Chapter 19

A few days later, at Mijin Crossing.

“…In summary, male-male dual cultivation can indeed be more troublesome than male-female dual cultivation, and additional preparations are required beforehand. However, there’s no need for the students to worry, as a single bottle of fragrant ointment can easily resolve these small inconveniences.”

Master Fei Yue lazily sat at the lecture hall, lightly waving a delicate jade fan in his hand. His posture was so casual that it seemed less like a lesson and more like sitting among beautiful women in a local tavern, composing poetry and singing while drinking wine.

After attending several of Master Fei Yue’s lessons, Helan Xi not only “benefited greatly” from the dual cultivation teachings but also developed a thicker skin, double the thickness of what it once was. At this moment, he was able to sit beside Song Xun Ji without changing his expression, diligently writing down a note: “Male-male dual cultivation’s minor inconveniences can be solved with the fragrant ointment from the Hehuan Path.”

After putting down his pen, He Lanxi couldn’t help but glance at the ring on his left hand’s ring finger. It was the “Flowing Dream of Tenuous Bonds.”

He had never been fond of wearing jewelry, and at first, wearing the ring felt uncomfortable, as if it didn’t belong. However, after just a few days, he had already become accustomed to the presence of the “Flowing Dream of Tenuous Bonds.”

Song Xun Ji… must feel the same way, he thought.

Helan Xi glanced at Song Xun Ji’s left hand out of the corner of his eye. The young man’s fingers were long and pale, with distinct joints, and the red “Flowing Dream of Tenuous Bonds” rested there, like the only plum blossom in a snowy field. Together with Song Xun Ji’s golden hairpin and tassel, it became the only splash of color on him.

“This fragrant ointment is called [Please Stay, My Lord], and the formula is here.” Lord Fei Yue’s voice pulled Helan Xi’s thoughts back. He raised his wrist holding the fan slightly, and a few faints pink beams of light appeared out of nowhere, turning into a series of clear words in front of all the disciples: “Today’s homework: each of you should prepare a bottle of [Please Stay, My Lord] according to the formula. Next class, I will personally check it. That’s all, class dismissed.”

All the disciples stood and bowed. “Farewell, Lord Feiyue.”

After sitting back down, Helan Xi began copying the formula for [Please Stay, My Lord]. At first glance, the name of the ointment sounded elegant, but once he thought about its use… Helan Xi couldn’t shake the feeling that he was copying the Spring Palace illustrations.

He didn’t need to think much. This was undoubtedly one of Lord Fei Yue’s twisted interests.

While packing up his belongings, Helan Xi spoke to Song Xun Ji. “At this hour, Changsun Ce should be at the restaurant. Should we go look for him?”

When speaking to Song Xun Ji, Helan Xi kept his gaze fixed on the writing materials in front of him. Not just now, but throughout the entire male-male dual cultivation class, he had never looked directly at Song Xun Ji.

Song Xun Ji’s voice sounded beside Helan Xi. “Alright.”

With the affirmative response, Helan Xi couldn’t help but feel a slight sense of emotion.

Recently, he has grown closer to two of his Daoist companions. Zhu Ruo Shang doesn’t need to explain much, as just a few days ago, he almost chatted with her until dawn in the Immortal Residence. As for Song Xun Ji, although they still can’t say much to each other, he has already visited Song Xun Ji’s Immortal Residence and is about to go to a restaurant with him!

He has always hoped that one day, like the disciples of other Dao Institutes, he could have meals and chat with his Dao companions at a restaurant. Today, although they didn’t go to a restaurant to eat, the outcome was close enough to his wish.

It really is nice. When he first entered the sect last year, he never dared imagine he would be able to live such a good life.

Helan Xi packed up his things and was about to call Zhu Ruo Shang and the others to leave when True Lord Fei Yue said, “Xun Ji, please go with Guan Ning to the ‘Flower Cage’ to get the herbs for ‘Please Stay,’ and distribute them to Zhu Ruo Shang and Shiyu later.”

Song Xun Ji: “Okay.”

Bai Guan Ning walked over and said to Song Xun Ji, “Song, let’s go together?”

Helan Xi: “…”

True Lord Fei Yue turned around and saw Helan Xi looking at him. In his usually calm gaze, there seemed to be a hint of… resentment?

“What’s wrong, Shi Yu?” True Lord Fei Yue raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Why the little cat face suddenly? Did I do something to upset you?”

Yes, the disciple is unhappy! How could you call Song Xun Ji away to be a porter at a time like this? You ruined our trip to the restaurant! You ruined it!

Helan Xi, inwardly frantic, maintained a cold expression: “This disciple doesn’t dare.”

The trip to the restaurant, originally planned for three people, turned into a duo outing with just him and Zhu Ruo Shang. As they passed the back garden, he saw two Hehuan Path disciples who had arrived late to class due to a late-night dual cultivation. True Lord Fei Yue punished them to clean the back garden and, of course, forbade them from using any magic.

Although Helan Xi felt a little down, he secretly cast a spell and conveniently removed a large pile of difficult-to-handle fallen leaves for them.

Helan Xi intended to leave quietly, hiding his efforts, but suddenly felt a strong gaze that was impossible to ignore landing on him.

He frowned slightly and looked back, only to find Zhang Wuyan.

After being humiliated by Bai Guan Ning in the ancient library, Zhang Wuyan had become increasingly gaunt, no longer the spirited person he once was. His eyes were dark, his expression weary, but his gaze fixed on Helan Xi still had a faint spark of light.

When his gaze met Helan Xi’s, Zhang Wuyan’s eyes moved down to the crimson ring. He hesitated for a moment, then hoarsely said, “Helan Xi…”

Zhu Ruo Shang stepped in front of Helan Xi and coldly asked, “What do you want?”

“Forget it, it’s not necessary, there are more important matters.” Helan Xi hurriedly took Zhu Ruo Shang and quickened his pace, leaving the perplexing situation behind.

There were twelve restaurants in the Taihua Path, but don’t be naive enough to think that each Dao Institute has its own restaurant. The Wu Qing Dao Institute doesn’t have one, but the Wan Shou Dao Institute has two—yes, one is for the spirit beasts to dine.

Helan Xi and Zhu Ruo Shang were visiting the Mixed Sky Dao Institute for the first time and were also seeing so many disciples in black and gold uniforms gathered together for the first time.

The Mixed Sky Dao Institute’s uniform was a very light, flexible waist-tight martial attire, making the wearer appear heroic and elegant. Among them, two disciples from the Wu Qing Dao Institute, wearing pure white, stood out like black stones in snow, very noticeable.

In the midst of the Mixed Sky Dao disciples’ watchful eyes, Helan Xi quickly spotted Changsun Ce. He was eating a pancake while boasting to his Dao companions.

It must be said, Changsun Ce truly deserved to be the top disciple of the Mixed Sky Dao Institute this year. Aside from his outstanding skills in martial arts, he was also far more handsome and refined than the other disciples in his institute.

“Shi Yu, go call Changsun Ce over,” Zhu Ruo Shang said with a slight smile, amused yet a bit helpless. “If I go, he’ll probably jump three feet high in surprise.”

Helan Xi: “Is it that exaggerated?”

Zhu Ruo Shang: “Don’t believe me? Then just watch.”

Zhu Ruo Shang walked towards Changsun Ce. Before Changsun Ce saw him, one of his Dao companions sitting next to him reacted first and joked, “Changsun Jinglue, your Dao partner from the West Continent is here.”

“!!!” Changsun Ce almost choked on the pancake, coughing violently: “Cough, cough, cough—”

Helan Xi: “…Pfft.”

Zhu Ruo Shang’s previous exaggeration wasn’t far off; Changsun Ce’s jump barely reached one and a half feet.

Zhu Ruo Shang stopped beside Changsun Ce: “Changsun Jinglue.”

Changsun Ce, looking like he was facing a great threat, raised the remaining pancake to shield his face: “Don’t come near!”

Zhu Ruo Shang calmly said, “Calm down.”

“I can’t calm down! Now the whole Mixed Sky Dao Institute—no, the whole Taihua Path is saying that you and I are involved!” Changsun Ce took several steps back, avoiding Zhu Ruo Shang like the plague. “Avoid suspicion! Don’t you understand? Why would you specifically come to the Mixed Sky Dao Institute to find me?”

“The whole Taihua Path is saying it?” Helan Xi walked over, curious, and asked, “Why have I never heard of it?”

Changsun Ce saw that Zhu Ruo Shang wasn’t alone, so he calmed down a little, snorted coldly: “The whole Taihua Path except the Wu Qing Dao Institute. With your ‘mm’, ‘oh’, and ‘good,’ do you think anyone would gossip with you?”

Zhu Ruo Shang said, “We have something to ask you.”

Changsun Ce paused, pointing to himself: “Ask me?”

Helan Xi nodded: “Yes.”

“Ha, this is a rare thing,” Changsun Ce gained confidence, set down the pancake, and said arrogantly: “I’ll say this first—if you want to talk to me, each of you has to drink a cup of extra spicy chili water, or I won’t talk to you.”

Not long ago, Changsun Ce spent a day and night at the Wu Qing Dao Institute, and in that time, he found peace. In the vast icy wilderness, he suddenly realized how calm and peaceful the silent heart could be. What was the point of all the hustle and bustle, striving to climb up?

Then, with a calm and peaceful heart, he returned to the Mixed Sky Dao Institute. After that, his Dao companions teased him, and his own leader scolded him, and only then did he return to normal.

Getting too close to the Heartless Dao Academy is dangerous; it’s very easy to be assimilated by them, and he doesn’t want to repeat past mistakes.

Helan Xi and Zhu Ruo Shuang exchanged a meaningful glance. Helan Xi said, “We’ve already had our drink.”

Changsun Ce raised an eyebrow in satisfaction: “At least you know yourselves. So, what do you want to ask?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang glanced at the Daoist beside Changsun Ce, who seemed to be enjoying the show. Changsun Ce understood immediately and said to the Daoist, “You can leave now.”

“You brat, forgetting your friends for the sake of beauty! I’ll make sure to spread this far and wide!” The Daoist cursed as he left, still mumbling, while carrying his lunch.

Helan Xi and Zhu Ruo Shuang sat down, one beside Changsun Ce and the other opposite him. Helan Xi set up a barrier to ensure their conversation wouldn’t be seen or heard by anyone.

Zhu Ruo Shuang took out the Other Shore Seal she had previously copied and asked, “Changsun Jinglue, do you recognize this mark?”

Changsun Ce took the mark and examined it carefully. Gradually, a thoughtful expression appeared on his face. Though it still seemed like he wasn’t very sharp, Helan Xi felt they had come to the right person.

Changsun Jinglue was very enthusiastic about exploring the hidden places within the Taihua Path. It’s no exaggeration to say that of the ten times he broke the sect’s rules, at least six of those were because he ventured into forbidden areas.

The little tyrant of Xizhou, on his first day joining the sect, had already planned to draw a detailed and top-secret map of the Taihua Sect. A year later, the outline of the map had taken shape, and the last trip to the Heartless Dao Academy had allowed him to roughly add a large area.

After a while, Changsun Ce relaxed his furrowed brows and said, “You know, now that you mention it, I think I’ve seen this mark somewhere before. It looks familiar—does this flower have some special meaning? Why are you asking about it?”

Helan Xi suppressed his excitement and said, “Tell us where you’ve seen it.”

Changsun Ce furrowed his brow again: “I can’t quite recall at the moment.”

Helan Xi felt speechless and almost wanted to prepare a brain-boosting pill for Changsun Jinglue.

“Seems like… vaguely… maybe it was during one of my confinements…” Changsun Ce’s voice trailed off, then he became serious. “Give me a day, I need to confirm it myself.”

Helan Xi didn’t expect this cautious side of Changsun Ce. He nodded and said, “Alright, thank you.”

Changsun Ce glanced at Helan Xi, then at Zhu Ruo Shuang, and asked, “By the way, do you two mind breaking sect rules?”

The two replied without hesitation, “Not at all.”

“Good,” Changsun Ce snapped his fingers. “If nothing goes wrong, meet me at the back gate of the Misty Crossing after half an hour past curfew tomorrow night.”

After confirming the plan with Changsun Ce, Helan Xi immediately passed on the message to Song Xun Ji.

Song Xun Ji replied with a sound of acknowledgment, “The materials for the [Please Stay] medicine have been retrieved. You can come by the alchemy room to pick them up.”

By now, the three of them had almost fully learned the Heartless Dao’s dual cultivation techniques. If they acted tomorrow night, they would still have time to finish the tasks given by the True Monarch of Scarlet Moon.

Helan Xi asked Zhu Ruo Shuang, “Zhu Yun, have you gone into the [Feng Yue Treasure Box] to dual cultivate with yourself? What’s it like?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang seemed a little embarrassed: “Not yet.”

Helan Xi: “When do you plan to go?”

Zhu Ruo Shuang: “Let’s see what clues Changsun Ce can provide first.”

The two returned to the Heartless Dao Academy and headed to the alchemy room. From a distance, they saw black smoke filling the air, emitting a terrifying aura.

Helan Xi thought the alchemy room had caught fire, and he exclaimed in alarm, “Not good!” Then he and Zhu Ruo Shuang ran towards the room, bursting through the door. “Song Xun? Song Xun, are you there? Are you alright?”

Song Xun Ji’s figure appeared, faintly visible in the black smoke: “I’m here.”

Zhu Ruo Shuang coughed three times from the smoke. Helan Xi covered his nose and mouth, following the sound to find Song Xun Ji standing in front of a lit furnace, seemingly unaffected by the thick black smoke, his expression as calm as cold jade, untainted by the smoke.

Helan Xi let out a sigh of relief and asked, “What are you doing?”

Song Xun Ji: “Doing my homework.”

“Huh?” He Lan Xi leaned over to look at what was in the pot, his expression immediately turning blank. “What is that? I’m asking you, what is that?”

Song Xun Ji: “…[Please Stay].”

Helan Xi stared at the dark, muddy-looking “dual cultivation ointment” in the pot, resembling rain-soaked soil. His eyes went black, almost fainting.

What… What is this? This isn’t [Please Stay], this is clearly [Please Died]! I have to ask, who exactly do you plan to use this on, Song classmate?!