Xia Wei brought Zhao Yunxiao away from the open square and to a lake not far away.

It was a simple lake that was considered rather modest in size, especially in comparison to the Origin Lake lying in the depths of the Origin Lake Sect.

Instead of size, what this simple lake did possess was a quiet and pristine environment, undisturbed by the loud chattering of the ongoing banquet.

As the new year was fast approaching, the moon was naturally missing from the sky.

But without the presence of the moon, the stars only seemed to shine even brighter as they glittered beautifully both in the night sky overhead and on the lake surface below.

“This is a good place. As expected, the locals know best,” Zhao Yunxiao praised.

“Thank you for your help earlier,” Xia Wei immediately changed the topic.

She might not have caught on to many things earlier because she was feeling too nervous, but she had had more than enough time to slowly think things through on the way here.

This allowed her to finally understand the meaning behind the word accompaniment that Zhao Yunxiao had suggested for Bing Yanrou’s painting.

“I didn’t do much. This is nothing compared to the help that I have received from Senior Martial Brother Jun,” Zhao Yunxiao waved it off nonchalantly.

“Speaking of which, I am surprised to hear that Brother Jun actually knows a big shot like yourself,” Xia Wei chuckled.

Zhao Yunxiao was rather surprised to be referred to as a big shot, but he did his best to not let his feelings show.

“Why are you surprised?” Zhao Yunxiao let out a meaningful smile. “Senior Martial Brother Jun is an amazing person, you know? If he is ever in trouble, numerous inner disciples will show up to lend their aid even without being asked, all just so they can get into his good books.”

What he said was nothing but the truth.

Even though Jun Chuan was just an outer disciple, the incident with Sun Minhao was the perfect example, depicting just how many inner disciples were willing to come to his aid in times of need.

“It is good enough to hear that Brother Jun seems to be doing well,” Xia Wei replied. “Thank you for letting me know that, Brother Zhao.”

“It seems like Brother Jun is not wrong about you,” Zhao Yunxiao smiled.

Instead of wanting to confirm the stories about how impressive Jun Chuan truly was, as well as his various accomplishments, Xia Wei seemed to be more concerned about the fact that Jun Chuan was still doing well.

This suggested that Xia Wei was not interested in Jun Chuan solely because of the influence that he wielded as a member of a powerful sect.

“That aside, there has been a rumour spreading among the sect members, so do you mind if I ask you about it, Brother Zhao?” Xia Wei carefully brought up.

“A rumour?” Zhao Yunxiao asked.

“That’s right,” Xia Wei continued. “...It’s been said that Brother Zhao is secretly being groomed to be a direct disciple under Elder He, making you a future core disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect.”

“Direct disciple of Elder He? Future core disciple?” Zhao Yunxiao felt the corner of his lips twitch.

He thought that everyone was showing gratitude towards him simply because they thought he had helped to deliver cultivation advice to the various core disciples and elders earlier.

Who knew that the rumour would have actually gone as far as to turn him into He Luoxuan’s direct disciple?

“That’s right,” Xia Wei continued. “It is also said that Elder He decided to bring you along this time to take Han Xing’s place...”

Huu-!

Zhao Yunxiao let out a resigned sigh as he looked up towards the night sky.

Just what kind of nonsense was spreading in the Origin Lake Sect right now?

Then again, that would perfectly explain the seemingly exaggerated treatment that the many disciples had been giving him at the banquet tonight.

In the end, this was all Cha’s fault!

“Seems like... that’s not true then?” Xia Wei probed.

“Of course that’s not true!” Zhao Yunxiao answered. “How can I be Elder He’s direct disciple? What made everyone think that way?”

It definitely felt good to be held in high regard, but Zhao Yunxiao was not nearly foolish enough to misappropriate the identity of a core disciple just because he was greedy for something as intangible as that.

If it was ever found out that he did something like pretending to be a core disciple, the consequences were not something that he could afford to bear!

“Well, I heard that Brother Zhao was capable of giving guidance to the various core disciples of the sect...” Xia Wei explained.

“How did Elder He’s advice turn into mine instead?” Zhao Yunxiao felt like slapping his forehead.

Of course, it was not He Luoxuan’s advice either since it essentially came from Cha, but Zhao Yunxiao thought that everyone in the Origin Lake Sect had believed it to be the former.

“I’m not sure either. That’s just what is being spread among the disciples right now...” Xia Wei eyed Zhao Yunxiao carefully. “But seems like that is not the case...?”

Stolen story; please report.

“Not at all,” Zhao Yunxiao said with a sigh. “Please help me correct this misunderstanding before it gets any worse.”

“Haha, I really don’t think my words will do much to change the course of the rumour,” Xia Wei laughed awkwardly.

Huu-!

Zhao Yunxiao once again looked up at the night sky and sighed in resignation.

“In any case, please help to take care of Brother Jun in the future,” Xia Wei said shyly while fiddling with the pendant hanging from her neck. “No matter how much he tries to act cool or how much Brother Zhao is praising him, I know for a fact that he is just an outer disciple in the Black Tortoise Sect...”

Zhao Yunxiao looked at Xia Wei and felt slightly bitter.

It would appear that this pendant was something given to her by Jun Chuan.

This Jun Chuan might really be just about to nab himself a cultivation partner!

Of course, Zhao Yunxiao might not feel good about it but he would definitely not do anything to sabotage his good friend.

“Don’t worry, I’m not lying when I said that Jun Chuan has quite a bit of influence in the Black Tortoise Sect,” Zhao Yunxiao assured her. “In fact, he has been taking more care of me than vice versa.”

“That’s good to hear,” Xia Wei smiled in relief.

“Is it really not possible to curb the rumours going around about me, though?”

“My apologies.”

Huu-!

***

Zhao Yunxiao and Xia Wei made their way back to the banquet location after their short chat.

Now armed with new information from Xia Wei, Zhao Yunxiao felt even more uncomfortable at the stares of admiration coming his way.

Even so, all he could do was smile politely in response.

After all, it was not as though he could just suddenly announce to everyone that he was not a future core disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect.

That would be nothing more than making a fool of himself!

“You are back, Brother Zhao,” Chen Pingxi greeted him with a welcoming smile. “Did you have a good chat with Junior Martial Sister Xia?”

Upon returning to the banquet, Xia Wei had returned to her table to meet up with Bing Yanrou and the rest of the group while Zhao Yunxiao made his way back to the core disciples’ table.

“It was a nice chat, indeed,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded. “That said, I have something that I am hoping to trouble everyone here for.”

“You are too polite, Brother Zhao. Please speak your mind,” Qian Luming answered.

“As long as it is within my means,” Zhou Qin agreed without even hearing the request.

“Same with me,” Cui Junhe added.

“I know I am nobody important, but I’m still hoping that everyone can help to look after my good friend Sister Xia,” Zhao Yunxiao asked. “There is no need to give her special treatment. I simply hope that she will not be subject to any harsh treatments in the sect for no good reason.”

Zhao Yunxiao knew that there was nothing he could do to debunk the rumours spreading around in the Origin Lake Sect.

Since that was the case, he might as well take advantage of the misunderstanding, using it to help Jun Chuan out a little more!

“That is no problem at all,” Chen Pingxi agreed in a heartbeat. “Even if you didn’t say so, it is only right for us to look after our own junior martial sisters.”

“That’s right, don’t worry about it,” Qian Luming answered with a smile. “It is our duty as core disciples.”

“Consider it done,” Jian Qifa agreed as well.

The other core disciples also agreed one by one.

As for Zhou Qin and Cui Junhe, they fell silent for a good few moments before eventually nodding in slight reluctance.

It was not without reason that others considered them cultivation maniacs.

Normally, the two of them simply wanted to focus on their own cultivation and could not care less about taking care of others. However, they had a rather good impression of Zhao Yunxiao, and did not mind selling him this favour.

If nothing else, they could consider it their repayment for his help in relaying He Luoxuan’s advice earlier.

“I thank everyone for your help, then,” Zhao Yunxiao raised his wine cup in gratitude.

“It is heartwarming to see Brother Zhao care this much for a member of our sect. It is our honour,” Chen Pingxi returned the gesture.

At the same time, she could not help but sigh in her heart.

She understood that from this day onwards, Xia Wei’s position in the sect would surely rise, while Bing Yanrou’s future could not help but be negatively impacted as well.

After his return to the banquet, the atmosphere became much less stern as compared to before. It was as though everyone had forgotten about the incident with Bing Yanrou earlier.

Just like that, everyone had a great time as they continued to enjoy the food, conversations, and performances.

The core disciples spoke of various matters under the sun, with Hu Nan and Song Xiaoqiao even agreeing to meet some of them in the future to go on some adventures.

Unsurprisingly, whenever Song Xiaoqiao agreed to join a particular activity, Qian Luming would volunteer right after as well.

This amiable atmosphere persisted as the banquet extended late into the night, but all good things eventually had to come to an end.

When Dan Juexing announced that the banquet had officially come to an end, some decided to stay and continue enjoying themselves, but most had the discipline to retire for the night.

He Luoxuan chose not to restrict the members of his entourage in any manner, but all of them decided to leave for their residence nevertheless.

As guests, they knew better than to overdo things, lest they be seen as unsightly in any regard.

Upon their return to the residence, He Luoxuan once again told them to rest up and standby for further instructions if needed.

The group then returned to their individual rooms, and were finally able to relax for the day.

Everyone was exhausted, and Zhao Yunxiao was no exception.

It had been a long day starting from He Luoxuan’s cultivation lecture, to the discussion at the main hall, to the afternoon of deep contemplation, and finally to the eventful banquet at night.

There was nothing he wanted more right now than to jump into a hot bath and wash away all the fatigue that had accumulated over the day.

However, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but hesitate when he caught sight of the huge bath in his assigned room.

The Zhao Yunxiao of yesterday would have found it an extremely welcoming sight, and would have proceeded to jump right in.

But the Zhao Yunxiao of today was different.

Now, he could not help but think about what happened last night.

He could still vividly remember how he had been sent flying through the skies of the Origin Lake Sect territory in a completely butt-naked state.

In a way, that was the most memorable experience he had throughout this entire trip.

Not exactly in a good way, of course.

“Senior...?” Zhao Yunxiao asked while looking around his room.

“What? So you do remember that I am your senior?” Cha’s voice sounded out in his head.

Before his very eyes, air itself seemed to twist into some sort of mini tornado, rapidly becoming more and more opaque before it eventually took the form of a long sea serpent.

There it was.

Cha, the self-proclaimed guardian spirit of the Origin Lake Sect.

Zhao Yunxiao could not help but smile when he saw Cha appear.

Heh.

Looks like he made the right decision this time round.

After all, it was the very first time that he had not been caught by surprise by the appearance of this crazy sea serpent!