Su Han's answer shocked everyone. The formation from the comic was actually real. If this news were made public, the whole of Liyue would go crazy!
Hu Tao still had a strand of seaweed hanging from her mouth, but she was in no mood to care. She turned to Su Han eagerly.
"Then what about the Golden Light Mantra? And the Chaotic Metal Hammer, are those real too? I really want that one!"
"What do you even need the Chaotic Metal Hammer for? If we're talking about compatibility, the Yang Five Thunders technique suits you better."
Xingqiu tilted his head in confusion. The Yang Five Thunders had explosive power and even increased one's speed, perfect for someone like Hu Tao who was always full of energy. But the Chaotic Metal Hammer? That one only froze time for a moment and came with heavy backlash.
Hu Tao, however, shook her head repeatedly.
"You don't get it. I want the Chaotic Metal Hammer because Qiqi never wants to stay buried! Every time I bury her, she runs away again. So I thought, if I could just set up a Chaotic Metal Hammer formation, maybe she'd finally rest in peace."
Su Han's face went completely dark. This woman! Qiqi would definitely be furious if she heard that!
Sure, Qiqi was a zombie, but she still had the right to live!
Clearly, trying to predict what the Hall Master would do was pointless.
Not only Su Han, even Xiangling was speechless. Her master was an immortal, so she knew quite a bit about Qiqi's situation. But trying to persuade Hu Tao never worked; she'd tried countless times before. Now she could only hope something else would distract the girl from poor Qiqi.
Meanwhile, inside Bubu Pharmacy.
The little cutie Qiqi, busy grinding medicine, suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Her strong survival instincts kicked in, and she immediately threw away her pestle and hid under the cabinet.
Because every time this feeling came, it meant that girl was targeting her again.
If she didn't hide, she'd definitely be captured.
Maybe she'd be stuffed into a sack, maybe carried off on someone's shoulder, maybe even kidnapped in the middle of the night...
In any case, Qiqi was terrified.
While Hu Tao and the others were chatting happily, Chongyun looked toward Su Han again, his eyes full of determination. He wanted to revive his clan and make Liyue safer.
Seeing the boy's serious gaze, Su Han spoke honestly.
"I'm sorry, but I don't have the method to cultivate the Qimen Formation."
Chongyun froze for a moment, unwilling to give up. "But…"
"I know what you're thinking," Su Han said gently, "but I truly don't. It's true that I serve as a bridge between immortals and humans, and it's true that I carry half a qilin's bloodline... but that doesn't mean I know the arts from the comic. Maybe I'll learn them someday, but definitely not now. As for the reason… forgive me, I can't tell you."
In truth, Su Han would have loved for the Exorcist Clan to grow stronger, then he could just slack off.
But the problem was, he couldn't draw that formation!
There were so many treasures in Under One Person, artifacts, techniques, and whatnot, that pulling the exact Qimen Formation required ridiculous luck.
Hearing his words, Chongyun's expression dimmed. His dream of becoming stronger at any cost shattered in an instant.
But then, unexpectedly, Su Han handed him something else.
"Actually, Chongyun," Su Han said, "getting stronger isn't limited to formation arts. You could try this instead, but I do have one condition."
As he spoke, Su Han slid a small notebook across the table.
Unlike Qimen formations that demanded years of study, this technique provided immediate power once mastered.
Chongyun blinked curiously and opened the notebook. When he saw the title, Golden Light Mantra, he froze.
The introductory art of Dragon Tiger Mountain from the comic, a powerful move for both offense and defense, was being given to him just like that.
"What is it? Why aren't you saying anything? Let me see!" Hu Tao leaned over curiously.
Then came her shrill scream.
"What?! The Golden Light Mantra!!!"
"Shh! Hall Master, keep your voice down!"
Su Han broke into a cold sweat. This wasn't his own home, there was no soundproofing array! If this got out, his peaceful life would be over.
Seeing him panic, Hu Tao quickly apologized.
"Hehe… my bad, my bad! But seriously, Su Han, you're so generous! You'd even give away the Golden Light Mantra?"
In Liyue Harbor, every major family had its own cultivation method.
For example, the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor had its own exclusive technique that was absolutely never shared outside.
Yet here Su Han was, handing over the Golden Light Mantra like it was nothing. That was truly unexpected.
But Su Han shook his head.
"The Exorcist Clan travels constantly, hunting demons and spirits. I understand how hard that is. If the Golden Light Mantra can flourish among them, I think even my late father would be happy."
Daily Achievement: Honor the nonexistent father, complete!
Everyone was moved by his sincerity.
Zhongli raised his cup solemnly.
"Brother Su, your righteousness moves me. Allow me to toast to you."
"I'll drink too!"
"Me too!"
Everyone followed suit, raising their cups toward Su Han. His kindness truly deserved respect.
Su Han, for his part, raised his teacup and drank with them.
Then Hu Tao suddenly remembered.
"Wait, you said there was a condition for teaching it, right? Come on, tell us. I'm sure Chongyun will keep his word."
"Yes! Whatever the condition, I'll obey it!" Chongyun said firmly.
Looking at the nervous young man, Su Han smiled.
"It's nothing serious. Just that… if anyone ever sees you using it, tell them you learned it by enlightenment from the comic."
"Huh? That's it?"
Chongyun was stunned. He had expected something like 'only pass it to men' or 'never share it with outsiders.' But this? It was ridiculously easy.
Su Han shook his head.
"That's all. I'm only spreading this art to make Liyue a little safer. If the Golden Light Mantra can thrive, that's a blessing."
No one knew his real motive: to build a perfect growth gimmick.
A hidden strategy like this was the most effective.
If he announced it openly, no ordinary citizen would ever learn it. They'd just get frustrated and give up.
But if the Exorcist Clan mastered it and actually used it to slay demons, the story would spread differently.
The people of Liyue would gossip, claiming that the clan's special talent allowed them to comprehend it from the comic.
When that happened, his comic sales would explode.
Don't call Su Han devious, this was a righteous scheme!
Chongyun dropped to his knees, cupping his fists respectfully.
"Master Su, your benevolence knows no bounds. I, Chongyun, swear to revive my clan, slay demons, and protect Liyue, to live up to your expectations!"
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