Bai Fanlu knew he had to leave, and he had to do it right away, without any delay.

Returning to the original Bai Fanlu’s room, he initially planned to leave immediately. However, after some thought, he decided to search through the small cabinet beside the bed and managed to find a bundle. Inside, there was a simple gray cloth robe like those worn by extras, along with some silver pieces and wound medicine—just what he needed. But just as he was about to sneak away with the bundle, another commotion erupted outside.

Remembering his previous experience, Bai Fanlu quickly hid the bundle in a hidden pouch and assumed a meditative posture just as someone knocked on the door.

This time, it wasn’t Wang Chongyu but a junior disciple who came to inform him that the demon clan spy had been captured.

“Second Senior Brother said that since Master and the Sect Leader are not here, we request that First Senior Brother preside over the situation.”

Bai Fanlu had no choice but to follow the disciple. When he arrived, the other disciples had already formed a circle around the demon clan spy, leaving no gap. But when Bai Fanlu appeared, they immediately parted to let him through.

When he stepped forward, he saw a young male disciple in the center, writhing on the ground and clutching his head in apparent agony, with a black aura swirling around him. Apart from that, he looked no different from any other disciple.

Wang Chongyu held a sword in his left hand, and the ice spike had transformed into a short blade that floated in his right palm. When he saw Bai Fanlu, he asked, “Senior Brother, the demon has revealed its form. Should we kill it immediately?”

This was part of the original plot, so Bai Fanlu had no choice but to nod. However, as Wang Chongyu raised his hand, Bai Fanlu averted his eyes.

Even though the character was a fictional one, Bai Fanlu didn’t want to witness the killing, whether it was a demon or not.

Bai Fanlu recalled how in other xianxia novels, there was a setting where human and immortal blood was red, symbolizing purity, while demon blood was black, representing impurity. But this book didn’t describe it that way.

As he pondered this, he suddenly felt a cold wind, and the disciple on the ground was struck by the ice spike. Amidst the sound of tearing flesh, there was a pained, frenzied scream.

When an immortal is injured by a magical weapon, it hurts, but when a demon is injured by one, it’s excruciating.

Imagine the two opposing forces battling inside a body until one completely devours the other. The prolonged struggle brings extreme pain and despair to the dying.

Just like the original Bai Fanlu, who was wounded by Yun Zhan’s Bi Luo, then by Ling Qingzi’s ice spike, and finally by the immortal clan’s demon-exterminating formation, each time the pain pierced deeper into his soul.

Bai Fanlu instinctively clasped his hands behind his back. He didn’t want to look, but at that moment, amidst the furious screams, a name was suddenly roared out in anger.

“Bai Fanlu!”

Bai Fanlu’s heart trembled violently, and he couldn’t help but look up.

The disciple knelt on the ground, blood gushing from the wound on his chest, staining his white robes red. His eyes were wide with anger, filled with overwhelming hatred.

“You hypocrites! You claim to be righteous, but behind the scenes, you plunder, slaughter, and exterminate! One day, all of you will die miserable deaths!”

“Silence!”

Wang Chongyu delivered a palm strike, driving the ice spike three inches deep, piercing through the disciple’s back and chest.

Bai Fanlu watched as the disciple breathed his last, collapsing to the ground like a tattered red cloth, his eyes filled with resentment even in death.

The pristine jade steps of the immortal world were now splattered with blood.

For some reason, an image of Ling Qingzi’s bloodstained lips flashed through Bai Fanlu’s mind.

As Bai Fanlu stood there in a daze, Wang Chongyu had already swiftly performed a purification ritual, cleaning the spot where the body had fallen.

“Senior Brother?”

“Oh,” Bai Fanlu snapped out of it. “It’s nothing.”

Wang Chongyu looked at him with concern. “That demon spoke blasphemous words. We shouldn’t have given him such a quick death.”

A quick death? In the novel, the original Bai Fanlu was surrounded by a thousand enemies, his blood drained, his body succumbing to demonic possession—how similar it was to this scene.

Back in his room, Bai Fanlu closed his eyes, but he could still see the hateful gaze of that demon disciple in his mind, as well as the words that had shaken him.

At this point, the original Bai Fanlu’s identity as the Demon Clan’s young master was still a secret, known only to the Demon Clan Elder and his one trusted bodyguard.

Bai Fanlu wasn’t the original character, so he couldn’t fully understand what it felt like to be a demon forced to watch the extermination of his kin.

But no matter what, witnessing a living being turn to nothing before his eyes was a shocking experience for Bai Fanlu, who was just an ordinary person.

Feeling agitated, Bai Fanlu paced back and forth in his room before finally making a decision. He pinched his fingers together, and a talisman appeared in the air. As his thoughts moved, ink marks gradually appeared on the paper.

“Master, after this event, I realize my cultivation is lacking. I feel guilty, so I request to descend to the mortal world to undergo some trials. Once I’ve made progress, I will return to the sect. Please do not worry about me. Bai Mo.”

Bai Mo was the original name of Bai Fanlu in the book, later changed to Bai Fanlu by Ling Qingzi, meaning “The path of purity and the law of the Brahma.”

Interestingly, although Ling Qingzi changed his disciple’s name, he never called him by it.

As a result, the original Bai Fanlu always referred to himself as “Bai Mo” in front of his master. Bai Fanlu remembered this, so he paid special attention when writing the note.

According to the original novel, Ling Qingzi was a cold and distant figure, yet he treated his first disciple with exceptional care. He had brought him back from the mortal world 480 years ago, carefully raised him, and strictly taught him, helping him achieve immortality in just a hundred years. A hundred years later, he took on his second disciple, Wang Chongyu.

Such events were unprecedented in the history of master-disciple relationships in the immortal world, leading to rumors that Bai Fanlu was Ling Qingzi’s illegitimate son from the mortal realm.

Of course, these were just rumors. Ling Qingzi had cultivated the Pure Mind Technique, a powerful but emotionless practice that made it impossible to engage in romantic relationships. So, those rumors were quickly dismissed.

However, Ling Qingzi’s special treatment of his first disciple was indeed real.

Remembering how Ling Qingzi had protected him twice during the demon’s attack today, Bai Fanlu still felt grateful. Given Ling Qingzi’s trust in the original Bai Fanlu, this note should allow him to live in seclusion for a while.

Bai Fanlu looked at the talisman in his hand once more to confirm it was correct, then clenched his fist, and the floating paper dissolved into shimmering powder. He knew that this note had now appeared on Ling Qingzi’s desk, ready to be seen when he emerged from seclusion tomorrow.

Having completed this task, Bai Fanlu lowered his head, and in the next moment, his form flickered and disappeared from the room.

After he left, the air stirred briefly before settling into tranquility.

After some time, a shadow slowly appeared behind the semi-transparent window paper. Moving silently, it finally stopped at the door.

A gentle breeze blew, and the door was slowly pushed open, revealing a glimpse of blue robes through the half-inch gap.

When Bai Fanlu next set foot on solid ground, he realized he had truly left the immortal world.

Because he… had grabbed hold of a water duck. It was right above his head, and its large webbed foot slapped him on the forehead, blocking half his view.

It seemed Bai Fanlu had an unfortunate affinity with water, as his teleportation had landed him directly in a river.

Fortunately, the water was shallow, only waist-deep, so he easily stood up, grabbed the quacking duck off his head, and placed it back in the river.

As soon as it was freed, the little grayish creature flapped its red feet and quickly swam away, clearly frightened.

Bai Fanlu shrugged and looked around.

He was in the wilderness by a small river, with no one around. If there had been, the duck wouldn’t have been the only one scared.

Bai Fanlu climbed onto the bank, dried his clothes, and sheathed his sword. Looking at his reflection in the water, he noticed he resembled a refined young nobleman.

But a nobleman… didn’t seem suitable for hiding in seclusion.

Should he use a transformation spell to change his appearance? The original Bai Fanlu had never used such a spell, so Bai Fanlu didn’t dare try it, fearing he might turn into something strange and be unable to change back.

At that moment, he suddenly felt a deep resentment toward the author for putting him in this situation. He was stuck in the story, unable to be omnipotent, forced to live cautiously. Why did he have to be the villain? He just wanted to be an extra.

Speaking of extras, Bai Fanlu rubbed his

 chin. He had an idea!

How could he have forgotten about that robe? He pulled out the bundle from his hidden pouch, put on the gray cloth robe over his white clothes, and slung the larger bundle over his shoulder.

Oh, and the hairstyle—he needed to tie his hair up; leaving it loose was too feminine.

In no time, the once-dashing nobleman had transformed into a carefree wanderer. Clothes really do make the man.

Feeling quite pleased with himself, Bai Fanlu walked along the riverbank. The mortal world was different from the immortal world, with time and seasons easily discernible. The sun was high in the sky, indicating it was midday, and the green grass showed it was early spring.

In the distance, the rising smoke suggested a nearby settlement.

He quickened his pace toward the smoke, feeling an immense sense of relief. Every step felt solid, and though the heavens were grand, they couldn’t compare to the tangible warmth of mortal life.

Before long, Bai Fanlu spotted a tall wooden archway ahead with the words “He Guan Town” written on it.

The name wasn’t familiar from the book, so it was probably an obscure little place. After all, the original Bai Fanlu had never randomly teleported around like he was doing now.

Suddenly, his mind rang with two beeps.

“Congratulations, hidden map ‘He Guan Town’ unlocked. You’ve been awarded a fragment of ‘Reader’s Imagination.’”

Bai Fanlu suddenly remembered—what was this “Reader’s Imagination” thing? The system had mentioned it when he first arrived, but he had been too focused on finding a way home to pay it any attention.

Beep: “‘Reader’s Imagination’ fragments are scattered energy pieces in this world. Completing special events or unlocking hidden maps can earn you these fragments.”

Bai Fanlu asked in his mind: What are they for?

Beep: “Collecting enough fragments will unlock a mysterious quest, where you can experience alternative storylines and obtain rare divine weapons.”

Bai Fanlu snorted. He thought to himself, I’m planning to live as a recluse. What do I need divine weapons for? To admire them by myself?

The only response was silence. Perhaps the system felt a bit embarrassed by its failed sales pitch.

Bai Fanlu stepped under the wooden archway and entered the so-called hidden map “He Guan Town.”

At first, he was on guard, but he soon realized this was just an ordinary small town, with charmingly rustic architecture, shops with banners fluttering in the wind, and the occasional cry of street vendors—everything felt incredibly novel to him.

Suppressing his excitement, Bai Fanlu approached a bun stall. The owner quickly lifted the lid of the steamer, revealing rows of round, white buns, neatly arranged like little dolls beckoning to Bai Fanlu.

“They smell so good!”

Bai Fanlu’s mouth watered. He had only eaten some bread the night before he transmigrated, and after all this time, his stomach was growling. Although immortals don’t need to eat, he had a mortal heart, and how could he resist food?

Bai Fanlu bought two big buns and started eating as he walked, wrapping them in a paper bag.

As he ate, a thought occurred to him—he had forgotten that immortals don’t need to eat. So why hadn’t Yun Zhan found it suspicious when he complained about Yun Zhan’s weight on the steps to the Spirit Spring and suggested he eat less? Instead, Yun Zhan had even agreed?

Or had Yun Zhan already suspected something and was just playing along?

Bai Fanlu shivered. No, he didn’t want to think about it. Whether Yun Zhan suspected or not, he had already run away, and that was that.

For now, he just wanted to enjoy the happiness brought by these meat buns.

Munch! He took another bite.

Wait, why did it sound like someone else was munching on food behind him? And the sound seemed to be getting louder and closer…

Who could it be?

Just as Bai Fanlu was about to turn around, someone suddenly crashed into him. An old man carrying a pole dropped it and ran, the pole landing on Bai Fanlu’s foot. Soon, more and more people started running, crying, shouting, and screaming.

“Run! There’s a monster! Run!”

A monster? What monster?

Bai Fanlu stood there, dumbfounded, before being bumped into again, almost losing his balance. His bun fell out of his hand, rolling far away and getting trampled twice.

At that moment, a little beggar spotted the bun and ran back through the crowd, trying to pick it up, but he was roughly shoved aside by a man running from behind, who kicked him to the side of the road.

Bai Fanlu frowned instinctively. He subtly moved his hand, and the little beggar was gently lifted and landed safely without hitting his head.

Then, Bai Fanlu felt a wave of pressure. He turned and saw a massive object crash into a nearby restaurant, collapsing it with a thunderous roar.

As the dust settled, the monster’s true form was revealed.