Disappointment

After her initial excitement, the little tower spirit quickly detached herself from Qin Gou’s embrace. With her hands clasped behind her back and her head lowered like a child caught misbehaving, she said timidly, “I was rude, Ancestor. I didn’t expect to see you again, and I got too excited. I lost my composure in front of you.”

Qin Gou stared at her, utterly baffled. “Why are you calling me ‘Ancestor’? I don’t recall us ever meeting.”

The tower spirit scratched her head and smiled sweetly. “It’s no surprise that Ancestor doesn’t remember. Back then, I had just gained sentience and hadn’t even formed this body. Naturally, I wouldn’t have caught your attention. But the light of my sentience was ignited by your own hands, Ancestor. You’re practically my father.”

“What?” Qin Gou was even more confused. What ancient, long-forgotten incident was this?

The tower spirit’s expression turned serious as she explained, “I’ve never forgotten the first words you said to me: ‘This piece of Awakening Stone still has some leftovers. It’d be a waste to throw it away. Fine, I’ll give it to this useless little thing.’ After you awakened my sentience, you gave me to Ye Qishuang as a gift.”

Her words unlocked a distant memory in Qin Gou’s mind. His eyes lit up in recognition. “You’re that tiny ‘Finger Profound Tower’? I remember now. You were so small back then that I gave you to Qishuang as a trinket,” he said, holding up his thumb and forefinger to indicate her original size.

The tower spirit nodded shyly. “Yes, but after staying by Ye Qishuang’s side, I kept evolving and eventually became the ‘Rebirth Tower.’ Since you personally awakened me, I refused to be treated as a mere tool. I even threatened to self-destruct unless Ye Qishuang agreed to a contract of equality. Ancestor, I didn’t disgrace you, did I?”

“Not at all,” Qin Gou replied, stunned. The little tower spirit had come a long way from being a tiny trinket. Now, she was a colossal entity capable of enhancing aptitude—a feat that must have cost Ye Qishuang unimaginable resources and effort. Yet, the moment she matured, she had turned the tables on her owner.

Though her actions stemmed from pride in being awakened by the Master of Arc Moon Mountain, Qin Gou couldn’t help but imagine how furious Ye Qishuang must have been. Most tools didn’t gain sentience until they reached their peak form, and their owners took great care to prevent rebellion. But this little spirit had been awakened prematurely, leading to this absurd situation.

“Ancestor,” the tower spirit said hesitantly, floating in midair, “can I follow you from now on?”

Qin Gou scratched his head awkwardly. “For now, you should stay with Qishuang. My current strength is… lacking. Having someone as cunning as you around might exhaust my luck.”

“Okay…” The tower spirit’s eyes dimmed with disappointment, her expression filled with quiet sorrow.

Clearing his throat, Qin Gou said, “So, does this mean I’ve passed the final trial? Open the path to the tower’s summit.”

“Yes, Ancestor,” the tower spirit replied humbly. With a wave of her hand, Qin Gou was transported to the peak of the Rebirth Tower, where he could gaze out over a sea of clouds and look down on the crowd below, who appeared as tiny as ants.

“System, what’s my current aptitude?” Qin Gou asked internally.

“Ding. Host’s current aptitude is ‘Orchid, Mid-Grade.’”

“Excellent!” Qin Gou’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “The Rebirth Tower truly lives up to its reputation. From the lowest Four-Element Grade, I’ve advanced to the Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum rankings, reaching Orchid Grade. This puts me on the cusp of being a prodigy. It’s a shame the tower’s effects can only be used once.”

“Ancestor, shall I send you out now? Please promise to visit me often,” the tower spirit said, wringing her hands nervously.

Qin Gou smiled warmly. “I promise.”

—

Surrounded by a halo of pure white light, Qin Gou, now back in his Qin Yue guise, emerged from the Rebirth Tower’s exit. The crowd erupted into deafening cheers.

“Qin Yue!”

“You actually reached the summit!”

“This guy is a once-in-a-lifetime prodigy—no, a monster, a reincarnated genius!”

“His aptitude must have grown to an unimaginably terrifying level!”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Qin Gou responded with a polite smile. After all, the so-called “reincarnated genius” was now merely at Orchid, Mid-Grade—just slightly better than the others around him. Of course, compared to his previous Four-Element Grade, the difference was night and day.

—

“That’s him,” Ye Qishuang said, her tone calm and her smile gentle. But in secret, she transmitted a message to Ling Cuiyan. “Use your ‘Night Owl Eyes’ to see if he’s wearing a disguise.”

Ling Cuiyan nodded subtly. Her pupils expanded, swallowing the whites of her eyes until they turned completely black. Within them, Qin Gou’s figure was reflected.

Moments later, Ling Cuiyan’s eyes returned to normal. She whispered back, “Palace Master, this person has no disguise. This is his true appearance.”

“What?” Ye Qishuang’s eyes flickered with surprise. “Check again. Look carefully!”

Ling Cuiyan sighed and activated her spiritual tool once more. After a brief pause, she confirmed, “Palace Master, I swear on my life—this is Qin Yue’s real face. Even the most advanced disguise techniques cannot escape my eyes, and I see no traces of any disguise on him.”

“I see,” Ye Qishuang murmured, her lips curving into a bitter smile. Her cold, moonlit eyes were filled with disappointment.

“I’m feeling a bit tired. I’ll take my leave,” she said abruptly.

As she turned to leave, her steps faltered. Her body swayed, and she nearly fell to the side. Ling Cuiyan, alarmed, rushed to support her.

“Palace Master!”

All eyes turned from Qin Gou to Ye Qishuang, their expressions filled with shock and disbelief.

The invincible Palace Master, the revered Ye Qishuang, had nearly stumbled. How could this be possible?