Was Wei Yuandi wrong?
It was difficult to say for sure.
Taking the Untethered Sage for example, his ways definitely did not align with the orthodox path. However, even the orthodox factions started to leave him be after realising that they were unable to truly do anything to him.
At a certain point, he was no longer labelled as unorthodox, but merely an eccentric whom even orthodox cultivators sought to befriend.
Did he change the way he did things? No.
Yet for some reason, his actions suddenly became acceptable after a certain point.
Why? Was it not simply because the orthodox factions decided so?
In the eyes of future generations, the Untethered Sage was a hero who had taken out the evil Soul Devil.
But how many knew that he only did so for his own sake? Even the means with which he used to deal with the Soul Devil could only be described as cruel and inhumane.
Was it acceptable because he used them against the Soul Devil? Was it acceptable because he was strong?
Or was it acceptable simply because he did not infringe on the interests of the orthodox factions?
Perhaps it was neither of the three, and it would be unacceptable to anyone who knew of the truth.
Regardless, the intentions and means did not matter. The end result was all that he would be remembered for.
Ever since Elder Ying Qingmu brought him to Purple Plum Mountain, Zhao Yunxiao had never doubted the ways of the Black Tortoise Sect. They were one of the Four Great Symbol Sects for a reason.
Whatever the sect administrators said must be right. Even when he disagreed with the immediate instructions, he would still follow suit without question, trusting that there must be a higher reason that he was unaware of.
It was one thing for Lin Xiao, an inner disciple of the Vermilion Bird Sect, to have chosen to leave the sect and roam the lands in search of an answer after doubting his own faction.
But for Wei Yuandi, a core disciple of his own Black Tortoise Sect, to also doubt the concept of orthodoxy... that really caused him to start thinking. Yes, Wei Yuandi did not have the best reputation, but he was still a core disciple chosen by the elders of the sect!
No, he had to stop thinking about this. At the very least, now was not the time.
It was definitely not the right time or place to contemplate such a matter, much less discuss it openly.
"There's no need to fret over what to say. I am just telling you what I think. Feel free to interpret my words as you deem fit," Wei Yuandi calmly closed his eyes. "You are quite skilled in terms of techniques, but the foundation of a cultivator is still their cultivation level. Stop trying to hit above your level, or you will surely be plagued by trouble in the future."
"Thank you for your advice," Zhao Yunxiao said, though a slight smile appeared on his face. "So, you do remember me after all, Senior Martial Brother Wei."
Wei Yuandi did not respond.
As cold as ever...
Zhao Yunxiao clasped his fists towards Wei Yuandi and turned to leave.
He had done his part in acknowledging Wei Yuandi's help. Now, it was time to continue with the intelligence gathering!
A few moments after he left, Zhang Xi casually sat down beside Wei Yuandi.
"He is the one I told you about – the only one from the outer sect to have survived the Sentient Light Performance Group," Zhang Xi said. "I'm surprised that he would come looking for you. What did guys talk about?"
She was naturally talking about the special lullaby that had brought the majority of the inner sect disciples straight into dreamland.
"Nothing much," Wei Yuandi said indifferently, without even opening his eyes.
Zhang Xi took another glance at his stoic face, and let out a gentle smile. "Is that so?"
***
After parting with Wei Yuandi, Zhao Yunxiao continued to weave through the area, exchanging greetings with many of his acquaintances along the way.
Eventually, the group converged upon him once again.
"Are you done making your rounds?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"Yes, nothing too interesting, as expected," Gu Qiansi answered.
"I am done as well!" Lu Zhiying raised her hand as she reported.
"That's good to hear," Zhao Yunxiao patted her slightly on the head. "It's good that you managed to establish a connection to the young elites of the other great sects, but you still have to put in some effort to maintain them. Remember, connections are important for a smooth-sailing life."
"Oh! Senior Martial Sister Gu said that before!" Lu Zhiying recalled.
"And she's right for once on that note," Zhao Yunxiao nodded. "And remember not to carry yourself as carelessly when out with your friends as when you are with us."
"Hey! That's not nice! I don't usually act carelessly!" Lu Zhiying protested.
"And what do you mean 'for once'?" Gu Qiansi snapped.
"What about Senior Martial Brother Nie and Junior Martial Sister Huang? Did anything catch your eyes?" Zhao Yunxiao swiftly changed the topic.
"Nothing special," Nie Hanchang answered.
"I bought a few supplies," Huang An admitted.
"I see. The supplies from the corner shop are rather cheap indee-" Zhao Yunxiao was speaking halfway when he suddenly turned around and clasped his fists. "Greetings, Lady Chen."
"It's nice to see you again," Chen Pingxi stepped forward and smiled towards the group. "It looks like you have been busy."
"We are just trying to expand our limited horizons by taking a look at everything," Zhao Yunxiao replied. "After all, outer disciples don't usually get to attend the Meeting of the Great Symbols."
"And does expanding horizons include speaking to core disciples as well?" Chen Pingxi asked with a grin.
"Usually not, but when someone like the Origin Lake Sect's Fairy Chen approaches, I definitely won't decline," Zhao Yunxiao replied.
"Is that so? What about Mei Shufang and Wei Yuandi?" Chen Pingxi refused to let him change the topic.
"Hah, you saw that? Who knows? Perhaps I am secretly far more important than people think?" Zhao Yunxiao smirked jokingly. "And then one day, I will suddenly come out and shock everyone with the truth!"
"Perhaps. And perhaps I won't be too shocked on that day," Chen Pingxi gave an enigmatic smile.
Zhao Yunxiao: "???"
That was not the reaction that he had expected.
He was confused for a moment, blinking blankly as he looked at Chen Pingxi. It took a few moments before he finally found the words to continue, "T-That said, I am sure you have spoken to more core disciples of the various sects than I have even seen."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not," Chen Pingxi shrugged nonchalantly before turning towards Lu Zhiying. "That was a great performance earlier, Sister Lu. You got your hands on a great treasure. I see that you already understand the importance of having good equipment that suits your cultivation path."
"Thanks, Sister Chen! I love it as well!" Lu Zhiying beamed proudly at the mention of her Myriad Fields Backpack. "But speaking of equipment, it is still Senior Martial Brother Nie's Grand Annihilator that takes the cake! And he forged it himself too! From scratch!"
Chen Pingxi nodded in agreement.
This was not her first time learning about Nie Hanchang – the first outer disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect to have successfully forged a mythical tier weapon in the past century.
But just as she turned her attention to Nie Hanchang, wanting to acknowledge him for his achievement, Chen Pingxi saw something that stopped any words from escaping her lips.
When Lu Zhiying mentioned that Nie Hanchang had forged the Grand Annihilator from scratch, Nie Hanchang had cast a quick glance over at Zhao Yunxiao – one that contained a tinge of guilt.
Was it her imagination?
No, that was not it. It might only have been for the slightest of moments, but she definitely saw it with her own two eyes.
Chen Pingxi felt a chill running down her spine as goosebumps quickly appeared all over her body.
Why did Nie Hanchang look at Zhao Yunxiao in such a manner?
What was he feeling guilty about?
Just like how Lu Zhiying's treasure backpack had been gifted to her by Zhao Yunxiao, could it be that Nie Hanchang's treasure bow had been secretly gifted to him by Zhao Yunxiao as well?
No way... right?
This was a mythical tier treasure that they were talking about!
"H-Haha, Brother Nie sure is amazing..." Chen Pingxi forced herself to continue the conversation even as her mind reeled from the shock. "If there's a chance in the future, I would love to hear out your insights with regards to the art of smithing."
"Fairy Chen is being too serious. It was all luck on my part, so there are no real insights to speak of," Nie Hanchang declined calmly, reciting a dialogue that he had long memorised.
"Y-You know, I suddenly recall that I still have something that I have to study deeply, so I should probably take my leave now," Chen Pingxi uncharacteristically stuttered a little, unable to fully control the emotions that were running amok in her mind at the moment. "But we definitely need to meet again soon! Let's set a time for that. How about six months later? Wait, we need a venue as well. Sorry, my head is kind of a mess today, so I can't think of a place right now. But I will let you know at least a month before the date. How about that?"
"This..." Zhao Yunxiao contemplated for a moment.
"We will be meeting outside of Purple Plum Mountain, right?" Lu Zhiying chimed in eagerly.
"That can be arranged for sure," Chen Pingxi hurriedly agreed.
"Then it should be fine! Right, Senior Martial Brother Zhao?" Lu Zhiying turned towards Zhao Yunxiao. "There should not be any issues, right?"
"Sure, see you in six months then," Zhao Yunxiao let out a helpless sigh.
This was the first time that Zhao Yunxiao had seen Chen Pingxi this flustered.
To induce such a reaction from the famed Tidal Fairy, what Chen Pingxi just remembered must be something of great importance. But judging from the current situation, it definitely did not seem to be the best time to ask.
Six months was not a short amount of time. But depending on what it was about, the information could still be of use.
There was no harm in creating an opportunity to learn more about the matter.
Even if it was already old news by then, it would still be a good thing to network with the prime disciple of the Origin Lake Sect.
That said, while making connections was important, one had to know their limits. Mixing around with a high profile character like Chen Pingxi certainly had its benefits, but there were downsides to it as well.
Jealousy and envy were only human nature.
Chen Pingxi had always been the object of worship of many, including inner disciples of the Black Tortoise Sect. If he overdid things, he might just end up suffering their wrath regardless of his true intentions.
Thankfully, she was inviting the entire group instead of just him. So, that should minimise the animosity from those who were currently going after Chen Pingxi.
And seeing how excited Lu Zhiying was, he did not wish to let her down. In any case, this was just a casual gathering with the prime disciple of the Origin Lake Sect, so there should not be any danger involved.
"Right, see you in six months then! Farewell!" Chen Pingxi clasped her fists towards the group before hurrying off.
She needed some time to cool off, just in case she accidentally revealed the extent of things that she had managed to catch onto!
Just when she thought that she had uncovered a secret of his, this Zhao Yunxiao continued to reveal shocking revelations one after another, as though they were common vegetables at a market.
So, this was what it looked like for someone to have the full backing of an elder of the Black Tortoise Sect!