For the first time since the disciples had been told to go to the border region, Mei Chao Bing felt a sense of panic. He had been able to calmly accept the way he was slandered before or knowing that his Master was close by. He could also deal with knowing that he had been picked up specifically because he had a special constitution that now endangered the whole cultivation world. He could even contemplate taking his own life to save everyone without feeling too much regret. But knowing that his inability to use this constitution of his could kill Yun Bei Fen or get him hurt? He couldn’t accept that.
So far, he had still thought that he could prevent this from happening. Even if his Master had planned for a long time and even if he was much stronger and more experienced than him, there was still time to plan and there might be opportunities along the way he could take advantage of. He had even thought that, in the worst case, he could just give in and do as his Master wished as long as it could keep his Fen’er alive.
Unfortunately, the latter relied on how useful he was to his Master. If he could use his constitution to give him what he wanted, then until that was done, Yun Bei Fen would definitely be kept alive. Afterward, there might still be an opportunity to survive. After all, just strengthening a few people also only had a limited effect. With this kind of constitution, he’d be useful for a long time. As a result, they would keep Yun Bei Fen alive to threaten him further. This way, even if he couldn’t give him a good life, he could at least guarantee his survival.
Now, he wasn’t able to actually use his constitution though. He couldn’t separate any different types of energy and he couldn’t take them in to test what he was able to do. And all of this was happening while there were only a few more days left until he had to be ready. If he stood in front of his Master this way, what did he have to offer? Maybe Yun Bei Fen would be killed in a fit of rage.
The longer he thought, the more uncomfortable Mei Chao Bing felt. His brows furrowed tightly. He tried not to think about it but it was difficult to push off the thought after it had come up once. After all, to him, Yun Bei Fen’s life was the most important matter. He really didn’t care that much about anything else.
Opposite him, Song Mu’s expression changed. He flew to his side and hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. “Ah Bing, don’t.”
Mei Chao Bing turned to look at him, some confusion showing in his eyes.
Song Mu could only click his tongue. “You looked like you were about to suffer from a qi deviation if I didn’t interrupt you. Be careful, alright? There is still time and I am sure we can come up with something. I know it’s a lot and all of this is resting on your shoulders. It can’t be easy. But especially because of that, you have to keep a clear mind.”
Mei Chao Bing nodded slowly but then paused. Wait. Thinking of what Song Mu had just said … “When encountering a qi deviation, spiritual energy turns into demonic energy.”
Song Mu nodded and then paused as well. “That means they are two different kinds of energy. Well, that does explain why you’re so important to the demonic side. You should be able to transfer energy from anywhere to anyone: From nature to a cultivator, from righteous cultivators to demonic cultivators, between two demonic cultivators, back from a cultivator to nature … The possibilities are endless.”
Mei Chao Bing nodded but his mind wasn’t quite there. Instead, he thought back to the southern chasm: The energy there was that of vengeful spirits, definitely not the same as regular spiritual energy. And then, there had been that feeling he got at the far edge of the chasm which should indeed be another type.
This was proof that not only there were different kinds of energy but that he was actually able to differentiate them. He might not be able to pick out those that were close to spiritual energy in nature because he was too used to it but when it came to other forms, he could pick them out easily. This also meant that he had no reason to worry. If the worst scenario truly happened, he’d be able to do as his Master asked for Yun Bei Fen’s sake.
Realizing this, he truly calmed down again and his mind cleared. Yes, not figuring this out now wasn’t perfect but he wasn’t at the end of his rope yet. He could do this. He could think of an alternative. He just had to ponder more deeply. Just a small jolt to his memory had reminded him of so many things just now which should have been obvious at first glance but he had overlooked them because he wasn’t calm enough. Since he was on the right track now though, it should be easier to figure out a new path.
Energy … he sank back to the ground and held his sword tightly, thinking of the very basics he had once learned. This was what he should go back to. As long as he started from the beginning, he could find a clue. He was sure of that.
Song Mu followed him and kept quiet. He knew Mei Chao Bing well so he was able to glean from his expression just how deep in thought he was. Just a few moments more and his friend might actually grasp something.
Finally, just as expected, Mei Chao Bing’s eyes lit up. “I have an idea!” Without waiting, he grabbed Song Mu’s arm and pulled him back to the town. Right now, he simply couldn’t wait. They had to hurry and try. Then, they would be one step closer to figuring this whole mess out.
For the first time since the disciples had been told to go to the border region, Mei Chao Bing felt a sense of panic. He had been able to calmly accept the way he was slandered before or knowing that his Master was close by. He could also deal with knowing that he had been picked up specifically because he had a special constitution that now endangered the whole cultivation world. He could even contemplate taking his own life to save everyone without feeling too much regret. But knowing that his inability to use this constitution of his could kill Yun Bei Fen or get him hurt? He couldn’t accept that.
So far, he had still thought that he could prevent this from happening. Even if his Master had planned for a long time and even if he was much stronger and more experienced than him, there was still time to plan and there might be opportunities along the way he could take advantage of. He had even thought that, in the worst case, he could just give in and do as his Master wished as long as it could keep his Fen’er alive.
Unfortunately, the latter relied on how useful he was to his Master. If he could use his constitution to give him what he wanted, then until that was done, Yun Bei Fen would definitely be kept alive. Afterward, there might still be an opportunity to survive. After all, just strengthening a few people also only had a limited effect. With this kind of constitution, he’d be useful for a long time. As a result, they would keep Yun Bei Fen alive to threaten him further. This way, even if he couldn’t give him a good life, he could at least guarantee his survival.
Now, he wasn’t able to actually use his constitution though. He couldn’t separate any different types of energy and he couldn’t take them in to test what he was able to do. And all of this was happening while there were only a few more days left until he had to be ready. If he stood in front of his Master this way, what did he have to offer? Maybe Yun Bei Fen would be killed in a fit of rage.
The longer he thought, the more uncomfortable Mei Chao Bing felt. His brows furrowed tightly. He tried not to think about it but it was difficult to push off the thought after it had come up once. After all, to him, Yun Bei Fen’s life was the most important matter. He really didn’t care that much about anything else.
Opposite him, Song Mu’s expression changed. He flew to his side and hurriedly grabbed his sleeve. “Ah Bing, don’t.”
Mei Chao Bing turned to look at him, some confusion showing in his eyes.
Song Mu could only click his tongue. “You looked like you were about to suffer from a qi deviation if I didn’t interrupt you. Be careful, alright? There is still time and I am sure we can come up with something. I know it’s a lot and all of this is resting on your shoulders. It can’t be easy. But especially because of that, you have to keep a clear mind.”
Mei Chao Bing nodded slowly but then paused. Wait. Thinking of what Song Mu had just said … “When encountering a qi deviation, spiritual energy turns into demonic energy.”
Song Mu nodded and then paused as well. “That means they are two different kinds of energy. Well, that does explain why you’re so important to the demonic side. You should be able to transfer energy from anywhere to anyone: From nature to a cultivator, from righteous cultivators to demonic cultivators, between two demonic cultivators, back from a cultivator to nature … The possibilities are endless.”
Mei Chao Bing nodded but his mind wasn’t quite there. Instead, he thought back to the southern chasm: The energy there was that of vengeful spirits, definitely not the same as regular spiritual energy. And then, there had been that feeling he got at the far edge of the chasm which should indeed be another type.
This was proof that not only there were different kinds of energy but that he was actually able to differentiate them. He might not be able to pick out those that were close to spiritual energy in nature because he was too used to it but when it came to other forms, he could pick them out easily. This also meant that he had no reason to worry. If the worst scenario truly happened, he’d be able to do as his Master asked for Yun Bei Fen’s sake.
Realizing this, he truly calmed down again and his mind cleared. Yes, not figuring this out now wasn’t perfect but he wasn’t at the end of his rope yet. He could do this. He could think of an alternative. He just had to ponder more deeply. Just a small jolt to his memory had reminded him of so many things just now which should have been obvious at first glance but he had overlooked them because he wasn’t calm enough. Since he was on the right track now though, it should be easier to figure out a new path.
Energy … he sank back to the ground and held his sword tightly, thinking of the very basics he had once learned. This was what he should go back to. As long as he started from the beginning, he could find a clue. He was sure of that.
Song Mu followed him and kept quiet. He knew Mei Chao Bing well so he was able to glean from his expression just how deep in thought he was. Just a few moments more and his friend might actually grasp something.
Finally, just as expected, Mei Chao Bing’s eyes lit up. “I have an idea!” Without waiting, he grabbed Song Mu’s arm and pulled him back to the town. Right now, he simply couldn’t wait. They had to hurry and try. Then, they would be one step closer to figuring this whole mess out.
