When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xianlan's mind went completely blank, and she was utterly astonished.

He neither said yes nor no, and just blinked blankly.

Strange, why would Master ask such a question?

But Yi Chen didn't let go, just staring at the person, as if he was really waiting for an answer.

Caught in this inexplicable stalemate, Chu Xianlan was so embarrassed she was about to go crazy. She repeated herself dryly, "Uh, Fellow Daoist Bai is injured..."

"The injury is in your consciousness; it has nothing to do with you."

Before he could finish speaking, Yi Chen interrupted him indifferently.

Chu Xianlan opened her mouth, but didn't say anything.

For a moment, Yi Chen seemed to forget all the rules he had set for himself, such as keeping a distance, the difference between master and disciple, and the shackles of being a half-demon. He was only single-mindedly trying to get a definite answer from his disciple.

Why did Chu Xianlan change as soon as she woke up?

He said there was no need for thanks, wasn't the meaning clear enough? Why was Chu Xianlan not happy at all, but instead... avoiding him?

Could it be that his disciple... harbors other thoughts?

Yi Chen was certainly not foolish enough to get angry with a rabbit demon. He was just used to being watched by Chu Xianlan, as steadfast as the sun and moon revolving.

The sun and moon hang there, shining eternally, and over time, people come to believe that this is how it should be.

Once it disappears.

It was a long, dark night.

"...This disciple knows his mistake." Chu Xianlan stared at his wrist, and said blankly, "If Master thinks it's inappropriate, then this disciple will not do it."

Yi Chen slowly released his grip, looking at the boy standing in front of him with his head down.

Chu Xianlan admitted her mistake.

Despite her eyes being full of confusion and bewilderment, she didn't ask why and obediently admitted her mistake, as soft as a fledgling bird.

This is not what he wanted.

What he wanted...

He wanted Chu Xianlan to be spirited, vibrant, and bright, impulsive yet proud, with eyes always shining, a bright future ahead, and nothing in the world that could defeat him.

as well as……

Never look away; always stay by his side, be his sun and moon.

She only looked at him, only depended on him, and only belonged to him.

The greed of half-demons is probably manifested in this: not satisfied with the present, but only pursuing eternity.

Outside, a raging red mist and malevolent energy emanated, and many mysteries remained to be unraveled.

But in that instant, Yi Chen seemed to feel something pounding violently in his heart—a once-turbulent lake, frozen and lifeless. Even he himself thought it had long since dried up into a bottomless well, but now, the ice had shattered, the stagnant water flowed, and from the slightest ripples, surging waves rose.

Perhaps even earlier, Yi Chen had been looking forward to this day.

He reached out and pulled his apprentice into his arms.

"Your teacher..."

Yi Chen spoke, his voice deep and hoarse, managing to utter only two words despite his best efforts. Countless images flashed through his mind, his thoughts swirling, finally settling on the lie that had persisted for over a decade—a lie that had permeated their master-disciple relationship.

Would he dare tell Chu Xianlan?

Tell him that he is not the lofty Immortal Lord Jixue, but a half-demon with impure blood. His so-called five years of seclusion was only to solidify the spiritual seal that sealed his identity.

It was his fault; he never made things clear.

But Chu Xianlan really likes him, and maybe she doesn't care about those things at all?

After all, he... isn't afraid of half-demons, right?

Yi Chen calmed down a little. In short, he had to get things out of the way first before considering anything else. If Chu Xianlan still insisted on becoming his Daoist partner after he revealed his half-demon identity, then... he would grant his wish, but only in private... and not in public...

Meanwhile, Chu Xianlan was already flustered when she was hugged.

He wondered if his master might be...

He probably got tainted by the red mist while fighting the half-demon, or his consciousness was damaged due to the attack, and he became abnormal!

Yes, Master was speaking haltingly, pulling on his arm and hugging him; his behavior was completely different!

The more Chu Xianlan thought about it, the more likely it seemed. She no longer cared about any guilt or shame and suddenly burst out from between Yi Chen's arms, like a penned puppy.

The boy looked panicked and anxious. "Master, are you feeling unwell?"

Yi Chen: ?

Upon hearing this, Yanling and Xueling, who had been hiding in the corner, suddenly tumbled out with a thud.

Yan Ling scratched his messy red hair. "Uh, you guys continue?"

Xue Ling sat on the ground, her big, innocent eyes wide open.

Chu Xianlan was startled. "Why are you hiding here secretly?"

"How...how would I know!" Yan Ling, who had actually been watching with great interest, was extremely embarrassed when asked. "Xue Ling told me not to come out! She said to hide well!"

Xue Ling tilted her head and said slowly, "Oh, Hua Ling said you two were 'that'... little kids, you shouldn't listen."

Chu Xianlan: "…………"

Thanks for the invitation, but I have absolutely no desire to find out exactly what "that" is.

His intuition told him that what came out of Hua Ling's mouth was definitely not something respectable or pleasant.

Unexpectedly, after the two little spirits appeared, He Jingxuan on the other side also woke up.

"Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!" The swordsman screamed, jumping up and down, gesturing wildly, utterly enraged. "You little lynx brat! I'll teach you a lesson you won't forget! How dare you ambush your grandpa! I'll cook you up with some seasonings!"

Chu Xianlan's ears throbbed, and she quickly pressed He Jingxuan down, "Calm down, Brother He, Zong Lan isn't here."

"what?"

He Jingxuan frowned, turned his head, and looked behind Chu Xianlan, his eyes filled with tears.

A glance that lasts a lifetime.

"—Godfather!!"

A thunderous shout echoed through the cave.

What are biological fathers, godfathers, or stepfathers? They're all meaningless. In the life-or-death world of cultivation, in moments of utter desperation, whose appearance brings unparalleled peace of mind? Only the godfather is the true father of the Heavenly Sword Sect!

Godfather, eternal God!

Half an hour later, Bai Xiaotu also woke up. The little rabbit demon was unwilling to hold her back, so she bravely cast a healing spell on herself and her condition improved a lot.

Chu Xianlan was quite worried about Yi Chen's state of consciousness. She asked him several times, but all she got in return was a complicated look and a faint, helpless sigh.

Several people sat around.

"How could Godfather suddenly appear in the Myriad Swords Immortal Realm? That's too amazing!" He Jingxuan stroked his chin, realizing his blind spot.

Chu Xianlan's expression froze, and her eyes began to wander.

"Haha, how could that be? That's amazing."

Honestly, one sentence from his master is enough for him to learn for a lifetime: Keep learning, there's no end to learning.

Bai Xiaotu remained silent, huddled in the corner, hugging his knees and trembling. He was truly terrified of Yi Chen. He felt as if those gray eyes were staring at him like a giant python, eager to devour him whole.

He Jingxuan looked outside the cave, his expression becoming much more serious: "So what should we do now?"

The red mist is rampant and fraught with danger. It's easy to imagine how many terrifying things are lurking outside. It's no longer a treasure trove of opportunities; it's practically a hellish inferno.

Yi Chen: "Let's get out of the Myriad Swords Immortal Realm first."

He Jingxuan sighed, "But Godfather, this secret realm only lasts for a full seven days each time it opens. It's only the third day now, and the exit hasn't appeared yet. We have no way to get out."

Yi Chen had already made his decision, and upon hearing this, he simply said:

"A strong breakthrough will suffice."