What Demon Lord Wei Jie had done in those days was nothing more than trying to change his fate, contend with Heaven, and ultimately transcend demonhood to become an immortal.

In Tang Youshu’s view, having witnessed his master’s tragic death, compared to changing his master’s miserable previous life, what did petty romantic feelings with a woman matter?

Hearing this, Xiaoxiao looked at Wei Jie in disbelief, then at her former mentor, Tang Youshu.

At this moment, Xiaoxiao seemed to understand: Tang Youshu must have been coldly observing for a long time, feeling that her seduction of a great Demon Lord into wallowing in romantic love was truly outrageous.

So he chose this moment to warn by making an example, breaking up an ill-fated romance that shouldn’t have happened…

Wei Jie could no longer listen—all the male bitches in the world should be used as firewood and burned alive.

And the first one that should be burned was his traitorous disciple, Tang Youshu.

This Tang fellow acted sneakily and was now putting all the blame on his head!

He gripped Tang Youshu’s neck again and said coldly: “What nonsense are you spouting? What do you mean I arranged it? What did I arrange? Xiaoxiao, don’t listen to his gibberish. This boy’s tactics of sowing discord are so clumsy they’re painful to watch!”

This time, he truly showed no mercy!

Tang Youshu harbored malicious intentions and must be sent by Prince Can!

Tang Youshu seemed to sense Wei Jie’s killing intent. At this life-and-death moment, he suddenly raised his hand and turned it, as if pulling something from thin air, producing a blue gemstone in his palm.

Xiaoxiao recognized it—this was the ghost-god stone stolen from the cave!

When the ghost-god stone rose into the air, both Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie instinctively felt something was wrong.

Wei Jie even forgot about Tang Youshu and immediately rushed to embrace Xiaoxiao, preventing the ghost-god stone from harming her.

The flame patterns on the ghost-god stone glowed with an eerie light, enveloping the entire room in a mysterious blue radiance.

The next moment, as if recognizing its master, it flashed and shot straight toward Wei Jie.

Though Wei Jie raised his qi shield to block it, everything was futile. The gemstone, carrying blue light, penetrated the qi shield and struck his forehead directly.

The next moment, the gemstone vanished from sight, and on Wei Jie’s previously smooth, full forehead appeared the same flame pattern as on the stone—when in the cave, Xiaoxiao had seen the ancient Emperor Gu Yan bear the same mark on his forehead.

After being possessed by the ghost-god stone, Wei Jie immediately collapsed backward. Xiaoxiao caught him in time, placing him on the floor cushion and calling to him several times, but he never opened his eyes.

Xiaoxiao’s heart burned with anxiety as she finally drew her sword and held it to her former mentor’s neck: “Master! What… what did you do to him?”

Tang Youshu covered his neck, sore from Wei Jie’s grip, and with the Heaven’s Punishment Sword at his throat, coughed miserably for a while before saying: “Nothing much, just returning something to its rightful owner. This ghost-god stone contains the sealed divine power of the ancient god Emperor Gu Yan. Though only half remains, it’s not to be underestimated. In this lifetime, he was spared the original trials by you taking his place. Given his current cultivation level, he could hardly endure the coming tests. All my efforts are merely hoping Master has better odds… Xiaoxiao, you’ve been to the back mountain cave and know the legend of Emperor Gu Yan. Demon Lord Wei Jie is a god reborn to face tribulation. He should have experienced hardships to regain his divine status. You two were never meant to meet, know each other… and fall in love!”

Cui Xiaoxiao didn’t lower the Heaven’s Punishment Sword, only asking urgently: “If he’s truly a god, why in the original timeline was he killed by Qin Lingxiao and unable to return to his divine position?”

Tang Youshu’s expression turned hateful as he recalled the past: “Because someone didn’t want him to return to his divine position. They set traps and arranged for someone to steal his divine status, completely changing Master’s fate!”

Xiaoxiao clearly understood that in the previous life, the cunning Prince Can had ultimately achieved immortal cultivation—he must be the one who stole Wei Jie’s divine position.

But such a heaven-shaking deed, without secret support, how could Prince Can alone change fate against Heaven? Who was secretly supporting Prince Can, guiding such actions?

Tang Youshu then said, “Originally, when Emperor Gu Yan fell to the mortal realm for trials, he needed to endure seven tribulations to restore his divine status and return to the underworld to govern ghosts and spirits. But Master experienced six trials and was at the final moment of regaining his divine status when Qin Lingxiao ambushed him. I later learned by chance of the conspiracy—his immortal position was stolen by that despicable usurper, Prince Can. Now with a second chance, if I can’t help Master achieve immortality soon, what’s the point?”

Xiaoxiao looked into Tang Youshu’s eyes and, for some reason, chose to believe his words.

She slowly withdrew her sword, then crouched down and placed her finger under Wei Jie’s nose. His breathing was steady, and the intervals grew longer—a sign of cultivation improvement.

It seemed Tang Youshu wasn’t lying. This ghost-god stone truly greatly benefited cultivation.

For some reason, Tang Youshu looked at Xiaoxiao with constant pity, saying softly: “This ghost-god stone contains Emperor Gu Yan’s divine power. Master originally discovered how to open the back mountain barrier when breaking through the sixth tribulation and found this ghost-god stone. Unfortunately, he discovered it too late. Though he expelled the demonic nature from his body in time, he gave Qin Lingxiao that scoundrel an opportunity… Now that I can help Master obtain the ghost-god stone early, even if I’m deeply sinful and condemned to hell afterward, I have no regrets!”

Perhaps because Tang Youshu’s expression remained so frank and his reasons so compelling, Cui Xiaoxiao felt that making more accusations would be useless.

She looked down at Wei Jie, still in deep sleep, and asked quietly: “What will happen to him now that you’ve given him this ghost-god stone?”

Tang Youshu again looked away somewhat guiltily, silent for a moment before saying: “To become a god, one must eliminate emotion and desire. Once possessed by divine power, he’ll inevitably be influenced by the original god’s nature. Emperor Gu Yan governs the underworld—though Master will retain memories of you, he’ll likely achieve great enlightenment and no longer have human love and desire… Before Master achieves immortality, I can’t send you back two hundred years, or it would surely disturb fate greatly. You see… would you consider leaving Lingshan temporarily to cultivate elsewhere in peace?”

Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but laugh: “If he still remembers me, how could he suddenly cut all ties with me? The matters between him and me—when is it your place to decide?”

Tang Youshu saw that though Xiaoxiao was laughing, her complexion had turned pale, clearly believing his words.

A flash of heartache crossed his eyes, but he finally hardened his heart: “Originally I couldn’t bear to separate you two early, but short pain is better than long pain… You two were never meant to be together anyway, and won’t be together in the future!”

Xiaoxiao trembled with anger but ultimately couldn’t bring herself to be rude to her former mentor.

She finally sheathed her sword and only helped Wei Jie up, planning to take him away from Tang Youshu.

How could she not know that countless treacherous mountains lay between her and Wei Jie? But whether she and Wei Jie were good together should be their own decision. It was none of Young Master Tang’s business!

Tang Youshu anticipated Xiaoxiao would blame him and sighed deeply again.

These past days, he’d observed every detail between Master Wei Jie and this young girl. Master had shown tenderness never seen before, which both alarmed and saddened him.

If possible, he wouldn’t want to be the one breaking up lovebirds.

But after Master’s death, he had once infiltrated the capital’s regent Prince Can’s mansion and seen those torn pages, clearly knowing that Emperor Gu Yan, whether as immortal or human, was destined to have no worldly romantic ties.

So this romance between Master and the wrongly-born Xiaoxiao was destined to be an ill-fated attachment!

Since so, better to break it cleanly while their feelings were still shallow.

Unfortunately, Xiaoxiao didn’t know the ghost-god stone’s power and stubbornly tried to help Wei Jie up.

Just then, the man lying on the herb mat suddenly opened his eyes and slowly sat up.

Xiaoxiao carefully studied his face. Except for the flame mark added to his forehead, Wei Jie’s face showed no other changes, yet somehow he seemed completely transformed.

Wei Jie’s gaze was now profound, his face cold, no longer showing his former lazy, unrestrained aura. Instead, he resembled the stern, unsmiling Demon Lord from her dreams.

Now, his gaze toward Xiaoxiao also held endless coldness, without a trace of former warmth.

Just as Xiaoxiao reached out to help him, he coldly swept his sleeve, pushing Xiaoxiao away.

The ghost-god stone’s power was formidable—his true qi had improved considerably!

Under this great force, Xiaoxiao was caught off guard, lost her balance, and even hit her head on the nearby table corner, bringing tears to her eyes from the pain.

Though the Talisman Sect wasn’t large, everyone in the sect had always cherished Xiaoxiao like the apple of their eye.

Seeing Xiaoxiao fall so hard accidentally, even Tang Youshu was moved and went to help his beloved disciple.

The newly awakened Wei Jie’s body reacted faster than his mind—he also reached out, wanting to embrace the crying girl. But as soon as his slender arm extended, the flame mark on his forehead faintly glowed.

Being moved by emotion was taboo in cultivation, especially for a deity who once governed the underworld and suppressed countless ghosts and spirits—such a being wouldn’t have the slightest worldly sentiment in his heart.

When Wei Jie merged with the ghost-god stone containing Emperor Gu Yan’s divine power, the spiritual connection opened, and like a monk achieving sudden enlightenment, he understood the path to immortality.

He would instinctively seek benefit and avoid harm, naturally blocking previous worldly thoughts, like having his emotional channels sealed, no longer experiencing great joy or sorrow.

So while Wei Jie’s mind still held memories of his past with Xiaoxiao, they seemed covered by a thick veil—though visible, they lacked that real warmth of feeling, like a stranger viewing someone else’s past.

The intense affection that once made him want constant companionship instantly became insignificant…

Seeing Xiaoxiao’s tears now, Wei Jie even felt inexplicably irritated. He closed his eyes like a meditating monk and no longer looked at Xiaoxiao.

Xiaoxiao pushed away Tang Youshu, who came to help her, and slowly sat up holding her head. Since knowing Wei Jie, she’d never seen this man so cold and heartless.

She slowly turned to Tang Youshu and said word by word: “Why does he seem not to recognize me? Did you erase his memories?”

Tang Youshu sighed silently and said flatly: “He simply won’t be moved by human desires anymore. Didn’t you always know you’d separate from him someday? This day just came earlier—you should have been prepared…”

Just then, the man who’d been cold-faced since awakening finally spoke coolly: “Cui Xiaoxiao, go out first. Tang Youshu and I still have things to discuss.”

This use of her full name felt worse than not being called at all, because since they’d known each other, Wei Jie rarely addressed Xiaoxiao by her full name.

When happy, he’d affectionately call her Xiaoxiao. When sulking or being sarcastic, he might use a less respectful “Master.”

But this polite yet distant full name seemed to come from his mouth for the first time.

Xiaoxiao suspected Tang Youshu had manipulated him and probed: “Wei Jie, do you know who I am and what’s happening now?”

Wei Jie said coldly, “How can he explain the situation’s origins if you don’t leave? Don’t you also have many secrets you’re hiding from me? Compared to you, Tang Youshu’s lying skills are still clumsy—at least human eyes can see through them, unlike you, a female swindler who lies without blushing or heart racing!”

Wei Jie’s tongue had always been sharp—Xiaoxiao just had never experienced it before.

No wonder he could always make Yu Ling’er cry and leave a noble lady like Ling Zhishan torn between shame and anger.

Once wisdom awakened, and he saw through petty romantic feelings, in Wei Jie’s eyes, she was just a shameless street swindler.

Tang Youshu felt his previous life’s master had returned—Demon Lord Wei Jie had always been like this!

But seeing Xiaoxiao’s pale face, Tang Youshu felt no satisfaction, only silently sighed.

He’d witnessed how these two had supported each other through hardships, and knew how much Master had once cherished his little master.

But he’d helped his mentor achieve early divine power possession as planned, while personally breaking up a pair of lovebirds.

As the culprit, he always felt somewhat sorry for Xiaoxiao.

How could Xiaoxiao leave Wei Jie alone under unclear circumstances? Ignoring her aching head, she walked to Wei Jie’s side and tugged his sleeve to speak.

But before getting close, Wei Jie again swept his sleeve to push her away, though this time he controlled his strength somewhat.

But it was still enough to make Xiaoxiao’s heart ache again. She stared wide-eyed and asked incredulously: “Wei Jie, do you recognize me?”

Wei Jie raised his cold purple eyes and said icily: “Aren’t you just my nominal master who bears the master’s title but teaches me nothing? What would it matter if I didn’t remember someone like you?”

If this were a different time, facing such vicious, merciless mockery, Xiaoxiao might have nervously applauded her beloved disciple.

But now, Xiaoxiao hazily felt she was hearing Wei Jie’s true thoughts—so after having his emotions sealed, she was worth so little in his heart…

Perhaps not wanting to see the pitiful, tear-streaked expression on the young girl’s face, Wei Jie waved his hand again, actually pushing Xiaoxiao out of the study door and tightly closing it.

When only Wei Jie and Tang Youshu remained in the room, Tang Youshu’s face suddenly received a vicious slap that split his lip and drew blood.

Wei Jie understood that Tang Youshu’s earlier actions seemed meant to boost his cultivation and bore no malice, so he held back somewhat. After punishing Tang Youshu with one slap, suppressing his earlier irritation at seeing Xiaoxiao’s tears, he said coldly: “What’s this all about? Explain clearly, or don’t blame me for not tolerating you!”

Emperor Gu Yan was a god cursed by Heaven’s evil star—solitary and cold by nature, carrying a natural killing aura, a deity who intimidated all demons.

In Wei Jie’s original fate, after experiencing countless tribulations, he should have become such a baleful star.

Unfortunately, in this lifetime, he’d been mixing with Xiaoxiao constantly, daily eating, drinking, and making merry in romantic bliss, his character growing ever further from divine status.

So though he’d received Master’s harsh slap, Tang Youshu was moved to tears. Only now did he truly feel he’d returned to his youth, back under Master’s tutelage, daily receiving stern scolding from his mentor.

But where to begin this story was quite lengthy.

With this thought, he pulled a thick, old book from his robes and handed it to Wei Jie.

Wei Jie squinted at the familiar cover—wasn’t this the book Cui Xiaoxiao often read?

She was always mysterious when reading it, never letting others touch it.

So Xiaoxiao’s lost bundle had been taken by Tang Youshu.

Tang Youshu had originally kept this manual to give to Wei Jie, guiding him to avoid his fate. He hadn’t expected Xiaoxiao to use it thoroughly, taking Wei Jie’s place in destiny.

Now with this manual recording Wei Jie’s original life, Tang Youshu could calmly reveal that he and Cui Xiaoxiao had traveled from two hundred years in the future.

Only by telling Master his original fate could he calmly face the coming unknown tribulations and defeat enemies lurking in the shadows.

He hadn’t spoken before because Wei Jie had emotional entanglements—speaking rashly would have ruined everything.

But now Wei Jie had returned to divine status, showing Emperor Gu Yan’s proper cold nature and seeming much cooler toward Xiaoxiao, Tang Youshu dared to show him this manual that revealed heavenly secrets everywhere.

This time, even risking violation of heavenly rules, he would support Master Wei Jie’s smooth ascension to immortal status!

Wei Jie took the manual Tang Youshu handed him, stared at it for a while, then slowly opened to the first page with his long fingers…

When Xiaoxiao was pushed out of the study by Wei Jie, Yu Ling’er was anxiously waiting outside the door.

Seeing Xiaoxiao stumble out, Yu Ling’er quickly went to support her, asking urgently: “What’s wrong with your Talisman Sect today? How can you randomly hold court and judge people? What did Young Master Tang do wrong for Wei Jie to treat him like that… Oh my, what happened to your head? Why are you bleeding?”

Xiaoxiao had hit the table corner earlier, scraping her skin, and blood had seeped out after a while.

Yu Ling’er was frightened and quickly dragged Xiaoxiao back to her room, applying medicine to the wound.

But when she asked what had happened, Xiaoxiao said nothing, only threw her arms around the little fox’s neck and sobbed heartbrokenly.

Earlier in the study, she’d wanted to wail several times because of that damned master-disciple duo, but had endured throughout.

Her mentor’s image had collapsed, and her formerly playful disciple was the mastermind manipulating her! Before she, the victim, could settle accounts with this great swindler, Wei Jie had without warning become cold as ice, suddenly acting like an emotionless immortal.

In Xiaoxiao’s life, only when her mother sold her had she cried so miserably and helplessly.

Though Yu Ling’er didn’t know why Xiaoxiao was crying, she’d always known Xiaoxiao to be strong, easygoing, and naturally optimistic.

Whether trapped in Luoyi’s mirror illusion or facing any danger, Xiaoxiao was always calm and composed, their pillar of strength. She was like warm sunshine, touching everyone around her.

Heavens, what great injustice must such a Xiaoxiao have suffered to cry so earth-shatteringly now?

Foxes were naturally emotional creatures, and under Xiaoxiao’s tears, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help crying loudly too, only heartbrokenly holding Xiaoxiao, whimpering fox cries while patting her head: “Good girl, crying it out will help. Whoever bullied you, I won’t forgive them! Even if it’s Young Master Tang… Young Master Tang isn’t allowed to bully you either!”

Finally, when Xiaoxiao looked up to see the little fox with snot bubbles, crying more miserably than she—the genuine victim—she couldn’t help laughing through tears, then held up a mirror for Yu Ling’er.

Seeing herself crying so wretchedly caught Yu Ling’er off guard. She gave a sharp fox cry and quickly grabbed Xiaoxiao’s sleeve to wipe her nose. Xiaoxiao hurried to pull back her sleeve, but the little fox wouldn’t let go.

After great sorrow, the two women finally managed to collect their emotions somewhat.

Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. Her “ten injuries” fate was real—since she was destined to suffer all worldly hardships, she might as well face them calmly.

As for Wei Jie, some things couldn’t begin just because he said so, nor be forgotten just because he suddenly became indifferent!

Others had used her as a chess piece, but she couldn’t demean herself so. Even if it ended like flowers in a mirror or moon in water, she needed to demand an explanation from that pair of swindling master and disciple!

That day, Wei Jie and Tang Youshu talked privately in the study for a long time. When Xiaoxiao finally calmed down and came to the study door, she arrived just as Wei Jie and Tang Youshu were coming out.

This time, even Yu Ling’er, following behind Xiaoxiao, felt the tall man’s aura had completely changed.

The lazy, casual smile Wei Jie once wore had completely disappeared, replaced by an ice-cold expression as if sealed by snow.

Xiaoxiao looked at his cold face with some emotion: no wonder everyone said Qin Lingxiao’s proud, cold immortal act was completely imitating Master Wei Jie.

Now it seemed that to cultivate immortality, one needed such a half-dead demeanor…

Xiaoxiao didn’t know what she was still hoping for. As Wei Jie prepared to pass by her without a sideways glance, she grabbed his large palm and held their hands tightly together.

His palm was still warm, feeling the same as every time their fingers intertwined, with the same heart-stirring sensation.