As his shift at the Yellowshell Mines ended, Zhao Yunxiao Two waved goodbye to his colleagues before heading over to the Sect Library, where he directly took over the baton from Zhao Yunxiao and continued with the task of array research.
This allowed Zhao Yunxiao to leave early for the Lightwind Pavilion to meet up with the rest of the group.
By now, most of the outer disciples had started getting used to seeing two Zhao Yunxiaos around the sect. Realising the efficiency that one could achieve from doing so, many outer disciples tried to emulate his actions as well, only to quickly realise that it was not nearly as easy as it seemed.
In order to properly control a clone, a cultivator would have to divide up their focus and concentration. This was almost equivalent to splitting one's mental capacity into two.
Even in battle when both the clone and the true body were locked in on the same objective, not everyone would be able to execute this in an efficient manner. Without a strong enough psyche and mental fortitude, splitting one's attention would only end up causing delayed reactions on both ends.
That was the reason why it had always been a common belief that cloning techniques were more suited for information gathering than actual combat, where the true body would remain somewhere safe while focusing their attention solely on controlling their clone.
This did not only apply to outer disciples, but inner disciples as well.
And if controlling a clone to fight together in combat was already considered difficult, then getting a clone to simultaneously perform an entirely separate task was simply impossible for most!
One by one, the other outer disciples could only give up after trying it for themselves.
At the same time, they could not help but wonder which of the Origin Core realm treasures given to Zhao Yunxiao – the Window of Tunes by Elder Feng Wanjia or the Bamboo Barricade by Elder Xiong Yan – had to do with his ability to perform such a feat.
Of course, none of them was nearly tactless enough to directly ask him about the full effects of the two treasures. Some did try to probe jokingly by expressing their curiosity about the treasures, but Zhao Yunxiao always brushed them off in a similarly joking manner.
As for Zhao Yunxiao himself, he, too, had realised that he was doing something outside of the norm. However, he was not too sure about the exact reason behind it either.
After learning the Earthen Clone Technique, his mastery of the technique had gotten better and better with practice. Before he knew it, the number of clones he could control had increased. Similarly, the distance from which he could control the clones also improved.
Unlike the others, he did not encounter any obvious roadblocks on his path to mastering the Earthen Clone Technique.
Seeing as how others were trying the same thing and failing as a result, he could not help but wonder about the reason why.
Was it due to his slightly stronger mental fortitude?
Or was it because he chose to cultivate an earth-element technique that was supposedly his affiliated element?
Or perhaps it was due to a lack of practice by the others. After all, everyone wanted quick rewards, but it was impossible to get good results without hard work.
It could even be due to a cumulation of all three reasons together. Regardless, he only felt relieved that he was not the one chasing after others' progress for once!
Arriving at the Lightwind Pavilion, Zhao Yunxiao was surprised to see Nie Hanchang standing under the pavilion, gazing out at the still pond.
"What's wrong, Senior Martial Brother Nie?" Zhao Yunxiao asked as he approached. "What drew you here from your busy hunting schedule today?"
"It's nothing. I am just a little tired, so I wanted to rest somewhere quiet," Nie Hanchang let out a light sigh before forcing a smile. "Are you here early to start practising on your own?"
Zhao Yunxiao responded with a faint smile.
Nie Hanchang had never been one to spend his time in such a manner.
Most outer disciples saw Zhao Yunxiao as one of the most hardworking outer disciples, but Nie Hanchang might actually be even more so. It was just that the former spent his time on a breadth of matters, while the latter focused solely on improving his mastery over the bow and arrow.
For him to be just standing there in the middle of the day, there had to be something amiss. And Zhao Yunxiao believed that he knew exactly what was bothering him.
"There's no way that it's nothing," Zhao Yunxiao shook his head. "Does this concern Senior Martial Sister Mu?"
"...You know about it as well?" Nie Hanchang looked back at the still pond.
"Yeah," Zhao Yunxiao nodded before walking up to him, joining him in watching the serene pond. "How are you feeling about it?"
"She is marrying the love of her life, so of course I am happy for her," Nie Hanchang answered without hesitation. "Senior Martial Brother Zuo is an amazing person."
"I don't doubt that," Zhao Yunxiao said. "But I am not asking about what you think is best for her. I How do you truly feel about it?"
Nie Hanchang did not respond, and Zhao Yunxiao did not continue probing for an answer.
Under the shelter of the Lightwind Pavilion, the duo stood side by side in silence as they looked out at the still pond. The calls of crickets filled the void in the absence of conversation, though both of them were too preoccupied with their own thoughts to notice anyway.
Mu Manyu – inner disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect.
This beautiful senior martial sister had always been a talented individual with a great personality. Unlike many other inner disciples, the way that she treated outer disciples did not differ from how she treated her peers, making her a well-liked member among both inner and outer disciples.
But unknown to many, she was also Nie Hanchang's childhood friend. And unknown to even more was the fact that he had always liked her.
Not as a senior martial sister. Not as a childhood friend. But as a member of the opposite gender.
Nie Hanchang had never told anyone, but those who had known him long enough would certainly be able to tell.
Zhao Yunxiao might not have been close to Nie Hanchang until after the incident with the Grand Annihilator, but he had always made sure to gather data on all his peers. This allowed him to observe just how Nie Hanchang reacted every time the name Mu Manyu, and recently Zuo Haowen as well, was brought up.
He would have to be a fool not to realise this by now.
In fact, ever since the demise of Nie Hanchang's parents, she was probably the only thing that Nie Hanchang had ever cared about apart from cultivation.
That said, Zhao Yunxiao did not know about the actual dynamics between the two, or how things turned out this way. But judging from what he was seeing right now, Nie Hanchang did not seem to be over Mu Manyu just yet.
Unfortunately for him, Mu Manyu was already about to get married.
Right now, Nie Hanchang had two choices. He could either fight one last time for this relationship or just learn to accept this outcome.
Either way, Zhao Yunxiao did not intend to get involved with his decision.
Affairs of the heart could not be forced, not to mention the fact that she was already about to get married. Trying to persuade Mu Manyu now would be akin to trying to break up another person's relationship, and doing otherwise could be seen as telling Nie Hanchang to give up on the love of his life.
There was simply no good advice that he could give at this moment, and he certainly did not want to be held responsible if things ended up going awry in the future.
All he could do was to provide some emotional support for Nie Hanchang if he needed it. And considering Nie Hanchang's personality, the best way to do so would probably involve bringing him out to take part in some intense battles!
"I will be going on a hunting trip the day after tomorrow. Do you want to go together?" Zhao Yunxiao offered.
"Oh? That's fast, considering how you have only just returned to Purple Plum Mountain," Nie Hanchang remarked.
"I have my clone around," Zhao Yunxiao shrugged.
"That's true," Nie Hanchang chuckled. "Sure, let's go together then."
"Then it's decided. Time for me to find out just how the great rising star of the outer sect conducts his hunts!" Zhao Yunxiao said. "I will try not to hold you back!"
"Hahaha! I guess that's what they are calling me nowadays," Nie Hanchang laughed.
He was not wrong.
In his recent hunts, Nie Hanchang had taken down one powerful beast after another, and was rapidly gaining the attention of the sect administrators. Perhaps it would not be long before a deacon or protector decided to take him under their wing, directly pulling him into the inner sect.
The sound of crickets filled the air as silence fell between the duo once more.
"You know, you should probably leave soon if you don't want the others to find out something is wrong," Zhao Yunxiao finally spoke up after a while.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Do you really think you can act well?"
"Guess I was wrong. Are you open to giving lessons on this?"
"Even if I do, all you will learn is how to be an honest man."
"Hah! Just like how honest you have been about the things that happened during your recent mission?"
"...What do you mean?"
"It's nothing," Nie Hanchang smiled, this time looking a lot more genuine. "You are right. I need to stop acting all forlorn."
"Yeah, it doesn't suit the great rising star of the outer sect," Zhao Yunxiao smirked.
"Hah, that again?" Nie Hanchang felt the corner of his lips twitch.
"Get used to it. It's not an easy title to get, but now that you have it, this is not a label that will go away until you either succeed or screw up completely. So, you really need to stop acting so pathetic and start living up to your reputation!" Zhao Yunxiao patted him on the shoulder. "Now then, freshen up. Here they come."
"I will do more than just live up to my reputation," Nie Hanchang scoffed before straightening his expression.
At this point, the rest of the Flying Shell Performance Group started streaming in one by one.
Similar to Zhao Yunxiao, all of them were surprised to see Nie Hanchang already present. However, Zhao Yunxiao quickly diverted their attention by urging them to start practising, even before everyone had arrived.
Just like that, the group began their final night of practice in earnest.