Applied Immortality

With the tour prematurely ending and the martial test still ongoing at the Immortal Institute’s training grounds, the teacher declared the rest of the day off.

Finding themselves free of all control, the freshmen scattered like birds. Using spiritual power to boost their run would give them enough time to tour Argent Apex at the foot of the mountain, visit restaurants, and enjoy the local attractions.

Harmony in self, endurance in purpose. Seeking Dao was the core belief and pursuit of modern cultivation, but it did not forbid abandoning mortal joys. Unfettered were no exceptions when it came to having all kinds of hobbies and quirks. Ideally, these desires should not interfere with the pursuit of Dao. Ripple Heavenly Lord often bragged, “Enjoying a gripping story of amour in the twilight with company.”

Schoolwork brought glumness and boredom. Freshmen over ten and under eighteen were at a stage where youth ran rampant. Indulging was only natural.

Wang Qi was the exception. He loved to take a walk and reflect on academic topics but didn’t much enjoy shopping and everything that it involved. He wasn’t in that much of a hurry to go down the mountain, taking a leisurely pace.

Mao Zimiao kept him company. The demonborn girl was beet red, with a lowered head and maintaining a meter distance.

Wang Qi stiffened a little. [Come on, what’s with this awkward and subtle mood?]

The blackout of lighting magic items led to handholding that Wang Zhenqi pursued with a glint in her eyes. When the teacher dismissed them for the day, she ignored all of Mao Zimiao’s desperate urging to get her to stay, saying, “I just remembered that I have something important to do, wan!” and off she went, but not before giving Mao Zimiao a “Do your best!” look. 

Wang Qi wanted to blurt. [Have some subtlety! At least don’t let me see it!]

After a long and painful silence, Wang Qi spoke, “Zimiao…”

“Nya?” Mao Zimiao jerked two steps back.

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[Gods above, what’s with that huge reaction? At least let me finish. Now it’s even worse…]

Wang Qi continued, “The wind sure is wild today…”

“Wind, nya?” Mao Zimiao’s ears twitched. “I don’t feel any.”

“It’s a joke…” Wang Qi facepalmed. “I mean, could you not mind so much what your friend said? Walking around in silence only makes it more awkward.” 

Mao Zimiao stuck out her upper lip. “Little Qi, you’re too much, nya. I’m still a girl, nya.”

“Wasn’t it just an accident?”

“I didn’t see you pulling out of my hand either, nya.”

“Hey, hey, don’t pin this on me… Don’t cats have nightvision? Were you doing it on purpose…”

Mao Zimiao blushed hard. “I didn’t, nya!”

Wang Qi sighed, the topic slipping further into the ‘why’ direction.

[I should’ve just… it’d have been better if I started with this.]

Wang Qi rubbed Mao Zimiao’s ear.

“Nya! Little Qi! Let go, nya!”

Wang Qi let out a long breath. [Yep, my man Dao messed up starting this pure love scene. Now the mood’s changed.] 

“Stop doing that, nya! Nyau~”

Mao Zimiao was on the verge of crying. [Give me back my feelings and heart, bastard!]

“Speaking of demonborns, is ear-rubbing harassment?”

“You know it, so let go, nya! Let go!”

“So, harassment removes awkwardness. Quite unbelievable, no?” Wang Qi let her tender ears go, rubbing his chin in deep thought.

[Something’s wrong with me to have feelings for this guy, nya…] Mao Zimiao’s mood sank, and she walked with drooping ears.

Avoiding Immortal Institute’s northern side’s sparse trees was impossible whether one went to Argent Apex or back to their dorm. Places on the Immortal Institute’s north side taught and trained alchemy, refining, and other high-level skills. An Immortal Institute disciple began classes here in October. The previous class of freshmen before Wang Qi’s had taken their admission trial in July, leaving the northern side deserted. 

Mao Zimiao trudged down the mountain with her ears lowered. Wang Qi followed behind, observing Behavioral Office’s building. Mao Zimiao asked out of nowhere, “Little Qi, uhm, I heard you went hard against Yang Jun today.”

Wang Qi was obtuse. “Nothing of the sort. I’ve beat him fair and square.”

Mao Zimiao shook her head. “Thinking carefully about it, he’s a really sad guy.” I have no desire to be friends with him and do not like him. However, Little Qi, you should not be so angry over me.

“Huh? What are you talking about, Ah’Zimiao?” Wang Qi said, “It had nothing to do with you, alright? All I did was teach an underachiever. A bookworm like me loathes losers with no smarts or empathy…” 

“Ha-ha-ha, losers… That’s very cruel, Brother Wang. Is this how you and this demon see me?”

A creepy laughter came from among the sparse trees. Following a sudden flare of heat, Yang Jun appeared before the two. 

… 

When Deng Jiaxuan arrived in the immortal mirror room, the Myriad Arts Sect cultivators were dismissed, leaving a pacing and nervous Chen Jingyun with Neumann, who touched the mirror.

Deng Jiaxuan was pale. Once he heard the warning, he cut off his healing process and came over. “What happened?”

Chen Jingyun didn’t reply, pulling on Neumann to get his attention, with no results. Chen Jingyun shouted, “Master Neumann!”

Neumann flinched. “Oh, sorry, the immortal mirror’s discrepancy reminded me of a math problem I’m working on.” 

He slapped the mirror, and the Argent Apex Mirror released a blue glow covering Deng Jiaxuan.

“What is this?” Deng Jiaxuan asked curiously.

Chen Jingyun pointed at the ground. “Sample leakage.”

“What? No, impossible! It’s illogical, un-Dao!” Deng Jiaxuan cried in outrage, “Shouldn’t it have happened in last month’s incident at least?”

Neumann shrugged. “From what we’ve gathered, there appears to be no discernible pattern.” It should be a sample undergoing chaotic division, according to my analysis. The sample escaped, deceiving you into thinking it remained contained. By my estimations, the escaped sample had been accumulating power for thirty days, attempting an attack on the All-immortal Realm, but was ultimately twarthed by the power of the immortal item.”

Chen Jingyun frowned, asking the crucial question. “How strong is that devil now?”

“Its attack disrupted Argent Apex Mirror. This implies that the backlash it received is of the same power as the energy needed to restore the mirror’s functions.” Neumann paused, “Around the Foundation Establishment Realm.”