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A sliver of light passed through the bamboo window, spilling onto a corner of the wooden bed.

A young cultivator sat at the center with closed eyes and focused spirit, wholly dedicated to his cultivation. In the corner of the wooden bed, a small snow-white beast faced the wall alone, curled into a round and fluffy little ball.

Cang Shun stared unblinkingly at the repeating grain of the wooden wall, silent and wordless, his eyes flickering with various complex emotions from time to time.

Why… why did he care so much about this human?

—After several days, a certain Demon Emperor had finally become aware of this unusual point.

He didn’t like others getting close to this human, nor did he like this person always looking at others.

A thousand years ago, he had been utterly indifferent to all living beings in this world, let alone an insignificant human.

…Why had that changed after his awakening?

Was it because the first thing he saw upon waking was him, or was it…

Cang Shun narrowed his eyes slightly, a dark, obscure light flashing within them.

—It was because of that contract.

Everything that differed from a thousand years ago lay in that contract.

He had originally thought the contract only restricted the distance between them, preventing him from leaving this human’s side. Now, it seemed it also influenced a part of his emotions, making him instinctively care about this person.

Once the contract was broken, everything would return to normal. From then on, each would go their own way, and he and this human—should have no further connection.

By then, whether to leave or stay would be entirely his own decision, and this human would no longer be able to restrain him.

Cang Shun slowly stood up, not a trace of emotion in his eyes.

The clouds had parted to reveal the sun; clarity had dawned.

Not long after, the snowy-white little beast began to pace around the meditating Chen Moqing, head held high and chest puffed out, looking very self-assured.

Tilting its furry little head up, it stared unwaveringly at the young human’s serene, closed-eyed profile for quite some time.

It won't matter once the contract is undone.

Thinking this, he boldly climbed onto Chen Moqing's lap, using his paws to fiddle with the hem of his robe.

The soft, smooth fabric of the robe was kneaded and tousled by that furry paw. After a little while, the snowy-white beast, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, settled down on top of Chen Moqing.

—But scarcely a second after lying down, it silently stood up, jumped off the wooden bed, and nonchalantly moved to the side.

The sun set behind the western hills, and the sky gradually darkened.

Cang Shun withdrew his gaze from the man, his eyes shifting slightly, casually glancing outside the hut.

"Get out here!"

A fierce gale roared, bending the bamboo grove. A figure stepped through the air, with each stride whipping up clouds and turbulent waves.

"A lowly, worthless junior disciple dares to harm my Shou’er? Come out and face your death!"

Chen Moqing lifted his eyelids, having long prepared for this, and rose to his feet, calm and unflustered.

"Who is barking like a dog here."

A woman's voice, utterly devoid of fluctuation, rang out. The howling wind instantly stilled, the raging waves calmed.

"Yun Buwan!" Duan Ya stepped through the air to hover above the courtyard, eyes blazing with fury, "I never imagined you would actually shield this despicable person?"

Yun Buwan had only one word, "Scram."

"......" Duan Ya gritted his teeth, "Fine, very good! Let's wait and see. When my elder brother emerges from seclusion, we'll see how you manage to stay in this sect!"

His voice thundered like waves, but he did not take another step forward. With a venomous glare that seemed to slice through the little bamboo hut, he flicked his sleeve and left.

The confrontation dissipated into nothingness in the blink of an eye. Chen Moqing looked toward the opposite side and spoke, "Thank you for your assistance, Elder."

"Don't disturb me. Cultivate."

Chen Moqing then sat back down on the bed.

Cang Shun paced leisurely beside him and remarked flatly, [Benzun could also kill him for you, eliminating the future trouble, in exchange for one of the promised favors from our previous deal.]

Chen Moqing took out a stack of talisman papers, not intending to neglect his cultivation in the talisman path, "A Nascent Soul cultivated merely by piling up elixirs is hardly worth the Demon Emperor's effort."

He drew out one sheet of talisman paper, casually placing the remaining stack on the fluffy back of the snowy-white little beast.

Cang Shun, "?"

The snowy-white beast tucked its paws in without a sound, not moving, and nestled beside him.

For the following week, Chen Moqing went into closed-door cultivation, day and night without pause, never once stepping out of his room.

On the eighth day, he ended his seclusion and, while taking Cang Shun to the training room, saw Yun Buwan standing in the courtyard watering the plants, not turning her head.

Cang Shun lay perched on Chen Moqing's shoulder. He watched as Chen Moqing's steps changed direction, heading toward that Nascent Soul cultivator, proposing a sparring session against her using array formations.

The previously lazily lounging snowy-white beast slightly raised its head.

Didn't he say he would only spar with him?

He saw the Nascent Soul cultivator turn around, offering only one sentence, "Don't embarrass yourself too much."

Within the small courtyard, several arrays rose one after another, with several rounds of clashes occurring in just a few breaths.

Yun Buwan retracted her sleeve, cradling an array she had received from Chen Moqing in her palm, gazing at the runes flowing along its lines.

"You've integrated runes into the array?"

Chen Moqing answered frankly, "The paths of runes and arrays share similarities and common ground. They can be fused and interconnected."

Yun Buwan fell silent for two seconds.

"Don't let the old-timers hear you say that. They will surely say you are deviating from orthodoxy and disrespecting the founding masters of the array path."

Her tone remained cool, yet a faint trace of amusement seemed to flicker deep within her eyes, there and gone in an instant.

"Your attainment in the rune path is not low."

Chen Moqing slightly overlapped his slender hands and bowed, "I am still unskilled in arrays. I beg the Elder for instruction."

Yun Buwan tossed out two words, "Activate the array."

Cang Shun squatted expressionlessly in the courtyard, observing this sparring match.

Although that Nascent Soul cultivator appeared cold on the surface, she would impart her knowledge unreservedly to diligent disciples.

And so, once again, he saw on that young human's face the same bright, focused expression that had appeared before only during their own sparring sessions, now directed at someone else.

Those who pursue the Great Path are naturally drawn to the glimmering lights of others traveling the same path.

Cang Shun sat down calmly, not feeling the slightest bit displeased.

An hour later.

Chen Moqing lowered his hands, his sleeves fluttering in the breeze, offering a slight smile to the great master of arrays, "Truly worthy of being a grandmaster of the array path. Thank you for your guidance, Elder."

Yun Buwan's calm gaze settled upon him, as if truly looking at him directly for the first time.

"Three months from now, during the sect trials, if you do not attain the top position, leave on your own."

With these words, she drifted away.

Chen Moqing turned around, the ends of his hair brushing past drifting bamboo leaves.

In a corner of the courtyard, the snowy-white beast sat quietly on the ground, its demonic eyes devoid of any ripples of emotion.

—For some unknown reason, the ground around this Demon Emperor had become pitted and uneven, covered in holes of various sizes, as if some very difficult-to-guess little creature had been randomly digging for an hour.

Chen Moqing walked over, gently took hold of the equally mud-splattered furry paw—also for some unknown reason—and gave it a slow shake.

"Let's go, to the training room."

"......"

After two seconds, he heard a low, faint voice: [Haven't you already sparred with someone else?]

Chen Moqing lowered his gaze to meet those emotionless demon eyes.

Human and demon locked eyes for several seconds. Then he raised his hand, his palm gently coming to rest amidst that soft fur.

"Elder Yun excels most in the array path. Seeking her advice has greatly advanced my own attainment in array formations."

His voice was clear, pleasant, and steady, spoken in a measured tone.

"The Demon Emperor's mastery of attack and warfare surpasses all other cultivators in this world. Sparring with you has likewise been immensely beneficial to me. With your guidance, my cultivation may advance by leaps and bounds."

As he spoke, he saw the beast ears of the snowy-white little creature, which had been slightly drooping, gradually perk up bit by bit. Those cold, glass-like crimson demon eyes also blinked slowly a couple of times, becoming clear and bright.

"So, I humbly request the Demon Emperor's continued instruction."

[...Very well.]

Cang Shun slowly turned his head, tail slightly raised, and declared with perfect composure.

[Since you've put it that way, then, I will spar with you.]

[Even for a long time is fine.]

Chen Moqing smiled and reached out.

The snowy-white beast swiftly burrowed into his embrace, settling on his arm, its slender tail swaying back and forth, occasionally brushing against his robe.

After a while, it lifted its head to look into those ink-black eyes holding a faint trace of laughter, gazing unblinkingly for a moment, then wagged its tail again.

Chen Moqing patted the little head of this Demon Emperor, stepped over the fallen leaves in the courtyard, and together with him, walked towards the bamboo grove and stream.

...

Three months later, the entrance disciple trials.

Within the broad training grounds, several high-ranking sect members sat upon a high platform, observing the disciples below.

"Among this batch of new disciples, there are quite a few outstanding ones, I hear? There's even a genius with eight spiritual roots? Even in the upper prefecture, he wouldn't lose to the proud talents of the great sects."

"That's Xiao Mo, Elder Duan's personal disciple. He truly carries the bearing of Elder Duan in his youth."

Duan Ya smiled smugly, "You flatter me."

The trials soon commenced. Dozens of newly entered disciples took to the dueling platforms one by one. The grounds around were filled with seated senior disciples watching the matches, erupting in cheers and applause or disdainful jeers from time to time.

"As expected of Xiao Mo! Having entered the sect for only three months, he far surpasses the other disciples of his generation!"

"I think the outcome is already decided. The champion this time is bound to be Xiao Mo! Elder Duan is truly a masterful teacher!"

Amidst the continuous praise, Duan Ya grew increasingly smug, watching with satisfaction as his eight-rooted genius disciple stood undefeated on the platform, crushing all opposition.

"Hey, look at the southeast platform! That disciple isn't bad either! He can activate arrays instantly, his technique is quite proficient!"

The training grounds had four dueling platforms, with matches occurring simultaneously. In the southeast corner, a young black-clothed array cultivator stood firm on his platform, having already won three consecutive matches.

Duan Ya caught sight of that face, and his eyes immediately turned cold. He let out a scoffing ‘Hmph’, "A fine exterior hiding rotten insides."

The others, seeing his expression, quickly changed their tune, hurriedly agreeing, "Right, he's ultimately only at Qi Refinement stage. Xiao Mo broke through to Foundation Establishment just last month!"

"I think that Qi Refinement disciple is nothing special. He'll definitely lose in the next round!"

"...Uh, his opponent in the next round is at Qi Refinement peak, so he's bound to lose..."

"...The next match is against a genius with six spiritual roots! He's definitely going to lose!"

"......"

The final platform match remained, with only two undefeated contestants left.

Chi Fei. Xiao Mo.

Xiao Jibai produced a folding fan, fluttering it gracefully, "I never expected Junior Brother Chi to make it this far. Truly remarkable."

He blinked at his opponent, "Don't be afraid. I'll go easy on you."

High in the sky, the invisible Cang Shun heard these words and let out a cold snort, looking toward Chen Moqing.

Sensing the gaze of a certain Demon Emperor, Chen Moqing glanced up slightly, meeting his eyes.

The snowy-white little beast floating in the air raised a paw.

It wanted to slap this insect to death with one strike.

Chen Moqing withdrew his gaze.

Not allowed.

Cang Shun: ...Hmph.

Fuming, it continued to float in the air, watching the match.

"Senior Brother Xiao! Defeat him!"

"Senior Brother Xiao is sure to win the championship!"

"Brother Chi will definitely win!"

Amidst the crowd, Chu Luo waved his fist high, his voice quickly drowned out by the waves of premature congratulations for ‘Xiao Mo’.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Xiao! We've won!"

Overlapping cheers and clamor swelled. Xiao Jibai calmly basked in this grand acclaim, standing atop the platform, looking down upon the masses.

He never feared combat, much less worried about losing. Since coming to this world, he had only ever truly lost to one person.

—His Eldest Senior Brother, Chen Moqing.

That man was a towering mountain he could never hope to reach. Even with the help of the system's tools, he couldn't compare to a single sword stroke from him.

What an astonishing, unparalleled sword stroke it was—encompassing all phenomena under heaven, a single strike to slay demons, turning the tide to save the mortal realm.

All this… shouldn't it belong to him, the protagonist?

That's why he didn't hesitate to mortgage his future, using installment payments over six hundred years' worth of points, to send his eldest senior brother on his way.

It really was hard to bear… after all, Eldest Senior Brother was the person who had treated him best since he arrived in this world.

Xiao Jibai smiled faintly.

Perhaps he would miss him for a lifetime.

High in the sky, a pair of cold, scarlet demon eyes looked down indifferently.

Cang Shun gazed down from his lofty vantage point at the insect he had loathed at first sight, once again catching a disgusting stench emanating from him.

A scent of decay, seeping out from within, clinging and inescapable.

"It truly pains my heart. To face each other with swords drawn as fellow sect members."

Xiao Jibai stepped forward unhurriedly, folding his fan and standing with casual grace, "Come then!"

A gentle breeze brushed past his robes, outlining his slender figure. Chen Moqing slightly raised his hand, "Please."

His silhouette reflected in Cang Shun's eyes was like a verdant bamboo amidst the forest, bathed in clear wind and bright moonlight—captivating with just a single glance.

Xiao Jibai brought two fingers together, forming a seal with one hand, and laughed, "Watch closely, Junior Brother, for this move of mine! Its name is—Shaqing*!"

*t/n; 殺青 (Shāqīng), it's also can be translate to ‘Final Cut’ or ‘Final Strike’.

Thump!

The array activated.

Xiao Jibai was flung heavily off the high platform.

Face down, he crashed into the ground, sinking into a deep pit.

The entire arena fell deathly silent, not a sound to be heard.

"......"

Xiao Jibai's mind went blank. It took a good while before it laboriously started working again.

...Wait, what just happened?

How is this possible?! How could this be?!

Struggling, he lifted his face, wracked with pain. Warm fluid slid down from his forehead, blurring his left eye. He instinctively shut one eye, the remaining one seeing clearly—

That tall, straight-backed cultivator in black stood upon the high platform, his back to the bright sky and blazing sun, his eyes lowered slightly, gazing down at him calmly and from a lofty height.

"You have conceded graciously."

–

TL: Muji

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