The third day of the eighth month. In the tranquil deep of the Yin hour, the constellations still competed to outshine each other with their sparkling brilliance. The Yin hour was precisely the time when the stars of the constellation Mao were changing direction. Zhenzhu sat on her knees on the ground at the western corner of the farm, with He Lei, Miss Wang, and He Ming holding lanterns, standing not too far away as her moral support. Zhenzhu lifted her gaze to the stars for a moment. By her side, lying flat, was Baihu, whom she touched on the forehead before bending down to press the tip of her finger onto the soil. A spirit energy flowed from one person and one animal, weaving into strands of inscriptions under Zhenzhu’s guidance. The once silent and dark ground lit up with intense inscriptions that were visibly powerful to onlookers. The final inscription of the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation was about to be engraved, marking the last step in establishing the formation. Zhenzhu concentrated, engraving the last Illusionary Character carefully according to the time, direction, stars, and elements she had meticulously planned. Despite the nearing dawn, with cold air and dew falling around, small beads of sweat appeared on her face. As soon as the last inscription was carved, the energy within the formation quickly interconnected. The ground across the farm briefly shone before the inscriptions and the formation merged into one. A beam of golden light shot from the ground to the sky above, overpowering the stars, making the sky above Fengfu city as bright as noon sun for a moment before disappearing amidst the slumber of the populace. Now, the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation is complete and operational. "Younger Sister, drink some water first," He Ming handed water to his sister, knowing well his role. "Is it completed, Younger Sister?" "Yes, Big Brother. From now on, no one can enter our farm without permission." "You’ve worked hard, Zhu’er. Go and rest now," He Lei gestured for her to climb on his back, and without any hesitation, Zhenzhu clambered up, too exhausted to walk back to the house by herself. "For now, let everyone go about their usual tasks. I will instruct further on where to walk and where the formation’s core areas are to avoid accidentally entering the formation," she instructed. The He family walked back to their house, feeling more at ease than ever. It was truly great that they no longer had to wake up in the middle of the night to patrol the vegetable patches. Zhenzhu hadn’t been resting long before daylight broke, and the laughter of He Yu once again woke her up as it did every day. She looked out the window to see the familiar scene of their garden, but she knew that with the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation in place. From this time on, they would now require extra caution while walking in and out of the farm. The formation covered the farm’s perimeter, yet the interior remained as usual, a regular area. After washing up and heading to the garden, Zhenzhu saw Feng Yi and Feng Xian diligently cutting grasses and removing pests. They respectfully bowed to her as she approached. Peipei mentioned that since their recovery, Feng Yi and Feng Xian had become significantly more reserved. "You’ve been working hard. Let’s stop for now and have breakfast. Father will call us for a meeting soon," she suggested. They nodded, acknowledging her words. "Oh, Xiao She, what are you doing in the garden? Father didn’t assign you to take care of the Nengyan herbs." She noticed Xiao She joyfully slithering around the vegetable patches, its spirit energy radiating continuously. Zhenzhu was unaware that by establishing the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation, it slightly altered the spirit energy and climate conditions of the farm. This change benefitted the beasts, enabling Xiao She and Baihu to make significant progress in their spirit energy cultivation. Xiao She, in particular, was very pleased. Since it was the first day the formation was fully operational, Zhenzhu gathered everyone in the house to explain where they should and shouldn’t go. They could live their lives as usual, only the edges near the fences required caution to avoid accidentally entering the formation. "There are exits here, here, and here. And this area is the core of the formation on the eastern side. Be careful not to touch it." After ensuring everyone understood, she asked He Lei to take her to meet the Monk Xin Gong, to have him assess the completeness of the formation and whether any adjustments were needed, as she was just a novice in formation setting. When Xin Gong inspected the Flowers Engulf Sky Formation, he was immensely satisfied, stating that it required no adjustments and was even more elaborate than described in the manual, with ingeniously integrated inscriptions. "Master, I also have a formation I’d like your opinion on. I created this for agricultural benefits. Please, could you give me your guidance?" she asked, presenting her mushroom cultivation formation plan. "What are you planning to grow that requires such humidity?" Xin Gong wondered. "Mushrooms," she replied. "Hmm, very astute. Adjust the water element here slightly, and it will be perfect," he admired, clearly impressed. It was remarkable that she managed to devise a formation by herself in such a short time. Some of his disciples took years to master even simple formations, yet here she was, making others feel inferior. "I will be leaving on a journey in a month. If you have any questions until then, feel free to ask." "Where are you going, Master?" Although she hadn’t directly taught by him nor performed a tea ceremony to honor him as a teacher, she regarded him as such. His willingness to share knowledge had earned her deep respect. "To the Caishenye Dao Temple.” “Ah, if I have the chance, I will come to pay my respects." "Amitabha. Since you’re engaged in farming, I have some seeds that might be of use to you." "What kind of seeds, Master?" "I’m not sure. A traveler from a distant land, who didn’t resemble our people, left them with me. I only learned of his passing recently. These seeds might be more useful with you than with me," said the old monk, handing her a small talisman bundle tied with vine. After the elderly monk left, Zhenzhu locked up her house, stored the seeds, and then picked up a martial arts manual. She had obtained the manual for the Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique a while ago. Despite her and her father’s efforts to find a teacher capable of instructing her in this art, they had not found anyone. Although many were familiar with the technique, it was not commonly practiced because secret weapons arts are hard and less popular than sword and saber techniques. Zhenzhu had already reviewed the technique once. The Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique is a unique weapon art that uses fine silk threads as a weapon. These silk threads are exceptionally sharp, thin, and strong. The technique has two forms: one for non-spirit energy cultivators, using real silk threads as weapons, and another for spirit energy cultivators, who do not need actual silk but instead use spirit energy to form special silk threads. The latter form leaves no trace when harming or killing an enemy, as the spirit energy dissipates immediately once withdrawn. This direct use of spirit energy for offense makes it a formidable assassination technique, requiring speed, concentration, decisiveness, agility, and the ability to adapt. In the past, a master of this technique became renowned for his ability to kill without moving, his silk threads’ sharpness and speed leaving enemies unaware of their fate, after that, many were practicing this technique. As the technique was difficult and required great dedication. Some people spend a decade to master this technique but no evident progress was made thus its popularity waned. Today, it is almost forgotten, with newer generations barely recognizing its name. Zhenzhu dearly favored this technique, but with no one to teach her, what was she to do? If she mastered this technique, it would undoubtedly be beneficial, but failure would mean a waste of time without guidance on what was right or wrong. Others, even with instructors, failed to master their techniques. So, how could she, with only a manual and determination, succeed? What should she do? She debated heavily with herself. Should she abandon this technique for another easier to learn but giving up on it felt like a great loss. Yet, if she chose to self-train, she wondered if she could succeed in this lifetime or the next. Or should she visit a bookstore for a new skill to learn? Swords and spears, although unwieldy, might be easier to learn. In August’s warm weather, Miss Wang chopped Qianquan and Jinchong herbs into small pieces, brought it out to dry under the sunlight. Feng Yi and Feng Xian crushed Yuchong fruits with great effort, cheered on by He Yu’s off-key singing of a folk song taught by Teacher Li. The noises from Zhenzhu’s residence paused everyone momentarily before they resumed their tasks as if nothing had happened, accustomed to the daily disruptions. The past few days there were constantly loud noise of something breaking, but no one knock on her door to ask what happen, because Zhenzhu told everyone that she was practicing martial art, and any interruption was not allow because she might accidentally hurt them. The first two days, Miss Wang still checked on Zhenzhu with concern, but over time she grew accustomed to it. Her daughter was always , just like when she first learned character drawing, she would be so determined, until she succeeded it. In the meantime, inside Zhenzhu’s residence. A dish of sweets from Peipei lay shattered on the floor, a screen was torn and toppled, a chair with a broken leg was abandoned in a corner, and the room looked as though it had hosted a dogs’ brawl. Zhenzhu lay on her bed, desperate, even her blanket torn to pieces. "Why is it so difficult?" The Ten Thousand Silks Concealing the Sun technique proved exceptionally challenging. Whenever she tried to control her spirit energy to strike a specific target, it would veer off course. When attempting to hook a lantern on the table with her silk thread, she would accidentally pull down a wind screen instead, ending up scattering. The silk was stubborn and difficult to manage. “Lady, please take a break. I’ve brought you some snacks.” Peipei, shocked by the room’s chaos while entering with the dessert, wondered how her lady could have caused such a mess. "What day is it today, Peipei?" Zhenzhu asked wearily. "It’s the 14th of August, my lady." "The 14th!" Zhenzhu exclaimed, springing from her bed so suddenly that Peipei jumped. "What’s the matter, my lady?" "Tell Xin Xi to get ready quickly. I’m taking him to the city." "Why are we going to the city?" "Don’t ask; just hurry." How could she have forgotten? Today was the day she had arranged to meet with Xincheng. He was supposed to bring Lady Hui Lin, the notorious lady, to offer tea to Xin Xi and apologize. How had she allowed her training to make her lose track of days and nights? Zhenzhu hurriedly dressed neatly and waited for Xin Xi to prepare. "Big Sister Zhu, what’s the matter?" Xin Xi, neatly dressed, followed behind Peipei. "Xin Xi, hurry and fetch the cart. I have an appointment with someone." "An appointment with whom?" "Hey, don’t ask too many questions. Hurry up, or we’ll be late.” “Understood. Understood." Zhenzhu boarded the cart with Xin Xi driving towards Ruyi Pharmacy as previously arranged with Xincheng via a letter. Choosing Ruyi Pharmacy for the meeting was based on Master Tiao’s recommendation. Upon arrival, they found the shop surrounded by men in black; they had barely made it on time. Xin Xi parked under a tree before leaping down. "Xin Xi, today I’m bringing someone to apologize to you. Ah, wear this first." She handed him a small rock necklace, on the rock was a character that used to protect against dark magic, not fully trusting that notorious lady, better to be protected. She had made two, one for herself and one for Xin Xi. "The cruel lady who whipped your face." "R... Really, Big Sister Zhu?" Why would such a woman agree to apologize to him? Was Big Sister Zhu deceived into coming? "It’s true. Come on." They entered Ruyi Pharmacy’s reception room, where they were led to a private chamber by an employee. "Big Brother, they’re sure to come, right? He’s just a beggar; give them a little money, and they’ll be overjoyed, probably bowing down to us. That should keep them from complaining to Master Ming Yang." Zhenzhu clenched her fist upon hearing the voice coming from inside. Why does it matter if he was a beggar or not? Isn’t a beggar considered human? "Big Brother, are you scolding Lin’er?" This lady truly lacked conscience. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥 "Young Master, Lady He has arrived." She led Xin Xi into the reception room. Master Tiao sat in the principal seat, with Xincheng and Hui Lin seated in order on the right. Tea was already prepared. "Hah, you’re finally here? Made others wait for so long. Low-class and mannerless," Hui Lin said with a voice that grated on the ears. She despised these two kids deeply, thinking of themselves as a messenger for Master Ming Yang, and now she’s being coerced in whatever manner by these mere beggars? The incident before had led to her being severely reprimanded by the sect leader, causing her great distress. And today, she was forced to come here to offer an apology through tea; she wondered if this truly was Master Ming Yang’s wish or if this child had fabricated the whole scenario. As for Xin Xi, seeing Hui Lin startled him slightly. The event of that day still lingered in his memory, causing even the scar on his face to itch. "We’ve made an appointment for the Wei hour. Master, please tell me, has the Wei hour arrived yet?" "Not yet, young lady. Come, take a seat first," Master Tiao maintained his respect towards Xincheng. "Lady Zhu, please forgive us for making you wait so long." "It’s alright. Just the fact that Lady Hui Lin is willing to offer tea as an apology to beggars like us is already a great fortune." "Don’t say that. Lady Zhu is a benefactor of the Water Dragon Sect." Hearing this, Hui Lin was very displeased. Just a little girl, and the real benefactor here is Master Ming Yang. Why is the elder brother so respectful towards her, tarnishing his reputation like that? "Can we start now? I would like to leave soon," Hui Lin said impatiently. Zhenzhu smirked, "Why so impatient, Lady Hui Lin? Since you’re keen on offering an apology, and my brother appreciates it greatly. To not look down on your good heart and to announce your generosity, let’s proceed on the street below, shall we?" Zhenzhu smiled coldly, her eyes hardening a bit. She thought, just offering tea quickly in a private room and ending it there? Looking down on her too much. Since Xin Xi was whipped in the market, the apology should also be made publicly in the market. "You insolent child!" Hui Lin’s dark blue tier of spirit energy pressed down, making it difficult for Zhenzhu to breathe. Luckily, Zhenzhu’s spirit energy cultivation had advanced, otherwise, she might have been crushed to death, not to mention Xin Xi, who had already collapsed to the floor by now. "Hui Lin!" Xincheng bellowed, his powerful energy dispersing the oppressive force against Zhenzhu, allowing her to gasp for air. "Big Brother, she’s belittling me!" Just a beggar, and she demanded an apology in the middle of the street? Was this not too much contempt for Lady Hui Lin herself? "Master Xincheng, if she’s unwilling, I shall take my brother and leave. Let’s consider all debts and grievances with the Water Dragon Sect settled with no further obligations," Zhenzhu spoke sharply, grabbing the goat fat jade she had received before and smashing it on the table. She almost kills again. She would not allow herself to be trampled upon again. It was time to see if this so-called Young Master of the Water Dragon Sect truly had the qualities of a leader. If he could not even handle a foster sister, he did not deserve to be a leader in the future. After bathing and dressing, Zhenzhu joined her family for a meal in the inn’s dining hall to prepare for the day’s journey. Read ‘Rebirth: This Farmgirl Has Spirit Fish Scales’ before anyone else with more Chapters at https://www.jinovel.com/en