Chapter 109: Tu Zhiyong

"Li Lang, having you accompany me today truly fills me with joy... This is the first time we've ever strolled outside together!" 

Lan Xinyi's smile was radiant, and for once, she showed a rare hint of her youthful charm from years past.

They walked side by side through the bustling streets of Tengyun Market, occasionally stopping at stalls to examine some novelty items, appearing relaxed and carefree, as if they were simply out for a casual outing.

"In these turbulent times, it's best not to leave home unless necessary… But since I happened to have some free time today, accompanying you on a shopping trip isn't so bad," Li Ye replied offhandedly, his gaze calmly sweeping across the market. 

Of course, he wasn't the kind of person to suddenly accompany Lan Xinyi to buy supplies on a whim. 

His real purpose was simple: to use this outing as a pretext to study the formation that enveloped the entire market. 

And as they strolled about, it didn't take long for him to get a pretty thorough grasp of the grand formation surrounding Tengyun Market. 

His mastery of formations had already reached lower-tier second grade, and with the partial second-grade formation diagram from Xie Yushu in hand, he had the clear upper hand from a higher perspective. 

If he couldn't quickly see through a formation derived from a simplified second-grade diagram, then he might as well just stay holed up in Cangcui Mountain and not come out.

With no fixed goal in mind, the two of them wandered freely until they eventually arrived at a shop decorated with various formation diagrams. 

At that moment, a man with a rather unattractive face but a confident bearing and a distinctive air was walking a customer out of the store. 

That unmistakable appearance belonged to none other than Tu Zhiyong, the formation master of the Tu family. 

As he bid farewell to the guest, Tu Zhiyong casually glanced at the street out of habit only to freeze when he caught sight of Li Ye. His expression sharpened immediately. 

"Could this be Daoist Li from Cangcui Mountain?" he asked from atop the steps, looking slightly down at Li Ye, a hint of scrutiny in his gaze. 

Li Ye replied with a calm smile, "Indeed, I am. I didn't expect to meet Daoist Tu under such circumstances." 

Tu Zhiyong let out a strange laugh. 

"Heh! Let's just say this was a 'chance encounter', shall we...?"

Mocking Li Ye for pretending to come here coincidentally while scoping out the formation. 

Li Ye, of course, understood what the man was thinking. 

Three years ago, when Li Ye had first arrived in the area, he hadn't yet aligned with any faction, making him a neutral option and even charging relatively low fees. 

As a result, many families unwilling to entrust their formation secrets to a Tu family member began inviting him instead to set up or modify their protective arrays. 

In a sense, he had taken business away from Tu Zhiyong. 

But after he aligned himself with Pingyang Mountain, those same families began to distrust him as well, and many of those commissions were taken back by Tu Zhiyong.

Since then, the two have effectively become the respective go-to formation masters for the families and the loose cultivator sects in the region. 

Though they'd never met in person before, comparisons between the two had been inevitable.

Thanks to propaganda from both sides, they were often portrayed as equals. 

However, once Tengyun Market was established and Tu Zhiyong successfully used the essence of a second-grade formation diagram to set up its defensive formation Li Ye's previously understated reputation was instantly overshadowed. 

It was clear that Tu Zhiyong now believed he had thoroughly outshone Li Ye. 

Li Ye, however, had never cared about such things. The formation Tu Zhiyong was so proud of looked full of holes to him laughably flawed, even.

Though Lan Xinyi felt a bit indignant on his behalf, her usual lighthearted demeanor around Li Ye was only a small part of her matured personality. Seeing Li Ye smiling and unbothered, she naturally refrained from any reaction. 

Without intending to linger, Li Ye was about to leave with Lan Xinyi.

But Tu Zhiyong remained on the steps, not moving, his tone tinged with pride as he said, 

"Since Daoist Li is here, why leave so quickly? You've seen the formation since we are fellow formation practitioners, why not have a little discussion?" 

Tu Zhiyong's shop was one of the busiest in Tengyun Market, thanks to the formations being a key selling point of the place.

Their brief conversation had already drawn some attention. 

Now that Tu Zhiyong openly suggested a discussion about the market's formation implying a contest of expertise curious cultivators nearby perked up, eager for some entertainment. 

But to their surprise, Li Ye simply shook his head.

"This formation is far too profound for me. I'm afraid I couldn't begin to discuss it meaningfully." 

His words left everyone momentarily stunned. 

Some onlookers hoping for a good show were practically shouting in their hearts: 

"With such a beauty at your side, now's your chance to show off how can you chicken out like this?!" 

Tu Zhiyong narrowed his eyes, pressing further: 

"Are you admitting then, that your formation skills are inferior to mine?" 

There was clear provocation in his tone, hoping to goad Li Ye. 

But Li Ye simply clasped his hands seriously and said,

"Daoist Tu's mastery of formations is extraordinary nearing second-grade proficiency. I humbly admit I fall short." 

Once again, gasps rippled through the crowd. 

Even Lan Xinyi looked at Li Ye in disbelief. 

Was this the end of the rivalry between the two great formation masters of the Chidi Mountains decided so casually by Li Ye conceding? 

Tu Zhiyong was briefly stunned, but then his smile widened. 

It seemed his work on this formation had truly exceeded that of an ordinary first-grade master…

To win without even a contest once today's events spread, Tu Zhiyong's name would shine brighter than ever! 

The Tu family's position would certainly rise as well, putting them ahead of the so-called rabble. 

Tu Zhiyong was about to speak again, perhaps to show some graciousness as the victor. 

But when he turned to look, he realized Li Ye and the lady from the Lan family had already disappeared without a trace! 

... 

"Li Lang, why did you concede so easily? In my eyes, the formation on Changcui Peak is no less effective than the one protecting this market…" 

Walking along another street, Lan Xinyi looked puzzled, still visibly upset. 

But before she could finish her sentence, Li Ye cast her a glance, and she immediately fell silent. 

"A petty contest of pride what does it matter who's better? If one never forms a foundation, then a hundred years from now, we're all just dust in the ground." 

Li Ye spoke calmly, completely indifferent to the matter. 

Fame once this formation is broken, any reputation it carried will vanish with it. 

Worse still, if he were to reveal his understanding of the formation now and raise Tu Zhiyong's guard, then when Xu Pingyang eventually attacked, any unexpected changes to the formation could ruin their entire plan. Wouldn't that just be asking for trouble? 

Besides… with his level-two mastery in formation arts, to sit down and "discuss" formations with Tu Zhiyong would be nothing short of bullying.

Beating up a child gains you nothing and Li Ye wasn't interested in doing something so pointless. 

Hearing his words, Lan Xinyi fell silent. 

After walking a while, her gaze turned complex as she softly said, 

"Li Lang… to remain unshackled by reputation, your heart is truly focused on the Dao. I still have much to learn…" 

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