Ch 143: The Cannon Fodder Won’t Play Along Anymore [QT]

In other words, if things continued like this, his face that looked so similar to Mu Xing would slowly grow apart, becoming less and less like him.

If even their resemblance disappeared, what he was after would become even harder to achieve.

Xue Zhongyu was unwilling.

Especially when he saw how outstanding Mu Xing was.

Every so often, news would spread through the Taixu Sect that Mu Shidi had once again refined an elixir of exceptional quality, causing disciples to scramble for it.

Cultivation progress wasn’t widely publicized, but Youhuo seemed able to sense Mu Xing’s realm—it was the kind of cultivation speed that would shock anyone if word got out.

Hearing this only made Xue Zhongyu’s desire grow stronger. With such talent, if it could become his…

Would he still have to be oppressed day after day by the lunatics of Crescent Moon Peak, forced to train?

He was a demon seed, not some ordinary cultivator. This kind of cultivation path wasn’t meant for him.

His thoughts spun quickly, his body heavy with fatigue, and he fell asleep.

It felt like he had barely closed his eyes before he was awakened by a voice urging him.

Before him was the gentle face of his second senior brother, Qi Xiubai.

Qi Xiubai smiled the elegant smile Xue Zhongyu used to like the most. “Shidi, time to get up and practice swordsmanship.”

Xue Zhongyu: …

Devouring the talent of the vessel could wait no longer!

His most perfect plan of imprinting his shadow upon Mu Xing was no longer viable. It was nearly impossible now to make Mu Xing bear the mark of “Xue Zhongyu.”

As a demon seed, he instinctively knew how to take what belonged to others. Since one method wouldn’t work, he would use a more brutal one.

Kill Mu Xing.

Devour his blood and spiritual power.

This method was far less perfect than inheriting a vessel’s talent through a substitute, but he had no other choice.

Only then could he erase this vessel and select another.

Youhuo cruelly reminded him, “But young master, Mu Xing is always on Medicine Peak. You don’t have any chance to act.”

Xue Zhongyu’s voice grew dark. “I don’t believe he can stay on Medicine Peak forever.”

Youhuo spoke even more mercilessly. “Even if he leaves Medicine Peak, you are not his match.”

This was why young demon seeds had to hide, never revealing themselves to anyone.

Because—at this stage, they were truly weak.

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

Shame and anger boiled up. “Youhuo! Whose side are you on? Can’t you stop pouring cold water on me?”

Youhuo’s voice was faint. “I also wish I had a master who was clever and powerful… but do I have a choice?”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

When I become strong, I’ll lock this damned thing somewhere no one can ever see it again. Let’s see who you talk your nonsense to then!

*

At last, Xue Zhongyu earned a day of leave for his supposed good behavior.

He said he wanted to visit Mu Xing on Medicine Peak. Xue Wuya and the others were delighted—his mindset was like a failing son finally taking the initiative to spend time with a top student.

When Xue Zhongyu found Mu Xing, the boy was lying in the courtyard of a small building, basking in the sun.

Afternoons on Medicine Peak were always radiant. Mu Xing lay on a recliner padded with a soft blanket, his body sinking into it. A fluffy spirit beast was sprawled across his stomach. On the small table beside him lay an open book, two plates of spirit fruits, a plate of snacks Li Xuanyao had brought back from town, and a pot of fragrant spirit tea. A small array was inscribed on the pot to keep the tea perpetually at its best temperature.

It was comfort and leisure itself.

Nothing like what Xue Zhongyu had imagined!

He thought of how he was forced to rise at dawn and practice swordsmanship without rest. Given Mu Xing’s rapid cultivation progress, shouldn’t he also be spending every moment training?

What was this?

Then, seeing Mu Xing’s young yet elegant face, Xue Zhongyu’s heart burned even more.

He was a demon seed, the embodiment of all desires. His nature was greedy. Whenever he saw something beautiful, he instinctively wanted to claim it.

“Mu Shidi!” He forced down every stray thought and called out cheerfully.

Mu Xing opened his eyes from his nap. Seeing him, he didn’t even bother to move, speaking with little courtesy: “You disturbed my rest.”

Xue Zhongyu puffed up his cheeks. “I’m sorry, alright? What are you doing here?”

Mu Xing: “Sleeping.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

It was clear Mu Xing had no interest in talking to him.

His eyes shifted to the book lying facedown on the table. “What’s this? A cultivation manual?”

Mu Xing curled himself deeper into the cushion, unwilling to move. “Oh, just a storybook my senior brother brought back from town so I wouldn’t get bored.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

Some senior brothers brought novels and treats for their juniors.

Others only dragged them out of bed at dawn to practice swordsmanship!

“So unfair.”

Mu Xing glanced at him in surprise. Only then did Xue Zhongyu realize he’d muttered his thoughts aloud.

Mu Xing already knew the matter anyway. Xue Zhongyu had always been sociable in the sect, often going out on missions with others. Now that he was rarely seen, people asked questions, and it wasn’t hard to find out that his father had forced him into strict cultivation.

Mu Xing thought for a moment and then spoke plainly. “If your cultivation progressed as quickly as mine, your senior brothers wouldn’t be forcing you either. In the end, it’s because your talent isn’t good enough, and you’re not diligent enough.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

You’re this good-looking, so why do you have such a venomous mouth?

If he weren’t scheming something, he would’ve already stormed off.

Truly too much!

But not only did he stay, he even had to put on the act of being upset but not completely angry, even praising Mu Xing: “Then why do you cultivate so fast? Do you have some secret? My father and senior brothers always say heaven rewards diligence. For you to achieve so much in cultivation and alchemy, you must have worked very hard, right?”

Mu Xing casually replied: “Oh, not really. I’m not hardworking at all. When I want to cultivate, I cultivate. When I don’t, I just lie here in the sun like now.”

He lazily smiled while stroking the spirit beast’s fur: “The reason I cultivate so fast and make such good pills is entirely because I was born with talent.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

He wanted to laugh along with Mu Xing, but he couldn’t.

Expression stiff, he excused himself.

Mu Xing watched his figure disappear, then shook his head.

The orb of light collapsed inside his sea of consciousness hesitated for a long time before softly saying: “He bears ill will toward you.”

Mu Xing nodded: “I know.”

Orb: ?

In this life, Xue Zhongyu hadn’t shown Mu Xing any malice, right?

Mu Xing picked up the storybook he’d been reading halfway through and said leisurely: “I’ve already shown my impatience and dislike so clearly, yet he, a pampered second-generation immortal brat, still endured it and even smiled at me.”

“It’s either he’s got something wrong with his head, or he wants something from me.”

“However you look at it, the latter is more likely.”

As he spoke, his expression shifted slightly.

He pulled something out of his storage ring: the two spirit beast eggs Yu Hongyao had given him. Just now, one had moved.

Looking closely, the white jade-like shell had a crack as fine as a strand of hair, so tiny it was nearly unnoticeable.

Mu Xing’s heart surged with joy and anticipation: they’re about to hatch? He wondered what kind of spirit beasts they would be.

*

Xue Zhongyu practically gritted his teeth returning to Crescent Moon Peak.

He snorted coldly: “If not for Crescent Moon Peak’s incompetence, that talent would already belong to me.”

Forcing himself to be patient, he began making careful plans. If he couldn’t find an opening through Mu Xing, then he’d look for one through Medicine Peak.

But before he could act, a “surprise” dropped straight onto his head.

*

Crescent Moon Peak’s little junior brother had gone missing again!

They said it was the work of the demons, because the scene was saturated with heavy demonic aura.

Upon hearing the news, Mu Xing raised his brows: “Wish him luck.”

Meanwhile, the inexplicably ambushed and knocked-out Xue Zhongyu, waking to find himself surrounded by dense evil thoughts: “…”

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to be angry or pleased.

Youhuo said inside his consciousness: “Actually, coming to the Demon Realm isn’t bad. You were useless at Crescent Moon Peak anyway. Here, at least there’s plenty of malice to absorb. It doesn’t help much, but drop by drop adds up, and eating more will boost your strength a little.”

It sighed: “Though slower, you can live much longer this way. Live long, eat more malice, make up quality with quantity, reach Golden Core, then find another host body to start over. It only costs you some time.”

Xue Zhongyu hated this tone. He snapped: “At this pace, by the time I reach Golden Core, who knows what realm Mu Xing will be in!”

Youhuo was surprised: “Do you still want to compare cultivation speed with him, my little master?”

It paused, then sincerely advised: “I’ve read through the entire Taixu Sect library. Mu Xing’s cultivation speed ranks among the top ten geniuses in all of Taixu’s ten-thousand-year history. But your progress? Maybe a few hundred every decade.”

“Better to be realistic.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

“Brother Yu!” a clear voice interrupted his incoming outburst.

A beautiful young girl looked at him joyfully: “It’s been two years, Ah Ling has missed you so much. Did you miss me?”

Xue Zhongyu glanced down at the chain locked around his ankle, then gave her a dazzling smile: “Of course I missed Ah Ling too.”

“Liar!” The girl’s bright smile vanished in an instant, her face turning cold as she glared at him. “You were living happily in Taixu Sect, I know that perfectly well. If I hadn’t sent people to capture you back, you wouldn’t have remembered me at all.”

Xue Zhongyu: “…”

From the girl before him, he felt thick resentment and a dark aura of corruption.

He put on a sorrowful expression: “Ah Ling, what do you want me to do? Those are my family. When I went missing, they were so worried, thinking I’d had an accident, thinking I was suffering in the Demon Realm.”

“I told Father when I returned that you treated me well.”

“I missed you very much. I only meant to spend a little more time with Father before coming to the Demon Realm to see you.”

The beautiful girl frowned, doubtful: “Really?”

Xue Zhongyu gazed at her tenderly: “Of course it’s true. Brother Yu would never lie to Ah Ling.”

Princess Jiang Ling’s face brightened with joy. Clapping her hands happily, she smiled sweetly and said: “I can never tell whether you’re lying or not, but even if you are, it doesn’t matter. Father said as long as we keep you chained here, you can’t go anywhere and can only stay in the Demon Realm to play with me, and that’s enough.”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣