Bai Fanlu hurried back to the Tianxu Sect on his sword, encountering many other cultivators along the way, which made it clear just how dire the current situation was.

The Chengying Sect had been attacked by demonic forces, with most of its disciples killed or injured, and even the sect leader slain on the spot. This tragedy shook the entire cultivation world, causing widespread fear. As the leading sect in the cultivation world, the Tianxu Sect took in the surviving disciples of the Chengying Sect. Thus, another one of the Eight Great Sects had fallen.

Although the Chengying Sect was considered weaker among the major sects, it was still a legitimate cultivation sect. The sudden disaster had other sects on high alert, prompting them to strengthen their defenses and send out capable disciples to proactively hunt down demons, eliminating any they encountered. Bai Fanlu saw these vanguards of the cultivator forces on his way back.

Unlike his previous leisurely journey, this time Bai Fanlu traveled urgently, and after two days and nights, he finally returned to the Tianxu Sect. Though the mountains remained tranquil as usual, the presence of wounded Chengying Sect disciples everywhere added a tense and oppressive atmosphere.

Even the young Yun Yi had joined the medical team, busy tending to the injured Chengying Sect members. He seemed more mature than before, but upon hearing that Bai Fanlu had returned, he immediately came over to greet him.

“Senior Brother! I’m so glad you made it back safely. I heard there are demons everywhere now. You’re not hurt, are you?”

Bai Fanlu patted his head. “No, I’m fine.”

Yun Yi smiled sheepishly. “Senior Brother, you just got back. Are you going to see Master? He was here this morning, but I haven’t seen him for half a day.”

“Yes, I’ll go find him. You keep busy.”

After saying goodbye to Yun Yi, Bai Fanlu headed to find Ling Qingzi. From a distance, he saw the sign of “Sanmu Residence,” but first noticed Wang Chongyu standing at the entrance.

Wang Chongyu seemed to have been waiting for him, stepping forward quickly to look him over. Seeing that Bai Fanlu was unharmed, Wang Chongyu’s usually troubled expression eased into a slight smile.

“Senior Brother, I heard you returned. I missed you earlier, but I knew you’d come to see Master, so I waited here.”

Bai Fanlu could tell that Wang Chongyu was trying to hide his exhaustion, knowing that Wang Chongyu must have been working tirelessly since the incident at the Chengying Sect.

“You’ve worked hard,” Bai Fanlu said.

Wang Chongyu looked at him intently for a moment, then lowered his head slightly. “It’s nothing, but thank you for your concern, Senior Brother. The one who’s really had it tough is Master…”

His hesitation startled Bai Fanlu. “What’s wrong with Master? Did he get injured by the demons?”

If it was that serious, why didn’t Yun Yi tell him? Or did Master deliberately keep it from them?

Bai Fanlu, now anxious, was about to rush into Sanmu Residence when Wang Chongyu stopped him. “Master is fine. He’s not inside; he went to the Chengying Sect early this morning.”

Relieved that Ling Qingzi was unharmed, Bai Fanlu wondered why Wang Chongyu had been so hesitant, making it seem as if something had happened to Ling Qingzi.

“Why did Master go to the Chengying Sect? There shouldn’t be anyone left there now.”

Wang Chongyu explained, “Master said he sensed abnormal activity in the earth veins there, and the dispersal of demonic energy was unusual, so he went to investigate.”

Bai Fanlu’s heart tightened again. Earth vein disturbances? Could it be another demonic energy rift?

The original story mentioned the destruction of the Chengying Sect as the direct trigger for the war between the immortals and demons, but it didn’t mention any demonic energy rifts there. Could there be more than just the three or five mentioned in the original?

“Senior Brother, where is Yun Zhan? Didn’t he return with you?”

“No, we split up.”

Bai Fanlu, still pondering the matter of the demonic energy rifts, replied absentmindedly.

Wang Chongyu noticed Bai Fanlu’s casual demeanor when mentioning “Yun Zhan,” as if he truly didn’t care, not even pretending.

“Senior Brother, you…” Wang Chongyu’s eyes flickered, but before he could continue, someone called from a distance, “Senior Brother Chongyu, Master has returned and is at the ‘Great Hall.’ He wants you to go over.”

“Just in time, Senior Brother. Let’s go together.”

The Great Hall was adjacent to the disciple training grounds, where lectures were usually held. Ling Qingzi likely had something important to discuss with the disciples and had gone there directly. By the time Wang Chongyu and Bai Fanlu arrived, some disciples were already leaving the hall.

Before entering, Wang Chongyu remarked, “Master has been very stressed these past few days. He’ll be very glad to see you’ve returned safely.”

Bai Fanlu responded with a simple “Alright,” but found Wang Chongyu’s comment a bit unnecessary. While it was true that Ling Qingzi valued Bai Fanlu the most among his disciples, Ling Qingzi wasn’t the type to openly show his emotions, so why would he be “glad”?

Sure enough, as Bai Fanlu expected, when Ling Qingzi saw him, his expression didn’t change much. Despite Wang Chongyu’s earlier remarks, Ling Qingzi, with his calm demeanor, showed no signs of the stress he supposedly felt.

However, there was one subtle difference. Although Ling Qingzi had called for Wang Chongyu, upon seeing Bai Fanlu, he first asked, “Mo’er, you’re back? Did you gain any insights during your trip?”

Bai Fanlu had anticipated this question and had prepared an answer on the way back. He reported the discovery of the demonic energy rift in Yanzhou and the sealing of the rift in Ling City, carefully skirting around any mention of Xiao Liu as he aligned his report with the original story.

Ling Qingzi nodded slightly. “You did well.”

“However, the Dragon God Xunhuang has awakened. I failed to stop him, and I fear he may cause chaos in the mortal realm. I feel deeply guilty.”

Though Bai Fanlu followed the original story’s events when recounting this matter to Ling Qingzi and Wang Chongyu, in truth, he knew that if he had chosen to sacrifice himself and Xiao Liu, Xunhuang might not have broken through the barrier.

Of course, that outcome was never an option. Bai Fanlu was just an ordinary person, and dealing with Xunhuang was better left to the protagonist, Yun Zhan, who would kill the mini-boss and obtain the treasure as a reward.

But Bai Fanlu still needed to emphasize the threat of Xunhuang to ensure they were prepared for the future enemy.

Ling Qingzi, however, did not immediately offer a solution, as expected. Dealing with Xunhuang was indeed a difficult problem. Despite having been dormant for millennia, Xunhuang was a well-known figure in the history of the immortal world, and Ling Qingzi was fully aware of his power.

At this point, Wang Chongyu suggested, “Master, since Xunhuang is of the divine race, he may not align with the demonic forces. Perhaps we don’t need to make him an enemy?”

Ling Qingzi shook his head. “He disregarded the lives of the people of Ling City. This matter must be resolved. However, our priority right now is still to eliminate the demonic forces.”

Ling Qingzi stood up from his meditation cushion, and both Bai Fanlu and Wang Chongyu quickly stepped aside. As Ling Qingzi passed by Bai Fanlu, he seemed to pause for a moment before continuing.

For some reason, when that blue immortal robe brushed past him, bringing a cool breeze, Bai Fanlu frowned slightly, feeling a sudden discomfort in his body—a dull ache in his muscles, as if something had pressed down on him. But the sensation passed quickly.

“I went to the Chengying Sect, and the situation was much as Mo’er described. If my guess is correct, the demonic realm has been preparing for some time, laying out plans across the mortal realm. They seek to use the five-hundred-year cycle as a catalyst to spread demonic energy and strengthen their forces, eventually challenging the immortal realm.”

“Five-hundred-year cycle? Master, are you referring to the immortal-demon war from five hundred years ago?”

Wang Chongyu, unaware of the storyline, asked. Bai Fanlu, however, knew exactly what Ling Qingzi meant and remained silent, as it was just as Ling Qingzi had said—the demonic realm was indeed planning this.

“Yes, the earth veins in the mortal realm loosen every five hundred years. This time, the demonic realm has prepared in advance, and the demonic energy rifts will be difficult to eliminate completely.”

Even Ling Qingzi acknowledged the severity of the situation, which spoke volumes about its difficulty. Bai Fanlu had firsthand experience; sealing just two rifts had already been an exhausting and time-consuming task.

But Wang Chongyu, having stayed within the sect, might not fully understand the challenges. “In that case, we should strike first and eliminate as many rifts as possible.”

His suggestion was the most straightforward approach. Ling Qingzi said, “In three days, the four mountain sects will convene at Lingjue Peak to discuss this matter…” Then, suddenly, he turned to Bai Fanlu. “Where is Yun Zhan?”

What kind of impression did the original protagonist give people that everyone assumed he would always be with Yun Zhan?

Bai Fanlu, though slightly exasperated, responded respectfully, “Master, after we left the sect, Yun Zhan and I parted ways to handle different tasks.”

Upon hearing this, Ling Qingzi’s usually composed expression finally showed a slight change. “He chose to separate from you?”

“No, it was my suggestion to split up. I thought we could get things done faster this way.”

Bai Fanlu wasn’t lying, and now, more than ever, he was confident in his decision to distance himself from Yun Zhan.

It seemed that the reason for “avoiding Yun Zhan” no longer existed. Even Yun Zhan’s name no longer carried any pressure for Bai Fanlu.

He no longer had to worry about being forced into a dark path by Yun Zhan. The reason… Bai Fanlu thought of someone, and a slight ripple of emotion stirred within him, unnoticed by himself as the corners of his lips curled upward.

Wang Chongyu’s gaze flicked quickly from Ling Qingzi back to Bai Fanlu.

Ling Qingzi stood with his hands behind his back, silently observing Bai Fanlu. Bai Fanlu, too, calmly met his master’s gaze.

After a moment of silence, Ling Qingzi said, “That’s fine.”

“Mo’er, send a message to Yun Zhan through a Bluebird, telling him to return quickly. Since he’s taken on the role of sect leader, he needs to attend the four mountain summit, and everything else should be put on hold.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ling Qingzi kept Wang Chongyu behind, so Bai Fanlu left the Great Hall alone and went to a spacious area to summon the Bluebird.

Yun Zhan had yet to reply to the last message, so Bai Fanlu sent another. Perhaps Yun Zhan was just ignoring him, but Bai Fanlu had to follow his master’s orders.

Sure enough, as if to confirm his suspicion, Yun Zhan replied selectively. Within half an hour, the Bluebird returned with a message.

“Tomorrow at noon, at Baihua Pavilion in Yufang City. I’ll trouble Senior Brother to meet me there.”

Bai Fanlu, familiar with the original storyline, realized that the trouble in Yufang City was still unresolved.

After Wang Chongyu came out, Bai Fanlu went back into the Great Hall to ask Ling Qingzi for permission to go down the mountain to meet Yun Zhan. Since Yufang City was nearby, and there was likely demonic activity involved, Ling Qingzi agreed but told Bai Fanlu not to leave immediately, saying he would have more instructions for him later.

Bai Fanlu returned to his residence. While waiting for his master’s summons, his thoughts involuntarily turned to Xiao Liu again.

That night, when they parted, Bai Fanlu had expected the boy to be very reluctant, but he had been more mature than expected, except… for hugging and kissing him passionately.

Bai Fanlu’s ears reddened as he shook his head, trying to dispel the vivid memories. He chastised himself for being so easily flustered, having his heart stirred by someone ten years younger.

However, he was also relieved that he had kept his wits about him in the end. Knowing that his stay at the Tianxu Sect would be lengthy, he had entrusted Xiao Liu with delivering the Snow Lingzhi and dealing with Xiang Wan’s matters. Otherwise, he would have been delayed.

He wondered what Xiao Liu was doing now, whether the house on Mount Ercang was completed, and if he had already delivered the Snow Lingzhi to the elder.

Lost in thought, Bai Fanlu found his mind once again filled with thoughts of Xiao Liu, unable to calm down enough to meditate. He finally got up and walked over to his desk, where he noticed a bamboo tube containing scrolls in the corner.

With nothing else to pass the time, he decided to look at the paintings. Bai Fanlu randomly pulled out a scroll and unrolled it, unsurprised to see a portrait of Yun Zhan.

Previously, he had avoided looking at Yun Zhan’s portraits, but now, with a purely appreciative mindset, he found there wasn’t much to see besides Yun Zhan’s good looks.

Bai Fanlu pulled out another scroll and unrolled it—another portrait of Yun Zhan, in a different pose, but still not particularly interesting.

He thought to himself that if the next one was also Yun Zhan…

But it wasn’t.

This painting featured two people. On the left was a man with long silver hair draped over one shoulder, sitting gracefully with his hands resting on his knees in a meditative posture. His eyes were slightly open, and his lips curved in a faint smile as he gazed at the other figure in the painting.

On the right was a young boy in white with his hair in a single topknot, about eight or nine years old, kneeling on the ground, holding a strand of the man’s silver hair and playfully tying a red ribbon into a butterfly knot.

There was no doubt that the man on the left was Ling Qingzi. Although his expression and aura were slightly different, his appearance was unmistakably that of Ling Qingzi.

As for the boy on the right, with his round face and bright smile, Bai Fanlu couldn’t immediately identify him, but he had a vague suspicion.

“Mo’er.”

Bai Fanlu’s hand trembled involuntarily, and he instinctively tried to roll up the scroll, but it was too late.

Ling Qingzi had appeared directly in his room and was now standing beside him.

When Bai Fanlu looked up, he saw Ling Qingzi’s eyes fixed on the painting in his hand.

“Master, this is…”

Bai Fanlu opened his mouth to say something, but the words slipped away. Ling Qingzi’s expression was subtle, still cold as usual, but his gaze, as it followed the brushstrokes of the painting, held a hint of something deep and hard to decipher.

Bai Fanlu wasn’t sure if the original protagonist had ever shown Ling Qingzi this painting. If he had, it would be easy to explain.

But if not… would this be just a little bit awkward? Because, from Ling Qingzi’s perspective, this painting must have been drawn by Bai Fanlu himself.

“Mo’er’s skill has improved,” Ling Qingzi finally spoke.

Bai Fanlu forced a smile. “It’s just a casual drawing, Master. Please don’t tease me.”

A humble response like this should be fine, right?

Unexpectedly, Ling Qingzi said, “It’s very well done.” His gaze then fell on the boy in the painting. “Mo’er has always been adorable and clever, quick to learn anything.”

Bai Fanlu was momentarily stunned. If he hadn’t been mistaken, Ling Qingzi’s lips seemed to curve slightly just now. Ling Qingzi, who was usually so dignified and distant, had suddenly shown a fleeting smile that matched the one in the painting.

But it was only for a moment. The smile vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving Bai Fanlu unsure of how to respond. Ling Qingzi then took hold of his wrist and checked his pulse.

“I noticed earlier that something was off with your condition. Were you injured by Xunhuang?”

Bai Fanlu had avoided mentioning his trip to the Ghost Realm to keep Xiao Liu out of it, but he hadn’t expected Ling Qingzi to be so perceptive. Though his injuries had long since healed, Ling Qingzi had noticed.

“It’s nothing serious, Master. I’ve already recovered.”

Hearing this, Ling Qingzi frowned slightly, pulled Bai Fanlu’s wrist, and led him to sit on the bed.

“Sit down. Let me take a look.”

Bai Fanlu sat cross-legged on the bed as Ling Qingzi began to cast a spell.

With Ling Qingzi so close, Bai Fanlu felt the faint, cold aura of the immortal energy, and the strange, dull pain in his body returned, growing stronger. He couldn’t help but shudder, finally letting out a muffled groan of pain.

“Mo’er!”

Bai Fanlu’s vision blurred. He tried to speak but found himself losing consciousness, unable to sit upright. Just as he was about to collapse, a pair of hands caught him, pulling him into an embrace instead of letting him fall onto the bed.

“Mas…”

“Don’t talk. Open your mouth.”

Bai Fanlu couldn’t open his eyes, but he felt something cool touch his lips—two fingers, with a faint medicinal bitterness mixed with an indescribable fragrance.

“Be good, take your medicine.”

In his dazed state, Bai Fanlu heard Ling Qingzi’s voice and obediently opened his mouth.

A pill was pushed inside, slowly dissolving in his mouth. Perhaps due to the dryness of his mouth, Bai Fanlu felt a strange sweet and metallic taste on his tongue, moistening his throat. It was initially soothing but caused an unexpected reaction as he swallowed.

This scent, this taste, it seemed familiar…

Bai Fanlu’s mind grew hazy. He couldn’t recall anything clearly, only feeling the pain in his body gradually easing. But as the pain subsided, a deep exhaustion overwhelmed him.

However, with Ling Qingzi still present, he was too embarrassed to fall asleep, struggling to stay conscious against the tide of drowsiness.

“Sleep. You’ll feel better when you wake up.”

The words seemed to carry a special power. Bai Fanlu’s awareness drifted, and he didn’t even hear what Ling Qingzi said next before his mind plunged into darkness.

At the bedside, Ling Qingzi silently gazed at his sleeping disciple, a flicker of something unusual in his calm eyes.

After waiting for a moment to ensure Bai Fanlu was deeply asleep, Ling Qingzi reached out to his collar, gently pulling itaside to reveal his pale collarbone, then his shoulder, and finally his entire smooth back.

What should have been a pristine, unblemished back was marred by a large, inkblot-like mark, sinister and writhing, growing steadily as if it were alive…