28 The bright moon in the sky

Yin Li lowered his eyes, then looked up again, gazing straight ahead. Just when everyone thought he was unwilling to answer, he slowly uttered, "Master, it's the bright moon in the sky."

At this moment, deep inside the cave, a dragon was seen that had completely lost its previous domineering aura. Instead, in front of the weak humans, it appeared utterly submissive and dejected.

"Well done." Chu Qing symbolically patted its smooth head and smiled slightly.

"Waaah—"

"Alright, I won't kill you, but help me find someone, the sooner the better."

"Woo-woo-woo" The dragon nodded with a wronged expression. Under the pressure of someone's tyranny, it looked at the clothes that the other party had taken out, and with a sweep of its divine sense, it got a precise location.

"Let's go, let's get ahead of that blue-robed cultivator at the cave entrance."

Without saying a word, Chu Qing stood on it, and the dragon quickly carried her out of the cave through another exit, flying away at an extremely fast speed.

She set up an array around herself to conceal her aura; to outsiders, it appeared to be nothing more than a spirit beast appearing by chance.

Soon, Chu Qing sensed a familiar presence above her—it was Yin Li!

This is it. It seems Yelang hasn't found it yet.

She patted its head, signaling that she could stop, and the dragon happily tossed her aside and flew away triumphantly.

It's a dragon that everyone fears! If I hadn't been unlucky enough to run into this female demon today, I might have been able to kill a lot more delicious human food.

After successfully killing the Blood Tiger, Ling Xueluo and her companion found a relatively hidden cave entrance. The clouds outside darkened a few shades, and soon, a light drizzle began to fall as expected.

"I wonder how that female disciple is doing. If it were a sunny day, I could still go out and look for her, but—" Ling Xueluo looked up at the oppressive sky and sighed, "I hope Ye Lang won't do anything."

Yin Li didn't respond immediately. He had a premonition; Ye Lang had been on his team both last time and this time, it couldn't be a coincidence both times. Besides—Ye Lang harbored such deep malice towards him, and Wen Ruyu had even previously tried to team up with Chu Qingge to lock him up…

Could it be that Wen Ruyu's true purpose has always been himself?

wrong

The moment this thought came to mind, Yin Li rejected it. The reason he was imprisoned more than a year ago was absurd, but Wen Ruyu had stumbled upon one thing that was correct: he was indeed a demon, and his actual demonic cultivation techniques advanced much faster than his immortal techniques.

Why was Wen Ruyu in such a hurry to get rid of him?

Putting that aside for now, after he obtained the Mystic Ice Spirit Pearl from Crescent Moon Town, Ye Lang started causing him trouble from time to time. Could it be that the two of them, master and disciple, knew the location of the Mystic Ice Spirit Pearl?

It must be so, Yin Li was certain in his heart. During his time at the Cloud Mist Sect, he may have been protected by his master and thus overlooked the motives behind Ye Lang's actions. But now, in the Trial Grounds, without his master and Wen Ruyu, he began to think back carefully.

If Wen Ruyu and Ye Lang know that the Xuanbing Spirit Pearl is with him, then what about Master?

Will the master also—

He suddenly remembered that back in Crescent Moon Town, when Chu Qingge was seriously injured protecting him, she seemed to have fainted. But when he finished the battle and turned around, she had already woken up, though he wasn't sure of the exact time.

Yin Li felt a sense of unease. He was more inclined to believe that his master had sensed his demonic energy and the Xuanbing Spirit Pearl from that time. However, he had committed two major taboos—disciples of Qingshan Peak were forbidden from privately cultivating demonic techniques, and even more forbidden from privately possessing extremely important treasures.

No matter which path he chose, if Chu Qingge dragged him to the Jingshi Hall, he would be dead a thousand times over.

Suddenly, a dazzling firework burst forth in the boy's heart, and inch by inch, warmth gradually ignited around the cold cave, like a lost little boat finding its harbor.

Punishment, Sun Spring Grass, and his master rushed to the back mountain to save him and help him keep the secret of the Demon Clan a secret. Even today, he realized that perhaps from the moment he obtained the Mystic Ice Spirit Orb, it had already been completely exposed.

But his master never blamed him, never thought of making him bear the blame. On the contrary, he told him countless times that there is good and bad in the world, and guided him to the right path countless times.

What does it matter if one is an immortal or a demon?

Even immortals can be evil, and demons can be good. The great path in our hearts is to eliminate evil and promote good, not to eliminate demons and promote immortals.

Master, Master, Master...

My disciple, I miss you.

[Current favorability rating: 90. Please keep up the good work, host!]

Chu Qing had just started walking up the path when she suddenly heard the system's voice and was immediately delighted: [You've fixed the bug?]

[Beep! Beep! Beep! The system has been fully upgraded and will more accurately detect the male lead's affection level. Host, you are only one step away from success, keep going!]

[Congratulations, host, on obtaining another clue. Given your excellent performance, you can now transform this clue into a question you wish to answer. Would you like to use it now?]

Chu Qing stopped and stared at the small opening of the cave, hidden by branches and leaves, a sudden pang of sadness gripping her heart: "Do you think Yin Li will die?"

[Sorry, this issue is outside the system's calculations. Please try a different question.]

Forget it, it won't understand even if I explain.

Chu Qing suppressed her strange emotions, remained silent for a moment, then her eyes regained their clarity before she asked again: "How will the male lead find the Fire Dance Spirit Orb?"

The male protagonist will directly enter the rewarded third secret realm through the illusion.

"I see," Chu Qing nodded slightly. She had wondered before why the male lead was able to accidentally enter the secret realm during his first trial. Although at that time it was probably because his luck and ability were not enough, and he failed to find the opportunity there, he was "kindly" saved by her.

It seems likely that he will soon embark on a journey that truly belongs to the male lead.

The moon was hanging in the sky at some unknown time, its light mostly blocked by dark clouds, and the rain continued to pour down, making everything droop its head.

All the mystery and conspiracy gradually emerged.

When Chu Qing reached the cave entrance, Ling Xueluo suddenly sensed the presence of a living person and opened her eyes, only to see her walking slowly and disheveled.

"Chu Qing! What are you doing here! Ye Lang—"

"Cough cough," Chu Qing coughed softly, bent over, as if she had suffered a serious injury. Her face was even paler in the darkness.

"Come sit here quickly." Ling Xueluo wanted to help her up, but was stopped by another outstretched hand.

"Senior brother?"

Yin Li frowned and stared warily at the person in front of her. His spiritual power was weak, his face was ashen, and his clothes were torn in several places.

He secretly tested the man and, seeing that he posed no threat, temporarily lowered his hand.

"careful"

Before Ling Xueluo left, he whispered something in her ear, then walked to the fire and rekindled the dying flames.

After Ling Xueluo helped the person inside, Yin Li set up several barriers and restrictions in front of the cave to prevent wild animals and people from trespassing.

"Junior Sister Chuqing, what's wrong—"

Yin Li also turned her gaze to the person in front of her, waiting for them to give a reasonable answer.

"I... I got separated from Senior Brother Yelang. We were near the cave when we encountered a spirit beast with much higher spiritual power than me. He told me to lure it out, but—"

Needless to say, they could guess what would happen next.

"But later, for some reason, the entrance to the cave collapsed. But I was lucky. Just before I was attacked by the spirit beast, I lost my footing and fell into the depths of the cave. I followed the wind and came out, and unknowingly I arrived here."

It seemed flawless, but Yin Li felt something was off about it.

The other party didn't mention what kind of spirit beast it was. If it was a nimble dragon, she wouldn't have a chance of surviving no matter which cave she fell into.

Moreover, how could everything be such a coincidence? They parted ways in the morning and then happened to meet up again in the evening.

It seemed like they had deliberately chased after them.

Although this person is highly suspicious, he is likely just a pawn used by Ye Lang. Even if he is in cahoots with Ye Lang, he is nothing more than a weak foundational cultivator in terms of spiritual power. It is enough to just be wary of his little tricks.

Yin Li felt that the Xuanbing Spirit Pearl in the sword had been somewhat restless lately, and he had a premonition that he would soon find the Fire Dance Spirit Pearl.

Tsk, I can't let my junior sister get into danger with me. As for Chu Qing—

Chu Qing felt a cold gaze directed at her, cunning and malicious.

She never expected that Yin Li would have such an indifferent attitude after leaving his master; the gentle and refined young man from before had completely disappeared!

As for Chu Qing, she just happened to have an extra stepping stone.

Yin Li hid in the shadows, secretly calculating. He suddenly felt that time was passing very slowly. He hadn't seen his master for a day, and he still had to wait another half month.

This is really troublesome.

Concealing the longing in her eyes, Yin Li was about to speak when Ling Xueluo interrupted her: "Hey, Chu Qing, which teacher did you like the most at Green Mountain Peak?"

Although Green Mountain Peak has both internal and external disciples, the elders within the sect treat all students equally when teaching them, and their own disciples study alongside the external disciples.

Besides Elder Chu Qingge, Elder Hua Qi, Elder Xu Zhi Qiu, and Elder Wen Ru Yu, there are also some senior brothers and sisters with higher cultivation levels who will give lectures.

But then Chu Qing was in a dilemma. She only knew these settings; how could she have heard anyone give a lecture?

She paused for a moment, and in that instant, Yin Li caught it in his eyes.

"I—actually really like Elder Qingge!"

Chu Qing closed her eyes and started making things up. It wasn't that she was narcissistic; it was just that she was only familiar with her own teaching style. Well, there was no other way. There were only three people in total, and two of them didn't know her true identity. So what was there to be embarrassed about? Just go for it!

Chu Qing considered herself quite skilled at disguise, so she cleared her throat and continued to ramble on with her eyes closed: "Although everyone says Elder Qingge looks cold, it's her arrogant demeanor that attracts me the most!"

"Why aren't you scared?"

"I'm not afraid, because I believe that's the aura of a true strong person! Only by being fearless can one be so calm and uninhibited."

As she said this, Chu Qing's eyes lit up. That's just how she is; she always strives to do her best in everything. So even after transmigrating, she never stopped cultivating.

"Senior Brother Yin Li, Senior Sister Xue Luo, what about you?"

Him?

Yin Li finally turned her gaze to Chu Qing and began to think seriously.

"I used to think my master was super fierce, but then I was accidentally injured, and she risked her life to save me. So, she's a very good person! Don't be fooled by her coldness towards everyone; I think she must be a goddess with the world in her heart!"

Ling Xueluo rested her chin on her hand, her eyes filled with adoration, which warmed Chu Qing's heart.

Good boy, I've taught you well.

"Yin Li, it's your turn!" Ling Xuelu nudged the person next to her, signaling them to answer quickly.

Yin Li lowered his eyes and then looked up ahead. Just when everyone thought he was unwilling to answer anymore, he slowly uttered the words: "Master, it is the bright moon in the sky."

Unfortunately, it never takes a picture of itself.

[Author's Note]

Ahhhhh! The last sentence of this chapter is driving me crazy! I feel like Yin Li is getting more and more into it. It seems like we're not far from having wallpaper-worthy photos, hahaha!

Expected update on Monday? Hope everyone enjoys reading! Love you all! (づ￣3￣)づ╭～[Sprinkling flowers]