The events in Mirror Flower Valley couldn’t be kept from the world. Nan Xuyue learned about it the next day.

Mu Xuanling had raided Mirror Flower Valley at night and was taken away by Xie Xuechen.

He was lost in thought for a moment before being called back to reality by Fu Lansheng.

At that time, he was a guest at Bixiao Palace. Fu Lansheng had sent him a paper crane message, which didn’t explain clearly what the matter was, only saying it was extremely urgent and a matter of life and death. Concerned about his carefree friend, he rushed from Two Realms Mountain to Bixiao Palace.

As soon as Nan Xuyue arrived at Bixiao Palace before he could meet Fu Yuanting, he was dragged into the backyard by Fu Lansheng, half-coaxed and half-tricked.

“This is not proper etiquette,” Nan Xuyue said, shaking his fan with some resignation. “I am, after all, the master of a manor. In terms of status, I am on equal footing with your father. How can I visit without seeing the host?”

“That’s not important,” Fu Lansheng pushed Nan Xuyue into a room, closed the door, and said with a mischievous smile, “Anyway, both my father and mother are in seclusion and have no time to see you. As the young master of the palace, I’m in charge of affairs here, so it’s the same if I meet you.”

Nan Xuyue raised an eyebrow in surprise and sat down in a chair as Fu Lansheng pushed him. He turned his head and saw a large rack nearby. The rack was made of high-quality pine wood and divided into five levels with slides, rollers, swings, and springboards. At the moment, a fluffy scent-tracking mouse was happily bouncing around on the rack.

“A Bao,” Nan Xuyue called gently.

A Bao sprang forcefully from the springboard, landing on the table in front of Nan Xuyue. Its two paws were obediently crossed in front of it as it cheerfully called out, “Manor Lord Nan, you’re here! Did sister come too?”

A Bao was living very well with Fu Lansheng. In just over a month, it had grown bigger, its fur softer and shinier, and its aura more substantial. Although half-demons didn’t cultivate easily, being close to treasure energy made their bodies healthier and allowed them to live longer.

“Sister had something to do and couldn’t come, so she sent me to see how you’re doing,” Nan Xuyue put away his fan and gently rubbed A Bao’s head, smiling as he asked, “Have you learned any bad things from Brother Lansheng?”

Fu Lansheng frowned in dissatisfaction, tapped the table, and glanced at A Bao with mock threat, saying, “I’m full of virtues, how could A Bao possibly learn anything bad?”

A Bao, with its pair of black, moist eyes, asked innocently, “What are bad things? Does ‘dragon and phoenix’ count?”

Fu Lansheng coughed violently, grabbed A Bao, and kneaded it in his palm, saying fiercely, “What nonsense are you talking about!”

A Bao hugged its head pitifully and whimpered, “Brother is bullying me!”

Nan Xuyue couldn’t help but smile, tapping Fu Lansheng’s wrist lightly with his folding fan, rescuing A Bao from Fu Lansheng’s clutches. A Bao immediately jumped into Nan Xuyue’s palm, turning its face away from Fu Lansheng.

“Brother Fu, you are the only young master of Bixiao Palace. You mustn’t go astray. The heavy responsibility of continuing the family line rests on your shoulders alone,” Nan Xuyue teased deliberately.

Fu Lansheng poured two cups of tea, gulped one down himself, and said with a dark face, “Don’t listen to this little one’s nonsense. It just learned a phrase and is using it indiscriminately. I was just trying to help it inquire about its father, which led to a misunderstanding with my mother.”

Nan Xuyue laughed, “A mother knows her child best. Elder Duan is well aware of your flirtatious nature. Seeing you so concerned about a man, it’s natural for her to have some romantic speculations.”

“Others might not know, but don’t you understand me?” Fu Lansheng sighed, “It’s not that I’m excessively flirtatious, it’s just that beauties are so passionate. I can’t bear to see beauties cry, so I have to sacrifice myself to appease them, to save all living beings.”

Nan Xuyue said, “Heh, how truly selfless of you.”

During her time with Fu Lansheng, A Bao had seen quite a few female cultivators who insisted on getting close to him. Fu Lansheng was most adept at dealing with these beautiful and passionate female cultivators. He was handsome, of noble birth, and the only heir of Bixiao Palace. Without saying much, female cultivators pursued him like mad bees and butterflies. Moreover, he was known for his sweet talk and generosity, calling every one “sister,” making him even more popular than the gentle and elegant Nan Xuyue. It was only recently, with a little scent-tracking mouse by his side, that he felt embarrassed to reveal his true nature, turning down many “sunset rendezvous,” afraid that A Bao might learn bad habits and spread the word.

Hearing them talk like this, A Bao couldn’t help but grumble, “Brother doesn’t look uncomfortable at all, he seems very happy.”

Fu Lansheng gritted his teeth and said, “I’ve spoiled you for nothing.”

A Bao’s round ears twitched, and it grabbed Nan Xuyue’s long fingers to use as a shield to protect itself.

Nan Xuyue smiled and tapped its head, then looked at Fu Lansheng and said, “Why did you urgently call me here?”

Fu Lansheng glanced at A Bao, a hint of solemnity flashing across his brow, but he laughed it off, saying, “A Bao, go play over there. We brothers have some serious matters to discuss.”

A Bao looked at him skeptically – she felt that this unserious brother was unlikely to have any serious matters to discuss.

But she obediently ran off to play on the pine wood rack in the corner.

Fu Lansheng drew a circle with his right hand, opening a barrier to block A Bao’s sight and hearing. Only then did he say to Nan Xuyue, “I recently obtained a magical artifact.” He took out a palm-sized mirror from his storage bag. “This mirror is called the ‘Blood Mirror’.”

Nan Xuyue took the mirror from Fu Lansheng’s hand. The mirror was made of an unusual material, neither silver nor silver. The oval mirror surface was pitch black, with a magical array of inscriptions carved around it.

“I got this from an evil cultivator who practiced blood sacrifice arts. He used his blood as a lure, enticing others to drink it. Then, using this Blood Mirror, he could access the senses of those related to him by blood, seeing what they see,” Fu Lansheng said. “Out of curiosity, I dropped a bit of my blood, and in the mirror, I saw my mother practicing cultivation.”

Nan Xuyue’s mind stirred: “What you saw was what Palace Master Fu saw.”

Fu Lansheng nodded: “The image only lasted for five breaths before changing to my father practicing cultivation.”

That day happened to be when Fu Yuanting and Duan Xiaorong were cultivating.

“Did you only see the two of them?” Nan Xuyue pondered, “Although Palace Master Fu and Elder Duan only have you as a son, there are other blood relatives. It seems this Blood Mirror can only see the perceptions of direct blood relatives. If the relationship is too distant, the blood connection weakens.”

“I guessed as much,” Fu Lansheng said, “However if I had other siblings, I might be able to see them too.”

Nan Xuyue gently stroked the cold mirror surface: “So, you’ve had A Bao try it? What did you see?”

Fu Lansheng’s expression grew more serious, his breathing becoming heavier: “First, I saw Yunxiu Manor…”

“That should be what A Bao’s mother, Xiuxiu, was seeing,” Nan Xuyue said.

“Then, I saw… a red moon,” Fu Lansheng said gravely. “That was the Demon Realm.”

Nan Xuyue was startled, his hand gripping the mirror tightly: “A Bao’s father is in the Demon Realm? A Bao’s father should be human, why would he be in the Demon Realm?”

“That’s why I urgently called you here. I feel this matter is too unusual,” Fu Lansheng said, feeling anxious and uneasy. “How could a normal human appear in the Demon Realm? So I have doubts about A Bao’s father’s identity.”

“Did you look again after that?” Nan Xuyue asked.

“The first time I saw the crimson moon of the Demon Realm, the mirror surface suddenly turned black in less than five breaths. I suspect he sensed he was being observed,” Fu Lansheng said. “When I tried again later, I couldn’t see anything.”

“It’s possible, but if that person could sense the observation and conceal himself from divination, his identity and power cannot be underestimated,” Nan Xuyue said gravely, rubbing the edge of the mirror. “Xiuxiu initially sought my help, and I had tried divination for Fu Cangli. But Xiuxiu knew little about Fu Cangli, only a name, making it extremely difficult to get clear results. I tried several times without success, so I deduced that Fu Cangli was not that person’s real name. A person may have many names in their lifetime, but only the first given name has a fundamental connection to the person; false names can’t be divined. So I tried a different approach… I used A Bao’s birth date and time to divine her father-daughter fate.”

Fu Lansheng asked anxiously, “What was the result?”

Nan Xuyue was silent for a moment before saying, “Their father-daughter fate is thin, only four words – ‘a single encounter’.”

“A single encounter…” Fu Lansheng murmured, “How to interpret this?”

“It means that in A Bao’s lifetime, she can only meet her father once,” Nan Xuyue said gravely. “Divination results are always ambiguous. What will happen after this meeting, I don’t know. It could be unfavorable for A Bao, or her father, but from the divination signs, it’s not auspicious. That’s why I haven’t been actively helping A Bao find Fu Cangli. This encounter, perhaps it’s better to happen later, or even not at all.”

Fu Lansheng’s heart sank, his gaze involuntarily falling on the carefree A Bao nearby. She was just a three-year-old scent-tracking mouse, with a mentality perhaps equivalent to a six or seven-year-old human girl. She had never seen her father and was eager to find him, but the outcome could very well be a life-and-death separation.

A Bao was innocent and naive, yet adorable and well-behaved, always calling him “brother,” which felt different from the female cultivators outside who called him “brother.” Fu Lansheng had grown up without siblings, and hearing it so often, he had taken A Bao to heart, as if he had such a sister. He always wanted to dote on her and spoil her, sometimes even tease her, but if she was truly sad or upset, he would feel heartache.

“Nan Xuyue…” Fu Lansheng said resolutely, “Then let’s not meet. Please help me keep this from A Bao.”

Nan Xuyue sighed and said, “If she doesn’t ask, I won’t tell. But Brother Fu, if fate dictates a single encounter, that encounter will happen sooner or later.”

Fu Lansheng rubbed his brow in frustration: “Let’s just delay it for now, and deal with it later. However, if that person is really in the Demon Realm, perhaps we could ask Mu Xuanling to help inquire. Although immortals and demons are at odds, A Bao still calls her ‘sister,’ so she shouldn’t be completely heartless towards A Bao.”

“She…” Nan Xuyue’s eyes darkened slightly, “I just heard that she has fallen into Sect Leader Xie’s hands.”

Fu Lansheng’s expression immediately became peculiar, both sympathetic and amused: “Nan Xuyue, your beloved is in someone else’s arms. She’s quite safe with Sect Leader Xie, but are you truly not bothered by this?”

Nan Xuyue smiled self-deprecatingly: “Brother Fu, my feelings for her are my affair. Her feelings for others don’t affect me.”

Fu Lansheng clicked his tongue in wonder: “Nan Xuyue, these words sound somewhat shameless, unlike you. They sound more like something I would say. The sweetness of a forced melon is known with just one taste.”

Nan Xuyue’s jade-white, slender index finger caressed the warm teacup. Lowering his gaze to the light-colored clear tea, he smiled and said, “Even if it’s bitter, it doesn’t matter.”

Some bitterness, like the tea in the cup, has an aftertaste of sweetness.

He had long divined that she and Xie Xuechen were fated to meet but not to be together in this lifetime.

So what harm was there in waiting?

Mu Xuanling, not of her own free will, was half-forced to leave Mirror Flower Valley with Xie Xuechen. Xie Xuechen used the teleportation array left by Nan Xuyue. Mu Xuanling thought Xie Xuechen was taking her back to Two Realms Mountain as a hostage to threaten Sang Qi, but after a moment of slight dizziness, she found herself in a place that was certainly not Two Realms Mountain.

The slightly humid air was filled with the fragrance of earth and herbs. As far as the eye could see, everything was lush green, teeming with vitality, invigorating to the spirit.

“Where is this place?” Mu Xuanling frowned and asked.

“Lingju Island,” Xie Xuechen answered.

“Why did you bring me to Lingju Island?” Mu Xuanling looked at Xie Xuechen warily.

Among the many islands scattered like stars in the Eastern Sea, Lingju Island was the most spiritually rich blessed land. A thousand years ago, the founder of Lingju Island established a sect here, which grew continuously. Now it was the most powerful immortal sect in the Eastern Sea. Six-tenths of the other islands were occupied by demon kings, and the rest were caves of powerful rogue cultivators. Demon forces held the absolute advantage in the Eastern Sea. The relationship between demon clans and the five sects of the Immortal Alliance fluctuated, with Lingju Island being the most friendly towards demon clans among the five sects. All demon kings of the Eastern Sea gave some face to Lingju Island.

Xie Xuechen said, “Our destination is not Lingju Island, but the neighboring Qiongju Island.”

If they were to travel by wind, it would take a day and easily reveal their whereabouts. Using the array to reach Lingju Island in an instant and then proceeding to Qiongju Island would only take a moment.

“Who’s ‘we’?” Mu Xuanling grumbled unhappily, then asked, “And what are you going to do on Qiongju Island?”

“I’m going to Mount Luowu on Qiongju Island to find a flower called the Changshou Lotus,” Xie Xuechen said.

He was looking for a flower, which seemed unrelated to her. Mu Xuanling had studied pill refining and artifact forging and had heard of the Changshou Lotus. Legend had it that in ancient times, there were ten suns in the sky. Nine were shot down, and Mount Luowu was where these nine suns were buried. Located in the eastern part of Qiongju Island, Mount Luowu covered thousands of miles and was perpetually shrouded in miasma. Even demon kings dared not set foot there, fearing they might never return. The Changshou Lotus grew in the waterless areas of Mount Luowu, as white as snow, blooming once every hundred years, with each bloom lasting a hundred years. It was said to be the main ingredient for the elixir of immortality, but no one had successfully refined it yet.

Mu Xuanling mocked, “Sect Leader Xie, so young and already seeking immortality?”

Xie Xuechen didn’t deny it. He recalled what Xuan Xin had said—

“The main ingredient of the Heart-Perceiving Water is the Heart-Perceiving Grass, which grows on Mount Luowu, accompanying the Changshou Lotus. The Heart-Perceiving Grass numbs the heart’s perception of the seven emotions and six desires, while the Changshou Lotus seed is the purest and most bitter substance in the world. They are mutually generative and restrictive. The bitterness of the lotus seed can break the medicinal properties of the Heart-Perceiving Grass, reducing the pressure of the Heart-Perceiving Water on the heart.”

“However, this method is only speculation, never verified to be effective. But the Changshou Lotus is beneficial and harmless. Even if it can’t neutralize the drug’s effects, at least it won’t cause harm.”

“Don’t let her know about this for now. She only harbors hostility towards you at the moment. Saying too much will make her put up her guard, making treatment more difficult.”

Xie Xuechen expressed gratitude for Xuan Xin’s help, but Xuan Xin sighed softly: “Sect Leader Xie, Sang Qi deliberately sent her to your side to distract you, wear you down, and evoke your inner demons, while he takes the opportunity to improve his cultivation.”

Xie Xuechen’s heart was clear as a mirror, his phoenix eyes bright, showing no trace of resentment or hatred. He tightened his arm around Mu Xuanling, unconsciously softening his voice: “At least, she’s back…”

Sang Qi’s scheme was both hidden and obvious. He saw through Xie Xuechen’s desires, making him knowingly fall into the trap.

During the night raid on Yongxue City, Sang Qi knew that Xie Xuechen cared more about the world’s people, so he used the demon flood dragon to lure Xie Xuechen away and took the opportunity to kidnap Mu Xuanling.

Later, when Sang Qi rescued Mu Xuanling again from Two Realms Mountain, he discovered that even after knowing everything, Xie Xuechen still helped her regulate her inner energy and assisted in her cultivation.

So he knew what the best weapon against Xie Xuechen was…

And Xie Xuechen simply couldn’t refuse.

Greed, anger, delusion, regret, worry, fear – his previously unblemished heart of the Way was finally invaded by inner demons.

Mu Xuanling noticed Xie Xuechen’s silence, his phoenix eyes dark. Compared to before, there seemed to be a subtle change, though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was different. This increased her unease, making her urge to escape even more urgent.

But under Xie Xuechen’s watchful eye, it was hard for her to make any small moves. Xie Xuechen’s perception was far keener than others, and his movements were as fast as lightning. She feared that as soon as she had the thought, he would detect it.

Reluctantly, Mu Xuanling followed Xie Xuechen, her waist held by him as they took to the air, flying towards Qiongju Island.

It was just at sunset. The sea surface was rippled by the wind, shimmering with golden light. Looking down at the Eastern Sea, islands of various sizes were scattered near and far, lush and verdant, like jade inlaid on golden sand, presenting a scene of brilliant beauty, breathtaking to behold.

Mu Xuanling had grown up in Mingyue Manor and then spent seven years in the Demon Realm. This was the first time in her life she had seen the sea. For a moment, she was dazzled by the beautiful scene before her. Her mouth slightly open, she couldn’t help but exclaim, “It’s so beautiful…”

Xie Xuechen looked down at her. Her jade-white face was outlined with soft beauty by the remaining light. Her lively and pretty peach blossom eyes reflected the sea and sky of the same color, with specks of gold scattered in the blackness, rippling with light. Her slightly parted vermilion lips were tinged with rouge, full and tempting, though there was still a barely noticeable teeth mark on her lower lip.

It was the mark he had left.

Xie Xuechen’s eyes darkened slightly, the corner of his mouth curling up. In a low voice, he said, “Yes, very beautiful.”

Absorbed in the scene before her, she didn’t notice that the “beauty” in the man’s words beside her was not the same as what she had in mind.

He intentionally slowed his speed, perhaps to let her enjoy the beautiful scene a moment longer, or to savor this moment when she had forgotten to flee and be on guard. He tightened his arm around her waist, and removed the barrier, allowing the gentle, moist sea breeze to brush their cheeks. Lowering his head slightly, he could smell the faint fragrance in her hair.

Alas, the sun would eventually set.