No matter how the others schemed for their own interests, the matter of trespassing into the forbidden grounds ended with Chu Mingwei being confined to Reflection Peak for ten years. For cultivators, whose lives spanned hundreds or even thousands of years, ten years was nothing more than the blink of an eye.
Xiao Lingyu obediently followed Wu Yunzi back to Yilan Peak, fully prepared to be scolded by his master. Yet, to his surprise, Wu Yunzi never mentioned the forbidden grounds incident upon returning. Instead, he meticulously inspected his little disciple from head to toe, fearing that Lingyu might have been traumatized inside the forbidden area. Xiao Lingyu was deeply moved by his master’s care. Both incarnations of his master had devoted themselves wholeheartedly to him, while he himself had been reckless and always caused trouble. Thinking of this, Lingyu’s mood sank even lower.
Seeing his disciple so downcast, Wu Yunzi’s heart ached. He hurriedly comforted him, “Yu’er, you don’t need to dwell on today’s events. None of this is your fault.”
Lowering his head, Lingyu murmured softly, “Senior Brother was punished because of me, and also because I couldn’t go look for the Thunderlight Vine…” He lifted his head at this, eyes wide, “Master, is that Thunderlight Vine really that important to Senior Brother? Will the Sect Leader be angry with me because of it?”
Wu Yunzi saw the worry on his disciple’s face and quickly reassured him, “How could the Sect Leader be angry at you? Mingwei didn’t take proper care of you; the Sect Leader should be angry at him. As for the Thunderlight Vine, though it is precious, it doesn’t necessarily have to end up in Mingwei’s hands. You merely heard of it; its authenticity hasn’t been verified. Yu’er, don’t overthink it. No one will blame you.”
“Really? Master won’t be mad that Yu’er caused trouble?”
“How could Master be angry with you? You’re so obedient, how could you cause trouble? It’s all because Master has been too busy to take care of you.”
“Yu’er will definitely obey from now on and always honor Master,” Xiao Lingyu said, lifting his chin and swearing earnestly. Seeing his little disciple’s wide-eyed, solemn expression, Wu Yunzi’s heart softened completely. He felt that in his hundreds of years of cultivation, only this little disciple could make him feel such affection.
He busied himself, calling Wu Chunan to prepare a meal, worrying that without Chu Mingwei, his little disciple might be lonely. In his mind, he weighed who could be trusted to look after Lingyu, acting like an ordinary indulgent elder rather than a high-level cultivator.
That night, after eating and drinking his fill, Xiao Lingyu sat silently by the bedside, replaying the day’s events in his mind.
Though the plan to manipulate Chu Mingwei had been his own choice, the sudden appearance of the Thunderlight Vine, its importance to Chu Mingwei, and the memories of his past life all made him feel that something was at work behind the scenes. Was it that person? The forbidden grounds incident, Chu Mingwei’s affairs, everything from the previous life—was it all orchestrated by them? Had they been setting things in motion so early?
For the first time, Xiao Lingyu realized that his understanding of his past life was not as complete as he had believed. Many things remained unknown to him. That person in his previous life, aside from Xu Xuan, had concealed much from him. Even after his death, people would probably consider his life a complete joke.
As his thoughts shifted to this life, he considered: if that person intended to manipulate Chu Mingwei into leaving the Yun Tian Sect, then the news of the Thunderlight Vine might not be true. Even if it were real, the journey to the Western Illusory Demon Realm would hardly be smooth. These were only his speculations; others might never know. Chu Mingwei, as the sect’s senior disciple, held unmatched prestige. Now, because of Lingyu, he had been confined for ten years and missed the opportunity with the Thunderlight Vine. Those who admired him in the sect would surely harbor resentment. Even the Sect Leader, who cherished Chu Mingwei most, would have his thoughts. Lingyu, though not afraid of these consequences, did not want to be ostracized as he had been in his previous life.
Recalling how Chu Mingwei had instinctively protected him in the forbidden grounds, despite knowing that the Thunderlight Vine likely involved some hidden trap, Lingyu felt immense guilt.
Lost in thought, he did not notice that Wu Yunzi had casually closed the courtyard gate upon leaving. Outside, a small white figure wandered, nudging and shoving at the gate, trying to get in.
‘Wuwu, the little pig is stuck outside! Little monster, please open the door!’ ‘Little monster, the little pig is sorry, the little pig will never come home so late again. Little monster, please open the door, it’s so scary out here.’
When Xiao Lingyu opened the gate, he saw the little white pig darting about like a headless fly. Surprised, Lao Guitou exclaimed, “So the Spirit-Hearing Pig can really ignore any restrictions, just as the rumors say.”
The little pig didn’t notice the gate had been opened and continued scampering around, muttering, ‘Little monster, open the door, the little pig is back!’ Xiao Lingyu, intuitively understanding the pig’s thoughts, twitched at the incessant chanting. Unable to stand its antics any longer, he barked, “Shut up, stupid pig.”
Upon hearing his familiar scolding, the little pig suddenly looked up, its eyes shining brightly at Xiao Lingyu, then arched its body and leapt straight into his arms. ‘Little monster, I knew you wouldn’t abandon the little pig!’
Seeing it snuggle into his arms and whine endlessly while calling him ‘little monster,’ Lingyu exhaled deeply, suppressing the urge to throw it out again. He set the squirming pig on the table and, after a moment’s thought, opened the snack box and pushed it toward the pig.
‘Wuwu, why is the little monster so nice to the little pig today? The little pig is so moved!’ Xiao Lingyu could only watch as the supposedly ‘moved’ pig spat a mouthful over him.
Even Xiao Lingyu’s quick reflexes couldn’t withstand the pig’s saliva ambush. A small, crimson fruit, slick with saliva, flew straight at his face.
Instinctively, he dodged. Lao Guitou cried out, “Blazing Sun Fruit?”
The words made Xiao Lingyu grit his teeth and quickly snatch the small, fiery-red fruit from the air.
The Blazing Sun Fruit was a rare spiritual fruit of the cultivation world, taking five hundred years to mature. Crimson in color and the size of a longan, it contained pure fire spiritual energy. For cultivators with a fire affinity, it was extremely beneficial for both consumption and alchemy.
Lingyu had once obtained a Blazing Sun Fruit in his previous life and recognized it immediately. Holding the small red fruit still dripping saliva, he grimaced. “Strange… Blazing Sun Fruits usually grow in scorching regions. Where did the Spirit-Hearing Pig find this?”
Lao Guitou remarked with a hint of mockery, “You saw the pig’s reaction today. It seemed to be heading straight for the forbidden grounds’ center. Could it be that the center is some kind of blazing region?”
Lingyu replied, “You trespassed the forbidden grounds in your previous life. Didn’t you notice anything?”
Frowning, Lingyu said, “The forbidden grounds are vast. I was repelled by the barriers as soon as I reached the outer edge. I only felt that something—or someone—was being suppressed inside. Clearly, the forbidden grounds hold many secrets.”
Lao Guitou sneered, “And sects are always full of secrets.”
“Secrets have nothing to do with me. You should focus on what to do with the Blazing Sun Fruit.”
“What’s so difficult about that? Take it to an auction. Cultivators with fire affinity would go crazy for it.” Lao Guitou was unconcerned. “How will we take it? When?”
Lingyu’s hesitation left Lao Guitou momentarily speechless.
Lao Guitou glanced at Lingyu’s small frame, considering how much Wu Yunzi cared for him. There was no way Lingyu would be going down the mountain in the next few years, let alone to an auction. More importantly, as a rare fruit of heaven and earth, the Blazing Sun Fruit had to be consumed quickly. To preserve it would require a special jade box, which Lingyu certainly did not have.
“Then… give it to your master?”
Lingyu rubbed his forehead. “If Master asks where it came from, how should I answer?”
“….”
While discussing the fruit with Lao Guitou, Lingyu maintained a blank expression. The little pig shivered slightly, realizing Lingyu’s thoughts, and promptly spat out another fruit.
Having gained experience, Lingyu quickly reacted and caught another saliva-coated fruit in his palm.
He frowned at the pig on the table. The pig immediately covered its mouth with its forepaws, wary of him.
‘Wuwu, the little pig only has two delicious fruits left. The little monster can’t take them.’ Seeing that Lingyu didn’t intend to grab any more, the pig scampered to the corner, occasionally peeking at him, afraid he would change his mind.
Used to the pig’s antics, Lingyu chuckled at its behavior, then turned his attention back to the two Blazing Sun Fruits in his hand.
After a moment, both he and Lao Guitou had to admit that although the Blazing Sun Fruits were invaluable, they were of no use to Xiao Lingyu at the moment. Without tools to store them or a way to explain their origin to others, the fruits would ultimately benefit the little pig in the corner.
Ignoring the pig, now joyfully running in circles after acquiring the two fruits, Xiao Lingyu, exhausted from the day, drifted into a deep sleep.
His final thought before sleep was… wishing the little pig had found a lightning-affinity spiritual item instead.