News that the Illusory Demon Realm had sent people into the secret realm quickly caused a huge stir among both righteous and demonic sects. Everyone speculated why this mysterious realm—one that had never participated in the Chu Tian Secret Realm in all its history—would suddenly send representatives this time.
At the same time, their unexpected arrival further convinced many that the Chu Tian Secret Realm had truly run out of spirit stones and that this would likely be its final appearance. Otherwise, why would the Illusory Demon Realm come to join the excitement?
By the time Xiao Lingyu heard this news, Chu Mingwei had already parted ways with Ling Xiaozi and returned to his side.
At that moment, Meng Fan was solemnly informing Xiao Lingyu that the man and woman who had approached him earlier that afternoon were indeed from the Illusory Demon Realm. Although Xiao Lingyu had already learned of their demon identity from the old ghost, he still had to put on a surprised expression in front of Meng Fan.
“Really? They’re from the Illusory Demon Realm?”
Meng Fan nodded seriously. “That realm has always kept to itself and rarely interacts with the cultivation world. Their appearance alone is strange enough—but even stranger is that they would actively seek you out. Who knows what they’re after?”
Only now did Chu Mingwei learn that the young girl who had chatted so happily with his junior brother earlier was from the Illusory Demon Realm. While he was puzzled about their intentions, what bothered him more was that she was a female cultivator—and a very pretty one at that.
Hearing Meng Fan’s concern, Chu Mingwei said firmly, “The Illusory Demon Realm acts in mysterious ways. Lingyu, it would be best to keep your distance from them.”
Though Xiao Lingyu also found their approach suspicious, he rolled his eyes slightly and said on purpose, “I didn’t sense any hostility from Immortal Zhu. Perhaps they simply wish to make friends.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Meng Fan immediately spoke up before Chu Mingwei could respond. “Senior Brother, I’ve already reported everything I know about the Illusory Demon Realm. I have other matters to attend to—I’ll take my leave first.”
With that, he grabbed Bai Qian and fled at top speed.
Xiao Lingyu stared, dumbfounded, at Meng Fan’s retreating figure.
Chu Mingwei, however, was quite satisfied with Meng Fan’s reaction. Thinking of how miserable Meng Fan had been lately, he even felt a rare moment of conscience and decided to assign part of Haotian Peak’s duties to Luo Shaohan later.
But that thought passed quickly. Turning back to Xiao Lingyu, Chu Mingwei lowered his voice. “No hostility, hmm?”
Xiao Lingyu suppressed a laugh, keeping a straight face. “Immortal Zhu has a lively and innocent personality. I truly didn’t sense any ill intent.”
“Immortal Zhu? Innocent personality?” Chu Mingwei practically ground his teeth.
Xiao Lingyu tried to hold it in but couldn’t anymore. He burst out laughing. “Senior Brother… are you jealous?”
Before he could finish, a hot breath brushed against his face. Chu Mingwei’s face had already moved close. Xiao Lingyu smiled brightly and leaned in, their lips meeting, warmth spreading between them in a way that was indescribably pleasant.
After a long kiss, Xiao Lingyu leaned breathlessly against Chu Mingwei’s chest. Suddenly, an idea struck him. “Since the secret realm hasn’t opened yet, why don’t we set up a stall at the market and trade something?”
Chu Mingwei looked at him with a smile, lowering his head to kiss his lips again. “And what would we trade?”
Xiao Lingyu sat up eagerly. “Zhu Yuruan still has a lot of spirit plants he stole before…”
His voice gradually trailed off under Chu Mingwei’s gaze. He had originally planned to send those plants to an auction, but ever since going to Wu City, he had never found the time. Even now, that massive stash was still inside Zhu Yuruan’s belly. This was just a spur-of-the-moment idea to experience something new—but thinking about where those plants came from, he suddenly couldn’t say it with confidence.
Seeing his junior brother’s conflicted expression, Chu Mingwei felt his heart melt completely. Pulling Xiao Lingyu into his arms, he gently kissed his eyes, his lips trailing downward as he murmured, “If you want to go, we’ll go secretly. Just don’t let Master find out.”
Xiao Lingyu was nearly dizzy from the kisses and was about to agree when the word “Master” snapped him back. He recalled how the sect leader had nearly gone bald over the stolen spirit garden incident and, conscience pricked, pushed Chu Mingwei away.
“Forget it. Let’s not go. Zhu Yuruan can’t eat that much anyway—we’ll find time to return them to the spirit garden.”
Chu Mingwei naturally agreed with whatever Xiao Lingyu said, though he silently resolved to gather more treasures in the secret realm to make him happy.
After lingering together for a while, night had already fallen. The entire wilderness was filled with cultivators, their magical artifacts lighting up the sky like stars—lively and dazzling.
Chu Mingwei carefully straightened Xiao Lingyu’s clothes and said with a fond smile, “Even if we can’t set up a stall, we can still take Zhu Yuruan treasure hunting. How about that?”
Xiao Lingyu readily agreed and excitedly woke the sleeping Zhu Yuruan.
Zhu Yuruan blinked sleepily. “Little monster… is it morning? Time to eat?”
Xiao Lingyu twitched. “Time to work.”
At the word “work,” Zhu Yuruan immediately flopped over and played dead. Xiao Lingyu was already used to this. He lifted Zhu Yuruan—who had gotten noticeably heavier—and said seriously, “Zhu Yuruan has gained weight again. No more snacks for him lately.”
Before he finished speaking, Zhu Yuruan sprang up. “Little monster, let’s work! I love working!”
Xiao Lingyu gave him a look that clearly said smart choice.
Chu Mingwei, long accustomed to this scene, smiled as he took Zhu Yuruan into one arm and held Xiao Lingyu’s hand with the other, heading toward the market.
Curled in Chu Mingwei’s arms, Zhu Yuruan felt uncomfortable—it wasn’t as cozy as Xiao Lingyu’s embrace. But seeing Chu Mingwei’s smiling expression, he didn’t dare complain. The big monster was too scary.
Feeling wronged, Zhu Yuruan called out to his ally. “Old ghost, I’m being bullied again!”
But this time, there was no response.
Realizing he was on his own, Zhu Yuruan immediately behaved and began sniffing diligently for treasures.
The two of them strolled through the market hand in hand. Though large in scale, most stalls belonged to independent cultivators, so truly valuable items were rare. Most goods were ordinary, with some odd but interesting trinkets mixed in.
With Xiao Lingyu’s experience from two lifetimes—and the indulgence of Wu Yunzi, plus Chu Mingwei at his side—he naturally had high standards. Only the unusual items caught his attention, and before long, he had picked up quite a few little knickknacks.
As they turned toward another section, Zhu Yuruan suddenly perked up. “Little monster, left—there’s something that smells good on the left!”
Xiao Lingyu subtly changed direction. There, a middle-aged scholar sat meditating behind a small stall with a few scattered items. Zhu Yuruan stared intensely at a small, delicate bamboo house made of purple spirit bamboo.
Xiao Lingyu scanned it with his divine sense—it seemed to be a storage item, but nothing more.
He exchanged a glance with Chu Mingwei, who moved to pick it up—
But suddenly, another hand shot out and grabbed it first.
“Fellow Daoist, how much is this item worth?”
Xiao Lingyu froze. Turning, he saw the man—it was Kun Peng.
Kun Peng greeted them calmly, as if unsurprised, then focused on the bamboo house. Though disappointed, Xiao Lingyu said nothing and simply left with Chu Mingwei.
Moments later, Zhu Xier rushed over eagerly, staring at the bamboo house. After paying, she and Kun Peng quickly followed Xiao Lingyu—pretending to browse while secretly watching Zhu Yuruan.
Wherever Zhu Yuruan looked, they would rush ahead and buy it first.
Once might be coincidence. Twice, perhaps chance.
But when Kun Peng intercepted a third item—a milky-white jade bowl—right in front of him, Xiao Lingyu’s expression remained calm, but anger surged within.
He cast Kun Peng a meaningful glance, then exchanged a look with Chu Mingwei. Without drawing attention, Chu Mingwei sent out a transmission talisman.
After a while, Chu Mingwei gently squeezed Xiao Lingyu’s hand. Xiao Lingyu smiled faintly.
“Zhu Yuruan, in a moment, wherever I point, you stare at it with shining eyes. Got it?”
“What does ‘shining eyes’ mean?” Zhu Yuruan asked.
Xiao Lingyu took out a bag of snacks, then put it away in front of him. “Like the way you just looked.”
Zhu Yuruan drooped. “Got it…”
“Do it well and you’ll get snacks. Fail, and no more snacks ever.”
Motivated instantly, Zhu Yuruan perked up and began his performance.
They approached another stall. This time, it was an elderly man selling ordinary-looking flying swords. Zhu Yuruan fixated on a plain white short sword, eyes gleaming dramatically.
Xiao Lingyu stepped forward—
And just as expected, a hand darted in again.
“Fellow Daoist, how much is this item worth?”
Of course—it was the same familiar face.