Guesses were guesses. Before making a conclusion, Chu Wanning did not want to think too much about it, so as not to make things difficult for himself.
It was just that he had some reservations about this sudden feeling. Therefore, when the tribulation fire was finally extinguished and the group was preparing to leave on their swords, Chu Wanning did not intend to sit on Mo Ran's sword again.
Of course, Elder Yu Heng, who could barely fly at a low altitude of twenty feet, did not intend to step on the sand to cross the vast sea. Therefore, when everyone stood at the edge of the rugged beach and was pulled up by Mo Ran one by one on his enlarged sword, Chu Wanning took out his Dragon Rising Talisman.
He dripped a drop of blood on his fingertip and touched the dragon scale. The noisy little paper dragon suddenly came to life in the picture. It soared into the air, somersaulted a few times, and then circled around its master and shouted loudly.
"Aiya, Chu Wanning, I haven't seen you for many years. I miss you so much. What do you want me to do for you this time?"
"Take me to the other side."
"Hey! I am the first True Monarch at the beginning of the world, the Aurogon Dragon. How can I do that kind of work? I won't take you, I won't take you! "
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the palm-sized paper dragon shook its head and wagged its tail. Although its body was weak, its voice was loud and clear. Some children couldn't help but laugh when they heard its words.
Chu Wanning's face darkened a lot. He raised his palm and suddenly ignited a golden flame. He said in a low voice, "Burn if you don't take me."
"…" The little dragon was so angry that it fell straight onto the beach. It bared its fangs and brandished its claws. "How can there be someone like you? Fierce and unreasonable, heartless and shameless. No wonder every time I see you for so many years, you are always alone!"
Mo Ran turned around when he heard this. He seemed to want to say something, but after thinking about it, there were so many people around, and Chu Wanning wanted to save face, so he didn't say anything. He just smiled and shook his head.
Chu Wanning said angrily, "You talk too much!"
As he said that, he waved his hand and the ball of fire in his palm was thrown directly at the little dragon on the ground. However, Chu Wanning did not really want to burn it. The fireball was powerful, but it brushed past the dragon's whiskers and fell on the reef of the beach. The little dragon was so scared that it screamed and turned around, patting its fat claws on its whiskers..
"Where's my tail! Where's my whiskers! This Seat … This Seat's head! Is it still! Is it still! "
"If you keep blabbering, I won't be here anymore," Chu Waning said through gritted teeth. A hissing golden radiance gathered in her palm again. "Enlarge."
... . "The little dragon wailed for a long time, half true and half false. It was using its claws to wipe away the tears that did not exist. Suddenly, its mung bean eyes caught a glimpse of Chu Wanning's piercing eyes. It couldn't help but shiver. Its whimpering sound suddenly ended with a funny burp.
It crawled up from the ground softly. This time, it really looked like a paper dragon. Its body was boneless, and its curly whiskers drooped. It burped again and said with grievance, "Just this once. Don't do it again."
"As you wish."
Anyway, it said the same thing when he rode it last time.
The paper dragon stretched its four legs, as if it was stretching its muscles and bones. Then, it let out a sharp cry from its throat. A golden light suddenly overflowed from its young and thin body and scattered to the surroundings. The golden light became stronger and stronger, and finally completely swallowed the paper dragon.
"Roar —!!!!"
Suddenly, the sharp and small cry from the Paper Dragon's throat turned into a powerful and terrifying roar. In an instant, the golden light flashed with purple lightning and thunder. The surrounding wind rose up, and the waves on the shore surged. Everyone was blinded by the blinding light. They either bowed their heads or covered their faces with their sleeves.
Chu Wanning narrowed his eyes. His long ponytail and wide robe were fluttering in the strong wind. When the golden light was extinguished, everyone looked around, but they saw that the little dragon was gone. The beach was quiet, and there was nothing.
"Huh? It's gone? "
A bold child said in surprise. But before his voice fell, he heard a sound coming from above his head. It was a roar that shook the nine heavens. The angry sea was surging, and the wind and clouds were surging.
A strong wind blew everywhere!
"Ah —!"
"Father!"
The child who lost his parents was frightened, but he still habitually cried and called for his father. Mo Ran hurriedly picked him up and softly comforted him.
Chu Wanning probably didn't expect that he scared the child again. He was stunned for a moment. Seeing the dragon rushing down, he immediately said, "Slow down."
"Roar?"
When the huge dragon heard this, it actually let out a stupefied groan. Then, with a bang, it fell on the stone beach and slowly lowered its body.
This dragon was very big. Sitting on it was not much different from sitting on land. No wonder Chu Wanning didn't like to ride the sword, but was willing to fly high on the dragon.
Mo Ran deliberately wanted Chu Wanning to be more comfortable, so he teased the child in his arms, "Do you want to sit on this Aurogon with that brother?"
But the child didn't want to. He buried his face in Mo Ran's shoulder and whispered, "I'll tell you a secret, I don't like him …"
Mo Ran also said to him, "I'll tell you a secret, I like him."
"Ah?" The child was stunned for a moment, but after all, he was pure and innocent. He quietly asked, "Really?"
"Shh, don't tell others."
The child immediately laughed, covered his mouth, and nodded repeatedly.
"What are you talking about? Are we still going? " Chu Wanning didn't intend to ride with the crowd, so he glanced at them indifferently. Then, he rode the dragon and rose hundreds of feet in an instant, disappearing into the clouds.
Because they were carrying people on the sword, they couldn't fly too fast. They only arrived at Wuchang Town in the middle of Shu in the evening. Chu Wanning landed before them and greeted a few of the big families in the town. Wuchang Town was the town that was most cared for by the Peak of Life and Death. As long as the Immortal Monarch asked, they would do their best to do it.
The disaster victims brought from Linyi were all taken care of by the big family heads. The child in Mo Ran's arms turned back and waved at him reluctantly before leaving.
"Big Brother Benefactor, see you later."
"Mm, see you later." Mo Ran smiled and stood in the afterglow of the setting sun, watching them leave.
Chu Wanning was tired of this kind of farewell scene. He stood in place for a while, then turned and left. Mo Ran hurriedly followed him and walked back to the sect with him.
The two silently walked to the stone steps of the mountain gate. Step by step, they walked up the steps. The shadows of the trees swayed, and the twilight was glorious. Mo Ran remembered that when Chu Wanning's spiritual power was exhausted, he carried him, who was seriously injured and unconscious, back to the mountain peak. Seeing that he could still stand by his side and return with him, he couldn't help but have mixed feelings.
Between bittersweet feelings, he stretched out his hand and gently held Chu Wanning's fingertips.
"… …"
Even though they had already held hands before, Chu Wanning still looked so stiff, so clumsy, so uncomfortable. He tried his best to calm his face, making himself look very indifferent and at ease.
Unfortunately, the person he was facing was Mo Ran.
He was Mo Weiyu, who knew his roots, knew his internal organs, knew that the mole by his ear was sensitive, and knew that the tips of his feet were cold.
Neither of them spoke first. But when Mo Ran saw that he didn't pull his finger away, he wrapped Chu Wanning's entire hand in his palm.
The long stairs, he longed for this road to be longer, so that he could hold his hand a little longer, a little longer.
The long stairs, he also longed for this road to be shorter. If it could be shorter, the pain that Chu Wanning, who carried him home, would have been a little less, a little less.
Just like that, they walked to the mountain peak. The towering mountain gate was clearly visible.
Suddenly, a tall figure draped in a white fox cloak appeared from the shadows of the swaying trees. Before the two could see clearly, they heard that person call out.
"Shizun?!"
Chu Wanning was slightly shocked. He almost immediately pulled his hand out of Mo Ran's palm and let it hang in his sleeve. He then stood still and raised his head.
Shi Mei walked down the stairs a few steps higher. Under the afterglow of the setting sun, his face was as clear as a lotus flower, bright and beautiful. That burning light made the red clouds in the sky pale in comparison.
He was really very handsome.
Shi Mei probably didn't see the two holding hands just now. He seemed very surprised and smiled. "That's great! You're finally back! "
Mo Ran didn't expect to suddenly meet him. He was a little embarrassed and asked, "Shi Mei, are you going out?"
"Yes, I was going down the mountain to buy some things for the Great Lord. I didn't expect to see Shizun and Mo Ran first. A few days ago, the Great Lord received Shizun's message for Hai Tang, but he didn't see her. He was worried … "
Chu Wanning said, "Mo Ran and I are both fine. What about the others in the sect? "
"They're all fine." Shi Mei said, "Although the Young Master was manipulated by Hei Zi, fortunately, it didn't last long. His heart wasn't damaged. These past few days, Elder Tanlang has been treating him carefully. This morning, he can get out of bed and walk around. "
Chu Wanning sighed. "That's good."
Shi Mei smiled and glanced at Mo Ran. Then, he gently lowered his eyes and bowed. "Although I'd like to talk for a while more, if I don't go get the herbs sent by Lonemoon, I'll make the delivery person wait for a long time. I have to go first. Shizun, Mo Ran, see you tonight. "
"Yes, you can go." Chu Wanning said, "We'll talk later."
When Shi Mei's robe fluttered and his figure gradually disappeared, Chu Wanning turned his head. Although he could feel that Mo Ran didn't let go of his hand just now and that he was the one who pulled away first, he didn't know why he felt resentful. His sharp eyes stared fiercely at Mo Ran, then he flicked his sleeves and turned to leave.
Mo Ran, "…"
The two arrived at the Core Heart Palace one after another. When they pushed the door open, they were shocked by the scene in front of them.
They were speechless. The main palace of the Peak of Life and Death was densely packed with gold and silver satin, precious trees, corals, magic tools and spirit stones. They spread all the way from the high seat at the end to the door. Chu Wanning could only open half of the door. The other half was blocked by a pile of shiny refining crystals. He couldn't move at all. Aside from these things, for some strange reason, there were actually more than thirty peerless beauties standing in the hall, looking anxious and fearful.
As for Xue Zhengyong, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry as he tried to reason with a Fire Phoenix Pavilion disciple wearing a light red robe.
"No, this is really not okay. You can accept the rest, but please take these singers back and return them to the pavilion master. We really don't listen to songs here, and we don't like to watch dancing either. Thank you. "
Mo Ran followed Chu Wanning in. The thirty beauties were standing by the door. Immediately, a strong fragrance of cosmetics assailed his nostrils. He was sensitive to the fragrance of concocted products, so he couldn't help but sneeze four or five times.
Xue Zhengyong hurriedly turned around. When he saw the two of them, he was overjoyed.
"Mo Ran, Yu Heng! You're finally back! Quick, quick, help me persuade this … uh … this envoy. "
Chu Wanning raised his eyebrows slightly. "What envoy?"
Without waiting for Xue Zhengyong to answer, the disciple turned around with a face full of smiles and said enthusiastically, "I'm the eldest disciple of the Fire Phoenix Pavilion. I'm here on the orders of the pavilion master to form an alliance with the Life and Death Summit."
Chu Wanning, "…"
Of course, forming an alliance couldn't be done lightly. The three of them worked together to persuade that person for a long time before they finally sent him away. Xue Zhengyong looked at the envoy's departing figure and sighed heavily. He wiped the fine sweat on his forehead. "Do you know? These days, many big and small sects in the cultivation world have sent people here, saying that they want to form an alliance with the Life and Death Summit. I haven't interacted much with them these years. In the past, only the Kunlun Treading Snow Palace was willing to pay attention to us. This time, three or five of them all came to give us gifts. They suddenly became so enthusiastic that I don't know how to respond. "
Chu Wanning frowned and asked, "What's the situation in the cultivation world these days?"
Xue Zhengyong sighed. "Thirty years to the east, thirty years to the west."
"What do you mean?"
"It's a mess." Xue Zhengyong said, "Xu Shuanglin, that lunatic, exposed so many grievances in the memory scroll. Even if we know that it's because of his vengeful heart, what can that change? Needless to say, the Confucian Wind Sect has fallen apart. Jiang Dongtang has been torn apart. Lonemoon Ye and the Treading Snow Palace have become enemies. Now, when enemies meet, their eyes are exceptionally red. There's also Wubei Temple … "
When he said this, he suddenly remembered that Master Huaizui was Chu Wanning's Master. He couldn't help but shut up immediately.
Chu Wanning, however, just said lightly, "Wubei Temple is empty, but its former abbot is involved in the dispute over the successor of the Confucian Wind Sect. His intentions are sinister, so naturally, his reputation has fallen."
"Hmm …"
Hearing him talk about his own sect so ruthlessly, Xue Zhengyong and Mo Ran subconsciously looked at Chu Wanning with some confusion.
Chu Wanning pursed his lips and didn't say anything. After a while, he asked again, "What about Nangong Si?"
"I don't know. After the Calamity Fire was extinguished, I haven't heard any news about him and Lord Ye … Miss Ye."
Hearing this, Mo Ran couldn't help but exclaim in a low voice. He looked worried.
Could it be that after two lifetimes, these two pure and kind men still couldn't get a good ending?
Seeing that his expression was strange and his eyes were obscure, Xue Zhengyong turned to look at him. "Ran 'er, what's wrong?"
Mo Ran couldn't tell the truth, so he could only say, "I'm thinking that Xu Shuanglin's whereabouts are unknown now. The two of them have a deep relationship with him, so I'm worried that they will be implicated."
"Don't worry too much. All the sects have sent people to thoroughly investigate the source of all the strange spells in the Cultivation World," Xue Zhengyong said. "Unless Nan Gongxu doesn't make any big moves in the future, he will definitely be caught. Perhaps Young Master Nangong and Miss Ye are temporarily trapped in the forest, so it's not convenient for them to contact outside. "
Mo Ran said, "Yes, I hope so."
They continued to ask about the changes that had happened in the past few days. Although Xue Zhengyong had received a message from Haitang and knew that Chu Wanning and the others had spent their days on Flying Flower Island, he didn't know the follow-up, so he asked them about their recent situation. Chu Wanning answered one question and two questions. Only when he talked about something related to Mo Ran, he would pause and deliberately not say anything.
As for Xue Zhengyong, he would never have thought that something could happen between Chu Wanning and Mo Ran.
This was because the two of them were too incompatible with each other except for their appearances.
Age, identity, personality.
Even the color of their skin, the taste of their food, and their sleeping posture were not the same.
For so many years, Nighteye Yu Heng had always represented nobility, Northern Dipper Celestial Venerable had always represented coldness, and Grandmaster Chu was fickle and had few desires. What he cherished the most was his face, so how could he walk together with his disciple?
Even the boldest and most absurd stories would not be written like this. If any storyteller could say such a thing, they would probably be splashed with melon seed shells and thrown under a beech table.
However, love was born just like that.
In the dim light, in a corner that no one cared about, a secret and delicate flower bloomed. Although it had not bloomed, its fragrance was charming and gentle.
Since he had returned to the Peak of Life and Death, Chu Wanning went to the Meng Po Lobby for dinner that night.
When he opened the door of the Red Lotus Pavilion, he suddenly saw a person standing quietly on a mountain path with bamboo leaves rustling in the wind.
Hearing the commotion, the man turned his head around. The luxuriant light behind him was like a splash of ink, painting his handsome cheeks with a layer of gold.
Mo Ran smiled at Chu Wanning and said, "Shizun."
Chu Wanning's pure white silk footsteps paused. His memories suddenly overlapped. He seemed to see Mo Ran's first year at the Peak of Life and Death. Every day, he would stand in front of his door, watch him leave, and wait for him to return.
However, the youth was no longer the same. Elder Yuheng had long since become the Shizun he called thousands of times.
In the respect, there was a trace of restrained eagerness, as well as not so restrained gentleness.
"What are you doing here?"
"Waiting to eat with you."
Chu Wanning's gaze fell on the food box in his hand. He said, "I want to go to the Meng Po Lobby today. I haven't been there in a long time. I don't want to stay in the pavilion to eat."
Mo Ran was slightly stunned. Then he understood. He smiled. "Shizun misunderstood. This food box is empty. I just went to deliver some food to Xue Meng. He doesn't have a good appetite, so I borrowed a small stove and cooked him a bowl of noodles."
He didn't think that Mo Ran would actually deliver food to Xue Meng. In Chu Wanning's memories, these two people had always been at odds. Although they were cousins, they could fight to the death in less than the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn.
He didn't know when it started. Perhaps it was because he missed too much in his five years of deep sleep, or perhaps it was because Mo Ran and Xue Meng were both getting older. In short, without his master noticing, these two people's relationship had long been thawed and gradually eased.
Now, although they were far from being brothers, at least when Xue Meng made a clay figurine, he would remember to make an ugly Mo Ran. And when Xue Meng was sick, Mo Ran would personally cook a bowl of noodles and deliver it to his bedside.
Chu Wanning sighed. "How is he? When I went to see him before, he was still sleeping. "
"He's already awake now. After eating noodles, he wants to come out and walk. With great difficulty, I persuaded him to go back and lie down." Mo Ran said, "The Exquisite Chess Game is not like other games. Even if the person who has been hit by the black pieces doesn't have deep control, he should rest for a period of time."
"Mm."
Although Chu Wanning responded, he still had some doubts in his heart.
… This understatement was unintentional, but the listener took it seriously. He suddenly vaguely felt uncomfortable somewhere. It was as if Mo Ran was too clear about the pros and cons of the Exquisite Chess Game. He was too indifferent about it.
"Master?"
Chu Wanning came back to his senses. Mo Ran smiled and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"… Nothing." He should be overthinking. Mo Ran was now a grandmaster. It was not strange that he had some understanding of the Forbidden Arts.
He changed the topic and said, "Where are we going to eat? I don't want to eat outside. "
"I don't want to eat outside either." Mo Ran rubbed his nose and laughed softly. His voice was gentle. "I just want to eat with you. Anywhere is fine."
Chu Wanning would not admit that he was a little moved, but he couldn't help but look at those dark and gentle eyes for a moment.
That pair of eyes was sincere and bright, reflecting the multicolored light and his own reflection.
It was very simple and very clean.
He couldn't think of any reason to refuse such a pair of eyes. In the end, he went with Mo Ran to the lively dining hall.
Perhaps that thin layer of window paper had finally been pierced through. In the past, Mo Ran would still give him food without any scruples. He would even raise his hand and wipe away the soup stains on Chu Wanning's mouth with a smile when he saw them. But now, the two of them had become serious. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, even their eyes were blushing with shyness.
The meal was politely finished. Chu Wanning got up and was about to take the tray away when Mo Ran called him, "Master, wait a minute."
"What's wrong?"
Mo Ran reached out his hand. The moment his fingertips were about to touch Chu Wanning's face, he stopped.
He took back his hand and pointed at the corner of his mouth. He smiled and said, "There is a grain of rice here."
"… … …"
Chu Wanning froze in place for a while. Then he put down the tray and calmly wiped the grain of rice with a handkerchief. He pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "Is there more?"
Mo Ran smiled and said, "No, it's very clean."
Chu Wanning picked up the tray again and walked away. He was ashamed and embarrassed, but there was also a faint sense of loss that he was not willing to admit.
Mo Ran used to just raise his hand. This man suddenly followed the rules, making him feel very uncomfortable.
The next few days were like this.
He used to be a person who did not have any taboos, but now he was like a young boy who had just fallen in love. He only did his best to treat Chu Wanning well, but he did not do anything too radical. Mo Ran seemed to be afraid of startling him. Every step he took was very careful. Sometimes Chu Wanning could clearly see the burning desire in his eyes, but that man's eyelashes would silently fall. Then, his broad palm wrapped around Chu Wanning's ten fingers.
When he looked up again, the desire in his eyes had been completely covered by gentleness.
But that gentleness was too much. Sometimes, Chu Wanning would have a vague illusion in her heart.
It was as if Mo Ran was dealing with a clay person who was being pieced back together bit by bit. He was afraid that if he made a big move, he would crush him into pieces and powder.
Chu Wanning felt that this was not bad. He was calm and unhurried. Although it was exciting to cook oil in the fire in the dream, this kind of thing was enough for a dream. If it came true, he was afraid that he would not be able to bear it.
But no matter how much he restrained himself, no matter how obediently he followed the steps of love, there would still be an end.
One day, after he finished his dinner as usual, he took a honey peach and was about to leave. Before he could take two bites of the peach, his hand was caught. Chu Wanning was shocked. He looked up and saw Mo Ran. He whispered,
"What are you doing?"