Having a small face pop out out of nowhere in this pitch black was not particularly frightening, yet it was full of oddity. The Master of the Earthly Realm bit his lip to suppress his laughter, giving it a serious look over before saying with a face full of solemnity: “It can truly project an image?”
The Little Young Master nodded slightly, saying: “Yes. How does it look on your end? Is it clear?”
“Extremely clear,” the Master of the Earthly Realm nodded, thinking for a bit before adding, “It is merely a bit small.”
“Small?” The Little Young Master was puzzled, seemingly glancing at the Xuanchu Fruit in his hand; presumably, there was nothing unusual on his end. “How small?”
“Roughly half a palm size,” the Master of the Earthly Realm extended his hand to trace a small outline, pausing slightly before adding again, “And there is only a face.”
When the Little Young Master heard the first half of the sentence, he was still pondering “half a palm size”—wouldn’t he look like a doll to the other person? Yet by the time the Master of the Earthly Realm finished speaking, he abruptly fell silent. In the next instant, that small face before the Master of the Earthly Realm vanished without a trace.
“Why did you take it away?” Although the projection was withdrawn, the Xuanchu Fruit in the Master of the Earthly Realm’s hand was still spinning in his palm, so speech should still be possible.
The Little Young Master seemed to be busy, only giving a vague reply upon hearing this: “Let me try again.” After these words were spoken, no further sound came through.
Calculating the time, the Master of the Earthly Realm noted that the agreed-upon single quarter-hour had already passed, so he urged the Little Young Master to step out of the magic mirror first before thoroughly researching the method of using the Xuanchu Fruit. Afterward, the Little Young Master tried repeatedly many more times, until finally he was able to display the other person’s upper torso during message transmission, only then considered to have thoroughly figured out the gains obtained from this entry into the magic mirror.
“This Xuanchu Fruit is exceedingly good!” Holding the Xuanchu Fruit, the Little Young Master was in a quite good mood. Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck; pulling the Master of the Earthly Realm’s hem, he said: “I thought of it! The Xuanchu Fruit is far too rare, but if the principles and reasons within the Xuanchu Fruit were simplified a bit, perhaps it could be made into a new message-transmitting magical artifact.”
The Master of the Earthly Realm was puzzled, however: “A magical artifact? A magical artifact used by cultivators of the Human Realm?”
The Little Young Master nodded heavily: “Right! Precisely that!”
Yet upon hearing this, the Master of the Earthly Realm grew even more puzzled: “What use is a magical artifact of the Human Realm to our Little Young Master?”
Hearing this, the Little Young Master did not answer. Instead, he narrowed his eyes slightly, putting on a mysterious air as he said: “It is normal for the Master of the Earthly Realm not to know, having been away for three hundred years without returning. Only, the matter is of great import; hearing with ears is false, seeing with eyes is real. Why doesn’t the Master of the Earthly Realm personally take a trip with this Young Master? Exactly how it is, you will know once you see it with your own eyes.”
Hearing up to this point, the Master of the Earthly Realm could not help feeling curious in his heart, nodding as he said: “Very well. Where to go? Shall we go a bit deeper into the Demon Realm Sea?”
Unexpectedly, the Little Young Master shook his head in denial, saying: “No, no. Where we are going is—the Human Realm.”
The Demon Realm Sea was naturally not a place where one could come and go as one pleased; however, since the Little Young Master wanted to leave, all the demonic creatures of the entire Demon Realm Sea expressed their warm send-off. The Master of the Demon Realm claimed to have sensed this rare intention of being united in heart and mind, personally coming to inspect the Demon Realm Sea, never expecting to meet the noble and precious Little Young Master and the Master of the Earthly Realm within the Demon Realm Sea. The Master of the Demon Realm immediately expressed his willingness to be at the service of the two.
The Little Young Master found watching the Master of the Demon Realm put on a show extremely amusing, so he didn’t make things too difficult for him, going along with the Master of the Demon Realm’s wishes by letting him send him and the Master of the Earthly Realm out of the Demon Realm Sea. The Master of the Demon Realm indicated that since he was escorting the Buddha, he would escort him all the way to the West, sending the two directly to the entrance of the Demon Realm with complete sincerity.
The Master of the Earthly Realm found it amusing, asking the Little Young Master with a light chuckle: “Did the Little Young Master do some astonishing things when you came to the Demon Realm last time?”
He had indeed done quite a few astonishing things, but the Little Young Master naturally wouldn’t admit to them. Just as he was about to open his mouth to quibble, he caught sight of the Master of the Demon Realm being suspiciously quiet at the side out of the corner of his eye. A flash of inspiration struck his heart; sweeping his gaze across both the Master of the Earthly Realm and the Master of the Demon Realm, he spoke with a tone of suspicion: “The two of you traveled together during those three hundred years previously. Today, being in such a rushed hurry to send this Young Master away, could it be that there is something between the two of you that you don’t wish this Young Master to know?”
The Master of the Demon Realm originally thought of sending this little ancestor away as quickly as possible, never expecting that right when he reached the final step, the little ancestor would drop such a sentence. Just as he was rapidly pondering how to respond, fortunately, the Master of the Earthly Realm opened his mouth a step ahead of him.
“Shouldn’t this Master be the one asking these words?” The Master of the Earthly Realm looked at the Little Young Master. “Why doesn’t the Little Young Master resolve what this Master asked earlier first?”
The Little Young Master was stunned, for a moment feeling very much as though he had lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot. Weighing between continuing to interrogate the Master of the Demon Realm and exposing his own dark history, the Little Young Master decisively chose to let each other off the hook.
He raised his eyes to glare at the Master of the Earthly Realm, then went to look at the Master of the Demon Realm, unable to help feeling indignant in his heart, secretly gritting his teeth as he said: “Luo Xie, is this magical robe of yours newly made? It looks quite nice.”
Hearing this, the Master of the Demon Realm couldn’t stop a chill from running down his spine. He had been in too much of a hurry when coming just now, forgetting to put away this newly made magical robe. Could it be that it was targeted by the little ancestor again?
When the Little Young Master came to the Demon Realm two hundred years ago, the first thing he did was rob him of the magical robe he had painstakingly crafted. Thinking back to when that magical robe was completed, he was acting outside alongside the Master of the Earthly Realm; before he could even catch a glimpse of it, it was taken away by the Little Young Master. When he received the message from his subordinate, his hand couldn’t help trembling. His Demon Realm was not as wealthy as the Human Master’s Human Realm; losing a magical robe was still extremely heartbreaking! Now, having finally worked alongside the Master of the Earthly Realm for three hundred years and obtained some good materials to craft this new magical robe, he had to protect it no matter what today!
Carrying a heart full of heroic spirit, the Master of the Demon Realm met the Little Young Master’s gaze, speaking resolutely: “This magical robe was just delivered today. Does the Little Young Master like it?” He had made the previous magical robe a bit too flashy, so when making this one, he learned his lesson and specially made it completely black. Originally, he thought the Little Young Master would look down on such a style; could it be that after a hundred years, the Little Young Master’s preferences had changed?
“Naturally—” The Little Young Master curled his lips, taking a huge, long breath before saying, “Such a pitch-black thing is not very suitable for this Young Master. You might as well keep it for yourself.”
Hearing this, the Master of the Demon Realm only then put his heart at ease: “Many thanks, Little Young Master.”
The Little Young Master waved his hand, thinking that this person had traveled with a certain someone for three hundred years, and now even his preferences had changed along with that person, making him feel a bit displeased in his heart again. Just as he was about to say something more, his shoulder was wrapped around by someone, whereupon a familiar aura enfolded around him. Turning his head slightly, a strand of ink-black hair brushed past the side of his cheek…
A bit too close… The Little Young Master paused, suddenly not wanting to speak anymore.
Bringing the person to his side, the Master of the Earthly Realm nodded slightly toward the Master of the Demon Realm, saying: “Although the matter of the demonic qi leakage has been resolved, you should still be extra cautious. Do not be negligent or careless.”
Hearing this, the Little Young Master only then recalled that when talking with the Master of the Earthly Realm about this demonic qi leakage previously, he had even said he would find Luo Xie to ask if he no longer wanted his position as the Master of the Demon Realm. Coming today, he had forgotten all about it, and at this moment he was too bothered to care. Fortunately, the Master of the Demon Realm’s attitude was exceptionally proper; for the sake of that previous magical robe, he would spare him for the time being.
Hearing this, the Master of the Demon Realm hastily bowed with solemnity: “Subordinate understands!” Little did he know he had just escaped a catastrophe.
The Master of the Earthly Realm nodded: “You may go. This Master will accompany the Little Young Master to the Human Realm. If you have any matters, go find the Master of the Heavenly Realm; he has agreed to take charge of the Immortal Realm’s affairs for a hundred years.”
The Master of the Demon Realm was about to agree, but upon careful thought, felt something was somewhat off, unable to stop himself from confirming once more: “Are matters of both Heaven and Earth to be brought to the Master of the Heavenly Realm?” This didn’t quite sound like something the Master of the Heavenly Realm would do.
Just as the Master of the Earthly Realm was about to answer, he was beaten to it by the Little Young Master: “Just go find him yourself! Having occupied the Master of the Earthly Realm for three hundred years, he belongs to me for the next hundred years—none of you come bother us!”
With those words spoken, he pulled the Master of the Earthly Realm right out of the Demon Realm’s main gate, leaving the Master of the Demon Realm’s sentence of “Subordinate understands” behind the door.
The Demon Realm was originally within the Human Realm, so upon exiting the Demon Realm’s door, the two were already situated within the Human Realm. It was just that the entrance and exit of the Demon Realm were not in the same place. Thus, when they came, it was a world of ice and snow outside, yet at this moment, it was a scene of warm spring blossoms and all things reviving.
The Little Young Master looked at the clothing on himself and the Master of the Earthly Realm, shaking his head as he said: “The exit of the Demon Realm is the Kingdom of the South Sea of the Human Realm. The climate is warm and humid, with only spring and summer all year round; this attire of yours and mine is not very suitable.”
The clothing worn by the two of them were all top-grade immortal robes of the Immortal Realm; naturally, they feared neither cold nor heat, and the style could be resolved with just a small illusion spell. Yet since the Little Young Master said so, he naturally had his purpose. Thus, the Master of the Earthly Realm did not speak further, merely asking him with a smile: “Then what high opinion does the Little Young Master have?”
Hearing what he said, the Little Young Master knew he was letting him have his way, so he couldn’t help feeling a bit happier in his heart, speaking in high spirits: “Have you ever been to this Kingdom of the South Sea?”
The Master of the Earthly Realm said: “I have naturally been here, only I came and went in a hurry, never having properly toured it.” Not to mention whether he came and went in a hurry, he had habitually no interest in landscapes or gourmet food, so he had never paid attention to these things either.
Hearing this, the Little Young Master was very joyful. Raising his hand to pat the Master of the Earthly Realm’s shoulder, he smiled and said: “In that case, this Young Master will take you to tour it properly this time! Right now, our primary matter is to first go purchase a few sets of clothes!”
A few sets? Both of them were semi-divine bodies; clothing on them would not easily get dirty. However, it was merely a few sets of clothes after all. The Master of the Earthly Realm didn’t say much, merely saying with a smile: “Naturally, it is entirely up to the Little Young Master’s arrangements.”
The Little Young Master was exceedingly satisfied with this stance of his. Raising his hand to point forward, he said: “In that case, let us not delay; let us set off quickly!”
The Master of the Earthly Realm naturally had no objection, allowing the Little Young Master to take him and perform a small teleportation spell. Afterward, the two appeared inside a hidden alleyway.
The Kingdom of the South Sea was merely a small country in the Human Realm, its entire territory situated on a sea island; the national capital was naturally the most bustling and prosperous place. The Little Young Master seemed quite familiar with this Kingdom of the South Sea; the destination of the small teleportation spell was right inside its capital. Stepping out of the alleyway, directly ahead was the most bustling street in the capital.
Shops lined both sides of the street, and people flowed like a woven fabric on the thoroughfare. The Little Young Master merely raised his head to glance briefly, then pulled the Master of the Earthly Realm into a ready-made clothing shop.
This ready-made clothing shop had a rather large storefront, and the interior arrangement was elegant and exquisite. The moment the two stepped inside, an enthusiastic attendant stepped forward to receive them, politely inquiring about their preferences and needs, and subsequently found an elegant private room to serve tea: “Will the two distinguished guests wait a moment? This small one will go fetch sample garments according to your requirements.”
After the attendant left, the Master of the Earthly Realm poured a small cup of tea for the Little Young Master, saying: “Is there something unique about this shop?”
The moment the Little Young Master stood in this territory, he said he wanted to purchase clothing, and afterward chose this shop without a second thought. If it were said to be for no reason at all, the Master of the Earthly Realm naturally wouldn’t believe it. And looking at the young boy’s appearance, he clearly wanted him to ask; if he didn’t ask, he might end up getting sulky with him instead.
Hearing this, the Little Young Master indeed showed a look of triumph on his face. Afterward, putting on an act as he felt around in his sleeve, he actually retrieved an object from his storage bracelet, slapping it down before the Master of the Earthly Realm with a “clap,” saying with a face full of pride: “Pick as you like in a moment—this Young Master will settle the bill!”
The Master of the Earthly Realm thought for a moment, raising an eyebrow: “Could this be the Little Young Master’s shop?”
This hit the nail right on the head. The Little Young Master raised his chin slightly, saying: “Precisely!”