Chapter 186 - Asking For Help (2/2)

”I did.”

”Then … you really don't know what to do?”

”That is indeed the case.”

Jing Yi sighed. ”I see …” He bit his lower lip again but contrary to his mother two weeks ago he didn't give up as easily. ”Do you have any idea what could have caused this?”

Yu Jin looked at the door and finally stood up. He went over, opened the door for Jing Yi and motioned inside. ”Why don't you sit down, Junior Martial Brother Zhong?”

Jing Yi nodded with a hopeful smile and hurriedly sat down. Maybe this person could really help him? He didn't know many people in the sect and he couldn't remember ever hearing of someone called Yu Jin but there was the blue cloud pattern on his sleeves so he had to be an inner sect disciple. He should know a lot about cultivation.

”I'm afraid I can't really answer your questions. I was unable to find out what exactly caused Senior Martial Brother Qiu to become like this. If I knew, I might be able to help him.”

”I see. Then what should we do? My mother said it's already been two weeks. We can't just wait, can we?”

”I'm afraid that will be the only thing we can do. He's already in this condition. Even though I couldn't find the cause, I still think it is something internal.”

”Internal?”

Yu Jin lowered his gaze. ”You're an outer sect disciple. You probably don't know much about cultivation, do you?”

Jing Yi shook his head.

”Let me say it like this: Sometimes, things can go wrong with somebody's cultivation. That is what we call a Qi deviation.”

”And you think Qiu Ling has encountered something like that?”

”Maybe. It could also be an inner demon. Actually, that is something quite similar. In fact, in a lot of cases, an inner demon will lead to a Qi deviation.”

”I don't think I understand.”

Yu Jin nodded. ”To put it simply: An inner demon is something that haunts us. It can originate from a lot of things. Regrets, old memories, things we want to attain but are unable to … There are hundreds if not thousands of possibilities. But most of them have to do with our inner thoughts and emotions. That is why a good cultivator should be able to shut his emotions out. You can't become too attached to persons or things if you want to become a good cultivator.”

Jing Yi stared at him silently. Not becoming attached to people or things? Only then … Did that mean … he shouldn't feel the way he did for Qiu Ling? Would he be unable to become a cultivator if he continued to be with him? That couldn't be, could it?

Yu Jin seemed to see that Jing Yi had lost focus but he didn't say anything to it. ”Anyway, the inner demons have in common that they can only be solved by the person that acquired them. If somebody else is close enough to them that they can circumvent their guard, then they may be able to penetrate into their inner self and help. But that is nearly impossible and even if one manages to do so, it is extremely dangerous for both people.”

”So there is really nothing we can do?”

Yu Jin nodded. ”I'm afraid that is the case.”

Jing Yi nodded. ”Then … I'm sorry that I've disturbed you.”

”It's alright. You're merely worried about a friend. I'm sure Senior Martial Brother Qiu would be happy if he knew how much you cared about him.”

Jing Yi smiled slightly. Certainly. Qiu Ling had done so much to gain his affection, after all. And now, something like this had happened.

Jing Yi bid his farewell from Yu Jin and returned to Qiu Ling's room. Looking at his face, he couldn't help but wonder if Qiu Ling trusted him enough to let him try to enter his inner self. Maybe he would be able to help him?