"This formation is quite good. It's a shame to break it, so it took some effort to collect it intact. I'll keep it for later use."
Wan Lei walked over with a smile.
Others might not understand, but those familiar with formations in the Heavenly Array Pavilion knew what this meant.
Breaking a formation was one thing, but there were varying degrees of difficulty.
The simplest method was to find a flaw in the formation, then gradually dismantle it along that flaw until the entire formation was shattered. Once the formation was gone, one was naturally free.
A slightly more difficult method involved finding a single pattern, then meticulously deciphering the Dao rhyme within that pattern, gaining control of that small area, or opening a gap in the formation to escape. This not only achieved freedom but also left the formation intact in its original location.
The most difficult, and what Wan Lei had just accomplished, was not only to escape but to completely analyze, fully control, and refine all the formation bases, Dao rhymes, patterns, and the core of the formation without any errors. Any mistake during this process would lead to complete failure.
Wan Lei had not only seized control of the formation from Feng Zhenzi but had also refined it completely and collected it, using the most difficult method.
"Alright, from now on, when I fight against others, I can just release it. It's another skill in my arsenal."
Fang Xiaoyu patted Wan Lei's shoulder with satisfaction, conveying a message of "Well done, young man, I have high hopes for you. Keep up the good work."
Wan Lei walked triumphantly towards the Hunyuan Wuji Formation, looking at Feng Zhenzi inside with great interest, shaking his head and humming,
"Senior Feng Zhenzi, how is your formation breaking coming along?"
Breaking the formation? I was just bragging earlier and hadn't even started, and you're already finished.
"Hmph! Don't be arrogant. I could break this formation of yours in a single moment."
"However..."
Wan Lei bent down slightly, smiled brilliantly,
"You've already lost."
"I..."
Feng Zhenzi's eyes widened, and he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
"According to our wager, you should now hand over the twenty million spirit stones."
Wan Lei felt immensely pleased. You Tian Array Pavilion used to fleece me, and now I'm getting it all back, with interest.
"You... that's you cheating."
See, a classic case of poor sportsmanship.
"How did I cheat? Senior Feng, you need evidence to make claims. You can't just slander someone out of thin air."
"How could my formation be broken in just three minutes? You must have brought some treasure that can collect formations, which is why you got out so quickly. You didn't use your own abilities. I'm not convinced and want to bet with you again. You cannot bring anything with you."
"I say, old man, losing is losing. Why are you reneging? Don't be a sore loser. Your Heavenly Array Pavilion is a big deal, you can't afford to lose face like this."
Young Master Lei's expression was somewhat displeased. He wasn't good at collecting debts; he usually settled things with his fists.
"Did I say I wouldn't give it to you? I just suspect you cheated and want to have another match."
"Heh!"
Wan Lei let out a laugh of anger.
"This time I won and you lost. You're calling it unfair and want to re-bet. What if I lost and you won? Would you also call it unfair?
You're trying to have it both ways. Do you think because your Heavenly Array Pavilion has more people, you can bully a child like me?"
The people around them all glared angrily at Pavilion Master Feng Zhenzi. Such behavior of not honoring a bet after losing was truly disgraceful.
"Old thief Feng, hurry up and hand over the money! You can't afford to lose!"
Elder Ming Ji, a staunch supporter of Wan Lei, of course, had to jump out to speak up and cheer for Wan Lei.
Elder Xuan Dan was not to be outdone, pointing at Feng Zhenzi's nose and scolding him.
The elders from the other three pavilions around them all felt disgraced by Feng Zhenzi's refusal to honor the bet and joined the verbal battle.
After all, they were all from the Four Great Heavenly Pavilions, and outsiders would think of them as one family, so losing face for one was losing face for all.
Feng Zhenzi, however, was not to be outdone and engaged in a battle of words with the other three pavilion elders, abandoning his formation research entirely.
Most of the people from the Heavenly Array Pavilion had dispersed. The few elders who couldn't leave hid in corners, covering their faces with their hands and simultaneously concealing the Heavenly Array Pavilion insignia on their clothes.
Why? Shame.
The Pavilion Masters of the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion, Heavenly Weapon Pavilion, and Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion exchanged glances and sighed.
They had known Feng Zhenzi for over a thousand years and understood his character all too well. It was unlikely that Wan Lei would get his money back.
"Stop arguing, stop arguing."
The Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion waved his hand, stopping everyone.
"We are all from the Four Great Heavenly Pavilions, and we are one family. We shouldn't let young friend Wan Lei make a fruitless trip. A bet is a bet, and a loss is a loss. If the Heavenly Array Pavilion is unwilling to pay, then our three pavilions will contribute a bit each to make up the money for young friend Wan Lei."
The words of the Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Elixir Pavilion were not just slapping the Heavenly Array Pavilion's face, but tearing it to shreds and trampling on it with immense force.
As expected, upon hearing this, Feng Zhenzi stopped speaking, his expression turning extremely grim.
"I don't want your money. I only want this old thief Feng to give me the money. He lost it to me!"
Wan Lei was furious and, disregarding any etiquette between seniors and juniors, he cursed.
"Did I say I wouldn't give it to you? Take down this formation, and I'll go out and give you the money."
Feng Zhenzi snorted coldly.
"I don't believe you. If I take down the formation, the first thing you'll do is kick us out. Do you think I'll fall for that?"
"How can I give you the money if you don't let me out?!"
"Your Heavenly Array Pavilion has so many people outside, have them get it. Once I get the money, I'll release you."
"I don't trust you."
"If you don't trust me, you can break the formation yourself and come out. Besides, what benefit do I get from keeping you trapped?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Let me out first, and then we can discuss everything."
"Fine! Fine! Fine!"
Wan Lei pointed at Feng Zhenzi inside the formation and gritted his teeth.
He finally understood that he definitely wouldn't get his money today. He wouldn't get back the money he was fleeced for, and instead, he'd made a wasted trip.
"Then you can stay in there. I'll release you when you give me the money!"
"Hmph, there's food and drink in here, and no danger. I can still study formations. Am I afraid of you?"
Feng Zhenzi was completely unyielding.
Wan Lei reached out and patted the Hunyuan Wuji Formation a few times. The formation's killing power immediately manifested.
The Hunyuan Wuji Formation was more than just a trapping formation; Young Master Lei had almost been killed by it several times.
Of course, he only activated a small amount of the killing power. He didn't intend to kill Feng Zhenzi; he only wanted the money. Keeping him alive was the only way to get paid. If he killed him, the Heavenly Array Pavilion would likely be in an irreconcilable conflict with him.
Most importantly, torturing him with a slow death was more painful.
"Wife, let's go. We'll wait for this old scoundrel to beg me!"