“Xia Fei, LOOK! These two corpses… They are smiling!”

Radix’s voice was filled with horror that would make people’s skin crawl!

After shouting that out, Radix actually hid back into Nirvana! Poor Radix had been a high-level Soul Practitioner in the past, and what he did completely lacked the demeanor that a Great Soul Hunter should demonstrate.

Xia Fei was also shocked, but he was not horrified by this development. Instead, he let out a sigh of relief.

Upon closer inspection, Xia Fei saw that the jaws of the corpses were hung at a nearly imperceptible angle, and their eyes appeared to be slightly less hard. It did look like the two were smiling.

Even faith could move mountains! Xia Fei had talked about Fuchen and the experiences he had encountered, but had hardly gotten a reaction from these two. But apparently these two enjoyed jokes! Upon talking about the most embarrassing occurrence that had happened to the old demon Oro, these two corpses actually understood what he had said.

“Take care, two of you. Xia Fei is taking his leave now. In the future when I have the chance, I’ll be sure to pay you two a visit. I know you two possess the most invincible bodies, but it is seriously far too cold up here on Spirit Mountain, so I’ll be sure to return with a few more sets of clothing.”

Radix was grinning after he heard this. Honestly, Radix thought that he was rather bold, but he realized that he was incomparable to Xia Fei. Treating a living corpse as a friend? How ridiculous was that?

Radix had seen plenty of inexplicable things after becoming a soul, and he had not been afraid before. But Radix found these two corpses to be unacceptable, because they lacked souls! Seeing their hollow expressions like Hell’s abyss, he could feel his own spirit escaping from inside him.

Only God knew what thoughts were running through Xia Fei’s mind, forever thinking about these things that people could not make sense of, even wanting to become friends with something like an undying corpse.

…

Turning to leave, the two corpses yet followed Xia Fei at their even pace until the door was shut. Neither smiled nor spoke again.

Dawn was breaking soon, and there was heavy snow on the mountain peak. There was also a complex look in Xia Fei’s eyes.

“Though tonight has been a dangerous excursion, we’ve at least managed to ascertain two things, “Xia Fei said calmly.

“What two things?” Radix asked on cue.

“First, there are some more people who do not need to continue to keep their lives. Second, custodian slaves are actually living beings, and have only lost their souls. Their circumstances are very similar to yours; you lost your physical form, while they have conversely lost their souls. So there’s no need for you to treat them like monsters, because in their view, you’re a crippled monster just like them,” Xia Fei continued.

Radix was momentarily stunned, and an inexplicable emotion overcame him.

“So what you’re saying is you do not mind those crippled custodian slaves?” Radix asked him.

Xia Fei shook his head, “Not only do I not mind their existence, I even admire them! Because they are crippled, the souls these custodian slaves have are even purer than humans’. This was like how a school will have both good and bad students. It is great if they can study well, but having bad results isn’t everything. As long as they are living entities, then they should be treated fairly.

“Comparing Fuchen’s elder sect brother and his disciples to the two living corpses, the latter are not lacking at all. In fact, it is the former that deserves to die!” Xia Fei’s two eyes revealed a murderous glint the moment he said this, his killing intent radiating threateningly!

Radix suddenly recalled the Mech Race, and how those robots had no souls, but Xia Fei had similarly treated them as fellow compatriots, even winning their utmost respect and admiration.

Radix was shocked. He suddenly understood why Xia Fei had mastered the Beast Spirit Codex so quickly. It was precisely because he had always believed that all life is equal! He treated the exotic beast Furball like his own brother, the same as the Immortal Soul Radix, the plant Peacock Blue, and even the frightening corpses. Xia Fei respected them all!

A human, a beast, a spirit, a bug, the Fiendish Blade, and then there was the Fiend Armor. It was the inheritance of the Fiends, and as a 100% human, he yet possessed the most monstrous line-up!

They were all so different. No one other than Xia Fei could do it!

…

“You’re finally back!” Ulan exclaimed after Xia Fei opened the door, hurrying over to greet him.

Furball harrumphed coldly, facing the wall as he intentionally made a show of ignoring Xia Fei. This creature looked rather adorable even when it was being petty, and Xia Fei could not help but laugh at the show.

Ulan glanced and said, “It’s about time for the team to gather again. Are you not heading up the mountain again?”

Xia Fei smiled, and his pupils were tinged red as he replied, “I’ve already met with Suzu Treasure before coming here. She’ll deal with that accordingly, and I won’t be heading up the mountain during the day from today on, because there’s no such need anymore.”

Ulan was stunned. He discerned that the tone Xia Fei was using sounded off, and he hurriedly asked, “Xia Fei, did you see something up there?”

“Nothing much. I’ve only discovered some things that need not exist in this world,” Xia Fei replied simply. He was not about to tell Ulan about how the Unrestricted planned to wipe out the Spiritualists of Botany.

Ulan and Fuchen were equally sentimental sorts, and were both old men that could not cast aside their worries. If he were to learn that there was to be a severe crisis coming upon his people, he might not get a good night’s sleep afterwards.

“Oh right. I have asked Suzu to arrange for a residence for us in the city, and we’ll be moving in today,” Xia Fei went on nonchalantly.

Ulan frowned, “What? We’re staying?”

“That’s right.”

“How long?”

“About half a month, give or take,” Xia Fei said after a brief thought.

Ulan was silent, but he silently did the math with his fingers. Was it not the anniversary of the Unrestricted Sect’s founding ancestor in half a month’s time?

…

The Heavenly Might Spiritualist School…

Only below the Spiritualist Association, this was the second largest place where Spiritualists were being nurtured.

The Unrestricteds and the Purple Jade were Spiritualist Sects that could also raise Spiritualists, but the relationships they used were as master and disciple. Meanwhile, the Heavenly Might Spiritualist School and the Spiritualist Association were educational institutes, so no matter their background, anyone could become a student of the two major organizations as long as they had the potential. It was completely different from the two lofty Spiritualist Sects, where ordinary folks were never accepted.

Qiu Yang went into seclusion the moment he returned. There was no way to stop the rumors flying in the school when it happened, but it seemed like Qiu Xingbang was very determined in his decision to do this, not showing his face for many days even after Qiu Yang was secluded, relying on his underlings to send over his three meals each day.

Everyone knew how fond Qiu Xingbang was of his son, and everyone could not help but speculate if Qiu Yang had gotten himself into some major trouble.

This day, the Heavenly Might Spiritualist School welcomed three special guests. They were the Venus of the Eternal Night’s old donkey, Cloud Night, and her two precious grandchildren, Zesyr Night and Anzu Night.

…

Qiu XIngbang personally came to receive them, showing enough face to Cloud Night. He was different from the patriarchs of other major clans, having a stubborn attitude and doing things with a carefree spirit. But he was a very forthright person and willing to go out on a limb for his friends. Qiu Xingbang liked this about him, and so he was treating Cloud Night with extra courtesy.

In the guest hall, tea and snacks were served, with Qiu Xingbang breaking formality by having them sit around a round table. There was no position of importance when seated at a round table, so such an arrangement made it clear how much he was keen on establishing a bosom relationship with them.

“I heard that your son was sent into seclusion?” Cloud Night asked openly. This was how he acted, and he would gladly broach a subject, even if it concerned the others’ private affairs.

“Yes. He showed incompetence, so some disciplining was in order,” Qiu Xingbang replied with a chuckle.

“You can’t have too strict demands on your children. Look at these two from my clan. They follow me so closely everyday. I’ve never said I would discipline them, and all I ask is for us to be whole-hearted with each other. We were also wilful children in the past, and children ought to be a little carefree, and we have to let them be wild,” Cloud Night reproached him.

Qiu XIngbang disagreed with how Cloud Night did things, but he had no choice. He was a famed stubborn mule of the Alpha Universe, known for his straightforwardness, and he would never give anyone any leeway. Qiu Xingbang could only pretend to not hear what he had advised.

“Two of you, go find Qiu Yang and play. I have some words to be had with Principal Qiu here,” Cloud Night motioned.

Qiu Xingbang was startled. He originally wanted to oppose this order, but considered the temper of the old donkey of Venus of the Eternal Night, and decided to endure it once more.

Zesyr and Anzu Night were unhappy to comply. This was especially true for Anzu, who had always been at odds with Qiu Yang, and they had nothing in common with one another. But no one ever went against the will of Cloud Night, and not showing face to their grandfather while outside would most likely mean punishment when they got back.

As such, someone led the two to see Qiu Yang. After they both left, Cloud Night offered a respectful salute to Qiu Xingbang, “My deepest gratitude to you! Had it not have been for your advice this time, my two grandchildren would not have gone to the Collapsed Expanse of the Founders, and would not have achieved what they have today. My trip out here today is specifically to have them express their thanks. This here is just a token of my appreciation, and I beseech Principal Qiu to accept it.”

With that said, Cloud Night pushed a box across the table. There was no way of knowing just what was inside, but given how generous he was, the gift he would give would definitely be something of significance.

Qiu Xingbang felt bad deep down. He had originally let the Night siblings go so that they would be cannon fodder for Qiu Yang, and it was definitely not out of the kindness of his heart. Now that it was Qiu Yang who had returned from the Collapsed Expanse of the Founders with nothing to show for it, and it was instead the siblings who had benefited from the trip, there was really no need to mention how awkward he was feeling right now.

He customarily rejected the offer at first, before finally accepting it and asking, “Seeing our children make a good showing naturally gladdens us elders. Being given a gift on top of that is entirely unexpected. But may I ask what the boon that Zesyr and Anzu receive from the Collapsed Expanse of the Founders?”

Cloud Night acted all mysterious as he said in a low voice, “I don’t mind sharing this with you. Anzu didn’t really get anything out of the trip, and has merely increased by one level, but Zesyr could very well have attained enlightenment to Spirituality!”

“She’s now a Spiritualist?!” Qiu Xingbang was shocked.

“That’s right. While it isn’t good to spread the word now, since she’s still just a novice, Zesyr’s Soul Mark is slowly changing. I’m afraid that she’d get anxious, so I haven’t told her. Who knows, it might not be long before a Spiritualist joins the ranks of the Venus of the Eternal Night!” Cloud Night beamed.

Spiritualists were respected and few in number. They were considered rare, even among a major clan like the Venus of the Eternal Night.

Though the Unrestricted Sect and their Spirit Mountain were renowned across the universe, there were actually no more twenty to thirty of them who were really Spiritualists, and among them, most were just low-level Spiritualists without much potential. Even inside somewhere as large as Heavenly Might, the number of Spiritualists was only in the several hundreds, with only about thirty who were considered decent. That was evidence enough to show just how rare Spiritualists were in this day and age, and this was especially true for high-level Spiritualists, who were even rarer than phoenix feathers.

Though the brat Zesyr Night looked weak, she actually had quite a lot of potential, easily attaining four Soul Marks despite her young age. If she were to evolve into a Spiritualist, that would mean she would instantly become an intermediate Spiritualist! Anyone would be envious if that were to happen!

Qiu Xingbang had plenty of thoughts running through his head. His original plan had been none other than helping Qiu Yang become a Spiritualist, then aiding his son in becoming like him, a Dragoon!

But now, it was Xia Fei who had the title of Dragoon, while Zesyr was turning into a Spiritualist. The Qiu Clan hardly had a part in any of this!

*crack*

Just thinking of this caused Qiu Xingbang’s blood to boil, and the teacup in his hand shattered!