Xue Junhan slammed his fist on the table. This was outrageous! He wasn't even dead yet! His disciple was already plotting to betray him and defy his master. He couldn't live like this anymore.

"no."

"Why not? Since you don't want me anymore, people should strive for better things. Why can't I go to the Holy Master?"

This was absolutely devastating; Xue Junhan, hit right in the bullseye, was practically dead. He glanced at Ye Xiruo with a detached look: "I am your master."

“That’s right. Where can you find such a smart and talented disciple like me? Where can you find such a disciple? And now you’re thinking of abandoning me.”

"I never intended to abandon you, I never even thought of it."

"That means you must be hiding something from me."

Xue Junhan shook his neck more vigorously than a rattle drum, saying, "No, no, absolutely not."

"Your master is a divine master, one of only five divine masters in the world. Who can kill me? This is just a precaution."

"Really, you're not lying to me."

"Of course not. There are some things that it's not a good thing for you to know now."

Ye Xiruo nodded: "Okay, I understand. If you want me to know, I will find out sooner or later. If you don't want me to know, it's pointless to ask."

Xue Junhan nodded.

"When are you leaving? I'll see you off."

"No need, you just need to wait here for me to come back. After I leave, easily send Nian down the mountain. You need to familiarize yourself with the Ten Thousand Trees Rejuvenation Formation. If there are any people you really can't handle, go find your Uncle Bai."

"Yes, Master."

"I will slowly find a way to treat your injury."

"I am sorry to have troubled you, Master. I will definitely cultivate diligently and attain the Great Dao as soon as possible."

"Master, what should be done with Fei Yue and Xiu Qi Yu?"

"Their injuries are severe, and the environment of Lingyun Peak is more suitable for them to recuperate, so they can stay there to recover. Whenever they want to go down the mountain, we can send someone to escort them down."

"Thank you, Master."

"Has Xiu Qiyu not woken up yet?"

"not yet."

Ye Xiruo started grinding her teeth. Who was the culprit? She mustn't find out who she was. Otherwise, Ye Xiruo snorted coldly.

Although Fei Yue regained consciousness, she was still seriously injured. She wanted to wait for Ye Xiruo to come back and explain things before going to sleep, but unfortunately, she couldn't hold on any longer and fell asleep first.

After leaving Xue Junhan's place, Ye Xiruo's mind was filled with thoughts of her master leaving.

He didn't go looking for Si Feiyue either.

So, by a twist of fate, Ye Xiruo still failed to discover the truth.

The next morning, while still meditating under the cherry blossom tree, Ye Xiruo suddenly opened her eyes, and the distant, ancient bell tolled three times in total.

The bell tolls from the main peak, Honghu Peak, where the sect leader resides, signifying a major event within the sect.

Unfortunately, Ye Xiruo never bothered to properly read the sect's rules and regulations, so he was naturally completely unaware of this, though a sense of crisis and unease began to rise in his heart.

This bell must have some special meaning.

"Spring." She needed someone to help her understand.

"Yes, Young Peak Master."

"The bell rang."

Spring nodded: "This is the bell welcoming Junze, the sect leader's chief disciple, back."

"Oh. Does it not have any special meaning?"

"No, Young Master."

Spring kept her facial expressions under control. She was doing everything according to the Peak Master's instructions. Once today was over, even if the Junior Peak Master found out, it would be too late.

"What kind of person is he?"

"He is a true gentleman."

Gentleman, I never expected to receive such high praise; it was beyond Ye Xiruo's expectations.

"Should I go take a look?"

"Junze is as handsome as Senior Xiu, graceful as an immortal, gentle and refined, and highly skilled. He is very popular within the main sect."

Ye Xi nodded.

Well, he's a heartthrob! I can imagine the chaotic scene on Honghu Peak—it's like an idol returning home, with fans coming to greet him and worship him. It should be even more lively than when Brother Xiu Qi returned to Luoxia Valley back then.

"Then we won't join in the fun. We're all in the same sect, we'll meet again sooner or later."

"Yes, young peak master. Would you like some exquisite eight-flavor pastries?"

"Okay, go prepare some. Remember, we need cheese too."

"Yes, Young Master." Spring departed quickly, her footsteps and breath perfectly steady. She walked all the way to the kitchen before stopping, her face a mixture of tension, joy, and melancholy.

Yes, she successfully fooled the young master.

On Honghu Peak, there was indeed Junze, but he was not the main character. Today, many elders and high-ranking members of the Haoqi Pavilion came. Everyone's face was somewhat indifferent, and their eyes burned with intense blood and fire.

"Since its founding, Haoqi Pavilion has existed for over 100,000 years. There have been times of division and invasion by foreign enemies, but the legacy of Haoqi Pavilion has survived and stands to this day."

The demons have returned with a vengeance, wreaking havoc on Hailan. We cultivators cannot tolerate such devastation on earth, nor can we allow Hailan to become a den of demons.

"Slay all the demons! Slay all the demons!" Everyone's faces were filled with madness and obsession; the human race and the demon race were destined to be enemies to the death.

The sect leader's voice carried a strange power. Every elder and disciple who was about to set off was ready to head to the Western Territory and annihilate the demons.

"Take care on your journey to the Western Regions." Master Honghu raised his cup in farewell.

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

The hundreds of disciples bowed in unison. The journey ahead was fraught with danger, but they would not back down even a little.

The Western Regions have fallen in large parts, and the demons are rampant, leaving them with nowhere to retreat.

Behind every top sect are countless affiliated forces and countless mortal kingdoms. Each of them also has someone they want to protect. This battle must be won.

Xue Junhan and Elder Huo stood side by side, followed by dozens of disciples from the Medicine King Pavilion. The road ahead was fraught with danger, yet not one of them regretted their decision. For the sake of their sect, for the sake of those they wanted to protect, what did it matter if they fought a bloody battle? What did it matter if they indulged in a moment of unbridled passion?

"You're worried about your little apprentice? Why don't you stay?" Elder Huo suggested.

“I have passed on the sect leader’s seal to her. Even if I die in battle, the lineage of Lingyun Peak will not be cut off. I have no regrets in dying.”

"Old man Xue, you waited three thousand years for this disciple, are you content with that?"

Xue Junhan gave a bitter smile: "Of course I'm not willing to accept this, so I'm going to have a good slaughter to vent my hatred."

Xue Junhan's demeanor had changed somewhat. He was no longer the leisurely old man who spent his days basking in the sun, drinking, and fishing on Lingyun Peak, but rather resembled a sword that wanted to kill.