Hearing Xiaoxiao’s words, Tang Youshu knelt on the ground and said quietly: “This disciple is foolish and has failed Master’s trust. My mistakes are too numerous to count. Please punish me, Master…”

Normally, when Young Master Tang performed such formal courtesy, Xiaoxiao would have hurried to help him up.

But today she seemed lost in memories, sitting still as a meditating monk, only blinking as she said sadly: “Speaking of which, our coming to Ghost Stone Cliff was due to your guidance. That day when Wei Jie pressed me about where Lingshan was, I merely pointed randomly at the map, but you happened to bring fruit and immediately identified Ghost Stone Cliff. Don’t you find it amusing? I didn’t even know that Ghost Stone Cliff was our Talisman Sect’s Lingshan.”

Tang Youshu remained kneeling motionlessly, not speaking, seemingly waiting for Master Xiaoxiao’s continued lecture.

Xiaoxiao smiled bitterly, took a deep breath, and said wistfully: “I always thought taking Wei Jie’s predetermined fate was Heaven’s arrangement, beyond my control. But now I discover everything seems controlled by one person. I’ve been in this chess game for so long, becoming a playing piece without knowing it…”

Tang Youshu finally slowly raised his head, saying solemnly: “If this disciple has erred, Master may punish me as you see fit, but what you’re saying, I truly don’t understand.”

Seeing he still wouldn’t admit it, Xiaoxiao closed her eyes and pointed at the stone pot, asking: “Do you know why today’s soup is so bitter?”

Tang Youshu was startled and said, “It’s because my cooking skills are poor…”

“Yu Ling’er was right. Your beef soup today tasted quite good, except just before serving, while you were away, I added a fish’s bitter gall to the pot… Can you guess what kind of fish that gall came from?”

The gall she’d added was from a large fish in the River of Forgetfulness. This fish’s organs were even colder.

Earlier, claiming the taste was wrong, she had tricked Tang Youshu into tasting the soup too.

But the cold poison that normally took effect within moments did not react to entering Young Master Tang’s stomach.

The fish was still from the River of Forgetfulness, its cold nature unchanged.

The only difference was that, unlike Tang Youshu’s previous two episodes of cold poisoning, this time, Tang Youshu didn’t know there was cold poison in the soup.

Saying this, Xiaoxiao pressed her lips tightly, seeming to breathe hard to suppress her inner agitation, and said calmly to Tang Youshu: “Actually, that Demon Pearl of Wrath has always been… on your body!”

When Qin Lingxiao initially traveled back with the Demon Pearl of Wrath, he lost that Demon Pearl when his soul transmigrated into his younger body.

Perhaps Tang Youshu had been possessed by the Demon Pearl much earlier.

During the banquet, Xiaoxiao had thought thoroughly and supervised everyone, yet uniquely overlooked Tang Youshu, only because he had also eaten the fish meat.

But thinking about it now, had he eaten the fish meat because he was jealous of Yu Ling’er? Maybe he did it deliberately, eliminating her suspicion of him early on. After all, when he went into the woods to relieve himself, no one went to supervise whether he had diarrhea.

Tang Youshu looked at Cui Xiaoxiao with a calm expression. He suddenly smiled slightly and spoke gently: “When I first saw you, I felt wisdom radiating from you. You were a clever child who would surely revitalize the Talisman Sect. Watching this journey, I was indeed correct.”

If Xiaoxiao could barely maintain composure during their earlier conversation, when Tang Youshu spoke these words, the faith she’d always maintained seemed to collapse thunderously!

Tang Youshu had memories from two hundred years later! He’d always known she was his final disciple, yet could call her Master for so long without showing it!

At this thought, Xiaoxiao held back tears, filled with endless shock and confusion, crying out grievously and angrily: “Master…”

Tang Youshu still looked like that seemingly frail scholar, but when a person’s gaze changes, their entire aura becomes completely different!

Now he completely overlapped with the wise, peaceful old man in Xiaoxiao’s memory, but what once seemed kindly now appeared so profound and unfathomable to Xiaoxiao…

“Didn’t you pass away? How did you manage to travel back?”

Tang Youshu hesitated, seeming unwilling to speak.

Xiaoxiao didn’t want to cry in confusion and disappointment at this moment. She bit her tongue hard, using pain to force back the sobs threatening to burst from her throat, then slowly asked again: “Master, you didn’t die. At Feixian County’s silk farm two hundred years later, that mysterious black-clothed person who induced Madam Bai’s demonization… that was also you, wasn’t it?”

After Master’s death from old age, according to his final wishes, his coffin remained for three days before burial.

But now Xiaoxiao even suspected whether the corpse they and fellow disciples had buried was Tang Youshu; otherwise, why would he appear in Feixian County, guiding Madam Bai’s demonization?

Hearing Xiaoxiao’s questioning, Tang Youshu seemed to close his eyes in shame. When he opened them, his tone was indifferent: “Those who would save the great world should not be constrained by minor details. To awaken the Demon Pearl required someone with inner demons as a catalyst… I thought using the gold-dissolving curse to force you down the mountain for training, then guiding you to Feixian County, could save that woman in time. I never expected Qin Lingxiao would arrive first and kill that woman with one sword stroke.”

Xiaoxiao couldn’t listen anymore. She slammed the table and stood up, asking painfully: “You only feel sorry for that woman, but what about the people she killed after becoming demonized? Weren’t those lives human lives, too? Master… were all your usual teachings to us false words against your true heart?”

Tang Youshu again closed his eyes guiltily, but when he opened them, he still repeated firmly and powerfully: “Those who would save the great world should not be constrained by minor details… Xiaoxiao, when you know the cause and effect, you’ll probably make the same decision as I.”

Xiaoxiao shook her head in disbelief. The aftershocks of her faith’s collapse were comparable to the devastation left by an earth dragon’s rampage.

She truly couldn’t imagine such callous, high-sounding words coming from the mouth of the master she’d always respected.

Now, many things that had once left Xiaoxiao confused and puzzled gradually became clear.

Thinking of how she’d found Zhulong’s statue under the Demon Pearl’s guidance, but the seal on it bore Tang Youshu’s talisman, Xiaoxiao suddenly felt that her ability to travel back two hundred years hadn’t been a mere coincidental opportunity.

She’d been manipulated like a marionette by her most respected mentor all along.

Regarding Xiaoxiao’s suspicions, Tang Youshu still didn’t deny them, making Xiaoxiao’s heart slide further into an icy abyss.

Tang Youshu was now willing to resolve some of Xiaoxiao’s doubts: “Actually, like Qin Lingxiao, I attached my soul to the Demon Pearl of Wrath and traveled back. The moment I arrived, my aged body had already died. He soul-transmigrated back to his own body from two hundred years ago, and so did I.”

Listening to all this, Xiaoxiao gritted her teeth, eyes red as she asked: “Master… what is your purpose in doing this?”

Tang Youshu said, “Your fate is unique—you’re the key to activating Zhulong’s statue and completely reversing time. To return to two hundred years ago required you, though your possession by the Demon Pearl was beyond my expectations… I originally intended to guide Qin Lingxiao to be possessed by the Demon Pearl, then have you activate the statue…”

Xiaoxiao’s head buzzed as she listened. Throughout this journey, she’d suffered countless hardships, especially when her demonic nature erupted—that pain of ten thousand ants gnawing at her heart was unimaginable to ordinary people.

She’d always thought this was merely bad luck from her “ten injuries” fate, accidentally harming herself.

But now she learned that all the suffering she’d experienced was deliberately orchestrated by someone.

If it were anyone else, Xiaoxiao would have been cursing loudly by now, even ready to fight.

But facing the mentor she’d always loved like a father, who had reshaped her beliefs, Xiaoxiao’s grievances could only explode silently within her heart, paining her so she couldn’t breathe.

Just then, the hall’s main door was suddenly kicked open. Wei Jie, whom Xiaoxiao had immobilized with a sleep talisman, appeared in the doorway.

It turned out Yu Ling’er thought today’s beef soup was well-made and wanted to share it with everyone, saving them from always criticizing Young Master Tang’s cooking.

When she brought it to Wei Jie’s room, Yu Ling’er found Wei Jie sleeping with a paper slip stuck to his back. She casually pulled it off, and before she could see what it was, Wei Jie, who’d been sleeping so deeply no one could wake him, suddenly opened his eyes like a demon and rushed out frantically.

Only then did Yu Ling’er realize the paper in her hand seemed to be a sleep talisman drawn by Xiaoxiao.

She thought, “Oh no,” wondering if Wei Jie was having another demonic episode, so she hurriedly chased after him, unexpectedly witnessing the moment when Cui Xiaoxiao and her disciple had their falling out.

When Wei Jie entered, he immediately saw Xiaoxiao’s expression. Since knowing Xiaoxiao, he’d never seen such a painful, heartbroken expression on this girl’s usually cheerful, gentle face.

The tears flowing from Xiaoxiao’s eyes struck Wei Jie’s heart like bone-piercing hail.

Remembering how in the cave, just because he’d suspected Tang Youshu, Xiaoxiao had flown into a rage and argued with him, Wei Jie found this beloved disciple of his extremely uncomfortable to look at!

He didn’t bother with courtesy and attacked Tang Youshu.

He moved quickly, immediately tearing open Tang Youshu’s robe front. Tang Youshu’s chest was covered with snake scales—given their extensive coverage, he’d been demonized for quite some time.

The Demon Pearl of Wrath was on his body!

Regarding the Demon Pearl possessing Tang Youshu, Wei Jie had suspected earlier than Cui Xiaoxiao.

Though the black-clothed person that day had worn a face covering, Wei Jie felt that his gait seemed familiar.

But the clumsy, slow-witted disciple couldn’t be connected to that exceptionally agile masked man, so Wei Jie hadn’t made the connection then.

But when that man suddenly attacked him fiercely from behind, he smelled a familiar, faint fragrance on him.

It was the scent of the sachet Yu Ling’er had stuffed into Tang Youshu’s pocket during dinner.

Since so many people on the mountain had diarrhea and Tang Youshu was also affected, Yu Ling’er worried he carried bad luck that would tarnish his scholarly image, so she gave him a sachet she’d made.

That spice had even been bought together when Tang Youshu went down the mountain shopping with Wei Jie.

When Wei Jie was pulled from the water by Xiaoxiao and regained consciousness, his first thought was whether the person who knew he shouldn’t use true qi at this time and carried this spice scent might be Tang Youshu.

So he’d pretended to cough blood, tricking Xiaoxiao into entering the cave with him, then gradually revealed his suspicions to her.

Xiaoxiao had indeed reacted as he expected—she couldn’t accept any accusation against Tang Youshu and even argued with him over it, getting so angry her eyes reddened.

But Xiaoxiao wasn’t stupid either. After hearing Wei Jie describe the various clues he’d discovered, she couldn’t help suspecting her master.

However, Xiaoxiao disagreed with his idea of directly confronting Tang Youshu face-to-face.

This girl had drugged him with a sleep talisman while he wasn’t paying attention.

When Wei Jie first woke up, he naturally rushed to find Cui Xiaoxiao, fearing she’d be ambushed by that hypocrite Tang Youshu.

Tang Youshu, being possessed by a Demon Pearl, wasn’t frightening—what was frightening was why he’d kept it hidden all along.

That Demon Pearl’s nature was utterly evil. Did Tang Youshu harbor other malicious intentions?

After seeing the demonic scales on him, Wei Jie immediately struck at the thin young master.

Yu Ling’er hadn’t expected Tang Youshu’s chest to have so many snake scales, and even less expected Wei Jie to suddenly attack Tang Youshu. She immediately prepared to intervene and protect Young Master Tang.

But the next moment, Yu Ling’er stared wide-eyed in complete bewilderment.

That usually submissive, frail scholar suddenly leaped into the air, his white robes flying, nimbly dodging Wei Jie’s several fierce attacks.

Wei Jie had long expected that Tang Youshu was pretending to be weak, but what he never anticipated was that Tang Youshu’s technique variations were identical to his own.

Though Tang Youshu was nominally his disciple, Wei Jie, like his master Cui Xiaoxiao, practiced the “lead sheep into the mountain gate, then let sheep graze themselves” method.

He’d never taught Tang Youshu any techniques before. Rather, Tang Youshu had learned many talisman skills from Xiaoxiao.

But now, when they fought, whether Tang Youshu’s spiritual energy application or techniques seemed personally taught by Wei Jie himself, which couldn’t help but secretly astonish Wei Jie.

But Yu Ling’er was even more shocked. Previously, when encountering danger, Yu Ling’er always thought first of protecting Tang Youshu, but she truly hadn’t expected the person she’d been determined to protect could match Wei Jie!

For a moment, Yu Ling’er forgot to break up the fight and could only stand stunned like Xiaoxiao, feeling her heart torn and shaken.

Wei Jie and Tang Youshu fought together, evenly matched for the moment.

Wei Jie didn’t forget to question this traitorous disciple coldly: “You bastard! You dared to ambush me! And drugged me with aphrodisiac powder—are you sent by Prince Can?”

Tang Youshu parried flawlessly but spoke in his previously humble tone, only explaining helplessly: “Things aren’t as you think. I have no connection to Prince Can. That powder was just a narcotic I prepared to temporarily confuse one’s mind. When your consciousness was unclear, you only acted according to your heart’s desires…”

This explanation made things worse. Hearing this, Cui Xiaoxiao, already red-eyed nearby, felt somewhat devastated with grief and anger.

So Wei Jie’s heart desired to tear Qin Lingxiao apart, and also… to untie her clothing sashes?

But Wei Jie raised his eyebrows, completely shameless and unafraid of exposing his private thoughts, only bypassing the drugging topic to continue: “You schemed deliberately, using footprints to trick Xiaoxiao into opening the cave barrier and stealing that ghost-god stone—why?”

Tang Youshu said, “Master, please be patient and let me explain slowly…”

Just then, Wei Jie suddenly changed his movements dramatically, attacking Tang Youshu’s throat from an unexpected angle.

Such a fierce attack seemed to surprise Tang Youshu, and Wei Jie’s move was unprecedented in his previous life. Tang Youshu was suddenly caught by the throat and pinned against the wall.

Tang Youshu smiled bitterly—he’d forgotten his master was extremely quick-witted. It seemed his identical techniques had instead aroused his master’s competitive spirit.

In just this brief exchange, Wei Jie had figured out how to counter his ultimate techniques…

Wei Jie now held Tang Youshu’s thin neck in his hand and sneered coldly: “Good, now you can speak slowly.”

Tang Youshu seemed to be choosing his words, while Wei Jie unhesitatingly tightened his grip, about to crush his throat the next moment.

Xiaoxiao and Yu Ling’er simultaneously shouted “Stop!” and rushed over to make Wei Jie release his grip.

Yu Ling’er’s reaction was understandable—she was a simple fox who’d be pleased with a sweet treat from anyone.

But even now, Xiaoxiao still wholeheartedly protects Tang Youshu!

Thinking of how in the cave, Xiaoxiao had quarreled with him over this thin troublemaker and, fearing he’d confront Tang Youshu first, had used a sleep talisman on him, Wei Jie felt stifled with anger.

Her favoritism toward Tang Youshu was like a blind girl in love, completely unable to see any fault in Tang Youshu!

How did this scheming, thin, weakling deserve to bewitch all the Talisman Sect’s women?

Compared to that bug Qin Lingxiao, Tang Youshu was the greatest threat, occupying most of Xiaoxiao’s thoughts…

At this thought, Wei Jie’s mood was quite unpleasant, really wanting to kill this fellow first.

But seeing Xiaoxiao red-eyed and tearful as she pushed him, Wei Jie ultimately released his grip, only maintaining a cold expression like a man-eating beast, staring directly at Tang Youshu and saying word by word: “Don’t lie about anything you say, or I’ll show you something more terrifying than the underworld’s hell!”

Tang Youshu covered his neck, which was bruised from being choked, smiled bitterly, then said to Yu Ling’er: “Ling’er, please go out first. I have private matters to discuss with Master and the other Master.”

Yu Ling’er couldn’t understand the situation’s cause, but saw the fact that Wei Jie and Tang Youshu had turned against each other, so she worried and didn’t want to leave.

But Tang Youshu spoke gently yet somewhat heartlessly: “This is our Talisman Sect’s internal affair, nothing to do with your fox clan. Please leave quickly.”

Hearing this, Yu Ling’er could only reluctantly exit the study.

When only three people remained in the study, Tang Youshu solemnly knelt before Wei Jie: “Honored Master, please accept this disciple’s bow. This disciple is incapable and has caused the Master suffering…”

Wei Jie frowned handsomely, not understanding what Tang Youshu was up to.

But Xiaoxiao understood—this was Tang Youshu formally recognizing his mentor from his previous life. That phrase “caused suffering” actually referred to their separation by death across two hundred years.

After Tang Youshu’s solemn bow to his two-lifetime master, he spoke with weariness inappropriate for his youthful face: “I used to think cultivation was merely inner purification, foundation-building, and cultivation. But how similar are the Way of Heaven and life’s circumstances—it’s not that all who have ambition can succeed. Most hateful is watching someone you deeply admire lack certain opportunities, ultimately being used by others, and ending in complete defeat. With such regret, how could one peacefully become an immortal? This remorse lingered in my heart for years, making me always wonder what would have happened if that day hadn’t been like that…”

Wei Jie obviously couldn’t understand Tang Youshu’s mystical words and couldn’t help frowning: “Speak plainly!”

Tang Youshu smiled bitterly. Looking at Wei Jie, then at tearful Xiaoxiao, he seemed to steel his heart and finally spoke: “Master, you’ll understand later. All this was your arrangement. I merely followed your instructions step by step… Only you and Cui Xiaoxiao… this was truly beyond our original expectations and shouldn’t have happened!”

Hearing this, Wei Jie’s eyes showed killing intent. This disciple was more creative than that male bitch Qin Lingxiao, even knowing how to sow discord and frame others like this!

But Tang Youshu didn’t care anymore. Having said this much, he might as well tear away all pretenses: “Xiaoxiao, though I used you and wronged you, that you could replace Master’s fate and bear tribulations for him step by step until now truly exceeded my expectations. The coming tribulations aren’t what ordinary people can endure. I can only prepare early. But you and Master shouldn’t have this destined connection. You should know that you and he originally had no intersection. If I let your romantic roots grow deeper, I fear it will cause immeasurable consequences.”

Only Xiaoxiao could understand these words.

It turned out in her mentor’s eyes, she was like cattle and sheep placed for sacrifice—merely tribute, Tang Youshu used to honor his mentor.

He’d guided her step by step to find Demon Pearls filled with demonic power, guided her to find Zhulong’s statue, then used her to activate time-reversal methods—all just to restart the past and spare Wei Jie from his final fate of execution!

And all this… was Wei Jie’s arrangement? More precisely, the arrangement of that cold, ruthless Demon Lord Wei Jie from the original timeline?

No wonder Qin Lingxiao had said the former Wei Jie was always seeking women with the unique “ten injuries” fate. Everyone thought Wei Jie feared this fate and wanted to eliminate it, not knowing that Demon Lord Wei Jie was planning, early seeking the key to restart time…

Unfortunately, he couldn’t find one and was killed by Qin Lingxiao. But fortunately, he had a loyal, devoted disciple, Tang Youshu, who persevered and finally found Cui Xiaoxiao with this unique fate two hundred years later!