Xu Yi's intention this time was to take Yang Mei to the city to purchase materials for crafting formation plates.
She discovered that the ancient formation in the secret passage of Yang Mei's home was actually composed of eighty-one smaller formations, and one-third of these formations were incomplete.
She had spent a month in the secret passage, but had only mastered the first formation.
Xu Yi made an imprint of the remaining formations and turned to see the level two formation plate Yang Mei had recently crafted.
She believed that if not for material limitations, Yang Mei's formation plate could have reached level three.
Therefore, to allow Yang Mei to fully unleash her strength, she pulled Yang Mei along, preparing to make some purchases in Bagua City.
As soon as she stepped out the door, Xu Yi's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness.
Yang Mei, walking beside Xu Yi, excitedly said, "Senior, shall we go to Qian Street? The things there are good and cheap. I always buy things there."
"Alright," Xu Yi hid her thoughts, nodded slightly, and set off with Yang Mei towards Qian Street.
Around a corner, three figures watched Xu Yi and Yang Mei walk away. One of them whispered, "You two continue to follow, I'll go report to Manager Wang."
"Okay."
The other two nodded, leaned against the wall, and silently followed behind Xu Yi and Yang Mei.
Qian Street primarily sold high-quality low-level materials, and the prices for acquiring formation plates were also relatively fair, making it a favorite spot for rogue cultivators in Bagua City.
Yang Mei didn't realize she was being followed and continued to talk to Xu Yi, "The formation plates I made before were all sold to the shopkeepers on Qian Street. Last time, I only went to Treasure Pavilion because Manager Wang of Treasure Pavilion offered a higher price, who knew he was so wicked."
Mentioning what happened a month ago, Yang Mei's small face puffed up, clearly still angry.
Xu Yi's eyes narrowed, and she thought to herself, Manager Wang.
With a plan forming in her mind, she didn't show any change in her demeanor, leading Yang Mei to buy quite a few formation plate materials suitable for Foundation Establishment cultivators on Qian Street.
At first, Yang Mei didn't notice anything unusual. Later, she realized these things were all being bought for her and quickly shook her head in refusal.
Xu Yi chuckled lightly and continued to do as she pleased.
There was nothing she wanted to give that she couldn't, and back then, Xiao Lu also refused her gifts, but in the end...
Thinking of Lu Zaiye, Xu Yi felt a pang of worry, wondering if he had safely returned to his sect.
She shook her head, temporarily pushing Lu Zaiye aside, and focused her gaze on the lively and adorable Yang Mei beside her.
Yang Mei was a promising talent for cultivating the path of formations. Without guidance, she had managed to craft ingenious formation plates through self-study alone.
Xu Yi intended to bring Yang Mei into the Xuanji Sect, not to become her disciple, but to find a suitable master for her, so as not to waste her talent.
The materials purchased today would serve as a见面礼 (greeting gift) from her, the grand-disciple-master, to Yang Mei.
Xu Yi had also considered that Yang Mei might refuse, in which case these items would be considered payment for her studies of ancient formations.
Xu Yi had not yet spoken of this to Yang Mei, so on the way back, Yang Mei felt anxious about the items Xu Yi had bought.
Upon returning to their residence, Xu Yi closed the door, set up a barrier with her hand, and solemnly asked, "Yang Mei, you are intelligent and talented. I wish to bring you into my sect. Are you willing?"
"Ah?" Yang Mei stared blankly at Xu Yi, seemingly unable to believe what she had just heard.
"You are unwilling?"
"I am willing!" Yang Mei knelt before Xu Yi with a plop and shouted, "Greetings, Master."
After speaking, she was about to kowtow to Xu Yi, performing the disciple's ritual.
Xu Yi quickly reached out, lifting her with spiritual energy, and smiled helplessly, "I am not taking you as my disciple. I will recommend you to an elder in the sect who cultivates the path of formations. He will teach you."
"But, but I want to be Senior's disciple."
Yang Mei tilted her head up, her eyes filled with admiration for Xu Yi.
Xu Yi shook her head, "I have no intention of taking disciples. Don't worry, the elder who teaches you is far more powerful than I am."
Seeing that Yang Mei still wanted to say something, Xu Yi added, "I am from the Xuanji Sect, my name is Xu Yi. You will be a disciple of the Xuanji Sect from now on, and a direct disciple of an elder."
"Xuanji Sect?" Yang Mei's mind reeled from the impact of these three words. The disappointment of being refused by Xu Yi was washed away.
The Xuanji Sect was one of the five great sects on the Nine Continents Continent, a super sect that ordinary cultivators could not enter even if they tried their best.
Could she, a rogue cultivator, be accepted into the Xuanji Sect?
Yang Mei felt a mix of surprise and fear, as if a pie had fallen from the sky and hit her.
"Senior, I, I really can?" Yang Mei's face was filled with confusion and timidity.
Xu Yi reached out and patted her shoulder, "Little Yang Mei, you must have confidence in yourself. I don't casually recruit just anyone into the sect. You are excellent."
Xu Yi's decision had been made after careful consideration. If Yang Mei only had talent as her strong point, she would not have agreed so readily.
"Senior, I am willing! As long as I can enter the Xuanji Sect, I am willing to be even a mere servant disciple!"
Yang Mei excitedly grasped Xu Yi's sleeve, her eyes sparkling with bright radiance.
Although Xu Yi had not produced anything to prove her identity, Yang Mei believed her wholeheartedly.
"Good, since you agree, then take these materials. You can practice to your heart's content. When I come out of seclusion, we will leave immediately."
Xu Yi handed all the materials purchased that day to Yang Mei and then re-entered the secret passage, needing to prepare more things.
Yang Mei held the materials, pinched herself hard, and finally confirmed she was not dreaming. She couldn't help but jump and skip. After a long time, she finally calmed down.
She clenched her fists, her eyes determined, and secretly vowed not to disappoint her senior.
Outside the door.
Manager Wang, seeing Yang Mei and Xu Yi return to their residence, frowned deeply and spat on the ground in fury.
He had finally waited for news of these two, only for them to show themselves briefly and then return.
He asked suspiciously, "Could it be that you two were discovered by that Su Mei'er?"
The person responsible for tailing them stated firmly, "Impossible. We are carrying the stealth disk made by the Master. Su Mei'er couldn't have discovered our traces."
Manager Wang asked again, "What did the two of them go out to do?"
"They went to Qian Street and bought a lot of materials for refining formation plates."
"Hmph," Manager Wang snorted upon hearing this. "They still haven't given up. They truly tarnish the reputation of formation cultivators."
Manager Wang scolded the two harshly and then left with a flick of his sleeve to return home.
Another month passed. Just as Hong Xingye was contemplating whether to risk taking action against the two within the city, he finally received news that they were preparing to leave.
"I've finally waited," Hong Xingye's usually stern face revealed a rare glint of excitement. He said to Manager Wang, who was waiting by his side, "Call everyone. I want Su Mei'er alive!"
"Sir, the people have been waiting outside the manor for a long time," Manager Wang said obsequiously.
"Good!" Hong Xingye stood up and strode out.
Su Mei'er, she cannot escape!
Manager Wang let out a sinister laugh and quickly followed, eager to witness the fate of the two women.