Sick

Ye Qiu left the Tower District in high spirits. His strength had taken a tremendous leap, and his state of mind had undergone a tempering unlike any before!

At first, he had been no match for the Purple-Robed Apparition. It had suppressed him again and again—crushed him, really.

That had sapped some of his fighting spirit. There was a real gap between them.

But Chu Qianqiu had deliberately shown himself and tried to put Ye Qiu in his place. Instead, he had lit a fire in Ye Qiu.

That was the spirit he needed!

You think I can't do it?

You think a mere clone can keep me pinned down?

Fine!

Then I'll show you what I can do.

And I'll make you eat your words!

For three days and three nights, he had fought until he turned the tables and suppressed it instead!

Through that struggle, his Qi and Blood, cultivation, and Artistic Conception had all surged.

It had also strengthened Ye Qiu's conviction: if he was willing to act, willing to charge ahead, then what seemed impossible might not be so hard after all!

He might even do far better than he had imagined!

As his confidence grew, his state of mind naturally rose with it.

Night had fallen. A crescent moon hung in the sky as Ye Qiu walked out of the Academy in high spirits.

He asked inwardly, Brother Snake, how far am I from Dao Heart Clarity?

The Great Serpent was silent for a moment. "Why do you pursue Cultivation?"

Ye Qiu: "..."

That's three times now.

You've used the same question three times. Aren't you sick of it?

The Great Serpent asked, "Have you found a goal for your Cultivation?"

Ye Qiu thought for a moment. "To prove myself!"

That was it.

Ever since he had been driven out at seven and huddled in his grandfather's house, he had steeled his resolve. All he had ever wanted was to prove himself.

Ye Jiangshan had said he was no good, so he would show him. He would prove he was no worse than anyone else!

Chu Qianqiu thought he was no good? Then Ye Qiu would go back and use his fists to pin him down instead!

"Then you've attained clarity,"

the Great Serpent said.

Ye Qiu froze. Just like that?

"Dao Heart Clarity means knowing your goal and having the spirit to keep walking toward it," the Great Serpent said.

Ye Qiu nodded.

Then excitement welled up in him.

No wonder I feel so good. No wonder the whole world looks more agreeable.

No wonder my mind feels so clear and my senses so sharp.

Turns out I've finally grown some sense!

Good!

Lu Li has Dao Heart Clarity too, right?

But I'm still behind him in cultivation.

Lu Li reached Law Gathering ages ago.

I need to keep working.

But isn't that goal getting closer and closer?

Just remember: nothing is impossible.

Do it. Charge ahead. You'll make it!

Who the hell am I worse than?

The street ahead grew lively. Ye Qiu glanced over and instinctively prepared to avoid it.

The Listening Wind Tower!

But just as he was about to turn, he spotted a familiar figure standing outside.

Luo Ling!

Wu Xiaokai's formidable girlfriend!

What was she doing here?

Puzzled, he looked toward the Listening Wind Tower. His eyes lit up at once.

Wu Xiaokai!

He was slipping out of the Listening Wind Tower.

That little bastard!

Wasn't he about to get engaged?

And he still came to a place like this!

Hmph!

Caught red-handed this time, weren't you?

Served his damn ass right!

Still, they were brothers, and Ye Qiu knew all too well how miserable it felt to be beaten by a woman.

He walked over, intending to talk her down.

Then he saw Wu Xiaokai hurry up to Luo Ling and say softly, "Lingling, I only came to meet a friend, have a drink, and listen to some music... You know I'm too softhearted to refuse a friend. I really couldn't help it!"

"Really, you're the only one in my heart..."

Ye Qiu's face darkened.

Oh, give me a break!

Who doesn't know what you're like?

Besides, I can see that hickey on your neck!

That excuse is even flimsier than the one I gave back then. You think she'll believe you?

You've got to be joking...

"I know, Brother Kai. I believe you!" Luo Ling said.

Ye Qiu went blank.

His whole body stiffened.

Wu Xiaokai gave Luo Ling a quick kiss on the cheek. "Sweetheart, don't worry. I'll never come here again..."

Luo Ling said, "Well, I can't be with you for the next few days. I know you're built differently and might not be able to hold back... But if you come again, you have to tell me beforehand..."

Ye Qiu: "???"

"And you can't keep coming all the time. Seven days a month at most..."

Ye Qiu: "???"

Wu Xiaokai wrapped his arms around Luo Ling. "Sweetheart, don't worry. I would never do that. Six times at most! I swear!"

"Mmm," Luo Ling said.

Ye Qiu stood before them, staring at the pair, utterly lost in Feng...

His Dao Heart suddenly didn't seem so clear anymore...

"Come on, let's go home."

"My parents are coming tomorrow. When will your grandfather arrive?"

"In a few days... I've already made a reservation. Tomorrow we'll go to the Drunken Immortal Tower, the finest place in town."

"It's so expensive there."

"For you, Lingling, I'd do anything."

"Brother Kai, you're so good to me..."

"Oh, Brother Ye, what are you doing here?" The two came up to Ye Qiu hand in hand.

Ye Qiu glanced at Wu Xiaokai. The hickey on his neck stood out like a beacon.

He felt personally wounded.

"Let's head back together," Wu Xiaokai said, beckoning Ye Qiu along toward the Academy.

Once they reached the Academy, Luo Ling had something to do and left first. Ye Qiu continued on with Wu Xiaokai.

When they reached a quiet spot, Ye Qiu could no longer contain his curiosity. "How exactly did you pull that off?"

Wu Xiaokai looked at him for a long moment. "Would you believe me if I said I don't know?"

Ye Qiu glared at him.

"Maybe I'm just too charming?" Wu Xiaokai said.

Ye Qiu kept glaring.

Wu Xiaokai grinned. "Or maybe I'm just lucky."

Ye Qiu felt as though he had been stabbed in the ribs again...

They walked on past a Great Martial Arena. Even at this hour, it was crowded.

The Academy truly had an excellent atmosphere for Cultivation. Everyone knew they had to push themselves.

After all, Cultivation was like rowing upstream: if you weren't moving forward, you were falling behind.

Their golden years lasted only so long.

They had to seize them while they could.

Among the people in the arena stood a figure in purple robes, a crane among chickens. When he spotted Ye Qiu, he cast him a cold look.

Chu Qianqiu!

Wu Xiaokai sensed the killing intent and looked over. Then he drew his neck in. "Brother Ye, he's got it in for you!"

"He's a pain in the balls," Ye Qiu said.

Wu Xiaokai: "..."

As they walked past, Ye Qiu looked at Wu Xiaokai. "Seriously, you should go there less often. Luo Ling treats you so well. She has a pure heart and understands you. Don't let her down."

"Brother Ye," Wu Xiaokai said, "are you jealous of me?"

Ye Qiu: "..."

Even between brothers, some things are better left unsaid!

Wu Xiaokai seemed to turn serious. "The truth is, I only go to places like that because I have no choice!"

Ye Qiu looked at him, offended all over again. His mouth twitched. "Get the hell out of here!"

"I mean it," Wu Xiaokai said. "I'm sick!"

Ye Qiu: "???"

Wu Xiaokai sighed. "I have a serious illness. If I'm away from women, I might explode!"

Ye Qiu laughed. "And Luo Ling believed that?"

Wu Xiaokai nodded.

Ye Qiu stared at him for a long, long time. Then he turned and walked away. "Get the hell away from me!"

Wu Xiaokai chased after him. "Brother Ye, I'm serious... I really am sick!"