PID Chapter 76

(5/5) Extra Update ~

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The seventh-ranked Corrosive Venom Spider’s body was full of treasures. Its carapace could be used for artifact refining, some parts could be used in alchemy, and even its venom could be collected. Xi Tie, equipped with a knife and professional expertise, busied himself harvesting materials from the spider’s corpse.

 

The three Nascent Soul cultivators who had fought rested after taking medicinal pills, meditating to recover. Their efforts had completely won over the Fortune Spirit Butterfly’s favor. It even made space for them to sit on its pile of gathered flowers and grasses, which were imbued with spiritual energy and provided additional comfort.

 

Xiao Mo sat beside Chu Jinglan, using the end of his flute to idly poke at the grass nearby as he lowered his gaze in thought.

 

He had just recalled a memory suggesting that past disasters might be tied to Heaven’s Will—a revelation as heavy as a bombshell. Yet before those turbulent emotions could fully surface, they had been disrupted by Chu Jinglan’s injury, pulling all of Xiao Mo’s attention toward him.

 

Watching Chu Jinglan decisively cut into his own flesh without hesitation, Xiao Mo’s mind had been consumed by that single act. He hadn’t had time to think about anything else.

 

The greater shock of seeing Chu Jinglan’s self-inflicted wound had completely overshadowed his earlier revelations—an instance of one poison countering another.

 

Now that things had settled down and there was time to sort through his memories, Xiao Mo found that his initial feelings of alarm had quietly faded. Emotional reactions are fleeting; what remained now was a calm state of mind that allowed him to analyze everything logically.

 

It was almost strange—every major revelation from the system should have left Xiao Mo reeling. Yet twice now, it was Chu Jinglan who had pulled him out of chaos and steadied his thoughts.

 

Was Heaven’s Will terrifying? Yes, it was.

 

But none of those existential fears compared to the tangible presence of the person before him. It wasn’t that those matters weren’t important—but at least in that moment earlier, they had been eclipsed by concern for Chu Jinglan’s injury.

 

One sleeve of Chu Jinglan’s robe was still torn, with the white bandages on his arm acting as a substitute for fabric. The damaged clothing did nothing to diminish his aura. Xiao Mo shifted his gaze from the flowers and grasses to Chu Jinglan’s side profile.

 

In the memory, Xiao Mo had said that Su Baimo and Heaven’s Will were primarily hunting him, yet Chu Jinglan had resolutely chosen to stand by his side. Based on what Xiao Mo knew of Chu Jinglan, such a decision would have been impossible without them traveling together for some time and building enough trust.

 

At that time, Xiao Mo had a physical body, blood flowing through his veins—he wasn’t a inner demon spirit. How had he interacted with Chu Jinglan back then?

 

Xiao Mo couldn’t help but wonder: Could it have been through constant arguing?

 

Honestly, it seemed entirely possible.

 

Meanwhile, Xi Tie finished dismantling the Corrosive Venom Spider’s corpse with precision and quickly brought the harvested materials over. Since Xiao Mo was the only one available to talk at the moment, Xi Tie laid everything out neatly for him to see.

 

“This is its beast core, these are its sharp front legs—they can be forged into weapons. The organs can be sold to medical cultivators, and the venom can be used to temper magical tools or made into poison. Also…”

 

Xi Tie pointed out each item one by one, arranging them meticulously. “Should we wait for Little Martial Uncle to wake up before dividing them?”

 

Xiao Mo, still absorbed in his own thoughts, quietly listened until Xi Tie finished speaking and nodded in agreement.

 

Xi Tie added: “Little Martial Uncle contributed the most, so naturally he should pick first. If not, why don’t you choose on his behalf—see if there’s anything he might want to keep?”

 

Xiao Mo paused his flute-tapping and looked up at Xi Tie: “He can decide for himself once he’s done meditating. What I choose might not be what he wants.”

 

“But what you want is the same as what he wants,” Xi Tie replied earnestly, his rugged face turning red again. Despite his shy demeanor, he spoke with unfiltered sincerity. “His things are yours; your things are his. If there’s something you want, I’m sure Little Martial Uncle would listen to you.”

 

At this point, Xi Tie scratched his head as if realizing something: “Wait—shouldn’t I also address you with a respectful title? I should call you—”

 

“Stop.”

 

Xiao Mo was genuinely flustered by this straightforward artifact refiner’s words. Before Xi Tie could say anything more outrageous, Xiao Mo hurriedly interrupted him and insisted firmly: “Just call me by my name. Please don’t use any other titles.”

 

Xi Tie hesitated: “Uh… isn’t that inappropriate?”

 

Xiao Mo replied quickly: “It’s perfectly fine—really. Look at Chu Jinglan—if you wanted to call him by name directly, he wouldn’t mind either.”

 

Xiao Mo spoke without thinking but immediately realized he had made another decision on Chu Jinglan’s behalf. While it seemed like a minor matter in the past, today it felt different after Xi Tie pointed it out…

 

Coincidentally, Chu Jinglan finished meditating at that moment and clearly heard their conversation. He opened his eyes and nodded at Xi Tie: “Mm, what he said is correct.”

 

Xiao Mo’s fingers unconsciously rubbed against the flute as he pressed his lips together in silence. When did I start making decisions for Chu Jinglan so naturally?

 

Xiao Mo reflected on this.

 

In the memory, it seemed that he regarded Chu Jinglan as a close friend—a confidant who had proven through actions that he wouldn’t abandon him no matter what. Their bond had evidently reached a level where they could entrust their lives to each other. But now… was their relationship as close as it had been back then?

 

It probably was—despite the divide between their identities as inner demon and original body.

 

In fact, perhaps their friendship now ran even deeper? After all, they had managed to forge such harmony despite inherently opposing roles.

 

Still, even among close friends and confidants, casually making decisions on someone else’s behalf wasn’t appropriate. Xiao Mo reminded himself to be more mindful in the future.

 

Yue Ming and Jun Bushu finished meditating as well and joined the group to divide the materials from the Corrosive Venom Spider’s corpse. The Fortune Spirit Butterfly didn’t want any of these items and fulfilled its promise by presenting butterfly scale stones aged 300 years. Xi Tie carefully collected everything but didn’t forget to apologize to Chu Jinglan and the others.

 

After all, they had all sustained injuries during the battle.

 

Jun Bushu waved his hand dismissively, while Chu Jinglan replied succinctly, “No need to apologize.”

 

Yue Ming added, “Exactly. We accepted the task of escorting you ourselves—there’s no need for you to apologize.”

 

The Fortune Spirit Butterfly, still perched on its nest, buzzed softly: “I promised blessings, and I will grant them now. Each of you may state your preference—whether you wish to refine your body or your spiritual sense.”

 

The refinement effect of a seventh-ranked Fortune Spirit Butterfly was roughly equivalent to consuming a sixth-grade pill. It offered improvement, but the benefits were limited—especially since the butterfly was expending most of its spiritual energy on nurturing its eggs, which further reduced the effectiveness.

 

Still, encountering a Fortune Spirit Butterfly was considered a stroke of luck. Treating it as a token of good fortune, none of them declined the offer.

 

The other four chose body refinement, while Xiao Mo opted for spiritual sense refinement.

 

After bestowing its blessings, the matter at this location was concluded, and the group prepared to leave. However, the Fortune Spirit Butterfly suddenly called out: “Wait.”

 

Everyone turned back in confusion.

 

The Fortune Spirit Butterfly trembled slightly before pushing out a butterfly egg about the size of a palm.

 

It had laid an egg during the blessing process.

 

A Fortune Spirit Butterfly could lay around ten eggs at a time. Under the puzzled gazes of the group, it used wind to lift one egg and carefully placed it in a small nest made of flowers and grass before presenting it to Xiao Mo.

 

“I sense that this egg is connected to you,” the Fortune Spirit Butterfly said. “Would you be willing to adopt it?”

 

Xiao Mo was surprised. “Me?”

 

Currently, Xiao Mo was Chu Jinglan’s inner demon. To some beasts with keen senses, their auras might seem similar or even confusingly intertwined. However, since this Fortune Spirit Butterfly could perceive souls to some extent, it clearly wouldn’t make such a mistake.

 

The Fortune Spirit Butterfly confirmed: “Yes, it’s you.”

 

Yue Ming chimed in enthusiastically: “Whoa! That’s good news—it means your luck is on a roll. Fortune Spirit Butterflies are very particular about forming bonds based on fate. I suggest you accept it.”

 

Xiao Mo stared at the soft butterfly egg nestled among flowers and grass in front of him. After a brief moment of contemplation under the butterfly’s watchful gaze, he finally extended his hand: “Alright.”

 

The Fortune Spirit Butterfly’s antennae swayed gently as it flapped its wings lightly and bid them farewell: “Then humans, until we meet again.”

 

Qiuqiu perched on Xiao Mo’s shoulder and curiously leaned forward to inspect the butterfly egg in his hand. Worried that Qiuqiu might mistake it for food and peck at it, Xiao Mo warned softly: “Be good—this isn’t for eating.”

 

Qiuqiu chirped: “Chirp chirp.”

 

I know! I know!

 

Qiuqiu couldn’t yet speak human language; its bird calls translated into words only understood by Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan. Xiao Mo placed the butterfly egg into his spirit pet pouch—it would hatch on its own after about ten days.

 

Seeing Xiao Mo’s actions, Yue Ming found it odd that he didn’t immediately perform a blood recognition ceremony to establish ownership over the egg. However, some people preferred ceremonial gestures and liked to handle such matters with more solemnity—it wasn’t unusual. Yue Ming decided not to ask further questions.

 

Chu Jinglan draped an outer robe over himself, covering the bandages on his arm as well as the damaged inner and undershirts beneath. After all, those close-fitting garments could only be replaced once they returned.

 

The group began their journey back to Rainbow Butterfly Town. The reinforcements from Lin’an Academy were still waiting to thank them, and Xiao Mo and Chu Jinglan hadn’t yet bid farewell to the three children they had saved—it was only proper to see them before leaving.

 

Once inside the temporary residence, Chu Jinglan changed out of his torn clothing. When he stepped out again, he had transformed back into a refined and handsome young gentleman, impeccably dressed.

 

With the demonic cultivators gone from Rainbow Butterfly Town, the townsfolk had returned home. The previously deserted streets quickly became lively once more. Grateful for their help in eliminating the demons, the townspeople swarmed to their lodging with overwhelming enthusiasm, offering various gifts.

 

Of course, the group declined these offerings, but even the owner of the courtyard they were staying in insisted on expressing gratitude. After much effort convincing everyone to leave and closing the door, they were still left with an assortment of fruits, snacks, and food boxes that couldn’t be wasted. Yue Ming grabbed a few fruits and shared them with everyone.

 

It was just a taste test, but when Yue Ming tossed a fruit toward Xiao Mo from across the room, Chu Jinglan intercepted it mid-air with a raised hand.

 

Yue Ming bit into his own fruit and asked in confusion: “What’s that about? It’s pretty sweet—I gave you one earlier too.”

 

Chu Jinglan explained briefly: “His cultivation technique is unique; he can’t eat anything other than spiritual food.”

 

As he spoke, Chu Jinglan retrieved another spiritual fruit from his storage device and handed it to Xiao Mo.

 

Yue Ming paused for a moment before munching on his fruit again: “Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone stick so firmly to a path of compassion that forbids harming life. It’s definitely rare—even Buddhist cultivators don’t have your level of restraint. If you were ever bullied… well, I wouldn’t be able to hold back with my temper.”

 

Xiao Mo replied casually while feeding Qiuqiu with the fruit Chu Jinglan had given him: “There are always other ways to resolve things.”

 

Yue Ming nodded thoughtfully: “True enough. With Chu Jinglan around, anyone who tries something will just get greeted by his sword. No one would dare bully you now.”

 

It was also evident that Xiao Mo possessed numerous magical tools and treasures—his wealth might even rival Chu Jinglan’s.

 

Lin’an Academy and Yingyue Sect were sharing the same courtyard for lodging, while Lingxiao Sect stayed next door. Yan Chun and Mo Zhi were currently with them as well. At this point in the conversation, Yan Chun gently tugged on Xiao Mo’s sleeve: “Shixiong Mo.”

 

Xiao Mo turned slightly toward her: “Hm?”

 

“Brother Su from Lingxiao Sect spoke with us earlier,” Yan Chun said softly. “While chatting casually, he asked about how you and our master met and got along. But we didn’t say much—just brushed past it.”

 

Though it seemed like a minor matter, Yan Chun had paid extra attention to it and thought it worth mentioning to Xiao Mo.

 

Xiao Mo’s gaze darkened slightly as he patted Yan Chun’s shoulder: “Good job. Also, no matter what dealings Lin’an Academy may have with Lingxiao Sect in the future, keep your distance from Su Baimo.”

 

After some thought, he added cautiously: “But don’t show hostility toward him either—just avoid interacting with him altogether.”

 

Yan Chun nodded firmly: “Understood.”

 

Meanwhile, Qiuqiu pecked rhythmically at the fruit in Xiao Mo’s palm. Its steady pattern seemed almost intentional as Xiao Mo pondered other matters amidst its rhythm. Based on the fragments of memory he had recovered so far, it was clear that in the vision where Su Baimo killed Chu Jinglan, he must have relied on Heaven’s Will for power.

 

Heaven’s Will is supposed to be impartial, free of entanglements with mortals. Its selection of a “Child of Destiny” is meant to balance the grand flow of fate. While it can bestow fortune, it is not supposed to interfere otherwise. If Heaven’s Will were functioning properly, neither he nor Chu Jinglan would have any reason to trouble it.

 

This suggested that something had gone wrong with Heaven’s Will in this world.

 

Following this line of thought, Xiao Mo asked the system, which confirmed his suspicion. The system added: “I can’t monitor where Heaven’s Will has gone now. There are no signs of it around Su Baimo either—only traces of fortune surrounding him.”

 

This meant that both he and Chu Jinglan were temporarily safe and still had time.

 

Xiao Mo stroked Qiuqiu’s feathers gently. Yue Ming, having finished his fruit, spoke up: “To celebrate the elimination of the demonic cultivators, Rainbow Butterfly Town just announced they’ll hold a lantern festival tomorrow night. I don’t need their gratitude, but wandering around a lantern festival sounds fun. Should we stay an extra two days and enjoy it?”

 

Chu Jinglan glanced at Xiao Mo and nodded. Xiao Mo also agreed: “Sure.”

 

The two of them were clearly in sync, and Yue Ming laughed: “That makes three votes in favor. Xi Tie?”

 

Xi Tie quickly raised his hand: “I’m in too.”

 

Over at Lin’an Academy, the disciples who had been captured by the demonic cultivators had woken up and needed rest and relaxation to recover both physically and mentally. No one objected to staying.

 

As night fell, everyone returned to their respective rooms. Xiao Mo took out Qiuqiu’s bird nest and placed it by the cabinet for it to sleep in. He also brought out the butterfly egg and handed it to Chu Jinglan for the blood recognition ceremony.

 

However, this time, Chu Jinglan shook his head.

 

Xiao Mo was puzzled: “You’re the only one who can perform the blood recognition.”

 

After all, as a inner demon spirit body, Xiao Mo didn’t have blood.

 

Chu Jinglan placed the butterfly egg back into Xiao Mo’s hands and explained: “After joining Yingyue Sect, I came across a record in the library about a technique that allows a cultivator to leave an imprint on a beast using their aura. It mimics the effect of a blood contract, making others believe the beast has already been bonded.”

 

This technique was often used by cultivators who couldn’t form a proper contract with a beast due to certain conditions.

 

Xiao Mo’s gaze flickered slightly: “That doesn’t sound like common knowledge.”

 

Chu Jinglan nodded: “It isn’t.”

 

The library had granted Chu Jinglan significant access privileges, including partial entry into restricted sections. Once his cultivation advanced further, he might even gain full access to the entire restricted area.

 

Chu Jinglan glanced at Qiuqiu, who was already curled up asleep in its bird nest. “If I had known about this method earlier, I wouldn’t have needed to form a blood contract with the Golden Flame Flowing Fire Phoenix.”

 

Xiao Mo disagreed with this point: “But this method is just a disguise. If someone discovered that it wasn’t truly bonded, they’d definitely try to take it. Forming a proper contract with it was the right choice. Even if we’d known about this technique back then, I would have advised you to form the contract anyway.”

 

Chu Jinglan lowered his gaze slightly. “But now the Fortune Spirit Butterfly is connected to you by fate. You should accept it. In the future, I’ll look into methods that can prevent others from forming contracts with it.”

 

The butterfly egg rested quietly in its flower-and-grass nest as Xiao Mo held it in his hands. Chu Jinglan spoke softly:

 

“The Fortune Spirit Butterfly symbolizes good fortune—may luck always accompany you.”

 

Xiao Mo chuckled softly. “You’ve said so much already—looks like I have no choice but to accept it.”

 

Fine then. Xiao Mo lightly fiddled with the flower petals around the edge of the little nest and thought silently: You’ve missed your chance to bond with a peerless genius, little butterfly.

 

He placed the butterfly egg back into his spirit pet pouch and said to Chu Jinglan, “By the way, I’ll be spending more time in my sea of consciousness soon to cultivate my spiritual sense. Just letting you know in advance.”

 

Chu Jinglan nodded. “How is your spiritual sense holding up?”

 

“Not bad,” Xiao Mo replied, pressing lightly against his chest. “I moved the Phantom Moon Heart closer to my dantian and placed the East Clear Pearl near my heart. The pearl’s spiritual aura really helps with my spiritual sense—it’s quite effective.”

 

Chu Jinglan was visibly surprised, staring at Xiao Mo’s chest in a daze.

 

The pearl I gave him… he put it near his heart…

 

Chu Jinglan’s breath hitched, and he pressed hard against his knuckles as if trying to steady himself.

 

[Ding! Mental attack successful. Points +500!]

 

Xiao Mo was startled by the system notification. He lowered his hand and studied Chu Jinglan’s expression carefully before suddenly realizing something:

 

I knew it—our bond this time, even as a inner demon and original body, must be just as deep as it was in the past life. Close friends, brothers-in-arms… Taking good care of the pearl Chu Jinglan gave me must have made him feel very satisfied, right?

 

Feeling quite pleased with his reasoning, Xiao Mo smiled warmly at Chu Jinglan.

 

The smile was so stunning that Chu Jinglan almost couldn’t hold himself together—he was tempted to look away. But his heart, which was becoming increasingly uncontrollable, refused to let him miss Xiao Mo’s expression.

 

Xiao Mo patted Chu Jinglan’s uninjured arm lightly. “You’ve had such a tiring day—don’t replace all your rest with cultivation tonight. Try to get some sleep.”

 

Chu Jinglan nodded. “Alright. And you?”

 

“I won’t be sleeping tonight,” Xiao Mo replied casually. “I need to prepare for my upcoming cultivation.”

 

He needed to sort through his memories gradually to avoid confusion when more surfaced later.

 

The biggest revelation had already come to light, so he felt confident he could handle what came next. Besides, the aura of the East Clear Pearl truly did soothe him—it wasn’t a lie.

 

Chu Jinglan appeared calm as he replied evenly, “Alright.”

 

Only he knew that the atmosphere earlier had been pleasant enough that he’d begun to harbor a faint expectation for something small—after all, they usually slept in the same room.

 

Though it didn’t happen this time, it didn’t matter. Lately, Xiao Mo had been showing occasional signs of responding—perhaps even slowly opening up?

 

This is good progress, Chu Jinglan thought to himself optimistically.

 

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1 Kofi = 1 Extra Chapter