PID Chapter 108

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Although Xiao Mo’s first attack had missed, he quickly adjusted. Real combat was the best way to refine one’s skills, and he was growing increasingly adept at wielding his flute as a weapon.

 

However, this demon cultivator wasn’t easy to take down with sword energy alone. If not for Chu Jinglan standing nearby, keeping watch and ensuring Xiao Mo had the opportunity to treat him as a practice target, it would have been much harder.

 

Chu Jinglan also provided constant guidance. Whenever Xiao Mo made a mistake or showed a weakness, Chu Jinglan pointed it out immediately, and Xiao Mo corrected it on the spot without waiting for another chance.

 

The demon cultivator’s initial fury gradually turned into fear. Despite being at a higher cultivation level than these two early-stage Divided Spirit juniors, he was being completely suppressed!

 

Xiao Mo flicked his wrist and, feeling that he’d practiced enough, nodded toward Chu Jinglan. He then raised his flute horizontally in front of him and unleashed a piercing melody into the air.

 

Sword energy had only been a warm-up; the flute’s sound was Xiao Mo’s true weapon.

 

Moreover, spiritual consciousness was a known weakness of demon cultivators. Their greatest fear was encountering someone capable of attacking their minds. While Xiao Mo’s current ability to disrupt spiritual consciousness wasn’t as strong as it had been during his time as a inner demon, it was still effective enough to make him a formidable opponent for this demon cultivator.

 

By the time the rest of the group subdued the four demons, Xiao Mo had successfully captured the demon cultivator as well.

 

When Yue Ming came over to collect the captives, Xiao Mo casually pulled out a rope and tied up the demon cultivator. Yue Ming noticed the golden chain around Xiao Mo’s wrist and recalled how it had been wrapped around Chu Jinglan’s hand earlier. Offhandedly, he remarked: “Isn’t that chain on your wrist good enough to tie someone up? Why bother using another rope?”

 

To his surprise, Xiao Mo’s expression shifted instantly. His gaze darted away nervously as he coughed lightly and replied awkwardly: “This chain won’t work for that.”

 

Yue Ming hadn’t intended to understand—but when Xiao Mo instinctively glanced at Chu Jinglan after speaking, Yue Ming was forced to connect the dots.

 

So this chain can only bind him and Chu Jinglan—not anyone else.

 

Yue Ming: “…”

 

What a waste of such a good magical artifact!

 

Frustrated, Yue Ming vented his irritation by kicking the demon cultivator over to join the other four demons. He directed his anger at them instead: “Speak up—who sent you here? What’s your purpose?”

 

The four demons immediately begged for mercy, insisting they were only there to collect blood and had no other intentions. The demon cultivator remained silent, prompting someone nearby to point a sword at him and demand: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

 

The demon cultivator sneered coldly: “I’m a demon cultivator. Falling into your hands means certain death—there’s no point in talking.”

 

“Not necessarily,” Jun Bushu said calmly, lowering his gaze as he spoke with deliberate slowness. “We’re waiting for someone who hasn’t arrived yet. If you were truly sent by certain people to gather information, we might let you go.”

 

The demon cultivator’s eyes flickered with thought but remained cautious. He still refused to speak.

 

At this moment, Xiao Mo opened his palm, revealing a small glass-like bead. The moment the demon cultivator saw it, his expression changed drastically. Xiao Mo, maintaining a calm demeanor, shook the bead lightly. “You tried to send this bead out amidst the chaos earlier. Unfortunately for you, my eyesight is sharp, and I intercepted it. Do you have anything else to say now?”

 

The demon cultivator’s face shifted through several emotions—light and dark flickering—before his shoulders finally slumped in defeat. That bead was meant to send a message. If he could have delivered some information before dying, his death might have had some value. But now, having failed to collect blood and with his message intercepted, dying would be utterly meaningless.

 

“I’ll talk,” the demon cultivator said weakly. “Please spare my life. I was sent by Lord Su to scout the situation.”

 

Jun Bushu’s eyes lifted slightly as Mu Jian, standing behind him with a grim expression, spoke up: “Su Baimo?”

 

The demon cultivator lowered his head and replied feebly: “Yes.”

 

Xiao Mo was taken aback: Su Baimo became a demon cultivator?

 

He hadn’t expected this answer at all.

 

Mu Jian clenched his fists tightly and turned to Jun Bushu. “Senior Brother Jun, as expected, he’s involved in this matter too. We must capture that traitor and retrieve the treasure that belongs to our sect!”

 

Jun Bushu nodded and said to the other Great Perfection stage cultivators: “Let this man return to deliver a message to Su Baimo—we’re not afraid of him coming.”

 

As Xiao Mo listened, he sent a voice transmission to Chu Jinglan: “What happened? How did Su Baimo become a demon cultivator?”

 

Chu Jinglan explained: Su Baimo had been captured by Fenxiu outside the Nine Secret Treasure Tower. As a disciple of Lingxiao Sect with improved aptitude after consuming medicinal pills, he was considered promising talent. Lingxiao Sect didn’t want to lose him and made efforts to rescue him.

 

Moreover, Dai Zisheng insisted on saving Su Baimo no matter what. After several dangerous incursions into the Demon Domain, they finally found an opportunity during Fenxiu’s absence and successfully rescued Su Baimo.

 

However, Su Baimo had suffered severe injuries during his captivity. Watching Dai Zisheng’s injuries from the rescue mission, Mu Jian told Su Baimo that their debt of gratitude was now cleared.

 

Dai Zisheng had indeed shown great loyalty and righteousness. Xiao Mo asked: “And then?”

 

“At that time, although the old Heaven’s Will hadn’t completely dissipated, its power and authority had already been stripped away,” Chu Jinglan continued. “Su Baimo was affected by this change and began encountering setbacks in everything he did.”

 

Chu Jinglan hadn’t paid much attention to Su Baimo personally but knew about him because of a major scandal that occurred after Su Baimo’s luck turned sour.

 

Su Baimo hadn’t abandoned his dual cultivation method that relied on his special physique as a mandarin duck cauldron. He continued deceiving others and manipulating multiple people simultaneously. However, this time fortune no longer favored him—his actions were exposed.

 

Su Baimo’s targets weren’t just chosen for their cultivation levels but also for their status and influence. Because of this, once his deeds came to light, those powerful disciples refused to let him off easily.

 

In the end, Su Baimo was merely expelled from Lingxiao Sect—a punishment some considered lenient given the circumstances.

 

However, after Su Baimo left, the sect elders noticed that the aura of one of their sect’s treasures had disappeared along with him. Upon investigation, they discovered that the treasure had been stolen and disguised to avoid detection. Hidden surveillance stones recorded evidence of Su Baimo’s actions.

 

Chu Jinglan remarked: “Perhaps before its dissolution, the old Heaven’s Will sought him out and left him some instructions.”

 

Although the old Heaven’s Will had dissipated entirely by now, Su Baimo theoretically shouldn’t have any chance of reuniting its fragments. Nevertheless, after these events unfolded, both Lingxiao Sect and Chu Jinglan kept an eye on Su Baimo’s movements.

 

“As long as Su Baimo doesn’t involve himself in matters related to Heaven’s Will or provoke me directly,” Chu Jinglan concluded calmly, “I have no interest in dealing with him further. The grudges from previous lifetimes were settled when they happened—I have no intention of entangling myself with Su Baimo across multiple lives.”

 

 

But if Su Baimo still doesn’t understand his situation, then that’s a different matter altogether.

 

The last time someone encountered Su Baimo, the report stated that he had already fallen into demonic cultivation and that his current cultivation level had reached Great Perfection stage.

 

Su Baimo’s luck may have turned bad, but his aptitude and cultivation potential had improved. With his status as a former Lingxiao Sect disciple, he could have lived a good life—but instead, he chose to stir up trouble, squandering every advantage he had.

 

Ambition isn’t inherently bad. But having ambition without the strength to back it up, combined with unchecked jealousy leading to extreme actions, only results in underhanded schemes that make him unworthy of respect.

 

Moreover, now that Su Baimo has become a demon cultivator, any righteous cultivator who encounters him will inevitably fight him.

 

Yue Ming continued questioning: “Does Su Baimo intend to rescue Fenxiu?”

 

The demon cultivator shook his head. “I don’t know. Lord Su’s instructions to me were only to collect blood.”

 

Yue Ming nodded. “Alright, you can leave—but hand over your storage device.”

 

The demon cultivator reluctantly handed over his storage device. Yue Ming gathered potent spiritual energy in his palm and struck the demon cultivator’s dantian with one powerful blow. As the spiritual energy penetrated, Yue Ming clenched his fingers tightly and forcibly shattered the demon cultivator’s dantian.

 

The excruciating pain caused the demon cultivator’s vision to go black—he nearly passed out on the spot. Blood poured from his mouth in torrents, but his strong will to survive kept him conscious despite the agony.

 

Yue Ming withdrew his hand and said coldly: “Get lost.”

 

Demonic cultivators often practiced sinister techniques that came with various forms of backlash. With his cultivation destroyed, the next time the backlash struck, he would have no way to resist it—leaving him to die slowly in torment and suffering. His days were numbered.

 

Destroying their cultivation was no different from killing them.

 

The demon cultivator knew he couldn’t escape unscathed. Though filled with hatred, he clung desperately to life for now—dragging himself away as quickly as possible despite staggering with every step.

 

Yue Ming scoffed: “Demonic scum have harmed countless people. Begging for mercy won’t save them—they’re dreaming.”

 

After dealing with and interrogating the group of intruders, everyone took a moment to rest in place. Chu Jinglan retrieved a piece of embroidered cloth from his storage device and spread it out before him. He placed a food box on top of it and opened it—releasing an aroma so enticing that it immediately drew everyone’s attention.

 

Most of them had already reached the stage of fasting where they didn’t need food. Aside from tasting small portions at banquets for tradition’s sake, no one typically brought food on journeys. Yet Chu Jinglan’s food box contained dishes so fragrant and rich in spiritual energy that it was impossible not to notice.

 

“This spiritual food contains enough energy to rival medicinal pills—it can assist cultivation directly!”

 

“Exactly… And it smells amazing—it looks like it tastes incredible too.”

 

Some couldn’t help but swallow nervously as they stared at the dishes. Chu Jinglan was about to call Xiao Mo over to eat when he noticed that Xiao Mo’s expression wasn’t one of joy but rather one of complexity and sorrow.

 

Chu Jinglan placed a hand on the food box and asked softly: “You don’t like it?”

 

Xiao Mo immediately shook his head, not wanting Chu Jinglan to misunderstand. He picked up one of the dishes and replied: “No—it’s just that it reminded me of something.”

 

Xiao Mo carefully took out the dishes one by one, arranging them neatly. Lowering his head, he reached into his storage device and pulled out a small oil-paper package. Slowly, he unwrapped it in front of Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan’s gaze shifted subtly as he watched Xiao Mo’s movements.

 

Inside the small oil-paper package were dried licorice flowers.

 

In an instant, Chu Jinglan’s memory transported him back to the ninth floor of the treasure tower, to the serene courtyard filled with fragrant blooms, where he had handed licorice flowers to Xiao Mo.

 

Those days had been peaceful and untroubled, like a utopia untouched by the world’s chaos—a time of pure ease and tranquility.

 

“I saved half a packet back then,” Xiao Mo said softly. “I couldn’t bear to eat them all, so I brought them with me.” He tried to smile but failed after several attempts, his lips pressing together as he lowered his head again. “I’m sorry, I…”

 

Before he could finish, Chu Jinglan reached out, picked up a licorice flower, and gently pressed it against Xiao Mo’s lips.

 

“Back then… did you already like me?” Chu Jinglan asked quietly.

 

Xiao Mo raised his head, words caught at the edge of his lips before they rolled out in a soft hum: “Mm.”

 

Even after reuniting and confessing their feelings for each other, neither of them had ever asked when their love had begun. Now that they knew, looking back only added to the unspoken regrets—but keeping it buried wouldn’t have made it any better.

 

Through the flower petals, Chu Jinglan lightly brushed Xiao Mo’s lips and murmured: “…So you were in pain back then too.”

 

Xiao Mo opened his mouth and took the licorice flower in, its sweetness masking the bitterness lingering in his heart. “Not as much as you.”

 

Chu Jinglan must have fallen for him even earlier. Looking back now, those moments that seemed insignificant at the time were clearly when his heart had first stirred—when brotherly affection or friendship had quietly transformed into love. It was a love born without warning but with certainty about who held his heart.

 

Knowing that Xiao Mo had suffered because of him back then filled Chu Jinglan with conflicting emotions—half satisfaction, half heartache. The satisfaction came from a darker part of him that reveled in knowing they shared this pain. In the past, when he had longed for Xiao Mo alone, his chaotic spiritual consciousness often overwhelmed his true intentions. But today, that fleeting satisfaction was quickly drowned out by heartache until not a trace of it remained.

 

Without consciously calming himself or focusing his mind, Chu Jinglan’s true feelings surged through him like a tide—banishing the beast within.

 

For a long time, he hadn’t dared to recall those days in the Nine Secret Treasure Tower. But now that Xiao Mo was by his side again, he could finally allow himself to think about them. As the haze of time lifted, he seemed to see a clearer image of who Chu Jinglan had been back then.

 

The pure and unscarred Chu Jinglan was gone forever—but who said he couldn’t become even better than before? With Xiao Mo beside him and his love for Xiao Mo still burning brightly in his heart—he could. He would.

 

As they traveled with the group, Chu Jinglan’s possessiveness simmered beneath the surface—hidden in contrast to Xiao Mo’s boldness. His desire was something that couldn’t bear the light of day.

 

Yet even if his heart was decayed and broken in many ways, his love for Xiao Mo still shone brilliantly.

 

Chu Jinglan placed a piece of licorice flower between his lips before leaning forward and pressing it against Xiao Mo’s lips.

 

Xiao Mo’s eyes widened slightly at first but soon softened as his worries melted into joy and warmth. He parted his lips and allowed the licorice flower—imbued with Chu Jinglan’s breath—to be gently delivered into his mouth.

 

So sweet, they both thought at the same time.

 

In Chu Jinglan’s sea of consciousness, the half-withered red lotus and scorched night-blooming cereus trembled faintly.

 

New petals—soft and tender—were beginning to unfurl quietly.

 

Xiao Mo caught a fleeting smile in Chu Jinglan’s eyes—a lightness so rare it reminded him of the first time he had seen Chu Jinglan smile. It was breathtakingly beautiful—melting away all frost and snow in an instant.

 

This was his Chu Jinglan—it always had been.

 

The flower was shared between the two of them, its sweetness doubling as it flowed through both their hearts.

 

Chu Jinglan said softly, “If you like it, I’ll prepare more for you in the future.”

 

“Anything you give me, I’ll like,” Xiao Mo replied. Then, as if remembering something, he raised his hand and took out the East Clear Pearl, placing it in Chu Jinglan’s hand.

 

“The East Clear Pearl is beneficial for spiritual consciousness. Keep it with you. I’ve been nurturing it with my spiritual energy for a few days—it should help you.”

 

The water-aligned spiritual root’s energy was perfect for nurturing the East Clear Pearl. In addition to its innate spiritual energy, the pearl now carried Xiao Mo’s aura. As Chu Jinglan held it in his hand, feeling the flow of energy within, even his cool palm seemed to warm up—as if Xiao Mo were holding his hand directly.

 

Chu Jinglan nodded. “Alright.”

 

He also wanted to recover his spiritual consciousness quickly—so he could fearlessly embrace the person before him.

 

Xiao Mo leaned closer to him and said with a smile: “This pearl has been with me for so long that I’ve figured out some ways to use it better. You’ve taught me how to wield a sword—now it’s my turn to teach you.”

 

At this point, only Xiao Mo dared to volunteer to teach Chu Xianzun anything. If outsiders knew, they’d likely think Xiao Mo was being overly bold. But since Xianzun himself accepted it happily, no one else could interfere.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter