His presence was formidable—adorned with a purple crown embedded with luminous pearls, dressed in a black robe with a jade belt. His sharp brows and straight nose gave him a regal air, and his phoenix-shaped eyes flashed with an authoritative intensity, as piercing as lightning. A neatly trimmed black beard lined his jaw.
Bai Ling’s expression shifted in shock, but he quickly dropped to his knees. “Father.”
The man’s gaze remained cold. “Do not call me that. The Kunlun Clan has no use for a failure like you.”
Bai Ling lowered his head, not daring to speak further.
The man said coldly, “Your cultivation has shown no progress, yet your audacity grows by the day. You stole the Nine-Leaf Lingzhi right under countless watchful eyes. Do you think Haotian [a high celestial authority] won’t seize this chance to use it against us? Are you planning to drag the entire clan down with you?”
Bai Ling’s face was filled with guilt. “I have been unfilial. I am willing to bear all consequences alone.”
The man let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “I would like nothing more than to bind you and send you to the celestial courts myself—but do you think Haotian will be satisfied punishing only you?”
Bai Ling lowered his head.
The man studied him for a moment, his gaze softening ever so slightly before hardening once more. With a cold snort, he said, “If they wish to move against us, it won’t be that easy.”
He took two steps forward and stood before Bai Ling. “Get up. Come back with me.”
Bai Ling hesitated, unmoving.
The man’s patience snapped. “Fool! It was bad enough that you deliberately weakened your own cultivation, but do you not understand the severity of this situation?”
“Master just left, and she is all alone…” Bai Ling pressed his forehead to the ground in a deep bow. “I beg you, Father—allow me to stay a little longer.”
“Ridiculous! Do you think I will indulge your reckless whims?”
“Father!”
Realizing his plea was futile, Bai Ling rose and took a step back.
The man sneered. “You’ve grown bold—not only defying orders but daring to resist? Very well. If you can take a single step past that door, I will permit you to stay.”
With a sweep of his black robe, both of them vanished.
* * *
The sky was heavy with ink-dark clouds, thick enough to collapse at any moment. Finally, the wind howled to life, snapping branches and flattening the grass. Yet, the oppressive heat in the air was swept away, leaving a welcome coolness behind.
By the creek, a lone figure hurriedly wrung out her clothes, trying to finish before the downpour arrived.
On a distant hillside, a man and a woman stood side by side, observing the scene.
Dressed in flowing white, his robes billowed in the wind like a celestial being descended to the mortal world. Lu Jiu sighed in satisfaction. “The weather in the mortal realm truly is different. Violent storms, roaring winds—such wild pleasure is impossible to find in the immortal realm.”
He Lan Xue said flatly, “The enforcers from the Thunder Division will be here soon. Aren’t you afraid?”
Lu Jiu glanced at her with a lazy smile. “If anyone is struck by divine lightning today, it certainly won’t be me.”
But He Lan Xue was not looking at him. Her gaze remained fixed on the figure by the creek. Her voice was cool. “Well? Are you still not going to make a move?”
Lu Jiu chuckled. “Why don’t you do it yourself?”
He Lan Xue withdrew her gaze and shot Lu Jiu a look, half reproachful, half playful. “Are you mocking me? That place is sealed with formations. Aside from the young master of the Northern Fox Clan, small demons like us can’t get in. Besides…” She lightly pushed his arm and raised an eyebrow. “I’m not the one eager to taste her.”
Lu Jiu’s tone was gentle. “Not you? You only want to shatter her soul completely.”
He Lan Xue’s eyes shimmered with seductive amusement. “Isn’t Samadhi True Fire capable of refining even souls? Just a mere mortal, and she made you suffer such a loss. Yet here you are, being so magnanimous.” She turned away and sighed softly. “Oh well, what isn’t resolved by swallowing one’s anger and moving on?”
Lu Jiu said, “I only want a taste of her. I never intended to kill her.”
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