They hadn't waited long — only half an hour or so — when the six people present suddenly sensed an unfamiliar yet powerful aura flying toward them. Wu Kuangyi and Hua Yulu subtly frowned, though Yang Tai's face lit up with delight as he turned to look in that direction.
Moments later, an elderly man with graying hair arrived before the group, hovering in midair. He gave a slight nod to everyone present.
"Brother Gong!" Yang Tai immediately clasped his fists, his greeting warm and effusive.
"I've kept Brother Yang waiting," the elder surnamed Gong replied with a smile, clearly well-acquainted with Yang Tai.
"Not at all, not at all — we only just gathered ourselves not long ago," Yang Tai chuckled. This was indeed the case. They had been waiting for Yang Kai here for several days, and the group had only truly come together once he arrived.
Yang Tai turned to Wu Kuangyi and the others. "This is the person I've been waiting for. Brother Wu, do you know who he is?"
Wu Kuangyi's brow furrowed deeply. He glanced at the newcomer, then recalled what Yang Tai had said earlier, and a vague suspicion formed in his mind. "Your surname is Gong — could you have some connection to the Gong Family of Tianhe Valley?"
At these words, Hua Yulu's eyes brightened as well, and she studied the gray-haired elder with keen interest. If this man truly hailed from the Gong Family, he would be a tremendous asset.
Yang Tai laughed. "Brother Wu is indeed well-informed. Brother Gong does come from the Gong Family of Tianhe Valley."
Wu Kuangyi said coldly, "The Gong Family of Tianhe Valley is widely renowned. Though I'm not the most worldly of men, I have heard of them." He was still somewhat displeased with Yang Tai's earlier conduct, feeling that Yang Tai had broken the agreement the three of them had made. He looked up at the gray-haired elder. "How should I address you, sir?"
The elder smiled faintly. "Gong Yue!"
"Gong Yue…" Wu Kuangyi murmured, then suddenly straightened with a look of realization and clasped his fists respectfully. "So you're the former patriarch of the Gong Family — my sincerest apologies for the lack of courtesy!"
He had clearly heard the name Gong Yue before and knew his background. He dared not be presumptuous and offered the respect that was due.
Gong Yue waved his hand with a smile. "I'm nothing more than aidle old man these days, wandering about with nothing better to do. There's no need for such formality."
Yang Tai explained, "Some time ago, I visited the Gong Family in Tianhe Valley to consult them about the restrictive formations. As it happened, Brother Gong had just emerged from seclusion. When he saw the formations, he was extremely intrigued and wished to come along and have a look. I really couldn't refuse Brother Gong's request, which is how this whole situation came about. I owe you all my apologies for this — Brother Wu, please don't be angry."
Wu Kuangyi kept his expression flat. "There's no need for that. Brother Yang, you worry too much."
Gong Yue spoke up. "I was the one who invited myself along. If anyone is to blame, blame me — Brother Yang was put in a difficult position. Of course, I am merely interested in those ancient restrictive formations and wished to see them with my own eyes. If I could participate in breaking them, that would be even better. However, if any of you find this arrangement unsuitable, I can simply turn around and head home — it's no trouble at all."
The Gong Family of Tianhe Valley, while not considered a top-tier power, was nonetheless a formidable force, and their fame was intimately tied to the art of formations. The family specialized in the study of formations, and many of their members were formation masters. Numerous sects in the Southern Domain would invite members of the Gong Family to assist whenever they needed to set up formations.
Hua Yulu had previously considered visiting the Gong Family to consult them about the restrictive formations on the ancient cave mansion, but it had been merely a passing thought — she had never actually followed through.
Now it seemed that Yang Tai had harbored the same idea, and he apparently had enough of a relationship with this Gong Yue to speak with him directly.
Members of the Gong Family were obsessed with formations, especially the lost and legendary formations of antiquity. Upon learning of such a restrictive formation, it was entirely understandable that Gong Yue would be intrigued enough to come uninvited.
Once everyone grasped this, they immediately understood why Yang Tai had spoken as he did earlier. If Gong Yue was truly the former patriarch of the Gong Family of Tianhe Valley, his expertise in formations was virtually unmatched in the world — very few people could stand beside him in that regard. With his help, breaking the ancient formation should be well within reach.
Wu Kuangyi pondered for a long while, his gaze flicking toward Hua Yulu as they quietly exchanged secret voice transmissions.
He made no effort to conceal this, so everyone could see clearly what was happening and guess what they were discussing.
After a moment, Wu Kuangyi spoke. "May I ask Patriarch Gong — have you come solely for the sake of that ancient formation? I trust you understand what we intend to do. If we find anything of value within that ancient cave mansion…"
Gong Yue immediately replied, "Formations are my Great Dao — my only path, my eternity!"
That answer was more than sufficient. There were three thousand Great Daos under heaven, and what Gong Yue pursued was the Dao of Formations. No matter how precious other things might be, they could not compare to a single legendary formation of antiquity.
Yang Tai chuckled. "Brother Gong simply wants to see the formation and participate in breaking it — he has no other demands. Of course, if any of you find this unacceptable, Brother Gong has already said he can turn around and go home. He won't force himself on anyone. Though I should note — that only works if at least one among us is capable of breaking the formation, otherwise we'll all be leaving empty-handed."
He, along with Wu Kuangyi, Hua Yulu, and the other three, had spent half a year preparing, and that wasn't solely for the purpose of finding a reliable ally. Over the course of those six months, they had undoubtedly done extensive research on the formation as well.
Hua Yulu had originally wanted to consult the Gong Family in Tianhe Valley, but several months ago Yang Kai had taken on the task of studying the formations, so her trip never materialized.
As for Wu Kuangyi's side, the cold-faced man he had brought along evidently had some knowledge of formations as well, for at this moment Wu Kuangyi was looking at him — seemingly seeking his opinion.