Despite his incredibly handsome face, Ah Jiang always felt that he exuded an inexplicable eerie aura.

Fortunately, Ah Jiang did not sense any evil or demonic energy, which reassured her somewhat.

It seems this powerful demon is a righteous cultivator, since the sect elders wouldn't allow an evil demon cultivator to roam freely in the sect's territory.

Thinking this way, A-Jiang felt much more relaxed.

She tentatively asked, "Senior, did you come here to see my spirit beast?"

Huaiye nodded slightly, which was considered a response to Ajiang's question.

A Jiang turned and went back to her house, carrying a lotus basin in her hands.

Inside the basin, a newly placed carp was swimming leisurely in the water.

"A water-type spirit beast, and a sixth-tier one at that, is truly a rare sight."

His words seemed to praise the rarity of Magikarp, yet his eyes kept glancing at Ajahn, as if searching for something.

A-Jiang couldn't help but feel uneasy. This guy's cultivation was so profound, could it be that he had already seen through his secret?

A-Jiang remained silent, and the Demon King Qingmu did not delve into her background.

He then asked curiously, "You humans usually walk on land, so why did you choose to tame a water-type spirit beast? In battle, it doesn't seem to offer you much help."

A-Jiang responded softly, "Back then, I was studying at Zhaoxian Dao Academy and doing a task given by Hundred Beast Valley, fetching water from the pool. When I encountered it, it wanted to eat me. Nobody knew that such a large fish, which had already cultivated into a demon beast, lived in an ordinary pool."

As she spoke, her thoughts drifted back to the distant Zhaoxian era, to the scenes of her encounters with Magikarp, and the joyful times she spent with Linglong and Xiaopang, all of which were like pearls scattered in the ocean of her memory, shining brightly.

Later, he left the Taoist temple to visit his family, but unexpectedly, he could never go back.

Looking back now, I realize that life at the Taoist academy was too hectic, and I didn't cherish it.

Huaiye quietly observed the little girl in front of him.

Her figure was as thin as cardboard, and her small, thin body was dressed in simple, plain clothes, making it difficult to tell whether she was male or female at first glance.

However, despite her unassuming appearance, Huaiye could sense an indescribable gentleness and closeness emanating from her.

Although her facial features are not particularly outstanding, they combine to create a harmonious and comfortable feeling.

As she spoke, she became lost in her memories, forgetting her fear of herself, and appeared somewhat dazed and confused.

However, Huaiye's heart also calmed down.

Listen carefully to what she has to say.

“At that time, I had just started practicing cultivation and couldn’t beat it. So I found a way to empty the pond where it lived. The whole fish had no choice but to obey me. And it was very beautiful. I also thought it was quite interesting to keep a fish.”

Her eyes were clear and transparent, like a pool of spring water, seemingly able to reflect the joys and sorrows in people's hearts.

She has a straight nose and a faint smile that often graces her lips, as if she can maintain her composure and optimism no matter what difficulties she faces.

With Magikarp, her life became much richer; her three friends became five, and everyone loved the two spirit beasts.

When they arrived at the Qingqiu Secret Realm, these two spirit beasts also contributed their efforts.

The first time I "met" this Green Wood Demon King was in the Qingqiu Secret Realm.

Could it be that the handsome man in front of us is the one who drove the other tribes away from the Qingqiu Secret Realm?

A-Jiang wasn't really sure either. She'd heard that the demon race had many demon kings, but those were all too distant for her to care about.

If it really is him, then he has a strong connection with that nine-tailed fox.

What is the purpose of appearing here now? Is the secret of the Nine-Tails' resurrection also here?

The carp in the basin seemed to sense her tension and blew several colorful bubbles.

Huaiye, however, was unaware of what she was thinking and was instead caught up in her own emotions.

He has met all sorts of people.

Before he took human form, he was a locust tree in the mountains and forests, watching countless passersby hurry by; after he took human form, he traveled all over the world and had interactions with all kinds of people.

He knew that humans are creatures adept at disguise, wearing different masks in different situations to cope with complex and ever-changing social relationships.

However, Huaiye could not detect any trace of pretense in this little girl.

Every movement and expression of hers was so real and natural, as if it could penetrate layers of mist and reach the heart.

Huaiye fell into deep thought, recalling his past experiences and the friends and enemies who had once accompanied him.

Among those who met him, there were those who were fearful, those who fawned, those who were greedy, and those who were disgusted; none seemed to be like Ajahn Chah.

The first time she saw him, she had never seen that look in his eyes before. It seemed to be a mixture of confusion, amusement, and bewilderment—in short, extremely complex.

That's why he asked her after seeing her eyes, and that's why he's here now.