AI Cultivation: Reborn as a Sword
Chapter 72: Grand Elder Zhou (1)

Grand Elder Zhou was a man of great achievement and boundless wisdom. One look at the elderly man and these things would immediately become apparent. But for someone like me, with one simple glance I can tell a lot more about an entity. Grand Elder Zhou was also of a conniving and cowardly nature — his aged features could not hide the wrinkles of countless sneers nor could his domineering mannerisms conceal the fact that he cautiously remained by the entrance of the grotto in case he would have to make a quick escape.

Grand Elder Zhou was a smart man, in that way. Even though his profound cultivation — immeasurable to me — could crush Lan Xiaohui in the blink of an eye, Lan Xiaohui still has the achievement of surviving in this place and possessing a Divine grade awakened treasure.

My opinion of the man rises by leaps and bounds simply because of such intelligence.

Lan Xiaohui, on the other hand, has only one advantage in this encounter. She does not have the intelligence to prepare elaborate traps or escape routes in case someone like Grand Elder Zhou appears and though she was prepared for an encounter — though less so after she realized that Lady Yue could also protect her — she did not, ever, expect to meet an elder of the sect.

Her only advantage in this situation is the fact that our consciousnesses are still merged and this connection to my calmness helps her steady her own runaway pulse.

Her first thought is to run but with no regard as to how — sentient meat calls this state “panic” — and her second thought is to beg for her life and do as Grand Elder Zhou demands.

There is no question about it; Grand Elder Zhou intends to kill Lan Xiaohui no matter what. His sneer is evidence of that. The way his eyes are narrowed into thin slits, anticipating the incoming sadistic pleasure. Even Lan Xiaohui could tell, without my help, that the Grand Elder hopes she would refuse to give him her sword.

But it takes only a second with our merged consciousnesses for Lan Xiaohui to regain her composure and dedicate her thoughts to discovering a way out of this situation.

Clearing her throat, Lan Xiaohui presents me to the Grand Elder. “I found it here, Grand Elder Zhou,” Lan Xiaohui says.

She stands by the side of the basin, some twenty steps away from the entrance. Thanks to my perception and analysis, Lan Xiaohui too is now aware of the Grand Elder’s cowardly nature.

As expected, the Grand Elder does not move further inside the grotto. My conclusion is that he must be aware of the profound formations Lady Yue has placed in the grotto, either that or its nature — with the lightning Qi grass and the fact that fruits grow on strange vines even during winter — is enough for him to suspect that there is something very odd about the grotto.

“Good, good,” the Grand Elder says. “I will make sure that the sect rewards you well for finding it. Bring it to me, Disciple Lan, and let us return to the sect.”

Lan Xiaohui, perhaps feeling a hint of superiority about attacking the Grand Elder’s weakness, cocks her head to the side and smiles darkly. “I am no longer part of the sect, Grand Elder. How can I be rewarded?”

I wish to strongly urge Lan Xiaohui not to give in to this arrogance, but I am still worried that the Grand Elder might detect my [Telepathy]. Normally, I would not be worried about such things, but Wukong could read my thoughts.

The Grand Elder’s shoulders sink slightly and, for a brief moment, I feel a murderous intent rise within him. Then the elderly man chuckles. “That must be a mistake, Disciple Lan. Who expelled you? I will have a word with them.”

Lan Xiaohui smiles politely this time.

I feel her probe the grotto with her consciousness, looking for hidden shafts or crevices that could lead outside. She cannot run past the Grand Elder, but given our recent breakthrough, it is entirely possible that the damage to the area could’ve uncovered a hidden tunnel.

It is all for naught, either way. Even if there was a secret passage, how could she possibly run from the Grand Elder? Even Wukong — at his meager Peak stage of Foundation Establishment — could keep up with Lan Xiaohui’s movement technique without using any such techniques himself.

“Can I choose my reward, Grand Elder?” she asks, changing the subject. She wasn’t expelled, she was left here to die.

It is a dangerous line she is walking. The Grand Elder, if he discovers that there is no one who would miss Lan Xiaohui, might just kill her on the spot. But like this, she can buy more time to find a solution to this situation.

“What would you like?” the Grand Elder asks, looking over his shoulder briefly.

“I’d like to be the Legacy Disciple,” Lan Xiaohui says.

The Grand Elder bursts out into laughter. “Of course, of course,” he says and this time he cannot hide the mockery in his tone. “Bring me the sword first.”

After this exchange, I feel Lan Xiaohui’s heart pulse madly. At that moment, she accepts and embraces her imminent death.

I understand why.

I don’t know what a Legacy Disciple is, but it sounds important. Judging by the Grand Elder’s laughter, her request was outrageous. But the fact that he agreed to it means that no negotiation is possible; he would agree to everything just to obtain me, and then likely kill Lan Xiaohui.

There likely never was an avenue for negotiation. sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

From my recollection, Zhao Wei and Lan Xiaohui discussed how this place came to be opened early, and the disciple mentioned that the Grand Elder ordered it.

Before that, Lan Xiaohui mentioned that there was such great discord in the sect over a sword — me, while I did not have a formed consciousness — that the Grand Elder had to become involved.

A theory develops in my mind that it is entirely possible that all these events reference Grand Elder Zhou and, not only that, but considering his nature, it is also possible that this Forbidden Ancestral Hunting Ground was opened for the express purpose of Grand Elder Zhou obtaining me.

Lan Xiaohui is also aware of this theory as our closely linked consciousnesses, especially under [Nooparallelism], share a degree of connectedness.

Lan Xiaohui steps back, heading further into the cave.

Of even greater concern is the question as to how the Grand Elder found us, assuming that my theory about him is correct.

“Where are you going? Bring me the sword,” the Grand Elder says, frustration tainting the color of his tone.

“This is my sword,” Lan Xiaohui replies. “I would not give it to you even if you made me the Sect Master.”

The Grand Elder smiles — for the first time, he flashes a genuine smile — and then glances about the cave. “Is that so?” he asks, amusement evident in his tone.

Finally, he takes a step into the cave.

“I did not give you permission to enter my Master’s grotto,” Lan Xiaohui says, emphasizing the word master. Her bluff is made more believable by the fact that Lady Yue is somewhat of a Master to Lan Xiaohui.

The Grand Elder chuckles, taking another step into the cave, and the greater parts of his worries and stress evaporate as he realizes that it is not trapped in any way.

“You are all alone,” the Grand Elder says confidently. “You don’t have a Master.”

“My little lily does not have a Master?” Lady Yue’s voice reaches us from somewhere outside the grotto. “That is very good!”

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