After returning from Yun Cuo’s master worshipping banquet last time, Xue Huai devoted himself to practicing in the spiritual cave. With the combination of water spirit roots and Wushi spiritual stone, his cultivation speed was extremely fast, and in just a few days, he has almost reaching the limit of the Jindan.
At this time, Xue Huai slowed down and began to cultivate his spiritual wood roots.
There is no other reason: to ascend from the Yindan to the Jindan, he must experience three major thunders, which are the sounds that will shake the sky. Murong Mountain Sect has a complete and mature teaching method and student protection system. They regularly test the students’ level of spiritual roots. Once it is found that they are about to cross the calamity, the approximate date will be calculated, and then classes will be suspended and the students will be locked into the strongest immortal barrier of Murong Mountain Manor to wait for the arrival of the thunder calamity in order to ensure their safety.
The three major Thunder Calamity will definitely arouse suspicion as they come down.
Starting from building the foundation, Xue Huai’s wood spiritual root will undergo three small thunder attacks for each stage of improvement. The best-case scenario is that when his wood spiritual root improves, he can go hand in hand with it and ascend to the Jindan stage, confusing the vision of others. If he is lucky, he can follow other high-level senior brothers and sisters to avoid Thunder Calamity, and the thunder of others and his thunder will be mixed together, so no one will notice.
The only variable is time. The Thunder Calamity is a Heavenly Calamity, and the will of heaven is unpredictable. Even the most accurate prophecy can only predict the approximate time frame. If Xue Huai couldn’t make it in time, then there was only one way: take a leave and go home. Wait for the thunder calamity to pass before returning to cultivate.
Xue Huai counted the time, it was getting closer and closer to the time he remembered something happening to Xue Zong, which was already not enough.
After nightfall, he got up and returned to the Warm Pavilion. After thinking for a while, he decided to go find Yun Cuo.
He wants him to teach him mind-viewing skill.
The reason why the mind-viewing skill requires such a high level of cultivation is because people below the Jindan stage will encounter inner demons and nightmares in the illusion of memory. Cultivators with lower cultivation levels cannot break free on their own, and even if others wake them up, they still cannot wake up.
He is now only one step away from the Jindan stage, and there is still a 10% risk. If someone is keeping an eye on him, then this 10% risk will no longer exist.
After thinking about this, Xue Huai went out to take a look. He returned too late, and the Warm Pavilion had already been locked down. There were patrollers and guards downstair, and the reason and direction of entry and exit had to be registered. Only after approval from three or more masters could he be released. At night, when they turn off the lights and go to sleep, there will still be people patrolling.
Xue Huai was annoyed and quickly brought the gluttonous ghost over, asking it to lie obediently on the bed and not move. The gluttonous ghost shrank into a ball and watched with fear as Xue Huai gently wrapped it in a blanket and stuffed it into the corner of the bed.
Xue Huai ordered, “Stay here and don’t move, just pretend to be me sleeping. Do you hear me?”
The gluttonous ghost gently scratched the back of Xue Huai’s hand with its claws, indicating that it understood.
Xue Huai went out and glanced at both sides of the corridor before closing the door. The night was as cold as water, with the occasional rustling sounds of grass and trees scraping against the window paper.
He looked at the slender shadow of the orchid grass outside the window, pulled out the sheath, and was about to push the window and tumble down when he found that the shadow had changed shape—taller, then larger, becoming longer, and almost covering the entire window surface, as if ink was pouring out. As he slowly pushed open the window, a gradually fading figure fainted out.
There’s someone outside his window.
Xue Huai did not react, and the two of them collided directly. With a muffled grunt, he almost fell back but was quickly grabbed by the other person.
He opened his eyes and saw Yun Cuo climbing the window pane, standing steadily outside, still having time to spare a hand to pull him.
Yun Cuo asked hesitantly, “I—Can I come in? Downstairs is closed, and I was just about to knock on the window.”
Xue Huai: “……”
He gave way to the back and watched as Yun Cuo stumbled in, then closed the window.
At the end of the corridor, a sound of larks echoed, and when it was time to turn off the lights, the surroundings became even quieter. Xue Huai made a shushing gesture and went out to look again to make sure that no one had noticed the movement on this side before putting his heart down.
He asked him quietly, “What are you doing over here?”
He poured him a cup of tea.
Yun Cuo took it and said in the same quiet voice, “I came-I want to invite you to do something with me.”
Xue Huai’s eyes curled, “What a coincidence, I also have something to trouble you with.”
“You speak first.”
“You go ahead and say it ba.”
Xue Huai looked at Yun Cuo, and Yun Cuo looked at Xue Huai.
Xue Huai decided to take the initiative and said, “I’ll talk first.”
He cleared his throat and told him, “Yun Cuo, teach me the mind-viewing skill ba.”
Yun Cuo hesitated for a moment and asked, “Why do you want to learn this?”
Xue Huai had already made up the reasons and said, “I’m looking for a relic of my mother’s. After so many years, I can’t remember where I put that thing, so it’s like tracing memories and searching for the whereabouts of that thing.”
Yun Cuo frowned and said, “If you want to find something, I can help you find it. Xue Huai, I am only two months younger than you, and my memories have existed for as long as yours. Can you tell me about the time and what it is? Although we didn’t know each other at that time, I could enter my memory and go to your place. It should be possible to find it. Xue Huai, the mind-viewing skill is dangerous, you have only reached the foundation stage. You cannot practice such dangerous spells.”
Xue Huai pouted.
He knows that there is no connection between this matter and Yun Cuo. What he wants to investigate is his previous life, not the part of this life that Yun Cuo can see.
Moreover, although the mind-viewing skill allows people to returned to past memories, crossing time to search for details and things they missed and didn’t know, it also comes at a very high cost. The mind-viewing skill revolves around existing memories to expand the world. The farther away from the known part and the closer to the unknown part, the greater the consumption, and this consumption is based on the roots and spiritual energy, which is irreversible.
He is even less likely to let Yun Cuo pay this price for him.
He decided to back off and change the topic: “Let’s not talk about this for now. Did you come to see me for something?”
Yun Cuo immediately stiffed, and asked him first, “Xue Huai, did your master say there will be a peer trial in a few days?”
Xue Huai said, “I’m not sure. I’ve been cultivating in seclusion these past few days and have also informed my master. What’s wrong with this trial? I should ask for a vacation.”
Yun Cuo quickly said, “You shouldn’t be able to take leave. This is a trial that the entire sect must pass.”
Xue Huai answered, “Oh……”
He took a sip from the tea cup in his hand. Quietly wait for him to continue speaking.
Yun Cuo said again, “I heard it would be difficult. Xue Huai, they said they wanted a combination of two people. What do you think?”
Xue Huai immediately understood his meaning, and his watery eyes narrowed slightly. “What do I think? Quick battle, two sword cultivators working together, or simply two medicine cultivators dragging the healing spell slowly. The harder the opponent feels, the happier I am. That’s what I love the most.”
“……” Yun Cuo held back for a while and corrected him seriously, “but I think it’s best to strike a balance, such as a sword cultivator and a medicine cultivator.”
Xue Huai looked at him and said, “So what?”
Yun Cuo showed a hint of awkwardness in his eyes and asked glumly, “I want to be with you.”
Xue Huai pretended to think and said, “You know, I’m good at my studies and very popular. Many people want to be with me, but for the sake of the fight we had together, I can agree with you, but there’s one condition—you have to teach me the mind viewing skill.”
Yun Cuo stared at him closely and said, “Impossible.”
Xue Huai said, “What is impossible? You also said that you want to go through the trial with me, and I will come to you to learn the mind-viewing skill, and everyone will be equal.”
Yun Cuo’s unconventional attitude was very tough: “It’s just not possible. Xue Huai, anything else you want me to do is fine, but this is too dangerous. If you want to find something, I’ll help you find it. There’s no need for you to learn that dangerous skill for it.”
Xue Huai stared back, and just as he was about to speak, he paused and threw down a sentence: “Then forget it, I’ll learn on my own.”
He has always been a fierce and sharp person, he refuses to back down when doing things. He would rather be broken than ruined. It is difficult for him to be gentle.
He refused to give in, and Yun Cuo happened to be extremely stubborn. If this conversation had gone like it did in his previous life, he could have imagined what would happen next—Yun Cuo stubbornly refused to let go, and he focused on practicing his mind-viewing skill, then there would be another quarrel. In the end, no one will pay attention to anyone.
But when it comes to propriety, each person has their own propriety, and there’s really nothing that doesn’t make sense.
He cannot repeat the foolish mistakes of his past life in this life.
He pondered and hesitated—slowly approaching Yun Cuo, looking seriously into his eyes—lazily saying, “Then alright, I’ll join you in the trial.”
Yun Cuo didn’t dodge either, but his whole body seemed tense and vigilant as he looked at him. When he spoke stiffly, his voice was a bit unstable, but he still maintained a calm and self-controlled demeanor: “If you’re agreeing to this because you want me to teach you the mind-viewing skill, then it’s better for me to participate in the trial alone.”
He smelled the fragrance on his body again. Xue Huai leaned too close, it was a warm and sweet smell, gently scratching his heart, causing his seemingly frozen heart to shake.
Xue Huai’s eyes curled and he smiled, “Really?”
He let out a soft voice. “You just.…..teach me, okay? I have a sense of propriety. I have a Wushi spiritual stone to protect me, just searching for the closest and existing memories, so it’s not a big deal. I know you are doing it for my good, but this matter is really important to me. When the time comes, I’ll ask you to protect me. Is that okay? If there is anything wrong, I will immediately terminate it. Do you think this is okay, Yun Cuo?”
He learned to speak softly to someone for the first time and wanted to persuade him. A trembling sense of shame and unease rose deep within. Looking serious and solemn, in the middle of speaking, he picked up the teacup and covered half of his face, feeling really embarrassed.
He was actually not sure how Yun Cuo would react—he had a very dull temper. He remembers that in the past. people were often admired him, approached him, and used all kinds of methods, but there’s no way to turn this silly and clumsy piece of steel to become soft and gentle around the fingers1百炼钢化作绕指柔 is an idiom meaning deeply toughened steel turns into softness., and instead they were despised by him.
One time, Yun Cuo was pestered by a particularly unrestrained white fox demon boy, the other party stuck to him and refused to let go. He had good attitudes and spoke exceptionally sweetly, making him a very likeable child. But Yun Cuo ran to him in a bit of panic to complain, and in the end, Xue Huai made time to help him invite the person away.
Xue Huai remembered the past and found it rare, he found it somewhat interesting and funny. Unconsciously, the corners of his mouth were also hooked upwards.
Just like that, obediently and gently, while waiting for Yun Cuo’s response.
Yun Cuo couldn’t even speak.
He had never seen Xue Huai like this before. Whether in his previous life or this life, the sharpness and arrogance of the person in front of him remained unchanged. For the first time, he saw him softening and asking for his own opinion gently.
The young man in front of him knitted his brows and smiled, as if every breath was directly teasing his heart. Reason told him that this was not right. Xue Huai was used to deceiving people, but this time the deceitful method was too clever. Eating at his dead center, causing tingling and wariness deep in his bones.
He almost stiffened in an instant, just by listening to his voice and smelling the faint, clean aroma on his body.
He hoarsely said, “.…..Okay.”
As if possessed by a demon, he knew he should quickly leave this place, leaving the source that had deprived him of his mind, but he could not do it. He allowed himself to sink into dangerous desires.
At this point, no matter what Xue Huai wanted, he was afraid that he would hold out his heart and give it to him. His life and death are all under his control, and the word “Xue Huai” hangs over his life.
Xue Huai instead froze, he didn’t expect Yun Cuo to agree so easily.
“So.…..is that a deal?” Xue Huai reached out, and coaxed him as if feeling uneasy. “How about pulling a hook? Or maybe setting up a note?”
He looked over and saw Yun Cuo shaking his head, so he stopped insisting.
The wind outside grew stronger, so Xue Huai got up and went to the window to take a look. It seemed as if it were about to rain. “You can’t get out anymore. It’s raining outside, and the night patrollers will come soon. You can rest in my place tonight. Last time your quilt was washed, grandma put it here for you, and here are your own cups and toiletries. Oh, and dried silver fish.…..grandma even prepared cat foods. Where did your kitten go?”
He squatted down to search for him, his thin nightgown outlining the beautiful curve of his back, and his fair neck peeked out from his scattered, dark hair, making his heart skip a beat.
Yun Cuo’s voice still had that strange hoarse tone: “.…..No, no need, I’ll go back to sleep.”
He had already stood up from the ground with his back to Xue Huai, ready to open the door.
Xue Huai looked back, his head spinning, and hurriedly swooped in to yank him back. “You wake up! The lights are out now, are you not afraid of being caught when you go out now?”
Yun Cuo’s sleeve was pulled by him, but he still refused to turn back. His voice stiffened. “So what if I was caught?”
Xue Huai pouted and said, “You’ll be fine, but I’ll get a lecture and a reflection from grandma and grandpa. There’s a monk patroller today who’s always targeting those who are suspected to have found a Daoist partner.…..Everyone was guessing that he couldn’t find one himself, so he came to control others.”
A voice came at the end of the corridor: “Which one of you is still up? I heard you guys whispering. Each of you is riotous. If you’re here to cultivate, you have to be a little bit more presentable! I’ll have to catch you today!”
Upon hearing this familiar voice, Xue Huai knew it was over—speak of the devil, and here comes this mean monk.
He hurriedly tugged at Yun Cuo’s sleeve and whispered through the secret spell, “.…..I forgot to tell you that this monk patroller wears Shunfeng ears2顺风耳 refers to a person in traditional Chinese novels who can hear voices a long way off.every time he patrols, and invisibility skills don’t work in front of him. Hurry up and come with me.”
Yun Cuo’s body was so hot because Xue Huai didn’t grab his sleeve but his hand. Only after he touched it did he find that it was hot; however, it wasn’t like the heat that was caused by a fever.
Xue Huai pushed him onto the bed, frantically holding him down. He crawled in, wanting to straighten out the quilt to cover him up, but he saw that it was too late. The footsteps were getting closer and closer, and the lantern ghost following the monk had already pulled the door halfway, wanting to crawl in.
Xue Huai still couldn’t pull the quilt over. When he was anxious, he suddenly felt his whole body being grabbed by an arm—Yun Cuo, who had been settled by him and hiding deep inside the bed, suddenly rolled over, pressing him tightly underneath him, tightening the quilt in his hand, and closing his eyes.
Xue Huai was completely trapped in the quilt by him, he couldn’t see anything and could only hear Yun Cuo’s heartbeat.
He leaned against his chest, listening to his heavy and rapid heartbeat.
Again and again.
Dong.
Dong.
Dong.
Yun Cuo’s eyes were closed, he slept peacefully, and his breathing was even, acting like he’s been asleep for a long time.
The door was pulled open, followed by the sound of a monk walking around, checking things out, and the slight sound of suspicion. “Did I hear it wrong?”
The gluttonous ghost, who was pretending to be asleep instead of Xue Huai, drilled out discontentedly and jumped to the ground with a thud, startling the monk. “So it was you who messed up! One day I’ll get the Sect Master to pass a motion to ban pets in the Warm Pavilion!”
The door was slammed shut.
Neither of the two under the quilt moved.
Breath swept softly and gently over each other’s cheeks and lips, creating what could almost be called a stifling restlessness. The light went out, and in the darkness, neither of them could see each other clearly, but Xue Huai could feel Yun Cuo quietly staring at him.
He also feels.…..something hard and hot pressing against his thighs. Yun Cuo has been propping his body with his elbows, trying to avoid having that place touch Xue Huai, but Xue Huai still notices.
He finally understood why Yun Cuo had been sitting upright on the side, stiffening all over as if he dared not move, and why he was so anxious to run away.
Xue Huai’s face turned red, and his embarrassment made him push Yun Cuo hard. He cursed in a low voice, “You get your ass down quickly.”
Yun Cuo remained still and motionless. He lowered his head and asked him as if he were bewitched, “Xue Huai, can I.…..kiss you?”
He is going to lose it, and the person under him was soft and peaceful, carrying his favorite sweet fragrance. He is going crazy.
He was this close to him.
“No! You just say one more word, and I’ll throw you out of the window.” Xue Huai struggled to push him away from him, without saying a word, he kicked him to the ground and threw the quilt at him straight on the head. Then he crawled into the bed, turned his back to Yun Cuo, and no longer looked at him.
even changed his tone: “If you keep this up, I’ll get really mad.”
Yun Cuo quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean.…..”
Xue Huai deliberately interrupted him with a malicious voice. “I know you don’t mean it. Be quiet and sleep with your eyes closed, or get the hell out of here.”
The author has something to say: Three-year-old Yun: Wife, I really didn’t mean it, I couldn’t control it, I really didn’t mean it.///
Xue Huai: ///Saying it once is enough!
T/N: there will be sugar soon, very very soon
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