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

As soon as she finished speaking, Chu Xianlan felt the hands wrapped around her tighten a little.

Seriously... they're a real headache.

When Yi Chen saw Qu Ling return alone at the Moon-Viewing Platform and couldn't find his disciple for a long time, he sensed something was wrong. He used the master-disciple contract to sense the location and followed the direction to find her.

From afar, one could see Chu Xianlan riding a flying artifact, locked in a fierce battle with a firebird in mid-air.

If he had arrived any later, who would have caught him?

Or perhaps, relying on the bond between master and disciple, they completely disregard their own safety? Are they so certain that they will definitely appear?

Thinking this, Yi Chen's eyes grew even deeper.

A screech interrupted my thoughts.

The firebirds in the sky broke free from the binding ropes and swooped down, spraying heat waves directly at the two people on the ground.

Yi Chen did not turn around, but his spiritual power fluctuated slightly. In an instant, the surging flames condensed into ice shards, which shattered and turned into countless sharp ice spikes that pierced straight through the Firebird's wings and pinned its feathers firmly to the ground.

The firebird was unable to move, smoke billowing from its mouth, and let out a mournful cry.

The pet merchant was dumbfounded.

Just now I thought my spirit pet was doomed, but thankfully, Yi Chen's attack, though seemingly ruthless, actually left room for maneuver.

"Thank you so much, Immortal Lord Jixue!" He rushed forward to reinforce the barrier again. Finally, the Firebird gradually shrank back to a small bird the size of a palm.

Turning around, the pet merchant was stunned again.

Wait, why is Immortal Lord Jixue still holding that boy? What's their relationship...? Oh, master and disciple, master and disciple again, so... is this how masters and disciples interact these days?

Perhaps their demon race has truly fallen behind and can no longer keep up with the rules of the human race.

Chu Xianlan was also stunned, her mind filled with amazement at "Master's move was so incredibly cool", completely forgetting that she was still in the position of being carried horizontally.

Then a voice, tinged with a hint of helplessness, came from above: "How much longer must you stay on your master?"

I really don't know if it's greed or childishness.

Just a few days ago, I didn't dare to get close.

Now, under the guise of being rescued... it's as if they want to cling to him and take root in his arms.

Chu Xianlan lowered her head, then looked up and gasped in shock.

He swore he had absolutely no intention of deliberately blaming his master; he wasn't crazy!

Chu Xianlan was about to jump down recklessly when Yi Chen loosened his grip to make sure he was steady before pulling his hand away.

"I'm sorry, Master, I've caused you trouble again."

"...It's alright."

Chu Xianlan rubbed her wrist, hearing her master say this in her ear. His tone was normal and gentle, but why... did she feel that there was something else in her master's eyes?

It felt like scrutiny, yet...intriguing? I can't quite describe the feeling.

...It's probably just an illusion.

With his limited cultivation and inner strength, and not some kind of Transcending Tribulation Ancestor, what is there for Master to investigate further?

Chu Xianlan was completely confused and couldn't decipher the meaning behind Yi Chen's eyes. Uh, it must be that she had just made a rash mistake and displeased her master.

He thought to himself: You traitor!

Alright, you traitor, you'd better shut up and stay safe.

At this moment, the spirit pet merchant strolled over, bowed deeply to the two, and said with gratitude, "Thank you very much, Immortal Lord Jixue, thank you very much, young friend! If it weren't for your help, a great disaster would have occurred today."

Chu Xianlan: "What exactly happened here?"

The pet merchant scratched his head. "It's not clear yet; the guards are investigating."

The mischievous spirit pets in the distance were gradually recaptured, the situation gradually stabilized, and the scattered goods were also gradually tidied up.

Chu Xianlan put the Immortal Binding Rope back into her storage bag, when she suddenly felt something move inside her clothes and a small white head popped out.

Ah, the little guy is still tucked in his arms.

The little snake crawled up his wrist, its slender body wrapping around his fingers, as if it adored him.

"So it's here! No wonder I couldn't find it!" The spirit pet merchant laughed heartily upon seeing it. "If you like it, you can keep it as a spirit pet. After all, you two seem to have a special connection!"

Chu Xianlan hesitated for a moment.

To be honest, this little thing is a bit dull. I used to think it was stupid, but now that it's wrapped around my hand, it's actually quite pleasing to the eye.

Just as she was pondering whether to stay a little longer, the little spirit snake seemed to suddenly realize something, turned its head, and caught sight of Yi Chen beside it.

The next second, its whole body froze.

Chu Xianlan saw the little spirit snake deftly loosen its tail and dart towards the spirit pet merchant without turning its head.

"This little guy runs pretty fast." Chu Xianlan said, both amused and helpless.

"A connection?" A cool voice suddenly sounded beside him, carrying a hint of barely perceptible inquiry.

"Huh?" Chu Xianlan was taken aback, turned her head to look at her master, and explained, "Ah, I just saw it once by chance at the market during the day, and I didn't expect to run into it again at night. I guess it's fate."

"Aren't you afraid anymore?" Yi Chen lowered his eyes. "I remember you used to be... very afraid of snakes."

The question seemed abrupt, but Chu Xianlan understood it instantly.

At that time, he had just joined the Jade Capital Pavilion. He was eight or nine years old and as mischievous as a monkey, running around the mountains all day long. The Jade Capital Pavilion was not as well-organized as it is now. The back mountain was connected to the desolate wilderness, and snakes, insects, rats and ants could be seen everywhere.

For a teenager, snakes are a nightmare.

I remember once when I was playing and ran far away, Chu Xianlan was entangled back into the cave by a giant python that had gained sentience. He was so scared that he almost lost his soul. Back then, his master was unwilling to form a master-disciple contract with him, and he had no means of communicating. He thought he was going to die.

Later, Yi Chen somehow found his way here and took the trembling child back to Yujing Pavilion.

Once bitten, twice shy.

Thinking about this, Chu Xianlan's memories came together.

So, because he was attacked by a snake once when he was a child and was terrified, his master drove away all the snakes on the mountain.

Is this the reason why there isn't a single snake in the Jade Capital Pavilion?

As his cultivation level improved, he was no longer afraid of these things, but that didn't stop him from being moved by such subtle and thoughtful care.

A warm feeling welled up in Chu Xianlan's heart, and she was deeply moved. The words that were on the tip of her tongue came out: "Master, you are so kind."

The boy's tone was gentle, like a feather brushing lightly across the heart, his deep longing impossible to conceal, almost overflowing.

Yi Chen: "..."

Suddenly being praised so frankly by his disciple, that subtle unease welled up again. Yi Chen's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he looked away, choosing to remain silent.

His silence did not mean Chu Xianlan would remain silent. Amidst the surrounding noise, the young man chuckled foolishly twice and continued, "...Back then, I felt that as long as Master was there, there was nothing to fear."

"Disciple... also wants to do everything in my power to become as powerful as you, not only so that outsiders will not think that I have disgraced the sect, but also so that I can stay by your side and be worthy of standing by your side, sharing your burdens, and standing on my own. I can't let outsiders think that your disciple is too mediocre and that I will embarrass you."

The words were sincere and heartfelt, landing with a heavy weight.

Seemingly unable to believe that Chu Xianlan would speak so frankly and without any attempt to conceal it, Yi Chen turned his head and looked over, his gaze falling heavily on the boy's drooping hair.

What does it mean to always stay by your side and stand beside you?

These words are far too improper.

Even though he couldn't see Chu Xianlan's expression at the moment, Yi Chen could easily imagine that her face must be a mixture of shyness and utmost sincerity.

All the noise and chatter around seemed to gradually fade away at that moment.

Those subtle signs that were elusive and unclear gradually became clear.

So... is his disciple truly impure-minded?

Is this... an opportunity to confide in someone, subtly revealing one's true feelings?