CHAPTER 337: CHAPTER 291 FORM

Sitting in the audience, Li Ang picked up a bandage to wrap his palm, then lightly dusted his clothes with a Dust Removal Talisman.

SWOOSH—

A large amount of dust, cloth fragments, and fly ash adhered to the Dust Removal Talisman. With a roll and a toss of the talisman, he felt refreshingly clear again.

Thank goodness for the Bitter Realm Lotus,

Li Ang slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air, calming his mind.

The Bitter Realm Lotus, which could predict good and bad fortune, had given an early prediction that today would not be extremely ominous, allowing him to make some preparations.

Moreover, he had good relations at the Academic Palace. Three Masters had stepped forward to support him, and his previous achievements also protected him, allowing him to avoid the worst-case scenario.

"This Bian Chenpei," Yang Yu, whose family were devout Haotian believers, shook his head and said with annoyance, "his father, Bian Yubo, serves as the Deputy Envoy of the Judgement Court. He has eliminated countless demons and Evil Spirits and can surely be called a hero. How did his son turn out like this?"

"Yes," Yong Hongzhong agreed. "To lack grace in the arena is one thing, but to be such a sore loser and speak nonsense in a fury... He doesn’t seem like the pride of Taihao Mountain. Instead, he’s more like a woman in the East and West Market theaters who gambles away her money and then curses the sumo match for ’counting too slow.’"

"A tiger father may have a dog son," Li Wei sneered. "After this academic exchange, Bian Chenpei, even if he returns to Taihao Mountain, will only become a laughingstock."

In Taihao Mountain, positions don’t pass from father to son by heredity. This is especially true in the Judgement Court, where the strength and reputation of the Priests are still the most important criteria.

As long as Bian Chenpei is alive, he will never be able to remove the label of ’directly defeated by a Cultivator two ranks lower’ from his head."

"Have you been feeling very down recently?" He Fanshuang, sitting beside him holding a book, glanced at the silent Li Ang and asked softly, "Just now in the arena, you weren’t your usual self."

"Huh?"

Li Ang was startled for a moment, then smiled bitterly. "A little, perhaps."

The Water Poison of Suzhou, the lurking Zhao Ming in the dark, the reforms in the Imperial Medical Bureau, Ashina Galuo left with lifelong disabilities, and the Spiritual Energy Machine destined to change the world’s structure and the lives of countless common people.

Troublesome issues piled up one after another, and his recent outburst against Bian Chenpei on stage was partly to vent his accumulated frustration.

He Fanshuang looked at him steadily and said gently, "You don’t need to carry all burdens and worries on your shoulders. You can talk to someone you trust."

"Mm," Li Ang nodded, his smile tinged with bitterness.

It had been three full years since he awakened his memories of the Otherworld. He was surrounded by true friends and respectable mentors, yet he also harbored many more... secrets he couldn’t share.

He could entrust his life to Chai Chai, but Chai Chai would hardly understand what he meant when he mumbled about "sheep eating humans," "industrialization," or "the proletariat."

He could talk about many things with Li Leqing, but her status as a Princess meant she inevitably couldn’t grasp many of Li Ang’s unconventional, even treasonous, ideas.

Li Ang had an inexplicable feeling, as if he were a traveler walking along a cliff under the night sky, a deep abyss yawning below his feet. In the distance lay the flourishing and comfortable Human World, with its beautifully carved beams and freshly lit lamps. But right next to the city, a massive bonfire burned fiercely. Only he could see that dangerously spreading bonfire. He wanted to warn the distant crowd, but his voice couldn’t traverse the empty cliffs, only his own solitary, lonely echo returning.

Li Ang sighed softly, shaking his head to clear his mind of those troublesome matters.

On the arena stage, the competition continued. Ren Xin, Ashina Que Teqin, and others successively took their turns. Pei Jing wielded the Canghai Sword to win against the odds, and Shangguan Yangyao unstoppably blasted his opponent away with Divine Arts, somewhat salvaging Taihao Mountain’s reputation.

Cheers and applause rose and fell from the spectators. It wasn’t often one could see these venerable Cultivators fighting so fiercely, like gladiators in a theater.

During breaks in the competition, attendants from Chang’an’s business firms, wearing uniforms with their company names, pushed carts through the spectator stands. They offered free, cool refreshments and snacks to the citizens and foreign delegations.

Li Ang and his group, however, didn’t get to enjoy the free desserts. Li Leqing had a servant push a cart over, from which she took more than a dozen bowls of watermelon juice, chilled with Liliang Talismans, to share with everyone.

"Thank you."

Li Ang took a sip and suddenly paused. Li Leqing noticed his reaction and instinctively asked, "What’s wrong? Doesn’t it taste good?"

"No, it’s delicious." Li Ang gave her a bright smile, but his thoughts had already drifted from the arena to a cave outside Chang’an City.

In the dark, lightless cavern, the Mo Si Clone, previously inert, was shaking violently.

RUSTLE—

A large amount of Mo Si was sloughing off, causing the three recently hatched Red-eyed Purple Lady Bees nearby to buzz chaotically.

What’s happening? Is it out of control?!

Li Ang focused intently, his Thought concentrated on the Mo Si Clone, trying hard to retract the Mo Si.

After more than ten breaths, the clone finally stopped disintegrating. The large amount of Mo Si scattered on the ground slowly rose, forming small mounds like sand dunes on the cave floor.

It wasn’t out of control. Li Ang could still sense the detached Mo Si and could still command and control them. It seems more like... it’s awakening to another form?

Li Ang pondered uncertainly. After the severe beating he’d given Bian Chenpei in the arena, his long-accumulated frustrations had dissipated. His realm also seemed to have barely climbed from the Initial Stage of Rain Listening to the threshold of the Middle Level of Rain Listening.

In the time of the Former Sui, the Middle Level of Rain Listening was enough to be called a "Cultivator," not just a beginner Cultivator.

Though only a one-rank difference, he was now just two steps away from the Cloud Patrol Realm.

Did my own advancement trigger this change in the Mo Si? Li Ang wondered. The Fourth Stage of Mo Si development allowed for the differentiation of a remotely controllable clone. What new abilities does the Fifth Stage hold?

He released his Thought, sensing the pile of Mo Si. The scattered Mo Si could transform into various shapes on the spot—circular, square, or geometric forms were all possible. However, more complex structures, such as human or animal shapes, could not be formed.

Can’t it transform into more clones? Li Ang was somewhat disappointed. The functions of the differentiated scattered parts were limited, and the Mo Si Clone could still only have one main body.

The control precision and toughness of the scattered parts haven’t changed much either. Li Ang thought. Then what’s the use of this Fifth Stage? To act as eyes and ears apart from the Mo Si Clone? Wait, that’s not impossible.

The biggest problem with the Mo Si Clone was its pure black color, making it too conspicuous and easy to spot on the road, even when wearing a straw coat. To infiltrate a city, it could only burrow underground or travel through waterways.

With the scattered Mo Si, however, it could monitor a large area. And...

He directed his Thought towards the buzzing Red-eyed Purple Lady Bees. These three bee-like creatures had only recently hatched from their cocoons. They were now only thumb-sized and needed fresh blood and flesh daily—Li Ang would control the Mo Si Clone to hunt game or river fish in the mountains for them.

Maybe... Li Ang pondered for a moment. He controlled the Mo Si Clone to stand up, pick up an ink ball, and gently place it on the back of one of the Red-eyed Purple Lady Bees.

The next second, a sudden change occurred.