In cultivation, time holds no meaning; a mere flick of the fingers can span decades.
In the blink of an eye, Xiao Lingyu had grown from the six-year-old child who had first joined the sect ten years ago into a young man whose features were as striking as a painting, unparalleled in beauty.
Over these ten years, under the favor of Wu Yunzi and the care of Chu Mingwei, Xiao Lingyu had lived a comfortable life. Coupled with his conscious restraint in behavior, he had gained the admiration of many within the sect.
On this day, Chu Mingwei’s ten-year period of confinement came to an end. At dawn, countless beams of light shot from the various peaks toward the Thinking-Over Peak.
From afar, a red-clad figure streaked across the rear mountain, Xiao Lingyu riding the Water-Moon Wheel at top speed toward the Thinking-Over Peak. The Water-Moon Wheel was a supreme water-element treasure bestowed by the sect leader when Xiao Lingyu ascended to the Void Realm three years ago. Through constant cultivation over these three years, it had already merged with Xiao Lingyu’s mind and spirit.
At Xiao Lingyu’s side, a small white pig curled up on the wheel, whining and clutching its belly with its front hooves. The little pig glanced at Xiao Lingyu, trying to gauge his mood, and the whining grew louder as he received no reaction.
“Zhu Yurun, enough! If you keep whining, I’ll toss you off,” Xiao Lingyu said flatly, not even glancing at the pig.
Zhu Yurun was the pig’s name. Back then, for convenience, Xiao Lingyu had casually called it “Little White,” joking that if the pig had any objection, it could come to him. Unexpectedly, through secretly eating various spiritual herbs grown by the Tianyun Sect, the pig had evolved three years ago. Upon evolving, it immediately demanded a new name, crying and fussing until Xiao Lingyu finally relented, abandoning the easy and practical “Little White” and racking his brain for a proper one.
After rejecting countless names like “Dim Sum,” “Mantou,” and “Gunkan,” the little pig continued to refuse. Xiao Lingyu finally lost his temper.
“What exactly do you want to be called?”
Hearing this, the little pig blushed shyly. “I want a grand and meaningful name. I heard you used to call me Gou Dan, and now Xiao Lingyu sounds good.”
The words “Gou Dan” slipped out, and the pig immediately realized the mistake, quickly forcing a fawning smile. “It was Old Ghost who told me! He said if you didn’t rename me, I could use that to threaten you.”
Xiao Lingyu’s gaze swept across it, and the little pig immediately rolled onto its back, pretending to be dead.
Old Ghost, furious, burst out, “You little traitor, how dare you betray me!”
Xiao Lingyu coldly snorted, hand forming a seal. A green light flashed on the Netherlock Bracelet, and the angry voice of Old Ghost abruptly cut off, leaving only muffled sounds. Over the years, as Xiao Lingyu’s cultivation had advanced, so had his control over the Netherlock Bracelet. Though he still could not fully comprehend its crafting, he had mastered several sealing techniques, with the silencing seal being the most frequently used.
With Old Ghost subdued, the little pig immediately understood the situation and got back on its feet, wagging its tail and saying, “Fine, I’ll go with Zhu Yurun!”
Seeing the pig’s reluctant acceptance, Xiao Lingyu’s expression darkened. “Or did you want to be called Zhu Zhu Yuan?”
After a moment of internal struggle, the pig finally agreed to Zhu Yurun, and from that day forward, all of Tianyun Sect knew that Xiao Lingyu had a small white pig named Zhu Yurun.
Memories flickered past, and Zhu Yurun stopped whining, communicating telepathically with Old Ghost. “Old Ghost, why’s the little monster so impatient today?”
Old Ghost shrugged. “Xiao Yuzi just wants to see his senior brother early. You delayed too long, didn’t you notice?”
The little pig, pouting, said, “I wasn’t doing it on purpose! My stomach hurt this morning, I couldn’t help it!”
Old Ghost snorted, “And you didn’t worry about stomachaches when you stole the millennium Frostblossom from Elder Li’s spiritual garden.”
“I couldn’t resist! I just wanted to bring it back for the little monster, but I failed. Xiao Monster is so cruel, doesn’t even care about me,” the pig said, eyes wide with innocence.
Old Ghost laughed until he nearly fell over. “How do you know Xiao Yuzi is going to see his lover?”
“Isn’t he? I overheard someone say so last time,” the pig replied, utterly confused.
Old Ghost nodded vigorously, suppressing his laughter. “Yes, yes, that’s right. Just keep this between us, don’t tell Xiao Yuzi.”
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingyu, unaware that the two were gossiping about him, was lost in thought, wondering what Chu Mingwei would be like now. The two had not met in three years—three years since Xiao Lingyu had completed his Void Realm cultivation and secluded himself for a year, followed by Chu Mingwei refining the Thunder Han Mirror in seclusion until yesterday, when he sent a message signaling he would leave the Thinking-Over Peak and return to Haotian Peak.
During these three years, though they had not met, Chu Mingwei occasionally sent messages to check on Xiao Lingyu’s status. Two years ago, when Xiao Lingyu emerged from the Void Realm, Chu Mingwei had even asked Meng Fan to deliver a Water-Luminescence Stone for him to craft a unique treasured item, though Xiao Lingyu eventually received the Water-Moon Wheel from the sect leader, leaving the stone unused.
Thinking of the stone, Xiao Lingyu’s mind sparked with an idea to craft a special treasure. Glancing at the nearby Thinking-Over Peak, he set aside the thought, guiding the Water-Moon Wheel onward.
That day, the Thinking-Over Peak had never been so lively. With Chu Mingwei’s long-sealed confinement ending, key disciples from each peak had gathered to celebrate the senior brother’s return.
Chu Mingwei, dressed in a flowing blue robe, smiled as he observed his disciples laughing and talking, though his mind continually scanned toward the approaching Yilan Peak. Time passed, yet the one he most cared about had still not appeared, and even the normally calm senior brother’s face betrayed a hint of anxiety.
He had sent a message yesterday—surely the young junior had received it? Or had something at Yilan Peak delayed him?
Having not seen the young junior for three years, Chu Mingwei wondered what he had become. The memory of a soft, obedient child lingered—what kind of brilliance would he now display as he matured?
Meng Fan, sitting quietly behind Chu Mingwei, noticed his senior brother’s distracted expression and subtle unease. Scanning the crowd and finding no familiar figure, he chuckled inwardly. Surely today, with so many gathered, the person Chu Mingwei most wanted to see was the young junior. Yet, the junior always cared deeply for the senior brother—so why hadn’t he appeared yet?
Meng Fan pondered the delay when suddenly Luo Shaohan transmitted a message: “Senior Brother Meng, the senior brother has emerged from seclusion—why hasn’t Junior Brother Xiao arrived?”
Meng Fan’s lips twitched. He didn’t understand why Luo Shaohan and Xiao Lingyu seemed to clash. Over the past ten years, due to Chu Mingwei, they had frequently visited Yilan Peak to check on Xiao Lingyu, with Luo Shaohan always reluctant. Over time, Xiao Lingyu had naturally discerned Luo Shaohan’s dislike, making their strained relationship no secret.
Sighing, Meng Fan prepared to explain, when Chu Mingwei abruptly stood. Following his gaze, a red-clad youth was walking toward them.
Chu Mingwei, seeing the youth in the distance, was momentarily stunned. He had never imagined that the soft, obedient child in his memory would have grown into someone so breathtakingly beautiful.
Xiao Lingyu smiled sincerely at Chu Mingwei.
“Senior Brother!”
The sight of Xiao Lingyu’s smile instantly dispelled Chu Mingwei’s previous anxiety, and his handsome face broke into a wide, genuine smile.
Luo Shaohan, noticing that since Xiao Lingyu’s arrival Chu Mingwei’s full attention was on him, whispered resentfully to Meng Fan, “Every time it’s like this! As long as the young junior appears, we cease to exist. Are we not also his junior brothers?”
Meng Fan, helpless, replied, “Shaohan, the junior is young. We’ve watched him grow, why dwell on this? Senior Brother cares for you too.”
“That’s not the same!” Luo Shaohan retorted.
“How is it not?”
“It just… feels different.”
Meng Fan could only shake his head; at times, he felt Luo Shaohan resembled their junior brother even more than Xiao Lingyu did.
No matter Luo Shaohan’s grumbling, Chu Mingwei’s concern for Xiao Lingyu was undeniable. Seeing the young junior in front of him, now a handsome youth, Chu Mingwei felt a subtle, tender pride, as if thinking, “My child has grown.”
Setting aside random thoughts, Chu Mingwei inquired in detail about Xiao Lingyu’s life over the past two years. Hearing Xiao Lingyu’s lively account, a tinge of regret arose in Chu Mingwei’s heart—had he already missed so much?
Sensing his senior brother’s unease, Xiao Lingyu paused, puzzled. Seeing his junior’s questioning expression, Chu Mingwei smiled with relief. Though he had missed some of his junior’s life, he could still participate in all the years ahead.
After all, their journey together was still long.