LABMY CH109

When Jian Yuanbai told Mu Jingzhuo to escape with the Cloud-Stepping Foal, he never expected this scene to unfold.

Somehow, the little spoon had managed to lure hundreds of Ironback Ape Beasts from the depths of the forest. In order to attract the beasts, Mu Jingzhuo had to fly low, allowing branches to slash across his pale face, leaving streaks of blood. Yet, as he leaned forward on the foal’s back, his eyes shone with astonishing brilliance, and in those beautiful eyes, there was only one person—Jian Yuanbai.

Grabbing Mu Jingzhuo’s hand, Jian Yuanbai flipped onto the foal’s back. Though surrounded by two Nascent Soul and three Golden Core cultivators, his heart suddenly skipped two beats.

Meanwhile, Mu Jingzhuo focused on controlling the Cloud-Stepping Foal, relentlessly chasing after the One-Eyed Mercenary Group.

The Ironback Ape Beasts were mid-tier, low-level demonic beasts, roughly equivalent to Golden Core cultivators. One or two would be easy for a Nascent Soul cultivator to handle, but facing a horde of over a hundred, even with two Nascent Soul cultivators, the mercenary group could only flee in panic.

Those too slow to mount their flying eagles were instantly crushed into pulp by the stampeding apes.

“Run! Run in the opposite direction!”

The captain of the One-Eyed Mercenary Group roared, “He’s covered in Golden Wound Powder! Stay away from him!”

Golden Wound Powder was a common healing medicine that, when applied to wounds, would rapidly solidify into a golden crust. However, it also contained an herb that was highly attractive to mating-season Ironback Ape Beasts.

But how could Mu Jingzhuo give them a chance to escape? The trees in the deep valley were tall and dense, making it difficult for the mercenaries to move swiftly. Mu Jingzhuo’s face was already marked with several cuts as he targeted the weakest member—the young captain.

On his third pass over the young captain, Mu Jingzhuo swiftly stripped off his outer robe and threw it directly onto the young captain.

Then, with a burst of spiritual energy, he lashed the Cloud-Stepping Foal, speeding away.

Mu Jingzhuo pressed a hand on Jian Yuanbai’s arm and said, “Hold me tighter.”

Jian Yuanbai obeyed, wrapping his arm around Mu Jingzhuo’s waist. However, in the next moment, he was stunned to see the person in his arms start kicking off his shoes and pulling off his pants.

“I spilled Golden Wound Powder all over myself. I’m not sure if my pants are contaminated,” Mu Jingzhuo explained with a sigh of relief after stripping down.

Now, with his outer robe discarded, shoes kicked off, and pants abandoned, only his long inner garment barely covered his thighs.

Jian Yuanbai’s expression became complicated. “Didn’t I tell you to run? Why did you come back?”

Mu Jingzhuo turned to him and winked. “Didn’t I promise that if you were ever hunted down, I’d protect you?”

He added with a smirk, “I wonder who it was that said, ‘Talk to me again when you reach Golden Core.’”

Jian Yuanbai raised his hands in surrender. “My bad. I shouldn’t have underestimated our little spoon.”

His eyes glimmered with amusement, yet he said nothing about how he could’ve easily escaped on his own.

Mu Jingzhuo snorted and tossed the fruit in his hand to Jian Yuanbai. “Here, your Golden Cloud Qilin Fruit.”

Jian Yuanbai caught the fruit in surprise. “You’re not keeping it?”

“I’m only at the high stage of Qi Refining. Who knows when I’ll even need this? You’re already at the Nascent Soul stage—it suits you better.”

“The fruit is only effective for cultivators below the Soul Transformation stage, isn’t it?”

Mu Jingzhuo thought for a moment and said, “If you can use this to reach Soul Transformation, it won’t be a wasted trip.”

Jian Yuanbai flicked him on the forehead. “Have you forgotten? Your father’s reward for this mission was the Infant Shattering Pill. Just keep this for yourself.”

Mu Jingzhuo shook his head. “The Infant Shattering Pill only increases the success rate of breaking through to Soul Transformation by ten percent, while the Golden Cloud Qilin Fruit directly boosts cultivation by half a realm. You know which one is more valuable.”

“Besides, without you, I wouldn’t have been able to get it. This fruit was never mine to begin with.”

Seeing how serious Mu Jingzhuo was, Jian Yuanbai no longer argued and stored the fruit in his spatial ring, planning to return it to Mu Jingzhuo once he reached the Nascent Soul stage.

By the time they were certain the mercenaries could no longer catch up, the two finally stopped to rest.

Mu Jingzhuo’s inner garment barely reached above his knees, exposing his fair, slender legs. With his shoes discarded, his pale, round toes pressed against the ground, revealing a hint of nervousness.

“Do you have any spare clothes in your spatial ring?” he asked.

Jian Yuanbai thought to himself, “My chance has finally come.” But on the surface, he remained calm and said, “Let me check.”

Only the owner of a spatial ring could see what was inside. Jian Yuanbai closed his eyes, pretending to search with his divine sense.

When he opened his eyes again, a light blue dress appeared in his hand. “This is all I have.”

Mu Jingzhuo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You’re telling me you didn’t bring a single spare robe when you left home?”

Gritting his teeth, he growled, “I don’t believe you.”

Jian Yuanbai explained calmly, “You know, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, the clothes I wear aren’t ordinary garments but rather magical artifacts. They can withstand a full-force attack from a Nascent Soul cultivator without me getting hurt, so there’s no need to change clothes.”

“After all, as cultivators, we can simply use a Cleansing Technique to remove dirt and dust from our clothes.”

Mu Jingzhuo eyed him suspiciously. “But I can’t sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from your clothes.”

Jian Yuanbai remained unfazed. “Your cultivation level is too low. It’s perfectly normal that you can’t sense it.”

“Otherwise, would you be able to see through my true cultivation level if I didn’t want you to?”

His reasoning was flawless. Mu Jingzhuo stared at the light blue dress for three seconds before firmly declaring, “I’m not wearing it.”

Jian Yuanbai didn’t push him and simply stored the dress back in his spatial ring. “Suit yourself.”

“It’s just that… in the Yunding Mountains, countless people come and go every day. If you run into someone on the way…”

He deliberately let his words trail off while glancing meaningfully at Mu Jingzhuo’s bare legs.

Mu Jingzhuo’s face darkened instantly. He was now faced with two equally humiliating choices: either walk through the Yunding Mountains with bare legs and risk being seen by others, or wear the dress and… still lose face.

Faced with this dilemma, Mu Jingzhuo couldn’t decide which option was more embarrassing.

Jian Yuanbai added at the right moment, “If you put on the dress and pretend to be mute when we meet others, no one will suspect a thing.”

He asked, but his tone was already certain. “So, are you wearing it or not?”

After a long silence, Mu Jingzhuo huffed and stretched out his hand. “Give me the dress.”

Leaning against a thick tree trunk, Jian Yuanbai’s eyes were filled with satisfaction as Mu Jingzhuo reluctantly changed behind the tree.

“Are you done yet?”

Mu Jingzhuo stepped out from behind the tree and said, “Let’s go.”

Dressed in the light blue dress, the hem fluttering gently in the breeze, Mu Jingzhuo let down his hair, allowing the long, dark locks to cascade down his shoulders. His fair face, still streaked with blood, was adorned with faint droplets of crimson that stood out against his pale skin.

Jian Yuanbai remained silent, causing Mu Jingzhuo to feel a bit uneasy. He tugged at the dress and asked with embarrassment, “What… is it that strange?”

Jian Yuanbai shook his head. “You look good.”

As he spoke, he stepped forward and gently wiped the blood from Mu Jingzhuo’s face with his fingertips. Their eyes met, and Mu Jingzhuo thought Jian Yuanbai was about to say something more, but instead, he simply let go.

His reaction was so calm that it made Mu Jingzhuo feel even more uncomfortable. “So… this dress really wasn’t prepared for me?”

“Why would you think that?” Jian Yuanbai countered with a straight face. “Do I look like that kind of person to you?”

“This dress was actually bought for my wife.”

Mu Jingzhuo was stunned. “Your… wife?”

“If it’s for an elderly lady, this kind of dress wouldn’t really suit her.”

Jian Yuanbai thought for a moment and explained, “No, I mean my Dao companion—the one I’ll spend my life cultivating alongside.”

In that moment, an inexplicable sense of disappointment surged in Mu Jingzhuo’s heart. He couldn’t understand where this feeling came from, so he subconsciously brushed it off and asked curiously, “You already have a Dao companion?”

Unexpectedly, Jian Yuanbai replied, “No, it’s for my future Dao companion.”

Mu Jingzhuo: “…”

Who on earth buys clothes for a future Dao companion they haven’t even met yet?

While he silently complained, the strange feeling of disappointment within him quietly dissipated.

Jian Yuanbai glanced at Mu Jingzhuo’s bare, mud-stained feet and said, “Get on the foal. I don’t have any shoes in my spatial ring. If you step on something sharp, it’ll be troublesome.”

In the dense forest, sunlight filtered through the thick canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. A delicate “young maiden” in a flowing light blue dress sat atop a tall, snow-white Cloud-Stepping Foal, her legs swinging gently. Beside her, a tall, handsome man with an air of elegance led the horse forward. The scene was so peaceful that it seemed as if they were out for a leisurely spring outing, not traversing the perilous Yunding Mountains.

This was the sight that greeted Wu Ningning when she stumbled upon them.

“Senior?” Her eyes first fell on Jian Yuanbai before shifting to the “young girl” on horseback.

Mu Jingzhuo stiffened instantly and, in a flash, leaped off the foal and dove straight into Jian Yuanbai’s arms, attempting to hide his face.

In a mountain range as vast as the Yunding Mountains, how could they run into someone they knew?

Jian Yuanbai instinctively caught Mu Jingzhuo in his arms, but it was already too late.

Wu Ningning hesitated for a moment before asking, “Is that… Sister Mu?”

Mu Jingzhuo’s eyes widened in shock. Hidden in Jian Yuanbai’s embrace, he clenched his fists and pinched Jian Yuanbai’s waist, silently pleading for him to explain.

Jian Yuanbai smoothly played along, “Yes, we’re Dao companions.”

Mu Jingzhuo snapped his head up in disbelief, his expression resembling a startled little animal.

Jian Yuanbai transmitted his voice directly to him, “Didn’t you want me to cover for you?”

Mu Jingzhuo was so furious he could hardly speak. Unable to use voice transmission himself, he could only snort and turn away with a pout. “We’re not Dao companions.”

Jian Yuanbai coaxed, “Alright, alright. We’re not. We’re siblings, okay?”

Wu Ningning chuckled softly, “You two have such a great bond.”

Her eyes carried a hint of curiosity as she tried to discern whether the person in the dress was male or female. That day in the tavern, she hadn’t paid much attention to Mu Jingzhuo, so she couldn’t recall clearly.

However, with Mu Jingzhuo leaning against Jian Yuanbai’s chest, her view was blocked, and she couldn’t see clearly.

With such a clear and crisp voice, if this was a woman, there was indeed an air of elegance and charm.

Although she had some interest in the handsome Jian Yuanbai, she wasn’t the type to interfere with a couple. So, she politely asked, “Since we’ve met, it must be fate. We’re about to leave the Yunding Mountains. Would you two like to join us?”

“I’ve hired some mercenaries who are quite familiar with the area.”

Jian Yuanbai flatly refused, “No need. Farewell.”

Mu Jingzhuo noticed Wu Ningning’s probing gaze and subtly shifted his body to block her view.

Jian Yuanbai wrapped one arm around Mu Jingzhuo, tugged the reins with the other, and once again parted ways with Wu Ningning. Only when they had walked far enough did he leisurely say, “Little Spoon, I’m afraid you’ve lost your chance with Wu Ningning.”

Mu Jingzhuo was confused. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

“She already thinks you’re a girl. Naturally, there’s no chance,” Jian Yuanbai chuckled. “I didn’t expect to run into her in the Yunding Mountains. Truly unfortunate timing for you to be wearing a dress.”

Mu Jingzhuo shot him a deep glance. Anyone with eyes could see that Wu Ningning was interested in him, yet this man was here, gloating at his “bad timing.”

To Mu Jingzhuo, the embarrassment of being seen in a dress was nothing compared to this man effortlessly pushing away a girl who clearly liked him.

“You…” Mu Jingzhuo hesitated before saying, “I don’t think your future Dao companion will ever show up.”

Jian Yuanbai raised an eyebrow. “Why?”

Mu Jingzhuo didn’t answer. With this guy’s EQ when dealing with women, if he ever found a Dao companion in this lifetime, Mu Jingzhuo would admit defeat.

As night fell, the Yunding Mountains became even more dangerous for cultivators. Jian Yuanbai and Mu Jingzhuo found a cave to rest in.

Mu Jingzhuo, still at the high stage of Qi Refining, couldn’t go without sleep, so the task of keeping watch naturally fell to Jian Yuanbai.

What Mu Jingzhuo didn’t know was that after he fell asleep, the man beside him quietly set up a protective barrier and vanished without a trace.

In a city outside the Yunding Mountains, the Treasure Pavilion welcomed an unusual late-night guest.

The Treasure Pavilion catered exclusively to cultivators, selling pills, magical artifacts, cultivation techniques, and other resources. The shopkeeper, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, stared at the hundreds of recording crystals piled before him, somewhat uncertain. “Fellow Daoist, are you sure you want to buy all of these?”

Recording crystals weren’t exactly expensive, but they weren’t cheap either. Each one cost a hundred mid-grade spirit stones, and this pile in front of him was the entire stock of the Treasure Pavilion.

Jian Yuanbai said decisively, “I’ll take them all.”

Ever since his little spoon turned into a steel spoon, he could only rely on these to reminisce about the past.

When he returned to the cave with a pile of recording crystals, only a single incense stick’s worth of time had passed. Mu Jingzhuo was still sleeping soundly against the cave wall, completely unaware that the man beside him had left and returned.

The firelight flickered, casting a warm, orange glow on Mu Jingzhuo’s sleeping face. His cheeks were flushed, and the hem of his light blue dress pooled on the ground, making him look like a delicate sea spirit who had emerged from the deep sea, seeking warmth.

Jian Yuanbai held up the recording crystal and began capturing the scene from various angles. Still unsatisfied, he snapped his fingers, and countless specks of starlight illuminated the cave, forming a glittering galaxy.

However, in the recording crystal, all those stars became mere background to the figure in light blue.

“You’re actually quite creepy sometimes.”

A voice echoed in his head, startling Jian Yuanbai. “Where exactly am I being creepy?”

The system spoke with a deep, meaningful tone: “Right now. Very creepy.”

Jian Yuanbai defended himself righteously, “Isn’t it perfectly reasonable for a master to preserve memories of his disciple before he starts cultivating the Body Tempering Technique?”

The system questioned, “Are you really going to give him the Body Tempering Technique?”

Jian Yuanbai replied matter-of-factly, “Once he reaches Foundation Establishment, I’ll have him start cultivating it. We agreed on that from the beginning.”

The system asked again, “If you’re truly training him, why are you interfering with his relationship with Wu Ningning?”

Jian Yuanbai was puzzled. “How are these two things related?”

“Having too many wives is troublesome. As his master, it’s only right for me to screen his romantic interests.”

The system fell silent.

A person who hadn’t even figured out his own feelings was somehow able to instinctively cut off Mu Jingzhuo’s romantic prospects. Jian Yuanbai’s odd intuition was terrifyingly accurate.

Jian Yuanbai continued fiddling with the recording crystal and muttered, “Once Little Spoon finds his true love in the future, I’ll give them a copy of this recording as a gift from me as his master.”

The system: “…”

Jian Yuanbai and Mu Jingzhuo traveled through the Yunding Mountains without further incident and eventually reached the exit.

However, Mu Jingzhuo, a true protagonist in the making, astonishingly broke through to Foundation Establishment just before leaving the mountains. Even Jian Yuanbai was a bit surprised.

Reaching Foundation Establishment meant Mu Jingzhuo could officially start cultivating the Body Tempering Technique.

By the time they reached Wuwang Peak, it would be the day Jian Yuanbai, as a master, would pass on the technique.

As soon as they left the mountains, the first thing Mu Jingzhuo did was change out of the dress. Jian Yuanbai watched him with a smile, but in his heart, he was already plotting ways to extend their journey.

Just as they were about to set off again, news spread that the Qingyun Fudi would open ahead of schedule.

Originally set to open in six months, the Fudi (Blessed Land) had recently shown unusual activity, not only opening early but also allowing more people to enter than ever before.

However, the restriction remained: only cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage could enter.

Mu Jingzhuo turned to Jian Yuanbai and said, “My master made a bet with the Sect Master of the Wenxian Sect, so I can’t go to Wuwang Peak just yet. I need to enter the Qingyun Fudi first.”

He hesitated for a moment and then added, “When my father hired you, the agreement was to escort me to Wuwang Peak. But now that the destination has changed, I’ll make sure my father pays you in full—”

Before he could finish, the proud young master slightly raised his chin, eyes avoiding Jian Yuanbai’s gaze. “The deal was to take me to Wuwang Peak, so you have to accompany me to the Qingyun Fudi first. After it closes, you can take me to Wuwang Peak.”

Though he knew his request was unreasonable, the redness creeping up his ears betrayed his nervousness. In Jian Yuanbai’s eyes, this only made him more adorable.

Jian Yuanbai, of course, had no intention of letting Mu Jingzhuo, who had just reached Foundation Establishment, enter the Qingyun Fudi alone. He replied with a smile, “Naturally.”

The Fudi opening ahead of schedule aligned perfectly with Jian Yuanbai’s plan to extend their journey.

The mercenary, Jian Yuanbai, showed no hint of frustration about the additional task. Instead, his lips curved into a satisfied smile.

However, after checking the map, he realized that the Qingyun Fudi wasn’t far from their current location. The smile on his face faded slightly.

Mu Jingzhuo, unaware of his internal struggles, said as they traveled, “Although I don’t know why the Fudi is opening early, being able to see my master sooner isn’t too bad, right?”

Jian Yuanbai stiffened. “…Your master is going too?”

Mu Jingzhuo nodded. “Of course. My master and the Wenxian Sect’s Sect Master made a bet. I told you earlier, didn’t I?”

The system sneered, “Oh ho… good luck.”

If he didn’t show up, it would seem like he was backing down from the challenge he made in the Wenxian Sect’s grand hall that day. But if he did go, he’d have to play two roles by himself. Jian Yuanbai’s expression darkened completely.

The Qingyun Fudi was actually the cave estate left behind by an Ascension-stage cultivator. Once a year, the formation protecting the land would weaken, allowing only cultivators below Foundation Establishment to enter without being attacked. Those with higher cultivation who forcefully entered would risk causing the entire Fudi to collapse. As a result, it was treated as a rare opportunity for young disciples from various sects to gain experience.

The Wangyun Sect, as the leading sect, distributed the entry slots among the participating sects and left a portion for rogue cultivators. This was the usual arrangement for entering the Fudi each year.

The system watched as the Fudi gradually came into view and asked, “So, what’s your plan?”

Jian Yuanbai replied, “Once a cultivator reaches the Soul Transformation stage, they can form a clone. However, while I can control both bodies simultaneously, the clone lacks consciousness and speech. It’s more like a puppet.”

Before arriving at the Fudi with Mu Jingzhuo, Jian Yuanbai secretly released his clone in advance.

The clone, controlled by his divine sense, looked identical to him. Other than not being able to speak on its own, it was no different from the original. As he traveled with Mu Jingzhuo, Jian Yuanbai simultaneously manipulated the clone, which appeared at the entrance of the Fudi wearing a mask.

Before the Fudi opened, the area appeared as a vast, emerald-green grassland with clear skies and a serene atmosphere. The moment Jian Yuanbai’s masked clone appeared, countless sects waiting there immediately took notice.

A group of cultivators dressed in light gray robes embroidered with silver cloud patterns on their sleeves stepped forward, led by a Wangyun Sect elder. They respectfully cupped their hands and greeted, “Sect Master.”

The young disciples behind the elder looked at Jian Yuanbai with admiration and called out in unison, “Sect Master!”

Since the clone couldn’t speak, Jian Yuanbai inserted his divine sense to control it and gave a cold nod.

The elder seemed accustomed to this aloof demeanor and obediently led the disciples to stand behind him.

By the time Mu Jingzhuo arrived at the Fudi, his eyes immediately locked onto the tall, striking figure standing among the crowd.

Amidst the sea of cultivators, that man stood out like a crane among chickens.

“Master!” Mu Jingzhuo’s eyes lit up with excitement as he charged forward and threw himself into the man’s arms, drawing countless stunned gazes from the surrounding cultivators.

Jian Yuanbai looked at the person clinging to him with sparkling eyes and gently ruffled his fluffy hair. “Little Spoon.”

At the moment Mu Jingzhuo rushed toward him, Jian Yuanbai had already infused his divine sense into the clone’s body.

This heartless brat… the moment he saw his master, he completely forgot about the person who had traveled with him all the way here.

Behind them, the Wangyun Sect elder’s expression turned utterly incredulous.

The sect master, who was known for cultivating the ruthless path and never showing any emotions, was now holding a disciple and calling him “Little Spoon” with such tenderness?

Unheard of.

Before the elder could even step forward to inquire, the Wenxian Sect’s Sect Master, Shi Yun, arrived with her disciples.

As soon as Shen Zhilan, the Wenxian Sect’s first disciple, saw Mu Jingzhuo, her expression shifted with shock. “It’s only been a few months, and you’ve already reached Foundation Establishment?”

Her words instantly caused an uproar among the surrounding sects.

Although she hadn’t explicitly said it, the fact that this young man, who just called the Wangyun Sect Master “Master,” had already broken through to Foundation Establishment was now known to everyone.

In that moment, the system’s cold, mechanical voice echoed in Jian Yuanbai’s mind:

“Ding! Mission activated: Please have the protagonist, Mu Jingzhuo, say the classic line—
‘Back then, I told you: thirty years on the east bank of the river, thirty years on the west. The one you humiliated before the entire clan has now caught up to your cultivation in just a few months.’

‘And you, the Wenxian Sect’s first disciple, who everyone praises as a genius… well, I don’t think you’re that impressive after all.’”

The system paused dramatically and added with a heavy sigh,

“You’re doomed. I told you… revealing your identity as his master this early was a mistake.”

As the Wangyun Sect’s first disciple, Mu Jingzhuo’s status had skyrocketed, making it nearly impossible for him to walk the classic “rising from the bottom” path of a true protagonist.

The system could already foresee Mu Jingzhuo saying those cringe-inducing lines and digging his own grave.

“If he really says this, once Little Spoon transforms into Steel Spoon, he’s definitely going to overthrow his master.”

At that moment, the disciples from all the major sects were staring at Mu Jingzhuo in shock, while Shen Zhilan’s expression grew increasingly ugly.

Mu Jingzhuo, however, didn’t even glance at her. He was still clinging to Jian Yuanbai’s waist, looking up at him with bright, sparkling eyes.

Jian Yuanbai: “…”

System: “Hold him back! Hold him back! The classic protagonist speech is about to come out!”

However, what Mu Jingzhuo actually said was—

“Master, I’ve missed you so much!”

Jian Yuanbai was stunned.

The system was also stunned.

The system: “Wait… that’s it?? Where’s the ‘thirty years on the east bank of the river’ line? Where’s the arrogance? Where’s the face-slapping moment??”

Mu Jingzhuo hugged Jian Yuanbai even tighter and whispered, “I broke through to Foundation Establishment, so I can start cultivating the Body Tempering Technique now.”

Jian Yuanbai’s heart softened instantly.

He gently patted the little spoon’s head and said warmly, “Good job.”

The system: “…”

While the onlookers were still processing what had just happened, Mu Jingzhuo turned to Jian Yuanbai and asked seriously, “Master, will you enter the Fudi with me this time?”

Jian Yuanbai: “…”

No.

Because the one standing here… isn’t actually me.

But facing Mu Jingzhuo’s expectant gaze, Jian Yuanbai nodded lightly.

Meanwhile, the system nearly collapsed from laughter:

“Hahahahahaha! You’re dead! You’ve dug yourself into this hole. Now you have to play two roles inside the Qingyun Fudi. One as the ‘mercenary,’ and one as the ‘sect master.’ Good luck keeping up.”

Jian Yuanbai’s expression turned cold.

The system continued to gloat, “And you wanted to extend the journey? Congratulations. You’ve successfully turned this trip into a ‘two-man stage play.’ Enjoy the show, dear Sect Master.”