Chapter 87: That Story

"Indeed, I felt an instant kinship with you, otherwise I wouldn't have stepped in to help. I suppose this is what they call fate," Lin Xiaobao replied, making his words as pleasant as possible since he was already committed to lending a hand.

"But, young brother, you must think carefully. Whether the refining of a Yin Pill succeeds or fails, it will inevitably make your future tribulation more difficult." Though Chen Zhong longed for Lin Xiaobao's assistance, his character compelled him to lay out the risks first.

"Don't worry, elder brother, I’m well aware of that. As for the heavenly tribulation, I don’t feel much pressure." Lin Xiaobao was indeed not too concerned; after all, the two elders within his body had promised to help him should he ever truly face a life-and-death moment, and Lin Xiaobao trusted their abilities.

"Very well! Then I'll start forging the pill cauldron immediately." With Lin Xiaobao’s affirmation, Chen Zhong couldn't wait to begin, eager to provide the cauldron so Lin Xiaobao could refine the Yin Pill.

"Before that, I'd like to know for whom the Yin Pill is intended, and what their current condition is," Lin Xiaobao asked earnestly. "After all, tailoring the remedy can yield better results. Since we're not short of materials here, we can design a cauldron specifically suited to the pill's future user. That way, the effect after taking the Yin Pill will be even better."

Chen Zhong hadn't expected Lin Xiaobao to be so thoughtful, especially about forging a special cauldron. He knew that a cauldron made solely for the Yin Pill would be useless for anything else—a luxury he’d never considered, despite the abundance of resources. No longer concealing anything, Chen Zhong finally revealed the reason he so desperately needed the Yin Pill.

It turned out that one of Chen Zhong’s cherished companions, his cultivation partner Shao Qing, had lost her body in a heavenly tribulation five hundred years ago due to an accident. But the cycle of tribulations would not cease just because her body was destroyed; as long as her soul endured, the next round would descend upon her after five hundred years.

From that moment, Chen Zhong embarked on his quest for the Yin Pill. Although a single pill could only help Shao Qing through one tribulation, he believed that if he could obtain one, he could find another in the future.

Chen Zhong’s unwavering devotion brought tears to Si Mengling’s eyes, especially when she recalled how he had guarded the Bloodsun Secret Sprout in this place for four hundred years. The feeling in her heart was beyond words.

"And the other ingredients?" Even if not for the sake of staying in this realm, Lin Xiaobao now felt compelled to help. He, too, had been moved.

"The other materials are not as rare as the Bloodsun Secret Sprout; I've prepared them long ago." Having finally voiced the burden he’d carried for over four centuries, Chen Zhong seemed visibly relieved.

"Then let us begin at once!" Lin Xiaobao said, proceeding to inquire about Shao Qing’s circumstances.

After Chen Zhong answered each question, the two began to discuss which materials to use for the cauldron and what sorts of formations should be engraved upon it. As their conversation deepened, Chen Zhong grew increasingly astonished by Lin Xiaobao’s insights—he had never imagined that this young man possessed such profound mastery of formations. Though Lin Xiaobao’s grasp of certain details was imperfect, many of his ideas were nothing short of inspired; even Chen Zhong felt he had gained much from their exchange.

Meanwhile, Lin Xiaobao benefited as well. Master Wu’s teachings had always been at a high level, leaving the finer points for Lin Xiaobao to discover himself. Now, with Chen Zhong’s patient explanations, many previous confusions suddenly became clear.

After three days, the two finally settled on a plan for forging the cauldron. The next steps would be Chen Zhong’s responsibility—Lin Xiaobao was of little help at this stage, so he wandered off to take stock of the various resources in the area.

"I never imagined your command of formations was such that you could discuss them on equal footing with Chen Zhong!" For the past few days, Si Mengling had listened to their discussions on formations and found them quite beneficial to her own cultivation. She also remembered who Chen Zhong really was.

"Yes, that old fellow's command of formations is exceptional!" Lin Xiaobao admitted readily. Compared to the likes of the Grand Elder, Chen Zhong was on an entirely different level—someone like the Grand Elder was barely an initiate by comparison. Even with Master Wu's tutelage, Lin Xiaobao had to concede that he still lagged behind Chen Zhong in this regard.

"Old fellow?" Si Mengling laughed upon hearing Lin Xiaobao refer to Chen Zhong in such a way. This young man seemed fearless—perhaps even the master of the Snow Pavilion would have to address Chen Zhong as a senior, yet here Lin Xiaobao was, calling him 'old fellow.'

"All right, let me tell you that story now," said Lin Xiaobao. With Chen Zhong busy forging the cauldron, and nothing else to occupy him, Lin Xiaobao felt this was the perfect moment. He didn’t worry that Si Mengling would walk away halfway through.

"Very well, you’re finally willing to tell me. I’m curious to hear what sort of story you have for me," Si Mengling replied, anticipation in her voice.

"Once upon a time, there was a cultivator..." Lin Xiaobao began, recounting the tale he had heard from Lin Tian.

"You can stop now." Halfway through the story, Si Mengling already understood what Lin Xiaobao was trying to say, and why he had waited until now to tell it.

Was she moved? Perhaps, a little. But as memories surfaced—her mother lying alone on her sickbed, her own childhood spent wandering the streets after her mother’s death at six—Si Mengling recalled the vow she’d made then: never to forgive the man called her father. Blood ties meant nothing; in her heart, there was only hatred for that man—nothing else.

"I never asked you to forgive your father," Lin Xiaobao said solemnly, seeing the icy expression on Si Mengling’s face. "I only wanted you to listen to the story—this was our agreement. As for what you do afterward, that’s up to you. At least now, I’ve fulfilled my promise to Master."

Seeing that Si Mengling did not argue, Lin Xiaobao continued the tale. When he spoke of Lin Tian suffering grave injuries to earn contribution points for him, Lin Xiaobao keenly noticed a flicker of concern in Si Mengling’s eyes. It was fleeting, but he did not miss it.

"Is it finished?" Si Mengling asked coldly, as if she wanted to transfer all her hatred for Lin Tian onto Lin Xiaobao.

"It’s finished," Lin Xiaobao replied with a nod. He did not try to comfort her; he knew that anything he said now would be useless. Old wounds do not heal overnight. For Si Mengling to accept Lin Tian would take a long time. But now that he knew Si Mengling was in the Flowing Cloud Sect, Lin Xiaobao was confident that, given enough time, he could bring about a reconciliation—a fitting repayment for Lin Tian’s care.