You've Definitely Learned Bad Things from That Black-hearted Guy

Bai Xuanling’s visit to Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge seemed genuinely just a simple meeting with Xie Lingyu and Qinghe.

She gently sipped the tea left by Bai Qing, reminiscing about the past as she began recounting some amusing childhood anecdotes about Lingyu.

At first, Xie Lingyu’s expression flickered slightly, but after a glance around, he noticed that only their own people remained—most importantly, Chu Xingchen’s disciples were absent.

After all, he and Chu Xingchen were of the same generation. If certain matters were overheard by juniors, it would inevitably lead to awkwardness when meeting again.

Xie Lingyu watched his master’s unusually softened expression and hesitated for a moment before suppressing his slight embarrassment, silently listening to the tales of his past mishaps.

The pot of tea in Chu Xingchen’s hands seemed to empty rather quickly.

Perhaps Bai Xuanling drank fast, or perhaps Lingyu’s childhood blunders were truly entertaining.

"Before Lingyu, I had never raised anything and didn’t believe I could keep anything alive. Back then, I thought life was fragile—even untouched, it could fade away for countless reasons," Bai Xuanling said, holding her teacup, a faint smile appearing on her face as she continued,

"At the time, I thought I couldn’t even raise a spirit beast, so when I took Lingyu in, I was at a loss."

"Perhaps I wasn’t the most qualified master, but unexpectedly, I raised a fine disciple."

"Maybe I just had a knack for teaching."

Xie Lingyu met her gaze directly, his tone sincere. "I’ve always believed you were an excellent master."

Bai Xuanling’s smile deepened. "Lingyu has learned to flatter now."

"I haven’t," Xie Lingyu replied firmly.

Qinghe’s eyes shifted between the two. Naturally perceptive, it could tell that the usually reserved and melancholic "Grandma Bai" was clearly not her usual self. After a brief consideration, it decisively interjected:

"Lingyu is right! Even though Grandma Bai can be a bit harsh at times and likes to resort to force, she’s always cared for us deep down. She raised me well too! Qinghe also thinks Grandma Bai is wonderful!"

Bai Xuanling’s brows arched slightly as she cast a sidelong glance at Qinghe.

She had long known about Qinghe’s habit of calling her "Grandma Bai" behind her back—after all, the creature occasionally slipped up.

In truth, Bai Xuanling didn’t mind. She acknowledged that she had grown old, no longer possessing the fiery spirit of her youth.

But she could still use it as an excuse now and then—when in a particularly foul mood, she’d tease Qinghe to lift her own spirits.

"You?" Bai Xuanling feigned confusion. "Haven’t I always treated you as a pet?"

Qinghe froze, then abruptly stood up. Its eyes weren’t filled with confusion but with shimmering indignation.

Even after being beaten and having its horns trimmed, Qinghe had never yielded—yet now, its eyes wavered with unshed emotion.

What did she mean, a pet?

It had always regarded Bai Xuanling as family, as kin.

How had it been demoted to a mere pet? All its loyalty as a dragon had been wasted on this heartless woman!

Bai Xuanling was momentarily taken aback by Qinghe’s wounded expression. She hadn’t expected the creature to take the jest so seriously and quickly amended,

"Oh dear, are you really about to cry over a joke?"

Qinghe blinked rapidly, its arm briefly covering its eyes before dropping again—the glimmer of tears already gone.

Pouting, it muttered, "Who’s crying?! Fine, pet it is! It’s not like I wasn’t fished out of a ditch by you anyway!"

Bai Xuanling sighed softly, rising to her feet and stepping closer to Qinghe. She gently patted its head, her voice softening:

"That day, you hit your head and don’t remember clearly. You weren’t fished out—you were entrusted to me. If you wanted to be a pet, I wouldn’t allow it. You’re more like the daughter of an old friend."

Qinghe turned its head slightly away, grumbling under its breath, "It’s not like I remember anything from back then. You can say whatever you want—fished out or entrusted, it’s all up to you."

Bai Xuanling exhaled quietly. "Very well. Then I’ll inform the Tianyan Sect later that our little Qinghe from Zhuji Peak was indeed scooped from a pit—and a stinky one at that—"

"You—!" Qinghe cut her off before she could finish, its voice urgent. But the moment the word left its mouth, its eyes met Bai Xuanling’s unusually gentle gaze.

Grandma Bai rarely looked at it like this.

Qinghe’s expression stilled. Without another word, it silently reached out and hugged her.

Bai Xuanling stroked Qinghe’s head lightly before turning to Xie Lingyu. "You two should stay here. Even if you return, I won’t have time for you. The sect leader is as useless as ever, so you’ll have more freedom here. I still have matters to attend to at the Tianyan Sect and won’t linger."

Chu Xingchen stood. "Let me escort you back."

"No need. It’s not far from here to the Tianyan Sect." Bai Xuanling released Qinghe and retrieved a peculiar talisman from her spatial ring—one that pulsed with dense spiritual energy—and handed it to Chu Xingchen. "This talisman can send a direct message to me. Contact me if anything goes wrong."

Chu Xingchen didn’t take it. "I have the Tianyan Token and the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect’s token. If trouble arises, I can always seek help from them. You’ve been busy for too long—it’s time for you to rest."

Bai Xuanling set the talisman on the stone table. "I meant emergencies. If you dare bother me with trivial nonsense… Well, if you’re eager to die, I won’t stop you. But take this talisman as a good luck charm, at least."

Chu Xingchen studied the talisman before finally accepting it.

This was Bai Xuanling’s kindness, after all. Moreover, given her current state, she truly needed rest.

But Bai Xuanling had always been stubborn. He’d have to ask Lv Xuan later to learn the truth of her condition.

"In that case, I’ll gratefully accept," Chu Xingchen said with a warm smile. "But to repay your kindness, allow me to escort you back to the Tianyan Sect."

Bai Xuanling didn’t refuse this time. After bidding farewell to Xie Lingyu and Qinghe, she turned to leave.

No lengthy instructions, no further advice—and she gently declined Xie Lingyu and Qinghe’s request to accompany her to the Tianyan Sect.

Moments later, a streak of rainbow light shot from Ten Thousand Blossom Ridge toward the Tianyan Sect.

Qinghe and Xie Lingyu watched the light vanish into the distance.

"Grandma Bai’s killing intent…" Qinghe murmured, its voice laced with worry.

Xie Lingyu pressed his lips together. "We can’t help Master now. It’s best not to distract her further. With the sect leader there, she should be fine. We’ll ask about her condition in a few days."

Qinghe nodded faintly before fixing Xie Lingyu with a suspicious look.

"I have a question for you."

"What is it?"

"Did Grandma Bai ever tell you—was I fished out, or was I entrusted to her?"

"Given Master's temperament, unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn’t bother fishing up even a true dragon, let alone a flood dragon."

Qinghe nodded in satisfaction, then sighed wistfully.

"Then tell me… under what dire circumstances would I be entrusted to Granny Bai? Could it be that my parents…"

Xie Lingyu glanced at her. "With Master around, perhaps the situation wasn’t dire at all. Maybe you were just so foolish even the flood dragon couldn’t stand you?"

Qinghe’s eyes widened, her voice sharp with indignation.

"Lingyu! You’ve definitely been corrupted by that scheming brat!"