The city of Yong Xue was shrouded in a strange, suffocating stillness. Rumors whispered of a demon spy lurking within the Immortal Alliance itself. The fingers of doubt pointed inward—toward the Five Elders and the five sect leaders.
Except for Xie Xuechen, nine remained under silent suspicion.
No one spoke it aloud.
Each of them stood too high, their names too heavy.
After the evening meal, Fu Yuanting, Palace Master of Bixiao Palace, sat drinking with He Xianwo, the Island Master of Lingsi Island. The flicker of the lantern between them swayed with the wind, shadows stretching long across the hall.
Fu Yuanting spoke as if in passing.
“During the dispute in the Hall of Righteousness, it seemed the Valley Master of Jinghua Valley made the first move. Could it be she was testing the Sect Leader’s condition?”
He Xianwo, cradling his wine gourd, gave him a languid smile.
“Oh? What makes Palace Master Fu think so? Su Ningzhen’s outburst might well have been my provocation. Why not suspect me instead?”
Fu Yuanting laughed politely, though a trace of unease flickered in his eyes.
“Island Master He has always kept himself apart from worldly struggles. Lingsi Island lies far across the seas, untouched by demonic influence. Naturally, I would not think you the spy.”
He Xianwo threw back his head and laughed, a bold, unrestrained sound.
“Su Ningzhen would disagree. To her, Lingsi Island’s dealings with the monster clans make us the most suspicious of all. Whereas Jinghua Valley, sworn enemies of the demons, are the least likely to betray the Alliance. I’m surprised, truly, that you’d doubt her.”
Before Fu Yuanting could reply, a sharp, elegant voice cut through the hall.
“It’s said Island Master He and Valley Master Su are like fire and water. Yet from what I hear, that seems untrue.”
Fu Yuanting instantly rose, a courteous smile plastered across his face.
“Madam, what brings you here?”
The woman entering was breathtaking—Duan Xiaorong, draped in jewels that gleamed beneath the lantern light. Her beauty was dazzling, yet carried an edge that made it dangerous to look too long. Even Fu Yuanting, her own Dao partner, seemed subdued in her presence.
He Xianwo arched a brow, unimpressed. He’d long grown weary of her domineering tone. Lifting his gourd, he took a slow sip, barely glancing her way.
“I judge by deeds, not people,” he said mildly. “With Su Ningzhen’s temperament and intelligence, she’s not one to consort with demons.”
Duan Xiaorong’s lips curled, her eyes cold.
“Island Master He speaks as though he already knows the truth. Perhaps you have a suspect in mind?”
He Xianwo smiled lazily.
“I’m hardly qualified to judge. Just a drifting cultivator who happened to join your Alliance—unlike Madam Duan and Palace Master Fu, whose wisdom outshines us all. I’ll leave such weighty matters to you.”
He gave a careless bow, swaying slightly from drink, then turned and sauntered out into the night.
Duan Xiaorong’s gaze followed him, dark and simmering.
“What an insufferable man,” she said coldly once he was gone.
Fu Yuanting exhaled. “I tried to test him, but he defended Su Ningzhen instead. It seems he trusts her deeply.”
“If he’d taken the bait, I’d have suspected him all the more,” Duan Xiaorong muttered. “He Xianwo… he’s either very clever—or truly innocent.”
Not far away, Mu Xuanling and Nan Xiyue watched the pair vanish down the corridor.
Mu Xuanling chuckled softly.
“It’s hard to believe that the esteemed Palace Master of Bixiao Palace is so obedient to his wife. I hear he only has one son?”
“That’s right,” Nan Xiyue replied with a teasing smile, fanning himself lazily. “Though Duan Xiaorong has three children of her own. Fu Yuanting is her second Dao partner.”
Mu Xuanling blinked. “She’s over a century older than him, isn’t she?”
Nan Xiyue laughed. “Indeed. She had a Dao partner during her Golden Core years, bore two children, but both were of poor aptitude. After he died at the hands of the demons, she advanced to the Fashen realm and rose to lead Bixiao Palace. Back then, Fu Yuanting was merely a disciple.”
Mu Xuanling’s interest piqued.
“So she groomed her own successor?”
“More than that.” Nan Xiyue’s eyes glinted. “He was handsome, gifted, and with her guidance, broke through to Fashen. Soon after, they became Dao partners—and she passed him her title. Still, her cultivation far surpasses his, which is why she holds a seat among the Five Elders.”
“No wonder he behaves like a devoted husband,” Mu Xuanling said. “What about their son? Is he as talented as his parents?”
Nan Xiyue gave a strange smile, half amused, half helpless.
“Talented? Well… he does have one title.”
“Oh? What title?”
“‘The richest man in the cultivation world.’”
Before Mu Xuanling could react, a bright voice echoed from the distance—
“Nan Xiyue!”
A streak of light approached, dazzling and gaudy. Within moments, the figure landed before them—a youth adorned from head to toe in luminous treasures, his presence as radiant as a small sun.
Even Mu Xuanling squinted under the glare.
“Nan Xiyue! You’re in Yong Xue City and didn’t come find me? Afraid I’d steal your glory again? This city’s dull—snow, wind, and no beauties to be seen! The prettiest one vanished, and—ah? Who’s this fairy beside you?”
The youth spoke in a rush, words tumbling over one another, until his eyes caught Mu Xuanling’s face—and froze.
Nan Xiyue laughed.
“Lingling, this is Fu Lansheng, son of the Bixiao Palace Master. Lansheng, this is my cousin, Lingling.”
Now that Mu Xuanling saw him clearly, she was stunned. The young man was strikingly handsome—bright-eyed, elegant, yet every inch the spoiled noble. What drew the eye most wasn’t his looks, but his wealth: every ornament, every clasp, every hairpin glowed faintly with spiritual light. Heaven-grade artifacts, all of them.
If he walked down any street, he’d be mobbed within minutes—if not for the fact that anyone that rich had to be terrifyingly powerful… or terrifyingly well-protected.
As Mu Xuanling studied him, Fu Lansheng also looked her up and down.
“I thought I sensed a powerful cultivator,” he said, frowning slightly. Then his eyes lit up. “But you’re far lovelier than any cultivator I’ve seen—by seven parts, at least!”
One sentence ruined her first impression.
The next restored it.
Mu Xuanling smiled lightly. “Young Master Fu, are you also a cultivator?”
Fu Lansheng puffed his chest proudly. “Golden Core realm. If you ever face trouble, Miss Lingling, just call for me! Nan Xiyue’s brother is my brother too.”
As he spoke, he rummaged through his storage bag and produced a handful of artifacts, setting them before her like trinkets at a market. “A first meeting gift. Choose whichever pleases you—they’re all Heaven-grade.”
Mu Xuanling stared in disbelief.
Heaven-grade… and he gave them away like sweets.
Nan Xiyue grinned. “Don’t be shocked. Bixiao Palace is the wealthiest sect under heaven, and Young Master Fu is its golden heir. To him, these are mere pocket change.”
Before Mu Xuanling could answer, something stirred in her storage bag.
A small furry creature peeked out, sniffed curiously, then leapt straight into Fu Lansheng’s palm. It blinked up at him, eyes welling with tears.
“Father!”
The silence was deafening.
Mu Xuanling hastily snatched it back, laughing nervously. “My… my spirit beast. It just mimics speech.”
Fu Lansheng raised an eyebrow. “What kind of spirit beast calls people father?”
But the creature squirmed free again, bounded up his arm, and perched on his shoulder. Its round eyes shimmered as it asked softly, “Are you my father?”
Mu Xuanling covered her face.
This… was beyond saving.
Fu Lansheng and the creature locked gazes for several long seconds before he finally said, with a mix of disbelief and resignation—
“Isn’t it obvious that I’m human?”
Though Fu Lansheng was known to be a flirt, even if he truly had a child, it should at least be human.
A Bao, however, declared seriously, “My mother said that Father is the richest cultivator in the world.”
Mu Xuanling suddenly remembered Nan Xiyue’s earlier unfinished words. So that’s what he meant—the so-called “number one in the world” title really was for being the richest.
Fu Lansheng looked just as solemn. “My wealth comes from my father and mother. So, the richest cultivator in the world should be my father, not me.”
A Bao blinked, as if struck by enlightenment, then tilted its head and called out innocently, “Brother?”
Mu Xuanling’s expression darkened. She quickly snatched A Bao back into her arms.
How mortifying.
This child had completely lost its mind!
Fu Lansheng burst into laughter, bending over with amusement. “Many have called me brother, but yours is by far the most adorable! Come—let brother give you a proper welcome gift!”
He pulled out a few glittering treasures as casually as if tossing pebbles.
Mu Xuanling forced a laugh, trying to stuff A Bao back into her storage bag. “Please don’t mind it, Young Palace Master. My spirit beast is still young and doesn’t know better. I hope you won’t take offense.”
Fu Lansheng waved dismissively. “Not at all. It’s quite the interesting little thing. What’s its father’s name? I’ll ask around when I return to the Palace.”
“It’s called A Bao,” Mu Xuanling said. “And I heard its father’s name is Fu Cangli.”
Fu Lansheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Fu Cangli, hmm… that does sound like someone from our Fu family, though it could also be an alias. I’ll keep an eye out for you.”
Nan Xiyue, sensing the moment growing too lively, quickly stepped in. “Lansheng, the city’s investigation is about to begin. Let’s head back before we’re late.” He smiled at Mu Xuanling and led Fu Lansheng away.
When they were finally gone, Mu Xuanling tapped her storage bag and whispered sternly, “Don’t you dare run out again! There are too many high-level cultivators here. If you’re discovered, it’ll bring disaster. And Gao Qiumin—the one who caught you before—is here too. If she sees you, my identity will be exposed.”
Inside the bag, A Bao listened obediently, paws clasped to its chest. “A Bao knows it was wrong,” it said softly.
When Gao Qiumin later caught sight of Mu Xuanling, an inexplicable unease stirred within her. But she quickly brushed it off—after all, this was just a mortal.
To a cultivator, mortals were fleeting things—short-lived as candle flames. No matter how beautiful she was now, beauty would wither, flesh would turn to dust. She, Gao Qiumin, was above that.
Yet she could not calm her heart.
From across the pavilion, she watched Mu Xuanling’s delicate silhouette, that luminous face framed by a faint breeze. Even from several zhang away, she could see the woman’s peach blossom eyes, glimmering as if dusted with starlight, and lips soft and crimson like a brushstroke of spring. It was beauty so gentle it bordered on bewitching—disarming and false.
A mask. She’s pretending.
Gao Qiumin recalled the woman’s mocking words at Chuixue Tower the night before. Rage surged in her chest, hot and uncontrollable.
She strode forward. Footsteps echoed against the pavilion’s floorboards.
Hearing her approach, Mu Xuanling turned and smiled sweetly. “Elder Sister Gao, what a coincidence to meet you here.”
Gao Qiumin’s tone was frosted steel. Her eyes swept the area before landing sharply on Mu Xuanling.
“I sensed demonic energy here just now, so I came to investigate,” she said. “You’ve been here the entire time. Did you notice anything unusual?”
Mu Xuanling tilted her head, feigning confusion. “Demonic energy? I don’t sense anything.”
“Of course not—you’re a mortal,” Gao Qiumin replied, chin raised in pride.
Mu Xuanling blinked innocently. “But the other venerable cultivators didn’t react either. If there truly was demonic energy, wouldn’t they have come to investigate before you?”
Gao Qiumin faltered, then stiffly said, “The trace I sensed was faint, fleeting. The venerables are occupied with more pressing matters. It’s natural they wouldn’t notice.”
Mu Xuanling smiled faintly. “Elder Sister Gao’s perception surpasses even the venerables’. How impressive.” She stood, brushing imaginary dust from her sleeve. “But with mortal eyes, I really saw nothing unusual. If you suspect something, why not take a closer look yourself?”
As she moved to pass, Gao Qiumin abruptly grabbed her wrist.
“Wait. You can’t leave.”
Mu Xuanling’s brows knit together, voice trembling like fragile silk. “Elder Sister Gao, you’re hurting me.”
The more pitiful she sounded, the more Gao Qiumin’s suspicion grew. They were close now—close enough that Gao Qiumin could tell there was no trace of demonic aura on her. But she refused to relent.
“Let me check your storage bag,” Gao Qiumin ordered. “If a demon’s hiding within it, it could endanger you.”
Mu Xuanling lowered her eyes, silent for a long moment before raising them, teary and luminous. “Elder Sister Gao… you dislike me, don’t you?”
“What?” Gao Qiumin froze.
“I know you like Sect Leader Xie,” Mu Xuanling continued softly, “and you wanted to get close to him. Yesterday, I must’ve gotten in your way. I’m truly sorry.”
Gao Qiumin’s expression hardened. “What are you implying?”
“You’re only trying to embarrass me,” Mu Xuanling said, sighing. “A lady’s storage bag contains private belongings. How could I just let anyone look through it?”
“You—nonsense!” Gao Qiumin snapped. Her anger spiked with humiliation. “You’re being secretive because there is something you don’t want found!”
Mu Xuanling’s lips curved faintly. “Among all the venerable cultivators in Yong Xue City, only you claim to have sensed demonic energy, and now you want to search me. Isn’t that rather personal?”
“What personal grudge do I have with you?” Gao Qiumin hissed.
Mu Xuanling met her gaze with calm eyes. “You’re jealous that Sect Leader Xie is close to me.”
“You—!”
Mu Xuanling’s tone turned soft, pitying. “But I can’t help that. Sect Leader Xie simply doesn’t like you. Even if you killed me, you still wouldn’t win his heart.”
Rage flashed through Gao Qiumin’s eyes. She shoved Mu Xuanling, losing control. “You’re spouting nonsense!”
Mu Xuanling stumbled backward, missed a step, and fell from the pavilion onto the stone path below.
“Ah!”
She looked up at Gao Qiumin, eyes brimming with tears. “Elder Sister Gao… why would you treat me like this?”
“I—” Gao Qiumin faltered, panic setting in. She hadn’t pushed hard at all.
Then a shadow fell across the courtyard.
A tall figure appeared beside Mu Xuanling, his very presence commanding silence.
“Sect Leader Xie…” Gao Qiumin’s voice trembled, but he didn’t even glance at her.
Xie Xuechen knelt beside Mu Xuanling, his expression calm yet unreadable. He picked up the fallen hood from the ground and carefully draped it over her shoulders again, shielding her from the harsh sunlight.
Gao Qiumin felt as if an icicle had pierced her heart.
He had always been cold and detached—yet to this woman, his every movement carried a quiet tenderness.
Mu Xuanling’s eyes shimmered with tears. Her voice was soft, fragile. “Sect Leader Xie, please don’t blame Elder Sister Gao. She didn’t mean to. She just… forgot I’m not a cultivator. My body is delicate, so she used a bit too much strength.”
Xie Xuechen frowned slightly, inspecting her.
“It’s not like that!” Gao Qiumin protested desperately. “I didn’t push her hard!”
Mu Xuanling bit her lip, looking wronged. “It’s my fault…”
Xie Xuechen stood slowly, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Mu Xuanling clutched his sleeve, eyes shimmering with tears. “I twisted my ankle…”
Then she mouthed silently: Carry me.
Xie Xuechen stared at her for a long moment, then finally bent down. His arm slid beneath her knees, lifting her easily.
Mu Xuanling’s hands curled around his shoulders. As she passed Gao Qiumin, she gave a fleeting, triumphant smile before nestling against his chest.
“The sun’s so harsh today,” she murmured softly. “My face feels like it’s burning…”
Xie Xuechen said nothing, simply carried her through the corridors under the blazing light, ignoring every stare until they reached her room. Only then did he set her down.
“What was that about?” he asked, watching her hop around quite energetically.
Mu Xuanling sighed. “A Bao ran out earlier and was almost discovered by Gao Qiumin. She wanted to inspect my storage bag, so I had to act fast. I only pretended to fall to divert her attention.”
Her tone softened, playful. “I was protecting A Bao—and you. Imagine if she discovered the little beast. She’d recall the day you lost all spiritual power and were pinned down, completely helpless… Wouldn’t that ruin your dignified reputation as Sect Leader Xie?”
Xie Xuechen’s expression darkened slightly, though his ears turned faintly red.
She continued, explaining that Fashen realm cultivators could extend their perception over a hundred zhang, yet avoided doing so among equals to prevent hostility. Hence, though the city brimmed with high-level cultivators, all had consciously sealed their senses. Only Gao Qiumin, a mere Golden Core cultivator, could have caught A Bao’s faint aura by accident.
Xie Xuechen listened silently. Her explanation was sound—but something still felt off.
“Gao Qiumin’s cultivation is below yours,” he said coolly. “You fell deliberately.”
Mu Xuanling blinked innocently. “I’m just a fragile mortal right now. When she pushed me, I couldn’t resist—or I’d expose myself.”
“And pretending to twist your ankle?”
Mu Xuanling smiled sweetly. “What other reason could there be? I wanted you to carry me.”
Xie Xuechen: “…”
For some reason, that explanation he believed.
Mu Xuanling added with a grin, “And to annoy her, just a little.”
“Next time—” Xie Xuechen began sternly.
Mu Xuanling waved a hand. “No next time, I know, I know!”
Xie Xuechen’s gaze softened slightly as he noticed the faint flush on her cheeks from the sun. Next time, he thought silently, don’t go out in the sun again.
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