After that night meeting at Yilan Peak, the two continued to meet at the same place for three or four nights in a row. Chu Mingwei seemed to have taken Xiao Lingyu’s cultivation to heart—each night, he would seriously explain in detail his insights from breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. If Xiao Lingyu had not noticed anything unusual on the first night, by the second he understood Chu Mingwei’s intentions. Thinking of how his master Wu Yunzi had been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Core stage for many years, Xiao Lingyu cooperated fully with Chu Mingwei’s efforts.
Each time Chu Mingwei began speaking, Wu Yunzi—hidden in the shadows—would fall into inner turmoil. Should he listen or not? For cultivators, the pursuit of the Dao was instinct etched into their bones. Wu Yunzi had cultivated for centuries and had been stuck at the Great Perfection of the Core stage for decades. What he lacked was not spiritual energy, but an opportunity—an insight. Over the years, he would occasionally glimpse inspiration, yet never grasp its direction. Though Chu Mingwei’s lightning spiritual root differed somewhat from his own water-based one, what Chu Mingwei said was no less than pointing out a concrete path forward.
If he did not listen, Wu Yunzi could not suppress his desire to pursue the Dao. But if he did listen, knowing Chu Mingwei’s ulterior motives, he would feel he had lost the moral upper hand. Though Wu Yunzi acted fierce on the surface, facing such a tremendous favor left him inwardly tormented. In the end, he could only turn a blind eye to their nightly meetings.
On one of those nights, a casual remark from Chu Mingwei suddenly brought Wu Yunzi to enlightenment. He immediately needed to enter seclusion. Though it was not yet a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, it was the first true comprehension of the Dao he had experienced in decades.
Because it happened so suddenly, Wu Yunzi only had time to send a voice transmission to Xiao Lingyu, informing him of his seclusion and instructing him not to leave Yilan Peak for the time being, as the matter of the demon clan remained unresolved. But after speaking to Xiao Lingyu, he turned to Chu Mingwei and fiercely ordered him to ensure Xiao Lingyu’s safety at all costs. Chu Mingwei agreed to everything without hesitation.
The next day, Ling Xiaozi also learned of Wu Yunzi’s seclusion. Thinking of Chu Mingwei’s nightly actions, he naturally understood that if nothing unexpected happened, Yuntian Sect would likely gain another Nascent Soul expert in a few years. He was delighted.
Seeing the joy in his disciple’s expression, Ling Xiaozi was also pleased for him. However, his happiness did not last even half a day before he realized that Chu Mingwei, under the pretext of protecting his junior brother, seemed to be moving toward staying at Yilan Peak. At that moment, Ling Xiaozi finally understood Wu Yunzi’s previous feelings.
That afternoon, Xiao Lingyu was practicing several spells Wu Yunzi had taught him before entering seclusion. Chu Mingwei stayed by his side under the excuse of guiding his cultivation, while completely pushing the task of selecting a mountain for his cave dwelling onto Meng Fan—ignoring Meng Fan’s resentful expression.
Meng Fan felt his luck had been terrible lately. If this continued, he might be worked to death. But with one being the Sect Master and the other his Senior Brother, he could only endure silently, desperately hoping Wu Yunzi would soon come out of seclusion to suppress this overly idle Senior Brother who kept hovering around their junior brother.
Just as Xiao Lingyu finished a round of practice, the outer formation of Yilan Peak fluctuated—it was a transmission talisman being blocked outside. Curious, Xiao Lingyu formed a hand seal, and a streak of light flew in—yet instead of going to him, it went directly to Chu Mingwei.
Chu Mingwei frowned slightly as he opened the talisman. After reading it, he looked at Xiao Lingyu with a smile. Xiao Lingyu raised an eyebrow. The smile on Chu Mingwei’s face deepened as his gaze shifted from Xiao Lingyu’s face to the bracelet on his wrist, revealing a meaningful look.
Inside the bracelet, the Old Ghost—who had been gossiping with Zhu Yurou—shivered. “Hmm… feels like someone’s plotting against me?”
Zhu Yurou looked confused. “What’s plotting?”
The Old Ghost thought for a moment. “It means… not letting you eat snacks.”
Zhu Yurou’s face turned horrified. “That’s terrifying!”
The Old Ghost nodded vigorously, then comforted himself—he didn’t love snacks like Zhu Yurou, nor did he have any particular hobby, so what could anyone possibly plot against? Convinced it was just his imagination, he continued chatting happily.
That night, even as the moon reached its peak, Chu Mingwei showed no sign of leaving.
Xiao Lingyu looked at him in confusion, only to find his gaze unusually intense. His face flushed slightly, but thinking of the Old Ghost in the bracelet, he steadied himself and looked back calmly.
Chu Mingwei noticed the change and walked over with a gentle smile.
Xiao Lingyu’s heart suddenly began to pound—something felt different from before.
Chu Mingwei lowered his head and kissed his forehead, then naturally took his right hand, exposing the bracelet. The smile in his eyes deepened.
His lips moved from Xiao Lingyu’s forehead to his ear as he whispered softly, “Lingyu, Su Wan taught me a method today to isolate a spirit within a tool. Shall we try it?”
Xiao Lingyu blinked, surprised. His first thought was that Chu Mingwei had mistaken the Old Ghost for a spirit bound to an artifact. But seeing the burning emotion in Chu Mingwei’s eyes—love, desire, and a trace of pleading—he froze. Before he could respond, Chu Mingwei kissed him again.
“Trust me,” Chu Mingwei murmured. “It won’t harm him—just isolate him from the outside for six hours. Lingyu… will you?”
The final words felt like a feather brushing against Xiao Lingyu’s heart. His chest softened, and he nodded.
The Old Ghost, who had been watching, was struck like lightning. Seeing Xiao Lingyu about to agree, he shouted, “You can’t do this—I have rights too!”
But Chu Mingwei ignored him and began forming hand seals. The Old Ghost could only yell, “Chu Mingwei, Wu Yunzi will beat you to death—!” before his voice vanished into a flash of golden light.
From that moment on, he could no longer sense the outside world. Inside, he angrily imagined Wu Yunzi beating Chu Mingwei senseless.
Outside, his final outburst shattered the atmosphere, and Xiao Lingyu burst into laughter.
Chu Mingwei gazed at his radiant smile. Before Xiao Lingyu could finish laughing, darkness fell over his vision as Chu Mingwei leaned in and kissed him.
Heat surged between them. Held tightly, Xiao Lingyu felt the warmth of Chu Mingwei’s hands like fire wherever they touched.
It was the first time Chu Mingwei held him like this without restraint. Perhaps because his Nascent Soul stage had not yet stabilized, his self-control seemed weaker—he felt an overwhelming urge to keep Xiao Lingyu close at all times.
He knew Wu Yunzi was not his greatest obstacle—the real problem had always been the Old Ghost. Since returning from the ruins, he had searched for ways to suppress him. Only after meeting Su Wan did he realize—wasn’t the Old Ghost essentially like a spirit bound to an artifact?
Fortunately, Su Wan had not disappointed him.
Now, finally getting what he wanted, Chu Mingwei was filled with joy.
Their closeness deepened. Xiao Lingyu instinctively retreated once, but that only drew a fiercer response.
Clothes slipped away as they fell onto the bed.
A muffled sound escaped Xiao Lingyu. Chu Mingwei immediately slowed, kissing his sweat-damp forehead gently. “Relax.”
At first, Xiao Lingyu only felt discomfort and unfamiliar pain, but gradually, as he relaxed, the sensation shifted into something softer, unfamiliar yet not unpleasant.
The night passed in intimacy.
When Xiao Lingyu woke, his body felt refreshed, spiritual energy circulating smoothly within him.
Opening his eyes, he met Chu Mingwei’s burning gaze. Without waiting, Chu Mingwei leaned down and kissed him again, whispering his name over and over, filled with joy.
Xiao Lingyu said nothing, only wrapped his arms around him.
They lingered together until midday. Seeing the time limit on the barrier approaching, Chu Mingwei helped Xiao Lingyu bathe and dress.
Once everything was done, Xiao Lingyu noticed the unmistakable happiness in Chu Mingwei’s expression and smiled faintly.
The moment the restriction lifted, the Old Ghost burst out—only to see the two gazing at each other with tender affection. All the curses he had prepared turned into a single furious outburst:
“You shameless pair!”
Xiao Lingyu, knowing his temperament, did not mind. If anything, he felt a little guilty for isolating him.
Chu Mingwei glanced at the bracelet with a half-smile. With a small movement of his hand, the Old Ghost immediately changed his tone:
“You two are truly a match made in heaven!”
Chu Mingwei calmly continued adjusting Xiao Lingyu’s clothes. The Old Ghost ground his teeth but did not dare say another word.
He had finally realized—Chu Mingwei was nothing like Xiao Lingyu. He was not soft-hearted at all… just as Wu Yunzi had said—a complete bastard.
At that moment, the Old Ghost found himself fervently wishing for Wu Yunzi to come out of seclusion as soon as possible.
Wu Yunzi—if you don’t come out soon, your precious disciple is going to be completely devoured!