(5/5)
Everyone! Dont forget to say thanks to Benefector Choco ヾ( ˃ᴗ˂ )◞ • *✰
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan also bowed: “Greetings to the two seniors.”
Feng Qiexing and Liu Shao nodded to them but didn’t immediately leave. Instead, they paused to observe them briefly.
Even Feng Qiexing, at the Divided Spirit stage, couldn’t see through Xiao Mo’s unique spiritual body. He said, “Are you Yan Chun’s family?”
Xiao Mo’s heart stirred. Yan Chun had earlier thought Feng Qiexing might not remember him, but this question proved that Yan Chun had indeed caught Feng Qiexing’s eye.
Xiao Mo said, “We’re not blood-related. We’re more like their guardians until they come of age.”
Feng Qiexing smiled, “That still counts as family.”
He found Xiao Mo’s aura somewhat special but didn’t think much of it. Instead, Chu Jinglan beside him had a more unusual energy. Before Feng Qiexing could speak, Liu Shao glanced at Chu Jinglan and said, “Your energy is unusual. Are you injured?”
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan hadn’t expected the opportunity to come so quickly.
Since Liu Shao had asked directly, there was no reason for them not to seize the opportunity.
Chu Jinglan’s voice remained unchanged, as if discussing something ordinary: “Your keen eye is correct, senior. My dantian is destroyed, with only a trace of energy remaining.”
His face was calm, but the three children were startled: What, his dantian was destroyed?!
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan hadn’t previously told them the specifics of the injury. Now that they had started on the path of cultivation themselves, they naturally knew how important the dantian was to a cultivator. They immediately became anxious, their worried expressions genuine.
Feng Qiexing raised an eyebrow: “You hadn’t told these three children before?”
Chu Jinglan: “I hadn’t explained in detail. I’m currently seeking a recovery method from Senior Jing Lei at the Yushan Sect.”
Liu Shao frowned slightly, seeing Chu Xia’s expression on the verge of tears, and sighed: “I know Jing Lei’s method. If he’s truly willing to tell you, come find me when the time comes.”
Her expression softened when looking at Chu Xia: “For this child’s sake.”
Chu Xia was stunned for a moment, then quickly said: “Thank you, Master Liu!”
Chu Xia didn’t yet know how astounding her medical talent was, but Liu Shao had already taken a liking to her potential and was willing to show some kindness.
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan also immediately expressed their gratitude, while inwardly considering: According to Liu Shao, Jing Lei’s method required a medical cultivator’s assistance. Their choice to pursue both the Yushan Sect and Lin’an Academy paths had been correct. Opportunities indeed had to be seized by oneself.
Feng Qiexing and Liu Shao didn’t linger long, exchanging brief pleasantries before leaving. If not for the three children being promising talents, Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan might not have had the chance to converse with them. For many rogue cultivators, gaining the favor of such masters was a dream come true.
An hour later, Yan Chun and the others reluctantly escorted Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan to the gate.
They had given pocket money in the academy dormitory and said what needed to be said. As Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan left the academy gates, the three children kept watching longingly until they could no longer see their figures.
Xiao Mo looked back but could see nothing. He nudged the expressionless Chu Jinglan: “Every time we part with them, do you really feel nothing?”
Chu Jinglan didn’t say whether he felt anything, but replied: “We can meet again.”
At these words, Xiao Mo’s teasing expression immediately sobered.
Indeed, as long as they could meet again, it was a joyful parting, unlike Wan Yu and Chu Jinglan, separated eternally by life and death.
In the Phantom Moon Core’s illusion, that was just a one-sided farewell. Some regrets can’t be remedied.
Seeing Xiao Mo’s expression change, Chu Jinglan took the initiative to change the subject, bringing up their main task: “When we pass through Lin’an City, let’s buy some information about the Moon Lord.”
Since they had inherited the Moon Lord’s sword manual, it was best to learn more about him. Xiao Mo refocused his thoughts on the task at hand: “Alright.”
The Jinxiu Pavilion’s business included information trading. To buy or sell information, one could go to their guild. Surprisingly, information about the Moon Lord was exceptionally cheap, costing only three low-grade spirit stones at the lowest price.
In the cultivation world, widely circulated information holds no value; this was just a basic inquiry price.
The Moon Lord was a cultivator from the Yingyue Sect, born in the upper realm. He was a rising talent three hundred years ago, known for his gentle personality, seemingly trouble-free. The Yingyue Sect firmly believed he would go far on the great path. However, after being well-behaved for several hundred years, when he finally rebelled, he played a big game with the elders.
He chose a demon as his Dao companion.
At that time, the Demon Lord hadn’t changed generations and wasn’t the current madman. Most righteous cultivators were indifferent towards demons, but there were always some who firmly believed that those not of their kind must have different hearts. Within the Yingyue Sect, the Moon Lord’s master was a typical representative of this view.
His strong dislike for demons inevitably led to a drama of forcefully separating the lovers and firmly opposing their union. The usually obedient Moon Lord, however, no longer complied, defying his master’s orders without compromise.
Not only did he insist on marrying, but he also formed the Red Luan Mark in front of his master, infuriating him to no end. Afterwards, he left the Yingyue Sect with his Dao companion. Their departure caused a great stir, but they subsequently vanished without a trace, as if they had evaporated from the world.
Cultivators are long-lived, and it was thought that the grudge between master and disciple would drag on for hundreds or thousands of years. However, within the Yingyue Sect, the Moon Lord’s soul lamp extinguished, catching his master completely off guard.
Did his master regret, grieve? Or did he continue to despise demons? These details weren’t included in the three-spirit-stone information.
It was only known that a hundred years later, his master’s cultivation no longer advanced, and he too passed away when his time came.
But it could be certain that despite such anger, he didn’t directly expel the Moon Lord. The Moon Lord still held some status within the sect and was remembered by some.
After reading the information, Xiao Mo recalled Chu Jinglan’s future actions in the original story and suggested: “If you bring the sword manual to the Yingyue Sect, they’ll definitely take you in directly.”
After finishing the message, Chu Jinglan turned the paper to ashes: “It’s feasible, but only after I recover my cultivation.”
Otherwise, if a useless person showed up, they would just thank you for returning the sword manual, give some rewards, and send you away, not treating you as a cultivator.
This was natural. Xiao Mo nodded: “Having comprehended the Moon Lord’s sword manual, plus the Phantom Moon Core, how many moves can you last against Jing Lei now?”
Chu Jinglan said: “Without counting the Phantom Moon Core, three moves.”
Xiao Mo’s eyes brightened.
Seeing Xiao Mo’s expression, Chu Jinglan’s gaze unconsciously softened. His tone was steady but carried a convincing power: “Within a month, I will definitely last ten moves against him.”
Xiao Mo’s lips curved: “Mm.”
Even if others saw them as overconfident, as long as Chu Jinglan dared to say it, Xiao Mo dared to believe it.
After they returned to the Yushan Sect, the sect’s team that went to the Phantom Moon Secret Realm arrived a day later. Chu Jinglan immediately went to Jing Lei’s courtyard with his sword. As he had said, without using the Phantom Moon Core, he lasted three moves.
After losing on the last move, Xiao Mo quickly went to feed him pills. Jing Lei, carrying his heavy sword, curiously looked at him: “I heard you went back home. Did you find some expert to guide you?”
Indeed, there had been an expert’s guidance.
Chu Jinglan wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The repeated failures hadn’t extinguished the fire in his eyes; instead, the intense flame had burrowed deeper beneath the icy surface of the cold pond, quietly burning in a place unknown to others.
The reason he wasn’t using the Phantom Moon Core now was twofold: firstly, he wasn’t yet proficient with it, and secondly, the element of surprise would yield the best effect. If he let Jing Lei adapt to the Phantom Moon Core’s mental attacks too early, it would be counterproductive.
A trump card, naturally, should be kept hidden for now.
Currently, Chu Jinglan still needed Xiao Mo’s support to return after defeat, but five days later, he could already get up from the ground on his own.
Yushan Sect disciples gradually came to watch the battles and join in the excitement. They could actually learn from the exchanges between the two, as they had never seen anyone persist like this before. Both Jing Lei’s swordsmanship and Chu Jinglan’s determination and coping methods were eye-opening for them.
This group even started a betting pool, wagering on whether Chu Jinglan could last ten moves and when he might achieve it.
Xiao Mo joined in their fun, directly betting that Chu Jinglan would last ten moves within a month.
Xiao Mo wanted to bet more, but Song Xuan said, “Hey, hey, small bets for fun, big bets hurt. We have rules, the limit is thirty mid-grade spirit stones.”
Xiao Mo had wanted to earn more, but he had no choice: “Thirty mid-grade spirit stones.”
Song Xuan: “So confident?”
Instead of answering, Xiao Mo asked, “What are you betting?”
Song Xuan smiled, taking out five mid-grade spirit stones and placing his bet alongside Xiao Mo’s.
“Little junior brother,” the sly Song Xuan smiled, “My drinking money for a long time to come depends on you two.”
The atmosphere among the spectators was very lively, and as Chu Jinglan’s skills improved, the battles between the two became increasingly intense.
By the tenth day, Xiao Mo no longer needed to step in to intercept moves, as they had mostly figured out Jing Lei’s techniques. The rest depended on Chu Jinglan’s own abilities.
Every night, Xiao Mo would still release pressure to train Chu Jinglan. From initially moving at a snail’s pace under the pressure, he could now practice swordsmanship within it. His progress was undeniably rapid.
Even Jing Lei became increasingly astonished as they fought, but also more exhilarated. He hadn’t expected that honing a junior would yield some gains for himself as well.
He couldn’t help but laugh heartily: “You little rascal, weren’t you a genius before you were crippled?”
Xiao Mo thought to himself, your insight is truly keen; he indeed was a genius.
Xiao Mo watched as Chu Jinglan gradually executed moves under pressure, slowly standing up again in adversity. This process was very much like personally nurturing a nearly withered tree, watching it break through the miasma of death, struggling to sprout new buds on its branches in the coldest winter.
The new buds unfurled, bit by bit, leaf by leaf, refusing to be buried in the cold wind and snow, continuously bursting forth with the most verdant green leaves. With all its might, it declared a silent cry, using life to contend with heaven and earth. Finally, on the day the wind and snow ceased, it grew into a towering tree, blocking out the sky, full of vitality.
Today was the last day of Chu Jinglan’s one-month promise. Xiao Mo watched from the closest position as Chu Jinglan’s sword sang out clearly. On the tenth move, for the first time ever, it actually deflected Jing Lei’s heavy sword.
Jing Lei was stunned, as were all the Yushan Sect disciples.
Only Xiao Mo’s eyes held a faint smile, naturally awaiting the sprouting of his tree.
Whatever Chu Jinglan said, he would definitely accomplish. Xiao Mo had never doubted this point.
On this day, Chu Jinglan replaced the binding ropes with the Phantom Moon Core. Though the core’s power was limited in Chu Jinglan’s hands, its mental attack amplified Jing Lei’s weaknesses. In that instant, Chu Jinglan turned defense into offense, boldly meeting one of Jing Lei’s moves.
Chu Jinglan’s palms and arms split open from the excessive force, blood flowing along the muscle lines. This move was risky, but in terms of results, he had won.
Chu Jinglan swayed on his feet but forcefully stood his ground. Unable to raise his hand, he slightly bowed his head in lieu of a formal salute: “Thank you for your guidance these days, senior.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he could no longer grip his sword. The blood-stained hilt clattered to the ground, his bleeding hand falling limply to his side. But quickly, it was supported by a cool hand.
Chu Jinglan turned his head, and Xiao Mo immediately put a pill in his mouth. Then Xiao Mo rolled up his blood-stained sleeve, focusing intently on treating the wounds on his arm and palm.
As the pill’s bitter taste dissolved, a faint sweetness emerged at the end. Chu Jinglan’s gaze rested on Xiao Mo’s hands as they treated his wounds, and he said softly: “One month.”
As promised, one month.
Xiao Mo wiped away his blood: “Mm, I knew you would do it.”
This simple sentence melted the frost and snow in Chu Jinglan’s eyes into a spring breeze. The newly grown green leaves swayed in the wind, curving his lips into a warm, gentle arc.
[Ding, mental attack successful, +200 points!]
Xiao Mo, head lowered as he concentrated on treating the wounds, thought to himself that he had lucked out with these bonus points again. It was clearly Chu Jinglan’s own good mood; he had merely exchanged a few words with him, yet the points were credited to his account. He was really taking advantage.
Only then did the surrounding disciples come to their senses, immediately applauding and cheering, nearly bringing down Jing Lei’s small courtyard.
“Amazing, Junior Brother Chu, Senior Uncle Jing Lei lost!!”
“Junior brother is godlike, I won money, Senior Uncle lost!!”
“Woohoo~ Senior Uncle lost to a newly joined disciple!!!”
Jing Lei finally snapped out of it and scolded the spectating disciples: “You little brats, must you insult me while praising him? Are you all itching for punishment?”
Song Xuan pretended to be alarmed: “Senior Uncle is angry, run quickly!”
He made a show of brandishing his great sword fiercely, but he was actually smiling. The disciples weren’t afraid either, laughing as they dispersed, their escape lazy and half-hearted, but they did clear the courtyard for them.
Since Chu Jinglan had fulfilled the conditions, it was time for his reward.
Xiao Mo finished applying medicine to Chu Jinglan’s hand, generously using the precious medicine, and wrapped it in bandages. Jing Lei put away his wind-carrying heavy sword and pointed to the table in the courtyard, gesturing for them to sit.
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan sat down. Jing Lei untied the wine gourd at his waist, took a couple of big swigs, and after a moment of silence, said: “My method is different from what most people imagine. When most people’s dantian shatters, they think about how to piece it back together.”
Jing Lei, with the smell of alcohol on his breath, spoke solemnly: “My method, however, is to clear the fragments out of the body.”
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan were initially stunned, then their expressions grew serious as they carefully considered the feasibility of this approach.
Jing Lei took another swig of wine, his gaze drifting slightly as he recalled the past: “Years ago, when my dantian was shattered, I fell to the bottom of a cliff. By luck, I didn’t die. A snake came and bit away part of my flesh, taking some dantian fragments with it.”
Jing Lei gestured at his dantian area, and just listening made Xiao Mo feel shocked and pained. To survive that was truly remarkable.
“My dantian had just shattered, and the pain was originally unbearable. But after it bit away a part, though the wound still hurt, that feeling of being torn apart inside lessened. Since I was already at a dead end, I had a sudden idea and forced out some more fragments myself, leaving a few pieces. I chose the largest one to contain spiritual energy again.”
Hearing this, Chu Jinglan’s eyes flickered slightly.
Jing Lei asked him: “You still have a bit of spiritual energy remaining in your body now. You can feel which dantian fragment is holding it, right?”
Chu Jinglan nodded: “Yes.”
Most people, after their dantian shatters, even if they have some spiritual energy left, wouldn’t deliberately try to sense which fragment is still working. The fact that Chu Jinglan had even explored this showed he truly hadn’t given up for a moment.
Whether one has given up or not can’t be judged by thoughts alone; actions must also be considered.
“I was lucky. The bottom of the cliff was a place rich in spiritual energy. So I dragged my half-crippled body and repeatedly used spiritual energy to temper my dantian. Guess what happened? The largest fragment actually started to slowly expand, able to hold more spiritual energy!”
Isn’t this equivalent to growing a new dantian?
When everyone else was thinking about how to patch up what was broken, Jing Lei inadvertently took an unconventional path, developing a new method!
At that time, Jing Lei realized there was still hope, so he cultivated desperately, expanding the dantian fragment more and more, gradually pulling back his cultivation. However, he hadn’t cleaned out the other fragments completely, which hindered the growth of his dantian.
After leaving the cliff bottom, he found Liu Shao and exchanged the method for repairing the dantian for her help in clearing out the other fragments.
But too much time had been wasted, and the initial treatment of the dantian had been rough. The newly grown dantian ultimately wasn’t as powerful as the original.
So Jing Lei’s cultivation stopped at the Golden Core stage, unable to advance further in this life.
After finishing his story, he said to Chu Jinglan: “Many people hear my method and don’t dare to try it. Because after clearing out the fragments, if the remaining piece can’t grow into a new dantian, and the other fragments are gone, they feel it’s cutting off their last hope.”
Xiao Mo couldn’t help saying: “But with a destroyed dantian, isn’t the path already cut off?”
“Yes,” Jing Lei laughed, half bitter, half sour, shaking his head, “But they still want to find a way to fuse the dantian back together. Repairing is faster than starting over, after all.”
After saying this, he took another swig of wine, drinking until the gourd was empty. He thumped it on the stone table, his gaze heavy: “Besides this, some have actually tried my method.”
“They didn’t lack medical cultivators, or places rich in spiritual energy for cultivation, or medicinal materials and treasures. But they still failed.” Jing Lei’s face was utterly serious as he looked gravely at Chu Jinglan. “I’ve trained your body, ensuring your meridians are strong and resilient. But I can’t guarantee success.”
“What I can tell you is that the cultivation process is extremely painful. Many times, I wished I could just die, to end it all quickly.”
Jing Lei, holding the empty wine gourd, sat astride the stone bench: “Your body is definitely ready to start cultivation now. I’ve also witnessed your mental fortitude. Getting through the beginning won’t be a problem. As for whether you’ll retreat due to pain midway, or if you can endure to the end, whether to try or not, it all depends on you.”
Xiao Mo didn’t speak. After a long silence, Chu Jinglan only asked: “How rich in spiritual energy must the treasure spot be to suffice?”
Jing Lei laughed; he already understood Chu Jinglan’s choice.
This young man was going to take the risk, even if it might leave him battered and bloodied.
“The cliff bottom where I stayed has been sealed off, but the surrounding area is full of spiritual herbs over a hundred years old. The mist of spiritual energy can rise to an orange-red color at its highest, but not quite to the purple level. When looking for a place, just remember: the denser the spiritual energy, the better.”
“Understood.”
Chu Jinglan finished absorbing the pill. He and Xiao Mo stood up together, bowing to Jing Lei: “Thank you, senior.”
Jing Lei waved his hand, but Chu Jinglan took out a box from his storage device, intending it as a thank-you gift. Jing Lei immediately pushed it back with the hilt of his heavy sword.
“Take it away. I don’t need thank-you gifts. I used to tell this method to others for free, anyone who came could hear it. But it became too troublesome, so I set a threshold. You exchanged your own effort for the method; I have no reason to accept your gift.”
His strength was still great; Chu Jinglan couldn’t match it and had to put the box away.
Jing Lei knew they were about to leave Yushan Sect. Before the two left the courtyard, Jing Lei called out to Xiao Mo.
“I see you two have a good relationship. His days ahead will be tough. Stay with him more. When the pain becomes unbearable, having a close friend around always makes it a bit easier.”
Xiao Mo hadn’t known why he was called back, but after hearing this, he smiled at Jing Lei: “Don’t worry, I’ll always be by his side.”
Until the inner demon tribulation, until this life ends, before that, he could guarantee he would absolutely stay with Chu Jinglan.
Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan returned to the small dilapidated wooden house, packed up a few things, and left. A moment later, Song Xuan came to Jing Lei’s courtyard carrying a box. He still didn’t knock. Jing Lei was about to speak when he noticed the familiar-looking box in his hands.
Jing Lei narrowed his eyes: “Could this be—”
Song Xuan nodded: “Yes, left by those two kids. It was in the house. They’ve long gone by now; we probably can’t catch up if we tried. I had no choice but to bring it to you.”
Jing Lei laughed helplessly: “I told them not to leave a thank-you gift.”
“They meant well, you should accept it. Xiao Mo didn’t take the money he won either; it’s their way of giving back to our sect.” Song Xuan put down the box. “Do you think he can succeed? I’m quite looking forward to seeing a second phoenix rebirth miracle in the cultivation world.”
To change from a cripple back into a true cultivator, how could it not be considered a rebirth from the ashes?
Jing Lei: “Every time, I hope others can succeed. This time, as usual, I wish them the best.”
Song Xuan smiled: “Mm, perhaps one day, we’ll hear good news.”
—-
Meanwhile, after leaving Yushan Sect, Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan pondered solutions as they traveled.
They could ask Liu Shao to help remove the dantian fragments, but finding a blessed place rich in spiritual energy for cultivation wasn’t so easy.
If only the Phantom Moon Secret Realm could open immediately and let them in.
Of course, that was impossible, so they had to think of another way.
Try to establish connections with the Yingyue Sect in advance? Not very likely.
The waters run deeper in major sects. As a rogue cultivator, you’d need a good reason to see someone; they wouldn’t let just anyone in. If you presented the Moon Lord’s sword manual to request an audience, if the person receiving you had ill intentions and saw your weak cultivation, they might directly threaten you, demanding you hand over the manual so they could seek credit from the sect elders. It wasn’t impossible.
Xiao Mo had the system search for unclaimed blessed places. The system could only search for places that had been developed by people, and those unclaimed places that had been discovered were surrounded by dangers, making them difficult to enter.
It felt like every path was blocked.
Xiao Mo pondered hard. After a moment, Chu Jinglan spoke: “Let’s make another deal with the Jinxiu Pavilion.”
Xiao Mo’s heart stirred, immediately guessing Chu Jinglan’s intention: “You want to…”
Sure enough, Chu Jinglan gave the answer he had guessed.
“Use the heavenly-grade spirit sword to exchange for a chance to cultivate in their treasure spot.”
A major power like the Jinxiu Pavilion didn’t lack places rich in spiritual energy, and they even had many spirit veins. They ran an open business and valued their reputation. Showing wealth and making deals with them was safer than dealing with others.
If the Jinxiu Pavilion dared to rob openly outside of secret realms, if even a bit of news leaked, their business would suffer. Other major powers were also watching closely.
It was a good method.
But this time, Xiao Mo didn’t immediately agree.
After a moment of silence, he said: “Why don’t we try exchanging other things first?”
Chu Jinglan quietly looked at him.
After a moment of eye contact, Xiao Mo was the first to look away.
“The heavenly-grade spirit sword ‘Daybreak’ ranks 15th in the Divine Weapon List. It was taken by the Moon Lord, so the knowledgeable people in the Jinxiu Pavilion would likely make that connection. They wouldn’t easily leak information, and might even speculate about our relationship with the Moon Lord, perhaps giving us some face.”
Xiao Mo softly voiced his analysis. If it were just any heavenly-grade spirit sword, the Jinxiu Pavilion might not agree, but if the sword was named “Daybreak,” it would be different.
Xiao Mo clearly knew these benefits, but…
Chu Jinglan clearly loved that sword.
It couldn’t be used in front of others, but over the past month, when they practiced in front of the small dilapidated house, Chu Jinglan would take out Daybreak at night and wield it in a place known only to the two of them.
When Chu Jinglan looked at the sword, his eyes held a faint but serene expression. He rarely liked anything, and Xiao Mo wanted him to keep it.
But Chu Jinglan’s expression didn’t waver.
Seeing his impassive expression, Xiao Mo helplessly lowered his shoulders: “…You really can bear to part with it.”
“It’s just a material possession, it doesn’t matter.” For a moment, Chu Jinglan wanted to raise his hand and brush away the listless strand of hair by Xiao Mo’s ear, wanting to dispel his disappointment. But Chu Jinglan pressed his finger joints and ultimately resisted this unreasonable impulse.
“Besides, we still have a ten-thousand-year cold ice mystic stone. After forging, it will surely be a heavenly-grade magical tool.”
Xiao Mo detected a strange emotion in Chu Jinglan’s voice and looked up again: “Are you comforting me?”
Chu Jinglan looked into his eyes, pressing his fingers tighter, but his voice softened: “I’m comforting myself.”
Xiao Mo’s expression relaxed: “You’re actually making jokes with a straight face now. Alright, the spirit sword isn’t as important as your dantian, even if it’s heavenly-grade.”
Chu Jinglan: “Can we go now?”
Xiao Mo twirled his flute in his hand: “Let’s go, let’s go.”
There was no better solution for now.
But when Chu Jinglan’s cultivation and status recovered in the future, he could collect as many swords as he liked. Xiao Mo would help him collect them. Maybe they could even buy this sword back then.
Thinking this way, he felt somewhat more at ease.
1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter
Thank you both Anzhe and Choco 😍❤️❤️❤️
⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂)⸝♡
Thanks Choco as always!! 🫶🏻
thanks for the chapter!
Thank you the chapter!