I Was Forced to Marry a “Trash” Cultivator, But She Turned Out to Be a Reborn Empress!

Chapter 264: Discussing the Dao, The Art of Formations

Since Shen Xian had no intention of joining the Heaven-Reaching Chamber of Commerce as a subordinate, he needed to demonstrate his value as an equal.

A partnership required leverage. And leverage required a show of force.

“Since the Chamber has been so hospitable,” Shen Xian said, his voice carrying clearly across the banquet hall, “I have a small item I wish to auction.”

He flipped his palm.

Hummmm—

A long sword, crimson as fresh blood, materialized in his hand.

The moment the blade appeared, the temperature in the Glazed Pavilion spiked. The leaves of the massive Moonlight Divine Tree rustled violently, emitting the sharp, metallic tang of clashing steel.

This was the Crimson Sky Burning Heaven Sword—a Top-grade Spirit Treasure he had obtained through the system’s hundredfold return. Although it wasn’t a True Spirit Treasure, its quality touched the very ceiling of the Fourth Rank.

“This… this is?!” A Fourth-Rank refiner sitting nearby jumped to his feet, eyes bulging.

Nine distinct fire patterns writhed along the blade like living serpents. Each pattern radiated a completely different Dao Rhythm: the explosive rage of earth fire, the cold bite of yin fire, the purity of sun fire…

Elder Shen You’s calm demeanor shattered. The Myriad Vessels Mirror at his waist buzzed angrily, floating up on its own accord. The bronze surface flashed wildly, reflecting nine overlapping worlds of flame.

“Nine Flames in One Furnace?!” Shen You gasped, his voice cracking. “How is this possible?!”

The room fell into a dead silence.

“Nine Flames in One Furnace” was a legendary technique. It required a refiner to simultaneously control and fuse nine conflicting flame essences. The mental processing power required was astronomical. It was a feat usually reserved for Sixth-Rank Grandmasters.

The refiners looked at Shen Xian with new eyes. The skepticism was gone, replaced by a heavy, palpable awe.

Shen Xian maintained his poker face.

He knew he couldn’t actually perform the technique—yet. This sword was a system product. But in this room, perception was reality. If he said he forged it, who could prove him wrong?

Zhao Wuchen’s hands trembled as he accepted the sword.

As his skin touched the hilt, his own spiritual energy boiled. A phantom of a red sun manifested behind him, drawn out by the sword’s resonance.

“Heavens! It resonates with the user’s True Fire?!” Zhao Wuchen stammered. “Master Wang… did you truly refine this?”

Shen Xian smiled enigmatically. Instead of answering, he snapped his fingers.

Clang!

The sword sang. The nine fire patterns leaped off the steel, transforming into nine birds of pure flame. They circled the hall, weaving a dazzling display of “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” before diving back into the blade.

Thud.

An elderly refiner collapsed to his knees, weeping openly. “Three hundred years I have studied fire… today, I realize I know nothing.”

Elder Shen You abandoned all pretense of seniority. He rushed to Shen Xian’s table, bowing slightly.

“Young Friend Wang… no, Fellow Daoist! Please, take the seat of honor!”

The crowd watched in shock as the First Refiner of the Chamber treated Shen Xian like a teacher.

Shen Xian accepted the seat. Immediately, Shen You leaned in, his eyes burning with hunger. “Fellow Daoist, could you enlighten this old man on the theory of flame fusion?”

The other refiners leaned in, holding their breath.

Shen Xian didn’t hoard his knowledge. He spoke simply, dropping kernels of Fifth-Rank wisdom he had absorbed from the system.

Even though he held back ninety percent of his true understanding, the remaining ten percent was enough to rock their worldviews.

“Genius… absolute genius,” a refiner muttered, scribbling notes on his sleeve.

“I never imagined refining could be interpreted this way,” Shen You sighed, looking at Shen Xian with complex emotions. “No wonder you broke history. Your vision transcends the Fourth Rank entirely.”

In the corner, Qiu Ruoli watched the scene, her fingernails digging into her palms.

This bastard… when did he become a giant among men?

Zhao Wuchen saw the mood and struck while the iron was hot. “Master Wang, with your talent, the Chamber would be honored to host you permanently. Why not join us?”

“Indeed!” another refiner shouted. “Join us, Master Wang! We have the best resources!”

Shen Xian raised a hand, silencing them.

“The Chamber has been kind,” he said smoothly. “But I am a wild crane. I seek only a quiet place to refine and live. I cannot be tethered.”

He looked at Zhao Wuchen. “However, I am in need of a private refining workshop. If the Chamber could facilitate a rental in the Heavenly Craftsmen District…”

It was a rejection, but a soft one. He wouldn’t join, but he would stay close.

Shen You understood immediately. “Smart. A dragon does not chain itself.” He smiled. “There is no rush. The finals are three years away. We have plenty of time to collaborate.”

Shen Xian nodded. “Then I will trouble you for the auction.”

Late that night.

As they left the banquet, Zhao Wuchen pressed a jade slip into Shen Xian’s hand.

“I heard Master Wang dabbles in formations. This is a Fourth-Rank Formation Inheritance. Consider it a thank-you gift for enlightening our staff.”

Shen Xian accepted it. His own formation skills were only Second-Rank, but the real value lay in the potential system return.

He walked back to the Leisure Cloud Abode with Qiu Ruoli. The moon hung high over the Sacred City, casting long shadows.

Qiu Ruoli looked at his back. Her heart was a mess of conflicting emotions.

He was rising. Fast. Following him meant access to resources and status she could never achieve alone. But it also meant submission.

Should I run? she wondered. Or is this… my path now?

“Here.”

Shen Xian’s voice cut through her thoughts.

She blinked. He was holding out the jade slip Zhao Wuchen had just given him. The Fourth-Rank Formation Inheritance.

“For me?” she asked, stunned. “You’re a Formation Master. This is valuable.”

“Take it and study it,” Shen Xian said casually, forcing it into her hand. “I have no use for basic texts.”

It was a lie, of course. He just wanted to trigger the rebate.

Qiu Ruoli held the warm jade, her resolve crumbling.

He gives away fortunes like they are trash. Is he buying my loyalty? Or does he actually… care?

She shook her head. No. Do not be corrupted. It’s just a technique.

“Thank you,” she whispered, tucking it away.

She had studied formations in her youth. This would make her stronger. And if she was stronger, she had more options.

Why refuse power?

As she accepted the gift, a mechanical chime rang in Shen Xian’s mind.

[System Notification: Host gifted Dao Companion the Fourth-Rank Middle-Grade “Heavenly Secret Nine Refinements Array Art”.]

[Triggering Hundredfold Blessing Return…]

[Congratulations! You have received the Fifth-Rank Top-Grade “Dao Source Array Art”. Claim?]

Shen Xian smiled in the darkness.

Perfect.