Lin Ji finally pondered whether Long Aotian, the protagonist, had truly changed or if he had always been this way. The scoundrel, obsessed with wealth, carefree yet dramatic, completely overturned Lin Ji’s impression of him.

Lin Ji recalled his past life; perhaps he was just a fleeting passerby in Lu Xiaobai’s life. He remembered that after his death, the story was only halfway through, and Lu Xiaobai had encountered countless plots and met numerous people afterward. Yet, in his brief life, he had never been close to his seniors or peers, always walking alone. Spending time with Lu Xiaobai had been the most he had ever done.

In the beginning, Lu Xiaobai had been quite polite to him, humble and courteous. Lin Ji noticed that although Lu Xiaobai’s spiritual cultivation was slow, he was meticulous and considerate in his actions, lacking in no regard. Because of this, Lin Ji had even offered him some guidance, helping him see through the fog.

Later, Lu Xiaobai suddenly progressed rapidly, becoming a prodigy, while Lin Ji himself became unbalanced, and there was hardly a moment of harmonious coexistence between them. In short, in his previous life, whether in their interactions or confrontations, Lu Xiaobai had seemed very serious, completely different from his current demeanor.

In his past life, Lu Xiaobai also liked to put on a friendly and likable facade, but his smile never reached his eyes. Lin Ji had always felt that he didn’t genuinely want to smile; he merely used a friendly face to hide his true feelings, avoiding being seen through by others.

Now, however, he was grinning widely every day, laughing like a fool, yet sometimes making unexpectedly outrageous moves. 

“Ah Ji, I think you don’t need to wash the bowl anymore. Just pay me, and I can take care of all the household chores!” 

There he was again, acting like a fool. Ever since that day when he had asked for a reward in vain, Lu Xiaobai seemed to have taken it upon himself to pry some money from Lin Ji’s belongings. Not gold leaves, but silver ingots would do. Lu Xiaobai claimed he could handle all the affairs of Luoxia Peak, allowing Lin Ji to focus on his cultivation without being disturbed by trivial matters.

Even if Lu Xiaobai was genuinely diligent and good at housework, Lin Ji still felt it wouldn’t work. If he were to be idle and not care about anything, how would Meng Wanqiu view him? 

Unexpectedly, this guy, the villain, went to complain first, casually bringing their argument to Meng Wanqiu. 

After pondering for a moment, Meng Wanqiu suddenly understood: “This is actually quite good.” 

“…” Forget it, one can’t use common sense to judge this master-disciple pair. Lin Ji lowered his gaze, his voice tinged with grievance: “I’ve been helping in the kitchen for many days, and I had already agreed with Lu Xiaobai to take turns caring for Master’s meals. Does Master think my cooking is bad, or does he not consider me one of his own?” 

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaobai turned his back and stared blankly in the opposite direction, his shoulders shaking slightly. 

Meng Wanqiu quickly put down his book and gently patted Lin Ji’s head: “Ah Ji, Master doesn’t mean it that way!” 

“As the saying goes, a teacher is like a father. If there are two sons in the family, a teacher’s random interference will only lead to discord between the brothers. You should resolve your issues yourselves, and if you can’t, tell me, and I’ll make the decision.” 

“I don’t like to meddle in trivial matters; you two can discuss it privately. If Xiaobai puts in the effort and Ah Ji provides the finances, it’s a fair exchange. I won’t have any opinions on that.” 

Why should he care about who cooks and who washes the dishes? Is he so free that he has nothing better to do? 

“You are definitely my good disciple, but this matter has nothing to do with favoritism; I treat you both equally.” 

Just as Meng Wanqiu finished comforting Lin Ji, Lu Xiaobai suddenly turned around and started causing a ruckus again: “Old man, you say you’re not biased, but you call Ah Ji a good disciple while you don’t speak to me with such gentle words!” 

Meng Wanqiu raised a book and threw it at him, which Lu Xiaobai caught: “What do you think? When will you change that ‘old man’ to something else, and I’ll treat you the same way.” 

Meng Wanqiu’s words shook Lin Ji to his core. He watched the other two in a daze, feeling as if he were present yet hiding in the shadows, silently observing. 

He felt… envious, yet also heartbroken. 

Meng Wanqiu was very kind and responsible towards him, and he believed he wasn’t biased. However, the relationship between him and Lu Xiaobai was indeed different from his own. Lin Ji couldn’t quite pinpoint what was different. 

Meng Wanqiu clearly didn’t want to get involved, and Lu Xiaobai became even more relentless. 

He insisted on coming to Lin Ji’s cave to watch the silkworms spin silk, propping his chin up and asking, “Shall I help you refine the Silk Fang Jin?” 

Lin Ji paused at his words and immediately refused: “No need, your spiritual power isn’t enough. What you refine will be too soft; how can it be used for weaving?” 

Lu Xiaobai casually poked the plump silkworm: “You really don’t trust me at all. Actually, I have some skills in this area. Weaving isn’t impossible; the clothes and bedding made from these silks will definitely be warm.” He basked in the sun, looking at Lin Ji: “Even if we make a spiritual artifact, it doesn’t have to be too sharp; we can make it a bit softer to avoid hurting others and ourselves.” 

“I know what I’m doing.” Lin Ji scoffed coldly. What’s the point of refining a weapon that doesn’t hurt people? 

“Then how about this,” Lu Xiaobai leaned closer again, resting his arm on Lin Ji’s shoulder: “In the inner sect competition, I’ll give you some pointers to help you win first place, and you can give me the gold leaves, okay?” 

As soon as he said this, Lin Ji’s previously calm mood was stirred up. He coldly shook off Lu Xiaobai’s hand: “I don’t need anyone’s guidance; I can win first place on my own.” Especially him! 

Lu Xiaobai sighed after several failed attempts, “After entering the cultivation world, gold and jewels are just worldly possessions. Keeping them is useless; wouldn’t it be better for us to exchange them amicably?” 

“And that would be useful for you?” 

“Of course! I’m saving it as capital for the future.” 

Lin Ji was taken aback, not understanding his meaning: “Are you planning to enter the world for cultivation in the future?” 

Lu Xiaobai picked up a mulberry leaf to shield his face, as the sunlight streaming in through the window was a bit glaring: “After you became my disciple, the old man must have asked about your dreams, right?” 

“You’re not wrong about wanting to enter the world for cultivation. My dream is to finish what I need to do in the cultivation world and then return to the human realm to bask in the sun comfortably.” 

His voice was soft, his smile sincere, and his tone calm as if he were discussing what to eat for lunch. 

Lin Ji, however, was stunned, unable to respond. His voice suddenly became sharp: “What do you mean by ‘what needs to be done’?” 

Lu Xiaobai looked at him curiously but still patiently answered: “The first thing is to take good care of Master’s health. Then, when I can cultivate to live for hundreds of years, I’ll retire to seclusion, so I need to start saving money now!” 

That day, Lin Ji couldn’t stay in his cave any longer. Under Lu Xiaobai’s puzzled gaze, he suddenly turned and left. 

He feared that if he stayed even a moment longer, he wouldn’t be able to resist using evil techniques to capture Lu Xiaobai and interrogate him, or worse, kill him! To make the world that had overturned his understanding collapse! 

No, something was very wrong. 

Any other strange points could be explained as his lack of understanding of Lu Xiaobai’s nature, but when he said he wanted to return to the human realm, that his dream was to live in seclusion… was he still Long Aotian? 

Lin Ji couldn’t make sense of it. In his past life, Lu Xiaobai hadn’t said it outright, but his actions had revealed his ambition everywhere. 

In his previous life, Lu Xiaobai had desperately sought trials and opportunities, risking his life multiple times for chances, competing with others for treasures. He was someone who had walked through mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Without the ambition to ascend and pursue the Dao, he wouldn’t even believe it himself. 

He still remembered Lu Xiaobai telling him: “Lin Ji, I don’t deny our conflicting interests, but when have I ever felt guilty towards you? You can say it out loud.” 

“When the same opportunity is presented, I see you as a respected opponent. Giving it our all is the only way to show respect, right? The path to ascension you want to take, I want to take as well. No matter how you misunderstand, I will never back down.” 

Having seen a passionate and spirited protagonist, Lin Ji found it impossible to reconcile with the current lazy, carefree guy who loved to bask in the sun and sleep. 

How could someone have such a stark difference in personality between their past and present lives, unless they had their soul swapped… No, it should be that their inner soul had been replaced! 

Lin Ji’s whole body trembled, and he suddenly raised his hand to unleash a surge of spiritual power towards the sky. 

If he had questions, he could ask Wen Ling; after all, there was no cost involved. Why not give it a try? 

The more Lin Ji thought about it, the more alarmed he became: the storybook world was also a realm of its own. Their world could be invaded by external forces, beautifully named as awakening a character from the control of the plot… Could such a consciousness also freely possess anyone, even the protagonist? 

It was known that the world where Wen Ling resided was definitely more advanced than the storybook world, capable of manipulating the direction of his world. Swapping the protagonist’s core was not impossible… 

Lin Ji, by nature, loved to think too much, and once his thoughts began to scatter, he couldn’t rein them in. 

When he saw Lu Xiaobai again, his mood had completely changed. He could see that something was off about Lu Xiaobai from head to toe. 

Even though Lu Xiaobai remained as indifferent as an old dog, he still felt uncomfortable under Lin Ji’s gaze: “Why do you keep staring at me? It’s creepy!” 

Having a pair of eyes watching from behind would make anyone feel uneasy. 

Even Meng Wanqiu noticed Lu Xiaobai’s abnormality and couldn’t help but ask: “Ah Ji, why do you keep staring at Xiaobai in a daze? You can’t seem to tear your gaze away even when I don’t call you.” 

Taking advantage of Lu Xiaobai’s inquiry to Meng Wanqiu about his confusion regarding spiritual cultivation, Lin Ji sat down and asked: “Does Master not think that Senior Brother is very different from before?” After a pause, he added, “Not just recently, but from when he first entered the sect, isn’t he like a different person now?” 

Meng Wanqiu pondered deeply for a moment and decisively nodded: “Now that you mention it… I don’t think so. He’s still slow to grasp things; it seems he needs more supplementation.” 

Lin Ji: “…” 

“If we’re talking about internal changes, isn’t it normal for someone to change a bit after two years? It’s not like he’s a completely different person. But how do you know what Xiaobai was like when he first entered the sect? You’re not going around asking, are you?” 

“…” 

To be honest, Meng Wanqiu felt scared seeing Lin Ji’s gaze fixed on someone from behind: that kind of look was either wanting to assassinate someone or secretly in love with them. 

Xiaobai hadn’t offended Ah Ji; surely, Ah Ji didn’t want to kill him, right? As for secretly being in love… Meng Wanqiu couldn’t help but chuckle at himself. 

Even if it were a crush, one shouldn’t look at someone like that; it would scare them away. He had to divert Lin Ji’s attention. 

One day, while the three of them were having a meal, Meng Wanqiu coughed and began: “Speaking of which, you two will participate in the inner sect competition in three months, right?” 

The sect held competitions every year, with outer sect competing against outer sect and inner sect against inner sect, serving as a test of the disciples’ cultivation. 

Lin Ji, being in his first year, could opt out, but Meng Wanqiu knowingly asked: “Ah Ji, will you participate in the competition?” 

Lin Ji came back to his senses and humbly replied: “Although I’ve only been in the sect for a short time, I still want to learn from my fellow brothers.” 

Meng Wanqiu looked at Lu Xiaobai: “What about you?” 

Lu Xiaobai swallowed a piece of fish and retorted: “Am I going to be a target for others?” 

“That’s not impossible,” Meng Wanqiu smiled: “What if someone breaks through your spiritual acupoint? Or if you get beaten up and realize you can take more hits, that’s also a gain.” 

“Don’t even think about the spiritual acupoint.” Lu Xiaobai rolled his eyes: “But since you say that, I’ll participate to avoid being looked down upon by someone.” 

After signing up, Lin Ji finally set his mind at ease and focused on his cultivation, as his own matters were still the most important. 

One day, while he was meditating in his cave, he suddenly heard Wen Ling’s voice: “I’m here, I’m here! What does the lord want to ask?” 

Lin Ji opened his eyes. He didn’t want to reveal his suspicion about Long Aotian, so he fabricated another person: “I found someone I knew in my past life who is completely different from my impression; their temperament has changed drastically. Can you explain what’s going on?” 

Wen Ling jumped around in surprise: “Oh no! Just tell me the name, and I’ll find out quickly!” 

Lin Ji pressed his lips together: “Su Qinghe.” 

About fifteen minutes later, Wen Ling, puzzled, said: “No, he’s always been silly and foolish; his character is very stable.” 

Lin Ji: “…” 

“That’s not right!” Wen Ling suddenly exclaimed: “The data shows that this world really has some unknown entity entering. Wait a moment, I’ll go back and investigate, then come find you!” 

“…” 

Lin Ji’s heart sank. 

Did he really hit the nail on the head? 

His emotions were in turmoil, and he couldn’t focus on his cultivation, so he went outside to take a walk. 

The more he tried to clear his mind, the more chaotic it became. 

He hated Lu Xiaobai; in his past life, during his most resentful moments, he wished for him to die every day. 

But if Lu Xiaobai was no longer Lu Xiaobai, if the person he had known in his memories truly disappeared… Lin Ji found that he wasn’t happy at all. 

Instead, he felt even more uncomfortable.