Shen Changchuan entered the room first. Jiang Youbai turned his head with resentment to glance at the horizon. Mortal eyes could not see any abnormalities, yet there was a spiritual boundary preventing him from leaving the Qingqing Sect.
With an indignant look, he withdrew his gaze and followed Shen Changchuan into the room. A set of robes had somehow appeared on the bed; the snow-white silk exuded spiritual energy, making it look less like ordinary clothing and more like a spiritual artifact. A brand-new pair of shoes and socks was placed by the bedside. Jiang Youbai slowly shifted his gaze toward Shen Changchuan.
Jiang Youbai grew vigilant. Although it seemed no one in this world could seize control of Shen Changchuan’s body, such a bizarre event as rebirth had already happened to him, so other possibilities could not be ruled out.
Jiang Youbai said, “Rumor has it that the First Seat is pure, noble, and untainted by mortal dust. To think it is all fake. Upon meeting a humanoid beast, you cannot wait to imprison it and resort to underhanded methods.”
Shen Changchuan offered no explanation: “Get on the bed.”
Jiang Youbai refused to obey. He walked closer to Shen Changchuan, almost pressing his entire body against him. In his past life, he had never dared to get this close, and for a moment, he found it somewhat novel. He deliberately leaned in, his breath brushing against the side of the other man’s expressionless face: “Has the First Seat been practicing asceticism for too long, growing impatient?”
Looking at Shen Changchuan up close was different from gazing at him from afar. The curtain that seemed to separate them like clouds was suddenly pulled back, and a cold, aloof aura forcefully squeezed in, shattering that harmony. He could not wait to drag that person down from the clouds, yet he could not bear to truly treat him harshly.
Why did he have to look so breathtakingly handsome? It was disturbing his demon heart!
However, the pear blossom fragrance in the air did not flicker even the slightest bit. Jiang Youbai’s unilateral flirtation and probing failed to make the atmosphere even the least bit ambiguous. He felt as though he were being supported by an invisible force and gently placed onto the bed.
The distance between them was instantly restored. Jiang Youbai let out a soft huff. Shen Changchuan had not been possessed. Thank goodness. Compared to facing an unknown danger if the other man had been possessed, it was better for it to be Shen Changchuan. At the very least, he understood him somewhat.
Shen Changchuan ignored him, so Jiang Youbai began rummaging through the robes nearby. The garments were precisely in the style of Qingqing Sect disciple uniforms. A flash of disgust crossed his eyes, and he swept the robes onto the floor, acting like a mischievous, spiteful child: “I do not like white.”
Shen Changchuan glanced at him, looking perplexed: “Aren’t you a white peacock?”
Jiang Youbai let out a cold laugh, lazily leaning against the bedpost, his bandaged legs crossed over each other, straight as a pair of chopsticks: “Who says white peacocks have to like white?”
Shen Changchuan didn’t argue, only asking: “Then what color do you want to wear?”
Jiang Youbai actually gave it serious thought: “Red!”
Snow-white robes stained red with fresh blood, just like when he massacred the Qingqing Sect in his past life. That loss of self-control and reckless venting of his beastly nature made him immensely joyous.
He ought to remember as well that those not of one’s race must have a different heart, and he should not trust any human.
Shen Changchuan glanced at him once more, his eyes holding emotions no one could see through: “Wear this for now. Tomorrow, we will measure your dimensions and have new ones made.”
To think Shen Changchuan actually did not reject such an unreasonable request?
Jiang Youbai’s expression shifted. He climbed down from the bed again, stepping barefoot once more onto the cold floor. Looking at Shen Changchuan, he smiled and said: “No, I want you to measure me yourself, Master.”
Shen Changchuan’s eyelashes fluttered lightly. A beam of light pouring in from outside fell across his brows and eyes, and his glazed pupils looked as though melting ice and snow: “Someone will come to measure you.”
Jiang Youbai hadn’t truly expected Shen Changchuan to agree anyway. He crossed his arms and watched the other man, the smile at the corners of his lips fading slightly: “Shen Changchuan, why did you take me as your disciple?”
In his past life, he had also asked Shen Changchuan this question. At that time, Shen Changchuan had said that by taking him as a disciple, no one would dare kill him anymore. In truth, the status of the First Seat’s disciple was indeed quite useful; no one would kill him anymore, and he wouldn’t need to wander in destitution, until finally, his identity as a demon beast was exposed and he was besieged by the masses.
Now he was asking Shen Changchuan this question once again, because in this lifetime, he had made no effort to conceal his beastly nature. Demon beasts were inherently cruel, and he had even brazenly laid bare his desire to kill Shen Changchuan. He didn’t believe the other man still harbored the intention to protect him now.
Although Shen Changchuan was the First Seat of the Immortal Alliance, whose words and deeds embodied the demeanor of a gentleman, detached and transcendent above the mortal world, Jiang Youbai knew that the other man was not kind-hearted enough to feed his own flesh to a tiger.
Shen Changchuan met his gaze, and when he spoke, the answer was indeed different from his past life: “Humanoid demon beasts cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of others.”
This others likely referred to the demons.
Jiang Youbai let out a laugh, the flesh beneath his eyes twitching slightly against his tear mole.
There was a sense of release within that laughter.
This must be Shen Changchuan’s true thought, right? The one from his past life, and the one from this life. Both of them.
Humanoid demon beasts could not be allowed to fall into the hands of the demons, so they had to remain in the Qingqing Sect. Whether imprisonment or discipleship, they could only stay right under Shen Changchuan’s nose.
Having heard the expected answer, Jiang Youbai took two steps back and put on the white robe. Shen Changchuan was already preparing to leave: “Tang Ci is currently giving a lecture. You can go listen for a bit.”
Jiang Youbai loosely draped the robe over his shoulders, managing to wear the proper, solemn Qingqing Sect disciple uniform with an otherworldly air: “Won’t Master teach me personally?”
Shen Changchuan didn’t look back: “Tang Ci will get you familiar with the basics first.”
Jiang Youbai raised an eyebrow slightly.
Did that mean Shen Changchuan’s lessons were too profound and he wasn’t worthy of listening?
Shen Changchuan gave Jiang Youbai no further opportunity to speak. The door was closed by him, and Jiang Youbai’s playful expression vanished in an instant.
Sitting on the bed, his entire body began to tremble. The pain he had been forcefully suppressing rushed over him the moment he relaxed.
Demonic energy rampaged through his body, but he seemed to have swallowed something else at the time as well. Unfortunately, he didn’t even know what it was. Whether it was the demonic energy within him or that other object, he would eventually have to go find Xie Qingli.
The temperature steadily rose, and he didn’t know why he felt such a dry heat. From the moment he saw Tang Ci until Shen Changchuan left, he had endured the discomfort inside his body, curling himself up only when he was finally alone.
Without demonic energy, he couldn’t even transform back into his original form. Being in human form was so uncomfortable.
His snow-white hands ruffled the bedding on the bed, leaving layer upon layer of wrinkles, like a giant boulder crashing into the bottom of a lake, stirring up ripple after ripple.
Suddenly, the sound of a qin drifted in from outside the door, like the light of dawn piercing through the dark night, scattering across the earth. It was gentle and serene, wrapping warmth and tranquility around the surroundings, much like a cool mountain breeze brushing against the body, exceptionally pleasant. The qin music felt like the distant, ethereal soul of the clouds and sky, making one’s heart calm and focused.
Much like distant mountains, much like evening glow.
Every single note soothed the pain in Jiang Youbai’s body, and even the unprovoked dry heat inside him was pacified by the slowly flowing qin music. Gradually, he loosened his grip on the bedding, and the wrinkles were gently smoothed out.
The fragrance of pear blossoms enveloped the entire room. Jiang Youbai slowly opened his eyes, looking through the window toward the courtyard. That slender figure sat in the courtyard, a deep guqin resting across his lap. Slender fingers plucked the strings, notes flowing amidst turning movements, with spiritual energy intertwined and seeping through.
Shen Changchuan’s posture was like a handful of fresh snow piled in the courtyard. The clear breeze and bright moon could not rival the fresh snow of the courtyard.
Gazing at this beautiful scenery of the world, Jiang Youbai drifted into unconsciousness without realizing it.
When he woke up again, the qin music had faded into nothingness, the figure in the courtyard was gone, and the clear fragrance of pear blossoms had also faded.
He propped his upper body up from the bed. The pain in his body was much more alleviated than before he fell asleep. Putting on his shoes and socks, he walked toward Lingyun Peak, guided by his memories.
Lingyun Peak was specifically established for new disciples to learn basic knowledge of spiritual energy. In his past life, he had spent most of his time here. When Shen Changchuan had free time, he would also guide him a thing or two. When that person acted as a master, he was actually quite strict. Jiang Youbai was sometimes a bit afraid of him, not that he would be punished, as Shen Changchuan actually did nothing much when teaching him, not even as stern as Man Shuosheng, who taught the rules on Lingyun Peak. Yet for some inexplicable reason, Jiang Youbai felt he couldn’t even dare to breathe heavily.
Of course, everyone was like that. Upon seeing Shen Changchuan, no one dared to move.
Only now did he realize that he no longer cared about anything, losing even that initial awe toward Shen Changchuan in his heart, so much so that he even dared to flirt with him.
It was simply unbelievable.
While finding it both amusing, Jiang Youbai had already walked to the corridor outside the hall.
Tang Ci was not there. Right at this moment, that elder Man Shuosheng was teaching new disciples some rules of the Immortal Alliance, including the major ones, the minor ones, and even some unwritten things.
Jiang Youbai had no intention of going in, but Man Shuosheng had sharp eyes and immediately caught sight of him passing by the entrance, calling out to him directly: “You! Stop right there! You dare swagger around even when you are late?”
Jiang Youbai stood in place, glanced at Man Shuosheng, and then looked around himself to confirm that the other man was indeed talking to him before saying: “I am not here to attend.”
Man Shuosheng didn’t listen to what he was about to say at all. Looking at Jiang Youbai’s disciple uniform, he said with a stern face: “I haven’t memorized all the new disciples yet, but do you think you can skip class just like that? Why aren’t you hurrying inside, making everyone wait for you?”
Just like that, Jiang Youbai was inexplicably dragged into the classroom. He sat in the very corner and swept his gaze over everyone in the room.
To his surprise, he didn’t recognize a single one.
Well, that made sense. Every year there were new disciples in the Qingqing Sect, recruiting anywhere from several hundred to thousands annually. A single classroom only held a few dozen people, and in his past life, he hadn’t known all the disciples of the Qingqing Sect either.
As soon as he sat down, Man Shuosheng continued his previous reprimand: “On the first day of class, I said that no matter whose lecture it is, be it an elder or a senior brother, late arrivals are not allowed! If anyone offends again, they will stand outside and listen!”
“Alright, now let’s continue discussing the Immortal Alliance. As everyone knows, the Immortal Alliance is currently contending with the demon race for the demon beasts of the Spirit Mountain. That Demon Lord Xie Qingli already possesses a humanoid demon beast, and his cultivation increases day by day. They harbor covetous desires for the Spirit Mountain. If the Immortal Alliance hadn’t been keeping them in check all these years, the Spirit Mountain would have long since become something in the pocket of the demon race.”
One disciple then asked: “Then what will happen to those demon beasts?”
Man Shuosheng replied as a matter of course: “Naturally, they will perish.”
Jiang Youbai let out a cold, derisive laugh. Just as the question and answer in class had ended and silence settled in, his chuckle was exceptionally conspicuous.
Man Shuosheng’s sharp gaze swept straight over. Seeing that it was him again, he asked with displeasure: “Your laugh sounds extremely disdainful. Do you have any high insights?”
Jiang Youbai didn’t even stand up. Twirling a tree branch he had picked up from somewhere in his hand, he slumped lazily and said: “I do not have any high insights. But according to you, Elder, these demon beasts should even be grateful to the Immortal Alliance for keeping the demon race in check?”
Hearing Jiang Youbai’s sarcasm, Man Shuosheng’s brows immediately stood up in anger: “Isn’t that so?”
Jiang Youbai stopped twirling the branch in his hand and looked at Man Shuosheng with an icy smile: “Ridiculous. Those demon beasts are hunted and killed by you people, yet they are expected to thank their enemies.”
It was the first time Man Shuosheng had heard a disciple express such an opinion, so he couldn’t help but want to thoroughly debate the matter with him: “To the Immortal Alliance or the demon race, demon beasts are like cattle and horses to commoners. Which ordinary commoner cares about the life or death of an ox?”
Hearing Man Shuosheng make such an analogy, the smile on Jiang Youbai’s lips slowly faded, and the tree branch in his palm snapped into two pieces: “Would ordinary commoners expect an ox to thank them?”
Man Shuosheng was rendered speechless for a moment: “You, you, you are twisting words and being unreasonable!”
Jiang Youbai found it amusing. Looking at the old man blowing his beard and staring on the platform, he continued to pour fuel on the fire: “If you ask me, since demon beasts are so useful, you should enshrine them, kneeling and kowtowing to them day after day, year after year, praying that they bestow some rain and dew upon you.”
Just hearing these words from Jiang Youbai was beyond Man Shuosheng’s imagination. Furious, he pointed at Jiang Youbai and scolded: “Get over here! You, which elder or senior brother’s sect did you enter under when you joined? Call him over here for me!”
Jiang Youbai raised an eyebrow slightly, imagining what kind of scene it would be if this complaint reached Shen Changchuan. Just as he was about to open his mouth to make this happen, a gentle figure passed by the entrance.
Hearing the commotion inside, the person stopped at the door and looked in, smiling like thin clouds over pine-covered mountains: “Junior Brother, why are you here?”
Man Shuosheng turned his head abruptly, looking at Tang Ci at the doorway in astonishment.
Who wouldn’t recognize the First Seat’s senior disciple?
“Wait, what did you, what did you call him?”
Tang Ci called Jiang Youbai Junior Brother? Could it be that this newly arrived disciple was actually the First Seat’s newly accepted apprentice?