Ding Ding!: “You have completed the hidden mission ‘Youth Turned to Snow,’ and obtained ‘Divine Soul: Jie Luo.’”

Ding Ding!：“Memory loss detected, automatically triggering ‘Divine Soul: Jie Luo,’ commencing memory weaving.”

Bai Fanlu vaguely felt something rapidly slipping away from his mind. He tried to grasp it but couldn’t—was it the memory the system mentioned?

He had returned the human soul to Yun Zhan, so as their souls merged, the memories within Yun Zhan’s human soul were fading from his mind?

Could this mean that Yun Zhan might be able to revive?

Ding Ding!：“Memory weaving completed, entering a dormant state awaiting activation.”

As Bai Fanlu heard this from the system, he felt the world before him begin to collapse. The heavy black clouds and bright moonlight in the sky quickly morphed, overlapped, and swirled, forming a massive Taiji symbol.

Bai Fanlu hurriedly looked at Yun Zhan, only to see that he was still obscured by the lightning, his figure indistinguishable, and so was Ling Qingzi below.

The Taiji symbol spun faster and faster, and Bai Fanlu was drawn in by a powerful force. He suddenly saw the vortex at the center of the Taiji, and he was helplessly sucked into it.

“…After the tribulation is successfully passed and the human soul returns, your soul will become unstable. You might lose your memory, or there could be other consequences, possibly even worse, because heavenly tribulations will intervene, and no one can predict what will happen.”

Ling Qingzi’s words still echoed in his ears as Bai Fanlu felt that some changes were occurring within him.

But before he could figure out what these changes were, his consciousness began to rapidly fade.

In a daze, a dark shadow appeared before him.

Bai Fanlu frowned.

That shadow was shrouded in black mist, its scarlet eyes curved slightly at him, smiling wickedly and eerily…

“Senior Brother!”

When Yun Zhan woke up startled on the floating jade bed, he found someone lying beside him.

This person resembled Bai Fanlu but was clearly not him.

It felt like he had just awoken from an endlessly long dream. Yun Zhan stared blankly for a moment before exclaiming, “Where’s Senior Brother?”

Footsteps were heard at the entrance of the cave, and Yun Zhan quickly looked up to see Ling Qingzi.

“……”

Yun Zhan still remembered how Han Ling was struck by a heavenly tribulation and how his hair turned white overnight, transforming into Ling Qingzi. He also recalled how Han Ling broke up his and Bai Fanlu’s relationship in the chess game, leading to the heavenly tribulation.

However, Ling Qingzi didn’t mention anything about the chess game as he approached Yun Zhan, looking at the person on the floating jade bed.

“This is your uncle, Lu Lingjue. As you can see, he resembles your Senior Brother quite a lot.”

Yun Zhan clearly wasn’t concerned about Lu Lingjue. He asked, “Where did Senior Brother go?”

Ling Qingzi replied, “The Demon Realm.”

“Was it Bai Junming!”

Yun Zhan got up and headed out. During the tribulation, he had sensed something was wrong and later saw Bai Fanlu being taken away by a shadow. It turned out Bai Junming had indeed entered the chess game.

“Yun Zhan.”

Ling Qingzi continued to stare at Lu Lingjue, but suddenly called out to Yun Zhan.

“Don’t you feel any hatred?”

Yun Zhan paused at the cave entrance and responded, “The events in the chess game were my tribulation. Without Master’s help, I wouldn’t have survived.”

The human soul had preserved Bai Fanlu’s memories before the incident, so Yun Zhan knew how Bai Fanlu had begged Ling Qingzi to save him.

“Besides, disciple once heard that the interwoven chess game was derived from the ancient heavenly board, where only opposing black and white sides could enter the game.”

“And the meaning of interweaving… is also because in the end, double tribulations must descend…”

Yun Zhan turned around, “So Master wanted to protect Senior Brother from bearing the second tribulation.”

Ling Qingzi responded indifferently, “Mo’er’s demonic energy is unstable. He couldn’t bear the second tribulation.”

Yun Zhan nodded, “So if I’m not mistaken, the events in the chess game stemmed from inner demons. Since Master was also undergoing the tribulation, it was not something Master could control, and thus… no blame falls on Master.”

These seemingly relieved yet subtly resentful words revealed the little disciple’s usual temperament.

Ling Qingzi said, “The interwoven chess game was created by the ancient Emperor Zhaohe. Few people know about it now, but you seem to know quite a lot.”

“Disciple heard it from Jiu Laoxian.”

Jiu Laoxian was that eccentric immortal by the forge, but Yun Zhan knew the truth in his heart.

“Therefore, disciple does not hate Master, only myself for not being strong enough to protect the one I love.”

Hearing this, Ling Qingzi was visibly shaken.

Yun Zhan looked at his silhouette, “Disciple dares to ask, what tribulation did Master undergo in the chess game?”

After a moment of silence, Ling Qingzi said, “Whatever tribulation you underwent, I underwent the same.”

“……” Yun Zhan couldn’t help but glance at Lu Lingjue on the floating jade bed again; this person really did resemble Bai Fanlu.

“Master, is my uncle…?”

Ling Qingzi answered, “You guessed right; he is indeed your Senior Brother’s biological father.”

Yun Zhan wasn’t surprised, but then Ling Qingzi added, “He died in the battle between immortals and demons five hundred years ago. What remains on the floating jade bed is just a shell.”

Yun Zhan didn’t know the details, but from Ling Qingzi’s tone, he could guess some of it.

Ling Qingzi sighed softly, “Five hundred years ago… your uncle died right before my eyes… He once shielded me from a sword.”

“But this time, it was I who used Mo’er to shield myself from your sword.”

Ling Qingzi shook his head slightly, as if talking to himself.

Yun Zhan had already turned to leave, but Ling Qingzi suddenly asked him, “If the events in the chess game were truly due to inner demons, what would you do?”

Yun Zhan didn’t say much, just responded, “The hatred of losing a loved one is irreconcilable.”

Ling Qingzi chuckled lightly at this, and after Yun Zhan finished speaking, he left Ling Jue Peak and headed straight to the Demon Realm.

Sitting beside the floating jade bed, Ling Qingzi gazed at the person who seemed to be in a deep sleep, his mind recalling the moment he had died before his eyes.

He claimed that Bai Fanlu helped Yun Zhan through the tribulation, but in reality, it was his own tribulation he wanted to pass.

From the beginning of his cultivation, he had chosen the path of detachment, which should have led him to supreme forgetfulness, where nothing could disturb his heart.

Yet when he saw Lu Lingjue die before him, even though there had been countless opportunities before, he had been so obsessed with the path of immortality that he never acted once.

Even now, Ling Qingzi could remember Lu Lingjue’s final gaze.

No resentment, no hatred, just a lingering warmth and brightness, even in his last moments.

For some inexplicable reason, he couldn’t get past this tribulation. Countless attempts to ascend were blocked, and every time his inner demon would present that same scene.

So Ling Qingzi thought, by recreating the past through the interwoven chess game, and witnessing Bai Fanlu’s death, he believed he could finally overcome it, but in the end, he overestimated himself.

Another night of black hair turning white, and at this moment, Ling Qingzi realized that it wasn’t Lu Lingjue’s death he was obsessed with.

He was just unwilling to accept that until the very end, that person still cared for someone else. Seeing Bai Fanlu risk everything to help Yun Zhan while he himself had never mattered to him—this was his true tribulation, his real inner demon.

“Mo’er, in this final desperate move, I have lost after all.”

“Even the position above all others cannot fulfill this wish.”

“If I can’t pass this tribulation, then I shall live through it.”

Ling Qingzi’s fingers brushed across Lu Lingjue’s face. The fine hairs on his thin skin were clearly visible, still vivid and lifelike under the nourishment of the floating jade bed.

His fingers traced down and finally rested on Lu Lingjue’s clasped hands, which held a crimson flower.

“A flower Pudu, how beautiful it is,” Ling Qingzi sighed.

The flower was as red as blood, with a faint cold light, yet it was indeed a stunning beauty beyond description.

Ling Qingzi raised his hand, revealing a sharp ice spike. Without hesitation, he stabbed it into his own chest…

Bai Fanlu entered the Demon Realm, and as Bai Junming led him through the Withered Blossom Pavilion, he looked down at the desolate Demon City, still in a state of confusion.

Until they landed, they arrived at the outer perimeter of the Demon Palace in the center of the Demon City.

Bai Fanlu still hadn’t recalled anything. His memories seemed to have shattered into countless pieces, with fragments of demonic energy awakening, memories of Yun Zhan, and the two of them arguing…

Two guards approached, “Elder, you’ve returned.”

“Hmm.” Bai Junming glanced at Bai Fanlu. He had been paying close attention to him and had long noticed something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

Bai Fanlu clutched his forehead, whispering, “A headache…”

Bai Junming narrowed his eyes and pretended to check Bai Fanlu’s wrist, “Your soul is unstable; what’s going on?”

An unstable soul? Bai Fanlu’s head still throbbed, but those fragments of memory seemed to rapidly reassemble upon hearing the word “soul.” He suddenly remembered that Yun Zhan had been attacked by Bai Junming, losing his soul.

Bai Junming had said he wanted to force him to see Yun Zhan’s true nature and stop being deluded. But he had insisted on saving Yun Zhan, even offering a part of his soul.

Later, he went to the Ghost Realm to retrieve Yun Zhan’s soul, but although Yun Zhan was saved, his own unstable soul exposed his demonic identity.

Yun Zhan not only showed no gratitude but instead severed all ties with him…

“Ugh…” The pain in his head intensified.

Bai Fanlu steadied himself with difficulty and looked up at Bai Junming.

He hadn’t seen Bai Junming many times, and now he only had two memories of him—once when he was found and told of his heritage a hundred years ago, and once when Bai Junming took Yun Zhan’s soul against his will.

This person rarely showed his true face. Now, dressed in black, with only his cold, pale face visible, and those scarlet eyes, despite the fiery color, there was an eerie, sinister chill.

Bai Fanlu looked past Bai Junming at the imposing Demon Palace behind him.

“Uncle, I understand now…” Bai Fanlu said, taking a deep breath. “I was wrong about Yun Zhan. I no longer… want to go back.”

Bai Junming seemed to consider this and said, “It’s better not to return. This is where you truly belong.”

“As for those immortals…” Bai Junming snorted coldly, “Ting Nu.”

“At your service.” Ting Nu emerged from the shadows.

“Escort the young master back to Shui Liu Ju/ Flowing Water Residence to rest.”

“Yes.”

After Bai Fanlu left with Ting Nu, Bai Junming didn’t enter the Demon Palace but instead disappeared. Moments later, he arrived at a rural area outside the Withered Blossom Pavilion, where someone was already waiting for him.

“Heh! I thought it would take more effort to capture him, but it turned out to be so easy.”

The person in green turned around when they heard Bai Junming’s voice, “I told you, when the heavenly tribulation descends, he would give his human soul to Yun Zhan. That would be the best time to strike.”

After a pause, they asked, “He didn’t say anything after arriving in the Demon Realm?”

Bai Junming stood beside the person in green, “That’s the strange part. Bai Mo seems to have disordered memories. For some reason, he believes Yun Zhan is responsible for his current state.”

“Oh?” The person in green remarked, “He lost his human soul and was disturbed by the heavenly tribulation. Isn’t that convenient? Yun Zhan will be here soon.”

Bai Junming toyed with the seed of the Red Lotus Fire in his hand, “I failed last time, but this time I can’t wait.”

The person in green sneered, “You’re quite the heartless uncle. He’s your own nephew.”

But Bai Junming replied, “For the sake of our clan’s resurgence, any sacrifice is worth it. Besides, Bai Mo should have seen through the hypocritical faces of those immortals long ago. I’m just helping him become stronger.”

The person in green clasped their hands behind their back, not offering an opinion.

Bai Junming’s scarlet eyes grew more demonic, as if ignited by the flame in his hand.

“He already hates Yun Zhan. Heaven is on my side. Now we just wait for the right moment…”

From the Demon Palace to Shui Liu Ju wasn’t far, but Bai Fanlu didn’t rush and instead had Ting Nu show him around, wanting to learn more about the Demon Realm upon his return.

The Demon City wasn’t as Bai Fanlu had imagined; it wasn’t much different from towns in the human world. The demon folk also lived similarly, with clothing, food, and shelter.

They didn’t recognize Bai Fanlu, but they were curious about this unfamiliar face, often glancing back at him. However, they all knew Ting Nu, greeting him respectfully as “Captain.”

Ting Nu wanted to explain Bai Fanlu’s identity, but he was stopped.

As they walked, Bai Fanlu noticed that while the Demon City sounded like a huge metropolis, it wasn’t prosperous. Only the area around the Demon Palace was relatively lively, while the outer regions were more like towns.

Moreover, the terrain here wasn’t flat. The buildings were low, and the soil seemed barren. The sky above the Demon City was dark and murky, as if covered by a layer of dust, creating a dim yellow space.

“The Demon Realm wasn’t always like this. When the former king was here, the Demon Realm had four seasons like the human world, with beautiful landscapes,” Ting Nu said.

Bai Fanlu was interested in hearing about the Demon Realm’s past, so he asked Ting Nu to tell him.

It turned out that after the great war between immortals and demons five hundred years ago, the original Demon Realm was destroyed. Bai Junming led the surviving demons to this place, hiding the Demon City behind the barrier of the Withered Blossom Pavilion in the Endless Abyss, one of the forbidden zones of the three realms, preserving it to this day.

But over the past few hundred years, the demons were hunted to near extinction by the immortals, and the key to the balance of the Demon Realm’s spiritual veins, the Qing Yin Key, was taken by the Immortal Realm during the war, causing the Demon Realm to lose its vitality and gradually become the desolate place it is today.

As Bai Fanlu passed through the market, he noticed many demons selling something that looked like deep red crystals.

“Those are Blood Flames,” Ting Nu explained.

Some shops also had signs advertising “Blood Flame Ointment” and “Blood Flame Powder.” The streets were bustling with demons, most of whom would stop by these stalls or shops, and some even bought large quantities of Blood Flames.

Bai Fanlu noticed that these large buyers didn’t look like local demons but rather travelers from afar.

“In addition to the Demon City, our clan has territories in the human world. These travelers come from there.”

“What do they use the Blood Flames for?”

“Master may not know, but since we lost the Qing Yin Key, our clan has relied on Blood Flames for survival.”

Ting Nu approached a stall and bought a small bundle of Blood Flame grass, “Master, please take a look. This is the raw form of Blood Flame threads. They can be refined into Blood Flame ointment or powder, which has a higher purity of spiritual energy.”

This bundle of grass, the size of a palm, had a deep red color that matched its name. Bai Fanlu picked it up, smelled it, and felt a faint trace of celestial energy.

“Are these Blood Flames originally from the Immortal Realm?”

“Yes, but now the Demon City has the conditions to grow them. If it weren’t for the Elder discovering them, it would have been difficult for our clan to survive these past few hundred years.”

Bai Fanlu understood, “With immortals everywhere in the human world, how do you ensure the safety of those travelers coming to the Demon City?”

“Master, there’s another place. Please follow me.”

Ting Nu led the way, and Bai Fanlu had just taken a couple of steps when he suddenly stopped.

Not far away, a child was watching him. When the child noticed he was discovered, he quickly hid behind a wall, peeking out cautiously with half of his face, still timidly looking over.

Following the child’s gaze, Bai Fanlu looked down at the Blood Flame grass in his hand, realizing that’s what the child was looking at.

Bai Fanlu flipped his hand, and the bundle of Blood Flame grass disappeared.

The child behind the wall immediately widened his eyes, disappointment evident in his expression. But the next moment, a purple light appeared before him.

The light flashed, and the Blood Flame grass landed in his open palm.

“…Ah! Mother!”

The child was overjoyed and quickly ran into the alley, but before reaching the door, he remembered he should thank the person. However, when he rushed back, Bai Fanlu was already gone.

Leaving the inhabited area of the Demon City, Bai Fanlu followed Ting Nu to the foot of a mountain. Unlike the desolation he had seen earlier, the mountain ridges here were covered in fields of Blood Flame grass, vibrant as clouds and as beautiful as peach blossoms, stretching endlessly to the horizon.

“Master, we’ve arrived. Please look over there.”

Ting Nu pointed to the east, where Bai Fanlu was surprised to see a long line of travelers, like the ones he had seen buying Blood Flames earlier, lined up at the entrance of a cave.

They were laden with goods, all gathering in front of this stone cave.

The cave entrance was pitch black, but occasionally a white light would flash, and the line would move forward one person.

“This is the Shunkong Wheel of the Withered Blossom Pavilion. Through it, you can reach other Demon Realm territories.”

“I see.”

The barrier of the Withered Blossom Pavilion was also created by Bai Junming. It seemed he had indeed done a lot during his centuries of ruling the Demon Realm.

But Bai Fanlu was still puzzled, “I haven’t been in the Demon Realm for a long time. How can my uncle trust you to tell me all this?”

Ting Nu replied, “Master is the future lord of the Demon Realm. You should know these things.”

Arriving at Shui Liu Ju, Bai Fanlu first noticed the elegant calligraphy of the nameplate above the entrance. The characters for “Shui Liu Ju” were delicate yet bold, evoking the imagery of flowing water.

“This was written by the former king.”

Bai Fanlu entered Shui Liu Ju. The residence was small but meticulously arranged, even with lush green willows growing in the courtyard, a rarity in the current Demon Realm.

“The former king lived in Shui Liu Ju. This place was rebuilt by the Elder according to its original layout and furnishings.”

Bai Fanlu noticed a portrait hanging on the right wall inside.

The painting depicted a seated woman in a light purple dress, her features as delicate as a lotus flower, yet there was a fierce spirit in the purple mark between her brows, blending the contrasting qualities of beauty and strength, much like the three characters of Shui Liu Ju.

“Is this… my mother?”