Chapter 089: Snow Girl
“Senior Brother Wu, how exactly did you determine this person’s origin from the Sword Questioning Sect?” several other cultivators asked, their faces filled with confusion.
The leading cultivator surnamed Wu pointed a hand towards the long sword at Qin Gou’s waist and said, “This sword once saved my life, and I would never forget it. This is the personal Emperor Weapon of Sect Master Xia Luyin! Since Brother Li is able to wield this sword for protection, he must be an important figure within the Sword Questioning Sect, and his identity is undoubtedly correct.”
Upon hearing this, another cultivator furrowed his brow and said, “However, no matter what, it’s best for us to be cautious. It’s not that we don’t trust Senior Brother Wu’s words, but if we really just let them pass, it would be quite against the rules.”
“Since that is the case,” Senior Brother Wu sighed helplessly and looked back at Qin Gou, “May I trouble Brother Li to demonstrate your sect’s unique spiritual seal to verify your identity?”
“Of course.”
Qin Gou smiled and nodded, skillfully forming several unique hand seals of the Sword Questioning Sect, illuminating a seemingly ordinary black stone token. The complex spiritual patterns on it appeared before everyone’s eyes. This token actually represented the extraordinary status of a Holy Son or Saintess of a peak within the Sword Questioning Sect.
After all… Li Yuanzhen was the esteemed chief disciple of the Sword Questioning Sect and the future successor of Xia Luyin, and everything the little gambler possessed also belonged entirely to Qin Gou.
He didn’t worry about being exposed by other disciples of the Sword Questioning Sect due to his unfamiliar face. Qin Gou, who had also served as the ‘Sect Master of the Sword Questioning Sect’ for a period, knew very well that ever since Xia Luyin was trapped in the Shen Hao Secret Realm, the Sword Questioning Sect had secretly issued orders strictly prohibiting their disciples from venturing into this place.
Xia Luyin’s understanding of the Shen Hao Secret Realm should be more profound than that of most cultivators in the Cultivation World.
“Now, even without mentioning the Myriad Derivations Sword, with this spiritual seal, it is already enough to prove Brother Li’s pure identity!” Senior Brother Wu said immediately.
The other cultivators no longer objected.
“Everyone, actually, I’ve been curious and wanted to ask, why are you all so wary of me, and what is going on with that city?” Qin Gou asked thoughtfully.
“Listening to Brother Li, is this your first time entering the Shen Hao Secret Realm?”
Qin Gou smiled and nodded, simultaneously realizing that those present didn’t seem to know that the entrance to the Shen Hao Secret Realm had been completely sealed off.
“Let me put it this way, this place is actually just the outermost perimeter of the Shen Hao Secret Realm. It’s not like the core areas where true mighty figures venture, filled with dangers where trials occur only every few days. During this time, I can freely explore for opportunities, and the city behind us is one of our strongholds.”
Because he had indeed received favors from Xia Luyin, Senior Brother Wu extended the greatest goodwill to Qin Gou, a guest from the Sword Questioning Sect, and patiently explained.
“The reason why we are so vigilant and guard Brother Li so strictly is mainly because there is an extremely cunning and strange living being within this Shen Hao Secret Realm… They are hostile towards us and can change their form to impersonate cultivators from various sects and factions and blend into our ranks. We must be on guard!”
“Shape-shifting?” Qin Gou’s tone held a hint of surprise. “Isn’t that the innate ability of a certain Abyssal Ancient Race? Could they…”
“No, there are no demonic mark traces to be found on those guys at all, and their aura is no different from that of the Human Race, except for the spot between their eyebrows.” As he spoke, Senior Brother Wu looked at another cultivator and said, “Bring out the remains, and let Brother Li be forewarned.”
With a wave of his hand, that person took out a cold corpse from his Nas ring. It was a middle-aged man, and between his eyebrows, there was a piece of colored stone, about the size of a soybean, similar in material to a spirit stone. It was not embedded but was present from birth.
“We now call them ‘Secret Realm Humans’. Brother Li, don’t underestimate this colored stone fragment. Although it’s very obvious and easy to identify, once they use their shape-shifting technique, they will be indistinguishable from us.”
Qin Gou scanned with his spiritual power, observing carefully for about a minute, and nodded slightly. “In my opinion, even if there are minor differences, they should indeed be part of the Human Race.”
He secretly speculated that these so-called Secret Realm Humans were likely citizens living within the Shen Hao Secret Realm, similar to the people of Mo Qingxin’s Hidden Female Country, and that the so-called shape-shifting technique was likely empowered by the laws of this secret realm.
“Unfortunately, it’s meaningless for us to discuss this further. Does Brother Li wish to enter the city?”
“Of course. Thank you, fellow Daoist Wu. As I’ve just entered the secret realm, I should familiarize myself with it and ask for everyone’s guidance.”
“Please!” Senior Brother Wu immediately led the way with a warm smile.
…
Shortly after, Qin Gou officially entered the decidedly human-styled large city with Senior Brother Wu.
However, even before entering the Shen Hao Secret Realm, Qin Gou had already made full psychological preparations, knowing that he would encounter many eye-opening encounters here. Yet, at this moment, he witnessed a scene that completely surpassed his expectations.
Ye Qishuang!
Before his eyes stood a woman veiled with thin gauze. Her fair skin, plump and alluring physique, made her the focus of many present, even though her face was obscured.
At this moment, she was calmly using her spiritual power to heal a cultivator lying on the ground.
But in Qin Gou’s eyes, regardless of whether she was veiled or not, just by her eyes, or even just her silhouette, he could instantly determine that this was his second disciple, Ye Qishuang…
At least, it was the appearance and physique of Qishuang Wench!
This was because, at this very moment, facing the ‘Ye Qishuang’ not far away, the Spirit Blood Seal on Qin Gou’s hand showed no reaction whatsoever.
“Brother Li, what are you looking at so mesmerized?” Senior Brother Wu immediately followed Qin Gou’s gaze and couldn’t help but chuckle, “Oh, you’re attracted by Snow Girl.”
“What did you call her? Snow Girl?”
“What? Could it be that Brother Li knows her? Snow Girl is one of the few with the highest cultivation in our stronghold. She’s approachable, kind-hearted, and often helps others heal.”
“Has she always stayed within this city?”
“How could that be? Snow Girl also goes out to seek opportunities. It’s just that once, she didn’t return for five whole days. At that time, many of us who had received her kindness were extremely worried, fearing that something had happened to her.”
“I see.”
Thus, Qin Gou knew clearly that this person was a hundred percent transformed by a Secret Realm Human.
The initial ‘Snow Girl’ was likely Ye Qishuang herself. Qin Gou felt some relief knowing that she had an excellent reputation here. But later, she was clearly replaced silently. The Spirit Blood Seal between him and Ye Qishuang was the best proof. Moreover, since she chose to impersonate Ye Qishuang, she must have met Xiao Shuang’er at least once and had some understanding of her whereabouts.
For a moment, Qin Gou walked towards that Snow Girl without hesitation.
Since he himself often used the power of the Faceless Hermit to impersonate others, he was well aware of the guilty conscience of the other party and was quite adept at dealing with such impostors.
“Pa”
He gently patted Snow Girl’s shoulder, and Qin Gou, as if seeing an old friend, said with a kind and warm smile, “Wench, isn’t it a coincidence? As soon as I entered the secret realm, I found you.”
Snow Girl glanced at Qin Gou, her eyes widened, and she seemed to be quickly thinking of something.
“You…”
“Me what? We haven’t seen each other for long, silly wench, you haven’t forgotten your own husband, have you!” Qin Gou suddenly revealed a look of amusement.
As soon as these words were spoken, Snow Girl’s shoulders trembled. A hint of astonishment flashed deep in her eyes. She hid it very well, but Qin Gou, who was prepared, still noticed it.
Immediately after, Qin Gou examined her from head to toe, his eyes showing a slight dissatisfaction and reproach. “What did I tell you before? Where is the precious black dress you were wearing when you came? You know how dangerous this secret realm is, don’t you? The seventeen protective formations hidden within were all personally inscribed by me, just to protect you!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Snow Girl immediately lowered her head, allowing Qin Gou to put his arm around her shoulder, and said softly, “Yes, it was my fault. Husband, please calm your anger.”
This was because Qin Gou was certain that before impersonating, Snow Girl must have also seen the precious black dress Ye Qishuang wore when she left. And with these words coming from his mouth, his identity as someone who knew Ye Qishuang extremely well was completely confirmed. As long as she didn’t want to reveal her true identity at this moment, she had no choice but to go along with him!
In just a few words, a psychological battle ensued between the two.
At this moment, Senior Brother Wu beside them couldn’t help but ask with surprise, “Brother Li, you and Snow Girl… are you?”
“That’s right.”
Qin Gou gently stroked Snow Girl’s soft long hair with a smile, his eyes as delighted as a child who had received his favorite toy. He introduced to everyone present with a smile, “I am Li Fuqing from the Sword Questioning Sect. This is my wife, Xue’er. Thank you all for your care these past few days.”
After speaking, he suddenly whispered into Snow Girl’s ear like an old couple, saying something intimate that made her pupils tremble.
“Hurry up and finish. Where is your current residence? We haven’t seen each other for many days, and your husband truly misses you!”
