Understanding that the trip would take almost a full day, Zhao Yunxiao did not simply meditate the entire way.
A world of light appeared in his mind, starring the familiar dark silhouette who repeatedly faced off against figures that resembled the avatars of the zodiac spirits.
A distance away, well out of sight of the others, two earthen clones simulated the fight that was happening in his head by battling it out in real life. One of the earthen clones resembled him, while the other's appearance kept transforming from time to time, shifting into the figures of the zodiac spirits.
While the Earthen Clone Technique only guided its user on how to create an image in their likeness, it was not impossible to change it up by tweaking things a little here and there, especially for Zhao Yunxiao who had already been exposed to numerous similar technique manuals.
His first attempts were rather crude, to say the least, with the earthen clones looking deformed in various parts of their bodies. But after half a day of practice, he finally succeeded in creating something that looked somewhat decent.
There was still plenty of room for improvement, but this much was good enough now.
The only issue was that while he could imitate the form, he could not imitate the essence. Just because he created a clone of the ox spirit did not mean that it would possess the same level of strength.
Because of that, the practice could only be considered imperfect at best, but that was only if it was done on its own.
By coupling it with the image training in his world of light, he was able to elevate this imperfect physical training to another level, allowing him to gain further insights into both combat techniques and the use of the Earthen Clone Technique.
Of course, he took care not to damage the surroundings in the process.
Zhao Yunxiao was rather certain that even his strongest attacks would not be capable of damaging Elder Feng Wanjia's Sky Tower Heavenly Palace, but it was still better to be safe than sorry.
Even if nothing else, he did not want to give off the impression that he was acting carelessly within the elder's property.
Just like how it was on their journey to the Armed Ape Tower, Elder Feng Wanjia did not call for the attendants on the way back.
Before they knew it, Elder Feng Wanjia, Sect Protector Shan Lihui, and Fei Weng had returned from above the clouds.
A vertical line cracked open in mid-air, which quickly expanded to become a gap in space. Expectedly, within this gap was the same shimmering and reflective surface that they had seen in the exterior of the Sky Tower Heavenly Palace.
"Good job on the trip," Elder Feng Wanjia remarked. "Fei Weng, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Leave it to me, Elder Feng. In that case, we will be taking our leave," Fei Weng nodded before gesturing to the disciples. "Time to go."
"Thank you, Elder Feng."
After the disciples bade their farewell to the elder, Hua Shui took the lead by silently stepping through the gate. Gan Luozhi promptly followed, then Zhao Yunxiao and finally Fei Weng himself.
As his foot landed on the ground, Zhao Yunxiao found himself standing outside a large hall in the Inner Grounds. This was the exact location from which they had departed for the Armed Ape Tower.
Elder Feng Wanjia and Sect Protector Shan Lihui did not exit after Fei Weng. Instead, the Sky Tower Heavenly Palace took to the skies once more, disappearing into the clouds.
Zhao Yunxiao sighed in admiration.
Such was the poise of a powerful cultivator, coming and going as they wished.
If he could just acquire even half of the freedom that Elder Feng Wanjia enjoyed, that would already be more than he could ever wish for!
"All right, this marks the end of this assignment. All of you have done well," Fei Weng said. "I will handle the disbursement of your rewards. If there are no further questions, you are dismissed."
"Thank you, Senior Fei!" the three disciples clasped their fists towards Fei Weng in unison.
When Gan Luozhi saw Hua Shui turn around to leave, he hurriedly caught up to the latter. "Senior Martial Brother Hua, do you have some time now? If you don't mind, would it be possible for me to consult you regarding some questions I have on cultivation?"
"Consult me?" Hua Shui snorted in disdain. " Don't waste my time. I have no time to guide spineless brats with zero ambition."
Gan Luozhi froze, not expecting to be shut down in such a cold manner. He could only stand there in shock as Hua Shui continued to walk into the distance.
It was not just him either.
Watching by the side, Zhao Yunxiao was caught by surprise as well.
He knew about Gan Luozhi's ties to Hua Sheng, which in turn translated to an indirect connection to Hua Shui. Considering that, shouldn't they be on good terms instead?
In addition, their relationship did not seem to be that bad at the start of the trip.
For Hua Shui to suddenly turn on Gan Luozhi like this, it must be because of something that occurred during the trip!
Was it because Gan Luozhi had openly rejected Hua Shui's suggestion for the latter to challenge the Tribulation of Combat, causing the latter to feel undermined?
That was the only thing he could think of, unless something worse happened while he was unconscious.
Regardless, this might not be a bad thing.
At the very least, it could result in one less headache for him if he ever had to deal with another case of recklessness from Gan Luozhi in the future!
"Concentrate on recovery, and don't worry about your job at the Yellowshell Mine for now," Fei Weng said, breaking Zhao Yunxiao's train of thoughts. "All the best."
Fei Weng knew that Zhao Yunxiao was planning to attack the Mind Gate soon, and that was no easy task. Still, he certainly hoped that the latter would be able to succeed in his attempt.
"I understand, Senior Fei. Thank you for your help during this trip. I will do my best!" Zhao Yunxiao nodded.
Since it was already late at night, Zhao Yunxiao headed back to his residence.
Upon his return, the first thing he did was to look over his inventory. There was only one way to describe the changes in his inventory – huge gains!
Yes, he had expended just about every explosive talisman that he had brought with him on the trip.
Yes, he never had the opportunity to gather back the daggers that he had used during the Tribulation of Combat.
However, all of those were insignificant matters in comparison to the two Origin Core realm treasures that he had gotten from the elders!
Nevertheless, Zhao Yunxiao suppressed the temptation to investigate the two treasures.
He knew that the more he examined the treasures, the more they would become a distraction in his mind, luring him in with the urge to refine the treasures as soon as possible.
However, refining a treasure was a process that could take varying amounts of time and effort, depending on the attributes or compatibility with the user. He wanted to be in his prime condition when attacking the Mind Gate, and this was not a distraction that he could afford to have.
Instead, he started to simmer a variety of herbs and medicines in preparation for the upcoming challenge. This was part of a method that he had gathered from his research, supposedly capable of helping him absorb the Firecrown Pill faster, thereby increasing the chances of successfully opening the Mind Gate.
The downside was that the pain levels would also increase proportionally to the increase in success rate, but that was a trade that Zhao Yunxiao was more than willing to take.
Rather than his endurance, he was far more worried about his lack of talent resulting in his failure to open the gate!
After everything had been properly set up to simmer, he finally popped a Winterwarmth Pill to enter his daily meditation.
***
The next day was a rather uneventful one for Zhao Yunxiao.
Afraid of affecting his condition, he decided to abstain from all sorts of activities that could put any strain on him, be it physically or mentally.
After throwing the herbs that he had prepared overnight into a big cauldron for another round of slow boiling, he headed for the Lightwind Pavilion for his first meal back at Purple Plum Mountain.
"Senior Martial Brother Zhao! You are back!" Lu Zhiying waved excitedly upon seeing him.
"How have you been, Junior Martial Sister Lu?" Zhao Yunxiao said with a smile.
Indeed, if one's looks were at a high enough level, just looking at their face would be enough to make others smile.
"I've learnt something new! Watch this!" Lu Zhiying replied.
With that, she vanished from her original spot, appearing in front of Zhao Yunxiao in a flash.
"Snapping Burst?" Zhao Yunxiao exclaimed in surprise. "That's pretty well executed."
He maintained his calm, but could not help but feel impressed. After all, the execution of the technique was far beyond what would have been expected of someone who had only been cultivating for less than three months.
"Hehe, isn't it? Senior Martial Sister Gu helped me master it quickly!" Lu Zhiying grinned with glee.
"Not too bad. It looks like for the first time in a while, you haven't just been doing useless stuff all day," Zhao Yunxiao looked over at Gu Qiansi, who was seasoning a big pot of stew not far away.
"You are the one who keeps doing useless stuff. Everything I do is meaningful and fulfilling," Gu Qiansi snapped back. "Let me guess, you went beyond your duties and did some strange things during the trip again?"
"What do you mean by strange things?" Zhao Yunxiao rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't believe how much the elders treasured my contributions this time!"
"Oh? What did you do that made them treasure you so?" Gu Qiansi's curiosity was piqued.
"The Zodiac Tree. I cleared the first level of tribulations," Zhao Yunxiao said proudly.
"You did?" Gu Qiansi was genuinely surprised this time. "I heard that even the first level is rather difficult for Essence Gathering realm cultivators. Wait a minute, doesn't that mean you have received the corresponding blessings to your physique as well? What are the blessings like? Will they help with your opening of the Mind Gate?"
"That's not it..." Zhao Yunxiao looked at the sky and sighed.
"I guess they aren't of much use then?" Gu Qiansi noted the disappointment in his voice. "Well, at least they would still be of help in other cases, so that's still a plus!"
"No, I didn't receive the blessings at all," Zhao Yunxiao admitted.
Gu Qiansi: "..."
"I really did clear the first level of tribulations!" Zhao Yunxiao insisted after seeing the doubt in her eyes. "It's just that there were some complications, and I ended up not being bestowed with the blessings."
He wanted to blame the Zodiac Tree here, but it was likely the fault of the Heaven's Descent Bowl.
"Fine, I get it," Gu Qiansi answered monotonously.
"Do you?" Zhao Yunxiao asked in surprise.
"Yeah. Isn't it just like how the guardian spirit of the Origin Lake Sect somehow decided to give you some treasures even though you are not part of its faction? I get it, there are all sorts of strange things in this world," Gu Qiansi said while turning her attention back to the stew.
Zhao Yunxiao: "..."
Why did he have the feeling that Gu Qiansi was being sarcastic here?
"Don't worry, Senior Martial Brother Zhao. I don't know much about what you are talking about, but I believe you!" Lu Zhiying assured.
"Thank you for your confidence in me, Junior Martial Sister Lu," Zhao Yunxiao felt a little better.
"Regardless, it's fine as long as you are all right," Gu Qiansi said. "Come, have some stew. I prepared this upon learning that you would be back today. This will help with nourishing your body leading up to your attempt to open the Mind Gate. That said, when would you be doing so?"
"Tonight," Zhao Yunxiao said while sipping on the stew that had landed in his hands. "If you don't see me in three days, you might have to come collect my corpse at my residence."
"Sure, that might be good fertiliser for my garden plot," Gu Qiansi agreed without hesitation.
"Hey! Don't forget mine, Senior Martial Sister Gu! Let's share!" Lu Zhiying added.
Zhao Yunxiao: "..."
Even you, Junior Martial Sister Lu?
I know it is a joke. But even then, shouldn't you be a little more encouraging as a friend?
"That said, did anything happen while I was away?" Zhao Yunxiao asked.
"Right, there's huge news!" Lu Zhiying exclaimed. "The full reports for the Four Symbols Mystic Realm are finally out, and I heard that there has been a huge reveal!"
"A huge reveal? What is it about?" Zhao Yunxiao probed further.
"Apparently, a group of our seniors had defeated a party from the Vermilion Bird Sect that was led not only by one but two of their core disciples!" Lu Zhiying explained.
"Two core disciples?" Zhao Yunxiao was surprised. "Which seniors did such an amazing feat?"
"I heard that the group was led by a Senior Martial Brother San Wanfan!" Lu Zhiying said proudly, pleased to be the one updating Zhao Yunxiao on sect news for once.
"San Wanfan?!" Zhao Yunxiao widened his eyes in shock.
Wasn't that the group that had been entangled with Quan Hui's party?
Had there been another core disciple in there with her?!