The sky was a clear blue, unmarred by clouds, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves.
Jiang Wan and Lin Zixuan looked on in shock as Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao knelt before Horn, their mouths slightly agape and their eyes wide with disbelief.
In Xia Kingdom's formation world, Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao held high status. A three-star formation mage was already an impressive figure, and Mr. Wei, being a four-star formation mage, was even more so. They were figures of immense respect, capable of commanding attention from major forces in any city.
Now, seeing them kneel and offer to become disciples of a young man in his twenties was almost beyond belief. If Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan hadn't witnessed it firsthand, they would have doubted its reality.
Upon reflection, the two women realized that Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao's decision was indeed correct. Horn's ability to complete a five-star formation with ease and create a formation with a single thought was nothing short of legendary.
As Mr. Wei surmised, Horn was likely a Seven-Star Array Master. In Xia Kingdom, the most skilled formation master was only at the Seven Stars level, and such individuals were revered.
Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao, being elderly, had reached a point where advancing further in their formation skills was exceedingly difficult. Having a Seven-Star Formation Master as a mentor could potentially elevate their own skills to new heights.
Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan were in awe, their eyes fixed on Horn. A young Seven-Star Formation Mage would undoubtedly cause a global sensation if the news spread.
Jiang Wan bit her lip, her emotions swirling. "Zixuan, I want to bet on Horn. I'm determined to make him agree to come with me to Tianhai."
Her determination was palpable, though she had no intention of simply becoming his disciple. In her mind, being Horn's partner was more desirable.
Lin Zixuan frowned. "Jiang Wan, when did you become so shameless? At Tianhai Immortal Martial Academy, you could have any genius at your beck and call. Why waste time on Horn?"
Jiang Wan's eyes were resolute. "Horn is exceptional, and he's also quite attractive. He's my type."
Lin Zixuan snorted. If she had known, she wouldn't have brought Jiang Wan to Linzhou. It felt like inviting trouble into their home. Her lips were tightly pursed. If the Seven-Star Formation Master were anyone else, she would have eagerly knelt before him. But given her past with Horn, she could not publicly become a disciple.
Tang Yuxin and Wang Menglu were stunned. The realization that Horn was a Seven-Star Array Master left them in disbelief. Wang Menglu felt overwhelmed and dizzy, taking a deep breath before saying, "Xiao Xinxin, hold on to Horn tightly. He might be tempted away by others."
Tang Yuxin's gaze was fixed on Horn's back, and she observed Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao kneeling before him. She felt a mix of pride and self-doubt. "Can I truly keep up with Horn in the future?" she wondered.
Horn had already closed the Ancient Elephant Formation, and the giant elephant's shadow dissipated. He looked at Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao, frowning. "You two, stand up. I'm not looking to take on any disciples at the moment. If I decide to in the future, I might consider you."
Horn held a dismissive view of their formation skills. In the Immortal World, there were countless formation geniuses vying to be his disciple, and he had taken very few apprentices. The two elders did not compare to the geniuses of the Immortal World, though Horn planned to leave some legacy in Xia Kingdom before leaving Earth. He would consider taking on a few disciples then.
Seeing Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao still kneeling, Horn said coldly, "Don't make me repeat myself."
Finally, the two men stood up, not wishing to anger Senior Su. They were relieved to have a glimmer of hope.
Mr. Wei spoke respectfully, "Senior Su, you have perfected the five-star Ancient Elephant Array. The average formation can only suppress monks at the peak of the Sky Control Realm, but yours could easily crush even a half-step Creation Realm monk."
The Creation Realm, above Sky Control, is divided into early, middle, late, peak, and great perfection stages. Half-step Creation refers to those who have not yet fully entered the Creation Realm but have surpassed the Great Perfection of Sky Control.
Horn took six High Grade spirit stones, inscribed complex patterns on them, and said, "The five-star Ancient Elephant Array will cover the entire villa. If anyone intrudes without authorization, they will be attacked by the formation. Carry these spirit stones, and the formation will recognize you and allow free passage."
He distributed the spirit stones to Lin Zixuan and the others. "Yuxin, focus on your cultivation. Don't worry, I'll handle everything. I'll ensure a bright future for you."
Horn touched Tang Yuxin's head reassuringly. Tang Yuxin's anxiety and self-doubt dissipated, and she began to cultivate in the backyard, adapting to her new level. Wang Menglu joined her, also focusing on her breakthrough.
Horn addressed everyone calmly. "Continue with your tasks. Don't just stand around."
Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao left the backyard respectfully. Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan wished to speak with Horn, but Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao needed to be attended to first. They exited the backyard together.
Mr. Wei said, "Miss Lin, there are many empty rooms in your villa. I'll stay with you today."
Mr. Qiao added, "Miss Zixuan, prepare a room for me as well."
Jiang Wan smiled. "Zixuan, don't forget that I'm here too."
Lin Zixuan, annoyed, replied, "Jiang Wan, come help me clean a room."
Jiang Wan did not refuse.
Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao wandered through the villa, unable to contain their excitement over the presence of a genuine Seven-Star Array Master.
On the second-floor terrace, Mr. Qiao asked, "Old Man Wei, do you think Senior Su's formation master level might exceed Seven Stars?"
Mr. Wei pondered before replying, "It's possible, but not very likely. It's hard to imagine a Seven-Star Array Master reaching Eight Stars on Earth."
Just then, Mr. Wei noticed Mr. Qiao heading towards a wine jar that Horn had left behind. The lingering aroma of the wine, previously unnoticed, now invigorated Mr. Wei.
He approached the jar, finding a small amount of wine remaining. As he prepared to drink, he felt a surge of spiritual energy within him, hinting at a possible breakthrough.
Grabbing the jar, Mr. Wei said, "Old Man Qiao, this wine is mine."
Mr. Qiao, displeased, retorted, "Old Man Wei, you shameless old man, I found it first!"
The two began to quarrel over the wine jar, each unwilling to back down.
Lin Zixuan and Jiang Wan, hearing the commotion, arrived at the terrace. Jiang Wan asked, "What are Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao doing?"
Lin Zixuan, recalling the wine jar, responded uncertainly, "It seems Mr. Wei and Mr. Qiao are fighting over the remaining wine that Horn left behind."