Chapter 601 - 489: What If Xiao Mo Could Hear?

In the blink of an eye, a full three months had passed since Xiao Mo entered secluded cultivation.

The cool, pleasant days of spring had gradually given way to the growing heat of summer.

Throughout these three months, Xiao Mo remained just as he was when he first entered his meditative state—sitting motionlessly in the courtyard.

If not for his still-rosy complexion and his long, steady breathing,

even Xian Xichun would have started to worry that the young man might perish in his meditative state right there in the bamboo courtyard.

Tushan Jing Ci, for her part, would come to the bamboo grove every day or two to see Xiao Mo.

Each time she visited, Tushan Jing Ci would first go to Cold Mountain City to fetch a jug of good wine and buy some tasty side dishes to bring to Mr. Xian, who stood guard outside the bamboo courtyard.

Although Mr. Xian had said that his help for Xiao Mo stemmed purely from their friendship and had nothing to do with the Tushan Clan,

in Tushan Jing Ci’s view, Xiao Mo belonged to her.

’And since Mr. Xian is protecting *my* Xiao Mo, it’s only right that I bring some things to treat him well.’

Of course, Tushan Jing Ci had another, more subtle motive for bringing Mr. Xian food and wine—to distract him.

After all, if Mr. Xian had nothing better to do when she came to visit Xiao Mo, he would pull her aside for a lesson or quiz her on her studies.

This frustrated Tushan Jing Ci to no end.

’I already spend so much time in class at the Book Hall. When I’m finally free and have time to see Xiao Mo, I get stuck with another lesson?’

’Doesn’t that mean I’m in class every waking moment...’

’What demon could possibly stand that?’

So, Tushan Jing Ci came up with a plan: she would bring food and wine every time she visited.

Once Mr. Xian was busy eating and drinking, he naturally wouldn’t be in the mood to give her a lesson.

Xian Xichun, of course, saw right through the young Tushan Clan lady’s little scheme.

However, he never called her out on it. Instead, whenever Tushan Jing Ci arrived, he would simply pick up the jug of wine and the food box, walk over to the other side of the bamboo grove to eat and drink by himself, and leave the two young people to themselves.

At first, Tushan Jing Ci could only watch Xiao Mo from outside the courtyard.

But later, as she gradually infused her Spiritual Power into the Array and it became familiar with her aura, she was able to enter the courtyard and get closer to Xiao Mo.

Of course, this was on the condition that Tushan Jing Ci held no killing intent toward Xiao Mo.

After all, the Array protecting Xiao Mo judged friend from foe by sensing whether a person harbored any killing intent.

But how could Tushan Jing Ci possibly harbor even a sliver of malicious intent toward Xiao Mo?

Summer deepened.

September was the most scorching time of year at Cold Mountain Academy.

The vicious sun hung overhead, its searing rays pouring down relentlessly. Even in her light gauze skirt, Tushan Jing Ci found the heat unbearable, to say nothing of Xiao Mo.

He just sat there motionlessly in the center of the courtyard, letting the fierce sun beat down on him.

Her heart ached for him. She wanted to hold an umbrella over him—a Fifth-Grade Magical Artifact that could shield him from the blazing sun, making it feel like early autumn.

However, Xian Xichun stopped her.

"The ’Great Dream of Yellow Millet’ that Xiao Mo is cultivating is the most orthodox Daoist Skill in the world," Xian Xichun patiently explained. "This Cultivation Technique emphasizes merging with nature, becoming a part of it, and experiencing the changes of all things in heaven and earth. From this, one comprehends the Dao’s rhythm and can ascend to a higher path."

"Right now, Xiao Mo is in seclusion. Under the influence of his Cultivation Technique, all the Spiritual Power in his body is drawn inward. At this moment, aside from subsisting on Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, he is no different from an ordinary person in terms of his physique or any other aspect."

"This is because the ’Great Dream of Yellow Millet’ requires him to personally experience the natural changing of the seasons, using the forces of nature that flow through the world to temper his Spiritual Power and his Dao Heart."

"You can use ordinary means to help make him a little more comfortable."

"But if you directly shield him from the fierce sun, it will do him more harm than good."

After Xian Xichun’s explanation, even as Tushan Jing Ci watched Xiao Mo’s cheeks burn red and his hair grow hot under the sun, she could only suppress the ache in her heart and dared not interfere further.

Still, Tushan Jing Ci did everything she could think of, as long as it didn’t interfere with Xiao Mo’s cultivation.

Sometimes, she would bring over blocks of ice and carefully place them outside Xiao Mo’s courtyard, letting wisps of cool air drift toward him to help him cool down.

Other times, she would fetch a basin of cool well water, soak a towel and wring it dry, then tiptoe to his side and gently wipe his cheeks and the backs of his hands.

But such ordinary methods ultimately had their limits.

Every time she saw his sunburnt, peeling cheeks, Tushan Jing Ci would feel her heart clench painfully, and the rims of her eyes would turn red.

Sometimes, on summer nights, Tushan Jing Ci would also sneak into the bamboo courtyard and sit down beside Xiao Mo.

She would listen to the chorus of summer cicadas with him, gaze at the star-filled sky, and ramble on about all the fun and interesting things that had recently happened to her.

Although Tushan Jing Ci knew in her heart that Xiao Mo couldn’t hear her at all, and that no one would respond to her monologue,

she still felt that as long as she said the words out loud, her heart would feel much lighter.

’Besides, what if he *can* hear me?’

’That way, his secluded cultivation won’t be so boring...’

It was also during this period that Liu Shui would often come to visit Xiao Mo.

Tushan Jing Ci didn’t think much of Sister Liu Shui coming to see Xiao Mo.

After all, Sister Liu Shui and Xiao Mo were friends, and it was perfectly normal for friends to care for and visit one another.

However, when Tushan Jing Ci happened to learn that Sister Liu Shui used to come over often to help Xiao Mo clean his courtyard, a strange, indescribable discomfort welled up in her heart.

This feeling seemed very strange to Tushan Jing Ci.

It was as if a part of something she cared for and cherished most had been secretly claimed by someone else.

’I’m not such a petty person.’

’In the past, if I had any tasty treats or fun things, I’d share them with Sister Liu Shui.’

’I did then, so of course I would now.’

’But for some reason...’

In the young girl’s heart, it seemed that everything could be shared with others—except for Xiao Mo.

However, not long after, Liu Shui came to the bamboo courtyard one day to personally bid Tushan Jing Ci farewell.

"Huh? Sister Liu Shui, you’re leaving?"

Tushan Jing Ci looked at Sister Liu Shui standing before her, a hint of surprise and reluctance in her eyes.