After the alliance of the four mountains, more than half of the disciples from each immortal sect were grouped according to their cultivation levels, typically in teams of three to five, to investigate the demonic rifts and clear out demonic creatures. Tianxu Sect was no exception.

However, with most disciples away, there was a risk that the demons might seize the opportunity to invade the rear. As a result, Ling Qingzi stayed behind to guard the barrier, spending all day atop Lingjue Peak. Bai Fanlu hadn’t seen him since their last game of chess.

These past few days had somewhat fulfilled the small wish Bai Fanlu had when he first arrived: to become a leisurely immortal, if he could still be considered one at all.

Even Wang Chongyu had gone to the front lines, but Ling Qingzi absolutely forbade Bai Fanlu from descending the mountain. The official reason was that Bai Fanlu had just recently experienced a deviation in his cultivation, and his body was still fragile. But the real reason, which Wang Chongyu had confided in him, was that the master was afraid Bai Fanlu would find himself in a difficult position because of his stance.

In truth, Bai Fanlu didn’t find himself in any dilemma. He wasn’t like the original host, who even if he didn’t want to oppose his sect at first, still harbored a desire for revenge on behalf of his mother. Revenge for one’s parents is greater than the heavens, but Bai Fanlu had no parents. He only had this identity, whether immortal or demon, it didn’t make much difference to him.

Thinking of the original host’s parents inevitably reminded Bai Fanlu of something he had heard from Wu Yue Shuang: the name Bai Chu Yu.

This was also mentioned in the novel. Bai Chu Yu was the original host’s mother, the former demon lord of the demon realm, and the elder sister of the current demon elder, Bai Jun Ming.

From Wang Chongyu, Bai Fanlu had learned that the person who impersonated Yun Zhan that day was indeed Bai Jun Ming. Since Bai Fanlu had fainted shortly after, by the time he woke up, Bai Jun Ming was already gone. Initially, Bai Fanlu had no idea this had even happened.

According to Wang Chongyu, Bai Fanlu had suddenly experienced a “cultivation deviation” after fainting, allowing Bai Jun Ming to flee in the chaos.

Bai Fanlu had a vague feeling that Bai Jun Ming’s escape seemed too smooth. Reflecting on the novel, during the later “plot twist,” Bai Jun Ming incited the original host to act as a spy within the immortal realm. His main goals were to uncover the truth behind Bai Chu Yu’s death and to find the “Hengqing Key” of the immortal realm.

However, both goals were left unresolved. In the novel, the original host hadn’t completed these tasks before the demon blood within him awakened.

Compared to the original storyline, Bai Fanlu’s awakening this time had been much less dramatic. Unlike the novel, Yun Zhan hadn’t publicly declared himself as a demon but had instead returned him to the sect, where he was protected by his master. Thus, the progression of events had also changed.

Yet Bai Fanlu couldn’t understand why Bai Jun Ming had impersonated Yun Zhan to provoke him. At first, Bai Fanlu hadn’t given it much thought, but now that he had calmed down and was idle in the immortal sect, he had time to carefully untangle these complex threads.

If Yun Zhan had suffered backlash from the *Bu Shi Chen* mirror in the City Lord’s Mansion of Yingzhou, then he must have fought with He Sang at that time. Considering the remnants of demonic energy found later, Bai Jun Ming likely witnessed the switch between Yun Zhan and the mirror’s reflection, “Xiao Liu.”

That’s how Bai Jun Ming knew that Xiao Liu was Yun Zhan, and his sudden appearance nearby wasn’t a coincidence. He was probably watching his “chess piece” from the shadows all along, not entirely trusting him.

But what was Bai Jun Ming’s goal in pretending to be Yun Zhan? From the results so far, it only forced Bai Fanlu to awaken his demonic blood and nearly made him unable to stay in the immortal realm. What benefit did this bring Bai Jun Ming?

On the surface, it didn’t seem to benefit Bai Jun Ming at all; it even directly jeopardized the spy’s position.

Moreover, Bai Fanlu recalled something strange: when he communicated with the bluebird, it was clearly Yun Zhan himself. How did Bai Jun Ming know to wait for him at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion?

Additionally, Yun Zhan had arranged to meet him at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion but hadn’t shown up. With a little investigation, he should have discovered that someone had impersonated him. Perhaps at that time, Yun Zhan was in Xiao Liu’s form and didn’t want to confront Bai Fanlu about being impersonated. But why didn’t he use the bluebird to tell him?

Instead, Yun Zhan had left only a note, daring to write only “Beware of Yun Zhan,” rather than stating outright, “Yun Zhan is a fake.”

If he had sent the bluebird again and directly said, “That Yun Zhan is a fake,” with the bluebird as evidence, they wouldn’t have needed to investigate further at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion, and Bai Jun Ming’s trap would have been avoided.

Bai Fanlu paced back and forth, still unable to make sense of it. Only Yun Zhan himself could explain these things.

The whole situation with Bai Jun Ming was a tangled mess. Bai Fanlu had no choice but to shift his attention back to the thread concerning Bai Chu Yu. Bai Chu Yu was the original host’s biological mother, but the novel never mentioned who the original host’s father was.

Bai Fanlu thought of “Senior Brother Ling Jue,” the man Wu Yue Shuang seemed to long for. He appeared to have a close relationship with Bai Chu Yu, to the point of making Wu Yue Shuang jealous.

Additionally, Wu Yue Shuang had mistaken Bai Fanlu for “Senior Brother Ling Jue.” Suddenly, a realization dawned on Bai Fanlu as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over him. Could it be…?

Bai Fanlu’s heart pounded wildly as he felt like he had just uncovered an unbelievable secret of the immortal realm.

He immediately thought of going to San Mu Ju. There were many ancient records there, and if this “Ling Jue” was a notable figure in the immortal world, there should be a historical record of him.

The original host had the privilege of entering and leaving San Mu Ju freely. In the past, he had even snuck in with Little Yun Zhan. This privilege came in handy for Bai Fanlu now.

He took the ancient books one by one from the shelves. Most of them were cultivation manuals or descriptions of the human and cultural landscapes of the immortal world.

After much effort, he finally found a few historical records. However, they turned out to be filled with legends from ancient times, or the writing was too blurred to read clearly. Bai Fanlu skimmed through them quickly, finding nothing he was looking for, so he put them back.

Finally, he found a small blue booklet. As he flipped through it, he discovered that it recorded many names, resembling a kind of genealogical record of the immortal sects.

Delighted, Bai Fanlu carefully held the booklet and sat down at a table. He skipped over the names at the beginning and focused on finding Ling Qingzi.

Sure enough, there it was! Ling Qingzi’s master was named Cangwu Shenjun, and his disciple was Ling Qingzi… Wait? Why was Ling Qingzi the only one listed?

As he continued searching, he realized that Wu Yue Shuang wasn’t Ling Qingzi’s direct junior. She had originally been an outer sect disciple but was later promoted due to her outstanding talent. This fact was noted with a red pen beside her name.

As he scanned further down the list, he even found his own and Wang Chongyu’s names. In other words, he had gone through the current generation of disciples, but there was no sign of the name “Ling Jue.”

Unconvinced, Bai Fanlu worried he might have overlooked something. Like memorizing a text, he pointed at each name with his finger, tracing it from back to front. When he reached Ling Qingzi’s name again, he felt a sudden surge of spiritual energy at his fingertip.

Startled, Bai Fanlu cautiously touched the paper twice more.

The paper rippled like water, waves spreading out, revealing three words beside Ling Qingzi’s name, drawn in black ink.

“Lu Ling Jue…”

Bai Fanlu read the name aloud, and an incredible voice echoed in his mind:

“Xiao Lu, why have you come out again? Come back with me. If you want the Cuiye Liushang, I’ll find it for you tomorrow. Don’t be stubborn.”

Bai Fanlu quickly turned around, but San Mu Ju was empty. There was no one else there.

Was that…Ling Qingzi’s voice? And it had come from inside his own consciousness?

Had Ling Qingzi ever said such a thing in the novel? Had he ever called the original host “Xiao Lu”?

It seemed…not?

Feeling uneasy, Bai Fanlu hurriedly placed the book back on the shelf and left San Mu Ju as quickly as possible. It wasn’t guilt that drove him, but the strange voice that gave him a creeping sense of discomfort.

Once in a quiet corner, he carefully replayed the memory, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t recall a moment where Ling Qingzi had ever said those words to the original host.

He shook his head. Was he imagining things?

Hearing words that weren’t in the novel, directly appearing in his mind—if it wasn’t an illusion, if it wasn’t some spell—could it be that he had heard it with his own ears?

Nonsense.

It had to be from the novel. His mind was too cluttered, and that’s why he had forgotten.

Bai Fanlu nodded to himself. That must be it.

Unfortunately, he had been in too much of a rush earlier. Just as he had found the name “Lu Ling Jue,” he had run out, leaving the rest unexplored.

Moreover, he had originally intended to take a closer look at the jade incense burner, but that plan had also gone unfulfilled.

Forget it. He had searched for “Senior Brother Ling Jue” because it related to the original host, which could be considered legitimate. However, prying into his master’s personal belongings might be too much curiosity for his own good.

Bai Fanlu refocused his attention on the name he had found: “Lu Ling Jue.” So, this “Senior Brother Ling Jue” had the surname Lu, and his full name was Lu Ling Jue. He was Ling Qingzi’s junior apprentice, both of them the last disciples of Cangwu Shenjun.

Coincidentally, the original host’s name also had the character “Lu.” This name was chosen by Ling Qingzi himself. Adding in the fact that Wu Yue Shuang had said Lu Ling Jue favored Bai Chu Yu, it could be inferred that the original host’s biological father was most likely this “Lu Ling Jue.”

However, what was strange was why Lu Ling Jue’s name had been hidden in the records.

Could it be that he had committed some serious offense and was removed from the registry?

Ah! Based on his experience with reading novels, Bai Fanlu immediately had an epiphany. He understood now—this major offense was most likely due to his involvement with the demon realm!

No wonder Wang Chongyu and the fake Yun Zhan, Bai Jun Ming, had reacted strangely when they heard the name.

“So, that’s how it is.”

If the original host’s father was an immortal, it also explained why the original host had such outstanding talent, excelling in both immortal and demonic cultivation.

However, Bai Fanlu still had one more doubt. From Wu Yue Shuang’s behavior, it seemed like his appearance might bear some resemblance to Lu Ling Jue.

But why had no one in the vast immortal realm ever suspected a connection between the original host and Lu Ling Jue?

Had they never seen Lu Ling Jue?

And Wu Yue Shuang, who had never mistaken the original host before, had she never noticed? She was infatuated with Lu Ling Jue—how could she remain so calm in front of the original host? Was it due to her cultivation in the path of detachment?

Still, considering her madness at the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and her current disappearance, Bai Fanlu suspected that Bai Jun Ming had a hand in this, possibly using Wu Yue Shuang’s inner demons to control her. It was his specialty.

As Bai Fanlu was pondering all these matters, he suddenly heard two soft beeps in his mind. It had been a long time since he’d last heard the system prompt.

When the sound reached his ears, Bai Fanlu felt an odd sense of nostalgia and grounding, as if the system’s presence reminded him that he was still a person who had transmigrated into a novel.

Thank goodness. He wasn’t living out some tragic fate.

Bai Fanlu inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief, for once eagerly anticipating the system’s message to help clear his head.

Beep beep: “Congratulations on completing the side quest ‘Good Deeds Repaid.’ You have received 3 ‘Reader’s Imagination’ fragments, and two hidden events have been unlocked: ‘Green Mist and Rainy Shadows’ and ‘Amidst the Ashes, Jade Strings Remain.'”

Bai Fanlu had thought it was his recent reflection that had triggered the system’s prompt. When he realized it wasn’t, he was slightly disappointed. But then, as the meaning of the side quest completion sank in, he suddenly understood. So, Xiang Wanyi had successfully entered reincarnation?

His delight had barely surfaced when another system prompt appeared.

Beep beep: “Congratulations, hidden event ‘Green Mist and Rainy Shadows’ has been completed. You have received the reward ‘Soul-Guiding Lamp.'”

Beep beep: “Note, as the completion rate is only 80%, the remaining reward will be given upon reaching 20% completion.”

Bai Fanlu was puzzled. Hidden events could be completed ahead of time? And what exactly was this “Green Mist and Rainy Shadows”? It was so poetic, he couldn’t even begin to understand it.

Also, what did “80% completion” refer to?

“What does the Soul-Guiding Lamp do?” he asked.

Beep beep: “The ‘Soul-Guiding Lamp’ can summon wandering souls, draw them into a woven illusion, and guide them through the trial of transformation, placing life after death.”

Bai Fanlu pondered for a few seconds. Then a few more seconds.

This system—at first, it used to speak in such down-to-earth terms, but now it had become more and more cryptic, almost as if it had developed split personalities.

Beep beep: “You’ll find use for these items. Just keep them safe. By the way, a gentle reminder: you also possess a ‘Voidless Elixir.’ Based on our predictions, you’ll need it soon. Enjoy using it!”

The mechanical voice seemed so enthusiastic, it was as if it were encouraging him to leave a five-star review.

Bai Fanlu: “…”

At least this part of the system was still easy to understand. So, now the system was reminding him that while he was in Tianxu Sect, Xiang Wanyi’s matter had already been resolved.

Who could have resolved it? There was only one likely candidate, wasn’t there?

“He actually…” Bai Fanlu murmured. He felt his heart softening, but immediately steeled his resolve, raising his brows, “Hmph, so what if he had the time to spare?”

Busybody. Just because you did one good thing doesn’t mean anything.

Bai Fanlu realized he was becoming increasingly sharp-tongued. Sarcastic remarks came easily, but after saying them, the person they were meant for couldn’t hear them, leaving him frustrated and confused.

Probably due to having too much free time, Bai Fanlu decided to wander around the Tianxu Sect.

Even though he was supposed to stay behind, he figured he should help out in some way, like patrolling to check for any suspicious intruders.

As he was walking along the mountain path, he spotted two disciples riding swords toward him. They quickly halted, leaping down from their swords and called out, “Senior Brother, where is Master? We have urgent news to report!”

Bai Fanlu replied, “Master is still on Lingjue Peak.” He hadn’t come down for days.

The two disciples exchanged worried glances. They couldn’t ascend Lingjue Peak.

“What is it?” Bai Fanlu asked, “I’ll report it for you.”

Upon hearing this, the two disciples looked troubled.

Bai Fanlu immediately understood and changed his offer, “I’ll ask Master to come down. You can wait in the Grand Hall.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!” The two disciples breathed sighs of relief.

Lingjue Peak was the highest point in the immortal realm, surrounded by special barriers that made it difficult for most to reach the summit. Ling Qingzi had taught Bai Fanlu the method to ascend.

Before Bai Fanlu could reach the peak, however, Ling Qingzi sensed his approach and descended before Bai Fanlu could get higher than the second peak where the alliance meeting had taken place.

After relaying the message from the two junior disciples, Bai Fanlu instinctively withdrew, returning to his usual place rather than following them to the Grand Hall.

The training grounds were already empty since the early morning exercises had ended. Bai Fanlu practiced a few sword techniques on his own, facing the vast sea of clouds. Below lay the mortal world, and he gazed out at it for a moment, but there was nothing to see.

When Ling Qingzi arrived, he found Bai Fanlu staring into the distance.

“Have you been feeling stifled these past few days?”

Bai Fanlu turned at the sound of his master’s voice. Ling Qingzi walked over, and Bai Fanlu quickly greeted him with a bow, “Master.”

Why did it feel like there was a hint of teasing in Ling Qingzi’s tone? But his master’s expression was still as calm and serene as always.

Bai Fanlu felt slightly embarrassed. He was just an idle person, not contributing much. It wouldn’t do to let his master worry about whether he was bored.

“At this critical time, your disciple can only stay here in safety, which makes me feel uneasy…” Bai Fanlu said.

“But I understand Master’s reasoning. You’re only thinking of my well-being, so I don’t feel so troubled anymore. After all, staying here is also a way to share Master’s burden and serve the sect. I will do as you say and won’t cause you or my fellow disciples any worry.”

Ling Qingzi’s eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment, he nodded. “Earlier, your two junior brothers spoke to me on your behalf. Would you like to hear what they had to say?”

“Uh?” Bai Fanlu didn’t quite understand. On his behalf?

“It was actually my order for the disciples not to tell you any news from the outside world. Since your ‘cultivation deviation,’ they were all concerned that your body had not yet fully recovered.”

Concerned… for him? Bai Fanlu was stunned. He had assumed it was just an official excuse to keep him from the conflict, but in reality, they were worried about him…?

Ling Qingzi continued, “They said that if everything was hidden from you, you would probably notice and start overthinking, maybe even suspecting that you were being isolated. But that was never the case.”

Bai Fanlu had indeed thought that the rumors would affect his fellow disciples’ perception of him. He had deliberately pretended not to understand or care, closing his eyes and ears to the outside world, but he hadn’t been entirely oblivious. Yet, he never expected that they would think of him this way.

Suddenly, his heart swelled with a wave of warmth, and Bai Fanlu clenched his fingers lightly.

Ling Qingzi observed him and then said, “So, if you’re willing, starting today, you can descend the mountain and assist Chongyu. What do you think?”