With Daoist Kumu's acknowledgment, Mo Tiange revealed a smile and cupped her hands. "In that case, thank you."
She understood clearly that Daoist Kumu and Tong Tianyun likely gave their approval partly out of regard for Qin Xi. However, she had confidence in herself; even if she couldn't be of great help, she shouldn't become a burden to them. Besides, when it came to escape strategies, who could surpass her?
After this test, even the boisterous Lei Dongqing and Madam Feng fell silent. Seeing Daoist Kumu retrieve the Heaven-Veiling Bell and conversation resume, the two simply exchanged greetings and left, appearing rather disgruntled.
Tong Tianyun glanced at their departing figures, then turned back to Mo Tiange with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Qingwei, please don't mind them. That's just their nature."
Mo Tiange returned the smile but before she could speak, Qin Xi said, "Fellow Daoists Kumu and Tong, my junior sister and I have traveled far and have yet to settle in. We shall take our leave as well."
Since he put it that way, the two couldn't detain them further. They gestured politely, seeing them off.
Mo Tiange followed Qin Xi downstairs from the restaurant, where someone immediately approached to guide them to a secluded courtyard.
Qin Xi entered the courtyard, casually setting up a defensive formation before leading the way into a small hall.
The courtyard was exquisitely elegant. It was currently the height of spring, and the yard was planted with many peach trees, their branches laden with blossoms filling the air with fragrance.
Inside the small hall were delicate, finely crafted wooden tables, chairs, and stools. A celadon vase held a branch of blooming peach flowers, adding to the refined atmosphere. Every object was placed in the most suitable spot, clean and spotless. Even the tea was still warm.
Mo Tiange looked around, noticing Qin Xi casually choose a seat, pour two cups of tea, and cradle one himself.
She hesitated for a moment before sitting opposite him, slowly picking up the other cup.
Steam rose, blurring their vision. Neither spoke.
After a while, she heard his voice. "Daoist Kumu and Tong Tianyun are both rogue cultivators based in Kunzhong City. Though they have no sect, their skills are extraordinary. Each possesses secret arts, making them among the top Core Formation cultivators in all of Kunwu."
Mo Tiange paused briefly before giving a soft acknowledgment.
Qin Xi continued, "As for Lei Dongqing and Madam Feng, don't underestimate them either. Lei Dongqing is actually a cultivator from the Tiandao Sect. He offended someone within the sect and was sent to a remote area as a result. Though his cultivation is only at the Mid-stage of Core Formation, his physical strength is formidable. As for Madam Feng, her methods are peculiar and difficult for ordinary people to guard against. She currently dislikes you, so you must be extremely careful if you ever face her alone."
"..." After a moment of silence, Mo Tiange asked, "Why does she dislike me?"
Qin Xi's lips curved slightly into a hint of a smile. "Don't be fooled by Madam Feng's flirtatious demeanor. In truth, she is extremely proud and usually looks down on female cultivators who lack ambition, especially those from major sects who have excellent conditions for cultivation yet few who strive diligently. Meeting you for the first time and only knowing your background, it's natural she wouldn't be fond of you."
Seeing the smile on his face, Mo Tiange blurted out, "Senior Brother, do you admire someone like Madam Feng?" The moment the words left her mouth, she realized she had overstepped and immediately added, "I spoke out of turn. Please don't mind me, Senior Brother."
Qin Xi was taken aback for a moment before replying, "She... I don't usually have much fondness for women, especially those with excellent innate talent who only know how to vie for favor and attention. It's truly a waste. While Madam Feng's personality doesn't align with mine, in this aspect, we see eye to eye, which is why I'm willing to associate with her."
"...I see," Mo Tiange murmured, then changed the subject. "Senior Brother Shoujing, earlier Fellow Daoist Tong mentioned that eighty-some years ago, if not for Daoist Kumu's Heaven-Veiling Bell, you all might have perished at Tianmo Mountain. What happened?"
"This..." Qin Xi pondered for a moment. "I won't hide it from you. I met these few individuals during a journey after I formed my Core. Later, we agreed to explore Tianmo Mountain together. It was during this expedition that I encountered your father..."
Mo Tiange abruptly looked up, her gaze fixed on him.
Under her intense stare, Qin Xi spoke slowly. "At first, our group was quite large. Later, many met with accidents, leaving only seven or eight of us. Eventually, your father and I became separated from them. They withdrew in time, preserving their lives, but your father and I were trapped inside, unable to escape."
This was the first time she had heard an eyewitness account mentioning her father. Mo Tiange's eyes flickered slightly as she asked quietly, "Senior Brother Shoujing, how exactly... did my father die?"
Qin Xi averted his gaze, finding it difficult to meet her eyes. He struggled to keep his tone even. "Your father and I were trapped in Tianmo Mountain for nearly ten years. We encountered countless dangers and sustained injuries. Later, your father's wounds were severe, and he couldn't hold on much longer, while I remained stuck due to my cultivation realm, unable to break free. In the end... when your father truly couldn't endure any longer, he said he would use all his strength to help me escape. If I managed to survive, I was to promise him a few things..."
He hadn't paid much attention to these past events originally. The dangers he had experienced in this life were hardly limited to Tianmo Mountain. But now, their significance was different. If back then, he hadn't met Ye Hai at Tianmo Mountain, if he hadn't been trapped with Ye Hai, if he hadn't agreed to Ye Hai's requests... their lives likely would never have become intertwined.
"..." Hesitating for a moment, he finally called out, "Tian Ge, regarding your father's matter, I... for my own sake, I still..."
Mo Tiange's gaze shifted slightly, and she shook her head. "Senior Brother, there's no need for that. Even without you, my father would have ultimately perished trapped in Tianmo Mountain. Besides, you agreed to many of his requests, so it evens out."
Qin Xi fell silent. He hadn't originally felt he had done anything wrong. By a cultivator's standards, when Ye Hai was severely injured, even forcibly seizing his cultivation wouldn't have been considered a great sin. But he wasn't the type to disregard his state of mind, so he made a fair trade. This way, he was blameless towards others and could also avoid creating inner demons for himself. However, when it concerned her origins, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt.
The two sat for a while. Qin Xi, unable to bear the silence, spoke up. "I remember the location where your father fell very clearly. I didn't bring his remains out at the time, and I don't know if they've remained intact after all these years. Once we enter Tianmo Mountain, let's go there and see."
Mo Tiange forced a faint smile but didn't reply. She shouldn't be so concerned about mortal remains. Just like back then, when she couldn't retrieve Tian Qiao's ashes. Qin Xi had told her that cultivators shouldn't be bound by external things. Once a person is dead, burial rites are merely to comfort the living. Everything should follow one's heart. However, her father's death was a knot in her heart that had weighed on her for so many years. She still hoped for closure, to bring her father's remains back to be buried with her mother.
Seeing her remain silent, Qin Xi pondered for a moment before adding, "For this journey, besides those four, there's also a cultivator from the Ancient Sword Sect who hasn't arrived yet. Once that person comes, we can set off."
"Mm," Mo Tiange responded softly. After all, he had his own plans for these matters; she couldn't interfere.
The two truly had nothing more to say. After sitting in silence for a while longer, Mo Tiange asked, "Senior Brother Shoujing, how long will we be staying here?"
"Probably three to five days. The Ancient Sword Sect isn't far from here. That person has already sent word, so they should set off within a day or two."
"..."
In the end, Qin Xi seemed unable to bear the silence and was about to speak, but Mo Tiange stood up first. "Senior Brother, I'll go meditate for a while. Which room should I use?"
A flicker of disappointment passed through Qin Xi's eyes. He pointed to the side. "Choose any room you like. It's fine."
"Alright." Without another word, Mo Tiange went straight to choose a room.
Qin Xi sat alone for a while, looking at the two cups of tea on the table. Suddenly, he did something rather foolish. He reached out, took the cup she hadn't touched at all, drank its contents, and then tucked the empty cup into his robes.
After Lei Dongqing, Madam Feng, Qin Xi, and Mo Tiange had all left, Daoist Kumu and Tong Tianyun sat wordlessly across from each other in the private room for a moment. Then, Daoist Kumu raised a hand, and a soundproof barrier appeared around them.
"Fellow Daoist Tong, what's your assessment?"
Tong Tianyun pondered for a moment, then picked up a black Go stone and placed it on the empty board. "What she's truly made of, we'll have to see as we go."
Daoist Kumu stroked his beard and smiled. "Fellow Daoist Tong, it seems you think quite highly of this Perfected Qingwei."
A smile appeared on Tong Tianyun's gaunt, almost fleshless face. "For a cultivator who just formed her Core, achieving this level is already impressive. Truly worthy of being a disciple of a renowned sect!"
Daoist Kumu nodded. "During your duel, I couldn't sense anything at all, which shows Perfected Qingwei's spiritual sense is also extraordinary. An Early-stage Core Formation cultivator, possibly not even fully stabilized in her realm, yet able to accomplish this... it's truly remarkable." At this point, his tone shifted. "However, isn't this a bit too hasty? Whether it's Lei Dongqing, Madam Feng, or that Fellow Daoist Jing, they are all well-known Core Formation cultivators in Kunwu. Even if Qin Shoujing's cultivation surpasses us all, bringing along a complete novice who just formed her Core seems somewhat..."
"Brother Kumu, why worry?" Tong Tianyun replied with a grin. His face, already dry and shriveled, looked rather frightening when he smiled. "Think of it this way. This Perfected Qingwei is said to have exceptionally high talent, far surpassing her peers. Now, at a young age, she has formed her Golden Core and is hailed as the most gifted genius cultivator of the Xuanqing Sect. For such a figure with an immeasurable future, why would they be willing to let her take the risk of going to Tianmo Mountain? Consider this: among our group, you and I have limited lifespan left and are rogue cultivators, forced to gamble. Madam Feng, Lei Dongqing, and that Fellow Daoist Jing all have their own difficulties. Even Qin Shoujing, though still relatively young and with the highest cultivation, has failed three times in attempting to form his Nascent Soul. Everyone has their own reasons, compelling them to take the risk. What about Fellow Daoist Qingwei? Leaving aside her own reasons, why would the Xuanqing Sect let her go? Perhaps they believe Qin Shoujing can protect her. But if she were truly useless, she wouldn't be worth Qin Shoujing's protection, would she?"
"...That's true as well," Daoist Kumu conceded, picking up a white Go stone and placing it diagonally opposite the black one. "However, with spiritual sense like that, Fellow Daoist Qingwei certainly isn't useless. The question is whether she lives up to the title of 'genius.'"