26 Initial Darkening
Wisps of demonic energy covered the area, which was constantly healing and cracking, yet the person sitting on the bed showed no sign of pain.
Yin Li kept smiling, her face gentle and infatuated.
very nice
He thought
If my master could continue to treat me like this, I could live a peaceful life.
In the past few days, Yin Li has been using the excuse of being "injured" to go to Chu Qing's place from time to time, looking helpless, but her wound just won't heal.
"If this continues, you won't need to go to the secret realm trial anymore. Replace Mo Yu."
After bandaging the wound once again, Chu Qing was furious. Others might not know this kid's strength, but how could she not?
Having a powerful bloodline is no joke; how could such a minor superficial wound have been there for over a week, and keep recurring?
Could it be that this brat was the one who made me lose control of the demonic energy back then?! How could I have been so easily fooled!
It's definitely an act!
She glared at the boy who had just finished dressing on the bed. His eyes, bright and sparkling, looked up at her, as if he had been ravaged and was about to speak but couldn't.
Anyone who didn't know better would think I was using my personal connections to bully him again. He was just enduring internal injuries and recuperating, even though the process was a bit painful.
Thinking of this, Chu Qing had an idea. Since Yin Li loved to pretend to be well-behaved and ignorant, she would teach him a lesson and maintain her "vicious" persona.
"You, sit still and don't move."
Yin Li paused, a bad feeling creeping over him, but he did whatever his master asked.
"Close your eyes."
"Master... Master." His eyelashes trembled slightly, and he raised his most vulnerable neck, looking eager.
Chu Qing:······
Is this kid thinking something weird?
“Listen, I’m going to go into your spiritual palace, not just to the shallow level like last time, but deeper. Your spiritual palace is easily damaged after the last battle, which is why you have been unable to control your demonic energy.”
Deep into the spiritual realm.
Yin Li frowned slightly, somewhat resistant. She could recover from this little thing quickly, but perhaps her master only understood the half-demon bloodline and not its power.
It's possible. After all, Master has always stayed in the Cloud Mist Sect and is not very willing to go out. He certainly isn't like Chu Qingge before, who had a wide range of interests.
At that moment, out of sight of the other party, Chu Qing revealed a wicked smile.
Why not conduct some obedience tests to see just how far this little apprentice will tolerate, given his current 80% favorability rating?
"Okay." After hesitating for a long time, he decided that he could endure the little pain so as not to disturb his master's mood.
"Then I'll begin. It will hurt a lot, so bear with it."
"Um"
Chu Qing reached out, her palm radiating blue light, which slowly covered Yin Li's forehead. Her domineering spiritual power, far surpassing his own, gradually seeped into his spiritual palace. At first, Yin Li only felt a cool sensation in his head, a characteristic unique to his master's spiritual energy.
Everyone's spiritual energy and spiritual abode are different, and the feeling of entering each other's abodes is even more different. The master's spiritual energy is exactly the same as her personality and temperament, clear and cold like the bright moon on a high mountain, which can be admired from afar but not touched.
As the chill intensified, when the overall spiritual energy reached a certain point, the sudden pain of the ice needles piercing her body swept over her entire body. Caught off guard, Yin Li couldn't help but groan.
For a demon king like you to act so pitiful, you deserve this pain. You'll suffer a lot more in the future.
Let's just think of it as a rehearsal for the moment of falling off the cliff.
Suddenly feeling agitated, he lost control of his strength and abruptly increased his spiritual power, causing the other person's body to tense up. The boy breathed heavily, his face turning even redder.
Chu Qing sensed the state of the other party's spiritual palace. It was gray and filled with chaotic, purplish-red demonic energy. Amidst the desolate and gloomy scene, a cool white light dispelled all the gloom.
Soon, her spiritual power penetrated deep into it, and when she reached the edge, she discovered that it was covered with countless cracks.
This is—the Spirit Palace?
Is this Yin Li's spiritual abode?
There were many cracks on it, which had been patched up by its owner with a very rough technique, but every line was clearly visible. Although it was no longer as fragile as before, each line and crack was a testament to the suffering it had endured.
Before I came, he was really having a hard time.
Sitting on the bed, Yin Li seemed to be able to sense the other person's emotions through his spiritual power. He moved his eyes uncontrollably, lowered his head, and smiled without revealing his feelings.
Master, look, your disciple, you're truly all I have left.
After getting used to the pain in his spiritual realm, gentle, comforting breezes enveloped his entire body. It was his master's powerful and domineering spiritual energy, but now, for the sake of someone, it softened.
Chu Qing slowly filled in every crack in the spiritual palace until everything was brand new, no longer as desolate as when she first entered, but spotless, with demonic energy emanating from it, making it mysterious and noble.
"alright"
When she opened her eyes again, nearly two hours had passed. Fine beads of sweat appeared on Chu Qing's forehead. This trip to Xiu Fu had exhausted her.
Although doing this already deviates from her original character setting, she believes she should still treat Yin Li better, even better.
It deserves at least an 80 favorability rating.
"master······"
"Try to feel it again. You can recover the minor details on your own. By the way, there is a cold pool in my backyard. It is very useful. Xue Luo soaked in it for a day or two and then woke up."
You can go anytime soon, but remember to let me know before you go.
It turns out I wasn't the first disciple to go to the Cold Pool.
Why am I never the first choice, never the top priority?
The master is truly compassionate and benevolent.
A hint of mockery appeared in his eyes, "How could this disciple be worthy of using Master's things? I have truly troubled you greatly today, please punish me."
Chu Qing:?
What the hell? What's this kid thinking about now? He's making sarcastic remarks about me.
Thinking of this, she couldn't suppress her anger. "Yin Li, you should learn to grow up. Starting today, go into the cold pool at 7 PM every day and copy the Mind-Calming Mantra once at 9 PM. Give it to me the next day."
"Considering that you are recovering from your injury, we will not punish you further."
Chu Qing turned to look at him seriously and continued, "Also, recognize your identity as a disciple. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask, and don't do what you shouldn't do."
It felt as if her heart had been struck by something heavy. The pain emptied her mind, and Yin Li felt as if something was choking her throat, making it impossible for her to breathe.
Recognize...one's identity...
Yes, it was his impatience that caused his master trouble. It was his fault; he shouldn't have done that. He should have taken it slow.
How could the moon in the sky be heading towards me so quickly? I was just too impatient.
[Buzz—Buzz—Black—Buzz—10—System Error, System Error, about to enter hibernation, please prepare!]
?
Chu Qing was shocked. What was going on?
Black? 10? Dormant?
Based on her years of experience reading novels, could it be a "darkening value"? Impossible, what kind of "darkening value" exists between a master and his disciple?
The system must be malfunctioning. You should just go into hibernation mode.
For some reason, Chu Qing's heart was beating much faster than before.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
One breath at a time, I don't know if it's worry, fear, or maybe just simply not getting enough rest.
"Yes, disciple will remember my place. I'll take my leave now."
Chu Qing clearly remembers that last time they met; those black gem-like eyes contained so many complex emotions—fervent, cautious, tentative, seemingly possessive, yet bound by boundaries.
At this moment, she had no idea what would happen next, or what crazy things the boy she had practically raised might do to her.
"Master, Master, open your eyes and look at me! Look at me!"
"You were nice to everyone, but now you only have me by your side, hahaha, now you can only look at me! Watch me laugh, watch me cry! Everything you do can only be done for me!"
"You wretched child!" Chu Qing was jolted awake from her dream by a loud shout.
Phew, since Yin Li left that day, the two of them have hardly seen each other again. However, she still hears about Yin Li's situation from Mo Yu. It's nothing more than taking good care of his injuries and cultivating.
Apart from the necessary Sun Spring Grass pills for a few days, they seemed to have returned to their original master-disciple relationship.
Now that the system is in hibernation, she is unable to confirm the other party's favorability rating.
I don't think it fell off...
Several months passed in a row, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the trial arrived.
When Chu Qing saw Yin Li again, it was still in that small courtyard. Once again, she directly felt the changes in him. Counting the days, another autumn had arrived, and he was almost 18.
The boy who used to be just above my ears is now a head taller than me. As he grows taller, he will become more and more mature.
"master"
Master
A deep voice and a clear voice rang out at the same time, and Ling Xueluo had lost much of her girlishness, growing into an even more graceful and elegant young woman.
"Um"
With a bittersweet feeling of joy at her daughter's coming of age, Chu Qing maintained an indifferent expression, but her gaze remained fixed on the two of them.
They've all grown up.
After a heartfelt sigh, she raised her hand to tidy Ling Xueluo's hair, then helped Yin Li brush off imaginary dust from his body. She took three steps back, composed herself, and then slowly spoke: "Go on your journey, protect yourselves. Your master doesn't expect you to win any rankings. My Cloud Mist Sect has no shortage of rare treasures. Come back safe and sound."
Of course, that's impossible.
A fine, tormenting pain traveled from my numb fingertips all the way to the depths of my heart.
Yin Li, I hope you won't blame me then. This is a path you must take, but I will do everything I can to protect you.
"Alright, let's go quickly, don't be late. This time, I won't come along."
"Master!" Ling Xueluo hesitated, but she couldn't influence her master's decision, so she bit her lip and retreated.
The sunlight was just right, and golden leaves were falling, yet they were filled with sorrow.
"Master! Master! Wait, wait!"
A shout came from afar. Chu Qing turned around and saw Mo Yu running anxiously toward them.
"Thank goodness, I made it in time." He stopped to catch his breath, while continuing to rummage through the brocade pouch in his arms.
"Trauma medicine, Qi-coagulating pills, hemostatic powder, soul-restoring pills..."
Seeing this, Ling Xueluo, who was not far away, couldn't help but laugh out loud, "I say, senior brother, anyone who didn't know better would think you were running for your life!"
"What do you know? I'm just worried about you getting into trouble. This is all Master's wish. Otherwise, I wouldn't be willing to part with so many elixirs!" Mo Yu replied angrily, her face flushed and her lips pouting with reluctance.
Chu Qing raised an eyebrow, tacitly approving the other party's actions.
"Hey, make sure you keep your pills safe!"
After quickly tossing the two of them aside, he naturally leaned towards Chu Qing. Yin Li, who was standing to the side, seemed to have anticipated his actions and stood beside his master in advance, not giving Mo Yu any opportunity to take advantage.
Mo Yu: ...You repay kindness with enmity!
"Master, I will certainly live up to your expectations!"
"You should leave now." Chu Qing nodded; if they didn't leave soon, she would stop them.
"Senior brother, let's go."
The same road, which he hadn't longed for a year ago, now he considers his master's place his home.
This time, Chu Qing openly watched the two leave.
The two walked further and further away until they gradually shrank into two black dots. Mo Yu's voice came again from afar: "Hey! Don't waste those pills, do you hear me!"
"You, you all—" Mo Yu choked up, lowered her head and casually wiped her face, unable to utter another word.
"It's just a trial, what's there to be afraid of?" Chu Qing chuckled, but she didn't know who she was trying to comfort.
"This disciple doesn't know either. Lately, for some reason, I've been feeling inexplicably anxious. This disciple truly—"
"Alright, go back and look after the courtyard. I also have some business to attend to in the next few days. Remember to contact Elder Hua if anything happens."
"Yes, Master."
After briefly tidying up some necessary items in her room, Chu Qing slowly took out a small white porcelain bottle.
Upon opening the bottle, a bitter taste filled the air, yet the person remained oblivious. He tilted his head back, opened his mouth, and the black liquid flowed down his throat. In a short while, the person standing there transformed into someone with a rather ordinary face, and his figure was no longer that of the radiant and refined Elder Qingge.
This medicine can change one's appearance at will and maintain that state for about half a month, which is exactly the time when the trial begins.
After summoning a sword as ordinary as she was now, "Chu Qing" embarked on a new journey into the secret realm, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
Yin Li, I know I will be sorry for you if I go now, but I hope that when you return, you will still have your original intentions and remember the teachings you have received.
[Author's Note]
Hey! I've written another 800 words! It'll probably be Friday for the next update!
I don't know why, maybe it's because I tend to feel melancholic at night, but the last part made my heart ache. We're almost at the secret realm, and in a few more chapters, I'll be reading the two scenes I'm most, most, most, most excited for: Scene 1: a leg-hugging kiss; Scene 2: the character's dark turn! Ahhh, I'm so excited, hahaha! Everyone, enjoy reading, and please leave lots of comments and add this to your favorites!
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