Bai Fanlu had a dream, or more accurately, he had several. But he couldn't remember them well, except for the last one.

In a darkness so deep that even his own five fingers were invisible to him, there was a strange and familiar voice in the endless void, mumbling something he didn't understand.

He said, "I thought that death was the toughest thing to go through in the world, and living was easy, but now... I think it's hard to live because of you.”

"So, if one day, you don't wish for me to live, I will be happy to go along.”

"However, you have to end me with your own hands. Only that way, I’ll be willing to lay down my life.”

"Otherwise...I will never rest in peace.”

Bai Fanlu opened his eyes abruptly, and the words ‘never rest in peace’ echoed and rang in his ears, causing him to break into a cold sweat.

"Having a nightmare?”

He turned his head blankly towards the voice, and saw Ling Qingzi sitting at his bedside.

Bai Fanlu wanted to speak, but his throat was dry and tight. He realised that couldn't make a sound, even when he opened his mouth.

Ling Qingzi lowered his gaze to look at him, raised his hand to touch his forehead, and patted it lightly. Bai Fanlu felt a refreshing coolness in his throat at once, as if a long drought ushered in a rainstorm.

However, Ling Qingzi did not withdraw his hand after the spell. Instead, he smoothed out the hair on each side of Bai Fanlu's head back to his hairline, and continued to pat his forehead lightly.

Ling Qingzi's hands were not too cold nor hot, and the gentle force of each tap was as soft as a breeze. It had an overwhelmingly soothing power, that somewhat felt like his own grandmother cooing him to sleep in his memories.

The horror that Bai Fanlu had brought out of his nightmare faded miraculously. He couldn't help but raise his eyes to look at Ling Qingzi. That man’s drooping eyes were as warm and tender as his hands were. This look could inexplicably ease anyone’s heart.

"Shizun.” Bai Fanlu called.

Ling Qingzi's eyes flickered, and he seemed to be taken aback for a moment, before he responded, "I’m right here.”

Looking past Ling Qingzi, Bai Fanlu noticed the furnishings in the room and realised that he was not in his own room, but Ling Qingzi's.

But how did he return to the Tianshu Sect?

He only remembered...

Then, he thought of something and the pinkish hue on Bai Fanlu's cheeks faded a little, and his mood that had just been calmed down instantly shook, even his chest began to rise and fall violently as he panted while sitting up on the bed.

Ling Qingzi looked at him quietly, dropped his hand from his forehead to his back, and patted him.

Bai Fanlu hugged his knees, buried his head in them, and spoke after a while, "Shizun, I..."

He hesitated and didn't finish his sentence, but Ling Qingzi understood and replied, "I’ll step out for a while. Please continue to rest.”

Bai Fanlu replied “En” dully to him.

When the door was closed, Bai Fanlu raised his head and looked at himself.

The neat white disciple's robe was fittingly worn on his body, as if everything was the same as before he went down the mountain.

But Bai Fanlu knew that it was completely different.

Ling Qingzi’s Three Twilight Residence was not where he should remain.

Bai Fanlu's brain crashed, and he didn't want to think about anything else. All he wanted was to return to his abode to rest. Everything else could wait.

Bai Fanlu got off the bed, opened the door and walked out.

After he left, Ling Qingzi appeared, staring at the young man’s retreating back for a long time.

To return to his own residence, he would inevitably have to pass through the residences of other disciples. Bai Fanlu was in a daze, and he forgot to teleport, and so, like a wandering soul, he made his way on foot.

Several people in the courtyard saw him and whispered, "Hey, have you heard?”

"What?”

"The Tianshu Sect’s Dashixiong turned out to be a demon.”

"What? Then how can he stay here? Does Ling Qingzi Xianzun not care?”

"Shush! He can only protect him for now..."

"No matter what, is it right for him to cover up for a demon like this? Our Shizun has been killed by a demon, and he kept a demon here? Isn't he afraid that other immortal sects won’t accept it?"

A disciple of Chengying Sect?

Bai Fanlu stopped, and those disciples immediately fell silent.

Although he was out of it mostly, he still kept a fragment of memory that he once hovered in mid-air looking down at the building and people beneath his feet. In the chaos, his only thought was to erect a protective barrier for the people there. At that moment, he recalled, he was surrounded by demonic energy.

However, he was born with the blood of a demon, and should have known that there would be such a day. It was no big deal really. If he could control himself, then he would still be him.

Why should he care what others say?

Bai Fanlu continued to stroll, but unfortunately the few people behind were not sensible and started to gossip again.

Still talking?!

Well, he had some pent up frustrations right now. Since there are those who were eagerly volunteering to be his punching bag, was there any reason for him to refuse it?

Bai Fanlu hummed softly, flicking his fingers in his sleeves. In the next moment, he heard dull groans as the group of people over there covered their mouths in unison and rolled on the ground like balls.

It’s fine. The toothache would probably last for a few days and they just couldn’t speak during that time.

Having vented his frustrations, Bai Fanlu felt much more refreshed and walked briskly. When he was about to turn the corner of the corridor and reach his residence, he bumped into three more annoying people.

They were also disciples of Chengying Sect.

They came face to face and those people did not bother to be polite as they began to throw shade on Bai Fanlu.

"Some people are shameless. Even Xianzun can’t get him to leave.”

"You are wrong about that! People? Isn’t he a demon?”

"He’s shameless indeed! If I were him, I would run back to my demon cave as soon as possible! Isn’t he worried that both sides will end up not accepting him? Where would he go then?!”

Bai Fanlu’s hand trembled a little within his sleeve. He finally understood why he woke up in the Three Twilight Residence instead of in his own room. It was all because there were buzzing flies everywhere.

He had an urge to swat these flies, but wouldn’t that dirty his hands?!

Bai Fanlu was about to teleport away when he suddenly heard a young voice.

"Hey! My Shixiong was clearly framed by a demon! He just went off rails with his cultivation and has already recovered. What right do you have to chastise him?”

It was Yun Yi, and beside him was a female disciple of Tianshu Sect.

So was the official explanation that he went off rails?

Bai Fanlu was still deliberating on this matter when the two got before him. Yun Yi spoke a little more politely but the female disciple who was of the same stature as him, was much more aggressive.

With one hand on her waist, she pointed at those three and shouted, "How dare you try to discredit my Dashixiong! I shall beat you all until you roll back to your crappy Chengying Sect! That’s the real demon cave and every one of you crawled out from there!”

"..." Those men didn't expect this and could only huff and puff in rage while staring back and forth at each other speechlessly.

Yun Yi cheered in a low voice, "Jing Hong Shijie, you’re great!”

Bai Fanlu couldn’t help but think that this was hilarious! He wanted to mention that they needn’t go that far, but those people finally got around to defending themselves. Yun Yi was young while Jing Hong was a girl and girls tend to be meek. Or so, they thought. Yet, they were astounded by the courage of this girl when she snapped at them.

"O-our immortal sect was attacked by demons! How can you say we come from a demon cave!”

"That's pretty funny!” Jing Hong smiled weirdly, "Why are so many immortal sects fine, and only your sect got annihilated then?! Oh oh oh, I get it! It’s because you guys are lousy!”

"That's right!”

Yun Yi chimed in, "You guys don't have the ability to erect a proper protection barrier. We are offering you guys refuge out of goodwill, so have some sensibility! Shut your mouth and stop embarrassing yourselves! How shameless! Yuck!”

With his Shijie paving the way, Yun Yi got bold enough to say so much without stuttering at all. After he got those words out, he pulled one of his eyelids down and made a funny face.

Jing Hong was surprised and pleased at the same time. She patted Yun Yi's shoulder, and proudly raised her chin.

"You’re in no position to say anything about our Dashixiong! I advise you to watch your mouth and stop talking nonsense. If not, I will cut out your tongues and toss them out of Tianshu Sect! When the time comes and you encounter a real demon, let’s see if you’ll come wailing and begging to return!”

Those few reddened out of shame and couldn’t find words to answer back this time.

"You...you!”

One of them still stubbornly resisted, yelling hysterically, "He is a demon, my Shixiong saw it with his own eyes! He killed people! Lots of people!”

Yun Yi was about to speak again, but was suddenly held back by Bai Fanlu. The man stepped forward, stared at the person who had just spoken, and smiled coldly.

"Oh? Which eye of your Shixiong caught me slaughtering people? The left eye or right one?”

One of them trembled and took a step back quietly.

Bai Fanlu noticed it at once.

In fact, he was not afraid of being called a demon. He was one to begin with, so he didn't bother to argue.

But it would be different if others indiscriminately accused him of slaughtering innocents like a scumbag.

After all, he still remembered vaguely that among those who were almost crushed under the rubble of Baihua Pavilion, there were those dressed up in Chengying Sect robes.

He felt that he was down on his luck. If he had known, he would have let them die.

What an ungrateful scum who enjoyed slandering others! He’s better off dead!

Bai Fanlu walked over with a grin, "It’s you, isn’t it? Did you see me kill others with both your eyes?”

Seeing Bai Fanlu's smile, the man first lost his senses, then reacted. His eyes widened in horror, and he shook his head hurriedly.

"N-no, I didn’t..."

"You didn’t see me? So what then?”

Bai Fanlu took another step closer, and as the corners of his lips rose along with a faint breeze that swirled around him.

The man couldn't bear the pressure of his spiritual energy, so he knelt on the ground with a plop. He shook his head like a rattle drum, and looked like a wretched wuss.

Bai Fanlu raised an eyebrow in disgust and disappointment after expecting that he would be obstinate.

The man was now down on all fours, and didn't dare to look at Bai Fanlu at all. He was so frightened that he uttered incoherently, "I didn't...I didn't see...No! It wasn’t me! I didn’t say this!”

Yun Yi jumped over with anger, put his foot on the man's chest, and kicked him away.

"So you are the one talking nonsense and slandering my Shixiong! If I don't teach you a lesson today, I won't be called Yun Yi!”

This was probably the gravest threat the young Yun Yi could state.

Bai Fanlu saw him flush with anger until his neck was throbbing. The young boy heaved so violently that Bai Fanlu couldn't help wrapping his arm around his shoulders and ruffling his hair, "Don't be angry. He is not worth it..."

Yun Yi was still puzzled, "But..."

"But he deserves to die.”

A sentence spoken in a cold tone came and Bai Fanlu turned his head in surprise. It was Wang Chongyu.

"And to be blind as well.” He added, then, a flash of sword glare appeared in his hand, and the man who was just kneeling suddenly grabbed his eyes and twisted in pain.

In the next moment, his figure turned into black mist, and demonic qi drifted from his body, and condensed into fine black crystals surrounded by immortal energy.

Those present were astounded, including the Chengying Sect disciples who were affected by Bai Fanlu’s spell earlier.

"Did you see that? This is what a real demon looks like.”

Wang Chongyu glanced over at the disciples of Chengying Sect.

"..." Bai Fanlu glanced at Wang Chongyu with a complicated expression. Their eyes met, and Wang Chongyu nodded to him.

With a flick of his wrist once more, the sword glare showed up again and now, Bai Fanlu and everyone could clearly see that it was Ling Qingzi's 'Bing Zhui冰锥 Ice Pick'.

The presence of this weapon also indicated the Xianzun’s stance.

The disciples of Chengying Sect looked at each other, then lowered their heads in silence.

Wang Chongyu’s loud and clear voice sounded, "This matter is related to the reputation of my Tianshu Sect’s disciples. The conclusion will be made at the Four Mountains Alliance. If anyone dares to arbitrarily speak up and make misrepresentations, don't blame my Tianshu Sect for being impolite.”

The few people nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't dare to lift their heads. After which, all of them left in haste.

"Look at them! The outside world is already so chaotic, yet they are hiding here like tortoises. Other than gossip, what else are they good for? Shizun is really kind. If it were me, I would have kicked them out by now and let them fend for themselves!”

"Jing Hong Shijie, why haven’t I seen you reprimanding others so fiercely before?”

Yun Yi worshipped her until one could almost see stars in his eyes. Jing Hong blushed and tapped him, gently tugging him by his hair.

"You are the one to say! You usually stutter when I see Dashixiong. Today, you’re so fluent! It seems that you stutter for him, stop because of him too!”

Yun Yi ruffled his hair embarrassedly, turned his head and saw Bai Fanlu looking straight at them in a trance. He said in haste, "Dashixong, what's the matter with you?”

Could he have been thoroughly upset?

"Or do you feel uncomfortable anywhere?”

Wang Chongyu also asked, "You were unconscious for three days. You’re probably still adapting after waking up. Let me help you back."

Bai Fanlu had mixed feelings. His fellow disciples took such great care of him and protected him unreservedly. However, the fact was that he was indeed a demon. And so many had witnessed that scene. Even if he didn’t hurt anyone, it probably didn’t make a difference that his demonic energy and that side of him had been awakened.

At this thought, Bai Fanlu realised that he hadn't noticed the demonic energy overflowing when he used his spiritual energy. That was way too strange.

"I-I also want to send the Dashixiong back.” Yun Yi was reluctant to part with Bai Fanlu.

Jing Hong laughed at him, "You little rascal! There’s Chongyu Shixiong to help Dashixiong! And just such a few steps away, are you still that worried? Come pick herbs with me!”

She was addicted to bullying Yun Yi, and she was about to knock him on the head again.

Yun Yi was fast at dodging this time. He smiled, and waved at Bai Fanlu and Wang Chongyu as he ran off, "We’ll be off then!”

Seeing the two boisterous bouncing figures, Bai Fanlu felt an inexplicable melancholy in his heart. It was as if this scene was so precious that he might never see it again. He couldn’t help but give it a lingering look.

He was not the original owner, but for some reason, these Shidis and Shimeis seemed to have a significant existence in his life.

There was also the Tianshu Sect, where the drifting clouds, flying cranes, mountain breeze, clear waters...Every single thing...

Bai Fanlu felt that he was being really greedy.

During the time he stood there to watch, Wang Chongyu stayed by his side for as long.
When Bai Fanlu finally snapped back, Wang Chongyu was still waiting patiently for him. Seeing him look up, he spoke warmly, "Let’s go in.”

"En.”

Bai Fanlu did not refuse him when Wang Chongyu held his hand. He sat down on the side of the bed and Wang Chongyu also sat down with him.

Bai Fanlu had too many questions, but now that it was the opportunity for him to ask, he had no idea where to start.

In the end, Wang Chongyu chose for him, and he picked the most nagging question Bai Fanlu was reluctant to face.

He said, "Yun Zhan sent you back.”