Chapter 0: 64. The Hidden Function of the Invisible Lock
“When does this mission timer start? Now?”
“Ding. Yes, the mission will be successfully completed thirty days from now. At this moment, the host only needs to proactively approach Ye Qishuang for the Invisible Lock to be successfully activated.”
“On what grounds?” Old Qin asked with a serious expression.
This mission, under normal circumstances, wouldn’t be difficult.
The problem was, the system chose to release it only after Xiao Shuang’er entered her mortal transformation stage. If it were before, the two of them could simply absorb spiritual energy and meditate for thirty days without eating or drinking. But now, if Ye Qishuang couldn’t live like a normal person, she would truly die. And even if Qin Gou helped her by channeling spiritual energy to sustain her, it would be a grave violation of the mortal transformation stage, leading to failure, wasted effort, and a fall in cultivation.
“Ding. Host, please understand that this mission is to resolve the host’s dilemmas in his state of mind, concerning his inner demons and progress. The host is advised to treat it with utmost seriousness.”
“What are you saying? When have I ever not taken my missions seriously?” Qin Gou chuckled. “I’m just curious. Isn’t this some kind of performance art? I heard from artists back home who were connected by a single rope for a whole year. In the end, when the rope was untied, they didn’t even want to look at each other! I don’t want to become enemies with Xiao Shuang’er.”
“Ding. This mission only lasts for thirty days.”
“That’s true, but… what do you mean by ‘no punishment’?” Qin Gou asked suspiciously.
“Because this system is very good to the host.”
“Don’t give me that!” Qin Gou couldn’t help but laugh. “How many years have we known each other? You might be good to me, but you’d never miss a chance to mess with me!”
“Ding. In reality, if this mission cannot be completed, the host will have to assist Ye Qishuang in her mortal transformation for a long time. Based on this system’s detailed observations, as it already trusts Palace Lord Ye’s excellent abilities, over time, the host’s predicament will not be as simple as losing his dignity as a master once or twice, as previously enforced by this system. Furthermore, the host finds it difficult to be truly ruthless towards her, so there’s no need to arrange any additional punishment.”
“Nonsense! Is Xiao Shuang’er that terrifying in your eyes? This just proves you don’t understand her true gentle and considerate nature! Besides, she’s no different from a mortal now, and I have my cultivation. What can she do to me? Can she even do anything?”
For a moment, Old Qin felt contempt for his old companion’s judgment of character. After thinking for a while, he beckoned to Ye Qishuang, “Qishuang, come here for a moment.”
“I don’t want to,” said Qishuang, completely unaware of what was happening and still eager for another fun chase with Old Qin.
Qin Gou smiled helplessly, “I’m serious, it’s important business.”
Seeing this, Ye Qishuang cautiously approached him, her small hands clasped behind her back but actually guarding her vital spots.
“It’s like this, Qishuang, you can understand that just now, I, your Master, made a deal with an existence. It is also trustworthy. From now on, as long as we are bound by an invisible lock and satisfy the condition of thirty days, we will obtain two pure sources of faith to help you, Qishuang, break through the last layer of the peak of the Dharma Image realm,” Qin Gou asked in a calm voice, “Qishuang, what do you think? Can you accept this condition?”
“Is that true?” Ye Qishuang asked, her beautiful eyes wide with surprise.
“Absolutely true,” Qin Gou replied with a steady expression.
“I’m willing,” Ye Qishuang mused for a moment and nodded. Since Qin Gou hadn’t explicitly explained, Xiao Shuang’er, being understanding, didn’t specifically ask who the mysterious existence Qin Gou mentioned was.
Hearing this, Qin Gou took a deep breath. “Alright, if you’ve really thought it through, then come closer to me.”
“Yes.”
Ye Qishuang responded and walked towards Qin Gou again. When they were less than a meter apart, there was a crisp ‘click’.
A pure white light ring appeared on both of their left wrists simultaneously, then quickly vanished.
During this time, Qin Gou felt no discomfort, but found that his left arm was completely immobile. He tried to reach out with his right hand towards the space between them but couldn’t find any chain binding them.
It wasn’t until Qin Gou actively stepped backward, just as he was about to exceed a meter, that he felt a distinct resistance, as if an invisible wall was blocking him. When he reached out to touch again, he truly felt that chilling invisible lock.
“Is this how it succeeds?” Ye Qishuang’s pretty face was full of curiosity.
“Yes, the Invisible Lock has bound us. If either of us removes it during this period, my transaction will be considered a failure,” Qin Gou explained, nodding.
Just as Ye Qishuang was about to promise to complete the mission, a hint of embarrassment flashed in her clear eyes. “Then… I have something to say, but I don’t know if I should.”
“Speak.”
“It seems we’ve forgotten a very important issue. We’ve just entered mortal transformation… and I haven’t had a chance to change into a normal woman’s dress yet.” Ye Qishuang’s slender jade fingers trembled slightly as she pointed to her own stunningly beautiful black gauze dress, which was secretly embedded with powerful spirit patterns. “Qishuang… can’t possibly go through the mortal transformation stage wearing this Emperor Weapon magic robe, can she?”
“You!”
Qin Gou’s eyes widened, and the corner of his mouth twitched fiercely. “Qishuang, tell me the truth, are you doing this on purpose?”
“I really didn’t!” At this moment, Ye Qishuang’s beautiful and gentle face was filled with a wronged and innocent expression.
“Back to the room!”
Arguing about this now was pointless. Qin Gou could only grit his teeth and say, “Go back to the room!” He and Xiao Shuang’er entered the bedroom, found a normal dress, and then said, “The only solution now is for you to change quickly. I’ll close my eyes.”
Saying this, Qin Gou sighed and closed his eyes.
“Qin Gou.”
“What?”
“Qishuang believes you wouldn’t peek, of course, but Qishuang can only move one arm now. How can I change by myself?”
“I…”
“It’s okay, just listen to my instructions. It will be over soon. Come, help me hold this strap first. If I had known Master’s powers were so great that he could directly obtain sources of faith, perhaps Qishuang shouldn’t have been so eager to enter mortal transformation.”
“That little sprite wouldn’t give us this kind of opportunity.”
“It?”
“Continue!”
At this moment, it would be a lie to say Qin Gou and Ye Qishuang weren’t embarrassed. Their rapid breathing and accelerated heartbeats had almost synchronized.
“Is this the strap? Am I holding the right one?” Qin Gou asked, his eyes tightly shut.
“Stop, stop!” Ye Qishuang suddenly let out a surprisingly girlish cry.
“What? You’re done changing, right?!” Qin Gou asked, overjoyed as if he had received a pardon.
“You took off my undergarments.”
…
After a considerable period of difficult and arduous effort, Qin Gou finally opened his eyes. Xiao Shuang’er had finally changed into a simple, elegant, white dress, like that of a young lady from a scholarly family. Its appearance was secondary; the most important thing was that it wasn’t a magic tool.
“Qin Gou, I want to lie and say I need to use the restroom to get you to disable your senses so I can cuddle in your arms for a while!” Ye Qishuang said shamelessly, then immediately became flustered, her face turning as red as a beet. She shrieked in shame and anger, “H-how could I have said my inner thoughts out loud?!”
“What?” Qin Gou’s expression startled. He immediately asked in his mind, “Old companion, are you causing trouble again?”
“Ding. Speaking the truth, to eliminate lies. This is the effect of the ‘Invisible Lock’.”
“Why did you deliberately hide such important information?”
“Ding. The host could have inquired about the effects of the Invisible Lock at any time.”
“You…” Qin Gou shook his head, finding it both amusing and exasperating. He then immediately explained it to Ye Qishuang.
“So that’s how it is. This ‘Invisible Lock’ is truly marvelous. As soon as you put it on, it prevents anyone from lying, which is far beyond any Lie Detector Spirit Arts,” Ye Qishuang mused thoughtfully. She then softly called out, “Qin Gou!”
“Hmm?”
“Do you want my body?”
