PID Chapter 68

(4/5)

(〜^∇^)〜

 

---

The master craftsman’s disciple was called Xi Tie, at Golden Core cultivation. His master only asked him to partner with a Nascent Soul cultivator to find materials, rather than requesting someone with higher cultivation to escort him, intending to give him some experience.

 

Of course, these core disciples all had life-saving measures.

 

Hearing that Chu Jinglan was going out for experience, Yue Ming immediately decided to come along, with a very simple reason: he couldn’t let Chu Jinglan gain experience secretly and surpass him.

 

But was it possible that Chu Jinglan had already surpassed him?

 

Yue Ming also took a mission token. When he and Xi Tie saw that Chu Jinglan was bringing Xiao Mo along, they were both taken aback.

 

Xi Tie was a bit nervous. When not speaking, he looked very aloof. Being well-built, he appeared to be a tough guy on the outside, but only when he spoke did one realize that beneath the tough exterior was a socially anxious heart.

 

Xi Tie stammered: “We-we’re going out for experience, is it appropriate to have an attendant serve us?”

 

Chu Jinglan: “He’s coming with us, but not to serve anyone.”

 

Xi Tie was stunned: “Uh, oh.”

 

Yue Ming rested his elbow on Xi Tie’s shoulder: “You spend all day by the iron furnace, you haven’t heard how well Chu Jinglan treats his attendant, right? Let me tell you, this guy treats his little attendant like the apple of his eye, even more important than the Yingyue Sect.”

 

Although the conversation during the battle with Fenxiu wasn’t widely spread within the sect, many core disciples knew about it. Besides cultivation, it also added quite a bit of juicy gossip to their idle chats.

 

After all, valuing a demon by one’s side more than the sect – the last person who did this had already become a legend and regret in the Yingyue Sect’s memory.

 

Hearing this, Xi Tie naturally thought of the Moon Lord and couldn’t help but glance at Xiao Mo a few more times.

 

He was very good-looking, somewhat similar to Chu Jinglan, but with a completely different aura. Perhaps music cultivators were just gentler than sword cultivators; his gaze and eyes were very comfortable to look at.

 

Looking at what he wore… Earth-grade blue scale mermaid silk magical robe, woven by merpeople, as thin as cicada wings, yet layered under the light, with occasional scale patterns shimmering, extremely beautiful, water-resistant, and highly defensive;

 

The silver hairpin in his hair contained spiritual energy and was also an excellent magical tool. In comparison, only the yellow-grade jade flute at his waist seemed modest. But Xi Tie remembered Chu Jinglan coming to ask his master to refine a heaven-grade flute and carve a night-blooming cereus on it…

 

Wasn’t that flower on the attendant’s flute? It was obvious who Chu Jinglan’s flute was prepared for.

 

A heaven-grade magical tool for a Foundation Establishment attendant.

 

Xi Tie swallowed, feeling he now understood how well Chu Jinglan treated his attendant.

 

Even the inner sect’s head steward’s provisions couldn’t compare to Xiao Mo’s. Not only was he covered in life-saving magical tools, but he was also brought along for training, clearly to help him improve his cultivation and gain experience. Other people’s attendants would be jealous to tears.

 

So Xi Tie also greeted Xiao Mo friendly: “Fellow cultivator, hello…”

 

Xiao Mo smiled: “Hello, you can call me Mo Lan.”

 

Xi Tie nodded repeatedly, feeling a bit embarrassed by the smile, his cheeks turning red.

 

When it was time to depart, Xi Tie took out the prepared flying ship. Naturally, a craftsman’s flying ship wouldn’t be inferior. This one was made by his master personally. The cabin was three stories high and could accommodate about twenty people.

 

It wasn’t large, but had a very distinctive aesthetic. While retaining the material’s toughness, the ship had many openwork carvings, including several lamps at the eaves. Not only were they exquisite, but they also formed a new formation inside the ship, adding to the protective screen outside the hull, layer upon layer, maximizing the sense of security.

 

The group boarded the ship, and Xi Tie summoned a puppet to steer it. He then took out a map and showed the route to the others.

 

When talking about business, he spoke less nervously.

 

“We’ll certainly pass through the Bohai Sea on our way to Butterfly State. I want to pick some Bohai pearls along the way and see if we can find any good items at the sea market.”

 

After speaking, he carefully asked: “Is… is that okay?”

 

Yue Ming had no objections: “Sure, it’s easy to find good stuff at the sea market. Since we’re here, let’s take a look.”

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan also agreed. Xiao Mo hadn’t seen a sea market before, and he was interested in seeing new things.

 

Going out to relax helps change one’s mood and avoid overthinking.

 

It would take three days to reach the Bohai Sea. After discussing the itinerary, Chu Jinglan was about to leave with Xiao Mo when Yue Ming grabbed him: “Hey, hey, it’s still early. Where are you going back to your room for?”

 

Chu Jinglan easily pulled his sleeve out of his hand and said coolly: “To meditate and cultivate.”

 

What else could they do?

 

Yue Ming: “…”

 

Yue Ming didn’t understand the word “overachieving,” but if he did, he would definitely shout: Do you have to be so overachieving!

 

He thought he was already working hard enough, but he didn’t expect someone to have higher talent and work even harder than him.

 

He gritted his teeth, not admitting he was provoked: “Don’t you understand work-life balance! We’re going to travel together, we should at least socialize a bit. Sit down, sit down, let’s chat for a while.”

 

Chu Jinglan remained unmoved: “I…”

 

Yue Ming: “Besides, your little attendant probably wants to stay outside and play for a while.”

 

Xiao Mo, who had been staring at the scenery outside the ship, turned his head and said to Chu Jinglan: “I’m fine either way, you choose.”

 

He had been easily distracted lately, so it probably didn’t matter where he stayed. Chu Jinglan looked at him, knowing Xiao Mo often enjoyed lively atmospheres, so he swallowed his previous words and sat down again, lifting his robe.

 

Xi Tie opened a box under the table and took out a set of wooden cards: “Let’s play Xuan cards.”

 

Xuan cards could be played with any number of people. Xiao Mo had seen people playing it when they were camped outside the Linan Academy in the middle realm.

 

He sat at the table: “You guys play, I’ll just watch.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “I don’t know the rules.”

 

Hearing this, Yue Ming’s eyes lit up, feeling he finally had a chance to beat Chu Jinglan—even if it was just at cards.

 

He eagerly said: “Come, I’ll explain the rules to you. It’s very simple!”

 

The rules weren’t complicated. After Yue Ming finished explaining, he impatiently said: “We’re all friends here, so let’s not bet money. Keep it simple, let’s just slap hands.”

 

While saying “keep it simple,” he took out a ruler-like magical tool and adjusted its power with spiritual energy: “We’ll use this to hit. It won’t hurt the hand, but just one hit will make it sting. Dare you?”

 

Chu Jinglan didn’t care. Seeing both of them agree, Xi Tie also agreed. Before the game started, Chu Jinglan took out a food box from his storage device and placed it beside Xiao Mo.

 

The food box had freshness-preserving runes carved on the outside. It had three layers, each containing different snacks. As soon as the lid was opened, the sweet aroma of pastries immediately wafted out, filling the entire cabin.

 

People at Nascent Soul stage and above could abstain from food. Yue Ming hadn’t eaten in a long time, and this aroma made him unconsciously sniff and peek over. Xi Tie, long accustomed to eating fasting pills, also had his gaze drawn by the smell.

 

Xiao Mo skillfully picked up a pastry. Looking up, he found the other two glancing this way. He and Chu Jinglan were used to acting as a pair, but in this situation, eating alone wasn’t appropriate. Xiao Mo asked: “Would you like to try some?”

 

Yue Ming restrained himself: “I don’t really want to…”

 

“Oh,” Xiao Mo passed him by and asked Xi Tie, “How about you?”

 

Yue Ming: “…”

 

I still had a “but” to say, why didn’t you ask one more question!

 

Xi Tie was embarrassed but really wanted to eat after smelling the aroma. He softly said: “Just one, thank you.”

 

Xiao Mo let him choose one, then selected one for himself and handed it to Chu Jinglan beside him.

 

But Chu Jinglan had already picked up the Xuan cards and couldn’t free his hands to eat. Xi Tie was also taking bites when not playing cards. Chu Jinglan was about to say it wasn’t necessary when Xiao Mo said: “Then just eat from my hand.”

 

This pastry was quite large. Last time when Chu Jinglan’s lips touched his hand, it was because the pastry was too small. This time the size was definitely not a problem, very safe.

 

Chu Jinglan paused, glancing at him lightly, then slowly leaned forward, parted his lips, and took a bite from Xiao Mo’s hand.

 

Soft, fragrant, and sweet…

 

Xiao Mo fed Chu Jinglan with one hand while nibbling on a pastry himself with the other. Xi Tie quickly stuffed the remaining pastry into his mouth to chew slowly. The only one who hadn’t eaten, Yue Ming, couldn’t sit still. He couldn’t help but taunt Chu Jinglan: “Didn’t you say you didn’t want him to serve you?”

 

Before Chu Jinglan could speak, Xiao Mo blinked: “When you’re close, casually feeding someone can’t be called serving, can it?”

 

Xiao Mo glanced at the cards on the table, his lips curling mischievously: “You’re not jealous, are you?”

 

Yue Ming snorted: “How could that be possible, I—”

 

Chu Jinglan put down his cards: “Summon Heavenly Thunder, I win.”

 

Yue Ming immediately widened his eyes in disbelief: “Wait, what kind of luck is this!?”

 

Chu Jinglan calmly took the ruler: “Hold out your hand.”

 

Yue Ming had bet like this hoping to make Chu Jinglan cry out in pain. The ruler didn’t cause injury, but it truly stung. He endured one hit, thinking to himself, just wait, I don’t believe your luck can stay this good!

 

He said to Xiao Mo: “I suspect you were trying to disrupt the enemy’s mind earlier. I refuse outside tactics.”

 

Xiao Mo laughed heartily: “Alright, alright, I won’t talk to you. I’ll watch the cards silently.”

 

He said he wouldn’t speak, and truly quietly started eating. Then, from time to time, Chu Jinglan’s calm voice would be heard—

 

“Break Formation, I win.”

 

“Ascend to Immortality, I win.”

 

“Nine Returns to One, win.”

 

The one crying out in pain was Yue Ming.

 

Yue Ming was both angry and in pain, but unwilling to give up: “Again!”

 

They battled at the card table for a long time. After watching for about an hour, Xiao Mo stood up and said: “You guys keep playing, I’ll go back to the room to rest for a while.”

 

Hearing this, Chu Jinglan also wanted to get up: “Then I—”

 

Xiao Mo pressed his shoulder: “You keep playing, I’ll sleep for a bit to replenish my spirit power.”

 

With this press, Chu Jinglan couldn’t get up.

 

Yue Ming, while drawing cards, said: “Don’t think about running away just because you’re winning. I don’t believe I can’t beat you even once.”

 

But Chu Jinglan’s gaze followed Xiao Mo to the door.

 

Xi Tie looked at one, then the other, hiding half his face behind his cards: “You two are really close.”

 

Yue Ming: “Yeah, Chu Jinglan, if we didn’t look at cultivation levels, it’d be hard to tell who’s whose attendant.”

 

Xiao Mo’s figure disappeared, and Chu Jinglan finally withdrew his gaze: “Regardless of who takes care of whom, we’re not in a master-servant relationship.”

 

Yue Ming chuckled: “If you keep saying these things in front of those old guys, I wonder how many of them would have chest pains.”

 

As Xiao Mo walked out, leaving the cabin where the three were, he thought that Chu Jinglan should make some friends of his own.

 

As long as Chu Jinglan could establish himself firmly in the Yingyue Sect and not develop any dramatic relationship with Su Baimo, then with his talent, standing at the pinnacle of the cultivation world was just a matter of time. What he needed were normal, ordinary relationships, not an inner demon.

 

The inner demon was a tribulation he must overcome.

 

Xiao Mo couldn’t help but wonder, after he left a message and reappeared before Chu Jinglan in the future, would Chu Jinglan see him as a monster?

 

Thinking of this, Xiao Mo laughed softly in the empty room.

 

He knew Chu Jinglan wouldn’t.

 

There might be some shock, but after the initial surprise, he would treat him as a normal person. After all, Xiao Mo understood Chu Jinglan quite well.

 

Xiao Mo turned over on the bed, lying flat and closing his eyes. His mood was good today, and his spiritual sense wasn’t fluctuating much. Surely he wouldn’t have another nightmare?

 

This time it wasn’t a nightmare, but he still dreamed.

 

In the dream, he was observing a scene of Su Baimo’s group of suitors bickering.

 

Xiao Mo was stunned.

 

In front of him, Mu Jian and Dai Zisheng stood three steps behind Su Baimo, while in front of Su Baimo, two people were arguing sarcastically. One was the Wang family’s young master, Wang Yichen, and the other he didn’t recognize.

 

But Xiao Mo heard the system’s voice: “That’s the last cornerstone character, Jun Bushu from the Lingxiao Sect.”

 

Jun Bushu, skilled in divination, had cast too many divinations in the past and was too accurate, depleting his vital energy. As a result, his skin was pale and sickly, his handsome face often bearing an ill look, with faint silver strands at his temples.

 

Wang Yichen and Jun Bushu were arguing, while Su Baimo helplessly tried to mediate behind them, looking quite distressed. Xiao Mo heard himself say: “Your circle is such a mess. You’d better stay away from your former fiancé and not get involved.”

 

Chu Jinglan beside him said softly: “…That advice applies more to you.”

 

Xiao Mo was about to ask what he meant when Wang Yichen came over angrily, fanning himself: “Forget it, I think I’ll travel with the Yingyue Sect instead. Are you two willing?”

 

Xiao Mo smiled: “If he agrees, I agree.”

 

Chu Jinglan: “If he agrees, I agree.”

 

Wang Yichen’s eyes darted between them, and he sighed: “You two are so close, inseparable. If only my dao partner and I could be like you…”

 

Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan almost said in unison: “We’re not dao partners.”

 

Of course they weren’t, but why did the two voices sound slightly different? Whose voice sounded a bit forced?

 

Before he could ponder this, he felt a warmth on his brow.

 

Xiao Mo slowly opened his eyes.

 

As he opened them, Chu Jinglan was right in front of him.

 

Chu Jinglan withdrew his hand: “Did I wake you?”

 

Xiao Mo shook his head slightly on the pillow, his voice lazy with sleep: “I was just waking up. Is the card game over?”

 

Chu Jinglan: “Mm.”

 

“How many times did you lose?”

 

“I didn’t lose.”

 

Xiao Mo smiled: “Yue Ming must be furious.”

 

But Chu Jinglan looked at him gently: “You were frowning earlier. Were you having a nightmare?”

 

Do inner demons also dream?

 

Chu Jinglan had reached out earlier, wanting to smooth Xiao Mo’s brow.

 

“No,” Xiao Mo said.

 

“You’ve been sleeping a lot recently. You mentioned hitting a bottleneck in your cultivation earlier. Has it affected your spiritual sense?”

 

All the data was normal, but to say it wasn’t affected didn’t seem quite right either. Xiao Mo was also at a loss: “I’m not too sure myself. I’ve just been having many strange dreams lately.”

 

Regarding dreams, it was undoubtedly related to the mind and spirit. A flash of worry crossed Chu Jinglan’s heart. He pondered for a moment, then thought of something: “The East Clear Pearl from Bohai Sea has remarkable effects on calming the mind and focusing the spirit. I’ll go find one for you.”

 

Xiao Mo looked beautiful when sleeping peacefully, which would soften Chu Jinglan’s heart. But his frowning, uneasy appearance made Chu Jinglan’s heart tighten.

 

Since they were passing by Bohai Sea anyway, he might as well find an East Clear Pearl.

 

Compared to a listless appearance, he preferred to see Xiao Mo smiling and cheerful.

 

---

 

1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter