Chapter 25:

The other side of the folding fan depicted a landscape of mountains and rivers.

Mu Xuanling never expected Nan Xuyue’s folding fan to conceal another world. As Sang Qi waved his sleeve, Nan Xuyue led her into the world within the fan.

Inside, everything was peaceful—birds chirped, flowers exuded fragrance, and streams trickled gently, like a paradise untouched by the mundane world.

Nan Xuyue inhaled deeply and said, “This is a small heavenly realm created by an ancestor of the Yunxiu Villa, a revered cultivator at the Dharma Manifestation stage. I connected its entrance to the fan’s surface through formations. Although we can temporarily evade Sang Qi here, this isn’t a long-term solution. I don’t know the extent of his power. If he possesses the strength of Dharma Manifestation, he could tear open spatial rifts and enter this realm.”

Mu Xuanling’s face turned pale. “He’s far more terrifying than I imagined. All these years, he’s been concealing his true strength.”

“He deliberately lured Xie Xuechen away, so he probably doesn’t have the power to confront him directly,” Nan Xuyue said gravely, deep in thought. “We just need to hold out for a short while. Once Xie Xuechen kills that demonic dragon, Sang Qi will have no choice but to retreat empty-handed.”

“That demonic jiao is no ordinary adversary,” Mu Xuanling remarked with worry. “Originally a Jiao King among demonic creatures, after its defeat, Sang Qi extracted its tendons and imprisoned its soul, refining it into a magical artifact. It exists between reality and illusion, making it exceptionally challenging to handle. Just days ago, Xie Xuechen absorbed the explosion of a Dharma Manifestation cultivator with his soul. His strength hasn’t yet recovered to seventy percent of its former level. I fear he might sustain further injuries, and Sang Qi would seize the opportunity to strike.”

Nan Xuyue stared at her and suddenly burst into laughter.

Mu Xuanling looked up in surprise. “Why are you laughing?”

Nan Xuyue sighed helplessly. “Even now, you’re still worrying about him.”

Mu Xuanling’s eyelashes trembled slightly as she lowered her gaze, speechless.

Nan Xuyue sighed softly and asked gently, “Earlier, you suddenly turned pale. Was it chest pain again?”

Mu Xuanling nodded. “I don’t know why, but it suddenly started hurting again.”

She had experienced chest pain before, assuming it was due to the dispersal of demonic energy. But now that her demonic cultivation had dissipated, the pain not only hadn’t subsided—it had worsened.

“I’m just worried this has something to do with Sang Qi,” Nan Xuyue said, placing her hand on Mu Xuanling’s wrist to examine her pulse, but found nothing conclusive.

Sang Qi’s methods were unpredictable. Although Nan Xuyue was unparalleled in mastery of formations among humans, Sang Qi’s manipulation of demonic energy was beyond comprehension—an area Nan Xuyue, as a mortal, could never hope to touch.

“Nan Xuyue,” Mu Xuanling took a deep breath, looking directly into his eyes with solemnity. “If he comes after us again, don’t worry about me. He’s coming to capture me, not to kill me. I’ll be fine.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Nan Xuyue sighed. “You’ve lost all your demonic powers. If he takes you back to the demonic realm, even if you survive, life would be worse than death.”

“I’m already used to it. That’s my destiny, nothing to do with you. I shouldn’t drag you into this,” Mu Xuanling smiled faintly. “These few days since leaving the demonic realm have been like a beautiful dream. Now the dream is over, it’s time to return to reality.”

Nan Xuyue wanted to say something, but Mu Xuanling interrupted him.

“I understand your feelings, but I can’t accept them,” Mu Xuanling looked at the sorrow in Nan Xuyue’s eyes, enduring intense guilt and bitterness to speak her true thoughts. “You’re a dear friend to me. I don’t want you getting hurt because of me.”

“Friend…” Nan Xuyue’s clear, deep eyes swirled with suppressed emotions. “So that’s all it is.”

“You managed to emerge from darkness because of yourself, not because of my careless words,” Mu Xuanling sighed gently, unable to bear seeing Nan Xuyue hurt, instinctively softening her tone. “I’m not worth your affection.”

Suddenly, Nan Xuyue let out a low chuckle. Mu Xuanling looked at his handsome profile in confusion, seeing only a bitter curve on his lips—half a smile, not quite a smile.

“Xuanling, earlier in the dungeon, I think I left something unsaid,” Nan Xuyue suddenly changed the topic. Mu Xuanling frowned slightly, puzzled.

Nan Xuyue slightly tilted his head back, his dark, deep eyes like a moonless, starless night.

“You said back then that your father spared the person responsible for harming you,” Mu Xuanling said softly.

Nan Xuyue smiled. “Not entirely spared. At least, Lady Xue is dead.”

“Ah!” Mu Xuanling gasped. “Was she killed by your father?”

Nan Xuyue said, “She took the blame for Nan Xingye, bearing all the guilt, and committed suicide in front of me.”

What Nan Xuyue could never forget was Lady Xue’s eyes at the moment of her death—she smiled, satisfied. Her son could have everything, and she was just dying. That was already worth it.

“I was originally angry because of my father’s injustice and favoritism, but at that moment, I suddenly felt envy,” Nan Xuyue said with a faint smile. “Someone loved him so much that she could willingly die for him.”

“And in this lifetime, I’ll never meet someone like that.”

It was only later that Nan Xuyue realized when that lost regret became his heart demon.

When he saw Mu Xuanling’s passionate, sincere affection for Xie Xuechen and her selfless devotion, he understood what he had missed.

He also found himself pitiful and ridiculous—he liked Xuanling as a person, or was it her deep, unwavering devotion to another person that he admired?

Even the wisest person in the world cannot transcend the barriers of emotion. He could only follow his heart, tightly holding her hand at this moment.

Suddenly, this world trembled violently. Nan Xuyue shielded Mu Xuanling behind him, saying solemnly, “He’s here.”

A black rift tore open in the sky, and a pale hand extended from the gap, spreading demonic energy everywhere. The space itself began to waver.

Nan Xuyue’s expression turned grave. He knew he couldn’t sustain this space any longer, though only a quarter of an hour had passed.

The rift in the air suddenly expanded rapidly. Nan Xuyue tightly grasped Mu Xuanling’s hand, and suddenly the entire space shattered like broken porcelain. Mu Xuanling felt her body become light as she and Nan Xuyue tumbled to the ground together.

They were still in the original place, while Sang Qi held a crushed folding fan in his hand.

“For a mortal, you did quite well,” Sang Qi didn’t hesitate to praise. “So I’ll still kill you.”

Mu Xuanling’s pupils contracted. She saw Sang Qi’s fingers twitch slightly, and her body instinctively pushed Nan Xuyue aside, standing in front of him. A black palm struck Mu Xuanling’s back. Even though Sang Qi had removed most of the demonic energy at the last moment, Mu Xuanling was still sent flying, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

“Foolish beyond redemption,” Sang Qi frowned slightly, his figure disappearing from the spot and reappearing beside Mu Xuanling, reaching out to scoop up the severely injured Mu Xuanling into his arms.

Mu Xuanling was in excruciating pain, powerless to resist, but still retained a sliver of consciousness. Her weak voice came out in broken sentences: “Sang Qi… if you kill him, I… will take my own life.”

“Hmph,” Sang Qi sneered. “You’d go this far for someone who doesn’t even like you? Is your life really that worthless? Or perhaps… you truly don’t want to live anymore?”

Her long lashes fluttered slightly, but she didn’t answer his question.

A sharp sword intent shot directly at Sang Qi’s face. Sang Qi’s expression turned serious, and he vanished from the spot.

Xie Xuechen, half his body covered in blood, appeared in front of Sang Qi. The sword Qi of Jun Tian was sharp and unyielding as ever.

In just fifteen minutes, he actually managed to defeat the demonic flood dragon—Sang Qi was utterly astonished.

“Master Xie, it seems you’ve paid quite a price,” Sang Qi observed the blood on Xie Xuechen’s body thoughtfully. “Hmm, to rush over here to stop me?”

Xie Xuechen didn’t waste words with him. Jun Tian sword rose again, moving so fast it emitted a sharp whistling sound. Sang Qi narrowed his silver eyes, forming a demonic energy shield in front of him. His figure flickered, appearing ten zhang away.

Xie Xuechen pursued relentlessly. Drops of blood from his feet fell into the snow, like red plum blossoms.

“Master Xie, right now you’re at the end of your strength. If we truly fight, you might not be my match,” Sang Qi’s voice carried from afar. “Is it worth risking your life against me for Mu Xuanling?”

Xie Xuechen kept his lips sealed.

As the formation strengthened, the demonic dragon indeed became a formidable foe—existing between reality and illusion, making it difficult to counter. Concerned for Mu Xuanling’s safety, Xie Xuechen sought to end the battle swiftly. There was only one solution: to channel all his strength into a single, all-encompassing strike against the demonic dragon.

Unable to find its true form, he treated everything as its true form.

Yu Que Tian Po Zhen reached its peak. He entered the formation himself, risking mutual destruction to slay the demonic dragon with his sword, then immediately rushed into the city to find Mu Xuanling.

But he was still a step too late, allowing Sang Qi to abduct Mu Xuanling.

“Master Xie,” Sang Qi’s voice was filled with malice. “Let me tell you something—Xiao Ling was sent by me to approach you with the goal of obtaining the Yu Que Sutra. She never truly loved you.”

Xie Xuechen’s sword pierced the empty space, the tip dripping with a bit of blood.

Sang Qi’s figure became visible, his face pale, silver eyes flashing strangely. “You don’t believe me?”

He not only didn’t believe him, but also used the opportunity to locate him.

Xie Xuechen’s dark blue long hair danced due to the surging spiritual energy. The golden light from his sword reflected in his phoenix eyes, exuding an awe-inspiring glow.

At that moment, a circular passage opened in the void, revealing a faint crimson moon inside. Sang Qi exhaled in relief, took a step back, and his figure vanished into the passage. Xie Xuechen chased like lightning, willing to risk his severely wounded body to enter the demonic realm, but a dark shadow suddenly appeared, blocking the passage.

The shadow transformed into a humanoid figure, neither clearly male nor female—it was the Lust Demon.

The Lust Demon hesitated for a moment, completely losing track of Sang Qi in the face of Xie Xuechen’s murderous intent.

The Lust Demon, somewhat aggrieved and fearful, faced the furious Xie Xuechen, causing the entire demonic city to tremble. He was utterly captivated by Xie Xuechen’s beauty—especially the sight of the sword god in blood-soaked white robes, which exuded a uniquely tragic and magnificent allure. Swallowing hard, he found himself torn between desire and an uncontrollable dread of power.

The Obsession Demon should have been the one to feel fear and anxiety. He, the Lust Demon who only sought pleasure, shouldn’t be afraid.

The Lust Demon transformed into Mu Xuanling’s appearance, smiling apologetically. “Master Xie…”

Before the words finished, he was struck by Jun Tian’s sword Qi, turning into a wisp of black smoke.

Xie Xuechen coldly stared at the spot where the passage had disappeared. The last bit of his strength suddenly dissipated, his body swaying as he fell from midair. Jun Tian transformed into a small golden light boat, gently carrying him down onto the snowy ground.

The snow beneath him slowly turned red as a white jade hairpin fell from his embrace.

He had redeemed the hairpin from the noodle shop, warming the cool jade in his palm. He wanted to return it to her, yet secretly wished to keep it.

Let Xuanling stay in Yongxue City…

This thought echoed repeatedly in his mind.

But in the end, he couldn’t keep her.

Facing the demonic flood dragon, he knew his choice—between Xuanling and Yongxue City, he ultimately chose the latter.

Mu Xuanling slowly regained consciousness through intense pain. Her back burned as if on fire, and the pain radiated to her heart and lungs, causing her to cough lightly.

“You’re awake,” Sang Qi’s voice approached from afar, his black robe appearing in her field of vision.

“If I hadn’t withdrawn most of my power, you’d probably be dead by now,” Sang Qi sneered. “What’s wrong? You like Xie Xuechen, don’t you? Have you changed your heart again and started liking that crippled man instead?”

Mu Xuanling remained silent, lips pressed tightly.

She was currently lying in Sang Qi’s alchemy room. Everywhere she looked were various pills and magical artifacts. This was the place she had been most familiar with over the past seven years—Sang Qi had taught her much here, but also made her suffer endlessly. Each time demonic energy coursed through her body, it was a form of torture.

Sang Qi half-kneeled in front of her, grabbing her thin chin and forcing her to lift her head. His silver eyes glimmered with cruel amusement. “Looks like you’ve gone through a lot. It must have been hard to cultivate demonic powers for seven years, only to have them shattered by Xie Xuechen. Yet you seem quite willing.”

Mu Xuanling lowered her gaze, unwilling to speak to him.

“The child has grown up, becoming more and more rebellious. She doesn’t even listen to her master’s words anymore,” Sang Qi tightened his grip, leaving red finger marks on her pale cheeks. She slightly furrowed her brows.

“Don’t you remember what I told you when I gave you the Half-Day Beauty? Approach Xie Xuechen, make him like you, but you mustn’t fall for him?” Sang Qi scoffed. “Looking at your defiant expression, it seems you’re quite dissatisfied with me. Xiao Ling’er, no matter what, I was the one who rescued you from Mingyue Villa back then. I taught you all your skills. You’ve called me master for seven years. Now that you’ve found someone you like, are you going to deny your master?”

Mu Xuanling clenched her teeth tightly, enduring the pain without uttering a sound.

“Now you don’t even want to speak to your master,” Sang Qi clicked his tongue, shaking his head and releasing his grip on her. “I know you hate me. All these years, the thought that has kept you alive, the strength that helped you endure each session of demonic energy purification, is revenge.” Sang Qi smiled slightly. “You’ve always wanted to kill me.”

Mu Xuanling was startled, her pupils contracting as she stared rigidly at Sang Qi.

—He knows?

Sang Qi laughed. He slowly stood up, his slender hand resting on Mu Xuanling’s head, smiling down at her. “How could I not know? Do you think I took you as a disciple among so many half-demons just because of your talent?”

“Why…” Mu Xuanling rasped.

“Because I searched your soul while you were unconscious,” Sang Qi said cruelly. In her consciousness, he saw the most important moments of her life. “I know there’s someone in your heart, someone who died saving you. I even know that person is Xie Xuechen, although you seem unaware of that.”

“You know…” Mu Xuanling trembled violently, tears spilling from her eyes. She glared at Sang Qi with hatred. “So you’ve known all along. Why? Why?”

“Why am I keeping it from you?” Sang Qi smiled. “That question is a bit foolish. Think about it yourself—why would I tell you?”

Sang Qi’s face was filled with interest and amusement. “All these years, you’ve been working hard to cultivate, wanting to kill me to avenge Xie Xuechen. As for me, I just enjoy watching you struggle. Hatred is a powerful energy. The stronger the hatred in your heart, the greater the power you can unleash.”

Mu Xuanling couldn’t comprehend Sang Qi’s thinking. His mind was too deep, his malice too strong. He wasn’t even human anymore; his actions couldn’t be understood through human reasoning.

“Why did you give me the Half-Day Beauty, allowing me to save Xie Xuechen?” Mu Xuanling asked.

“I told you before—to help you get close to him and obtain the Yu Que Sutra,” Sang Qi shook his head helplessly. “When I tell the truth, no one believes me.”

Sang Qi continued slowly, “If I had managed to retrieve the Yu Que Sutra from the Molten Abyss back then, letting Xie Xuechen die wouldn’t have been an issue. But since I couldn’t extract it, I had no choice but to resort to this final measure. I figured that since the two of you had a history and you had once saved his life, those so-called righteous individuals wouldn’t kill a benefactor. As long as you stayed close to him, there would be a high probability of obtaining the Yu Que Sutra.”

“I don’t want the Yu Que Sutra. I just want to stay by his side,” Mu Xuanling endured the pain in her chest, saying coldly. “I’m sorry to disappoint you.”

Suddenly, Sang Qi burst into loud laughter. Mu Xuanling looked at the uncharacteristically emotional Sang Qi in shock. He covered his forehead, as if he had heard something extremely funny, laughing uncontrollably. After a while, he lowered his hand, revealing slightly reddened eyes. The way he looked at Mu Xuanling was strange.

He took a step closer, cornering Mu Xuanling against the wall. His pale, delicate hand covered her forehead. A slightly cold temperature made her shiver slightly.

“Don’t you understand?” Sang Qi sighed softly. “He shattered your demonic powers but passed the Yu Que cultivation method to you. Xuanling, he treated you quite well.”

As soon as Sang Qi finished speaking, a strange spiritual energy fluctuation spread from Mu Xuanling’s forehead, like a drop of water falling into a lake, creating ripples that expanded outward.

Her body experienced a miraculous transformation. Before her eyes, a new and unfamiliar space unfolded—clouds drifted, the expanse was vast and desolate, pure spiritual energy filled the surroundings. As she willed it, the energy spread throughout her entire body. She felt as if she were immersed in warm spring water, her body filled with strength once again.

This power… belonged to Xie Xuechen…

“So this is the secret of the Yu Que Sutra,” Sang Qi’s silver eyes shone with terrifying brilliance. He trembled slightly with excitement. “I knew it. Seven years ago, when he destroyed his own spiritual nodes, how could his cultivation actually increase instead of decreasing? So the Yu Que Sutra can reconstruct spiritual nodes!”

Mu Xuanling stared at the ecstatic Sang Qi in shock. Her eyes widened for a long time before she finally understood what Xie Xuechen had done.

Allowing a half-demon to possess spiritual nodes was a decision significant enough to change the balance of the three realms. Half-demons were born with cultivation abilities, but without spiritual nodes or demon cores, they were destined to hit a cultivation ceiling. Sang Qi had taken an alternative path through demonic cultivation, but that wasn’t the right way.

Mu Xuanling’s hand gripping her clothes trembled, tears rolling down her eyes.

So the affection he gave wasn’t just a little…

He shattered her demonic powers to spare her from the pain of demonic energy purification and the fear of sunlight scorching her, allowing her to enjoy the warmth of the human world.

He passed the Yu Que Sutra to her so she could cultivate Daoism—not for immortality, but so she could live well…

But he never said, so she didn’t know.

His tenderness remained unknown to all.