“Cough—cough, cough, cough!”
Xiao Lingyu and Chu Mingwei stiffened, turning toward the sound. Not far ahead stood a familiar figure, staring at them in disbelief. Perhaps too shocked, the man’s usually kind face was now flushed red as he coughed uncontrollably.
Beside him, Ling Xiaozi shot Chu Mingwei a strange look, then quickly moved to soothe the overly agitated Wu Yunzi.
Silently, Ling Xiaozi shed a tear of sympathy for his own disciple. He already felt deeply apologetic toward Chu Mingwei. Judging from Wu Yunzi’s expression just now, his disciple was definitely going to suffer.
Truth be told, this was all an accident. Earlier, at his disciple’s request, Ling Xiaozi had deliberately invited Wu Yunzi out that night. On one hand, the matter involved the demonic race and Xiao Lingyu, so Wu Yunzi had to be informed. On the other hand, seeing his disciple’s gloomy mood, Ling Xiaozi had thought that with Wu Yunzi away, Chu Mingwei might finally ease his lovesickness.
Who would have thought Chu Mingwei wouldn’t go to Yilan Peak, but instead summon Xiao Lingyu here? And Ling Xiaozi himself, sensing a trace of demonic aura, had rushed over—only for both sides to collide by sheer coincidence.
Even Ling Xiaozi, who had already suspected something, had been startled at first. As for Wu Yunzi—this was completely beyond his expectations. His reaction was only natural.
At this moment, Wu Yunzi’s heart was filled with anger toward Chu Mingwei. Thinking back, everything suddenly made sense—Chu Mingwei’s recent behavior, and even further back, how he had always shown unusual care toward his youngest disciple. This trip down the mountain had even been arranged by Chu Mingwei himself.
Could it be… he had harbored such improper thoughts all along?
The more Wu Yunzi thought about it, the angrier he became. If all that past care had been with ulterior motives, he wished he could turn back time and crush those intentions before they ever took root.
As his thoughts churned, Chu Mingwei had already led Xiao Lingyu forward, still holding his hand.
Wu Yunzi’s gaze fell on their joined hands—it was unbearable to look at. His youngest disciple was only sixteen. What could he possibly understand about love? He must have been misled.
And then another thought struck him—according to sect rules, once a cultivator reached the Nascent Soul stage, they could establish their own residence. If Xiao Lingyu formed a Daoist partnership with Chu Mingwei, he would naturally move out.
But Xiao Lingyu had only been by his side for ten years. How could he bear to let him leave so soon?
The more he thought, the angrier he grew.
Chu Mingwei, after the initial shock of being discovered, quickly steadied himself. He had long intended to wait until his junior grew older before formally asking Wu Yunzi for permission. Now, it was simply happening earlier.
Rather than sneaking around in the future, unable to meet his junior openly, it would be better to lay everything out now.
The only concern—Xiao Lingyu was still too young. Would Wu Yunzi be willing?
With his mind made up, he led Xiao Lingyu forward and spoke solemnly:
“Martial Uncle Wu, I have long admired Lingyu. I wish to form a Daoist partnership with him—to never part, to walk the path of longevity together. I ask for your permission.”
The moment he said it, Xiao Lingyu was genuinely stunned.
He had already prepared to confess—but in his mind, this was just mutual affection. At most, they would be scolded. He had never imagined Chu Mingwei would directly propose becoming Dao partners.
Cultivators treated such vows with utmost seriousness.
Joy surged in Xiao Lingyu’s heart—but sensing Wu Yunzi’s rising anger, he dared not show it. Besides, he still wished to remain by his master’s side for a few more years.
Each of them harbored different thoughts.
Wu Yunzi, already furious, exploded when he heard this. Gritting his teeth, he shouted:
“Chu Mingwei!”
Forgetting all decorum, he charged forward—and started beating him.
The attack came so suddenly that Chu Mingwei was the first to react—but he didn’t dare resist. He simply stood there and took it.
Ling Xiaozi was momentarily stunned, then recalled how hot-tempered Wu Yunzi had been in his youth. Though he had mellowed over time—especially after taking Xiao Lingyu as a disciple—his true nature had clearly resurfaced.
Of the three, Xiao Lingyu was the most shocked.
In both his lifetimes, Wu Yunzi had always been gentle and kind. Who would have thought such a fiery temper lay beneath? Watching his master’s vigorous movements, Xiao Lingyu’s first thought was actually—his master seemed in excellent health.
Then he glanced at Chu Mingwei.
Lowering his head slightly, he thought silently:
Senior Brother… don’t worry. Since Master is beating you, I’ll treat you well afterward. Just hold on a bit longer—for Master’s sake.
What exactly happened that night in the back mountains of the sect, only the four involved would ever know.
Others only knew that the next day, Chu Mingwei suddenly announced he was entering seclusion—having gained insight from his recent experiences and preparing to break through to a higher realm.
The truth was simpler.
After beating him thoroughly, Wu Yunzi had angrily declared:
“If you want to become Dao partners with my disciple, come back after you reach the Nascent Soul stage!”
Satisfied after venting his anger, he dragged Xiao Lingyu away.
He didn’t notice the strange looks from the other three.
In fact, Chu Mingwei had already told Ling Xiaozi about the Source of Thunder. However, since they had just returned and the demonic threat remained, he had postponed seclusion.
But now—with Wu Yunzi’s condition, and Ling Xiaozi’s reminder that the demonic issue would take time to resolve—Chu Mingwei realized the only way to protect Xiao Lingyu was to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Thus, he immediately decided to enter seclusion.
Before doing so, he summoned Meng Fan, Bai Qian, and Luo Shaohan, repeatedly instructing them not to let Xiao Lingyu be alone within the sect. Even with Wu Yunzi’s protection, there could be lapses. With the three of them accompanying him, even encountering demonic puppets again wouldn’t be too dangerous.
As Chu Mingwei earnestly repeated his instructions, the three of them stared at his bruised and swollen face.
Though he remained calm as ever, they couldn’t help but feel deeply sympathetic.
Meng Fan and Bai Qian already knew the situation. Luo Shaohan, who learned last, was stunned. Thinking back on earlier clues—and Xiao Lingyu’s age—the word “abduction” somehow surfaced in his mind.
No wonder Wu Yunzi had been so furious.
Meanwhile, after returning to Yilan Peak, Xiao Lingyu had expected his master to say something.
Instead, Wu Yunzi said nothing about what had happened.
He only spoke of the ambush—comforting Xiao Lingyu, telling him to rest well, and assuring him that his master would protect him.
What Xiao Lingyu didn’t know was that in Wu Yunzi’s eyes, his disciple was still naive and innocent. This must all have been Chu Mingwei’s doing. How could he blame Xiao Lingyu?
If anything, he felt only heartache.
Moreover, after calming down, Wu Yunzi had already admitted—Chu Mingwei’s talent and character were indeed exceptional. Barely worthy of his beloved disciple.
Once Chu Mingwei reached the Nascent Soul stage, and Xiao Lingyu matured, he would allow it.
Even so… Wu Yunzi couldn’t help but sigh.
If only Chu Mingwei were a woman—yin and yang in harmony was the natural way of heaven.
Not long after Chu Mingwei entered seclusion, a streak of light cut through the sky.
Clad in white, Leng Han Yuan rode his sword toward the sect, holding Xu Xuan gently in his arms, his face full of tenderness.
After leaving the illusion realm, he had initially planned to return. But seeing Xu Xuan collapse from weakness, he changed his mind.
If they returned too soon, it would be harder to uncover Xu Xuan’s secret. Staying outside gave him more opportunity.
For days, he treated Xu Xuan with utmost care. Xu Xuan, whose long-held feelings were finally reciprocated, clung to him constantly. They appeared inseparable—like a pair of immortals.
But beneath that tenderness, Leng Han Yuan felt nothing but disgust.
He had repeatedly tried to steer the conversation toward the ancient cave—but Xu Xuan either feigned ignorance or avoided the topic entirely.
This only confirmed his suspicion.
The small cauldron had to be with Xu Xuan.
Thus, he continued playing the part of the devoted lover.
As the sect came into view, Xu Xuan spoke shyly:
“Senior Brother… I don’t want to be separated from you. If we could be together every day after returning…”
Leng Han Yuan smiled gently. “I feel the same. Don’t worry—I’ll come see you every day.”
Xu Xuan lowered his head. “If we became Dao partners… we could be together always.”
A flicker of coldness flashed through Leng Han Yuan’s eyes—but his smile only deepened.
“You’re still young. The sect may not approve. But in a few years, when you’ve grown, I’ll bring it up to your master.”
Xu Xuan nodded, though disappointment lingered.
After returning, Leng Han Yuan reported to Ling Xiaozi.
His words were flawless.
Ling Xiaozi smiled kindly, praising his conduct.
As he left, Ling Xiaozi joked, “Go see your master. He’s been coming here daily looking for you—and eating all the spirit fruits while he’s at it.”
Leng Han Yuan smiled and hurried off.
But once he was gone, Ling Xiaozi’s smile faded.
This one is meticulous. Catching him won’t be easy.
I only hope Mingwei breaks through soon… the matter of the demonic race must be handled carefully.