Zhao Yunxiao was slightly taken aback by how specific her question was, and could not help but let out a helpless sigh.
Back when he went on the delivery mission to Thousand Autumn City, Gu Qiansi had questioned how uncharacteristic it was of him to go all that distance for such little rewards. He thought that he had managed to brush it off, but it would appear that she had kept that in mind until now.
He really had to hand it to Gu Qiansi and her knack for reading people.
However, this was the one thing that he definitely could not afford to tell Gu Qiansi.
And it was not just Gu Qiansi. He could not afford to tell anyone the truth about what happened at Blueflag Mountain.
After all, with Kindness still in his dantian, who knew if the terrifying soul within was listening in?
He understood that the Untethered Sage's soul was sealed within Kindness at the moment, but he simply knew too little about the rules around it. For example, just how was Kindness able to plant itself in his dantian if it was truly sealed?
If he revealed the matter about Kindness, as well as the Untethered Sage Jiang Taiming, to someone else, how would Kindness react?
Would it then be able to jump to Gu Qiansi's dantian as well?
Would it treat this as a betrayal and react in anger?
No matter what the outcome was, it would be completely out of his hands. He would be powerless to stop anything that resulted.
So, naturally, he simply dared not test the limits around it.
Not just that, but with Gu Qiansi's protective personality, she would definitely start trying to look for all kinds of probable solutions.
Zhao Yunxiao was not afraid that Gu Qiansi would snitch on him to anyone else. But in her panic, who knew how many people she would end up unintentionally revealing this matter to through her actions?
And if word were to spread that he possessed the key to unlocking the Untethered Sage Jiang Taiming's legacy, the mere Essence Gathering realm cultivator Zhao Yunxiao would not be able to survive even if he had ten more lives!
However, that did not mean he could not answer Gu Qiansi's questions at all.
"I guess I can't hide this any longer," Zhao Yunxiao let out a helpless sigh. "However, you have made a mistake in your way of thinking. Nothing actually happened during that mission."
"Continue?" Gu Qiansi urged.
"Do you remember the treasure bowl that I obtained from the guardian spirit of the Origin Lake Sect?" Zhao Yunxiao asked. "I found out how to use it."
"That bowl?" Gu Qiansi revealed a look of surprise. "Are you telling me that it's really a treasure item?"
Zhao Yunxiao: "..."
You mean to say that you didn't believe me before?
"What? Don't look at me like that. Anyone else would have doubted what you said as well!" Gu Qiansi quickly defended herself. "You said that it's a treasure gifted to you by the guardian spirit of the Origin Lake Sect, and that it is on par with those used by the elders of our Black Tortoise Sect! How am I supposed to believe something like that?"
"...I guess that does sound a little bit unbelievable," Zhao Yunxiao reluctantly admitted. "So, do you believe me now then?"
If she did not even believe this matter about Cha and the Heaven's Descent Bowl, then there was absolutely no way that she would believe that he had acquired the legacy of the Untethered Sage...
"What does it do?" Gu Qiansi asked in return.
"It creates water replicas of those that have fallen to my hands in the past," Zhao Yunxiao answered without holding back.
"Are you serious?" Gu Qiansi frowned.
Zhao Yunxiao did not answer with words. He knew that there was only one way to truly convince Gu Qiansi.
From within his spatial pouch, a stream of blue liquid shot out to form a blob on the ground. This blue blob then transformed into a replica of a monkey monster that just stood there looking blankly at Zhao Yunxiao.
"This..." Gu Qiansi's frown deepened as she carefully eyed the replica of the monkey monster. "If what you say is true, then isn't this... necromancy?"
The art of raising the dead as soldiers to fight under one's banners – necromancy had always received widespread condemnation as a major category of the unorthodox path!
"Not exactly," Zhao Yunxiao answered calmly. "It is not exactly raising the dead, but creating a replica of the soul."
"I see," Gu Qiansi narrowed her eyes at him. "But is there really a difference between the two?"
"Of course," Zhao Yunxiao shrugged. "I am not forcibly binding others' souls to me, for me to use as mindless puppets. That would be robbing them of their chance at reincarnation. Instead, I am actually creating these things from scratch!"
"I guess that makes sense..." Gu Qiansi was clearly not fully convinced. "So, that's how you summoned those water elementals. But how did you manage to overpower the Essence Physique realm cultivators?"
"Did you forget that I have already opened the Mind Gate?" Zhao Yunxiao said while picking up the Penta-Edge Grimoire Halberd. "That's one of the Six Gates of Self-Actualisation. Coupled with my precious halberd, they give me quite the boost to my close combat capabilities!"
"Is that so?" Gu Qiansi's gaze softened. "That's... good to hear."
She might not understand the underlying concept behind this black halberd, but she had already seen it in action more than once. There was also some strange array surrounding it, which would explain how Zhao Yunxiao was able to burst forth with such explosive strength while wielding it.
"...And I might have acquired the Zodiac Scripture."
Silence.
Gu Qiansi was dazed for a moment, trying her best to digest what Zhao Yunxiao just mumbled under his breath before she finally managed to mutter a few words. "The Zodiac Scripture... as in the Armed Ape Tower's?"
"Maybe?"
"...Maybe?"
"Look, it might be the same, or it might be a little different. I don't know," Zhao Yunxiao answered. "I didn't learn it from the Armed Ape Tower. At least, not directly."
"So, how did you manage to acquire the Armed Ape Tower's signature scripture without getting it from them?" Gu Qiansi took a deep breath before looking at him with serious eyes. "Did you steal it during your trip to the Armed Ape Tower?"
"No! No, I didn't!" Zhao Yunxiao quickly denied. "I just... got it with the Heaven's Descent Bowl."
"I thought you said the bowl creates soul replicas of those you killed!"
"Yeah, and I got the scripture from the soul replicas!"
"Heavens! Does anyone else know that you killed an Armed Ape Tower disciple?!"
"Are you crazy?! I didn't kill any of their disciples!"
"How else can yo-?!"
"They are spirits!"
"That's what they become only AFTER you kill them! Wait... they? Heavens, you killed more than one? What were you thinking?!"
"No, what are YOU thinking?! I'm saying I took down spirits! I didn't turn them into spirits!"
"You got a treasure from the guardian spirit of the Origin Lake Sect and killed the guardian spirits of the Armed Ape Tower?!"
"No! How would I possibly be able t- Well, actually, maybe? I don't know! It's really weird to me as well!" Zhao Yunxiao answered. "Do you remember how I told you that I cleared the first level of tribulations at the Zodiac Tree but did not receive any blessings?"
"Wait, that story is real?"
"Of course!" Zhao Yunxiao rolled his eyes. "Anyway, this is the true reason why I didn't receive any blessings – the Heaven's Descent Bowl absorbed the defeated avatars of the zodiac spirits before they could grant me my blessings..."
"And you got the Zodiac Scripture from the replicas of the zodiac spirits – the guardian spirits of the Armed Ape Tower."
"I don't know if they are the guardian spirits, but yeah..."
"Are you serious?"
"Dead serious. And don't tell anyone about this, or I'll be in deep trouble."
Gu Qiansi narrowed her eyes and scanned him from head to toe for a good few moments before letting out a deep sigh of relief. "Instead of worrying about me telling anyone, you really need to hide it better. If even those Scarlet Leaf Sect guys managed to draw links to the Zodiac Scripture, someone more familiar with the technique would definitely be able to tell for sure."
"Yeah, I guess so," Zhao Yunxiao scratched his cheek in embarrassment.
"As long as you understand," Gu Qiansi shook her head disapprovingly. "All right, the night is getting late. I should be going on my way then!"
"Yeah, okay," Zhao Yunxiao nodded.
This was the reason why, as compared to the secret about the Untethered Sage's legacy, Zhao Yunxiao was more comfortable with letting Gu Qiansi know about the Zodiac Scripture. As long as he was not at risk, Gu Qiansi would not have to worry about helping him.
Without that, he was confident that Gu Qiansi would never reveal the secret to anyone else.
"Okay then," Gu Qiansi turned around and walked a few steps before stopping again. "Are you... really all right?"
"Yeah, don't worry."
This time, Zhao Yunxiao answered in a solemn tone.
"...Okay," Gu Qiansi nodded and continued on her way without turning back.
Watching as her figure slowly disappeared into the night, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but let out a self-deprecating chuckle.
Damn that Gu Qiansi and her weird ability to see through people.
***
The next morning, Zhao Yunxiao once again headed to the Lightwind Pavilion after his usual morning practice.
And once again, Nie Hanchang had already come and gone by then. Instead, Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying appeared shortly after he started digging into the meat.
"Good morning, Senior Martial Brother Zhao!" Lu Zhiying skipped over excitedly. "Senior Martial Sister Gu and I will be meeting Senior Martial Sisters Chang Min and Luo Ling later! What about you? What are your plans for the day?"
"That sounds like a good way to unwind after returning from a mission," Zhao Yunxiao said approvingly. "I will be spending my day at the Alchemy Chamber."
"Ah, I guess I will just stick to the original plan then," Lu Zhiying revealed a look of slight disappointment.
"What? Were you intending to abandon us to join your Senior Martial Brother Zhao if he's doing something interesting?" Gu Qiansi narrowed her eyes at Lu Zhiying.
"No, no! Of course not!" Lu Zhiying shook her head profusely. "I can't wait for our outing later!"
"Well, it won't be surprising even if she wants to do so. After all, my life is way more interesting than yours," Zhao Yunxiao chimed in.
"Says the workaholic," Gu Qiansi scoffed.
"Beats staring at plants all day," Zhao Yunxiao retorted.
"Didn't you hear Junior Martial Sister Lu say that we would be relaxing today?"
"Come to think of it, I guess Senior Martial Brother Nie's way of going on hunts every day sounds the most exciting on paper," Lu Zhiying mused.
"Speaking of Senior Martial Brother Nie, do you remember what's happening the day after?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"Hmm? What is happening?" Lu Zhiying looked at him in confusion.
"Yeah, I remember," Gu Qiansi said with a sigh. "It's Senior Martial Sister Mu's wedding. Will you be speaking to Senior Martial Brother Nie to see if he's okay?"
"No. Should I?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"You probably should, just in case," Gu Qiansi nodded.
"What's wrong? Who's this Senior Martial Sister Mu again? And why would Senior Martial Brother Nie not be okay?" Lu Zhiying asked before quickly coming to her own conclusion. "Ah, is she Senior Martial Brother Nie's beloved?"
"Well, not exactly," Zhao Yunxiao answered. "I might be wrong, but while Senior Martial Brother Nie has always liked her, she has always treated him as just a close childhood friend."
"Heh, a one-sided love? I guess that does fit Senior Martial Brother Nie's personality somehow," Lu Zhiying snickered.
"Be careful not to say that in front of him," Zhao Yunxiao cautioned. "Anyway, I will go speak to Senior Martial Brother Nie if you think it's necessary. Even if nothing else, maybe I will just go have a drink with him."
"All right. On my end, I will go speak to Senior Martial Sister Mu," Gu Qiansi replied.
"Wait, what?" Zhao Yunxiao felt the corner of his lips twitch. "That isn't very nice, is it? Isn't she about to get married? Maybe we shouldn't be bothering her with such matters?"
"No, it's even more necessary because of that," Gu Qiansi disagreed. "If I were Senior Martial Sister Mu, I would definitely want to know how Senior Martial Brother Nie is dealing with things now. After all, they grew up together. I'm sure she is aware of his feelings towards her."
"Is that so?" Zhao Yunxiao was still unconvinced, but did not insist. "If you really think so, then go ahead. But don't blame me if things end up going awry!"
"Don't worry, I know what I am doing!" Gu Qiansi rolled her eyes in disbelief.
The girls went on their way after breakfast, while Zhao Yunxiao headed for the Alchemy Chamber as he had planned.
There was something that he had been thinking of trying since a while back. And now that he had some time, he was intending to finally give it a shot.
Today, he was going to see if the Divine Tether could be used to improve the results of his alchemy.
No, that was not the right way of thinking.
Today, he was definitely going to use the Divine Tether to vastly improve the results of his alchemy!