Master Tonghui stroked his beard and looked toward Lin Xiaolan. "The Five-Water Wealth Gathering Formation, am I right?"

Lin Xiaolan's eyes lit up. She propped herself up on her chair and struggled to her feet before nodding gently. "Master Tonghui is correct. It is indeed the Five-Water Wealth Gathering Formation. That's what Taoist Priest Cha told us."

However, the effort of speaking left her slightly out of breath. Li Lizhi rushed to support her. "Xiaolan, you're not well. Don't talk so much at once."

Lin Xiaolan gave a slight nod and settled back into her seat with Li Lizhi's help.

Master Tonghui hurriedly bowed. "Miss Lin, you're too kind!" With that, he shot Xia Liang a provocative glance.

Xia Liang chuckled. "Master, please continue."

"Continue?" Master Tonghui's face stiffened. Could there still be some trick up his sleeve? After a moment, however, he just scoffed and shook his head. "Juniors will be juniors, always making things up out of thin air."

Hearing this, Xia Liang wasn't angered in the slightest. He stood up with a faint smile. "Since the master's skills are lacking and he cannot fathom the mystery of this formation, I suppose I shall be so bold as to enlighten you!"

"What? You!" Master Tonghui's hand, which had been stroking his beard, froze. His eyebrows quivered with rage.

"HMPH!" Master Tonghui snorted coldly. "Young man, stop spouting nonsense. This Five-Water Wealth Gathering Formation is already an excellent Feng Shui setup. Any further adjustments would be counterproductive. I imagine Taoist Priest Cha was not so foolish as to overdo it!" As he spoke, a coldness settled over his lean face. "You're just putting on an act!"

The other fortune tellers chimed in, nodding in agreement.

"Master Tonghui is right. What would a wet-behind-the-ears brat like you know about Feng Shui?"

"Master Tonghui has cultivated for many years. How could a young man like you possibly compare?"

"Master Tonghui has eaten more rice than you've eaten salt. You should be the one learning!"

The fortune tellers fawned over Master Tonghui, their faces plastered with sycophantic smiles. Hearing their praise, he finally gave a contented nod.

However, at that very moment, Monk Ruoshan suddenly raised a hand. "Young Patron Xia Liang is right. Within this formation, there is indeed another!"

As soon as Monk Ruoshan spoke, everyone was struck silent, as if an egg were caught in their throats. In their eyes, the monk's words carried far more weight than Xia Liang's.

Hearing this, Lin Xiaolan's heart fluttered. It seems this Young Master Xia Liang and the Great Monk truly have some skill. At this thought, a hint of color returned to her pale cheeks.

Master Tonghui was now in a bind. His gut told him Xia Liang was bluffing, but seeing the boy's unwavering smile and hearing Monk Ruoshan's validation, his own confidence evaporated.

Xia Liang smiled faintly. "The Great Monk is truly broad-minded, far better than certain others who use their age to look down on people."

Before Monk Ruoshan could reply, Master Tonghui flung his sleeves in a huff. "You… HMPH! Fine! I'd like to see just what kind of elaborate tale you can spin." With a cold expression, he plopped back down in his chair.

Monk Ruoshan smiled at Xia Liang. "Young Patron Xia Liang, the floor is yours."

Xia Liang accepted without ceremony, speaking with a light laugh. "Everyone, for a Five-Water Wealth Gathering, the coins only need to be placed above the five waters. Why hang them from the ceiling beam? Has anyone considered that?"

His question sent the other fortune tellers into deep thought. That's right! Why hang them from the beam? Had Xia Liang truly seen something they'd missed?

Noticing their expectant gazes, Xia Liang smiled. "The secret of this Feng Shui formation lies beneath this very floor! As we all know, the five waters are well water, rainwater, spring water, river water, and mountain stream water. Right now, all five sources are directly below us. As for the mystery within the formation, you'll understand once you lift the floorboards."

With that, Xia Liang sat down beside the Great Monk with a knowing smile. The monk gave him a slight nod, clearly thinking the same thing.

Still unconvinced, Master Tonghui declared, "This old man must see for himself!" He bowed to Lin Xiaolan. "Miss Lin, would you permit me to take a look?"

Lin Xiaolan knitted her delicate brows, clutching her chest as she nodded weakly.

Li Lizhi said with concern, "Xiaolan, why don't you go inside and rest? I can watch over things out here."

Lin Xiaolan waved her hand dismissively. This was a matter of supreme importance to the entire Lin Family. She didn't dare let her guard down for even a moment and could only force herself to stay and wait quietly.

Master Tonghui walked over to the floorboards and, with some effort, pried a large wooden panel loose. When he looked down into the space beneath, his expression turned grim. The others craned their necks to see.

In the hidden compartment, five separate water filtration systems were running, keeping five different types of water completely isolated. In each pool of water swam a lively koi, swishing about vibrantly.

"Why are there koi in there?"

"Yes, I've never heard of raising koi underground."

"Could there really be another layer to this formation?"

The fortune tellers put their heads together and murmured. When they looked back at Xia Liang, the disdain in their eyes was gone.

Xia Liang smiled and pointed at the coins hanging from the ceiling. "Do you really think this is merely a Five-Water Wealth Gathering Formation?"

Monk Ruoshan clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Five koi beneath the beam! It's not just for gathering wealth, but also signifies 'a carp leaping over the Dragon Gate!' This formation within a formation is truly ingenious!" He then turned to Xia Liang. "Young Patron Xia Liang, to possess such insight at your age… your future achievements will surely far surpass my own!"

Just then, Xia Liang smiled and waved a dismissive hand. "This is nothing. Taoist Priest Cha's greatest masterpiece is yet to come!"

"There's more? Now, this monk is truly surprised." Monk Ruoshan was dumbfounded. He had assumed that he and Xia Liang had seen the same thing—two layers to the formation. Could there really be another?

He looked at Lin Xiaolan in amazement. "Miss Lin, is it true what Xia Liang says? Did Taoist Priest Cha have another trick up his sleeve?"

The usually frail Lin Xiaolan had regained a surprising amount of her vitality. Her beautiful eyes fixed on Xia Liang as she nodded gently. "That's right. Taoist Priest Cha did leave one final touch. He said that only a person who could see through this final layer of Feng Shui would have any hope of breaking the formation."

Monk Ruoshan's gaze shot back to Xia Liang, his eyes flashing. Such insight at his age. In another ten years… Xia Liang might just become a titan in the world of Feng Shui!

Master Tonghui stood grimly to the side, his face alternating between red and white. No one knew what he was thinking.

Monk Ruoshan patted his large belly. "Xia Liang, hurry and tell us. What other secrets are hidden here?" He had already dropped the respectful "Young Patron" from his address. If before he had seen Xia Liang as a gifted youth, he now saw him as a peer.

Aside from Master Tonghui, the other fortune tellers were burning with curiosity. They had initially stayed to learn something, but now they understood. Even if Xia Liang laid everything out on the table, the knowledge alone would be useless. They would never be able to see through a similar formation on their own. They simply lacked the insight.

Xia Liang's gaze slowly swept across their faces. Pointing at the ceiling, he smiled. "The final masterstroke is on that beam!"

All eyes followed his finger.

"There's nothing there, just a big log of wood."

"It's common for antique shops to have imitation ancient beams like this, right?"

"Wait!" an eagle-eyed fortune teller suddenly exclaimed. "It looks like there are patterns on the main beam!"

Following his cue, the others strained their eyes and could just barely make out what appeared to be faint, carved patterns covering the entire length of the main beam.

"What do these patterns mean?"

"I can't see them clearly. The carvings are too shallow."

"Should we get a stool to get a closer look?"

The fortune tellers all began talking at once.

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