Shen He looked worriedly at the figure ahead and sighed almost imperceptibly.
Ever since that day when he had handed the black shortsword engraved with Dong Ling to Shizun Xie, and the sword had automatically disintegrated into ash, Shizun Xie’s mood had seemed extremely poor.
Perhaps because the jade pendant used for Xie’s resurrection had been provided by Shen He, or perhaps because Shen He had always carried the pendant before, Shen He could now inexplicably sense a bit of Xie Linlang’s emotions.
It wasn’t just him—even Shen He’s Azure Flame Leopard had noticed Xie’s depressed and sullen mood. The leopard had been tucking its tail between its legs these past few days, not daring to provoke Xie.
Shen He glanced up at the sky and said softly, “Shizun, you…” He paused, then changed his words. “This disciple is a bit tired. We gathered quite a few demonic plants today, and they all need processing. What do you think…”
The figure of Xie Linlang, who had been darting rapidly through the bushes ahead, swayed slightly as he came to a stop.
The black-haired youth’s face was somewhat gloomy, and the luster in his dark eyes was gone, as if he were a little dazed. He seemed to suffer a moment of dissociation before finally understanding Shen He’s meaning.
“…Then let’s rest for a while.”
Xie Linlang looked around and found a spot sheltered from the wind behind a rock. He lightly brushed away the dust on the ground and sat down cross-legged.
Shen He activated the protective formation, sent the Azure Flame Leopard to scout the surroundings on its own, and then sat diagonally across from Xie Linlang.
The Purple Radiance Mountain Secret Realm was about to end, and recently, the fights between cultivators inside had been quite fierce.
Fortunately, with Shen He, Xie Linlang, and a Foundation Establishment Stage Azure Flame Leopard, their team of three Foundation Establishment Cultivators appeared formidable. Even the cultivators who had been secretly spying on them weighed the odds and retreated discreetly.
Although Xie Linlang was distracted by Pei Ji’s matter, he had once been a Soul Transformation Cultivator after all, with a powerful divine soul, making him exceptionally suited for vigilance and searching for demonic plants.
Shen He took the opportunity to gather many heavenly treasures that would normally require substantial contributions and class hours points to exchange for in the sect.
Typically, Shen He would process the demonic plants in his spare time, splitting them into two portions—one for himself and the rest handed to Xie Linlang.
Whenever that happened, Xie Linlang would open the furnace to refine pills.
No matter what, Shen He had brought back the Dongling Sword for him. Regardless of whether Shen He had any connection to Pei Ji, Xie Linlang intended to pass down his pill dao legacy to Shen He, teaching him everything without reservation.
Shen He learned meticulously and earnestly, not overlooking any doubts. In the short time of less than half a month in the Purple Radiance Mountain Secret Realm, he had learned one or two new types of pills almost every day, absorbing the new knowledge like a sponge.
Xie Linlang had asked Shen He whether learning so much in such a short time made it hard to grasp the true essence of each pill.
Shen He had smiled and said, “Once we return to Silent Night Palace, Shizun will become my senior brother. I don’t know where Senior Sister Le will arrange for you to stay, and seeking you out then would be too conspicuous. Better to learn as much as possible now, and I’ll figure out the rest on my own later.”
Xie Linlang thought it made sense and said no more.
In fact, Shen He had pursued learning pill refining from Xie Linlang in hopes of diverting his attention to other matters. Even the Azure Flame Leopard had noticed how terribly low Xie Linlang’s mood was, so naturally, Shen He didn’t want him to wallow in sorrow.
He didn’t know the exact relationship between Xie Linlang and the Dongling Sword’s master, but it was clear their bond was profound. Otherwise, why would that sword’s master insist on returning the Dongling Sword to another person after so many years?
Xie Linlang had reincarnated and recultivated. He could have secluded himself in cultivation alone without needing a sect’s protection, but in the end, he chose to join Silent Night Palace just to seek the truth.
Shen He had no words to stop or advise him. The only thing he could do was to improve his strength as much as possible and divert Xie Linlang’s attention, preventing his mood from becoming too depressed and sorrowful.
In this way, with one teaching and one learning, Shen He acquired many pill refining secrets, while Xie Linlang stocked up on a large batch of daily necessities in pill form.
From Qi Gathering Pills that boosted demonic qi, to Soul Pacifying Pills that stabilized the divine soul, Harmonizing Pills for easing injuries, Illusory Body Pills for combat, as well as pill solutions for nurturing spirit beasts and cultivating spiritual plants, and the wondrous spiritual essence extracted from demonic plants—altogether, the master and disciple made the most of the Purple Radiance Mountain Secret Realm, successfully upgrading their stockpiles and gaining many new trump cards.
On the final day before the Purple Radiance Mountain Secret Realm closed, Xie Linlang and Shen He parted ways.
“Le Qingping came here to investigate the issue with the Feed Pellet pill formula, and it’s because of me. Pretend you know nothing and say you obtained it by chance while exploring. You have no ill intentions anyway, so just respond normally.”
Xie Linlang gave Shen He some advice. “After the secret realm ends, our exit points will differ, but you should find Le Qingping as soon as possible and gauge her view of you. Otherwise, if she reports you to Silent Night Palace behind your back, it could be trouble.”
Shen He nodded in agreement. “And Shizun? What are your plans?”
Xie Linlang’s expression was calm with a hint of chill as he said indifferently, “I plan to consolidate my cultivation first. If all goes smoothly, I might head to Silent Night Palace in a month or so.”
Shen He was somewhat worried but said sincerely, “Then Shizun must be careful. This disciple will await your arrival at Silent Night Palace.”
Xie Linlang smiled faintly. He raised his hand and beckoned. Shen He, not understanding, drew closer.
Xie Linlang gently stroked Shen He’s cheek, gazing intently—especially at Shen He’s bright eyes, as if seeing the Pei Ji of old.
He murmured, “Rest assured. Since you’re in this world, I naturally won’t bear to leave.”
Xie Linlang closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, the sorrow and grief that had shrouded him completely vanished, fully restrained and hidden from view.
He seemed to have returned to the gentle demeanor Shen He had first encountered.
