Just Waiting for the Right Opportunity

The post-event celebratory parties usually only start the next day – three days after the closure of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm.

But since Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin were already there, Zhao Yunxiao decided to just postpone his original plans and show them around instead.

That said, this was not the first time that the duo had been to Purple Plum Mountain, so there was no need for him to show them most of the basic stuff.

The only place there truly was to show was the Monolith Square, which had only been completed in the past two months.

After walking around a little, they went to a rest area at Chen Pingxi's suggestion, where they enjoyed tea under a simple pavilion that overlooked a field of flowers.

"So, what do you think about the Origin Lake Sect, Brother Zhao?" Chen Pingxi suddenly asked while sipping on the spirit tea.

"It is an amazing place. Located in a beautiful location with a deep heritage, with talents in all generations," Zhao Yunxiao answered without hesitation. "Azure Hand Yang Hong would surely be pleased if he could witness the state of the sect right now."

"It's good that Brother Zhao feels this way," Chen Pingxi did not think much of the perfunctory reply. "But how do you think we can improve things?"

"...You are asking me how to improve the Origin Lake Sect?" Zhao Yunxiao repeated in confusion.

"That's right," Chen Pingxi nodded seriously. "As you know, there is a lot of pressure that I am facing as the prime disciple. It hasn't been just once or twice that I have been asked this question by Sect Leader Dan and the elders. While I do have my own views, it would really help if I could hear Brother Zhao's thoughts as well, so I hope you would be able to accommodate my selfish request."

"I'm afraid you are asking the wrong person here, Sister Chen," Zhao Yunxiao let out a self-deprecating chuckle. "I am not nearly capable enough to consider things at such a level."

"Brother Zhao is too humble," Chen Pingxi let out a meaningful smile. "Please speak freely. I promise not to take anything to heart."

Zhao Yunxiao: "..."

It is really not a matter of being able to speak freely or not. I truly have nothing to say!

I know that you bear a heavy burden as the prime disciple, but I am a mere outer disciple.

The things I worry about are only at the level of my herb garden plot, so how would I know how to improve the Origin Lake Sect?

He glanced at Zhou Qin for help, only to come face-to-face with an expression filled with anticipation.

Are these people serious?

But while he was contemplating how to best phrase his refusal, he suddenly thought of Cha.

Back then, not only did the guardian spirit provide guidance to the disciples, but even the elders were not left out.

From the looks of it, Cha had been more than happy to do so as well.

If they could find a way to re-establish their connection with it, that would definitely be beneficial to everyone in the sect!

"If I really have to say something, then perhaps you could consider going back to your roots?" Zhao Yunxiao suggested.

"Going back to our roots?" Chen Pingxi blinked blankly, definitely not having expected such an answer. "Pardon my ignorance, but may I know what Brother Zhao means by that?"

"What do I mean indeed..." Zhao Yunxiao silently sipped his tea in contemplation.

That was a good question.

He had just blurted it out without much consideration, but it was not like they could communicate with Cha just because they wanted to.

Back then, Cha had mentioned that he could only appear under two circumstances.

First was when the sect was in danger, to defend the sect from enemies. Second was to those who had managed to create a mythical tier treasure in the recent past, to personally encourage the growth of that person.

For the first scenario, telling them to put the sect in danger just to allow Cha to reveal itself was definitely out of the question.

But even for the second scenario, it might still be quite difficult to put it forward as a suggestion.

Why don't you guys start by forging some mythical treasures?

That sounded more condescending than anything else!

On top of that, it would also be difficult to explain why he would suddenly give such a suggestion.

To justify his suggestion, he would likely have to mention what happened during his previous trip to the Origin Lake Sect.

If it was solely about how he helped to convey the pointers from Cha, then there were no issues with doing so. However, who knew what the current sect administrators of the Origin Lake Sect would think when they realised that he had received a few treasures from Cha?

And even if they accepted it without complaints, who knew what might happen if this matter was leaked?

When it came to wealth and treasures, it was always difficult to predict the hearts of others.

Considering how the Heaven's Descent Bowl belonged to someone on the level of the Origin Lake Sect's progenitor – Azure Hand Yang Hong, Zhao Yunxiao would not be surprised even if cultivators at the Dao Rune realm or above started targeting him.

Against such monsters, not to mention defending himself, it would already be fortunate if he could die with his corpse intact!

But if this was not feasible, then what other options could there be?

Without knowing what information was privy only to core members of the Origin Lake Sect, he could not carelessly mention the things that Cha had told him either.

Faced with Zhao Yunxiao's silence, Chen Pingxi did not probe further.

Instead, she silently returned to sipping on her tea, as did Zhou Qin.

Outside the pavilion, the field of purple flowers swayed in the gentle spring breeze, releasing a faint floral scent that attracted butterflies to dance among them.

Along with the wonderful spring weather and rich world origin energy in the surroundings, this created a beautiful picture that added to the serenity of the moment – a stark contrast to the brutal struggles within the Four Symbols Mystic Realm that was still fresh in the minds of the Origin Lake Sect duo.

Absorbed in this tranquil environment, hours passed without them realising it.

They were not always alone in the pavilion during this time. Others came and left as well, but thankfully, no one came up to disturb them.

It was only when the sun reached the zenith that Zhao Yunxiao suddenly heard a familiar voice coming from outside of the pavilion.

"So, you are here, Senior Martial Brother Zhao!" Lu Zhiying exclaimed while stepping into the pavilion with Gu Qiansi. "These are...?"

"Don't be rude, Junior Martial Sister Lu!" Gu Qiansi quickly held her back before clasping her fists towards Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin. "Greetings, honoured guests. I am Gu Qiansi from the Black Tortoise Sect, and this is my junior martial sister Lu Zhiying."

"Greetings, I am Chen Pingxi from the Origin Lake Sect."

"Zhou Qin from the Origin Lake Sect."

"Ah! I've heard of your great names!" Lu Zhiying exclaimed, finally realising who they were.

"Sister Lu is too kind with your words," Chen Pingxi answered with a polite smile. At the same time, she could not help but take note of their names.

She had never heard of Gu Qiansi, but Lu Zhiying was a completely different story.

Having done her own research on the recent happenings within the Black Tortoise Sect, how could she not know this new disciple whose name was still on the tip of everyone's tongue?

One of the three new joiners who had established a true spiritual meridian root, before moving on to break through to the Intermediate Foundation Building realm within a month.

Receiving a direct compliment from an elder in front of all the outer disciples during her very first cultivation lecture – being praised for her admirable consideration for her peers.

Giving a sublime performance during the New Year celebrations that had been memorable enough to still be spoken of even now.

In the short two months since she joined the sect, her name had shown up multiple times on the radar of the sect administrators. Not just that, but there was almost no doubt that she would become an inner disciple in time to come.

Even though she was still in the early parts of her development as a cultivator, this Lu Zhiying was a character who could not be neglected!

So, this rare talent was riding on Zhao Yunxiao's coattails as well?

The corner of Chen Pingxi's lips curled out subconsciously.

In that case, she might have to look into this Gu Qiansi as well...

"Are you looking for me?" Zhao Yunxiao asked. "Is there something wrong?"

He was not surprised that Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying were able to find them.

They were not at a resting area that was as secluded as the Lightwind Pavilion. As long as anyone bothered to ask around, it would not be difficult to find someone who had spotted Zhao Yunxiao and the Origin Lake Sect duo.

"We were free today, so we just decided to look for you to kill some time together," Lu Zhiying answered frankly.

"It's nothing serious. Since you are occupied at the moment, we can just look for you later," Gu Qiansi quickly added.

While she was slightly confused as to why Zhao Yunxiao was currently entertaining these honoured guests from the Origin Lake Sect, it was best not to disturb him for now.

"Come to think of it, I still haven't seen you carrying the backpack I gave you, Junior Martial Sister Lu," Zhao Yunxiao pointed out. "Do you not like it after all?"

Before receiving his spatial pouch from Cha, Zhao Yunxiao had always carried around a bamboo backpack to store his belongings.

Now that he no longer had any real need for it, he had decided to give the bamboo backpack to Lu Zhiying after the latter directly expressed her interest in it.

However, it's already been more than a month since then, yet he had never seen Lu Zhiying with the backpack.

Considering how Lu Zhiying had once mentioned that the backpack was ugly, he was starting to suspect that the backpack had already met its demise!

"That's not true. I love it!" Lu Zhiying corrected. "I'm just waiting for the right opportunity to use it, that's all!"

"Waiting for the right opportunity?" Zhao Yunxiao narrowed his eyes at her. "What right opportunity do you need to carry a backpack?"

"Well, I don't need it right now!" Lu Zhiying retorted.

"I guess you are right..." Zhao Yunxiao continued to scrutinise Lu Zhiying's expression. "So, are you really just looking for the right opportunity to use it? You haven't thrown it away, have you?"

"Why would I throw it away? I still have great use for it!" Lu Zhiying insisted.

Great use for a backpack?

Somehow, hearing that line only made Zhao Yunxiao feel more suspicious of her.

"It's not like you need it anymore, so why are you being concerned about how she uses the backpack? It's making you sound petty in front of the guests!" Gu Qiansi interjected in a mellowed tone.

"Heh, please don't worry about us," Chen Pingxi remarked with a casual snicker. "That said, I might not know what this backpack is like, but I do have something to say. Females usually do care a little more about fashion-matching, so that might have been a reason why Sister Lu has yet to find the right opportunity to carry the backpack. Since she has already expressed how much she likes it, I'm sure that she will use it sooner or later."

"Haha... right..." Zhao Yunxiao laughed awkwardly upon realising that they were still in the presence of Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin. "That aside, would you two like to join us for tea?"

It would definitely be beneficial for the two of them to get acquainted with Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin as well.

"Is that all right?" Lu Zhiying's eyes lit up immediately.

"I just remembered that there is something that I still have to do at the garden plot, so maybe not for me..." Gu Qiansi said hesitantly.

Zhao Yunxiao could only smile helplessly.

This Gu Qiansi was as reserved as ever.

"Oh, is that so? In that case, let me accompany you as well," Lu Zhiying said with a slight tinge of reluctance before turning to Chen Pingxi. "But before I leave, is it okay if I ask something?"

"Sure, go ahead," Chen Pingxi answered, instinctively taking on a semi-formal tone.

As the prime disciple of the Origin Lake Sect, she was already used to people posing all sorts of questions to her. Answering many of these questions required careful consideration – not too formal, yet not too casual. Not too vague, yet not too detailed.

After years of doing so, the way to answer such questions had already become ingrained in her, so she could instinctively switch between being casual and being prepared to answer official questions.

Yet with all her experience and mental preparation, the question that came next still managed to catch her by surprise.

"So, what do you think of our Senior Martial Brother Zhao?"