Xiao Mo’s sea of consciousness was an endless expanse of crimson.
There was no day or night here, only unceasing slaughter.
Every time his Inner Demon erupted, Xiao Mo would wield his sword here until he had slain the very last enemy.
But this time, something was different.
A drop of water.
A drop of water brimming with vitality slowly awakened him.
He sensed something delicate and warm touching his lips again and again.
Every touch made his spirit soul feel relaxed and calm.
He began instinctively chasing that soothing sensation, wanting more and more of it.
After an unknown length of time, he slowly opened his eyes.
The rough stone wall of the cave entered his view.
“The Inner Demon… has receded?”
He examined the spiritual power flowing steadily through his body, a strange feeling passing through his heart.
“It actually receded just like that this time?”
He raised his hand and saw that the wound on the back of it had already been treated and wrapped in a circle of white cloth.
Xiao Mo turned his eyes sluggishly.
Then his gaze stopped on the Little Girl beside him—the one who claimed to be his Younger Sister.
She was curled up, apparently sleeping restlessly, and occasionally let out a few indistinct murmurs.
“Brother… don’t die… You promised to take me out for the finest food and drink… You can’t go back on your word…”
“Brother?”
Xiao Mo savored this unfamiliar form of address and found it somewhat amusing.
“Fine food and drink? What an utterly mundane wish.”
Looking farther down, he saw the empty jade bowl beside her,
as well as the index finger still inside it.
He stuck out the tip of his tongue and licked his lips.
A faint, delicate sweetness still lingered there.
“So it wasn’t an illusion.”
He looked at her silently, his expression complicated.
“Quite bold,” he thought.
“Aren’t you afraid that the first thing I’ll do when I wake up is snap your neck?”
“So cold… That old pervert… Don’t catch me…” Shen Manyi mumbled again.
Her body unconsciously curled closer toward Xiao Mo, as if seeking protection and warmth.
“Old pervert?” Xiao Mo raised an eyebrow. “So you’re a little runaway.”
“Your judgment isn’t bad, either. You actually dared to place your bet on me.”
Finally, he looked at Tangyuan, who was sprawled across Shen Manyi.
A white… kitten?
It looked as though it would feel quite pleasant to touch.
“A girl who can purify my Inner Demon, and a spirit pet I can’t see through…”
How interesting.
“Little thing, you’ve managed to pique my interest.”
“In that case… I’ll spare your life for now.”
A hint of amusement flashed through his cold eyes.
“Let’s see how many surprises you can bring me. If I grow tired of you one day… Hmm, I can always kill you then.”
Just then, Shen Manyi seemed to feel even colder in her sleep.
Her head tilted to the side, and she rested it directly on Xiao Mo’s thigh. She rubbed against him contentedly and let out a satisfied sigh.
Xiao Mo’s body instantly stiffened.
The next morning,
when the first ray of sunlight shone into the mouth of the cave, Shen Manyi slowly woke up.
“Mmm…”
She stretched comfortably, feeling refreshed and completely at ease after such a good night’s sleep.
“Awake?”
A cool, clear voice rang out above her head.
Shen Manyi jolted and sat up abruptly, only then realizing that she had used Xiao Mo’s leg as a pillow for the entire night!
“Brother! I’m… I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to!”
Her little face instantly flushed red. She scrambled off his leg, so nervous that her tongue began to trip over itself.
“I was too tired last night. I…”
Xiao Mo did not get up. He merely shifted into a more relaxed position against the stone wall.
A trace of amusement flashed in his eyes. “Mm. I could tell. You were talking in your sleep, too.”
“Talking in my sleep? What did I say?”
Shen Manyi’s heart leaped into her throat, terrified that she might have let something slip.
There was not the slightest ripple in Xiao Mo’s voice. “Nothing much. You called out for sweet-and-sour spare ribs at one point, then started mumbling about candied hawthorn.”
“…”
Shen Manyi’s face grew even redder. She wanted nothing more than to find a crack in the ground and crawl into it.
“Hah. What a hopeless glutton.”
Tangyuan’s mocking voice came from within her mind. “You even dream about food. You’re really something.”
Shen Manyi pretended not to hear and cautiously looked toward Xiao Mo before asking with concern,
“Brother, how are your injuries? Are they better?”
Only after asking did she notice that Xiao Mo’s aura had already stabilized and his complexion had returned to normal.
Although he was still somewhat pale, it was obvious to anyone that he had recovered considerably.
“I’m fine.” Xiao Mo’s answer was brief.
“That’s good, that’s good.”
Shen Manyi let out a long sigh of relief, a sincere smile spreading across her face.
“I knew my spirit spring water would work!”
“Brother, don’t worry. If you suffer cultivation deviation again, I’ll feed you some every day!”
Xiao Mo looked at her brightly smiling face, a hint of interest flashing through his eyes—an interest even he failed to notice.
Cultivation deviation?
This Little Girl really did take him for some third-rate demonic cultivator.
He did not bother explaining and simply rose to his feet.
“Brother, where are we going now?”
Shen Manyi tilted up her little face as she asked, her voice full of dependence.
By now, she had completely come to regard Xiao Mo as her support. Naturally, wherever he went, she would follow.
Xiao Mo headed toward the outside. “Follow me.”
“Coming!”
Shen Manyi immediately sprang to her feet and followed behind him like a little attendant.
“Brother, where are we going? Do you have somewhere to stay?
“If not, we can buy a huge cave residence—the biggest one! I have spirit stones!”
As she spoke, she patted her storage pouch, looking every bit like a wealthy young lady begging to be taken care of.
Xiao Mo’s footsteps paused. Without turning around, he still answered, “I have somewhere to stay, and it’s very spacious!”
“That’s wonderful!” Shen Manyi grew even happier.
“Brother, slow down and wait for me.”
She hurried to catch up, then began chattering again.
“Brother, are you hungry? I have grain-avoiding pills. Their grade isn’t very high, but they’ll fill you up.”
“Oh, right! I also have spirit fruits. I stole them from the rear mountain of the Shen Family… No, I picked them! They’re really sweet!”
As though presenting a treasure, she took a bright red spirit fruit from her spatial realm and held it out in front of Xiao Mo.
Xiao Mo lowered his eyes to glance at the fruit, then at her bright, almond-shaped eyes. A smile flickered in the depths of his eyes, one he himself had not noticed.
“I’m not hungry,” he refused.
Having lived for so long, he had long since had no need to eat.
“Oh.” Shen Manyi looked somewhat disappointed.
She could only bring the fruit to her own mouth and take a crisp bite. Speaking indistinctly, she said, “Then I’ll eat it myself.”
“It’s so sweet. Brother, are you really not going to try it?”
She asked again, unwilling to give up.
Xiao Mo did not answer. He merely raised his hand and formed a spell seal.
In the next instant, an ancient-looking long sword appeared beneath his feet, its blade radiating a dim, chilly light.
The long sword expanded in the wind, instantly growing as large as a door panel.
“Get on.” Xiao Mo stepped onto the flying sword first.
“Wow!” Shen Manyi exclaimed.
Anyone could tell at a glance that this sword was worth a fortune. It was far more impressive than her shabby little sword!