"Senior Brother, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to that woman?" Xu Hao wasn't a fool. Though Hu Xun hadn't spelled things out explicitly, how could he possibly fail to understand?
Then again, which man wouldn't be moved by a woman of such beauty? Last night his own mind had been in a daze—that slightly pale face constantly flashing through his thoughts as he tried to meditate and cultivate, his focus nowhere to be found. Though the woman seemed a few years older than he was, what did a few years matter to warriors who enjoyed such long lifespans?
If he could unite in matrimony with such a woman, Xu Hao would willingly sacrifice half his lifespan.
Yet now, Senior Brother Hu had spoken his mind right to his face.
Xu Hao's heart churned with frustration, a sudden surge of anger at seeing something he cherished coveted by another. But facing this senior brother who had looked after him since childhood, he had nowhere to vent.
"If Junior Brother can lend me a hand, once the matter is settled, I'll put in a good word for you before our Master back at the Palace, and ask him to pass on the second half of the Wild Wind Technique to you."
Xu Hao's heart skipped a beat.
Though he had entered the Spirit Sea Palace to cultivate, both his status and standing were far below Hu Xun's. If Hu Xun was among the elite Core Disciples of the Spirit Sea Palace, then he was merely a rank lower, an ordinary disciple. Had that not been the case, Hu Xun would not have been chosen to lead this sect mission.
Over the years, he had only cultivated the first half of the Wild Wind Technique, barely reaching Zhenyuan Realm Stage Three. If he wanted to advance his cultivation further, he had to obtain the second half of the Wild Wind Technique.
But their Master had shown no intention of passing it on these past few years, seemingly wanting to test him further—and this mission was one of those tests.
If Senior Brother Hu put in a good word, obtaining the second half of the Wild Wind Technique he desired should not be a problem.
Beautiful women were not scarce in this world, but the technique he needed existed in only one place. Moreover, even if he truly competed with Senior Brother Hu, he might not necessarily win.
Though Xu Hao felt a twinge of reluctance, he quickly weighed the pros and cons and nodded readily. "Senior Brother treats me like a true brother. Wherever you need Xu Hao, just say the word."
Hu Xun smiled and nodded, clapping him on the shoulder. "As expected of my good Junior Brother! That woman is quite badly hurt—at least a month or two of recovery! Hmm, first figure out a way to dig up her background for me."
Xu Hao asked in surprise, "Didn't that Zhao Yebai fellow say he hadn't joined any sect? This brother and sister pair must have just stumbled onto some fortune that put them on the path of cultivation, right?"
Hu Xun replied, "That may be so, but it's best to investigate thoroughly."
"Alright, don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll get to the bottom of it."
Over the next several days, Zhao Ya remained in the courtyard recuperating. Aunt Mei came to visit every day, often staying for several hours at a time. When Zhao Ya was awake, she would chat with her; when Zhao Ya drifted into sleep, she kept watch by her side.
This made Zhao Yebai feel rather embarrassed, thinking they were troubling her too much.
During this time, Xu Hao brought Hu Xun to visit once, ostensibly to see Aunt Mei, and took the opportunity to check on Zhao Ya as well.
After that single visit, however, whenever the two came again, Aunt Mei would step outside to meet them, refusing to let them enter and disturb Zhao Ya's recovery.
On Azure Jade Peak, Zhao Ya had cultivated for thirteen years, her realm deliberately suppressed by Yang Kai. With her realm kept from rising, what naturally improved was her physical constitution.
Her constitution, like Zhao Yebai's, was something that would leave peers of the same age and realm staring in awe—but her usual delicate appearance made it impossible to tell.
Though her injuries had been severe, after only three to five days Zhao Ya was able to get out of bed, and after a few more days, she could walk on her own.
Her powerful constitution was one reason for the swift recovery; the healing spirit pill bestowed by Yang Kai was naturally another.
Following Hu Xun's instructions, Xu Hao had prodded and probed his mother for information about the two, managing to learn a few things. But the pair hadn't revealed much to begin with, so what Xu Hao uncovered was extremely limited.
"Natives of Seven Star Gathering?" In the side room, candlelight flickered as Hu Xun's brow furrowed slightly.
"Senior Brother, I've actually heard of the Seven Star Sect. I've heard that years ago, they were merely a second-rate sect, until suddenly a powerhouse at Emperor Realm Stage Three became their Supreme Elder, and they rose to first-rate in one stroke."
Hu Xun nodded. "I know about this as well. Seven Star Gathering presumably exists in the shadow of the Seven Star Sect."
"In that case, these two are very likely disciples of the Seven Star Sect?"
Hu Xun tapped his fingers lightly on the table. "That man has poor aptitude—someone his age and only at Qi Movement Realm. He said he hadn't joined any sect, which is likely true. He probably has no connection to the Seven Star Sect. That Zhao Ya, on the other hand, could be from the Seven Star Sect. But even if she is, she's likely just an ordinary disciple."
Xu Hao nodded. "Senior Brother speaks truly."
Zhao Ya was a few years older than him, yet only at Zhenyuan Realm Stage Nine—her aptitude was probably no better than his. Even if someone like her had joined the Seven Star Sect, her status wouldn't be particularly high.
"With Senior Brother's cultivation and standing, for Zhao Ya to catch your eye is truly her good fortune!" Xu Hao flattered.
Hu Xun shook his head. "Unfortunately, that woman is cold and aloof—not at all easy to approach."
Over these past days, they had tried various ways to make contact with Zhao Ya, but in their few encounters, she had remained cold and distant, not even sparing them a glance. Instead, she doted entirely on that Zhao Yebai, which secretly infuriated Hu Xun.
As an elite Core Disciple of the Spirit Sea Palace who had reached Shenyou Realm Stage Three at such a young age, constantly surrounded by senior and junior martial sisters within the sect—when had he ever been given such a cold shoulder by a woman?