Desperate Expression

Inside the grand hall.

Lv Xuan wore a regretful expression as he gently stroked the illusion artifact in his hand. The surrounding illusions dissipated completely as he spoke:

"The killing intent in her heart is bound to Bai Xuanling's cultivation. The higher her cultivation, the more ferocious the killing intent becomes."

"So suppressing her cultivation can also suppress the surging bloodlust within her."

"I've collaborated with many elites from various factions to study possible solutions, but none have yielded a perfect—or even remotely reliable—method."

"Even the sealing technique is merely the least unfavorable option we're left with."

"Though in the end, blocking is never as effective as channeling."

Chu Xingchen listened quietly to everything before finally asking:

"If Senior Bai doesn't suppress the killing intent, what would happen? Would she turn into a monster that only knows slaughter?"

"Yet when I saw her this time, she seemed to have it well under control."

Lv Xuan chuckled lightly in response:

"From what I can tell, Bai Xuanling might not completely devolve into a bloodthirsty fiend. I suspect that once she's had her fill of killing, she could regain her calm—though the higher her cultivation, the shorter that period of clarity would last."

"Waking up to mountains of corpses and rivers of blood, all by her own hand—aside from deranged demonic cultivators, few would desire such a thing."

"After all, one moment you're chatting amiably with someone, and the next, you're holding their severed head in your hand."

"Never mind whether Bai Xuanling could endure that—even the other major sects wouldn't tolerate an unstable yet overwhelmingly powerful figure like her."

"Of course, this is all speculation. She might also explode from qi deviation—who knows? Bai Xuanling has never been the most cooperative."

"She isn’t too keen on letting us study her."

"As for suppression… given how much even her formidable soul struggles to contain it, you don’t seriously think she succeeds every time, do you?"

Lv Xuan gave a slight nod, motioning for Chu Xingchen to take a seat.

Chu Xingchen obliged, settling into a chair below.

Lv Xuan adjusted his sleeves before continuing with a faint smile:

"You might have your own methods, so I won’t press you for details here."

"You know Bai Xuanling’s temperament—being the sect master of Tianyan Sect is no easy task."

"Everything I’ve told you today, I’ll deny once I step out of this hall."

"But if—just if—you can truly resolve Bai Xuanling’s condition…"

"I’d thank you on behalf of the entire Tianyan Sect."

"No matter what, Bai Xuanling has given nearly everything to our sect. As its leader, I would never neglect such a devoted elder."

"If you need materials or information about her, just ask Yanyun."

At this, Yanyun snapped out of her daze, shooting her master an incredulous look.

Lv Xuan ignored her gaze, maintaining his gentle smile as he added:

"With turbulent times ahead, I have much to attend to. Make yourself at ease, Nephew Chu. Bai Xuanling should emerge from seclusion in a few days."

With that, Lv Xuan promptly took his leave.

This wasn’t an excuse—as evidence mounted, communication between the major sects had intensified.

Negotiations over interests and acceptable boundaries were underway, along with Tianyan Sect’s next steps.

Even Chu Xingchen’s stay at Tianyan Sect had become notable news outside.

At the very least, the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect had inquired about the situation.

Yanyun understood this too. She opened her mouth to speak but ultimately held back.

With a quiet sigh, she turned her gaze to Chu Xingchen.

Did her master truly not grasp Chu Xingchen’s nature?

What if he demanded Tianyan Peak next? Would they give it or not?

Chu Xingchen studied her expression before rising leisurely:

"Your eyes tell me your thoughts are rather presumptuous."

Yanyun’s gaze turned placid:

"You must be mistaken."

"You heard what your master said earlier, didn’t you?"

"What did he say?"

"That I could ask you for anything I lack."

Yanyun nearly blurted out—Then go ask him.

But she only repeated the satisfying retort in her mind several times.

For the first time, she felt a fraction of her master’s burdens as sect leader.

At the very least, his patience was truly commendable.

She replied evenly:

"I heard. Do you need something now?"

"There’s a gathering tonight. If you’re free, come to Harmony Peak and join us." Chu Xingchen stood. "You’ve seemed tense lately—time to unwind."

"Even immortals should balance work and rest."

"As for Senior Bai’s matter, we’ll have to wait until she exits seclusion."

Without waiting for her answer, Chu Xingchen turned and walked out.

Whether she came or not was her choice.

Forced relaxation would only breed resentment—better not to come at all.

Yanyun didn’t respond, silently watching him leave the hall.

Dongsheng Divine Continent, nightfall.

Thick clouds blotted out the moon and stars, leaving only the faint glow of lanterns from distant manors.

Wukong stared silently at Donggua beside him. After a long pause, he finally asked:

"What exactly are you trying to do?"

It wasn’t that Wukong disliked Donggua’s attitude.

Since meeting Xu Linglong, Donggua had stopped his aimless day-to-day existence—at least in demeanor.

No longer needing Wukong’s Buddhist chants to halfheartedly perform meaningless tasks, Donggua now wandered tirelessly on his own.

For the first time in days, Wukong actually saw some of the landmarks Donggua had previously described—not just random tree stumps he’d point at while rambling.

Yet the shift in attitude didn’t mean progress.

Wukong still found no useful clues.

Donggua seemed to have merely upgraded from forced wandering to enthusiastic wandering.

But clearly—wandering solved nothing.

Wukong studied Donggua’s furrowed brow, his expression that of a mastermind plotting world-shaking schemes.

"Your wandering tactic only works on me. Given your intellect, you should’ve realized the truth when you saw her casually slaughter the Boar Mask," Wukong pressed.

"Be honest—do you actually have any leads?"

Donggua met his gaze but remained silent.

Wukong’s tone turned earnest: "At least my surface mission is to keep you alive. Telling me carries the least risk."

Donggua took a deep breath, his voice slightly hoarse:

"There are clues. But pursuing them would be no different from suicide."

"Perhaps… those above want us to die."

"Staying silent might buy me more time."

Wukong frowned. "What clues?"

"The ones still alive who were involved." Donggua let out a deranged chuckle.

"Cui Hao, Chu Xingchen, Daoist Yuyang, as well as the Tianyan Sect and the Mysterious Purity Heavenly Sect."

"Who among them do you think we can investigate?"

Donggua fixed his gaze intently on Wukong,

hoping to see the foolish monk wear the same look of despair as his own.