The Phantom Beast Realm’s visit was met with an unusually warm reception from Yuntian Sect. Whether due to their strength or because of Bai Mi’s message, the atmosphere was completely different from the tense confrontation last time. Chu Mingwei personally came forward to host them, clearly intending to swiftly dissolve the previous hostility.
Compared to him, Xiao Lingyu was far more relaxed. Free from sect affairs, he spent most of his time at Yilan Peak under the pretext of “taking care of Zhu Yurong.”
Casually toying with a delicate jade box in his hand, Xiao Lingyu’s thoughts drifted once again to Bai Mi’s mention of the “variable” the day before. Perhaps he was overthinking it, but Bai Mi’s gaze toward him had seemed meaningful. Thinking of Yun Ting’s Bai Ze bloodline, Xiao Lingyu frowned slightly. Could Yun Ting have seen something?
After some thought, unease lingered in his heart. He glanced at the sky—noon had just passed. His master and senior brother would not return so soon. Without hesitation, he tore open a spatial rift and stepped in, carrying Zhu Yurong, who was still sound asleep.
Since their last parting, the old ghost had been recuperating near Yuntian Sect’s marketplace. Due to long-term dormancy, his soul and body had not yet fully stabilized. Qing Ming originally intended to travel the lower realm with him, but now he only wished to drag him back to the secret realm. Unfortunately, the old ghost refused to return, and Qing Ming had no choice but to let him remain.
After confirming the direction, Xiao Lingyu summoned the Water Moon Wheel and headed straight for the marketplace. Within the void, unrestrained by external barriers, his speed was even faster than in the outside world. Half an hour later, he stopped before a spatial boundary reinforced by Qing Ming’s restriction.
Unlike other places, this area had a special barrier. Xiao Lingyu frowned slightly. Aside from him and Jing Zhan, few would use the void to come here—was Qing Ming guarding against Jing Zhan?
As he pondered, the barrier suddenly flared with light. Xiao Lingyu instinctively stepped back as a crack opened in space. Rich spiritual energy poured out, and the old ghost’s delighted face poked through.
“Little Yuzi, you finally came to see me!”
Before Xiao Lingyu could respond, the old ghost began complaining. “You only came after a few days from the secret realm, and already forgot about me—”
Xiao Lingyu looked at the familiar yet absurdly lively face and felt a faint headache.
Stepping inside, he immediately sensed something unusual. The entire area was layered with formations and restrictions. Not only that, but dense spirit-gathering arrays filled the space. No wonder the spiritual energy here rivaled—even surpassed—that of Yuntian Sect.
Scanning the surroundings, Xiao Lingyu asked, “Where is Qing Ming senior?”
The old ghost waved dismissively, completely focused on Zhu Yurong in Xiao Lingyu’s arms. “He went out. You see all these restrictions? I’d rather be back in the Nether Bracelet. At least then I could follow you around.”
Xiao Lingyu was at a loss for words.
Just then, Zhu Yurong, disturbed by the stare, rolled over in his sleep and buried his head in Xiao Lingyu’s chest, exposing his backside toward the old ghost.
The old ghost chuckled and suddenly snatched him away.
Xiao Lingyu was startled.
Seeing the old ghost gleefully pawing all over Zhu Yurong, Xiao Lingyu’s mouth twitched. Was this just his nature?
“Old Ghost,” he interrupted, “I came here because I need your help.”
Reluctantly placing Zhu Yurong onto a nearby couch, the old ghost straightened up. “What happened? Did you get into a fight with your dear senior brother?”
Xiao Lingyu ignored him and briefly explained Bai Mi’s words.
The old ghost’s expression changed instantly. “There’s still a living Bai Ze?”
Xiao Lingyu pinched his forehead. “Can you focus on the point?”
“What point?” Qing Ming’s voice suddenly cut in.
Xiao Lingyu turned in surprise. Qing Ming had just stepped out of the void.
“What point?” Qing Ming repeated.
Thinking that Qing Ming already knew about their time reversal experience, Xiao Lingyu repeated Bai Mi’s words.
“Return to chaos? Variable? A thread of survival?” Qing Ming murmured thoughtfully.
Xiao Lingyu waited quietly. His thoughts drifted again. If he truly was the “variable” Yun Ting spoke of, then what exactly was this “survival”? In his second life, many things had changed—but aside from Qing Ming mentioning the collapse of the lower realm, he had never perceived such danger.
Before they could continue, Zhu Yurong woke up, rubbing his eyes and stumbling into Xiao Lingyu’s arms.
“Little Yuzi, where is my box?”
Xiao Lingyu absentmindedly straightened his clothes and handed him the jade box.
This box had been entrusted by Yun Ting through Bai Mi. It was said to be a hereditary relic of the Spirit Rhinoceros lineage, though its contents were unknown. Even the Beast Emperor could not open it.
Xiao Lingyu had no idea why Yun Ting insisted it be given to Zhu Yurong. If it was merely a keepsake, why not deliver it earlier? He had tried repeatedly with Zhu Yurong, but the box remained unchanged—though Zhu Yurong liked it very much and even refused to let go while sleeping.
Zhu Yurong happily hugged the box, then suddenly stiffened and stared at Qing Ming with alarm.
Qing Ming, however, was focused entirely on the box.
“What is this?” he asked.
Xiao Lingyu repeated Bai Mi’s explanation.
Qing Ming took the box and examined it carefully. “Strange…”
Old Ghost leaned in. “Wait… this feels familiar.”
Then he suddenly shouted, “I remember now! This is ‘Seize Heaven’s Craft’!”
“Seize Heaven’s Craft?” Qing Ming narrowed his eyes. “From the Mo Sect?”
“That explains it. No wonder the restriction is a disguise. No wonder no one could open it.”
Xiao Lingyu listened with little interest until Old Ghost began explaining its nature. Only one detail caught his attention—this object required a custom unlocking method set by its maker.
Which meant: no one could open it now.
Just as he was losing interest again, Qing Ming suddenly changed expression and grabbed Zhu Yurong, pressing a finger onto his forehead.
Zhu Yurong’s face instantly turned pale as something within him was forcibly drawn out.
“Wait—what are you doing?” Old Ghost shouted.
But Qing Ming calmly placed Zhu Yurong’s core onto the jade box.
A faint glow lit up the box.
It opened.
Inside lay a fragment radiating soft, irregular light.
“Celestial Mechanism Disk!” Qing Ming said solemnly.
After confirming stability, he returned Zhu Yurong’s core. Zhu Yurong immediately crawled back into Xiao Lingyu’s arms, aggrieved.
Xiao Lingyu picked up the fragment. It felt warm, strangely soothing.
Then Zhu Yurong, still drowsy, said something casually—
“I have one too.”
The room froze.
“Where?” Old Ghost blurted.
“In my stomach.”
Everyone: “……”
After a series of events involving forced regurgitation, another fragment emerged—this time larger, glowing in midair.
Qing Ming stared at it for a long time.
Then he slowly spoke two words:
“…The survival.”