I am Guhuoniao, not an umbrella demon, please do not disturb me.

Feng Yuan returned Bai Qingyu's greeting with a cupped-hand salute, and with Bai Qingyu's permission, her gaze turned to Dong Qing standing to the side.

Dongqing had been standing to the side, nervously gripping her longsword, thinking that Fengyuan was going to do something bad to her aunt, such as capturing her on the spot as a demon. But when Fengyuan looked in her direction and their eyes met, she felt a chill run down her spine.

What a terrifying person.

Dongqing thought to himself.

Appearance does not necessarily reflect the heart, and Feng Yuan's appearance really makes it impossible to associate her with a righteous cultivator. If it weren't for Lin Yimiao standing respectfully to the side, wearing the Tianyang Palace Daoist robe and exuding an upright aura, one would think she was a terrifying evil cultivator.

"You, are you really an elder of Tianyang Palace?" Dongqing subconsciously took a step back.

"Elder? Hehehe, you can think of it that way." Feng Yuan smiled, the more she looked at Dong Qing, the more she liked her. She was indeed a clever and quick-witted little girl.

"Elder, your smile is terrifying," Dongqing said weakly, something she had wanted to say for a long time.

Upon hearing these words, Feng Yuan's smile froze on her face. She then shook her head helplessly. A wisp of white mist blew by, and her appearance became much younger. She transformed from an old woman into a beautiful young woman, looking at least thirty or forty years younger.

She can't be described as stunningly beautiful, but she still retains a certain charm, though the passage of time has taken its toll.

Feng Yuan wasn't exactly beautiful when she was young, but she was still much better looking than the frightening appearance she had just had.

This time, Feng Yuan's smile wasn't so scary. She spoke softly, "I've gotten used to that face, and because of some things, but none of that matters. Are you called Dong Qing?"

"Yes, my surname is Bai, and my name is Bai Dongqing. My aunt gave me this name."

“Dongqing, a very good name, symbolizing hope and life.” Feng Yuan nodded gently, her eyes soft and without any hostility or impatience. “Dongqing, I am the peak master of Jinxu Peak of Tianyang Palace. My peak also focuses on the sword path. Although there is no sword pavilion, my peak disciples are second to none in swordsmanship.”

"Would you be willing to come up the mountain with me to learn swordsmanship?"

Dongqing has always wanted to be a swordsman and sword immortal who travels the world. She has wanted to be one since she was a child. Now, a powerful sword immortal has come and offered to take her as his disciple. If she just nods now, her childhood dream can come true.

But at this critical moment, she pursed her lips and didn't answer. Her first reaction was to look at Bai Qingyu, but she only saw Bai Qingyu turn around, leaving her with his back. Dongqing suddenly recalled what her aunt had told her a few days ago: that she would no longer make decisions for her in the future, and that everything would be up to her to choose.

When she first said that, she thought her aunt didn't want her anymore. But the next few days proved that her aunt hadn't abandoned her, because life went on as usual.

At this moment, Dongqing finally understood the specific meaning of Bai Qingyu's words.

So that's why her aunt told her she had to walk her own path from now on...

It feels like something is blocking my heart.

On one side is her aunt, and on the other is her dream. Choosing the latter will inevitably mean leaving her aunt behind, and it is unknown when they will meet again.

Choices are always painful. Dongqing's mouth opened slightly, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped. At this moment, she really wanted her aunt to make one last decision for her.

"It's alright, child. Take your time to think it over. I can wait for you. Your aunt also wants to see you make your own decision." Feng Yuan wasn't in a hurry and never had any intention of forcibly taking Dong Qing away.

"Yes, thank you. I... I'd like to give you an answer when Tianyang Palace is recruiting disciples, is that alright?"

This request wasn't excessive, but if those who couldn't enter the mountain gate, or those who entered but were just ordinary disciples, knew this, they would definitely curse Dong Qing for not seizing the opportunity. A peak master, one of the seven disciples of Tianyang Palace, personally came to accept a disciple, and he didn't even kneel down and call him master, but instead hesitated. It was infuriating.

Countless people in the world dream of having this opportunity but never get it, and you're already picking and choosing.

It's true what they say, comparisons are odious. Feng Yuan nodded, not annoyed at all, but rather quite satisfied. If Dong Qing had knelt down and kowtowed without a second thought, she would have felt it was inappropriate. This child's aunt had raised her with great care, yet she showed no affection whatsoever. It was better not to accept her as a disciple.

"Alright, I'll stay in this city a little longer. I won't put too much pressure on myself; I'll just let things take their course."

"Thank you, Elder!" Dongqing bowed respectfully.

I really have to thank her for agreeing to her request.

Feng Yuan left, but before she did, she gave Bai Qingyu a bottle of pills. These pills had only one effect: they could shield her from her demonic power, and one pill would be effective for a month. Even Bai Qingyu herself was somewhat shocked, never expecting that the peak master with such a frightening appearance would be so kind-hearted.

Feng Yuan can indeed be described as kind. If it were any other elder, they would not have said so much if they took a liking to Dong Qing. They would have just said hello and taken Dong Qing away, thinking they were doing something good.

Subconsciously, I felt that how could a demon raise a human? Such a talented child was almost wasted. Luckily, I appeared and took the child away, otherwise such a good talent would have been wasted in this life.

What? You mean the demon who raised her?

Not killing her would be considered a great act of kindness; what more benefits would you want to give her?

Such a talented child! If I hadn't taken her as my apprentice, she would have been killed sooner or later by following a demon. She should be thanking me.

Even Bai Qingyu thought this was normal. Most human cultivators probably thought the same way, especially those who weren't strong but held the status of elders. They felt superior and believed that monsters should act like monsters, and that not killing them was a great favor.

In all the sects under heaven, whether it's Tianyang Palace or those smaller sects, the position of elder has never been a top-tier one. Just now, when Dongqing called Fengyuan Elder, Bai Qingyu wanted to remind her that Fengyuan's position was much higher than that of elder. It would be more comparable to a Supreme Elder.

To be honest, Bai Qingyu was already thinking about a battle today. If it hadn't been Feng Yuan who came, but an arrogant ordinary elder, they would have definitely fought.

Bai Qingyu could accept Dong Qing going to Tianyang Palace to cultivate, but she couldn't accept her being taken away.

Holding this bottle of pills, Bai Qingyu had a rather good impression of Feng Yuan. But thinking about it, it was normal. How many people who could reach this level and become this status would be mentally challenged? The arrogant and conceited ones would have died long ago.

That's good too. Even if Dongqing really decides to go up the mountain to become an apprentice, she can rest assured. With such a master, Dongqing will at least not be bullied.

"Auntie, I..."

Dong Qing stood beside Bai Qingyu with her head down, unsure of what to say for a moment.

She really wanted Bai Qingyu to give her one more chance, just this last time, but unfortunately, it was impossible.

"what do I do."

Her eyes were filled with hope, how she wished that Bai Qingyu would touch her head, show a helpless expression, and then tell her what to do and help her make a choice.

Bai Qingyu's eyes were indeed filled with helplessness. It was somewhat difficult for Dong Qing to make such a choice so soon after she let go, but it was a last resort. No one can see in the future at a glance. At most, she could only make a rough prediction.

Fortunately, this was anticipated, and at least some groundwork was laid for Dongqing to prepare her mentally. It would have been truly cruel to suddenly force her to make such a choice.

“Dongqing, just like what Peak Master Fengyuan said, I can’t make a choice for you in this matter. It’s up to you. I can only say that if you go up the mountain, we may not necessarily never see each other again. I am a demon, not a mortal. I have a long lifespan. In the future, when you become powerful, we will have a lot of time to be together. Similarly, not going up the mountain doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t become a sword immortal. Your aunt is not as powerful as those great beings, but I still have some strength.”

I couldn't help but speak up, after all, it's my own kid.

After saying this, Bai Qingyu turned and went back to her room, leaving Dongqing standing in the courtyard, head bowed in thought.

Two choices don't mean that choosing one means losing the other. Bai Qingyu's words greatly changed the little girl's mindset. She couldn't make up her mind before, but now she vaguely had an answer in her heart.

Inside the room, Zhen Tian poked her head out of the bird's nest, "Sister Bai, what's going on outside?"

"A powerful figure from Tianyang Palace wants to take Dongqing as his disciple. I let Dongqing make her own choice, and she's still struggling with it outside."

"Actually, there's nothing to be conflicted about. Now that we're up the mountain, does that mean she's no longer my child?"

Sitting on the bed, Bai Qingyu kicked off her shoes, stretched, and leaned against the headboard.

One can't help but wonder, setting aside Dongqing's choice, did she want Dongqing to stay by her side or to go up the mountain to learn swordsmanship?

Looking up at Zhen Tian on the roof beam, Bai Qingyu's eyes gradually lost focus. In fact, she already had the answer to this question in her heart.

Knowing Dongqing as she did, she knew that if she didn't say anything, Dongqing would definitely refuse Fengyuan. After all, life in Tianyang Palace was just a fantasy, while she had lived by her side for twelve or thirteen years, and subconsciously she would lean towards Dongqing.

So I specifically told her outside that going up the mountain doesn't necessarily mean we'll never see each other again. Your aunt is a powerful demon, and if nothing unexpected happens, we might be able to stay together for a thousand years, let alone a hundred.

This statement might change the little girl's decision.

While Bai Qingyu was still in a daze, Zhen Tian had already swum down from the bird's nest hanging from the roof beam. It didn't even have wings, and its eight-meter-long body could easily stretch onto Bai Qingyu's bed.

Not knowing how to comfort Bai Qingyu, I could only gently stroke Bai Qingyu's head with my wings as a form of solace.

All good things must come to an end, and even mothers and children must part ways eventually. She hoped Bai Qingyu wouldn't be so sad, and that Dong Qing should be happy and proud to have found a good master to learn swordsmanship on the mountain.

Unexpectedly, Bai Qingyu took the opportunity to use Zhen Tian's body as a pillow and body pillow. He fell into a deep sleep while hugging her snake body, and slept for a whole day.

·

While Bai Qingyu was sleeping, Dong Qing came to Changsheng's room again.

"You heard it too, that's roughly what happened." Inside the room, Dongqing recounted the whole story to Changsheng again.

Since her aunt couldn't give her a choice, she instinctively went to find Changsheng.

Changsheng was packing his things in the room when he heard Dongqing finish speaking. Without looking up, he said, "Auntie is right. Actually, this choice isn't as difficult as you think. You already have cultivation and excellent talent. After you go up the mountain, you can always come down to find Auntie when you have achieved some success in your cultivation."

As soon as Changsheng finished speaking, Dongqing stood up from the bed. "Changsheng, you're right. With strength, I will no longer be a child under my aunt's protection. On the contrary, I can protect my aunt!"

“I never said that, but there’s nothing wrong with your idea.”

·

As darkness fell, Bai Qingyu finally woke up and released the poor Zhentian from her arms.

It has to be said that sleeping with Zhen Tian as a pillow is really comfortable. The snake's body is slightly cool and the feathers are fluffy and soft. Bai Qingyu even fell in love with this feeling when she woke up. Moreover, sleeping with her in her arms made a lot of her worries disappear.

"Ah, a good night's sleep really makes me feel so much better. Good evening."

Good evening, Sister Bai. Did you sleep well?

"So comfortable, so comfortable, thank you, Zhentian."

Patting Zhentian's little head, Bai Qingyu sat up from the bed.

"Speaking of which, I just had a very strange dream. I dreamt that a huge fox was seriously injured and huddled on the shore. After it died, it turned into a stone. Could this be the Demon King, who died and sent a message to all the demons in the world in a dream?"

Volume 1: Chapter 69 Aunt, I'm sorry, Dongqing's departure

Under normal circumstances, Bai Qingyu doesn't sleep during the day because she has too many things to do. She has to wash and dry the children's clothes, and wash their shoes and socks. After the children grow up, she leaves these simple chores to them to do themselves, but she also needs to read books and cultivate.

For some reason, I felt sleepy as soon as I sat on the bed today, and fell asleep almost immediately while holding Zhen Tian. Of course, falling asleep wasn't the key point; the key point was the bizarre dream I had after falling asleep.

First, I dreamed of a burning forest with thick smoke billowing in the sky. One powerful being after another flew through the sky on various magical artifacts. It could be seen that the entire forest was trapped by these powerful beings using a barrier array, as if they were trying to capture something.

Then the scene shifts to a sea of ​​fire, where a huge fox covered in blood, its original fur color unrecognizable, stumbles out. Bai Qingyu remembers it as a nine-tailed fox; in the blurry image, she seems to see that this big fox has nine tails.

The great fox walked and walked until it reached the riverbank. Unable to hold on any longer, its physical body disappeared. Its demonic power, obsession, and blood energy mixed together and transformed into a stone, lying quietly on the riverbank.

The final scene of this dream is countless monks searching back and forth in the mountains and forests.

Whether the strange stone had been found or not, Bai Qingyu didn't know, because the dream ended there.

Strange dreams, Bai Qingyu wasn't stupid, so he naturally thought of the legendary Demon King. He carefully checked his body but found no signs of tampering or curses. Combining this with the dream, Bai Qingyu suspected that the Demon King had randomly sent him a message in his dream, wanting a demon to come and save him.

Bai Qingyu had no way of knowing the truth, nor did she care much about how the Demon King had turned into a stone. The Demon King's life or death was none of her business. The human race couldn't possibly conquer the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains, could they?

Stretching on the bed, Bai Qingyu yawned, "Did Dongqing come looking for me?"

"No, it's very quiet today. Dongqing practiced her sword outside this afternoon and should be cultivating in her room now." Zhentian transformed into human form, straightened her feather robe, and sat down next to Bai Qingyu. The room was dimly lit, so the faint blush on her face was not visible.

Bai Qingyu was probably hypnotized by the Demon King or someone else. He held her and slept for a whole day. Bai Qingyu might not have felt anything, but she wasn't. She was awake all day long. She could hear Bai Qingyu's steady and regular breathing and smell the faint fragrance of Bai Qingyu's body.

Looking down, one could see Bai Qingyu's sleeping face. Because Bai Qingyu was holding him very tightly, he could personally feel the softness of Bai Qingyu's delicate body.

If it were anyone else, they would have lost control long ago and would have done something, because Bai Qingyu was sleeping very soundly today. Zhen Tian gently poked her face with his paw but she didn't react at all. Of course, that was all Zhen Tian did.

If you ask me what I regret, I probably do. I'll never have another chance like this again. But rather than regret, I feel a little sorry for it. I'm lamenting how fast time flies. I only slept for three or four hours before waking up.

She rolled out of bed. It was already dark outside. Bai Qingyu glanced at Dong Qing's room and then at Chang Sheng's room, sensing their presence both inside. She rubbed her head and headed towards the kitchen. She hadn't cooked lunch; she couldn't forget to cook dinner too.