“What I want must be based on mutual consent. For example, a marriage contract.”
“Help with what?”
Shi Qing froze for a moment. “Immortal Master, are you saying you want to help me?” He replayed Xie Ciyou’s words in his mind and asked uncertainly, “Do you plan to help me temper my body?”
“Your memory seems to be a bit lacking.”
As he spoke, Xie Ciyou actually looked down from his height at the top of Shi Qing’s fluffy head, seemingly convinced that something was wrong with the boy’s brain. “What I said was: reconstruct your body and widen your spiritual veins.”
Shi Qing felt that Xie Ciyou was truly asking for a beating, but he endured it. Then, realizing something, he asked in disbelief, “Immortal Master, are you going to give me a Physique-Forging Pill?”
“Yes. There is a spiritual spring in the back mountains of Aowu Pavilion that can alleviate the pain of reconstruction. You need not worry.”
Xie Ciyou had already returned to his desk and resumed processing the flickering jade butterflies one by one. He left Shi Qing sitting dazed on the soft couch, silently digesting those words, especially the last sentence.
A person’s bones are set by nature. Reconstructing them is nothing less than defying the Heavens, a process of agonizing pain. The spiritual spring of Aowu Pavilion was indeed comparable to the nectar of the gods when it came to healing and cultivation.
But that was not what Shi Qing was worried about. He stole a glance at Xie Ciyou; those beautiful, cold eyes were still laced with fatigue. A shocking realization hit him, and he asked softly, “Have you been out lately collecting the ingredients for the Physique-Forging Pill?”
Every single ingredient for that pill was worth a fortune. They could only be found in extremely dangerous places, guarded by companion beasts, and were incredibly rare. Never mind gathering them all; a single one of those herbs could cost a Transformation Stage cultivator their life. Although Xie Ciyou was at the peak of that stage, and far beyond the level of an ordinary peak cultivator, it was still a perilous undertaking.
In his previous life, after Shi Qing’s spiritual veins were destroyed to save Gu Yan, he had been despondent for a time, even losing the will to follow the plot. Later, Gu Yan had somehow obtained a Physique-Forging Pill, claiming he bought it for a high price from a mysterious expert.
Shi Qing had not believed it. How could such precious medicine appear so conveniently? No matter how much he pressed, Gu Yan would not reveal the source. But Shi Qing knew the price paid must have been heavy. Knowing the plot could not be changed anyway, he had finally agreed to the betrothal to avoid owing Gu Yan too much.
The youth on the couch looked far too frail, making his robes appear oversized. But on his pale face, the mask of disguise had finally slipped, replaced by a serious expression as he looked at the man behind the desk.
Unfortunately, Xie Ciyou did not look up. As the glow of another jade butterfly dissipated, he said plainly, “It was no great difficulty.”
So it is true, Shi Qing blinked, his eyes full of bewilderment.
If Xie Ciyou truly refined a Physique-Forging Pill for him to reconstruct his bones, then based on his past experience, his cultivation would surely skyrocket. Without the burden of this broken body, he could simply leave and fly free, living a life of leisure.
But, a long silence filled the room.
The message on the jade butterfly glowed at Xie Ciyou’s fingertips. He spent significantly longer on this one than the others. After a moment, he slowly frowned. “You signed up for the Immortal Sect Grand Competition?”
Shi Qing was still thinking about the pill when he heard this. He realized Jiang Muxue must have successfully signed him up. Only half a day had passed; he had not even had time to check his own jade token, yet Xie Ciyou had received the news faster than he had.
Shi Qing shifted his gaze to the butterfly fluttering in Xie Ciyou’s hand. He answered truthfully, “I originally wanted to go to the Qingyun Secret Realm to find herbs for body tempering.”
“It is no longer necessary,” Xie Ciyou said. “Do not participate.” His tone was somewhat forceful.
“Is there really something wrong with the Grand Competition?”
Shi Qing watched Xie Ciyou’s face closely. Xie Ciyou’s silence was a tacit admission.
With the competition approaching, Xie Ciyou was still out running around collecting herbs for him. Without thinking, Shi Qing blurted out, “If you’re afraid someone will cause trouble, perhaps I should participate even more? Maybe I can help you investigate?”
Xie Ciyou interrupted coldly, “I will investigate it myself.”
Shi Qing was not deterred. Instead, he took on a serious, calm tone, attempting to persuade him with reason.
“This concerns my body, so I want to investigate it clearly, too. Also, my body seems to have a particularly strong reaction to demonic energy. If there really is a problem with the competition, I might be able to help.”
Why was the Demon God’s sense still causing chaos in the world? Why did the complete seal the system told him about fail? Carrying this mess, he could not just stand aside and enjoy his own freedom.
Moreover, he looked at Xie Ciyou again. How could he just run away after receiving such a massive favor? He could not be that irresponsible.
Having made up his mind, Shi Qing breathed a sigh of relief. He stopped agonizing and returned to his playful, fawning manner. “Immortal Master, I have a proposal. Why don’t you hear it first?”
Seeing Shi Qing’s beaming face, Xie Ciyou’s expression grew even more solemn. “Speak.”
Shi Qing said with a bright smile, “Why don’t you tell me the clues about the Demon God’s sense and who is suspicious? I can keep an eye on them for you. Everyone from Aowu Pavilion is surely being watched closely, but on the surface, I’m still from the Qingyun Sect. It’s more convenient for me to move around. I’m actually quite useful, like back in the illusion, I could sense demonic energy that even you did not notice.”
“Even though I’m a Qingyun disciple, you saved my life and helped me so much. I’ve always been one to repay kindness. It’s better if we cooperate. If you keep me under your nose, you can rest easy knowing I won’t cause trouble.”
Whether it was a sudden act of kindness or because he had other uses for him, Shi Qing had decided to stay and investigate. In that case, he might as well cling to Xie Ciyou’s leg. It was convenient for investigating the Demon God and for figuring out why Xie Ciyou’s attitude was so strange.
“Cooperate?” Xie Ciyou lifted an eyelid, his tone inscrutable.
Shi Qing quickly corrected himself. “No, no, no! How would I dare? I mean, I will serve you!”
Xie Ciyou looked thoughtful. “How do you intend to serve?”
Shi Qing, this wall-sitter, had somehow stepped into the role of Xie Ciyou’s loyal lackey. If he were his past self, he would have cursed himself, but as things stood, he could not let go of the Demon God incident and happened to owe Xie Ciyou a huge debt.
“You are in the light while the enemy is in the dark. After the Dongfang Yuqing incident, they must be wary of Aowu Pavilion. I’m not with your pavilion, and the competition is held at the Qingyun Sect. It might be easier for me to act.”
“If I recall correctly, the target of their last ambush was you.” Xie Ciyou gave him a cold look that said, Are you sure it’s convenient for you?
Shi Qing rubbed his nose and smiled flatteringly. “That makes it even better! I can act as bait. What do you think?”
“You really aren’t afraid of death.”
Xie Ciyou’s long lashes hid the emotions in his eyes. His tone was clearly cold, but for a split second, Shi Qing had the illusion that he was worried.
Although his reasoning was sound, Xie Ciyou always had his own plans and would not be swayed by a few words. Shi Qing frowned, preparing to bring up the Soul-Locking Curse again to convince him.
Xie Ciyou suddenly looked up. “Do you truly want to participate?”
“I do!” Shi Qing said solemnly.
After a moment of silence, Xie Ciyou said, “Dongfang Yuqing was not the only fragment of the Demon God’s sense. We have investigated all his history to screen for suspicious targets.”
Hearing Xie Ciyou share information, Shi Qing’s eyes lit up. There was hope!
“Did you find anything?”
Xie Ciyou’s face darkened; the situation was clearly not optimistic. Shi Qing asked, “Does it involve many people?”
“The Three Sects and Five Gates,” Xie Ciyou said. “None can be trusted.”
“How can that be! This competition was pushed forward by them.” This was tricky. The Hundred Sects were currently under the absolute control of the Three Sects and Five Gates.
Thirty years ago, these powers existed, but their strength was balanced. Every few years, a sect would be replaced. This was why, during the demon chaos back then, the sects were suspicious of each other and even conspired with demons to steal spiritual veins from others.
Xie Ciyou looked at him. “Do you still want to participate?”
“Yes. This doesn’t just concern my body; it concerns the common people. As a member of the immortal path, it is my inescapable duty.” Having said this, Shi Qing felt his past personality slipping out, so he quickly reeled it in. “I learned all of this from you, Immortal Master!”
In his previous life, the system told him not to break character. His character was the cold Immortal Master who had one face for Gu Yan and another for everyone else. He was infinitely tolerant of Gu Yan and detached from others. Aside from that, as a genius of the immortal path, slaying demons and defending the Dao was his duty. He had learned these speeches by heart.
Xie Ciyou lowered his eyes in silence, idly playing with the jade butterfly that had turned back into white jade. He seemed to be thinking. After a long silence, he finally spoke. “Agree to three things, and I will allow you to participate in this matter.”
“Which three?”
“One: No unauthorized actions. You must hide nothing and report everything to me. You must follow my orders.”
“Done!”
“Two: Those in high positions within the Three Sects and Five Gates are all suspicious. You are not allowed to be overly intimate with them, especially the Qingyun Sect.”
“Done!”
Perhaps not expecting Shi Qing to answer so readily, Xie Ciyou’s hand paused. He looked up and examined Shi Qing closely.
“This second point includes Gu Zhanyue. I want you to refuse to join his lineage. Are you willing?”
“I am!” Shi Qing truly was. He did not know what Gu Yan was thinking when he offered to take him in; he hoped it was just a passing whim. Even if it was not, he would find a way to decline!
Xie Ciyou’s expression was unreadable as his gaze lingered on Shi Qing’s face for a long time.
Shi Qing prompted him quietly, “And the third thing?”
“Do you know of the Marriage Contract?”
“Yes.”
Of course he knew. It was similar to a Soul-Locking Curse, but as the name suggested, it was something only Dao companions did. It placed a contract on both souls, and this contract was equal. No matter where one party was, the other could sense them. As long as the souls existed, they could be found. In his past life, Shi Qing had refused Gu Yan’s request to form a contract early.
Xie Ciyou tossed the jade ornament aside, stood up, and walked slowly toward Shi Qing. “I disdain to use spells like the Soul-Locking Curse to control others.”
He arrived before Shi Qing and leaned in again. His beautiful eyes were cold and detached. When he spoke, his words were shocking. “What I want must be based on mutual consent. For example, a marriage contract.”
!?
“Are you willing?”
A thunderclap exploded in Shi Qing’s mind!
Help! Has this Xie Ciyou been possessed?!
Shi Qing’s eyes went wide. He could not help but wonder if Ciyou had recognized him and was intentionally messing with him.
They stared at each other, speechless.
Suddenly, the corner of Xie Ciyou’s mouth curled up, and he let out a soft laugh. “The Immortal Gate Token can form a soul contract with me, similar to a marriage contract. It allows me to sense the location of your soul. If you behave for the next three months, I will naturally help you remove it. Are you willing?”
? That’s it? Was it necessary to make it sound so terrifying?
“I, I am willing.” Shi Qing had not quite recovered yet, and his answer was a bit of a stutter.
With that settled, Xie Ciyou went back to his jade butterflies and ignored Shi Qing.
Shi Qing did not leave either. He sat on the soft couch, dazed for a long time, watching Xie Ciyou’s slender fingers move past the Compass. At some point, he snapped out of it and began to meditate.
The lights of the palace lamps flickered. Xie Ciyou finished the last message and looked up. His gaze landed on the youth meditating on the couch, his eyes dark and deep.