PID Chapter 55

(2/5)

Big thanks to Lily for the Kofi!

(づ> v <)づ♡

---

Chu Jinglan obediently rested for half a day more in the medicinal cottage.

 

Liu Shao’s medical skills and medicine were excellent. After one night, he could get up without any hindrance, and the wound didn’t hurt. Without the fragments bothering him, he indeed felt much lighter.

 

Qingquan Mountain was in Guangdu Prefecture, only a day’s journey by flying boat. After Chu Jinglan had rested well, Xiao Mo and he set out together at a leisurely pace.

 

Most spirit veins in the middle realm were low or medium grade, with few high-grade ones. But even low-grade spirit veins, let alone medium-grade, were places with very dense spiritual energy. Disciples with insufficient cultivation or low status weren’t qualified to cultivate inside.

 

Xiao Mo had no doubt that Chu Jinglan would definitely succeed in repairing his dantian after this. In the flying boat cabin, he looked down at the landscape through the window, the misty scenery stretching far. As his thoughts wandered, he began to think of more.

 

As Chu Jinglan’s cultivation recovers, things around him will start to stir up. He will no longer be an ignored cripple, and if Xiao Mo wants to stay by his side to witness his journey, he will inevitably attract attention from various parties.

 

Being noticed isn’t a problem, but if the name “Xiao Mo” becomes too famous, it wouldn’t be good for him. After all, Xiao Mo still wants to continue living under his own name after rebirth.

 

The system had discussed with him that his identity, cultivation level, and talent after rebirth could be chosen within reasonable limits. To live comfortably in the cultivation world, his cultivation couldn’t be weak. Strong cultivation meant standing out.

 

There must be countless people named “Xiao Mo” in the world, but those who are famous are very different from those who are unknown. It would be troublesome if someone linked the reborn him with the inner demon Xiao Mo.

 

As for why the new identity would be easily linked… Xiao Mo’s peripheral vision swept over Chu Jinglan.

 

Initially, he thought that after completing the task and getting a new identity, he’d stay far away from Chu Jinglan and live his own comfortable life. But now their partnership was very harmonious, and Chu Jinglan was the person he knew best in the cultivation world. Shouldn’t he at least say goodbye when the time comes?

 

He couldn’t talk about the system due to restrictions, but there should be some roundabout way to hint and peacefully complete their cooperation.

 

Xiao Mo was still young and didn’t realize some issues, thinking too simply.

 

When he’s reborn, and a new “Xiao Mo” appears by Chu Jinglan’s side in others’ eyes, it would inevitably lead to wild speculation.

 

Thinking of this, Xiao Mo turned to Chu Jinglan and said, “I think later on, not only should we not use the brother identity, but I should also change my name.”

 

Chu Jinglan, who was studying the sword manual, looked up: “Why?”

 

Because I’ll be reborn.

 

Xiao Mo: “To keep a low profile.”

 

Chu Jinglan didn’t speak, but his eyes clearly said: Is that necessary?

 

Sometimes Xiao Mo’s thoughts ran wild, and even he had trouble keeping up.

 

But as long as it wasn’t a big deal, Chu Jinglan usually let Xiao Mo do as he liked.

 

Seeing that he wasn’t going to stop him, Xiao Mo tapped his flute on his palm, thinking briefly: “Last time we came up with the name ‘Mo Lan’ for the golden mask identity, but we haven’t used it with anyone yet. It’s perfect, I’ll use it.”

 

After Chu Jinglan recovers his cultivation, the golden mask person would appear less frequently.

 

“From now on, I’ll be Mo Lan. If the Jinxiu Pavilion or people we’ve met before ask, we’ll say Xiao Mo was a fake name,” Xiao Mo said happily. “Anyway, they can’t trace my real identity with either name, so I can call myself whatever I want.”

 

Chu Jinglan’s hand paused as he turned a page of the sword manual. He suddenly realized this meant that no matter how many people they meet in the future, only he would know Xiao Mo’s real name, only he would know everything about this demon before him.

 

Xiao Mo would gradually become a name that belongs only to him…

 

Chu Jinglan’s fingers unconsciously stroked the edge of the page.

 

It seems… not bad?

 

[Ding, mental attack successful, +50 points!]

 

Xiao Mo no longer gave Chu Jinglan puzzled looks when points were added. He was certain Chu Jinglan had learned to make snarky comments in his mind, who knows what he was thinking now.

 

“Alright, from now on in front of others, I’m your close friend Mo Lan. Remember, don’t call me wrong.” Xiao Mo leaned closer, holding his flute. “Try calling me Mo Lan?”

 

Chu Jinglan calmly turned a page of the sword manual: “We’ll do that when there are others around.”

 

Xiao Mo: “Let’s get used to it in advance.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “When we pretended to be brothers before, you didn’t practice calling me brother or elder brother in advance.”

 

Indeed, at most he called him Shixiong, but mostly just used his name directly.

 

Xiao Mo waved his flute: “Names and titles are different.”

 

“Fine.” Chu Jinglan closed the book. “I’ll remember, Mo Lan.”

 

Xiao Mo twirled the flute in his hand, satisfied.

 

They had let Qiuqiu out of its spirit pet bag again. The little bird was preening its feathers by the window. Most of its feathers were still grayish, but there were some white downy feathers at the base of its wings. It was round and plump, and poking its feathers left a soft dent, truly living up to its name as a fluffy little ball.

 

Not only did Xiao Mo occasionally poke Qiuqiu, but even Chu Jinglan, after seeing Xiao Mo do it so often, couldn’t resist reaching out—

 

The feeling was indeed very nice.

 

Qiuqiu, comfortable from the pokes: “Chirp.”

 

Time passed quickly as they poked the ball on the flying boat. Soon, they arrived at Qingquan Mountain.

 

Because of the spirit vein in the mountain, there were outposts visible from afar. Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan showed Wang Ludian’s tokens to the guards, and someone was specifically assigned to guide them inside.

 

“This way, please.”

 

Spirit veins are distributed underground, some requiring passage through stone caves, others directly down cliffs. The medium-grade spirit vein of Qingquan Mountain was at the bottom of a cliff, wedged between two mountain faces. As they descended along the steep cliff path, they could increasingly feel the dense spiritual energy.

 

Following the winding cliff path and turning a corner, the view of the cliff bottom suddenly came into sight.

 

Thousand-zhang high cliffs stood like walls of emerald. A long spirit vein emitted a soft glow, flowing slowly like a river. The “ice fragments” floating on the spiritual flow and the crystals condensed on both banks were the spirit stones produced by the vein.

 

A bright river of silver light, a beautiful scene tonight, not only breathtakingly beautiful but also a blessed place for cultivation, and… money everywhere.

 

Chu Jinglan felt the spirit vein perfectly embodied all of Xiao Mo’s preferences: beautiful, spectacular scenery, and wealthy.

 

Except for not being edible, it had no other flaws.

 

Sure enough, Xiao Mo’s eyes reflected the light of the spirit vein, extremely bright.

 

Of course, since Wang Ludian dared to let them in, he certainly had corresponding measures in place, not worrying about them emptying his coffers. Cultivation stone rooms were carved into the cliff walls on both sides. Their guide led them to one of these and bowed to them: “You two can use this cultivation room within the agreed period.”

 

The cultivation room entrance had spirit stone crystals that Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan could take if needed, directly absorbing their spiritual energy for cultivation. The spirit vein was patrolled daily, so they certainly kept track of consumption and monitored everyone’s movements, ensuring safety while also guarding against damage to the vein.

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan weren’t here to collect money; they believed in honest transactions and came for cultivation.

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan politely returned the bow: “Thank you.”

 

The guide left after showing them in. Jinxiu Pavilion disciples were patrolling nearby. The two entered the stone room to inspect it. Inside were three stone bed cultivation spots, a stone table with three stone stools, and spiritual lamps embedded in the stone walls that could emit light when infused with spiritual energy and turn off when the energy was withdrawn.

 

The room’s walls and stone door were inscribed with sound-proofing and reinforcement talismans to prevent damage from cultivation impacts, all practical arrangements.

 

Xiao Mo gathered some spirit crystals from the entrance and piled them in a corner of the room to increase spiritual energy concentration. He put Qiuqiu back in the spirit pet bag, closed the stone door, and Chu Jinglan sat by a stone bed, unbuttoning his top to remove the bandages on his abdomen.

 

At eighteen, Chu Jinglan had already grown to an impressive stature.

 

Eighteen could be called a young man or a talented youth. They always carried a vigorous and not-yet-faded youthful air, some like morning dew, others like the rising sun. Even Chu Jinglan’s frosty demeanor wasn’t like the stubborn snow atop a thousand-year peak, but more like a thin mist of frost suddenly descending at night.

 

When Liu Shao treated him earlier, Xiao Mo’s attention was on the wound and knife. Now looking again, he finally noticed Chu Jinglan’s good physique.

 

The bandages wrapped around his waist and abdomen showed clear contours, hidden when fully clothed. But now with his clothes half-open, the sculpted, smooth muscles were fully visible. As his arms moved, the lines under the white bandages shifted, leaving no doubt about the explosive power hidden beneath.

 

It turns out some people really can give a solid sense of security just with their physique.

 

It was truly pleasing to the eye.

 

Xiao Mo appreciated all beautiful things, whether scenery or people.

 

As Chu Jinglan removed the bandages, he noticed Xiao Mo’s intense gaze and looked up. He saw Xiao Mo staring at him with the same gleam in his eyes as when admiring the large spirit crystals earlier.

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

If it were someone else, being stared at with clothes open might feel offensive or embarrassing. But under Xiao Mo’s gaze, Chu Jinglan felt no discomfort at all.

 

After all, he was being viewed like a spirit crystal.

 

…Well, this was just how his inner demon was.

 

Being treated like a stone was fine; at least spirit crystals were high-grade stones. And Xiao Mo’s gaze was appreciative, which was a kind of affirmation.

 

Chu Jinglan pretended not to notice and lowered his head to unwrap the bandages circle by circle.

 

As the white gauze fell away, Xiao Mo also stopped marveling at the “great physique” and focused on the wound.

 

Liu Shao had infused spiritual energy when applying medicine, so the wound was now very light in color and wouldn’t leave a scar. The room’s dense spiritual energy was beneficial to both body and cultivation with every breath. The wound would heal even faster here, and after a while, it wouldn’t affect cultivation or any other activities.

 

This kind of healing speed is only possible in the cultivation world.

 

Chu Jinglan applied a bit more medicine and put his clothes back on. Xiao Mo sat on the stone bed opposite him: “We’re about to start cultivation. Jing Lei said the process is very painful. If you take pain medication…”

 

“It would numb the senses and hinder proper cultivation,” Chu Jinglan said.

 

Xiao Mo sighed lightly: “That’s true.”

 

For Chu Jinglan, pain wasn’t the main issue. The key point was that cultivators with better conditions than Jing Lei hadn’t succeeded. Besides favorable location and human factors, luck and timing were clearly needed.

 

Chu Jinglan looked at his palm: “So far, only Jing Lei has succeeded.”

 

Xiao Mo naturally responded: “You’ll soon be added to that list.”

 

He seemed even more confident than Chu Jinglan himself.

 

Chu Jinglan’s gaze softened, and he lightly clenched his fist, saying in a low but determined voice: “Mm.”

 

Soon after, the wound had fully healed. Chu Jinglan nurtured it a bit longer to be safe, then sat cross-legged to begin cultivation.

 

Only the last dantian fragment remained, but it wouldn’t be treated gently. Chu Jinglan had to use an enormous amount of spiritual energy, on the verge of shattering, to try to expand it without destroying it. This required excellent control over spiritual energy – a bold yet delicate task.

 

From the moment Chu Jinglan started meditating, Xiao Mo watched him intently, unconsciously gripping his flute tightly in nervousness.

 

Within moments of Chu Jinglan closing his eyes, his body tensed, his brow furrowed deeply, and the color rapidly drained from his face, his lips turning white.

 

Xiao Mo immediately held his breath, staring at him without blinking.

 

The night-blooming cereus on his brow was distorted by the deepening furrows. Chu Jinglan’s facial muscles were tightly clenched, a thin sweat appearing on his forehead, and muscle spasms became increasingly apparent. No matter how well he could endure, his body’s reactions were the most honest – he was clearly suffering immense pain.

 

The influx of surrounding spiritual energy began to become chaotic. Xiao Mo immediately acted, smoothing the flow of energy around him, returning the turbulent spiritual currents to an orderly state.

 

Xiao Mo’s fingers moved deftly, but Chu Jinglan’s brow couldn’t relax.

 

He was indeed enduring great pain.

 

No wonder Jing Lei said it was painful to the point of wishing for death every day. The beginning is always the hardest. The poor dantian fragment was suddenly infused with dense spiritual energy; Chu Jinglan seemed to hear its screams and resistance, but he remained coldly ruthless, steeling his heart to continue.

 

People are always fighting against themselves. He absolutely couldn’t remain a cripple forever.

 

Xiao Mo’s pale fingers glowed with spiritual light as he focused intently on controlling the energy flow. Not even the time it takes to drink a cup of tea had passed when Chu Jinglan suddenly opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of blood.

 

The blood splattered onto Xiao Mo’s clothes, staining the intricate embroidery red.

 

“Chu Jinglan!”

 

Xiao Mo immediately raised his hand to support him, but Chu Jinglan propped himself up with his arm, shaking his head at Xiao Mo. Chu Jinglan couldn’t speak at the moment; he opened his mouth and lowered his head, vomiting two more mouthfuls of blood.

 

As fresh blood spilled from his mouth, Chu Jinglan, supporting himself with his arm, caught sight of Xiao Mo’s clothes stained red by his blood. He opened his mouth and said hoarsely: “…It’s dirty.”

 

“What?” Xiao Mo asked.

 

Xiao Mo heard his whisper and followed Chu Jinglan’s gaze to his own clothes: “Is this really what you’re worried about at a time like this!”

 

Xiao Mo immediately took out two bottles of spiritual medicine: “One for soothing qi and one for replenishing blood. Which do you want?”

 

Chu Jinglan coughed twice and took both.

 

Xiao Mo created a small cleaning spell orb, first clearing away Chu Jinglan’s sweat and blood, then letting it swirl around his own clothes to remove the bloodstains.

 

After taking both medicines and resting briefly, Chu Jinglan resumed cultivation.

 

On the first day of seclusion, Chu Jinglan vomited blood and sweated profusely countless times, finally ending with him passing out from the pain.

 

As Xiao Mo helped him lie down, he realized his own fingers had been trembling for some time without him noticing.

 

…So much blood.

 

The original story only wrote about his later glory, never mentioning the blood and sweat of his struggles.

 

A spiritual body has no heart, but even a heartless demon can feel distress.

 

Xiao Mo took a soft breath.

 

He couldn’t show too much distress in front of Chu Jinglan, who was having the hardest time. If he also became shaky and panicked, wouldn’t that disturb Chu Jinglan’s state of mind?

 

So when Chu Jinglan opened his eyes on the second day, Xiao Mo’s expression was normal.

 

Having already taken fasting pills, there was no need to eat. Upon waking, Chu Jinglan immediately prepared to meditate again, but before starting, he quietly looked at Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo understood the emotion in that calm gaze and was briefly stunned. Then, pressing his palm, he smiled at him: “I know it’s not time to rest. I won’t stop you. Go ahead and start.”

 

Once the dantian tempering begins, one can’t be inconsistent. Only by constantly pushing to the edge and overcoming pain is rebirth possible. It was never meant to be a comfortable process.

 

Hearing Xiao Mo’s words, Chu Jinglan closed his eyes and began again.

 

On the second day, he again passed out from pain. Xiao Mo checked his pulse and found the dantian fragment had barely changed – neither good nor bad.

 

The third and fourth days were no different, but on the fifth day, Chu Jinglan was forced awake before fully entering meditation for the first time. He didn’t vomit blood this time, but he was drenched in sweat with very irregular breathing.

 

Xiao Mo used spiritual energy to guide his meridians and asked nervously: “What’s wrong?”

 

Chu Jinglan’s lowered gaze swept over Xiao Mo’s clothes, and he couldn’t help but close his eyes.

 

He could endure pain well, but Chu Jinglan never believed a person’s will must be tempered by pain. Pain only destabilizes the mind. Five consecutive days of intense pain and no progress with his dantian were torturing his spirit repeatedly.

 

Xiao Mo’s clothes were repeatedly stained by his blood, yet he couldn’t even perform the simplest cleaning spell.

 

Chu Jinglan said nothing, his fists tightly clenched, nails digging into his palms.

 

He hated his own weakness and helplessness.

 

Xiao Mo also fell silent, but began to gently pry open Chu Jinglan’s bloodstained fingers one by one.

 

But as soon as he pried them open, Chu Jinglan clenched his fists again. After this happened twice, Chu Jinglan’s palms were a bloody mess from his own nails.

 

Xiao Mo was almost laughing in exasperation.

 

So on the third try, before Chu Jinglan could fully close his fingers, Xiao Mo directly inserted his own hand into Chu Jinglan’s palm, completely enveloping his hand.

 

Xiao Mo: “Go ahead and clench now.”

 

If Chu Jinglan clenched this time, he wouldn’t hurt his own palm, but would squeeze Xiao Mo’s hand instead.

 

Chu Jinglan’s fingers immediately froze in place.

 

His fingers, having used too much force, now didn’t know where to go.

 

This time, Xiao Mo didn’t use a cleaning spell, but took out a handkerchief and wiped the blood from his fingers bit by bit.

 

“If it hurts, you can shout it out, you can roar,” Xiao Mo said while wiping his hand. “There’s no one here but me.”

 

“If you can’t bear anyone hearing you, I can go back to the sea of consciousness, close my eyes and ears. No one will know your disheveled state.”

 

Xiao Mo opened his palm, using spiritual energy to heal the flesh wounds: “Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

 

The stiff fingers slowly relaxed. This time, Chu Jinglan gently closed his hand, resting it on Xiao Mo’s skin, loosely holding the inner demon’s cool hand. His voice was hoarse: “You don’t need to leave.”

 

Xiao Mo let him hold his hand: “Feeling better?”

 

Chu Jinglan slowly sat up straight: “Mm.”

 

Xiao Mo looked up, carefully examining Chu Jinglan’s expression. Confirming that he had indeed come out of his pain-induced daze, he suddenly withdrew his hand, not forgetting to pat Chu Jinglan’s hand, saying angrily: “That’s what you get for clenching! Your palms are a mess!”

 

Chu Jinglan pressed his hand, his fingertips still retaining Xiao Mo’s cool temperature. When in pain, he could hardly make a sound, but now, he let out an extremely soft laugh.

 

[Ding, mental attack successful, +500 points!]

 

A huge sum, but Xiao Mo couldn’t muster any excitement. He lowered his eyes listlessly, feeling that his presence here seemed useless except as a witness. He was about to curl up his arms and legs to shrink back when his brow was suddenly poked.

 

Xiao Mo looked up, dumbfounded, as Chu Jinglan withdrew his hand.

 

“I’m fine now,” Chu Jinglan said, the initial snow in his eyes melting, a gentle, faint smile not yet faded. “Shall I continue?”

 

“Oh… mm.”

 

Xiao Mo was still a bit dazed, responding dryly. Only after Chu Jinglan closed his eyes to resume cultivation did he belatedly realize that Chu Jinglan’s tone had carried a hint of inquiry, not just a statement.

 

…Why ask me?

 

This question was as unexpected as Chu Jinglan’s earlier action.

 

But, strangely, his mood had calmed down.

 

Xiao Mo sat back on the opposite stone bed, staring at Chu Jinglan. He didn’t hug his arms for a sense of security, but instead touched the forehead where Chu Jinglan’s fingertip had poked with the back of his hand.

 

It’s okay, he thought softly. They’ll get through this. He’ll accompany Chu Jinglan through it all.

 

---

 

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter