As the illusion shattered, the once illusory paradise revealed the mountain’s true form. Seeing the gray mist swirling outside, all the surviving cultivators rushed toward the grand hall at the summit.
While the others were still making their way up from different directions, Chu Mingwei and Xiao Lingyu had already searched the entire hall. They checked every corner, only to find it completely empty—not to mention treasures, there was not even a single decorative furnishing. Even Zhu Yuruan ran around the place and found nothing. Xiao Lingyu finally gave up completely, standing in the hall with a gloomy expression, frowning in thought.
Chu Mingwei watched with amusement as Xiao Lingyu had rushed in full of excitement, only to come out disappointed. Holding back a laugh, he handed over his storage pouch. “These are all the things I have collected over the years. Lingyu, would you help me keep them?”
Xiao Lingyu looked at him in confusion, but quickly understood his intention. His cheeks flushed. “I am not disappointed because there was nothing in the hall.”
Chu Mingwei replied seriously, “Of course Lingyu is not disappointed because there was nothing here.” Just as Xiao Lingyu was about to nod, Chu Mingwei continued with a smile, “It is simply that, since I am with you, my things should naturally be kept by you.”
Caught off guard, Xiao Lingyu froze for a moment. Seeing the sincerity in Chu Mingwei’s expression, his heart filled with warmth. Glancing toward Zhu Yuruan in the corner, he quickly made up his mind. Calmly accepting the storage pouch, he added, “I was planning to find a way back to Wu City here. I did not expect there would be nothing.”
Chu Mingwei gently patted him. “There is no need to worry. Since we were able to come in, we can certainly leave. Thinking about it now, we entered because of the green mist—so leaving will likely depend on it as well.”
“The green mist?” Xiao Lingyu murmured, suddenly looking up in realization. “Could it be…?”
Chu Mingwei nodded. “I suspect this cave, over the years, has formed a formation spirit. The shadow within the green mist should be it. Shi Ge was trapped within the spirit array yet could still manipulate the cave to hunt cultivators—it must be because of the formation spirit.”
Seeing Xiao Lingyu’s excitement, Chu Mingwei immediately understood his thoughts and said seriously, “Formation spirits are sentient. Ordinary artifacts cannot subdue them. The Xuan Kun Sect possesses a treasure called the Wuxi Bell, which specifically restrains such entities.”
Xiao Lingyu immediately understood. “The Wuxi Bell is in Su Wan’s hands?”
Chu Mingwei nodded. “We will wait here for Su Wan. Everyone will likely gather here in the end.”
With Chu Mingwei’s calm demeanor, Xiao Lingyu unconsciously stopped worrying about their escape. His gaze drifted to Zhu Yuruan, who was happily munching on pastries, and he began planning to travel the world with him after leaving this place—searching for rare materials and forging countless artifacts.
Old Ghost Head immediately understood Xiao Lingyu’s thoughts and cast a sympathetic glance at Zhu Yuruan, sincerely thinking that ignorance was bliss.
Watching Zhu Yuruan eat until his face was covered in crumbs, Old Ghost Head suddenly remembered something and hurriedly called out through divine sense, “Little White, that small cauldron is still in your stomach, right?”
Zhu Yuruan looked up blankly. “What cauldron?”
Old Ghost Head had spoken through divine sense, but Zhu Yuruan answered out loud. Xiao Lingyu reacted first. “What cauldron?”
Chu Mingwei also thought of the small cauldron that had once made Lei Hanjing wary and looked at Zhu Yuruan thoughtfully.
With everyone’s attention drawn, Old Ghost Head had no choice but to appear, stammering, “During the fight with Shi Ge, Zhu Yuruan took the opportunity to swallow a small cauldron.”
Zhu Yuruan immediately looked aggrieved. “That thing was the worst thing I have ever eaten. I did not want to eat it at all.” After speaking, he opened his mouth, and a red object covered in pastry crumbs rolled out.
Xiao Lingyu looked at the small red cauldron on the ground with disgust. Chu Mingwei smiled, cast several cleansing spells in succession, and carefully picked it up.
Xiao Lingyu had not witnessed Lei Hanjing’s earlier confrontation with the cauldron. Seeing how delicate and unremarkable it appeared, aside from its unknown material, he became curious. Urging Old Ghost Head repeatedly, he demanded an explanation.
Forced to comply, Old Ghost Head manifested again and said bitterly, “This cauldron is called the Nine Yi Cauldron. It is a sacred artifact of the ancient demon race. I only know it has a great origin, but I do not know its exact function.”
Given Old Ghost Head’s past evasiveness, Xiao Lingyu did not believe him. Before he could press further, Chu Mingwei spoke first, “If it is a demon sacred artifact, how do you know of it, and how can you be certain it is real?”
Old Ghost Head’s expression grew even more bitter. After a long pause, he answered, “A former acquaintance once showed it to me. It is definitely genuine.” Seeing they were about to continue questioning, he immediately retreated into the Nether Bracelet and refused to come out again.
Recalling Old Ghost Head’s deep wariness of the demon race and his knowledge of them, Xiao Lingyu guessed that this acquaintance was likely a demon. Thinking of the ancient conflicts between humans and demons, he sighed and chose not to pursue the matter further. Since its function was unknown, they decided after a glance at each other that Zhu Yuruan should continue to keep it.
Poor Zhu Yuruan was once again forced to swallow the Nine Yi Cauldron. With a pitiful expression, he looked at Xiao Lingyu.
In a good mood, Xiao Lingyu said, “From now on, you can have one extra serving of pastries every day.”
Zhu Yuruan blinked shyly. “Little monster, you are the best to me.”
—
When Ying Jiuhua arrived with Xiao Hei, this was the scene they saw—Xiao Lingyu smiling as he held a little white pig, chatting with Chu Mingwei.
Seeing the harmonious atmosphere between the two, Xiao Hei somehow thought of himself and his master. His face flushed, and he sneaked a glance at Ying Jiuhua—only to meet his gaze. Startled, Xiao Hei quickly looked away, his heart pounding.
A trace of confusion flashed in Ying Jiuhua’s eyes. Xiao Hei’s reaction was clearly one of guilt. Glancing at the hall again, he wondered—should Xiao Hei not be heartbroken instead? Why did he seem guilty? Before he could think it through, Chu Mingwei had already spoken.
“I did not expect Senior Ying would also be drawn here.”
Ying Jiuhua snorted coldly without answering. Xiao Hei stepped forward and greeted them with a smile.
Seeing Xiao Hei standing beside Ying Jiuhua, Xiao Lingyu suddenly recalled the scene from the illusion where Xiao Hei had hugged a stone and cried “Master, do not…” His expression turned strange.
Each of the three interpreted this expression differently. Chu Mingwei subtly stepped forward, blocking Xiao Lingyu’s view. Ying Jiuhua grew even more suspicious. Meanwhile, poor Xiao Hei realized his secret from the illusion might have been exposed and could only comfort himself inwardly: Xiao Lingyu knows nothing… Xiao Lingyu knows nothing…
The four stood in the hall, each harboring their own thoughts. Chu Mingwei stepped forward and addressed Ying Jiuhua politely, “This place is strange. Let us set aside the distinction between immortals and demons for now. Would Senior Ying be willing to cooperate in finding a way out?”
Ying Jiuhua replied casually, “Cooperate how?”
Chu Mingwei smiled and explained his reasoning in detail. As he spoke, the casualness on Ying Jiuhua’s face gradually gave way to seriousness.
—
Meanwhile, near the summit, several disciples of the Xuan Kun Sect formed a circle, their expressions grave as their hands formed intricate seals. At the center stood Su Wan, her face pale. With her left hand forming a spell and her right shaking a softly glowing jade bell in a strange rhythm, she focused intently.
With each clear chime, a black shadow wrapped in green mist before her howled and struggled violently, yet remained trapped within an invisible barrier. Each ring thinned the green mist around it. As time passed, Su Wan’s expression grew more strained, and her movements slowed.
Finally, with a sudden rapid shake, the bell rang brightly. The shadow shrieked wildly, its form twisting violently. With one final motion, the shadow convulsed like a dying fish before shrinking into a small, docile mass.
Joy flashed in Su Wan’s eyes. Biting her tongue, she spat a mouthful of blood onto it. The shadow trembled violently, forming a distorted human face and letting out a sharp scream. Another mouthful of blood followed. Gradually, fear replaced its ferocity, and it became docile again.
Su Wan smiled faintly and shook the bell once more. This time, the shadow seemed to listen and respond, syncing with the rhythm.
The surrounding disciples relaxed, smiling in relief. One of them spoke, “Congratulations, Senior Sister Su, on capturing a spirit.”
Su Wan smiled, but when she looked at one disciple, her expression dimmed. “It is a pity about Junior Brother Wang and Junior Brother Chen.”
The mood instantly dropped.
Then, without warning, the docile shadow suddenly expanded and roared, charging at Su Wan. She hurriedly shook the bell, but the shadow abruptly changed direction and attacked another disciple. Before he could escape, it enveloped him completely. Moments later, a withered corpse fell out.
The green mist surged violently, spreading across the mountain. Su Wan, grim-faced, rang the bell again, causing the shadow to howl in pain. As the ringing slowed, the shadow grew desperate and drove the entire mountain to slam violently into the void.
The earth shook and the sky trembled.
—
Back in the hall, everyone felt a violent tremor. Chu Mingwei immediately grabbed Xiao Lingyu’s hand, pulling him close. As the shaking intensified, Ying Jiuhua suddenly pulled Xiao Hei into his arms. Xiao Hei stiffened at first, then gradually relaxed as the trembling worsened.
With the third wave of violent shaking, they barely had time to summon their protective artifacts before everything spun, and they were hurled downward.
“Splash!”
Water surged as two figures fell from the sky.
Chu Mingwei rose from the water, holding Xiao Lingyu. Looking around, he saw the bright moon overhead and felt the thin spiritual energy in the air. Joy filled his face—this was no longer the void. They had finally escaped.
The two exchanged smiles.
Then, Chu Mingwei slowly lowered his head and gently pressed his lips to Xiao Lingyu’s. Xiao Lingyu instinctively closed his eyes, tilting his head up in response. Beneath the moonlight, they held each other tightly, as if wanting to merge into one.