Chen Pingxi's Suspicions

Numerous streaks of light shot out from the huge energy globe above the tortoise statue, turning into the various participants back in their tent.

After which, the energy globe rapidly reduced in size, until it eventually disappeared from sight altogether. The giant tortoise statue's eyes stopped emitting light, and the intense energy pressure coming from it ceased to exist.

In just a few moments, what had felt like a true guardian deity completely reverted to its initial form of just an ordinary-looking giant tortoise statue.

But for the participants, there was a clear difference between the state that they were in before and after entering the mystic realm.

Three days ago, all of them had appeared in tip-top condition, looking all confident and excited as though they were ready to even take on the world.

Now, while some of them still showed signs of excitement, the most apparent commonality among everyone was definitely exhaustion. Plenty of participants bore visible injuries, and even more of them were in a dishevelled state.

Physicians and ushers rushed in without hesitation, busying themselves with examining the participants and tending to their medical needs.

On the other hand, Zhao Yunxiao had some time on his hands now that his job had already come to an end.

However, he did not just sit back and relax either.

While he might appear to be leaning back in his seat without a care in the world, Zhao Yunxiao was actually making sure to remember as much as possible about everything that was happening in front of him right now.

Each participant's condition – whether they looked to be in a pristine state or were looking worse for wear.

Each participant's expression – whether they looked excited, despondent, secretive, or grudgeful. Whether they were shooting glances of appreciation or murderous glares at others.

Each participant's position – whether they were left alone or gathered up with others, as well as who exactly they were gathered up with.

Over the years, he had come to realise that this point in time, when everyone was fresh out of the mystic realm, was when they were most likely to behave in accordance to their true feelings.

And that naturally made this the best time to glean clues about what had transpired over the past three days.

The opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm had always been one of the most important events every year, marking a turning point for many of its participants.

Every year, many existing relationships were either strengthened or strained. At the same time, there were numerous new relationships forged as well, though these new relationships could be either good or bad.

Every year, there were power dynamics within the inner sect that shifted due to the participants' performances within, regardless of them being successes or failures.

Plenty had fallen from grace due to their disastrous results, while plenty had risen by performing unexpectedly glorious feats.

After all, the participants' performances during the Four Symbols Mystic Realm usually had a huge influence on whether they would be allowed to represent the Four Great Symbol Sects at the Duyuan Empire's Duyuan Martial Meet.

Only by securing their attendance would disciples have a chance to be regarded as part of the inner circle – people who truly had the potential to influence what happened within the sect.

Even among inner disciples, there were not many who held such a status.

Upon their return, these participants did not simply sit idly either.

Some of them started approaching others to engage in conversations, some of them sought medical help immediately, and there were also some who directly left the area.

Despite the presence of the elders, this was a rare occasion where, as long as they felt like it, participants were allowed to leave without excusing themselves. They already had a long three days in the mystic realm, so the sect administrators were still rather understanding in this regard.

Nevertheless, sect protectors and deacons quickly dived in like vultures, trying to speak to anyone they could and extract as much information as possible.

Participants were all expected to hand in reports on their experiences after recovering from their time in the mystic realm, but many of the sect protectors and deacons were too impatient to wait for that.

While scanning the sea of participants, Zhao Yunxiao's gaze could not help but linger slightly longer on Huo Bubai and his party.

As expected of participants from Elder Ying Qingmu's faction, all of them still looked to be in relatively good condition. There were some injuries that could be seen here and there, but no pressing issues that had to be addressed.

Next was the Mo Group.

Zhao Yunxiao could not help but raise an eyebrow in surprise upon noticing how well they looked.

They did not appear nearly as tidy and composed as the Ying Group, but they still looked much more presentable than he had expected.

Was this really a group that had battled with Quan Hui's party earlier today?

Did they really manage to end the fight with such ease?

With that, he quickly looked for Cheng Kai.

It was not difficult to spot him either.

At this moment, Cheng Kai was already making his way out of the Black Guardian Square. It was truly eye-catching how a path opened up for just him as everyone quickly got out of his way.

Judging from his departing back view, he seemed to be in a rather decent condition.

Zhao Yunxiao rubbed his chin in contemplation.

In the end, did he manage to defeat Quan Hui? Or did he even fight her in the first place?

That said, Zhao Yunxiao was certain that he would get these answers soon enough.

Cheng Kai himself might not care enough to speak of it, but the Mo Group would definitely want to do so.

"Greetings, Brother Zhao," a clear voice broke his train of thought.

Hmm?

Zhao Yunxiao looked up to see Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin standing before him. "Sister Chen? Brother Zhou?"

"Pardon me for only greeting you now," Chen Pingxi clasped her fists towards him. "How have you been since our last meeting?"

"You are too kind. I'm the one who should apologise for that, especially after enjoying such great hospitality from your sect before," Zhao Yunxiao quickly stood up to return the greeting. "That said, I'm still doing all right. I hope things went well for you in the mystic realm?"

"Thanks to the Black Tortoise Sect, we are doing well," Chen Pingxi nodded. "I see that you are acting as an observer this time?"

"That's right," Zhao Yunxiao nodded. "Since I do not qualify to be a participant, I can only help out as an observer instead."

While he tried to sound as confident as possible, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but sigh in his heart.

As expected, Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin had come over to confront him the moment this event came to an end.

At this point, Zhao Yunxiao decided to just be honest with them.

As much as he would like the misunderstanding to continue since it meant helping out Jun Chuan and Xia Wei, there was only so much he could do as well.

Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin were not fools.

Since he was stationed here at the observers' tent, they must have already realised that he was just a regular outer disciple. He would only be making a fool out of himself if he still tried to insist otherwise.

"Observers are no less important than participants," Chen Pingxi shook her head with a smile. "In fact, it would not be an exaggeration to say that observers are the most important people during this event. After all, it is only thanks to the observers that participants like us are able to explore the mystic realm with peace of mind."

Zhao Yunxiao blinked in confusion, not having expected such a response.

This was actually the first time that he had ever heard anyone claim that the observers were more important than the participants.

However, he had to admit that it did feel good to hear something like that.

As expected of the prime disciple of the Origin Lake Sect, she was truly good at socialising. She did not even bat an eyelid while lying through her teeth!

"What's going on here, Little Zhao?" Fei Weng came over at this point. "Is there something wrong?"

"No, everything's fine, Senior Fei," Zhao Yunxiao shook his head.

"If that's the case, then why are you bothering our guests from the Origin Lake Sect?" Fei Weng turned his attention to Chen Pingxi. "Did he offend you in any way?"

"Brother Zhao is speaking the truth, Senior," Chen Pingxi chuckled. "We are just here to greet him since it's been a while since we last met."

"You are here just to greet him...? Well, it's good if that's truly the case," Fei Weng raised an eyebrow in scepticism. "Little Zhao, try not to bother them too much. They must be tired from the past three days, so let them rest and leave anything unimportant for later."

Zhao Yunxiao: "..."

I am innocent here!

In fact, I had wanted to avoid them if possible!

"Well then, we will not impose on you any longer, Brother Zhao. We will still be around for the next few days, so I'm sure there will be more opportunities to speak further," Chen Pingxi gave both of them a polite nod before turning around to leave, with Zhou Qin doing the same.

"How did you get to know Chen Pingxi?" Fei Weng waited for the duo to leave before asking.

"I went to the Origin Lake Sect as an attendant during Elder He's recent work trip," Zhao Yunxiao answered.

"Seems like you left quite a good impression then," Fei Weng patted him on the shoulder. "But be careful not to attract too much attention. I'm sure you already know this, but there are plenty of people who are watching."

"I will keep that in mind. Thank you for the reminder, Senior Fei," Zhao Yunxiao said while letting out a helpless sigh.

Indeed, he could feel plenty of gazes and spiritual senses starting to sweep over him, scanning him from head to toe. These were mainly from the male disciples present.

Chen Pingxi was a high-profile character who was popular even among the Black Tortoise Sect's inner sect disciples. For her to come up and greet him immediately after the event ended, it was inevitable that it would draw attention from others.

That said, Zhao Yunxiao was not too worried.

After all, it was not like he would have many more chances to interact with someone like Chen Pingxi in the future.

Once these proud inner disciples realised that he was just a regular outer disciple, they would no longer be too concerned about him.

***

After greeting Zhao Yunxiao, Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin quickly excused themselves from the Black Guardian Square and returned to their residences.

Since neither of them was feeling too exhausted, they came together to discuss their thoughts instead of retiring for the night.

"Did you notice the jade tablets when greeting Brother Zhao?" Chen Pingxi asked solemnly. "Both San Wanfan's party and that Crimson Claw Cheng Kai are under his watch."

"Are you suggesting that Elder He had assigned Brother Zhao as an observer on purpose to carry out a plan targeting Infernal Claw Quan Hui?" Zhou Qin frowned. "But neither San Wanfan's party nor Cheng Kai seemed to be acting."

"They do not have to be acting," Chen Pingxi shook her head. "The best kind of plan is when the chess pieces are convinced that they are the ones making the decisions."

"This..." Zhou Qin fell into contemplation. "But is that really possible? How would they know how Infernal Claw Quan Hui would act and where she would go?"

"Their target might not be Infernal Claw Quan Hui specifically. Instead, she could have just been the unfortunate one to appear at the wrong time," Chen Pingxi speculated. "Otherwise, isn't it too much of a coincidence? What reason could there be for Crimson Sword Cheng Kai to suddenly appear at such a desolate location at that moment?"

"If what you are suggesting is true, then Brother Zhao's role as an observer is huge!" Zhou Qin exclaimed in shock. "It would not even be an exaggeration to call him a hidden wildcard that is being used to flip the tables on the other three factions!"

"Indeed," Chen Pingxi agreed. "That said, this is all just speculation for now. I have memorised the names of the other participants who were under his watch. Over the next few days, let's find out exactly how the others fared. Having that information could bring us greater clarity on the situation."

"Understood, Senior Martial Sister Chen," Zhou Qin nodded seriously. "Let's do just that."