"Have you ever considered a question?"
"What question?"
"That is, do you have any enemies?"
"Ene... enemies?"
"Yes, you don't even have enemies, so who would go out of their way to offend an alchemist? Especially an alchemist who is the young master of the Heavenly Pill Pavilion. If someone goes to find trouble with you for no reason, wouldn't that be asking for trouble? What, don't you want to get by anymore?"
"That makes sense. The random passerby isn't good enough."
"Sigh..."
Wan Lei patted Sui Xiaohang's shoulder,
"Read fewer wish-fulfillment novels and more profound, meaningful books. Your brain is already abnormal."
"Good books?"
"Yes, for example, some protagonists wake up to find they are trash, cultivate diligently, defeat strong enemies all the way, save their families, and head towards a broader world. They often experience near-death situations and finally reach the peak of life, marrying a beautiful and wealthy woman.
This person has experienced countless setbacks and hardships, searching for themselves amidst innumerable difficult choices, their spirit growing rapidly, and finally saving a world, leading everyone towards light amidst the apocalypse..."
"Is the book you're talking about called 'The Legend of Wan Lei'?"
Sui Xiaohang's forehead was covered in black lines as he glared at Wan Lei.
Couldn't you just mention your own name directly?
"Hey, that's too direct. I think calling it 'Ferryman of Heavenly Tribulation' is more profound."
Young Master Lei thought seriously.
"Young Master Lei."
"What is it?"
"You truly have no shame anymore."
"What's the point of having shame? It still needs washing."
"Oh, isn't this my Brother Lei? Your little brother greets Brother Lei."
Just as Wan Lei and Sui Xiaohang were fiercely debating whether "Ferryman of Heavenly Tribulation" was a good book, a surprised shout suddenly came from the side.
The two turned their heads and saw Bai Baofu running over with a cheerful shout.
"Yo, it's you. It's been a few years."
Wan Lei remembered this follower.
"Brother Lei still remembers your little brother? I'm deeply honored. Brother Lei, you have no idea, since we last parted, your little brother has been cultivating diligently in the Heavenly Soldier Pavilion, not even going to the Golden Immortal Secret Realm or the Water Immortal Secret Realm, all for the day when I can reach Brother Lei's realm, so I can follow in Brother Lei's footsteps and hold his reins..."
"If you have something to say, just say it."
Young Master Lei was somewhat immune to such flattery now.
"That... hehe, your little brother just came out of seclusion. I plan to go on an adventure after the Fire Immortal Secret Realm opens in three months.
At that time, I'll still have to rely on Brother Lei for a lot of care. I've heard about what happened in the Water Immortal Secret Realm. If it weren't for Brother Lei, I'm afraid none of us from the Heavenly Soldier Pavilion would have made it out alive this time."
In the Water Immortal Secret Realm, the Four Heavenly Pavilions had all sided with Wan Lei.
"It's nothing, just follow me then."
"What are you guys talking about that's making Wan Lei so smug?"
Xu Qing walked over and casually pulled up a chair to sit down.
"We're talking about when Sister Xu Qing will find a good husband, and whether that good husband will be as handsome as Young Master Lei."
Bai Baofu spoke without hesitation.
"Hmph, Wan Lei's appearance is probably the baseline. Can anyone be uglier than him?"
Xu Qing scoffed, but she glanced at Fang Xiaoyu with some unease, afraid of offending her.
"That's not right, Xu Qing. Generally, you wouldn't participate in such occasions. Everyone knows you, Xu Qing, are a quiet and reserved beauty. Why are you so fond of sitting with us rough men today?"
Bai Baofu was familiar with everyone; no one in the Four Heavenly Pavilions didn't know him.
"Indeed, I have something to do."
Xu Qing took out a small scroll from her storage bag and handed it to Wan Lei.
"What's this?"
After the incident with the Destiny Diagram, Wan Lei had some lingering apprehension towards scrolls, so he didn't dare to take it immediately.
"A challenge letter, a challenge letter from the Heavenly Formation Pavilion to you!"
Xu Qing's eyes were proud as she glanced at Wan Lei condescendingly.
"How many Mahayana cultivators does your Heavenly Formation Pavilion have? Are there any Tribulation Transcenders?"
Wan Lei asked cautiously.
"How many strong individuals we have is none of your business."
"Um, wife, how many soldiers can the Fang family lend me? Why haven't the Yin Yang Sect people arrived yet? I need to borrow some troops, preferably a Tribulation Transcending elder..."
Wan Lei counted on his fingers, calculating where he could borrow troops from. He sadly realized that despite mingling for many years, he didn't have a single soldier under his command.
"You... why are you mobilizing so many troops?"
Xu Qing's eyes narrowed into slits.
"To destroy your Heavenly Formation Pavilion. You sent me a challenge letter, and war is about to break out. Shouldn't I make some preparations? Although I don't know how I offended you, I'll just assume you're bullying an honest person."
"........." Xu Qing.
"Our challenge letter means a duel, a challenge of formation mastery. It has nothing to do with warfare. It's a friendly match, understand?!"
"Oh, that's what it means. You should have said so earlier, you scared me half to death, and I was even preparing to capture you as a concubine after destroying the Heavenly Formation Pavilion."
Young Master Lei's surprise was exaggerated.
"Wan! Lei!"
Xu Qing gritted her teeth and suddenly looked at Fang Xiaoyu,
"Aren't you going to say anything?"
Fang Xiaoyu sized up Xu Qing and nodded,
"She's alright. Her figure is a bit worse than Man Yaoyao's, but it's passable. She can be a concubine too."
"........."
Xu Qing gnashed her teeth. She didn't understand Fang Xiaoyu at all and didn't know that Fang Xiaoyu liked to tease girls much more than Wan Lei.
Wan Lei opened the scroll and glanced at it. It was a personal letter from Feng Zhenzi, the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Formation Pavilion, stating that he had recently developed a very impressive formation and invited Wan Lei for a competition. Both sides would set up a formation, and then enter the other's formation. Whoever broke it first would win.
"Alright, I understand. After this birthday banquet, I'll go to the Heavenly Formation Pavilion with you."
"It's a deal. Don't go back on your word. A man's word is his bond."
As he was speaking, Wan Lei saw Tian Suanzi and the little Taoist nun walking over. Tian Suanzi was frowning, holding a compass in his hand, muttering something.
"What are you doing? Staring so intently."
"Fortune-telling."
"Whose fortune are you telling?"
"Yours."
"Are you calculating whether I can win this trip to the Heavenly Formation Pavilion?"
"Win or not win, what does your trip to the Heavenly Formation Pavilion have to do with me?"
Tian Suanzi pulled over a stool, letting his wife sit down first before sitting beside her.
The little Taoist nun had been secretly observing her surroundings with curiosity. This was her first time on the territory of one of the Nine Great Powers. She had never been to such a place before and was curious about everything.
However, she had disguised herself well, holding a wine gourd, looking like a carefree recluse.
"Then what are you calculating?"
"Wan Lei,"
Tian Suanzi looked at Wan Lei seriously,
"I've calculated that at this birthday banquet, you are in great danger!"