Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

“A Formation Spirit?”

Shen Wuji’s expression froze as the spectral figure manifested out of thin air.

He hadn’t expected a Soul Formation-level Formation Spirit to be hiding within the insignificant Falling Cloud Valley.

The feeling was jarring. It was as if he were happily smurfing in a beginner village, bullying noobs, only for a max-level raid boss to suddenly spawn in the middle of town.

This was… awkward.

That damn lackey, he actually dared to deceive me!

Shen Wuji’s face darkened, his gaze shooting daggers at Yin Qingyuan.

Yin Qingyuan was currently sweating bullets. He couldn’t wrap his head around it. This Formation Spirit had been lying flat and slacking off for over a thousand years. Why would it suddenly show up at a critical juncture like this?

Over the past millennium, Falling Cloud Valley had faced several crises that threatened total annihilation. Every single one of those events had been far more severe than the current situation.

Yet, the Formation Spirit had always remained a cold bystander. Sometimes, it would even actively lower the intensity of the sect’s grand array, allowing enemies to charge in as if it held a grudge against the people living inside.

This issue had plagued Falling Cloud Valley for ages. Almost every Sect Leader had tried to communicate with the spirit, but every attempt was futile, serving only to annoy the entity further.

Because of this, when Yin Qingyuan formulated his rebellion plan, he hadn’t even considered the Formation Spirit a variable.

But today? The sect hadn’t even suffered any real damage yet, and this spirit pops out instantly. It was utterly baffling!

After a moment of heavy silence, Bai Xirou was the first to snap back to reality. Her face lit up with joy.

“Thank you, Senior Formation Spirit, for your timely assistance! This junior is endlessly grateful!”

She bowed deeply, her tone dripping with respect.

To her, the consequences would have been unimaginable if the Formation Spirit hadn’t arrived in time. For the grace of saving her father, no amount of gratitude could be excessive.

“Don’t mention it,” the Formation Spirit waved a hand dismissively. “If I hadn’t confirmed that that specific matter wasn’t done by anyone from your Falling Cloud Valley, I wouldn’t have bothered with your lives.”

Confirmed what matter?

The bystanders were left confused, but Bai Xirou seemed to realize something. She asked in surprise, “Senior, have you already found the true culprit behind that case?”

“Not me.” The Formation Spirit shook its head, then grunted angrily. “It was that Qi kid who helped me dig out that thieving grass. Pity that brat still managed to escape, sigh!”

“Junior Brother Qi?”

Bai Xirou’s lips parted slightly, her heart filled with astonishment.

She had put in so much effort to investigate that case, yet ended up with nothing—not even a decent lead. She never expected someone to have quietly accomplished it without a sound.

Could it be… Junior Brother Qi went to investigate that case for my sake?

An inexplicable sweetness welled up in her heart.

While Bai Xirou’s thoughts were spiraling into romance, the Formation Spirit glanced at Shen Wuji, whose expression was shifting rapidly between dark and light.

“And who might you be?” the spirit asked solemnly.

Hearing this, Shen Wuji composed himself, his face returning to a mask of calm.

“I am the Holy Scion of the Celestial Zenith Sanctuary, Piao Genshuo. While traveling outside my sect, I passed by this place and discovered that your Sect Leader, Bai Qingwu, has colluded with the Demonic Path—a crime deserving of death. As the Formation Spirit of this place, surely you don’t intend to shield him?”

In truth, while a Soul Formation realm spirit made him wary, it wasn’t enough to terrify him.

Formation Spirits were often bound by the rigid rules of their arrays. Their main role was to mobilize defenses against external threats. Unless someone directly attacked the formation, they rarely took action to harm individuals.

Moreover, given his identity as the Holy Scion of the Celestial Zenith Sanctuary, even if the Formation Spirit went mad, it would have to consider the survival of the entire Falling Cloud Valley before touching him.

Hearing him reveal his identity, the Formation Spirit immediately frowned, muttering, “Celestial Zenith Holy Scion? This fellow has quite the background!”

Seeing the spirit hesitate, Bai Xirou grew anxious. “Senior Formation Spirit, my father must have fallen victim to this person’s sinister methods! That is what caused his temperament to change. He is definitely not cultivating demonic arts!”

Shen Wuji gave a cold, sneering laugh.

“You’re his daughter; of course you’d speak for him. Now that the evidence is conclusive, what is left to argue?”

He looked at Bai Xirou with a mocking, predatory gaze. “Junior Sister Bai, didn’t you just say you would submit to my judgment? Why are you going back on your word now?”

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a sleazy whisper. “If you obediently comply and serve me well enough to make me happy… I might consider showing leniency and sparing your father’s life.”

“You…”

Bai Xirou trembled with rage, grinding her teeth. “You despicable villain! I’d rather die than submit to you!”

Meanwhile, the expressions of everyone in the hall shifted. They exchanged glances, momentarily at a loss for words.

“Enough!”

The Formation Spirit withdrew its hand from Bai Qingwu’s forehead and spoke thoughtfully.

“The Sect Leader’s sea of consciousness indeed harbors a lingering trace of Netherworld Demonic Qi, but I detected no signs of him practicing demonic arts.”

The spirit paused, looking between the two groups.

“Since you each stick to your own story, I shouldn’t jump to conclusions. However…” The spirit crossed its arms. “I only believe one person’s words right now. As long as he comes over, perhaps we can quickly get to the truth.”

“Who?”

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

Who in the world could make this temperamental, lazy Formation Spirit trust them so implicitly?

The Formation Spirit let out a light sigh and earnestly uttered a name.

“Qi Da!”

Meanwhile.

After leaving Reed River City, Qi Yuan didn’t delay. He headed straight for Falling Cloud Valley.

Just as he was about to enter the mountain gate, he saw a figure as swift as lightning breaking through the air, charging directly toward him.

As it drew near, the figure retracted its flight light and landed not far in front of Qi Yuan.

Why is he here?

Qi Yuan’s eyelids twitched, his internal alarms ringing.

“Fellow Daoist, may I ask… is this Falling Cloud Valley?”

The speaker was a young man in his early twenties, dressed in a deep green robe.

His facial features were… remarkably distinctive.

A collapsed nose, beady little eyes, and a protruding mouth. At first glance, he looked exactly like a hairless monkey.

Upon closer inspection… he looked even worse than at first glance.

However, Qi Yuan knew this person’s background was no small matter.

This man was the real Holy Scion of the Celestial Zenith Sanctuary, one of the Seven Great Sanctuaries.

Piao Genshuo.