Transmigrated into a Total Shou Novel as a Cannon Fodder, but Ended Up 1v1-ing the Male Lead | Chapter 29 | Resuming the Path | Novela.app

However, winter was not a profitable season in Fanhua City, a fact Nie Shiyun knew all too well. If he could hatch the divine beast egg before the Hantian Secret Realm opened, the Phoenix-Crow—even with only half-phoenix blood—would be a monumental asset. Consequently, Nie Shiyun threw all the surplus medicinal pills and spirit stones he had accumulated into the jade space. Yet, it was still not enough. For the time being, he had no better resources to feed it. During this period, Nie Shiyun could only focus on improving his formation skills, which were beginning to lag behind his smithing level, while waiting for the revival of spring. Nevertheless, spending such a somewhat dull and arduous winter together with another person made the days feel as though they were passing quite quickly. Zhai Bairong had not cultivated for a long time. Ever since his failed advancement, his cultivation had regressed, and his practice had become intermittent. It was as if he knew that even if he reached the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment again, it would be in vain, making him reluctant to even try. If there was any silver lining, it was that although he had learned alchemy before, he had lacked for nothing within the Yingyue Sect, leaving him with few opportunities to actually practice. After leaving on his own, with nothing else to do, his alchemy skills had improved by leaps and bounds. Nie Shiyun was actually afraid of provoking Zhai Bairong’s state of mind, so he rarely cultivated for long periods in his presence. Putting himself in the other’s shoes, he imagined it would be quite painful to watch someone else’s cultivation rise while his own remained stagnant. During winter, the time spent outdoors was greatly reduced. Seeing that Zhai Bairong did nothing but read idle books at home when he wasn't in the alchemy room, Nie Shiyun felt that the man looked somewhat despondent. "Do you want to start cultivating again?" One night, just after they had finished their intimate activities, Nie Shiyun lay beside Zhai Bairong, propping up his head as he looked at him. He knew that Zhai Bairong’s inner demons had likely improved significantly. While he wouldn't go so far as to say the man had completely transferred his affections, at least this period of time spent together had caused Duan Mingyu’s presence in his mind to fade considerably. What remained was mostly Zhai Bairong’s own hesitation. Nie Shiyun felt he didn't really have the standing to ask this. It was a matter Zhai Bairong should decide for himself, but seeing the other man wavering so much, he couldn't help but try to give him a push. Zhai Bairong was taken aback. As he turned his head, his loose hair made a soft rustling sound against the bedding. "Why... bring this up so suddenly?" "I just feel it’s about time. The Great Cultivation Assembly is only a few years away. Do you really not want to go? You should show those people who gossiped about you back then." Zhai Bairong took a deep breath. The Yingyue Sect did not need a Zhai Bairong who remained stuck at the peak of Foundation Establishment. If he were an ordinary disciple, Foundation Establishment would not be an issue—even those at the Qi Refining stage could attend. But for him, Zhai Bairong, staying at this level was a stain on the Yingyue Sect's reputation. Seeing his eyes flicker, indicating he wasn't entirely unmoved, Nie Shiyun moved closer and placed his hand over Zhai Bairong’s. Having just shared an intimate moment, the lingering afterglow made any physical contact feel natural. However, this gesture held no lust; it was simply one hand resting upon another. "You haven't had a nightmare in a while, have you?" "..." Zhai Bairong glanced at Nie Shiyun. Previously, there had indeed been several times when he had fallen back into nightmares during sleep, suffering immensely. However, he had vaguely felt someone pulling him close, and in that embrace, the nightmares seemed to slowly fade away. Upon waking, Zhai Bairong naturally understood what had happened. Although he felt it was quite embarrassing, his reason told him he had to offer his thanks. He had once started to say, "Last night..." only to be met with Nie Shiyun’s counter-question: "Hmm? Did something happen last night?" Many things were understood between them without being spoken. Seeing Zhai Bairong lost in thought, Nie Shiyun did not press him. Instead, he fell silent and began to toy with Zhai Bairong’s fingers. Zhai Bairong tried to pull his fingers away, but Nie Shiyun pinched them again. After several repetitions, Zhai Bairong finally couldn't help but be amused by their childish behavior. "What are you doing?" "Nothing," Nie Shiyun said with a smile. After a long pause, Zhai Bairong finally responded, "You are right. I will try starting tomorrow. Let us rest for today." The two lay facing each other, their hands still loosely entwined as they slowly drifted off to sleep. The next day, as promised, Zhai Bairong resumed his cultivation. He had once reached the peak of Foundation Establishment. After failing to advance to the Golden Core stage, his cultivation had been damaged, dropping back to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, after which he had lost his spirit. Resuming his practice after such a long hiatus, Zhai Bairong was naturally cautious, proceeding step by step. By the time he opened his eyes and completed a full cycle of spiritual energy, three days had passed. Nie Shiyun, who had been standing guard nearby, thought to himself that his guess had been correct. Throughout this session, Zhai Bairong showed no signs of being encroached upon by inner demons or any precursors to cultivation deviation. Everything seemed perfectly fine. Even with his immense self-control, Zhai Bairong could not hide his joy at this moment. Upon learning that Nie Shiyun had not opened the shop for three days to stand guard for him, Zhai Bairong felt a bit guilty, even though he knew business was slow in winter. Having resumed his cultivation, Zhai Bairong proceeded steadily every day, not daring to be overconfident. Nie Shiyun was only worried that first time; afterward, he stopped fretting unnecessarily. He opened the shop and forged items as usual, no longer neglecting his business. By this time, Nie Shiyun’s own cultivation was on the verge of reaching the mid-Golden Core stage. However, since picking up that egg, many of his cultivation resources had been diverted, causing him to stall on that final step. Winter passed, and spring arrived. Fanhua City once again welcomed the days when flowers bloomed in profusion. Buds both inside and outside the city burst open, painting the entire city in magnificent colors. The silence and desolation of winter seemed to vanish overnight, replaced by a city full of vitality. "Long time no see!" "Boss! Boss—" Nie Shiyun casually tossed out some candies, and a group of children who hadn't shown their faces all winter jumped up joyfully to scramble for them. "There's enough for everyone! If you break anything in my shop, I couldn't afford to compensate even if I sold you all!" Nie Shiyun threatened. However, the children who were already familiar with him weren't very afraid. They continued to laugh and play in a huddle. Though he usually found them noisy, after not seeing them for several months and the shop being empty for a while, Nie Shiyun didn't find them too annoying now. "Where's the second boss?" "What 'second boss'? Don't talk nonsense... He's cultivating." "So hardworking! Boss, why aren't you hardworking?" "Humans don't need to hibernate. While I was working hard all winter, you lot were all sleeping in your nests," Nie Shiyun laughed and waved his arm, signaling the children to leave now that they had their candy. The little rascals, having just woken from hibernation, were in high spirits. After playing for a while, they ran off together in a noisy swarm. A moment later, Zhai Bairong came out to the front, his expression carrying a hint of joy. Nie Shiyun guessed, "Have you reached the peak of Foundation Establishment?" "Yes. It went quite smoothly." "I told you it would be fine." Nie Shiyun found a jar to put the remaining salted plum candies in. Zhai Bairong found a stool and sat down. "Did those beast-kin children come by?" "Like a whirlwind. They ran off as soon as they got their candy, the little brats," Nie Shiyun teased with a smile. "They even asked if you were here. You're quite popular with them." Zhai Bairong smiled. "They haven't seen me many times and are just curious. If anything, those kids truly like you." Nie Shiyun chuckled, thinking they probably liked whoever gave them candy. "Ah." Zhai Bairong was startled. He turned to see Nie Shiyun casually unwrapping a salted plum candy and holding it to his lips. Nie Shiyun’s movement was incredibly natural, as if he were just handing it over in passing. There wasn't even a hint of teasing on his face, which caught Zhai Bairong completely off guard. "Hmm?" Nie Shiyun turned his head, somewhat puzzled by Zhai Bairong’s lack of movement. His expression was so matter-of-fact that Zhai Bairong hesitated for a moment before opening his mouth to eat it. Taking food directly from someone else's hand was not the behavior of a gentleman, especially in front of the shop with the doors wide open. Although no one was in the shop, Zhai Bairong’s face still felt a bit hot. Seeing his obvious embarrassment, Nie Shiyun couldn't help but lean down and ask in a low voice, "What's wrong? Your standards are truly strange. You're used to being in bed together, but feeding you a piece of candy is considered a breach of public morals?" "That is different," Zhai Bairong whispered. "Enough, the shop door is open. This is not the place for such talk..." Seeing his serious demeanor, Nie Shiyun wanted to say more, but as luck would have it, a customer actually arrived. He had to immediately straighten up and adopt a professional business posture. Zhai Bairong hurriedly rose and retreated to the back room. Catching a glimpse of his retreating figure, Nie Shiyun chuckled inwardly.