Chapter 11: The Three Talents Source Formation
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Hearing Liu Bo’s words, Li Xuan confirmed his suspicions but intentionally elevated his stature, saying, “May I ask, Manager Liu, what exactly should I do? I hope you will kindly enlighten me!”
Liu Bo’s expression darkened. He twisted his fingers into an elegant gesture and spoke in a muffled, gruff voice, “You brat, don’t try to play games with me. If it weren’t for the young lady’s sake, you’d have been executed on the spot long ago! Hurry up, or don’t blame me for castrating you to let you experience a life without light!”
Li Xuan’s stubborn temper flared. He retorted angrily, “Fine tactic. If you have the skill, open this raw stone for me to see!”
Li Xuan was no fool. The way the other party had arranged things indicated that the raw stone was of great importance; otherwise, the Sacred Moon Imperial Court wouldn’t treat them with such favor.
At the same time, Li Xuan became even more certain that the raw stone concealed an unspeakable secret—one he didn’t need to know, only to open it.
However, the Sacred Moon Imperial Court’s favor to the Li family was just words. If they reneged and the Li family lacked sufficient means to protect itself, their grand house could collapse in an instant.
Such events were common throughout history.
The Li family had declined and could no longer endure such upheaval.
“Old man, I’m not one to bluster without reason. When asking for help, it’s only proper to show some humility. Your voice is too loud; I don’t like it!”
Li Xuan remained composed, striking the right balance with Liu Bo. Since they were merely doing someone else’s bidding, there was no need to be so serious. Yielding a bit would make future meetings easier.
Jiang Qingyue frowned, a hint of anger in her voice. “Li Xuan, Liu Bo is a good man. Don’t push him too far!”
Liu Bo sighed. “It is indeed my fault. Please, Young Master Li, do not be angry. Let us focus on how to open the raw stone.”
Li Xuan tilted his head. “Manager Liu, there’s no rush. Before opening the raw stone, the foremost consideration must be absolute safety. Moreover, this matter cannot be disclosed to outsiders, right? I don’t know if, once the stone is opened, the gambling stone workshop might detain me as a hostage or even kill me to silence me. Surely the Li family won’t gain power overnight simply because of an imperial decree. Therefore, I demand guarantees. Without them, I will never open the raw stone!”
Liu Bo had seen much scheming—within the palace, among courtiers, and behind the scenes. It was the first time he’d met someone so calculating. He couldn’t help but admire Li Xuan.
Yet, all this was as the princess had predicted. Liu Bo produced a golden plaque from his bosom. “This is the reward from my master. I hope you take good care of yourself.”
Li Xuan took the plaque and approached Jiang Qingyue. “Sister, please keep this safe for me. I trust you won’t betray me.”
Jiang Qingyue’s cheeks flushed. She shot Li Xuan a sharp glance before decisively taking the plaque. “As long as I have breath in me, I won’t let the Li family suffer injustice!”
Liu Bo finally understood. Li Xuan’s move not only involved scheming against the princess but also implicated the Jiang family. Such tactics meant that if this young man did not become a loyal servant of the imperial court, he would surely become a dangerous enemy. Hopefully, his goals did not conflict with the princess’s.
“Now, you should be reassured. Time is of the essence. Please, Young Master Li, instruct us on how to open the raw stone!”
Liu Bo bore heavy responsibility and could wait no longer. With everyone else having withdrawn, the gambling stone workshop was now as impenetrable as a fortress.
Yet Li Xuan showed no intention of acting immediately. Instead, he went to Jiang Qingyue. “Sister, give me your dowry.”
Jiang Qingyue naturally refused, and after a brief scuffle, she reluctantly handed over her “dowry.”
Li Xuan took out various rare jade treasures, inscribing all sorts of mysterious source-pattern talismans. As the source light gleamed, these quickly fused with the gambling stone workshop’s original source patterns.
“This source-pattern protective formation is already the strongest. You needn’t trouble yourself,” Liu Bo kindly reminded.
Li Xuan ignored him, continuing to carve the enigmatic source-pattern talismans. In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he was gasping with exhaustion.
Jiang Qingyue and Liu Bo volunteered to assist. Following Li Xuan’s instructions, they quickly repaired the source formation. Golden rays flashed as wails and bloodshed accompanied the forcible expulsion of shadowy figures.
Li Xuan took a deep breath, surveying the surroundings. He slowly said, “I need help to construct the Heaven-Earth-Human triad formation.”
Liu Bo’s eyes deepened with a hint of anger. “Am I not human?”
Jiang Qingyue gave Li Xuan a meaningful glance. “Liu Bo’s cultivation is profound—he’s the best choice.”
Li Xuan shook his head. “The Heaven-Earth-Human triad source formation requires the interplay of yin and yang. Liu Bo’s body is incomplete. How could he embody the harmonious balance of yin and yang, water and fire?”
“You...”
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Liu Bo’s lips trembled with fury, utterly incensed.
Li Xuan continued, “Liu Bo, please calm down. I mean no offense. The triad source formation is crucial to opening the raw stone, so there cannot be the slightest mistake. If I caused you harm, I beg your forgiveness.”
Since Li Xuan had taken on this task, he was determined to see it through properly. The prior repair of the source formation had already proven its effectiveness—those hidden spies had been driven away.
Now, setting up the triad source formation was the key. But who could replace Liu Bo?
Suddenly, petals drifted down from the sky, and a graceful figure descended from nowhere, accompanied by a spreading fragrance. A stunning woman clad in silver armor alighted gently.
Her skin was whiter than snow, translucent and flawless, with a perfect waist-to-hip ratio, as pure as a lotus blossom.
Yet, her thin veil shrouded her face, arousing endless imagination.
Compared to Jiang Qingyue, she possessed a different, equally captivating charm, exuding noble elegance in her very bones.
“May I?” she asked.
Normally, everyone would envy Li Xuan’s good fortune with women, but they had no idea what it meant to be undeserving—seeing, desiring, but unable to touch. It was a torment that could drive one mad with longing yet leave them utterly helpless.
Li Xuan swallowed hard, his voice husky. “Of course.”
Jiang Qingyue saw this and gave Li Xuan a sharp kick on the rear. “Had enough?”
Only then did Li Xuan come to his senses and begin arranging the source patterns. The three watched his clumsy attempts, both annoyed and amused. They pushed him aside and said, “Leave it to us.”
Li Xuan didn’t argue. Knowing his own limited cultivation, he entrusted the intricate work to them, giving oral instructions as they completed the triad source formation.
Jiang Qingyue’s “dowry” was soon completely spent.
At this moment, source light shone brightly, piercing toward the raw stone like three sharp blades.
Li Xuan made a swift decision, leaping forward. With a palm strike, he pushed Liu Bo aside and took control. Forming hand seals, he guided the internal source power of the raw stone, flushing it outward.
Jiang Qingyue and the veiled woman each activated their cultivation techniques, protecting Li Xuan and sustaining the triad source formation.
The wind roared, thunder rolled, and the seasons shifted from spring to summer. The blazing sun, howling wind, and crackling thunder heralded an apocalyptic upheaval, devastating everything in its path.
In an instant, yin and yang harmonized, gentle rain fell, and bitter cold alternated. The raw stone trembled as if the world were being born anew.
The two women’s techniques fostered the yin-yang balance, creating two polar array cores that spun rapidly, generating a powerful gravitational pull.
Li Xuan stood alone between yin and yang, feeling the triad source formation’s flux. He replenished his source power in time but soon grew weak from insufficient energy. Fortunately, Liu Bo struck out with a palm, injecting a gentle force into Li Xuan’s body.
Boom!
A mighty thunderclap rolled in, colliding with the two women’s yin source power, causing the triad source formation to shake violently.
The two women felt the pressure multiply.
Only now did the three realize that Li Xuan harbored no ill intent.
Li Xuan felt like a fragile boat adrift on a vast sea, helpless and overwhelmed. He shouted, “Liu Bo, quickly withdraw your source power! I’m about to explode!”
The two women swore loudly, “What’s with the yelling? Find a solution!”
Liu Bo was also anxious. The source power was tightly bound and could not be withdrawn. Within a few breaths, his face turned pale.
Li Xuan had no choice but to think quickly. He activated the Sacred Emperor Blue Lotus Technique, using his body as a conduit to forcibly reverse his bloodline, converting Liu Bo’s yin source power into yang source power.
Within a cup of tea’s time, the triad source formation stabilized. The raw stone’s internal source power was thoroughly drawn out, triggering an ancient seal and unleashing a massive backlash that surged fiercely.
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Li Xuan felt as if his entire body was about to burst. He immediately struck out with both palms, sending the two women flying.
At that moment, Li Xuan bit his finger and swiftly traced a source pattern in midair. The source light flashed and vanished.
He looked at Jiang Qingyue, decisively breaking Liu Bo’s source power, then let a drop of blood fall. He shouted, “Open source!”
That drop of blood fell like a shooting star. Upon touching the raw stone, the source light condensed and exploded with a roar.
Boom!
The tremendous blast echoed like thunder, scattering stone fragments and hurling debris into the sky.
“Li Xuan!” Jiang Qingyue shouted, rushing forward, only to be stopped by the veiled woman.
Both the woman and Liu Bo watched in awe. Even those accustomed to grand scenes found it hard to remain unmoved.
Suddenly, a fierce aura spread, charging outward but suppressed by the golden light of the triad source formation, pouring into Li Xuan’s body.
Immediately, flames blazed all over Li Xuan. The source light burned away the fierce aura, using Li Xuan’s body as the battlefield.
The entire process was swift. At last, a beam of source light shot up, landing in Li Xuan’s hand and instantly transforming into an ancient scroll.
Li Xuan’s entire body turned pitch black, and he coughed black smoke. Only his eyes darted about wildly.
Jiang Qingyue hurried forward, concern etched on her face. “Li Xuan, are you alright?”
Cracks and burn marks from the source fire covered Li Xuan’s skin. His gaze was vacant, staring blankly at Jiang Qingyue, terrifying her into wailing uncontrollably as she shook him desperately.
“I was fine, but you almost made me fall apart! If you’re willing, the bridal chamber is no problem—one hundred times, yes, one hundred times!”
Li Xuan suddenly spoke, his eyes fixed on the veiled woman.
Jiang Qingyue, overwhelmed with joy, slapped Li Xuan hard, sending him flying askew.
“This one really is...”
Liu Bo looked at Li Xuan’s condition with an indescribable expression.
The woman spoke coldly, “What is it?”
Liu Bo bowed. “Somewhat lacking, and quite mischievous!”
The woman smiled radiantly, like a blooming ice lotus. Even with the veil, one could imagine a face of unparalleled beauty.
“Alright, if you keep hitting him, you’ll end up a widow!”
Li Xuan replied cheekily, “Forgot what I told you before? I respect you like a mother in my heart!”
Jiang Qingyue was silent upon hearing this.
Li Xuan lightly touched his blackened face and approached the woman. “Beautiful lady, please return this scroll to the owner of the gambling stone workshop. I’m feeling unwell and must take my leave.”
Jiang Qingyue came to support Li Xuan, glancing back at the woman, words caught in her throat.