Xiao Hei’s arrival was completely unexpected to Xiao Lingyu. Because they had recognized the Vast Sea Fan as Ying Jiuhua’s personal artifact, they had all assumed it was Ying Jiuhua who had made the move. None of them expected the person who appeared to be Xiao Hei instead.
Thinking back to how Xiao Hei had quietly departed after the Wu City ruins incident, leaving no further contact, Xiao Lingyu could not hide the joy on his face.
The moment Xiao Hei broke through the crow demon swarm, the first thing he saw was Xiao Lingyu standing there. After several months apart, Xiao Lingyu did not seem to have changed much. Even after enduring such a dangerous situation, there was still no trace of fear on his face.
Seeing Xiao Lingyu’s delighted expression upon noticing him, Xiao Hei returned it with a bright, unrestrained smile.
That smile was too dazzling.
Chu Mingwei instinctively found it irritating. But noticing the joy on Xiao Lingyu’s face, he quietly suppressed his hostility. Xiao Lingyu was already his Dao companion—Xiao Hei was merely a childhood acquaintance in Xiao Lingyu’s heart. For Xiao Lingyu’s happiness, Chu Mingwei naturally would not show his dissatisfaction.
These thoughts passed in an instant. With Xiao Hei’s addition, the three men and one pig quickly forced back the remaining crow demons. When the last stubborn ones circled in the distance wailing and were finally eliminated by Chu Mingwei, everyone looked over the battlefield filled with corpses and finally let out a long breath of relief.
Having been trapped for two days, Xiao Lingyu was finally free. His mood lightened considerably, and together with the reunion of Chu Mingwei and Xiao Hei, a faint smile naturally appeared on his face.
Chu Mingwei’s heart stirred. He reached out and took Xiao Lingyu’s hand. This was the expression he liked most on his junior brother.
Xiao Lingyu felt his intention and smiled back.
For a moment, the two of them seemed to exist in a world of their own.
Xiao Hei stood to the side, looking at their clasped hands and sensing the indescribable atmosphere between them. He suddenly thought of Ying Jiuhua, who had entered the secret realm because of him, and the corners of his lips slowly curved upward.
Perhaps influenced by the scene before him, he found himself suddenly eager to see Ying Jiuhua as soon as possible.
Seeing Xiao Lingyu look over, Xiao Hei stepped forward with a faint smile.
“Boss Xiao, are you injured?”
Xiao Lingyu shook his head. “No. Fortunately, you and Senior Brother arrived in time.”
Xiao Hei chuckled. “I didn’t know you were inside at first. I thought the birds were guarding some rare treasure. Only later did I realize it was you trapped inside after seeing a familiar artifact.”
Xiao Lingyu’s heart stirred slightly. Xiao Hei’s guess was not entirely wrong—the crow demons were indeed drawn by the Ascension Fruits. However, those fruits were crucial to Zhu Yurun, so he did not bring them out.
Instead, after some thought, he took out several jade boxes from his storage bag. Inside were a few stalks of Yaoguang, a spiritual plant that had already gone extinct in the cultivation world and was considered extremely rare, useful for refining artifacts.
Xiao Hei looked at the jade boxes in confusion. When Xiao Lingyu explained their use and intended to gift them, Xiao Hei hesitated briefly before accepting them without reservation.
It was Xiao Lingyu’s goodwill, and he could see there was no reluctance. Naturally, he would not refuse.
Zhu Xier stared at the jade boxes with longing eyes. Yaoguang—she had seen it recorded in ancient texts preserved in the Illusory Demon Realm. It was an extremely valuable spiritual plant used in artifact refinement. She had never expected Xiao Lingyu to casually give it away.
Her eyes burned with envy. She almost wished Xiao Lingyu had given it to her instead.
She silently resolved that over the next month she must perform well as a “spirit beast” and earn Xiao Lingyu’s favor, so that when they left the secret realm, she might also receive such a treasure.
Just as she was thinking this, Xiao Hei suddenly hesitated and spoke again.
“Boss Xiao… have you heard of the ancient demon race?”
“What? The ancient demon race?” Zhu Xier blurted out in shock.
Her voice drew everyone’s attention.
She shrank back instinctively, glancing at Xiao Lingyu. Seeing no displeasure on his face, she secretly relaxed—then immediately stiffened again.
Why am I even checking his expression? I’m only pretending to be his spirit beast, not actually one!
She quickly regained composure and stared at Xiao Hei, waiting for him to continue.
Chu Mingwei, who had been calmly observing, immediately tensed at the mention of the ancient demon race. His gaze subtly shifted to Zhu Xier. This spirit beast actually knew about it? His eyes darkened slightly—what exactly was her origin, and did she have ulterior motives for staying beside Xiao Lingyu?
Xiao Hei, too, grew suspicious. A spirit beast that could speak and even knew about such sect secrets was highly unusual. Who exactly was she?
Zhu Xier, oblivious to the suspicion she had triggered on all sides, impatiently urged, “You said the ancient demon race—what about it? Continue!”
Xiao Hei looked at her strangely, then turned to Xiao Lingyu. “Boss Xiao… is this really your spirit beast? Spirit beasts can talk?”
Zhu Xier exploded instantly. “Who’s a spirit beast?! Your entire family is spirit beasts! I am of the demon race—noble bloodline!”
Xiao Lingyu sighed inwardly. This was indeed a relative of Zhu Yurun. Their intelligence levels were eerily similar.
Not wanting to complicate matters, he briefly explained Zhu Xier’s background. Chu Mingwei’s expression darkened immediately upon hearing this, clearly displeased.
Xiao Lingyu quietly squeezed his hand. Chu Mingwei’s expression softened slightly in response.
Xiao Hei, meanwhile, was stunned by Zhu Xier’s identity. A member of the demon race? So the legends of the Illusory Demon Realm were true.
Then he looked at Xiao Lingyu with concern. Forcing a demon into a contracted spirit beast—if this angered the Illusory Demon Realm, it could become troublesome.
Zhu Xier, meanwhile, reverted back to her human form and demanded again, “Now can you continue talking about the ancient demon race?”
Xiao Hei nodded and began recounting what Ying Jiuhua had told him.
When he finished, all three present wore grim expressions.
Xiao Lingyu asked, “Senior Ying is certain there are traces of the ancient demon race in the cultivation world?”
Xiao Hei nodded. “Actually, many demonic sects in the cultivation world trace their origins back to the ancient demon race. However, over time, the inherited techniques were modified for human cultivators, so they no longer cause demonic transformation. Over the long years, information about the ancient demon race has become sect-level secrets.”
“After we returned from the Wu City ruins, my master suspected it was not an immortal inheritance site but a demon ruin. He investigated many ancient texts. Recently, there have been unusual movements within the sect, so he told me all of this.”
He paused.
“My master believes that traces of the ancient demon race have existed in the cultivation world for a long time—but recently, their activity has become much more obvious. He fears a major upheaval is coming.”
Xiao Lingyu and Chu Mingwei exchanged a glance, both thinking of the escaped ancient demon.
This matter must be reported to the sect leader as soon as possible—but they were still trapped in the secret realm. There was nothing they could do for now.
Zhu Xier, meanwhile, grew alarmed. If ancient demons were truly active, she needed to inform the Demon Emperor immediately. Otherwise, Zhu Yurun’s growth might be endangered.
No matter their thoughts, Xiao Hei soon prepared to leave.
“Boss Xiao, be careful after leaving the secret realm.”
Xiao Lingyu nodded, then hesitated. “It’s dangerous to be alone. Why don’t you travel with us?”
Xiao Hei smiled meaningfully and glanced at Chu Mingwei. “No need. I’m going to find my master.”
“Senior Ying is also here in the secret realm?” Xiao Lingyu was surprised.
Xiao Hei nodded, unable to hide the faint smile at the corner of his lips.
Old Ghost Head suddenly interjected in Xiao Lingyu’s mind.
“…Dao companion.”
Xiao Lingyu froze. When he looked at Xiao Hei again, understanding slowly dawned.
So that expression wasn’t quite like a disciple talking about a master…
Xiao Hei soon departed.
Xiao Lingyu turned his attention to Zhu Xier again.
“Spirit beast.”
Zhu Xier immediately protested, but in the end, she was forced back into her small pig form.
Zhu Yurun, newly released from his spirit beast pouch, happened to witness this and stared in shock.
Thus, the group’s brief reunion in the chaos of the Chu Heavenly Secret Realm finally came to a pause—though the currents beneath it had only just begun to shift.