Chu Mo sank his awareness into the Profound Banner and saw Bai Ju surrounded by Banner Spirits. Their strange, curious gazes seemed to be sizing up some novel curiosity.
"How do you feel?"
Bai Ju's soul shuddered. He looked up, but saw no sign of the speaker. After a moment of silence, he gave a bitter smile. "Thank you, fellow... my lord, for showing mercy and allowing your subordinate to cling to existence as a remnant soul."
"You know your place," Chu Mo said with a hint of approval, then asked curiously, "Since you had already reached the peak of Foundation Establishment, why didn't you seek an Outer Dao Golden Core yourself? Why lower yourself to serving the Liu Household as a mere guest elder?"
The Liu Household itself had only one Golden Core cultivator and could not help Bai Ju advance any further.
At his question, a conflicted expression crossed Bai Ju's face.
But when he surveyed the darkness around him and looked at the gloating Banner Spirits, he understood that he was now a prisoner, with no chance of turning his fortunes around. Finally, he sighed and answered, "My lord, I joined the Liu Household precisely to... borrow their influence to achieve an Outer Dao Golden Core."
"Borrow their influence?" Something stirred in Chu Mo's mind. "How, exactly?"
Bai Ju's soul trembled slightly as he said quietly, "My lord, have you heard the rumors that the Chen Household's ancestor, True Person Red Rosy Clouds, is nearing the end of his lifespan?"
Chu Mo's eyelid twitched. How had this blasted rumor spread everywhere? Even an outsider like Bai Ju knew all about it. After a moment's consideration, he said, "I've heard something of it. But what does that have to do with your actions?"
"My lord, you see clearly,"