“Eldest Senior Brother.”
A clear, crisp voice echoed through the courtyard filled with white pear blossoms, mingling with the refreshing breeze.
Holding a zither in his arms, the youth rose and flew over, coming to a halt right in front of Yi Xiannian.
Jiang Sanli and Chen Erluo were of a similar age, yet the two possessed completely different appearances.
Compared to Chen Erluo’s crisp, handsome looks, Jiang Sanli’s features leaned toward the feminine and delicate. He was strikingly handsome, every frown and smile made it impossible to look away, a born breathtaking beauty.
Jiang Sanli seemed a bit reserved, speaking in a soft, gentle voice: “Eldest Senior Brother, is Master in? I’d like to play a new piece I just learned for him.”
The youth’s eyes were filled with pure filial reverence, practically overflowing, a picture-perfect, harmless little white flower.
Even Yi Xiannian was nearly fooled by Jiang Sanli’s act.
The future Master of the Demon Realm, a paranoid and dark beauty gong (top/attacker), even in his youth form, his true nature was far from the pure facade he presented.
Chen Erluo was exceptionally gifted and sent over by his emperor father, he and the youngest junior brother were picked up as a bundle deal, but Jiang Sanli was the most unique of them all.
Orphaned at a young age, his half-demon bloodline made him the target of discrimination and humiliation in the Demon Realm. Thus, he hid his bloodline and identity, escaping to the Human Realm.
Coming to the Renqing Sect was a deliberate choice on his part.
A harsh and cruel upbringing could only spawn a twisted, man-eating flower.
No one could ever imagine that beneath Third Junior Brother’s pure, white-flower exterior lay a malicious and paranoid nature.
Lan Yibai had given him a home, but there were too many eyesores in this home, and Lan Yibai’s gaze was never focused solely on Jiang Sanli.
Jiang Sanli’s desires swelled to the point where he couldn’t stand Lan Yibai looking at anyone else. He constantly anticipated the day his demon bloodline would be exposed.
He craved pulling Lan Yibai down from his altar.
How would the most prestigious immortal cultivator in the world account for himself when it turned out he had raised a demon scourge?
He wanted Lan Yibai to have only him in his heart, even if it was out of hate.
For a moment, Yi Xiannian didn’t know how to judge his third junior brother’s twisted tastes. Either way, in the end, it was also Jiang Sanli who wept and begged Master not to leave.
However, hearing Jiang Sanli call out “Eldest Senior Brother” so obediently right now made Yi Xiannian feel strangely warm inside. It didn’t feel fake. Though his face remained calm, he secretly felt as refreshed as a spring breeze, his heart softening a bit.
Yi Xiannian couldn’t help but glare at the oblivious Chen Erluo beside him.
Both were junior brothers, yet the difference between them was like night and day.
“What are you looking at me for? I know I’m handsome.”
Chen Erluo didn’t understand the look. He raised an eyebrow instinctively, acting quite arrogant.
Yi Xiannian’s amber eyes flicked upward rapidly, flashing a lively look of disgust.
Chen Erluo loved stirring up trouble and spewed sarcastic remarks: “Jiang Sanli, stop trying to curry favor with Master. He didn’t even tell you when he went into secluded meditation.”
Hearing this, Jiang Sanli’s face fell visibly into disappointment. He pursed his lips helplessly, looking utterly pitiful, yet he still managed to force a faint smile.
“It sounds very nice.”
Yi Xiannian opened his mouth to speak, while simultaneously jabbing his elbow hard into Chen Erluo’s side.
Caught off guard, Chen Erluo bent over in pain, unable to utter a sound for half a minute.
The world finally went quiet.
With a master sect filled with warped, overpowered Long Aotian protagonists, Yi Xiannian felt an inexplicable headache coming on.
Since things had come to this… let’s eat first.
……
The gazebo in the Qingya Cave courtyard had a complete set of stone tables and chairs, which were currently laden with delicious, aromatic dishes.
“This is the first time I’ve eaten food cooked by Senior Brother.”
Jiang Sanli had refined table manners, taking small bites, chewing slowly, and swallowing before his eyes lit up.
“Of course! He used to only cook for Master. If Master hadn’t gone into secluded meditation, how could it ever be our turn?”
Chen Erluo shoveled food into his mouth, practically burying his face in his bowl, yet still finding the breath to snicker.
“Even food can’t shut your mouth.”
Yi Xiannian rapped his chopsticks against Chen Erluo’s head.
Jiang Sanli nibbled on his chopsticks, slowly chewing the fragrant stir-fried shredded carrots, his eyes flickering.
Having suffered from hunger since childhood, Lin Siyu had always complained that Senior Uncle Chen’s cooking was like playing a prank. Though Chen Erluo never complained, he often went deep into the forest to pick wild berries to stave off hunger.
Being young, they hadn’t reached the stage of Bigu (fasting/inedia) yet and frequently felt hungry.
Yet, Jiang Sanli felt that Senior Brother’s food was warm and comforting.
Back when he was struggling to survive in the Demon Realm, everyone said the human race was lowly and the lowest form of life, causing his half-human bloodline to be constantly reviled.
It wasn’t until he went through unimaginable hardship to escape to Renqing Sect that he finally found a sanctuary. He knew in his heart that Master had given him a home.
His obsessive devotion to Master became his sole pillar of hope, just thinking of Master filled him with the joy of a rising morning sun.
He had once observed the human world below the mountain and noticed that the most obedient children were always praised easily by others. Thus, Jiang Sanli abandoned all the thievery, trickery, and brawling he relied on in the Demon Realm to play the part of a well-behaved Third Disciple.
However, this act was useless on Lan Yibai. Jiang Sanli had never met someone so detached and ethereal, at times, one couldn’t help but wonder if the man even possessed a heart.
He knew that everyone in the sect harbored similar feelings toward Master, led by Eldest Senior Brother.
Yet Eldest Senior Brother was born lucky, favored by Master, and constantly clung to him.
Jiang Sanli couldn’t fathom what was so great about Yi Xiannian, to the point that he almost resented this Eldest Senior Brother who was as talentless as an ordinary mortal.
The more one cannot obtain something, the more obsessively one hungers for it. Day after day of unfulfilled desire made Jiang Sanli feel as though his sincere heart was being dried up by the wind, awakening the latent malice in his bones,
What I cannot have should be destroyed.
Yet suddenly, looking at his Eldest Senior Brother so close at hand, he found himself dazed for a moment.
The quiet moonlight outlined Yi Xiannian’s silhouette, deep, serene, like water and moonlight.
Having grown up in a neglected corner, no one had ever praised him before.
So praise was actually something that could be given so effortlessly.
“It’s a pity we can’t eat it often.”
What a vile person I am, Jiang Sanli thought with self-mockery. Having received just a tiny sliver of warmth, I can’t wait to wag my tail and beg for more from someone I used to hate.
Like a leech, shamelessly craving more.
Seeing the corners of Jiang Sanli’s eyes moisten, Yi Xiannian was greatly alarmed and quickly said, “I’ll cook for you often from now on.”
After all, Senior Uncle Chen’s cooking was truly terrible.
“Master is in secluded meditation, I will take good care of you both.”
Jiang Sanli lowered his eyes, resting his chopsticks against the edge of his bowl, softly humming an agreement, which was drowned out by the cold sneer Chen Erluo squeezed out from the back of his throat.
……
Late at night, Yi Xiannian sat alone cross-legged on the wooden floor of his room, supporting his cheek with one hand, surrounded by portraits scattered across the floor.
He had dug them out from under his pillow. Without exception, every single one depicted the same person.
Lan Yibai holding a scroll, Lan Yibai resting on a couch, Lan Yibai holding a sword…
Lan Yibai, Lan Yibai, always Lan Yibai…
Lifelike and exquisitely drawn.
Yi Xiannian let out a deep sigh, stood up, carefully collected the portraits, put them into a box, and hid them deep inside the bookshelf.
He couldn’t carelessly mess with the original host’s belongings, but he truly couldn’t bring himself to sleep next to Lan Yibai’s face every single day.
Everyone said Lan Yibai doted on his Eldest Disciple, always giving him private lessons, but Yi Xiannian felt zero trace of physical training or cultivation in this body. Even earlier when cooking, when he tried to use a bit of spiritual power, he was completely helpless. In the end, he had to use an old, notched kitchen knife to painstakingly slice the carrots into chunks.
If this was the result of Lan Yibai’s private lessons, then the original host’s talent points might as well be negative.
The next day, at dawn’s first light.
Yi Xiannian woke up early, put on his gorgeous green martial attire, tied his hair into a high ponytail, hesitated for a moment, then removed the green jade pendant from his waist. Strapping his sword to his back, he pushed open the door and stepped out.
He ran straight into Chen Erluo, who was practicing swordplay in the courtyard.
Out of the corner of his eye, Chen Erluo caught sight of the figure under the veranda. With a flick of his wrist, his sword let out a clear, resonant hum as it broke through the air, slicing down falling petals in the courtyard. His movement grew faster and sharper, the sword light pouring down like a waterfall, like urgent rain beating against a window.
Yi Xiannian narrowed his eyes, observing Chen Erluo’s agile form. Chen Erluo wasn’t lying, he indeed possessed the strength to go down the mountain for trials on his own, so his reluctance was understandable.
Finishing his routine, Chen Erluo raised his left hand and gently brushed his fingertips along the back of the blade with a strange tenderness and familiarity. With a subtle flick of his wrist, the sword light instantly vanished, and the blade snapped into its sheath.
Yi Xiannian didn’t have time to stay and admire Chen Erluo’s fancy moves. Finding an opening, he walked straight out the door.
Sheathing his sword, Chen Erluo finally looked up, only to see a figure walking away at a hurried pace. He quickly rushed after him.
Even the Sect Leader had praised his sword skills, how dare Yi Xiannian ignore him!
“Hey.”
Chen Erluo tried to grab Yi Xiannian by the shoulder without success, so he took large strides ahead and walked backward directly in front of Yi Xiannian.
“You usually sleep until noon, and the moment you wake up, you head straight for Master’s room. Why the sudden change of heart today?”
“The outer disciples start their training at the Hour of Chen (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM).”
Chen Erluo looked as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world: “You don’t seriously plan to go watch them train in your capacity as Eldest Senior Brother, do you? With your current strength, you can’t even beat them. Why would they willingly listen to your commands…”
Unable to stand the nagging, Yi Xiannian frowned slightly and said, “I’m going to learn.”
“What?”
Hearing this, Chen Erluo’s face went completely blank. He stood frozen in place. Yi Xiannian didn’t wait for him, by the time Chen Erluo regained his senses, Yi Xiannian was already half a li away.
“You’re not joking, are you?”
In the distance, skylarks sang loudly. Yi Xiannian gripped his sword tightly and silently walked toward the training grounds, finding an empty spot in the back row to stand, completely treating Chen Erluo as air.
Chen Erluo curled his lip and stood beside him, weighing his own sword in his hand as well.
The outer disciples’ morning practice was overseen by Elder Jiang Yunting, with outstanding inner disciples taking turns to assist in teaching.
As luck would have it, today happened to be Elder Jiang Yunting’s turn on duty.
The training ground was vast. Directly ahead stood an imposing pavilion where the banner of the Renqing Sect hung high, radiating grandeur.
The elder was tall, burly, and imposing without even trying to look fierce. Standing on the high platform looking around, he spotted the two figures in the corner at a single glance.
Among the crowd of white disciple robes, the green and blue garments were exceptionally eye-catching, especially their two youthful faces, both considerably shorter than the adults around them.
Except for a very small number of gifted prodigies, disciples of the Renqing Sect were usually tested for their spiritual roots and selected after reaching adulthood before officially entering the sect. After the elders selected the inner disciples, the rest were assigned to become outer disciples.
Yi Xiannian had taken a huge advantage, having been raised under Lan Yibai since he was an infant. Based on seniority, he became the youngest Eldest Senior Brother in the history of the Renqing Sect.
Thus, standing among the outer disciples, he was actually the youngest one there.
Jiang Yunting was quite surprised, but he didn’t call it out, beginning the demonstration according to their usual routine.
Yi Xiannian kept his gaze fixed on Jiang Yunting, swinging his sword along with the forms. His posture wasn’t very stable, and his movements were sluggish and unrefined.
Chen Erluo brandished his sword with fancy techniques, casually glancing at Yi Xiannian beside him. The mocking words were just about to spill from his mouth when he saw the dead-serious look on Yi Xiannian’s face. Feeling as though he had been stung, Chen Erluo hurriedly averted his eyes. Seeing a few strands of white hair on Yi Xiannian’s head, all his loud taunts dissolved into low mutters.
“They say premature white hair means you’re smart, but you’re really an exception.”
When morning practice ended, the two walked one after another on the path back to Qingya Cave. It was a rare moment of peace and harmony. Just as they approached the entrance, a sweeping disciple working under the Sect Leader blocked their path.
“The Sect Leader requests Eldest Senior Brother to come over for a moment.”
……
“Xiannian, as an inner disciple, there is no need for you to attend classes with the outer disciples. Your Master will come out of seclusion in a few days. You don’t need to be so anxious about your cultivation.”
Zuo Fenghua pushed a teacup in front of Yi Xiannian. He looked like a scholarly, refined middle-aged man with a calm demeanor.
Yi Xiannian cupped his hands in respect and said, “Sect Leader, I know my aptitude is lacking and I have caused Master a lot of worry. That is why I don’t want to disappoint him even more.”
Zuo Fenghua curled his lips into a warm smile: “Before your Master went into seclusion, he told me that he only wants you to be safe and healthy. He won’t force cultivation upon you. When he exits seclusion, he will teach you himself.”
It was like throwing a punch into cotton. Yi Xiannian remained silent for a long moment before he had no choice but to comply.
“Chen Erluo’s strength is already sufficient to go down the mountain for trials alone. Why is Senior Uncle Chen unwilling to assign tasks to him?”
Zuo Fenghua’s hand holding the teacup paused. He looked up at Yi Xiannian with a somewhat guilty expression.
“Chen Erluo’s royal father once sent word asking that the prince not be put in danger. When the sect accepted him, we promised that before he reached adulthood, we wouldn’t allow him to go down the mountain alone… I only had time to tell Old Chen, intending to inform your Master later, but I was so swamped with work that I completely forgot about it.”
“…”
Leaving the Sect Leader’s place, Yi Xiannian fell into deep thought once again. Lan Yibai’s doting on him had reached a level where, if he wasn’t careful, he would be completely ruined.
…Could it be that Lan Yibai was raising him like a useless son, expecting the least successful child to stay by his side to take care of him in his old age?
Shaking his head to dispel the ridiculous thought, Yi Xiannian stepped into Qingya Cave.
At the same time, in a certain secluded cavern in Qingya Cave, an immortal clad in white sat on his knees. His robes cascaded over the ground. In front of him rested a small bottle, with a continuous stream of spiritual energy flowing from his fingertips to be swallowed by the bottle. His eyes were tightly shut, seemingly enduring unbearable pain.
It was not until the mass of spiritual energy inside the bottle stabilized that Lan Yibai slowly opened his eyes. A rare flash of joy surfaced in his usually ice cold, lifeless eyes.