My past week was pretty eventful to say the least. I’m so sorry I wasn’t able to update. I also wasn’t able to advise because of all the confusion. To make it up for you, I will bulk update the missed chapters.
Hu Li arrived promptly, and Jing Li had only waited a few minutes before he was there. The assistant assigned to Hu Li by the company drove them to the foot of Green Forest Mountain and left.
Returning to this place, Jing Li could distinctly feel that the mountain had undergone changes since his last visit.
The spiritual energy on the mountain was noticeably denser than before, and the trees had grown more lush. Paying close attention, one could even sense the vibrant signs of life, as if countless beings were gradually awakening their spiritual consciousness.
“Wow, is this the Green Forest?” Hu Li exclaimed after feeling the spiritual energy around them. “I’ve heard Lele mention it before, but I always thought it was just a marketing gimmick, so I never paid much attention. If I had known it was real, I would have come to see it sooner.”
“What kind of spirit lives here to emit such dense spiritual energy?” Hu Li excitedly grabbed Jing Li’s arm and headed toward the mountain. “Let’s go, go, go! I can’t wait to meet your spirit friend.”
Jing Li, pulled along, snapped back to reality, giving Hu Li a somewhat helpless look, but said nothing, taking the lead to guide him.
They soon reached the courtyard gate. Hu Li surveyed the scene inside and exclaimed, “I thought the mountain itself was already stunning, but this courtyard surpasses it by a million times.”
“The spiritual energy in this courtyard’s big tree is a million times denser than outside!” Hu Li carefully examined the big tree in the courtyard and casually asked Jing Li, “So, is this big tree your friend?”
Jing Li remained silent, following Hu Li’s gaze toward the tree.
Compared to his previous visit, the tree’s condition had significantly improved. Although it still showed signs of decay, the previous lifeless aura was gone, and even the chrysanthemums around the tree roots seemed more vibrant.
However, the chrysanthemum blossoms continued to steadily transfer spiritual energy into the tree, and Jing Li couldn’t shake the impression of a mysterious connection between the two.
“Little Chrysanthemum, don’t… Listen to me…”
“Get out!”
A sudden voice interrupted their thoughts, and Jing Li and Hu Li instinctively looked towards the source, only to see a dark shadow flying out of the central house, crashing onto the courtyard ground with a loud thud.
Looking down, they saw a muscular man about 1.8 meters tall sprawled on the ground. On the steps stood a tall, slender young man glaring angrily at the man on the ground.
Hu Li gasped, leaning closer to Jing Li, “Your friend seems to have quite a temper.”
Jing Li remained calm, recognizing the man as the one Little Chrysanthemum had previously thrown out.
Before he could speak, the young man noticed them, his angry expression instantly transforming into delight upon seeing Jing Li. “You finally came.”
He strode over eagerly, eyes sparkling when he spotted Hu Li. “Is this the spirit friend you mentioned?”
“Hello, I’m Hu Li,” Hu Li greeted him with a smile.
“Hello, hello, I’m Boss Ju, but you can call me Lao Ju,” the young spirit beamed. “You’re only the second spirit friend to visit me, and since you’re Jing Li’s friend, you’re also my friend. Please, make yourself at home here.”
Hu Li hadn’t expected the young man to be softer and more adorable than he imagined, and his smile became even more genuine.
After a brief chat, Little Chrysanthemum eagerly invited them inside to rest. As they passed the man on the ground, he ignored his existence without changing his expression, clearly disinclined to acknowledge him.
However, Hu Li glanced at the man and inquired, “Who is this…?”
“Just a rogue, ignore him.” Little Chrysanthemum dismissed the man nonchalantly, without even a glance, and continued smiling as he ushered the two inside.
Seeing this, Hu Li didn’t pry further, responding with a smile as he followed them in. The three soon disappeared through the entrance.
The man waited expectantly with a faint smile: “…”
He sighed, brushed off the dust from his clothes, and turned to leave the courtyard in resignation.
Little Chrysanthemum led them to a stone pavilion in the back garden and had someone bring a pot of freshly brewed tea before joining their leisurely chat.
“Your aura appears much deeper than before, and your face has grown even more handsome! Has your cultivation advanced?” Little Chrysanthemum exclaimed excitedly as he sat down, his eyes shining at Jing Li. “I heard a spirit transcended on a mountain recently – that must have been you, right?”
Jing Li smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
With vegetation covering the earth, even the slightest breeze could be detected, so Little Chrysanthemum’s awareness didn’t surprise him.
“Enough about me. How have you been lately?” Jing Li studied him. The mountain seemed to have improved a lot, and the condition of the big tree had gotten better, too. Why do you look more haggard than before?”
“Do I?” Little Chrysanthemum responded casually, though his smile faded slightly as he gazed into his teacup. “I suppose I’ve been rather busy recently. As you know, many of our kind are at a crucial stage of spiritual awakening. Sometimes, I get carried away and neglect myself.”
However, as a transformed spirit, physical exhaustion shouldn’t affect them unless their demonic powers were gradually diminishing.
Seeing Little Chrysanthemum’s reluctance to elaborate, the others didn’t press further.
After chatting for a while, the food was served, and they enjoyed Green Forest’s signature dishes.
The ingredients, nurtured by spiritual energy, tempted humans and spirits alike, leading to a delightful feast for hosts and guests.
Afterward, Little Chrysanthemum had matters to attend to, so Jing Li and Hu Li explored the back mountains, appreciating the scenery. They then went fishing in the lotus pond until dusk, returning with a catch.
Upon their return, they learned that several tables of ordinary guests had arrived, making it inconvenient for them to appear. So they discreetly handed the fish to the kitchen and retreated to the rooms Little Chrysanthemum had prepared. They planned to have a simple meal brought to their room later.
After spending the afternoon outdoors, though their cultivation prevented exhaustion, they had accumulated dust. Jing Li showered and changed into casual wear before lounging on the sofa, browsing his phone.
An entire day had passed, yet Gu Tingshen had not replied to his messages.
Jing Li opened their chat and stared at his own unanswered messages, suddenly feeling a sense of emptiness.
He hadn’t noticed it when he was busy, but now that he had some free time, he couldn’t help but think of Gu Tingshen—recalling their past interactions, wondering about his current whereabouts and activities, and wondering why he hadn’t responded for so long.
Lost in thought, he didn’t realize he was smiling until he caught his reflection in a mirror.
Startled, he stared at himself, finding it strangely unfamiliar, as if…
As if what?
Jing Li furrowed his brow, unable to articulate the feeling, when his phone suddenly chimed. Instinctively looking down, he saw a new message from Gu Tingshen in their chat, with an indication he was still typing.
[Gu Tingshen: I was busy earlier, just saw your message.]
After a moment, he received another message.
[Gu Tingshen: I’ve been quite busy these past few days. Can I come find you once I’m free?]
Jing Li was startled, instantly dismissing his previous concerns as he sat up and quickly typed a reply.
[Jing Li: No problem.]
[Jing Li: I’m actually not home these few days either. Call me when you’re free?]
In the past, Gu Tingshen would have surely asked where he was if he wasn’t at home, but upon seeing this message, he only replied with a single word of agreement and then ended the conversation, claiming he had other matters to attend to.
He didn’t even acknowledge Jing Li’s almost instantaneous “Goodbye.”
Gu Tingshen’s behavior was clearly unusual. Jing Li was taken aback, unable to pinpoint his feelings, as the smile on his face quickly faded.
He glanced down at the now-silent chat window, reassuring himself that Gu Tingshen was likely just preoccupied before exiting the chat interface himself.
However, after this brief interruption, he lost interest in browsing his phone further. After a short rest, the food from the kitchen arrived.
He ate some casually but felt that he had no appetite, so he simply washed up and went to bed.
The Green Forest was exceptionally tranquil at night, so quiet that even the gentlest breeze could be detected, making it a perfect place to rest.
Jing Li lay down and, amidst the haze of sleep, actually drifted off, only to be half-awakened by the sound of voices.
“With your meager spiritual power, are you really trying to get yourself killed?”
“I told you not to interfere. Who let you in?”
“Not interfere? Should I just watch you die?”
…
The two seemed to be arguing. They deliberately lowered their voices at first but grew louder as emotions escalated.
Jing Li furrowed his brow in his sleep until an abrupt shout jolted him awake.
Blinking at his surroundings, he remembered he had come to Green Forest for a vacation.
The argument outside showed no signs of stopping and only grew more heated. Jing Li rubbed his temples and couldn’t resist getting up to see what was happening.
In the courtyard below, he saw two figures – one confined outside a fragile barrier, the other leaning weakly against the big tree, gasping for breath.
It was Little Chrysanthemum and the man who had been thrown out earlier.
Jing Li raised an eyebrow, intending to continue watching the drama unfold, but then saw Little Chrysanthemum’s hand form into claws as he violently scratched at his chest, tearing a bloody gash.
Such an act on a spirit’s body was akin to destroying their spiritual core.
Jing Li’s expression changed instantly, and without further thought, he flew out of the window.
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