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

Yi Chen was unconscious for a total of five days.

Chu Xianlan was initially very worried and stayed by the edge of the barrier every step of the way. But he found that Yi Chen's physical condition was constantly recovering and his breathing was becoming more and more stable each day, so he stopped disturbing him.

On the evening of the sixth day, Chu Xianlan went to investigate the situation in the canyon as usual. As soon as she returned, she stopped in surprise.

The barrier of malevolent energy... has dissipated!

The moonlight, like water, poured down.

A tall figure stood in the moonlight, his white robes spotless under the silvery glow.

Calm and unshakable.

There was no longer any black or red malevolent aura, nor any silvery-white snake tail—it had returned to its former human form.

Coming to her senses, her heart pounding, Chu Xianlan rushed to Yi Chen's side, her thousand words condensed into just two.

"...Master!"

"Um."

Long, slender fingers brushed aside the boy's disheveled hair, and a light flickered gently in Yi Chen's eyes.

This familiar feeling...

It really is...it really is Master!

Every day that Yi Chen remained unconscious, Chu Xianlan dared not be careless in the slightest.

After all, from the moment Chu Xianlan left with her master in front of everyone, she was already prepared to be hunted down by the righteous path.

Even the most difficult things can be handled.

If his master doesn't wake up, he can keep enduring it.

But when Yi Chen returned to her side unharmed, her constantly tense nerves snapped instantly.

Chu Xianlan is only nineteen years old this year, just a teenager. In just a few days, he has experienced too many ups and downs, as if walking on a cliff, trying his best not to break down.

Now, with his mind in a daze, he didn't know what to say to Yi Chen when they faced each other again, so he just stood there, looking up blankly, at a loss.

Only when that familiar aura enveloped her did she realize that she was being embraced by her master.

Yi Chen retains memories of his actions when he lost control and was in a state of unconsciousness.

He guessed that at the time... he must have subconsciously regarded Chu Xianlan as his partner, which is why... he became like that.

To his surprise, Chu Xianlan, despite being trembling with fear as she faced his terrifying half-human, half-snake appearance, did not run away.

Such concessions... just how much does she like herself?

How could Yi Chen not feel a pang of sadness upon being chosen so wholeheartedly?

Caiyuan once said that once a half-demon has decided on someone and fallen in love with them, they will never let go until death and will not suppress their emotions.

Yi Chen didn't believe these words at first, but after witnessing his own absurd actions and personally experiencing the urge to possess the other person, he finally understood their meaning.

and so……

Does he love...does he love Chu Xianlan?

Unlike the care a teacher shows to their disciple, or the affection an elder shows to their junior, what surged within him at this moment was a wisp of smoke rising from the haze, already lingering in his heart, more burning and more precious than anything he knew.

Yi Chen thought to himself, if all his emotions and desires could flow like a torrent to one person, then that would be love.

"Xianlan, I'm sorry."

Because he deliberately ignored his feelings. Because he concealed the truth about his half-demon identity. Because of things his disciple shouldn't have had to endure. Yi Chen only wanted to apologize.

When the hoarse, low apology reached her ears, Chu Xianlan felt a pang of sadness and bit her lower lip hard.

He actually meant to say "It's okay".

But back when the master-disciple contract was dissolved... his master really didn't want him anymore.

Without hesitation, a clean break.

He was almost thrown away...

Too many things happened afterward, and Chu Xianlan didn't have time to think about them, nor did she dare to.

Suddenly, the suppressed frustration surged up again.

It's stuck in my chest, a feeling that's hard to express.

Chu Xianlan had no home in this world, no family ties. Home was wherever his master was. From childhood to adulthood, he had never had any negative feelings towards Yi Chen, after all, he respected and admired him so much... Even when his master was cold to him, even when his master went into seclusion for five years, he never felt anything.

As a disciple, all I need to do is cultivate diligently and not disappoint my opponent.

Chu Xianlan knew she shouldn't blame her master.

Given the circumstances at the time... Master had his own considerations... It was for his own good... There were choices he had to make... He just didn't want to be a burden...

In the past, whenever he encountered something, the boy would only reflect on himself and had inexhaustible energy to process it.

But now, he's so tired that he suddenly doesn't want to do this anymore.

Yi Chen noticed that his disciple had been silent for a long time and had not made any move to hug him back. He just quietly buried himself in his arms, which was very strange, and he felt a sudden tension for no reason.

He hugged him tighter, savoring the irresistible warmth emanating from the other, and whispered in his disciple's ear:

"What's wrong?"

The person in his arms suddenly patted his arm gently, signaling him to let go.

Yi Chen froze for a moment, but still released his hand as instructed.

Chu Xianlan raised her eyes and looked at those eyes that were no longer vertical pupils, and asked, "After the suppression of the malevolent energy, is there anywhere else that you feel uncomfortable?"

Yi Chen was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Not at the moment."

Chu Xianlan nodded, shifting her gaze away. "That's good. The Spirit Gathering Array uses high-grade talismans, and there are still some pills left." As she spoke, she raised her hand and pointed behind her. "Then I'll go and retrieve the protective magical artifacts around here."

His tone was calm and businesslike; he didn't even utter a single word of "Master," nor did he refer to himself as "disciple."

Yi Chen's heart sank. He reached out and grasped his disciple's wrist, asking directly, "Chu Li, are you angry? Why?"

The figure in the moonlight paused slightly.

Chu Xianlan couldn't help but try to pull her hand away, but she couldn't.

"Can I still call you Master from now on?" he asked in a low voice.

Yi Chen was taken aback, and then saw the boy's originally calm expression slowly crumble.

The heat traveled from her wrists to her eyes. Unable to control her inner turmoil, Chu Xianlan let it all out, saying with a wronged tone, "Master...don't you want me anymore? Why did you break the master-disciple contract? Why...since I woke up, haven't you re-established the contract seal?"