After listening to Li Xuan's telepathic message, the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion fell into deep thought.
Li Xuan, seeing this, was not in a hurry. The bait had been cast, and he was confident the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion would take it. Moreover, judging from the Lion's previous expression, it was clearly concerned about the existence of that aura. Its current contemplation was likely a consideration of what to say to pique Li Xuan's interest.
"Human, there is a manual of formations within this cave dwelling. However, the manual is protected by a very powerful defensive formation, which even my full strength cannot budge. If you can obtain it, I will not stop you."
"After much thought, I believe you might be interested in this formation manual. What do you say? If you are interested, I will lead you there. The prerequisite is that you must first help me locate the whereabouts of that aura."
Indeed!
A moment later, the Fire-Spitting Lion's voice echoed in Li Xuan's mind once more.
Li Xuan's heart stirred with surprise. Could the owner of this cave dwelling have been a formation master? If so, this manual would surely contain a great deal of information about him and various formation principles.
If he could obtain it, he might even make some progress in the art of formations. Although he could set up some simple formations with his current strength, he knew nothing of the more profound ones.
Despite his inner excitement, Li Xuan maintained a calm demeanor. He slowly transmitted his thoughts, "Hearing you say that, I have indeed become somewhat interested. However, as you must have also observed, the entire cave dwelling is enveloped by formations."
"If you take me to the place where the formation manual is first, and after I obtain it, perhaps it will contain information about that aura. What do you think?"
The Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion pondered for a moment before transmitting, "Your reasoning seems sound. Alright, follow me. These people," referring to the Hua family, "can only stay here."
Li Xuan nodded immediately. The existence of the formation manual was something the Hua family could not be privy to. Furthermore, Li Xuan had kept his promise by bringing them into the second level of the cave dwelling.
Although the Earth Spirit Soldiers on the second level did not attract him, they represented a considerable gain for the Hua family.
"Let's go. Take me to where the formation manual is," Li Xuan said, looking at the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion.
"Wait, I need to bring this box with me," the Lion transmitted, then moved aside. Beneath its foot was a colorful brocade box.
Li Xuan blinked in surprise. This brocade box was likely the most precious item on the second level. Although Li Xuan was somewhat interested in it, it was far less appealing than the formation manual.
As Li Xuan watched the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion pick up the colorful brocade box in its mouth and walk towards a stone wall behind it, a trace of astonishment flickered in his eyes. He then witnessed the Lion's body instantly merge into the stone wall, and comprehension dawned upon him.
This stone wall must also be a formation, and if the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion hadn't actively moved towards it, Li Xuan would have likely never discovered it was a gateway.
Li Xuan glanced at the Hua family, who were all engrossed in admiring the Earth Spirit Soldiers they had found. With that, Li Xuan's figure flickered, and he too entered the stone wall.
"Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion, this must be the third level of this cave dwelling, correct?" Li Xuan surveyed his surroundings. The third level's area was actually smaller than the second. Moreover, with the six-to-seven-meter-long Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion standing within, the space felt even more constricted.
"This is the third level of the cave dwelling, and the formation manual you seek is here." The Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion nodded and lightly pressed a stone slab ahead. Under Li Xuan's gaze, another stone door opened.
However, as the stone door creaked open, Li Xuan felt a powerful surge of spiritual energy wash over him.
"I never imagined this senior's mastery of formations was so profound," Li Xuan marveled, feeling the spiritual energy of the formation. As his words faded, he stepped towards the stone door.
Seeing this, the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion's body suddenly shrunk until the stone door was wide enough to accommodate its form, and then it stopped.
"You can actually shrink?" Li Xuan exclaimed in surprise at the Lion's transformation.
"If I couldn't shrink, how could I have entered here?" the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion retorted irritably, then walked to the side and squatted, gesturing for Li Xuan to proceed.
Li Xuan gave a wry smile and shifted his gaze to the defensive formation within the room. Through the glowing formation, he could indeed see a manual.
Upon seeing the formation manual, a spark of eagerness lit up Li Xuan's eyes. However, before he could obtain it, the defensive formation had to be broken. With this thought, Li Xuan willed his entire strength into his left arm.
*Bang!*
Under the gaze of the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion, Li Xuan's fist slammed forcefully into the defensive formation, sending a massive tremor through the air.
*Crack!*
Li Xuan paused after his punch. A crisp sound, incredibly clear, reached both Li Xuan and the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion's ears from the defensive formation.
The Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion's face was etched with shock. A single punch possessed such terrifying power.
Li Xuan then attacked again. After a total of seven punches, the defensive formation finally shattered with a *ding* sound.
"Human, I must admit, your strength is formidable!" the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion's voice slowly echoed in Li Xuan's mind as he watched Li Xuan break the defensive formation. There was a clear trace of reverence in its tone.
Li Xuan smiled. Although his spiritual energy was sealed, his physical strength remained. This defensive formation, though powerful, could not contend with his might. Moreover, this defensive formation seemed to have weakened with age.
However, Li Xuan did not divulge any of this to the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion. He then reached out and grasped the formation manual before him.
*Buzz.*
The moment Li Xuan's fingers touched the formation manual, it instantly dissolved into dust before his eyes, rapidly dissipating. A beam of spiritual light then shot towards Li Xuan's forehead and vanished.
In the next instant, Li Xuan slowly sat down cross-legged under the watchful gaze of the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion.
A flicker of hesitation crossed the Fire-Spitting Heavenly Lion's face. After some deliberation, it ultimately chose to lie down and wait.