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Elder Rufeng smiled at the thirty-two students. He was especially satisfied with the third team. Though they were weakest in terms of talent and strength, they demonstrated remarkable coordination.
They likely would've defeated the first team if not for Qing Xuanling.
"That's all for today. You might think today's class was meaningless since these mortal formations are useless against cultivators—but that's not true." Elder Rufeng looked meaningfully at everyone. "How did you feel working together in a battle formation?"
Initially, no one knew how to respond. They hesitated briefly before the third team's leader raised his hand.
"It was… complicated. I was in charge of holding a shield—and it was far more difficult than I expected. I couldn't see, it was hard to maintain that heavy shield without my Qi, and I had to place complete trust in my teammates."
"Does everyone feel the same?" Elder Rufeng smiled as everyone nodded. "If you felt that—then this class achieved its purpose."
"What the elders wanted from this class was for you to realize how difficult it is to be part of a formation—how much trust and coordination it requires. After all, knowing how to use formations with your companions might save your life someday."
Elder Rufeng's eyes were unusually serious as he said this last part. He spoke from experience—his life had been saved countless times by joining forces with clan companions in battle formations.
That was why he wanted these brats—who represented the clan's future—to possess this trump card as well.
'Hehe—I wonder when I became so much like an old man…'
Elder Rufeng shook his head with a smile and retrieved thirty-two books from his spatial ring. Ten rested in his left hand, the remaining twenty-two in his right.
"As I said at the beginning—the winners of this little tournament would receive something." Elder Rufeng made the books in his left hand float toward Qing Xuanling's team, the rest toward the others. "Though the other teams will also receive something as a welcome gift for this class."
"The winners' book contains the method for using the Golden Furnace Formation—a low-grade Profound-rank battle formation. The others' books contain the Endless Soldiers Formation—a high-grade Yellow-rank formation. Study them well—the next classes will focus on practicing these formations!"
With that, Elder Rufeng clapped his hands and vanished suddenly—leaving behind a few final words.
"You may leave on your own—and don't speak of what happened here to anyone else—not even to your lovers or parents. Otherwise, don't blame the clan for being merciless!"
Everyone was slightly bewildered by the final warning—but they understood. After all, they'd already been warned to maintain confidentiality about all this. And none intended to discuss the university with outsiders.
The clan had worked hard to find youths with good talent and character—so none were loose-lipped.
"Shall we go upstairs and sit in the meadow? I think we should take advantage of the time to study the Golden Furnace Formation." Qing Muyu smiled as he asked everyone.
The others exchanged glances and nodded. It was certainly necessary to at least know what kind of battle formation they'd been given—and even better to do so with the people they'd be forming it with.
Everyone ascended to the university's first floor, checked the class schedules posted on the bulletin board, and walked a short distance away from the building.
Qing Huayan retrieved a blanket from her spatial ring and spread it on the ground. Simultaneously, she produced several baskets filled with snacks. She smiled upon noticing everyone's curious gazes.
"I often go camping in the forests—so I always carry all sorts of things to make stays more comfortable. Plus some food I prepared beforehand. I'm somewhat of a glutton, hehe…"
"Oh—you're just like Xuanling!" Qing Wentian looked at Huayan in surprise. "She often goes to the Scarlet Forest to train. At least four times a week."
Qing Huayan's eyes lit up. "Really, Ninth Sister?! I've always wanted to go to the Scarlet Forest—but my parents never allowed me!"
Qing Xuanling nodded. "Yes—though I haven't gone recently. I've been venturing into the Scarlet Forest since I was fourteen. Though I can't call myself an expert—I'm quite knowledgeable about the forest's peculiarities… Mmm, well—if you want, only if you want… we could go together if the opportunity arises."
She slightly averted her gaze. She rarely extended such invitations to people. On the contrary—she usually avoided companionship at all costs. She didn't feel safe around strangers—mainly due to the slight harassment she'd suffered before.
However, the people on this team seemed quite pleasant… so she felt she could trust them slightly. Of course—the main reason was that Qing Xuanling now had greater confidence in her own strength.
"Alright—it's a promise, Ninth Sister! I'll ask my parents for permission!" Qing Huayan smiled happily while beginning to distribute the snacks—which turned out to be homemade cookies and sandwiches.
The others chuckled slightly at the scene. To them, Qing Xuanling felt like a stray cat that was finally accepting their caresses.
Qing Rannuan laughed while forming hand seals. Suddenly, the grass beside the blanket on the ground began growing—reaching several meters in height and forming an umbrella that cast a large shadow over everyone.
"I don't like being under the sun~"
The others agreed and chatted leisurely for half an hour—until the snacks ran out, ending up primarily in Qing Xunwei's stomach…
Afterward, they began seriously studying the Golden Furnace Formation. Even Qing Hanlin—who had been sleeping—awoke.
When each finished reading the book, they were quite surprised. The formation sounded quite powerful and useful.
Essentially, the Golden Furnace Formation required each member to form a unique series of hand seals—which, when used together with teammates' seals, created a synergy forming a kind of spiritual energy-devouring node.
This node connected to all members—so when the Golden Furnace Formation was active, everyone received a constant additional Qi supply. Additionally—if necessary—members could also send their own Qi to others to assist.
The devouring node would purify the Qi and convert it into something usable for everyone.
Everyone was highly satisfied with the battle formation.
Each gave their opinion on the formation—until finally, everyone departed separately, promising to reunite in three days to practice the formation.
All entered the forest surrounding the university—heading toward their respective homes. Qing Xuanling watched her teammates take different directions, wondering if those were the general directions where the family branch residences were located.
Qing Wentian shook his head. "Forget it—you won't figure it out. The location of the family branches' residences is a secret. They probably have to take several detours just to reach their homes."
Qing Xuanling blinked curiously—wondering how Qing Wentian knew that. But upon reflection—it made sense. Qing Wentian was recognized as the clan's greatest genius—excluding or perhaps even including family branch members.
It was natural he'd know more than usual.
In the end, she stopped pondering it and returned to her room with Qing Wentian. She immediately went to bathe—after all, she was sweaty and dirty from fight Elder Xuyun earlier.
She quickly changed after bathing—and frowned at the robes Madam Yechan had gifted her. She still felt somewhat bitter.
'I'll ask the girls on the team if they know a skilled seamstress…'
She shook her head and summoned Xuan Dan from her divine sea.
Xuan Dan yawned the moment she emerged. "Finally…! It was so boring watching all that!"
Qing Xuanling smiled. When Xuan Dan was in her divine sea, she could enter a sleep-like state—or if Qing Xuanling permitted it, see through Qing Xuanling's eyes.
But even so—Xuan Dan had grown quite bored. She truly wasn't interested in other people or activities unrelated to alchemy.
Qing Xuanling laughed. "What did you think of today's class? Aside from it being boring, of course."
Xuan Dan shrugged. "Is there anything more to say beyond what you already thought? It's simple—the clan is preparing us to form an elite team for missions. The members of each team were likely somewhat planned by the elders from the beginning."
Qing Xuanling nodded. She'd also discussed this with her teammates—and everyone agreed their impromptu group would likely remain together for a long time.
That was precisely why the team atmosphere had been so cooperative—everyone knew they'd stay together long-term. Of course—it also helped that the team members were naturally quite sociable and friendly.
"Sigh… I wonder what the clan is planning." Qing Xuanling frowned.
On the way back, she'd conversed with Qing Wentian and finally discovered what had happened to Qing Chu. As she'd expected—he'd been the spy.
She'd felt quite pleased hearing his fate—but couldn't help connecting the university's establishment with the clear hostility shown by the Ink Sword Sect and Mo Clan.
'…Are we preparing for war?'
She truly sensed it would be so. Especially with the tournament the Young Master had mentioned earlier. It was clear that had been the compensation the clan demanded for the other two forces' attack.
After all—the Qing Clan she knew wasn't one to remain silent in the face of offenses.
She didn't know if the clan had paid a price to arrange this tournament—but it didn't matter to her. After all—she only needed to win.
Qing Xuanling continued discussing the matter with Xuan Dan for several hours—before finally leaving the room. She still had one place she needed to visit today.
The ancestral forge.
After all—today was the day Elder Gao would officially reforge her sword! The day she'd been eagerly awaiting!
She walked briskly toward the ancestral forge—occasionally greeting passersby who recognized and greeted her. Apparently, the fever caused by the revelation of her talent had subsided. That was a relief to her.
Thus, she reached Elder Gao's personal forge without much trouble. She knocked on the door and waited several minutes—before Elder Gao finally emerged, looking somewhat disheveled. He clicked his tongue.
"Finally here, brat. I thought you wouldn't come today!" Elder Gao shook his head and pulled Qing Xuanling inside. "Show me the Five Elements Ingot immediately!"
Qing Xuanling smiled wryly and had no choice but to retrieve the ingot.
Elder Gao snatched it immediately and began examining it. He palpated it, sniffed it—and even licked it despite Qing Xuanling's stunned gaze. He nodded satisfactorily after all these tests.
"Good—you've taken quite good care of it, brat! The sentience within the ingot has strengthened greatly! At this point—we no longer need to worry about it not withstanding the forging process!"
Qing Xuanling's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Does that mean we'll finally reforge my sword?!"
Elder Gao nodded with an excited expression. He felt deep in his soul that the sword he'd forge today would be among the greatest masterpieces of his entire life.
'Especially since I'm finally going to find out if that's possible...!'
He took a deep breath, struggling to maintain his composure.
"Come—let's begin at once! I've made all preparations over the past few days!"