Chapter Sixteen: Le Er's Thoughts

  At night, Zhi Yan sat beside the bonfire, quietly listening to Tian Mo tell stories about Ling Yang Palace.

  Lingyang Palace is different from ordinary Taoist temples, although it also takes the Tao as its doctrine. It is not a temple for monks, but rather the most famous school of cultivation in the nine states, known for its swordsmanship that can subdue gods and demons. Its disciples are all legendary xianxia heroes. Lingyang Palace has a history of over a thousand years, during which more than a dozen of its disciples have become immortals and been listed in the heavenly register. The disciples of Lingyang Palace also take it upon themselves to slay demons and monsters, often descending the mountain to help the common people resolve their difficulties, earning them great welcome and respect from the populace. Tianmo was on a mission this time as well, and on his way back to report, he picked up Zhiyan.

  Tian Mo was an orphan, he lived in Lingyang Palace for seventeen years. Although he received all the true teachings from his master, Yong Xudaozhang, he was only mediocre among the tens of thousands of disciples in Lingyang Palace, whether it was swordsmanship or immortal techniques. Master Yong Xu worried about this disciple every day, but Tian Mo felt that being ordinary and comfortable was quite good, relaxed, and carefree.

  "Enough about me, now it's your turn." Tian Mo handed a roasted rabbit that was dripping with oil to Zhi Yan, whose eyes were already gleaming with hunger.

  "She?" Yan's head slightly lowered, a hint of melancholy flashed in her eyes, she raised her head and gave a faint smile to the sky, stood up, and stretched out her right hand towards her.

  "What's this?" Tian Mo rose up in confusion, not understanding what Xing Yan was trying to do.

  "Listen to me, it's better to see for yourself, hold my hand and you will see all of my memories."

  Tian Mo listened to Zhi Yan's words with half-belief and half-doubt. What Zhi Yan said should be the Soul Reading Technique, but this technique is a forbidden art for cultivators of immortality. Those who are not stable in their foundation or deep in their magical powers will go crazy if they cultivate this technique. At best, they will lose all their immortal techniques, and at worst, they may even lose their lives. Even the elders of Lingyang Palace do not dare to cultivate this technique easily, so how can Zhi Yan have such abilities when he doesn't even have a bit of magical power?

  Seemingly noticing Tian Mo's confusion, Zhi Yan blinked and smiled mischievously at him, "Born with it, don't be envious of me."

  Heavenly Birth... Heavenly Silence felt his heart being pierced by a knife, he had been cultivating for so long but didn't have any remarkable achievements, while others were born with such heaven-defying skills, this was a severe blow to him.

  Master, I'll listen to you this time when I go back, I must cultivate well... Waaahhh...

  Tian Mo's hands were shaking slightly as he grasped Xing Yan's hand, and in that instant, Xing Yan's memories surged into Tian Mo's mind like a tidal wave. From the Wu Wang Mountain to the outskirts of Ning City, from the first time they met Le Er to when they encountered Tian Mo, scene after scene unfolded before Tian Mo's eyes, leaving him feeling a little heartbroken. Seeing the pain and sorrow she had endured, he thought she was truly a pitiful girl, but seeing her make deals with people to regain her memories, ruthlessly extracting their soul essence, he felt a surge of anger - how could someone inflict their own suffering on others for their own sake...

  Zhi Yan withdrew her hand, and Tian Mo also returned to reality from Zhi Yan's memories. He looked at Zhi Yan, with a complex mix of emotions in his heart.

  "Such a deal seems fair, but it's cruel to them. You rewove memories for each person, but they're no longer the past with real emotions, just another person's story."

  "What you said is right, so I don't want to make such a deal again. There must be other ways to restore my memory."

  Upon hearing Zhi Yan's words, Tian Mo smiled calmly and reassured her that as long as she wouldn't harm others again, he was willing to help her think of a way to regain her past self.

  "Uh... can I take a look at Le'er? He's indeed a good youkai, and I'd like to help him get better sooner." Tian Mo said with an ill intent, his face reddening again.

  Zhi Yan hesitated for a moment, but still carefully took Le'er out and gently placed him in Tian Mo's hands. Tian Mo was also extremely cautious, holding his breath as he carefully sensed Le'er's aura with his spiritual power. After a long time, he finally let out a sigh of relief, "Don't worry, Le'er is fine, he's just sleeping. I just infused some spiritual power into him, and as long as we're careful, there shouldn't be any major problems."

  His parents died early, and although Yong Xudao raised him, he always played the role of a master. After more than a decade of cultivating his mind in Lingyang Palace, he had long forgotten the taste of kinship. However, between Zhiyan and Le'er, who were not related by blood, there was a deeper sibling bond than that of biological siblings, which deeply moved him. By coincidence, he picked up a withered branch from the ground and transformed it into a pale red wooden flower through his magic. He scratched his head, blushing as he handed the wooden flower to Zhiyan, "My magical powers are not high, the flowers I create are not as beautiful as those Le'er gave you, nor do they have any fragrance... but at least... they look alike..."

  Zhi Yan's face was stunned, she took the flower, and then smiled lightly, "Tian Mo big brother, I understand what you mean, thank you."

  "Hehe...... you're welcome...... it's great to see you smile, Luer should be happy too."

  It was late at night, and Zhi Yan had long fallen asleep due to exhaustion. Tian Mo feared that wild beasts or evil spirits might appear, so he didn't dare to be careless and vigilantly guarded the bonfire, paying attention to every move around him.

  The surroundings were abnormally quiet, with only the crackling sound of burning wood being audible. Looking at Zhi Yan sleeping and still tightly guarding the box, Tian Mo scratched his head, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes - it would be great if someone could treat him like that too.

  He sighed, raised his eyes again, but found that the box in Zhiyan's hand was emitting a strange red light. A bright red peony slowly flew out of the box and floated in front of him. He rubbed his eyes, leaned forward to examine it carefully, wondering if he was hallucinating.

  "What are you looking at? Haven't you ever seen a peony as beautiful as me?" A pleasant yet slightly irritated voice suddenly rang out in the quiet night.

  Tian Mo let the peony flower fall into his palm, carefully holding it in his hand, "Are you speaking? Are you Le Er?"

  "Hmm... Is there another peony as beautiful and lovely as me in this world? I know you must have questions to ask me, come on, ask quickly!"

  Tian Mo blinked his eyes and asked seriously, "Flower spirit, flower demon aren't they usually female? Why are you male?"

  "Why must Grandfather be a man? Grandfather and you were born as men, why can't the flower demon have males too? This is discrimination, discrimination, discrimination!!!", Le Er furiously roared at Tian Mo, "What other reason do you need to be born as a man?"

  "Tian Mo was somewhat helpless, and Le Er was indeed that formidable. Never mind, Tian Mo stood tall and proud as a man, he wouldn't bother with a silly flower spirit like her. "Huh? Since you can talk, why don't you say a few words to Xi Yan, she's worried about you."

  "You fool, what do you know? I'll just keep quiet for now, and when sister gets used to it, she won't be so heartbroken when I really leave. If I talk to her every day, she'll worry even more and can't let me go." Le'er's voice gradually became smaller, with a hint of sadness and sorrow, "Sister is so good to me, but unfortunately, I can do nothing for her."

  "You've done a great job, your presence and company are the best things you can do for her." Tianmo hastily comforted, listening to Xiaohuayao's sad voice, Tianmo also felt uncomfortable in his heart.

  "Tianmo, thank you. Thank you for taking care of my sister and also thank you for transferring spiritual energy to me. My internal elixir is shattered, I can only come out and talk for a little while, I have to go back. Hope you don't tell my sister."

  "I understand."

  "Hmm... if you can't sleep at night, or feel bored, just call my name... I... I'm willing to chat with you..." Le'er said as he quickly returned to his box. His hesitant words made Tianmo feel strange - this little flower demon who never spared anyone's feelings was actually being hesitant? Wait a minute, could it be that he's shy? Hahaha...

  "Tianmo! Hmph!" Le'er's embarrassed voice rang out again, Tianmo covered his mouth and secretly laughed, almost laughing to the point of breathlessness. Indeed, he was embarrassed...

  Xie Yan rubbed her eyes and got up in a daze, looking at Tian Mo who was trying to hold back his laughter and appeared somewhat puzzled. "Tian Mo, what are you laughing at?"

  Nothing, nothing at all...

  "I just seemed to hear someone calling your name, it seems like Yue Er's voice."

  "How is it possible? You must be dreaming. Daytime has its thoughts and nighttime has its dreams. You must have been thinking about Le Er too much."

  "Oh... but... what's so funny?"

  "No, nothing, really nothing," Tian Mo said with a smile, holding his stomach and unable to straighten up.

  “……”

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