News that Chu Mingwei—the chief disciple of Yuntian Sect’s Sect Master—had entered the Nascent Soul stage before the age of forty spread across the entire cultivation world overnight as the various sects departed. Along with it came another piece of gossip: that this newly advanced powerhouse would soon form a Dao partnership with Yuntian Sect’s youngest genius disciple, Xiao Lingyu.
As soon as these two pieces of news broke, Chu Mingwei instantly became the hottest topic in the cultivation world. Everywhere people went, they were talking about him—especially about his relationship with Xiao Lingyu, which became the subject of endless fascination. True or false, all manner of rumors about the two spread like wildfire.
One afternoon, Ling Xiaozi sat leisurely in the main hall, listening to Meng Fan recount the latest gossip. Stories ranged from Chu Mingwei falling in love with six-year-old Xiao Lingyu at first sight and remaining devoted ever since, to Ling Xiaozi opposing their relationship and forcibly separating them—only to relent after Chu Mingwei reached the Nascent Soul stage. Whether true or fabricated, Meng Fan spoke enthusiastically, and Ling Xiaozi listened with equal amusement.
After Meng Fan finished in one breath, Ling Xiaozi suddenly smiled. “You’ve made quite a bit of spirit stones from this, haven’t you?”
Meng Fan looked puzzled. “Master, what do you mean?”
Ling Xiaozi snorted lightly. “Still pretending?”
With a shameless expression, Meng Fan replied, “I’m not pretending at all.”
Ling Xiaozi’s smile didn’t fade. “I heard Mingwei is furious about these rumors and has sworn to catch the little thief within the sect and punish him severely.”
Meng Fan’s face instantly changed. With a bitter expression, he admitted, “Master is wise. I did make a small profit selling these stories.” Seeing Ling Xiaozi still smiling without response, Meng Fan’s face grew even more miserable. “This disciple knows his mistake—spreading Senior Brother’s affairs outside the sect was wrong. I’m willing to hand over all my earnings for Master to handle.”
Ling Xiaozi looked kindly at him. “Since you have such intentions, I will reluctantly accept them. But a mistake is still a mistake—you must be punished.”
Meng Fan forced a pitiful look onto his face, hoping Ling Xiaozi would go easy on him—and above all, not tell Senior Brother.
Ling Xiaozi chuckled, then suddenly sighed as if troubled. “Your Senior Brother is about to establish his own mountain and build a cave dwelling. Once he leaves, I haven’t yet found anyone to handle the miscellaneous affairs of Haotian Peak.”
Hearing this, Meng Fan immediately realized all of Ling Xiaozi’s theatrics had been leading up to this moment. He felt deeply conflicted—should he resign himself to becoming his master’s workhorse, or risk being punished by Senior Brother?
Ling Xiaozi added fuel to the fire with a smile. “I also heard that your Martial Uncle Wu is quite angry about these rumors. I wonder how he’ll punish the culprit once he’s caught?”
Recalling how battered his Senior Brother had looked before entering seclusion, Meng Fan decisively abandoned his hesitation. With righteous resolve, he declared, “Senior Brother is burdened with many responsibilities. As his junior, I should share some of them.”
Ling Xiaozi clapped his hands and laughed. “Excellent!”
As Meng Fan turned to leave, Ling Xiaozi coughed lightly. “Have you forgotten something?”
At that moment, Meng Fan felt as if a thousand beasts were stampeding through his heart. He had hoped Ling Xiaozi would forget about the earlier matter now that he had volunteered himself—but clearly, that was wishful thinking. With a heavy heart, he turned back, removed his still-warm storage pouch, and watched miserably as Ling Xiaozi tucked it into his sleeve.
Ling Xiaozi laughed at his expression. “You brat—do I usually treat you poorly, for you to act like this?”
Meng Fan replied solemnly, “No one ever has enough spirit stones.”
Ling Xiaozi was momentarily speechless. Seizing the opportunity, Meng Fan quickly bowed and slipped away, leaving Ling Xiaozi chuckling to himself.
While the master and disciple reached their agreement, Wu Yunzi, on the other side, showed no good temper toward Chu Mingwei at all.
“Tian Du Peak is too remote. Qingliang Peak lacks spiritual energy. Wuji Peak is too barren. None of these are suitable. You might manage, but how could Lingyu suffer such conditions with you?”
Chu Mingwei watched helplessly as Wu Yunzi dismissed every spiritual mountain he proposed for building a cave dwelling. He understood that although Wu Yunzi had agreed to his relationship with Xiao Lingyu in the moment, now that he had calmed down, he was clearly dragging things out.
With a respectful smile, Chu Mingwei said, “This disciple lacks experience. I ask Martial Uncle for guidance.”
Wu Yunzi raised an eyebrow. “Truly?”
Though wary, Chu Mingwei kept his expression steady. “Truly.”
Wu Yunzi’s attitude immediately softened. “Lingyu is still young. I can’t rest easy no matter where he goes. After thinking it over, it’s best he stays by my side. Yilan Peak may not be as grand as Haotian Peak, but it has beautiful scenery and abundant spiritual energy. Lingyu has lived here since childhood—why don’t you simply move here? After all, only Lingyu and I reside on Yilan Peak.”
Chu Mingwei could only smile bitterly. If he agreed, who knew how his own master would react? He continued suggesting other locations, but Wu Yunzi rejected them all, clearly intent on delaying things.
That night, at the foot of Yilan Peak, Chu Mingwei stood on his Qinglin Sword, gazing toward the summit.
Half an hour earlier, he had arranged to meet his junior brother here. Concerned about hidden demon puppets within the sect, he no longer dared let Xiao Lingyu move alone, so he arrived early to wait.
A streak of light approached—Xiao Lingyu arrived on his Water Moon Wheel.
Under the moonlight, seeing his junior brother’s graceful figure, Chu Mingwei could no longer restrain himself. He stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace. Since that brief meeting after leaving seclusion, he had come to Yilan Peak daily, yet Wu Yunzi always found ways to block him.
Xiao Lingyu leaned obediently into his arms, then lightly stepped onto the Qinglin Sword. The Water Moon Wheel turned into a streak of light and disappeared into his sleeve.
Holding him, Chu Mingwei breathed deeply, wishing he never had to let go.
After a long while, Xiao Lingyu gently freed himself, his eyes glinting mischievously. “Master has been making things difficult for you these days.”
It was not a question—it was a certainty.
Chu Mingwei smiled and kissed his forehead. “You little troublemaker—you won’t even help me plead my case?”
Xiao Lingyu shot him a playful glare. “I heard from Senior Brother Meng that things obtained too easily are never cherished. It’s better if Master gives you more trouble.”
Silently, Chu Mingwei added a mark against Meng Fan. Clearly, Meng Fan had been far too idle lately—spreading gossip everywhere. He would need to be given more work.
Unaware that poor Meng Fan had just been exploited by the Sect Master and was now being targeted again, Xiao Lingyu began eagerly asking about the experience of breaking into the Nascent Soul stage. In his previous life, he had only reached the fifth level of the Core stage before dying. Now, with such a convenient example before him, he naturally wanted to learn as much as possible.
Looking at Xiao Lingyu under the moonlight—his bright eyes, his soft lips—Chu Mingwei felt a fire ignite within him. But considering they were still within Yilan Peak’s domain, and Wu Yunzi might appear at any moment—not to mention the Old Ghost in the bracelet—he silently recited a calming incantation before forcing himself to focus.
He began carefully explaining his breakthrough experience.
They talked through the entire night. Though Xiao Lingyu found the level of detail unusual, he gained considerable insight from it.
At dawn, Chu Mingwei watched with a smile as Xiao Lingyu returned to Yilan Peak.
Then, turning back, he saw Wu Yunzi—who had been silently watching all night—appear.
Chu Mingwei met his gaze calmly. Thinking of Chu Mingwei’s proper behavior the night before, Wu Yunzi gave him a look that said, “At least you know your place.”
As he turned to leave, Wu Yunzi suddenly added, “Don’t think that just because you spent the whole night explaining things so diligently, I’ll compromise on your matter with Lingyu.”
Watching him depart swiftly, a meaningful smile appeared on Chu Mingwei’s face.