Just as Qing Yi was about to remind her, a paper crane flew down from the sky, landing in Fan Yue’s hand.
Whatever message it bore was swiftly destroyed as Fan Yue turned it to dust without a change in his expression, then looked nonchalantly at Qing Yi.
“A-Zhao is about to become Jin Yao’s disciple. What does the Chong family’s past have to do with her?”
The Da Ze Mountain sect, founded in ancient times, did not place much emphasis on the celestial-demon distinction. Had they been more strict, they wouldn’t have sheltered the fox clan’s young master Hong Yi and brought silence upon themselves for a thousand years.
Noticing the subtle understanding between Fan Yue and Bai Shuo, Qing Yi felt it inappropriate to insist on taking her away. In the midst of his hesitation, a celestial talisman flew down from the heavens and landed in front of him.
With one glance at the talisman, his expression changed. Seeing this, Bai Shuo grew worried and asked quickly, “Celestial Lord Qing Yi, what’s happened?”
Qing Yi looked at Bai Shuo solemnly. “The Celestial Palace now knows that A-Zhao entered the imperial palace and attempted to assassinate the Ziwei Star. He has admitted guilt but refuses to apologize to the Ziwei Star. As punishment, Celestial Lord Jin Yao has stripped him of the Wu Yan Tournament title and sentenced him to thirty-six lashes of the Thunder Punishment Whip.”
“How could this happen? Celestial Lord, please take me back to Phoenix Island!”
Qing Yi nodded, raised his hand, and cast a celestial circle over Zi Yue Lake. “Flying back would take too long. This is a Da Ze secret technique—it can transport you instantly across vast distances.”
“Thank you, Celestial Lord!” Bai Shuo turned to leap into the circle, but a hand gripped her wrist, and she found herself staring into Fan Yue’s slightly angry eyes.
“What can you do, a scattered celestial, against a punishment from Jin Yao?”
“A-Zhao is stubborn; he probably didn’t say a single word in his defense. If he knew that the destruction of the Chong family wasn’t as he thought, he might sincerely repent to the Ziwei Star. Perhaps the sect master could intercede and spare him from the Thunder Punishment Whip.”
“Naive. Miao Sect has declined, and with a disciple who attempted to assassinate the Ziwei Star, Song Feng will be lucky if he can prevent Miao Sect from being implicated.”
“Even so, I can’t just do nothing.”
“What more can you do? Fire Ice Island, the Miao Sect’s tournament, the foreign city’s demon purge—you’ve done enough for him already. Bai Shuo, do you really think you’re a fox with nine lives?”
Fan Yue’s cold words struck her, and the memory of her junior disciple’s despair when he was forced to awaken in the foreign city’s stone hall flashed through her mind. She felt an intense pain, as if thorns were scratching her heart.
“Great demon, I…” Bai Shuo reached out hesitantly, tugging at Fan Yue’s sleeve. “Just one last time, please? If A-Zhao takes the Thunder Punishment Whip, his celestial veins will be severed. Let me see him through this ordeal, and then we’ll return together…”
Fan Yue brushed her hand away, a bitter smirk forming at the corner of his lips.
“Why are you telling me this, Bai Shuo? You’re nothing but a toy, an insignificant creature I play with to pass the time. If you want to seek death, what does it matter to me? Leave.”
Fan Yue turned away, as if even looking at her a moment longer was intolerable.
Bai Shuo’s whole body trembled, her face pale as she reached out to grab his robe, only to let her hand fall weakly.
“It was presumptuous of a lowly celestial like me to assume I could be friends with the Hao Yue Hall Master. I have overstepped my bounds and offended you, Hall Master.” She raised her head slowly, her expression firm. “Although I’ve been expelled from Miao Sect, I still have a celestial heart. I may be insignificant, but I must at least try. Celestials and demons are different; the matter on Phoenix Island has nothing to do with the Hall Master.”
She cast one last glance at Fan Yue’s back, said no more, and leaped into the celestial circle.
With a flash of celestial light, Bai Shuo vanished. Qing Yi, however, remained, casting a thoughtful glance at Fan Yue before speaking.
“Yesterday, when she was on Phoenix Island, I sensed that her spiritual veins were disordered, and she bore internal injuries. Little Bai has not been cultivating for long; the scene earlier was likely confusing, and she probably didn’t even notice it herself. After spending a night here and absorbing the essence of Zi Yue, she is now at the Junior Celestial rank. Hall Master, if you care about her, why…”
“I had no idea Da Ze disciples were so fond of idle speculation. Aren’t celestials and demons supposed to be distinct—something your sect preaches endlessly? A mere scattered celestial—how could she ever matter to me?”
Seeing the icy expression on Fan Yue’s face, Qing Yi sighed, then leaped into the celestial circle.
The lake returned to its serene state. By the edge of Zi Yue, Fan Yue looked down, his face unreadable.
After a moment, he turned and walked toward the far northern reaches of the demon realm, then suddenly paused.
Fan Yue lowered his gaze to find a small flower pouch lying abandoned at his feet, revealing a few withered petals.
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