Chapter Thirty-One

Outside the window, the sun grew stronger. Bright light flooded the bed.

The tall, upright man sat on the bed's edge, his gaze fixed on the man in his arms. He didn't immediately release the spell. His fingers moved, rubbing the flexible curve beneath them, his eyes dark and fathomless.

After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, he restrained himself. He raised his other hand to Chu Rong's shoulder and began channeling spiritual energy to break the binding spell.

-

At the same time.

Qingxu Sect, Wangxian Peak.

The man with sharp features on the jade couch stirred. His sharp brow moved, opening his piercing eyes. His long legs were crossed, muscle contours clearly visible. His pale, well-defined hands rested on his knees, radiating innate nobility.

Around the jade couch, fierce spiritual energy spun out of control. Overwhelming pressure rampaged through the palace.

Ning Yuan seemed unaware. His cold, dark eyes lowered. He raised his arm and pressed his fingertip to his brow, extracting a wisp of bright white spiritual consciousness.

It floated in mid-air, becoming a tall white figure.

Ning Yuan placed a restriction on it. As he was about to send it away, he paused. His expressionless eyes faltered. He raised his hand again, extracting another wisp.

Soon, two identical white figures stood before the jade couch.

-

Main Peak, Main Hall.

After a night, the rampaging spirit beasts in the back mountain had finally been dealt with.

Lian Ci listened to Cen Yan's report, his anxiety easing. He looked around the hall but didn't see He Ming. "Where is Elder He?"

"In the back mountain," Pei Zhan answered lazily, his gaze unfocused, lost in thought.

Cen Yan was startled. He had been so focused on Qing Yuan, he hadn't noticed his master hadn't returned all night.

"Elder He is still investigating?" The rampaging beasts had been suppressed yesterday. Could investigating the cause take so long?

Lian Ci's dignified face was grim. He was contemplating whether there was something suspicious behind this when He Ming strode in, dusty from travel.

"Sect Leader." He Ming bowed respectfully. His robes were covered in grass clippings, his white beard stained with dried blood. His brow was deeply furrowed, his expression serious and puzzled, as if he had encountered something difficult to understand.

Lian Ci's heart tightened. "Is there something behind the beast riot?"

"No." He Ming reported his findings. "The beasts were wild animals from the back mountain that cultivated over centuries. The riot was driven by their wild instincts. Nothing suspicious. But I noticed something else."

His tone grew heavy: "I found a trace of evil energy in the back mountain."

"Are you certain?" Lian Ci's expression changed dramatically. How could there be evil energy in Qingyang Tianzong?

Cen Yan's face also showed shock. Even Pei Zhan, usually indifferent, looked serious.

Evil energy was highly corrosive. It could destroy anything, living or not, more damaging than demonic corruption. A single wisp could ruin a person, a great object. Even the lawless demons avoided it.

The last time evil energy appeared in the cultivation world was three hundred years ago. It affected all three realms. Cultivators, mortals, beasts... all became evil monsters, tearing each other apart.

Blood flowed everywhere, creating hell on earth.

No one knew how the evil energy was eventually eliminated. For a thousand years, spiritual energy had been weakening. After that, it declined rapidly, making cultivation in recent centuries extremely difficult.

Evil energy hadn't appeared in centuries. How could it enter the sect with the mountain-guarding formation?

He Ming was certain: "That wisp appeared briefly and vanished quickly. But I'm sure I wasn't mistaken."

"Vanished?" Evil energy could corrode anything. If it corroded the mountain-guarding formation... Lian Ci's back broke out in cold sweat.

He Ming shared his concern. But he had searched the back mountain along the formation all night and found no trace.

"I'll have disciples patrol the formation closely. Report any findings immediately." He Ming's tone was grim.

For now, that was all they could do. Lian Ci nodded in agreement. "Don't tell the disciples about the evil energy. No need to cause unnecessary panic."

Cen Yan stepped forward: "Sect Leader, I'd like to join the patrol."

The disciples had low cultivation. Having Cen Yan would make the patrol more effective. Lian Ci agreed: "Granted. I'll put you in charge of the patrol."

Cen Yan bowed.

Leaving the hall, passing Pei Zhan, he paused, remembering what Chu Rong had said.

"What?" Pei Zhan glanced at him lazily.

"Nothing." He had decided not to believe Chu Rong. What was there to ask? He bowed to Pei Zhan and turned to leave.

"Wait." Pei Zhan stopped him, still lazy, as if casually asking: "Did you go to Wusong Residence today?"

Cen Yan didn't understand. "No."

He'd be staying at Xuanjian Pavilion for the next six months. Why would he go to Wusong Residence?

Why was Pei Zhan asking?

Cen Yan looked at him. Pei Zhan's lazy expression changed. He summoned his sword and rushed out of the front hall.

-

Chu Rong was unaware of Xu Ziyang's actions.

Focused on breaking the binding spell, he paid attention elsewhere. Finally, he heard the man's low, hoarse voice above him: "It's done."

Chu Rong's butterfly-wing lashes fluttered. He opened his eyes, testing his fingers. The stiffness was gone. He could move freely again.

The corners of his eyes lifted, light shimmering in them, captivating.

Xu Ziyang's breath caught. He tightened his arm around Chu Rong's waist. The crack in his gentle facade widened, revealing hidden intensity.

The unfamiliar sensation of strong, muscular arms pressed against him. Chu Rong stiffened, only now noticing the arm around his waist.

He looked up instinctively, meeting the man's dark eyes. The light around the bed framed Xu Ziyang's handsome profile. His lips curved in a gentle smile, but his eyes were deeper than usual, as if holding something intensely passionate.

Chu Rong's smile faded. His lips pressed behind the mask. His hoarse voice turned cold: "Let go."

He looked like someone turning ungrateful after receiving help.

Xu Ziyang didn't seem angry. His smile deepened. He withdrew his arm naturally, the pressure around him receding like a tide, leaving no trace.

"How do you feel?" His voice was warm, low. He lowered his gaze, concerned.

Chu Rong pushed himself up, moving away from Xu Ziyang. His hair, like flowing water, slid from the man's robes, leaving traces of orchid fragrance.

Xu Ziyang's smile faded slightly, watching Chu Rong move away. His eyes darkened. Then, as Chu Rong looked up, his smile returned, unchanged.

"Thank you." Chu Rong moved to the far end of the bed. His purple cloud-gauze outer robe had loosened, revealing the white silk inner robe beneath.

He wasn't ungrateful. Xu Ziyang had helped him, acting out of gratitude. A word of thanks was the least he could offer.

Xu Ziyang's Adam's apple moved. His dark eyes fixed on Chu Rong. "I owe you. Helping you is only right. No need to be so formal."

As expected.

Chu Rong's lashes lowered. His jade-like fingers gripped the edge of the bed. He said nothing. The binding spell had left his limbs stiff and weak.

Xu Ziyang noticed. He rose and bent before Chu Rong, offering a hand: "Need help getting down?"

Chu Rong waved his hand away. He shook his head, his hair sliding over his shoulders: "No."

He would rest a moment.

Xu Ziyang's hand paused. He straightened to withdraw it when his gaze fell on Chu Rong's raised hand. His expression darkened.

He grabbed Chu Rong's arm, lifting his palm to examine the reddened wrist. "Did Pei Zhan do this too?"

"Yes." Chu Rong pulled his hand back.

Xu Ziyang's gaze was sharp. His smile vanished, his dark eyes hiding deep undercurrents: "Junior Brother Pei's behavior is increasingly erratic. This conduct wastes the Sect Leader's efforts."

Chu Rong agreed. Pei Zhan's repeated targeting was unpleasant. But he was mortal and couldn't confront him directly.

"Don't worry." Xu Ziyang's smile returned. "I won't let him near you again."

Chu Rong's lashes fluttered. He glanced at Xu Ziyang, his reddened eyes captivating.

Xu Ziyang's heart tightened. His gaze darkened further. "I'll be staying at Wusong Residence for the next six months. If anything happens, come to me anytime."

Xu Ziyang would be staying at Wusong Residence?

Surprise flickered in Chu Rong's eyes. He had thought Xu Ziyang would stay at Xuanjian Pavilion with Cen Yan, given how close they had seemed lately. Instead, they were switching places.

Perhaps it was some romantic game between the leads.

Not his concern. Chu Rong didn't dwell on it. Resting had restored his strength.

He got off the bed and walked to the table. Over an hour had passed. The food was cold, looking even less appetizing.

But Chu Rong wasn't picky. He just needed to eat.

He glanced at Xu Ziyang, the dismissal clear.

Having spent three days with him in the secret realm cave, Xu Ziyang understood. He smiled, glanced briefly at Chu Rong's terrifying mask, and took his leave.

As he closed the door, the sound of a sword piercing the air came from outside Wusong Residence. A tall figure blurred into the residence.

Seeing the green-robed figure in the corridor, the tall figure stopped. His handsome face turned cold. His arrogant, gold-flecked eyes held icy coldness: "What are you doing here?"

Xu Ziyang smiled, meeting his gaze without fear. His eyes were equally cold. "Junior Brother Pei."

Pei Zhan's eyes narrowed. He looked at the man, then at the closed door behind him. "Why did you come out of his room? What did you do to him?"

Author's Note:

Sorry for the wait~