The player didn’t speak.
The player thought to herself—this Demon Lord had excellent self-awareness.
Li Yin still felt a bit guilty. She didn’t want to expose her supplementation ability, so she naturally stayed silent.
High above, Li Chengfeng’s expression grew even colder.
A wave of pressure instantly swept out from around him, majestic like a toppling mountain. Li Yin suddenly felt her body grow heavy.
A demon at the Tribulation Transcendence Realm—his pressure wasn’t something a minor cultivator could endure. She staggered back a step, gasping for breath, nearly kneeling on the ground.
Right at that moment, the toes of the sword cultivator youth beside her shifted.
This matter clearly had nothing to do with him. He hadn’t fled, but instead released his own aura to counter it, slightly easing the demon’s impact.
Li Yin steadied her footing. Before she could offer thanks, the Demon Lord let out a cold sneer.
“A mere Soul Formation cultivator, trying to play the hero saving the beauty?” Li Chengfeng’s expression turned sinister as he stared at the pair on the ground.
The sword cultivator youth stood tall and straight, shielding the girl at his side. There was no trace of fear in his eyes as he met Li Chengfeng’s gaze.
The moment their eyes locked, the demon struck. A fierce wind tore through the air, instantly aiming for the youth’s face.
But a white rainbow flashed, severing the wind’s momentum. The youth drew his sword boldly, blocking the attack.
His sword trembled and buzzed incessantly. His own qi and blood churned violently, and blood immediately overflowed from the corner of his mouth.
The events unfolded too suddenly. With her low cultivation, the player only sensed a blast of fierce wind rushing at her face, followed by a blinding flash and a piercing sound.
Li Yin turned to look. The innocent passerby’s face had gone pale, a glaring spot of crimson at his mouth. She hurriedly supported him.
Her arms were still cradling the injured little peacock, so she let the youth lean against her.
“You’re at Tribulation Transcendence Realm, yet you keep launching sneak attacks.” Li Yin looked up and glared at the Demon Lord, muttering under her breath, “Despicable.”
“What? Do I need to announce my moves first?” Li Chengfeng replied coldly. He raised his hand for another strike, but the wind blade landed harmlessly near the girl’s feet.
“Shut up.”
Stones splashed up at her feet. Li Yin jumped in shock, but then her mind stirred.
This guy’s attacks had missed twice now. Once might be coincidence, but twice…
His attitude felt strange—almost ambiguous. Li Yin suppressed her impulse to use an item right then and pulled out a Returning Spring Pill to feed the innocent passerby.
But the youth grabbed her wrist. His eyes were clear, sincere, and utterly honest. “Fellow Daoist, I can’t beat him.”
Was this Hidden Sword Mountain disciple a bit too straightforward?
The instant their eyes met, Li Yin felt a strange illusion—
As if she had just proposed supplementation, this gentle, naive sword cultivator youth might not have refused her.
Separated by an entire major realm, he’d not only blocked one strike but even seemed to fantasize about fighting back.
Li Chengfeng’s eyes narrowed. He finally took a proper look at the sword cultivator youth and recognized something. “The chief disciple of Hidden Sword Mountain?”
The youth wiped the blood from his mouth. “Ying Zhuochen, greetings to Senior.”
His skin was fair, and the blood smeared away like rouge on porcelain.
Seeing the youth’s gaze—neither humble nor arrogant—Li Chengfeng sneered. “How polite of you.”
Chief disciple—in other words, an elite of the Dao Sect. Since he’d come to the Cultivation World, he might as well kill if he could.
Killing intent surged. Several wind vortices materialized around Li Chengfeng, wind blades swirling within.
The razor-sharp air currents churned, slicing painfully at exposed skin.
It looked like the prelude to an attack. Li Yin watched him warily. A wind vortex also gathered in the man’s palm, his black hair whipping wildly as his robes snapped in the gale.
She held her breath. Then the Demon Lord spoke, his icy voice cutting through the wind. “If you don’t want to die with this man, stay away from him.”
The veiled warning made Li Yin’s expression turn subtle. At the same time, a transmission suddenly entered her mind.
【My sword flight isn’t slow. Please point the way, Fellow Daoist.】
The clear voice rang abruptly in her head. Right after, the injured youth beside her reached out, scooping her up by the waist.
Li Yin heard him murmur, “Forgive the offense.”
With a sharp clang of sword cry, the youth carried her onto the blade. They soared away on sword light, fleeing decisively and swiftly.
The Demon Lord’s face darkened. He rolled up wind blades in pursuit. Two streaks of light streaked one after the other, tails elongating behind them.
Wind spirits excelled in speed. Every attack from that Demon Lord involved wind vortices—he likely had a variant wind spirit root.
To Li Yin’s surprise, the youth beside her matched him without falling behind. His sword flight rivaled a high-rank wind spirit cultivator’s, keeping pace at a safe distance.
She couldn’t help asking, “How are you this fast?”
Ying Zhuochen replied, “To my shame, I possess an innate sword heart. I can’t match him in battle, but escape is still within my power.”
A wind blade from behind sliced through the air toward them. Li Yin decisively activated a cheat prop, too pressed to examine the details.
【Directed Random used successfully】
【You choose to escape safely back to the Cultivation World alongside this “innocent passerby” from the demonic cultivator. Despite the vast cultivation gap, your luck holds—the probability of dodging all attacks is 100%.】
【Guaranteed success】
【But the cultivation disparity is too great; you’re not out of danger yet. Your luck protects only you…】
【3 minutes.】
The prop took effect. One wind blade after another missed entirely.
Suspicious, Li Chengfeng frowned.
Treasures in the Cultivation World came in all shapes and varieties. It was probably just her—or the Hidden Sword Mountain chief disciple—carrying some protective item. Nothing unusual.
Li Yin’s gaze flicked past the youth’s shoulder, fixed tensely on the demonic cultivator closing in from behind.
One hand clutched the little peacock tightly, the other gripped the youth’s collar. Seconds ticked by until they plunged through the hanging light screen at the border. The rebound made her head spin and vision blur.
Her cultivation was still too low to endure it.
Li Yin shook her head, refocusing. Vaguely, she spotted clouds drifting from the high sky, arriving overhead in a blink.
Atop the clouds stood a figure in azure-blue robes.
The figure looked familiar. Li Yin peered closer—and excitement surged through her.
It was her Dao Sect Master, Yao Guanheng.
Yao Guanheng had finally located his disciple. He gazed down at the chase below, then lightly stroked the clouds beside him with his fair hand.
The pristine white clouds crumbled at his touch, plummeting from the heavens like crashing snow waves or a celestial waterfall. Bearing the caster, they smashed to the ground in a misty spray, blocking the demonic cultivator’s path.
“Master!” Li Yin craned her neck and shouted.
Perfect—it was Master.
As her call echoed, the two men came face-to-face.
Coincidentally, both wore blue, but their auras and styles differed starkly.
The Dao Sect Elder emerged from the mist, his magic robe a soft azure, wide sleeves drifting elegantly. Silver patterns flickered occasionally, kissed by moisture for a fresh, dewy luster.
The Demon Domain man wore deeper blue, lightening faintly at the hem into a semblance of lightness, accented by red tassels and blood jade ornaments that only amplified his wild ferocity.
The moment they met, the air froze. They clashed instantly—winds and clouds roiled, scouring the skies clean.
Li Chengfeng had recently clashed with a Demon Race powerhouse and carried injuries, his aura unsteady.
He swallowed the metallic tang in his throat, expression unchanged, and cast a deep glance at the cheering girl.
With her Master here, Li Yin felt no fear. She glared right back.
The grim-faced Demon Lord fixed on her features before his figure faded into a rift and vanished.
Though the demonic cultivator retreated for now, he wasn’t done. He left a parting gift.
Yao Guanheng took an invisible wind blade to the face—too close to dodge fully. Blood beads splattered from the corner of his eye.
Li Yin wriggled free from the sword cultivator youth’s arms and rushed forward. “Master, you’re hurt?!”
She dug out more pills and offered the useful ones eagerly. Yao Guanheng shook his head. “It’s nothing. Let’s return first.”
Fearing the demonic cultivator’s return, he summoned an Azure Luan. Only back within Myriad Beasts Sect bounds did his fingertip brush the bloody wound, settling into breath adjustment.
Worried for her Master’s injury, Li Yin stayed glued to his side. In brief words, she recounted the ordeal—the demonic cultivators’ schemes and the little peacock’s origins.
Yao Guanheng patted her hand gently in reassurance. His gaze silently swept the peacock in her arms, then shifted to the fellow passenger, the sword cultivator disciple.
The directionless sword cultivator youth sat primly, knees together, hands folded neatly on his lap.
His eyes stared blankly, the picture of bewilderment. Silent now, and clearly no Myriad Beasts Sect disciple, yet he’d followed the master-disciple pair home.
Yao Guanheng spoke. “And this young friend is?”
Li Yin jolted. “A kind stranger from the road. Thanks to him, I escaped that demon.”
Half-truths—she glossed over supplementing the demon.
“I see.” Yao Guanheng smiled lightly. “Many thanks for aiding my disciple. Please accept these gifts in gratitude.”
He offered several spiritual treasures.
Ying Zhuochen finally stirred, cupping his hands in refusal. “Senior is too kind. It was only right.”
The gifts hovered before him. The sword cultivator youth left them there, his dark eyes fixed on the girl beside the blue-robed elder. He stared silently.
Li Yin’s heart raced under that gaze. She worried this passerby might connect the dots from the Demon Lord’s words and suspect her.
But the youth’s face grew solemn. He spoke abruptly. “That Demon Lord is no suitable match. Please consider carefully, Fellow Daoist.”
The player: “……”
What on earth had he imagined!
Li Yin: “Mm.”
Li Yin: “Indeed.”
Li Yin: “You’re right.”
“I’ll show you the way back to Hidden Sword Mountain. Don’t get lost again.”
Master’s inquiring gaze turned her way. To stop more from the youth, Li Yin seized his hand and hustled him off. “Thanks to you this time. I’ll visit properly to thank you someday.”
The youth’s hand bore calluses; his rough fingertip scraped hers.
His still dark eyes mirrored her face. He nodded gravely. “Good.” As if sealing a pact.
Li Yin gave directions, nagging him repeatedly not to lose his way, and politely saw him off.
Only after departing did Ying Zhuochen recall something crucial.
He’d forgotten to ask her name…
And when exactly she’d visit.
The youth tilted his head to the empty sky. The Azure Luan was long gone.
A lonely wind blew, scattering thin clouds.
The Azure Luan’s wings churned the mists, bearing the pair aloft.
Li Yin sifted through her tale, sharing the rest with her Master.
The little peacock huddled in her arms, slender neck draped over her elbow. His azure-green eyes gleamed, darting glances at the gentle, handsome elder beside the girl.
His vibrant peacock tail draped over her knees. It quivered silently, unfurling just a touch—like a display or a proclamation.
Yao Guanheng’s gaze skimmed the azure-green peacock’s subtle spread, light as a dragonfly on water.
In his mild, unhurried tone, he said, “The slave contract can be purged. Wait until his wounds heal… Once removed, send him back to the Demon Race.”
He comforted his disciple tenderly. “I’ll report this to the sect. No need to worry—the sect master and elders discern right from wrong. Master… will stand with you.”
Hearing this eased Li Yin’s heart. But the creature in her arms stirred. She looked down: the little peacock’s eyes brimmed with grievance.
Oh right—couldn’t send him back to the Demon Race.
Li Yin caught on. “Master, I want to keep him.”
Yao Guanheng met her pleading gaze with a warm smile. “The Demon Race will demand him back. He can’t stay long.”
Li Yin stroked the peacock’s lovely feathers, mulling that she’d at least wait till he healed—and supplement him beforehand.
She conceded. “Where can we house him for now? My room?”
Yao Guanheng’s smile held steady. “Illuminating Water Peak has a few mountain pavilions left. Activate the defensive array—he can choose a quiet spot to recover.”
The small building wasn’t solely hers; Master’s word was final.
Li Yin nodded. The little peacock promptly pecked her finger—the force just right to convey displeasure.
He refused transmission. Li Yin prodded. “What’s wrong?”
【Hmph.】
【Anyway… I’m not going back. Don’t you dare chase me off. You contracted me—you’re responsible. Otherwise, what kind of beast-taming is that?】
The Feather Clan Young Master sulked, tone petulant: 【And I won’t stay in some crappy outside shack! Give me your room.】
He said that, but Li Yin had no intention of indulging him: 【I’m not chasing you away for now. It’ll be the same once the defensive formation activates. Rest up properly, and I’ll come visit you.】
She whispered privately with the Little Peacock. Unhappy, he suddenly perked up and pecked her chin with his sharp beak.
The young woman didn’t spoil him either. She pinched his pointed little beak with her fingertips while pointing at the indignant Little Peacock with her other hand, seemingly lecturing him via voice transmission.
Yao Guanheng suddenly broke the silence, saying warmly, “Anyway, it’s good that nothing happened.”
A smile graced his face as he subtly interrupted the interaction between his little disciple and the Feather Clan Young Lord.
When his disciple looked up at him, the gentle and handsome master abruptly lost his composure. As if stung by pain, he tightly shut his eyes and frowned while pressing the scar at the corner of his eye.
“Master?” Seeing something off with his injury, Li Yin anxiously set down the peacock in her arms and stepped forward to support him. “I’ll go find a medical cultivator.”
Before she could finish speaking, her master grasped her hand. His voice remained as clear and gentle as ever as he comforted her, “It’s nothing. I’ve just been tainted with a bit of demonic qi. Don’t worry—I’ll resolve it over this period.”
“However…” He paused slightly before saying softly, “I might not be able to see clearly.”
At those words, Li Yin instinctively drew closer to support him and check his eyes.
His ink-jade eyes, clear and limpid, reflected her anxious face, yet they wandered vacantly without finding a focal point. It seemed he had truly lost his focus.
His body tilted slightly, and in that moment, the distance between master and disciple vanished. Abruptly, he leaned into his little disciple’s embrace.
His long sleeves, brimming with the scent of tea, quietly brushed against her collar.
Li Yin’s heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, Master seemed to have really gone blind.