Xiao Lingyu looked at him with a gentle smile. Just as he was about to step forward, he suddenly thrust a sword toward him, his face twisting with disdain. “Evil and perverse ways—must be eradicated!”
Xiao Hei froze in shock at the scorn on Xiao Lingyu’s face. Slowly, he lifted a hand to his chest, only to see a pale blue long sword embedded there, warm blood seeping out around it.
He tried to speak, but no sound came out. The disdain in Xiao Lingyu’s eyes stung more sharply than the sword itself.
Blood dripped from his chest, and finally he hoarsely asked, “Xiao Lao Da… do you hate me?”
Xiao Lingyu’s expression was cold as ice. “Immortals and demons cannot coexist.”
Forcing a crooked smile, Xiao Hei muttered, “Xiao Lao Da… do you want to know what happened after we were separated back then?”
Ignoring Xiao Lingyu’s reaction, he continued talking to himself, recounting the past. “After you were taken by the Yun Tian Sect, I couldn’t find you no matter what, crying desperately. Old Shui said you would become an Immortal Master in the future. I realized that if I wanted to find you, I had to become an Immortal Master myself. So, I searched every day in Chucheng for Immortal Masters, kowtowing to them, hoping they would accept me. But my talent was too poor, and no one would take me. Until I met Master.
At first, people there bullied me every day. I kept telling myself that if I persisted, I could become an Immortal Master and finally find you. Then no one would be able to bully me again. Eventually, Master chose me as a disciple, and from that moment on, no one dared to mistreat me. They only envied me, tried to please me, and cursed me in secret. None of that mattered. I told myself that as long as I became an Immortal Master, I could be with you, Xiao Lao Da.
All these years, I’ve been asking about you everywhere. I even went alone to the markets near Yun Tian Sect, hoping to run into you. That day in the inn, I heard your name—I can’t tell you how happy I was. I wanted to rush over and meet you. I feared you would despise me for being a disciple of the demonic path, I feared the people around you wouldn’t allow us to be together, and I feared you had completely forgotten me. Fortunately, you still remembered. I just never imagined that our first reunion would end so unpleasantly. Maybe what people say is true: immortals and demons cannot coexist. We can never be together. But finding you, liking you—that has become my obsession for all these years. How can I ever let it go?
I know you don’t like me. You are the genius of the Yun Tian Sect, and I am just a mediocre who can barely cultivate. Who would ever like someone like me?”
An angry voice rang from behind, startling Xiao Hei: “Am I not human?”
He spun around to see Ying Jiuhua, who had somehow appeared there, frowning darkly at him.
“Master?”
Ying Jiuhua strode forward, gripping Xiao Hei tightly. “All these years, how do you think I’ve treated you?”
Xiao Hei was taken aback. “Master has… naturally treated me well.”
“Treated you well? If you truly thought I treated you well, why do I still obsess over a little brat from ten years ago and never show you my feelings?”
“Master…” Xiao Hei’s eyes widened, stunned. Every word Ying Jiuhua spoke seemed familiar, yet he could not fully understand the meaning.
Ying Jiuhua’s anger intensified. “Tell me, in all these years, what have I done wrong? Your talent was poor, so I hunted demons and used demon pills to strengthen your Dao heart. Within the sect, I protected you—no one dared show you disrespect. Whatever you wanted, I fulfilled. And yet, this still doesn’t compare to a six-year-old brat?”
Xiao Hei gaped, the words flashing through his mind like lightning. He realized the reason for Ying Jiuhua’s dislike of Xiao Lingyu. But… why did Master care for him like this? He was mediocre, ordinary-looking, not even particularly likable… so why?
Seeing Xiao Hei stunned, Ying Jiuhua bent down and, with hatred and frustration, kissed him squarely on the lips. One hand slipped along Xiao Hei’s collar. Taken completely off guard, Xiao Hei struggled wildly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Lingyu climbed halfway up the mountain, watching Xiao Hei clutch a half-human-high stone, flailing and shouting, “Master! No!”
Old Ghost let out a loud laugh, unable to contain himself. “Xiao Yunzi, this is too hilarious! Truly too hilarious! Someone should record this!”
Xiao Lingyu, darkening, stepped forward and thrust the Water Moon Wheel toward the stone.
“Boom!” A loud explosion, and Xiao Hei stumbled back, covering his chest. He hesitated, then asked, “No injury? No Master?”
Old Ghost, lost in thought, laughed again.
Xiao Lingyu’s face softened in concern. “Xiao Hei, are you alright?”
Blinking, Xiao Hei suddenly realized, “Xiao Lao Da, you’re in here too?”
Xiao Lingyu briefly recounted Xiao Hei being pulled in and what happened inside. Xiao Hei murmured in response, realizing Master had also pursued him. Suddenly, his face turned crimson.
As they exchanged experiences, Old Ghost interrupted. “The stone underground is abnormal.”
Xiao Lingyu froze and looked down; Xiao Hei followed his gaze. The previously shattered stone slowly moved, attempting to reassemble.
Xiao Hei, recalling the previous illusions, blushed furiously. He immediately readied a magical tool to strike, but the stone, sensing danger, rolled and assembled itself again.
Xiao Lingyu’s vision blurred. He found himself at the foot of the mountain, a deep pool glittering under the sun. By the pool stood a beautiful girl, slowly removing her clothing, revealing pale, delicate skin. Xiao Lingyu frowned. Old Ghost chuckled, teasing, “This illusion isn’t professional at all. Xiao Yunzi, you like men—what use is a woman here?”
Xiao Lingyu snorted but before he could respond, the scene shifted. This time, by the pool stood a man.
Old Ghost laughed in anticipation.
Xiao Lingyu saw the man removing his clothes and blushed. Raising his hand, he formed seals; the Water Moon Wheel glowed faint blue and struck the man, who stepped back, shouting, “Lingyu! Why?”
Xiao Lingyu thought, My senior brother is upright—he wouldn’t behave so shamelessly in broad daylight.
The Water Moon Wheel ignored the man’s protests and slashed. His face blurred, shifting into another form, gently looking at Xiao Lingyu. “Junior Brother! You know my heart belongs to you. Others are only wishful thinking. If you dislike my interactions with Xu Xuan, I promise I won’t see him again.”
Xiao Lingyu paused, his hands forming seals. He unleashed both the Shadowless Sword and the Water Moon Wheel. The man floated, his voice soft.
“Ten Thousand Arrows!” Xiao Lingyu suddenly commanded.
Countless water arrows shot from the pool with unstoppable force, piercing the man like a hornet’s nest in an instant.
“Ten Thousand Arrows” was a core skill Xiao Lingyu had mastered when advancing from the Refining to the Illusion Realm. Unlike the defensive “Traceless Waters,” this was purely offensive. It was his first use, and though his opponent was a mere illusion, the effect was excellent. Xiao Lingyu grinned in satisfaction.
Old Ghost was speechless.
The figure vanished amid a piercing wail. The scenery faded, and Xiao Lingyu saw Xiao Hei, recently emerged from the illusion, with messy clothes and a flushed face.
Old Ghost chuckled mischievously. “Xiao Yunzi, tell me—what did Xiao Hei do inside the illusion?”
Xiao Lingyu, embarrassed, muttered, “Master! Don’t!”
Old Ghost laughed uncontrollably.
Ignoring Old Ghost, Xiao Lingyu focused on the once-shattered stone. This time, it was too damaged to reassemble. Its glow faded, it turned to grey smoke, leaving only a finger-sized fragment.
Old Ghost, excited, shouted, “Pick it up! Quick!”
Xiao Lingyu stepped forward to retrieve it. Xiao Hei simultaneously reached for the fragment. Seeing Xiao Lingyu’s motion, Xiao Hei hesitated, studying the fragment thoughtfully. “This stone… looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.”
Xiao Lingyu ignored him. Old Ghost eagerly explained its origin and function.
“This stone is called the Thousand Illusion Stone,” Old Ghost said. “It’s an extremely rare mineral from ancient times, only growing in demonic territories. Both humans and demons prized it as the core of their formation arrays.”
Xiao Lingyu frowned. “Then the ones we destroyed earlier… what a waste.”
Old Ghost shrugged. “Do you think Thousand Illusion Stones are roadside rocks? The ones we shattered before weren’t real. Only this piece in your hand is authentic. This ruin has endured countless years. This stone likely served as a key formation node of the illusion array. Over time, it gathered dust and grew as it did. Your strike shattered the dust, restoring the stone to its original form.”
Xiao Lingyu looked at the stone. “If it’s a node of this illusion, does that mean there are others?”
“Yes!” Old Ghost became excited. “Let’s search for more—these rare stones are invaluable.”
Xiao Lingyu’s eyes flickered. “Do you think these stones fall under Zhu Yurun’s search range?”
Old Ghost realized suddenly. “Exactly! With Zhu Yurun involved, these Thousand Illusion Stones will all be ours.”
Both the human and the ghost focused on the spirit beast pouch at their waists, as if they could already envision the other fragments of Thousand Illusion Stones inside.