Chapter 287: Another Year, Another Blue Flower Festival

In the spacious area on the basement level of the Ancient Cultivation Building, a figure stood silently.

The dust that had just been stirred up had yet to settle.

Chen Shu lowered his head and closed his eyes, pressing his palms together.

The Spirit Power in his Spirit Sea was brewing, waiting to erupt; the Secret Technique of the spirit body was operating steadily, and he was focused, searching for the point of intersection between the Spirit Sea and reality. Over these past days, he had summarized a set of tricks that suited him, and he could be considered quite familiar with this intersection point.

When he opened his eyes again.

"Poof..."

The dust on the ground suddenly rose up.

A phantom six or seven meters tall emerged from behind him, its head nearly brushing the ceiling of this floor; its eyes were also closed, and it leaned forward slightly, which, combined with that solemn and serious expression, gave one a sense of oppression as if it were looking down upon all things in the world.

If one looked closely, the features of this figure were very similar to Chen Shu himself, but more refined; it wore magnificent traditional attire and had no expression.

It also had its palms pressed together.

It was as if a deity stood behind him.

Once explained, it was no longer mysterious.

The image of this figure was designed by himself; he had extracted the state of his own appearance that he considered the best and made a few slight embellishments, striving to achieve an effect where others would know it was him at a glance, while also being able to create a good image for him—this might not necessarily hold true between the same sex, but if it were between the opposite sex, people were often more willing to remember the good-looking side of others; therefore, the image of this spirit body could help people realize that Chen Shu himself actually looked like this, and that they had just been dazzled before.

As for this magnificent attire, thanks here to Brother Meng for providing the clothing sponsorship, materials, and one-on-one guidance, as well as offering suggestions for modifications.

The goal remained to shape a good image.

At this moment, the dim basement reflected a rosy glow.

Due to the contained, massive Spirit Power, under the powerful Spirit Power Field Effect, the entire spirit body was surrounded by a layer of colorful light, which had no fixed color and was constantly changing.

The colorful light was soft and not dazzling, adding a touch of holiness to the phantom.

"!"

Chen Shu suddenly opened his eyes.

The spirit body also opened its eyes accordingly; its eyes were hollow, as if there were nothing there, yet also as if they were two holes leading to the deep void.

Chen Shu extended his right hand and pushed a single palm forward.

The spirit body also performed the same action as him.

"..."

No attack was unleashed.

Only the dust all over the floor danced chaotically, driven by the overflowing, violent Spirit Power, its shape illuminated by the colorful light.

There was no help for it; even if Chen Shu only used the Tracer Technique now, it would completely exceed the defensive limits of this laboratory. If he were to use the spirit body to cast the Tracer Technique, he could probably only pray that Wei Lvshi could perform well when defending him and get him a few fewer years in his sentence.

"Hoo..."

Chen Shu relaxed his body and looked back.

The spirit body maintained its posture of looking down and pushing a palm forward, met his indifferent gaze for a few seconds, then withdrew its hand, pressed its palms together again, and closed its eyes.

These were all under his control.

The spirit body would not follow the Spirit Cultivator's movements while in operation; if there were no commands, it would only stay at a designated position beside the Spirit Cultivator, acting as a tool for showing off. But it could execute some actions under the Spirit Cultivator's control, though it could not be used to hit people, as it had no physical form.

"Poof!"

The spirit body dissipated, exploding into countless specks of light that fluttered in the air like countless released fireflies, gradually losing their luster as they fluttered about.

Chen Shu stood where he was, lowering his head to summarize.

There were at least three problems with the spirit body currently:

First, the activation process was unstable and could not be done at will.

One had to be completely focused, with high mental concentration, to find this point of intersection. Even so, it required some time and carried a very high probability of failure.

A driver like this could not get on the road.

And the spirit body was not a simple Spell; it was a complex Secret Technique that could not be integrated into the Thousand Machine Art.

Therefore, it currently lacked combat capability and required diligent practice.

Second, the instability of the spirit body itself.

Chen Shu had tested it dozens of times today, succeeding over ten times; the longest duration of maintenance was over a minute, while the shortest was only a dozen seconds.

Moreover, he had currently only used the spirit body to cast some insignificant minor Spells; he had not yet cast any complex, high-potency Spells that could instantly consume massive amounts of Spirit Power, so he did not yet know whether it would bring about greater instability under conditions of large Spirit Power output.

Third, the Spirit Power leakage was severe.

Before the Spell was even cast, the Spirit Power was already being consumed violently.

Wasn't this just an oil leak?

Chen Shu shook his head.

There was still a long way to go.

However, this was already a huge improvement. Every time the spirit body was successfully summoned, the sense of power and confidence that surged into his heart in that instant fascinated him greatly. It was precisely this wonderful feeling that supported him in continuing to test here until now, with his Spirit Power nearly exhausted.

Footsteps echoed in the empty basement.

Chen Shu left this place.

Outside the Ancient Cultivation Building.

Several figures were attracting the gazes of passersby.

The sisters stood side by side on the steps, both standing at the very edge of the steps, motionless. Beside them, a little one was also squatting at their feet, motionless, as if it wanted to maintain a cold and aloof formation, but it couldn't help but yawn.

On the other side sat Zhang Suannai, not minding the dirt, her two legs dangling down, her toes nearly touching the ground; her legs were truly very long.

Regardless of gender, everyone passing by looked at them.

Seeing Chen Shu, Zhang Suannai finally climbed up and patted her bottom: "My god, you finally came out..."

"Isn't this the million-follower internet celebrity, the most beautiful Sword Immortal on the highway?"

Chen Shu stopped in front of them, and because of the height of the steps, he had to look up at them: "Why are you so disregardful of your personal image? If someone took a picture and put it on the internet, how bad would that be."

"I want to beat you up!"

"Haha..."

The group walked toward the school gate.

Today was once again the annual Blue Flower Festival.

After the steps leveled out and became parallel with the road, Chen Shu walked alongside Qingqing quite naturally and asked:

"Have you started the new stage of cultivation?"

"I have."

"What are you cultivating?"

"I don't want to tell you."

"Emmm..." Chen Shu pretended to ponder, even channeling Spirit Power to his eyes to make them flicker with a faint light to simulate a special effect, "Let me, this Secret Sect Practitioner, guess. You definitely chose to cultivate No Anger first, then Chong Nu, right?"

"What's your basis?"

"Do I need a basis?" Chen Shu said dismissively, taking the opportunity to reach out and wrap his arm around her shoulder, "Do you know what a Secret Sect Practitioner is?"

"Childish."

Ning Qing couldn't help but roll her eyes and reached out to push his hand away.

Chen Shu was not discouraged and reached out to wrap his arm around her again:

"So? Did I guess right?"

"You did."

Ning Qing pushed his hand away again.

Chen Shu was very persistent, placed his arm back on her shoulder, and asked: "Does No Anger mean that no matter what I do, you won't get angry?"

"No Anger just means I won't feel anger; it doesn't mean I've lost my reason. You are free to act recklessly, but I can also, without being angry and relying solely on reason, make the judgment that I should break your hand. A decision made rationally is harder to undo than an impulse made while angry."

"Wow! How scary!"

"You are really thick-skinned."

"Hehe..."

"Once you get used to this, and after I finish this stage of cultivation and no longer indulge you like I do now, don't be disappointed."

"Are you telling me what to do?"

"Heh..."

Ning Qing felt wonderful being held by the shoulder by him; she glanced at him sideways, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth: "The next stage is Chong Nu. You know I'm a person who holds grudges. I hope the you at that time can be as tough as the you right now."

"Pfft!"

Chen Shu was naturally not afraid at all.

At worst, he'd get a beating!

At worst, he'd get a few more!

Besides, the one getting beaten is the me from a few days later; why should I give up the happiness of the happy me today for that idiot?

It makes no sense at all!

The two walked toward the school gate.

Behind them, the young girl held a cartoon water cup, her mouth around a straw, following them closely while looking at interesting things on the side of the road. Zhang Suannai remained expressionless the whole time, but the discussion between the two in front entered her ears without missing a word; her mouth couldn't help but twitch, and she felt a sour sensation in her heart.

Taozi stayed obediently in her arms.

Yes, her roommate was flirting in front, and she still had to hold her roommate's cat.

"This..."

Zhang Suannai's expression was complicated.

Walking out of the school gate, Ning Qing booked an unmanned vehicle, and the group rode straight to Chang'an Gate.

The jacaranda trees along the way were all in full bloom, presenting a dreamy blue-purple color, connecting into a sea. Looking from afar, the tall trees seemed to have become soft, and paired with the clean, tidy roads and the old buildings full of the atmosphere of daily life, it felt as if they had entered a world from an anime.

Zhang Suannai tilted her head to look out the window, unable to help but recall the last Blue Flower Festival.

That was the year before last.

It was exactly two years ago today.

Two years ago today, she didn't know Chen Shu yet, but Chen Shu had already secretly known her. Her relationship with her two roommates wasn't this good yet either, especially with the little goddess roommate, whom she had only known for a short while.

The flowers that day were just as beautiful as they were today.

The self of that day...

Wait!

Why recall such things?

Zhang Suannai's expression went blank; she hurriedly shook her head to kill off that foolish Zhang Suannai who had been tricked into circling the Imperial Palace. Then, lowering her head, she discovered that Taozi, lying on her lap, was tilting its head and staring at her without blinking.

"Woof?"

I'm not sick!

Zhang Suannai answered in her heart.

The road ahead gradually became congested; they had arrived at the Chang'an Gate station.

Chen Banxia was waiting for them in front.

Seeing Chen Banxia, Zhang Suannai finally breathed a sigh of relief, ran over, and linked arms with Chen Banxia, as if she had finally found a companion, and her whole body felt much more at ease.

Today's Blue Flower Festival was even livelier than the last one.

Chen Shu still went to buy Strawberry Sugar-Coated Haws, one for each person, and then the group walked toward Chang'an Gate while chatting.

They saw the Imperial Family's procession from afar.

Chen Shu and Zhang Suannai couldn't help but feel a bit emotional.

The last time, the Former Emperor was still around, but this time, it has changed to a new Emperor. Chen Shu does not know if the Former Emperor is still alive, but hearing from Brother Meng that the Calamity-Transcending Bodhisattva has already sent chrysanthemums, combined with the Dayi tradition that the abdication of a Dayi Emperor is equivalent to vanishing from the human world, Chen Shu guesses that he is likely no longer in this world.

This time, the Group Leader was not seen again either.

"Sigh..."

Chen Shu sighed, turned around, and wanted to share his feelings with Zhang Suannai, but he saw Zhang Suannai instantly turn her head, looking at him with a vigilant face.

"Shut up!"

"I..."

"Shut up!!"

"I just wanted to say..."

"Not allowed to speak! You are not allowed to say anything!"

"?"

Chen Shu was stunned for a moment, looked at her expression, and quickly revealed a look of realization.

Zhang Suannai, meanwhile, instantly clenched her fists.

"Abominable!"

She even began to ponder in her heart: now that her roommate is in the "No Anger" state, if she beats up her roommate's boyfriend who isn't dating anyone, she wouldn't get angry, right? Her cultivation over the past half year has been more diligent and serious than the previous twenty-plus years combined; she should be able to easily beat him, right?

Zhang Suannai could not help but narrow her eyes.

Just at this moment, that person's voice suddenly rang in her ears.

"Zhang Suannai?"

"Ah... ah?"

Zhang Suannai instantly returned to her original state, even appearing slightly flustered.

"Help us take a photo."

"Oh, oh, okay."

Zhang Suannai hurriedly walked over, took his Mobile Phone, and began to take photos for them; as for what she had just been thinking about, it had already been cast to the back of her mind.