Chapter 436: Probing

Translated by: La0o9

Proofreader: Arya

Qing Rou put the tea cup back down on the table and silently retreated behind Gu Qing Shan.

Sitting comfortably where he was, Gu Qing Shan spoke again: “Why aren’t you saying anything? If there’s nothing else, I’ll be going back”

Zhao Wu Chui scoffed, answering: “Of course there is something else, it’s related to you again, but there’s too many people here right now”

Ye Ying Mei didn’t answer him but instead turned and apologized to the white fox: “My apologies, it’s the first time our esteemed guest visits and you’ve had to witness such a bloody scene”

The white fox shook its head: “It’s fine, I think that’s quite nice, your sect’s conducts are quite suitable with mine”

“Esteemed guest, let us lead you to your accommodation, we have to deal with a few minor things of the sect, highly inappropriate with the esteemed guest here” Zhao Wu Chui very politely said.

Letting her pet spirit beast watch Guang Yang sect’s meeting was already paying her enough respect.

But every sect has its own secrets that they simply can’t allow outsiders to know.

The white fox also understood.

It stood up and curtsied to the three Hallmasters.

The three Hallmasters also hurriedly stood up and bowed back.

The white fox then took off the Rakshasa’s Daughter mask it was wearing: “Our peak’s master just now said that she enjoys Hallmaster Qi’s conduct very much, so she wanted me to present this as a gift to Hallmaster Qi”

Both Ye Ying Mei and Zhao Wu Chui’s expressions changed.

Rakshasa’s Daughter was able to observe everything that happened just now through the white fox, that wasn’t a rare ability to see.

But she’s giving a mask of her own face to Qi Yan.

What for?

Gu Qing Shan also found that unexpected and smiled: “Then I can only thank the peak’s master, when your esteemed sect comes to visit, I will greet her personally”

He gestured to the people behind.

Qing Rou came forward and received the Rakshasa’s Daughter mask from the white fox.

It felt cold.

This mask was carved from top-quality spirit jade made as thin as a cicada’s wing.

Every Hallmaster here understood that as soon as they glanced at it.

This mask represents Rakshasa’s Daughter, a symbol of her status.

The white fox continued: “This is one of our peak’s master favorite personal items that she frequently brings with her, I hope Hallmaster Qi will treat it respectfully”

“I understand, don’t worry” Gu Qing Shan answered.

As Qing Rou was holding the mask, she couldn’t help but think about that for a bit.

Since they’re in front of everyone, it was inappropriate for her to give the mask directly to Gu Qing Shan.

Afterall, Rakshasa Peak’s master was a female cultivator, and this was one of her own personal items.

Not to mention the white fox purposefully emphasized that point.

If Gu Qing Shan directly took it, it will be a bit unceremonious and impolite.

Which was why Gu Qing Shan had Qing Rou come receive it.

But after receiving it, it was not suitable for Qing Rou to keep hold of it, because she was only a maid. She can receive something in place of her master, but her status wasn’t enough to keep such a symbol of status for Qi Yan.

Qing Rou then placed the mask back down in front of Gu Qing Shan on the table.

“Young master”

“Hm, step down”

Seeing how well she handled that, Gu Qing Shan nodded.

The white fox was also satisfied when seeing that.

“Then I’ll be leaving first” the white fox said.

“Please” the three Hallmasters said in unison.

Already finished what it came to do, the white fox happily went away.

Both Ye Ying Mei and Zhao Wu Chui looked at the mask with confusion.

As the master of Rakshasa Peak, Rakshasa’s Daughter’s every move had its own implications.

What was she planning by doing this?

Zhao Wu Chui quickly thought over it and declared: “Now, we’re going to discuss central matters regarding the sect, the rest of you are dismissed”

The enforcer cultivators quickly left the platform.

And so did Qing Rou and Wan Er.

Shannu stood still without moving.

“Hm? What is this brat doing?” Zhao Wu Chui scowled and asked.

“This is my new disciple, Gu Qing Shan, come and greet the two seniors”

Gu Qing Shan gestured Shannu to come forward.

“This beautiful lady is Ning Yue Hall’s Hallmaster Ye Ying Mei, the one next to her is famous through over half of Xiong Ji Hall, Hallmaster Zhao Wu Chui”

Hearing Gu Qing Shan’s explanation, Ye Ying Mei lightly smiled and observed Shannu together with Zhao Wu Chui.

Zhao Wu Chui’s expression was still sullen.

Just now, Qi Yan introduced him as “famous through over half of Xiong Ji Hall”…

The more he thought about it, the more annoyed became.

Shannu stepped forward and bowed: “This humble one is Gu Qing Shan, greetings to the two Hallmasters”

“Ascended realm late stage, considering he’s a new disciple, that’s quite high” Ye Ying Mei commented.

“A sword cultivator?” Zhao Wu Chui asked.

“Yes” Shannu answered.

“Why did you take in a new disciple?” Ye Ying Mei curiously asked.

“There’s no need to say too much about that—— Qing Shan, now that you’ve already met the two Hallmasters, you’re dismissed” Gu Qing Shan said.

“Yes” Shannu replied.

She once again bowed to the two Virtualized realm cultivators and headed down the platform.

Staring at “Gu Qing Shan’s” back, Zhao Wu Chui abruptly clenched his fist and lightly attacked from afar.

Shannu instantly turned around, stabbing forward with the Six Paths Great Mountain sword.

5 sword phantoms struck the hammer-like force but was quickly broken.

The transparent fist strike was stopped for a split second, but it was still moving forward with a lot of momentum.

Zhao Wu Chui’s nonchalant strike not only managed to break Shannu’s Secret Art [Water Flow Severance], it still had force to spare.

Now that the strike was quickly approaching her, Shannu had no time left to attack again.

Then two swords suddenly appeared from the void of space next to her.

The Earth sword and Chao Yin sword.

Two large, white crescent slashes overlapped and struck the transparent fist together.

Shash!

The sound of the air being ripped apart reverberated across the entire platform.

The fist strike that was cut by [Crescent Strike] dissipated into the wind, screaming as it went away.

It took three consecutive Secret Arts to finally dispel Zhao Wu Chui’s strike.

‘Gu Qing Shan’ stood still, the two swords danced around him without stopping.

Holding the Six Paths Great Mountain sword in hand, he coldly asked: “Senior Zhao, what is the meaning of this?”

Zhao Wu Chui was now staring at the two dancing swords and exclaimed in amazement: “A sword saint! He was a sword saint——- but that can’t be, he’s still only Ascended realm!”

Ye Ying Mei glanced at Qi Yan, her wonder was now solved.

“Being at Ascended realm cultivator and has an understanding of the sword deep enough to become a sword saint, I would also feel tempted to take him in if I saw such an outstanding gem” she sighed.

Gu Qing Shan smiled and just said: “Alright, Gu Qing Shan, you may leave, senior Zhao was only joking with you just now”

“Wait” Zhao Wu Chui stopped him.

Gu Qing Shan turned to look.

“Did you already do the ceremony? I recall taking a disciple from outside our sect requires confirmation from the sect” Zhao Wu Chui asked sternly.

“I’ve only just returned, how would I have time to do such a thing? But it’ll be done sooner or later” Gu Qing Shan answered.

Zhao Wu Chui stopped for a bit.

He then smiled at Shannu: “Since junior managed to take one hit from me, I have to at least give you a greeting gift”

“Seems like you didn’t take that hit for nothing, Qing Shan” Gu Qing Shan looked at Shannu and said.

Between cultivators, giving a first meeting gift to a new disciple of cultivators from the same generation was the most basic form of etiquette and unwritten rule.

Even if Zhao Wu Chui and Qi Yan has some personal discord, basic etiquette must still be kept, at least on the surface.

“Quickly come and thank senior Zhao, since he’s a Virtualized realm cultivator as well as a Hallmaster, he won’t give you anything too shabby, otherwise it’ll be humiliating to talk about”

Zhao Wu Chui slightly scowled at he heard Gu Qing Shan.

Glancing at him for only a second, Zhao Wu Chui returned his gaze to Shannu.

With Zhao Wu Chui’s cultivation, he only needed one strike to gauge the strength of this ‘Gu Qing Shan’.

A swordsmanship seed.

A true swordsmanship seed!

How regretful!

Such a good heir was discovered by a scum like Qi Yan first.

Zhao Wu Chui felt a bit regretful.

However, since they haven’t done the official ceremony yet, there’s still some wiggle room.

Because Qi Yan is about to die anyways.

At that time…

Thinking that, Zhao Wu Chui tapped his Inventory Bag and took out a bottle of pills.

Shannu received it in her hand.

“You’re already Ascended realm late stage, I could tell from your solid foundation and accumulation of spirit energy that you’re about to break through” Zhao Wu Chui said.

“There is a Sainting Pill in this bottle, during the tribulation it can help you replenish spirit energy and once the tribulation is over, it’ll help you quickly stabilize your fluctuating spirit energy”

Gu Qing Shan raised his brows slightly, laughing: “This is a good thing, quickly thank Hallmaster Zhao”

“Yes, thank you Hallmaster Zhao” Shannu spoke.

Ye Ying Mei also took out a talisman and threw it over.

She smiled: “Since old Zhao already gave something, I can’t be stingy—– this is an automatic-type defensive talisman, although it’s only usable once, it can block a full power attack from a Virtualized realm cultivator, enough to save your life once”

“How is it, Hallmaster Qi, my strike wasn’t for nothing huh?” Zhao Wu Chui smiled and said.

“Hallmaster Zhao is too kind” Gu Qing Shan also looked back at him and smiled.

Zhao Wu Chui nodded then looked back at ‘Gu Qing Shan’.

Having just received treasures from two Virtualized realm cultivators, “Gu Qing Shan’s” expression did not change a single bit.

Shannu’s personality has always been cold, not to mention since she’s a sword spirit, she didn’t think too much of these items.

But to the two Virtualized realm cultivators, “Gu Qing Shan’s” indifference was the sign of a mature mind, not arrogant and not anxious, so their impression of him actually improved.

While smiling, Gu Qing Shan became even more cautious in his mind.

Seniors giving gifts to a junior, this was a very normal thing to do.

And both of their gifts were precious enough to show that they respected Qi Yan.

If the real Qi Yan was here, he would naturally feel triumphant about this.

But Gu Qing Shan instead felt that something was wrong.

——from their relationships with Qi Yan, normally they don’t even want to bother with him, so why would they act so kind to a junior?

Zhao Wu Chui even explained himself at the end with such a nice attitude.

How could a Martial cultivator who reached Virtualized realm act that way while holding back feelings of annoyance?

It was very redundant.

Gu Qing Shan kept smiling and gestured with a wave: “Alright, Qing Shan, you may leave first, I need to discuss something with the Hallmasters”

“Yes”

Saying so, Shannu went off the platform.