Zhao Yunxiao split up with Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying after leaving the Outer Disciples Hall.


    While the latter two returned to their residence, Zhao Yunxiao headed for the Monolith Square which, according to Qi Jiesheng, was not far from the Outer Disciples Hall.


    And Qi Jiesheng was right.


    To make it convenient for everyone, the Monolith Square had been set up just about ten minutes’ walk away from the Outer Disciples Hall.


    It was a spot that used to be an empty patch of grassland, but it looked completely different now.


    Even from afar, Zhao Yunxiao noticed an enormous stone monolith that towered over everything in the vicinity.


    Standing at least twenty storeys high, the stone monolith was bound to become a landmark of this area in the future. Its surface was smooth on three sides, with only one side engraved with runes all the way from top to bottom.


    Yet despite its size, it was not difficult for the sect administrators to plant such a structure here overnight.


    However, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but wonder about the use of the stone monolith.


    From what he knew of the sect administrators, it was unlikely that they would go to such lengths for no good reason.


    As Zhao Yunxiao got nearer, he could see that facing this engraved side of the stone monolith was a huge open area, with seats erected to form a semicircle in front of the monolith. It was like a theatre of sorts, with the stone monolith being the sole point of attention.


    Both the ground and the seats were covered in tiles that bore a similar texture to that of the stone monolith, giving the entire place a feeling of congruence.


    Behind the monolith remained the same open grassland, untouched since before the development of the Monolith Square.


    “Junior Martial Brother Zhao?” Liang Wenshao raised an eyebrow when he noticed Zhao Yunxiao. “Aren’t you quite the busy man? How did you find time out of your busy schedule to visit us today?”


    It was obvious that he was unhappy about how Zhao Yunxiao had taken the past few days off, while the rest of them were slogging away to complete the arrangements here.


    “Haha, you sure love to jest, Senior Martial Brother Liang,” Zhao Yunxiao ran up to greet him. “I’ve only just heard that there has been a change in the location of the monthly cultivation lecture, so I immediately rushed over to see if there is anywhere I could help!”


    “Don’t think I don’t know that you are trying to claim credit just so that you can reap the benefits tomorrow,” Liang Wenshao rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry, I will let you and your two pretty companions enter ahead of the others. Anything else?”


    “Senior Martial Brother Liang is all-knowing. It really is impossible to hide anything from you!” Zhao Yunxiao scratched his cheek in embarrassment. “Still, I will feel bad to only receive benefits without giving. Why don’t I help out a little too?”


    “What do you want to help with? Can’t you tell that things are mostly done by now?” Liang Wenshao scoffed. “All that’s left is to perform a last round of checks before the lecture tomorrow.”


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    The scroll that Liang Wenshao handed him contained the blueprint for the setup required. With Zhao Yunxiao’s experience in such things, it did not take long before he understood the task at hand.


    At the same time, he also gained a deeper understanding of the Monolith Square as a whole after examining the blueprint.


    The area in front of the stone monolith might look rather plain apart from being carved into steps, but there was actually a grand array that had already been setup beforehand, just that it was well concealed underground.


    Perhaps unsurprisingly, the stone monolith acted as the foundation of the entire location, acting as a core node for the grand array.


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    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


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    “I have yet to repay my debt to you. If something were to happen to you before that, do you think that I will still be able to focus on my training in the future?” Nie Hanchang said.


    “Is it just me, or does this sound like a conversation between lovers?” Gu Qiansi felt the corner of her lips twitch.


    “Shh! Don’t interrupt, Senior Martial Sister Gu!” Lu Zhiying hushed. “I still want to keep watching the show!”


    Zhao Yunxiao: “...”


    Nie Hanchang: “...”


    We can hear you!


    “Ahem!” Zhao Yunxiao tidied his robes. “Since you have kindly offered, I will let you know next time we go on a mission. However, we will definitely have to share the overall rewards. On top of that, please don’t disrupt your own training just to accommodate us.”


    “Don’t worry, I know what is considered appropriate and what is not,” Nie Hanchang answered. “Honestly, all I wish is for us to survive and grow together in this harsh cultivation world. Of course, it will be good if we can all grow as quickly as possible. But if it means that some of us might have to risk falling for the others to advance at a faster pace, then that is definitely not the kind of growth that I am looking for.”


    Zhao Yunxiao looked at him in surprise.


    From what he just said, it did not seem like Nie Hanchang was simply concerned about repaying his debt for forging the Grand Annihilator, but was genuinely concerned about their well-being instead.


    They had always known of each other’s existence in the sect all these years, but it was not until the end of last year that they started interacting more.


    Did that mean that just from spending time together during this short period of a month or so, Nie Hanchang had already considered them to be important companions on his cultivation path?


    How soft!


    That was definitely not the mentality that someone who was on a meteoric rise within the sect should have!


    After all, there were countless who would fall on the path of cultivation. It would be never ending if one had to halt their steps every time they were worried about those around them!


    However, that was only when one thought about it rationally.


    Sentimentally speaking, Zhao Yunxiao could not help but feel glad that he was being considered an important companion as well.


    Even though he could not enjoy such great fortunes himself, once Nie Hanchang grew to become an established cultivator in the future, Zhao Yunxiao could at least take pride in having played a small part in the journey of such an individual.


    And that was the case with Lu Zhiying as well!


    “Senior Martial Brother Nie is right. Let’s survive and grow together!” Lu Zhiying repeated in agreement.


    “That’s right, let’s do just that,” Zhao Yunxiao nodded with a smile.


    Upon seeing that, Gu Qiansi could not help but let out a smile as well.


    Since the trio were still nursing injuries from their encounter with the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect, they did not stay out for too long.


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