“Lingyu!” “Lingyu!” “Lingyu!”
Chu Mingwei called Xiao Lingyu’s name again and again, each time filled with affection. His deep, slightly husky voice struck Xiao Lingyu’s heart like a heavy stone. Xiao Lingyu’s once-forced rigidity crumbled under each utterance of “Lingyu.” The hard defenses he had just set up in his heart were cracked open by these calls, and the warmth beneath them could no longer be ignored.
Xiao Lingyu’s heart softened, warm and tender. The feeling of being cherished and deeply loved shattered the shadows left by that person in his previous life. Memories of both past lives intertwined, finally settling on the pale face of Chu Mingwei the first time he was injured for Xiao Lingyu’s sake. Xiao Lingyu’s stiff body gradually relaxed. Pressed tightly against Chu Mingwei’s chest, he listened to the rapid beating of his heart, and a small smile appeared at the corners of his lips.
Chu Mingwei immediately noticed the subtle change in his little junior brother and a light of delight shone in his eyes. He hugged him even tighter, wishing he could merge him completely into his own being.
The two of them held each other quietly. The Water Moon Wheel glowed faintly blue, and the Leihan Mirror emitted flashes of electric light beside them. From a distance, the scene radiated a serene, indescribable beauty.
Zhu Yurun watched with fascination as Chu Mingwei kissed Xiao Lingyu repeatedly, whispering to Old Ghost, “Old Ghost, now the little monster can’t deny that the senior brother is his lover, right? But… why a kiss on the forehead instead of the lips? Last time in the Spirit Garden of Yuntian Sect, I saw two disciples kissing on the lips, hands all over each other.”
Old Ghost, who had been enjoying the spectacle for a while, now felt his gossiping spirit flare. He wanted to share his thoughts with a kindred spirit, but a glance at Zhu Yurun reminded him of past betrayals. Rolling his eyes, he muttered, “I never gossip about Xiao Yuzi behind his back!”
“…!” Zhu Yurun was left speechless.
Old Ghost, seeing Zhu Yurun’s expression, smiled mischievously to himself and withdrew into the Ghost Bracelet.
On the other side of Green Mountain, Ying Jiuhua stood before a half-human-high stone, his expression flickering between sadness and joy, unmoving for a long while.
In the illusion, Xiao Hei looked up at his master, disappointed. “Master, is it because I am a disciple of the demonic path? Why did Brother Xiao refuse me? I’ve admired him for so many years…”
The scene shifted. Xiao Hei, hesitant, spoke directly to himself. “Master, I… I like you. I always thought I liked Brother Xiao, but now I understand—it is you I love. Master, you wouldn’t abandon me, would you?”
The scene changed again. Xiao Hei let out a low moan, crawling from his own embrace, face flushed, calling, “Master!”
Ying Jiuhua closed his eyes tightly, extending a hand to seize the stone, shattering it to dust. A gust of wind blew the fragments away, leaving only a small piece the length of a finger. Casually summoning it back, he looked at the stone, identical to those in the sect’s forbidden grounds, and smiled oddly.
The Thousand-Illusion Stone, irresistible even to himself. He knew the visions were false, yet he had stood there for so long, captivated. With a slight squeeze, fragments fell from the stone, while visions from the illusion flashed before his eyes, finally settling on Xiao Hei’s flushed face. Ying Jiuhua’s heart softened, and he stopped, carefully placing the stone in his chest.
Demons tend to seize whatever they desire, yet even they cannot forcibly claim love.
Frustrated, Ying Jiuhua’s aura radiated without concealment, driving away the surrounding demons.
Seeing Ying Jiuhua standing alone, Xiao Hei’s heart ached. Past hesitation melted away in the presence of this solitary figure.
Xiao Hei hurried forward. “Master!”
Ying Jiuhua turned sharply, striking directly toward Xiao Hei. Surprised, Xiao Hei did not resist. Stopping just in time, Ying Jiuhua realized he was facing the real Xiao Hei, not an illusion. His complex emotions settled into concern. “Xiao Hei, are you alright?”
Having grown up in the Eternal Hall, Xiao Hei read Ying Jiuhua’s eyes well, his heart a mess.
Seeing Chu Mingwei clutch Brother Xiao while Brother Xiao did not resist, Xiao Hei understood that his decade-long obsession was just that—an obsession. Not wishing to witness the sect disciples’ curious glances, he silently left. Though weak in cultivation, the protective treasure from his master ensured his safety.
He wandered aimlessly, visions from the illusion replaying before him. Recalling small details from his past, Xiao Hei bitterly admitted that his master’s feelings for him were unique. But what about his own feelings for his master?
Lost in chaotic thoughts, he had yet to clarify his emotions. Seeing Ying Jiuhua, he was still unsure. Ying Jiuhua, noticing Xiao Hei’s silence, reached out, scanning him to confirm he was unharmed, then relaxed. He retrieved the Thousand-Illusion Stone from his chest. “This is a Thousand-Illusion Stone. It can induce illusions. Keep it for defense.”
Xiao Hei’s surprise flashed across his face. Ying Jiuhua raised an eyebrow. “You’ve seen one before?”
Xiao Hei nodded awkwardly. “I was trapped in an illusion by a half-human-high stone. Brother Xiao rescued me. After breaking the illusion, I had this stone, which Brother Xiao took.”
Seeing Xiao Hei’s embarrassment, Ying Jiuhua knew exactly what he had witnessed in the illusion. Thinking of Xiao Hei’s vision of Xiao Lingyu, his heart turned sour. His tone naturally hardened. “You’re generous. Such stones are precious; only a few exist. Infused into a treasure, they give great advantage in battle.”
Detecting the displeasure in Ying Jiuhua’s words, Xiao Hei lowered his head, silent.
Seeing Xiao Hei’s tacit acknowledgement, Ying Jiuhua’s temper flared. He asked, “If your heart longs for Brother Xiao, why aren’t you with him?”
Xiao Hei, realizing his master’s misunderstanding, knew there was no way to explain. Should he admit the illusion showed his master rather than Brother Xiao? Bitterly, he decided to clarify his own intentions to avoid his master harming Brother Xiao out of misunderstanding. “Brother Xiao is with his senior brother, how could I meddle?”
“Senior brother? Chu Mingwei?” Ying Jiuhua exclaimed. Xiao Hei nodded, the image of Xiao Lingyu with Chu Mingwei vivid in his chest.
Ying Jiuhua’s emotions alternated between anger and joy. He was angry at Xiao Lingyu for abandoning Xiao Hei for Chu Mingwei, thinking Xiao Lingyu blind. Yet knowing Xiao Lingyu was with Chu Mingwei meant Xiao Hei could finally let go of his obsession, filling Ying Jiuhua with happiness. He had no worry whether Xiao Hei would like him—once the greatest rival, Xiao Lingyu, was gone, he could secure Xiao Hei for himself.
Ying Jiuhua pretended to scold. “It’s just a junior from Yuntian Sect. My disciple is no worse than Chu Mingwei. Xiao Hei, do not dwell on him. I will find you a better Dao companion.”
Xiao Hei, hearing these words, looked up seriously. “Master, do you truly mean it?”
Ying Jiuhua, who had only spoken to comfort, cursed his own words. His face cold, he said, “You are not yet accomplished in cultivation; do not be distracted by romance. This place, strange as it is, suits the treasure I gave you. Use this opportunity to refine it again. Failure means no distraction.”
Xiao Hei obediently agreed, a faint smile appearing.
Now reunited with Xiao Hei, Ying Jiuhua was not in a hurry to find the way out. He had guessed the origin of the place and intended to explore it carefully. Knowing the mountain was riddled with illusion formations, he suspected the Thousand-Illusion Stone marked a formation core. Destroying all cores would break the entire formation.
With this plan, Ying Jiuhua and Xiao Hei headed to another suspected core.
In the opposite direction, Chu Mingwei was inspecting Zhu Yurun curiously. Due to Zhu Yurun discovering the spirit essence, Xiao Lingyu had no reason to hide anything, revealing everything except matters of ancient origin to Chu Mingwei.
Surprised, Chu Mingwei listened, glancing at Zhu Yurun, then turned to Xiao Lingyu. “Lingyu, the sect’s Spirit Garden?”
Xiao Lingyu froze, embarrassed. “All Zhu Yurun’s doing.”
Chu Mingwei was astonished. “That many? Were they all eaten by Zhu Yurun?”
Xiao Lingyu was about to nod, blaming Zhu Yurun, but Zhu Yurun interrupted, “Little Pig didn’t eat them! The little monster said to sell them to senior brother as gifts.”
Xiao Lingyu’s face burned red with anger. “Zhu Yurun, ten days’ desserts deducted!”
Zhu Yurun immediately leapt into Chu Mingwei’s arms. “Senior brother, the little monster is too mean, deducting three days’ desserts!”
Chu Mingwei, noticing Xiao Lingyu’s growing blush, understood Zhu Yurun’s meaning and smiled. Xiao Lingyu’s face reddened further, internally deciding Zhu Yurun’s desserts were deducted for a whole year.
Seeing Xiao Lingyu’s expression, Chu Mingwei gently pulled him into his embrace before he could erupt, planting a soft kiss on his forehead. “Lingyu, I am so happy. In all these years of cultivation, I’ve never felt this blissful.”
Xiao Lingyu wanted to say he felt the same—truly the first time in two lifetimes. Not even all the words from that past life moved him like Chu Mingwei’s simple “I am so happy.” Looking into Chu Mingwei’s smiling eyes, Xiao Lingyu’s face lit with a brilliant smile. “Senior brother, I am happy too!”
Throughout the day, Zhu Yurun repeatedly witnessed Chu Mingwei kissing Xiao Lingyu’s forehead. Curiosity finally got the better of him. “Senior brother, why a forehead kiss? Last time in the Spirit Garden, two disciples kissed on the lips and… hands everywhere.”
The question struck hard. Xiao Lingyu, enraged, deducted ten years’ desserts from Zhu Yurun.
Chu Mingwei, watching Xiao Lingyu’s embarrassed anger, smiled meaningfully.
That night, Zhu Yurun was forcibly thrown back into the Spirit Beast Bag.
The next morning, Zhu Yurun noticed Xiao Lingyu’s swollen lips.
Once again, ten years’ desserts were deducted.
Feeling wronged, Zhu Yurun cried to Old Ghost, who had been silenced by a binding spell. “Waaaaaa!”