The former master’s cave abode posed no obstacle to the player, and Li Yin slipped away before anyone else arrived.
By the time she returned to her current master’s side, the bad news of “demonic cultivator traces discovered” and “area lockdown for investigation” followed right on her heels. The player was greatly shocked. She had just supplemented with her old flame and felt refreshed and clear-headed, but now she could no longer smile so easily.
Would the gentle and soft-hearted Elder Fu expose his little disciple?
Upon further inquiry, she learned that was not the case. The one who had discovered the demonic qi was another former master.
While the player was at a loss for words, the direction of the rumors shifted once more—
Elder Fu had been supplemented, and his purity was no more.
It had unintentionally hit upon the truth, and she had no idea who had seen through it. After her shock, Li Yin felt endless guilt. Fortunately, her current master was there to cover for her.
Using the excuse of being frightened, she temporarily stayed by her master’s side. Yet in her heart, she couldn’t stop wondering.
Who was it?
To so coincidentally speak the truth!
The little demon cultivator knew full well that the supplementation was real, and the loss of purity was also real. But for a highly respected Dao Sect elder, such speculation truly counted as slander and insult.
She had no way of knowing that the source of these speculations still traced back to a certain sharp-tongued valley master.
Discovering traces of a demonic cultivator was no small matter, especially since it had been found in Elder Fu’s cave abode. After all, when the Pill Cauldron Sect Leader went to visit, he hadn’t hidden it from others—one guess was all it took.
Valley Master Ci Yuan had been traveling alongside the Pill Cauldron Sect Leader at the time, so naturally, someone came to him for information.
“Valley Master Ci Yuan, I heard that demonic qi was discovered in Elder Fu’s cave abode. Doesn’t that mean even Elder Fu himself failed to detect it? Could the intruder have been a Demon Lord?” an elder from another sect asked.
In the face of the other’s anxious inquiry, Ci Yuan remained expressionless and merely glanced at him. “From that strand of demonic qi we detected at the time, the aura was weak. It wasn’t anything impressive.”
He had handed that captured strand of demonic qi over to the Pill Cauldron Sect.
The inquirer was puzzled upon hearing this. “If it was just a little demon cultivator, how could they have the ability to sneak into Elder Fu’s cave abode?”
Ci Yuan sneered coldly. “What ability?”
The shade from the trees lining the path cast a patch of shadow over his excessively pale face, revealing a hint of gloomy chill.
But in an instant, that chill receded. He lowered his gaze to the flowers lining the road. “Demonic cultivators have all sorts of methods. Who knows what trick they used.”
A field of yellow peonies bloomed on the ground, and he hooked up one corner of his mouth. “Hmph. When I arrived, Elder Fu opened the door to greet his guests, looking rather disheveled with his clothes in disarray and his aura somewhat unstable…”
He turned his gaze to admire the flowers, as if speaking carelessly, but the listener took it to heart.
Disheveled clothes and an unstable aura—it was hard not to let the imagination run wild, especially since demonic cultivators truly had methods of all kinds.
“Ah, this, this…” The listener was momentarily speechless, not daring to think too deeply.
Valley Master Ci Yuan shot him a sidelong glance, speaking nonchalantly. “What are you thinking? It might have been a furnace explosion, or perhaps some talismans got ruined…”
“Or maybe the demonic cultivator tampered with Elder Fu’s spiritual materials, allowing some demonic qi to slip in. Don’t you think?”
He lifted the corner of his mouth deliberately as he asked, his purple eyes cold and condensed, hiding a trace of malice. His pale white fingers landed on a flower at his side.
Yellow peonies—truly beautiful.
The listener paid no attention to his actions and merely agreed. When it came to the face of a great cultivator, they at least couldn’t discuss it too bluntly in public.
After the listener got the information and found an excuse to thank him and leave, Ci Yuan ignored him. His fingers pinched a petal.
It was all because the yellow peonies were too beautiful.
Although that person had died long ago, and someone here was surely playing tricks, but…
If that person were still alive, they would surely take a fancy to Elder Fu’s face.
His pale fingers suddenly exerted force, directly snapping off a peony petal.
In the shadows, his excessively pale fingers carried an especially piercing chill. The poison overflowing from his fingertips seemed to harbor some deep-seated grudge, poisoning a delicate yellow peony until it, along with its stem and leaves, turned into a puddle of muck.
He stood in the shadows, coldly watching the beautiful flower wither.
A thick, heavy shadow fell, deepening the purple tones around the man, while the layers of silver ornaments reflected sharp glints of cold light.
Madam—his madam, his madam who had died many years ago—had a fondness for beautiful men.
Beautiful ones, gentle ones, kind ones…
Looking at the rotted yellow peony on the ground, Ci Yuan suddenly let out a cold laugh.
And pure ones.
Now it was good. With this man tainted by a demonic cultivator and his purity lost, could she still look upon him?
She might as well stay dead forever.
The figure suddenly transformed into purple butterflies, scattering in all directions.
To find the one playing these tricks.
He truly hadn’t revealed to others that Elder Fu had deviated in his cultivation. He had merely selectively said some ambiguous words.
Moreover, if others had let their thoughts wander astray, what did that have to do with him?
That was how the rumors arose. By the time the Pill Cauldron Sect’s higher-ups learned of it, they were indeed surprised. But the secret of “Elder Fu’s cultivation mishap” was preserved, as for his purity and reputation…
The Pill Cauldron Sect Leader Chen had specially asked Elder Fu’s opinion.
Fu Songjin was silent for a moment before saying, “No matter. Let it be.”
He had no intention of clarifying and directly acquiesced to the rumors outside. But because he was always gentle by nature, Sect Leader Chen didn’t think much of it and assumed he simply didn’t want to bother—after all, such things could grow worse with more explanation.
Little did the Pill Cauldron Sect Leader know that the rumors were true, and Fu Songjin’s refusal to clarify was all part of his own plans.
Fu Songjin picked up the flower that had fallen to the ground and carefully placed it down, stroking it again and again, looking at it over and over.
This was a gift from his little disciple.
But he couldn’t go to her for now. The moment he moved, others might see it as suspicion toward someone.
Aside from that strand of demonic qi discovered by the Medical Poison Valley Lord, he had meticulously cleared away all other traces.
The only one who could ignore his restrictions and enter or leave freely was his little disciple.
His little disciple had returned, but it seemed her identity had changed.
If everything he had experienced before wasn’t a dream, then his little disciple was now likely someone from the Demon Domain…
And it seemed she cultivated the Joyous Union Dao, with the Supplementation Technique.
Thinking that he might have been supplemented by his little disciple, he pursed his lips, a faint blush appearing on his face.
Had he been angered by his little disciple’s insubordination from below?
Of course not.
Fu Songjin’s eyelashes trembled lightly as he continued stroking the peony petals.
Demonic cultivators of the Joyous Union Dao needed supplementation to advance. She needed her master now.
For a master to help his disciple cultivate… that was only natural.
With that thought, his expression suddenly grew dazed for a moment—
She hadn’t recognized him earlier.
If it was reincarnation, why had she still called him master? Did she remember their past life? Why hadn’t she recognized him at their first meeting? Was everything just now a dream? Or was this all a scheme from the Demon Domain…
A torrent of stray thoughts surged up, and just as his heart demon was about to speak, he immediately steadied his mind, suppressing the chaotic ideas.
Her failure to recognize him at first meeting might mean she was unwilling to acknowledge him as her master.
That made sense, but Fu Songjin’s face paled somewhat, on the verge of tears.
He couldn’t repeat past mistakes now. Even if she had become a demonic cultivator, she was still his little disciple.
As for why he acquiesced to the rumors outside, he had his own plans—
Did her new master, that elder from Myriad Beasts Sect, know she was a demonic cultivator?
If he knew, then with the news spreading now, that Myriad Beasts Sect elder would learn that his little disciple had made a move on someone else.
She had shared an intimate bond with this other person. Even if he had luckily claimed the title of master, so what? She had come to him proactively for supplementation.
He deliberately wanted her current master to know.
Fu Songjin pressed a hand to his chest, forcing down the self-perceived base feelings.
Then, he considered another possibility—
What if that Myriad Beasts Sect elder didn’t know?
What if his little disciple’s identity was exposed…
Would her new master disappoint her, or even take action to clean house? Turn blades against her?
In that case, his poor little disciple would surely be hurt, surely heartbroken.
Heart Sound quietly arose.
【At that time, you can properly comfort her and take care of her.】
【She’s just a little demon cultivator, young and with low cultivation. It’s too dangerous here. If others discover her, something will happen.】
【The Demon Domain is no safe place either. What if something happens to her, a little demon cultivator? Why not take the chance to keep her by your side? Staying with you is the safest.】
The heart demon urged.
【There are many ways to make someone disappear. Right now, demonic cultivators are stirring trouble, but others don’t know her identity. Just cast a spell to bring her back. To outsiders, she’ll be a little cultivator who suddenly vanished—blame it all on those nonexistent demonic cultivators. No one will suspect you. Then, she’ll be yours…】
【She’ll be your little disciple alone.】
Heart Sound said faintly.
“My little disciple…” In the quiet chamber, the man murmured softly, black qi seeming to surge in his ink-black eyes.
A hundred li away, the game panel suddenly flickered.
Li Yin was dazzled for a moment. When she recovered, she summoned the panel again but saw no new prompts.
She brushed off such baffling matters and had no idea that in the quiet chamber, Elder Fu had nearly been swayed by his heart demon.
He uttered “No” and swallowed a pill to sever those dangerous thoughts.
–
That strand of demonic qi obtained by chance was taken by the Pill Cauldron Sect and placed into a magic artifact, but no new clues had emerged yet.
During the investigation of personnel, some elders and disciples had clear identities and couldn’t possibly be demonic cultivators—for example, the Azure Profound Chief Disciple.
Even so, Ji Lingyao still smiled and stepped forward proactively, allowing them to investigate him.
“Ji Little Dao Lord.” The disciple in charge had heard of his reputation and greeted him, thinking it was just a formality.
The disciple in charge didn’t notice that when the magic artifact containing that strand of demonic qi brushed past Ji Little Dao Lord, the gray-eyed youth’s smile deepened instantly.
As expected.
The slave mark on his abdomen faintly heated up. He pressed his tongue against his teeth, his smile brimming with delight.
He knew full well but didn’t expose it. After greeting his fellow sect disciples, Ji Lingyao turned to go see an old acquaintance—
He wondered if the other person working with him knew that the Young Lord was here.
Visits between sects were common. If they were acquainted, dropping by upon meeting outside was perfectly normal.
The courtyard door was suddenly knocked on. Yao Guanheng, having sensed something, looked toward the little disciple in his arms. “Someone’s here.”
Li Yin was lying in her master’s embrace, flipping through a book on the Cultivation World while occasionally asking her master questions in a desultory manner. Upon hearing this, her laziness vanished, and she immediately sat up, her expression tense.
【Have they traced it here?】
Was her game about to end?
“Probably not.” Yao Guanheng judged softly. Then, his expression suddenly turned peculiar, as if he had received a transmission.
Amid Li Yin’s tension, she saw her master pause abruptly. Then, her beautiful master suddenly smiled gently and helped her stand.
【Young Lord, it’s best if you avoid for now.】
Her master’s smile was a bit odd, but Li Yin didn’t think much of it.
She glanced around and ducked behind the nearby screen. She didn’t notice that her master’s raised hand had intended to stop her, as if he didn’t want her to stay here.
The skill she had obtained from the Seven Star Sword Flower was Breath Concealment. Once activated, she could hide her aura.
Unless she encountered someone with exceptionally high cultivation, extraordinary sensitivity, or a special treasure, no one could easily detect her.
Unsure who the visitor was or their purpose—and with props still in hand—it was better to stay here and adapt to the situation than to flee outside.
Yao Guanheng pursed his lips. Helplessly, the Young Lord had already hidden away, waiting for him to invite the guest in.
Li Yin waited behind the screen. After a moment of silence outside, she heard the door open, followed by someone’s footsteps.
Finally, a familiar voice rang out.
“An elder’s residence is spacious enough—plenty of room for one more person.”
The youth’s voice was clear and smiling. She had heard it many times and wouldn’t mistake it.
It was the Azure Profound Chief Disciple who kept probing her—Ji Lingyao.
Li Yin instantly straightened up, not daring to breathe.
This guy couldn’t have rushed over the moment he heard about the demonic cultivator traces to probe her, could he?
What kind of disciple had Shen Ting’an taught?
As she questioned her former master’s teaching methods, Ji Lingyao’s voice came from beyond the screen, laced with a half-smile.
He spoke with hidden meaning, but Yao Guanheng didn’t take the bait. “Have you truly thought it through?”
He suddenly asked a question. Li Yin, eavesdropping, only caught fragments without context and didn’t quite understand. Her tension eased once more.
She knew Elder Yaoguang and Ji Little Dao Lord were well-acquainted, but what were these two talking about right now?
Cultivators could use voice transmission to prevent eavesdropping. A bit bored, she propped her cheek on her hand and figured any important matters would be discussed that way. She probably wouldn’t hear anything useful.
Unexpectedly, Ji Little Dao Lord seemed in high spirits and spoke frankly. “Of course. I’ve said it before—I won’t serve that damned young lord…”
Li Yin: “……?”
Young lord…
Was there another young lord here?
The “damned young lord” behind the screen froze in place.
Ji Lingyao continued, “She’s right here now, isn’t she? The demonic cultivator that Pill Cauldron Sect is hunting is none other than Jade Ecstasy Palace’s young lord. What a coincidence.”
His gray eyes curved slightly as he smiled. “Since you’re willing to be her cauldron, if I withdraw now, wouldn’t that be perfect? It would let you enjoy that young lord’s exclusive favor all to yourself.”
Yao Guanheng lowered his head for a sip of tea before replying, “I do indeed need to thank you properly for making this possible between me and the young lord.”
He set down his cup, his smile gentle and warm, every word seeming utterly sincere.
Ji Lingyao suddenly found his smile rather grating.
“Sorry, I forgot.” The gray-eyed youth flashed a brilliant smile. “That young lord recently supplemented with Pill Cauldron Sect’s Elder Fu. Exclusive favor is probably off the table now.”
Yao Guanheng acted as if he hadn’t heard, his voice still gentle. “I’ll convey your conditions to the young lord truthfully.”
Ji Lingyao stared at his smile, his intuition telling him it was still grating.
Come to think of it, he was clearly a Dao Sect elder, but at this point, it looked like he’d long abandoned his status and rolled together with that Jade Ecstasy Palace young lord.
But what did that have to do with him?
He would soon regain his freedom, pure and innocent. Only then could he properly seek out his beloved.
Ji Lingyao tugged at the corner of his mouth. “Then thank you, Elder Yaoguang.”
Yao Guanheng’s smile didn’t change as he saw his guest out.
Once the man had left, there was a long silence from behind the screen.
Yao Guanheng withdrew his smile and walked over slowly. He saw the young master hugging her knees on the ground, staring blankly as if badly startled.
“Young lord.” For the moment, he forgot to use voice transmission and called out directly.
Li Yin snapped back to herself. “Ji Lingyao, Ji Little Dao Lord—he’s the other inside agent?”
Wasn’t the other inside agent supposed to be dead?
She realized something and looked toward her master, who was emanating tea fragrance from head to toe.
“Master?” Li Yin enunciated carefully, gazing into her master’s eyes and meeting his stare.
Yao Guanheng lowered his gaze, avoiding her eyes. He turned his face away but exposed his reddened ear roots.
Knowing he was in the wrong, he softened his posture. He slowly half-knelt down until he was at the same height as the knee-hugging young master, then reached out to embrace her. Rubbing cheeks intimately, he whispered softly, “It was Master who made a mistake.”
“Just a mistake?” The girl in his arms pressed further.
Her master’s lashes fluttered, pleadingly. His lips brushed her temple.
“It was Master’s fault.” He admitted it softly, owning up to those unsightly thoughts of excluding and sidelining others.
Li Yin sniffed the tea fragrance on her master.
The aroma was rich and inviting—truly fine tea.
She let it slide this time. “What conditions does Ji Little Dao Lord want you to convey?”
“Pill Cauldron Sect has sealed its gates for now. His meaning is that he hopes the young lord will help him remove his slave mark. Otherwise, he’ll cooperate with Pill Cauldron Sect’s investigation and hand over your whereabouts.”
After relaying the message, her beautiful master asked gently, “Young lord, what do you think?”
At some point, the young lord’s hand had come to rest on his chest, fiddling with his collar as she sniffed the tea scent.
Li Yin pondered for a moment before saying, “Since that’s what he wants, then go ahead and remove it.”
Better to avoid his constant probing.