"Fellow Daoist Fu," Qin Yan lowered his eyes after hearing this. He raised his hand to touch the teacup beside him, looked at the figure in the teacup, and said slowly, "I don't understand what you are saying."

His eyelids concealed the emotions in his eyes. Fu Changling smiled and said, "It's okay if I don't understand."

"Has Fellow Daoist Fu also practiced the art of destiny?"

Qin Yan took a sip of tea and looked up: "It seems that he knows a lot of things that ordinary people don't know."

"The art of destiny," Fu Changling heard a faint commotion outside, probably nearing Qingshui Town. He turned and spoke slowly, "I have indeed learned a little bit. However, I know more only because of some unusual encounters."

"I see."

Qin Yan nodded: "Besides what I mentioned before, does Fellow Daoist Fu have any other discoveries?"

"Not yet," Fu Changling shook his head. Qin Yan, upon hearing this, put down his teacup and politely said, "Then, Fellow Daoist Fu, please rest for a while. The Fu family head will pick you up when we arrive in Qingshui Town. I will report everything you've said. As for Fellow Daoist Fu's injury, I will also explain the circumstances to the elders. Hongmeng Heavenly Palace will do its best to assist with the Golden Elixir matter, so don't worry too much."

Fu Changling didn't say anything. He drank his tea and only thought about Qin Yan's meaning.

After arriving in Qingshui Town, he had to follow his father back to the Fu family. But now he didn't want to go back to the Fu family, he just wanted to follow Qin Yan.

He didn't know what Qin Yan had gone through afterwards. Given Qin Yan's current personality and his feelings for his master, it was impossible for him to hold a grudge against Jiang Yebai just because he was punished in Jinguang Temple and eventually kill him. There must be many hidden reasons behind this matter. Now that Qin Yan was going back alone, he was still a little worried.

He hesitated for a moment, and before Qin Yan stood up to say goodbye, he suddenly said, "Fellow Daoist Qin, I have a favor to ask of you."

Qin Yan was a little surprised, but still asked, "What's the matter?"

"Um," Fu Changling hesitated for a moment, and asked a little embarrassedly, "Are you still short of people around you?"

Qin Yan was stunned for a moment, and Fu Changling quickly corrected him: "What I mean is, is Hongmeng Tiangong still short of disciples? You see, my golden elixir is useless, and my home is a place of trouble. It would be dangerous for me to go back to the Fu family now. Can you take me back to Hongmeng Tiangong? I'll find a job by your side. Others will not bother me because of your reputation."

"You can tell Patriarch Fu about this matter." Qin Yan immediately declined after hearing this. "Patriarch Fu is your father after all. He will find a way for you."

"What can he do?"

Fu Changling showed a look of disdain: "He is afraid of Yue Sihua's death."

"Master Fu is not that kind of person."

"That's because you don't understand him!" Fu Changling hurriedly corrected Qin Yan's thoughts. "Don't be fooled by his outbursts. He has no status at home. My stepmother controls our family, and I, an illegitimate child, have a very hard life. Qin Yan," Fu Changling said with a pleading look, "Save him to the end, even if it means helping him to the end. Can you help me?"

Qin Yan ignored him and stood up straight, saying in a calm tone: "Your Excellency's family affairs are inconvenient for me to interfere. When we arrive in Qingshui Town, the head of the Fu family will come to pick us up personally. Please rest well, fellow Taoist."

"Wait a moment!"

Seeing that Qin Yan was determined to leave, Fu Changling grabbed Qin Yan's sleeve, his face full of grievance: "We are friends after all, don't be so ruthless. You are doing so well in Hongmeng Heavenly Palace, just arrange a position for me. I don't need the sect's resources, I can even pay for it! Oh, not only do I have a lot of money, I am also very well-behaved. I can serve you tea and water, sweep the floor and cook for you. As long as I am close to you, I will do anything you ask me to do!"

Qin Yan didn't say anything. He just looked at him quietly, his eyes like a mirror, seeing straight into people's hearts.

"Why do you want to stay close to me?"

"That's it," Fu Changling laughed embarrassedly, "I just want to use your name to scare others. By staying by your side, others will know that we are good friends and won't dare to attack me. Don't worry," Fu Changling swore solemnly, "I won't trouble you for too long. As long as I am out of danger, I will leave immediately."

It is not certain whether he will let him go after he is out of danger.

Fu Changling was happily thinking about it, but Qin Yan didn't agree. He cast his eyes on Fu Changling's hand holding his sleeve. After a long while, he said, "Friend Fu, let me remind you of two things."

"Um?"

"First, I was sent here by Wen Ji. It wasn't my intention to protect you, nor was it my intention to kill you. We're just strangers, casual acquaintances. Now that this is over, we should have no further ties. We're not friends," he raised his cold, indifferent eyes and looked at him quietly, "not before, and not now."

Fu Changling felt a pang of bitterness when he heard this. He hurriedly opened his mouth to try to save the situation: "But..."

"Secondly," Qin Yan stared at him intently, "you know exactly why you want to stay with me. But illusions are fleeting. Your Excellency is thinking of someone else, so there's no need to focus on me, Qin."

"You..." Fu Changling forced a smile upon hearing this, "What do you mean?"

Qin Yan pursed his lips. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, but finally said, "Your Excellency seems to be looking for someone all the time. Whether it was when you were looking at the inner demon named 'Yan Ming' before, or when you were looking at me now, you were looking at others through us."

Fu Changling listened, his smile finally failing him. Qin Yan saw his expression, a hint of pity in his eyes, but he continued, "I don't know what happened between you, but that's between you two. If you have anything you want to say to him, you should say it to him. If you want to do anything for him, you should do it for him. You shouldn't look for his shadow in anyone else."

"What if he dies?"

Fu Changling suddenly spoke.

Qin Yan fell silent for a long time before he said, "Then you should let it go."

"I can't help it." Fu Changling raised his head and stared at Qin Yan. "Is it my fault?"

Qin Yan met his gaze. His gaze was different from Qin Yan's. Qin Yan's expression always seemed to be wrapped in ice and snow. No matter how turbulent his emotions were, they were conveyed steadily and quietly.

But Fu Changling was different. The light in his eyes, whether love or hate, was so direct and fiery, without any concealment.

He read love and hatred in Fu Changling's eyes. He didn't dare to look again, so he lowered his eyes and said, "Yes."

After saying that, Qin Yan pulled his sleeve out of Fu Changling's hand, turned around and walked out.

The moment Fu Changling walked out of the door, he suddenly collapsed.

He sat on the ground for a moment, then reached out to grab the water cup. His hand was shaking, and he finally steady himself when it touched the cup. He held the cup, and after a while, he gulped down the water in the cup. One cup wasn't enough, so he drank another.

He had wanted to do something, just something, so he wouldn't have to think too much about it. But after a while, when he heard no more sounds outside, he finally stopped.

Didn't he understand what Qin Yan said? He did.

The Qin Yan he loved was the one who had warmed him, amazed him, and been entangled with him in life and death, and separated him by love and hate. But the Qin Yan of today had not done the things of his previous life, and there was no entanglement between them. He was more like a person bearing Qin Yan's body and name, or perhaps a continuation of that Qin Yan's life.

He is Qin Yan, but he is not the Qin Yan that Fu Changling loves, owes, and cannot let go of.

But how could such a thing be torn apart so cruelly and told to him without any room for maneuver?

After all, Qin Yan is dead.

The apology he wants to say, the compensation he wants to make, the reward he wants to give, if not to the current Qin Yan, who else can he give them to?

He took a deep breath, feeling a pang of pain in his eyes. He felt embarrassed and tried to force a smile to ease the situation, but his muscles refused to obey him. He raised the corners of his mouth several times, but each time he did, he was powerless. Finally, a huge sense of frustration surged over him, and he finally gave up. In the empty room, he raised his hands to cover his face. After a long moment, he suddenly swept the teacup off the table and growled, "Nonsense."

At the end of the corridor outside, Qin Yan stood at the window, watching the clouds drift by and the scenery change. He stood there for a long time, waiting for the sound of shattering porcelain to come from the room. He raised his hand and touched the ring-shaped waist badge that marked his identity as a disciple of Hongmeng Tiangong. After stroking it for a long time, he took a deep breath, let go of the waist badge, drew his sword, turned around, and left the corridor.

Fu Changling stayed alone for a long time. After a long time, the flying boat slowly descended from the clouds, and his emotions finally calmed down.

What Qin Yan said was certainly true, his apology was not for him in this life, but no matter what, he would stay by Qin Yan's side.

He couldn't just watch Qin Yan go down the same old path for the rest of his life. The Xuanji Secret Realm wasn't enough to transform Qin Yan into the later Demon Lord Sui Yan. Whether it was to explore his past life, for the future, or even for Yun Ze, he had to stay by Qin Yan's side.

Having made up his mind, he went to wash his face. After a while, he heard footsteps outside. Fu Changling quickly took off his shoes and lay down on the bed. He covered himself with the quilt and pretended to be asleep.

Yun Yu walked to the door, knocked on it first, and said respectfully, "Mr. Fu."

Fu Changling didn't say anything.

Yun Yu continued to knock on the door: "Mr. Fu, the head of the Fu family is here, let's go."

Fu Changling still didn't say anything, just closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep.

There seemed to be hesitation outside. After a while, Qin Yan's voice rang out softly: "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

"Senior Brother," Yun Yu said hesitantly, "Master Fu seems to have fallen asleep."

"Not so fast."

Qin Yan said without mercy, "Open."

After hearing this, Yun Yu shouted, "Master Fu, I'm sorry!"

As he spoke, the door was kicked open with a loud bang.

Fu Changling's heart was beating fast, his back to them. He felt that Qin Yan seemed angry, so he swallowed hard and stared at the wall to cheer himself up.

Qin Yan walked to the bedside and said coldly, "Come down."

"I can't get down." Fu Changling turned the cup and stared at the bed curtains with his eyes open. He wanted to delay as much as possible and said weakly, "I don't feel well and can't move around."

"Weren't you fine just now?" Yun Yu was a little dazed. Fu Changling closed his eyes. "My golden core was shattered and I was seriously injured..."

"Send a stretcher."

Qin Yan spoke decisively. Fu Changling knew that Qin Yan was determined to get him out. He sighed, propped himself up, looked at Qin Yan, and said slowly: "Friend Qin, there are some things I must tell you."

As he spoke, Fu Changling winked at Yun Yu. Yun Yu was stunned for a moment, then reacted and hurriedly walked out with his men.

When there were only two people left in the room, Qin Yan looked up at him and asked, "What lie are you going to tell?"

"Don't talk nonsense," Fu Changling quickly defended himself after hearing this. "When have I ever lied? I always tell the truth."

"Your father is outside."

"I know." Fu Changling frowned, "But I said, I won't go out, I plan to stay by your side. Of course!" Fu Changling saw Qin Yan was about to speak, he immediately raised his hand and stopped Qin Yan, "There are indeed some other factors that affect my staying by your side, but I can control these factors. I will definitely not harass you. The main reason I stay by your side is because..." Fu Changling stood up with the quilt in his arms, approached Qin Yan, and said seriously, "I want to save you."

"Keep making it up."

Qin Yan's face was impassive. Fu Changling put down the blanket and began to circle around Qin Yan. "You know I possess the art of destiny. I'll tell you the truth. Your future is filled with dangers. You might even fall into the devil's way and endanger Yunze. For the sake of the people of the world, I must stay by your side and supervise you."

"But don't worry, I'll pay for your meals. I can even pay for them myself. Look at your clothes," Fu Changling looked them up and down. "Your belt is worn out from washing. How about buying another set?"

"Are you done?"

Qin Yan remained unmoved. When Fu Changling heard these three words, he knew that Qin Yan had not listened to a word he said. He immediately gave in. He carefully looked at Qin Yan's expression, plucked up a small part of his sleeve with his fingertips, and said flatteringly, "Brother Qin, I'm actually very useful. You still want to investigate the matter of Xuanji Secret Realm later, right? I can help you. My deduction and divination are quite accurate. And as for the matter of Xuanji Secret Realm, I guarantee that no one knows more than me. Can you stay with me and help you investigate it?"

Qin Yan didn't respond, so Yun Yu ran back from outside and said anxiously, "Senior Brother, um, Patriarch Fu said that if Master Fu doesn't come down, he will come up to pick him up. Young Master Su asked me to hurry you up."

"Um."

Qin Yan nodded, then looked at Fu Changling. Fu Changling, receiving this look, took a step back, and said to everyone with caution, "What do you want to do? I'm warning you not to come over here! Qin Yan, think about it carefully. If you don't agree to me now, I will definitely not help you if you come to me for help in the future."

"rope."

Qin Yan stretched out his hand. Fu Changling's face was horrified, and then he heard screams from the room: "Let go! Ah! Qin Yan, let me go..."

Fu Changling's voice was so loud that Fu Yushu, who was waiting for him outside, was startled.

He looked at Su Wenji, who was chatting with him while waiting for Fu Changling. "Young Master Su, was it my son who called out just now?"

"Oh?" Su Wenji smiled, "Really?"

Fu Yushu looked puzzled, but after a while, his doubts were dispelled. He watched Qin Yan lead a group of disciples and carry Fu Changling down from the flying boat.

Fu Changling had a piece of cloth stuffed in his mouth and his whole body was tied up. He struggled desperately, his eyes full of fear.

When Fu Yushu saw Fu Changling for the first time, he was stunned.

He looked somewhat similar to Fu Changling, and their clothes were not much different. They wore a golden crown, black clothes, and a golden fan, which was almost the uniform look of the Fu family.

He looked at Fu Changling, who was staring at Qin Yan and making a "wuwuwu" sound at his feet. He subconsciously looked at Su Wenji beside him. Su Wenji looked into the distance with his blind eyes. Fu Yushu turned his head to look at Qin Yan, who had a blank expression on his face. Finally, Fu Yushu looked at Yun Yu and finally couldn't hold it in any longer: "Um, what's the meaning of you tying up the child like this?"

Yun Yu forced a smile: "Yes, it's like this... Because our hospitality was too good, Master Fu didn't want to leave, so we had no choice but to tie him up and bring him down."

Hearing this, Fu Yushu looked at Fu Changling with a meaningful look in his eyes. He sighed and said, "I understand."

As he spoke, he bowed to Qin Yan and Su Wenji and said, "I apologize for my rudeness."

"Uncle Fu, what are you talking about?" Su Wenji smiled. "Brother Changling is a man of character. A Yan's methods were a bit rough. I hope Uncle Fu will forgive me."

Fu Yushu and Su Wenji exchanged pleasantries and waved to the people around them. A group of maids rushed over, lifted Fu Changling's stretcher, and walked towards the flying boat. Fu Changling stared at Qin Yan, winking at him desperately, and kept making "wuwu" sounds. Qin Yan ignored him. Fu Yushu smiled, exchanged pleasantries with Qin Yan and Su Wenji, and then went their separate ways.

Fu Changling was carried all the way to the flying boat. Their Fu family's flying boat was different from the Hongmeng Tiangong flying boat. It was covered in gold. At first glance, it was filled with the rare aura of the local tyrants in the fairy world, fully conveying three words: "I have money, I have money, I have money."

The servants carried Fu Changling back but did not untie him. After a long time, Fu Yushu led his men in. When he arrived in front of Fu Changling, he half-knelt down and looked at Fu Changling.

Fu Changling was frightened by his father's strange gaze. He followed Fu Yushu's gaze. Fu Yushu looked at him for a moment and then suddenly laughed: "You've made it big. You can chase girls outside now."

As he spoke, Fu Yushu said "Open", and all the ropes on Fu Changling's body broke instantly. Fu Changling pulled the cloth ball in his mouth, immediately turned over and rushed out of the flying boat. Fu Yushu walked to the position and said leisurely: "Don't chase him, he's gone."

Fu Changling paused. He sensed the unhappiness in Fu Yushu's words. He finally stopped, turned around, and forced a smile at Fu Yushu.

"I'm still alive?"

Fu Yushu took the tea bowl from the maid next to him and said slowly, "Do you still remember that I am your father?"

Fu Changling forced a smile.

He had been encountering problems since he came back, but when he saw Fu Yushu, he slowly relaxed and adapted to his seventeen-year-old identity.

He walked forward and knelt in front of Fu Yushu. Fu Yushu fiddled with the green leaves floating on the water in the tea bowl without saying a word.

The people around them wisely dispersed, leaving only Fu Changling and Fu Yushu. Fu Yushu took a sip of tea and said slowly, "You solved the Transformation Spell by yourself? When did you learn it secretly?"

Fu Changling smiled with difficulty. He spoke cautiously, "I'm telling you... I just guessed it myself. Do you believe me?"

Fu Yushu laughed sarcastically, but he obviously didn't want to pursue the matter. He just said, "Don't tell the elders at home when you go back. Just say I taught you. Anyway, there's something wrong with your golden elixir, so just treat it as a punishment."

Fu Yushu leaned back in his chair and said calmly, "Tell me, what's going on?"

Fu Changling knelt without saying a word, he thought for a while.

Fu Yushu was not bad to him.

He did everything a father should do, but it was by no means good, at least not as good as he did to his legitimate son, Fu Changyan, the son of Fu Yushu and Yue Sihua.

What is worrying is not the lack of wealth but the inequality. In his previous life, Fu Changling always had a grudge against Fu Yushu until Fu Yushu died.

Fu Yushu died on his sickbed.

Before he died, he touched the bulge on Fu Changling's spine and told him a shocking secret.

It was not until that moment that Fu Changling realized that not paying attention was a kind of love from Fu Yushu.

Looking at Fu Yushu at this moment, Fu Changling felt a little emotional. He sighed and finally told him almost everything that happened from Shangguan Villa to Xuanji Secret Realm.

Fu Yushu frowned as he listened. After Fu Changling finished speaking, he tapped his palm with his fan and said, "Qin Yan will report all these things to Jiang Yebai. Don't mention them to anyone else in the future."

"What is father worried about?" Fu Changling couldn't help but ask when he saw Fu Yushu's strange expression. Fu Yushu sighed, "What I'm worried about is that if it's really as you said, it must be a big deal. For such a big deal, wouldn't they have anyone in Yunze's upper echelons?"

Upon hearing this, Fu Changling nodded and said, "Father is absolutely right."

Back then, a large number of Yunze leaders did defect to the Yeyu Demon Cultivator.

"Let's not talk about anything else," Fu Yushu said with a worried look on his face. "Let's just talk about the Xuanji Secret Realm. He has been in the hands of the Jinguang Temple for a long time. The main deity of the secret realm has been replaced. How did the Jinguang Temple remain unaware of it?"

Fu Changling listened to Fu Yushu's question and thought quietly.

Fu Yushu sighed, "So, let's not get involved in these things. Since Qin Yan will tell Jiang Yebai what to do, it's up to Jiang Yebai to decide. Let's," Fu Yushu took a sip of tea, "stop getting involved. I'm more curious about something else than this."

As he spoke, Fu Yushu winked at him. Fu Changling was a little confused. Seeing Fu Yushu's suggestive eyes, he hesitated and uttered, "Hmm?"

"It's my daughter-in-law!"

Seeing that he couldn't understand, Fu Yushu finally spoke up, "You're still staying in Hongmeng Heavenly Palace, isn't it because you've fallen for a female cultivator? Who is she? What's her name? How far has your relationship progressed?"

"You..." Fu Yushu was so direct that Fu Changling felt a little embarrassed. "How did you know?"

"You're my son," Fu Yushu glared at him. "Even your methods of pursuing girls are exactly the same. Just tell me, is the one who kidnapped you the one you like? But I didn't see any women in the crowd just now."

"Just barely...just barely." Fu Changling smiled awkwardly, "It's not like he was tied up. He's still pretty good to me..."

"Okay, I understand." Fu Yushu nodded. "How about this, it's dangerous for you to go back to our Fu family anyway. See if you can come up with a plan on your own." As he spoke, Fu Yushu leaned over and suggested, "Sneak into Hongmeng Heavenly Palace and become a disciple or something. Don't come back?"