So That's All There Is To It

"Did you really figure this out yourself?"

Qian Xunji looked at Gu Ziyi and asked again.

As he spoke, Qian Xunji fixed Gu Ziyi with his sharp eyes.

"It's true. Before Tang Xiao and the others took Tang Yuehua away, they also presented me with a gift on behalf of the Clear Sky Sect as thanks!"

Gu Ziyi nodded, then took the small box containing the Spirit Bone from his robe.

"It's this Spirit Bone!"

Gu Ziyi continued, opening the box as he spoke.

Gu Ziyi was not worried about what might happen after taking out the Spirit Bone. It would be ridiculous if Qian Xunji coveted this Spirit Bone of his.

If he truly wanted it, Gu Ziyi would just give it to him.

But Gu Ziyi believed Qian Xunji was not that desperate.

A cyan glow shone forth, and the Spirit Bone soon appeared before Qian Xunji, Li Chanfei, and Bibi Dong.

"A Spirit Bone!"

"It's actually a Spirit Bone!"

Qian Xunji, Li Chanfei, and Bibi Dong were all somewhat surprised upon seeing the Spirit Bone Gu Ziyi had taken out.

The Clear Sky Sect was actually this generous?

They had actually given Gu Ziyi a Spirit Bone.

They believed Gu Ziyi could not possibly be lying about this, because based on what they knew of him, there was no way Gu Ziyi could have obtained a Spirit Bone on his own.

But if it had been given to Gu Ziyi by the Clear Sky Sect as thanks, then it made sense.

"Good, good, not bad. I believe now that you really did accomplish it. Otherwise, the Clear Sky Sect would never have taken out a Spirit Bone!"

After his surprise passed, Qian Xunji smiled and patted Gu Ziyi on the shoulder.

He truly believed now that Gu Ziyi had done it.

However, he could also tell that the Spirit Bone in Gu Ziyi's hand was of poor quality, only around two or three thousand years old.

To ordinary Soul Masters, a two-thousand-year Spirit Bone might indeed be an invaluable treasure.

But in the eyes of true powerhouses, a Spirit Bone like this was rather unimpressive.

It was precious enough, but its quality was too low—tasteless to keep, regrettable to discard.

"Why have you kept this Spirit Bone instead of absorbing it?"

Qian Xunji then tried asking Gu Ziyi.

He wanted to see whether Gu Ziyi also looked down on this Spirit Bone.

It was certain that he himself would not absorb a Spirit Bone of this quality, nor would he let Bibi Dong absorb one. Yet Gu Ziyi had not absorbed it after obtaining it, which made Qian Xunji view him in a different light.

"The quality is too low, and I plan to use it for research, so I haven't absorbed it," Gu Ziyi answered truthfully.

"Not bad. You've got ambition! The Clear Sky Sect really is stingy. Taking out a Spirit Bone of this quality is nowhere near enough to repay the debt they owe you!"

Qian Xunji praised Gu Ziyi again, while not forgetting to disparage the Clear Sky Sect.

"What are you planning to research with it?"

Finally, Qian Xunji asked one more question.

Previously, he would not have been curious, but after learning how clever Gu Ziyi was, he could not help asking.

"I plan to see whether I can figure out the soul skill within the Spirit Bone and recreate it as a Self-Created Soul Skill!"

"Or perhaps fuse it into my martial soul!"

Gu Ziyi spoke frankly.

"Researching Self-Created Soul Skills, huh? Not bad, but developing a Self-Created Soul Skill isn't that simple!"

"Self-Created Soul Skills must be developed based on the characteristics of one's own martial soul..."

Qian Xunji approved of Gu Ziyi's idea. Spirit Hall also had Soul Masters who specialized in researching Self-Created Soul Skills, but their results had been mediocre. So far, they had not developed any powerful Self-Created Soul Skills.

Still, he did not intend to dampen Gu Ziyi's enthusiasm. He could let Gu Ziyi play around with it as he pleased.

After all, Gu Ziyi was not his disciple, and his talent was only so-so. Perhaps working hard at cultivation truly would not be as useful as letting him tinker with other things.

"So it has to be combined with the characteristics of one's own martial soul?"

"Thank you for your guidance, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Gu Ziyi pretended for his eyes to light up at those words, then thanked him excitedly.

"Mm. Put your Spirit Bone away!"

Gu Ziyi's reaction made Qian Xunji nod again. Then he turned and beckoned Bibi Dong over. "Dong'er, come here!"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Bibi Dong responded, then ran over.

As Bibi Dong approached, Qian Xunji glanced at Li Chanfei again and gave her a meaningful look.

"Your Holiness the Pope, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first!"

Li Chanfei immediately understood and hurriedly excused herself.

"Mm."

Qian Xunji gave a soft grunt.

"Gu Ziyi, this is my disciple, Bibi Dong. She is also the Saintess of our Spirit Hall!"

After Li Chanfei left, Qian Xunji first introduced Bibi Dong to Gu Ziyi.

In the second year after taking Bibi Dong as his disciple, Qian Xunji, who had been extremely satisfied with her, directly announced her as the Saintess of Spirit Hall.

"Saintess."

Gu Ziyi quickly greeted her.

"Mm."

Bibi Dong acknowledged him, studying Gu Ziyi curiously without saying anything more.

"Teacher, why did you call me here?"

Bibi Dong was merely curious why her teacher had summoned her.

"Gu Ziyi, use your soul skill on us now!"

Qian Xunji affectionately rubbed Bibi Dong's head before speaking to Gu Ziyi.

He intended to have Gu Ziyi stay here to assist Bibi Dong's cultivation, so naturally, he needed to test how effective Gu Ziyi's soul skill was at aiding her.

He also wanted to experience Gu Ziyi's soul skill for himself while he was at it.

"Understood, Your Holiness the Pope!"

Gu Ziyi understood Qian Xunji's intentions. Without another word, he directly summoned his martial soul.

Appearing alongside it, naturally, was Gu Ziyi's White Soul Ring.

Qian Xunji had long known about the White Soul Ring on Gu Ziyi and paid it no mind.

A flicker of astonishment first passed through Bibi Dong's eyes, followed by private disdain.

Gu Ziyi's repeated praise from her teacher had made her think he was impressive. So this was all there was to him.

First Soul Skill: Purifying Heart Mantra!

Buzz—

Unaware of Bibi Dong's disdain, Gu Ziyi directly activated his First Soul Skill after summoning his martial soul and soul ring, condensing two Purifying Heart Mantra talismans.

Seeing this, Qian Xunji's eyes lit up slightly again.

Support-type martial souls that produced food or items generally summoned them one at a time. Gu Ziyi being able to summon two at once showed that he had an excellent grasp of his First Soul Skill.

Just then, Gu Ziyi grabbed the two Purifying Heart Mantra talismans he had summoned and threw one each at Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong.

Whoosh—

Whoosh—

Knowing that this was Gu Ziyi's support soul skill, neither Qian Xunji nor Bibi Dong resisted.

The two Purifying Heart Mantra talismans quickly attached themselves to the pair before dissolving away.

At that moment, Qian Xunji and Bibi Dong experienced the effects of the Purifying Heart Mantra talismans for the first time.

Qian Xunji examined the sensation carefully and found it quite good. Leaving aside its effect on aiding cultivation, the effect of clearing one's mind and making one calmer was already excellent.

"So that's the effect. No wonder it can help people cultivate!"

"Dong'er, try cultivating with the Meditation Technique now!"

Qian Xunji praised him, then had Bibi Dong begin cultivating her Soul Power.