Luo Shaohan swore that if time could turn back, he would break his own legs to stop himself from ever going near that forest by the secret realm. No—he would not even come to the secret realm at all. He would obediently stay in Yun Tian Sect.
Standing before Ling Xiaozi, listening to the child in his arms calling “Daddy” over and over again, and feeling the suppressed laughter in the eyes of his fellow disciples, Luo Shaohan was so embarrassed he wished he could dig a hole and bury himself forever. From the moment Cang Ye latched onto him to when he reunited with Ling Xiaozi, he had drawn the attention of every cultivator along the way. Thinking of how fast rumors spread in the cultivation world, Luo Shaohan silently decided that once he returned to Yun Tian Sect, he would immediately go into seclusion—and only come out after thirty or fifty years.
It was not that he had not tried to make Cang Ye let go. But no matter how he coaxed him, the child clung stubbornly to his neck and refused to release him. The others, unaware of Cang Ye’s terrifying nature, assumed he was just an ordinary child and even advised Luo Shaohan to be gentler, lest he frighten him.
Though Ling Xiaozi could not discern Cang Ye’s true nature, he knew the child was anything but ordinary. After glancing at the two of them, he shifted his attention to the two unfamiliar cultivators before him. Recalling what Chu Mingwei had just told him, Ling Xiaozi waved his hand, dismissing the others to rest, leaving only Chu Mingwei and Xiao Lingyu behind.
Everyone withdrew quickly—except Luo Shaohan, who lingered, reluctant to leave. Noticing his awkward state, Ling Xiaozi sighed and allowed him to stay as well.
Turning back to Qing Ming and Old Ghost Head, Ling Xiaozi carefully considered how to address them. Chu Mingwei had already explained their identities in private—the masters of the Chu Tian Secret Realm. Though shocked, Ling Xiaozi trusted his disciple and believed he must have solid evidence.
After a moment, Ling Xiaozi spoke directly. “Is it true that the lower realm is on the verge of collapse?”
His question made it clear—he accepted their identities.
Qing Ming looked at him with a hint of approval. “Yes. The spatial structure of the lower realm is already severely damaged. Collapse could happen at any time.”
Ling Xiaozi’s expression dimmed, though he still held onto a trace of hope. “Is there no way to prevent it?”
Qing Ming shook his head. “The lower realm has become a dead realm. There is no solution.” Then, glancing at Xiao Lingyu, he added, “We have some ties with him. We have agreed to allow the disciples of Yun Tian Sect to take refuge in the Chu Tian Secret Realm. You should prepare as soon as possible.”
Ling Xiaozi was deeply grateful, though he still insisted on discussing it with the sect before making a final decision.
Qing Ming was unconcerned. “We will remain in the lower realm for a while. Once you decide, inform Xiao Lingyu—he will find us.” Then he turned to Luo Shaohan. “Cang Ye is entrusted to you.”
With that, he and Old Ghost Head vanished—leaving Cang Ye behind.
Ling Xiaozi fell into deep thought. He had long sensed something was wrong with the world, as had all Nascent Soul experts. But they had believed there was still time to find a solution. In recent years, the great sects had been secretly collaborating for this very reason.
But if Qing Ming was right… then time had already run out.
Perhaps Yun Tian Sect’s survival truly depended on retreating into the secret realm. But what about the other sects? What about the countless mortals?
While Ling Xiaozi was weighed down with worry, Xiao Lingyu stared at the place where Qing Ming and Old Ghost Head had disappeared, feeling a sense of loss. Since his rebirth, he had never been separated from Old Ghost Head. Even knowing they would meet again soon, he still felt unsettled.
Chu Mingwei quietly stepped closer and took his hand, looking at him with concern. Xiao Lingyu smiled and shook his head, indicating he was fine.
Each of them was lost in thought—except Luo Shaohan.
He stared blankly at the spot where Qing Ming had vanished.
They just… left Cang Ye here?
Left him… with me?
Compared to the collapse of the world, Cang Ye was far more terrifying to Luo Shaohan.
Seeing his dazed expression, Cang Ye happily leaned in and kissed his cheek, his clear voice drawing everyone’s attention once more. “Daddy, Qing Ming-gege said I can stay with Daddy.”
At that word—“Daddy”—everyone reacted differently.
Ling Xiaozi hesitated several times before finally speaking. “Shaohan, since Cang Ye is attached to you, you should keep him by your side for now.”
Seeing Luo Shaohan’s disbelief, Ling Xiaozi felt slightly guilty—but did not think much of it. No matter how unusual Cang Ye was, he was still just a child… or so he thought.
Luo Shaohan’s last shred of hope shattered. Resigned, he carried Cang Ye out, already prepared for ridicule.
Sure enough, along the way, his fellow disciples struggled to suppress their laughter.
Meng Fan approached with a grin. “Shaohan, this trip to the secret realm was certainly worthwhile.”
Luo Shaohan replied coldly, “If you like it, you can have him.”
Before Meng Fan could respond, Cang Ye spoke first. “I only like Daddy. I don’t like anyone else.”
Meng Fan laughed and reached out to pat his head, only for Cang Ye to dodge unhappily. Raising an eyebrow, Meng Fan tried to coax him into calling him “Uncle,” but Cang Ye burrowed deeper into Luo Shaohan’s arms, ignoring him completely.
Amused, Meng Fan finally asked, “Who were those two cultivators? What did Master want with you?”
Luo Shaohan, whose mind had been occupied entirely by Cang Ye, suddenly remembered what he had heard earlier. He looked at Meng Fan for a long moment, then said, “It’s important. Ask Senior Brother.”
Sensing the gravity of the matter, Meng Fan did not press further and instead led Luo Shaohan back to his tent.
Though the secret realm had only been open for a few days, Yun Tian Sect had already lost several disciples. Other sects had suffered casualties as well. Now, the entire wilderness was filled with cultivators preparing to depart. With Ling Xiaozi and Chu Mingwei occupied, Meng Fan and the elders had to handle farewells with allied sects.
Meanwhile, Ling Xiaozi finally made his decision.
Looking at Chu Mingwei and Xiao Lingyu, he said solemnly, “The collapse of the lower realm is likely true. But until the very last moment, we must not give up. I will send word to the major sects immediately and discuss this matter. If by some miracle a solution can be found, we may yet spare countless lives.”
Xiao Lingyu was not optimistic. According to Qing Ming, countless brilliant Nascent Soul experts over the ages had failed to find a solution—how could they succeed now?
But thinking of the countless lives at stake, he sighed inwardly, hoping heaven would leave them even the slightest chance.
With his decision made, Ling Xiaozi immediately ordered the disciples to return to Yun Tian Sect as quickly as possible. The situation was urgent—he needed to consult the elders in the back mountain.
At that very moment, far away in the forbidden grounds of Yun Tian Sect’s rear mountain—
A crack suddenly appeared in space.
Jing Zhan’s eyes snapped open, locking onto the fissure.