Unsteady Dao Heart

When Luo's father went to make arrangements, Ye Chuan had no objections. He would simply hand over the medicine when the time came, but to ensure its effects remained stable, he decided to reduce the dosage of the Deer Blood Pill—probably by a third or half.

After all, it was for the CEO's grandfather, who was likely quite elderly. Who knew if the man might keel over from an overly potent dose?

Once Ye Chuan had thought it through, he gave a slight nod, signaling his agreement with Luo's father's proposal.

"Chuan, is this really okay?" Luo Xi asked curiously, seeing that Ye Chuan was planning to sell his family's ancestral medicine to someone else.

"It's fine," Ye Chuan replied with a smile.

What could possibly go wrong? His approach was already as cautious as it could be.

After settling the matter of selling the medicine, Ye Chuan stayed at Luo Xi's place for a while longer before heading home. Standing at the entrance of his apartment building, he turned to Luo Xi, who had followed him out, and said,

"Alright, no need to walk me back so late at night. I can go home by myself."

Even though Luo Xi often took this route and the neighborhood was full of familiar faces, Ye Chuan still worried about her safety.

"Okay," Luo Xi nodded. Then, after glancing around to make sure no one was nearby, she tiptoed closer.

The sweet fragrance of her scent mingled with the cool night breeze, making the air feel even more pleasant. Holding onto Ye Chuan's sleeve, she closed her eyes, her long lashes fluttering slightly.

Seeing this, Ye Chuan leaned down and kissed her.

"We can't do this out here," Luo Xi protested after a moment, swatting away Ye Chuan's wandering hands. She didn’t understand why—she had only wanted a simple kiss, but his hands always seemed to need a place to rest, preferably somewhere higher up.

"Then we'll do it at home next time."

"It's not like you haven't already," Luo Xi stuck out her tongue playfully, then turned away with a hint of reluctance. "Alright, Chuan, I'm heading back now. See you tomorrow."

"Sure."

Ye Chuan watched as Luo Xi hurried up the stairs with light, quick steps before pausing in thought. Now that he was getting involved with those martial arts families, should he find a way to protect the people around him?

"Hmm… Oh, right. Maybe I should capture a shadow clone of a magical beast later." Ye Chuan stroked his chin. His supernatural ability allowed him to tame Pokémon—perhaps he could catch one to secretly keep an eye on Luo Xi.

"Or maybe I could teach her some self-defense techniques, like cultivation?"

Lost in thought, Ye Chuan continued walking home.

When he reached his doorstep and opened the door, he was surprised to find Bai Qianshuang and Lan Xiaoke sitting together in the living room—harmoniously, no less. Without him around, the two of them had somehow managed to coexist peacefully.

"Now this is rare. The two of you actually sitting together like this?" Ye Chuan couldn’t help but comment as he looked at them on the couch.

"Lan Xiaoke is not an evil spirit. She is a friend with whom one can converse," Bai Qianshuang said calmly.

"Right, right? But Bai Qianshuang is actually a cultivator from another world—how amazing is that?" Lan Xiaoke chimed in. "I feel like even TV shows wouldn’t dare write something like this."

"And a ghost like you is common?" Ye Chuan raised an eyebrow.

"Well, ghost movies are pretty popular, aren’t they?"

Their newfound harmony was clearly the result of last night’s heart-to-heart over barbecue. Ye Chuan was glad to see the two getting along and waved them off. "Alright, I’m going to take a shower. You two keep chatting."

"You are already a Foundation Establishment cultivator. You can purify your body with spiritual energy," Bai Qianshuang said, seemingly puzzled as to why Ye Chuan insisted on showering daily.

"Yeah… You’re right, but I just feel uncomfortable if I don’t wash up every day." Ye Chuan shook his head and grabbed a towel before leaving.

"Is that so?"

Bai Qianshuang didn’t fully understand but didn’t press the matter further.

Soon, the sound of running water filled the air, accompanied by Ye Chuan’s off-key singing.

"It’s so strange. Why does Ye Chuan sing while showering?"

"Ah, you just don’t get it. People here are like that—they feel gross if they don’t shower every day," Lan Xiaoke explained, then glanced at her translucent body. "But being a ghost means I don’t have that problem."

Bai Qianshuang looked at her and said softly, "You should reincarnate. Lingering in this world as a wandering ghost is not right."

"I’m not a wandering ghost—I have a master!" Lan Xiaoke immediately pointed to the collar around her neck. "I’m Ye Chuan’s most loyal watchdog! I go wherever he points!"

Bai Qianshuang: "…"

Ye Chuan, what have you done to her?

If Ye Chuan heard this, he would probably just shrug innocently—after all, he had only asked Wang Yanran to keep Lan Xiaoke from wandering off. As for the whole "watchdog" thing, he just paid her daily to clean the house.

Lan Xiaoke, on the other hand, had taken the role upon herself with great enthusiasm.

"Since that’s the case, and though I don’t know the reason, this place is rich in spiritual energy. I can teach you cultivation," Bai Qianshuang offered. If Lan Xiaoke refused to reincarnate, she shouldn’t waste her time idly.

"Cultivation?" Lan Xiaoke tilted her head. "What’s the point?"

The question caught Bai Qianshuang off guard. What was the point of cultivation? After a pause, she answered, "To strengthen yourself, to protect those you care about, to ascend as an immortal and live as long as the heavens."

"But it’s already safe here, and most people can’t even see me," Lan Xiaoke said, spreading her hands dismissively.

"Complacency invites danger. And as an immortal, you could do whatever you desire." Bai Qianshuang tried to persuade her.

"I can already do whatever I want now," Lan Xiaoke replied.

Well, except for straying too far from Ye Chuan—but that was fine, since she was a homebody anyway.

Bai Qianshuang: "…"

Bai Qianshuang felt her own Dao heart wavering. She sought strength to avenge her mother and master, but Lan Xiaoke clearly had no such needs.

"Then forget I said anything," Bai Qianshuang conceded.

"Aww, since you’re being so nice, of course I’ll learn! Tell me more," Lan Xiaoke scooted closer, grinning.

After a brief silence, Bai Qianshuang relented. "I don’t know ghost cultivation techniques, but I can teach you the most basic Qi Refining method."

She then began instructing Lan Xiaoke, reciting the incantation.

"Oh, so just chant this and circulate the energy?" Lan Xiaoke listened carefully, then tried it out. Almost instantly, the surrounding spiritual energy surged toward her.

"Wow, that easy?" Lan Xiaoke blinked in surprise.

She felt stronger already.

"You’ve reached Qi Refining just like that?" Bai Qianshuang was stunned.

First Ye Chuan, now Lan Xiaoke.

Was cultivation really this effortless for people in this world?