Recognition of the Master

Hearing Gu Feiyan’s teasing suggestion, Qin Gou couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t let your imagination run wild. For all we know, Forgotten Self’s remnant soul might still be watching our every move.”

“True,” Gu Feiyan nodded, setting down the Stone Spirit, which now resembled a large, lifeless doll.

“Where did you find this thing?” Qin Gou asked curiously.

Gu Feiyan gestured toward a direction. “There’s a small pond not far from here. The water there is unusual. When I first found the Stone Spirit, its limbs were still incomplete, but after soaking in the pond for a short while, it fully regenerated. I was worried it might regain consciousness and start chasing us again, so I dragged it out before it could.”

“Good thinking,” Qin Gou agreed. “In our current state, with our powers suppressed, facing a fully restored Stone Spirit would be a death sentence.”

—

Stepping closer, Qin Gou crouched beside the Stone Spirit and began unbuttoning its green robe.

Gu Feiyan immediately stepped back, stomping her foot in embarrassment. “What are you doing?! I told you, if you’re going to strip it, at least take it inside! Don’t do it in front of me!”

Rolling his eyes, Qin Gou replied, “Not what you think. I just want to examine how it works. No matter how strong it is, it’s still just a high-level puppet. It’s not like it generates its own spiritual energy. Look!”

On the Stone Spirit’s back, Qin Gou found a slot filled with intricate inscriptions, perfectly sized to hold a spirit stone.

—

“Is that… a recognition inscription? How is that possible?” Gu Feiyan said, her eyes widening. “This Stone Spirit was created by Forgotten Self’s immense power. It should already be bound to him. Why does it have a fresh recognition inscription, as if it’s a newly made puppet waiting for its first activation?”

Qin Gou’s eyes lit up. “Maybe it’s because I destroyed it earlier. When it regenerated, you dragged it out before it could fully awaken, leaving it in this state.”

Gu Feiyan’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “So we might be able to claim it by binding it to one of us? Little Qin, try dripping your blood into the slot!”

“Why me? Don’t you want a loyal, emotionless bodyguard?” Qin Gou asked, raising an eyebrow.

Gu Feiyan smirked. “It clearly likes you—it keeps taking your form.”

“Fair enough,” Qin Gou said with a wry smile. “I guess this is fate.”

—

He pricked his finger, letting a drop of blood fall into the slot. A crimson glow flashed across the inscriptions.

“Did it work?” Gu Feiyan asked eagerly.

“I feel… a connection,” Qin Gou said, retrieving a high-grade spirit stone from his spatial ring and placing it into the slot.

The intricate inscriptions vanished, leaving behind smooth, white skin.

“Wake up,” Qin Gou commanded.

One second… two seconds… ten seconds…

After half a minute, the Stone Spirit finally stood, its movements slow and clumsy.

“Controlling it is harder than I thought,” Qin Gou said, scratching his nose. “With my limited spiritual energy, it’s not very responsive.”

—

The Stone Spirit looked around sluggishly before locking its hollow gaze onto Qin Gou.

“You… mom… you mom,” it said awkwardly, its tone devoid of emotion. It seemed to only know these words.

Yet, both Qin Gou and Gu Feiyan noticed a flicker of fear in its otherwise lifeless eyes.

“Looks like you remember me,” Qin Gou said, patting its shoulder with a grin. “Don’t worry. From now on, you’re with me.”

The Stone Spirit didn’t respond, standing stiffly like a wooden post.

“Change your appearance,” Qin Gou ordered. “Having someone around who looks exactly like me is unsettling.”

Due to Qin Gou’s limited spiritual energy, the Stone Spirit’s transformation was agonizingly slow. After about two minutes, its face began to shift, and its green robe changed color and style.

Its chest swelled, its hips curved, and its face became stunningly beautiful. The tight-fitting dress it now wore accentuated its alluring figure.

Gu Feiyan blinked, her brows furrowing. “Why did you make it look like me?”

Shrugging, Qin Gou smirked mischievously. “We’re stuck here with nothing to do. Why not take it inside, strip it down, and see if it’s an exact replica of you?”

Gu Feiyan’s face turned bright red. She grabbed Qin Gou’s arm, her eyes filled with both embarrassment and anger. “You little brat! If you want a beating, just say so!”

Raising his left hand in surrender, Qin Gou laughed. “Just joking! You can tease me, but I can’t tease you?”

“When did I—” Gu Feiyan paused, her face softening. “Fine. I was joking earlier too.”

—

At that moment, the Stone Spirit, oblivious to the concept of humor, began moving. It tore off its belt and strode toward the cabin. Before entering, it threw its black dress outside.

Gu Feiyan quickly clung to Qin Gou’s arm, her face burning with embarrassment. “I won’t let you go in there, even if it kills me!”