On a high ridge at the edge of Two Realms Mountain stood a towering tree. Sitting on one of its thick, horizontally growing branches was a young woman dressed in purple-red gauze.

Mu Xuanling practiced here every day. The Demon Realm had only demonic energy and no spiritual power. To cultivate the Jade Palace Scripture, the best place was near Two Realms Mountain, where spiritual energy was abundant. She spent three to four hours cultivating here daily. Previously, her eagerness might have caused some disorder in her internal energy, but after Xie Xuechen’s adjustments, her practice now felt much smoother, and her progress was faster than before.

After two hours of meditation, she stretched lazily and changed to a more comfortable position, lying on the branch. With her hands folded behind her head, she looked up at the bright full moon through gaps in the leaves.

— The moonlight is cold, a bit like him.

Unexpectedly, the image of Xie Xuechen with his white robes fluttering entered her mind.

— He’s even stronger than Master. If I continue to cultivate, could I defeat him?

— He knew I was an enemy, so why did he help adjust my internal energy?

— I deceived him, isn’t he angry?

Mu Xuanling’s mind wandered for a while. Feeling troubled, she pinched the bridge of her nose and closed her eyes, no longer looking at the moon. Just then, a familiar and gentle voice called from below the tree.

“Ling’er.”

Mu Xuanling was slightly startled. She peered down from the treetop and called out in surprise, “Nan Xuyue?”

She leaped down from the branch gracefully, landing in front of him. Looking up slightly, she gazed at the young man before her, who was looking down with a smile.

“How did you find this place?” Mu Xuanling eyed him suspiciously, then looked around vigilantly. “Did you bring people to catch me?”

“No, I came alone,” Nan Xuyue said gently. “I figured you’d need to be in the Human Realm to cultivate the Jade Palace Scripture. There aren’t many places near Two Realms Mountain rich in spiritual energy, so I came to try my luck.”

“Even though there aren’t many, there are still more than a dozen places. You, a…” Mu Xuanling’s voice trailed off, swallowing the words “cripple” before they could escape.

Nan Xuyue’s smile deepened — Ling’er did care about him after all.

“I suppose I was lucky to find you at the first spot,” Nan Xuyue said truthfully, without playing for sympathy. “Yesterday, I caught the scent of Fusang flowers on you, so I guessed you must frequent a Fusang tree. There are only two places near Two Realms Mountain with abundant spiritual energy and Fusang trees. This one is the tallest, allowing one to observe the human cultivators’ camp from its top.”

Mu Xuanling felt as if she’d been seen through, her scalp tingling slightly. After a moment of silence, she said, “As expected of Nan Xuyue… Since you knew I was here, why didn’t you tell… others? Doesn’t the Immortal Alliance want to capture me?”

“I’m not part of the Immortal Alliance,” Nan Xuyue said softly. “I came here just to see you.”

Mu Xuanling looked up at Nan Xuyue, her beautiful almond eyes flickering with a mix of emotions — a touch of being moved, and a hint of confusion. She wanted to say something but found herself at a loss for words.

“Then…” Mu Xuanling hesitated before asking, “Have you decided to come with me to the Demon Realm?”

Mu Xuanling’s question was somewhat naive. Nan Xuyue couldn’t help but smile, shaking his head, “I’m human. I can’t survive in the Demon Realm.”

Nan Xuyue’s gentleness made Mu Xuanling unconsciously lower her guard and hostility. She still remembered Nan Xuyue’s kindness, and her attempt to recruit him was both for Sang Qi and herself.

“Master will have a way,” Mu Xuanling’s eyes darted around as she thought. “Perhaps you could cultivate the Jade Palace Scripture?”

Nan Xuyue felt a softening in his heart. The Ling’er before him seemed unchanged — she might be heartless towards Xie Xuechen, but she remained the same towards him.

“I don’t know how Sang Qi obtained the Jade Palace Scripture from you, but cultivating it is no easy task,” Nan Xuyue sighed softly. “Ling’er, I came to tell you that Sang Qi doesn’t have good intentions towards you. You should be careful.”

Hearing this, Mu Xuanling frowned and distanced herself slightly from Nan Xuyue. “Young Master Nan, I know how Master treats me. There’s no need for you to say more.”

Seeing her sudden wariness, Nan Xuyue could only suppress his urge to advise further and changed the subject. “The Immortal Alliance has witnessed Sang Qi’s power and is on guard against him. They believe Sang Qi will attack the Five Great Sects, abduct demon slaves, and recruit demon clans. They’ve already recalled their elites to the sects. If Sang Qi orders you to attack the Five Great Sects, please be extremely cautious.”

Mu Xuanling’s heart sank a little because Sang Qi indeed had such intentions. If the Immortal Alliance had strengthened its defenses, their planned actions would become much more difficult.

“What about Xie Xuechen?” Mu Xuanling asked.

Nan Xuyue’s eyes flickered slightly, but he didn’t show any unusual reaction. “He will guard Two Realms Mountain, but he has five teleportation formations on him. His only target is Sang Qi. If Sang Qi appears at any of the Five Great Sects, he will immediately appear to kill Sang Qi.”

Mu Xuanling had witnessed Xie Xuechen’s strength, and Sang Qi had also mentioned that Xie Xuechen seemed to be holding back. If he were to fight with all his might, even Sang Qi wouldn’t be confident of victory, and might not even have the chance to open a teleportation formation to escape.

Mu Xuanling frowned in worry. After a while, she remembered that Nan Xuyue was still standing in front of her. Seeing her lost in thought, he didn’t interrupt, just quietly standing nearby, gazing at her with gentle eyes. Feeling his goodwill, Mu Xuanling’s expression softened a bit. She said in a low voice, “I understand… But whose side are you really on?”

Nan Xuyue replied softly, “I just hope you can be safe.”

He had come for her, solely to protect her from harm. He could assist the Immortal Alliance in dealing with Sang Qi, while also shielding Mu Xuanling from them. Currently, Mu Xuanling fully trusted Sang Qi, so if he spoke ill of Sang Qi, she naturally wouldn’t listen. Since that was the case, he decided not to say more, but to act silently instead.

Mu Xuanling could sense Nan Xuyue’s intentions. She blinked, not knowing how to respond to his kindness. She put her hands behind her back, nervously fiddling with her fingertips.

“Then… you should be careful too,” she said awkwardly, showing her concern.

Nan Xuyue took out a small jade pendant from his sleeve. It was pure white and smooth, obviously very valuable. He stepped forward, reaching around Mu Xuanling’s neck. As he lowered his head, he caught the scent of her hair. Resisting the urge to embrace her, he carefully tied the red string for her.

Nan Xuyue’s sudden proximity made Mu Xuanling instinctively stiffen. She hesitated between pushing him away and accepting, but Nan Xuyue had already let go and stepped back.

Mu Xuanling raised her hand to hold the small jade pendant. It felt cool to the touch, but quickly warmed up. Within the white jade, faint lights seemed to be moving, as if countless formation symbols were spinning. On the back of the pendant was a shallow ancient character — “Moon.”

“This is a magical artifact I crafted, engraved with countless defensive formations. If you encounter danger, just crush it. It can block even a strike from the Jade Palace Sky Destroyer,” Nan Xuyue’s voice was gentle yet firm, revealing his confidence in artifact crafting.

The Jade Palace Sky Destroyer was known as the most powerful attack in the world. Being able to withstand one strike from it made this a truly divine-grade defensive artifact.

After Mu Xuanling was injured, Nan Xuyue devoted himself to crafting this protective artifact, hoping to protect her in his way.

“Thank you,” Mu Xuanling knew the value of this gift. She gripped the warm jade in her palm and said solemnly.

Nan Xuyue smiled, gazing at her jade-like face. This was good enough for now; she hadn’t rejected his kindness and closeness…

When Mu Xuanling entered the alchemy room, Sang Qi didn’t notice. He was reclining on a couch, his dark robe spilling onto the floor, holding a long sword in his hand, lost in thought.

Mu Xuanling suddenly realized it was Gao Qiumin’s Spring Birth Sword. After Mu Xuanling had taken the sword, she had casually put it in her storage bag and then left it in her bedroom. Somehow, it had ended up in Sang Qi’s hands.

“Master.” Mu Xuanling called out. Seeing Sang Qi turn his head, she slowly approached.

Sang Qi’s silver eyes flickered briefly, and the Spring Birth Sword vanished. His voice carried a hint of cold weariness as he asked, “What is it?”

“I went to Two Realms Mountain to cultivate earlier and met Nan Xuyue. He told me some things.” Mu Xuanling truthfully relayed the information she had heard from Nan Xuyue.

“Oh?” Sang Qi raised an eyebrow in slight surprise, his narrow silver eyes tinged with a faint smile. “I didn’t expect Nan Xuyue to care so much about you.”

Mu Xuanling chose her words carefully: “He’s a friend of mine.”

“I’m afraid he thinks of more than just that,” Sang Qi said with an inscrutable smile. “Although Nan Xuyue can’t cultivate, his skills in formation arrays and artifact crafting are unparalleled in the world. He’s quite deep, not to be underestimated. Since he values you so highly, that could be useful.”

“Master, could you spare his life?” Mu Xuanling asked in a low voice, her brows slightly furrowed.

Sang Qi glanced at her, noticing the jade pendant on her neck. He chuckled knowingly, got up from the couch, and walked to the side, saying, “Since he’s your friend, I’ll spare his life.”

The Heart-Enlightening Water he had refined, with Xie Xuechen’s blood added, had made Mu Xuanling forget only Xie Xuechen. While Nan Xuyue was just a friend to her, he still left a mark on her heart. Although Nan Xuyue had some abilities, Sang Qi didn’t consider him a threat. He could be used but wasn’t worth guarding against.

Hearing Sang Qi’s words, Mu Xuanling felt slightly relieved and spoke more cheerfully: “Master, the Five Great Sects are very wary of you. They believe only Xie Xuechen can stop you.”

Sang Qi sneered, “Wrong. Ling’er, you think too highly of human nature. They just don’t want to sacrifice their people and want Xie Xuechen to risk his life instead.”

Mu Xuanling was stunned for a moment. “Is that so?”

“The Five Great Sects each have their agenda. Lingju Island is far overseas, keeping to themselves, and least willing to get involved in Immortal Alliance affairs. Xuantian Temple is leaderless, and some might even resent the Immortal Alliance for killing their sect leader and grand elder, now in chaos over the new leadership. Yongxue City is in the harsh Western Regions, sparsely populated, with only Xie Xuechen worth worrying about. Bixiao Palace is the most mercenary and selfish, how else could they amass the world’s wealth? Mirror Flower Valley does want to eliminate me, but that sect has always been dominated by women, lacking in strength, not worth worrying about.” Sang Qi listed them one by one, his face filled with disdain.

Mu Xuanling’s eyebrows twitched. She remembered Sang Qi’s leniency towards Su Ningzhen, ordering her capture alive, and his expression while looking at the Spring Birth Sword earlier, as if there was some old sentiment…

“Master,” Mu Xuanling cautiously asked, “Did you know Su Ningzhen before? She seems to hate you exceptionally.”

Sang Qi coldly replied, “We weren’t acquainted, just some old grudges.”

Old sentiment or old grudges?

Mu Xuanling didn’t dare to ask so bluntly, instead saying softly, “May this disciple ask why?”

Sang Qi lowered his eyes, his left hand touching his right arm engraved with demonic patterns. It was a prosthetic, a magical artifact. Since losing his arm twenty years ago, it had been with him constantly, reminding him of how foolish and naive he once was, and what he had lost due to misplaced trust…

“This arm of mine was lost in Mirror Flower Valley,” Sang Qi’s voice was low and cold.

Mu Xuanling was shocked, exclaiming, “Was it cut off by Su Ningzhen? How could she possibly…”

“Not her,” Sang Qi frowned in annoyance. “It was… Su Ningxi.”

Su Ningxi. Mu Xuanling was momentarily confused before remembering she was Su Ningzhen’s twin sister and also Gao Qiumin’s birth mother.

Mu Xuanling suddenly felt her breathing become heavy as if understanding many things in an instant.

The great fire at Mingyue Manor, the wails and screams of countless people…

“Master, did you massacre Mingyue Manor for revenge?” Mu Xuanling blurted out. “But… Su Ningxi died twenty years ago.”

Su Ningxi had died the night Gao Qiumin was born.

“So what if she’s dead? Don’t the dead still have bones?” Sang Qi’s eyes flashed with violence, red flooding his silver pupils. “I’ll dig up her remains and destroy her path of reincarnation!”

Sang Qi’s terrifying aura leaked out, causing Mu Xuanling to involuntarily take half a step back. Trembling under the pressure, she asked, “Did you find her?”

“No,” Sang Qi frowned, his voice cold and deep. “It was an empty grave.”

“An empty grave?” Mu Xuanling murmured in confusion. “How is that possible…”

She had lived in Mingyue Manor for six or seven years and naturally knew the location of the manor mistress’s grave. She had even been responsible for sweeping the cemetery but had never thought the grave might be empty.

“Could Su Ningxi not be dead?” Mu Xuanling muttered.

Sang Qi’s heart skipped a beat. He had considered this possibility, but he had questioned the manor’s people, using extremely cruel methods to “ask”. Those old people all said they had seen Su Ningxi die and be buried with their own eyes. If she were alive, why would she fake her death?

“Master, are you keeping Su Ningzhen alive to find out Su Ningxi’s whereabouts from her?” Mu Xuanling asked.

Sang Qi nodded slowly: “She was Su Ningxi’s closest and most trusted person in this world, and the most likely to know Su Ningxi’s whereabouts.”

Mu Xuanling gathered her courage and stared intently at Sang Qi’s handsome yet cruel profile, carefully asking, “Was the Spring Birth Sword Su Ningxi’s weapon?”

So after Su Ningxi’s death, Su Ningzhen had given her sister’s sword to her daughter, Gao Qiumin.

Indeed, Sang Qi nodded.

Mu Xuanling’s heart beat faster: “Was it also the sword that cut off your right arm back then?”

Sang Qi didn’t speak, but his aura suddenly sank.

“Su Ningxi… was someone you loved?”

The table beside Sang Qi exploded into pieces. Mu Xuanling dodged the flying fragments, looking in horror at the man before her who seemed like a descending demon lord. He appeared to be engulfed in black flames spreading from his heart, surrounding him. His silver hair floated in the air, his silver eyes tinged with blood. He looked as if he were bathing in fire, yet emanated a cold that made one’s heart tremble with fear.

“Ma-Master…” Mu Xuanling called softly.

“Ling’er.” Sang Qi’s figure was shrouded in thick darkness, his hoarse, deep voice seeming to come from the depths of the netherworld, “This is the price of falling in love with a human.”