Take This and Terminate the Contract

Six days later, Zhao Qi and Liu Zihao returned to the Yang family estate.

"Formation Master Liu, welcome."

"Greetings, Clan Head Yang. I am deeply grateful for this invitation!"

Upon seeing Yang Lingqing, Liu Zihao was filled with emotion and offered a deep bow.

Yang Lingqing stepped forward to help him up. "Formation Master Liu, your words are too heavy. Let us go inside and sit down."

Once inside the room, Zhao Qi briefly explained the situation to Yang Lingqing. He then withdrew, closing the door behind him to wait outside.

Liu Zihao sat in his chair, a hint of worry lingering in his heart.

He still feared that Yang Lingqing would politely turn him away after learning of his circumstances.

Alas... if that is the case, I can understand it.

The Yang family itself is merely a Qi Gathering clan, Liu Zihao thought to himself. Even those noble families with Condensed Origin cultivators watching over them are unwilling to have any further connection with me. If she has concerns, it is only reasonable.

With this in mind, he mentally prepared himself for rejection.

However, Liu Zihao did not know that Yang Lingqing's view of the matter was completely different from his own.

Yang Lingqing's heart was filled with joy.

A resident Formation Master delivered right to her doorstep-what a stroke of fortune!

Just as Zhao Qi had surmised, if this man had truly done anything to harm the interests of the Wangchao, he would certainly not have escaped the current purge.

Nevertheless, out of caution, she used the excuse of needing to consult the family to have Liu Zihao stay for a single night.

She then immediately sent Zhao Qi to Baishi Town to find Gao Hui and verify the matter, wishing to ascertain the Wangchao's attitude toward Liu Zihao.

Early the next morning, Zhao Qi returned with a reply.

Gao Hui had confirmed the news through the channels provided by He Shenglai.

The letter clearly stated that the Wangchao had already investigated and determined that Liu Zihao had no involvement in the Wangyue City affair.

However, because of his master's actions, he had indeed been implicated. The Wangchao was planning to clear his name, along with those of other innocent parties, in a few days.

"Clan Head Yang, this is a prime opportunity! This man is a talent. In my opinion, it would be best to keep him in the Yang family."

Gao Hui's reply coincided perfectly with Yang Lingqing's own thoughts.

The Yang family was now firmly bound to the Wangchao. Since Liu Zihao was entirely without fault, this was the absolute best chance to bring him into their ranks!

After a night of anxious waiting, Liu Zihao finally saw Yang Lingqing arrive at his door.

Her first words upon meeting him were like a stone tossed into a calm lake, stirring tremendous waves within his heart.

"Formation Master Liu, regarding the contract you signed with the Formation Pavilion, how many Spirit Crystals would it require to dissolve it?"

Yang Lingqing asked.

Upon hearing this, Liu Zihao stood up in agitation. "Clan Head Yang, what do you mean by this?"

"I know that Formation Master Liu is a man of high aspirations. The Yang family temple may be small, but it is still far better than suffering on the West Street of that market."

Yang Lingqing raised her hand solemnly. "I wish to invite you, sir, to become the Yang family's resident Formation Master. From now on, all your cultivation needs will be provided by our family. As long as you nod your head, we can go to the Formation Pavilion in the market right now, pay the fee, and terminate your contract."

Liu Zihao stood frozen, stunned for a long time without speaking.

He could hardly believe his ears.

Not only did the Yang family not mind his past experiences, they were willing to let him upgrade their formations. Moreover, they wanted to go a step further and retain him as their resident Formation Master!

If this had been the Liu Zihao from three years ago, he certainly would not have agreed to such a request.

At that time, he had a renowned master, a boundless future, and a spirit full of pride.

He was an extremely sought-after figure throughout the entire Wangyue region.

But now, after enduring so much over these past three years, he understood the fickleness of the world. He saw clearly the ugly truths hidden beneath the surface.

When the tree falls, monkeys scatter; when the wall falls, everyone pushes.

Even the Elders of the Formation Pavilion, who had once favored him so highly, had turned a blind eye to his plight and offered him no aid.

A young and talented Formation Master had fallen to the point where he could not even afford the fees to maintain a permanent seat in the Formation Pavilion. He had been forced to retreat to the North Street and mingle with a group of hopeless Rogue Cultivators.

Only he himself could truly taste the bitterness of it all.

Thus, hearing Yang Lingqing speak such words profoundly moved him.

Liu Zihao snapped back to reality. He straightened his robes, took half a step back, and returned a deep bow to Yang Lingqing.

"Thank you for your high regard, Clan Head Yang. I, Liu Zihao, am willing to join the Yang family!"

"Excellent!"

Seeing the matter settled, Yang Lingqing immediately moved to the next step.

"Mr. Liu, how many Spirit Crystals are required to break your contract?"

"Four thousand!"

As he spoke, Liu Zihao took out two Storage Bags.

"I cannot let the family bear this entire burden. I have many finished formation artifacts and diagrams here. If I lower the price, they can be sold easily in the market, provided no one knows they came from me. That should bring in around a thousand Spirit Crystals. Clan Head..."

Without realizing it, Liu Zihao had already stopped referring to "the Yang family" and naturally began saying "the family."

But before he could finish, Yang Lingqing interrupted him.

She firmly pressed a Storage Bag into Liu Zihao's hand. "Mr. Liu, since the quality of your work is flawless, why should we sell them at a reduced price? If they are afraid of this and that and dare not buy, that is their problem, not yours. Take these four thousand Spirit Crystals. There is no need to explain anything to them. Pay the money, terminate the contract, and sever ties cleanly!"

"Clan Head!"

Liu Zihao clutched the Storage Bag filled with Spirit Crystals. His nose stung, and hot tears streamed down his face.

"Thank you, Clan Head!"

"Gold is easy to obtain, but a true confidant is hard to find! I, Liu Zihao, will never dare to forget this kindness!"

With that, he turned and strode out of the room.

The moment the sunlight hit him, his former confidence returned to his face. It was as if he had found his high-spirited self from three years ago, striding boldly toward the market.

Fish Ridge River Market, Formation Pavilion.

Today was the final day before the market closed, and many had gathered to seek out suitable Formation Masters.

The Formation Pavilion kept a register, listing Formation Masters from top to bottom according to their skill.

A visiting cultivator flipped through the register and spotted a suitable candidate. "This one named Liu Zihao seems just right. I would like to hire this man."

Upon hearing this, the people around him cast strange glances his way.

Someone stepped forward to explain the situation. After learning of Liu Zihao's recent past, the cultivator waved his hand and gave up the thought.

Just as the crowd was discussing the matter, a figure walked into the Formation Pavilion.

"It's him!"

"That man is Liu Zihao?"

"Hasn't he already lost his permanent seat in the Formation Pavilion? What is he doing here now?"

Liu Zihao paid no attention to the murmurs of the onlookers. He walked straight toward the second floor.

As he reached the stairs, he was stopped by a junior Formation Master.

"Senior Liu, there is no place for you on the second floor now. If you have any business, you can speak with me here on the first floor."

Liu Zihao glanced at the man, his gaze cold and tinged with contempt.

He had once given this junior much guidance on the path of formations. Now, it seemed all his kindness had been wasted on a dog!

"Fine. I want to terminate my contract with the Formation Pavilion. Can you make that decision?"

Liu Zihao asked with a faintly mocking tone.

The man was stunned for a moment before his eyes widened in surprise. "You! What did you say? You want to terminate your contract with the Formation Pavilion!?"

His shout was loud enough for everyone on the first floor to hear.

The commotion in the hall grew louder. The gazes directed at Liu Zihao were filled with confusion and doubt, though mostly they held mockery and ridicule.

"Yes. So, can you make that decision?"

Liu Zihao asked calmly.

The man blocking his way was momentarily at a loss for words, standing there awkwardly.

"Hmph."

Liu Zihao had no leisure to waste time with him. With a light snort, he stepped onto the stairs.

"Hold on."

Just then, a voice called out from above.

Liu Zihao looked up and saw an old acquaintance descending from the second floor.

This man was the same age as him, named Zou Yu.

Both of them were at the same cultivation level, the sixth layer of Qi Gathering. However, in terms of formation mastery, Liu Zihao had always been a step ahead.

Thus, in the pavilion's register, Liu Zihao's name had always remained above Zou Yu's.

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