Yun Qishen

"There's nothing unusual; Mo Ding is just reading a book."

While observing Mo Ding's movements through the ghost beast's gaze, Mo Li turned his head to look at Mo Langqin, his expression as calm as ever.

"Thanks, Brother Mo Li."

Mo Langqin lowered her eyes, her fingertips unconsciously twisting her cuff.

"No need to thank me, after all, this is also something I want to know." Mo Li observed the bookshelves around Mo Ding for a moment through the ghost beast's eyes. "Grandpa gave Mo Ding a task, it definitely couldn't be just a simple matter of reading in the library. He must have other purposes."

Mo Langqin pressed him, "Can you tell what Mo Ding is looking at?"

“I can’t get any closer, he’ll notice.” Mo Li shook his head, his tone cautious. “But the books he’s reading over there are just legends and anecdotes, nothing special.”

Legends and anecdotes...

Mo Langqin's fingertips paused.

Could it be some kind of "evil magic"...?

Although that book is supposedly filled with tales of demons and monsters, the things it contains are far more complex than just legends. If Mo Ding really read that book, what exactly does the elder want to do...?

"Mo Langqin, what's wrong? You suddenly seem lost in thought."

Mo Li's voice pulled Mo Langqin back to reality.

"nothing."

Mo Langqin loosened his sleeve, raised his head, and the hint of wariness in his eyes had been suppressed. He was silent for a moment, as if weighing something, before finally speaking, his voice a few decibels lower than before, "Actually... Brother Mo Li, there's something I want to tell you. Right now, you're the only one who can help me."

Mo Li looked at him but did not respond immediately. He withdrew his gaze from the ghost beast in the library and simply waited quietly for Mo Langqin to continue.

“I can’t say too much,” Mo Langqin said, her gaze not daring to waver, but instead fixed more directly on Mo Li than usual. “Brother Mo Li, you’ll know my reasons later. As for what it is… I need to know how to control my soul. I need to learn soul control.”

Mo Li's eyes flickered slightly. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, "Soul control is indeed not a technique that you collateral disciples would learn..."

He lowered his voice, with a hint of consideration, "I won't ask you why, but I want to know what you plan to do next."

"I will reshape your memories," Mo Langqin said quickly, as if afraid that if he hesitated even a little longer, someone would discover his presence.

"Reshape memories?" Mo Li's brow twitched almost imperceptibly. "I can't easily agree to this; it involves too many things."

“I can’t explain it clearly either,” Mo Langqin clenched his fist, his knuckles turning slightly white, “but Mo Li, you have to believe me, my decision will be a good thing for you and Mo Ruo in the future.”

Mo Li stared at Mo Langqin's face for a long while, her expression a mixture of urgency and determination, as if silently proclaiming that this was the only way.

Mo Li finally spoke, her voice softer than before, "Later... Lang Qin, tell me the truth, did you see that?"

"that……"

"The one that my third uncle and grandfather have been looking for."

Mo Langqin didn't answer immediately. He lowered his head and pursed his lips, as if struggling with something unseen. After a few moments, he nodded slightly, "Hmm... but I can't reveal the contents."

"That's what it told you?" Mo Li's tone was flat, but every word was firm. "It told you that only I can help you?"

"Yes……"

Mo Langqin's voice was very soft, and the last syllable was almost swallowed by the wind.

Mo Li let out a long breath, as if slowly releasing something heavy from his chest.

"Brother Mo Li."

"Let me think about it some more." Mo Li raised his hand and gently pressed his brow. "I still need to talk to Mo Ruo about this. After all, reshaping memories isn't something that can be done simply by casting a spell."

"I see……"

Mo Langqin's voice held a hint of tension, but it quickly relaxed. "Mo Ding won't make any moves for the time being, but there's no guarantee that Grandpa won't arrange for other disciples to act," Mo Li reminded her. "You still need to be extra vigilant lately."

"I see."

"Brother Mo Li! Aren't you ready yet?" Mo Ruo's voice boomed in from outside the door, filled with obvious dissatisfaction. "Why do you have to whisper your secrets to each other in a room! You even set up a barrier, and you won't even let me in!"

Mo Li waved his hand, and the barrier silently dissipated. He turned around and looked at Mo Ruo, who had pushed open the door, his expression still calm. "Mo Ruo, since it's a private conversation, it should naturally be kept quiet."

Mo Ruo pursed his lips, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Mo Li and Mo Langqin before finally settling on Mo Langqin. A clumsy smile forced onto his fierce face. "Seventh Brother Mo, don't worry. If that kid Mo Ding really tries to harm you, I'll be the first to rush out and beat him to a pulp."

Mo Langqin's lips curved slightly at his words "beat him up," and she said, "Thank you, Mo Ruo."

"Why are you being so polite with me—" Mo Ruo was about to raise her hand to pat Mo Langqin's shoulder when Mo Li's voice cut in unhurriedly.

"Perhaps, private fights are not allowed within the sect."

Mo Ruo's hand froze in mid-air, then he awkwardly withdrew it, laughing twice. "Haha, that's true..." But he quickly added, his voice serious, "But if that kid tries anything underhanded, I won't let him succeed."

Mo Li didn't reply, but glanced at Mo Ruo with an ambiguous emotion in her eyes, and casually changed the subject, "But speaking of which, where did Bai Ying go? Mo Ruo, have you seen her?"

"No, Brother Mo Li." Mo Ruo shook his head.

“I’ll go find her,” Mo Langqin said, walking towards the door. “She wouldn’t wander around the sect like that.”

“Okay, go ahead,” Mo Li nodded. “We’ll discuss it together once we find her.”

"it is good."

Mo Langqin responded and then jogged away.

Mo Ruo leaned closer, looking curious, "What else do we need to discuss, Brother Mo Li?"

"You'll find out when the time comes." Mo Li didn't look at him; her gaze remained fixed on the direction Mo Langqin had gone.

"Hmm... Is this what Mo Laoqi wants to do?" Mo Ruo frowned in confusion.

"he……"

"Mo Li, Mo Ruo, what are you talking about standing here?"

An aged yet strong voice came from outside the door, unhurried, as if it had just passed by, or as if it had been waiting for a long time.

Mo Li's back tensed slightly, but he quickly regained his composure. He turned around and bowed slightly in the direction of the sound.

"grandfather."

"Grandpa!" Mo Ruo quickly followed suit and bowed.

"Grandson just helped Lang Qin stabilize her ghost power. Mo Ruo was just waiting for me." Mo Li's voice was calm, without any hint of anything amiss.

Mo Wangchuan stood at the doorway, his body slightly hunched. His gaze slowly moved from Mo Li's face to Mo Ruo's, then back again. His cloudy eyes revealed no emotion, yet they seemed to see everything.

"I see..." Mo Wangchuan's lips curved into a kind smile. "Is Lang Qin's ghost power still unstable lately?"

“Yes.” Mo Li replied quickly, “It’s probably because he’s been transferring too much ghostly power to Third Uncle lately. His body is rather weak, and his seven souls and eight spirits are not very stable. So he needs to stabilize his soul and ghostly power.”

Mo Wangchuan seemed quite satisfied with the answer and nodded slightly. "You truly are worthy of being my eldest grandson. You are always so observant and caring towards your siblings. I should reward you properly when I have time."

As he spoke, his gaze lingered on Mo Li's face for a fleeting moment. That single glance, though brief, seemed to freeze the air around them for a split second.

"But now..."

Mo Wangchuan withdrew his gaze and turned to Mo Ruo, "This old man needs Mo Ruo to accompany me to the Elders' Council." (End of Chapter)