Qing Ming and Old Ghost Head made no effort to avoid Zhu Yurong while they spoke. Unfortunately, because Zhu Yurong’s intelligence had been forcibly awakened, he had not inherited much of the ancestral knowledge. Concepts like spatial domains and cores meant nothing to him. On top of that, after Qing Ming’s earlier actions, Zhu Yurong was terrified of him, shrinking deep into Old Ghost Head’s arms and refusing to come out.
Old Ghost Head gently stroked Zhu Yurong’s head. Zhu Yurong nestled obediently in his arms, nuzzling his hand in a fawning manner. Old Ghost Head’s heart softened, but he silently resolved that no matter who had done this to Zhu Yurong or for what reason, he would protect him at all costs.
Qing Ming narrowed his eyes as he watched the interaction between the two, thinking of the Illusory Demon Realm, a faintly mocking smile appearing on his lips.
“Old Ghost Head?” A weak voice came from the bed.
Old Ghost Head froze for a moment, then instantly flashed to Xiao Lingyu’s side.
Xiao Lingyu seemed to be waking. His tightly shut eyelids trembled slightly, and he murmured Old Ghost Head’s name. Strength gradually returned to his body, no longer weak and powerless as before. His eyes slowly broke free from their restraint—light seeped in—and suddenly, he opened them.
The first thing he saw was a strange face—the very same man from the painting he had seen before. That face was right in front of him, wearing an uncontrollably joyful smile. “Xiao Yu, you’re awake?”
The words “Xiao Yu” made Xiao Lingyu jolt upright in shock. He stared at the black-haired, white-robed man with strikingly beautiful features and asked hesitantly, “Old Ghost Head?”
Old Ghost Head seemed to enjoy his astonished expression. With a grin, he plopped down beside him and winked. “Xiao Yu.”
Seeing that peerless face make such a vulgar expression, Xiao Lingyu felt as if something inside him had just collapsed. He muttered, “You really are Old Ghost Head…”
Old Ghost Head casually scratched his head. “So, what do you think of this face? Back in ancient times, I dominated the world with it.”
Xiao Lingyu was momentarily speechless. Then he suddenly grabbed him. “Where’s Senior Brother?”
Old Ghost Head gave him a reassuring look. “Your dear senior brother is still unconscious, but he’ll wake up soon.”
Xiao Lingyu looked puzzled. Old Ghost Head chuckled. “To bring you here conveniently, Qing Ming knocked you all out. Your Senior Brother has strong cultivation, so he had to hit him a bit harder.”
Knowing that with Old Ghost Head present, Chu Mingwei would not be harmed, Xiao Lingyu finally relaxed. His gaze shifted past Old Ghost Head to Qing Ming.
Compared to their meeting at the burial grounds before he lost consciousness, Qing Ming still carried the same imposing aura, but his gaze was much gentler now. At this moment, he was openly sizing Xiao Lingyu up. Xiao Lingyu calmly returned the look.
While unconscious, he had overheard parts of Qing Ming and Old Ghost Head’s past. Though he was close to Old Ghost Head, he could not help but think privately that the old man had been quite the scoundrel. Still, outwardly, he showed only confusion. “Who is Qing Ming? Where is this place?”
Old Ghost Head, who had been grinning, suddenly froze. He stammered, unable to answer.
Over the years, he had grown used to acting like an elder in front of Xiao Lingyu and had truly thought of himself as a withered old man. Now that he had returned to his original body, he found it hard to adjust. Asking him to recount that messy, melodramatic past? For once, Old Ghost Head felt embarrassed. A faint blush spread across his jade-like face.
Xiao Lingyu stared, dumbfounded. He had never imagined Old Ghost Head could feel shy—he had thought the man was shameless beyond redemption.
Qing Ming fixed a deep gaze on Old Ghost Head, making the blush deepen even further. Xiao Lingyu found it amusing, though his expression became increasingly strange. The room fell into silence.
Then suddenly, a rumble of thunder sounded outside.
Xiao Lingyu started. “Senior Brother?”
Qing Ming snorted lightly and vanished from the room.
Moments later, thunder roared repeatedly. Old Ghost Head immediately reacted. “Outrageous! This is my cave abode—watch my treasures!” With that, he disappeared as well.
It took Xiao Lingyu a moment to control his twisted expression. Then he gently picked up Zhu Yurong, who had been left on the bed.
He had heard everything Qing Ming said earlier. Now, seeing Zhu Yurong’s bright, watery eyes staring at him as he softly called, “Little monster, you’re awake,” Xiao Lingyu’s heart softened. He silently resolved to treat Zhu Yurong better from now on.
Finally back in familiar arms, Zhu Yurong burrowed eagerly into Xiao Lingyu’s embrace, wiggling nonstop. “Little monster, Little Pig is scared.”
“Don’t be afraid. I’m here,” Xiao Lingyu said softly, rubbing his belly.
Zhu Yurong pushed his luck, wriggling into Xiao Lingyu’s robes, drooling everywhere. Xiao Lingyu’s body stiffened, his lips twitching. He endured it… and endured it… but in the end, he could not take it anymore and reached to pull him out—
A cold snort sounded from the doorway.
Chu Mingwei was the first to enter.
Zhu Yurong immediately climbed out obediently, flashing a flattering smile. Seeing Chu Mingwei’s displeased expression, he hurriedly spat out a plump green fruit.
But Chu Mingwei’s attention was entirely on Xiao Lingyu. He did not even glance at Zhu Yurong or the fruit. After a moment, Zhu Yurong reluctantly swallowed the fruit back down, pretending it had never existed, and quietly curled up by the bed.
Xiao Lingyu shot him an amused glance before turning to Chu Mingwei. “Senior Brother, are you alright?”
Chu Mingwei nodded and sat down beside him, his voice gentle. “Lingyu, do you feel unwell anywhere?”
Before Xiao Lingyu could answer, Old Ghost Head, who had just entered, snorted. “Hey, he was just unconscious. It’s not like anything was done to him.”
Still annoyed that Qing Ming had acted without warning earlier, Chu Mingwei ignored him.
Old Ghost Head grinned and squeezed in, deliberately pushing Chu Mingwei aside to sit in front of Xiao Lingyu. Just as he was feeling smug—
Qing Ming cleared his throat.
Old Ghost Head instantly behaved, standing up obediently and reluctantly giving up his spot.
Chu Mingwei gave Qing Ming an approving look. Earlier outside, Old Ghost Head had already introduced everyone. Though initially shocked that this elegant man was Old Ghost Head, the moment he saw that signature shameless grin, Chu Mingwei believed it instantly. Realizing that Old Ghost Head would no longer be constantly following his junior brother, he felt quite pleased.
After confirming Xiao Lingyu was unharmed, Chu Mingwei suddenly thought of Luo Shaohan. “Senior Qing Ming, have you seen my Junior Brother Luo?”
“Junior Brother Luo?” Qing Ming recalled the man trapped in the burial grounds. “The one we met there?”
Chu Mingwei nodded.
Qing Ming smiled lightly. “Cang Ye likes your junior brother very much. I left him there to keep Cang Ye company.”
Chu Mingwei frowned. “My junior brother is cold by nature. He may not be suited to accompany a child.”
Qing Ming replied calmly, “It doesn’t matter. As long as Cang Ye likes him.”
Seeing the two at odds, Old Ghost Head jumped in. “Cang Ye has a child’s temperament. He’ll probably get bored of Luo Shaohan in a few days. We can bring him back then. Besides, since Cang Ye has decided Luo Shaohan is his father, he won’t harm him.”
Though unwilling, Chu Mingwei knew he was no match for Qing Ming. He could only hope Old Ghost Head was right.
—
Meanwhile, in the burial grounds, Luo Shaohan was living a miserable life.
Ever since Qing Ming took his senior and junior brothers away and told Cang Ye to behave and not leave the burial grounds, Luo Shaohan had been stuck with him day and night. Escape was impossible—even stepping out of Cang Ye’s sight was forbidden.
“Daddy, the fish is ready! Eat!” The small Cang Ye held up a stick with roasted fish, offering it eagerly.
Luo Shaohan frowned but reluctantly reached out—only for Cang Ye to pull back. Puffing his cheeks, he said, “Daddy, you haven’t praised Cang Ye yet. You have to praise me before you can eat.”
After days of torment, Luo Shaohan was utterly exhausted. He could not run, could not fight back—he wished time would reverse so he could break his own legs rather than step into this place again.
Looking at Cang Ye’s big, innocent eyes and chubby face, Luo Shaohan knew beneath that cuteness was a demon. Clutching his empty stomach and smelling the delicious fish, he forced out a strained smile. “Very good.”
Cang Ye pouted. “Say ‘Cang Ye is very good, Daddy likes Cang Ye.’”
Luo Shaohan clenched his teeth. “…Cang Ye is very good. Daddy likes Cang Ye.”
He stared at the fish, consoling himself—people bow for survival; this was no different.
Satisfied, Cang Ye leapt into his arms with lightning speed, nearly knocking him over. Just before he fell, vines shot up from the ground, catching him.
Pinned against the vines, Luo Shaohan’s face turned dark as Cang Ye drooled all over him, kissing him repeatedly.
He wanted to explode—but could not.
“Daddy, stay here with me, okay? I’ll take care of you.”
The word “No!” rose to his lips—but remembering past consequences, he swallowed it. Yet he could not bring himself to say “Yes” either.
He wanted to leave. He wanted to return to Yuan Tian Sect. He swore he would never step into a forest again—and absolutely never have children.
Seeing his hesitation, Cang Ye’s eyes filled with tears. “Daddy doesn’t like Cang Ye?”
Luo Shaohan stiffened. Before he could answer, vines shot up again, binding him into a chair-like structure.
Cang Ye hugged his arm happily. “Cang Ye likes Daddy. I want to be with Daddy forever.”
For the third time, Luo Shaohan wished he could go back and break his own legs.
—
Back in the cave, unaware of Luo Shaohan’s suffering, Qing Ming began explaining the ancient Great Cataclysm.
Originally, he had not intended to say much. But since Old Ghost Head wanted Xiao Lingyu and Chu Mingwei to remain in the Chu Tian Secret Realm due to the impending collapse, he had to explain the cause.
Seeing their shocked expressions, Qing Ming said solemnly, “Heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang—excess is reduced, deficiency is replenished, maintaining balance. The cosmos itself follows this principle. In ancient times, your lower realm and the ancient world were split from the primordial chaos—one yin, one yang, balancing each other. But after the Great Cataclysm, only the lower realm remained. A single realm cannot sustain yin and yang—it is nothing but a dead realm. From what I have observed, the spatial barriers of your world are already fragile and could collapse at any moment.”
Xiao Lingyu, who had previously only feigned shock, was now genuinely stunned. “Is all this true?”
Qing Ming scoffed. “Why would I lie to you?”
Chu Mingwei frowned thoughtfully. Ever since reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he had vaguely sensed something wrong—but could not grasp it.
Qing Ming glanced at him. “Since you’ve reached that stage, you must have felt something.”
Chu Mingwei nodded. “Yes, but I could never pinpoint it.”
Qing Ming smiled faintly. “That’s because your cultivation is still insufficient. Anyone above the Nascent Soul stage will sense that the lower realm has become a dead realm. The stronger they are, the clearer the perception—and the more anxious they become.”
Chu Mingwei looked puzzled, not fully understanding his meaning.
—
Much later, after Zhu Yurong ate an Ascension Fruit and successfully transformed into a chubby little boy, he got into an argument with Cang Ye over who was treated better.
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu gives me snacks every day!”
Cang Ye: “Daddy gives me snacks every day too.”
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu plays with me every day!”
Cang Ye: “Daddy plays with me every day too.”
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu sleeps with me every night!”
Cang Ye sneered: “You’re lying. Martial Uncle Xiao sleeps with Martial Uncle Chu.”
Zhu Yurong collapsed. Round one—defeat.
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu bathes me!”
Cang Ye: “Daddy bathes me too.”
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu dresses me every day!”
Cang Ye: “Daddy does too.”
Zhu Yurong: “Xiao Yu likes me the most!”
Cang Ye sneered again: “You’re lying. Martial Uncle Xiao likes Martial Uncle Chu the most.”
Zhu Yurong collapsed again. Round two—defeat.