Chapter 373: Is It Not You?

Chapter 373: Is It Not You?

Lin Nuo was hanging out with Dao Yuan and the Spirit Cat for what felt like ages. They almost fought over different opinions during the page-turning moments, but in the end, it all got resolved peacefully.

Reading matters, reading matters.

After a long time, they finally finished the book.

Their hearts were racing, excitement bubbling up inside them.

The plot was simply captivating, and both of their minds lingered on the scenes they just read.

Additionally, they both had an urgent question swirling in their heads:

When’s the author updating?

As their thoughts slowly returned to reality, it was time to get serious.

They exchanged solemn gazes, another brief silence falling between them.

Before diving into serious talk, they needed to gather their words for better expression.

After a bit, Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat spoke up:

“I think that Ah Cha should leave early to avoid being caught.”

Lin Nuo replied, “That’s just his style. If he leaves, who will save the female lead?”

Cat: “That’s too contrived, and a bit dumbed down.”

Lin Nuo: “I think it’s quite reasonable; as long as it’s satisfying, that’s what matters.”

Cat: “You don’t care about the plot at all? That’s not how you write it.”

Lin Nuo: “Here, take the pen and write it yourself.”

Cat: “I can’t critique unless I also cook cat food? Is that it?”

Lin Nuo: “Did you buy that cat food? Stop freeloading and whining so much!”

Cat: “Are you out of your mind?”

Lin Nuo: “You’re the one with cat madness.”

Cat: “&*&#￥”

Lin Nuo: “#@￥%”

…

Lin Nuo and Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat started bickering again; thankfully, they were communicating via mental dialogue, so no one else could hear them. Otherwise, the entire Zhi Shu Ge would be listening in on their quarrel.

But hey, even if they were arguing, they kept it civilized and didn’t escalate to physical fights.

After a while, they cooled down, just some casual back-and-forth, like nothing happened right after.

The plump and fluffy Dao Yuan Spirit Cat sat squarely on the table, gazing at Lin Nuo with those deep, insightful eyes, as if peering straight into his heart. The obnoxiously loudmouth reader cat was gone; what stood before Lin Nuo now was the most scholarly Spirit Cat in the whole book pavilion.

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat spoke:

“I went outside and found that the stone tablet is missing. I also ran into my old friends Jun and Ling; they mentioned you took a girl there.”

“You sure are well-informed; I just saw them recently.”

“Just a coincidence, I suppose. But I still have to congratulate you on becoming the chosen one. You have taken on the Water Spirit Heart, which means you bear the responsibility of resisting the Sea Domain Dragon Clan. You carry a heavy burden, but extraordinary experiences await you. You’ll attain the levels that cultivators yearn for; cherish that.”

“I don’t care much for those levels. Why do you think I’m suitable to inherit the Water Spirit Heart?”

“Because of your talent and achievements, you’re unmatched among the younger generation in the Xuanyun Sect. Moreover, the Water Spirit Heart is meant to be held together by a pair, and you just happen to be with that girl. You two are the strongest in the Xuanyun Sect, the best candidates to hold the Water Spirit Heart.”

“You see her as the strongest?”

Lin Nuo was astonished; this cat could actually tell that Su Kexin was the strongest?

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat affirmed:

“Yes, it’s clear to me that you two holding the Water Spirit Heart together is ideal. If in the future you two are fated to be true Dao companions, that would be even better.”

“Why do you think I would become Dao companions with her?”

Lin Nuo couldn’t wrap his head around it. How could a villain coexist with the main character until the end, let alone become Dao companions?

How is that even possible?

“Just a casual remark, whether it happens or not depends on your fates.”

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat said solemnly,

“Alright, I’ve dabbled a bit into this; it certainly deviates from my usual style. I’ll leave it at that. Everything from here on out will depend on your own fortunes.”

“Why is the stone tablet at Tian Ling Mountain, but no one has ever mentioned it before?” Lin Nuo asked.

“Someone has cast a spell. Plus, they still have some lingering spirit power, making that place hidden, rarely visited. They managed to stay concealed, of course. The fact that you found the stone tablet was fate and also their choice, to let you see it.”

“If they could exist for hundreds of years, I bet someone cast a protection spell on them, and they also have lingering thoughts,” Lin Nuo remarked.

“Such matters need not be pursued further, for they are no longer present. After hundreds of years, their remaining souls must move on to their cycle of reincarnation—birth, aging, illness, death, reborn again. This is the heavenly way.”

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat spoke with great depth, a sage-like tone for a Spirit Cat who had lived over a hundred years, witnessed countless books and the joys and sorrows of many people.

Lin Nuo chatted with it for a bit more but didn’t say anything further. He somewhat grasped that this Dao Yuan Spirit Cat had predicted that he and Su Kexin would end up there, then casually mentioned it to Jun and Ling beforehand, leading them right to the Water Spirit Heart.

No matter if the cat was right or wrong, its ability to foresee them arriving at the stone tablet was commendable.

Lin Nuo left Zhi Shu Ge, and Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat jumped back onto the bookshelf, curling up and yawning, ready to take a nap.

Not long after, a silver-haired girl entered Zhi Shu Ge.

As usual, she took a profound book from the shelf and settled into her corner seat to read.

Hearing that Lin Nuo was back, she couldn’t quite reach him yet, but she wasn’t anxious. Lin Nuo probably had to report to the sect leader and master elders first, meeting them would take some time.

It’s customary to report on one’s experiences upon returning.

Seeing Qin Shili arrive, Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat got up, stretched, and jumped onto Qin Shili’s desk.

Qin Shili shifted her gaze from the book to the Spirit Cat, respectfully saying:

“Greetings, Dao Yuan senior.”

“Hello.”

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat replied,

“Congratulations, you have become the chosen one.”

“Chosen one?”

Qin Shili was confused,

“May I ask, senior, what does it mean to be the chosen one?”

“The Water Spirit Heart. You and that kid will share it, bearing a heavy burden from now on, but for you both, it is also an invaluable experience, allowing you to reach the realms that countless cultivators yearn for but cannot grasp.”

“Water Spirit Heart? What is that? And who is that kid?”

Qin Shili was even more baffled by the unfamiliar term.

Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat continued:

“Don’t try to hide; that’s not your style. I know all about it. That kid is Lin Nuo; you both obtained the Water Spirit Heart together.”

“That’s not true, senior.”

“Impossible! I’ve already got the intel. He got the Water Spirit Heart with a girl, and with his talent and strength, there’s only you who could be with him. You two are the only ones who can mentally communicate with me; I see people correctly—it’s you.”

“But I truly haven’t obtained the Water Spirit Heart with him.”

“Is it not you?”

“Not me.”

Qin Shili replied coldly, doing her best to conceal her anger.

“Then…”

This left Dao Yuan’s Spirit Cat utterly perplexed.