Chapter 43: Chapter 43

While changing into Zhao Wei’s spare clothes, a mere ten or so steps away, the disciple lays the torn dress on the ground and brings a box out of his internal storage device.

I focus on the ring on his finger.

[ Analysis: Spatial Storage Ring (Treasure - Earth) ]

No information on its storage capacity or additional functions if it even has any. I almost feel something dangerously close to envy when I somewhat realize that this object could have a greater storage capacity than I do.

Still, it is only a spatial ring. I have a dimensional array. I don’t know if there is a difference, but if there is, mine is superior. And also of the Mortal grade.

I should, at the very least, upgrade the array to the Earth grade.

[ Blood points: 23,461 ]

I am so close to obtaining [Nooparallelism], so I hold off on upgrading my array. I thought about asking Lan Xiaohui to engrave some additions on the array that could expand it, but in reality, I am not so sure if it will work, and the consequences could be disastrous. The best course of action is to obtain the upgrade from the exchange and observe how my array changes.

As Lan Xiaohui fastens her new sash, she returns to the campfire and sits down.

Meanwhile, a needle springs out of Zhao Wei’s box, floating in the air, while a silvery-white thread slips through the eye of the needle. Then the needle flies towards the dress, and begins sewing the tears closed.

I only detect faint traces of Qi in the needle, and no presence of any kind of energy. At least none that I can detect.

This is clearly under the control of the disciple, but I cannot divine how. My first and only guess is that this is the power of his consciousness or soul. It would be similar to how Lan Xiaohui can make me float. It is a mix of consciousness, Qi and sword energy.

“Brother Zhao, I did not think you would be so good at this,” Lan Xiaohui says. “Did you plan on joining the Crafting Halls?”

Zhao Wei laughs. “I did join the Forging Hall, sister Xue.”

This surprises Lan Xiaohui. “But brother, if you did not join the Martial Hall, what are you doing here?”

Zhao Wei looks up from her dress and focuses her gaze on her. There is a mysterious twinkle in his eye.

Lan Xiaohui presses further. “You do not practice many martial arts. Isn’t it dangerous for you to be here?”

Zhao Wei sighs and looks back to the dress. “I needed spirit stones, sister. Studying in the Forging Hall is very expensive. I need medicine to strengthen my body. I need to practice my consciousness and perception. Buy manuals and recipes. And cultivate my Qi on top of all that.”

“But you are an inner disciple. Do you not get enough spirit stones for your needs?”

Once more, he laughs. “Not even close!”

Lan Xiaohui presses her lips together and nods. “It is unfortunate. Are you trying to become a Core Disciple, then?”

He nods at her question, but then shakes his head. “Maybe,” he says. “If I found an awakened treasure, and I became a Core Disciple, it would help me a lot. With the bounty the Black Tiger is offering, that would also ensure my future in the sect.”

Lan Xiaohui tilts her head. “But?”

Zhao Wei looks at her. “I am in the Foundation Establishment, esteemed sister. You are right. I don’t even practice martial arts. I have no hopes of getting my hands on an awakened treasure, or keeping it. The others would just steal it from me.”

“So what are you here for, brother Zhao?”

Zhao Wei gestures with his hand, as if turning over the page in a book, and the needle moves at his command, quickly stitching together another tear, and reconnecting a frayed sleeve. “Materials, mostly. Or some other kind of treasure. The sect has been throwing away high grade treasures in this forest for hundreds of years. There’s bound to be a few still lying around.”

Lan Xiaohui nods. I can feel her agree with the disciple’s statement.

“Did you find any?” she asks.

Zhao Wei shakes his head. “Nothing. I found a few grade two medicinal plants. There’s a cave with grade four ores to the south, but I can’t get to the ore. The wall is too hard.” He looks up at her again. “What about you?”

“I found mostly grade three herbs in the outer regions,” she says.

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Zhao Wei furrows his brows thoughtfully. “I suppose that makes sense. I should’ve checked the outer regions. It is much safer, too.”

“If you wish to go there, at least I can escort you to where I came from. You should be safer there.”

Zhao Wei’s lips press together into a thin line. He is silent for almost half a minute. “Let me ask you, sister Xue. What is your plan? You said you were seeking your Dao.”

Lan Xiaohui inhales deeply at the question, and now its her turn to ponder an answer. I already know her answer, and I know why she cannot say it. She wants to slaughter everything worth slaughtering in this forest. Her Dao is not hiding underneath roots, or behind walls of rock. It floats high in the sky, and can only be reached by standing on the corpses of others that stood in her way.

She does not care about awakened treasures. She does not care about resources. I am not sure if she even cares about the Dao itself, or if she is only reaching for it because the Black Tiger floats in the Heavens right next to it too.

“Brother Zhao,” she says with a sweet smile. “I want to travel to the center, so I can see the formation of this Forbidden Ancestral Hunting Ground for myself. Perhaps I can receive enlightenment if I do.”

Zhao Wei bursts out into laughter. “Sister Xue! You are interested in the Dao of arrays and formations?”

Lan Xiaohui’s cheeks redden slightly, and she looks away from Zhao Wei. I know why. It’s not that she is embarrassed about being interested in the Dao of Arrays — she is not that interested in it. It’s because she knows I am interested in it.

And worst of all, I know that her words are true. At least half of her reason pushing for the center is for my sake.

Oddly enough, I experience that thing sentient meat calls gratitude. I am grateful? To Lan Xiaohui?

“You are from the martial hall though?”

Lan Xiaohui nods. “Yes, brother.”

Zhao Wei sighs in relief and nods. “Good. That is very good. I can tell, too,” he says. “These tears. I see blood on your clothes too. You have fought many times, and sustained many injuries. Still, you have made it this far. And you are still only in the Early stage of Foundation.”

Lan Xiaohui chuckles. “You are correct, fellow brother.”

Zhao Wei sighs again. “I should suggest that you come with me, sister. We should leave this place together while we still live.”

Lan Xiaohui nods, her expression growing colder as the matter suddenly turns serious.

“But if you want to push deeper, I am inclined to ask if you would allow me to travel with you,” Zhao Wei suggests.

“I don’t know, brother Zhao,” Lan Xiaohui says.

“Why not?”

“I cannot protect you. I can barely protect myself.”

Zhao Wei sucks in a breath and then nods. “That is unfortunate, but you are also right. What if I tell you that whatever happens to me is my fault?”

Lan Xiaohui shakes her head. “I would still be responsible for you, brother. Even if you accept the risk, I would still be the one that convinced you to go further.”

Zhao Wei, once more, seems surprised by her words. She is indomitable. Her words cut like a sword made of ice. Even if Zhao Wei could come up with a counter-argument, it would be difficult to voice it.

After a long moment, he laughs once more — with less joy than before — and nods. “As you wish, sister Xue. Thank you.”

Lan Xiaohui shakes her head. “No, no. I should thank you. You are so very generous.”

Zhao Wei smiles. “Don’t mention it. Let’s have a drink tonight as friends, and promise to have another when we return home to our sect.”

Lan Xiaohui smiles, but I can feel the guilt in her heart. She will never return to the sect.

“Very well, brother Zhao.”

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