After getting a taste of it, Chu Mingwei found himself hooked—this was practically the only thing he had been feeling lately.
Perhaps it was because two people in love fit together so perfectly, but those days of complete intimacy felt indescribably wonderful. For the past several days, Chu Mingwei had been staying overnight at Yilan Peak every single night. Of course, the excuse he gave was that he needed to protect his junior brother’s safety.
Every time Chu Mingwei spoke with righteous seriousness in front of Meng Fan and the others—saying that Uncle Wu was in seclusion and that he could not放心 leaving his junior brother alone at Yilan Peak, so he had to stay behind to guard him—the old man in the shadows could not help but scoff inwardly. Compared to any hidden demonic threats, you are clearly the most dangerous one here.
Whether Bai Qian and the others believed their senior brother’s explanation was unclear, but Meng Fan certainly did not. Watching the way their senior brother stared at the junior brother as if he wanted to devour him whole, Meng Fan could not help but admire how quickly their senior brother had acted. At the same time, he could not stop himself from imagining what would happen once Uncle Wu came out of seclusion—most likely Chu Mingwei would end up bruised and battered. And this time, even that might not be enough to quell Uncle Wu’s fury.
Casting a sympathetic glance at his senior brother, Meng Fan felt that Chu Mingwei must have already thought of his inevitable miserable fate once Uncle Wu emerged. That was probably why he was making the most of every moment with the junior brother now, keeping him close at all times wherever he went.
On this day, Meng Fan and the others once again arrived at Yilan Peak, bringing with them a rather unexpected piece of news.
“Senior Brother Wen is going to form a Dao companion bond with Senior Brother Leng?” Xiao Lingyu looked at Zhao Feng in surprise after hearing the news.
Zhao Feng did not look particularly pleased. Frowning, he nodded. “These past few days, Shaohua has been pestering Master every day, dragging him to Huawu Peak to discuss the matter with Uncle Yao. Master has always doted on Shaohua—after being worn down several times, he finally agreed. Yesterday, Master already went to Huawu Peak. Uncle Yao seems quite in favor of it. If nothing unexpected happens, it should be settled soon.”
Xiao Lingyu’s brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. In his previous life, although he and Wen Shaohua constantly fought for favor, they had both ended up with equally tragic fates. Seeing Wen Shaohua from a different perspective in this life, Xiao Lingyu did not actually dislike him. He was only somewhat spoiled due to their master’s indulgence; his nature was not bad. And since they had no conflict in this life, and considering Zhao Feng as well, Xiao Lingyu did not want Wen Shaohua to get entangled with Leng Hanyuan.
Chu Mingwei noticed Xiao Lingyu’s subtle reaction. With a quick thought, he understood that Xiao Lingyu did not want Wen Shaohua involved with Leng Hanyuan. However, since Leng Hanyuan’s situation was tied to sect secrets, Chu Mingwei could not explain things clearly at the moment. He could only gently squeeze Xiao Lingyu’s palm and subtly shake his head.
Xiao Lingyu blinked, immediately understanding Chu Mingwei’s meaning. Even if Uncle Li and Uncle Yao reached an agreement, this matter would ultimately require the sect leader’s approval. And right now, the sect leader was closely monitoring Leng Hanyuan—he would definitely not allow this. There was no need to worry.
While the two silently communicated, Luo Shaohan was the first to raise an objection. “I heard that Senior Brother Leng is quite close with Xu Xuan from Zuowang Peak?”
Zhao Feng showed a trace of helplessness. “That’s right. Senior Brother Leng and Xu Xuan from Zuowang Peak are indeed very close. I’ve told Shaohua about this many times, but he refuses to listen. There’s nothing I can do.”
Meng Fan frowned. For some reason, he had always had a bad impression of Leng Hanyuan. Even though everyone in the sect praised him, Meng Fan instinctively felt wary. Hearing that Shaohua wanted to form a Dao companion bond with Leng Hanyuan, Meng Fan subconsciously looked toward Chu Mingwei—and keenly noticed the interaction between him and Xiao Lingyu. Thinking back to the sect leader’s subtle arrangements since returning from the Wu City ruins, Meng Fan had a feeling that all of this was somehow connected to Leng Hanyuan. Putting everything together, he could not help but feel that Wen Shaohua’s wish would not be so easily fulfilled.
Seeing that Zhao Feng was not optimistic about the matter, everyone sighed and fell silent. Wen Shaohua had been doted on since childhood and had developed a stubborn, willful personality. Once he set his mind on something, no amount of persuasion would work. Whether this could be stopped would depend on the sect leader.
After chatting casually about recent sect affairs, and seeing the sun already setting, Meng Fan stood up with a smile. “Junior brother, we’ve been out for quite a while. There are many matters to handle at Haotian Peak, so we should head back. It’s getting late—you and Senior Brother should rest early too.”
As soon as Meng Fan spoke, everyone understood the implication. They immediately exchanged knowing looks and cast mischievous glances at Chu Mingwei and Xiao Lingyu.
Xiao Lingyu raised a brow, pretending not to understand, calmly meeting their gazes—but inwardly, he was already marking them all down.
Chu Mingwei gave the group a half-smile and said leisurely, “In a while, Master may be going out. I’ve heard he intends to find someone to manage sect affairs in his absence. I wonder who will be chosen?”
The moment those words fell, Meng Fan jolted. Instantly, he no longer dared to tease them. Putting on a look of sudden urgency, he hurriedly summoned his artifact and fled without looking back. The others followed suit, scattering as if something terrifying was chasing them.
Watching his junior brothers flee in panic, Chu Mingwei shook his head helplessly. All of them avoided sect duties like the plague—Master would surely have another headache.
It was only after leaving Yilan Peak’s vicinity that Meng Fan slowed down, finally letting out a breath of relief. He was already being thoroughly exploited by both Master and Senior Brother—just handling Haotian Peak’s affairs took up all his time. Not to mention, he still had to worry about constructing Senior Brother’s cave residence. If he were given even more sect responsibilities, he might as well not live at all.
The others, sharing the same sentiment, followed closely behind him. Bai Qian, who had also been suffering under their senior brother’s “exploitation” since returning from Wu City, looked miserable. “Do you think Senior Brother was just trying to scare us?”
Luo Shaohan was about to respond when he suddenly turned, looking ahead with a puzzled expression.
“Shaohan?” Bai Qian followed his gaze—and saw a streak of light wobbling through the air from the direction of the back mountain. The figure on it seemed unable to control the artifact. Losing balance, the person fell straight down.
“Watch out!” everyone shouted, rushing over.
Not far from Yilan Peak, Xu Xuan lay on the ground, pale as death, seemingly without a trace of life.
When Meng Fan and the others arrived, they found him unconscious. Exchanging puzzled looks, Meng Fan scanned him with his divine sense. His body seemed unharmed—he had likely just fainted from the fall.
Carefully helping Xu Xuan up, they exchanged glances and then headed toward Zuowang Peak together.
Looking at the unconscious Xu Xuan, Meng Fan frowned. As a registered disciple, Xu Xuan usually had little interaction with them. As far as Meng Fan knew, aside from being close to Leng Hanyuan, Xu Xuan rarely left Zuowang Peak. Why had he gone to the back mountain alone? And what had caused him to fall?
Because of the killing intent Xu Xuan had once shown toward Xiao Lingyu in the Wu City ruins, Meng Fan did not think highly of him. Despite the rumors describing Xu Xuan as gentle and kind, Meng Fan scoffed inwardly. Someone truly gentle would not seize an opportunity to attempt murder and then feign innocence afterward.
Lost in thought, they soon arrived at Zuowang Peak. Bai Qian stepped forward and made a hand seal. A ripple-like barrier opened, and several disciples rushed out.
“Junior Brother Xu?” The leading disciple, Xu Jin, looked shocked. Seeing Xu Xuan unconscious, his face filled with concern.
Meng Fan recognized him—another of Uncle Bai’s registered disciples. Judging from his reaction, he and Xu Xuan must be close.
Handing Xu Xuan over, Meng Fan briefly explained what had happened. Xu Jin carefully took him, frowning. “Shouldn’t Junior Brother Xu be in seclusion right now? Why would he suddenly go out?”
Meng Fan paused, casting a deep look at the unconscious Xu Xuan before saying goodbye and leaving.
What he did not know was that not long after they left, Xu Xuan woke up.
Grabbing Xu Jin’s hand anxiously, Xu Xuan asked, “How did I end up here?”
Without suspicion, Xu Jin explained everything—how he had been found unconscious and brought back.
Xu Xuan listened nervously, then asked urgently, “When they found me… I was already unconscious?”
Xu Jin looked at him strangely but nodded. Then he asked if Xu Xuan felt unwell and why he had fainted.
Hearing that he had already passed out before Meng Fan found him, Xu Xuan let out a huge sigh of relief. He had no interest in answering Xu Jin and brushed him off with a few perfunctory replies before hurriedly leaving.
Back in his own room, Xu Xuan finally relaxed. After carefully checking that no one was around, he tightly shut the door and even placed several restriction talismans for good measure before sitting down.
Staring at the teacup on the table, his fingers unconsciously traced the edge. How many times had he unknowingly left Zuowang Peak like this?
Fear filled his heart. Ever since returning from the Wu City ruins, it had started subtly—but as time passed, it became more and more apparent. He seemed unable to control his own actions, often leaving Zuowang Peak without realizing it, heading toward the back mountain. Even more terrifying, there had been several times when he woke up in the middle of the night to find himself sleeping near the edge of the back mountain.
He did not know what was happening—but all of it had begun after returning from Wu City.
What troubled him even more was that the person he admired—Senior Brother Leng—had repeatedly tried to steer their conversations toward the Wu City ruins, seeming very interested in what he had experienced there.
Xu Xuan shut his eyes tightly. The memory of being humiliated by rogue cultivators in the ruins resurfaced. After that, his memory was completely blank. He did not know what had happened next—only that when he woke up, he was in Senior Brother Leng’s arms.
Before, although Senior Brother Leng had been gentle, it was not to this extent. Only after the Wu City incident had he become increasingly attentive.
A thought flashed through Xu Xuan’s mind. He shook his head violently.
No… that could not be it.
Senior Brother Leng liked him. He truly liked him. It could not be that he was approaching him for some ulterior reason.
As Xu Xuan desperately tried to convince himself, he did not notice the faint trace of black mist quietly emerging behind him.