After Accidentally Entering the Forbidden Land and Forming a Bond with the Grandmaster - Chapter 5

Chu Lanci could sense that Xie Zhuo was bored. Despite being so capable, the man carried an air of world-weariness, as if life held no more interest for him. Chu Lanci thought that if he was so bored, he should simply find something to do.

The two exited the cave, and Xie Zhuo activated a protective barrier. As they moved, Chu Lanci originally intended to stop picking up stones, but on second thought, he realized these stones were so beautiful that he could sell them in town. Surely someone would buy them.

He crouched down and picked up a few. He noticed one that emitted a gorgeous glow; it was shaped like a very cute fish. Its rounded head took up most of its body, its cheeks were puffed out, and its mouth was puckered high, looking exactly like a sulky child. Even its scales seemed slightly bristled with indignation.

It was a very handsome but rather unhappy-looking fish.

Its expression and temperament were remarkably similar to Xie Zhuo’s. Chu Lanci had an idea and tucked the stone into his sleeve pocket.

They continued forward until they finally reached the dense forest. For Xie Zhuo, getting there was a matter of a single blink, but because Chu Lanci walked slowly—and refused to let Xie Zhuo carry him—it took some time. Xie Zhuo wanted to ask Chu Lanci if he felt better or if his legs were still sore, but he didn’t know how to phrase it.

Chu Lanci was the type of man who blushed at the mere mention of marriage. If he knew that Xie Zhuo had once driven him to tears during their intimacy, how would he react?

To be honest, Xie Zhuo was quite curious.

“Are your legs still sore?” he asked. The cold poison had not flared up for two days, which also meant the two of them had not been intimate for two days. He noticed that the skin on Chu Lanci’s exposed neck had become a bit fairer again.

Chu Lanci, who was busy looking at the scenery, assumed Xie Zhuo was simply concerned for him. “Still a bit sore.”

Xie Zhuo figured that since the memories had been erased anyway, there was no harm in asking. “And… down there?”

As expected, Chu Lanci’s face instantly flushed a deep red. His heart was in a state of chaos. How did the Immortal know that he was in pain there—especially every time he sat down? Furthermore, whenever he came into contact with Xie Zhuo, he felt waves of tingling numbness. Because of this, he had actually been quite relieved that Xie Zhuo had not slept in the bed last night.

He truly wanted to treat Xie Zhuo as a friend and tried his best not to think about the events in his dreams. Since they were friends, how could he harbor improper thoughts about him? Fortunately, the memories of the dreams remained blurry.

He shook his head and lied, “No, it doesn’t hurt.”

Xie Zhuo nodded and didn’t ask further, though his expression remained deeply inquisitive.

Because of this topic, the previously relaxed atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous. Chu Lanci, who had been walking side-by-side with Xie Zhuo, intentionally quickened his pace. Soon, he was distracted by some fruit trees.

The trees were laden with tempting bright red fruits, each as full as a fist. The skins were as translucent as amber, looking incredibly delicious. Chu Lanci asked Xie Zhuo, “Immortal, is this fruit edible?”

Xie Zhuo replied, “I would need to use magic to find out.”

“Oh. Then I’ll go pick one first.”

“If I pick it, will you be the test eater, or will I?” Xie Zhuo asked playfully.

Chu Lanci’s cheeks reddened. “Don’t you know magic? Can’t you just check it with a spell?”

Xie Zhuo thought, Oh… so he’s using me. It seems this Chu Lanci isn’t so stupid after all. However, if he could use magic to see if the fruit was poisonous, he didn’t actually need the boy to pick it at all. Little Lanci was still a bit silly—silly in a rather special way.

“Go ahead and pick them,” he agreed to help check them with magic.

Chu Lanci gave an affirmative nod. He knew how to climb trees, but this one was a bit high. He furrowed his brows and prepared to climb up slowly.

Xie Zhuo leaned against the tree and watched as Chu Lanci climbed with somewhat clumsy movements. Yet, even in his struggle, his posture was quite graceful; some difficult movements were executed with surprising fluidity. As Xie Zhuo watched, fragments of their time together flashed in his mind—memories of Chu Lanci’s waist being lifted high by him, and memories of those difficult positions.

It was an extraordinarily strange feeling. He had lived for over four hundred years, yet this was the first time he had experienced such a novel sensation. The memories in his sea of consciousness were haunting and could not be suppressed even by magic.

He suddenly became very curious. Although he had wiped Chu Lanci’s memory, those memories should still reside in the boy’s subconscious, appearing only as dreams. He wondered if Chu Lanci felt the same way toward him—that unique, soul-stirring taste?

Taste… Yes, that was a good word for it.

He didn’t know if it was because Chu Lanci was unique, or if it was because he was tasting desire for the first time and found himself unable to stop. It was also his own fault; in his pursuit of ascension, he had begun practicing the Path of Heartlessness far too early.

Xie Zhuo kept his eyes on the boy. He saw Chu Lanci finally reach the top of the tree, picking the fruits one by one and tucking them into his sleeves, looking both eager to eat and timidly cautious.

An interesting youth…

After picking the fruit, Chu Lanci began to climb down slowly. Because he was carrying the fruit, his hands and feet were less coordinated, and his waist swayed significantly. Just then, a thin snake slithered over, appearing right in front of him. Chu Lanci froze in terror. The snakes within this illusion in the Forbidden Land were quite fierce. Seeing Chu Lanci’s tender, fair skin, the snake lunged. Fearing for his life, Chu Lanci abandoned the fruit and turned to flee. His foot slipped, and he began to fall from the tree.

However, he did not hit the ground. Instead, he landed steadily in a broad, warm embrace.

Xie Zhuo held him and looked down. He saw Chu Lanci’s face, pale with fright it was a small, delicate face, no larger than a palm. The feeling of holding him was pleasant; the boy’s height reached exactly to Xie Zhuo’s chest, making him neither too tall nor too short.

Chu Lanci hurriedly stepped out of Xie Zhuo’s arms to maintain his distance. “I’m sorry, Immortal.”

Xie Zhuo withdrew his hands and asked calmly, “What did you see?”

Chu Lanci was trembling. “A… a snake. I saw a snake.”

Xie Zhuo looked up and saw a small snake coiled on a branch. Perfect—he could catch it to make snake soup.

He acted on the thought immediately. With a flick of spiritual light, he was suddenly holding a bright green snake with a pointed head, over two meters in length. Xie Zhuo gripped it, letting it coil around his arm, without so much as a frown.

The snake was held so firmly that it looked completely despondent.

Seeing Xie Zhuo catch the snake, Chu Lanci’s heart skipped a beat, and he took a sharp step back. He didn’t dare look at it.

Xie Zhuo looked at the little snake, which was currently foaming at the mouth and playing dead. “Are you afraid?”

Chu Lanci replied, “…Yes.”

Xie Zhuo had an idea. “How about this: I will teach you how to catch a snake. That way, you won’t be afraid anymore.” He suddenly found this interesting. “You want to get married, don’t you? It’s good to learn more skills.”

Back when he was in his sect, he had been very popular. Not to be conceited, but many female cultivators had liked him. Conversely, those who were timid and indecisive, like his good friend Zhuang Xiaotao, were generally ignored. Though a hundred years had passed, his brothers should have matured by now. He believed that remaining calm in the face of danger was a significant boost to one’s personal charm.

As Chu Lanci slowly picked up the fallen fruit, he answered, “Actually, it’s not that I must get married, it’s just that I’ve reached the age. I have some savings, so it should be possible. Of course, I know my conditions aren’t great, so I don’t expect to marry someone too high-status.”

Xie Zhuo hadn’t expected Chu Lanci to answer so seriously and found it inexplicably cute. “But I think your conditions are quite good. You don’t need to be so humble.”

He was praising him sincerely. He didn’t believe that marriage had to be about strength or status; a sincere heart was enough. Having “spent time” with Chu Lanci for a month, he could tell the youth was a kind soul.

Chu Lanci smiled. “I’m just being honest. Actually, I really want to learn, but I don’t have a spiritual root. I go to Qianshan every year to test it, but they always say I don’t have one. Immortal, can one still cultivate without a spiritual root?” he asked earnestly.

Xie Zhuo replied, “…Essentially no, but we can still train your courage.”

Chu Lanci sighed inwardly. “Alright then, it’s good to train a bit.” That way, the next time a villain came to the village, he wouldn’t have to be afraid. He thought for a moment. “But let’s take the fruit back first.” He was still clutching a pile of fruit.

Xie Zhuo flicked his finger. All the fruits remaining on the tree fell at once with a rustling sound, covering the ground. Then, the fruits began to roll one by one as if they had grown legs, lining up neatly beneath the tree.

Chu Lanci watched this, speechless. He knew Xie Zhuo was powerful, but he hadn’t expected this. He had nearly died climbing the tree and encountering a snake, only to crouch on the ground picking them up, while Xie Zhuo only had to move a finger. No wonder everyone in the world sought the celestial path. He finally understood the meaning of the gap between heaven and earth.

He set the fruit aside and stood up straight. “Then let us begin.”

Xie Zhuo grabbed the despondent snake and handed it to Chu Lanci. “Here, hold it.”

Chu Lanci reached out hesitantly and took the green snake. The snake’s body was like green jade, skillfully winding around his wrist. After a few turns, it looked like a living emerald bracelet.

However, in the next moment, the snake’s body suddenly tightened, leaving a circle of gruesome blue-green bruises on Chu Lanci’s fair wrist. Then, the green snake spat out venom, aiming directly toward Xie Zhuo.

Xie Zhuo stood still. He had no reason to dodge a tiny venomous snake. The snake’s desperate struggle was within his expectations; what caught him off guard was Chu Lanci.

Chu Lanci lunged directly at him, using his own body to block the threat that was mere inches away.

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