Gu Tingshen silently activated his special ability and glanced at the two people at the entrance.
There was no change in Hu Li, but the golden-red aura above Jing Li’s head had obviously become denser, and the moisture in his aura had also increased.
He guessed it was likely related to the abnormal weather just now, but now was clearly not the right time to explore it further.
Gu Tingshen merely glanced and withdrew his gaze, calmly saying into the phone, “It’s fine, no need to investigate. The person has been found.”
With that, he hung up and lifted his gaze towards the figures entering from the entrance.
“Xiao Jing.” Jing Yu, who had been watching the entrance, couldn’t help but stand up from his seat upon seeing them. “Why did you take so long?”
“Hmm, I had something to discuss with Hu Li, so it took longer than expected.” Jing Li smiled at his brother, then apologized, “Sorry for making you all wait.”
“It’s alright.” Jing Yu gave him a once-over, and seeing his normal demeanor, he responded. As long as nothing out of the ordinary had happened, he didn’t mind the rest.
Jing Yu glanced at the dishes on the table and suggested to his brother and the others, “Why don’t we order some new dishes? The ones here have gone cold.”
He was about to call the server.
“I’m good, I’m almost full,” Jing Li hurriedly said upon seeing this.
After forming his demonic core, he no longer felt hunger, and he was not in the mood to taste delicious food at the moment.
“Alright.” Jing Yu paused, then smiled and turned to the others. “You all eat some more. Lele? Hu Li? Lao Gu?”
“I’m full, too,” Gu Tingshen said flatly.
“Thank you, Mr. Jing, but I’m almost done too.” Wang Lele smiled politely at him.
Hu Li had never been too interested in such bodily pleasures, and after Jing Li’s earlier display, he had lost his appetite too. He shook his head and declined as well.
Seeing this, Jing Yu didn’t insist further. He had also eaten quite a bit, so he smiled and called for the server to settle the bill. After that, the group left the private restaurant.
Since this trip was impromptu, and everyone had work the next day, the group didn’t linger. After dropping off Jing Li, Wang Lele, and Hu Li at the filming crew, Jing Yu and Gu Tingshen prepared to return to their hotel.
The road was slippery after the rain. As they reached the crew, Gu Tingshen subconsciously wanted to follow Jing Li and the others out of the car, but considering the current circumstances, he controlled himself and remained seated, watching their figures disappear from sight.
“What are you looking at?” As soon as he saw his brother off, Jing Yu turned his head and noticed his friend’s unwavering gaze, prompting him to ask.
“Nothing.” Gu Tingshen withdrew his gaze, paused, then suddenly looked at Jing Yu. “Jing Yu, how well do you know Xiao Jing? Have you noticed anything different about him lately compared to before?”
“Different how?” Jing Yu gave him a puzzled look, but seeing his serious expression, he instinctively pondered for a moment before replying, “I haven’t noticed anything different. He’s still himself, but ever since he dumped that scumbag, he’s become more sensible and obedient than before.”
“What about his habits? Have you noticed any changes there?”
“How could they change? It’s not like he’s suddenly become a different person. Could his decades-old habits really change just like that?” Jing Yu gave his friend an amused look. “What’s up with you today?”
“Nothing, I was just asking casually.” Gu Tingshen brushed it off vaguely, but his heart settled.
If his habits hadn’t changed, then it was the same person.
As for why these strange encounters had suddenly occurred, perhaps he had experienced something out of the ordinary?
Recalling how he, too, had acquired special abilities after being attacked by a demon, Gu Tingshen pushed his doubts aside once more.
However, after a moment, he turned to Jing Yu again and abruptly asked, “Da Jing, do you believe in the existence of demons in this world?”
“What?” Clearly not expecting such an odd question, Jing Yu was stunned for a moment before giving Gu Tingshen a curious look. “Why are you suddenly asking that? Don’t tell me you actually believed Wang Lele’s joke?”
“This doesn’t seem like your usual style, Lao Gu.” Jing Yu gave him an amused once-over. “Are you going to tell me you’re actually a thousand-year-old demon who has achieved human form?”
Gu Tingshen silently observed him for a while. Seeing no abnormalities in his expression, he finally withdrew his gaze, his tone calm. “Nothing. I was just having a random thought.”
It seemed Jing Yu was completely unaware of such supernatural phenomena.
Gu Tingshen immediately came to a conclusion, but a sense of secret delight also surged within him.
It seemed he was currently the only one privy to Jing Li’s little secret.
At this thought, the corners of his mouth curved up ever so slightly, and an aura of sheer pleasure enveloped him.
Jing Yu was utterly baffled by his sudden change in demeanor, but it was rare to see him wander off like this, so he couldn’t help but smile and tease him for a few moments before letting the topic pass.
*
When Jing Li and the others returned to the hotel, they each went back to their respective rooms. Hu Li and Wang Lele’s rooms were on the 11th floor. As they approached the elevator, Jing Li gave Hu Li a meaningful look before pressing the close button and returning to his own room.
Jing Li’s little assistant had already returned to the bedroom to sleep. After glancing at him, Jing Li hurried back to his own room, locked the door, and sat cross-legged on the bed.
The sudden tribulation he faced earlier had caught him off guard, leaving him only enough time for a hasty response without considering anything else. Now that he had calmed down, he could properly examine the condition of his body.
Unlike the instant Core Formation upon transforming in the Spiritual Realm, the demonic core gradually cultivated and condensed this time didn’t resemble his original form’s color. Instead, it looked more like the Golden Core formed by human cultivators, with strands of red intertwined in the gold hue. Countless pure spiritual energies swirled around it, and Jing Li didn’t sense even a trace of demonic aura.
This situation was clearly rather peculiar.
While he was thinking about it, his phone suddenly pinged with a notification. Glancing down, he saw it was a message from Hu Li saying he was already outside the door.
Jing Li halted his thoughts, got up to open the door, and led Hu Li back to his bedroom.
“What’s wrong?” Hu Li couldn’t help but look at him as soon as he entered. “Is there an issue?”
Earlier, fearing that the long delay would arouse the suspicion of the people in the private room, the two had hurried back after Jing Li’s tribulation without checking his condition.
“No.” Jing Li shook his head, invited him to sit on the sofa, and said, “I have some questions for you.”
Hu Li gave him a puzzled look, gesturing for him to speak.
“Previously, you mentioned that the Qi-Gathering Array there was left behind when you underwent your tribulation. It seems you’ve had experience with tribulations before.” Jing Li looked at him and spoke slowly, “But when I searched online, I didn’t find any records of abnormal celestial phenomena occurring.”
Moreover, even during his own tribulation this time, there were only ordinary weather changes, and he didn’t detect any fluctuations in spiritual energy. If not for the stirring spiritual energies within his body, he probably wouldn’t have thought much of it.
Additionally, the Lightning Tribulation was different from what he had witnessed before. Not only was the color a pure white, but the descent also seemed too hasty. Except for the first few bolts that resembled the real thing, the subsequent ones were so perfunctory, as if merely going through the motions. Their might had diminished greatly, and even the lightning strikes seemed halfhearted.
If not for the Golden Core genuinely condensing within his body, he would have thought the whole experience was an illusion.
“You’re wondering why there were no traces of spiritual energy fluctuations when the Lightning Tribulation descended, right?” Hu Li immediately saw through his doubts and replied nonchalantly, “Well, you can assume that the Heavenly Dao has either stopped caring about worldly affairs or perished.”
“…What do you mean?”
“I mean, apart from the laws of nature still functioning normally, this world has become a lawless realm without the Heavenly Dao’s governance.” Hu Li raised his brows. “At least, I haven’t seen any signs of it since I can remember. According to my great-grandfather, when my great-great-grandfather was young, spiritual energy was still quite abundant, and many powerful demonic cultivators even ascended.”
“However, due to excessive intervention from other races in the mortal world, constant wars broke out. Over time, spiritual energy gradually became depleted, almost disappearing entirely nowadays.”
“That’s why demons have become so rare, and it’s difficult for those who accumulate demonic cultivation to survive the Lightning Tribulation.” At this point, Hu Li paused and gazed at Jing Li with a profound look. “But your situation today was a first for me. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to withstand it.”
Who would have thought that the Lightning Tribulation, which initially seemed formidable and relentless, would become so perfunctory towards the end?
His worry was in vain!
Could this be a special trait of the koi spirit?
Hu Li gazed at the koi spirit before him with a profound look, at a loss for words.
However, Jing Li didn’t bother consoling his feelings. Upon hearing his words, he immediately frowned. “Are you saying my situation today is not something every demon would encounter?”
“Of course not!” Hu Li rolled his eyes at him. “You think demonic tribulations are that easy? Every single one barely survives through sheer endurance, and even if they live, their bodies are scorched beyond recognition.”
“Unlike you, apart from that patch on your back, the rest of your body and skin are perfectly intact. Hell, even the clothes you’re wearing are still hanging on you intact.”
Hu Li’s description matched what Jing Li knew about tribulations in the Spiritual Realm, but that made the situation even more suspicious.
Even without the Heavenly Dao’s governance, as long as the laws of nature still existed, there would be restrictions on beings other than mortals in this world. His previous experience should have been impossible.
But judging from Hu Li’s expression, he seemed even more puzzled than Jing Li himself, even attributing it to Jing Li’s innate luck. Obviously, he would not get any additional insight even if he asked.
Moreover, Jing Li had a hunch that these anomalies were likely related to his origins.
However, these were still only speculations, and he needed more time to investigate further.
Realizing this, Jing Li could only temporarily put his doubts aside and smiled, “Then I don’t have any other questions.”
“Since you’ve always been curious about demonic companions, I happen to know one. I’ll introduce you when there’s a chance in the future.”
As expected, Hu Li’s eyes lit up at these words. He eagerly set a time with Jing Li before reluctantly leaving.
Just as he stepped towards the door, he suddenly remembered something. As he opened the door, he turned back and said, “By the way, do you have any plans after this drama wraps up?”
Jing Li paused, about to respond, but looked up to see his little assistant standing at the entrance, hand raised as if about to knock, clearly with something to tell him.
“What’s the matter?” Jing Li asked first.
“Oh, it’s a call from Wang-jie.” The assistant was momentarily stunned before continuing, “Dolphin TV has a live reality show they want to invite you to participate in. The ratings are pretty decent. Wang-jie asked me to check if you’re interested.”
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