216 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

### Chapter 216: To Pursue Cultivation, Must One Truly Disregard Everything? That night. Xiao Mo sat in the courtyard of the City Lord's mansion in Maple Leaf City. Instead of cultivating, Xiao Mo stared serenely at the night sky sprawled above the city. His eyes growing increasingly profound, it was impossible to tell what thoughts occupied his mind. "Fifth Brother." Breaking the tranquility of the courtyard, Qian Zhenhao's voice echoed. "Fourth Brother." Retracting his gaze from the stars, Xiao Mo looked towards his fourth brother. "What are you up to, Fifth Brother?" Qian Zhenhao asked with a smile, sitting beside Xiao Mo. "Nothing much, just pondering some things," Xiao Mo shook his head. "Fourth Brother, is there a reason you sought me out?" "Haha, why? Can’t I come to chat with my Fifth Brother?" Qian Zhenhao chuckled. Xiao Mo didn’t reply, taking a sip of tea beside him instead. "But, you guessed right. I do have something I wish to discuss with you," Qian Zhenhao's eyes shifted as he spoke. "Get to the point, Fourth Brother." "It's a great opportunity. Here, take this," Qian Zhenhao retrieved a bottle of pills from his sleeve. "This pill is called the Blood Refining Pill. Consuming it can enhance one's vitality and cleanse impurities, greatly benefiting the body. Take one each day, and after four days, Senior Sister will test you. If you pass, you may enter the Wangchuan Sect." Xiao Mo accepted the bottle, opened it, and examined the pills closely. Knowing a bit about alchemy, Xiao Mo quickly recognized that this Blood Refining Pill was not something ordinary. Fourth Brother was right that the pill could boost vitality and expel impurities. However, it was also a precursor to making one a cauldron for cultivation. Previously, female disciples from the Wanhua Peak had similarly tried to trick him into consuming such pills, but he had seen through their intentions. If he took this Blood Refining Pill, he would become an ideal target for others to harvest his energy after four days, enhancing their results. "Thank you, Fourth Brother," Xiao Mo said, pretending not to notice anything amiss as he sealed the bottle and tucked it away. "No need to thank me," Qian Zhenhao patted Xiao Mo's shoulder. "We are brothers, no need for such formalities." A fleeting gaze of guilt passed through Qian Zhenhao’s eyes as he spoke, but he quickly regained his composure. The so-called cauldron, and the concept of energy harvesting, were not akin to the mutual cultivation practices of the Taoists. In Taoist dual cultivation, both participants benefit by harmonizing and complementing each other's energies, potentially achieving enlightenment together. However, dual cultivation can be a slow process. Thus, Senior Sister planned to directly harvest Xiao Mo’s energy, using him as a cauldron. His cultivation foundation would be damaged, potentially stunting his path to enlightenment and even causing him to regress. After several such harvests, Xiao Mo's life force could be drained completely, leaving him as nothing more than a desiccated husk. "Fifth Brother, it’s not that Fourth Brother wants to harm you, but I’m merely following Senior Sister’s orders. I truly have no choice. However, don’t worry, once you’re gone, I’ll carry forth your aspirations," Qian Zhenhao comforted himself, feeling somewhat relieved afterward. "Fifth Brother, I might be too busy these days to visit. Please understand," Qian Zhenhao said to Xiao Mo. Xiao Mo nodded, “It’s alright, Fourth Brother, you carry on with your responsibilities.” “Great, then rest well, Fifth Brother. If you need anything, ask a maid to find me. I won’t disturb you further." With a pat on his thigh, Qian Zhenhao stood up. “Let me see you off, Fourth Brother,” Xiao Mo rose to accompany him. As Xiao Mo and Qian Zhenhao strolled through the City Lord's mansion, the chirping of insects and the moonlight mingled with the gentle ripples on the clear pond, casting a serene atmosphere. "Fourth Brother," Xiao Mo called out, gazing upon the bright moonlit sky. "Hmm?" Qian Zhenhao glanced curiously at Xiao Mo. "Nothing, just reminiscing about our childhood." "Ah, childhood," Qian Zhenhao adjusted his sleeves. "Life was hard back then. Our clothes were always worn, and we foraged in the mountains every day, hoping to sell herbs or game for a decent price. Starving, we would steal buns, or even money. Every day was a struggle just to survive until tomorrow." "Indeed, it was just like that," Xiao Mo nodded, taking a deep breath. “But do you remember what Eldest Brother used to tell us?” “What Eldest Brother said?” Qian Zhenhao paused, then laughed, “Eldest Brother said many things.” “Yes, Eldest Brother was a bit long-winded, but there’s something he repeatedly emphasized that I still remember,” Xiao Mo recalled. “No matter how poor or desperate we were, Eldest Brother always told us not to steal from the poor, not to take food from those struggling like us.” "Because we were poor too, and the poor should sympathize with each other’s plight. We only took from those who could afford it." “Haha, now that you mention it, I remember,” Qian Zhenhao nodded, seemingly nostalgic. “Eldest Brother had his peculiar principles.” “Though peculiar, Eldest Brother upheld them,” Xiao Mo observed the twinkling stars. “Back then, we were poor, but our spirits were rich. We dreamt of prosperous futures, of marrying multiple wives. Although hungry, any morsel we ate, even coarse bread, tasted like a feast. We shared everything among the five of us, even a single piece of bread.” “We don’t have to do that anymore,” Qian Zhenhao clapped Xiao Mo’s back. “Now, I am wealthy, with everything I could want. No longer do we need to share anything, not even a piece of bread. You see those jade stones? Just one could fetch a lifetime’s earnings for a commoner." "Yes, Fourth Brother, you have wealth now. But is money everything? In pursuing cultivation, is there truly nothing worth cherishing?" Xiao Mo stopped, facing Qian Zhenhao. Qian Zhenhao paused, "What are you implying, Fifth Brother?" “Nothing,” Xiao Mo shook his head. “Just a sudden thought.” With that, Xiao Mo sheathed his blade and bowed to his brother, “Fourth Brother, I won’t accompany you further.” “No problem, take care, Fifth Brother. Farewell.” Qian Zhenhao bowed in return. “Take care,” Xiao Mo straightened up. “Mm.” Both turned away, each heading in their own direction, their paths diverging further into the distance.