In the following days, Lin Jiujiu didn’t come looking for Xue Ying again, focusing seriously on learning swordsmanship with Liu Junzhuo. Xue Ying muttered to herself, “Just as I thought,” and set aside her distractions to act as Tang Keai’s tool.
On the seventh day, the Udumbara flower bloomed as expected, and the oblivious Xue Ying finally laid eyes on the legendary Buddhist flower.
How to describe it? A dazzlingly white flower with a kaleidoscope of colors?
It was quite beautiful, as if enhanced by filters and lighting. The flower had multiple layers of petals—likely due to sepal petalization—with severely degenerated stamens and pistils, suggesting it was propagated through cuttings.
Xue Ying decided to dig up its entire family and take them back to the Tai Xuan Sect to see if she could cultivate a vast meadow.
After the flower-picking concluded, the three of them should have parted ways, but Tang Keai clung to Xue Ying. “I’d like to ask Sister Xue Ying to escort us to the Tai Su Valley.”
This was something Xue Ying couldn’t easily agree to. Traveling from the Dao Realm to Tai Su Valley would take at least ten days to half a month. She also needed to inform her sect, and Tai Su Valley was often closed off—without an entry permit, they’d be left staring at the gates.
“This is the deed to the White Deer Valley.”
Xue Ying immediately changed her tune. “Since I’ve helped this far, I might as well see it through. No problem.”
Udumbara remained silent.
But before that, she had to escort her junior siblings back. Xue Ying pondered, “How about you wait for me at White Deer Valley?”
Tang Keai eagerly raised her hand. “I want to visit the Tai Xuan Sect.”
She had heard that the Taoists of the Tai Xuan Sect were incredibly powerful. Having never had the chance before, she now wanted to explore the sect thoroughly.
She even sweetened the deal with a bribe. “This is for lodging expenses.”
Xue Ying happily accepted. With Tai Su Valley as a precedent, her sect wasn’t particularly averse to demons—only demons from the Demon Realm were blacklisted.
In short, it shouldn’t be a problem.
As the seven days ended, disciples gradually returned. When they heard Xue Ying planned to bring two demons back to the sect, Lin Jiujiu expected opposition. But when Tang Keai revealed she was heading to Tai Su Valley, everyone’s attitude did a complete 180.
“Where would you like to visit, Sister Tang?”
“Let me show you some swordplay, Sister Tang.”
The current state of the Dao Realm was such that countless cultivators begged for a single medical practitioner. Meeting one who aspired to be a healer was like striking gold—everyone wanted to curry favor for future benefits.
Lin Jiujiu didn’t know whether to be happy or worried. The Buddha’s disciple staying at Tai Xuan Sect meant she still had a chance to approach him, but after what had happened earlier…
Amid her inner turmoil, the group prepared to return. With two additional guests, Xue Ying couldn’t escort Lin Jiujiu back to the Tai Chu Sect, so she delegated the task to Liu Junzhuo, hoping sparks would fly between the male lead and the female side character.
Just don’t involve her, thanks.
Returning from the trip with two extra mouths to feed, Wen An wasn’t angry. He took the loot Xue Ying dutifully handed over and scanned the two newcomers, his gaze lingering on Tang Keai as the corners of his lips curled.
A medical practitioner.
“Fine. Guests are guests. Just inform the sect leader.”
Xue Ying hesitated. “The sect leader won’t be angry, will he?”
Wen An pointed emphatically at Tang Keai. “No problem. Elder Yuheng is here today.”
Xue Ying’s usual insults for Yuhengzi: a shut-in, lazy, a deadbeat, and a lolicon.
Reassured by Wen An’s words, Xue Ying confidently led them to the Liangyi Hall.
Du Yizhou had indeed mastered the Purple Subtlety Dao—though what dramatic story had unfolded between him and Wen An that day remained a mystery. Xue Ying planned to challenge Wen An to another fight tomorrow but first stepped into the Liangyi Hall.
“Sect Leader.”
There seemed to be important business today, as all the elders were present. After hearing Xue Ying’s explanation, Yuxuzi stroked his white beard, scrutinized the two behind her, and chuckled. “Aspiring to be a medical practitioner? Good, good.”
From top to bottom, they were all simps.
Tang Keai wasn’t intimidated by strangers. Mimicking Xue Ying, she greeted them in a soft voice, “Greetings, seniors.”
The middle-aged men’s attention was entirely on Tang Keai, practically cooing over how “kawaii” she was. Udumbara, meanwhile, faded into the background.
Xue Ying met Yuhengzi’s gaze, intending to use Tang Keai to score points, but Yuhengzi remained unmoved. He looked past Xue Ying, his eyes settling on Udumbara with an inscrutable expression.
That’s odd. When she first met Yuhengzi, he’d pinched her cheeks.
Was he holding back because they were strangers?
This question remained unanswered when Xue Ying later met Yuhengzi alone. Master and disciple sat and stood respectively as Yuhengzi sipped half a cup of cold tea, casually asking, “What’s the story with those two?”
Xue Ying summarized: they’d fought and become friends. Yuhengzi frowned. “You said he took my form?”
Xue Ying hadn’t thought much of it. “Fellow Tang said appearances reflect the heart. Maybe I’m just obsessed with you, Master.”
Yuhengzi looked up. Even with half his face veiled, he could trace Xue Ying’s features—like the cold moon in a winter night, meant to gaze down upon the mortal world, yet now fixated on one person’s hands. Xue Ying…
Yuhengzi rose and approached her. For some reason, since returning, he’d taken to wearing white robes. Once feared for his sword aura, without it, his striking looks became undeniable.
“Don’t move,” Yuhengzi murmured.
He reached out to tuck a stray lock behind her ear, brushing a snowflake from her cheek, his cool fingertips grazing her lips, leaving an ambiguous touch.
As he lowered his hand, their proximity allowed Xue Ying to catch his scent—like the eternal snow atop Ning Shen Peak, chilling to the bone.
“Why the obsession?” he asked.
Though something felt off, Xue Ying answered truthfully, “Well, I’m after your title as Sword Immortal.”
So you’ll call me “Dad.”
Yuhengzi: “…”
He stared at her, a thousand words unspoken, ending in a sigh. Changing the subject, he said, “When you go to Tai Su Valley, return as soon as possible.”
“The Martial Arts Conference is approaching. The sect leader intends to send you.”
On this topic, Yuhengzi spoke more than usual. “The conference gathers elites. This year, the Knowledge Realm has produced two prodigies, the Buddha’s disciple from Deer Park has emerged, the Celestial Maiden from Heavenly Sound Pavilion will attend, the East Sea Dragon Clan has birthed a true dragon, and Tai Su Valley is teeming with talent.”
Quite the spectacle—the Four Realms Martial Arts Conference. A lofty name, but when had they ever invited anyone from the Demon Realm?
Xue Ying turned serious. “Will there be funding?”
Yuhengzi: “…I didn’t ask.”
Xue Ying sighed and lectured him. “Master, though you’re the Sword Immortal, please consider your disciple’s struggles. No money means no heroics.”
Yuhengzi: “…Understood.”
Xue Ying had no illusions about this battle-crazed Sword Immortal. She gathered her things to ask Wen An for details but paused at the door. “Master, were you flirting with me earlier?”
Yuhengzi turned. Xue Ying stood at the cave entrance, snowstorm raging behind her, her voice ethereal as she delivered a stern critique. “Master, you’re not young anymore. Stop with the inappropriate behavior—you’ll ruin your reputation. If you can’t handle it, step down from the Sword Immortal title. Hogging it is a waste of resources and shameful. Retire early to avoid trouble. Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.”
Long silence. Finally, Yuhengzi gritted out, “Get out!”
Her goodwill repaid with scolding, Xue Ying left grumbling about senility. Inside, Yuhengzi’s fury simmered. Coldly, he cast a barrier and drew a blood-red feather from his sleeve. The feather, seemingly sentient, floated mid-air, its tip rippling like water before bursting into flames. A hoarse, eerie voice echoed.
“My Lord.”
Demonic patterns spread from Yuhengzi’s eyes, his irises flickering crimson. His voice, no longer cool, dripped with malice. “Lord Ming, your plan is useless.”
A pause. Then a sultry voice chuckled. “I advised Lord Ming to read less. It only hinders our Lord’s grand design.”
Lord Ming sneered. “And what does the Lady Marquis propose?”
The Lady Marquis giggled, her laugh dripping with allure. “My Lord, since you’re in the Dao Realm, why not go straight to Tai Su Valley and negotiate with Cang Wu? As an ancient remnant, he understands the Four Realms’ dynamics. Convince him of our plight, and he’ll surely dismantle the Demon Realm’s barriers, freeing our people.”
Proud of her diplomatic approach, she was cut off by Lord Ming’s laughter. Shen Jin’s voice crackled with displeasure. “As one of the Three Dukes, I expected wisdom from you. Instead, you spout nonsense. Disappointing.”
Lady Marquis: “…”
Lord Ming added, “Big breasts, no brains. The ancients spoke true.”
Lady Marquis: Go fuck yourself!
Having mocked her, Lord Ming presented his plan. “My Lord, we must seize Tai Xuan Sect. Tai Chu and Tai Xuan lead the Dao Realm, with Tai Xuan at the forefront. Crush its elite, tarnish its name, and sow discord between the sects. The Dao Realm will fall.”
Shen Jin considered this. “I followed your plan, seducing the Sword Immortal’s disciple to win her heart. But like Yuhengzi, she’s impervious. Today, she even brought back the Buddha’s disciple. I suspect she’s onto me.”
Lord Ming insisted, “Impossible.”
After the soul swap, he and the Lady Marquis had inspected Shen Jin and Yuhengzi. Without active demonic energy, the ruse was flawless.
Yet he wondered, “According to the soul-searching insects, Yuhengzi cares deeply for his disciple.”
Then it hit him. “My Lord, Yuhengzi is likely pining unrequitedly.”
After much debate, they settled on destruction.
Expel Xue Ying from Tai Xuan Sect, crippling its strength.
Lord Ming had the perfect scandal: “Forbidden Master-Disciple Love.”
Inspired by *Pure-Hearted Disciple, Charming Master*, a bestseller across realms. Its veiled themes—oppression under rigid rules, societal critique—were profound.
Too bad Lord Ming had a bootleg copy, riddled with typos.
After transcribing it thrice, he vowed to meet its author, Yan Ermei, for wisdom.
The Lady Marquis admired her freshly painted nails until Shen Jin snapped, “Learn from Lord Ming.”
As the feather dissipated, Lord Ming gloated. “Lady Marquis, skip the beauty routines. Read more, grow a brain.”
“Hmph!”
The Three Dukes’ meeting ended sourly. The Lady Marquis sashayed to the Demon Lord’s palace. “Let me through. I wish to see him.”
The guard hesitated. “My Lady, the Lord has ordered no disturbances during his seclusion—”
She blew a seductive mist, tracing his chest. “Silly boy, even the Lord is a man.”
Flustered, the guard yielded. Watching her vanish into the palace, he muttered, “Almost lost control.”
His companion warned, “That’s one of the Three Dukes—the bone-devouring Lady Marquis. Have a death wish?”
The Demon Lord’s palace, despite its fearsome reputation, was modest—less opulent than Tai Chu Sect. She padded barefoot to the blood pool, greeting its occupant.
“How was your day?”
Her voice dripped honey. “Yuhengzi.”
Deep in the palace, a shallow pool spanned meters. A man knelt in its center, bound in a crucified pose, crimson runes climbing his torso. Scarlet marks covered his chest, stopping at his collarbones. His red hair cascaded over his shoulders, his handsome face downturned, eyes veiled in black.
The Lady Marquis lounged nearby, legs crossed beneath sheer red silk. Countless demons coveted her beauty.
“Your disciple’s quite something. On the battlefield, I’d spare her. Pity she’s fallen into Shen Jin’s hands.”
Twirling her hair, she paused, giggling. “Oh, I forgot—your senses are sealed.”
A red thread lifted the veil. Their eyes met.
“Sleep well?”
Yuhengzi’s gaze was vacant.
She reclined, propping her head. “Body-swapped, from righteous hero to reviled Demon Lord. Even your name’s changed. Hard to adjust?”
Yuhengzi responded slowly. “Slept fine.”
Lady Marquis: “…”
Hopeless. She smirked. “Shen Jin plans to seduce Xue Ying, get her expelled. Will you rescue her as the Demon Lord, return to Tai Xuan as a spirit, or do nothing?”
Yuhengzi was unmoved. “Oh.”
“…He’s using your face and name to seduce her.”
Yuhengzi shrugged. “As long as her swordsmanship doesn’t regress.”
Lady Marquis: She should crack his skull open to see if anything but swords remained.
As Yuhengzi tugged his chains, she scoffed. “Leaving?”
“Debt’s cleared.”
Lady Marquis: “?”
“Minimum wage in the Demon Realm is 15 demon crystals daily. I owed Shen Jin 50,000 over ten years. It’s paid. The remaining 3,500 can be mailed to Tai Xuan Sect.”
Yuhengzi’s sword aura flared, shaking the palace. Panicked, the Lady Marquis stood. “Wait! I propose a deal.”
“Returning to the Dao Realm in the Demon Lord’s body is troublesome. Let me extract your soul and send it to Tai Su Valley. Cang Wu can craft you a new body. Reenter Tai Xuan without suspicion.”
She couldn’t stop him. Better to keep Shen Jin’s body. Recalling the wage talk, she ventured, “I’ll buy this body. Name your price.”
Yuhengzi: “How much?”
Lady Marquis: “?”
Yuhengzi repeated, “How much?”
Seeing he was serious, she threw out a number. “10,000 demon crystals?”
Yuhengzi frowned. Desperate, she upped the offer. “50,000.”
Finally, he nodded. “Mail it to Tai Xuan Sect.”
Lady Marquis: Why was she paying for that bastard Shen Jin?!
Before acting, she asked one last question. “Shen Jin’s no match for you. How’d he capture you?”
Yuhengzi recalled, “When I first arrived, unfamiliar with customs, I ate noodles at a stall. A female cultivator offered me wine.”
“And?”
“It was expensive. Shen Jin paid.”
She froze. The Demon Realm was cheap—how costly could stall wine be? “How much?”
“50,000 demon crystals.”
Long silence. Clutching her chest, she forced a smile. “So earlier, you thought my offer was low.”
Yuhengzi nodded, nearly giving her a stroke.
How many times must they be told? No price-gouging in tourist areas! Were these idiots deaf?!
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