luo , who had mastered various skills, the ocean was paradise.

  There was no denying it—Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao, as one of the most treasured texts in the Book Pavilion, was far more difficult than he had anticipated. Even with his talent, it took him three whole days just to comprehend it once.

  By comparison, he could read fifty-five first-tier formation books per day—which meant that in three days, he should have been able to go through 165 books. Yet, a single volume of Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao had taken him three entire days. It was unbelievably complex.

  After seven days, Han Luo had barely managed to go through it three times.

  Truthfully, there were still parts he hadn’t fully grasped. If given seven more days, he was confident he could completely master the first volume.

  But a promise is a promise—especially when it’s made to a woman.

  “Senior Brother, you finished reading?”

  Jiu Li’er asked politely, though she didn’t believe it for a second.

  Her grandmother had told her that the Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao were on the verge of celestial-level knowledge.

  Even though the first volume was the "simplest," just understanding it once could take a normal person four to five years. Fully mastering it could take decades.

  For someone like her, who was considered a once-in-a-century prodigy, just half-comprehending the first volume had already taken half a year. And even then, she estimated that achieving full comprehension would take her at least three years.

  So, while this Senior Brother Han was… well, kind of handsome, there was no way in hell he had managed to understand it all in just seven days.

  “Ahhh—” Han Luo stretched, shaking off his fatigue.

  “I’m done. Gotta say, the Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao truly live up to their reputation. It took me three whole days just to grasp the first pass—embarrassing, right?”

  Han Luo wasn’t satisfied with his results.

  "Pfft—"

  Jiu Li’er couldn’t help but burst into laughter before quickly sticking out her tongue, realizing she had lost composure.

  "Senior Brother Han, you sure know how to joke."

  "You don’t believe me?"

  Of course, she didn’t.

  "Senior Brother Han, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao is considered one of the most advanced formation studies in the entire Eastern Domain. Its depth rivals even my Jiu Li Clan’s Nine Li True Method. Even the greatest formation prodigies in my clan need at least three years just to master the first volume. And you’re saying you did it in three days? Sorry, Senior Brother, I just can’t believe that."

  Jiu Li’er was absolutely confident in her own formation skills.

  "Nine Li True Method?"

  Han Luo had never heard of it, but judging from her tone, it had to be on par with Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao.

  After personally experiencing the benefits of formation fundamentals, he understood that the foundation is everything in formations.

  Just like in cultivation—the stronger your foundation, the higher you can climb.

  "Alright, Junior Sister Jiu Li, since you don’t believe me, how about we make a bet?"

  "Alright, Senior Brother, I’m listening." Jiu Li’er was still brimming with confidence.

  "Before we start, I need you to swear an oath—an extremely simple one. You just have to promise not to tell anyone about today’s events. If you break this oath, then… you’ll get pus-filled sores on your feet, pimples all over your face, no progress in cultivation, complete failure in formations, and most importantly…"

  Han Luo paused for effect, then smirked.

  "…you’ll never get married. No man will ever like you, and you’ll die alone, spending your final days in misery and regret. How about that? Simple enough, right?"

  Jiu Li’er: …

  "Senior Brother, that’s… quite… simple, huh?"

  She found this Senior Brother very strange.

  But—

  She had absolute confidence in her formation skills.

  "Fine, I swear I won’t tell anyone. If I do, then—"

  Jiu Li’er completed the oath, and Han Luo felt the binding force of the Heavenly Dao take effect.

  In the cultivation world, oaths are not to be taken lightly—they always come true.

  Even Nascent Soul cultivators didn’t dare swear recklessly.

  Now that Jiu Li’er had officially sworn, Han Luo felt relieved.

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  "Alright, it’s simple. Since you don’t believe I comprehended Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao, I’ll explain what I’ve learned. With your expertise, you’ll be able to judge for yourself whether I’m lying."

  Han Luo was confident—now, he just needed to hook her in.

  "And what’s the bet?"

  Jiu Li’er could feel Han Luo ’s challenging aura, and as a formation prodigy, she refused to back down.

  "The bet is simple. If I lose, you can ask me for any formation materials you want—I'll get them for you. Even if you want the stars from the sky or pearls from the deep sea, I’ll find a way. But if I win…"

  Han Luo ’s eyes subtly swept over her.

  Feeling his gaze, Jiu Li’er instinctively tensed up.

  "No need to be nervous," he said, smirking. "If I win, I just want to take a look at your Nine Li True Method."

  Jiu Li’er let out a sigh of relief—only to feel a trace of disappointment at the same time.

  Still, at the mention of Nine Li True Method, she immediately became alert.

  That was her clan’s greatest formation inheritance—it wasn’t allowed to be shared.

  "Relax, I just want to look at it. And hey—you already assume I’ll win?"

  Han Luo could see her hesitation and went in for the kill.

  "Jiu Li, you’re a formation prodigy. But formations require massive resources. With me providing materials, your progress will skyrocket. Wouldn’t that be much better?"

  Junior Sister Jiu Li’er, let me teach you the true art of negotiation.

  "That’s not necessary!" Jiu Li’er protested.

  "My father, seven uncles, six younger uncles, nine aunts, four elder sisters, and twelve older brothers all collect formation materials for me! I don’t need your help!"

  Han Luo : …

  "Wow… your family is really… thriving."

  "But," she admitted, "I am curious about what Senior Brother has learned."

  "Great! I like your spirit!"

  "Now, let me explain—"

  Jiu Li’er leaned in to listen as Han Luo began his detailed breakdown of Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao.

  As the hours passed, her mouth slowly dropped open, her eyes filled with disbelief.

  By the end of his explanation, she was staring at him as if he were a god.

  "Senior Brother, you—you really comprehended all this in just seven days?"

  Jiu Li’er felt her confidence shatter into a million pieces.

  Her pride, her self-belief—all crushed beneath Han Luo ’s overwhelming talent.

  For the first time, she questioned everything.

  Had her grandmother been lying to her this whole time?

  Maybe… she wasn’t a genius after all.

  Seeing her on the verge of an existential crisis, Han Luo knew he had to act fast—he still needed to get his hands on Nine Li True Method!

  Han Luo looked at the dejected Jiu Li’er. He could tell she had been utterly shattered by the reality of his talent.

  To be fair—if he were in her shoes, he might have broken down and cried on the spot.

  Spending years to achieve something, only to watch someone else accomplish it in a few days—who wouldn’t feel despair?

  The fact that she hadn’t collapsed into a sobbing mess spoke volumes about her resilience.

  “Ahem…”

  He couldn’t just let her fall apart—not when she was his ticket to learning the Nine Li True Method.

  If she crumbled, who would he learn from?

  “Jiu Li, do you know why people cultivate?”

  Jiu Li’er looked up, her eyes full of confusion.

  “Because they have dreams.”

  Han Luo smiled—a brilliant, sun-like smile.

  “If you don’t have dreams, what’s the difference between you and a dead fish? Dreams make people great.”

  Han Luo firmly believed that his ability to spew motivational nonsense was directly proportional to his cultivation talent.

  “Jiu Li, you need to understand—every day, a new genius is born. Every day, people break through their limits. But in the end, how many truly reach the peak? Less than ten. Do you know why?”

  “Why?”

  Jiu Li’er’s dazed eyes flickered with a spark of curiosity.

  “Because talent alone isn’t enough. What truly carries you to the peak is perseverance. The most important thing in life isn’t where you stand, but which direction you’re moving. And you… have been walking the wrong path.”

  “…I’ve been walking the wrong path?”

  Jiu Li’er seemed to have grasped something.

  “If I’m not mistaken, you’ve been a formation prodigy since childhood. Naturally, that made you compare yourself to others. But with your talent, who could match you? Over time, you developed arrogance.

  Then, you met me.

  And for the first time, you lost.

  So now, you feel like you’ve lost everything.

  But in reality, Jiu Li—you just gained your true world.”

  “…My true world?”

  Jiu Li’er murmured, repeating his words.

  She seemed to be realizing something.

  “Remember this—never compare yourself to others. If you must compete, compete with yourself. True strength comes from within. The only enemy you need to defeat is yourself.”

  Han Luo stood radiant, exuding the confidence of a life coach.

  No wonder people loved giving motivational speeches.

  This felt amazing.

  “Mm!”

  Jiu Li’er nodded firmly, the light in her eyes rekindled.

  This time, there was something even brighter shining in them.

  “I understand now!”

  “Good.”

  “Mm! I won’t lose heart! Even if Senior Brother’s talent is monstrous, I won’t give up! One day, I’ll surpass you!”

  “…Pfft—”

  Han Luo nearly spat out blood.

  So, after all that talking, she didn’t take away a single philosophical lesson?

  Fine. Fine.

  She was still young—no point expecting her to comprehend deep life lessons just yet.

  “Alright, a bet is a bet—hand over the Nine Li True Method.”

  His real goal had always been the technique.

  Nothing in this world brought him more joy than learning.

  “Um… Senior Brother, can we change the bet to something else?”

  Jiu Li’er fidgeted, clearly trying to back out.

  But at the same time, she felt guilty.

  After all, Senior Brother had just given her a pep talk.

  She still wasn’t sure what exactly he said, but it felt warm and inspiring—like he was absolutely right.

  “Oh? Sure, we can change it.”

  Han Luo nodded generously.

  “How about… you become my personal pillow for the next three hundred years, and I’ll let this matter slide?”

  “AH—?!”

  Jiu Li’er yelped, her face turning bright red.

  “T-Then I’d rather just give you the Nine Li True Method!”

  She quickly retrieved a silk-bound manual from her embroidered pouch.

  “However, Senior Brother—you must promise not to pass it on. If my grandmother finds out I let someone else read it, I’ll be in so much trouble.”

  “Relax,” Han Luo grinned, accepting the book.

  “If there’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s honesty.”

  He then casually reminded her—

  “Oh, by the way, don’t forget your Heavenly Dao oath. If you tell anyone about today… well, I don’t want to see you turn into a pimple-faced, lonely old hag with no marriage prospects.”

  Han Luo smirked, then dashed off excitedly to study his new treasure.

  Jiu Li’er watched his focused, diligent figure disappear into his little study nook.

  She pursed her lips.

  “…I need to learn from Senior Brother,” she muttered.

  “I need to work harder. If I do, then one day… I’ll surpass him.”

  Half a Year Later

  Han Luo had essentially moved into the Book Pavilion. He lived, breathed, and slept among the books.

  Six months later, he finally set down the Nine Li True Method and Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao.

  “Ahhh—”

  Stretching lazily, he shook off the fatigue of endless studying.

  Suddenly, his expression changed. He muttered an incantation under his breath, trying to suppress something—

  But it was too late.

  A warm current surged through his body.

  —Breakthrough!

  He had advanced to Qi Refinement Stage Four.

  “…F***.”

  Han Luo couldn’t help but curse. At this point, he had given up on fighting it. If he couldn’t control it, then why bother?

  Might as well accept fate.

  As for his formation studies, the combination of two entirely different schools of thought should have been a nightmare to master.

  For anyone else, that is. For him, it was effortless.

  In reality, he had already completely mastered the first volumes of Nine Scrolls of Formation Dao and Nine Li True Method five months ago.

  The extra five months?

  Just being cautious. He had reviewed the material multiple times, ensuring that every detail was ingrained in his mind. With the theory perfected, it was time for practice.

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