Chapter 82: A Net-like Formation

After initiating that meticulous and intricate fishing plan, the well-behaved and handsome Second Young Master Fang seemed no different on the surface. He still rose on time daily. Attended by four maidservants, he washed, dressed, got up, and then boarded his carriage — inherently exquisite and splendid yet excessively inconspicuous — heading to the Academy for study. He also continued passing that tofu shop each day, stealing a glance at the young girl selling bean curd, and in turn, letting the neighborhood’s young women and elderly ladies look him over a few times while murmuring praises about his good looks.

Silver fragments meant for roadside beggars were still tossed out. Teasing the carriage shop boss about his large belly still ensued…

If anything was different, it was that the Second Young Master Fang’s cultivation had advanced significantly.

Thanks to Elder Qu’s bag of top-grade Qi Refining Pills, Fang Cun’s progress surged. His cultivation speed had already been impressive, but now it accelerated rapidly. Each day saw remarkable leaps forward. In merely half a month’s time, he had smoothly stepped over a small threshold, reaching the high level of the Breath Refining Realm…

At this point, Fang Cun’s cultivation surpassed most Disciples at the Academy.

The students were all marveling.

Though Fang Cun’s progress was astonishingly swift, instead of jealousy, they shook their heads and sighed…

“Ah, such a pity, Second Young Master Fang…”

Fang Cun wasn’t just stealthily consuming the single bag of pills from Elder Qu; he devoured them recklessly. Besides Elder Qu’s gift, he had Old Steward Huang venture out daily — visiting not only the Spirit Pill pavilions under the City Governor’s line, but every small yet reputable Proper Pill Hall secretly controlled by the Academy’s business interests. No one knew just how many good pills he bought.

When questioned, Old Steward Huang didn’t avoid the topic; instead, he puffed out his chest and said:

“Our Second Young Master is cultivating! Other young masters aren’t short on pill resources, so why should our Fang Family be stingy with him?”

Thus, practically everyone in the city knew the Second Young Master Fang was desperately consuming Qi Refining Pills to boost his cultivation.

Yet now, seeing his rapid progress, fewer people felt envy.

Their attitude towards Fang Cun’s talent shifted from “jealousy” down to “admiration”!

“Wow, even Second Young Master Fang takes Qi Refining Pills, what reason do we have to resent him?”

This not only sparked a small surge in pill purchasing, but many students also rediscovered their original passion for cultivation.

The only regret was that while the students seemed pleased to see Second Young Master Fang taking Qi Refining Pills like them, Instructor Lan Shuang, who had been busy away, was startled when he returned to the Academy and heard the news. He urgently summoned Fang Cun to admonish him: “How much cultivation foundation do you even have, consuming Qi Refining Pills already?”

Seeing Instructor Lan Shuang’s displeased expression, Fang Cun felt uneasy. He bowed respectfully. “Sir, you’ve been very busy recently…”

“Busy? Oh, I’m not that busy! Shush!” Master Lan Shuang chided angrily. “None of that sweet talk! What’s going on with you?”

“Well… I just advanced my cultivation a bit…” Fang Cun looked awkward, changing the subject with concern. “Are you tired recently, Sir?”

“Tired? Oh, I’m not tired! Shush!” Instructor Lan Shuang snapped. “Is this how cultivation is advanced?”

“Taking pills is quite common…” Fang Cun widened his eyes innocently. “I heard that Human Elixir was found?”

“Found?” Instructor Lan Shuang was genuinely surprised. “How come I don’t know about it?”

Success! Topic diverted!

Fang Cun hurriedly added: “Rumors are swirling lately. Some say the Human Elixir was found but secretly hoarded. Others say it was secretly destroyed. Some claim the Academy and City Governor are both offering huge rewards to track it down. Look, the students in Lan Shuang Pavilion are restless and unwilling to stay put for cultivation. Especially He Zhenzhang — he’s been absent for days…”

“Ah, these foolish boys…” Instructor Lan Shuang shook his head, sighing. “Their intentions are good, but they’re too young to grasp the gravity…”

Fang Cun smiled. “I thought the same. After all, the Academy Head and City Governor are handling it…”

“The Academy Head and City Governor?” Instructor Lan Shuang snorted coldly at this. “Rely on them…”

He seemed to catch himself, realizing he shouldn’t speak ill of the Academy Head and City Governor in front of a student like Fang Cun. He gave a slight shake of his head and stopped there.

Fang Cun mused inwardly: No matter how polished one’s surface acts, if the conduct lacks integrity, those around will see it. He himself had long sensed underhanded dealings between the Academy and the City Governor’s faction. Could the Academy Instructors really be unaware? Even someone as guileless as Meng Zhixue had noticed; otherwise, she wouldn’t be doggedly investigating matters herself…

“It’s been so long without a trace… might someone have already smuggled the Human Elixir out of Willow Lake?” Casual curiosity colored his tone.

“Smuggled it out?” Instructor Lan Shuang chuckled softly at the idea. He pointed out the window. “What do you see?”

Fang Cun looked at the drizzling sky. “This rain’s been falling awhile now!”

“Heh. This isn’t rain. It’s a Net-like Formation!”

Instructor Lan Shuang sighed, rubbing his sore neck. “Ever since that Human Elixir was stolen, we’ve had no rest. Elder Mentor Zhong himself presided over the matter and requested Master Cang of the Academy to intervene. Together they manifested this extensive rainfall formation. Clouds now blanket three hundred miles surrounding Willow Lake. Anyone attempting to leave will trigger a resonance. As long as major routes are secured and thorough inspections are conducted at all points, then unless the thief possesses a miracle treasure or heaven-deceiving arts, it’s impossible for them to spirit the Human Elixir out. The pill thief is doomed…”

“Master Cang of the Academy?” Fang Cun’s interest stirred. “He knows cloud-summoning and rain-weaving arts?”

Beneath the White Xiang Academy Head sat Four Elder Mentors: Zhong, Cang, Liang, and Lu, each with distinct strengths. Fang Cun’s time at the Academy was short. He wasn’t familiar with them, though he had heard Elder Mentor Zhong Yue lecture on the Scripture of Arts. He could vaguely match faces to the other three mentors. He faintly recalled Master Cang having silver hair and perpetually maintaining a stern expression.

Instructor Lan Shuang nodded respectfully. “Elder Cang rarely intervenes personally and keeps largely to himself, but his cultivation level is truly formidable. Skilled in the Classic of Calculations and knowledgeable in array formations, he collaborated with Elder Zhong. Together they summoned clouds to blanket Willow Lake, casting this Net-like Formation. Truly extraordinary.” He sighed again. “His seniority ranks high, his years are many — longer at the Academy even than the Head. Not even the Academy Head can easily command him. His volunteering to assist this time was unexpected… it saved us immense effort.”

“Arrays. High seniority. Volunteered…” Fang Cun frowned thoughtfully. After a pause, he asked, “Such a lofty cultivator must be capable of reversing celestial phenomena with a single thought, could he?”

“Presumably…” Instructor Lan Shuang watched him curiously. “But why ask? You’re not praying for rain.”

Fang Cun chuckled, offering an excuse. “We own extensive farmlands. With stalks sprouting during constant downpours, flooding is a concern…”

Hearing Instructor Lan Shuang’s preceding explanation brought him a measure of relief.

Initially, he had worried. What if both the City Governor and Academy Head factions concluded the pill thief had escaped? That could loosen the tension gripping Willow Lake City, complicating his own arrangements. But now, ensuring neither faction suspected it had left, the conflict would only tighten. It promised… greater entertainment.

As for the cloud control, well-deserved authority, locating the Human Elixir…

“Wai— what am I rambling about?” Instructor Lan Shuang suddenly snapped back to reality. “I summoned you about the PILL consumption!”

Fang Cun was caught off-guard. He’d pondered too deeply, forgetting the fragile conversational thread. Instructor Lan Shuang recovered first.

Hastily, Fang Cun offered: “I only noticed everyone searching for that Human Elixir. Naturally I wondered if I too might gain some Merit…”

“Stay out of that foolish hunt!” Instructor Lan Shuang shook his head firmly. “It’s not that I discourage deeds benefiting others. But you students lack understanding of how intricate these affairs are. Duty as students lies in focusing on cultivation. Especially you!” He fixed Fang Cun with a serious look. “Though prodigiously gifted, your cultivation period remains short — so much yet to learn. Planning your entry into the County Sect should be your immediate priority!”

“Entering the County Sect?” Fang Cun smiled casually. “Isn’t that over half a year away?”

“Half a year?” Instructor Lan Shuang shook his head helplessly. “To outsiders, yes. But key decisions are made much sooner…”

“Hmm?” Fang Cun’s smile faded instantly. This demanded true attention.