Chapter 0: Recognition
Approaching Elder Lan Surou of the Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower, Qin Gou maintained Liang Zhuxiao’s appearance. After all, the excuse he had given to ‘Madam Shen’ earlier was that Liang Zhuxiao had official matters to discuss with Lan Surou. Even if this scene were to be seen by others, it would be perfectly normal.
“You are… Master Qin, right?” Lan Surou bowed gracefully.
The elders of the Hidden Immortal Tower, including her, who had previously gone to Star-Shifting Pavilion to select reserve saintesses, were all well aware of Qin Gou’s true identity.
Qin Gou nodded with a smile, and as a perfunctory inquiry, he asked about the Saint Spirit’s condition, “Old Cat… how has Chu Xian been lately?”
“Saint Spirit Lord, everything is fine, though he often misses and mentions Master Qin,” Lan Surou replied truthfully. In her heart, she secretly rejoiced. Fortunately, the Demon Saint who dominated one of the rankings was a male cultivator. Otherwise, who knew what kind of bewitching potion the Saint Spirit Lord had taken, he would surely have pledged allegiance to this ‘Brother Qin,’ no matter what.
After all, at this current stage, the Saint Spirit Lord’s mind was still immature and not fully developed. However, from the perspective of Lan Surou, an elder sister who had been navigating the cultivation world for many years, the name of the Master of the Demon Seed Pavilion instilled a terror and dread deep within her soul, far greater than any respect.
Qin Gou, with his keen observation, naturally noticed Lan Surou’s unusually tense emotions at that moment. He immediately smiled amiably, “Elder Lan, please rest assured. I have no other intentions with this visit. It’s mainly due to a previous arrangement with Chu Xian. Also, what do you think of that Madam Shen?”
“Madam Shen, is she from the Lang Chen Escort Agency?” Lan Surou pondered for a moment. “I’ve always heard that Shen Xuan of the Lang Chen Escort Agency is fierce, but seeing is believing. This Madam Shen is very polite and friendly in her interactions with others. However, the gestures she uses every time she performs a ritual are a bit strange. Perhaps it’s a custom unique to her hometown?”
“What gesture?” Qin Gou asked.
Following that, Lan Surou, with a humble expression, extended her hand towards Qin Gou.
Respectfully, she raised her middle finger high. While very few people in the cultivation world understood its true meaning, she mimicked it perfectly.
…
“Qiu Lingyun!”
Returning to the private room where ‘Madam Shen’ was, Qin Gou stated her true identity with one hundred percent certainty.
Upon hearing this, Qiu Lingyun’s expression turned cold. “What nonsense are you spouting, old man?”
“Little Ball, you don’t even recognize your master anymore?” Qin Gou chuckled in exasperation, calling out the girl’s little-known nickname.
Hearing this, Qiu Lingyun’s eyes trembled. She said in disbelief, “Master… are you Old Qin?!”
Because her Natal Spirit Tool would secretly siphon the luck of those who showed her kindness, Qiu Lingyun was, besides Qin Yuan, the only peculiar disciple who did not address Qin Gou as Master.
“That’s right,” Qin Gou said with a headache. “I knew something was wrong with this so-called Madam Shen, she was completely different from the rumors. And since a moment ago, I’ve been cursed with bad luck. I’m sure you, you naughty girl, have already used your ‘Eight Directions Destiny’ Spirit Tool to secretly target me, haven’t you?”
“It really is Old Qin!”
When Qin Gou mentioned the ‘Eight Directions Destiny’ Spirit Tool, Qiu Lingyun had no further doubts. She immediately formed a hand seal and resumed her original appearance.
She wore a bright yellow pháp y (ritual robe), and on her head was a solemn Pilu Crown, typically worn by virtuous monks like Tang Sanzang. However, she had a pair of incongruous yet utterly adorable black ponytails. Her bright, intelligent eyes showed no trace of the solemnity and rigidity of a Buddhist disciple. If it wasn’t Qiu Lingyun, Qin Gou’s fated nemesis whom he both loved and feared, who else could it be?
“You still haven’t answered my question,” Qin Gou said with a helpless smile. He could still vividly recall the terrifying years when this Little Ball had unconsciously siphoned his luck, leaving him constantly plagued by misfortune.
“This humble one just wanted to get revenge on Liang Zhuxiao. I never expected it to be… you, Old Qin,” Little Ball said, blinking her large, watery eyes timidly. She genuinely wished to respectfully call him ‘Master’ from the bottom of her heart, but she also understood that doing so might harm Qin Gou.
“I have heard about your conflict with the Lang Chen Escort Agency,” Qin Gou mused, puzzled. “It seems that during your previous training trip with Yan Qiaoyun, you first set fire to the Hanzhou branch of the Lang Chen Escort Agency, which led to a series of events? Why, without any prior reason, are you treating the Lang Chen Escort Agency so well, showering them with such blessings and benefits with all your might?”
Yes, after all, it was Qiu Lingyun who had done this.
With her unpredictable ‘Eight Directions Destiny’ Spirit Tool, the more kindness she appeared to show someone, the sooner that person would meet a gruesome end. Conversely, if she spoke carelessly and aggressively, it would bring that person longevity and good fortune. This was the important reason why Little Ball would always give a big middle finger to those she genuinely approved of.
This girl wasn’t mocking or playing tricks; it was all full of love!
And at that time, Qiu Lingyun’s fiery destruction of the Hanzhou branch of the Lang Chen Escort Agency caused countless escorts to lose their wealth and possessions, grieving as if they had lost their parents. Was there a more touching and heartfelt act of kindness in this world?
“Ah? Old Qin, you misunderstood. Actually, I personally witnessed those people at the branch branch committing heinous crimes and slaughtering civilians. I was filled with righteous indignation. And I specifically asked Qiao’er to use her lightning arts to set the fire, I didn’t do it myself. It’s absolutely impossible for me to bring good fortune to those scoundrels.”
Qiu Lingyun confessed everything. “It was only later that that old scoundrel Liang Zhuxiao was truly detestable. After learning of this, although he did begin to rectify the situation internally, he also captured me and Qiao’er to establish his authority. To protect Qiao’er, I couldn’t escape. It was only later that Cult Master Zhao personally intervened and rescued us. Otherwise, who knows how long that extremely rigid Liang Zhuxiao would have kept us confined to maintain the so-called sect’s reputation!”
“In that case, it’s understandable that you resent Liang Zhuxiao,” Qin Gou said, his expression softening as he nodded. “However, Little Ball, why did you suddenly disguise yourself as Madam Shen and appear at the Hidden Immortal Tower? Don’t tell me you predicted it and were waiting for Liang Zhuxiao to show up?”
“Of course not. Although I dislike Liang Zhuxiao, Madam Shen and Sister Guiyun were very understanding and treated us very well at the time!”
Qiu Lingyun said seriously, “Especially Sister Guiyun, she would often bring me delicious snacks and high-level spirit stones, and tell me about the outside world. And because she was worried I would feel lonely, she would even hold me as we slept until dawn! She truly is a kind-hearted sister!” Liang Guiyun was not present at the moment, so even if the Eight Directions Destiny Spirit Tool were to take effect, it would be minimal.
“Cough!”
Qin Gou’s eyes widened, and he coughed heavily with a peculiar expression.
“What’s wrong, Old Qin?” Qiu Lingyun asked with concern.
“It’s nothing, you can continue,” Qin Gou said, rubbing his nose and laughing dryly. Little Ball, in her innocence, had no idea what your Sister Guiyun’s true intentions were.
“And then, Sister Guiyun was going to participate in the selection for the Mistress of Ten Thousand Flowers. When I inquired, I found out they were selecting so many outstanding female cultivators to serve some Saint Spirit Lord? It doesn’t sound like a virtuous person. So I disguised myself and followed her secretly. If I discovered anything was wrong, or if anyone dared to harm Sister Guiyun…”
“Doesn’t the Saint Spirit Lord need a devout female attendant?”
Qiu Lingyun patted her chest, a sweet smile hiding a mischievous and cunning nature. She said with full confidence, “I’m good at treating people as gods today and transcending them tomorrow. I’m very capable!”
