PID Chapter 50

(3/5) (ㅅ´ ˘ `)

 

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After the illusion shattered, a blood-red stone, like a seed, slowly fell from midair, gently spinning.

 

System: “Scan complete, identification complete. It’s the genuine Phantom Moon Core. Congratulations, host!”

 

Chu Jinglan returned body control to Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo stepped forward and cradled the Phantom Moon Core in his hand.

 

Upon touching the stone, the Phantom Moon Core’s uses and functions automatically flowed into their minds. It was a growth-type magical treasure; the stronger its master, the stronger it became. With Xiao Mo’s current early Nascent Soul cultivation and solid spiritual sense strength, he could even hold back a peak Nascent Soul cultivator with it.

 

In the cultivation world, techniques for direct spiritual sense combat were limited, and those who could use them were even more limited. Thus, there had never been a definitive classification for spiritual sense strength. However, people habitually linked spiritual sense strength directly to cultivation strength, as high-level cultivators certainly had good mental states.

 

Of course, demonic cultivators were exceptions, their mental states notoriously poor.

 

But indeed, some people had stronger spiritual senses than cultivation levels. For such people, mind-based techniques and spiritual tools would be like adding wings to a tiger. Xiao Mo was a typical example of this.

 

His spiritual sense strength was already far beyond the early Nascent Soul stage.

 

Chu Jinglan remarked, “This artifact suits you.”

 

Xiao Mo responded without hesitation, “Mm.”

 

However, the blood recognition ritual could only be performed using Chu Jinglan’s body. There was no alternative—inner demons lack flesh and blood and cannot carry out such tasks.

 

It wasn’t entirely fair to Xiao Mo, but ever since the contract with Qiuqiu, Xiao Mo had consistently shown an indifferent attitude toward ownership. He trusted Chu Jinglan enough to let him hold all ownership rights, as if having mere usage rights was sufficient for him.

 

Chu Jinglan had once thought that even if all of this was part of a trap laid by Xiao Mo to make him lower his guard, only to one day take over his body through soul possession, he wouldn’t mind. After all, he needed Xiao Mo’s cultivation now and had prepared himself to bear the risks.

 

He believed that if such a day ever came, he would face it calmly, without stirring even a ripple in his heart.

 

But… when the Phantom Moon Core constructed its illusion, it actually created a version of “Xiao Mo.”

 

Could it be that Xiao Mo’s presence in his heart was heavier than he had imagined?

 

Chu Jinglan fell silent.

 

Xiao Mo used Chu Jinglan’s hand to squeeze out some blood. After completing the blood recognition ritual, he held the Phantom Moon Core in his hand, channeling spiritual energy into it to sense its flow. It was clear that Xiao Mo was very satisfied with this treasure.

 

In truth, the Phantom Moon Core’s protective illusion wasn’t supposed to be so easily broken. If multiple people arrived, they would be separated and dragged into individual illusions. Even Chu Jinglan had been momentarily dazed upon entering the illusion.

 

The reason he was only affected for a brief moment was because of Xiao Mo’s presence.

 

If the Phantom Moon Core’s illusion were a game, then Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan together were a bug in the system.

 

Normally, cultivators with inner demons have less stable Dao hearts and are more susceptible to temptation and entrapment. No cultivator would willingly hand over body control to their inner demon, nor would any inner demon help their host. A typical inner demon would seize any opportunity to destroy the cultivator’s spiritual sense and successfully take over their body.

 

Yet Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan were anything but typical. They exploited a loophole in the Phantom Moon Core’s defenses and easily broke through its protections.

 

Xiao Mo toyed with the Phantom Moon Core in his hand as an idea struck him. He said to Chu Jinglan: “Jing Lei is only allowed to use profound-grade artifacts. While the Phantom Moon Core won’t reach profound-grade in your hands, it’s definitely more useful than binding ropes.”

 

Binding ropes could be easily defended against by Jing Lei, but using the Phantom Moon Core—even if it only caused Jing Lei a moment of distraction—would give Chu Jinglan an opportunity.

 

Chu Jinglan pondered: “Indeed. I’ll try using it later.”

 

Binding ropes require physical action for control, while the Phantom Moon Core does not. Even if Jing Lei’s spiritual sense is strong enough to defend against attacks, intangible assaults are always harder to guard against than tangible ones.

 

Xiao Mo nodded while flipping the Phantom Moon Core over repeatedly for inspection. The system had speculated that clues about the Moon Lord Sword Manual might be found on the Phantom Moon Core—but where was it?

 

The red Phantom Moon Core bore no formations or markings. Xiao Mo could only try injecting more spiritual energy into it. At that moment, the Phantom Moon Core emitted a faint glow and projected an image.

 

Both Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan looked at it simultaneously. The image showed a young man practicing swordsmanship. The moment his sword moved, Chu Jinglan immediately recognized him as an expert; his sword intent was harmonious and complete.

 

With one strike, waves rose from flat ground; the sword shadows seemed both real and illusory—like flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water—making it impossible to distinguish truth from falsehood or lies from reality.

 

As Chu Jinglan watched intently, the sword-wielding man disappeared. The scene rippled like water, reflecting an image of a pavilion by the water. Another ripple scattered all images into the air, condensing into a faint line pointing in a certain direction.

 

Xiao Mo made a sound of understanding: “Is it telling us to find this waterside pavilion within the illusion?”

 

“Very likely,” Chu Jinglan was still savoring the earlier swordplay, “His sword technique was exquisite.”

 

“Probably a hint for the next treasure, perhaps related to swords.” Xiao Mo pretended not to know about the Moon Lord Sword Manual. The black mist ball circled in the inner sea. “Shall we go take a look?”

 

Chu Jinglan’s thoughts were clearly captivated by the sword technique: “Alright.”

 

Following the Phantom Moon Core’s direction, they had to pass through the stone wall again. When they returned to the cave, Mu Jian and Su Baimo were gone. They continued following the core’s guidance, concealing their auras when they sensed others nearby.

 

Along the way, they encountered and collected some medicinal herbs.

 

The Phantom Moon Core indeed led them directly to the waterside pavilion from the image. They could see it from afar, but Xiao Mo immediately used black mist to conceal their forms, not approaching right away.

 

This was because many people had already gathered around the pavilion, including the Immortal Alliance and Cloud Peak Six Sects, even the Jinxiu Pavilion was there.

 

Just as he concealed their forms, powerful cultivators immediately sent out spiritual sense probes in their direction. Their spiritual senses were spread throughout the area. If Xiao Mo hadn’t hidden quickly, they might have been detected.

 

After all, the Immortal Alliance and Cloud Peak Six Sects had Divided Spirit cultivators. Even suppressed to peak Nascent Soul, they were all exceptionally strong.

 

So many people?

 

However, they were all gathered outside the pavilion, with their subordinates attempting to enter. Clearly, no one had succeeded in entering the pavilion yet.

 

There were rogue cultivators around, but seeing the major factions present, they didn’t dare approach too closely.

 

After assessing the situation, Xiao Mo felt more at ease. The major factions keeping each other in check actually benefited Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan. If only one faction were present, they would likely seal off the surrounding area, allowing only their own people to attempt entry. With multiple factions balancing each other, outsiders had a chance.

 

If Xiao Mo’s guess was correct, only those possessing the Phantom Moon Core could enter the pavilion, acting as a key.

 

They couldn’t let the powerful cultivators see who successfully entered, otherwise it would be very difficult to take the treasure out of the Phantom Moon Secret Realm.

 

The area outside the pavilion was shrouded in a post-rain misty atmosphere, making the buildings inside appear hazy and indistinct. Xiao Mo wrapped Chu Jinglan’s entire body in invisible black mist, concealing their form, and slowly inched closer to where the rogue cultivators were gathered.

 

They moved a bit closer to the pavilion.

 

Then—

 

Xiao Mo took a step and leapt forward like an arrow released from a bow, flying swiftly towards the pavilion!

 

The opportunity was brief; they had to be quick!

 

Almost the instant they approached within a hundred meters of the pavilion, the leaders of the Cloud Peak Six Sects and Immortal Alliance simultaneously looked up, their gazes precisely locking onto a seemingly empty spot in mid-air.

 

The Immortal Alliance cultivator raised his hand to grab at the air: “Which fellow Daoist wishes to try entering? We’re not unwilling to allow it, but why hide? Please come out and show yourself!”

 

Who wants to meet you?

 

Xiao Mo’s form paused for half a second under his pressure. He immediately opened his mouth, emitting a low, soft whistle infused with spiritual energy. As he activated his demonic technique, the attack aimed directly at the other’s spiritual sense.

 

The Immortal Alliance cultivator frowned. He reacted very quickly, immediately erecting a solid barrier in his sea of consciousness. But in that brief moment, Xiao Mo had already plunged into the misty barrier of the waterside pavilion, successfully passing through.

 

Unable to grab the person, the Immortal Alliance cultivator lowered his hand and said coldly: “Someone has entered.”

 

Many lower-level cultivators still didn’t understand what had happened. He looked at the leader of the Cloud Peak Six Sects across from him: “Why didn’t you act?”

 

“I just wanted to confirm if this place could really be entered,” that person said. “It seems the one who broke in obtained some opportunity others didn’t, allowing them to enter successfully.”

 

The Jinxiu Pavilion people also heard this. Although Young Master Wang of Wang Lu Palace wasn’t the highest cultivator in their group, his status gave weight to his words. He opened his fan and fanned himself, suggesting: “Let’s wait outside and see if there are any changes.”

 

He wasn’t the only one thinking this way. After all, the spiritual energy around the pavilion was exceptionally dense. They hadn’t encountered a place with denser spiritual energy in the illusion these past few days, indicating there must be good treasures inside. Returning empty-handed without even being able to enter was truly frustrating.

 

What if some change occurred that could yield results for their journey?

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan crashed into the waterside pavilion, their speed so fast they had to abruptly halt in mid-air to avoid intimately meeting the interior structures.

 

That previous move, though seemingly easy, was actually very dangerous. The Immortal Alliance cultivator’s grab would have been extremely uncomfortable under such immense force. If the Phantom Moon Core hadn’t been a direct key to enter, crashing into the barrier would have certainly allowed the Immortal Alliance cultivator to break through the black mist and drag them out, exposing them to everyone.

 

Even wearing masks, it would have caused many troublesome issues.

 

They had just taken a big risk, gambling once.

 

Cultivators need to be cautious, but when boldness is required, they must also be decisive. Fortunately, neither Xiao Mo nor Chu Jinglan were indecisive people, and they had won their gamble.

 

Xiao Mo slowly descended from mid-air.

 

The waterside pavilion hung over a lake, connected by corridors, with two pavilions and one small building. The lake surface was covered with blooming water lilies, each a double blossom upon closer inspection.

 

The place was small and exquisite, self-contained, with a tranquil feeling that transcended the mundane world.

 

Outside the small building, a man sat cross-legged on the ground. It was the sword-wielding man from the Phantom Moon Core’s image.

 

Xiao Mo cautiously approached. The man slowly opened his eyes.

 

“I am an illusion left by the Moon Lord to pass on the sword manual to those with affinity.”

 

Hearing the words “sword manual,” Chu Jinglan focused intently.

 

The man’s body showed no hostility or killing intent. He looked at the newcomers and spoke unprompted: “Those with affinity must meet two conditions.”

 

“First, obtain the Phantom Moon Core.”

 

Stating the obvious, Xiao Mo thought. Without the Phantom Moon Core, they couldn’t have entered anyway.

 

But he didn’t interrupt, understanding that the second condition was the key point.

 

What kind of test would it be? Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan waited together.

 

“Second,” the Moon Lord’s illusion said slowly, “possess the Dao Companion Mark.”

 

Xiao Mo/Chu Jinglan: “…?”

 

What mark? Can you say that again??

 

Xiao Mo was dumbfounded, never expecting such an answer. So in the original story, was this the reason why Chu Jinglan didn’t bring out the Moon Lord Sword Manual?!

 

“No, why must it be a Dao Companion Mark?” Xiao Mo couldn’t accept being stuck on such an absurd step so close to completion. “May I ask if the requirement can be changed? Even to something more difficult would be fine.”

 

“The conditions cannot be changed. I am merely an illusion, following my master’s last wishes,” the Moon Lord’s illusion said. “As for your question, I can answer. It’s because my master and the owner of the Phantom Moon Core were Dao companions, so he casually set this as the second condition.”

 

Xiao Mo: “…”

 

Isn’t that too arbitrary?!

 

In the cultivation world, there are many ways for Dao companions to marry. The simplest is just writing a marriage contract without doing anything else. If they want to form a mark, there are two types of Dao Companion Marks.

 

Dao Companion Marks always come in pairs. The first type is drawn with both parties’ spiritual energy and consciousness. It allows them to sense each other’s location at any time and share ownership of each other’s belongings, including storage devices and innate magical tools.

 

The second type is more intense, requiring the use of essence blood. It has all the effects of the first type, plus one more—to live and die together.

 

This second type of Dao Companion Mark is also called the Red Luan Mark. The Red Luan Star signifies heavenly affinity. Who would be willing to make such a vow unless they loved to the bone?

 

Usually, when people mention forming a Dao Companion Mark, they refer to the first type, as the Red Luan Mark is too rare and is mentioned separately.

 

Chu Jinglan really wanted the sword manual, but to find someone to form a Dao Companion Mark for this reason was absolutely impossible.

 

Chu Jinglan remained silent for a moment, finally saying only two words: “Forget it.”

 

“Wait, let me think…” Xiao Mo’s mind raced. “A Dao Companion Mark can be erased if both parties are willing, but—”

 

But even an ordinary Dao Companion Mark would share all possessions and allow locating the other person. Even if they went out now to find a collaborator for the sword manual, what if the other party refused to erase the mark after forming it?

 

Moreover, human hearts are unpredictable. Not just someone as guarded as Chu Jinglan, even Xiao Mo wouldn’t take such a risk.

 

But the sword manual was right before their eyes. If they missed it, even if it could still reach Chu Jinglan’s hands in the future, it would be too long a wait. Getting it earlier might make Chu Jinglan’s path much easier.

 

Xiao Mo pondered from all angles but couldn’t think of a solution. In the end, he was at a loss. Looking at the Moon Lord’s illusion, he sighed reluctantly: “If spiritual sense and energy are enough to form it, why don’t you try with Qiuqiu.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

Even in desperation, this wasn’t the way to go about it. A spirit beast’s energy could never intertwine with human energy; it was absolutely impossible to form a Dao Companion Mark. Chu Jinglan also knew that Xiao Mo’s words weren’t serious, just a frustrated sigh rather than a suggestion.

 

Merely seeing the man’s techniques, it was clear the sword manual was extraordinary. Naturally, Chu Jinglan also felt it was a pity to miss out on such an excellent sword manual. He casually retorted to Xiao Mo’s words: “Why don’t you try it with me instead?”

 

As soon as these words were spoken, both Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan froze.

 

The two differently colored balls in the inner sea stopped, and the air fell into an eerie silence.

 

After a long while, the black mist ball spoke first, his tone very uncertain: “…It seems that might actually be a solution?”

 

Chu Jinglan spoke with difficulty: “I…”

 

Xiao Mo murmured: “Can a Dao Companion Mark be inscribed on an inner demon’s spiritual body?”

 

Chu Jinglan: “…I don’t know.”

 

The black and white balls in the inner sea looked at each other blankly. After another moment, only the white snow ball remained in the inner sea.

 

Xiao Mo separated from Chu Jinglan’s body, materializing his spiritual form beside him.

 

Faced with the sudden appearance of another person, the Moon Lord’s illusion showed no reaction. He only cared about his master’s conditions; everything else was irrelevant.

 

Xiao Mo stopped hesitating: “Since we thought of it, let’s try. The sword manual is the priority.”

 

Chu Jinglan had spoken without thinking, and he didn’t immediately respond because, after all, it was a Dao Companion Mark. But soon, Chu Jinglan realized another thing:

 

An ordinary Dao Companion Mark allows sensing the other’s location and sharing ownership of things. Weren’t he and Xiao Mo already doing this without a Dao Companion Mark?

 

Chu Jinglan: “…”

 

Very well, there was no need for hesitation.

 

Xiao Mo openly extended his hand: “Shall we draw it on the hand? We can erase it later.”

 

Right, as long as both parties agree, it can be erased anytime. To form a temporary Dao Companion Mark, there was no other choice but Xiao Mo. Chu Jinglan was convinced.

 

He raised his hand, first separating a bit of spiritual sense and energy: “Let’s gather our power in one place first.”

 

Xiao Mo nodded, doing the same. Their powers successfully intertwined, forming a ball of spiritual light, which then split into two. The most important thing now was to see if the inner demon’s spiritual body could be marked with a Dao Companion Mark.

 

Dao Companion Marks must come in pairs. If Xiao Mo couldn’t be marked, even if they forcibly drew one on Chu Jinglan, the mark would disappear as soon as the last stroke was made, rendering it useless.

 

So Chu Jinglan would draw on Xiao Mo first.

 

Since it was just a formality, any casual drawing would do. Xiao Mo had already offered his hand, and Chu Jinglan’s finger touched the spiritual light, about to move when he suddenly stopped.

 

Xiao Mo: “What is it?”

 

Chu Jinglan’s fingers curled slightly. He looked at Xiao Mo’s hand, and after a moment, suddenly said: “Show the lotus pattern on your forehead. I’ll trace along it.”

 

Wouldn’t a couple of casual strokes suffice? But Xiao Mo didn’t want to spoil the mood: “Alright.”

 

A red lotus that hadn’t been seen for a long time appeared on his smooth forehead, its color vibrant, in full bloom, as alluring as Xiao Mo himself.

 

Chu Jinglan raised his finger, using the spiritual light to trace along the red lotus pattern in the air.

 

His finger was still a short distance from Xiao Mo, but Xiao Mo instinctively closed his eyes.

 

With the inner demon’s eyes closed, his lively gaze hidden, the alluring aura transformed into serene purity, appearing somewhat docile. Chu Jinglan looked at his dense eyelashes, his lips slightly taut, but his hand didn’t pause.

 

Xiao Mo kept his eyes closed as the spiritual light touched his forehead, feeling a slight tingling sensation.

 

Chu Jinglan quickly withdrew his hand: “It’s done.”

 

Xiao Mo touched his forehead, unable to resist leaning over to look at his reflection in the lake. He found that there was still only one red lotus pattern on his forehead. The lines Chu Jinglan had drawn seemed to completely overlap with the original ones. He couldn’t tell which strokes were added, but somehow, Xiao Mo felt the pattern looked even better now.

 

The red lotus was vibrant, exotic yet refined, alluring and captivating.

 

Is this the confidence of a master painter? It’s quite impressive.

 

And a major discovery: spiritual bodies can indeed be marked with a Dao Companion Mark!

 

The issue with the sword manual was resolved.

 

Xiao Mo was in a good mood as he looked back: “It’s my turn to draw on you.”

 

Originally intending to just make a couple of casual strokes, but since Chu Jinglan had traced a lotus pattern and there was no longer any worry about the main task, Xiao Mo became interested. He reached out and directly removed Chu Jinglan’s mask: “I want to draw on your forehead too.”

 

Chu Jinglan remained motionless, allowing him to remove the mask, letting him do as he pleased.

 

Xiao Mo touched the spiritual light, pondered briefly, and traced a silver-blue night-blooming cereus on Chu Jinglan’s forehead.

 

Primarily silver, with a hint of light blue at the edges of the petals, Xiao Mo carefully completed the drawing, feeling very satisfied. He withdrew his hand and gestured for Chu Jinglan to look at the lake surface: “Quick, see how it looks.”

 

Chu Jinglan tilted his head and could see his reflection in the lake. A lifelike night-blooming cereus on his forehead had an ethereal, immortal-like quality.

 

Chu Jinglan and his reflection in the water spoke simultaneously: “It’s drawn very well.”

 

Xiao Mo: “I think so too. It looks so good, it’d be a shame to erase it. Why don’t we keep it? After all, there’s no difference whether we have a Dao Companion Mark or not.”

 

Xiao Mo had also realized their current relationship of sharing everything. The sight of a flower on Chu Jinglan’s forehead was novel, and it truly looked good. Who doesn’t like beautiful things?

 

A breeze rippled across the lake surface, causing Chu Jinglan’s reflected eyes to waver with the ripples. He looked up, his gaze seemingly complex, yet also very lightly brushing over Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo was still staring at the cereus on his forehead, his eyes filled with a smile, tilting his head slightly: “Well?”

 

The lake’s ripples hadn’t subsided when Chu Jinglan heard himself answer—

 

“Alright.”

 

Author’s note:

 

Mini-scene:

 

Xiao Mo: Why don’t you try forming a Dao Companion Mark with Qiuqiu instead?

 

Chu Jinglan: …

 

Qiuqiu: I’m still just a baby, chirp!

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter