Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

After Murong Fan memorized the important scriptures in the Yellow Maple Valley Scripture Pavilion, he began reading and practicing, covering topics from formations to accounts of his experiences in other regions and guides to secret realms. His master, Hong Fu, was also very concerned about his progress.

On this day, Hong Fu was meditating in her quiet room when she suddenly sensed an exceptionally pure spiritual energy fluctuation coming from Murong Fan's residence. Although the fluctuation was not strong, it was exceptionally solid and rounded, faintly revealing a rhythm that resonated with heaven and earth, which was something that ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators could not achieve.

Hong Fu's heart stirred. She calculated the time with her fingers. It had only been a little over a month since Murong Fan began studying formations. Logically speaking, even if he had high comprehension, he shouldn't have made such obvious progress, let alone this kind of spiritual energy fluctuation with a special charm.

"This child... could he have some special understanding of formations?" Hong Fu asked with a hint of doubt. In a flash, she appeared in the courtyard outside Murong Fan's residence.

At this moment, Murong Fan was sitting cross-legged in front of the stone table in the courtyard, his mind constantly turning over the book "The Essentials of the Three Talents Trapping Formation". His eyes were slightly closed, his hands were forming a seal, and a faint blue halo surrounded his body. Strands of spiritual energy, indistinguishable to the naked eye, were gathering from all directions, flowing through his fingertips in a peculiar trajectory, and finally merging into his body.

Murong Fan did not deliberately cultivate any techniques, but instead immersed himself in deducing the patterns of the formation. Unconsciously, his own spiritual power began to circulate on its own in accordance with the rhythm of the formation, becoming smoother and purer.

Hong Fu stood outside the courtyard, holding her breath and carefully observing Murong Fan's condition. When she saw the faint array patterns on Murong Fan's fingertips and the almost perfect circulation of spiritual energy within his body, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, which then turned into deep shock.

"Controlling spirits with will, refining the spirit with arrays! This... this is an extraordinary talent in the art of arrays! Ordinary cultivators study arrays by rote memorization of array diagrams and understanding of array principles, and it is already rare to be able to use them flexibly. But he... he was able to integrate his understanding of arrays into the circulation of his own spiritual power in such a short time, and use the rhythm of arrays to temper his spiritual power. Such talent has never been seen even in the hundreds of years of history of Huangfeng Valley!" Hong Fu was both surprised and delighted.

She had initially thought Murong Fan was merely calm and composed with decent comprehension, but she never expected him to possess such astonishing talent in the art of formations. This talent wasn't simply a matter of good memory or strong understanding; rather, it was an innate, natural affinity for the way of formations—this was the true meaning of "a prodigy, endowed with extraordinary talent!"

Just as Hong Fu was still struggling to calm her emotions, the spiritual energy within Murong Fan's body suddenly surged, and the rhythm that resonated with heaven and earth also intensified. A faint but exceptionally clear azure light rose from above his head, shooting straight into the sky. Though it was fleeting, it was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly alarming the entire leadership of Huangfeng Valley.

Deep within Yellow Maple Valley, atop a mountain perpetually shrouded in mist, in a simple stone chamber, an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed in a faded gray Taoist robe, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was as deep as the starry sky, as if he could see through all things in the world.

"Hmm? Such pure spiritual energy fluctuations, such a unique rhythm... This is... the aura of the Dao of Array Formations? Which little fellow possesses such talent?" The old man murmured to himself, his voice aged yet carrying an undeniable air of authority. He was none other than Linghu Ancestor, the most senior and unfathomably powerful pillar of Huangfeng Valley.

With a flick of his finger, an almost imperceptible divine thought shot out like lightning, instantly enveloping the courtyard where Murong Fan was, taking in his entire situation.

"Mid-Foundation Establishment stage...so young...yet such profound understanding of formations...refining spirits with formations, simplifying complexity...not bad, not bad!" A rare hint of emotion flickered across Elder Linghu's usually expressionless face. "That girl Hong Fu has truly struck gold. If she is properly nurtured, her future achievements in the art of formations will be limitless!"

Thinking of this, a glint flashed in Linghu Patriarch's eyes, and his figure disappeared into the stone chamber.

At this moment, Murong Fan had just awakened from his immersion in the formation, feeling refreshed and invigorated. His spiritual energy was more refined and circulated more smoothly than before. He opened his eyes and saw his master, Hong Fu, standing outside the courtyard, looking at him with a complex expression.

"Master?" Murong Fan quickly stood up and bowed, feeling somewhat puzzled.

Hong Fu took a deep breath, suppressing her excitement, and stepped forward to carefully examine Murong Fan. The more she looked, the more satisfied she became. Finally, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Fan'er, you...you have truly given your master a tremendous surprise! Just now...were you...using an array to comprehend and refine your spiritual power?"

Murong Fan nodded, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Reporting to Master, I was studying the 'Essentials of the Three Talents Trapping Formation' just now, and I unknowingly became immersed in it. I feel that my spiritual energy circulation seems to be... much smoother. I don't know why."

Cola Novels: turn the page and you're in another world.

Upon hearing this, Hong Fu smiled faintly, then said seriously, "You don't know? This is your talent in the art of formations! Ordinary cultivators might not be able to reach your current level even if they spend their entire lives. You child, you really are..." Before she could finish speaking, she felt a vast and gentle aura descend from the sky, enveloping the entire courtyard.

Murong Fan felt a chill run down his spine, sensing that this aura was unfathomable, giving him a sense of awe and reverence.

Hong Fu's expression changed slightly. She quickly pulled Murong Fan along and bowed respectfully in the direction from which the aura came: "Disciple Hong Fu greets Ancestor!"

This was the second time Murong Fan had seen Linghu Patriarch. The last time was when he and Senior Brother Lu were summoned together, and he hurriedly bowed along with Hong Fu.

A figure appeared in the center of the courtyard like a ghost; it was none other than the white-haired and beard-bearded Elder Linghu. His gaze fell gently on Murong Fan, scrutinizing him, his kind face yet imposing.

"We meet again?" Elder Linghu asked, his voice calm yet seemingly possessing a certain magic that brought peace to the mind.

"Disciple Murong Fan greets Ancestor!" Murong Fan replied respectfully.

Linghu Patriarch nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on him for a moment, and smiled, "Not bad, indeed a good prospect. Hongfu, you've taught him well, and I knew I hadn't misjudged him."

Hong Fu quickly replied, "I dare not accept such praise from you, Ancestor. It is all due to your accurate assessment and my own hard work and exceptional talent."

"True gold is tested by fire, and true character is revealed over time. The sect has never looked down on your innate spiritual root; everything that happened before was a test and tempering of your character. Talented people can shine wherever they are, and you have set an example for all the disciples of Huangfeng Valley. Since the founding of Huangfeng Valley, most of the talents we have selected have come from cultivation families. These families are deeply rooted and can share the good times, but they may not be able to share the bad. If this system continues for a long time, it will naturally hinder the development of the sect." Patriarch Linghu suddenly spoke with feeling.

"Let's not dwell on that. I only hope you forget the trials of the past, cultivate diligently, and bring glory to the sect!" Elder Linghu said earnestly. Then, looking at Murong Fan, he asked, "Are you very interested in the Dao of Formations?"

Murong Fan answered without hesitation, "Yes, Ancestor. This disciple finds the formation infinitely varied, incredibly wondrous, and quite fascinating."

"Good!" Patriarch Linghu stroked his beard and smiled. "Although my Yellow Maple Valley is not founded on formations, we have inherited many exquisite formation texts. It would be a pity to let your talent go to waste. From today onwards, you can enter the fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion at any time to consult it. In addition, this is a book of formation insights that I obtained by chance in my early years, which may be of some use to you."

Having said that, Ancestor Linghu flicked his finger, and a golden light shot towards Murong Fan. Murong Fan quickly reached out and caught it, and saw an ancient booklet appear in his hand. There were no words on the cover, but it exuded a mysterious aura.

"Thank you so much for your kindness, Ancestor!" Murong Fan was extremely excited and bowed in gratitude. The fifth floor of the Scripture Pavilion was a place that even his master, Hong Fu, might not be able to enter at will. It must contain the sect's most core secrets and inheritances! And the insights personally bestowed by the Ancestor—such an opportunity was simply an immense blessing!

Looking at Murong Fan's composed demeanor, Elder Linghu's eyes showed even greater approval: "Cultivate diligently, and do not waste this talent. The future of Huangfeng Valley may still depend on young people like you."

"You've probably read 'Guide to Outer Realms and Secret Realms,' as the saying goes. There are always people more capable than you, and mountains beyond mountains. Your cultivation doesn't have to be confined to Yellow Wind Valley; there are many opportunities and experiences in the outside world. That little booklet I just mentioned is what I learned and created during my travels. However, you must be careful when traveling. Your talent, character, temperament, and perseverance are all exceptional, and you are sure to achieve great things in the future. Yellow Wind Valley would be fortunate to have more young talents like you. Hong Fu, you must teach him well, without any selfishness, and don't worry that he will surpass you in the future. If you nurture him into a capable person, you will surely make a name for yourself once again in this southern land." After saying this, he vanished in a flash, as if he had never been there at all.

"Disciple will respectfully follow Master's teachings and will do everything in my power to nurture Fan'er!" Only after the aura of Ancestor Linghu completely disappeared did Murong Fan and Hong Fu straighten up. Hong Fu looked at the booklet in Murong Fan's hand, her eyes filled with envy and satisfaction: "Fan'er, do you know how many years it has been since the Ancestor personally instructed a disciple, let alone bestowed any insights? This time, you truly alarmed the Ancestor and secured for yourself an opportunity unimaginable to others!"

Murong Fan gripped the booklet tightly, his heart pounding with excitement. He knew this was not merely an opportunity, but a weighty expectation. He looked up towards the Scripture Pavilion, his eyes gleaming with unprecedented light. His path of cultivation, because of this display of his extraordinary talent and the attention of Ancestor Linghu, was about to enter a completely new and expansive world.