The human cub said goodnight to me!

Tang Xi’s heart melted completely, almost turning to mush. He smiled warmly. “Goodnight.”

His form was transparent and ethereal, with spiritual energy gathering at his fingertips. He could interact with few physical objects, yet he still gently tucked the blanket around the baby on the bed.

Only then did he remember a certain matter. When the cultivators who survived the future battlefields reviewed the war, they had incidentally divined some fragments of Ye Qing’s life.

Perhaps the Heavenly Dao was truly ruthless, for this child’s destiny was fraught with tribulations.

There were life-and-death crises, and the tribulation of a heartless love. To put it simply: he would hang by a thread, face countless brushes with death, and even suffer a love tribulation where the one he loved did not love him back… The sheer amount of sword-and-sabre-filled conflict and soul-shattering despair was more than even a favored child of Heaven might endure, let alone a mortal with a weak constitution and an ordinary life.

The earliest such incident occurred when the diviner, after a moment’s contemplation, performed a finger-calculation: “It should be the winter turning to spring in the third year of Tian Shou. A star will shine in the sky, a sign of demonic influence… A snake demon will descend from the mountain in search of food. With its venomous fangs, it will destroy Ye Qing’s spiritual root in his dreams, completely severing the path to cultivation for Pei Xuan’s son.”

Killing in dreams, how could one ever guard against it?

It’s okay if a person has mediocre talent, Tang Xi thought, but their spiritual root must not be destroyed.

At this thought, Tang Xi jolted awake.

He lunged forward, trying to throw off the child’s blanket, his heart burning with anxiety. “Qingqing, don’t sleep! I have to tell you something. You might face a snake tribulation tonight. The snake venom will seep into your internal organs and destroy your spiritual root… Wake up, hurry!”

But it was too late. The human cub felt exceptionally drowsy today. His little mouth smacked twice before he was dragged back into the land of dreams.

Ye Qing had a dream that was both eerie and beautiful.

He dreamed he was in a cave overgrown with lush greenery. A chilly wind howled into the cavern. Inside, besides his own bewildered self, there was a snake as thick as a bowl. Its golden-green pupils stared at him, narrowing into sharp slits. Its gaze held a malicious intent, and its tongue hissed.

“???”

What kind of dream is this!

He was terrified of snakes. Before the creature could even coil around his body, the human cub was so frightened that his eyes flew wide open, and he burst into a loud, wailing cry.

His milky voice was booming and deafening—

The reaction in the dream manifested in reality. Hearing the cries, Tang Xi’s eyes nearly split open in anguish, and his soul almost flew out of his body.

He frantically checked Ye Qing’s small arms and legs, searching for any snake marks.

Meanwhile, the disciples of the Guiyuan Sect were gathering.

The sect’s uniforms were designed with an ethereal, immortal aesthetic. The senior brothers wore them with a dignified and upright posture, while the senior sisters looked as graceful as celestial consorts.

A large number of disciples assembled in the outskirts, and the sky was filled with the colorful trails of sword-flying sword intent.

Among them, one young woman stood out. She was about sixteen years old, wearing a pale purple crimson gauze robe and a white veiled hat. Though her face was hidden, one couldn’t help but sense it was an exceptionally beautiful one.

The beauty was slender and graceful, her demeanor a perfect blend of otherworldly, mysterious coolness and the jade-like nobility of a great clan.

The young woman bowed elegantly and introduced herself: “I am Yu Feixue. I have not yet formally entered the immortal sect. I have come to assist you all, Senior Brothers. Please guide me.”

Yunzhou City was home to four great clans, and the Yu Mansion was one of them. The Yu family had produced many figures who had made a name for themselves in the immortal world, including a considerable number of Nascent Soul cultivators.

Junior Sister Luo Ling, seeing Senior Brother Qin Xun after his long absence, was delighted. She clung to his arm and said coquettishly, “Senior Brother, where have you been for the past few months? I missed you so much! I only came to Yunzhou City after I heard you were here!”

The Junior Sister was lovely and charming, with a lively and cheerful personality.

Qin Xun had always doted on her, but after descending the mountain this time, he learned of his own destiny: A single swordsman sweeping across the eight desolate lands, accompanied by a mortal confidante, he alone can halt the immortal-demon war and save all living beings…

He was destined to be the one to destroy Pei Xuan.

Realizing his extraordinary fate, Qin Xun, who had always been tender-hearted toward women found his standards suddenly soaring. He now found his Junior Sister utterly dull.

Her face was far less beautiful than the Feather Clan’s maids, and her cultivation talent was mediocre; it had taken her a long time just to reach the Qi Refining Stage.

Just then, Yu Feixue appeared. Qin Xun’s heart jolted, and he quietly disentangled himself from his Junior Sister’s clinging embrace.

He had long heard of Yu Feixue’s fame in Yunzhou City, but he never expected the real woman to surpass the rumors.

Like the other Guiyuan Sect disciples, Qin Xun was convinced the moment he saw her even though she stood there with a veil obscuring most of her face and had yet to even reach the Qi Refining Stage, that once she joined the immortal sect, she would undoubtedly be its number one beauty.

A rich fragrance emanated from her, drawing him in. It was a scent that haunted the soul, the scent of a fortuitous encounter.

Drawn by this providential pull, Qin Xun felt an even deeper attraction to the ethereal young woman.

Luo Ling’s intuition was sharp, and she immediately sensed danger.

Luo Ling knew Yu Feixue must be breathtakingly beautiful. This thought filled her with wariness. Senior Brother Qin was already showing her such favor before she had even officially joined the sect once Yu Feixue did, Luo Ling feared her own special treatment as his Junior Sister would be cast aside.

The young girl had never learned divination. Had she, she would have discovered that her Senior Brother and Yu Feixue were destined to be soulmates, bound to face life and death together for the rest of their lives.

In the grand scheme of things, she, Luo Ling, wouldn’t even be a footnote in Senior Brother Qin’s life.

“Miss Yu, you’re not even at the Qi Refining Stage. Your body is mortal, no different from any commoner. Why are you even here? I heard the Yu Mansion has a peerless genius who reached the Qi Refining Stage before even joining a sect. This Snake Demon is incredibly powerful, why didn’t the Yu Mansion send him instead?”

“…” Miss Yu’s eyes, veiled by her hat, showed neither joy nor sorrow.

She gazed at the young girl, who was flailing her arms in frustration, and spoke coolly, “I am here for my own reasons. Beyond that, the Yu Mansion’s internal affairs are not for your discussion.”

The simple sentence carried the quiet arrogance of a great noble clan.

“You…” Luo Ling was speechless with rage.

She tugged on her Senior Brother’s robes, hoping he would speak up for her. “Senior Brother, don’t you agree? We are all cultivators, yet she has only just begun Qi Refinement. Not only are we short-handed in fighting the enemy, but we also have to waste our energy protecting her. The Guiyuan Sect asked the Yu Mansion for help, and this is the half-hearted response they give us?”

“Junior Sister Luo, watch your words,” Qin Xun said.

“The Yu Mansion has already sent a representative. Miss Yu’s presence, a lady of such status and grace, is proof enough of their sincerity. Do not be unreasonable.”

“I’m being unreasonable?” Luo Ling was stunned, her heart aching.

She and Qin Xun were the ones who shared the bond of senior and junior disciples of the same sect! And in the past, Senior Brother always called her Ling’er. Now, his thin lips parted to address her as the formal ‘Junior Sister Luo.’ How could she not feel jealous?*

“Alright, alright, stop arguing!” It wasn’t Qin Xun who broke the tension, but Zheng Yiming, the First Senior Brother of the Guiyuan Sect.

His command sent a jolt through the hearts of all the junior disciples present. He said helplessly, “What time is it? How can you all still be arguing?”

Zheng Yiming shot Qin Xun a reproving glare.

The old man with the jade pendant also scolded him, “The Snake Demon is right before our eyes. This is your chance to prove yourself. Do not get caught up in petty jealousy and make a fool of yourself.”

The Guiyuan Sect disciples present, including Qin Xun, were all at the Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment stage.

The only one at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment was Zheng Yiming, who was an Alchemist, while Qin Xun was a Sword Cultivator.

Sword Cultivators were naturally stronger, making it easy for them to steal the spotlight. As long as Qin Xun took action and emerged as a leader, he would set a powerful example for the rest.

The old man with the jade pendant’s words were carefully chosen, and Qin Xun’s expression was momentarily stunned as he processed their meaning.

He stepped forward, his gaze deep and resolute, cutting off Zheng Yiming’s words. “Eldest Senior Brother is right. We Guiyuan disciples have been sent down the mountain by the Immortal Sect’s orders. Our urgent task is to eliminate the Snake Demon. I am a Sword Cultivator, and I have recently mastered the Thirteen Swords of Guiyuan. Let me take the lead!”

His magnanimity and willingness to be the first to charge attracted countless gazes, including Yu Feixue’s.

The young woman, her face veiled by a wide-brimmed hat, watched him. Her eyes shimmered like stars, as if they could speak.

Qin Xun refused to look at her, but his heart burned with a fierce desire.

Jing Qian, the Second Senior Brother, held a compass in his hand. His expression suddenly turned grave. “Danger! The Snake Demon is at Poisonous Flood Dragon Pool, and it has already captured a child with a spiritual root!”

As soon as he spoke, an uproar erupted in the crowd. The young cultivators’ faces changed drastically.

A child with a spiritual root?

Everyone knew what this meant. The Heavenly Dao was merciless; countless cultivators had fallen over the years, yet the number of children born into the Cultivation World was steadily declining.

A child with a spiritual root was exactly the kind of talent the Guiyuan Sect sought to recruit.

If all went as expected, he might join the Guiyuan Sect in the spring and become their new junior brother.

Moreover, if the Snake Demon devoured the child, its strength would soar even further, leaving them even more outmatched.

The Cultivation World was a strange place. When young cultivators or old men fell, everyone remained impassive, treating it as a common occurrence. Yet, the moment they heard a child had been captured, their faces contorted in shock.

Every single person would raise a finger and roar, “You demonic beast! You deserve to be executed by all!”

Before Qin Xun could even get into position, the Guiyuan Sect disciples transformed into flying swords, streaking south at incredible speed.

In an instant, they reached the mountain peak, only to find the Snake Demon’s barrier: a dense thicket of poisonous thorns.

This was a barrier of venomous thorns erected by a Golden Core Stage cultivator, accompanied by a poisonous miasma that everyone dreaded.

The disciples, consumed with worry for the human child, were trapped outside the perimeter, utterly at a loss. Qin Xun spoke again, producing a pill and swallowing it. “Senior Brothers and Sisters, do not worry. I will go!”

Zheng Yiming tried to stop him, but Qin Xun had already taken the pill.

Qin Xun was already at the Foundation Establishment Stage. After consuming the pill, his power surged to the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, giving him the strength to challenge these poisonous plants.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Qin Xun stepped forward, a sword appearing in his palm.

Wielding the sharp blade, his handsome features and extraordinary posture made him as striking as a celestial lord.

With a single swing, his sword intent surged like a tidal wave, smashing the poisonous thorns into dust!

“Eldest Senior Brother is so handsome…”

Luo Ling’s heart pounded like a startled deer. Including her, countless female cultivators present gazed at Qin Xun.

At the front of the crowd, Qin Xun’s robes whipped wildly in the wind. His gaze was resolute, so imposing that it dared not be met. As the poisonous miasma cleared, his face broke into his first smile of the day.

That Snake Demon is dead for sure!

Then, his smile quickly froze.

Because behind the thorns, there was no snake.

Yes, no snake. Now that the clouds had dispersed and the mist had cleared, the hazy moonlight illuminated the canyon.

In the clearing, only a pool of blood remained, along with a young man cradling a child.

At the man’s feet lay the five-to-six-meter-long corpse of a snake.

Qin Xun’s heart skipped a beat, and a look of terror he couldn’t conceal appeared between his brows.

The man exuded the aura of the Mahayana stage. His posture was tall and straight, his temperament noble and elegant, like a sliver of moonlight in the world, his bearing so magnificent that it made everything around him pale in comparison.

Although his face was hidden from view, the male and female disciples of the Guiyuan Sect found themselves swayed and intoxicated by this great demon’s charm.

“Stop crying.”

The man paid no mind to the stray cats and dogs who had intruded. He wiped away a tear stain with his fingertip, his tone lazy yet gentle.

Only then did the Guiyuan Sect disciples snap back to their senses. Their attention shifted downward, and they saw a small child lying in the man’s arms.

The child’s soft hair was slightly long, obscuring their features, and their small body trembled uncontrollably.

The child’s body trembled with sobs, his face buried deep in the shadows. His small, delicate frame with its tiny hands and short legs looked so pitiful and adorable as he hiccupped through his tears.

The Guiyuan Sect disciple’s heart softened. Oh, the poor baby must be terrified…

The old man with the jade pendant gazed on with a cool, detached expression. What a pity, he thought. Heavenly Dao, he’s missed his chance again.

The man’s sudden appearance had caused everyone to momentarily forget about Junior Brother Qin.

Qin Xun’s mind raced. Amidst his shock and terror, a strange sense of resentment surged in his chest.

Mahayana Stage! Another Mahayana Stage cultivator!

Yunzhou City had always seemed so quiet. Who could have known it harbored so many hidden cultivation masters? The young man held the child in one arm and the vicious Snake Demon by its scruff in the other.

He was already turning to leave.

The old man’s words from the previous day still echoed in Qin Xun’s mind.

“That is a Golden Core Stage Snake Demon. Its cultivation is a level above yours, and it possesses the power to kill through nightmares. It is a gift from the Heavenly Dao, a stepping stone for your advancement. Its flesh and blood would be a great tonic; its Golden Core could propel you to the Mid-Foundation Establishment Stage; its skin could be fashioned into boots impervious to fire and water. You could even replace your worn-out storage bag… You need not worry about the Four Great Families taking a share. With their vast resources and countless treasures, they would never spare a glance for a mere Snake Demon. You could claim nearly all of it for yourself.”

In short, every inch of the snake was a treasure.

It was these very words that had prompted Qin Xun to emerge from seclusion early, and he had always considered the snake a prize already in his pocket.

The man was taking the snake away so casually. Was he really going to stand by and watch as the snake meat, demon core, and snake skin slipped away right before his eyes? Not to mention the man’s attitude, he clearly had no use for the snake, otherwise why would he be so nonchalant? He was obviously planning to use it to vent his child’s anger.

Qin Xun heard his own heart pounding, his blood boiling as a sudden impulse surged within him.

In this moment, he was like a puppet being inexplicably controlled, instantly forgetting all about keeping a low profile. He stepped forward.

He heard his own voice, clear and bright, as he cupped his hands in salute. “This junior is powerless. Many thanks to Senior for your assistance. May I ask your name and title?”

The atmosphere in the canyon froze for two seconds.

The Guiyuan Sect disciples’ minds went blank. They were all stunned. What was Junior Brother Qin doing?! Although they also felt a strong surge of curiosity, this kind of powerful cultivator was obviously someone they couldn’t afford to offend!

Qin Xun’s expression remained calm, neither humble nor arrogant.

The moonlight was too bright, obscuring Lou Qinian’s face; otherwise, he wouldn’t have said such words.

Lou Qinian slowly narrowed his eyes.

He hadn’t noticed at first, but looking down, he realized it was this Guiyuan Sect disciple again.

He shot a contemptuous glance at Qin Xun. “You young disciples of the Guiyuan Sect are not yet worthy of knowing my name.”

They weren’t even of the same generation; why should he reveal his identity and name?

His gaze was imperious, his expression arrogant. As he stood casually, the pressure of his Mahayana stage cultivation erupted.

The Guiyuan Sect disciples present all clutched their chests and spat out mouthfuls of blood.

Qin Xun’s inner core was nearly shattered. His face turned deathly pale as he fell to his knees, unable to stand, his arrogance completely extinguished.

Seeing the dawn break, the child in his arms was still crying.

The intermittent sobs were maddeningly irritating. Lou Qinian’s brow furrowed. “Stop crying.”

As the leader of the Feather Clan, Lou Qinian had only ever seen hatchlings.

The Feather Clan’s methods of raising birds were mostly free-range. Some would place their young on a cliff’s edge and kick them off, nest and all.

As long as they didn’t die from the fall, they would be dropped repeatedly until they could fly. Others would simply place their own young in someone else’s nest, saying, “Here, old friend, I’m leaving my child with you. Please raise him for me…”

This was the first time Lou Qinian had ever seen such a fragile human infant.

He was more delicate than anything else, seemingly terrified by the snake, and his crying was making Lou Qinian, who had initially been patient, increasingly exasperated.

Without a thought for anyone else present, he instantly transformed into a streak of green light and shot back to Ye Family Village like a falling star.

Ye Qing thought the entire night had been a dream.

First, he dreamed of a snake several meters long, its massive body slithering toward him on the ground, fangs bared in a horrifying attack. The blood-red maw loomed close, dripping with foul-smelling saliva.

Just as he started to cry, a giant peacock charged in the next second, staging a battle against the Snake Demon that left him utterly stunned.

The Snake Demon’s body, as thick as a bowl, was gripped in the peacock’s beak, being slammed against the ground as it shrieked in agony.

The little one watched, dumbfounded. After being saved from the snake’s jaws, he was carried off on the peacock’s back. His consciousness grew hazy, and he dreamed that he was flying in the sky.

The clouds were like tufts of cotton, and the stars twinkled so close to his face they seemed almost within reach.

I’m flying in the sky…

The night breeze was gentle. In the end, he fell asleep nestled against the peacock’s chest. The bird’s full breast was fluffy and soft, lacking the brilliant colors of its other feathers but offering supreme comfort.

He pressed his chubby cheek against it, his eyes curving like crescent moons.

So soft… let me snuggle.

When he woke up, the little one’s eyes flew wide open. The soft peacock chest was gone, replaced by rock-hard, eight-pack abs!

He looked up and saw Brother Lou.

Lou Qinian’s long black hair flowed like water over his chest, his outer robe draped simply over his shoulders. His eight-pack abs were sharply defined, showcasing his lean and powerful build.

Leaning against the wall, Lou Qinian slowly opened his half-lidded eyes as the human cub woke. He looked a bit weary, yet his gaze still held the aura of a Great Demon.

That innate sense of lazy arrogance in his blood, combined with his stunning face, was breathtaking.

Ye Qing stared blankly for a few seconds. In an instant, he forgot all about the Snake Demon and the peacock. What psychological trauma from almost being bitten by a snake? It didn’t exist!

His spirits lifted, and he clingly cooed, “Brother, snuggle!”

The little baby had a lot of aesthetic taste, after all.

He loved cuddling with handsome men and beautiful women the most!

Little did he know, Lou Qinian was thinking: Is this what a human cub is like? He can really sleep, five whole hours!

The baby had been sprawled across his chest all night, falling asleep whenever he cried himself out. The weight had nearly paralyzed half of Lou Qinian’s arm.

The Great Demon, who hadn’t had a drop of water in ten hours, rolled his eyes fiercely. His voice was hoarse as he asked, “Are all human children this clingy and fond of sleeping?”

Or was the one in his arms an exception?

The Great Demon’s expression and tone were full of disdain.

The Parrot, however, was dying of envy. He had snuck in as a bird, unable to take human form, yet he also wanted to cuddle with the adorable human cub. “Your Majesty, you’ve worked too hard. Let me hold the child for a bit.”

The Great Demon’s lips parted: “Piss off.”

Pei Xuan had rushed back from the Myriad Demon Cave overnight.

Upon hearing that his son had nearly been bitten by a snake, he had leveled the Poisonous Flood Dragon Pool with a single sword strike. He then intended to kill the Peacock with another blow and dig out its Demon Core. After all, it was just a bird, it might as well become a ghost beneath his sword.

Lou Qinian’s expression shifted. His injuries hadn’t healed yet! But unexpectedly, the Demon Lord’s murderous sword intent suddenly stopped, halting right at his chest.

Pei Xuan’s expression was glacial as he enunciated each word: “You’re still somewhat useful. I’ll spare your life for now. Recover your health, and you will serve my son in the future.”

Lou Qinian was instantly furious.

__

After snuggling with Great Demon Brother, Ye Qing was full of energy all day. He flashed a grin, revealing a row of pearly white teeth, then brushed them before getting dressed.

He hummed to himself as he opened the wardrobe and found four or five new outfits. He touched the outer robes, feeling their cool, smooth fabric.

Opening the shoe cabinet, he discovered ten pairs of small boots. The leather was a bit stiff, and he couldn’t tell what kind it was.

There was also a whole cabinet full of snacks and small pieces of dried meat. He didn’t know what kind of meat it was, but he took a piece and chewed it a few times.

“Mmm, not bad! Delicious!” he said, nodding as he ate. Everyone heard his verdict.

But for seven straight days, it was the same meat. Ye Qing, who never turned his nose up at meat, suddenly stared with wide, dark eyes. Clutching his spoon, he ignored the residual soul’s attempts to soothe him and pushed away the freshly cooked soup. “Waaah! What kind of meat is this? I don’t want to eat it anymore!”

Meanwhile, Tang Xi was trying his best to coax him into taking just one more bite.

At that moment, Qin Xun was in seclusion healing his injuries, having been wounded again at the Poisonous Flood Dragon Pool. If he knew that someone was crying and refusing to eat the very meat he dreamed of for cultivating his power, he would probably cough up blood on the spot.

The old man with the jade pendant consoled him, saying, “Do not be anxious or angry. You have another opportunity in this Yunzhou City.”