Chapter 341

Chapter 341: I’m Not Stupid

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As Shixin stood before him, Xu Ming paused in surprise. Shixin, too, was momentarily stunned by Xu Ming’s presence.

Then, regaining his composure first, Xu Ming gripped the longsword in his hand and stepped closer to Shixin.

Shixin remained motionless.

Xu Ming swung his sword down toward Shixin.

Shixin’s pupils contracted sharply as she chanted a Dharma Decree, summoning a golden bell-shaped barrier around herself.

“Clang!”

The Sword Qi struck the golden bell barrier with a dull sound, like a resonating bell from Xu Ming’s forceful blow.

This was the first time Xu Ming had felt the strength of Shixin’s defense.

It must be said, not for nothing had Shixin maxed out her defensive spells.

Her defensive power was truly formidable.

No wonder the abbot of Leiming Temple allowed this little bunny, Shixin, to wander the mortal world.

Although Shixin wouldn’t kill and was very kind-hearted,

ordinary people really couldn’t break through Shixin’s defenses.

And extraordinary ones, those at higher cultivation levels than Shixin, wouldn’t dare to attack her either.

After all, no one wanted to incur the wrath of the Leiming Temple abbot.

“There’s something there; let’s try again,” thought Xu Ming. Quickly, he swung his sword once more at Shixin.

Shixin didn’t reinforce her spell but calmly watched Xu Ming instead, as if waiting for death. But this time, the golden bell barrier surrounding Shixin shattered instantly.

A flash of cold light passed before Shixin.

Xu Ming’s sword was already pressed against Shixin’s neck.

“Why didn’t you dodge?” Xu Ming asked with a smile. “Did you guess it was me right away?”

That last swing, Xu Ming had intentionally slowed it down half a beat. If Shixin had wanted to dodge, she could have easily done so.

But this girl just stood there dumbly.

In Xu Ming’s view, the only explanation was that Shixin had guessed he was real.

Shixin nodded, “Mm-hmm.”

“How did you guess?” Xu Ming asked.

“When you swung your second sword.” Shixin’s golden eyes blinked lightly, “When you swung the second time, your eyes carried a mocking look directed at me.”

“…” Xu Ming was speechless for a moment. “Then tell me, what were you mocking about?”

“You were mocking me for being stupid…” Shixin’s tone carried a hint of resentment, her lips slightly pouting, “You must have been thinking, ‘this person won’t be able to tell the difference anyway.'”

Xu Ming: “…”

Actually, Xu Ming was indeed mocking Shixin for being naive.

In fact, from the start, Xu Ming had recognized this Shixin as the real one.

If asked why, Xu Ming couldn’t explain it clearly.

It was just that when the real Shixin appeared before you, you would feel — originally, a truly pure girl is like this.

After seeing the fake Shixin and then encountering the real one again,

you would become even more deeply aware —

the girl before you is so pure. She’s like a stream of clear water, standing before you, not competing, having no desires or demands, just quietly looking at you.

That feeling and aura are something no illusion can replicate.

But after recognizing Shixin, Xu Ming wanted to tease her, wanting to see how she would react under his sword, facing death.

Unexpectedly, he was recognized by Shixin.

“I’m not stupid.”

Just as Xu Ming fell silent, Shixin looked up seriously, gazing at Xu Ming with a touch of stubbornness in her tone and expression.

This bit of stubbornness on her flawless face also made her appear somewhat cute.

“You’re really not stupid.” Xu Ming sheathed his sword.

As if receiving praise from Xu Ming, Shixin’s eyes lit up instantly, stepping closer to him curiously, “Then how did you recognize me?”

Xu Ming thought for a moment, “Because you’re silly. When you stood there, I sensed a kind of foolish aura that no one can imitate.”

With that, Xu Ming paid no more attention to Shixin and turned to walk away from the courtyard.

Watching Xu Ming gradually move farther away, Shixin clutched her monk’s robe, muttering softly, “You just said I wasn’t stupid a moment ago…”

“What are you spacing out for? Let’s go.” Xu Ming turned around and called out to Shixin.

“Oooh.” Shixin nodded and quickly followed.

“Xu Ming, what place is this?” Walking beside Xu Ming, Shixin looked up and asked.

“How should I know where we are?” Xu Ming yawned indifferently, “But it probably isn’t a secret realm; otherwise, I wouldn’t have met you. It’s likely some sort of barrier.”

“Oooh.” Shixin nodded again.

Xu Ming glanced at Shixin sideways, “Are you scared?”

Shixin shook her head, “Not afraid.”

“Really not afraid? I sense a strong presence here. It might be troublesome,” Xu Ming said, “We may not even be able to leave this barrier and will end up perishing along with the Rootless Mystic Realm.”

“Still not afraid.” Indeed, there was not a trace of fear in Shixin’s eyes.

“Why aren’t you afraid? Are you so confident in yourself? Do you think you can get out?” Xu Ming asked curiously.

“Because you’re here.” Shixin looked earnestly at Xu Ming.

Xu Ming froze for a moment, laughing, “What do you mean because I’m here? I’m not omnipotent.”

Shixin lowered her head and thought for a moment, “I don’t know exactly, but as long as you’re by my side, I’m not afraid anymore, and I don’t need to think too much.”

“Alright.”

Although Shixin’s words sounded somewhat like an expression of affection, Xu Ming didn’t give it a second thought.

It must be because he had helped her overcome many crises, earning her trust.

“Dong dong… dong.”

Just as Xu Ming led Shixin to search for an exit,

a series of bell sounds echoed throughout the temple.

The next instant, the surroundings around Xu Ming and Shixin began to distort.

When the space stabilized again, Xu Ming and Shixin found themselves back in front of the temple hall.

It was as if they hadn’t taken a single step since entering the temple.

Moreover, various cultivators also appeared in the temple.

They looked at each other, none knowing what had happened.

Then, numerous corpses appeared.

Some even had bloodstains on their hands.

Previously, whether it was stone men, stone lions, or any illusions, killing them wouldn’t result in blood.

The fact was simple: during the previous “illusion,” these cultivators had killed others.

“May Buddha show mercy.”

A childish voice rang out in the temple.

Everyone looked forward.

On the many Buddha statues ahead, a sculpture about the size of a five-year-old child gradually transformed into a flesh-and-blood person.