At that time, the two of them hadn’t gone far from Yuntian Sect, and the closest marketplace was not far from the sect’s base, established in its shadow.
Chu Mingwei led Xiao Lingyu straight there. Nearing the destination, to avoid Wu Yunzi discovering the matter and blaming him, the two casually altered their appearances. Chu Mingwei took the form of a plain-looking young man, while Xiao Lingyu, on a whim, assumed the visage of a middle-aged man bearing a six-part resemblance to Ling Xiaozhi, the sect master. Seeing the conflicted look on Chu Mingwei’s face, Xiao Lingyu laughed heartily, stubbornly refusing to change back.
Though Xiao Lingyu’s appearance was odd, Chu Mingwei, accustomed to spoiling his junior, reluctantly accepted it. He did not, however, indulge Xiao Lingyu’s wish to address him as “senior uncle,” and Xiao Lingyu had no choice but to settle for calling him “senior brother.” Chu Mingwei found the junior’s proud, playful expression utterly endearing, his mind captivated by Xiao Lingyu’s lively spirit.
The transformation they performed was a basic illusionary technique, altering only appearances without hiding cultivation levels. Those with superior power could still discern their true strength. Their main goal was to prevent sect disciples from noticing them and reporting back, which would anger Wu Yunzi. Chu Mingwei wasn’t concerned about being seen by those above their level; few elders would wander the marketplace during the day.
Once their appearances were set, Xiao Lingyu glanced at the white pig, Zhu Yurun, in his arms, and with a simple hand sign, cast a silencing spell over it. The pig’s white coat turned a dull gray, its expression instantly crestfallen.
Xiao Lingyu then addressed Zhu Yurun, “Choose one: the beast pouch or the illusionary form?”
The little pig quickly straightened its expression and said with mock seriousness, “I’ve long wanted to try a different color. A cute little pig like me, no matter the coat, can’t hide my unique aura.”
Xiao Lingyu, aware of Zhu Yurun’s temperament, found this statement infuriating. With a look of disdain, he handed the pig over to Chu Mingwei, declaring that his new form was too conspicuous to parade around with a pig in his arms.
Satisfied, Xiao Lingyu strutted into the marketplace, leading his “junior” proudly.
However, he soon realized that, unlike in his past life, he had no knowledge of the marketplace layout. He hesitated slightly, glancing at Chu Mingwei for guidance.
Chu Mingwei immediately understood his junior’s concern: it was his first visit, and he needed directions. Seeing Xiao Lingyu’s reluctant, awkward demeanor, Chu Mingwei suppressed a smile and respectfully asked, “Senior Brother, is this your first time here? Shall your junior guide you?”
Xiao Lingyu gave a knowing glance and, with a proud expression, followed behind him, ignoring the pitiful looks of Zhu Yurun in Chu Mingwei’s arms.
“You little monster, your senior brother’s arms are uncomfortable. I want to be in your embrace again!” the pig whimpered.
“Quiet, Zhu Yurun. Have you ever seen a stern, serious young man hold a pig like this?” Xiao Lingyu shot him a glare. “Do you want to go back into the beast pouch?”
The pig whimpered pitifully, helpless under Xiao Lingyu’s iron rule, silently enduring the injustice alongside Chu Mingwei and his junior.
The marketplace beneath Yuntian Sect remained as Xiao Lingyu remembered. Having relived sixteen years, his excitement and surprise were genuine, unhindered by pretense. Without haste, the two slowly wandered from shop to shop.
Xiao Lingyu occasionally glanced at the curled-up Zhu Yurun. “See if there’s anything we can snag at a bargain. Don’t bother with things everyone already knows about.”
Hearing this, Zhu Yurun perked up, sniffing the air energetically. The little pig could smell any object containing spiritual energy, the stronger the aura, the more distinct the scent. Any such object within range would be located by his nose.
Chu Mingwei, in his plain guise, carried Zhu Yurun, attracting curious glances from passersby. Even though he emanated a faint Dan-level pressure, onlookers couldn’t help sneaking peeks. Zhu Yurun, cradled in Chu Mingwei’s arms, drew even more attention—any cultivator seeing a pet in the arms of a Dan-level would surely suspect its unusual nature.
Xiao Lingyu noticed the stares, his expression darkening. He hadn’t expected so many eyes on Zhu Yurun. Chu Mingwei, sensing the misunderstanding, smiled wryly and guided him toward a nearby tavern. “Lingyu, there’s a restaurant ahead run by cultivators. The food is quite good. Shall we stop for a meal?”
Annoyed that Chu Mingwei didn’t use the proper title, Xiao Lingyu pretended not to hear.
Chu Mingwei chuckled at his junior’s childishness and whispered, “Senior Brother!”
Xiao Lingyu immediately nodded in satisfaction, letting Chu Mingwei lead him inside.
“Xian Zong Ju” was run by a Void Realm cultivator, famed locally for dishes made with spiritual ingredients. In his past life, Xiao Lingyu had occasionally feasted there. Seeing the familiar sign again, he recalled the fragrant spiritual tea, with a lingering, enchanting aftertaste.
Following Chu Mingwei, they moved confidently to the best table by the window. The dishes ordered were all Xiao Lingyu’s favorites, and he gave Chu Mingwei a deeply satisfied look.
Just as the food arrived, a cold spiritual perception swept over him, scanning him brazenly without concealment.
Xiao Lingyu’s expression changed, ready to react, but Chu Mingwei’s face darkened as he sat beside him, radiating his own spiritual aura. The two forces collided with a sharp “pop” sound from a corner.
A crisp voice rang out, “Senior Brother, even eating a meal makes you bleed? Truly worrying!”
“Shut up, Xiao Muyu! Don’t think your master’s protection lets you ride roughshod over me.”
The words “Xiao Muyu” caught Xiao Lingyu’s attention. In the corner stood a white-robed youth, wiping blood from his mouth, speaking to a black-clad teenager of fifteen or sixteen.
The boy didn’t flinch, replying calmly, “I’ll ride roughshod over you anyway. What can you do?”
“You—!” The white-robed youth’s face contorted with rage, yet no threat came. He stood and attempted to leave.
Chu Mingwei raised an eyebrow, forming a hand seal. A streak of electricity shot toward the white-robed youth. “You dare show disrespect to my senior brother, and plan to leave just like that?”
The youth hesitated, not wanting to escalate matters with a junior protected by his master. Usually careful, he now directly met Chu Mingwei’s attack. The small curved knife he spat from his mouth met the electric flash head-on.
Normally, the white-robed youth would have measured his actions, but enraged by the junior’s mockery, his usual cunning vanished. Chu Mingwei’s electric net soon enveloped him completely.
Chu Mingwei shielded Xiao Lingyu’s view and whispered, “Eat quietly, Lingyu. Leave this to your senior brother.”
Xiao Lingyu lowered his head, feeling a mix of comfort and embarrassment at being treated like a child.
The white-robed youth, clearly weaker, soon cried out in pain inside the electric net. “Xiao Muyu, you watch your fellow disciple suffer and do nothing?”
The black-clad teen barely reacted, not even frowning.
Chu Mingwei released the electric net. “Go. This is a minor lesson—don’t make it happen again.”
The youth glared and muttered, “Xiao Muyu, this isn’t over,” limping out, while the black-clad boy left smiling mysteriously, glancing meaningfully at Chu Mingwei.
The tavern patrons, accustomed to such skirmishes, soon returned to their meals and chatter. Chu Mingwei observed Xiao Lingyu’s expression carefully. Seeing his junior still in good spirits, he finally relaxed, inwardly reaffirming his determination to protect him. The incident also made him realize Wu Yunzi’s worries were not unfounded: even a seemingly innocent youth could attract malicious schemes from those with dark intentions.