PID Chapter 43.2

Still… there wasn’t anything particularly special about their relationship that could lead to enlightenment—so why had his thoughts been drawn to him? It was puzzling.

 

But meditation is inherently mysterious; overthinking it afterward often leads nowhere but frustration.

 

Chu Jinglan remained seated with his eyes closed, slowly absorbing the spiritual energy from the moonlight.

 

Though his dantian couldn’t hold spiritual energy anymore, his meridians and spiritual roots could still benefit from cultivation. The meridians that had been severed before were now almost fully healed—they rarely hurt anymore. Most of their blockages had been forcibly cleared by Chu Jinglan himself through relentless effort day after day. Now all that remained was a faint itch—a sign of lingering internal injuries in his meridians.

 

The gentle aura of the moonlight was soothing and conducive to healing. As it passed over Chu Jinglan’s dantian, it brought no noticeable pain.

 

Only when the moon began to dip toward the horizon, and the moonlight’s energy passed its peak, did Chu Jinglan slowly open his eyes.

 

His gaze was clear, and without turning his head, he could sense Xiao Mo’s eyes fixed on him. He turned his face toward Xiao Mo, meeting his gaze directly.

 

“I’ve thought of a way to draw out Jing Lei’s techniques,” Xiao Mo said. “Tomorrow, we’ll test it.”

 

Even while sitting idly, he was still solving problems—classic overachiever behavior.

 

Chu Jinglan asked: “What is it?”

 

The method was straightforward, but just as Xiao Mo was about to explain, he decided to tease a little and blinked mischievously. “Not sure if it’ll work—you’ll find out tomorrow.”

 

Chu Jinglan hadn’t expected such an answer. His eyes widened slightly in surprise.

 

But he quickly composed himself and replied: “Alright.”

 

Since Xiao Mo didn’t want to elaborate, Chu Jinglan didn’t press further.

 

On their way down the mountain, Chu Jinglan asked if Xiao Mo wanted to be carried again.

 

Xiao Mo waved his hand dismissively: “I’ve carried you twice—it’s not like you have to return the favor exactly the same number of times. No need. Besides, there’s no moonlight to admire on the way down. Let’s just hurry back.”

 

If they returned now, Chu Jinglan could still get some sleep.

 

Chu Jinglan nodded in agreement. However, once they were back at the hut, he didn’t rest immediately—instead, he pulled out the paper with the half-written melody.

 

Xiao Mo leaned over and saw him pick up a brush and add two more sections to the score.

 

It still wasn’t complete.

 

Xiao Mo hummed the newly added segments aloud and his eyes lit up. “Beautiful.”

 

A good melody is worth waiting for—Xiao Mo felt increasingly excited about the day when Chu Jinglan would finish composing this piece.

 

—

 

The next day, although they didn’t need to go to the Affairs Hall for tasks anymore, both woke up early as usual. After their individual cultivation sessions, they headed to Jing Lei’s courtyard around mid-morning.

 

Knocking on the door, they heard Jing Lei’s voice from inside: “Enter.”

 

The two stepped into the courtyard and bowed respectfully to Jing Lei.

 

Jing Lei nodded in acknowledgment and summoned his heavy sword. Just as Chu Jinglan was about to step forward for his challenge, Xiao Mo suddenly moved ahead and addressed Jing Lei first: “Senior, may I also challenge you?”

 

Chu Jinglan froze in place.

 

So this was Xiao Mo’s plan.

 

Noticing Chu Jinglan’s expression, Xiao Mo couldn’t help but reflect:

 

Just like solving the question of how to withstand spiritual pressure, they had spent time deliberating before realizing that Xiao Mo himself could be part of the solution. Ultimately, these matters were private between Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan—Xiao Mo hadn’t faced anyone else directly yet.

 

Even though Xiao Mo had fabricated a false human identity for himself, Chu Jinglan subconsciously didn’t think of Xiao Mo as someone who could be pushed forward to deal with external matters alone. As a result, something as simple as having Xiao Mo challenge Jing Lei to help uncover his techniques hadn’t occurred to Chu Jinglan.

 

Partly because Chu Jinglan was used to facing challenges on his own—and partly because he seemed accustomed to keeping Xiao Mo within a “safe zone.”

 

Whether it was the little Inner Demon from before or the young man now, Chu Jinglan had never thought Xiao Mo should stand in front of him to face danger.

 

Just like when Jing Lei suddenly attacked at the mountain gate, Chu Jinglan instinctively pushed Xiao Mo aside to protect him and bore the brunt himself.

 

As for Xiao Mo, after spending so long as an Inner Demon, it seemed he was gradually rediscovering what it meant to feel human.

 

Xiao Mo thought to himself: It seems we still haven’t fully adapted to our new way of interacting.

 

Chu Jinglan’s lips moved slightly, and Xiao Mo sent him a voice transmission: “Don’t worry—I’m not going to fight him for real.”

 

Jing Lei heard this and studied Xiao Mo. “You’re only at Foundation Establishment early stage. How many moves could you withstand against ten percent of my spiritual energy? And I’ve heard from Song Xuan that you cultivate that so-called Path of Mercy that forbids harming life—can you even attack me?”

 

Xiao Mo openly revealed his plan: “That’s why I ask Senior to grant me some leeway—allow me to use a high-tier magical artifact that can enhance my speed under your pressure. I won’t attack, only evade, while you limit yourself to ten moves each time.”

 

It was practically written in bold letters: We’re trying to analyze your techniques.

 

The so-called magical artifact was fake—Xiao Mo couldn’t let others suspect his true nature, so he used the artifact as a cover.

 

Facing Jing Lei directly, Xiao Mo said candidly: “You’re too powerful—we have no choice but to try every method we can. I’m challenging you because I genuinely want to learn from your techniques. Would you be willing?”

 

Jing Lei glanced at him, then at Chu Jinglan, and remarked: “You two seem to have a good relationship.”

 

He uncorked his wine flask, took a swig, wiped his mouth casually, and snorted. “Even if you dissect all my techniques, what difference does it make? With the gap in cultivation levels between us, Chu Jinglan still won’t be able to last ten moves against me.”

 

Xiao Mo asked with a smile: “So Senior agrees?”

 

“Come,” Jing Lei said as he raised his sword and pointed it at Xiao Mo. “Use your artifact and evade as much as you like.”

 

Xiao Mo nodded toward Chu Jinglan, signaling him to observe carefully. Chu Jinglan stood off to the side, intently studying Jing Lei’s movements and techniques.

 

Xiao Mo didn’t care how much time or effort Chu Jinglan had spent overcoming Jing Lei’s challenge in the original story. Now that he was here, he intended to do everything within his power to assist.

 

Chu Jinglan’s lips pressed into a thin line. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his eyes before it transformed into a complex and obscure expression.

 

Even though Xiao Mo’s cultivation made it easy for him to dodge attacks from Jing Lei using only ten percent of his spiritual energy, there was always the risk of reflexively striking back…

 

Xiao Mo couldn’t attack in his spiritual form—it would trigger backlash. And Chu Jinglan still vividly remembered the day Wan Yu died in the Chu family courtyard. When he had stumbled into the scene, Xiao Mo had been lying on the ground before quickly retreating into his sea of consciousness.

 

At the time, Chu Jinglan hadn’t seen everything clearly. Wan Yu’s death had hit him too hard, leaving his mind and memories muddled—many details became blurry.

 

But later, when he revisited those memories repeatedly—especially after reflecting on them when Chu Jiao died—certain details grew sharper. This time, the image was clearer: Xiao Mo’s expression back then had looked like he was in pain.

 

How could a spiritual form feel pain unless… Xiao Mo fought against the Chu family for Wan Yu?

 

Perhaps it was then that Xiao Mo learned attacking in spiritual form would result in backlash.

 

Chu Jinglan unconsciously pressed his fingers together.

 

Knowing someone won’t get hurt yet still not wanting them to step forward… So this is what that feeling is like.

 

—

 

Author’s Note:

 

Mini Scene:

 

Little Xiao and Little Chu are study buddies. Little Chu assumes Little Xiao has never taken an exam before—until one day Little Xiao says: “I’m going to take an exam!”

 

Little Chu: !

 

Little Chu: #MoreNervousThanTakingMyOwnExam.jpg#

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter