Chapter 616 - 500: Would Xiao Mo Like a Girl Like Me?
Chapter 616: Chapter 500: Would Xiao Mo Like a Girl Like Me?
Cold Mountain Academy, Ruffing Forest.
This Land of Spirit Essence, which gathered nearly all the Qi Fortune of the Confucian School from across the Demon Race’s World, was currently suffused with a solemn, profound scholarly air.
All the Virtuous People who had passed the recent assessment were in this forest, receiving a baptism of the Confucian School’s Dao rhythm.
Although the ancestors of the Confucian School were of the Human Race, this grand path to the heavens was open to all beings in the world, irrespective of race.
Therefore, even those of the Demon Race, as long as they diligently studied Confucianism and achieved some success, would naturally be nourished by the Confucian School’s Qi Fortune, which would aid their Cultivation.
After all, "education for all, without discrimination," had always been a principle the Confucian School espoused.
’Xiao Mo...’
’I think... I’m in love with someone...’
Perched on the branch of an ancient tree, Tushan Jing Ci’s mind kept replaying the words she had said to Xiao Mo.
That day, the moment the words left her mouth, Tushan Jing Ci had belatedly realized just what she had said.
Xiao Mo had asked her who it was.
But Tushan Jing Ci had said nothing, only blushing and running away.
The very next day, she, a newly minted Virtuous Person of Cold Mountain Academy, had come to Ruffing Forest to undergo this multi-day baptism of the Confucian School’s Dao rhythm.
DONG...
DONG...
DONG...
Three distant bell chimes rang out slowly through the forest, their echoes lingering endlessly.
The Confucian School’s Dao rhythm coiling around Tushan Jing Ci gradually subsided, and the young woman slowly opened her foxy, charming eyes.
"The time has come," Cun Caiguang, the Academy Director of Cold Mountain Academy, announced slowly to the assembled Virtuous People from his position in the forest, his voice like a heavy bell. "This session of enlightenment on the Dao rhythm in Ruffing Forest is now concluded. After you return, please take your time to digest what you have gained and understood these past few days. Study hard, cultivate diligently, and pursue your scholarship with your feet firmly on the ground. Do not be impatient."
"Yes."
The Virtuous People, who had been sitting cross-legged throughout Ruffing Forest, rose and bowed respectfully.
After leaving Ruffing Forest, Tushan Jing Ci let out a long, turbid breath, feeling much of the stagnant air in her chest dissipate along with it.
The bottleneck of her Dragon Gate Realm at the stage of Perfection, which had been solid, now showed faint signs of loosening after these few days of baptism in the Confucian School’s Dao rhythm.
But Tushan Jing Ci felt it wasn’t enough.
She had a vague feeling that she was still missing something needed to break through the bottleneck and smoothly enter the Golden Core Realm.
’Forget it, I won’t think about this for now. Cultivation can’t be rushed, anyway. I should go see Xiao Mo first!’
Tushan Jing Ci, who had never cared much for her Realm or Cultivation, quickly cast all thoughts of cultivation aside, her mind filled with the idea of visiting Xiao Mo at the bamboo courtyard.
But the young woman had only flown a short distance when the words she had spoken to Xiao Mo two months ago—’I think... I’m in love with someone...’—unconsciously surfaced in her mind again.
Those words were like some kind of Curse. Tushan Jing Ci didn’t want to remember them, yet they kept coming to mind, and every time they did, her cheeks would flush red.
’What should I do if Xiao Mo asks me who I’m in love with again?’
Tushan Jing Ci slowed her flight, muttering to herself.
’Or maybe... I should just tell Xiao Mo who I’m in love with?’
’No, no...’ She shook her head quickly, the tips of her ears turning crimson. ’If I just tell Xiao Mo directly, that would be so forward...’
’But I do love him, so what’s the big deal if I tell him? Isn’t it only natural to tell someone you love them?’
Tushan Jing Ci flew slower and slower without realizing it. She wrung her small hands, her fingertips twisting together nervously. She bit her thin lip, her brows furrowed slightly, and her fair, lovely face was a picture of indecision.
At this moment, she seemed to have reverted to the innocent, simple-minded little girl she was three years ago.
A hint of frustration with herself even began to bubble up in the young woman’s heart—
’I had already decided to tell him everything when he woke up.’
’So why, when it came down to the final step, did I get cold feet?’
’So timid and hesitant... this isn’t like me at all.’
"Miss Tushan..."
Just as Tushan Jing Ci’s mind was in turmoil, her heart full of conflict, a voice that was both strange and familiar called out from nearby.
Tushan Jing Ci looked up, a flash of pleasant surprise in her eyes. "Sister Liu Shui!"
"Greetings, Miss Tushan."
Liu Shui was also quite surprised to see Tushan Jing Ci. She flew over and gave a slight bow.
’They really are identical...’
Liu Shui thought to herself as she sized up Tushan Jing Ci.
’How can this be? Could the person I saw that day really have been Miss Tushan?’
"Sister Liu Shui, what’s wrong?" Tushan Jing Ci asked, looking at Liu Shui with confusion. She felt that the way Liu Shui was looking at her was a bit strange.
"Oh, it’s nothing." Liu Shui came back to her senses and shook her head with a smile. "I was just thinking that after three years, Miss Tushan has become even more beautiful. Even as a woman myself, I feel like my soul is being captivated by you."
"Hehehe..." Tushan Jing Ci chuckled, covering her mouth. "You’re too kind, Sister Liu Shui. You’ve also become more beautiful."
"By the way," Tushan Jing Ci said, blinking as she looked at Liu Shui, "you seem to be in such a hurry right after returning. Where are you off to, Sister Liu Shui?"
"I..."
Hearing Tushan Jing Ci’s question, Liu Shui lowered her head, a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
"When I just got back to Cold Mountain Academy, I ran into Mr. Xian. He said that Young Master Xiao is out of seclusion, and I want to go see him... and also... also say something to him."
Liu Shui’s voice was soft, with a hint of cautious probing. Toward the end, her voice grew even quieter.
"I see..." Tushan Jing Ci couldn’t help but lower her head, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, obscuring the expression in her eyes.
The next moment, Liu Shui looked at Tushan Jing Ci apprehensively, her gaze filled with a mix of unease and anticipation. "Miss Tushan... there’s something I’d like to ask you, if I may..."
"Of course." Tushan Jing Ci looked up and smiled faintly, her tone as gentle as ever. "Please go ahead and ask, Sister Liu Shui."
"Um..."
Liu Shui lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously twisting together until the tips turned white. The blush on her cheeks spread bit by bit, reaching her ears before she knew it.
"I want to... confess my feelings to Young Master Xiao..."
As she finished speaking, she bowed her head deeply, her voice as light as a feather landing on water.
"Miss Tushan, Xiao Mo has always been with you. You surely understand him better than I do."
She paused, as if mustering all her courage.
"Miss Tushan, in your opinion..."
"Do you think Xiao Mo... could like a woman like me?"