NOVEL WEB chapter 126
126. Reaching a “Consensus”
Lin Nuo got straight to the point, not beating around the bush, and directly brought up the matter of the demonic cultivation methods.
Qin Shili was also very surprised, her indifferent face showing a subtle change.
After all, in the Xuan Yun Sect, even talking about demons was taboo, let alone books related to demonic cultivation methods, which were strictly forbidden. Just purchasing them was a grave offense, not to mention cultivating them.
Previously, Lin Nuo had emphasized to her that he would not speak of her affairs, as if he had never seen them, and the matter seemed to have been forgotten.
However, now he was the one bringing it up and even offering to teach her.
It was truly strange.
It made no sense at all. After all, he was a disciple who had established remarkable feats, with a high reputation both in the Xuan Yun Sect and among the people. If he were to teach her, he must be extremely familiar with the demonic cultivation methods. Moreover, disciples of orthodox sects were accustomed to their own sect’s cultivation methods, making it extremely difficult to practice demonic cultivation methods. Even with secret manuals, it was hard to get started.
She had seen for herself, even with confidence in her own comprehension, she couldn’t grasp even the basic demonic cultivation methods.
Lin Nuo has been at Xuan Yun Sect for years, how could he possibly be familiar with the demonic arts?
No, it’s possible, after all, he is an incredible man.
Qin Shili asked, “You say you’ll teach me, but you must know a bit, right?”
“A bit? No, I’m well-versed.”
Lin Nuo confidently said, “To instruct a beginner like you, it’s more than enough.”
“Even if I believe you can, why would you actively teach me?”
“Because we are of the same kind.”
Lin Nuo suddenly revealed a chilling smile.
In fact, Lin Nuo had already made a confident judgment about Qin Shili’s psyche.
In his previous life, he was a great demon, having seen all sorts of people and their psychological journeys into demonhood, including those from righteous sects.
They harbored a sliver of deviant thoughts, born from various reasons: tragic fates, dissatisfaction with their own cultivation, or mere curiosity. But due to their status in the righteous sects and lack of access to demonic arts, these deviant thoughts were erased over time.
However, with the right guidance, they could be led into demonhood.
Such cases were not unheard of; there were many.
Like the practitioners of the Refining Demon Sect, who were adept at brainwashing, they enjoyed leading people into the demonic path. Speaking of which, Lin Nuo was initially led into demonhood by a disciple of the Refining Demon Sect. After all, in his last life, he was forced to leave Xuan Yun Sect, life held no more allure, and to survive, he had no choice but to turn to demonhood, becoming a lowly apprentice within the Refining Demon Sect. But as he grew stronger, he left the organization to strike out on his own.
He knew Qin Shili harbored deviant thoughts; with proper guidance, he could lead her into demonhood.
“What do you mean?”
Qin Shili played coy, pretending not to understand, waiting for Lin Nuo to reveal his intentions.
Lin Nuo continued bluntly, “We both reside in Xuan Yun Sect, and this sect shuns the demonic arts, never speaking of them. But I can tell, you and I are the same; in fact, we both yearn for these arts.”
“Do you feel the same?”
Qin Shili was more concerned about Lin Nuo, not denying her own thoughts, knowing well that Lin Nuo was already aware of everything about her, otherwise, he wouldn’t have written his words on the note in ‘A Thousand Years of Solitude.’
Thus, there was no need to hide from him, it would be superfluous.
“Yes, indeed.”
Lin Nuo nodded, his judgment was correct. The fact that Qin Shili said “also” indicated she shared the same mindset.
Those with such a mindset longed for companionship, and for now, he would act as her companion, leading her into demonhood.
Lin Nuo went on, “It’s nothing to be ashamed of, it’s merely a choice. These days, hiding this has naturally been distressing. Don’t worry, I understand you, we are fellow travelers, and should help each other.”
Listening to Lin Nuo’s words, Qin Shili roughly understood his meaning.
Indeed, as a pillar of Xuan Yun Sect’s younger generation, she shouldn’t harbor deviant thoughts, yet she yearned for the abyss, which troubled her greatly. Although she was a loner, she also hoped to be understood.
Previously, in the library, she was actually delighted to receive the words Lin Nuo wrote on the note, and even more so when Lin Nuo, by his actions during the alchemy room incident, demonstrated how to maintain a righteous stance while navigating the dark abyss.
She wished to reach his level, but without understanding the demonic arts, how could she navigate the dark abyss on her own?
And lately, Lin Nuo seemed unwilling to deal with her, even hoping she wouldn’t follow him when he went out. She wondered if her thoughts were truly acknowledged by him, or if she was just deluding herself.
She began to fret again, sinking into confusion and the agony of being misunderstood.
Yet now, Lin Nuo boldly told her that they were the same kind of people.
How could they be the same? He was far stronger than her. While she was lost in confusion, he had already risen above, looking down upon all beings.
It was merely a polite phrase, meant to make her feel better.
Perhaps he saw her perplexity, her misunderstood distress, and wanted to rescue her, to guide her in companionship on how to truly stand firm on the righteous path, navigating through the dark abyss.
At that thought, her icy heart suddenly warmed.
For the first time, she felt genuinely cared for. To be honest, with the existence of her deviant thoughts, without understanding or guidance, she didn’t even know what kind of person she would become.
Perhaps one day, she would be exposed to the public, her reputation in tatters, labeled as a strange person. Or perhaps she would go mad with her wild thoughts. Or she might take extreme actions, never to return.
In any case, there would be no good outcome.
But now, someone came to redeem her, and that person was Lin Nuo.
He couldn’t possibly lead her down the path of evil, for he himself was more righteous than anyone, as all his past actions had already shown.
He simply wanted to help her out of her confusion in his own way, to become a better person.
He was just caring for her in a different manner, letting her experience the feeling of being understood.
Indeed, once understood, the gloom dissipated, and the world became bright and clear.
With this thought, Qin Shili’s cold face broke into a slight smile.
As if touched by the spring breeze, the iceberg shattered.
“Alright.”
Qin Shili agreed to Lin Nuo, “But the Xuan Yun Sect does not allow the practice of demonic arts.”
“No matter, we’ll have the chance to practice together outside.”
Lin Nuo extended his right hand, “I hope for a pleasant collaboration in the future.”
“Alright.”
Without hesitation, Qin Shili reached out to grasp Lin Nuo’s right hand.
With this, the matter was settled.
Lin Nuo: Hehe, Qin Shili, with your abilities and my guidance, you will definitely fall into demonhood.
Qin Shili: I will surely catch up to you, to truly adhere to the righteous path and traverse the deep abyss.