Chapter 141 - Rest
Xie Zhao seemed a little absent-minded. He sat on a stone pier not far from Chu Linyuan, the Jinghong Talisman Pen unconsciously twirling between his fingertips, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the chest of Chu Linyuan's black robe—there, a slightly bulging pocket, where he had stuffed the Star Warming Sun Talisman.
Thinking of Chu Linyuan's stiff and swift movements, Xie Zhao couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth. He deliberately spun the talisman pen very quickly, making a subtle sound of breaking through the air.
"Quiet." A cold voice sounded with a hint of displeasure at being disturbed.
Xie Zhao immediately stopped what he was doing, but a smile spread across his face as he leaned closer. "Brother, are you regulating your breathing? Are you tired? Do you want me to draw a calming and sleep-inducing talisman for you? It's first-rate, and I guarantee you'll never cheat anyone!"
Chu Linyuan didn't even raise his eyelids, as if he was air.
Xie Zhao wasn't discouraged. He took out the small black jade box containing the Chenji Star Sand, opened it a crack, and marveled at the dazzling starlight inside. "What a wonderful thing... This is the most valuable treasure in Xingyun Pavilion, right? Brother, what do you say about using it to enlighten the Moon Devouring Rabbit? Maybe we can even enlighten a star beast!"
Upon hearing the "Moon-Eating Rabbit", the rabbit that was quietly napping at the feet of the white deer immediately pricked up its ears, looked at Xie Zhao vigilantly with its ruby eyes, and made a low warning sound in its throat.
"It dares to gnaw on the base of the tower," Chu Linyuan's cold voice finally rang out, with a hint of barely perceptible disdain, "stew it."
The rabbit's fur instantly stood up, and it quickly hid behind the white deer, leaving only its two vigilant red eyes exposed.
"Pfft..." Xie Zhao couldn't help laughing, and quickly covered his mouth, his shoulders shrugging. He didn't expect Chu Linyuan to actually accept such a joke.
Chu Linyuan seemed to realize what he had just said. The corners of his cold mouth pursed slightly, and then returned to normal. The aura around him seemed to be even colder.
"It's time to eat!" Su Tang's voice sounded at the right time, breaking the delicate atmosphere.
Everyone gathered around. A huge stone bowl was filled with steaming, dark green meat soup seasoned with Luo's special flavoring. The aroma overbearingly dispelled the chill of the abyss.
Xie Zhao, holding his own bowl, deliberately moved closer to Chu Linyuan and sat down, his shoulder almost touching his black robe. Chu Linyuan's body tensed up slightly for a moment, but he didn't move away.
"Brother, try this!" Xie Zhao scooped up a piece of tender meat with a spoon and handed it to Chu Linyuan's bowl. "This piece is the best! I picked it especially for you!"
Chu Linyuan lowered his eyes to look at the piece of meat that suddenly appeared in his bowl, then looked at Xie Zhao's expression that said "please praise me quickly". He was silent for a moment, and finally said nothing. He just used a spoon to push the meat aside, and then... very slowly scooped up another piece of meat in his bowl and put it into his mouth.
Xie Zhao: “…” The smile froze on his face.
"Hahaha!" Su Tang was the first one who couldn't hold back her laughter and almost knocked over the bowl.
Luo Hongyi blew the meat soup in the spoon gracefully, her red lips curled slightly: "Flattering is like hitting the horse's hoof."
Tie Niu buried his head in the food and said in a deep voice, "Second Brother, give me that piece of meat! I don't mind it!"
Xie Zhao took back the spoon in dismay and angrily stuffed the "essence" into his mouth, muttering, "You don't know how to appreciate kindness... The ice chips have damaged my taste buds..."
Chu Linyuan seemed not to hear, still slowly eating the meat soup. His cold profile seemed to soften a little in the firelight. Perhaps it was an illusion.
The meat is full and the soup is filling, and the night is getting darker.
In the center of the Immortal-Slaying Square, the dark golden glow emanating from the talisman array replaced the bonfire, dispelling the chill of the abyss. Chu Linyuan remained cross-legged on the star-patterned iron structure, regulating his breathing, the Frost Silence Sword resting across his knees, like eternal, unmelted black ice.
Xie Zhao, however, did not return to his meditation corner. He sat on a smooth black rock not far from Chu Linyuan, hugging his knees and gazing up at the low, swirling evil clouds, illuminated by the halo of the talisman formation. The Jinghong talisman pen was casually tucked into his bun, a few strands of hair falling, obscuring his rare, calm profile.
His fingertips unconsciously stroked the storage bag at his waist, which contained the black jade box containing the Chenji Star Sand and the dark red cloth with the Star Warming Sun Talisman painted on it.
The soul-guiding lamp talisman on the chest exuded a gentle warmth after eating and drinking, which faintly echoed the cold and quiet breath coming from Chu Linyuan.
"Brother," Xie Zhao's voice echoed in the silent night, with a rare calmness that lacked any joking. "Tell me...is the sky over the Fallen Star Sea...bluer than here? Are there more stars?"
Chu Linyuan's breathing rhythm paused imperceptibly. He didn't open his eyes, nor did he answer.
Xie Zhao didn't seem to expect an answer either. He kept muttering to himself, as if he was talking to Chu Linyuan, or as if he was talking to himself: "That guy Mo Chen... the way he looks at the stars... is like looking at a lover... it's creepy... But, the galactic resonance technique he gave to little Tangdou... seems to be really something..." He remembered how Su Tang had been holding the photo stone and muttering to herself these past few days, sensing the power of will.
"And that big, stupid guy Tie Niu," Xie Zhao said with a smile, "After being beaten up by Junior Sister Luo for a few days, his skin has become tougher and the star pattern on his horns has really brightened up a lot... And that girl Xiao Lu, the whispers she was whispering to Tu Tu seem to have a few more words..."
He kept talking, his voice not loud, but very clear in the silent square.
They talked about the trivialities of the sect, the changes in their companions, and the memories of the brief tranquility in Xingyun Pavilion...but they did not mention the door under the abyss, the out-of-control dragon evil, or the burning soul.
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