Farewell, Diary

The next morning.

Li Mo opened his eyes on the rooftop and glanced at the empty massage chair beside him. Instead of getting up, he took advantage of the serene state of mind after observing the Moon and continued contemplating the "Monkey King's Path to Enlightenment."

By the time the sun had fully risen, he skipped physical training and headed to the kitchen.

"If only the Seventy-Two Earthly Transformations were as easy as body tempering," he mused.

Young Li deftly prepared a rib soup, effortlessly splitting the bones of a seventh-grade exotic beast on the cutting board with a single finger.

This particular beast was renowned for its resilient bones, especially its spine.

"Hmm..."

"Actually, I used to think body tempering was easy too—only because I had ample resources."

Li Mo calmed his mind and took stock of his inventory.

Though he still possessed a considerable amount of pills and rare treasures, their effects varied greatly.

Only a few remained useful for tempering his physique, and replenishing them in the short term would be difficult.

Today, the Qingyuan Sect members were set to return to Purple Sun Prefecture, meaning he wouldn’t receive immediate feedback.

More importantly, the "ice block" wasn’t by his side.

Pain. Such pain.

"So this is what it feels like to exhaust one’s resources," Li Mo sighed bitterly, staring at the mountains of gold in his system space.

Who knew how much he’d need on the journey?

It wasn’t impossible that he’d end up with nothing but money...

"Before heading to the Southern Border, I must master the Seventy-Two Transformations."

"Otherwise, traveling there in human form would make me too conspicuous."

"I’ve already grasped most of the technique’s principles..."

As he pondered, the aroma of bone soup simmered in karmic flames filled the air.

Upon learning that Li Mo wouldn’t be returning to the Qingyuan Sect with them, everyone was reluctant to part ways—so much so that they tearily devoured three large bowls each.

"Little Mo, the Southern Border is lush with flora. Take this 'Compendium of a Hundred Herbs.' Study it carefully when you encounter medicinal plants," Elder Xue said with a complicated gaze, as if watching his child finally embark on a journey.

"Why are there mushrooms listed too...?" Li Mo flipped through it casually.

Tang Xiaobao chuckled. "Junior Brother, do you know how our master came up with his external elixir method? Back on Dan Ding Peak, we once had mushroom soup. I was so eager to taste it that I served it before it was fully cooked."

Li Mo: "..."

Suddenly, the "ice block’s" cooking didn’t seem so unbearable.

"A poor home but a rich journey—let me give you some... Never mind, you’re far richer than this old man," Elder Qian began before pausing. Ever worldly, he quickly found something more valuable to impart:

"Let me teach you a phrase in the demon tongue. It’s useful for greeting demonic beasts."

"I’m all ears."

Li Mo grew serious. Knowledge was sometimes the most precious treasure.

A single phrase could spark a bloodbath—like "What are you looking at?"

Conversely, a friendly word might avert trouble.

Qian Bufan said, "Qiu ba bi mu nie niu."

"......?"

Li Mo couldn’t detect any friendliness in it—probably because it wasn’t human speech.

"A demon friend taught me this. Trust me."

"Got it."

Li Mo committed it to memory.

Wait.

Why wasn’t his master saying anything?

Li Mo glanced sideways and saw his beautiful master, Shang Wu, her almond eyes reddened and lips pursed. When she noticed him looking, she quickly wiped her eyes.

"Master... are you crying?"

"No."

Li Mo sighed. Despite her carefree demeanor, she was sentimental at heart.

"It’s not like we’re parting forever. I’ll be back soon. Be strong, Master."

"How am I supposed to live without you?" Shang Wu finally broke, looking pitifully vulnerable.

"With you gone, the Autumn Water Pavilion will be left with just me—a lonely, beautiful woman. I’ll have to mooch off others, endure their disdain, maybe even get beaten..."

"......"

The group collectively leaned back, sweating bullets.

Lady, are you even hearing yourself?

Suddenly, they were all far more reluctant to let Li Mo leave.

Without Young Li around, the Qingyuan Sect’s "Fighting Queen" would return... Yikes!

Li Mo: "..."

Ever since his master failed to break his "Indestructible Vajra Body" with a single punch, she seemed to realize her precious disciple’s wings were hardening—soon, she might not be able to overpower him.

Thus, the beautiful master switched tactics, deploying the "Ying-Ying Strategy"...

With a resigned sigh, Li Mo took out most of his remaining fine wine.

"Master, hold on for a bit. I’ll return soon."

Shang Wu’s mood instantly brightened. "Take your time."

"Junior Brother, here are some illustrated books for the road..." Ouyang offered his own gift.

Princess Jiang Chulong was the most reluctant to part. She brought two autumn outfits and two winter ones.

Li Mo spent a long time comforting her with his patented "head-pat technique."

"Next time, I’ll call upon the Heavenly Venerable in my dreams and request to visit your cave dwelling. Then we can meet again."

"Mm!" Jiang Chulong nodded, biting her lip.

Soon after, Li Mo stood at the inn’s entrance, watching the war chariot disappear into the distance. He exhaled deeply.

"They’ve all left... Good."

"Now it’s just me..."

Just as Young Li was lost in thought, he suddenly realized—had he forgotten something?

A few seconds later, it hit him.

Murong Xiao: "......"

The guy was still sitting there, covered in dust like a genuine Buddha statue.

So it wasn’t just me. Everyone forgot about him.

"Oi! He didn’t get on the chariot!"

Li Mo dashed after them.

......

Moments later, he returned with a wry smile. The commotion had dulled his melancholy.

His "Cloud-Treading Boots" weren’t meant for long-distance chases—they excelled in agility, not speed.

Catching up to a war chariot was out of the question.

"Brother Murong, looks like you’ll have to continue your family visit in the Southern Border alone."

Li Mo patted his shoulder.

Now that Murong Xiao had awakened his bloodline, he’d reached the Mystic Core Realm—a remarkable pace.

Perhaps his affinity for Buddhist techniques played a role...

But even so, the Southern Border was perilous for someone at his level.

Plus, Li Mo wasn’t sure if their paths aligned.

Thud—

Suddenly, a booklet fell from Murong Xiao’s robes.

Diary.

"Who even keeps a diary these days..."

Young Li wasn’t one to pry into others’ privacy.

But the Southern Border was vast, and he had no idea where Murong Xiao intended to go.

"Brother Murong, if you don’t object, I’ll take it as consent."

Li Mo sought his opinion.

Murong Xiao: "......"

Seemed he had no objections.

Thus, Li Mo opened the diary to the first page:

[I’ve now identified my weakness. After days of challenges, I’m ready to attempt breaking through to the Mystic Core Realm.]

[Brother Li is already a prodigy on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, while I’m still languishing in the Inner Breath Realm. How can I ever repay him?]

[To catch up to Brother Li’s shadow, to reach the Mystic Core—starting today, I renounce lust!]

The words radiated unwavering resolve.

"Brother Murong, oh Brother Murong..."

Li Mo chuckled before flipping to the next page:

[Day One of Renouncing Lust: Feeling great.]

He turned another page. The entry read:

【Day One of Abstinence: This time I must resist. It’s all because of Senior Brother Ouyang’s damn sketchbook being too enticing.】

Flipping further...

【Day One of Abstinence: Succeed or die trying!】

The fourth and fifth pages had identical entries.

Li Mo: "......"

Just how exactly are you "breaking through the Mystic Core"?

Brother Murong, shouldn’t you at least rest for a day?

Right at that moment—

Murong Xiao’s eyelids twitched.