From the novel's established lore, there was never any mention of the Ghost Clan being inherently required to consume humans.
However, based on the enemies the protagonist encountered, the more humans they devoured, the stronger the Ghost Clan became.
Over time, readers subconsciously assumed a necessary connection between the two. At least, while reading the novel, no one considered other possibilities.
But now that he had entered this world, Liu Buli, while not overly concerned with other matters, was always diligent and meticulous regarding Lu Wuming's affairs, fearing any oversight on his part.
It was precisely because of this that he discovered this peculiar issue.
After much deliberation, unable to arrive at a correct answer, his final recourse was to consult the novel's original author.
Upon hearing Liu Buli's question, You Siqi immediately nodded in agreement. He said, "That's indeed the case. If they have a way to directly absorb malice, then they wouldn't need to eat people. However, apart from Lu Wuming, the other members of the Ghost Clan haven't mastered this skill. Even Lu Wuming himself, when absorbing malice, still has to kill. The difference is merely whether they eat or not; people still have to be killed. By the time they reach their peak, their hands will be stained with blood, and they will have become a murderous demon. So, in essence, I don't think there's much of a difference?"
After all, from a conclusive standpoint, both methods involve taking other people's lives. If one were to differentiate, it would be akin to the difference between a zombie and an assassin. From a modern perspective, there isn't much of a distinction.
But this was the cultivation world.
Let alone Lu Wuming, even ordinary cultivators here had little concept of good and evil in this regard. In a world where the strong reign supreme, the lives of the weak are inherently unimportant. It was this very mindset that caused the cultivation world to become increasingly chaotic.
However, this was a good thing for Liu Buli.
The more chaotic it was, the less Lu Wuming's existence would stand out. He preferred the world to remain as it was before Lu Wuming reached his peak. That would likely be the best outcome for them.
Patting You Siqi's shoulder, Liu Buli offered no comment on his explanation. He simply smiled gently and replied, "If eating isn't necessary, then there's no problem. I simply wanted to know how to make our Wuming stronger. If it absolutely requires eating people, then I find that hard to accept. Now that we've reached this conclusion, future matters will be much easier."
You Siqi pondered his words, his eyes widening. He said, "Liu Buli, you're not planning to..."
"You Siqi, if I were you, I wouldn't actively ask questions about things I find difficult to accept," Liu Buli said with a smile. "Since you'll be returning at any time, I don't think you need to worry too much. As for Lu Wuming and I, we will be living in this world permanently, so I must consider the future. I've always done so; you've seen enough, haven't you?"
Hearing this, You Siqi finally fell silent.
Liu Buli simply smiled again, waved his hand, and said, "I've asked all the questions I needed to. I've been at Medicine Master Valley for quite some time now. If we don't return soon, our Wuming will likely be displeased. So, I won't stay any longer. When Shen Mushi is finished with his business, tell him that if he needs anything, he can always find me at the Pill Sect. We're old friends, so I won't bother with a formal farewell."
You Siqi nodded.
There were always plenty of troubles within Medicine Master Valley, and even if Liu Buli and his companion stayed, they wouldn't have the time to properly attend to them.
So, it was better to part ways now.
After all, when Shen Mushi eventually stepped down as Valley Master, they would have ample time to meet. Whether it was to reminisce or to go out together, none of that would be an issue then. Therefore, parting ways now was not necessarily a bad thing.
After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Buli took Lu Wuming and left. On their journey back, Lu Wuming appeared very cheerful.
Liu Buli knew that the reason for his happiness had nothing to do with their earlier conversation. After all, Lu Wuming, while not foolish, was completely indifferent to anything other than Liu Buli.
This included his own affairs.
Liu Buli mused, a playful thought suddenly crossing his mind. He reached out and poked Lu Wuming's cheek, asking, "Wuming, you heard what I said to You Siqi just now. Do you have any thoughts on it?"
"No," Lu Wuming shook his head and said, "Master, didn't you tell me not to kill people indiscriminately? So, when to act and when not to act, I'll listen to Master. It doesn't matter to me."
His answer was remarkably swift.
Clearly, he hadn't given it any thought.
Liu Buli understood and felt a touch of helplessness. "You make me worry about everything. What will you do if Master isn't by your side someday?"
"I'll just wait for Master to come back," Lu Wuming continued. "After all, if Master isn't by my side, it must be because I've angered you, and you've left me behind to run off on your own. When you're no longer angry, you'll come back to find me. Since that's the case, shouldn't Wuming just wait patiently? After all, no matter what, Master, you wouldn't truly abandon me, would you?"
He spoke with absolute certainty.
Liu Buli considered it and realized it was indeed true.
Lu Wuming was clearly a simpleton, yet this simpleton could always see things with such clarity and understanding. In a sense, that was a skill in itself.
The smile on his face widened involuntarily. Liu Buli pinched Lu Wuming's cheek again and said, "Wuming, since you know these things, then if you don't anger Master usually, Master won't have to leave you, right?"
Lu Wuming pouted.
Upon hearing this question, he finally showed a hint of grievance. He let out a soft hum and said, "Master gets angry for the strangest reasons. Wuming doesn't know what he did wrong, so how can he correct it? You've taught me before that correcting mistakes is a great virtue. But if I don't know where the mistake lies, what can I do?"
This was indeed a problem.
Liu Buli thought about it seriously for a moment, then honestly chose to give up.
His disciple was too foolish, and regarding matters concerning him, he was too stubborn. With these two combined, making him understand what was right and wrong became a monumental challenge.
Perhaps, over time, when Lu Wuming's adoration for him waned, he would understand that he had made many mistakes.
Liu Buli stroked his chin.
Although he never imagined that love could be eternal, he glanced at the simpleton beside him and inexplicably felt that perhaps this fervor of his disciple's, even after thousands upon thousands of years, would remain unchanged.
Thinking this, Liu Buli felt a surge of happiness.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around Lu Wuming's neck. Lu Wuming immediately understood his intention, scooped him into his arms, lowered his head to kiss Liu Buli's lips, and asked in a low voice, "Master, are you thinking of something happy again?"
Liu Buli's eyes crinkled with a smile as he nodded. "Yes, I was thinking that when we get back, we'll start with the reward that requires us to do together. As for the surprise you've prepared for me, take your time with it; there's no rush. What do you say?"