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

Chu Xianlan stared blankly at Yi Chen.

I had a persistent ringing in my ears, and even the sound of the wind had completely stopped.

All that remained was the violent pounding of his heart in his chest and his increasingly rapid and labored breathing.

He had seen his master in many different forms: glorious, disheveled, indifferent, gentle... All these fragmented memories pieced together a complete picture of Yi Chen in his mind.

I have never seen a master like this before.

Yi Chen's expression grew increasingly indifferent, like a deity sitting upright in a temple, detached from the mortal world.

Her cold and refined face was like a work of art, but it was paired with a pair of reddened eyes, making her seem frighteningly unfamiliar in comparison.

"explain."

Yi Chen uttered a single word, his slender fingers gently stroking Chu Xianlan's cheek. He slowly leaned down, gazing intently at the trembling boy who knelt on the ground, unwilling to rise.

"This disciple truly... has never intended to offend Master. I have always regarded you as my most respected teacher, and my resolve remains unwavering. Please... Master, understand!"

Facing the gaze from above, Chu Xianlan suppressed her inner fear and unease, and finished speaking word by word.

But with each word he spoke, a chill spread through the room, making his skin and bones feel cold.

Even though she was so afraid, Chu Xianlan still had to make things clear.

How could he possibly like... his master? And want to become his Daoist partner?

Even before the thought had even crossed her mind, Chu Xianlan felt an indescribable sense of unease.

The feeling was like... having to lift the bright moon with muddy hands, only to let it roll away into the dust. How could such a thing happen? It was a scene Chu Xianlan never wanted to see.

No one in the world should have any improper thoughts about immortals descending from the mortal realm.

Even he himself couldn't.

"Please, Master, see the truth?"

After a long while, Yi Chen's hoarse and cold voice rang out, as if it came from a bottomless, damp swamp.

"Master, everything I said is true!"

Yi Chen had imagined many scenarios of mutual understanding, but he never expected it to be such an absurd and bizarre scene.

He clearly remembered all the ways Chu Xianlan had shown her feelings.

Countless things, from his personal confession of affection to his constant companionship, to the jade pendant that expressed his love... and that day, even if it meant going against the world, she would stand by his side.

How could Yi Chen not be captivated and swayed by this? Unconsciously, he had already let himself fall into it, giving all his tenderness and sincerity to the young man.

As a result, the lips he had kissed not long ago were able to utter the words "unwavering commitment" as if nothing had happened.

Throughout history, Yi Chen had never been able to bear hurting his disciples, much less making Chu Xianlan kneel. But now, his disciple was kneeling on the ground, desperately explaining that everything was a misunderstanding, each word as if he wanted to tear his heart out for him to see.

Just to prove that what I once thought was mutual affection was nothing but a mirage.

Chu Xianlan was afraid; Chu Xianlan was retreating.

Realizing this, Yi Chen felt as if an ice pick had pierced his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

The box symbolizing truth and reality is about to be opened, and all illusions will be revealed in their entirety—this is not right, he cannot accept it. How could those genuine feelings be false? It's impossible that it was all just his wishful thinking from beginning to end.

No.

His reason wouldn't allow him to accept this outcome.

There is so much evidence pointing to the same answer—Chu Xianlan's feelings for him are genuine.

The problem must lie elsewhere.

next second.

Chu Xianlan's eyes widened, and before she knew it, she was thrown hard onto the soft bed.

"Master!"

Yi Chen grabbed Chu Xianlan's shoulders, slowly propped himself up, tilted his head, and asked softly, "Are you... having second thoughts?"

At such close range, Chu Xianlan could clearly see the scales spreading under the other person's eyes and the faintly shimmering spiritual mark on their forehead.

Chu Xianlan's heart clenched; his intuition told him that his master's condition was not right.

Yi Chen lowered his eyelashes and pondered... Chu Xianlan's changes seemed to gradually appear after her half-demon bloodline was exposed.

Yi Chen raised his eyes again and leaned closer.

The dim light cast several shadows between his brows, and his usually calm face revealed a rare, almost shattered, bewilderment: "Why would you regret it... Xianlan, did I frighten you? If I weren't a half-demon, would you still regret it?"

His words sounded fragile and difficult.

Completely different from Yi Chen's usual appearance, the unapproachable Immortal Lord Ji Xue was nowhere to be seen. In his place was a half-demon who didn't know how to keep the one he loved...

Those in positions of power no longer act arrogantly, but instead beg for the mercy of those in lower positions.

Chu Xianlan stared blankly at her vulnerable master, then immediately shook her head, her thoughts also drawn to the situation. She explained, "It's not because of that. I'm not afraid of you, Master, and it's not because you're a half-demon that I'm afraid..."

"Then tell me the reason," Yi Chen interrupted him quietly.

Chu Xianlan tentatively asked, "You want to know... what the reason is?"

"Why are you going back on your word and refusing to become my Daoist partner?" Yi Chen lowered his voice.

“…………”

Going back on your word! ? ?

Chu Xianlan's forehead was covered in cold sweat.

I really don't know how to correct this bizarre turn of events.

A jumble of emotions made his mind overheat and become a complete mess. For a few moments, Chu Xianlan seemed to have truly become a heartless man that everyone wanted to condemn, someone who should be hung up on a bonfire and whipped with a small leather whip to admit his mistakes.

Is this reasonable?

Where are the references?

From the very beginning, his master was certain that he liked him and believed that they must form a Daoist partnership. Where did this tradition come from?

Chu Xianlan brainstormed, recalling his previous actions and behaviors. Because of the precognitive dream, he had indeed made some subtle moves that might have led to misunderstandings...?

Let them misunderstand, it's not over yet.

Why does Master act as if... he also... likes me very much?

What? Master likes him?

No, no, no.

There must be something wrong with this.

That's Master! His heart is as still as water; there's no way he could have worldly feelings. Ah! He's not possessed by a ghost, how could Master possibly fall for him?!

Suddenly, Chu Xianlan shuddered.

His fingertips twitched slightly as his thoughts returned, only to see Yi Chen take his hand in his arms, his deep gray eyes half-closed, his head lowered, his thin lips lightly brushing against the back of his hand, and then pulling his fingers directly into his mouth.

Chu Xianlan felt a wet sensation covering her fingertips, and she was completely stunned. Her index finger was hooked by the root of her tongue and she couldn't pull it away. Just then, Yi Chen looked up and the spiritual pattern between his eyebrows completely disappeared.

The half-demon, who had been suppressing his emotions for so long, slowly savored the prey in his palm, no longer displaying his usual aloofness and self-control.

As if bewitched, Chu Xianlan's Adam's apple bobbed, she swallowed unconsciously, and her mind went blank for a moment.

The familiar snake tail coiled around her body, tightening round and round, the fabric rubbing against her, their bodies pressed together suggestively.

As the malevolent energy slowly seeped out, a sense of crisis arose, and Chu Xianlan realized that something was wrong. It was a sign of the half-demon's agitation, and she immediately cried out in panic, "Master, malevolent energy! Please calm down, the malevolent energy is out of control again!"

The words had barely left his lips when a deep, warm voice pressed against his earlobe, wet and scalding, as if it had been soaked in water: "Don't you like your teacher...? Why are you hiding?"