During the past few days of taking Yu Wei out to have fun, Yu Chengyan had more than once entertained the thought of using this opportunity to disappear with her entirely.
Unfortunately, it could only remain a thought. Setting aside that he did not wish to sever Ning Suyi and Yu Wei’s friendship, even if he truly intended to take her away, he would have to settle every loose end first. He could not leave in such a suspicious manner, abandoning so many unresolved dangers within the Xuantian Immortal Sect.
Ever since hearing that Xie Jianbai was about to descend to the mortal realm, Yu Chengyan had felt burdened. The closer they drew to the sect, the more restless he became.
He could only console himself that as long as they confined themselves to the outer sect peaks, kept a low profile, and maintained their previous routine, Xie Jianbai would have little chance of encountering Yu Wei.
When he was young, Yu Chengyan had once overheard his mother and godmother chatting. Yu Wei had remained in the outer sect for three or four years without ever meeting Xie Jianbai. It was only later, after Ning Suyi took her away from the sect, that they had coincidentally crossed paths outside.
So there was still a strong possibility that he could prevent their meeting.
After returning from their trip, Yu Chengyan brought Yu Wei to meet Gu Guangming, who had long been curious about the person behind his fortunate opportunity. He politely declined Gu Guangming’s suggestion to improve Yu Wei’s treatment and keep her on the main peak.
Yu Chengyan had already made up his mind that after this visit to the Sect Master, he would never bring Yu Wei to the main peak again.
When they stepped out of the main hall to return to the outer sect, Yu Chengyan finally let out a breath of relief. His mood lightened, and the heavy stone weighing on his heart seemed to fall away.
Beside him, the girl chattered animatedly about trivial little matters. Yu Chengyan listened with patient attention.
After months of careful protection under his care, the little cat demon, once free-spirited yet shackled by the Xuantian Immortal Sect and too afraid to reveal her true form, had finally regained her natural ease. The moment she slipped out of Gu Guangming’s sight, she immediately released her fluffy white cat ears.
Seeing her so fearless, daring to show her ears so freely on the main peak, Yu Chengyan felt deeply satisfied. Yu Wei should have always been like this. What was the Xuantian Immortal Sect worth, after all? Those instructors and elders had once oppressed her with baseless accusations.
Everything seemed to be improving. Yu Chengyan had even begun thinking about what to cook for the little cat that evening. Yet the moment they stepped out of the main hall, they collided head-on with Xie Jianbai.
At the sight of the man in white standing below the steps, aloof and cold, Yu Chengyan’s first reaction was to yank Yu Wei behind him and shield her completely.
How could this happen so suddenly?
He glared at Xie Jianbai, forgetting even to conceal the obvious hostility and vigilance in his eyes.
The instant Xie Jianbai lifted his gaze, the young man’s entire body tensed.
“It’s you.”
His voice was calm and indifferent, as cold as a mountain spring.
“What?” Yu Chengyan’s tone was hard, even excessively fierce.
When he sensed Yu Wei behind him perk up at the pleasant sound of Xie Jianbai’s voice and attempted to peek out, his grip on her hand tightened.
Yu Chengyan had no idea what those two words meant. He had no desire to entangle himself here. He only wanted to take her away.
“You’ve mistaken me,” he added coldly.
Without another word, he summoned his flying sword, swiftly lifting Yu Wei onto it. Their figures vanished from the main peak in an instant.
Nearby, Xiao Ziyi had no idea what had transpired. Although he had sensed something off about Yu Chengyan at first glance, he had no time to ponder it. All he saw was the young man being so rude to Sword Venerable Xie Jianbai that his vision nearly went dark.
Before he could speak, Xie Jianbai had already disappeared.
Xie Jianbai could sense his fragment of soul power. He was aware of the distant barrier where his strength lingered and naturally knew that a descendant of the Xuantian Immortal Sect had dared to steal a portion of his power for use in the Bone-Measuring Stone.
Almost at first sight, he had confirmed that the young man before him was the one acknowledged by his power. That created a connection between them.
Yet something felt strange. The link between them seemed far deeper than that of a simple inheritance of strength.
Moreover, the young man’s reaction had been excessively intense.
Xie Jianbai had sensed a demon hidden behind him, but Yu Chengyan’s behavior was so unusual that it drew all his attention.
When Yu Chengyan fled as if avoiding a plague, Xie Jianbai followed without hesitation.
On the other side, Yu Wei, still dizzy from being abruptly whisked away, steadied herself against his arm and asked in confusion, “What’s wrong? What just happened?”
Thanks to him, she had only heard a very pleasant voice and seen nothing else. Before she could process anything, she had been carried off.
Yu Chengyan was just about to reassure her when he sensed someone following them. Xie Jianbai trailed them openly, with no attempt to conceal his presence.
Just like him.
Yu Chengyan’s expression darkened. He lowered his voice. “A’Wei, listen to me. Didn’t you bring Miss Ning a gift? I’ll send you back so you can find her. I have something to handle. If you behave, you won’t need to cultivate for the next three days.”
“Deal.” Yu Wei’s eyes lit up.
Yu Chengyan set her down in a forest near the outer sect peak, then immediately flew off again.
As expected, Xie Jianbai did not hesitate and followed.
Only after reaching an extremely remote place did Yu Chengyan stop. He turned and watched coldly as the man approached.
Xie Jianbai stood clad in white, sword brows and starry eyes, handsome as a fallen immortal. Yet around him lingered an ominous baleful aura so pure and violent that the air near him felt colder.
“Do you need something?” Yu Chengyan asked icily.
From their first meeting until now, his attitude had been nothing short of hostile.
Xie Jianbai paid no heed to his tone. “You know me.”
His voice was calm and certain.
Yu Chengyan pressed his lips together. Meeting those emotionless eyes, he felt another wave of cold.
There was nothing in Xie Jianbai’s gaze. Or perhaps there was everything. His eyes held all living beings beneath heaven, not any single individual. His indifference stemmed from the bone. He cared for no one. No one could stir even the slightest ripple in him.
Yu Chengyan felt a sharp discomfort. He despised Xie Jianbai and hated standing in the same place as him. To avoid suspicion and sever their connection, he had always deliberately chosen paths opposite to his.
Yet he had never experienced this sensation before.
There was no reflection of himself in Xie Jianbai’s eyes. In that man’s view, he was no different from the countless beings of the world, even from flowers and trees.
This version of Xie Jianbai had never married. Naturally, he had never had an incompetent son.
He was nothing more than an insignificant stranger.
Yu Chengyan’s aura grew heavier. “That’s right. I know you are Xie Jianbai. So what?”
“What did you do?” Xie Jianbai asked.
Even his questioning carried no warmth.
An odd flicker of guilt rose in Yu Chengyan’s chest. If asked what he had done, the list was long.
Xie Jianbai continued, “Do you wish to become me?”
“Who would want to become you?” The man’s casual remark ignited Yu Chengyan’s fury. His voice rose. “What nonsense are you talking about? I don’t understand a single word.”
“You inherited my power less than four months ago. Yet now, you already carry an aura strikingly similar to mine,” Xie Jianbai said evenly despite Yu Chengyan’s anger. “You must have done something to become as you are.”
“I’m similar to you? I—” Yu Chengyan nearly cursed aloud.
What could he possibly have done? He had merely been born.