Early the next morning, Fang Hao packed up and headed toward the Deacon Hall.

Along the way, many Outer Sect Disciples pointed at him and whispered. It seemed the news of him being reported had already spread.

"Look, that’s Fang Hao. I heard he was investigated for secretly learning Inner Sect Cultivation Techniques."

"Tsk tsk, he got a little bit of fame and it went straight to his head. He deserves it!"

"I told you, how could someone from a servant background be so good at Formations? Turns out he stole the knowledge."

Fang Hao’s expression remained unchanged, but he sneered inwardly. These people just couldn’t stand seeing others do well.

When he arrived at the Deacon Hall, several people were already seated inside. In the main seat was a serious-looking middle-aged Cultivator, likely the Deacon Elder. Two Deacon Disciples stood beside him, and as expected, the whistleblower Chen Feng was also there, looking at him triumphantly.

To Fang Hao’s surprise, Li Xuan and Zhu Pang had also come, standing to the side as if they were there to testify.

"Disciple Fang Hao greets the Elder." Fang Hao bowed, neither humble nor arrogant.

The Deacon Elder sized him up and said in a heavy voice, "Fang Hao, a Disciple has reported you for secretly learning Inner Sect Cultivation Techniques. Do you admit to this?"

"I do not," Fang Hao replied calmly. "Everything I have learned was obtained through legitimate means."

Chen Feng immediately jumped out: "Elder, please see clearly! Fang Hao is only a Qi Refining Fifth Layer Disciple, yet he can set up Formations that many Inner Sect Disciples cannot. This is clearly stolen from the Inner Sect’s secret teachings."

Fang Hao looked at Chen Feng and asked coolly, "Senior Brother Chen says I stole them, but do you have any evidence?"

"Evidence? Your level of Formation skill is the evidence." Chen Feng said righteously. "How could an Outer Sect Disciple from a servant background master such profound Formations without a teacher?"

At this point, Li Xuan spoke up. "Elder, I can testify for Fang Hao. Most of his Formation knowledge comes from the Detailed Explanation of Basic Formations rewarded by the Sect; the rest was gained through his own research."

Zhu Pang also hurriedly chimed in. "That’s right, Elder. Fang Hao is very smart. He often studies Formations in his room until late at night. We’ve all seen it."

The Deacon Elder pondered for a moment and asked Fang Hao, "Then how do you explain your rapid progress in Formations?"

Fang Hao answered composedly, "I do have some talent for Formations, and combined with diligent practice, I have reached my current level. If the Elder does not believe me, you may test me on any basic Formation knowledge."

Just as the Deacon Elder was about to speak, a cold voice suddenly came from outside the hall. "There is no need for a test. I taught him his Formations."

Everyone looked toward the source of the voice and saw a woman in green robes walking in. It was the Inner Sect Senior Sister who had asked Fang Hao to set up a Formation yesterday.

The hall fell silent instantly. All the Disciples bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Senior Sister Liang."

Only then did Fang Hao learn that this Senior Sister’s surname was Liang, and her given name was Ling.

Liang Ling didn’t even look at the others, speaking directly to the Deacon Elder. "Elder Liu, I asked Fang Hao to set up an Ice Attribute Spirit Gathering Formation for me yesterday. I am well aware of his Formation attainments; they were certainly not stolen."

Elder Liu clearly knew Liang Ling, and his attitude became much more polite: "So it is Martial Niece Liang giving her guarantee. In that case, this matter must be a misunderstanding."

Chen Feng grew anxious.

"Elder. Even if the Formations weren’t stolen, how do you explain his rapid progress in cultivation? It took him less than a month to go from Qi Refining Fourth Layer to Fifth Layer. There is definitely a problem."

Liang Ling glanced coldly at Chen Feng. "Are you questioning my judgment of character?"

Chen Feng was instantly silenced, breaking into a cold sweat. The prestige of an Inner Sect Disciple was not something an Outer Sect Disciple like him could challenge.

Seeing this, Elder Liu slapped the table. "Enough. This matter ends here. Chen Feng, you have falsely accused a fellow Disciple without evidence. You are sentenced to one month of secluded reflection and a deduction of one hundred contribution points. Fang Hao, you may go."

Chen Feng’s face turned pale. He wanted to argue further, but under Elder Liu’s stern gaze, he could only bow his head and accept the punishment.

Fang Hao bowed to Liang Ling and Elder Liu in thanks, then turned and walked out of the Deacon Hall. Li Xuan and Zhu Pang followed him out.

"That was great, Fang Hao. I didn’t expect Senior Sister Liang to come help you." Zhu Pang patted Fang Hao’s shoulder excitedly.

Li Xuan was more thoughtful.

"Senior Sister Liang holds a significant status in the Inner Sect. With her speaking up for you, no one will dare to trouble you easily in the future."

Fang Hao nodded, his heart full of gratitude toward Liang Ling. This Senior Sister had a cold exterior but a warm heart, actually coming specifically to resolve his predicament.

Returning to his residence, Fang Hao continued to Cultivate. After this disturbance, he realized the importance of strength even more.

With the qiankun ring and time deceleration, Fang Hao’s cultivation speed was extremely fast. A few days later, he successfully reached a Breakthrough to the Qi Refining Sixth Layer.

This time, he didn’t hide his cultivation level but displayed it directly. For a moment, the entire Outer Sect was shocked.

From Qi Refining Fourth Layer to Fifth Layer in a month, and then from Fifth Layer to Sixth Layer in just a few days. This speed was simply inconceivable.

Now, no one dared to say Fang Hao was stealing techniques—what kind of technique could allow someone to Cultivate so fast? This was clearly extraordinary talent.

Fang Hao’s reputation grew even louder. Now, he was not only a Formation expert but also a cultivation genius. More and more people came to him to set up Formations, and the rewards rose accordingly.

Fang Hao didn’t refuse anyone, but he set a rule: he would only take three tasks a day, no more. He had to save time to Cultivate and study Formations.

One day, while Fang Hao was studying a new Formation in his room, he suddenly received a communication talisman—it was from Liang Ling, inviting him to the Inner Sect again.

Fang Hao set off immediately. Arriving at the Inner Sect area, he saw an unexpected person in front of Liang Ling’s Immortal Cave.

Ye Qing! That Single Spiritual Root Genius from back then.

Ye Qing also saw Fang Hao and was clearly stunned for a moment, then revealed a playful smile. "Yo, isn’t this that Wasted Spiritual Root servant? How did you sneak into the Inner Sect?"

Fang Hao replied calmly, "I am an Outer Sect Disciple now."

Ye Qing sized him up, sensing his Qi Refining Sixth Layer cultivation. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, but it quickly turned back into disdain.

"Qi Refining Sixth Layer? It seems you’ve taken quite a few Medicinal Pills to force your progress. A Wasted Spiritual Root is still a Wasted Spiritual Root; there’s no hope for Foundation Establishment."

Just then, Liang Ling came out of the Immortal Cave and gave Ye Qing a cold look.

"Junior Brother Ye, Fang Hao is a guest I invited."

Ye Qing immediately switched to a smiling face. "So it was Senior Sister Liang who invited him. I was just curious how an Outer Sect Disciple was qualified to enter the Inner Sect area."

Liang Ling ignored him and said to Fang Hao, "Come in. There’s a Formation I need you to look at."

Fang Hao followed Liang Ling into the Immortal Cave, leaving Ye Qing outside with a shifting expression.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Liang Ling explained directly. "There is an Ancient Teleportation Formation in my cave that I haven’t been able to activate. I heard your Formation attainments are good, so help me take a look."

Fang Hao carefully inspected the teleportation Formation and found it to be very ancient and complex, with many runes already blurred and unclear.

But with the help of the qiankun ring’s time deceleration, Fang Hao spent a full night in the outside world which was equivalent to ten nights inside the qiankun ring studying it. He finally found the problem—a core rune at the Formation Eye was damaged.

"This rune needs to be repaired, but I need some special materials," Fang Hao said, listing the required materials.