Yin Ming ruffled Ling Yao's hair, and the more he ruffled it, the more he felt something was wrong.

The hair felt like silk with the finest texture; Yin Ming couldn't see any trace of dyeing or color manipulation at all.

Even upon closer inspection, the color of the hair parting is pure white, making it feel like Lingyao's most authentic hair color.

But whose young people grow white hair? Lingyao is only a hundred years old, in the prime of his youth.

Hair dyeing isn't popular in this world of gods and demons, so where did Lingyao get it from?

“I…” Lingyao responded softly.

"Hmm?" What's wrong with you? Tell me.

"It probably turned this color around the day of Yin Ming's funeral." Ling Yao's voice drifted over, but to Yin Ming, it was like a thunderbolt.

What?! The day of Yin Ming's funeral?!

...

Yin Ming had heard before that if a person worries too much, their hair will turn white overnight.

Endless sorrow, every inch of my black hair turns as white as snow.

He thought this was something that only happened in novels...

Oh, that's right, this is indeed in the world of a novel.

But a male protagonist who was supposed to turn evil and insane actually turned white-haired for him? This...

To be honest, it would be a lie to say I wasn't moved.

"Is this... for me?" Yin Ming murmured, his thoughts in turmoil, as if confirming with Ling Yao, or perhaps telling himself.

This fool, who knows how many stupid things he's done behind his back, yet he refuses to reveal too much to him.

"Won't saying this upset Yin Ming? Yin Ming can just pretend it didn't happen." Ling Yao's lips curled into a faint smile, seemingly unconcerned.

Yin Ming felt a pang of sadness in his heart. How could he speak of such a torturous ordeal so casually?

Who else would go to such lengths for someone else?

Yin Ming suddenly remembered Ling Yao's drunken confession that day.

"I like Yin Ming, I like him very much, to the point of... love."

Really, is it that much love?

But Yin Ming really didn't know what Ling Yao could love about him.

He initially thought that Lingyao had mistaken being touched for being moved, which was why she had developed these wrong feelings for him.

But now it seems that's not the case.

And what about him? Does he like Lingyao?

Yin Ming closed his eyes and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

Although he is not yet clear about the answer to this question, he cannot deny that he feels sorry for Lingyao.

As for whether this heartache stems from family, friendship, or love, we'll have to wait until he sorts out his thoughts before we can truly determine it.

He'll decide whether or not to respond to Lingyao then...

“Actually, it doesn’t have to be so complicated. If Yin Ming really doesn’t like it, I can change its color.” Ling Yao took out a clean handkerchief from her bosom, pulled Yin Ming’s hand, and wiped the ink lotus juice off his hand.

Then he raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and Yin Ming saw a black wave surge out from the crown of his head.

Where the waves swept across, the silver-white hair, as if the earth were rejuvenated, all turned into jet-black hair.

"You little brat..." Yin Ming looked at Ling Yao's actions speechlessly. "You could have said you could do it this way earlier! You made me work for nothing!"

Hmm? Yin Ming suddenly felt that something was wrong... but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

It seems like Lingyao deliberately let Yinming know the reason for his white hair?

Is it just my imagination?

Although I felt like I'd been tricked, when I looked closely at the black hair in front of me, the roots were indeed still completely white.

This shows that Lingyao didn't just make up a story to move Yinming; he really had turned white-haired.

He's only using his internal energy to make his hair look pure black; nothing has actually changed.

What else is there to say? Facts are facts.

Yin Ming decided to stop dwelling on it. He calmed himself down and cleared his mind of all the chaotic thoughts.

He took Lingyao's hair one last time to check it carefully, making sure it wouldn't give him away, before he felt a little relieved.

I have to say, Lingyao's magical hair dyeing technique is absolutely amazing!

After they had both finished dressing, Yin Ming, feigning composure, led Ling Yao toward the inner gate.

Coincidentally, the disciple on night watch had previously interacted with Yin Ming, and Yin Ming, by using his connections, managed to bring Ling Yao back to his disciple's quarters without any major incidents.

From afar, he could see the light on in his room. After pushing the door open, he saw Long Cheng, that simpleton, sitting at the table.

Long Cheng was munching on a pig's trotter in a state of restlessness when he noticed the door being pushed open. He subconsciously looked up.

Upon discovering that the person who came was Yin Ming, he immediately forgot about the meat he was still chewing and pounced on Yin Ming with a loud "whoosh whoosh whoosh".

"Waaah! Brother Ming! Brother Ming! I knew you wouldn't die! Waaah... Ming cough cough cough..."

Choking on the tender pig's trotter in his mouth, Long Cheng felt so uncomfortable that tears streamed down his face. He quickly poured himself a cup of tea and drank it down, which made him feel a little better.

Seeing that Long Cheng did not pounce on Yin Ming, Ling Yao, who was standing to the side, lowered his hand that he had secretly raised.

"Stay calm, stay calm."

Yin Ming didn't notice Ling Yao's details behind him. He stepped forward and patted Long Cheng's back to help him catch his breath. Then he took out two teacups from the tea tray, filled them, handed one to Ling Yao, and brought the other to his lips to take a sip.

Seeing that Long Cheng had calmed down, Yin Ming teased, "You kid, I've been thrown into the Land of Forsaken Gods, and you still have the mood to eat in my room."

Upon hearing this, Long Cheng shook his head in disapproval and repeatedly raised his hand to swear an oath to prove his sincerity.

"That's why I ate so much, Ming-ge! You have to believe me! I want to save you too! After you were imprisoned in the dungeon, I contacted Mother and asked her to come and rescue you!"

Fireflies? Yin Ming took another sip of tea, somewhat puzzled, after hearing Long Cheng mention this big shot.

Logically speaking, given the speed of fireflies, it's impossible that they haven't arrived at the Divine Realm after half a day. Could something have happened on the way?

Thinking of something, Yin Ming shrugged.

Why should he worry about someone who's a high-level ninth-realm expert? He's probably just busy with something.

Yin Ming was somewhat relieved that Ling Yao had woken up in time, which meant that they didn't have to wait for any outside help.

If they really had to wait for the fireflies to come and save them, they would probably have already been completely digested in the stomach acid of the Northern Sea Divine Kun.