Ye Qiu was shocked.
“This guy claims he could slay saints once his body is whole. Is he exaggerating?”
“If he’s not exaggerating, what was his cultivation level at his peak?”
Ye Qiu looked at the severed arm, paused for a moment, and said, “I have a condition too. Until I become a saint, you must guard my path.”
“No problem,” the arm agreed immediately.
Ye Qiu smiled, “Good, deal!”
The arm added, “Though I agree to guard your path, it doesn’t mean you can command me. I’ll only act when you face a life-or-death crisis.”
Tch, just a severed arm and still so proud. This guy must have been formidable before.
“Fine,” Ye Qiu agreed, then said, “I have a few questions for you…”
“Wait,” the arm interrupted. “Before you ask, can you put away the Qiankun Cauldron?”
Clearly, the arm feared the Qiankun Cauldron.
Ye Qiu remained cautious. Though the arm promised to guard him, he didn’t fully trust it.
He worried that if he stowed the cauldron, the arm might suddenly attack, and with his current cultivation, he’d be no match.
Ye Qiu grinned, “Since you’ve agreed to guard my path, in my eyes, you’re my best friend.”
“As the saying goes, good friends don’t deceive each other.”
“So, I hope you’ll answer my questions honestly, or I can’t control what the Qiankun Cauldron might do.”
Hmph!
The arm snorted coldly, sensing Ye Qiu’s threat.
“First question, who are you?”
Ye Qiu thought, if a mere severed arm is this powerful, its owner must be a figure of great significance, so he wanted to know its identity.
“You’re not worthy of knowing my identity…” the arm began, but a Qiankun Cauldron hovering above the coffin trembled slightly.
The arm quickly changed its tone, “Once you help me restore my body, I’ll tell you who I am.”
Fine, keep your secrets. I’ll find out eventually.
Ye Qiu continued, “Second question, where are you from?”
“The cultivation world, Northern Domain!”
Ye Qiu raised an eyebrow, “You’re from the Demon Clan?”
Fairy Hundred Flowers had said the cultivation world was vast, and the Northern Domain was the Demon Clan’s territory.
The arm fell silent, tacitly admitting it was from the Demon Clan.
Ye Qiu frowned. This wasn’t good.
If a Demon Clan member guarded him and the human cultivators in the cultivation world found out, wouldn’t he become a pariah, hunted by all?
The arm said, “I told you I’d only act in life-or-death situations. First, petty foes aren’t worth my effort. Second, it’s to spare you trouble.”
“Human cultivators in the cultivation world see the Demon Clan as mortal enemies. If you go there and they learn I’m guarding you, you’ll be branded a heretic, and every human in the cultivation world will hunt you.”
“So, unless absolutely necessary, I won’t act.”
“Of course, the safest option is for me to never act.”
Have some shame, you’re supposed to be my guardian!
Ye Qiu cursed inwardly, then asked, “What was your cultivation level at your peak?”
The arm replied, “You don’t need to know.”
“Come on, that’s hardly sincere!” Ye Qiu said, “You’re my guardian. I need to know your strength so I can feel confident facing enemies.”
The arm paused, then said, “My body is incomplete, so I can only wield one percent of my peak strength. But I can tell you, unless a saint appears, no one can threaten me.”
That impressive?
Ye Qiu was skeptical, saying, “You’re not lying to me, are you?”
“Believe it or not,” the arm said, still proud.
Ye Qiu asked, “If you’re telling the truth, you must have been a top-tier expert in the cultivation world. Why are you reduced to just a severed arm?”
Instantly, the blood in the coffin churned violently, and a powerful wave of malice surged forth, nearly knocking Ye Qiu off his feet.
“I was betrayed by despicable foes,” the arm said with hatred. “The humans of the Eastern Wilderness and the Buddhist cultivators of the Western Desert joined forces, trapping me with an array. Knowing I’m immortal, they dismembered and sealed me.”
“If I ever restore my body, I’ll slaughter those humans and Buddhists.”
Ye Qiu narrowed his eyes, “I’m human. Will you kill me too?”
The three Qiankun Cauldrons above the coffin trembled slightly, ready to descend at Ye Qiu’s command.
The arm said, “I’m guarding you, why would I kill you?”
“I got carried away earlier, don’t take it to heart.”
“As they say, every grievance has its debtor. Once you help me restore my body, I’ll slaughter those who wronged me.”
“Though I was betrayed, I’m not one to kill indiscriminately.”
Heh…
Ye Qiu sneered inwardly, not believing a word. With such overwhelming killing intent, this guy was clearly a bloodthirsty maniac.
“This guy’s dangerous. I need to stay on guard.”
Ye Qiu pressed, “Where are the rest of your body parts?”
“When the time comes, I’ll tell you,” the arm said. “Can you put away the Qiankun Cauldron now?”
“No rush, I have more questions,” Ye Qiu said. “You mentioned the Xuanyuan Sword lacks a spirit. What does that mean?”
“You don’t even know about spirits?” The arm seemed surprised, saying, “Whether it’s divine weapons or natural treasures, once they reach a certain level, they develop a spirit.”
“The Xuanyuan Sword once had a spirit, but I don’t know where it went.”
“Without its spirit, the Xuanyuan Sword is just scrap metal. Only when you find its spirit will you see its true power.”
Ye Qiu asked, “What’s the origin of the Qiankun Cauldron?”
“It’s in your hands, and you don’t know its origin? I won’t speak of it, but you’ll find out eventually,” the arm said. “I can only tell you, in the cultivation world, try not to use the Qiankun Cauldron or Xuanyuan Sword.”
“Put it this way, even saints would covet these artifacts.”
“An innocent man with treasure invites trouble. You understand, right?”
“I understand,” Ye Qiu said. “What should I call you from now on?”
“Call me Old Nine,” the arm said. “I’ve said enough today. I need to rest.”
Clang!
The coffin lid closed, and all fell silent.
“Old Nine, I’ll take you to a safe place for now. You’ll have to bear with it.”
Ye Qiu said, then stored the vermilion coffin in his Qiankun Bag.
Then, one Qiankun Cauldron flipped over and descended, completely sealing the vermilion coffin.
