The Abyssal King, having been rejected once again, could only shake his head and sigh. He then made up a random excuse to explain why he was within the Taixu Sect, found an opportunity to re-disguise himself into his juvenile form, and returned to Yan Lin’s side.
After going in circles like this.
Yan Lin: “…”
So, what kind of madness are you having again? Surely you haven’t actually been infected by the protagonist?
Bai Si, restored to the form of a snow-white small beast, suddenly stared at Yan Lin’s lips which were slightly redder than usual, his eyes narrowing.
Thanks to those storybooks introduced by his dear partner, he now had a general understanding of the affairs between human men and women. Combining that with the fact that Yan Li had stepped out earlier with a handprint on his face yet wearing that kind of expression…
He had now vaguely guessed exactly what had happened.
And he was suddenly a bit disgruntled.
Thus, when Yan Lin was preparing to rest, Bai Si, relying on his currently cute appearance, intended to snuggle onto the bed. But Yan Lin, knowing the other’s true identity, kicked him down without mercy.
If it weren’t for needing him as a shield… Right, Yan Lin pulled out that formation flag, slowly stroking it, his eyes slightly lowered as if deep in thought.
Seeing this, Bai Si suddenly felt a slight sense of foreboding.
Sure enough, in the next moment, he was hoisted up by Yan Lin and tossed outside the door. Of course, to rationalize his behavior, Yan Lin strictly maintained his current persona—of one who didn’t know this snow-white small beast was actually an Abyssal King—and dropped a sentence to the effect of letting him play outside by himself.
The door shut with a thud behind him. The small beast blinked two large, somewhat dazed eyes; he seemingly hadn’t reacted to the fact that he had been thrown out of the room twice. When he turned to approach, he unsurprisingly crashed into what felt like an invisible wall.
A repeat performance.
Inside the room, Yan Lin, having planted the formation flag on the door, sensed carefully for a while. Seeing no sign of a certain Abyssal King flying into a rage and breaking in, he couldn’t help but marvel—products of the protagonist were indeed high-quality goods.
Since this was the case, he could relax much more. A shield only exerts a useful effect when the protagonist is present; Yan Lin, who discards things after use, ruthlessly shed his burden and felt completely light.
A night without dreams.
Ten days passed quickly.
During this period, Yan Lin toured the Taixu Sect, with the disciple who had previously led Perfected Wuyan to meet them acting as a guide, enthusiastically introducing the various wonders of the Taixu Sect.
The Taixu Sect, which from the outside appeared perpetually shrouded in white snow, actually had three distinct seasons—spring, summer, and autumn. Moreover, the Taixu Sect disciples encountered along the way were very friendly, making Yan Lin feel as if he had returned to the Yaoguang Sect.
However, as he stood quietly under a peach blossom tree holding the small beast wind brushing the branches, fallen petals interlacing with his raven hair or stood at the snowy peak with a smile, was he not also a heart-stirring scenery in the eyes of others?
People always show an extra measure of tolerance toward beautiful individuals, thereby birthing affection.
Only a certain protagonist kept a dark face throughout, his already cold aura becoming even more “strangers do not approach.” Especially that Taixu Sect disciple acting as a guide, who felt a chilly gaze on him at all times.
However, that Taixu Sect disciple was also a genius and didn’t feel he would lose to others. From the first moment he saw Yan Lin, he felt amazement and goodwill; his subsequent proactive enthusiasm was inevitably for the sake of getting closer to Yan Lin.
Upon learning that Yan Lin was heading to the Penglai Immortal Realm, he spoke incessantly and in detail about matters regarding the realm, allowing Yan Lin to gain a more comprehensive understanding.
The Penglai Immortal Realm was actually a small-scale secret realm rich in resources, where danger and opportunity coexisted. It opened once every ten years, and because its location was so remote, one needed the “Immortal Domain Flying Boat” controlled by the Taixu Sect to arrive safely.
Naturally, many rogue cultivators eyed the opportunity, willing to risk crossing the sea, while those with connections to the Taixu Sect could ride the flying boat together.
Only this time, due to the matter of the Abyssal rifts, it likely wouldn’t be as relaxed as in previous years. The various Masters and Elders of the Taixu Sect held a discussion on this; some believed it best to abandon this trip to the Penglai Immortal Realm and focus on dealing with the impending Abyssal rifts.
Others believed the two were not in conflict and could be carried out simultaneously. Moreover, the Abyssal rifts were not opening on the Penglai Immortal Realm, but within the vast East Sea. Both sides held their own opinions.
In the end, it was the Sect Leader of the Taixu Sect who made the decision: both would proceed simultaneously. Disciples whose cultivation was not yet high could go to the Penglai Immortal Realm to seek opportunities, while other cultivators would be arranged to deal with the impending Abyssal rifts.
Unlike previous years, the Taixu Sect’s launching of the Immortal Domain Flying Boat this time was less exciting and more solemn and cautious.
Even the rogue cultivators coming and going in the seaside market keenly felt a sense of urgency, like a coming storm. This made them even more prudent about whether to stake everything on the upcoming trip to the Penglai Immortal Realm.
And at this moment, Yan Lin looked bewildered.
The Taixu Sect disciple who had been a guide for ten days said regretfully that the sect had other arrangements for him, and he likely couldn’t go to the Penglai Immortal Realm with him. Upon leaving, he looked back every three steps, full of reluctance.
Yan Lin hadn’t quite grasped the flavor of the other party’s expression; it simply never occurred to him that the person had left their heart with him. Besides, in this day and age, aside from the completely broken protagonist, where would so many “cut sleeves” (homosexuals) come from?
Yan Li withdrew his dark gaze, his eyes subsequently landing on Yan Lin. Like the sun appearing after rain, he slightly turned up his lips and moved two steps closer. In Yan Lin’s instantly vigilant eyes, he smiled very genially and said:
“Senior Brother is so popular, what is Junior Brother to do?”
Yan Lin directly grabbed the furry paws of the shield Abyssal King, waved them in front, and shot him a glance while feigning composure, saying:
“It’s not my fault for being too popular.”
“Indeed…” I really want to… hide you away, so no one can see…
The final murmur drifted away in the air, inaudible. No one glimpsed the depths of Yan Li’s eyes, where that distortion and paranoia grew increasingly intense and deep, until it vanished completely.
He blinked slightly, his smile looking as normal as could be.
Yan Lin gave him a strange look, remembering that since that incident ten days ago, the other had made no more out-of-line moves. Perhaps it was because he was guarding against him so tightly, but Yan Lin truly did not want to recall it a second time.
Now, his heart was set only on quickly saving the plot. Fortunately, today was the day the Immortal Domain Flying Boat would launch. In a moment, he could take the flying boat along with the Taixu Sect disciples to the Penglai Immortal Realm.
Before this, Perfected Wuyan sought Yan Lin out once more, carefully instructing him again not to leave the Penglai Immortal Realm. Following the Elders of the Taixu Sect would naturally lead to them looking after him.
Yan Lin nodded perfunctorily as always, looking most obedient.
Seeing this, Perfected Wuyan, who originally wanted to talk Lin’er out of the idea, hesitated for a moment but ultimately said no more. However, as he watched Yan Lin board the Immortal Domain Flying Boat, his gaze shifted slightly, passing over the snow-white small beast in his arms, and he frowned slightly.
These past few days, Perfected Wuyan had consulted the Taixu Sect’s library but had never found data regarding this demonic creature. In such a critical period, he only hoped he wasn’t overthinking things.
Perfected Wuyan shook his head and turned to leave.
On the other side, Yan Lin, having finally boarded the flying boat, felt at peace. Standing on the deck with the crowd of Taixu Sect disciples, his gaze swept across the interior of the flying boat; the space was very broad.
From the outside, one could see the ship was massive, completely suspended over the sea and driven by arrays, with sails atop it. The interior was divided into several layers, with antique courtyards; all necessary conditions were basically provided.
The cultivators currently on the flying boat, besides Taixu Sect disciples, included disciples from other sects who were on good terms with the Taixu Sect, as well as some rogue cultivators.
To these people, perhaps this trip was just for experience or seeking opportunity; Yan Lin was different from them and naturally had no need to walk with them. He was merely hitching a ride.
Speaking of which, since the loosening of the Abyss seal caused the rifts to appear, would the strongest and highest-ranking Demon King in the Abyss have a sensation of it?
Thinking of this, Yan Lin couldn’t help but look down at the snow-white small beast in his arms, only to see him squinting his eyes in comfort under his unconscious stroking.
Yan Lin: “…”
Even though you’ve disguised yourself in this cute juvenile form, where is your “face” as an Abyssal King??
The snow-white small beast opened a pair of innocent large eyes to meet his gaze, as if saying “why aren’t you continuing?”
Yan Lin… forget it, I’ll continue pretending I didn’t see.
Little did he know, the Abyssal King was enjoying himself immensely. Becoming addicted was impossible, but mainly, feeling the chilly gaze of a certain dear partner and seeing his dark face brought him immense pleasure.
Of course, the little fellow’s stroking was also unexpectedly comfortable.
Indeed, the little fellow should belong to their Abyss.
Bai Si couldn’t help but squint his eyes slightly again, as if pondering something.