“Father, I don’t like it here. I want to go back to Haotian Peak.” At the edge of the forbidden ground, Cang Ye’s childish voice rang out.
Luo Shaohan stood with a cold expression, worry in his eyes as he stared toward the forbidden ground. He completely ignored the small figure in his arms who was clinging tightly to his neck, trying to get his attention.
“Father, I don’t like it here. There’s a really annoying aura here.” Cang Ye puffed out his cheeks, continuing stubbornly.
Luo Shaohan remained unmoved.
Bai Qian, who had been standing beside them, couldn’t bear to see Cang Ye’s aggrieved expression and spoke up with reproach, “Shaohan!”
Ever since they had reunited outside the secret realm and returned to the Yun Tian Sect, Bai Qian had been observing closely. Though Cang Ye’s origins were unknown and his abilities astonishing, he was still just an innocent child. Aside from being unusually attached to Shaohan and hostile toward anyone who tried to approach him, he had done nothing wrong. Bai Qian truly couldn’t understand why Shaohan rejected him so strongly.
Seeing that Luo Shaohan still refused to respond after repeated calls, Bai Qian instinctively spoke up for the child.
Hearing the reproach in Bai Qian’s tone, Luo Shaohan felt frustrated, yet he couldn’t explain Cang Ye’s many outrageous behaviors. Suppressing his irritation, he finally looked down. “What is it?”
Cang Ye’s aggrieved expression instantly turned into a bright smile the moment Luo Shaohan lowered his head. He leaned forward and planted a kiss on his face. “Father, I don’t like it here. I want to leave.”
Though he had already been kissed countless times along the way, Luo Shaohan still couldn’t help but blush. Forcing a stern expression, he said, “We can’t leave yet.” Seeing the impatience in Cang Ye’s eyes, he quickly added, “Father still has things to do.”
Though reluctant, Cang Ye nodded obediently at the explanation. Then he leaned in again, showering Luo Shaohan’s face with kisses as compensation for staying in such a place he disliked.
To Bai Qian, their interaction was rather heartwarming. He smiled, thinking that Luo Shaohan was simply awkward with children. Given time, he would surely come to like Cang Ye. Watching the child cling to Luo Shaohan and cover his face in slobber, Bai Qian couldn’t help but laugh—Shaohan seemed far more lively than before.
Just as Bai Qian was imagining a future of deep father-son affection, Cang Ye suddenly pulled away from Luo Shaohan’s arms for the first time. His small body floated into the air, his face turning serious as he stared toward the forbidden ground.
Luo Shaohan was still surprised by his behavior when the barrier rippled, and Ling Xiaozi emerged with Chu Mingwei and the others.
Luo Shaohan and Bai Qian both looked toward Chu Mingwei with joy—then everything changed in an instant.
Before the smiles of reunion could fade, countless vines erupted from beneath Cang Ye’s feet, surging like a tidal wave toward Ling Xiaozi and the others.
Everyone was shocked. Chu Mingwei immediately summoned the Nine Heavens Thunder Sword Formation. The seven great swords lined up before Ling Xiaozi, blocking the attack. Sensing their power, the vines twisted together midair, forming seven thick whips that lashed toward the swords.
“Cang Ye, stop!” Luo Shaohan shouted urgently.
Cang Ye stared fixedly at the seven swords. From them came an intensely repulsive aura—the very same aura he had sensed before. His instinct rejected it completely. Demonic energy began to spill from his body. He wanted to crush the swords, to obliterate that hateful presence.
The vine-whips were just about to strike when Luo Shaohan’s voice reached him. Cang Ye froze instinctively. Tilting his head, he looked at Luo Shaohan with a wronged expression. “Father, I hate this aura.”
Luo Shaohan didn’t immediately understand, but Chu Mingwei did. Cang Ye’s attack had been aimed at the sword formation. Thinking back to Qing Ming’s words—that the formation was one of the ancient divine artifacts—Chu Mingwei realized it must have been stained with the blood of countless demons. Perhaps Cang Ye had once fought against its former masters, which was why, even without memories, he instinctively rejected it.
The thought passed in an instant. Under Luo Shaohan’s gaze, Cang Ye withdrew the vines, though when he looked at Chu Mingwei, a trace of unconscious disgust flickered in his eyes.
The incident passed like a brief interlude. To keep Cang Ye from acting out again, Luo Shaohan had no choice but to hold him in his arms. Delighted by the rare initiative, Cang Ye immediately forgot his aversion and nestled contentedly against him.
Like Meng Fan earlier, Luo Shaohan and Bai Qian were both surprised that Chu Mingwei and Xiao Lingyu—who should have been in the Illusory Demon Realm—had suddenly appeared here. Chu Mingwei was about to briefly explain when Ling Xiaozi spoke first.
“Mingwei and Lingyu have had a long journey. Go back and rest. We’ll discuss everything tomorrow.”
At his words, Meng Fan and the others immediately agreed. No matter what had happened, now that they were back, there would be plenty of time to ask questions later.
Chu Mingwei knew his master was worried about the strain from subduing the sword formation. Though he himself felt fine, Xiao Lingyu’s cultivation was still lower. Concerned for him, Chu Mingwei accepted without hesitation. “Thank you, Master. Lingyu and I will return to Yilan Peak first.”
With that, he took Xiao Lingyu’s hand, bid farewell, and naturally headed toward Yilan Peak.
Behind them, everyone—from Ling Xiaozi to Bai Qian—watched with strange expressions.
Ling Xiaozi hadn’t expected his disciple to head straight for Yilan Peak as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Had Mingwei forgotten he was actually the senior disciple of Haotian Peak? Feeling a bit sour, Ling Xiaozi suddenly thought of Wu Yunzi, who was currently waiting at Yilan Peak—and for the first time, he found himself sharing the same mindset as that man.
Among them, Luo Shaohan admired Chu Mingwei the most. He had intended to remind him, but upon noticing Ling Xiaozi’s expression, he swallowed his words.
Meng Fan, imagining what would happen next, grinned mischievously. “Master, Martial Uncle Wu just came out of seclusion. Why don’t we go visit him together?”
Bai Qian immediately nodded in agreement.
Ling Xiaozi snorted. “If you wish to experience your Martial Uncle Wu’s Nascent Soul cultivation firsthand, feel free to go. As for me—I’m too old for that kind of shock.”
Without their master leading the way, neither Meng Fan nor Bai Qian dared go watch the spectacle. Thinking back to the last time their senior brother had been beaten black and blue, they exchanged a glance—what would happen this time?
Far ahead, Chu Mingwei had no idea what they were thinking. Riding his Qinglin Sword, he brought Xiao Lingyu straight toward Yilan Peak.
“Senior brother, I wonder how Master’s seclusion has been going?” Xiao Lingyu asked softly. The closer they got, the more he missed Wu Yunzi.
Chu Mingwei’s smile stiffened slightly. Thinking of all the ways Wu Yunzi had obstructed him and his junior brother, he couldn’t help—but wish, however improperly—that the seclusion would last a little longer. Seeing the longing on Xiao Lingyu’s face, his heart softened.
“Martial Uncle Wu has profound cultivation. You don’t need to worry,” he said gently. “Perhaps when we return, we’ll see him.”
The words proved prophetic.
As Chu Mingwei stepped onto Yilan Peak with Xiao Lingyu, only one thought remained in his mind—
So much for that.