You You got more and more excited as she spoke, her eyes shining like she could already see the bright future of moving into a new body:
"Master, think about it! If I had that body, my cultivation would immediately be at the Golden Core stage! I wouldn't have to start from scratch, think of all the time I'd save! And… the Peak Lord of the Array Peak! The resources would definitely be plentiful! Then I could legitimately help you gather resources, scout out information, even use the peak lord's authority to make things easier for you! Like that Tianxu Secret Realm slot… it might even be simpler to get it that way!"
"And, and!" She counted on her tiny fingers, "With a body, I could move around freely instead of always being stuck in the bracelet; I could help you fight; and I could… try human food again! I haven't eaten in over a thousand years!" She ended with a face full of drooling anticipation.
Xie Zhaolin listened to You You's grand blueprint, and even her normally cold expression twitched ever so slightly.
She had to admit… some of the prospects You You painted were tempting. If she could control the resources of a array peak, it'd be a huge help for her later plans, especially when competing for a Secret Realm slot.
After a pause, she fixed a sharp gaze on You You and asked the most critical question:
"Seizing the body of a Golden Core peak cultivator… how confident are you?"
You You, lost in her sweet fantasies, froze the moment she heard this, her excited expression stiffening instantly. Floating in midair, her tiny face scrunched up, her two index fingers poking at each other as her gaze darted around nervously.
"Well… uh… hehe…" She stammered for a long while before whispering in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's, "Maybe… less than ten percent confident…"
"Less than ten percent?!" Xie Zhaolin's voice shot up sharply, icy with disbelief. She stared at You You's guilty little face and nearly laughed with exasperation!
She'd assumed You You was bold enough to at least have fifty percent confidence before talking so recklessly, but less than ten? That's basically a death wish!
"You don't even have that much confidence, and yet you're imagining peak lord life and fine dining?" Xie Zhaolin rubbed her brow. "I actually thought you had some real skill, but that dream of yours… it's just a fantasy."
She paused, recalling past events, her eyes growing even colder. "Back in the Netherworld Pavilion, you even tried to seize me, and now facing a Golden Core Elder like Chou, you're scared?"
You You shivered under Xie Zhaolin's piercing gaze and harsh words, her soul body wobbling as she instinctively floated back, murmuring in defense:
"Th-that's different…" she pouted, looking wronged. "Back then, in the Netherworld Pavilion, that was my territory! I had the advantage of the formation, and you'd just finished the Fifth Trial, your Primordial Soul was a little weak, plus it was so clean, that's why I even thought about it. Not to mention, I hadn't even been contracted by you yet!"
"But… but this woman is different!" You You's face showed a rare seriousness and caution. "The feeling I get from her… it's wrong! Her Primordial Soul… it's chaotic! Not weak chaotic, but like a bunch of different auras forced together, yet somehow balanced in a weird way! And there's something inside that makes me… really uncomfortable!"
She lifted her small face to Xie Zhaolin, her voice trembling, "With such a complex and bizarre Primordial Soul, I can't guarantee I'd lock onto her core. If I rush in to seize her, those messy auras could strike back… and I'd really… really end up shattered…"
Xie Zhaolin's pupils narrowed slightly.
Chaotic Primordial Soul? Multiple auras forcibly merged?
This description… didn't sound like a normal Golden Core cultivator at all.
Usually, only cultivators practicing extremely twisted arts that can drive one mad, or those under secret restrictions—or possibly manipulated by a stronger existence—showed such a state.
Seeing Xie Zhaolin grow serious, You You's eyes darted, and she quickly floated forward, plastering on a flattering smile, her voice a mix of pleading and charm:
"Oh~ Master! Don't be mad! I-I just… I'm not strong enough!" She rubbed her tiny hands together and drifted closer. "But! But with you around, it's different!"
"You're unparalleled, your magic boundless!" She started to flatter without any restraint. "If you act, that crazy woman wouldn't even be a problem! You just wave your hand, destroy her Primordial Soul, and leave that clean, warm body for me… then I can smoothly move in!"
She got more excited as she spoke, circling Xie Zhaolin. "Then I'd be the formation peak lord! Resources, authority, all yours! I'd serve you to the death! Everything depends on you, Master!"
She even mimicked a bow, her small face full of anticipation.
Xie Zhaolin listened to You You's naïve, bubbly plan and felt not flattered, but deeply exasperated.
This You You… has been dead so long her brain rotted too?
"Shut up." She cut You You off coldly.
You You instantly went silent, looking wronged.
Xie Zhaolin rubbed her brow, her tone serious:
"If she were just a normal Golden Core cultivator, with a stable Primordial Soul, your plan might have some chance." Her eyes sharpened on You You. "But now, her soul is abnormal, multiple auras forcibly merged. Don't you understand what that means?"
You You's expression shifted slightly. She wasn't dumb—she understood immediately.
It meant Elder Chou's situation probably involved something more complex—maybe a dangerously twisted technique backfiring, maybe a hidden restriction, or even manipulation by some stronger being.
In this case, if Xie Zhaolin acted rashly to kill her, forget whether she could completely annihilate that bizarre soul without drawing attention. Even if successful, the moment Elder Chou's Primordial Soul disappeared, the hidden force behind her would likely notice immediately.
More importantly, even if she took the body, she couldn't acquire Elder Chou's memories. No mimicry of mannerisms, no knowledge of her relationships, no access to her authority or resources as peak lord.
A new peak lord without memories and likely flawed behavior… who could she fool?
Within days, the higher-ups in the sect would notice something off.
And the first to get pulled out and face soul scrutiny—or worse—would be her.
Realizing this, You You shivered, all her excitement and flattery vanishing, replaced with belated terror.
"Ma… Master, I was wrong…" she whimpered, lowering her head, finally understanding her previous fantasy had been way too optimistic.
"Enough." Seeing her distress, Xie Zhaolin's tone softened slightly. "We'll put this aside for now. When the day comes that we leave Qingxi Sect completely, if there's an opportunity, then… kill her if needed."
These words were like a sweet treat to You You. She immediately lifted her head, eyes shining again, fear completely gone, nodding eagerly: "Really? Thank you, Master!"
"Go back and stay put, conceal your aura, and don't let her notice you again." Xie Zhaolin waved her hand, her tone firm and exhausted.
"Yes, yes, yes! I'm going back right now!" You You chirped happily, transforming into a green light and diving back into the You Ming Bracelet, instantly quiet.
The cave finally returned to silence. Xie Zhaolin rubbed her brow, feeling mentally drained.
She just hoped that eccentric Elder Chou would behave for now, and not stir up trouble again.
Before she obtained the Secret Realm slot, it was better for Qingxi Sect to remain calm.