Deep Brotherly Love

With cultivating Mental Power as his main focus, and lighting incense to meditate and recover whenever he grew mentally exhausted, Bai Mo experienced the tedium of cultivation for the first time.

After his Mental Power entered the third realm, although he kept diligently cultivating, he could neither see nor feel any increase in it.

He could only repeat the torment over and over, sprinting ever further down the road of self-hypnosis, telling himself that no effort would be wasted and hard work would surely bear fruit.

By the ninth day, Bai Mo had finished cultivating his Mental Power and was meditating to recover.

Within his Mental World, the silver Stardust had expanded by another ring and was still spinning at high speed.

But Bai Mo keenly noticed that no matter how he cultivated, the Stardust showed no sign of expanding. Instead, it gave him the sense that it was gathering storm clouds, waiting to erupt.

The Star Dust within the Stardust was also more restless than usual, constantly striking against its boundaries as though trying to break through some kind of shackle.

As his perception deepened, Bai Mo discovered that the Space Element Stardust seemed to be wrapped in a layer of eggshell, or perhaps a silkworm cocoon—firm yet flexible, binding the silver Stardust and preventing it from expanding.

"I've reached the completion of the Elementary Level!"

The bottleneck between the Elementary Level and the Intermediate Level was not frightening. It could be broken through on one's own; a mage could wear down this shackle through time.

If one was unwilling to waste time, they could also use all kinds of heavenly treasures to cleanse themselves and break through with their help.

However, it was said that those who broke through relying on their own abilities generally possessed higher Mental Power than mages of the same level.

Thus, Bai Mo resolutely entered the Space Element Stardust and led it in a fearless charge against the prison that bound its growth.

"Hiss~~~~~~~!"

The intense pain, like being hacked apart by blades and axes, made Bai Mo suck in a sharp breath, offering a little warmth to the world.

The violent collision sent the Stardust shaking wildly, but the shackles binding it remained unchanged—still solid, as if silently mocking Bai Mo's overestimation of himself.

Bai Mo was not discouraged. He felt that even the First Emperor couldn't have succeeded in one try, right?

Otherwise, such an awesome feat would surely have been written down for others to praise.

Though he had done plenty of awesome things, compared to those, this was merely a trivial matter.

As his thoughts faded, Bai Mo focused his will on the silver Stardust, which had already calmed down. The once-full silver Stardust had shrunk by a ring, and its glow had dimmed slightly.

His cultivation had not changed. Its Magic Energy had merely been exhausted, making the entire Stardust appear dim. The turbulent Stardust also needed some time to settle.

He continued meditating and estimated the time needed.

It would probably take a day to recover.

Once his Mental Power had recovered, he resumed cultivating it.

Five days later, in the empty, silent space, Bai Mo was meditating. He had just finished his second attempt at striking the Intermediate Level barrier.

Then he heard three knocks at his ear, pulling him out of his meditative state.

Naturally, Bai Mo knew that his cultivation acceleration card had expired.

He turned around, glanced at the Buddha statue before him, then turned again and walked toward the door.

The moment he took a step, his vision brightened, and he found himself outside the temple gates, in the courtyard.

Before him, the old monk in a red kasaya stood upright, smiling at him.

"How much have you gained, benefactor?"

"A great deal."

"Your talent is exceptional, benefactor. This humble temple can only provide some convenience at the Elementary Level. If fate permits, you may visit Xuan Kong Pavilion."

"Xuan Kong Pavilion?" Bai Mo asked doubtfully. "Where is that?"

"If fate permits, you will naturally learn."

"When will fate permit?"

"Fate comes and goes. When it arrives, that will be the day fate permits."

"..."

Bai Mo was speechless. He felt as if he had heard something, yet also heard nothing at all.

From the sound of it, it should be some Buddhist place. Could this old monk be trying to make him enter the monastic life?

Shaking his head, he knew himself well. He had no other hobbies—he just liked women. Enter the monastic life? Impossible.

When he arrived at the front courtyard, Bai Mo did not rush out. Instead, he first lit a stick of incense in the main hall.

Only then did he leave Jing'an Temple. It was Friday, and he did not return to school right away.

Having not eaten properly for nearly half a month, Bai Mo found the highest-rated restaurant nearby on Dianping. He was going to have a good meal.

"Bai Mo! Why aren't you back at school?"

At a restaurant, Bai Mo was wolfing down braised pork, steamed fish, and old duck soup with sour radish when he heard a startled question.

The voice sounded somewhat familiar. He turned his head and saw a mature woman in professional attire, with short hair and glasses resting on her delicate nose, seated at the table beside his.

Who else could it be but their homeroom teacher, Su Ning?

"Old Su, what are you doing here?"

Bai Mo showed no sign of panic. He set down his bowl and chopsticks, then asked through a mouthful of food.

"Old Su!!!!" Su Ning's expression twisted slightly as he said helplessly, "I'm off today. I came here to eat."

"Uh..." Bai Mo glanced at the mess on his table. He was almost done eating anyway.

He pulled out a tissue and wiped his mouth, saying:

"I just came out of Jingan Stone Temple and was starving, so I stopped for a meal. Teacher, enjoy your meal. I'm heading back now."

With that, he slipped away.

He loved studying and was a good student, not because he thought it would be awkward to stay any longer.

That evening, Bai Mo returned home from school.

He found a young man who looked seventy percent like him, except with darker skin and the solemn, capable air unique to a Military Mage, lying on the sofa watching television.

"Hey, you're back? You've changed a lot in a year, Old Brother. How about you change your name to Bai Mo instead?"

Bai Mo raised his brows and looked Bai Hanxing up and down, clicking his tongue.

"..."

Bai Hanxing clenched his hands, suppressing the urge to beat this guy up. His Mental Power swept toward Bai Mo, and a hint of surprise appeared on his face.

"Elementary Level 3? Did you take some medicine?"

"My ass. I told you, I'm an unmatched genius. I can surpass a whole bunch of people just by cultivating casually. I'm way stronger than you."

Bai Hanxing rolled his eyes and pretended not to hear him. Bai Mo's aura was solid and stable, something that could never result from forced growth. In order to reclaim his dignity as the older brother, he said on his own:

"Even with good talent, you need to stay humble and steady. Don't waste it. I saw quite a few elders in the family group chat saying that all you do every day is play around?"

"I'm first in my grade! And I got first place in the training assessment a few days ago!"

Bai Mo did not take the bait, directly throwing out those two facts before adding:

"I'm just taking normal breaks. What's the point of grinding? Those uncles' and aunts' kids grind like crazy, but they still can't beat me. They're just jealous."

Bai Hanxing was choked up. He had only just returned himself and did not know much about Bai Mo's situation over the past year, so he decided to observe for now before reaching any conclusions.

"Can't be bothered with you."

"Tch." Bai Mo curled his lips, grabbed a can of cola, and sat down in his beanbag chair.

"You still haven't said why you came back. Couldn't make it on the Qingyang Border anymore?"

"A magic ore deposit was discovered in Middle Town, Modu. War has already broken out with the demon beast clans of Nine Peaks Mountain. I earned a promotion through my merits and was transferred to Middle Town, Modu. I report there in a week."

"Magic ore?"

Bai Mo froze, recalling the light on the Shadow Wolf he had seen, Yang Biao's abnormal reaction, all the actions that followed, and Gu Changying's reminders and rewards.

He nodded, understanding dawning on his face. Judging from the light on the Shadow Wolf back then, it must have been Wind Demon Ore.

"So that's how it was."

"Yeah, that's how it was." Thinking Bai Mo had been speaking to him, Bai Hanxing nodded slightly as well.

"Then don't die. If you die, Patriarch Bai will definitely make me the family pillar. Being pinned down there would be miserable."

At that, a string of black lines appeared over Bai Hanxing's head. He shifted his gaze away from the news on the television and toward Bai Mo, giving him a look of disgust.

"Mozi, wake up. Don't entertain such unrealistic thoughts. This world isn't safe. The family can't protect you every moment of the day."

"Besides, even if I die, Patriarch Bai won't make you the family pillar. Uncle and our eldest uncle both have children, and our dad can still have more."

"Damn, so I'm the only one unworthy?"

"Didn't you say you didn't want it yourself? Now everyone's granting your wish."

"Fine. You'd better be."

"Just make sure you don't neglect yourself," Bai Hanxing said. After a year apart, they still felt rather distant. He could not even find an excuse to argue and improve their relationship.

Sure enough, beating each other up was still the more reliable way to build affection!

"I know. Aren't I cultivating again now?"

Bai Mo did not want to discuss this topic, and he sensed a faint trace of danger. He accurately tossed the empty can into the trash and returned to his room.

"Ahh..." Bai Hanxing shook his head helplessly.

Inside his room, Bai Mo shook his head as well.

How could he not know that this world was dangerous? At first, he had only thought he was an ordinary person, incapable of changing anything.

Even the protagonist of the original story, who later became a God of Magic, had been somewhat powerless in the face of all this. How much could he possibly do?

That was why he had begun to think about enjoying life. Even now that he had some talent, he figured that at most, he would be able to preserve himself in a disaster.

Bai Mo did not think there was anything wrong with what he was doing. He could enjoy life while cultivating a little on the side. Even if some disaster that came out of nowhere harmed him one day, he would have no regrets.

Besides, this was also for the Bai family's sake. The Cultivation Resources he received were now the second most among the family, aside from Bai Hanxing. Though there were two others tied for second, if he kept competing, who would he compete with next?

Though he had not actively fought for any of it. It was all thanks to Patriarch Bai.

But if he went any higher, wouldn't Patriarch Bai feel troubled too?

Family rules stipulated that there could only be one first place.

And whoever took first place had to shoulder the responsibilities that came afterward.

He did not want to compete with his older brother, nor did he want to handle the family's affairs. So this way was good for everyone.

More importantly, Bai Hanxing was not like Zhao Manyan's older brother in the original story. He cared deeply for him.

The New Year holiday began tomorrow.

Bai Hanxing realized that his younger brother might actually be a genius. How had he managed to spend half the day playing and half the day cultivating, yet still surpass all the family disciples his age?

After that, Bai Hanxing became somewhat annoyed. This brat strutted around every day, mocking him for his poor talent and saying that he would be beaten by him at the same stage.

Bai Hanxing felt that, as the older brother, he needed to be magnanimous. So he endured it.

Two days later, Bai Hanxing saw his younger brother bring two girls home—one from the Mu Family and one from the Ai Family—claiming that he was treating them to dinner and exchanging magic insights with them.

Yet those two girls could not even form a Star Orbit yet. What the hell could they possibly exchange?

That little devil had talked them into playing Mage Simulator, saying it would help with their future cultivation.

Bai Hanxing really could not stand by and watch him mislead them, only for the Mu Family and Ai Family to come knocking later, so he reminded them:

"Games are only for entertainment. They won't help with future cultivation."

"Brother Bai is right." Mu Nujiao took off the Game Helmet on her head and smiled lightly.

Bai Mo was speechless. He took off his helmet as well, glanced at the two girls beside him, then looked at his older brother.

"Don't listen to him. What does he know?"

"But this game really isn't much fun. It's so different from reality." Aitutu propped up her chin. "And we came to ask you about cultivation methods!"

"This is how I normally cultivate—play for half the day, cultivate for half the day. A balance between work and rest. There's nothing else to it."

Mu Nujiao looked at Bai Mo's utterly sincere expression and asked skeptically, "Really?"

"If you don't believe me, we can go to the Monitoring Room and check the recordings."

"That won't be necessary." Mu Nujiao shook her head and looked at Aitutu. "Tutu, see? There are no shortcuts in cultivation."

"Fine~" Aitutu pouted and glanced at Bai Mo. "Then let's just say we came to play with you today. Jiaojiao, Bai Mo, how about we go out for a walk?"

Mu Nujiao checked the time and did not object. After diligently training for several consecutive months, she wanted to take a break too.

And so, Bai Hanxing watched his younger brother leave the house with two beautiful girls.

For a moment, he truly began to doubt himself. Was it really wrong for him to work so hard?

But he immediately dismissed that thought.

Bai Mo did come back that evening, but not only did the brat fail to thank his older brother for all his hard work, he even mocked him again for being so old without a girlfriend.

Though it was true, Bai Hanxing could not endure it anymore. The look in his eyes as he watched Bai Mo gradually turned dangerous.

Bai Mo naturally noticed the predatory look in his older brother's eyes, but he did not care in the slightest. Instead, his tone turned teasing.

"What's wrong? Did I hit a sore spot? Want me to introduce you to a couple of fresh high school girls? Just call me Brother Mo."

Whoosh!!!

With a Flash Step, Bai Hanxing appeared before Bai Mo and grabbed him by the collar. The physical strength of a High-Level Mage left Bai Mo with no ability to resist.

"What are you doing?!" Bai Mo cried out. "Patriarch Bai, your son is rebelling! Aren't you going to do anything?!"

Patriarch Bai stared at his tablet on the sofa without even raising his head, pretending not to hear.

Bai Hanxing snorted coldly. "What am I doing? Beating you up! You waste your time, refuse to cultivate properly, and at such a young age you're already dating."

"I think you're just jealous!" Bai Mo retorted.

Bang!

"Damn, you actually hit me?!"

"Ow!" Bai Mo clutched his forehead and shouted, "Hit me again and I'll fight back!"

"You?" Bai Hanxing gave a disdainful smile, took out a pair of Magic-Sealing Handcuffs, and cuffed Bai Mo with the swift hands of a High-Level Mage.

Bai Mo immediately found that he could no longer sense his magic elements. "Damn it, Magic-Sealing Handcuffs? Bai Hanxing, have you no shame?!"

Bang!

"You have no martial virtue!"

Bang!

"Just you wait! I'll beat you back sooner or later!"

"Who are you calling 'your old man'?!"

Bang!

In his room, Bai Mo sat cross-legged on the bed. Before him was a fist-sized Space Magic Crystal that Bai Hanxing had given him.

He muttered under his breath:

"Just wait! I'll break through to the Intermediate Level today! I'll strut around in front of you every day and mock you to death!"

Zhuang Xingyan, who had grown tired from playing mahjong and was standing on the second floor watching the show, came back to herself and sighed softly:

"Ah, such deep brotherly affection. I taught them well."