Chapter 64: The Formation

"That young woman took the liberty to decide on her own, allowing you to skip the first box. Let's try testing the second and third boxes instead," Lu Yi said.

"There’s no need. I’m already over thirty, and besides, I’m a married man," Lin Yang replied, somewhat helplessly.

"Since you've said so, I won’t spoil your good mood," Lu Yi answered, then returned to the stage.

She glanced back at the audience, and at that moment, the crowd began to stir, calling out, eager to dine with Lu Yi.

"Miss Lu, didn’t you say there was one more challenge before we could dine with you?" called out a man who had already passed three trials and chosen his companion, stirring up the crowd.

"Yes, that's right!" echoed several others.

The dozen or so men who had passed the trials shouted, pressing Lu Yi to fulfill her promise.

Seeing the situation was becoming uncontrollable, Miss Lu decided to select a challenge.

"Since you all are so enthusiastic, I am overjoyed and won’t dampen your spirits," Lu Yi said as she wrote her challenge on a piece of rice paper.

The group of men hurried forward to have a look.

"We have to draw an array diagram on paper and replicate the array on this box as well?" bellowed a burly, rough-looking man. His very appearance was slovenly, and if not for his cultivation, he likely wouldn’t have been allowed in.

"Miss Lu, you must be doing this on purpose. If you don’t like us, just say so, no need to insult us by implying we’re useless," he continued, nearly ready to start a fight.

"You cannot compare all present to yourself, my friend. I believe there are many here who are skilled in the way of arrays," Lu Yi replied, eyeing the rough and even ugly man before her with thinly veiled disgust, retreating two steps without drawing attention.

"Can any of you do it?" the man demanded, clearly used to bullying others. If anyone dared compose a poem, he’d just punch them on the stage.

"Ma the Ruffian, stop pestering Miss Lu. Are you looking to provoke everyone’s anger?"

"Yeah, that’s right," others chimed in. "We’ll knock you out and drag you out if you keep it up!"

Several men immediately banded together to confront Ma the Ruffian.

"When have you weaklings ever stood up for yourselves before?" Ma sneered, but seeing the numbers against him, he could only slink off the stage, muttering threats as he left.

"You just wait. Don’t let me catch any of you alone," he grumbled as he left in defeat.

The crowd erupted in laughter at his retreat.

As the commotion grew harder to control, Lu Yi quickly spoke up.

"Then, gentlemen, please attempt the diagram," she said, steering the situation back on course.

Everyone fell silent.

After half an hour, all they had managed was a superficial drawing of the array, and even that was the simplest, easily imprinted pattern. Further attempts revealed their limits—only true masters could create such a box, let alone discern the internal structure just by looking at it from the outside.

Lu Yi saw their embarrassment—her intention all along. After all, a bunch of bumpkins dreaming of marrying her could be easily deterred with such a test. If someone truly could solve the array, then he’d be a worthy son-in-law for the Lu family. Anyone wishing to join the Lu family would need real skill.

At this thought, she remembered Lin Yang. Anyone who could instantly discern the function of the box surely had some ability.

She brought the box to him.

"My friend, since you’re here, why not try drawing the array diagram and join in the fun? If you succeed, our Lu family will owe you a favor," Lu Tian chimed in, fanning the excitement.

All eyes turned to Lin Yang. "Yes, why not try? It’ll only take a moment," the crowd urged.

Lin Yang considered for a moment. Since he needed to meet the Lu clan head, he might as well take this route.

"Alright, give me a sheet of paper," he agreed.

"How straightforward," said Lu Yi, handing him a sheet and even passing him her own pen.

Lin Yang gently pushed aside her pen, drawing out his own personal array brush. Swiftly, he began his work, infusing the paper with spiritual energy as he drew.

Within twenty breaths, his brush flew across the paper. Infusing the diagram with spiritual energy, the array instantly activated.

Astonished, the crowd surged forward to observe, exclaiming in admiration.

Lu Yi took the paper and examined the array’s intricate lines. With just a touch of spiritual energy, the entire pattern began to function. To inscribe an array on a non-spiritual material was like balancing tofu on a needle’s tip—impossible.

Yet Lin Yang had done it. Not only that, but the array’s effect was even stronger than before—a feat bordering on the miraculous.

"I never imagined you were a master of arrays. I apologize for my earlier disrespect. May I ask, what brings you to the Lu family? If there is something you need, we will do our utmost to help," Lu Yi said, having quickly deduced from his skill that Lin Yang was no ordinary visitor.

A master of arrays such as him could only be cultivated by a major sect, not some backwater town.

Lin Yang realized this woman was astute—she could deduce much from scattered clues. He disliked such cleverness; with people like her, every thought was laid bare, and one risked being led by the nose in conversation.

"I do indeed have business with the Lu family. I need to discuss something with your clan leader," Lin Yang stated his purpose, while Lu Yi, still curious, did not press further.

"May I ask what matter brings you to our patriarch? Should I deliver a message for you?"

"That won’t be necessary. Just let your clan leader know. That will suffice," Lin Yang replied, then closed his eyes to rest.

Seeing this, Lu Yi had no choice but to assign someone else to preside, while she led Lin Yang to meet the Lu family patriarch.

"This way, please. By the way, may I ask your name?"

"My name is Lin Yang."

"And may I ask your age?" Lu Yi probed, trying to glean more information.

"I don’t think that’s necessary, nor is it your concern. Let’s get this over with quickly and spare ourselves the trouble," Lin Yang replied, raising his voice in exasperation, finally silencing Lu Yi’s persistent questions.

…