Fellow Daoist! That scoundrel has written a new book again.

Chapter 277 Childhood Playmates

many years ago.

The once dirty little beggar suddenly has a name, changed clothes, gained a powerful backer, and possesses exceptional talent. These alone are not enough to make people look at him with any respect.

No, it should be said that beneath the ridicule lay a hint of inexplicable jealousy.

Shen Anzhi was naive and always kind to others, so he couldn't understand Shen Xun's situation. He didn't know that Shen Xun needed someone to stand in front of him and shield him from the hardships for the time being.

However, Shen Xun was stubborn and insecure.

After being ostracized, he stubbornly refused to tell his parents, perhaps because he was afraid that Shen Anzhi would think he was being troublesome.

"You've changed into human skin again. You look quite presentable. You've never worn such nice clothes before, have you? Don't get them dirty!"

"You eat pretty fast. You've probably never had anything good to eat since you were a child. Here, eat all of this. Eat more."

"Oops, I lost a spirit stone, Shen Xun, did you see it?"

……

This is a difficult type of bullying to define.

If it were someone with a more open mind, they could easily deflect the criticism with a few light jokes.

"Never seen this before, have you? This was bought for me by Senior Brother Shen! Go away, don't get it dirty. I've only worn it a few days ago, and I'm still admiring it!"

"What's in your pocket? Did you hide some food? I'm still hungry. Why don't you put out the snacks you bought and share them with us?"

"Why are you always so forgetful? I just got my spirit stones back this month. Say a few nice words and I'll lend them to you?"

But Shen Xun couldn't do it.

He neither tried to defuse the malice with jokes, nor did he retaliate forcefully, nor did he go to Shen Anzhi to complain.

Those words were particularly grating to my ears.

But there was no real harm done.

It could even be interpreted as a casual question, implying that showing concern for him is unacceptable and that he can't take a joke.

"Hey, why are you eating here all by yourself?"

Song Kezi had known about Shen Xun's existence for a long time.

"Where is your family?"

Shen Xun was very wary and didn't respond, but he couldn't resist the feigned kindness.

Later, he finally said, "Grandpa went to buy me new clothes and never came back."

Song Kezi understood the meaning behind the words.

He smiled and said:

"So you're a child who couldn't wait for your grandfather to come home. No wonder you look all alone. After your grandfather left, everyone bullied you. It must be hard for you to be all alone."

He smiled kindly and broke down Shen Xun's defenses with just a few words.

But there was a hint of barely perceptible excitement and mischief in his eyes.

"You were really bullied? Tell me who bullied you, and I'll get revenge for you!"

"Shen Anzhi is a good person, but I am not. Everyone in the Star-Picking Tower knows I'm a bad person. At worst, I'll just get hit by Senior Sister Gu a few more times!"

Unfortunately, Shen Xun was very wary.

He refused to believe anyone's kindness or offer of help.

Especially since Song Kezi seemed somewhat unreliable, Shen Xun was afraid that his cowardice would be publicized and he would be ridiculed once again.

He failed to see through Song Kezi's true nature.

It's just an instinctive defensiveness; they're unwilling to trust anyone.

Whenever Song Kezi remembered him, he would find him to play with—no, to play with him.

Until one time, things went wrong by accident—

He casually brought up Shen Anzhi's original intention in protecting him.

This did create some distance between Shen Xun and Shen Anzhi, but it also made Shen Xun more wary of Song Kezi.

Fortunately, Song Kezi reacted quickly; instead of stopping immediately, he continued speaking:

"I don't like Senior Brother Shen at all. His kindness is too hypocritical. In reality, he's useless. But it's precisely because of this that he can enter the Golden Core stage, and you, as a catalyst, might even become a Nascent Soul!"

Ah! Jealousy!

Over the years, Shen Xun often heard Song Kezi complain about being jealous of this person or that person. Song Kezi even once invited him to help give Xiao Qingyu a laxative.

Shen Xun accepted the invitation.

The laxative had little effect on the cultivator; it was just a harmless little joke. But since it was rare for someone to be willing to do such rebellious things with him, he didn't want to spoil the fun.

Hearing these words, the discomfort I felt earlier subsided.

Only a faint sense of vigilance remained.

This is also why Song Kezi doesn't come to see Shen Xun often. It's not just to avoid the people from Zhaixing Tower. This kid is too perceptive. If you're not careful, he'll be shut out and refused entry.

Even though Song Kezi reacted quickly, Shen Xun still distanced himself from him.

One wrong step can lead to eternal regret!

Even so, it was still enough, enough for Song Kezi to slightly guide Shen Xun when he was confused.

Just a little bit off, a little bit off, and a little bit more off.

Then there will be no way back.

"I don't know if I should hate. Maybe there's no reason at all; it's just that I can't let go."

"Huh? Who is it that makes you afraid to hate? I understand, I understand. When everyone is telling you to downplay the issue and let it go, if you don't do the same, you'll seem incredibly ungrateful!"

……

"Senior Brother Song, I'm a little confused."

"You're still that little beggar who never saw his grandfather come home. It's time to move on. Why not let go, just like they expect?"

……

Song Kezi didn't have to put in much effort at all, because Shen Xun was full of flaws.

His solitary yet perceptive teenage years, the inferiority complex hidden deep in his heart, his stubbornness and obsession, surrounded by jealousy and malice, even though Shen Anzhi poured out a lot of kindness and care, he still couldn't fill the leaky porcelain bottle.

In particular, there was a woodworm inside the porcelain vase.

Song Kezi was not very satisfied. This was the thing he had been working on most seriously recently, but Shen Xun still hadn't completely gone astray.

This in the end is why?

It's truly baffling!

He always felt that this matter was not as simple as it seemed on the surface, and that there must be something else he didn't know.

But it's okay, it's good enough.

---

Watching the plan that Shen Xun rejected unfold in full swing under her leadership, rumors and gossip swirled around her, and gossip was like knives!

Who else but Shen Xun would do that?

Hey!

Of course, it's the witty and clever Song Kezi!

He took a bite of the apple and accurately threw the core onto Zhang Zhihan's head. This man was mentally unstable, his behavior was out of step with everyone else, and he occasionally displayed an inappropriate hatred of evil, so no one would believe what he said.

Just before Zhang Zhihan was about to approach, Song Kezi waved and called out:

"Junior Sister Zhu, you've really misunderstood Shen Xun this time!"

He is innocent!

You two should stop misunderstanding each other!

Song Kezi jogged forward, dodging the goose's attack, and pulled Zhu Wuyao aside, saying:

"Actually, I realized this morning that I miscalculated. Even without Shen Xun, as long as you have something worth attacking, things would have developed into what they are now."

"It's not your fault that a small number of people actually know this."

"The real reason is—you are a strong contender for the position of direct disciple, a formidable rival to them!"