149: Zhao Gan's Challenge

"The records show no abnormalities, and my Divine Sense didn't detect anything wrong when I probed from a distance."

Qu Yunshang looked at Lin Feng, "But the Sect Protection Formation is of great importance; it is better to believe it exists than to believe it does not."

"I will immediately report this matter in secret to Elder Mo Yuan and increase the frequency of inspections on the 'Heart-Moon Fox' Formation base."

Just then, Zhao Gan happened to pass by holding a scroll of Formation diagrams; upon hearing their conversation, he stopped in his tracks.

"'Heart-Moon Fox' main Formation base is abnormal?" He scoffed, his gaze sweeping over Lin Feng.

"Junior Brother Lin, do you know that is one of the Vermilion Bird Formation eyes of our Sect's mountain protection Formation, personally guarded by Junior Martial Uncle Mo Yuan and several Elders?"

"Its monitoring Jade Slip has records every moment; do not be like someone who mistakes a bow's reflection for a snake just because of some ordinary fluctuations in spiritual power, making yourself a laughingstock."

Qu Yunshang's expression darkened: "Senior Brother Zhao, when it comes to the Sect Protection Formation, one cannot be too cautious."

"I will report this matter to the Elder myself; there is no need for you to worry about it."

Zhao Gan heard this, his gaze sweeping between Qu Yunshang and Lin Feng, finally fixing on Qu Yunshang, a cold sneer tugging at the corner of his mouth:

"Junior Sister Qu is always steady; why would you make such a big fuss today because of the conjecture of a newly joined Disciple?"

"The Sect Protection Formation has never had any errors in three hundred years; are we now going to disturb the Elder because of the baseless guess of an outsider?"

He changed the subject, turning to Lin Feng: "Junior Brother Lin is a newcomer; how much do you know about the Sect Protection Formation?"

"To make rash judgments based on just a faint, elusive sensation is far too reckless."

"If it turns out to be a false alarm in the end, can you... bear the responsibility?"

He deliberately enunciated the last few words heavily, then flicked his sleeves and turned to leave, stirring up a gust of wind.

Qu Yunshang watched his receding back, her brows furrowing even tighter.

Although Zhao Gan's words were harsh, they were not without reason.

The Sect Protection Formation had indeed remained stable for hundreds of years.

She couldn't help but cast her gaze toward the northwest, where clouds swirled and twenty-eight main Formation bases were quietly operating.

If it were really as Lin Feng said...

This thought made her heart tighten.

If that were true, then beneath this seemingly peaceful Sect Holy Land, a crisis that no one had noticed was likely lurking.

"This matter is of great importance; do not mention it to others for now." Qu Yunshang turned to Lin Feng.

Lin Feng nodded, understanding the stakes: "Senior Sister, rest assured, I understand the gravity of the situation."

"Wait for my news." Qu Yunshang let out a slight sigh of relief and then turned and hurried away.

A few days later, on the training ground of the Formation Pavilion's side hall, Zhao Gan was discussing a complex Formation pattern change with several familiar Inner Sect Disciples.

When Lin Feng walked in, the conversation paused slightly.

Zhou Chun, who was slightly plump and had a kind face, nudged Zhao Gan with his elbow, pursed his lips toward Lin Feng's direction, and lowered his voice to laugh:

"Senior Brother Zhao, look, that Junior Brother Lin from the Tianxuan Sect is here."

"Recently, Senior Sister Qu seems to hold him in high regard and often gives him personal guidance."

Sun Li, who was tall and thin, chimed in: "Indeed, he has been here for less than a month, yet he can make Senior Sister Qu pay so much attention to him, and Elder Mo Yuan seems to tacitly allow him to observe freely; this kind of treatment is rare."

"Junior Brother Zhou, what do you think he has that makes him so extraordinary?"

Zhao Gan heard this, and his gaze couldn't help but turn to Lin Feng.

He was naturally proud, extremely obsessed with the Dao of Formations, and confident in his own talent.

Qu Yunshang was the Junior Sister he liked; that even she valued an "outsider" so much, and Elder Mo Yuan seemed to view him differently as well, caused an underlying sense of unwillingness to lose to arise in his heart, mixed with a trace of intense curiosity.

He wanted to see for himself, what real skills this Lin Feng actually had in Formations to be worth such treatment.

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned around, his gaze fixed straight on Lin Feng, who was preparing to walk toward a Formation diagram on the other side: "Junior Brother Lin."

Lin Feng stopped and looked at him.

Zhao Gan walked forward, and the gazes of the surrounding Disciples, including Zhou Chun and Sun Li, also gathered curiously.

"Although Junior Brother Lin has been here for a short time, to be favored by Senior Sister Qu and the Elder, you must indeed have talent in the Dao of Formations."

He changed the subject, "But observing Formation diagrams all day is ultimately one step removed."

"Why don't we have a sparring match? Let's use the most basic 'Four Symbols Yin and Yang Formation' as the topic and each set up a Formation, how about that? It will also let us see Junior Brother's strength."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Li whispered to Zhou Chun: "It seems Senior Brother Zhao is serious."

"Although the Yin and Yang Star Lock Formation is basic, it best reveals the foundation and spiritual nature of the one setting up the Formation."

Zhou Chun clicked his tongue slightly: "Using this to test him right off the bat, isn't that a bit too strict? Junior Brother Lin has only been here for half a month, right..."

Sun Li shook his head: "It seems Senior Brother Zhao really wants to test his true worth."

These discussions were not loud, but they clearly drifted into the ears of everyone present.

The atmosphere suddenly became a bit subtle, and everyone's gazes shifted back and forth between Zhao Gan and Lin Feng.

They all knew Zhao Gan's strength well and naturally assumed that this was a contest with a disparity in strength.

Lin Feng could clearly feel the meaning in those gazes.

He looked at Zhao Gan and nodded calmly: "If Senior Brother Zhao intends to offer guidance, this Junior Brother will naturally accompany you."

Just as everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the final result, a rush of hurried footsteps approached. Qu Yunshang's figure appeared, her expression grave, and she walked straight to the center of the field.

The center of the training ground was quickly cleared, and Lin Feng and Zhao Gan stood facing each other on the training ground.

Zhao Gan took four Formation Flags from his Storage Pouch; one was embroidered with red sun patterns, one depicted a silver moon totem, and the other two had blue cloud and dark water patterns respectively.

He flicked his wrist lightly, and the four Formation Flags flew out in response.

The Yang flag and Yin flag landed first in the Taiji positions, and the cloud and water flags then surrounded them, forming a perfect Four Symbols cycle.

What was most exquisite was that the spiritual power flow between the four Formation Flags was completely natural, and the Yin and Yang Qi complemented each other within the Formation.

Zhou Chun whispered to Sun Li: "Senior Brother Zhao is actually able to master the Yin and Yang Four Symbols; this Formation-setting technique is likely unmatched among the younger generation."

When it was Lin Feng's turn, he took out eight of the most ordinary blue cloth Formation Flags.

Sun Li frowned slightly at the sight: "Using eight basic Formation Flags to interpret the Yin and Yang changes is far too cumbersome..."

Lin Feng closed his eyes and focused, clearly reflecting the Yin and Yang flow trajectory he had just perceived in his Sea of Consciousness.

When he opened his eyes and picked up the blue cloth Formation Flags, his wrists moved naturally, following that rhythm.

When the last Formation Flag fell, the eight blue flags naturally formed Yin and Yang fish eyes, with four pairs of Formation Flags corresponding to the changes of Lesser Yang, Greater Yang, Lesser Yin, and Greater Yin, naturally forming a flow of Yin and Yang.

Just as everyone was holding their breath, waiting for the final result, a rush of hurried footsteps approached. Qu Yunshang's figure appeared, her expression grave, and she walked straight to the center of the field.

"Senior Brother Zhao, Junior Brother Lin," she said, her speech slightly hurried, interrupting the competition that was about to be completed, "Elder Mo Yuan has ordered that both of you immediately accompany me to the 'Heart-Moon Fox' main Formation base; there is an urgent matter to discuss."