Chapter 31: Du Mao

Although Zhuge Lingyun said this, Ye Xiao still stepped forward and patted Mu Bai on the shoulder.

“Hmm? What’s up? Is it time to eat?”

Mu Bai, still drowsy, opened his eyes and wiped the drool from his mouth, as if he had dreamed of something delicious.

“Eat, eat, eat! All you care about is eating! Let’s go!”

Zhuge Lingyun snapped irritably and turned to leave.

Only then did Mu Bai come to his senses, quickly standing up and giving Ye Xiao an embarrassed smile.

The three of them returned to Zhushan. Zhuge Lingyun sat on a chair, looking at Ye Xiao.

“Since you have already obtained the Haoran Integrity Stone, we will leave tomorrow.”

He did not ask how Ye Xiao had acquired the stone, as it involved that young lady, and he preferred not to interfere.

“Sir, where are we headed?”

Ye Xiao asked.

Zhuge Lingyun pondered briefly before replying, “There isn’t much time left before the Spirit Path Trial. We will depart directly.”

“Along the way, I will guide your cultivation. Otherwise, with your current strength, it will be difficult.”

Hearing this, Mu Bai was somewhat displeased and pouted, “Sir, you’re so unfair! Why haven’t you guided me at all?”

Zhuge Lingyun shot him a glare. “Why are you everywhere? Hurry up and get ready!”

Mu Bai stuck out his tongue and hurried off, afraid of being beaten by his own master.

Ye Xiao returned to his room and lay on the bed, closing his eyes as his spirit sank deep into his dantian.

Within the sea of his dantian, now free from murderous intent, there was an unusual peace.

Yet, the mysterious energy flowing into the statue still turned red.

“It seems the Sword Guardian was right. The Haoran Integrity Stone truly can suppress murderous intent!”

Relieved by this, Ye Xiao exhaled deeply.

The next morning, a rapid knocking jolted Ye Xiao awake.

He sighed and got up, quickly washing before opening the door.

As expected, Mu Bai was standing there.

“Mu Bai senior brother, it’s not even dawn yet. Why are you up so early?”

Ye Xiao glanced outside; the sky was still dim, with only a faint glow on the horizon.

Mu Bai chuckled, “I wanted to wake the master, but I dared not, so I came here to knock.”

He deliberately knocked loudly, aiming to wake Zhuge Lingyun next door.

At that moment, Zhuge Lingyun’s door opened. Dressed in a green robe, he stepped out holding a folding fan.

“Mu Bai, have I gone too long without beating you? You’re acting unruly now.”

Zhuge Lingyun’s face was cold, causing Mu Bai to quickly pull Ye Xiao in front as a shield.

“Ah… that’s because Ye Xiao made me do it!”

Ye Xiao’s face stiffened; this Mu Bai seemed quite troublesome.

Zhuge Lingyun snorted. “Since you’re all awake, let’s go.”

“All right! Sir, where first?”

“Willowleaf City.”

…

In Willowleaf City, Zhuge Lingyun brought Ye Xiao to a small but secluded courtyard.

Inside, Ye Xiao saw a man sitting and reading.

Mu Bai excitedly ran over and slapped the man on the shoulder.

“Hey! Senior Brother Du, I’m back! Miss me?”

The man sighed heavily, “I only miss beautiful fairies. Why would I miss you?”

Then he noticed Zhuge Lingyun and Ye Xiao nearby and quickly stood up.

“Sir!”

Zhuge Lingyun nodded and then pointed at Ye Xiao.

“You two get acquainted. I have to go out for a while.”

With that, he left the courtyard.

After Zhuge Lingyun left, Mu Bai dragged Ye Xiao over to the man.

“Ye Xiao, this is Du Mao, Senior Brother Du.”

Ye Xiao smiled and cupped his hands.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Du.”

Du Mao waved his hand. “No need for such formality. Strangely, you look familiar.”

Mu Bai immediately chimed in, “Oh, Senior Brother Du, you really have a poor memory. Didn’t we meet at the tea house? You even swindled ten taels of silver from him.”

Mu Bai’s anger flared. “After watching over for so many days, he was the only generous one, and you still cheated him!”

Du Mao suddenly remembered, “No wonder you seem familiar.”

“Senior Brother, have you been accepted as a disciple by the master?”

Ye Xiao shook his head wryly and briefly explained the situation.

“You’re going to the Spirit Path Trial?”

Du Mao’s mouth dropped open in disbelief as he looked at Ye Xiao.

“Yes, the master said so.”

Upon confirmation, Du Mao sighed, stirring Ye Xiao’s curiosity.

“Senior Brother, what is it?”

Du Mao led them aside and sat down.

“I also participated in the Spirit Path Trial!”

“What!”

Mu Bai’s eyes widened, staring at Du Mao.

“When did you go? Why didn’t I know?”

Du Mao shot him a glare. “You’ve only been with the master a short time. What do you know?”

His eyes suddenly darkened.

“The three of us went back then, but in the end, only I survived, barely clinging to life.”

Mu Bai quieted, looking deeply at Du Mao.

“So, the injuries inside you were from the Spirit Path Trial?”

Du Mao nodded. “Yes. Just surviving was lucky enough. I no longer hope to recover fully.”

“Junior Brother, I advise you not to go! It’s filled with man-eating demons!”

Du Mao’s eyes were sincere as he looked at Ye Xiao.

“Not just beasts, but even those who participate in the trial!”

“There are eight Spirit Paths, and only one person can reach the end on each path.”

Ye Xiao fell silent, then after a long pause, said, “Senior Brother, I’ve told you, my time is short.”

“The only way to rapidly increase my strength is this path.”

He smiled.

“Since I’m going to die anyway, why not try? What if I succeed?”

Seeing Ye Xiao’s confident gaze, Du Mao’s expression softened.

“Very well. During this time, if you have any cultivation questions, come to me.”

Du Mao sighed. “Though I can no longer improve my cultivation, I can still share my insights from all these years.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Mu Bai interrupted with disdain, looking at Du Mao.

“Senior Brother, save it. He has the master’s promise.”

“The master said he will personally guide Ye Xiao’s cultivation!”

Du Mao was stunned and looked at Ye Xiao with envy.

Ye Xiao scratched his head, unsure what to say.

At that moment, a voice came from outside the door.

“Excuse me… is Mu Bai here?”

…