How terrifying

Su Luo and the others had already left the northern regions and continued their journey toward the Heavenly Demon Sect.

“We’re safe here now. Let’s take a break,” Little Yu said, concerned for Su Luo. Without waiting for the others to respond, she insisted on stopping, pulling out mats, tea sets, and other items to prepare for the rest.

She left no room for objections, her decisiveness surprising even Su Luo.

“Little Yu’s grown quite assertive,” Su Luo teased.

Though her assertiveness lacked any real domineering edge.

“I haven’t...” Little Yu’s confidence faltered further under Su Luo’s playful remark.

“But a break is good. We’re in no hurry anyway—we can take our time returning.”

This was true. There was plenty of time ahead since Lin Xuan still had matters to attend to in the north and wouldn’t be returning south anytime soon. Meanwhile, the other Heavenly Demon Sect members who had fled south wouldn’t outpace Su Luo’s group.

There was no need to rush.

At this point, Su Luo also noticed that Little Yu was still somewhat sheltered. In the mortal world, that might not have been an issue, but this was the cultivation realm—many lessons had to be learned through experience.

Compared to Yun and Jiang Ningshu, Little Yu had far fewer experiences under her belt. This journey could serve as her so-called “training.”

Though given Little Yu’s current cultivation level, most challenges wouldn’t be much trouble—it felt like a high-level player running beginner quests.

Still, training was training.

Yun and Jiang Ningshu had no objections either.

After all, there was nothing pressing awaiting them back home.

Thus, the four of them began their leisurely travels.

The focus was mainly on teaching Little Yu about human nature—its complexities and deceptions—the things she now needed to learn most.

In terms of cultivation, she was already outstanding.

To this end, Su Luo took Little Yu to crowded city areas, exposing her to all sorts of situations.

Sometimes, seeing more of the world helped one make better judgments.

Little Yu didn’t mind the lessons. Learning was secondary—being with Su Luo made anything worthwhile.

Yun and Jiang Ningshu occasionally chimed in with their own insights.

All in all, the journey was uneventful.

During this time, Jiang Ningshu also found an opportunity to speak with Nangong Xiyun alone.

While Su Luo and Little Yu were off exploring, Jiang Ningshu said, “Still unwilling to come clean? Dragging this out isn’t a solution. The longer you wait, the worse the fallout—for both you and Su Luo.”

She deliberately emphasized the last part, especially Su Luo’s name, aiming to stir anxiety. She was here for the show.

Nangong Xiyun didn’t stubbornly argue. “I have my own considerations,” she replied.

In truth, she had none—only turmoil.

Though Su Luo bore no grudge against her now, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t resent her once he learned of her deception.

On the contrary, it might hit harder. Su Luo knew everything—how would he handle the sudden realization that he’d been lied to?

Back then, Nangong Xiyun hadn’t cared. She’d only wanted to stay by Su Luo’s side, watching what unfolded, enjoying the spectacle.

If caught, so be it. She’d do as she pleased, at worst returning to the Seven Stars Sword Sect.

But now, Nangong Xiyun didn’t want Su Luo to hate her.

“What a dilemma,” Jiang Ningshu sighed dramatically, fanning the flames. “Su Luo treats you so well, doesn’t he? Ah, what to do... Need my help?”

“I have a way. I can arrange for Yun to ‘die’ before he finds out.”

“And risk breaking Su Luo’s heart? You’re his right hand.”

“You don’t know this, but I fabricated an identity as a Seven Stars Sword Sect spy. Su Luo is aware of it. If I ‘die,’ he won’t grieve.”

“Problem is—I know the truth.” Jiang Ningshu had no intention of keeping secrets.

Nangong Xiyun’s aura flared in an instant.

“How terrifying.”

But when it came to presence, Jiang Ningshu had never backed down.

The two engaged in a silent clash of wills.

After a moment, they disengaged—making too much noise would alert Su Luo.

“I’ll handle it myself.” Nangong Xiyun didn’t truly want to fake her death either.

If she were honest, she was 70% inclined to confess at the right moment.

She didn’t want to deceive Su Luo forever. Faking her death felt too cowardly.

Jiang Ningshu’s smirk only fueled Nangong Xiyun’s irritation.

Once, she’d been the one enjoying others’ drama. Now, the tables had turned.

......

The four continued their journey toward the Heavenly Demon Sect, encountering various incidents along the way.

They witnessed the fable of the farmer and the snake.

The cunning fox borrowing the tiger’s might.

And the beast in human guise.

Little Yu saw it all, yet remained eerily composed. Even in the face of extreme anger or sorrow, she accepted everything with unsettling calm.

Su Luo finally asked, “Little Yu, you’ve been so... detached this whole time. Why? Don’t you have any thoughts on what we’ve seen?”

“Hmm. Well, these events resemble the stories you once told me. That’s why I can accept them.”

“But hearing about something is different from experiencing it firsthand.”

As the saying goes, one doesn’t shed tears until seeing the coffin.

Only through personal experience do lessons truly sink in.

“Maybe... I just listened very carefully.”

This went beyond mere attentiveness.

Still, Su Luo didn’t dwell on it. As long as Little Yu understood the underlying truths, that was enough.

“What stories? Would you share them with me sometime?” Jiang Ningshu rarely spoke up, but she occasionally made her presence known.

Su Luo saw right through her and flatly refused.

In contrast, Yun—usually talkative, always finding something to chatter about—had grown unusually quiet lately.

Su Luo couldn’t decipher why. He’d asked, but Yun insisted nothing was wrong.

Which meant something was wrong, but Yun wasn’t ready to talk.

Su Luo wouldn’t force it. When Yun was ready, he’d speak. And if help was needed, Su Luo would assist as circumstances allowed—though he’d usually lend a hand regardless.

After all, Yun had been with him for a long time.

Though some time had passed since the battle, Su Luo hadn’t fully recovered. The fight had drained him severely, requiring proper rest to avoid long-term repercussions.

Of course, he could force an immediate recovery—but the side effects weren’t worth it.

As the four strolled leisurely along the road, an ox suddenly appeared before them. Lying atop it was an old man, exuding an air of carefree ease.

A master—his cultivation at the mid-stage of the Void Refinement realm.

Su Luo recognized him at a glance: the wandering cultivator, Li Ziniu.

At his level, he was undeniably among the elite. A solitary wanderer with no fixed destination, he drifted as he pleased.

He acted only when inclined, remaining otherwise aloof—a true recluse of the world.

“Don’t go that way,” Li Ziniu warned. “There are demon beasts ahead.”

Today, feeling the weather was fine, he’d decided to do a good deed.