A Long-Awaited Calm

Before even reaching Bai Jing Road, they had already bought almost everything they needed.

Lin Mo had new clothes, Xie Yuling had new clothes—everything was settled.

Lin Mo had actually considered buying some New Year’s items for his grandmother, but after some thought, he decided to do it himself later.

After all, with Auntie Zheng around, she might insist on paying for it.

After the weekend came the time for results and the closing ceremony.

This closing ceremony was only for first and second-year students.

Staring at the results list on the blackboard, Lin Mo took a deep breath.

First place.

Top of the entire school.

Others congratulated him one after another, and Lin Mo responded politely.

With results like these, his grandmother would surely be happier.

Thinking this, he turned and returned to his seat.

Lin Jiajun, as usual, was reading a newspaper. He casually set it down.

"First place again. Anything to say?"

Lin Mo yawned. "This first place isn’t that impressive. Too many subjects lumped together."

"Even if they weren’t, you’d still be first in just the sciences."

No one was surprised that Lin Mo had taken the top spot. He studied diligently, his notes were concise and often borrowed by others.

That last point alone made him well-liked.

After the closing ceremony, the first and second years were officially on break.

Of course, that didn’t mean they escaped homework.

But the teachers had already assigned it the week before.

Xue Zigui had already finished a good portion.

Lin Mo only worked on his during evening self-study sessions. At night, he didn’t even bring his homework back to the rented apartment.

But now, he had to.

As he packed his things, Jiang Yunlu suddenly looked at him.

"Any plans for winter break?"

"Going back to my grandmother’s place. Why?"

Jiang Yunlu hesitated. She wanted to ask if they could hang out during the break, but hearing his answer, she just nodded quietly.

"I see. Well, see you next semester then."

Lin Mo nodded seriously. "See you next semester."

They exchanged nods, but life meant everyone had their own path to follow.

For now, the story with his little desk mate would have to pause here.

After school, Xie Yuling stood gloomily outside Class 8’s door.

Lin Mo stepped out and immediately saw her, head bowed, fingers fidgeting.

"What’s wrong? Who upset you?"

Xie Yuling shook her head.

"Why do you have to go home so early? Can’t you stay at my place a few more days?"

Lin Mo patted her head lightly.

"It’s not like I’m never coming back."

"Fine. Then when will you be back?"

Lin Mo thought for a moment. "After New Year’s."

Some things couldn’t be helped—like rain falling or a mother remarrying.

So Xie Yuling could only nod. Then she noticed Chu Miaomiao behind Lin Mo.

"What’s this about?"

"Mom said she’d take Lin Mo home."

A little envious, Xie Yuling still waved at them both when they reached the school gate.

She had almost mustered the courage to walk Lin Mo home herself.

But having Chu Miaomiao’s mother bring her back afterward would’ve made her feel like a third wheel.

So she headed home instead.

At least they could still talk through QQ, WeChat, calls, or texts, right?

In the car, Chu Lintian asked again, "Really not stopping by for dinner?"

"No, I just want to rest at home."

Lin Mo smiled, gazing out the window.

For some reason, holding his report card, teacher comments, and awards made him want to go home.

So after getting out of Chu Lintian’s car, Lin Mo went straight there without detours.

The living room was clean and tidy, free of any odd smells.

Lin Mo collapsed onto the sofa the moment he got home.

Not tired—just needing peace of mind.

After at least an hour, he slowly sat up, feeling refreshed.

[Congratulations, Host, for overcoming a Dao Heart obstacle. Your spiritual sense has strengthened.]

"Wait, I just relaxed here. That counts as a Dao Heart obstacle?"

[Dao Heart obstacles linger around the Host at all times. But since you’ve overcome this one, this system is relieved. You’re now one step closer to the Golden Core stage.]

Gomen ne, System-san, for making you worry.

But Lin Mo did feel his spiritual sense becoming more active.

And all he’d done was lie down at home.

[Status acquired: Long-Awaited Serenity]

"Sure this isn’t just post-nut clarity?"

Lin Mo muttered to himself as he pulled out his report card, test papers, and awards.

Then he lit incense for his parents.

"Mom, Dad, your son’s a genius now. Also a cultivator. But I’m too cautious to use my powers recklessly—who knows if some angel-winged enforcer might come after me?

Still, I’m a top student now. The Lin family’s finally getting a college graduate."

With that, he started burning his test papers and awards.

No idea if his parents could receive them. He’d seen ghosts before, but the workings of the spirit world were still hazy to him. Maybe they’d already reincarnated.

After cleaning up the ashes, Lin Mo returned to his room. But instead of cultivating or sleeping, he took out brush and ink to draw talismans on yellow paper.

Five Thunder Talisman, Soul-Snatching Talisman, Invisibility Talisman, Calming Talisman, Revitalizing Talisman...

Only after finishing did he begin cultivating.

Late into the night, he left home.

Using Divine Movement, he traveled straight to Chu Miaomiao’s study.

Once there, he messaged Chu Lintian.

Soon after, she carefully opened the study door.

Seeing Lin Mo, she covered her mouth in surprise.

"You’re really here. I thought you were lying."

Chu Lintian wore a nightgown, her fair skin exposed in generous patches, along with a certain deep cleavage.

Lin Mo didn’t stare—not because he didn’t want to, but because spiritual sense worked just fine.

He handed her the newly made talismans.

"These are for protection. Use the Five Thunder Talisman against attackers. If you’re poisoned or drugged, the Detox Talisman..."

Lin Mo explained each one.

Every talisman had its uses, compensating for his absence. If Chu Lintian ran into trouble, she could protect herself.

After all, he hadn’t mastered true Divine Movement yet.

A hundred kilometers still took him minutes.

In the end, it was Chu Lintian who hesitantly asked, "So... how do I use these?"

"Simple. Just slap them on yourself."

To demonstrate, Lin Mo took a Revitalizing Talisman and pressed it onto her.

No flashy lights, no special effects.

But Chu Lintian immediately felt her stuffy nose clear up.

A minor cold, gone just like that.

"This is amazing! If I used these to help wealthy people extend their lives..."

Chu Lintian’s mind raced with ways to elevate Da Jiang Group further.

"Then Miaomiao might get kidnapped again."

Lin Mo’s dry remark shut her up instantly.