The special ancient text contained characters resembling tadpole script, and if placed in contemporary times, few people other than scholars could understand it.
Fortunately, successive sect leaders annotated it with vernacular notes alongside.
By comparing them, Elder Qing was able to string together the characters scratched out by the Qilin.
However, a strange expression crossed his face.
Seeing this, Liu Zixuan asked curiously, "What is it trying to convey?"
Elder Qing stepped back two steps, then began to examine Liu Zixuan carefully.
Being stared at by an old man like this made Liu Zixuan uncomfortable, and he angrily retorted, "What are you staring at me for, old man! Iâm telling you, Iâm into women!"
Elder Qing asked seriously, "Did you encounter a Qilin before?"
"Isnât this already a Qilin encounter?" Liu Zixuan pointed at the Qilin beside him.
"No, Iâm asking about any others besides it," Elder Qing shook his head.
Liu Zixuan immediately shook his head, "If I had already encountered another Qilin, would I have been so shocked before!"
"But the Qilin just indicated that thereâs a scent of its child on you," Elder Qing frowned and said.
Upon hearing this, Liu Zixuan almost dropped his jaw. He jumped back a step, exclaiming, "What on earth! Does it think Iâm its child?"
"No, itâs that you carry the scent of its child, indicating youâve encountered the lost Qilin cub from four hundred years ago," Elder Qing solemnly asked, "Think back carefully, have you ever encountered a Qilin or a rather strange beast?"
Originally, when Elder Qing mentioned the location where the Qilin cub was lost, Liu Zixuan suspected Xiao Lanâs identity.
Now, being questioned again, he became even more certain.
After a momentâs frown: "As for strange beasts, I have indeed encountered one, but it doesnât resemble a Qilin much, other than having a small horn on its forehead."
Elder Qing mused for a moment, "Then that might be the lost Qilin cub, perhaps it underwent changes due to something it encountered."
Liu Zixuan grimaced. If Elder Qingâs words were true, then Xiao Lan wasnât a silly leopard but rather a descendant of a Qilin?
That would indeed be a huge profit!
The Profound Sword Sect remained prosperous due to the Qilin, and if Liu Zixuan could have such an Auspicious Beast assist him, his future achievements would certainly surpass the Profound Sword Sect!
Immediately, Liu Zixuan watched Elder Qing warily: "Even if the beast I encountered is a Qilin cub, itâs mine, donât think about bringing it to your Profound Sword Sect!"
Elder Qing was momentarily stunned upon hearing this, then laughed and scolded, "What do you take the Profound Sword Sect for? Not to mention whether we have such ideas, even if we did, we couldnât achieve it."
"A Qilin is an Auspicious Beast, an exceptionally spiritual entity. It chooses whom it chooses. Even if we wanted it, if it didnât agree, weâre powerless! Besides, the Qilin scratched out more than just that one line!"
Liu Zixuan asked curiously, "What else does it mean?"
"There are three meanings in total: First, you carry the scent of its child; second, it thanks you for treating you as its benefactor; and third, itâs that group of gas in its belly."
Elder Qing sighed, saying, "According to the translation, the gas is indeed from the Qilin cub, but since itâs been confined for so long, the Qilin hasnât formed completely, thus it transformed into a cluster of gas. It might take another four hundred years for it to fully form."
"Then you guys lost out!" Liu Zixuan said, spreading his hands.
Liu Zixuanâs elixir only prolonged the Qilinâs life but couldnât extend it for four hundred years, especially since the Profound Sword Sect couldnât wait four hundred years!
Elder Qing shook his head in regret, "Where in the world are things perfectly complete? The Qilin has safeguarded the Profound Sword Sect for a millenium; how dare we wish for another thousand years!"
"In the coming years, let it peacefully retire here. We certainly wonât let it suffer any grievances."
"Look, whatâs it writing now." At this moment, Liu Zixuan pointed at the Qilin.
Elder Qing quickly turned around to look at the ice cave, and indeed the Qilin had scratched out several special patterns with its claws.
Elder Qing swiftly pulled out an ancient text to begin translating, and after a moment, a smile appeared on his previously somber face.
Then he respectfully bowed to the Qilin, "Thank you for everything youâve done for the Profound Sword Sect. When that day you disappear from Heaven and Earth comes, I will certainly fulfill your wish!"
"What did it say this time?" Liu Zixuan asked.
Elder Qing smiled mysteriously, "I canât tell you for now, but itâs good news!"
After saying this, he waved his hand, "Alright, the Qilin has now recovered, it wonât have any problems for the next five years. Letâs head out; it needs to rest after recovering."
Liu Zixuan followed Elder Qing out of the cave blankly. However, this time Elder Qing directly lowered a huge stone at the cave entrance, sealing it completely, leaving only gaps for air flow.
He understood that in the coming period, it wouldnât be so easy to meet the Qilin again.
"The Qilin matter is completed, spend the next few days comprehending Sword Dao well," Elder Qing smiled meaningfully, "Once youâve fully understood Sword Dao, your day of descent from the mountain wonât be far!"
Liu Zixuan looked up at Elder Qing, "How do you know Iâll definitely go down, instead of staying in the Profound Sword Sect?"
Elder Qing squinted and smiled, "Because your name is Liu Zixuan! You belong to the outside world, not the Profound Sword Sect!"
After speaking, Elder Qing directly left, leaving Liu Zixuan with merely a mysterious back in view!
After a while, Liu Zixuan muttered, "You sweeping old man, acting so profound!"
"Liu Zixuan, letâs see how you hide now!"
As soon as he returned to Peach Blossom House, he was surrounded by a group of Profound Sword Sect disciples. Each held long and short swords in hand, with eyes full of anger towards him!
Liu Zixuan grinned, "When did I ever hide?"
"Hmph! Ever since that day we parted ways with the Punishment Hall, youâve been hiding in the Peach Blossom House of Sword Mountain. We believe you fear us, youâre just a coward!"
"A coward like him is unworthy of Junior Sister!"
"Exactly, we must defeat him to show the Great Elder how worthless Liu Zixuan is!"
In an instant, those disciples began cursing angrily one after another.
The more they cursed, the more pitiful Liu Zixuan found them.
And pitiful people surely have despicable points!
As the saying goes, even clay figures have some temperament. Being cursed as a coward, how could Liu Zixuan tolerate it?
Immediately, the aura of Half-Step Emperor Realm burst forth, and the Nameless Sword appeared at once in his hand, staring at the group of disciples in front of him: "Will you come one by one, or all at once?"