When Chi Muyao woke up in the morning, he didn't see Xi Huai.

Xi Huai never slept with him. Instead of sleeping, he used meditation as a substitute. 

He got up and used the Simple Washing Technique to clean himself. Tidying up his hair and clothes, he walked out quickly.

When he left the cave residence, he saw Xi Huai standing with his back to the entrance. He was talking with Zong Sichen and Song Weiyue.

The warm, sunny day and the light breeze made even Xi Huai's tall stature and black clothes seem softer.

Zong Sichen faced the cave residence's entrance. When he saw Chi Muyao come out, he immediately greeted him with a wave. "Little A-Jiu."

Little A-Jiu...

Chi Muyao actually quite liked this nickname.

"En!" Chi Muyao nodded in response.

Xi Huai turned back to look at him. He simply handed over his Myriad Treasure Bell. "Choose one of the flying artefacts yourself."

Chi Muyao took it with joy before peeking at Xi Huai's expression to make sure he was serious. Then he quickly chose one that wasn't too extravagant, a lotus leaf. 

The lotus leaf was intact and light. It looked just like a real lotus leaf, with a turquoise colour and clear leaf veins. Even the curved shape of the leaf was extraordinarily life-like.

He quickly leapt onto the lotus leaf and took a seat cross-legged. He said to Xi Huai and the others, "Then I'll be going back to the He Huan Sect!"

Xi Huai nodded. "En, go. If you don't come back, I will personally pick you up."

"It takes at least three months to plant the Yixian Grass, so there's no rush. Don't come too soon."

"Okay, I got it."

Chi Muyao sat on the lotus leaf like a little bun. His pink clothes paired with the lotus leaf made him seem somewhat naive.

He happily looked back and waved at them. "Bye-bye."

"En." The three answered in unison.

When Chi Muyao was far away, Song Weiyue couldn't help but ask Zong Sichen, "What does 'bye-bye' mean?" 

"Probably see you later?" Zong Sichen guessed. 

"Oh—" Song Weiyue nodded like he had learned something. "I've learned another very scholarly word."

"En." Zong Sichen was also very serious. "Probably only learned individuals would say such a word. It's the first time I've heard it too."

It was probably because they had personally witnessed Chi Muyao breaking through formations and acknowledged his talent that they mused quite a while over even the simple vocabulary he said offhandedly.

Only Xi Huai watched Chi Muyao leave with a heavy expression, as if this would be their last meeting.

The increasing distance between them held another meaning. 

Was Chi Muyao running away again?

Wouldn't it be very painful to have someone you didn't like sticking to you like glue?

Chi Muyao had never been so happy in all the days he spent with Xi Huai. Only when he was leaving would such a happy smile grace his face.

As expected, he didn't want to stay by his side. 

Zong Sichen quickly interjected upon seeing the ugly expression on Xi Huai's face, "Young Sect Master, even if you take a wife later, your wife will have to often go home for visits. You can't be so frustrated because he left temporarily, right?"

"That's right...his cultivation is already in the mid Formation Building stage. You two must've been busy these days, ah..." Song Weiyue said quite dourly. 

They were all the same age, but Xi Huai suddenly got a cultivation partner out of nowhere. Where were single dogs like he and Zong Sichen supposed to complain to? 

Thinking of how they followed Xi Huai around for two years with nothing to show for it while Xi Huai brought back the number one beauty in the three realms, he was a little jealous.

Would there be a time where he could have a cultivation partner of his own?

Xi Huai became even more incensed after that was brought up. He strode over to the gazebo in the yard and took a seat. "Come here, you two. I want to ask you a few questions." 

The two of them complied. Zong Sichen sat down diagonally opposite Xi Huai, waving his fan. 

Song Weiyue often disregarded norms. He squatted on the railing like a monkey.

Xi Huai thought for a moment before asking, "In your opinion, am I a very difficult person to interact with?"

Zong Sichen began to think about how to word his response so he didn't get kicked off the mountain.

Song Weiyue just replied straightforwardly. "It's not that you're hard to interact with."

Zong Sichen's eyes brightened. The sun must've risen from the west today, because Song Weiyue was speaking like a human! This was a pleasant surprise.

Xi Huai asked, "Really?"

"En!" Song Weiyue replied earnestly, "We don't want to interact with you at all."

Xi Huai: "..."

Zong Sichen's vision darkened. He quickly tried to remedy things. "How can that be? If we don't want to interact with the Young Sect Master, how come we're always together?"

Song Weiyue didn't take the hint. He continued, "Isn't that because we're the only three of a similar age in the Qing Ze Sect? All those old fogies only know how to cultivate, which is why they can't find cultivation partners. It's already good that the three of us were born in a century! Now that I think about it, if the Young Sect Master hadn't been imprisoned in a cave and forced to get along with someone, it would be strange if anyone liked Qing Ze Sect barbarians like us!"

Xi Huai sat in the gazebo. He hadn't done anything, but it was like he had been stabbed several times, each blow jabbing into the most painful place in his heart. 

No one wanted to interact with him.

No one would like a barbarian like him...

Did he do something wrong to cause Chi Muyao to dislike him?

When he thought it over, every one of his actions seemed to invite dislike...

Why was he so confident that Chi Muyao was deeply in love with him?

And if he wasn't so confident, would he hurt less now that his expectations have fallen short?

Song Weiyue shifted to sitting cross-legged on the railing. "Let's take my Dad as an example. He fought with my Mum and won ten times out of ten, making my Mum cry out of frustration. My Dad even scolded her for being weak when he saw her cry. That's why my Mum smashed the Zun Yue Palace's main gate in a rage. Since she couldn't pay for it, she became my Dad's cultivation partner. She was a cultivation partner obtained through fighting."

Zong Sichen quickly interrupted him. "I thought your Mum left the Qing Ze Sect for good after she paid off the gate?" 

"My Mum wanted my Dad to bend the knee, but my Dad stalwartly refused. It's been five years since they talked out of pure spite." Song Weiyue continued after a moment of thought, "However, I think my Mum was semi-forced because she doesn't like my Dad at all. She just couldn't pay for the main gate. My Mum's okay towards me, but she gets angry whenever my Dad's brought up.” 

Xi Huai's shoulders drooped lower and lower. 

He had dual cultivated with Chi Muyao, but it was all semi-forced by him. He shouldn't think they had feelings for each other just because they dual cultivated. Maybe Chi Muyao disliked it... 

Dislike was just that, dislike. It wouldn't change if they had a child together or, like he and Chi Muyao, dual cultivated hundreds of times. He would still dislike him. 

Xi Huai's eyes stared off into nothingness. 

He doesn't like me...

Not even a little bit...

He took a deep breath, knowing what he needed to do right now was to focus his mind and adjust his attitude. 

He knew he couldn't give up on Chi Muyao because of this. He had to find a way to change Chi Muyao's mind.

But...he was at a total loss at what to do now. 

Zong Sichen closed his fan and pitched in after seeing the crestfallen expression on Xi Huai's face, "Don't worry, Young Sect Master. Feelings take time to develop. Even brave women fear clingy men. If you cling tight enough, you'll score ninety-nine A-Jius out of one hundred." 

"How to be clingy?" Xi Huai was so desperate he really asked for advice.

And Zong Sichen, who only had experience being played around by others, dared to be his teacher. "A-Jiu is a He Huan Sect disciple, so the first thing is you have to make sure your cultivation is high enough. At least higher than his."

"That's not hard to do." 

Xi Huai's aptitude was hard to come by even in a thousand years. With a little effort, he's likely to become the youngest Nascent Soul stage cultivator in the cultivation world.

Chi Muyao was a He Huan Sect and Yu Chong School disciple. Neither Sect focused on self-cultivation. If he wanted to raise his cultivation, he needed to rely on either fortuitous encounters like the Golden-eyed Heavenly Wolf's devil core, or Xi Huai. 

"Number two, you have to maintain your prestige." 

"Prestige?"

"That's right! We're from the Qing Ze Sect, our name makes others shudder in fear. You have to maintain the reputation of the Young Sect Master and have your name spread far and wide by committing evil deeds. Then A-Jiu will feel very honoured to be with you." 

"Really?"

"Of course!"

Xi Huai looked at Zong Sichen for a long time before standing up. "Let's go wipe out the Luo Sha Sect."

Zong Sichen was astonished. "With just the three of us? Shouldn't we get two more people?" 

Xi Huai was already unhappy and wanted to vent. Now that he had a reason, he wanted to teach those sects he didn't like a lesson. "No need. The Luo Sha Sect has corpse oil spread out everywhere. They won't be able to put out any fire." 

Song Weiyue suddenly perked up. "Okay, okay! Let's go fight!"

Saying that, he jumped off the railing and ran off even faster than Xi Huai.

At the same time…

Chi Muyao returned to the He Huan Sect. As soon as he stepped in the main gate, his fellow sect members surrounded him.

A shimei who didn't attend the Thousand Sect Conference said angrily, "Little Shige, you disappeared without saying anything for more than five years, and you come back only now? We were worried sick for you. If it wasn't because your soul-bound lamp was still lit, we would've thought you died quietly somewhere!" 

Xu Ranzhu laughed with crossed arms. "He was too busy hiding from the young Qing Ze Sect Master. Oh, right. He's the Demon Venerable now. The Demon Venerable has a unique affection for our A-Jiu. During the Thousand Sect Conference, he watched the lanterns for thousands of miles with A-Jiu. See? Just one month apart from us and his cultivation has already risen to mid Foundation Building stage. This furnace is really good."

"I've seen the Demon Venerable before. He's a tall and handsome youth. Judging by his body, his size is probably..."

Those who hadn't seen Xi Huai were deathly curious. "Handsome? How handsome? As handsome as Guan Nan Heavenly Venerable?" 

"He's handsome, but not in the same way as Guan Nan Heavenly Venerable. If I had to comment, I would say I like Xi Huai's type more. He looks like he's quite good in..."

Chi Muyao was afraid their words would get more vulgar, so he quickly stopped them. "Don't talk nonsense. I'll stay here for two days and then I have to go back to the Yu Chong School."

The shimei he had a pretty good relationship with grumbled, "Just two days? We all miss you!"

Chi Muyao could only explain, "I'm afraid of blowing my cover, which is why I came here first for a couple of days. I still have things to do at the Yu Chong School, so I can't accompany you guys. I'll be sure to stay longer next time.” 

"Okay..."

Chi Muyao returned to his residence in the He Huan Sect.

His aptitude wasn't good, so he didn't qualify for a cave residence. He lived in the back room of the Logistics Hall.

The room was kept for him. It was the same as before. 

He reactivated the Dust Removal Formation and tidied up his room. Xu Yanzhu followed him over and asked, "Do you have time later?"

"Yes, what is it? Have the Sect's affairs piled up?" Chi Muyao paused in organising his clothes.

"Why don't we go commit arson at the Yao Sect?"

"Huh?"

"Shizu told us a long time ago to go to the Yao Sect to help you take revenge against Yao Weng, but what's the point of revenge if you're not there? That's why we'll go together and see their haggard states."

Speaking of which, he was also quite angry. He was caught and imprisoned in a cave for several years for the sake of someone else's revenge.

He never caused trouble and worked diligently in the Logistics Hall, but he was still kidnapped. How could he not mind?

He set down the folded clothes and nodded. "Let's go!"

If he didn't take revenge, then his name wasn't Chi Muyao. 

He Huan Sect disciples all knew the movement technique. Since they were going to the Yao Sect, which didn't have many experts, and at a random time, of course the Yao Sect was unprepared. 

Since it'd already been more than five years since Chi Muyao was kidnapped, who would've thought the He Huan Sect would come to take revenge now?

The He Huan Sect disciples gathered in one place. Chi Muyao observed the movement of the disciples in and out of the main Yao Sect hall. He waved his hand after spotting an opening. 

First, several disciples entered the main Yao Sect hall and found the herb garden and processing hut, where they spilled oil. Next, Chi Muyao threw a lit fold of paper towards where the oil was. They then turned tail and ran as soon as everything went up in flames. 

They came and went without a trace, boasting the fastest body technique in the entire cultivation world. The Yao Sect disciples didn't even notice someone had come until the fire spread.

The disciples putting out the fire in the yard cried out tragically, "Why is everything on fire again? We just repaired the damage caused by the Qing Ze Sect not long ago, and everything's ruined again!"

"Put out the indoor fires first! There are many precious medicinal ingredients there!"

"But the gardens are all full of the finest spirit grass!"

"Those with water spiritual roots, come quickly!"

While the Yao Sect was busy putting out the fire, the He Huan Sect disciples were long gone. They gathered on a mountainside not far away and laughed at the flames ravaging the Yao Sect.

Chi Muyao also felt a wave of happiness, his heart much more at ease now.

"Come!" Xu Ranshu was the first to take out Peach Essence Brew from her Hundred Item Brocade. "Today, we will watch this magnificent scenery and celebrate A-Jiu's return to the Sect."

Chi Muyao took out his bamboo tube as well, swirling the Peach Essence Brew within. "En. Burning the residence of your enemy is truly a beautiful sight. I like it."

One little shimei was not satisfied. "Peach Essence Brew is like water, it's boring to drink. Do you want some of the fine wine I have here? I love to listen to Little Shige's drunken ramblings. They're always so interesting."

Another little shimei waved her hand dismissively. "Forget it. Little Shige tries to teach me equations whenever he gets drunk. I still can't write the numbers he does, much less do equations!"

Chi Muyao was a little embarrassed. "Don't make fun of me. I can't believe you remember things like this for so long. Let's drink Peach Essence Brew outside first and other wines back at the Sect. Otherwise the homes of many girls will become unsafe.” 

Xu Yanzhu sighed and shook her head. "Here we go again. Would it kill you to stop preaching for a bit? Besides, if we really get drunk, it's those stinky men who would be in trouble."

Chi Muyao remained steadfast. "It still wouldn't do. Let's return to the Sect." 

On the way back, someone exclaimed, "Wow, why's the Luo Sha Sect on fire too?"

Xu Ranzhu commented after a glance, "They have done much evil and made many enemies. They deserve this tribulation."

Chi Muyao took a glance in that direction while sprinting. He quickly disappeared into the smoke-filled night, leaving only a brush of faint pink.

Within a day, two major sects caught fire. The flames seemed to burn the sky itself from dusk to dawn.

Poisonous flames burned like tormenting fires.

After Chi Muyao returned to the Yu Chong School, the improvement in his cultivation drew much attention.

Hao Xia walked out in a hurry and roared, "You didn't use the devil core in advance and only managed to get to mid Foundation Building stage, right?! That's the devil core of a Heaven grade spirit beast!”

Chi Muyao hurriedly explained, "No, I just consolidated my cultivation. This way it will be easier to break through to the Golden Core stage." 

Only then did Hao Xia breathe a sigh of relief. "That's fine. Your cultivation session really bore fruit."

Yi Qianxi was overjoyed. "Little Shidi, you're so amazing. I didn't expect your seclusion to be so fruitful." 

"I already had some cultivation gains before.” 

"This is still very fast! You can definitely become the third Golden Core stage cultivator of our Yu Chong School." 

"Little Shijie also has to work hard."

"I am!"

Chi Muyao returned to the main hall and took out the Yixian Grass seeds to show them. "I went to various places and got the Yixian Grass seeds. Let's find somewhere to plant them so the little deer can have better rations."

The other three were ecstatic to see the seed. Not daring to be lazy, Hao Xia headed straight out to prepare the soil.

Chi Muyao liked gardening to begin with. Many of the plants and flowers around Pu He were grown by him.

Now, the planting of Yixian Grass would naturally fall to him. While he planted the seeds, he also taught Yi Qianxi and the others how to take care of them. They all listened attentively, for this was related to the Colourless Yunni Deer.

While Chi Muyao was squatting down to inspect the flowers and plants, Yi Qianxi stood right behind him. She suddenly noticed some petals on Chi Muyao's neck, the majority of which was obscured beneath his collar.

She immediately asked, "Shidi, you—"

Before she finished speaking, the petals on Chi Muyao's neck disappeared. She thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. With Chi Muyao's personality, how could he get a tattoo? 

"What's the matter?" Chi Muyao raised his head in confusion and asked.

"Nothing. I must’ve seen incorrectly."

"Oh, look at the humidity of the soil. It's moist enough when it feels like this. However, too much water will rot the roots. In a few days, we will need to put a rain barrier here..."

"En, en." Yi Qianxi crouched down to look at the soil. The moment she crouched down, the tattoo on the back of Chi Muyao's neck reappeared.

However, it disappeared again in a breath’s time.

Never to appear again.