PID Chapter 3

Xiao Mo’s courtyard and Chu Jinglan’s Moon Lake were separated by a wall of black mist, dividing the two areas. The range of the mist wall would change; once Chu Jinglan’s spiritual sense became stronger, they would have to compete for territory.

 

Although the place where Xiao Mo was now was also carved out of Chu Jinglan’s sea of consciousness.

 

During the three days that Xiao Mo and the system were engrossed in their home-building game, Chu Jinglan had been in the library, poring over a large number of books, trying to figure out Xiao Mo’s origins.

 

As the Chu family’s rare genius, he was as valued by his family as he was feared by other clans.

 

The Chu family was located in Mu City¹Dusk City in the lower realm, a medium-sized clan with members working in sects in the middle realm. After Chu Jinglan showed his talent, the Chu family elders further curried favor with those above, agreeing to send him to the Huanjian²Illusion sword Sect in the middle realm after he turned eighteen.

 

In exchange, the Chu family received some resources from the Huanjian Sect, and Chu Jinglan himself had a protective seal from one of the sect’s elders. Only someone at the middle stage of the Nascent Soul cultivation could possibly break it, and if the seal were disturbed, the elder could personally intervene.

 

The lower realm had sparse spiritual energy, and high-level cultivators coming down from above would have their cultivation suppressed, able to use at most Nascent Soul abilities. Theoretically, Chu Jinglan should be very safe in the lower realm.

 

However, he had faced numerous assassination attempts but always escaped unscathed. The assassins came from many sources, some even connected to the middle realm. Although these people failed repeatedly, their methods of harassing him never ceased.

 

Regarding the sudden appearance of the “inner demon,” Chu Jinglan’s first reaction was: which family is trying to harm him again?

 

But after searching through all the books, he couldn’t find any description matching the mist ball.

 

Eliminating all impossibilities, Chu Jinglan had to seriously consider… could it really be a inner demon?

 

Having a inner demon before reaching the Nascent Soul stage was unheard of. Chu Jinglan himself was shocked and didn’t dare to speak of it lightly to others.

 

Chu Jinglan stood silently, struggling internally for a long time. After a moment, he reached for another bookshelf.

 

He changed the direction of his research, starting to read about stabilizing the sea of consciousness and methods of condensing spiritual sense.

 

It was common knowledge that one couldn’t look inward into their sea of consciousness before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, but if the inner demon was real, why couldn’t other things become real too?

 

If he said this to others, ten out of ten people would laugh and ask if he was still dreaming, talking nonsense in broad daylight.

 

With an attitude of “let’s give it a try” and 120% effort, after three days of cultivation, Chu Jinglan opened his eyes in his own sea of consciousness.

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

It actually worked!?

 

Rather than feeling happy, he was first shocked, surveying his sea of consciousness with disbelief and caution.

 

He looked at the pitch-black sea of consciousness, a withered tree, a dead-silent lake, and the pale moon in the sky. This scene was as desolate as it could be.

 

…So this is what my inner self looks like.

 

Before Chu Jinglan could look further, the black mist behind the withered tree surged, and a figure walked out.

 

Chu Jinglan’s pupils contracted: this person looked very similar to him!

 

One could believe they were biological brothers.

 

The newcomer wore light-colored silk robes, but somehow made the elegant clothing look bright and eye-catching. Chu Jinglan never knew his features could have such an effect. The youth opposite him looked alluring from every angle, and with that lazy expression, Chu Jinglan couldn’t help but frown.

 

Improper!

 

Xiao Mo had just woken up not long ago and was feeling lazy all over. He leaned against the withered tree without proper posture and nodded at Chu Jinglan: “You came quite quickly, as expected of a genius.”

 

The voice didn’t resemble his own at all; it was undoubtedly the voice of the black mist ball.

 

Chu Jinglan looked at the face so similar to his own, feeling uncomfortable no matter how he looked at it, and said coldly: “Change your face.”

 

Hearing this, Xiao Mo perked up a bit, straightening up from the tree trunk: “You think I don’t want to change it? It’s because I’m your inner demon. Let me tell you, I have my own original… imagined face, which is much more pleasing to the eye than yours!”

 

Xiao Mo’s initial outfit was black and red, both evil and beautiful, but Xiao Mo felt this was a stereotypical inner demon look, so he changed into more elegant clothes.

 

After all, changing clothes was convenient for him. With just a thought, he could change outfits instantly. He could change every day, anytime, and try on all the beautiful clothes from the cultivation world in the system’s memory.

 

But whether due to the innate charm of a inner demon or the effect of the red demonic mark between his brows, Xiao Mo had the ability to make even the most ascetic clothing look seductive and alluring.

 

Whether it was Xiao Mo’s own face or using Chu Jinglan’s face, the effect was outstanding and quite mysterious.

 

Chu Jinglan felt uncomfortable all over looking at him. He tried moving his thoughts, and suddenly a sword appeared in his hand.

 

The system exclaimed in Xiao Mo’s ear: “In just three days, he successfully entered the sea of consciousness and immediately mastered materializing objects with his mind. A genius, truly worthy of being called a genius!”

 

Xiao Mo snorted lightly: “Well, I immediately mastered inner demon abilities when I arrived.”

 

The system spread its praise evenly: “You’re also exceptionally talented!”

 

Xiao Mo understood that the system likely had a sycophantic function loaded as well.

 

He wasn’t trying to compete with Chu Jinglan, it’s just… the more excellent Chu Jinglan was, the more annoyed Xiao Mo felt when thinking about his fate.

 

If the protagonist truly loved Chu Jinglan wholeheartedly, then whatever Chu Jinglan did would be a matter between the couple, a touching love story.

 

But that wasn’t the case.

 

The protagonist’s name was Su Baimo, born into the Su family in the lower realm, and Chu Jinglan’s fiancé since their youth.

 

In the original novel, Chu Jinglan was initially indifferent towards the fiancé forced upon him by his family, not feeling any particular love. But when he fell from being heaven’s pride to becoming a cripple, the original novel had this description:

 

[Su Baimo wept unsteadily before Chu Jinglan, while people of all kinds showed pity, mockery, and schadenfreude. Only Su Baimo shed tears for Chu Jinglan.

 

Chu Jinglan silently watched his tears.]

 

At the time, everyone in the comment section unanimously believed that this was the beginning of Chu Jinglan’s feelings, something he would remember for a lifetime, leading him to later die without a burial place for Su Baimo.

 

One bout of tears – Su Baimo only gave Chu Jinglan one bout of tears, but Chu Jinglan gave him his life.

 

Xiao Mo found it absurd and unconvincing. The text didn’t explicitly describe Chu Jinglan’s thoughts, but looking at Chu Jinglan’s role throughout the story, this seemed to be the only explanation. Otherwise, it was impossible to understand why Chu Jinglan was so devoted to Su Baimo.

 

In a melodramatic novel, one couldn’t expect too much logic.

 

If Chu Jinglan didn’t value his own abilities and life, why should Xiao Mo diligently work to temper him?

 

Before even entering society, Xiao Mo had grasped the essence of being a worker: just do the bare minimum.

 

“Your sword can’t kill me now,” Xiao Mo said, unfazed by Chu Jinglan’s sharp sword tip. “If you don’t believe me, try it.”

 

And try he did.

 

Chu Jinglan raised his sword and attacked!

 

Although Xiao Mo didn’t dodge, he instinctively closed his eyes. After all, standing still while being hit was too inhuman!

 

Moreover, even though he had been slashed once before, watching a sharp blade coming at you was still quite frightening.

 

The sword passed through Xiao Mo’s body, feeling exactly the same as when it had passed through the mist ball earlier. There was no sensation of hitting anything solid, and Xiao Mo remained unharmed.

 

When the sound of the sword cutting through the air disappeared, Xiao Mo cautiously opened his eyes a crack. Seeing that Chu Jinglan had finished, he fully opened his eyes and put on an “everything is under control” expression, looking quite convincing.

 

As if he hadn’t been the one afraid just moments ago.

 

The inner demon Xiao curved his lips, trying his best to smile wickedly: “I told you, you can’t do it.”

 

The smile was quite effective, actually.

 

If Xiao Mo wasn’t wearing Chu Jinglan’s face, Chu Jinglan might not have been so angry. But now – well done, Xiao Mo’s provocation was very successful. Chu Jinglan’s face was as cold as frost, his icy anger rapidly rising.

 

Xiao Mo struck while the iron was hot: “If you want to kill me, hurry up and cultivate. Your current cultivation level is far from enough.”

 

Chu Jinglan finally couldn’t help but retort: “Are you looking forward to being killed by me?”

 

Of course! The sooner you kill me, the sooner we’ll both be free!

 

But he couldn’t say that out loud; it didn’t fit his role as a inner demon.

 

What fit a inner demon’s character was this: “Heh, I just hope to possess a superior body when the time comes.”

 

Xiao Mo lightly jumped onto the withered tree, swinging his legs leisurely: “Since I’ve unfortunately become your inner demon, I can only accept my fate. Work hard, genius. I don’t want your cultivation to be this pitiful when I possess you.”

 

Chu Jinglan stabbed Xiao Mo with a knife-like gaze, but Xiao Mo’s relaxed attitude and high defense reflected all the anger back to Chu Jinglan, making him even more upset.

 

The young genius took a deep breath—

 

Xiao Mo’s inner self tensed up along with Chu Jinglan’s expression: What is he going to do now?

 

Then, Chu Jinglan turned and rushed straight out of the sea of consciousness.

 

He literally crashed out. Without a word, his actions fully expressed his intolerance.

 

Xiao Mo, left sitting on the withered tree, was stunned.

 

…He thought Chu Jinglan was going to give him another sword strike.

 

With the debt collector gone, the previously arrogant Xiao Mo’s shoulders relaxed. He muttered softly on the tree: “That startled me.”

 

He had only read about so-called killing intent in books before. Experiencing it firsthand made him realize the descriptions weren’t exaggerated. Chu Jinglan’s killing intent was almost tangible, as sharp as a sword.

 

Xiao Mo couldn’t help but touch his neck. The feeling of impending death was too real and truly unpleasant.

 

Considering that he would eventually be killed by Chu Jinglan, he might need to get used to it in advance.

 

The system, having observed the confrontation between the two seventeen-year-olds, didn’t dare to speak. But now that one of them had been angered away, it finally piped up with flattery.

 

“Host, you were amazing!”

 

Xiao Mo lowered his hand from his neck, ignoring the system’s praise: “Is the task completed now?”

 

“Yes, Chu Jinglan saw you in the sea of consciousness and finally had to believe you are the inner demon. The basic task is successful!” the system said cheerfully. “You also successfully caused him mental distress, earning five points.”

 

“Wait,” Xiao Mo was confused, “How did I attack him? I didn’t use any inner demon abilities on him just now.”

 

Bewitchment, pulling at spiritual sense, attempting to seize the body – Xiao Mo hadn’t done any of these. How was it considered an attack?

 

System: “Oh, after the basic task is completed, as long as you cause a significant emotional impact on him, it counts as a mental attack. You’re a inner demon, after all. Any action that tempers his mind counts.”

 

Xiao Mo had no interest in tempering Chu Jinglan, but he hadn’t forgotten that points could be exchanged for his own cultivation.

 

Xiao Mo’s initial cultivation level matched Chu Jinglan’s, both at the peak of Golden Core. He could choose to wait for Chu Jinglan to advance and then change along with him, or he could cultivate on his own and surpass Chu Jinglan.

 

To have a human form, he needed to reach the Nascent Soul. In the original novel, Chu Jinglan had to experience being crippled and then struggle to rise again before reaching Nascent Soul.

 

If Xiao Mo honestly waited for him, it might be too late; he might still be without a proper form.

 

To be able to breathe fresh air outside in human form sooner, Xiao Mo pondered: “According to your judgment model, doesn’t that mean I could just irritate him occasionally and rapidly gain points?”

 

“Indeed, you could.” When inner demons can’t harm their hosts in the early stages, don’t they all just engage in verbal sparring? Constantly chattering in the host’s ear to disrupt their mind – the system felt Xiao Mo’s suggestion was completely reasonable.

 

“Points are awarded based on the magnitude of emotional fluctuation. The greater the fluctuation, the higher the points. Host, five points is very little. In the mall, it can only buy a basic, mediocre healing medicine. If converted to cultivation, you’d hardly feel any progress.”

 

The system’s intention was to encourage Xiao Mo to be more diligent.

 

But what Xiao Mo understood was: “I see, I should make my words even harsher.”

 

…That’s possible, but it could be even more so. The system sighed helplessly: “Well, host, perhaps you could also try using some inner demon abilities. He can already look into his sea of consciousness, so if you directly attempt to seize control of Chu Jinglan’s body, the process of struggle and resistance would definitely make your points skyrocket.”

 

Xiao Mo: “Struggle and resistance, thank you for your precise wording. So it would be very strenuous and tiring for me, right?”

 

The system’s settings didn’t allow it to lie, so it could only be honest. It weakly replied: “Uh, yes.”

 

Xiao Mo asked another soul-searching question: “Is there any chance I could successfully possess him at this stage?”

 

If he could really feel what it’s like to have a body again, he might have the motivation to give it a shot.

 

The system started wiping its non-existent sweat again: “…No.”

 

Xiao Mo’s already limited enthusiasm took another hit, with his slacker mentality taking over again: “Oh, then forget it. I’ll choose the easy way. It’s fine, anyway, I have nothing to do now except sleep. I can just provoke him a bit more often. Little by little, I’m sure the points will steadily accumulate and grow quickly.”

 

System: “QAQ”

 

Forget it, it had tried its best. It was just an auxiliary system, what could it do? Faced with such a unique host, out of professional ethics, it could only say one last thing: “…Alright, as long as you’re happy.”

 

Xiao Mo patted the system’s non-existent dog head: “Good boy.”

 

He happily planned his new career path, but the one he was planning for wasn’t so happy.

 

After returning to reality from the sea of consciousness, Chu Jinglan didn’t sleep all night.

 

Anyone who suddenly learned they had a inner demon would be anxious and worried. No matter how much of a genius Chu Jinglan was, he was still only seventeen years old.

 

However, thanks to his upbringing, he wouldn’t throw tantrums or shout. He would only silently fume and then frantically think of countermeasures.

 

First, he had to find out why he had a inner demon at the Golden Core stage. He hadn’t finished going through the Chu family’s library yet, and he needed to find a way to get his hands on the secret and forbidden books, which wasn’t his first time doing so.

 

Second, he needed to quickly find a way to eliminate the inner demon. The goal of inner demons was always to kill the host and possess the body. It was a life-or-death situation, and the longer it dragged on, the more disadvantageous it would be for him.

 

However, according to records, most people would raise their cultivation to a certain level, work hard to temper their spiritual sense, and then forcibly destroy the inner demon.

 

Chu Jinglan’s face was expressionless as he harshly increased the amount of his already diligent daily cultivation routine.

 

This is what an overachiever’s daily life looks like.

 

He lit a lamp and wrote down the detailed contents of his intensified cultivation plan on the desk. His handwriting was as sharp as iron wire and silver hooks, but he pressed down too hard, as if each stroke was a blade that could directly impale the inner demon.

 

The pen acted as a blade and the ink seemed like blood. After finishing the plan, Chu Jinglan felt his mood slightly ease.

 

He put down the brush and silently watched the flickering candlelight: They say inner demons are obsessions, obstacles. Yet his inner demon wore

a face similar to his own…

 

So he actually hated himself?

 

Whether he hated himself or not was yet to be determined, but that inner demon was indeed vexing.

 

Making a face similar to his own look so wickedly beautiful, how improper!

 

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  Dusk City
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  Illusion sword