Yu Chengyan wanted very much to spend a little more time alone with Yu Wei, yet Yu Wei was worried about Ning Suyi, so the two of them hurried back.
When they had left earlier, Yu Chengyan had moved quickly, but now on the way back he could not help slowing down, greedily prolonging the time they spent alone together.
He knew that after he had lost his temper, the outer sect elders and instructors would absolutely not dare make things difficult for Ning Suyi again.
Sure enough, Yu Wei soon received a message from Ning Suyi. After the two of them had left, the outer sect elder and instructors had not dared say anything further, nor had they intended to punish Ning Suyi. Instead, they sent her back to rest, even dismissing her from class for the day.
This was a first for Yu Wei. She said in surprise, “This time the elders and instructors spoke so reasonably, they did not trouble us at all.”
If this had happened in the past and things had escalated to such an extent, they would certainly have been reprimanded and punished.
Yu Chengyan frowned. “Do they often make things difficult for you?”
“Yes, because I am this.” Yu Wei raised both hands to the top of her head and wiggled them as though they were ears.
Yu Chengyan’s expression darkened even further.
He had been here for several months now, long enough to understand many things. First and foremost, cultivators of this era relied on the protection of Xie Jianbai and generally discriminated against the demon race.
Ten thousand years ago, Xie Jianbai had slain tens of millions of demons, shaking the very foundation of the two races, and had then used the power formed from one of his souls to guard the borders. This had granted the cultivation world ten thousand years of peace, and over time, cultivators naturally came to look down on their defeated enemies.
In the future, however, Xie Jianbai would not only reclaim his soul, but also dismantle the First Immortal Sect on the spot, erasing every protective barrier and restriction he had established ten thousand years ago. Without his protection, the cultivation world would lose its advantage, the lower realms would descend into chaos once more, and cultivators would have no choice but to rely on themselves, no longer daring to remain arrogant.
Not to mention that the Sword Venerable whom they revered so deeply would one day marry a member of the demon race. What right would these cultivators have then to continue looking down on demons?
Previously, Yu Chengyan had only considered that the First Immortal Sect’s strict rules might make Yu Wei uncomfortable. He had never imagined that she would be subjected to discrimination and exclusion. Now it seemed likely that the elder who had attempted to strike her earlier had also been motivated by disdain for her demon bloodline.
The more he thought about it, the colder Yu Chengyan’s expression became.
Before the Great Dao, all beings were equal. In his view, if a cultivator truly believed themselves to be inherently superior to demons or devils, it meant their cultivation was flawed and they would never ascend the heavenly ladder.
His displeasure arose not only from anger at Yu Wei’s unjust treatment, but also from disappointment in these cultivators.
In the future where Yu Chengyan had grown up, the First Immortal Sect no longer existed, and past events had become history. Yet being personally immersed in this era still left him with an indescribable feeling.
This was the First Immortal Sect personally founded by that man, and its disciples were his successors and juniors. If even the foremost immortal sect was corrupt at its core, then what must the mainstream cultivators of this age be like?
One or two individuals might be excusable, but if such arrogance belonged to the entire cultivation world, then its eventual decline would be entirely inevitable.
Yu Chengyan had long managed affairs in the Heavenly Realm and could not tolerate such filth. For a fleeting moment, he even considered rectifying the First Immortal Sect, and perhaps the entire cultivation world.
But it was only a passing thought. Not to mention that he currently had no immortal power, even if he did, it would not be his place to act. Xie Jianbai would soon descend to undergo his tribulation, and these troublesome matters should fall to him.
Though countless thoughts swirled through his mind, none showed on his face as he said gently, “In the future, you need not worry about those people. If you want to reveal your ears or tail, then do so. If you want to turn into a cat, then do so. I will take care of everything.”
Yu Wei froze when she heard his words.
After all the repeated admonitions from Ning Suyi, the little cat demon now found herself hesitating.
“But… but that would break the rules,” she said softly.
The irritation Yu Chengyan had just suppressed immediately surged back up.
He could not bear to see Yu Wei so cautious, and said in a low voice, “What rules does it break? Even the sect’s laws never prohibit demon disciples from reverting to their original form. I would very much like to know on what grounds those people make things difficult for you over this.”
As they spoke, they had already returned to the outer sect mountain.
Ning Suyi had long been waiting at their agreed meeting place. Seeing that Yu Wei had returned safely and in good spirits, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
She had already learned of Yu Chengyan’s identity and understood that the ‘opportunity’ he had been searching for was Yu Wei. This had surprised Ning Suyi, but it was ultimately a good thing.
“Ah Ning!” Yu Wei hurried over carelessly, clearly having already forgotten the earlier conflict.
Ning Suyi patted her back before stepping forward and bowing to Yu Chengyan. Before she could complete the gesture, however, Yu Chengyan had already helped her up.
“There is no need to be so courteous with me, Ning…” The words ‘Aunt Ning’ reached his lips but were forcibly swallowed back as he said slowly, “Miss Ning, I have heard that you and Ah Wei are as close as sisters. That makes you my benefactor as well. If you ever need anything in the future, please speak freely.”
Ning Suyi had not expected that such a cold and powerful prodigy would be so approachable in private, his expression sincere and entirely unlike the way he had confronted the outer sect elder earlier.
She paused before replying, “You are too kind, but how does Daojun intend to help Xiao Wei?”
“Naturally by assisting her in cultivating and growing stronger,” Yu Chengyan said. “Putting distant matters aside, she must at least step onto the path of cultivation. Even reaching the Qi Refining stage would be good.”
Yu Chengyan’s thoughts coincided perfectly with Ning Suyi’s own wishes. She too wanted Yu Wei to cultivate, and now with such a great source of assistance, the two of them soon fell into an amicable discussion.
Yu Wei stood beside Ning Suyi, absentminded as usual, but as she listened, she gradually felt that something was not quite right.
After their brief exchange, Yu Chengyan bid the sisters farewell, intending to make Yu Wei’s identity official so that he could accompany her openly.
Once he had left, Yu Wei said uneasily, “Ah Ning, I do not want to cultivate.”
“Xiao Wei, this time you must listen to us. At the very least, you must begin,” Ning Suyi said seriously. “Outer sect disciples who fail to establish a foundation in Qi Refining within three years will be expelled and sent out as menial disciples. You have two years left. Laying the foundation requires steady accumulation. If things remain as they are, are you truly willing to become a menial disciple?”
Yu Wei had never possessed much sense of urgency. She had always believed that if she could no longer survive within the First Immortal Sect, she could simply run away.
Ning Suyi could tell what Yu Wei was thinking with a single glance.
She sighed. “Escaping is not so simple. Leaving aside the sect’s barrier, even if you managed to get out, the surrounding lands are desolate and uninhabited. If you were to lose your way, you might never find your way out again and would have to live in the mountains and forests for the rest of your life. Are you truly willing?”
Naturally, the young girl was not. Though she enjoyed being a cat and sleeping in trees, living like that every day was unacceptable. She had already grown accustomed to soft bedding and delicious food.
After a moment’s hesitation, Yu Wei said softly, “Can Ah Ning not send me away?”
“You are a registered outer sect disciple and the only one with demon blood. If people believed you had defected from the sect, you might be hunted across the world,” Ning Suyi said sternly.
In truth, she was exaggerating to frighten Yu Wei. Outer sect disciples were not that valuable. If one were listed as missing or dead, few would likely investigate.
But Ning Suyi would not reveal that. With such a good opportunity to encourage Yu Wei to cultivate, she was delighted and naturally intended to help Yu Chengyan keep the silly cat in line.
While Ning Suyi coaxed Yu Wei into obedience, on the other side of the mountain, Elder Liu of the outer sect was pacing anxiously within his courtyard.
He was the elder in charge of this peak, and he knew that Yu Chengyan would come looking for him.
Although the titles of outer sect elder and elder differed by only two words, their significance was entirely different. The First Immortal Sect had six true elders, each corresponding to one of the six inner peaks. They were powerful and widely respected.
Outer sect elders, on the other hand, generally possessed lower cultivation. Most were selected from among the older instructors, and even reaching the Foundation Establishment stage was considered commendable. Their duties were largely administrative, overseeing the daily affairs of outer sect disciples and occasionally delivering lectures.
Thus, when confronted by the enraged young man earlier, Elder Liu had felt his blood nearly freeze under Yu Chengyan’s pressure, unable even to speak.
At that moment, he had clearly sensed Yu Chengyan’s killing intent and understood with terrifying clarity how close he stood to death.
Yet this was not what frightened him most. What terrified him was the crimson light that had appeared in the young man’s eyes, unmistakably a sign of cultivation deviation.
A promising disciple valued by the sect master, yet also a dangerous figure on the verge of losing control. Elder Liu was not entirely confident in his own judgment. He wished to report Yu Chengyan’s abnormality, but feared that if he had been mistaken, offending a Golden Core expert would leave him with no future in the sect.
But if his observation were correct, it would be even more terrifying. Who knew whether Yu Chengyan might silence him permanently?
As Elder Liu wavered in indecision, his back was soon drenched in cold sweat.
He paced to the end of the courtyard and turned back, only to see Yu Chengyan approaching from outside, accompanied by two instructors guiding the way.
His heart began pounding violently. He hurried forward with a forced smile. “Daojun, you…”
Yu Chengyan turned his head, his eyes clear as glass, as though nothing had happened.
“Elder Liu, in my urgency to protect someone earlier, I accidentally injured you,” Yu Chengyan said calmly. “Can you understand?”
“I understand, I understand. After all, it concerns your opportunity. I was too rash,” Elder Liu replied, wiping away sweat as the pain in his shattered wrist returned under the young man’s gaze. “So long as it did not delay your affairs. If you require anything in the future, I will certainly cooperate…”
The mere thought of this outer sect elder attempting to harm Yu Wei caused killing intent to surge within Yu Chengyan.
At first, he had intended to punish him, but on second thought, the First Immortal Sect’s discrimination against the demon race was deeply rooted. The greater problem lay with the sect master and senior elders above, whose misguided teachings had allowed those managing the outer sect to grow so brazen.
Killing or punishing Elder Liu would be easy, but once he was gone, another would take his place. It would change nothing. It would be better to use this opportunity to intimidate him into obedience and prevent further trouble.
“Then I shall trouble you in the future,” Yu Chengyan said lightly.
Relief flooded Elder Liu’s heart. Clutching his aching wrist, he repeatedly expressed his compliance, bearing no resemblance to the imposing figure he had been before the disciples.
After resolving matters with Elder Liu, Yu Chengyan returned to the main peak to see Gu Guangming.
Gu Guangming was in a leisurely mood. When Yu Chengyan entered the hall, he happened to be playing the qin.
“Have you found the person you were looking for?” Gu Guangming asked curiously. “What is this person’s background? What is her talent?”
“She is an outer sect female disciple named Yu Wei,” Yu Chengyan replied indifferently, as though he did not particularly care about the one he had found. “Nothing special, though she possesses half demon blood.”
“There is actually a mixed-blood demon among my disciples?” Gu Guangming said in surprise.
As sect master, the admission or dismissal of a mere outer sect disciple would naturally not be reported to him.
Yu Chengyan nodded. “According to the outer sect instructors, a team of disciples had gone to the human world on a mission and passed by a village. Their Spirit-Testing Stone reacted, so they brought her back. Only after she entered the sect did they discover her demon bloodline, and her aptitude was ordinary. Still, since she had received the approval of the Bone-Measuring Stone, she was allowed to remain and usually does odd jobs in the outer sect.”
This was indeed what he had learned from the instructors.
However, he had downplayed the details that might have interested Gu Guangming. When the Bone-Measuring Stone encountered Yu Wei, it had not merely reacted but emitted a dazzling white light.
White light typically signified an excellent seed highly compatible with the sect, yet Yu Wei was merely a mixed-blood demon of ordinary talent. Even the outer sect instructors were puzzled, suspecting the Bone-Measuring Stone had made a mistake.
A mistake?
Yu Chengyan could not help but sneer.
The power attached to the Bone-Measuring Stone came from one of Xie Jianbai’s souls. Rather than indicating that Yu Wei was suited to enter the First Immortal Sect, it would be more accurate to say that this fragment of power had been drawn to Yu Wei, hence the intense reaction.
He absolutely could not allow his parents to meet.