Huo Ling disliked him. Jiang Xuning had known this from the very beginning, but because it wasn’t particularly obvious, he hadn’t cared much. However, after that day at the foot of the mountain, he suddenly discovered that Huo Ling’s feelings likely went far beyond simple dislike.
That piercing gaze clearly carried murderous intent. At first, he assumed he had simply misread it after all, they had no life-and-death grievances but upon returning, the more he thought about it, the more unsettled he became. He was even frequently startled awake by nightmares in the middle of the night, unable to sleep peacefully. It was for this reason that he had been intentionally avoiding Huo Ling these past few days.
What he hadn’t expected was that while he was deliberately hiding, Huo Ling would come looking for him.
The Tianyan Sect has been exceptionally lively lately. Even Jiang Xuning, who rarely went out, had noticed a thing or two. Initially curious, he eventually overheard disciples from the Medicine Infirmary mentioning that a new secret realm had appeared in the Yuhua Mountains near the sect.
In his past life, Jiang Xuning might not have understood much about this, but having read “that book,” he was well aware.
The world knew that for a mortal to enter the Dao was a half-step toward heaven, creating a world of difference from ordinary people. Yet, few understood that cultivation was an act of defying heaven, destined to be arduous; a single slip could result in the scattering of one’s soul. To truly ascend, innate talent and hard work were far from enough; what mattered most was “opportunity” (fate/providence).
However, such opportunities are sought but rarely found. Unlike spiritual roots, which can sometimes be adapted, some people spend their entire lives without finding their fate, while others are born with great fortune. Thus, one cannot judge a cultivation path by the present moment alone; the future is decided by the future.
Speaking of opportunity, one must mention secret realms. Legend says they are nurtured by the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming naturally. They contain countless natural treasures; obtaining even one can yield immense benefits, making the future path of cultivation much easier. Consequently, numerous cultivators flock to them.
But precious lands are rare while cultivators are many. Such a realm often appears only once every few decades, making them particularly prized.
Furthermore, the realm appearing this time was somewhat unusual. Jiang Xuning remembered it being mentioned in the book: it was called the Xuan Cang Realm, left behind by an ancient powerhouse upon their ascension. Records stated it was the first natural treasure land to be “tamed,” showing just how profound that cultivator’s power had been.
In truth, the book’s description of it was sparse. Jiang Xuning only remembered it because, a hundred years ago, when Immortal Venerable Zhongyi was still a disciple, he had entered this realm and encountered a great opportunity inheriting the legacy of that ancient powerhouse.
Along with the legacy came the secret realm itself. However, being benevolent, Immortal Venerable Zhongyi did not keep it for himself. Instead, he released the contract seal, allowing it to become the precious land that opens every twenty years today.
None of this had anything to do with Jiang Xuning. He was just a mortal; “opportunity” meant little to him. Yet, to his absolute shock, Immortal Venerable Zhongyi had instructed him to follow Huo Ling into the secret realm this time.
This happened so suddenly that Jiang Xuning hadn’t even reacted. He followed Huo Ling blankly, and it wasn’t until they descended the mountain and left the sect gates that he regained some clarity. Once awake to the situation, his thoughts were quickly replaced by worry.
He knew that while secret realms were called “precious lands,” they were not pleasant places.
Corresponding to the countless treasures were rampant demonic beasts. Because of the abundant spiritual energy, these beasts were often much harder to deal with than those outside. High-level cultivators might fare well, but those with insufficient skills could easily end up in the bellies of those beasts, let alone a frail mortal who couldn’t even lift a finger in a fight.
And the Xuan Cang Realm had existed for thousands of years; the dangers would only be more severe.
He was filled with doubt, but since Huo Ling disliked him, the man naturally wouldn’t explain much. However, Jiang Xuning was certain the Immortal Venerable wouldn’t harm him, otherwise he wouldn’t have paired him with Huo Ling. But perhaps the Immortal Venerable had miscalculated one thing: if he truly encountered danger, given Huo Ling’s attitude toward him, he didn’t know if the man would save him or…
At this thought, he couldn’t help but glance sideways. Upon seeing that face, he couldn’t stop himself from recalling that night at the foot of the mountain that cold, murderous gaze. Jiang Xuning subconsciously frowned and withdrew his gaze, lowering his head in deep thought.
“Senior Brother Huo!”
Someone suddenly called out from a distance. Seeing it was Huo Ling, the previously scattered disciples immediately gathered around. Seeing this, Jiang Xuning tactfully took a few steps back. Fortunately, he wasn’t prominent, so few noticed him. As for Huo Ling, he hadn’t looked at him from the start, and thus cared even less.
The disciples present were only sixteen to eighteen years old. Though they had cultivated for years, in the mortal world they were still just children. Since this was their first time entering a secret realm, the inherent dangers made them somewhat uneasy.
Huo Ling was older, had a higher cultivation level, and was usually gentle with others. Therefore, seeing him gave them a sense of security. Within a few exchanges, the tense atmosphere dissipated, replaced by laughter and lively chatter.
Jiang Xuning took all of this in, his expression becoming complicated. He had previously wondered if Huo Ling differed from the description in the book, but now he had to admit that when facing other Tianyan Sect disciples, Huo Ling was still that gentle Eldest Senior Brother. Otherwise, he wouldn’t command such respect. Every time he saw this, Jiang Xuning doubted whether his previous impressions were just a momentary illusion—or perhaps, behavior targeted solely at him.
Once the thought arose, he felt it was too absurd. He shook his head, telling himself not to overthink; perhaps he was just shaken by that night.
He couldn’t help but look over again. The disciples were surrounding Huo Ling, laughing happily. Though the one being surrounded wasn’t smiling, he listened patiently and responded occasionally to the very image of a modest gentleman, making it hard not to feel well-disposed toward him.
Perhaps this is the version Xiao Yu likes, Jiang Xuning thought, his eyes dimming. As if remembering something, he looked away and stopped watching.
However, the good atmosphere didn’t last long. With a cold snort, a youth wearing a gold crown and red robes emerged from the shadows, surrounded by attendants. He had a haughty expression, sweeping a contemptuous look over the crowd before landing his gaze on the black-clad young man in the center. He uttered a mocking word: “Hypocrite.”
It was Baili Tu, the Young Master of the Demon Race who had arrived at the Tianyan Sect a few days ago.
Seeing the newcomer, Jiang Xuning wasn’t surprised. Though the Xuan Cang Realm belonged to the Tianyan Sect, the Demon Race had done the sect a favor regarding spiritual medicine. Reasonably, if Baili Tu wanted to enter the realm, no one would stop him.
However, he was far too pampered and arrogant. In just a few days, he had offended many people. The sect’s disciples already found him eyesore. Seeing him actively looking for trouble now, before Huo Ling could even speak, a disciple couldn’t help but snap, “What do you mean by that!”
But Baili Tu didn’t even spare him a glance. He raised his brows in even greater disdain. “What kind of thing are you, to be worthy of speaking to this Prince?”
“You…”
The disciple was young and at an age where one is impulsive and easily angered. Being insulted to his face like this, his rage took over. Ignoring whether the person before him was a noble Demon Prince or some other monster, he immediately drew his sword to argue. Fortunately, Huo Ling intervened in time, preventing a brawl.
“Senior Brother!”
The young disciple’s anger hadn’t faded, and he wanted to say more, but Huo Ling signaled him to stop before looking at the person in front of them.
“Prince Baili, the Sect Master allowed you to enter the realm with us, not to come here and cause trouble with the disciples.”
His tone was calm, yet carried a hint of coldness. Especially when he wasn’t smiling, he projected an inexplicable sense of majesty and pressure.
But who was Baili Tu? He was the Prince of the Demon Race, coddled by everyone; he was used to looking down on others. Naturally, he wouldn’t take such a warning seriously. In fact, he became even more arrogant after Huo Ling spoke. After scanning him up and down, he mocked, “Huo Wumian, what kind of thing are you? A bastard born of a mother but not raised by one you think you’re worthy of lecturing this Prince?”
His contempt grew even deeper.
As soon as he spoke, the surroundings fell deathly silent. Many disciples looked furious, and some, like the previous disciple, were about to draw their swords to argue. Even the attendants beside Baili Tu broke into a cold sweat upon hearing their master’s merciless remarks. The man before them was, after all, the Immortal Venerable’s disciple. The Young Prince being like this… they glanced at each other but dared not speak.
Jiang Xuning also frowned upon hearing this. Although he knew Huo Ling was an orphan picked up by Immortal Venerable Zhongyi, the Demon Prince’s insults were truly too foul. He subconsciously looked toward Huo Ling, wondering how he would react.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a sudden laugh broke the atmosphere.
Baili Tu was bewildered by the laughter and looked at the man with increasing annoyance. “Huo Wumian, what are you laughing at?”
Huo Ling’s lips curled slightly, and in a direction the others couldn’t see, his eyes were chilling. “I was thinking that what I said to the Prince previously might have been correct.”
With a hint of playfulness, in a voice only the two of them could hear, he whispered, “Prince, you truly do not understand human speech very well.”
To anyone unaware of the context, this would be confusing, but Baili Tu knew he understood perfectly. Huo Ling was referring to the time he called him an “unrefined beast.” His previous composure vanished, replaced by seething rage. He hissed, “Huo Ling, you’re looking for death!”
Saying this, he reached for the jade-colored long whip hanging at his waist, intending to teach the man a lesson.
But this time, he was held back.
“Prince, you mustn’t!”
The attendants’ faces turned pale. If the Prince only used his tongue, they could ignore it, but once hands were involved, things wouldn’t be so simple. Moreover, this was someone else’s territory, and their Prince was the one who started it.
“Don’t forget what His Majesty instructed you before you left!”
Several people firmly grabbed Baili Tu’s wrists as he tried to move, fearing he would actually strike. If he did, the Prince might be fine, but they, who were sent by the Emperor to watch him, would be miserable.
“You lot…”
Baili Tu looked livid. He naturally remembered his father’s instructions, but his current situation was too humiliating. Shaking with rage, he kicked away the people surrounding him.
The attendants were kicked squarely, looking quite pathetic, but they still dared not relax, staring intently at him for fear he would try to strike again.
However, after this commotion, Baili Tu had lost the urge to teach a lesson, and he had cooled down. He didn’t want to be locked in the palace again by his father and forbidden from going out.
But he truly couldn’t stomach this slight. After glaring resentfully at the man before him, he suddenly seemed to remember something and unexpectedly burst into laughter.
The laughter came so suddenly that even the attendants staring at him were confused, thinking their Prince had been driven mad by anger.
Huo Ling remained indifferent, only slightly furrowing his brows in a way others couldn’t see, but even that was fleeting.
Baili Tu regained his arrogant demeanor. He stared straight at Huo Ling and said with a smug grin, “Huo Ling, no matter how good your tongue is, so what? You still can’t get into Junior Brother Yu’s good graces.”
Saying this, he pulled a green jade pendant from his waist and flaunted it. “But I’m different. Junior Brother Yu gave this to me personally. Made of Qing-Song Jade there’s only one like it, and he gave it specifically to this Prince alone.”
Before Huo Ling could say anything, Jiang Xuning’s face turned pale first. He suddenly gripped his wrist. The smooth beads were obvious, still carrying a hint of coolness; they were also made of Qing-Song Jade.
Seemingly unable to accept this, he subconsciously took a step back. In the next moment, his back brushed against a patch of warmth. A person called out to him:
“Brother.”