The path to the temple, being a steep staircase, was not accessible by cart, so He Lei parked it at the base of the mountain and carried Baihu, leading the way up. Along the path, people were making pilgrimages to worship the Buddha statues above. Though Dacheng Temple was a small temple without much wealthy people’s donation, it was an ancient site with a long history, regularly visited by the local community for offerings. Exhausted from the climb, Zhenzhu managed to reach the temple courtyard where a young monk, seeing them carrying something white with a talisman attached. “Master is waiting in the pavilion over there,” it looked as if this young monk knew that they were to come. "Which master, novice?" He Lei asked, puzzled. They hadn’t made any prior arrangements to meet any master or monk. "If you are here for the owner of this talisman, please follow the path through the bamboo forest, turn left, and you will see a small pavilion. Go ahead," the truth was, the elderly monk Xin Gong wasn’t permanently residing at this temple but was merely passing through. Monk Xin Gong was renowned throughout the land, celebrated as a master of formation art. His disciples were among the top martial artists, yet he often lamented not finding a suitable successor, since his disciples were distinguished, but could not inherit his entire art. The father and daughter followed the monk’s directions, walking through the bamboo forest to an old, dilapidated meditation pavilion at the end of the path, seemingly unused for a long time, with a roof that almost collapse, could hardly provide shelter from the rain. They walked into the pavilion, they saw a Go board neatly set up, and Monk Xin Gong who was closing his eyes while calmly counting beads. "Amitabha, please have a seat." He Lei gently placed Baihu on the freshly swept floor of the pavilion. "We have come today to seek your compassion in treating this pet," Zhenzhu quickly got to the point with great urgency. The elderly monk moved his slow body in front of Baihu’s quiet, white form, whose tail was starting to show red. He examines Baihu’s fate closely, then he stopped after a short while. "This beast has undergone its newborn’s calamity," he stated, causing Zhenzhu and He Lei to be shocked. Baihu was actually a beast? And what was this newborn’s calamity? “What does ‘undergoing its newborn’s calamity’ mean?” Zhenzhu asked. "Originally, it was supposed to die at birth. It only descended to atone for a fraction of karma before reincarnating into a new realm where it belonged. However, because it was saved by someone with whom it has a karmic bond, it survived. The fragment of karma has been resolved, but the path of the great must undergo heavenly tribulation to face another test," Zhenzhu was increasingly puzzled. “What can we do to awaken it?” She just wanted to know how to revive Baihu. "Its body is filled with a dense spirit energy since birth, but its physical body is too weak. By survival instinct, the spirit energy is suppressed when it is time to advance to the higher tier, and the body can’t withstand it, thus entering this deep sleep state. If unresolved, it will gradually die." "So, what can we do? Is there a way to help?" “It depends on you now. A person with a karmic connection can make a pact.” "Can we do it now?" She was ready to do anything; after all, Baihu was already her pet. Whether she did it or not, it made no difference. "What’s the problem?" "Only I can make the pact between you and this white tiger," the monk stated. "Then please, Master, help us," Zhenzhu pleaded on her knees. "It’s possible, but there’s one condition. Can you do it?" "You must learn the art of formations from me to fully grasp and pass it on, so it doesn’t get lost," Monk Xin Gong had already checked her fate and found her suitable to be his successor. Time was not on his side, and if he didn’t hurry to find a successor, his teachings would be buried forever. Zhenzhu was startled, was she to be the successor of such teachings? Why her? She was clumsy and foolish. Why would the Master choose her? "You are the most suitable." If the elderly monk believed she was suitable, she would not object. The art of formations probably wasn’t too difficult, "Then it’s settled. Can we start the pact now?" She was anxious about Baihu’s situation. "Follow me this way," Monk Xin Gong led the father and daughter deep into the bamboo forest to a wide clearing that had been swept clean and adorned with a drawing of talisman, as if anticipating their arrival. In the center of the bamboo clearing lay a not-so-large stone pedestal, topped with a large emerald-green jade slab. "Place it down here," he directed. He Lei gently laid Baihu down and stepped back to wait outside. Zhenzhu positioned herself as Monk Xin Gong instructed, with them standing on opposite sides of the jade pedestal, Baihu lying in the middle. "Close your eyes, calm your mind, relax, and let the spirit energy guide you.” Zhenzhu complied effortlessly, relaxing as a strand of spirit energy emanated from Baihu, drawing her in slowly. Suddenly, a nearly transcendent, dark blue radiance, almost turned into a color of indigo, struck her forcefully, almost causing Zhenzhu to collapse, but she maintained her focus. Waves after waves of merciless spirit energy battered her until... Cough! She sensed the smell of blood in her nostrils, she could not endure such immense and fierce power. "Hold on a little longer," the monk encouraged. He Lei, seeing his daughter cough up blood and wanting to help, felt helpless as a force repelled him from entering. Soon after, the pact-making ended. Zhenzhu collapsed to the ground, her body in turmoil with a tumultuous spirit energy, as if a numerous spirit energy was playing within her. "Sit down and cultivate your spirit energy now," the elder monk ordered. Zhenzhu followed immediately, feeling as though her body would burst from the chaotic spirit energy. She sat down, closed her eyes, and circulated her energy swiftly. However, she was dealing with an unknown, powerful spirit energy frolicking in her Dantian spot, it seemed that spot could not take it. She quickly directed them throughout her body’s various points. Boom! Boom! Boom! An explosion echoed in her head as her body’s energy spots expanded, releasing the dammed-up spirit energy like a torrent breaking free, her body eventually feeling light and unburdened. She did not feel uncomfortable anymore, now she felt as if she could float up. In this state, her ears could hear even the breath of her father that was far away. She even advanced her tier in this kind of situation. In this time, her spirit energy was in dark blue tier, could create up to 123 spirit energy channels. How could she advance at such an exponential rate? "Spirit energy will henceforth be linked with your bonded beast. If you reach a higher tier, so will it, and vice versa," Monk Xin Gong explained. Zhenzhu opened her eyes slowly as dusk fell. She had been circulating her energy for so long. Darkness enveloped the bamboo forest, yet her vision was surprisingly clear. The first thing she noticed was a ball of white fur rushing towards her, its intention to thank her communicated through a mental connection. Its once red tail was now white again. "It’s alright, Baihu. I’m glad you’re safe," she petted it affectionately. "Thank you, Master, for saving Baihu," Zhenzhu and He Lei bade farewell to Monk Xin Gong, accepting his three large books of formation art. He told her to study the art of formation. He would be staying in the temple for a while longer. If she did not understand the manual, she could come and ask. By the time Zhenzhu and her father descended the mountain and made their way home, the sky had turned dark, and the stars were dancing joyfully. Miss Wang and the others were anxious, waiting at the front of the house. "Husband, Zhu’er, how did it go?" she hurried over to ask. "Everything went well, mother. Baihu is safe now," Zhenzhu said as she lifted Baihu down from the carriage. "That’s a weight off my shoulders." Miss Wang sighed in relief. Exhausted from the day’s events, everyone retired to their rooms. He Yu was particularly upset because Baihu, now a beast bound to his sister, could no longer sleep in his room as it needed to bond with Zhenzhu. From this moment on, he could not cuddle with Baihu at night, and now Xiao She was out in the fields, this was the time when Nengyan herbs haven’t grow, Xiao She had to nurture them. With that being said, who would he sleep with? Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩~𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖~𝙣𝙚𝙩 "Then sleep alone, since Yu’er is grown up," the grown up grumbled, returning to his quarters. Zhenzhu, upon entering her room, locked the door and placed Baihu on a small, backless, wooden chair beside her bed. "Eh!" She noticed her wrist where a plain rope was tied. Her golden fish scale was gone! How and when did it disappear? Could it have been during her trip to the temple, catching on branches along the way? Normally, the golden scale would return to her. She decided to wait until the next day. "Now, Baihu, we’ve made a pact. Tell me, what special beast abilities do you have?" Beasts typically possess one standout special ability. She was curious about Baihu’s unique talent. Baihu communicated something to her. "What? Intimidate other beasts?" Sigh, the others could predict fires or dispel illusions, but Baihu could only intimidate. Nevertheless, Zhenzhu found it endearing. Regardless of its abilities, she loved it all the same. She laid out a mattress on the chair next to her bed, "From now on, you sleep here. No need to go to He Yu’s room." Overwhelmed by the events surrounding Baihu, Zhenzhu was exhausted. She bathed, settled into bed, and quickly fell asleep, with Baihu by her side as a guardian. He Yu’s giggling and He Ming’s shouting woke Zhenzhu from her slumber. "Yu’er, did you steal meat for Xiao She again? Come here this instant!" "I only shared a little bit with it!" "Don’t make an excuse! Your ’little bit’ is ten jin!" The two’s shouting brought a smile to Zhenzhu’s face. She stretched to shake off the stiffness from sleeping in one position all night. Then, she remembered her lost golden scale and searched under her pillow. But after a thorough search, it was nowhere to be found! Could it really have disappeared? What would she do now? "Baihu, help me find the scale, quickly. Where has it gone?" Zhenzhu was extremely anxious. If it was lost, it meant she had lost a valuable treasure. No, she hadn’t opened the fabric shop of her dream just yet, and now her special helper was gone. But as she fretted, Baihu conveyed through their mental link that the scale hadn’t disappeared; it was within her mind. "What? How could it be inside the mind?" "And how can it be used from there?" Baihu explained that it could be summoned by focusing the mind, making it empty, and then calling it forth. Zhenzhu tried as instructed, and suddenly, a golden light shone, revealing the golden fish scale in her hand. Ah, so this is how it’s used. She quickly got up to scoop some water to test it. It turned out that its spirit energy had also advanced; it was originally at the blue tier, but now it had turned to dark blue! This means the fish scale changes with her cultivation progress. The higher her spirit energy tier, the higher the tier of the golden fish scale. Excellent. Zhenzhu hurried to finish her personal chores and went to the garden to share the news with He Ming and He Lei. "Really? You’re amazing, younger sister! You’ve advanced so quickly!" He Ming exclaimed, excited and happy for her. "It’s all thanks to Baihu’s help that I could make such a leap. From now on, we’ll water the vegetables with dark blue tier spiritual energize water. Our vegetables will be sold for a higher price. We can sell them for two taels per bundle. Good idea, right?" "Of course, we’ll earn more money." He was genuinely happy for his younger sister. He knew she was talented but didn’t expect her fortune to aid her so significantly. She might as well be a reincarnation of the goddess of luck. Now, their family would have two people with dark blue tier spirit energy cultivator. "Zhenzhu, can the fish scale still produce blue-tier spirit energized water? I think we should sell both blue and dark blue tier spirit vegetables and herbs because some townspeople might not afford the dark blue tier," Zhenzhu agreed wholeheartedly. To elevate Fengfu City, they had to improve the residents’ quality of life first, but most probably couldn’t afford dark blue tier spirit vegetables. "I’ve never tried reducing its tier." He Ming quickly scooped some water and handed it to her, "Try reducing its tier, see if it works." Zhenzhu concentrated, intending to lower the fish scale’s tier, and as expected, it worked. They could sell spirit plants at both the blue and dark blue tiers, allowing townspeople to choose according to their needs. After the troubling events with Baihu, Zhenzhu had to honor her promise to the Monk Xin Gong, which was to thoroughly study the formation manuals. Her daily routine now included watering the vegetables and herbs in the morning, ah, that was not so accurate, to be more accurate, she was dipping the fish scale in the water channels, with He Ming switching the flow to different plots. After watering, she would return to practice spirit energy cultivation and practice drawing character. In the afternoon, when free, she would rest or sometimes visit Master Tiao in town. If He Lei was free from teaching wind-counter punch, she would ask her father to accompany her to visit Monk Xin Gong to inquire about aspects of the art of formation she did not understand. The formation is a fascinating science. It involves the elements, directions, forces, fate, stars, and nature to create a formation. Zhenzhu is particularly interested in the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation, a defensive strategy once hailed as the best but now rarely created due to its complexity and the need for alignment with the movement of stars. Flowers Engulf Sky Formation utilizes the movement of stars and eight elements immortal flowers, arranged in precise positions. Those who enter the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation cannot escape unless they destroy its core. "Master, if I want to improve this and this point by incorporating Dimensional Character and Illusionary Character, would it be possible? And here, I think adding the fire element and here, the wood element would eliminate this weakness," Zhenzhu spread out her modified formation map, which she had adjusted according to her understanding before consulting with an expert. Monk Xin Gong examined the large sheet filled with intricate patterns and positions, all harmoniously adjusted and enhanced. Some positions were improved, and the addition of Dimensional Character and Illusionary Character made the already excellent Flowers Engulf Sky Formation nearly flawless. "Good! Very good, you have a talent for the art of formation. Adjust this bit here, and it will be ready," Monk Xin Gong was very pleased. All his students, despite learning fast, lacked the creativity and flexibility of Zhenzhu. She could identify flaws and perfect them, making the formation more complete than before. Her talent was indeed remarkable. "Really? That’s great. I’ll set up this formation around the fence. If there’s no problem, I would like to ask the Master to check it for me," she wanted to set up this type of trap around the entire 300 mu, ensuring no one could intrude on her property again. "Please proceed, and I’ll come to check later." She wanted to establish the formation quickly but knew it would be challenging. She had to find the eight elements immortal flowers to plant around the fence according to the planned positions. She would need to visit town to check the availability of the flower species. If not available, she might have to rely on Master Tiao to order them from other cities. After discussing the formations, Zhenzhu and He Lei said their farewells and headed back. "Zhu’er, would you like your father to take you to the city to look for the martial arts manuals you want to study? Once you choose, I will find a teacher capable of instructing you," even though Fengfu City didn’t have as many martial arts instructors as other cities, they should be able to find someone. It would be beneficial for Zhenzhu who often travel to have martial arts knowledge for self-defense. "Yes, father," she replied, excited at the prospect of finally being able to learn martial arts like her siblings. He Lei took her to a bookshop, medium size bookstore, people walked in and out sporadically. It was the largest bookshop in Fengfu City, offering a wide range of books for purchase or rent. "Welcome, dear customers. What kind of manuals are you looking for?" greeted a shop worker. "We are looking for martial arts manuals," Zhenzhu responded. "Please, head to the second floor. You may choose as you please," the worker directed them, responsible for guiding customers to the desired sections. Once the customer picks what they want, they can purchase it. Zhenzhu and He Lei walked upstairs to the second floor. There were a variety of martial arts manuals, mainly focused on boxing, swordsmanship, and spear techniques. However, Zhenzhu was not very interested in these. She sought martial arts that could help her escape or, if not available, ones focusing on speed attack. She was small, lesser strength, if she could exceed the enemy’s speed, that would be her distinctive point. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en