“What do I think of Brother Zhao?” Chen Pingxi could not help but hesitate for a moment.

This sounded like a simple question, but the meaning behind it could vary greatly depending on the context.

On a more surface level, it could be asking for her assessment of Zhao Yunxiao’s basic traits like strength, looks, character, potential, hospitality, mannerism, etc.

On a more complicated level, it could be asking about how Chen Pingxi felt about Zhao Yunxiao as a man or potential cultivation partner.

But considering the current situation, it could even be a test to gauge if Chen Pingxi had discovered that Zhao Yunxiao was no ordinary outer disciple!

The first two were relatively easy to handle, but the third context was slightly more difficult.

Should she reveal the fact that she had already realised Zhao Yunxiao was not simple?

Was this the right moment to do so?

No, not just yet.

Right now, she could tell that few others actually paid much mind to Zhao Yunxiao, so she still held the first-mover’s advantage.

There was no need to rush things.

If she handled this too hastily, it might even end up causing the other party to be on guard against her.

“Brother Zhao is an amazing cultivator with great potential. I’m actually surprised that he has not already been invited to be an inner disciple,” Chen Pingxi answered casually, completely hiding the caution that she currently held.

“Isn’t that right? I totally agree!” Lu Zhiying nodded profusely. “Look, Senior Martial Brother Zhao, it’s probably only a matter of time until we all become inner disciples!”

Chen Pingxi: “???”

Was that it?

In the end, had she read too much into it? Or was Lu Zhiying simply too good at hiding her intentions while delivering this probing question?

She really could not tell!

“All right, enough of your nonsense,” Zhao Yunxiao rolled his eyes in response. “Isn’t there something that you have to do? Hurry up and go before things crash and burn!”

“Bleah!” Lu Zhiying stuck her tongue out at Zhao Yunxiao before turning to leave with Gu Qiansi.

With that, Zhao Yunxiao was left alone with the Origin Lake Sect duo once again.

“Junior Martial Sister Lu is just a little free-minded and doesn’t actually mean any harm. Please don’t take offence to her words,” Zhao Yunxiao said.

“No, not at all. In fact, I do envy her carefree mannerism. It is a trait that many cultivators fail to retain,” Chen Pingxi let out a faint smile. “On top of that, our views do align.”

“Haha, is that so... that said, I know you mentioned that you don’t want to join the celebratory parties, but you really should reconsider,” Zhao Yunxiao quickly changed the topic. “Especially for the two parties that I have mentioned earlier.”

“Since Brother Zhao insists, then I will do as you say,” Chen Pingxi nodded.

Zhou Qin could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

“Even so, I will probably only drop by for a short while before coming to look for you. Where would I be able to find you?” Chen Pingxi continued.

“This...” Zhao Yunxiao hesitated.

“Didn’t you agree to show me around earlier? Or have you already decided to go back on your word?” Chen Pingxi asked with a playful smile.

“I did say that. But after today’s experience, I realise that I don’t quite know where to bring you either,” Zhao Yunxiao scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

Chen Pingxi and Zhou Qin had already been to the sect multiple times in the past. In fact, considering how Zhao Yunxiao’s access to certain locations was restricted because of his status as an outer disciple, the duo might even have visited more of the sect grounds than him!

“We don’t have to go anywhere special,” Chen Pingxi answered. “In fact, I would love to just see where you usually go.”

Zhao Yunxiao glanced at Zhou Qin, who could only close his eyes in resignation.

“Well, if you say so, then I guess it’s fine,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded. “If you don’t mind crowds, would you like to meet at the Clear Thoughts Pavilion? Every year, many outer disciples will gather there to await updates coming from the various celebratory parties. It will be rowdy though, so do be mentally prepared.”

He would usually have avoided doing this, considering the potential amount of attention that Chen Pingxi’s presence would attract.

However, after spending a day together, he realised that Chen Pingxi was already very familiar with the sect grounds.

Even if he wanted to show her around, there was nowhere new that he could bring her!

So, rather than forcibly putting together an awkward itinerary, he decided that he might as well do as Chen Pingxi had requested and show her the reality of the outer disciples.

After all, there must be plenty of inner disciples vying to spend time with Chen Pingxi.

Considering that, there must be a reason why Chen Pingxi had chosen to ask him, a mere outer disciple, to show her around and even give suggestions on how to improve on the Origin Lake sect.

It was very likely that she wanted to understand the difference between the Black Tortoise Sect and the Origin Lake Sect at the outer sect level – an area that she probably had not had much contact with in the past.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Since that was the case, he decided to just bear with the hassle and show Chen Pingxi what it was truly like!

“Don’t worry, I’m not afraid of crowds,” Chen Pingxi chuckled. “It’s decided then. Let’s meet at the Clear Thoughts Pavilion when I am done.”

The trio continued to enjoy tea at the pavilion for a while longer, but eventually left in the late afternoon.

After all, there was still somewhere that Zhao Yunxiao needed to be – the Outer Disciples Hall.

Having spent three days working hard as an observer for the opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, it was finally time for him to collect his rewards!

Fei Weng gathered the observer team in a large room, calling them up to the front to receive their rewards in sect points one by one.

Each observer’s reward quantum was different, depending on their performance during the event.

Understanding that some disciples might not be comfortable about sharing the amount they received, be it because it was too high or too low, Fei Weng did not announce the rewards to everyone. Instead, each person was given an envelope that clearly stated their reward amount within.

Of course, if the recipients wanted to reveal the amount that they had received, Fei Weng would not stop them either.

There were absolutely no restrictions against doing so, but most chose to keep it to themselves anyway.

After all, even if they were transparent enough to share the amount that they had received, who was to say that the others would reciprocate that act?

“Zhao Yunxiao,” Fei Weng finally called out.

“Here!” Zhao Yunxiao answered before nervously walking up to Fei Weng.

Unlike past years, he was not too confident about his performance this time.

Regarding the participants under his watch, Cheng Kai and Huo Bubai’s party definitely did well. In contrast, San Wanfan’s party had a few eliminated while Nuo Qianling’s party had been completely routed.

Thankfully, nobody died at the very least, so he had avoided the worst-case scenario.

However, this was still far from ideal.

He could only hope that Fei Weng considered his effort in salvaging the situation as much as possible. Otherwise, the results could have been far worse!

“You look nervous, Little Zhao,” Fei Weng teased while handing him his envelope. “Not feeling too confident now, are we?”

“A little help from you would be able to solve that problem,” Zhao Yunxiao jokingly responded while receiving the envelope.

“You wish!” Fei Weng snorted in disdain. “Get seated.”

Zhao Yunxiao obediently went back to his seat without opening the envelope, as did the other observers.

Everyone here was adept at observation and detection skills.

As long as someone opened their envelope by as much as a single millimetre, their reward amount would instantly become public knowledge!

“And that’s the last one,” Fei Weng exclaimed after everyone had received their rewards. “I just want to thank everyone for your hard work once again. That said, the rewards you receive today are just a bonus. Instead, what you should be valuing the most is still the experience itself. If there is nothing else, everyone is dismissed.”

“Thank you, Senior Fei!”

Everyone quickly stood up to leave, all of them eager to take a look at their rewards in private.

Zhao Yunxiao was no exception. But as he walked past the front of the room, Fei Weng placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him.

“Stay back for a while, Little Zhao,” Fei Weng said. “I have something to speak to you about.”

“Hmm? What is it?” Zhao Yunxiao asked curiously.

Fei Weng waited for the door to close behind the last person before finally replying. “What do you have planned over the coming week?”

“Me? I guess I don’t have anything that is especially urgent. But now that we are done with the opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, I’m thinking of resuming my sect jobs in a few days’ time,” Zhao Yunxiao answered. “Is there something that you need me to do?”

Such a request would not be surprising.

After all, Zhao Yunxiao had a rather good relationship with Fei Weng since the latter was his administrative deacon at the Yellowshell Mines, so Fei Weng would ask him to run some errands from time to time.

“Tch, you and your addiction to jobs. Those jobs of yours can wait a week!” Fei Weng snapped. “Elder Xiong Yan of the Armed Ape Tower has invited Elder Feng to help assess their newly expanded tribulation chamber, so they would be returning together in two days’ time. I will be part of the entourage for this trip, and have been tasked with bringing a couple of outer disciples along. How about it? Are you interested?”

“I am! I am definitely interested!” Zhao Yunxiao answered in a heartbeat. “Please bring me along, ol’ wise and venerable Senior Fei!”

“Hah, you’d better not try using that frivolous tone with Elder Feng when you serve her during the trip!” Fei Weng cautioned. “But all right, I will bring you along then. Here are the meeting time and details...”

After confirming all the details with Fei Weng, Zhao Yunxiao finally left the Outer Disciples Hall.

His original plan for the day had been to catch up on the news regarding everyone’s accomplishments in the Four Symbols Mystic Realm, before doing some further research on the opening of the Mind Gate.

However, the situation had changed.

Since the trip to the Armed Ape Tower was in just two days’ time, he definitely had to start gathering all the information he needed. That was especially the case since he had already promised to show Chen Pingxi around, so he probably would not have much time to do so tomorrow.

Regarding the trip, it was not surprising that the Armed Ape Tower had invited Elder Feng Wanjia to assess their newly expanded tribulation chamber.

After all, she was the elder in charge of trials and tribulations in the Black Tortoise Sect.

That was also why, despite her beautiful and alluring appearance, Elder Feng Wanjia was actually one of the most feared elders in the sect. In fact, many disciples secretly referred to her as a psycho due to the difficult tests that she often came up with!

To avoid getting into trouble with her, Zhao Yunxiao had to make as much preparation as he could.

Yet despite all that, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but feel excited about this upcoming trip, so much that he had completely forgotten about checking the rewards that he had gotten for his work during the opening of the Four Symbols Mystic Realm.

Things that warranted the attention of an elder usually involved matters of great profundity. As long as one did not mess up too much, getting to join an elder’s entourage would almost always yield great benefits.

And while that was a huge plus in and of itself, this was not even the main thing that Zhao Yunxiao was focusing on this time.

Instead, he was looking forward to the trip mainly because of the destination itself.

Among the Black Tortoise Sect’s subordinate sects, the Armed Ape Tower had always been considered one of the strongest. And a huge contributing factor to their overall strength was a technique that they had inherited from an ancient cultivator – the Zodiac Scripture.

Developed and passed down by a direct disciple of the Armed Ape Tower’s progenitor, the Zodiac Scripture was an auxiliary technique known to greatly aid the cultivation of the body strengthening system.

Because of that, the Armed Ape Tower had always been a huge advocate of the body strengthening system, with almost every disciple choosing to embark on that path.

And since Zhao Yunxiao himself was currently looking into opening his Mind Gate to embark on the path of body strengthening, it could be said that this opportunity came at just the right time!

Of course, he was not nearly naive enough to harbour any hopes of acquiring the Zodiac Scripture itself. But as a huge advocate of the body strengthening system, the Armed Ape Tower had surely managed to come up with plenty of other methods, some of which might not be completely off-limits.

As long as he could get a hint or two that helped with simplifying the process of opening the Six Gates of Self-Actualisation, that alone would already be more than enough of a reward for this trip!