Chen Qin had come to find Zhang Ze today precisely because she wanted him to take her out to have fun.
In the past, when Chen Qin traveled for pleasure, she would merely wander around casually. Once she had seen the scenery, that was that.
But the routes Zhang Ze had recently taken her along were truly unconventional, thrilling, and exciting.
So when Zhang Ze said he would take her out, Chen Qin immediately agreed.
“Where are we going? Is it far? If it’s far, I’ll have Mei’er prepare a Flying Boat for us.”
Mei’er was Chen Qin’s Maidservant, with a Golden Core Stage Cultivation Level.
Whenever Mei’er saw Zhang Ze, her expression was always filled with vigilance.
It was just like an Old Man looking through a window at Blondie parking his ghost fire downstairs.
“Not far, not far.”
Half a Shichen later, dusk had fallen.
Mei’er walked Behind Zhang Ze and Chen Qin, Staring at Zhang Ze’s Back View with half vigilance and half Doubt.
Before coming, the Matriarch had instructed her that it was fine to let the Young Lady stroll around outside, and to take her Go Home once she became Bored.
Before Encountering Zhang Ze, the Young Lady had indeed been Somewhat Bored.
During their previous late-night chats, she had mentioned wanting to Go Home several times.
But recently, she no longer mentioned it. Every night before bed, she would instead Excitedly have people prepare equipment.
They were all Low-level Magic Tools, such as cloud ladders, flying ropes, and mountain-climbing centipede hooks.
In many places, the Young Lady could clearly have had Mei’er carry her up, but she preferred following Zhang Ze as they stumbled and climbed along the cliffs, enjoying it without tiring.
Fortunately, the Young Lady currently had no romantic feelings for Zhang Ze, but who could guarantee that would remain true in the future?
Thinking of this, Mei’er felt Somewhat troubled.
After all, even the Sect Master and Matriarch had no Method of dealing with the Young Lady, while she was merely a Maidservant.
“We’re here.”
Zhang Ze stopped in front of the Heart Refining Cave.
“Sigh.”
The Sword Spirit’s sigh sounded Behind Zhang Ze.
“Do you think this is your home?”
Zhang Ze grinned cheekily. “Seeing that Senior was Bored, I planned to find Senior something Interesting to do.”
The Sword Spirit did not answer. Instead, it glanced at Mei’er, who stood not far away, then lowered its head and Stared at Chen Qin beside Zhang Ze.
As the Sect Master’s Daughter, Chen Qin had seen countless Sword Spirits.
Even the Ragdoll she played with as an infant had housed a Low-level guardian Sword Spirit.
But she had Really never seen a Sword Spirit as emotionally expressive as this one before.
She raised her head and looked at the Sword Spirit, her Eyes filled with curiosity.
“Who are you?” the Sword Spirit asked in Doubt.
Chen Qin’s Appearance was Almost identical to Mo Jingchun’s during her Girlhood.
The Sword Spirit’s old Memory began to Revive, as though it had seen that Girl standing with a sword in hand long ago.
“The Aunt who took you apart back then was named Mo Jingchun.
This is her Daughter.”
Zhang Ze tried to put an arm around the Sword Spirit’s shoulders and get on familiar terms.
But the Sword Spirit’s Figure blurred, appearing elsewhere and causing Zhang Ze to miss.
Zhang Ze led Chen Qin Trotting along to the Sword Spirit’s side again, then waved for Mei’er to come over.
“Senior, don’t leave. I Really have something to discuss with you today.”
When the three people and one spirit had Gathered, Zhang Ze Stealthily said,
“I want to undertake a Big undertaking.”
Mei’er had little Contact with Zhang Ze. She was merely puzzled, wondering what a Outer Sect Disciple could possibly do that would count as a Big undertaking.
Chen Qin Thought there was new Fun to be had and became Somewhat Excited.
The Sword Spirit Frowned and Stepped Back half a step. It understood Zhang Ze’s Tendency.
“You’d better be doing Proper business.”
“I’ll stake my reputation on it. This is absolutely Proper business—a truly wonderful undertaking.”
The Sword Spirit somewhat Disbelieved him, but after glancing at the Expectation in Chen Qin’s eyes, it still let Everyone into the Cave.
After all, the Sun was about to set, and it was rather chilly outside.
There was no need to light a lamp inside the cave. The Sword Spirit itself was a perfectly adequate Light Bulb.
Only after Adjusting the Brightness to a suitable level did the Sword Spirit hear Zhang Ze Open Mouth.
“Senior, do you not want to Go to work?”
By Go to work, Zhang Ze naturally meant continuing to serve as someone’s Sparring partner.
Today, people from the Inner Sect had already come to Inspect the place. The Heart Refining Cave would probably Restart Soon.
And the Sword Spirit, which had become High-level, would probably have its Intensity increased and be sent to serve as a Sparring partner for those Inner Sect Golden Core Stage direct disciples.
Before the Sword Spirit could Open Mouth, Zhang Ze waved his hand.
“Senior, there’s no need to say anything. I understand you, because I don’t like working either.”
Then Zhang Ze turned and asked Chen Qin, “Do you like the Thousand Mechanisms Technique, Junior Sister? Would you like to Make a Wooden Kite yourself?”
Without a second thought, Chen Qin nodded vigorously.
Zhang Ze asked again, “Junior Sister, what if we made a larger Wooden Kite?”
“With fire-breathing Wings, a Foundation Establishment Peak protective Spell carried on its body, and a belly that could open and release a whole horde of Five Elements Imps capable of Self-detonation.”
Chen Qin imagined the Scene, her mouth falling wide open.
She seemed to think of something else and began to giggle. “Hehe.”
Every Sect would Hire and Employ some Ingenious Mechanism Artisans, also known as Thousand Mechanisms Masters.
They were Responsible for repairing the Sect and Forging simple Mechanisms.
But Ingenious Mechanism Artisans had no unified Inheritance and could only attach themselves to various Sects. Their emergence was also quite recent, dating back Merely Five hundred years.
Their status was Awkward. Though Indispensable, they were not valued.
The Sword Spirit and Mei’er were both completely confused. Soothing the Young Girl was one thing, but why drag the two Adults into it as well?
Besides, the Thousand Mechanisms Technique was merely minor arts.
Before the two could Ask, Zhang Ze directly took a stack of white paper from his Hundred Treasures Pouch, licked his brush, and began to draw.
When Zhang Ze finished drawing, even the Sword Spirit Revealed an astonished expression.
“What is this?”
“An Underground City! I’m calling it an Underground City!
I think our Sword Sect’s Trials and training methods are far too Simple.
Aside from hunting some Low-level Demonic Beasts in the nearby forests, our Outer Sect Disciples can only engage in Sparring with fellow disciples.
But the martial world is treacherous. This level of Experience simply cannot Stimulate the Potential of Sword Sect Disciples.”
The Sword Spirit wanted to Refute him, yet felt that what Zhang Ze said made sense.
After all, Zhang Ze had Ambushed it through underhanded means.
“If we’re doing this, we’ll do it big. We’ll incorporate the Structure of Demonic Sect Strongholds and the Traps from Secret Realm Caves.
We’ll Set up new logic for Low-level Sword Spirits, making them more Cunning.
We’ll Develop more complicated, more challenging Mechanisms—in the shadows around Corners and on the ceilings overhead.
Rather than merely having one-on-one Sparring.
We’ll use prepared Low-level Sword Spirits, Mechanisms, Demonic Beasts, and Earth Spirits as Enemies.
In One year, we’ll Make short-range stages capable of testing Qi Refining Stage Cultivators.
In Two years, we’ll Establish the First large Underground City with Foundation Establishment Stage difficulty.
In Three years, we’ll Launch a third composite Underground City and promote it throughout the Qingjing Land, improving the Righteous Path’s Strength and earning the Sect a Side hustle.
In the fourth year, we’ll leave the Sword Sect, leave Qingjing, and head for the Eastern Continent!
In five years, we’ll spread throughout the Western Continent and Northern Territory, establishing a leading position.
In six years, we’ll grow bigger and stronger! We’ll create new glory!
“Let me hear your applause!”
Chen Qin was so stirred that her hands had become somewhat red from clapping.
She was clearly the kind of silly girl who would fall for a pyramid scheme every single time.
“What do we do now?” Chen Qin was Really Excited and wished she could start work immediately.
“Everyone go Home, meeting adjourned!”
“Huh?”
Zhang Ze looked at Everyone and naturally pushed the Sword Spirit’s half-drawn sword back into its sheath.
“This is only a plan. The actual implementation will take a long time, and there are still many details to finalize.
I’m neither a Pavilion Master nor a Sect Master. For such a huge undertaking, shouldn’t we notify the people above?”
After saying this, Zhang Ze pointed at himself. “Qi Refining Stage. I’m nobody.”
Then he pointed at Chen Qin. “You’re also in the Qi Refining Stage, just a little stronger than me.”
“Taking apart a Wooden Kite is Simple, but making a large one is extremely difficult. Many Mechanisms can’t even be Forged without sufficient Cultivation Level.
Junior Sister, if we were to Make a true City of Thousand Mechanisms,
what kind of Cultivation Level do you think would be necessary?”
Chen Qin looked into Zhang Ze’s Eyes, as though she could see her future within them.
Zhang Ze also saw her future.
【 All of Chen Qin’s current Side Quest tasks have been Reset 】
【 The Title Demon Sword Drunken Moon has disappeared; the related Achievements and Side Quest tasks have disappeared 】
【 Chen Qin’s Hidden unique Title has been solidified: One Sword, Thousand Mechanisms （ Awaiting activation ）】
【 Hidden Condition achieved; Achievement Refreshed 】
【 New Achievements available: Establish a Sect, Grandmaster’s Might 】
【 The Eastern Continent’s only epic task has begun: City of Thousand Mechanisms 】
【 Related Achievements have been Refreshed 】
【 Rewards for changing the worldline have been Issued 】
【 This task is the Eastern Continent’s only task, with no time limit and no Side Quest requirements 】
【 This task will have a major impact on the Land of Four Continents. Once accepted, it cannot be abandoned, and its consequences are unknowable 】