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

In the Taiyi Sect, when a disciple formally enters the sect, a master-disciple contract is formed on the very day of their entry.

Once the master-disciple relationship is formed, it becomes a tangible proof that the disciple can sense the master's presence and the master can know the disciple's safety at any time.

Back then, Chu Xianlan was brought back to Yujing Pavilion in a daze, her mind blank, knowing nothing.

His master had never mentioned it, so he was unaware that there was a master-disciple contract involved in the apprenticeship process.

So Chu Xianlan lived by Yi Chen's side for a whole year without a master-disciple contract.

Later I found out that everyone else had it too.

Only he didn't have it.

Chu Xianlan was seven or eight years old that year and couldn't understand why she didn't have one.

Was he not obedient enough? What did he do wrong? Did his master not like him? Or... did his master never really consider him a legitimate disciple?

I can't figure it out during the day, and I can't sleep at night.

The best way for a naive child to get the attention of his elders is to cause trouble. On a whim, he deliberately ran to the desolate wilderness behind the mountain, angering a giant python that had gained sentience. With no way to call for help, he was almost killed.

In the end, it was Yi Chen who arrived to save them.

Chu Xianlan, now injured, took advantage of the situation and pitifully begged for a master-disciple contract. Yi Chen remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.

Congratulations! This is how the master-disciple contract was obtained through fierce competition and even reckless actions.

Even so, for Chu Xianlan, it was something very important, something that was ingrained in her body and engraved in her soul, something she could not lose.

Where he came from, and where he will go.

—Thinking about it now.

Perhaps from the very beginning, the master felt that the master-disciple contract would eventually be dissolved, which is why he had no intention of forming a contract.

Chu Xianlan suddenly realized something. It seemed that she had been working on things one-sidedly for years, only to end up with nothing to show for it.

Every single time, it's always the same.

Everything was obtained through begging, snatching, and relentless pursuit.

But the master-disciple relationship is inherently unequal, right?

Elders who are high above don't need to understand the thoughts of their juniors. He's already used to his master's rationality and indifference, so why should he force his master to conform to his ideas...

So, what is he doing?

Complaining about Master, throwing a tantrum at Master?

Is this the time to talk about these things?

There was clearly a reason for this, so what gave me the confidence to challenge my master?

Rebellious.

But he... just wanted a master-disciple agreement!!

When the collar that had bound him for over a decade disappeared, even the most obedient little dog turned into an unreasonable little mad dog. Chu Xianlan, for reasons unknown, blurted out:

"...When you took me as your disciple, did you ever regret it?"

Chu Xianlan turned her head away, her voice turning cold, and said in a self-deprecating tone, "It was my insistence on going with you, it was my insistence on clinging to you... If you think I'm a burden..."

Don't talk nonsense.

Yi Chen frowned and interrupted him.

The boy's words were agitated and anxious, clearly questioning, yet not fierce. Every word carried a hint of weakness and a sob, like the mournful whimper of a young animal about to be abandoned.

But every word he said was like a knife shooting out, and Yi Chen felt a sharp pain in his chest as he listened.

With a slight pull, he drew the person in front of him.

The two faced each other.

Chu Xianlan stubbornly pursed her lips, but her eyes looked pitiful like a puppy's.

Actually, the disciple didn't shed tears at this moment, but Yi Chen couldn't help but raise his fingertip to gently wipe the corner of his slightly red eyes, and said in a hoarse voice, "It's my fault, I didn't consider your feelings."

"The situation was urgent at the time. I just wanted to protect you and didn't want to ruin your future. I also wanted to leave you a way out, so I took the initiative to break the contract and make the choice for you." Yi Chen lowered his attitude and tried his best to make up for the hurt the boy had suffered.

"It was wrong of me to conceal my half-demon bloodline. I intentionally distanced myself from you back then... for this very reason. If I had told you earlier, things might not have turned out this way."

His deep gray eyes held a hint of confusion and helplessness.

"Xianlan, I'm sorry... It's all my fault. Don't be sad, okay?"

Chu Xianlan listened to Yi Chen's words in a daze, and it took her a long time for her brain to comprehend them.

He was clearly being unreasonable.

The master, however, was explaining and apologizing. He was telling himself what he was thinking at the time, why he did that... He didn't even use the title of master and disciple.

Chu Xianlan actually understood all these principles.

But hearing it from the other person's own mouth seems to have a different meaning.

The balance scales, now called master and apprentice, are positioned right in the center, no longer one of giving orders and the other of obeying them.

The strange feeling eased some of the tightness in his chest.

The tense body slowly relaxes.

Chu Xianlan seemed to wake up suddenly from a dream, filial piety regaining control of her mind. She touched her face and said with a slightly nasal tone, "Hmm, I was wrong too."

"I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. My tone was too harsh, and I completely forgot the rules... Master, I'm sorry."

As she spoke, Chu Xianlan lowered her head, fiddling with her right hand with her left, and belatedly realized how embarrassed and ashamed she was.

Good heavens, I never imagined in my life that one day he would be so successful as to argue with his master! And force his master to apologize?!

What does this prove?

This means he is the most beautiful rebellious disciple in the Southern Cang Continent, unprecedented and unparalleled.

Yi Chen gazed intently at him.

Yi Chen had already compromised when Chu Xianlan stood up to protect him without hesitation.

They only have each other in this world; what's the point of dragging each other down or getting entangled with each other?

He thought to himself, who else in this life could he form such a deep and inseparable bond with besides Chu Xianlan?

Never to be separated, through life and death.

Many things simply do not have an optimal solution.

He was wrong.

The right choice that one has pursued throughout one's entire life can ultimately be no match for the sincere feelings of a young person.

Chu Xianlan was a disciple he had raised himself. She was radiant and beautiful, and came to his side with a sincere and pure heart. How could he bear to see his disciple suffer?

That's why.

Yi Chen could not trust anyone to handle Chu Xianlan like this.

Only by your own side.

I can only be by my own side.

The teacher gave the apprentice knowledge, protection, and guidance, giving the child everything he could without reservation.

If one day, the apprentice wants to demand love from him...

How can I not give it to you?

That was rightfully his.

The next second, Yi Chen raised his hand and pulled him into his arms.

"Huh?" Chu Xianlan was a little stunned by the hug. Was this a benefit of making up after an argument?

So should he... take it back?

do not care.

Then take it home, otherwise it'll spoil the mood!

Raise your arms and wrap them around.

The moon was cold and hung high in the sky.

It casts down its gentle moonlight, soothing the world and calming their hearts.

However, as time went on and his master held her tighter and tighter, Chu Xianlan felt something was off and couldn't help but ask nervously in a low voice, "Master?"

"Chu Li".

Yi Chen felt the warmth in his arms and whispered his name.

"Is the disciple here?"

"Regardless of whether the master-disciple agreement exists, you will always be the most important person in my heart, irreplaceable."

"Ah... Master too..."

Chu Xianlan was moved!

Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly met Yi Chen's gaze.

"Over the years... I've been rather cold-hearted and often neglected your feelings. Have you ever felt sad about that?"

Why are you bringing this up again?

Chu Xianlan was taken aback, then quickly shook her head, "Master is the best, how could that be? What I said just now was just in anger. You've taught me so much—"

But I want to give you more.

The moonlight flowed, and the face, as white as frost and as white as snow, shed its usual aloofness, gazing tenderly, affectionately, and softly at the boy's eyes.

Until the pupil slowly constricts into a slit.

"Chu Li, besides the master-disciple contract, would you be willing to... form another kind of contract with me?"

"This disciple wishes... um?"

Chu Xianlan dared not move.