After resting for about a month, Song Xia finally set off with Qin Chi. When they arrived at the market to buy some supplies, they learned that Qin Taiming had issued a warrant for their arrest throughout the entire cultivation world, regardless of whether they were dead or alive.

"He's enraged and ashamed. He doesn't want the people in the cultivation world to know his hypocrisy and shamelessness. How can such a scoundrel be so respected? No wonder he wants to get rid of us. He's developed inner demons and is afraid to face the truth."

Qin Chi's heart had long since cooled. He had once longed for Qin Taiming's guidance and care, but over the years, he had come to understand that some things cannot be forced.

Since there are no expectations, there are no disappointments. He now looks down on his so-called father who is high and mighty, and he doesn't even dare to face the blood ties. This must be a sign that he has developed inner demons.

Tsk... The dignified Sword Master, the number one expert in the cultivation world, is actually a hypocrite. Just thinking about it makes me feel sorry for those who admire him.

But how many of the followers he's faced are truly good? It will be quite amusing when his faith collapses.

The two quietly finished their shopping and prepared to leave.

"Stop! What's your name?" The newcomer held up the portrait and compared it to Qin Chi, his face full of suspicion.

"Song Luo." He said without changing his expression. After her initial surprise, Song Xia immediately regained her composure.

"And you?"

"They're just two mortals, brother, aren't you being too nervous?" Before Song Xia could answer, another person interrupted.

"After all, it's a task assigned by the Sword Master, so we can't be careless."

"If you ask me, they would have run away long ago. Why would they come to our town? If they can escape from the Sword Master's hands, how could we possibly capture them? We'd be lucky if we didn't lose our lives. Which is more important, the mission sent by the Sword Master or our own lives?"

"But……"

"There are no 'buts'." The man waved to Song Xia and Qin Chi. "You can go now."

"Little brother, are we really going to abandon this?"

"Just go through the motions. Even if we risk our lives to capture two people, do you think the Sword Master will accept us as disciples? It's better to honestly do missions and exchange them for resources."

“What you said makes some sense. A few years ago, the only son of the Medicine Sect brought countless spiritual herbs to the Tianyuan Sect, but the Sword Master didn’t budge. He didn’t even accept outer disciples. I was just being delusional.”

Song Xia and Qin Chi listened to the conversation between the two and left with their heads down. They hadn't expected that Qin Taiming's status in the eyes of cultivators was not as high as they had imagined.

Indeed, there are no demons on the Qingyang Continent, so there is no need for him to guard and protect peace. The demon race has been entrenched in the Sunset Forest for years and rarely has conflicts with the human race. Therefore, Qin Taiming, the Sword Master, is of use to the Tianyuan Sect.

For others, it's understandable that they harbor resentment because this top expert not only refuses to share his cultivation experience but also tries to seize their cultivation resources.

Even within the Tianyuan Sect, there were those who had opinions about him, such as the sect leader Xiang Hengguang and his son Xiang Chengyuan.

As a Sword Master, Qin Taiming always had the most resources in the Tianyuan Sect, even the Sect Master Xiang Hengguang had to take a backseat. Xiang Hengguang, as the Sect Master, had to consider the entire sect, but Qin Taiming didn't have to. He would take whatever he wanted directly, regardless of how hard it was to obtain those cultivation resources.

Because of his reputation as the number one expert, people are used to talking about Qin Taiming first and then Xiang Hengguang, which has led many new disciples to respect Qin Taiming more.

How could Xiang Hengguang possibly maintain his composure in the long run? He poured his heart and soul into the Tianyuan Sect, only to have it all benefit Qin Taiming in the end.

Now that Qin Taiming has taken in Qin Xiuyang, a genius disciple, who seems poised to inherit everything from Qin Taiming, does that mean his son, Xiang Chengyuan, will continue to be subservient to others? Why should he? They, father and son, toil away, only to have Qin Taiming and Qin Xiuyang reap both fame and fortune in the end.

Since we don't get any real benefits, why should we support them?

Those who are intelligent will simply ignore or distance themselves; only those who are dull-witted and harbor wishful thinking will continue to support them.

"Why did you say your name was Song Luo?" Song Xia couldn't help but ask, a smile playing on her lips.

Qin Chi said one thing but meant another: "Should I say my name is Qin Chi and then get chased down?"

Song Xia continued to laugh: "So you've finally acknowledged your mother? It's good to take your mother's surname. Anyway, we have nothing to do with that Qin Taiming anymore. We don't need his filthy surname. Is Luo the Luo of Sunset Forest? Trust your mother, you'll like that family."

The two continued on their journey, and because they didn't need to resupply, they didn't encounter any more people questioning them.

Sunset Forest is located at the southernmost tip of Qingyang Continent, occupying almost one-third of the entire continent's area. Because humans have set foot on the outer perimeter more often, the trees are spaced further apart, and there are fewer spirit beasts and demons encountered.

The further inside you go, the darker it gets, and the more dangerous it becomes.

In the cultivation world, those demonic beasts that can transform into human form are called demon races, while those that cannot are called spirit beasts. From the moment Song Luo stepped into Sunset Forest, he saw many demon races he had never seen before.

Most demons prefer to remain in their original forms within their own territory and have no hostility towards him, a half-demon, generally ignoring him.

Song Xia explained to him, "Unless it is beneficial to them, or they have suffered losses at the hands of the human race, they will not deliberately target them. Normally, everyone is too busy to have time for cultivation, let alone waste energy. They will not scheme against each other like the human race."

Song Luo felt relieved and curiously observed the Sunset Forest, slowly beginning to accept that this would be his future home.

"When we get to Uncle Qing's place, the sun will be out. Uncle Qing has deep roots, so the surrounding trees are far from the ground. When we get back, we can build a house together."

"Where did you live before?" As soon as he asked this question, Song Luo felt stupid again. His mother was a vine demon, so why would she need a human house?

“Mother was raised by Uncle Qing. At that time, Mother had just gained sentience and could hardly survive in Sunset Forest. It was Uncle Qing who took her in. You don’t know how many Vine Clan members envied Mother, but only Mother had this blessing.”

Looking at her lively smile, Song Luo unconsciously curved his lips into a smile, but quickly put it down again. He hadn't forgiven her yet!

Sunset Forest is vast, and even with Song Xia leading the way, the journey wasn't entirely smooth. Fortunately, everyone managed to pass through without incident. Some, who had hoped for a hearty meal, were scared off by the branches and leaves, imbued with Uncle Qing's scent, that Song Xia threw out.

"After you've met Uncle Qing, I'll have him give you one too. It's not that I'm reluctant to part with it, it's just that Uncle Qing gave it to me, and it's not appropriate to give it away."

"I don't care about these things. I can just go out less in the future."

"How can that be? There are many fun things in the forest, you'll see later. It's better to have some safety. Besides, don't you want to leave the forest and prove to the world that half-demons aren't a race rejected by the Heavenly Dao? Don't you want to slap those two masters and disciples in the face?"

Song Luo was deeply moved by Song Xia's words. If he had a way to cultivate, he would definitely cultivate diligently and not let her down.