Chapter 484 – My Master Is Not Human – Please Stop Showing Off Your Affection (30)

Before Sect Master Siyuan and the others could come up with a perfect strategy, Wang Cheng—now in possession of the True Dragon Aura—could no longer restrain himself and finally made his move.

With the True Dragon Aura in his hands, he believed the world already belonged to him.

The demonic cultivators who had pledged allegiance to Wang Cheng gathered their forces. This was no longer a series of small skirmishes.

This time, they launched an all-out assault on the righteous cultivators.

They killed anyone they encountered without mercy.

There was no longer any need to recruit more followers. Their ranks had already grown large enough. Besides, the righteous cultivators were nothing special—fragile, easily crushed with a single blow.

When the demonic army attacked the Dianxing Sect, Daoist Jiayi was inside, spending time with his long-lost daughter and making up for the years they had missed together.

The room was filled with warmth and laughter.

Outside, however, the sounds of slaughter echoed through the sect.

“Ahhh!”

“Sect Master, it’s an emergency! The demonic cultivators have broken through!”

“Run!”

“Senior Brother…”

The frantic cries came one after another.

Daoist Jiayi shot to his feet and glared at the demonic cultivators who had stormed inside.

“How dare you barge in here!”

The leading demonic cultivator sneered.

“Oh? I wondered who it was. Just a man who’s about to die. Since you’re at death’s door anyway, I’ll let you shout a few more times if you like.”

Daoist Jiayi’s expression immediately darkened.

He had cooperated with Wang Cheng. In exchange for finding Zhenzhen, he had planted spies in the sects allied with the Le’an Immortal Sect.

Now that everything had unfolded according to Wang Cheng’s wishes, was he planning to cross the river and destroy the bridge behind him?

“Father…”

Standing behind Daoist Jiayi, Zhenzhen clutched his arm anxiously, her voice filled with apparent worry.

“Don’t be afraid, Zhenzhen,” Daoist Jiayi said reassuringly, patting her hand. “As long as your father is here, none of them will lay a finger on you.”

Behind his back, where he could not see, there wasn’t a trace of fear on Zhenzhen’s face.

Instead, a cold light gleamed in her eyes.

“I knew from the very beginning that demonic cultivators couldn’t be trusted,” Daoist Jiayi said with a cold laugh. “Do you really think Wang Cheng can accomplish his grand plan without me?”

Daoist Jiayi had never been a simple man. Otherwise, he could never have so successfully helped the demonic cultivators infiltrate the righteous sects.

He summoned his natal magic treasure.

Silver light flashed through the room like dancing shadows, dazzling the eye.

The gap of a single cultivation realm was like the distance between heaven and earth.

Aside from a select few, every demonic cultivator present was slain by Daoist Jiayi.

The leader of the demonic cultivators spat out a mouthful of blood.

Supporting himself with one hand on his sword, he dropped to one knee.

“You… Lord Wang… won’t let you get away with this…”

Daoist Jiayi let out a scornful laugh.

“Wang Cheng? Then call him here. Don’t think he’s the only one capable of turning on his allies. Did you really think I wouldn’t prepare a contingency plan of my own?”

Facing a man who was about to die, Daoist Jiayi was patient enough to indulge him with a few extra words.

Yet before he could reveal what his so-called contingency plan was…

A sharp pain suddenly shot through his side.

A cold blade pierced his body.

Daoist Jiayi turned around in disbelief.

The person who had stabbed him was none other than…

his most beloved daughter.

“Why?” he demanded, pulling the dagger from his body. His eyes were bloodshot as he stared at Zhenzhen. “Wasn’t I good enough to you?”

Zhenzhen remained expressionless and offered no reply.

Coldly, she drew another dagger from her robes…

and stabbed him a second time.

“You… you’re not my daughter.”

Only then did Daoist Jiayi notice the aura of death in Zhenzhen’s eyes. No living person should possess such lifelessness.

Unfortunately, he realized it far too late.

Zhenzhen said calmly, “You’re very clever… but you’ve realized it too late.”

She drove the dagger in even deeper.

Bright red blood spread across the floor.

Daoist Jiayi tried to fight back, but he found that he couldn’t muster even the slightest strength. Nor could he circulate his spiritual qi.

The spiritual energy within his body was rapidly draining away.

Through his fading vision, he watched as Zhenzhen took the Keystone that symbolized the authority of the Dianxing Sect from his person.

His eyesight gradually blurred.

The leader of the demonic cultivators struggled to his feet and spat on Daoist Jiayi.

“So? How does it feel to be betrayed and wounded by someone you love most?”

He wasn’t actually interested in hearing an answer.

Looking at the dying old man, he found the scene utterly boring. Shaking his head, he turned and hurried after Zhenzhen.

The woman was indeed Zhenzhen…

but not the original Zhenzhen.

When she had fallen from the cliff, she had still been clinging to life. Wang Cheng had then used a soul-transference technique to exchange her soul with that of a female demonic cultivator whose body was already on the verge of death.

The real Zhenzhen now inhabited the frail body of an elderly woman.

Rushing back as quickly as that broken body allowed, she finally returned to the Dianxing Sect just before Daoist Jiayi drew his last breath.

“Father! Father!”

The old woman staggered forward.

Though she desperately wanted to reach her father as quickly as possible, her failing body simply wouldn’t cooperate.

“Father… how are you? Your daughter was unfilial. I came back too late…”

Hearing the familiar cries, Daoist Jiayi forced his eyes open with his remaining strength.

The first thing he saw was an old woman who looked even older than he did.

“You… you…”

“I’m Zhenzhen, Father. Don’t you recognize me?”

The elderly woman’s appearance was beyond recognition, and even her voice had become harsh and unpleasant.

But the way she spoke…

The concern in her voice…

Those belonged to his daughter, and no one else.

“Zhenzhen…”

Daoist Jiayi struggled to sit up and, with great effort, grasped her hand.

“How… how did you become like this? Who did this to you…?”

Tears streamed down Zhenzhen’s face.

“I don’t know. After I jumped off the cliff that day, a demonic cultivator saved me. I thought I had been rescued, but instead he coveted my body. He swapped my soul with someone else’s. This body is riddled with illness… I don’t have much time left. I’ve only caused you more worry, Father. It’s all my fault. I was an unfilial daughter…”

Daoist Jiayi was no fool.

After hearing her explanation, how could he possibly fail to understand what had happened?

“It’s not your fault…”

His voice trembled with regret.

“It’s mine. I… I chose the wrong path. I truly chose the wrong path…”

Overwhelmed with remorse, Daoist Jiayi finally understood the consequences of his choices.

Yet before his death, he had been reunited with his daughter.

And more importantly…

He still had one final chance to correct his mistake.

It wasn’t too late.

There was still time.

There had to be.

“Zhenzhen… Father doesn’t have much time left. Listen carefully. I’m going to pass all of my cultivation to you. Then go to my cultivation chamber. There’s a teleportation array there. Find the spirit stones…”

After giving his final instructions, Daoist Jiayi transferred all of his cultivation to Zhenzhen.

The moment the transfer was complete, his eyes remained wide open as he drew his last breath.

He died with his eyes open, unable to rest in peace.

“Don’t worry, Father. I’ll do everything you told me to do. I promise I will.”

Zhenzhen gently closed Daoist Jiayi’s eyes before hurrying toward his cultivation chamber.

Meanwhile, the fake “Zhenzhen” returned to Wang Cheng with the Keystone.

The table before Wang Cheng was already almost completely covered with Keystones—the symbolic tokens representing the various major sects.

Although these items appeared to be nothing more than tokens of identification, they actually contained the Power of the Righteous Path.

This so-called Power of the Righteous Path was a force recognized and sanctioned by the Heavenly Dao, allowing a sect to exist and flourish over the long term.

Not just any cultivator could establish a sect.

A sect that was not acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao would never survive for very long.

Wang Cheng was collecting these Keystones as a precaution.

If, for some reason, he failed to fully control the True Dragon Aura, he could still rely on the Power of the Righteous Path to tear open space itself.

Before long, several more demonic cultivators returned, each carrying another sect’s Keystone.

Wang Cheng placed them into the remaining spaces on the table.

Only one corner remained empty.

There was still one missing.

Frowning, he counted the sects represented by the Keystones one by one.

Which one was absent?

After counting them again, Wang Cheng ground his teeth together and slowly spat out a single name.

“Le…’an… Immortal… Sect.”

The group of demonic cultivators he had sent to seize the Le’an Immortal Sect’s Keystone had not only failed to return…

They had all been wiped out.

Sect Master Siyuan hadn’t even needed to lift a finger.

Bi Guang Demon Saint had personally exterminated them.

It was also his way of demonstrating his sincerity in cooperating with the Le’an Immortal Sect.

At present, the demonic cultivators had split into three factions.

The first faction was led by Wang Cheng. They had sworn to exterminate the righteous path and become the rulers of the world.

The second faction followed Bi Guang Demon Saint. It wasn’t that they had no desire to rule the world, but survival was far more important. They had already seen through Wang Cheng’s true objective. Only those who remained blinded by ambition continued to follow him foolishly. If Wang Cheng actually succeeded, this world itself would cease to exist.

The third faction remained neutral.

They lacked the strength to support any grand ambitions, and whichever side they joined, they would likely end up as expendable cannon fodder. So they simply stayed out of the conflict. With demonic qi now filling the world, they had little to lose. They found secluded places to cultivate instead, focusing solely on increasing their own strength.

“Why is he collecting the Keystones?”

Sect Master Siyuan murmured to himself, unable to make sense of Wang Cheng’s actions no matter how much he thought about them.

A faint sense of foreboding arose in Bai Tang’s heart.

He turned to Sect Master Siyuan and suggested, “Sect Master, we should gather all of the disciples here. Since the demonic cultivators were able to infiltrate the other major sects, there’s no guarantee they can’t infiltrate the Le’an Immortal Sect as well. We can’t afford to lose any more disciples.”

“What Xiao Tang says makes sense.”

Sect Leader Si Yuan looked at Le Xi Yin, the peak master of Le Feng. “Xiyin, go and bring all the disciples here. I’ll have to trouble you with this.”

Yue Xiyin was perceptive and meticulous. If anything seemed out of place, he would surely notice it, making him the ideal person for the task.

“Alright. I’ll go right away.”

Yue Xiyin glanced at Bai Tang. His lips parted slightly, as though he wanted to say something, but in the end, he remained silent and turned to leave.

Du Ting hurried after him, no longer bothering to hide the affection in his eyes.

If Dao Lord He Yi can become Dao companions with his own disciple… then so can Master and I.

“Master.”

“Don’t call me that, you rebellious disciple.”

A flash of annoyance crossed Yue Xiyin’s face.

Du Ting had always been quiet and unassuming. Yue Xiyin had thought he was a good disciple.

Who would have guessed that he harbored such improper feelings toward his own master?

The last time, taking advantage of Yue Xiyin’s drunkenness, Du Ting had even stolen a kiss from him.

His first kiss had been taken just like that.

It was utterly infuriating.

Du Ting pressed his lips together before speaking with unwavering determination.

“No matter what you call me, I won’t leave. Master, I like you. Since Dao Lord He Yi and Pei Boyi can become Dao companions, then we can too. It doesn’t matter if you refuse me now. I’ll work hard to become the kind of person you like, until one day you fall in love with me.”

“Hmph.”

Yue Xiyin let out a cold snort, unwilling to continue the conversation.

What he failed to notice, however, was the slight upward curve at the corner of his own lips.

“Master, the Five Peaks are fairly far apart. If we split up, we’ll only give the demonic cultivators an opportunity to attack. We should stay together.”

“Master…”

Still chattering away, Du Ting followed Yue Xiyin as the two of them gradually disappeared into the distance.

Although they had already left the meeting hall, Bai Tang—whose hearing was exceptionally sharp—had heard every word.

He tugged gently on Pei Boyi’s sleeve.

Pei Boyi leaned closer, allowing Bai Tang to whisper the latest gossip into his ear.

“Senior Brother Yue and his disciple…” Bai Tang covered his mouth as he giggled. “Don’t you think Du Ting’s shameless persistence looks a lot like the way you used to cling to me without any shame?”

Pei Boyi: “…”

My dear, I don’t think Du Ting and I are comparable.

“I can be even more shameless than that.” Pei Boyi lowered his voice, a teasing smile playing on his lips. “Would Tang Tang like to see just how shameless I can be… hmm?”

To everyone else, it looked like the two of them were simply whispering intimately to each other.

Then Bai Tang’s face flushed bright red, making him look even more irresistibly adorable.

“N-No!” the young man huffed. “You’re not sleeping in the bed tonight.”

Everyone present: …

They really are talking about that kind of thing, aren’t they?

The great war is about to begin… could you two please stop showing off your affection?!

Chapter 483 – My Master Is Not Human – Great Chaos (29)

Only after leaving the cave abode did they realize that the situation outside was even worse than they had imagined.

Demonic qi ran rampant, spiritual qi had nearly dried up, and walking corpses wandered aimlessly through the villages.

And that was considered one of the better situations.

The imperial court had taken emergency measures, gathering the mutated civilians into isolated camps. However, they still couldn’t determine what had caused the rivers to turn black, the crops to stop growing, or the people to mutate. Worse still, the number of infected people continued to rise. The emperor and his officials were so overwhelmed with worry that they were practically pulling their hair out.

The air outside the protective barrier lacked the fresh, clean atmosphere of the cave abode.

The little squirrel rolled over in his sleep, mumbling something under his breath. Then a wave of foul stench hit him, making it impossible to keep sleeping. He sat up inside Pei Boyi’s pocket.

What’s shaking? Why is it so dark? Where’s A-Yi?

Still half-asleep, the little squirrel was utterly bewildered.

Wasn’t I sleeping in our big bed? Did I get kidnapped again while I was asleep?

Sensing the change in Bai Tang’s breathing, Pei Boyi reached into his pocket and gently lifted the little squirrel into his hands.

“Tang Tang, you’re awake.”

“Squeak, squeak, squeak!” What’s going on? Where are we going?

They were walking through a vast desert. Yellow sand swirled endlessly through the air, blotting out the sun overhead. The gloomy sky was so dark that it resembled a slumbering demonic beast, waiting only for the right moment to open its eyes and devour everyone in its path.

“The demonic qi has spread,” Pei Boyi said, gazing toward the horizon. “The great war is about to begin.”

In the distance, the sky was pitch black, as though an immeasurable amount of resentment and demonic qi had gathered there.

Bai Tang looked in the same direction, but in his squirrel form, he couldn’t see that far. Squinting his eyes, he thought to himself:

What is A-Yi looking at? Is it more interesting than me?

As they continued on their journey, they passed countless villages.

The fortunate ones had managed to isolate the mutated villagers while evacuating the remaining survivors.

The unfortunate villages had no survivors at all.

The foul odor—a nauseating mixture of countless indescribable smells—left Bai Tang lightheaded. It was revolting, yet strangely familiar. He had the vague feeling that he had encountered a similar smell somewhere before.

“Hiss…”

Bai Tang clutched his head.

The harder he tried to remember, the more intensely his head throbbed.

Pei Boyi gently placed his fingers against Bai Tang’s temples and slowly massaged them in soothing circles.

“We don’t have to force yourself to remember,” he said softly by Bai Tang’s ear. “Whatever happened in the past is already over. What matters is the present… and the future.”

With Pei Boyi’s gentle reassurance, Bai Tang’s headache gradually eased.

Pouting slightly, he said, “But we’re Dao companions. I want to remember our past together. Otherwise… it’s too unfair to you.”

A-Yi treated him so well, yet he had forgotten every memory they had shared. Pei Boyi alone carried all of those memories and emotions, while he remembered nothing at all.

It wasn’t fair.

Pei Boyi leaned down and kissed Bai Tang gently on the forehead. His eyes were filled with unmistakable tenderness.

“It doesn’t matter. As long as Tang Tang never leaves me again, that will be the greatest compensation I could ever ask for.”

Bai Tang nodded.

Yet, deep inside, a faint sense of unease lingered. He couldn’t explain why, but it kept him from making such a promise so easily.

After leaving the cave abode, the rumors naturally reached Bai Tang’s ears.

He had never imagined that everything had started because of him.

Looking at the mutated civilians, Bai Tang was overcome with guilt and resolved to cure them.

At that moment, the advantages of being the story’s protagonist finally came into play.

Although Pei Boyi had not inherited the many legacies he originally would have obtained in the original storyline, losing them was not necessarily a bad thing. Because of Bai Tang’s interference, the plot had advanced ahead of schedule. His current strength was no weaker than it had been in the original story.

After all, he had regained his memories, bringing all of his former abilities back with him.

His Devour ability—the power he had possessed in the post-apocalyptic world—had also carried over into this world. However, in the cultivation world, such an ability would be regarded as an unorthodox and sinister technique, so he rarely used it.

Now, though, it was the perfect solution.

Devour could consume and erase virtually anything.

Under Bai Tang’s expectant gaze, Pei Boyi used the ability to devour and eliminate the demonic qi inside the mutated villagers. The sickly bluish-black color gradually faded from their faces, returning them to a healthy complexion.

One after another, the villagers collapsed to the ground.

Before long, they would wake up.

The land could no longer produce crops. Plants had withered away, and even those that stubbornly survived could no longer bear fruit.

Bai Tang took out stores of grain and fresh fruit, placing them beside the unconscious villagers.

“This should be enough to last until the war is over.”

He distributed the food carefully and fairly, making sure everyone received an equal share.

No one got more, and no one got less.

That way, there would be no need for anyone to fight over it.

Having done a good deed without leaving his name behind, Bai Tang clapped his hands in satisfaction before taking Pei Boyi with him to the next village.

Time was running short.

They needed to save as many people as possible before heading to the battlefield when the war began.

…

At the Le’an Immortal Sect…

As the situation grew increasingly dire, the Le’an Immortal Sect found itself ostracized by the righteous sects. None of the major anti-demon strategy meetings invited them anymore.

At first, Sect Master Siyuan had tried to contact the few sects that had not openly shunned the Le’an Immortal Sect, but every attempt ended in disappointment.

As time passed, some of the disciples could no longer endure the isolation and requested permission to leave the sect.

Sect Master Siyuan did not try to stop them.

Everyone had the right to choose their own path.

The sect’s current predicament was the result of standing by Bai Tang’s side. The departing disciples couldn’t understand that decision, and neither Sect Master Siyuan nor his fellow elders wished to drag innocent disciples down with them.

While Wen Leng and Yin Chun were traveling in search of survivors to rescue, they unexpectedly crossed paths with Bai Tang and Pei Boyi, who were doing the very same thing.

Yin Chun froze for a moment when she saw them.

Then her face lit up with delight.

“Dao Lord He Yi!” she called out.

Wen Leng, however, was looking at their clasped hands. On each of them was the same Dao companion mark.

In a calm voice that revealed neither joy nor sorrow, she said, “You’ve become Dao companions.”

Her tone was so even that it was impossible to tell what she was feeling. Instead, it was Bai Tang who grew a little embarrassed.

Leaning against Pei Boyi, he replied shyly, “Yes.”

The joy Yin Chun had felt at finally finding them caught in her throat. It wasn’t until Wen Leng said, “Congratulations,” that Yin Chun found her voice again.

“C-Congratulations. This… came rather suddenly.”

If Qiu’er had been there, he would definitely have sighed and said, “Our Tang Tang is just too charming. He even won over the heroine’s heart.”

Unfortunately, Qiu’er wasn’t there to witness Bai Tang unintentionally stealing the male protagonist’s admirer.

“You’ve both seen the situation outside,” Wen Leng said. “It’s urgent. The Sect Master has been looking for you. We’ll talk on the way.”

Without waiting for their response, she turned around and started walking.

She wasn’t worried that the two of them wouldn’t follow. Given the current situation, there was no room for anyone to avoid their responsibilities. Besides, knowing Bai Tang’s personality, he would never choose to run away.

Bai Tang exchanged a glance with Pei Boyi.

Pei Boyi smiled gently at him.

“No matter what happens, I’ll be with you.”

The four of them set out on the journey back.

They made no attempt to conceal their whereabouts. Both the righteous and demonic factions were searching for Bai Tang. Every assassin and pursuer they encountered was intercepted by Pei Boyi, Wen Leng, or Yin Chun.

Bai Tang was treated like an endangered giant panda.

Despite the constant attempts on his life, not a single attacker even managed to lay a finger on him.

Although they encountered a number of obstacles along the way, the four of them returned safely to the Le’an Immortal Sect.

After the fragment of divine sense hidden within the demonic qi was wounded by Pei Boyi, Wang Cheng’s hatred for the two of them only deepened.

He decided to accelerate his plans.

He no longer cared about the process.

Only the outcome mattered.

Once he became the ruler of the world, no one would be able to defy his will.

He ordered his subordinates to drive the mutated civilians toward the major sects, using them to surround and pressure the righteous cultivators.

The righteous cultivators could strike down demonic cultivators without hesitation, but they couldn’t bring themselves to attack innocent civilians.

Although those people were under the control of demonic qi, they could still be saved.

For a time, every sect found itself trapped in an impossible dilemma.

Meanwhile, Wang Cheng took advantage of the distraction to infiltrate the imperial palace and capture the Emperor.

The Emperor was the ruler of the mortal realm, recognized by the Heavenly Dao itself. He was protected by the aura of the True Dragon.

And that aura was precisely what Wang Cheng wanted.

The aura of the True Dragon was an extraordinary treasure. It originated from ancient times and lay outside the Heavenly Dao’s direct control. The Heavenly Dao merely bestowed it upon whoever ascended the throne, allowing the Emperor to govern the people and protect the realm.

Cultivators sought to ascend and become immortals.

But after attaining immortality…

What then?

Would they simply spend eternity with nothing left to do?

It wasn’t like that.

Even after becoming an immortal, one still had to continue cultivating. There was always a higher heaven beyond the current one and stronger beings beyond those already known. Only true supreme experts could tear open space itself and travel to even higher realms.

This information was recorded in a journal Wang Cheng had discovered in the abandoned cave abode of a demonic cultivator who had successfully ascended.

The journal also stated that the True Dragon Aura was incomparably domineering. Even if someone had not yet reached the Tribulation Transcendence stage, as long as they knew how to use it properly and found the right opportunity, they could tear through the void and ascend directly.

Although the mortal emperor was protected by the True Dragon Aura, he was still only an ordinary man. Before a demonic cultivator, his strength was utterly insignificant.

In the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Wang Cheng forcibly extracted the True Dragon Aura that protected the emperor’s soul.

Tearing it away by force caused tremendous damage to the emperor’s soul.

By the time Wang Cheng successfully seized the True Dragon Aura, the emperor was already on his last breath. His death was only a matter of time.

Wang Cheng couldn’t have cared less when the emperor died.

In his mind, he was already imagining the deaths of Bai Tang and Pei Boyi.

Laughing triumphantly at his own fantasy, he strode out of the imperial palace.

Only after he had left were the palace maids and eunuchs outside able to move again.

When they hurried inside to attend to the emperor, they discovered that he had already stopped breathing.

“His Majesty… has passed away!”

The shrill cry was filled with uncontrollable grief.

The emperor had been a good ruler. He cared deeply for his people, respected the virtuous and the capable, and had truly lived up to his position. Sadly, he had been born in the wrong era.

During his reign, disaster after disaster had struck the realm. In his tireless efforts to solve the people’s suffering, he had worked himself to death in the Imperial Study.

At least, that was how it appeared to everyone else.

Even after repeated examinations, the imperial physicians could reach no conclusion other than that the emperor had died from overwork.

The crown prince was only five years old, far too young to govern.

Until he came of age, who would oversee the affairs of the imperial court?

The old crises remained unresolved, and now an even greater one had arisen.

One disaster after another…

With the emperor’s death, the mortal world lost its recognized ruler.

All things possess spirit.

The passing of the Heaven-recognized emperor accelerated the dissipation of spiritual qi, allowing the demonic qi to spread even more recklessly throughout the world.

An emergency meeting was immediately convened within the Le’an Immortal Sect.

The righteous cultivators had suffered one defeat after another in their battles against the demonic forces. More and more sects had fallen.

If the lips were gone, the teeth would soon feel the cold.

If they failed to take action now, it would only be a matter of time before the demonic qi reached the Le’an Immortal Sect as well.

With a sorrowful expression, Sect Master Siyuan laid out the grim reality before everyone.

Silence filled the hall.

Every person present felt the same grief, helplessness, and despair over the catastrophe that had befallen the cultivation world.

The demonic cultivators were certainly detestable.

But the true cause of this disaster was the infighting and mutual conflict among the righteous cultivators themselves.

Bi Guang Demon Saint extended his hand toward Bai Tang.

“Demon Lord Songzi, you once promised to recover the Shura Ice for me. May I ask where it is now?”

Bai Tang lowered his head slightly.

“I’m sorry… I still haven’t found it.”

Bi Guang Demon Saint had expected exactly that answer.

If Bai Tang had already recovered the Shura Ice, the situation would never have deteriorated to this point.

Although Bi Guang Demon Saint said nothing more, the implication was obvious.

Had Bai Tang not become distracted by falling in love and neglecting the matter at hand, the mastermind’s scheme would never have succeeded.

He let out a faint sigh.

In truth, Bai Tang couldn’t be blamed entirely. The mastermind had planned everything meticulously from the very beginning. Even without the Shura Ice, he would have found something else to serve as a substitute.

This war…

was always destined to happen.

Chapter 482 – My Master Is Not Human – They moved overnight (28)

If demonic qi were easy to eliminate, righteous cultivators wouldn’t always assume that every encounter with demonic cultivators would end with them fleeing in defeat.

The demonic qi that had seeped into the soil had spread over far too wide an area. Under Wen Leng’s guidance, Yin Chun exhausted every last bit of spiritual energy in her body just to cleanse this small patch of demonic qi. With her spiritual energy depleted, the excessive strain left her feeling miserable. Fortunately, she didn’t have to force herself to continue. If she could no longer go on, Wen Leng was there to take over.

“This method tempers your spiritual power and broadens your meridians. Practice it more often,” Wen Leng instructed.

She had always taken a hands-off approach when teaching disciples, but Yin Chun was the disciple who had pleased her the most in the past hundred years. The future was unpredictable. Before long, the great war against the demonic path would inevitably begin, and she would certainly take part. If she were unfortunate enough to fall in battle, she hoped Yin Chun’s path of cultivation would be a smoother one afterward.

Rumor had it that the Frost Immortal Maiden was cold and emotionless. In truth, people had simply never seen Wen Leng’s gentle side. Those people had never been worthy of receiving her kindness.

Wen Leng was exceptionally perceptive. From the flood of rumors spreading everywhere, she had begun to discern the demonic cultivators’ pattern. It was true that they were targeting Bai Tang, and it was also true that they sought to destroy the righteous path. But more importantly, the mastermind behind everything was likely not all that powerful. That was why they had stirred up chaos, relying on outside forces to achieve their goals. They had released demonic qi into the world, allowing it to corrupt both cultivators and ordinary people, turning them into puppets. However, Wen Leng still had no idea how the mastermind was creating these puppets.

Wherever she and Yin Chun traveled, they cleansed the demonic qi they encountered. But that was far from enough. Instead, they headed toward the places where the demonic qi was the densest. She firmly believed that if they followed the trail, they would eventually uncover its true source.

Not long after the Demon Saint Bi Guang emerged from seclusion, the demonic cultivators who had pledged allegiance to him hurried over to seek his instructions on what they should do next.

Bi Guang Demon Saint was completely bewildered.

“What do you mean, ‘what should we do’? What exactly have I done?”

The demonic cultivators were equally confused. The outside world had already descended into chaos. Many righteous cultivators had been turned into mindless walking corpses. The only thing capable of transforming cultivators into puppets was Shura Ice, and only Bi Guang Demon Saint possessed it.

Wasn’t everything happening now part of his plan to lead them in wiping out the righteous cultivators?

After learning the general situation, Bi Guang Demon Saint narrowed his eyes as he looked up at the gray, ashen sky.

The demonic qi had already spread across the land, even blotting out the sun.

That was not a good sign.

Anyone who had reached the rank of Demon Saint was no fool. He could already tell that this was a trap carefully laid long ago by someone operating behind the scenes—a scheme designed to drag the entire cultivation world into it. Even he himself had unknowingly been used as the mastermind’s pawn, manipulated into making things difficult for the newly ascended Pinecone Demon Lord.

Where there is light, there is darkness. Light and darkness oppose one another, yet they also coexist. Now, darkness had eclipsed the light, shattering the balance. Before long, the world’s order would descend into complete chaos.

If one side emerged victorious, things might still be salvageable. But the far more likely outcome was that both sides would lose.

Yet at present, neither the righteous path nor the demonic path seemed to recognize the true nature of what was happening behind the scenes.

Bi Guang Demon Saint withdrew his thoughtful gaze and turned to his loyal subordinate.

“Send people to find Demon Lord Songzi. And while you’re at it, deliver an invitation to the Le’an Immortal Sect.”

According to the rumors circulating outside, the Daoist Heyi who had fallen to the demonic path was most likely the newly emerged Demon Lord Songzi from some time ago.

Bi Guang Demon Saint saw the situation clearly. He had never intended to oppose the righteous path. Whether one belonged to a prestigious righteous sect or was a demonic cultivator, everyone was simply cultivating under the will of the Heavenly Dao. In the end, the goal was the same—to ascend and become an immortal. The paths they walked were different, but they all led to the same destination.

Now, back to the newlywed couple.

The two of them were living happily and carefree in their cave abode. More accurately, Pei Boyi was the one enjoying himself the most.

However, the saying “If it doesn’t concern you, stay out of it” didn’t apply in the cultivation world.

Pei Boyi was aware of what was happening outside, but his heart was occupied solely by Tang Tang. He had no interest in getting involved in the conflict between the righteous and demonic paths. They all wanted to make Tang Tang the scapegoat anyway, so why should they bother going out?

The demonic qi spread at an astonishing speed. Within just one month after the disaster erupted, it had engulfed almost the entire mortal realm. Even the righteous sects had fallen, with only a handful protected by powerful sect-guarding formations still holding out.

Eventually, the demonic qi reached the couple’s cave abode. It breached the protective barrier and drifted into the backyard where Bai Tang often played.

As though it possessed a mind of its own, it hid among the trees, lying in wait. When Bai Tang transformed back into his little squirrel form and climbed a tree as usual, it suddenly grabbed one of his hind legs, leaving the little squirrel dangling upside down.

“Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!” What is this thing?

In a house thousands of miles away, Wang Cheng let out a harsh, sinister cackle.

‘Heh heh heh… Found you. You little pests certainly hid well. This time, I’ll make you pay for the humiliation you inflicted on me that day.’

This man was none other than Wang Cheng, who had entered the Le’an Immortal Sect in the same year as Pei Boyi. After spreading rumors and maliciously slandering the Medicine Peak, he had his cultivation abolished and was expelled from the sect, then sent back home.

The Wang family had become wealthy through sudden success and was more than capable of supporting him. After Wang Cheng became a disciple of the Le’an Immortal Sect, however, the family regarded it as a tremendous honor. Believing that one of their own would one day become a great cultivator, they flaunted their status everywhere, offending countless rivals in the process.

Those rivals had been furious but dared not act. The Wang family itself was easy enough to deal with, but behind them stood the Le’an Immortal Sect. Wang Cheng had even been considered a valued inner-sect disciple, so everyone could only grit their teeth and tolerate the family’s arrogance.

Then, less than a year later, Wang Cheng was expelled from the sect.

His enemies, who had been closely watching the Wang family’s every move, quickly learned the news.

“Oh? Their backing is gone now? Let’s see you act so smug.”

Wang Cheng had only just recovered from his injuries and had not yet begun cultivating again when his family’s enemies struck. They destroyed the Wang family, leaving it in ruins. Although Wang Cheng narrowly escaped with his life, he was left permanently crippled.

As he lingered on the brink of death by the roadside, waiting for the end, a demonic cultivator happened to pass by. Seeing Wang Cheng use the last of his strength to tug at his robe and beg for help, the demonic cultivator searched his memories and found them rather amusing. On a whim, he saved Wang Cheng’s life.

That was how Wang Cheng embarked on the path of demonic cultivation.

After everything that had happened, his hatred for the Le’an Immortal Sect—and for Bai Tang—only deepened. In his eyes, if Bai Tang had been a little more magnanimous, neither he nor his family would have ended up like this. As a great cultivator, Bai Tang had been petty and vindictive, showing not the slightest trace of grace or broad-mindedness.

Wang Cheng had always been the type to repay every slight with vengeance.

Although the demonic cultivator who had rescued him had saved his life and guided him onto the path of demonic cultivation, Wang Cheng felt not the slightest gratitude. Instead, he waited for an opportunity to ambush his benefactor and seized all of the man’s cultivation for himself.

He repeated the same method on many other cultivators, stealing both their cultivation and their lives. Desperate for rapid advancement, he pursued power at any cost and reached the Nascent Soul Transformation (Huashen) stage within just a few years. Even then, he remained unsatisfied.

He had once sworn that the Le’an Immortal Sect would pay for what it had done and that Bai Tang would experience the same life of misery and persecution he had once endured—a life like a rat scurrying through the streets, hunted wherever he went.

And he had succeeded.

He had used the Daji Secret Realm to force Bai Tang onto the demonic path, lured Bi Guang Demon Saint into the conflict, dragged the major sects into the chaos, manipulated public opinion until Bai Tang had nowhere left to run, turned the Le’an Immortal Sect into the target of everyone’s condemnation, and even made the so-called righteous sects turn on one another like dogs fighting over a bone.

Watching the entire spectacle unfold had brought him immense satisfaction.

But then Bai Tang disappeared, vanishing together with his beloved disciple.

How could that be acceptable?

He had yet to witness the most miserable end imaginable for Bai Tang and Pei Boyi.

It wasn’t enough.

Far from enough.

And now…

He had finally found them again.

No matter how deeply they hid, they could never keep any secrets from him.

Wang Cheng directed the demonic qi to seize the little squirrel. Just as it was about to drag Bai Tang out of the cave abode’s backyard, Pei Boyi sensed something was wrong and rushed over in time. With a single slash of his sword, he severed the chain of demonic qi and pulled the little squirrel back into his arms.

“That scared me to death! I don’t know what happened, but once that thing grabbed me, I couldn’t use any of my spells at all. Thank goodness you came!” Bai Tang said, still shaken as he leaned against Pei Boyi’s chest. Unease lingered in his eyes. “I could feel an overwhelming hatred coming from that thing. Who do you think it belonged to?”

The strand of demonic qi attempted to flee, but Pei Boyi hurled his sword, pinning down the sliver of divine sense hidden within it.

Thousands of miles away, in a secluded house, a sharp pain stabbed through Wang Cheng’s eyes. He hurriedly withdrew that fragment of his divine sense.

A trail of bloody tears streamed from his eyes. His face twisted with malice as he growled through clenched teeth, “Damn it… I was so close.”

Once the fragment of divine sense dispersed, the demonic qi reverted to ordinary demonic qi.

“Huh?” Bai Tang murmured.

Pei Boyi recalled his sword, and the demonic qi dissolved into the air.

“Tang Tang,” Pei Boyi asked as he gently stroked Bai Tang’s back, “did you offend many people while you were in the Demon Realm?”

Bai Tang pouted and replied in a soft, childlike voice, “A lot! I made lots of enemies. I was the newcomer, so everyone disliked me and kept picking fights with me. Later, after I killed the Gaoge Demon Saint, far fewer people dared to cause me trouble. Then, while I was in seclusion, even the demonic cultivators who had pledged allegiance to me betrayed me. By the time I came out, Bi Guang Demon Saint was already looking for his missing Shura Ice, and that’s when he came after me.”

Remembering those days of constant hardship, Bai Tang clenched his fist and lightly thumped Pei Boyi’s firm chest.

“Why weren’t you there back then? I never had enough to eat, never had enough to wear, and I had to keep running from people trying to kill me. Every single one of them bullied me…”

The young man looked as though he were about to burst into tears. His eyes were rimmed with red, shimmering with tears that threatened to spill over at any moment.

After Bai Tang fell to the demonic path in the Daji Secret Realm, he had fed Pei Boyi a medicinal pill and personally told him that they should sever all ties. Bai Tang no longer remembered any of it. All he remembered was that after leaving the Daji Secret Realm, his life had been nothing but hardship.

“It’s my fault. I should have gone to find you right away, Tang Tang.” Listening to Bai Tang describe those difficult days, Pei Boyi could easily imagine how miserable he must have been. His Tang Tang should have been cherished and pampered beyond measure.

“Then you have to make it up to me. From now on, you have to make pine nuts for me every day. And you can’t repeat the same recipe within seven days, okay?” Bai Tang had grown much cleverer now. He had learned how to bargain for his own benefits.

“Alright. Whatever Tang Tang says, I’ll agree to it. I can even make a different one every day for an entire month without repeating a single recipe.”

“You said that yourself. I didn’t force you.”

“I did. Tang Tang can keep me to my word.”

After coaxing Bai Tang into smiling again, Pei Boyi began packing their belongings.

Although they still didn’t know who was targeting Bai Tang, this place had already been discovered. They could no longer stay here. Once someone had found them once, there would inevitably be a second time. He could strengthen the cave abode’s defenses, but there would always be risks. He refused to gamble with Tang Tang’s safety.

A man who had abstained for too long could be quite dangerous. Ever since the two of them had become Dao companions, Pei Boyi had spent almost every few days sharing intimate moments with Bai Tang, leaving Bai Tang too exhausted to get enough sleep. To keep Pei Boyi from turning into his beast form in the middle of the night, Bai Tang had gotten into the habit of transforming back into his little squirrel form before bed. It happened to make moving much more convenient now.

Pei Boyi packed everything Bai Tang liked and everything he was accustomed to using into his storage space. Then, gently cradling the little squirrel, who was sleeping soundly, he quietly left the cave abode they had called home for so long in the middle of the night.

Chapter 481 – My Master Is Not Human – It’s an Immortal (27)

What seemed to be a conspiracy targeting Bai Tang and Pei Boyi spread rapidly after rumors emerged that the two had fallen into demonic cultivation. Starting from smaller sects and gradually reaching the major ones, many disciples with lower cultivation levels began falling into demonic corruption.

Some succumbed while cultivating, some were attacked by demonic cultivators while traveling and forced onto the demonic path, while others were targeted by hidden infiltrators within their own sects. Demonic cultivators normally killed and looted for treasures—unless one’s strength was overwhelming, encountering a demonic cultivator usually meant certain death.

Yet this time, not a single victim had been directly killed. Those who died had either committed suicide after failing to accept reality or perished because they could not survive the process of demonic corruption. As a result, everyone became even more convinced that this was a scheme orchestrated by the demonic path. Even if Bai Tang was not the mastermind, they believed he could not possibly be unrelated to it.

The so-called righteous sects had stood on their moral high ground for far too long. Some powerful cultivators had begun to look down upon ordinary people and cultivators weaker than themselves from the bottom of their hearts. When those at the top set a crooked example, those below naturally followed. Training under arrogant and self-important seniors, the outcome was obvious—the next generation they raised would only grow even more prejudiced against cultivators outside their own sect.

Unable to admit their own incompetence in failing to catch the real culprit, they pushed all blame onto the demonic cultivators who stood on the opposite side. And since the news of Bai Tang’s fall into demonic cultivation had happened to spread at this exact moment, they seized him as the perfect outlet for their anger and dumped all their resentment onto him.

If not for him, how could the demonic cultivators know the defensive arrangements of the righteous sects?

If not for him, how could they have found weaknesses in their defenses and infiltrated the sects to strengthen their own forces?

If not for him, their sects would never have suffered such severe losses.

The Le’an Immortal Sect became the target of public criticism. Every day, sects large and small came to “visit,” demanding that they hand over Bai Tang.

But how could a sect with a thousand-year foundation be easy to provoke?

At first, Sect Master Siyuan still tried to persuade them patiently. However, the visitors grew increasingly outrageous, their words becoming more insulting each time. Eventually, Sect Master Siyuan’s patience wore thin.

Accusing the Le’an Immortal Sect of sheltering Bai Tang was one thing—they were indeed protecting him. But insulting his junior martial brother and even dragging their late master into it was absolutely intolerable.

For the last time, Sect Master Siyuan advised them kindly: instead of wasting time here, they should return to their own sects, clean up the chaos, improve their cultivation as soon as possible, and prepare for the coming war.

As for Daoist Heyi, they would bring him back and help him return to the righteous path.

Helping a demonic cultivator return to the righteous path was an incredibly difficult undertaking. The heavenly treasures and spiritual resources required were beyond counting. The Le’an Immortal Sect’s astonishing generosity caused countless sects to become envious, further strengthening Daoist Jiayi’s and his allies’ plans.

After all, if the Le’an Immortal Sect had grown so powerful over the years, its collection of rare treasures and precious artifacts could only be immense.

After the Le’an Immortal Sect closed its gates and refused visitors, those people assumed the sect was afraid. Their arrogance grew even worse. The more short-sighted ones came directly to curse them, and some, lured by the heavenly treasures Daoist Jiayi had spoken of, even attempted to secretly infiltrate the Le’an Immortal Sect.

Unfortunately, their joy lasted less than three seconds.

Not long after entering the sect, they were discovered and cut down beneath flashing swords.

Yin Chun, who had happened to pass by, casually dealt with these petty thieves and sneered as he sheathed his sword.

“Are those dogs outside still barking?” Yin Chun asked coldly. Her temperament was naturally icy, but when it came to the people she cared about, she showed no mercy.

A disciple who had hurried over cupped his fists and reported, “Senior Sister Yin, those people are still outside making a scene.”

The Le’an Immortal Sect had already closed its gates to visitors and even erected a barrier to block out the noise, choosing to ignore the disturbance. Yet those people had resorted to such despicable tactics—it was nothing short of outrageous.

Keeping her gaze fixed ahead, Yin Chun said, “Throw all of this outside. If anyone tries something like this again, kill them without mercy. Those are my orders. I’ll report everything to Master and the Sect Master. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility.”

Yin Chun took all of the disciples’ concerns upon herself. As the eldest disciple of the Frostblade Peak Master, the Frostcold Immortal Maiden, she carried considerable authority, both on Sword Peak and among the outer disciples of the Le’an Immortal Sect.

Seeing that they would bear no responsibility, the disciples no longer hesitated. They picked up the objects lying on the ground and hurled them outside the sect gates.

The people who had been shouting abuse were caught completely off guard as the objects slammed into them. Clutching one corpse after another, they tumbled down the mountain steps, their bodies crashing against the stone with a series of heavy thud, thud, thud sounds.

The disciples carrying the bodies turned their heads away in feigned sympathy, yet they couldn’t suppress the smiles tugging at the corners of their mouths.

Ouch… Just listening to that sounds painful. Better not watch. What a sin…

Perhaps the Le’an Immortal Sect’s decisive display had successfully served as a warning. From the following day onward, no one came to stir up trouble at the sect again.

Meanwhile, the Sect Master remained troubled day after day. He had dispatched so many disciples to search, yet not a single one had managed to find Bai Tang.

Sitting in his chair, completely at a loss, he looked up as Wen Ling walked in.

“Sect Master, allow me to leave the mountain and search for Heyi.”

Like her personality, Wen Ling’s voice was cold as ice, yet her words carried a reassuring warmth.

Sect Master Siyuan froze for a moment before understanding what she meant.

“Heyi has already become the target of public condemnation. If you…”

“Only we can bring Heyi back,” Wen Ling said firmly.

What good would it do to send ordinary disciples to search? As long as Bai Tang wished to remain hidden, he could conceal himself completely. Only someone of comparable strength could detect the traces he deliberately erased.

Wen Ling had remained on the mountain for many years, but that did not mean she lacked ability. On the contrary, she had devoted herself wholeheartedly to cultivation on Sword Peak. In her early years, she had traveled throughout the cultivation world and earned the title of the Frostcold Immortal Maiden, a name that alone testified to the respect—and fear—she inspired in others.

After careful deliberation, Sect Master Siyuan finalized a plan with Wen Ling. That very evening, Wen Ling descended the mountain with her disciple, Yin Chun.

Meanwhile…

After attempting the dual cultivation technique with Pei Boyi, Bai Tang finally emerged from the dreamlike haze of indulgence and ecstasy.

He still hadn’t recovered his lost memories, but Pei Boyi was completely satisfied.

As long as Bai Tang remained by his side, nothing else mattered.

The two of them transformed the cave into a proper dwelling, setting up protective barriers around it. Disciples sent by various sects passed by the entrance countless times, yet the barrier caused them to overlook the area the two had claimed as their own.

If there was ever a pair worthy of being called an immortal couple, it was them.

Because they were deeply in love, their dual cultivation was far more effective than cultivating alone. Hoping to help Bai Tang recover from his injuries as quickly as possible, they spent no shortage of time being intimate. Having lost his memories, Bai Tang was like a blank sheet of paper in this regard—innocent, pure, and unbearably shy.

However, even if he had never eaten pork, he had at least seen pigs run. Compared to Bai Tang’s inexperience, Pei Boyi seemed far too practiced, moving with the ease of someone who knew exactly what he was doing. Bai Tang seized on that point and ended up becoming jealous of Pei Boyi’s nonexistent past relationships.

“You’re so experienced. You must have been with lots of people before.” He huffed. “You heartless playboy! Don’t touch me.”

Whenever Pei Boyi was busy preparing food during their free time, Bai Tang would browse through the miscellaneous novels Qiu’er had left behind in the storage pouch to pass the time. Unfortunately, that proved to be a terrible idea.

Qiu’er’s reading preferences were… unique.

Every story was packed with melodrama—running away, crematorium tropes, endless breakups and reconciliations, separating and getting back together over and over again, until all the villains finally died and only then could the protagonists achieve their happy ending.

Bai Tang had always possessed a vivid imagination, so as he read, he naturally began inserting himself and Pei Boyi into the stories.

Good grief… Looking at all the signs, Pei Boyi is basically a walking central heating system. He must have warmed the hearts of countless people before becoming this skilled.

And so began Pei Boyi’s miserable days.

Bai Tang refused to let him sleep in the same bed.

“You’re too dirty. You’re not worthy of me,” Bai Tang declared with a stern little face.

Pei Boyi blinked in confusion.

“…Then I’ll go take a bath.”

“Get away from me, you heartless playboy!”

“!!!”

After repeating this exchange several times, Pei Boyi finally discovered the source of Bai Tang’s strange behavior.

While Bai Tang was asleep, he searched out every single one of Qiu’er’s novels and threw them into the stove, burning them all to ashes.

Anything that corrupted his Tang Tang had no right to exist.

With those melodramatic novels gone, and thanks to Pei Boyi’s actions proving his sincerity, Bai Tang gradually let go of his resistance toward him, and the two returned to their sweet, peaceful life together.

Life in seclusion among the mountains was wonderful.

There were no sects, no outsiders to disturb them, and the fresh mountain air created exactly the kind of environment Bai Tang loved. The little squirrel was so happy that he had almost forgotten all about demonic cultivators and the Shura Ice. Naturally, Pei Boyi had no intention of bringing up unpleasant topics himself. Their world of just the two of them was perfect, and he hoped it could continue forever.

Ever since Yin Chun had entered the mountain to become Wen Ling’s disciple, she had never left it again. This time, Wen Ling brought Yin Chun with her partly to give her more opportunities to gain practical experience.

As they traveled, they found that nearly every place they passed had been corrupted by demonic qi.

Vegetation withered, crops failed to grow, and famine had spread throughout the mortal world.

It was all the work of the demonic cultivators. They were steadily expanding their territory, using the land itself to transform spiritual qi into demonic qi.

Wen Ling had expected the situation to be grim, but she had never imagined it had deteriorated to this extent.

The cultivators who had gone to the Le’an Immortal Sect to cause trouble all carried Bigu Pills, allowing them to survive without food. They simply didn’t care what had become of the mortal world.

“Please… save me…” a dying woman pleaded, clutching the hem of Yin Chun’s robe. Her voice was no louder than the buzz of a mosquito. Had Yin Chun been an ordinary person instead of a cultivator, she might not have heard her at all.

“Big Sister, I’m so hungry. Do you have anything to eat?” A frail, malnourished child approached with a cracked bowl in his hands. His cheeks were sunken, his eyes bulged from starvation, yet they still held a desperate will to live.

Yin Chun’s heart softened.

He was only a child.

She looked around. Corpses lay beneath countless trees, and even the bark had been stripped away and eaten.

“Master…” Yin Chun called, unable to hide the pity on her face.

Although neither of them needed to eat after reaching the Bigu stage, Wen Ling had anticipated such a situation and had prepared some food in advance.

Wen Ling nodded.

Yin Chun took out bags of grain and steamed buns from her storage space.

The moment the starving people saw the food, their eyes lit up. They rushed toward the two women, but they had been starving for so long that their limbs had no strength left. They stumbled and fell again and again, unable to even reach Yin Chun.

Yin Chun handed three steamed buns to the child before her, then walked among the villagers who could still barely move, distributing the food one person at a time.

They devoured the food in their hands, stuffing it into their mouths as fast as they could, terrified that if they slowed down for even a moment, it would disappear.

“Such kind people…”

“Living Bodhisattvas…”

But a few steamed buns were nowhere near enough.

Those who were still hungry turned hopeful eyes toward Wen Ling and Yin Chun, wishing they would take out more food. Unfortunately, Wen Ling carried nothing but her sword, and the storage pouch in Yin Chun’s hand was already empty.

Suddenly, someone with sharp eyes noticed the embroidered emblem on Yin Chun’s shoulder.

He had seen it before.

“It’s the Le’an Immortal Sect… They’re immortals…”

In this world, cultivation was held in the highest esteem, and cultivators were deeply respected by ordinary people. As the most renowned sect in the cultivation world, the Le’an Immortal Sect was known to almost everyone.

The moment their identities were revealed, the villagers, having regained a little strength, all dropped to their knees and repeatedly kowtowed.

“Thank you… Thank you, Immortals…”

Chapter 480 – My Master Is Not Human – Don’t Die! (26)

After Bai Tang left, the disciples of Dianxing Sect finally felt the overwhelming pressure disappear and struggled to their feet one by one.

The Sect Master had lost Pei Boyi, the promising disciple from Le’an Immortal Sect, and had also lost his junior martial brother. Although he knew this group was innocent, he still couldn’t help directing his hatred toward them.

Yes, he was taking his anger out on them. So what? If they hadn’t been so aggressive and relentless, Xiao Tang could have returned and lived peacefully at Medicine Peak. Could it be that he and his fellow brothers wouldn’t have been able to look after Xiao Tang? So what if he was a demonic cultivator? His Xiao Tang was kind-hearted and had saved countless people. Why hadn’t anyone mentioned that the Soul-Returning Jade Pill had been made by a demonic cultivator when they accepted it a few months ago? Every single one of them had swallowed it faster than anyone else and had been more than happy to take it.

“Mai Wen, lock all of them up,” the Sect Master ordered. Today’s events absolutely could not leak out, otherwise Bai Tang truly would never return.

“Yes.” Fu Maiwen was already furious. He shared the Sect Master’s opinion completely. Their soft, obedient, and incredibly well-behaved junior brother had been driven away by these people.

Wen Leng raised his chin slightly, signaling Yin Chun to handle the matter.

Accepting the order, Yin Chun struck Ling Zhiye with the sheath of his sword until he was barely conscious. There was no way he would be allowed to escape back to his sect and report what had happened.

Le Xiyin was even angrier. Their junior brother had finally returned, and he was supposed to become a key figure in resisting the demonic forces’ attacks on the righteous path in the future. How could he so easily fall into demonic cultivation? Maybe he had been framed by these people.

The Great Elder, who had fallen from midair, had no one to catch him. He hit the ground with a loud thud. Though Bai Tang had destroyed his dantian, a small amount of cultivation remained, which he used to cushion his fall. He did not die, but he was seriously injured.

Even a powerful dragon cannot suppress a local snake. The Dianxing Sect disciples fought back with everything they had, but how could they possibly defeat the Sect Master of Siyuan and the others? After they had all been imprisoned in a dungeon that had not been used for hundreds of years, the Sect Master finally turned his thoughts toward creating favorable conditions for Bai Tang—preferably something that could persuade Bai Tang to return on his own.

“Sect Master, just say the word. Sword Peak will give its full support,” Wen Leng said, as taciturn as ever, but her stance was clear. She stood on Le’an Immortal Sect’s side.

The female protagonist of this world was extremely protective of her own people. No matter how many mistakes Bai Tang had made, that was still a family matter. Le’an Immortal Sect could deal with it themselves, but outsiders had no right to scheme against him.

After much discussion, the Sect Master publicly announced that the Dianxing Sect had come to Le’an Immortal Sect as guests but had secretly stolen Le’an Immortal Sect’s cultivation techniques. After being discovered, they had even tried to turn the accusations around. As a result, all of their disciples had been detained.

He also sent a message to Dianxing Sect: this matter was far from over. If any rumors or slander about Le’an Immortal Sect spread outside, it would undoubtedly be the work of the escaped Dianxing Sect disciples.

Le’an Immortal Sect was a major sect. This move of spreading lies and striking first had nearly infuriated Daoist Jiayi, who had remained behind at Dianxing Sect, to death.

They had harmed his daughter, imprisoned his elders and disciples, and now they were slandering them on top of it all. They had gone far too far. Even worse, Le’an Immortal Sect had an excellent reputation among the righteous sects. Since they had spoken first, almost no one in the cultivation world doubted them. Some smaller sects that wished to curry favor with Le’an Immortal Sect had even openly sided against Dianxing Sect.

No, he couldn’t just sit around and wait for disaster. He had to think of a way to expose Le’an Immortal Sect’s scheme, avenge Zhenzhen, and restore Dianxing Sect to the ranks of the top-tier sects.

Meanwhile, Bai Tang fled into the remote wilderness with Pei Boyi.

He found a cave and scattered beast-repelling powder and concealment powder around the area before carefully laying Pei Boyi down.

Having taken two full-force strikes from the Great Elder, Pei Boyi had already fallen unconscious. His face was deathly pale, his body temperature frighteningly cold, and his pulse beat only once after a long interval. He looked almost indistinguishable from a dead man.

“Don’t die… please hold on. You absolutely can’t die.”

Fresh tears streamed down Bai Tang’s face, running over the dried tracks left by earlier tears. He dumped all the pills from his small pouch and fed Pei Boyi every medicine he could think of that might help his injuries.

Pei Boyi consumed quite a few pills, but there was still no improvement.

Bai Tang lit a fire and sat in front of it, holding Pei Boyi’s cold body in his arms.

“It’s not cold, not cold at all. Once we’re by the fire, it won’t be cold anymore. I’m holding you too, so it won’t be cold. You won’t be cold at all…”

Bai Tang murmured softly, unsure whether he was comforting himself or comforting Pei Boyi, who could not hear him.

“You’re my servant. You said you’d be loyal to me. You still haven’t made lots and lots of fried pine nuts for me. If you break your promise… then I’ll marry someone else.”

In his daze, Bai Tang seemed to see a young man saying something similar to another man:

“If you’re not good to me, then I’ll marry someone else. I’ll find somebody else.”

That was him… that was him and A-Yi…

Tears blurred Bai Tang’s vision. He leaned against Pei Boyi’s shoulder, just like the two people in those fragmented scenes that occasionally surfaced in his mind.

“When are you going to wake up? I’m tired. It’s my turn to rest now.”

“It’s so cold here. I want you to hold me while I sleep.”

“I’m all alone… I’m so scared.”

“If the people from Dianxing Sect come after us again, I won’t be able to escape while carrying you… so wake up, okay?”

“Listen… there’s wind outside. Do you think they’ve found us?”

“I miss you, A-Yi…”

Bai Tang said nothing more.

Only the occasional crackling of the fire echoed through the cave. He let Pei Boyi lean against him, and whenever Pei Boyi’s body temperature dropped too low, he transferred some of his cultivation energy to him so his body could continue circulating it and absorb the medicinal effects of the pills.

Don’t sleep… don’t sleep…

Day and night continued to alternate outside, but Bai Tang seemed unaware of exhaustion. His eyes held only Pei Boyi.

He didn’t know how much time had passed. Eventually, all the pills meant to strengthen the body’s foundation and restore vitality had been used up. Bai Tang’s spiritual energy was also nearly exhausted, and his eyelids grew heavy.

Before losing consciousness, he gently touched Pei Boyi’s face, which was no longer deathly pale, and whispered in a voice so soft only he could hear:

“You’ve slept for so long… now it’s my turn to sleep. It’s time for you to wake up…”

The last piece of firewood burned down completely, and with no one tending it, the fire died out.

Cold wind poured in through the cave entrance, lifting the corners of their robes and bringing the season’s first snowfall onto their bodies.

Pei Boyi woke from the cold.

Something was pressing against his left arm, and remaining in the same position for so long had made his entire body stiff.

He circulated spiritual energy through his body to drive away the cold. Once he could move again, Bai Tang’s body tilted and fell across his lap.

“Tang Tang!”

Pei Boyi checked Bai Tang’s pulse and discovered that his spiritual energy had been completely exhausted. If he had woken up even a little later, they probably would have both frozen to death here.

Pei Boyi retrieved some flammable materials from his storage space and relit the fire. He removed Bai Tang’s outer clothes, held him tightly in his arms to warm him, and transferred spiritual energy to him.

Bai Tang’s condition was much better than Pei Boyi’s had been. He simply needed enough time to recover his vitality.

Three days later, Bai Tang woke up.

The moment he opened his eyes, he threw himself into Pei Boyi’s arms and burst into tears.

“I thought… I thought you didn’t want me anymore…”

“How could that happen? Even if I died, my soul would still stay with Tang Tang.”

“N-No… don’t say things like that…” Bai Tang covered Pei Boyi’s mouth.

Right now, he couldn’t bear hearing the word death. Death, injuries—everything related to them could go to hell.

“Okay, I won’t talk about dying. We’ll both live well. I still want to become cultivation partners with Tang Tang.”

Pei Boyi spoke gently, his eyes filled with affection as he looked at Bai Tang. As long as Tang Tang was happy, everything else was fine.

When it came to spoiling his wife, Pei Boyi had become more and more shamelessly indulgent. Bai Tang’s happiness always came first.

A thought suddenly flashed through Bai Tang’s mind. Struggling to sit up straight, he looked directly at Pei Boyi with complete seriousness.

“Let’s become a pair.”

Who cared whether someone was a demonic cultivator or not? Bai Tang only knew one thing—he didn’t want to lose Pei Boyi.

With the bond of becoming cultivation partners, their lives would become linked. If something happened to Pei Boyi, Bai Tang could even give half of his own lifespan to him.

Pei Boyi looked into Bai Tang’s clear, almond-shaped eyes, a smile spreading across his lips.

“I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Forming a partnership had always been something between two people. Only in the current cultivation world, if both parties were influential figures, would they hold grand ceremonies and publicly announce it, symbolizing an alliance between the forces behind them.

Bai Tang didn’t care about such things, and Pei Boyi only cared about having Bai Tang by his side.

With heaven and earth as witnesses and their souls as oath-bound testimony, they swore:

Lifetime after lifetime, they would never part. Whether in the Yellow Springs or the highest heavens, they would remain together, accompanying one another forever.

Bai Tang and Pei Boyi used the oldest partnership formation to seal their vows.

This was a formation that ordinary cultivation partners would never activate. Becoming cultivation partners was generally for the sake of better cultivation, and if one partner died, the other usually would not choose to follow them into death—unless they loved them deeply enough.

There was another benefit to becoming cultivation partners: they could practice dual cultivation techniques.

This was not a harvesting art that drained one person for another’s gain, but a cultivation method where two people whose hearts and minds were connected cultivated together and improved while sharing both physical and emotional pleasure.

Pei Boyi prepared an exquisitely decorated wedding chamber.

Holding Bai Tang, who was also dressed in wedding robes, he carried him to the bedside step by step and gently laid him down.

“Tang Tang, I love you.”

“I love you too.”

The red curtains fell, and articles of clothing were discarded one by one by their owners, floating in the air for a few seconds before drifting slowly to the floor.

Sounds that seemed like pleasure and cries alike drifted out from behind the curtains, but they could not pass through the barrier Pei Boyi had set up.

Little did they know that outside, the people searching for them had already gone mad.

Back at Le’an Immortal Sect—

The Sect Master Siyuan’s carefully concealed secret had still leaked out.

They had only thought of controlling people like the Great Elder who knew Bai Tang’s identity, but they had overlooked the fact that some demonic cultivators also knew who Bai Tang was.

When Daoist Heyi of Le’an Immortal Sect willingly abandoned the righteous path and fell into demonic cultivation, Daoist Jiayi seized the opportunity and produced evidence that confirmed the rumors.

The disciples of the righteous path were immediately filled with anger at being deceived.

They had trusted Le’an Immortal Sect so deeply, trusted Sect Master Siyuan so completely—and this was how Le’an Immortal Sect repaid that trust? By covering for a demonic cultivator?

A demonic cultivator was still a demonic cultivator. A cultivator who had fallen into demonic cultivation was proof of an unstable character and an extreme mindset—someone destined to bring harm to the world.

If demonic cultivators were not eliminated, chaos would engulf the world.

Some people also took advantage of the situation to stir up trouble.

Every day, people came to Le’an Immortal Sect demanding explanations. Daoist Jiayi led people into the sect’s dungeon and rescued the Great Elder and Ling Zhiye, who looked barely human after their ordeal, along with the Dianxing Sect disciples, who appeared exhausted but were otherwise in relatively good condition.

For the moment, Daoist Jiayi had become the victor. Public opinion and the favorable tide of sentiment had shifted toward Dianxing Sect.

With evidence in hand, Le’an Immortal Sect stood accused of harming fellow cultivators.

Dianxing Sect officially declared war on Le’an Immortal Sect.

They would demand justice, and they would fight Le’an Immortal Sect to the bitter end.

Chapter 479 – My Master Is Not Human – The Situation Reverses (26)

“Return the fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills to Dianxing Sect, and we’ll return the Radiant Pearl. Each item goes back to its rightful owner—that’s not an unreasonable request, is it?” Fu Maiwen said. Even if this matter were made public, they would still have the moral high ground. Besides, he didn’t believe the Grand Elder would willingly spit out such a piece of fat meat after getting his hands on it.

Sure enough, when the Grand Elder heard Fu Maiwen’s demand, his expression changed slightly. Maintaining a friendly smile, he said, “Le’an Immortal Sect and Dianxing Sect are like branches of the same tree. When it comes to fighting the demonic path, our goals are the same. If we start internal conflict among ourselves, wouldn’t that simply play into the hands of the demonic cultivators?”

The Grand Elder was much more eloquent than Ling Zhiye. Taking the moral high ground like that made it difficult for Fu Maiwen to argue back.

Pei Boyi raised an eyebrow. “In that case, Grand Elder, you also have no reason to demand that we hand over the Radiant Pearl.”

From the time they arrived at Le’an Immortal Sect until now, Ling Zhiye had already endured enough. There was no need to keep tolerating it anymore. Pretending to apologize, he stepped forward again and cupped his hands toward Pei Boyi.

“Fellow Daoist Pei, forgive my offense—”

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Zhiye suddenly attacked. Pulling out the treasured sword at his waist, he slashed toward Pei Boyi’s neck, intending to take his head.

Pei Boyi had anticipated this long ago and lifted his foot, kicking directly at Ling Zhiye’s knee.

“How dare you!”

An icy sword left its sheath, and a streak of sword energy descended between Pei Boyi and Ling Zhiye. Yin Chun gripped her sword and immediately charged toward the newly stabilized Ling Zhiye.

Sword shadows flickered in every direction. Yin Chun had inherited much of Wen Leng’s teachings. Although she had entered the sect not long ago, she was still able to exchange blows evenly with Ling Zhiye without falling behind.

However, women were ultimately at a disadvantage when it came to stamina compared to men. After over a hundred exchanges, Yin Chun gradually began to lose ground. Her speed was limited by exhaustion, and Ling Zhiye knocked her sword aside, forcing her several steps backward.

“Your speed isn’t enough. You hesitated.”

Seated above them, Wen Leng could clearly see all of Yin Chun’s strengths and weaknesses.

“Yes, Master. Thank you for your guidance,” Yin Chun said before returning to stand behind Wen Leng.

Bai Tang took out a small bottle from his pocket and handed it to Yin Chun.

“For treating your injuries.”

Anything produced by Medicine Peak had to be good stuff—especially if it came from Bai Tang himself.

Smiling gratefully, Yin Chun said, “This disciple thanks Martial Uncle He Yi.”

Because of her trust in him, Yin Chun didn’t even inspect it. She opened the bottle and swallowed the pill immediately. The paleness on her face faded within three breaths, and her complexion became rosy again. Anyone with eyes could tell that Yin Chun had recovered to her peak condition—perhaps her strength had even improved further.

No one understood the change better than Yin Chun herself. She became even more respectful toward Bai Tang. Ever since she was young, Martial Uncle He Yi had always treated every disciple kindly. Back then, he had even personally selected a suitable cultivation technique for her when she had first entered the sect.

Master had said that if she had not used those two cultivation techniques as her foundation, her chances of winning during the Inner Sect Competition would have been very small, and her path of cultivation would not have progressed as smoothly as it had now. Therefore, Yin Chun sincerely felt grateful toward Bai Tang.

With a wave of her hand, her sword automatically flew back into her grasp. If the people of Dianxing Sect still refused to let the matter rest, she would fight again.

Ling Zhiye was not as fortunate as Yin Chun. He swallowed two pills to restore his spiritual energy, but their effects were nowhere near as remarkable as the pills personally refined by Bai Tang. Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he adjusted his breathing and recovered his energy, already too exhausted to continue fighting.

Of course, there was another way for Ling Zhiye to recover quickly—that was for the Grand Elder to take out a Soul-Returning Jade Pill. But the Soul-Returning Jade Pill was something meant to save lives; using it on Ling Zhiye would truly be a waste.

“Zhiye, you were out of line.”

The Grand Elder gave Ling Zhiye a token reprimand before turning to Bai Tang and saying, “Daojun He Yi, Fellow Daoist Pei, my apologies. Zhiye and Zhenzhen were very close, and he also wishes to capture the culprit as soon as possible. That is why he lost his judgment for a moment…”

This was essentially the Grand Elder lowering his stance and yielding to Bai Tang and the others. Great sects were expected to be broad-minded and not haggle over minor matters.

But Bai Tang had no intention of doing that.

Why should all the benefits go to the Grand Elder while they, despite being in the right, still had to back down? They had already been bullied at their own door, yet they were expected not to fight back?

The more Bai Tang thought about Ling Zhiye attacking Pei Boyi, the angrier he became.

“In that case, we cannot blame the Grand Elder. However, Ling Zhiye’s actions were disrespectful toward Le’an Immortal Sect and disrespectful toward this Lord. You may leave, but Ling Zhiye stays behind.”

“Daojun He Yi, you…”

“What He Yi says is reasonable. Dianxing Sect was once a great sect as well. I believe you would not shield a disciple who has made a mistake, Grand Elder, wouldn’t you agree?” the Sect Master said as he stroked his beard.

If a tiger never showed its claws, people would truly think it was easy to bully.

“This Lord?”

Bai Tang’s form of self-address caused suspicion to arise in the Grand Elder’s mind. As far as he knew, Daojun He Yi did not normally refer to himself in that way. Quietly, he began devising a small plan. Since he had already offended them, offending them a little more made no difference.

The Grand Elder composed his expression and cupped his hands.

“I truly apologize.”

He lifted Ling Zhiye from the ground and said, “Today, you attacked your companions without authorization. Dianxing Sect has no place for you.”

He brushed aside Ling Zhiye’s disheveled hair, and his tone suddenly softened into one of false kindness.

“Zhiye, you also need more experience and training.”

The Grand Elder’s willingness to abandon Ling Zhiye so easily chilled the hearts of Dianxing Sect disciples who had come with him.

After speaking, the Grand Elder pushed Ling Zhiye in Pei Boyi’s direction.

Ling Zhiye stumbled from the shove and fell forward, collapsing at Bai Tang’s feet.

Looking at Ling Zhiye lying there like a dead dog, Bai Tang felt that he was somewhat pitiful. But the fact that he had tried to harm Pei Boyi meant there was no possibility of forgiveness.

“This rebellious disciple will be left in Daojun He Yi’s hands for punishment. There is no need to consider Dianxing Sect’s feelings—punish him however you see fit,” the Grand Elder said righteously.

To avoid returning the Soul-Returning Jade Pills, the Grand Elder had truly taken shamelessness to the extreme.

Just as nearly everyone’s attention was focused on the Grand Elder, Ling Zhiye suddenly pulled a short dagger from his waist and slashed at Bai Tang, who was standing before him.

Bai Tang retreated in time. Although he was not seriously injured, the blade still cut the skin on his calf.

The Radiant Pearl could help conceal one’s aura, but demonic energy that had seeped into flesh, blood, and bones could not be hidden.

The moment Bai Tang bled, an overwhelming wave of demonic energy flooded the great hall.

The Sect Master and the others stared at Bai Tang in disbelief, seemingly unable to understand how things had suddenly developed in this direction.

So there really was a problem!

The Grand Elder’s plan had succeeded. Straightening his back, he declared righteously, “Daojun He Yi, I never expected you to willingly fall into corruption and actually defect to the Demon Realm.”

The identity Bai Tang had worked so hard to conceal had still been exposed, and he no longer wished to explain himself.

He completely released his pressure. The overwhelming might of a Demon Lord swept through the hall like a storm. Disciples with lower cultivation levels began bleeding from all seven orifices, rolling on the ground in agony as they screamed in pain.

“So what if this Lord is a Demon Lord? What does it have to do with you?” Bai Tang angled his feet outward, ready to run at any moment.

There were too many people here. If he could not win, he would run—preserve his strength first. As long as the green hills remained, there would always be firewood to burn.

Wait… where had he heard that saying before? It sounded strangely familiar. It felt like someone had explained it to him once.

“Since ancient times, righteousness and evil have never coexisted. Demon Lord, you infiltrated Dianxing Sect, sent people to deceive us and steal the Radiant Pearl, and even caused Zhenzhen’s death. If I do not capture you today, I would be betraying the disciples who died because of you!”

The Grand Elder took out his natal magic treasure and prepared for battle.

Bai Tang snorted coldly.

“Stop throwing false accusations at me. I never laid a finger on your so-called Zhenzhen.”

“So you want a fight? Then this Lord will indulge you.”

Bai Tang summoned his vines. He was no longer the demonic cultivator who had just emerged from the Da Ji Secret Realm. Even the other Demon Saints would give him some respect now, yet some mere Grand Elder actually dared to speak so arrogantly.

Without another word, the two began fighting. Two blurred shadows clashed fiercely in midair, neither willing to give way.

This sudden turn of events left the Sect Master and the others staring in shock. Just as Pei Boyi was about to join the battle, the Sect Master and the others finally came back to their senses and hurriedly stopped him, hoping to learn the truth.

“Pei Boyi, what is going on? How did Xiao Tang become a demon?”

“For our sake, TangTang became a demon while protecting us as we left the Da Ji Secret Realm. He has never harmed a single disciple from the righteous sects. Believe it or not, today I will take TangTang away from Le’an Immortal Sect.”

Pei Boyi shook off the Sect Master’s hand and joined the battle with his sword.

With the male lead, the male supporting character, and the major cannon-fodder villain fighting at the same time, it was practically a battle among immortals.

Originally, the Grand Elder and Bai Tang had been evenly matched, but with Pei Boyi joining in, the Grand Elder gradually began to lose the upper hand.

While turning around, the Grand Elder suddenly took out the Soul-Returning Jade Pills and swallowed them all at once. Spiritual energy rapidly refilled his dantian, his stamina surged, and fighting for several hundred more exchanges would no longer be a problem.

Seeing that the Grand Elder was at a disadvantage, Bai Tang had no intention of dragging the battle out and only wanted to seize the opportunity to escape. However, after consuming the pills, the Grand Elder’s strength increased greatly, and he took the chance to launch a sneak attack.

“Mm—”

Pei Boyi let out a muffled groan.

Bai Tang turned around and instinctively reached out to support him, only for his hand to be met with something sticky. A faint scent of blood drifted into his nose.

“A-Ayi…” Bai Tang panicked. How could this be…?

“I’m fine. TangTang, don’t cry.”

At some point, tears had already begun sliding down Bai Tang’s cheeks without him even realizing it himself.

“Go become master and disciple in the underworld together.”

The Grand Elder tossed aside his magic treasure, which had been cut apart by Pei Boyi, gathered spiritual energy into his palm, and struck toward Pei Boyi’s back.

A mouthful of blood sprayed across Bai Tang’s face. The warmth of it and the glaring crimson color filled him with uncontrollable rage. Turning his head, he met the Grand Elder’s triumphant expression.

He still had the nerve to look pleased.

He had hurt Ayi like this.

He had to die.

Bai Tang was consumed by fury. His hand transformed back into a claw as he thrust it forward, tearing through the Grand Elder’s defenses and plunging into his abdomen. He ripped out his heart and liver.

“I thought someone as vicious as you would have a heart as black as coal. Turns out it’s only this much?”

Only this much…

The words were deeply mocking, yet the person he loved most had been injured by someone like this.

At the moment Bai Tang ripped out the Grand Elder’s heart and liver, he also injected demonic energy into him. It corroded his soul and shattered his dantian.

He was beyond saving.

No amount of Soul-Returning Jade Pills could save him now.

Bai Tang had already decided that he would make the Grand Elder suffer a fate worse than death.

“Xiao Tang.”

Bai Tang held Pei Boyi and prepared to leave, but the Sect Master called out from below:

“Deal with these people. No one will ever know.”

The Sect Master truly adored his junior martial brother—to the point of almost spoiling him. Even though Bai Tang had become a demonic cultivator, he still believed Bai Tang had been forced into it.

For Bai Tang’s sake, the Sect Master was even willing to stain his hands with sin and kill every disciple of Dianxing Sect who had come to Le’an Immortal Sect that day.

Bai Tang was not cold-hearted. He was moved by the Sect Master’s love and protection.

But precisely because of that, he could not stay.

If he stayed, he would only bring disaster upon the Sect Master, upon the senior brothers and sisters who cared for him, and upon Le’an Immortal Sect.

“I’m sorry.”

Bai Tang silently mouthed the words before disappearing into the sky above Le’an Immortal Sect with Pei Boyi.

Chapter 478 – My Master Is Not Human – Turning the Tables (25)

If that hammer actually came down, Pei Boyi wasn’t sure whether his chest would end up flatter, but there was a ninety percent chance that Tang Tang would become a widow.

“But your body’s become way too stiff~” Bai Tang sighed. “Since you’re with me now, I can’t just ignore you.”

His dissatisfied expression clearly carried the message: You can’t avoid treatment just because you’re afraid of the illness.

“Be good, I have a very steady hand. It’ll be over in no time.”

Pei Boyi said, “I’m fine. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore.”

Bai Tang poked him with a finger. “But it’s still very—”

Pei Boyi immediately interrupted, “I said it doesn’t hurt, so it doesn’t hurt. Oh right, when I came back, I asked my senior brothers. They picked fresh tea leaves this morning, so I’ll make you some fried tea pine nuts.”

“But—”

Before Bai Tang could finish his protest, Pei Boyi had already put on his clothes and swiftly headed toward the side room on the right.

“Tang Tang, if you’re sleepy, get some rest first. I’ll call you when it’s ready.”

By the time those words reached Bai Tang’s ears, Pei Boyi had already disappeared from sight.

Bai Tang pouted. “He just doesn’t trust my medical skills. Back in the Daji Secret Realm, I was the one who treated all your injuries…”

He sighed gloomily on the surface, but his mood had already lightened considerably. Getting hit in the chest with a hammer could actually kill someone. Did they really think he was some ignorant child who knew nothing and couldn’t tell that A-Yi was scared?

He had only wanted to imitate the version of himself from the illusion he had seen and play around with A-Yi a little. Though things had escalated more than expected, the results weren’t bad.

Hehe. Look at that—A-Yi had gone to make him delicious food again.

After the fried tea pine nuts were ready, Bai Tang didn’t bring up the hammer incident again. However, after Pei Boyi carried out the pine nuts, Bai Tang handed him a pill.

“Hurry and eat this. It’s good for strengthening the body.”

Pei Boyi’s heart grew warm, and he swallowed the pill.

A familiar place could make people let down their guard, and the two of them spent a warm and pleasant night together.

As early as when the two had returned, the First Elder of Dianxing Sect had wanted to meet Bai Tang. However, the Sect Master, who felt sorry that his junior brother had just returned from a long journey, forcibly put the matter on hold. Even a powerful outsider couldn’t suppress the local host, so the First Elder could only wait patiently.

He could wait, but Ling Zhiye—the eldest senior brother, whose heart was set on avenging Zhenzhen—couldn’t.

Early in the morning, before most people had even gotten out of bed, he secretly slipped away from the First Elder and stood guard outside the Sect Master’s residence, determined to make the head of Le’an Immortal Sect invite Daoist He Yi.

Since the two sects were on good terms, no matter how unwilling the Sect Master was, he couldn’t simply disregard Dianxing Sect.

When the sun had fully risen, he estimated that Bai Tang should be awake by now and finally sent a disciple to Medicine Peak to invite Daoist He Yi over.

Medicine Peak was the farthest of the five peaks from the main hall. To get there, the messenger disciple had to pass through the other four peaks first.

Seeing a messenger disciple passing by, each of the four peaks sent someone to ask about it. The disciple didn’t hide anything and directly said that at daybreak, the Dianxing Sect had already gone to the Sect Master to request a meeting with Daoist He Yi.

They had only returned yesterday, and none of them had the heart to disturb Bai Tang’s rest. The people from Dianxing Sect sure had some nerve.

A fire rose in the hearts of the peak masters, who were all hopelessly protective of Bai Tang. Just because Xiao Tang was gentle, they thought he was easy to bully? Did they think his senior brothers were dead?

Bai Tang’s senior brothers stormed into the main hall in a rage and sat down imposingly in the seats above. Low pressure seemed to radiate from around them, making others afraid to move carelessly.

The Dianxing Sect disciples who had followed behind were indeed intimidated. Standing behind the First Elder, they didn’t dare move an inch. Cold sweat rolled down their backs as they secretly complained inwardly that Le’an Immortal Sect’s rules were terrifyingly strict.

Only the First Elder calmly drank his tea as if nothing were happening. Even Ling Zhiye, who had come early in the morning to pressure them, felt uncomfortable, though he could still endure it.

Three of the five peak masters had arrived. Greetings suddenly sounded from outside the hall, and just as everyone thought Bai Tang had arrived and eagerly looked toward the entrance, the Sword Peak Master, Wen Leng, entered with her direct disciple Yin Chun.

As they passed by the Dianxing Sect disciples, an icy chill like a glacier’s freezing wind swept toward them. It felt as though the air itself had frozen and thinned, making it difficult to breathe.

“Frost Immortal.”

“Sect Master.” Wen Leng nodded at the Sect Master and the others in greeting.

With Wen Leng now inside, the oppressive atmosphere in the hall grew even stronger. The disciples with lower cultivation levels began turning pale, and even Ling Zhiye could no longer maintain his composure; his expression darkened.

Just as the First Elder was on the verge of losing his temper, Bai Tang finally arrived with Pei Boyi.

“Senior Brother Sect Master, Senior Brothers, Senior Sister—you’re all here?” The moment Bai Tang stepped in and saw the setup that looked like a full-scale interrogation, he felt a little guilty. Why was everyone gathered so neatly today? He was only together with A-Yi—was the consequence really this serious?

“Xiao Tang is here! Come, sit quickly.” The Sect Master smiled broadly and invited Bai Tang to sit beside him.

Bai Tang sat with the Sect Master on his left and Wen Leng on his right. As he passed Wen Leng, she gave him a slight nod.

“Yin Chun greets Martial Uncle. Martial Uncle He Yi, you’ve finally returned.”

The little girl Bai Tang had once met in the library had now grown into a young woman. Perhaps because Bai Tang had chosen a cultivation method for her, Yin Chun had practiced an additional wood-element cultivation art compared to the original storyline. It balanced out the killing aura brought by her sword path, so unlike Wen Leng, she didn’t appear cold and emotionless. Around people she knew, she still showed some warmth.

“Long time no see,” Bai Tang said with a smile.

He had no idea who Yin Chun actually was, but anyone present in the main hall today likely held some status.

Yin Chun revealed an innocent, harmless smile before stepping back beside Wen Leng, though her right hand remained on the hilt of her sword, ready to deal with any unexpected situation.

In front of all the sect leaders and peak masters, Pei Boyi wasn’t qualified to sit down. The Sect Master gave him a cold glance, suppressing the urge to kill him that rose from the bottom of his heart.

The Sect Master said, “Now that everyone is here and He Yi has arrived as well, let’s get straight to the point. First Elder, if you have something to say, speak plainly.”

The First Elder laughed loudly.

“Then perhaps I should first ask all of you fellow Daoists to withdraw your pressure. My disappointing disciples can’t withstand it.”

The Sect Master shot several people a look, and Fu Maiwen and the others reluctantly withdrew their spiritual pressure.

The First Elder nodded toward Ling Zhiye behind him. Receiving the signal, Ling Zhiye stepped forward two paces and said loudly:

“A few days ago, Fellow Daoist Pei Boyi, disciple of Daoist He Yi, came to Dianxing Sect to borrow the Radiant Light Pearl. When they were preparing to leave, the beloved daughter of Sect Master Jiayi of Dianxing Sect, Zhenzhen, was harmed by a villain and fell from a cliff at the back mountain, dying there.”

“Before leaving, Fellow Daoist Pei stayed at the back mountain for quite some time. Not long after he departed, Junior Sister Zhenzhen died. The timing and the people involved all match. Furthermore, when Fellow Daoist Pei left, he did not even bid farewell to Sect Master Jiayi and departed in great haste…”

“And the day before yesterday, disciples sent word by flying message that traces of demonic energy had been discovered on the mountain where several outer disciples, who had previously been injured after conflicts with Fellow Daoist Pei, were staying.”

Ling Zhiye spoke with resentment and anger, his eyes locked onto Pei Boyi. He was practically one step away from pointing at him and shouting, “You’re the murderer who killed Zhenzhen!”

After hearing this, the Sect Master and the others frowned and turned toward Pei Boyi.

“Pei Boyi, what explanation do you have?”

Bai Tang nervously gripped Pei Boyi’s hand, but Pei Boyi remained calm and unhurried.

“This disciple indeed went to Dianxing Sect and borrowed the Radiant Light Pearl in exchange for fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills.”

“At the time, my master had already been missing for three months. The Daji Secret Realm had been destroyed by demonic cultivators, and I was anxious, so I intended to use the Radiant Light Pearl to conceal my aura and infiltrate the Demon Realm to search for my master and determine whether he was there.”

“As for why demonic energy appeared within Dianxing Sect, this disciple truly does not know. I ask Sect Master to judge fairly.”

Pei Boyi cupped his hands toward the Sect Master and handed the initiative back to him.

Even though the Sect Master disliked Pei Boyi for harboring feelings toward Bai Tang, he was still one of their own, and also his junior brother’s prized disciple. Internal conflicts were one thing, but they could not allow outsiders to make a mockery of them.

The Sect Master pondered for a moment before saying:

“When we were in the Daji Secret Realm, we already learned that the Demon Realm intended to wage war against the righteous path. Therefore, it is not impossible that spies had infiltrated various sects.”

“As for Fellow Daoist Zhenzhen’s matter, Le’an Immortal Sect expresses its deepest condolences. Please restrain your grief.”

Trying to dump dirty water on Le’an Immortal Sect? Not a chance.

“You—”

Ling Zhiye froze for a moment and looked at Pei Boyi with eyes filled with venom.

Xiao Qiu had secretly told him that Pei Boyi was the culprit who had harmed Zhenzhen. Was he really supposed to just stand by and watch him escape punishment?!

“First Elder, this disciple has a different opinion.”

People naturally favored their own side. Ling Zhiye no longer expected the Sect Master of Le’an Immortal Sect to take the initiative and punish Pei Boyi, so he turned to his own sect’s First Elder for help.

The First Elder was also displeased by the implied message hidden in the Sect Master’s argument: your sect was simply too weak and incompetent.

Stroking his beard, he said,

“Speak.”

Ling Zhiye stepped forward again and said:

“After Junior Sister Zhenzhen was harmed, Dianxing Sect conducted an investigation of all disciples within the sect, and no traces of demonic energy were detected. So why is it that demonic energy appeared in the wounds of the outer disciples—and specifically those who had previously clashed with Pei Boyi? Moreover, this happened before he obtained the Radiant Light Pearl.”

“Now that Pei Boyi has the Radiant Light Pearl, any demonic energy on him naturally cannot be detected. If you truly want to prove that you have nothing to do with demonic cultivators, then return the Radiant Light Pearl. If no demonic energy is found afterward, Dianxing Sect will believe you are innocent.”

Hearing this, Bai Tang tightened his grip on Pei Boyi’s hand.

“A-Yi~”

“Daoist He Yi need not worry. If he is truly innocent, then even after returning the Radiant Light Pearl, no demonic energy will be detected. I, Ling Zhiye, will personally apologize to him.”

The Radiant Light Pearl had already fused with Bai Tang’s body after entering him. Where could they possibly find a second Radiant Light Pearl?

Pei Boyi’s continued silence only made Ling Zhiye more convinced of his suspicion.

It’s him. He’s the one who harmed Zhenzhen—ruined her reputation and caused her to die tragically after falling from the cliff.

“A-Yi~”

Bai Tang hesitated, silently calculating the difference in strength between himself and everyone else present. If he stepped forward to admit everything and then escaped while catching everyone off guard, his senior brothers from Le’an Immortal Sect probably wouldn’t have time to stop him, and the people from Dianxing Sect likely wouldn’t be able to stop him either.

“Return the Radiant Light Pearl?” Pei Boyi suddenly let out a cold laugh. “Then would my fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills have been given away for nothing? What a clever scheme.”

“First, you smear us with accusations, then take back the Radiant Light Pearl. Once everyone’s attention has been diverted, no one will care about those fifty Soul-Returning Jade Pills. And if it later turns out to be a mistake, at worst you’ll just apologize while still getting my things for free.”

“What an excellent plan indeed.”

Pei Boyi smiled as he slowly applauded.

“They say Dianxing Sect was once a great sect, with profound foundations and immense strength. It seems your talent for plotting is no less impressive. This junior truly admits defeat.”

“Exactly!” Fu Maiwen immediately chimed in.

“You say there’s demonic energy, so suddenly there is demonic energy? Everything is coming solely from your side of the story. Neither our Le’an Immortal Sect nor the other righteous sects have personally witnessed any of this.”

“Do you really think that just because our master passed away and Le’an Immortal Sect has rarely appeared in public, our strength has weakened and we’re easy to bully? So you’ve decided to make us your target?”

In an instant, Fu Maiwen elevated the matter to the level of conflict between sects and even hinted at a larger conspiracy.

The First Elder had allowed his eldest disciple, Ling Zhiye, to pressure Pei Boyi, but he never expected them to turn the situation around on him instead, leaving him trapped in an awkward position with no easy way forward or back.