Naked Sword Art

Chapter 509: Multi-Layered Defensive Formation

"I’ll deliver her to you myself."

Shock filled the room.

Till that day, nobody had heard of Xiao Fang, so they could understand why Li Lian’s father would be so ready to give her away to him.

Even the Patriarch sighed, but he understood better than anyone the type of relationship Li Huxin had with his family.

Truthfully, Xiao Fang himself was taken aback by the response. He couldn’t quite grasp the man’s intentions. Was this a test? A trap?

Then, unexpectedly, the man stepped closer and placed a firm hand on Xiao Fang’s shoulder.

"Your name is Xiao Fang, isn’t it?"

"Yes," Xiao Fang replied.

"My daughter has spoken highly of you," he said, his tone warm but measured. "In the past, I disliked you. You never faced me, never stood before me like a man. But today—you came here of your own will, offering your strength when my clan stands on the brink of war." He paused, eyes steady. "Because my daughter favors you, and because you did not hesitate to step forward, my impression of you has changed."

The hall grew quiet.

"If you can prove that you possess the strength to protect my daughter," he continued, "and the resolve to safeguard this clan, then I, Li Huxin, will honor our agreement and also teach you my personal heaven defying technique."

Murmurs began to spread across the hall.

Xiao Fang had never heard of any kind of heaven defying technique from Li Lian before, so he assumed it wasn’t anything worthwhile, still Xiao Fang’s impression of him had changed.

The man standing before Xiao Fang was not the one Li Lian had once described to him. She had spoken of a drunkard—a man born into wealth who squandered it, neglecting his wives and children alike. Perhaps those things had once been true, and perhaps he was just putting on a show in front of the other generals. But hearing the way he spoke now—of responsibility, of his clan, of his daughter—Xiao Fang found it difficult to despise him.

Xiao Fang clasped his fist and formally addressed him.

"Father-in-law, I won’t disappoint you."

"Good. Very good," the man said happily, giving Xiao Fang’s shoulder a firm, approving pat before turning toward the Patriarch. His posture straightened, his tone shifting from familial warmth to one of authority.

"Patriarch," he continued, "if you would allow it, I wish to bring Xiao Fang under my command."

"If he’s willing, then I see no reason to object," the Patriarch replied.

"I am willing."

Hearing that, the Patriarch nodded in acknowledgement. "In that case, take your seats, we have a lot to discuss."

.

.

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Meanwhile, Xun Wei remained secluded in her room, unmoving since she arrived. Curtains drawn and formations sealed, she devoted herself entirely to the soul crystals Yu Qiuyan had gifted her.

Yu Qiuyan had hoped that it would encourage Xun Wei to one day join the Heavenly Fate sect, but she also hoped that she’d use it to protect herself till that day came.

The grey-silver radiance surrounding her body gradually dimmed as the Soul Qi within the crystal was drawn out—thread by thread—and absorbed into her soul sea. What had once drifted like mist now sank inward, condensing with deliberate calm.

As the final traces of light faded from the crystal, faint tremors rippled through Xun Wei’s body.

Within her soul sea, a formation began to take shape.

It was simple in structure, yet profound in execution. One layer formed—stable, dense, and grounded. Then a second settled atop it, perfectly aligned. A third followed, each layer reinforcing the one beneath it, distributing force rather than resisting it outright.

She instinctively understood it.

Xun Wei’s breathing slowed. Compared to the other crystal she absorbed, this one was far more draining.

This was a multi-layered defensive formation—one designed to protect her from Profound realm attacks. However, if it was within her ability to layer all 3 formations, the defense formation could become strong enough to defend her against Heavenly Origin realm cultivators as well.

Xun Wei’s eyes opened.

She raised her hand and formed a series of rapid hand seals, eager to test whether she could deploy the formation at will.

As she hoped, a translucent barrier shimmered into existence before her—subtle, yet heavy with presence. The moment it stabilized, she etched another inscription into the air.

Carefully, she attempted to create a second layer. Her lower lip trembled before she bit it nervously.

Suddenly, the surrounding air thickened as the 2nd layer formed.

’I did it,’ she thought in relief.

Even without testing it, Xun Wei could feel the formation’s stability. Attacks from Profound Realm cultivators would shatter upon it without leaving a trace, and even Divine Realm strikes would struggle to break through.

And if she were able to stack the final layer...

Xun Wei’s heart trembled.

’It could withstand even a peak Heavenly Origin Realm attack,’ she realized.

Maintaining two layers was already pushing her limits. Attempting to force the third without sufficient preparation could cause irreversible damage to her soul sea.

She lowered her hand, and the formation dissolved into nothingness.

Only then did she fully grasp Yu Qiuyan’s intent.

This wasn’t merely a gift—it was an invitation.

A formation of this level was far beyond what an ordinary disciple would ever receive. Yu Qiuyan had entrusted it to her as both protection and promise: encouragement to one day join the Heavenly Fate Sect, and a safeguard until that day arrived.

A shield. A means of survival. A guarantee that she would live long enough to choose her own future.

Xun Wei closed her eyes and carefully set the now-dull soul crystal into her tight grip.

’I’ve already decided my future,’ she thought.

The image of Xiao Fang surfaced in her mind, and the quiet resolve in her heart only grew stronger.

Thinking of him now, she felt an urge to see where he was—not just because she missed him, but because she wanted to show him the formation she had learned and give him the opportunity to learn it as well.

Leaving her residence, Xun Wei moved swiftly across the rooftops, her figure light as she leapt from tile to tile above the bustling streets below. From this vantage point, the Li Family Clan’s marketplace spread out beneath her—lanterns glowing, voices overlapping, the air thick with noise and life.

She hadn’t gone far when fragments of conversation began to rise up to her ears.

Excited voices. Familiar names.

"Li Qin is back!"

"And Li Lian came back with her!"

"Really? Where are they?"

"They just passed through—if you hurry, you might still catch them."

Xun Wei’s step faltered mid-leap before she landed smoothly on the next rooftop.

’Li Lian?’ she thought, surprise flashing through her mind.