Qingfeng's exposed arms and neck were covered in scars from countless blades and swords, his determined face now more chiseled.
Qingyue chuckled, a cool aura radiating from her. Her peach blossom eyes, filled with ice and sharpness, softened into tenderness when she looked at a certain woman.
The two seemed to have changed, having weathered too many storms and become more reliable and steady.
Yet, facing Bai Ran, they remained loyal subordinates, as if they had never changed.
"How could it be you? Are you the two vice leaders of the Night King's Pavilion?"
Xiao Zi's mouth hung open in surprise. Had these two's strength advanced so rapidly?
Qingfeng narrowed his eyes, a hint of confusion in his gaze. "Who are you?"
Xiao Zi froze. He had forgotten that he was still in the Slaughtering Heaven Realm at the time, and these people still didn't recognize him.
Bai Ran smiled faintly and introduced the people in the courtyard one by one.
After hearing the introductions, Qingfeng gradually let go of his cold demeanor.
Qingyue surveyed the people around her, her eyes filled with surprise: a fallen immortal, a demon general, the former demon emperor, a ghost with a materialized body, and a divine beast.
Her master had gathered so many powerful companions by her side…
But then again, they had risked their lives to grow stronger; how could their master fall behind?
Qingyue chuckled softly, her heart overflowing with relief and pride. Fortunately, they had managed to catch up to their master with all their might.
"Let's go inside. We can't just chat in the courtyard," Jiang Ye said, going to pour tea for the two of them.
"Where are Qinghua and Qingxue? Did they not come to the Upper Realm with you?" Bai Ran asked, sitting on a wooden chair opposite Qingfeng.
As the tea was served, the door was gently closed, leaving only the two of them inside.
Qingfeng's lips curved upwards, his masculine demeanor softening into endless reminiscence. "Their strength grew slower. They are still in the Middle Realm."
A month ago, when they learned that Qingfeng and Qingyue were going to the Upper Realm to find their master, they had clung to them for half a day, not letting them leave.
Qingfeng couldn't stop his lips from lifting. They must be terribly anxious now.
"In a while, they will come to the Upper Realm to meet us."
Bai Ran nodded, old memories resurfacing in her mind. It had been more than two years since she parted ways with the four of them.
She wondered what they had experienced in these past two years…
Qingyue, holding a small sable, chatted with Jingfeng and the others in the courtyard.
"Master and the Demon Lord have confessed their feelings for each other!?"
Qingyue's surprised exclamation rang out, her face filled with disbelief. Her master had found someone she loved! And she had accepted that man's proposal!
Jingfeng grinned proudly. "Of course! His Highness is devoted to Miss Bai!"
Jiang Ye nudged Jingfeng's arm, a mischievous smile on his lips. "And you? Did you get a response from your beloved on this trip?"
Zhong Zi and Dong Ling also looked over, anticipating Jingfeng's answer.
Xiao Zi raised an eyebrow. "Look, look, his ears are already blushing."
Jingfeng averted his gaze, his heart starting to race. "He did… agree…"
Jingyun also liked him. His feelings were not unrequited…
Vermilion Bird was full of excitement. "Quick, tell us! What exactly happened!"
"Huh? Why has the topic shifted to me?"
Jingfeng's flustered and indignant expression amused everyone in the courtyard.
Laughter echoed, but only one person sat quietly, seeming like an outsider from beginning to end.
Qingyue lowered her head, her hand gently stroking the sable's fur.
She didn't know what they were talking about, nor why they were laughing.
It was as if a transparent barrier separated Qingyue from the others, preventing her from participating in the world's turmoil.
Inside the room, Bai Ran poured tea with a smile. "Tell me, how did you two come to the Upper Realm?"
"Perhaps it was the will of heaven. Originally, our cultivation was low."
Qingfeng lowered his eyes, his past memories churning in his mind.
"In the Middle Realm, we met a master. His strength was immense, and he took us as his disciples."
Bai Ran held her teacup, the steam rising and dissipating into the air.
"A master?" Her brows furrowed upon hearing this. "Do you know his origin or identity?"
Qingfeng slowly shook his head. "We don't know our master's identity. He always wears a mask."
"But our master inadvertently revealed that he holds a high position in the Nine Heavens and knows a great deal about Master's past."
High position... and knows her past well...?
Bai Ran set down her teacup, a faint sense of unease creeping in.
Why would someone from the Nine Heavens, with such high status, travel to the lower realm and personally cultivate Qingyue and Qingfeng? Sending them to her side?
"Master, has our arrival in the Upper Realm made you... unhappy?"
Qingfeng's expression was somewhat anxious. Perhaps it had been too long since they last saw their master, and he worried if their master had forgotten them…
Or perhaps, there was no longer a place for them by their master's side…
"If that's the case, we can return immediately…"
"Qingfeng."
Bai Ran interrupted him, a hint of helplessness on her face. "I have never forgotten you, nor have I ever felt you were superfluous. Do you understand?"
She still vividly remembered the scene from the lower realm when Qingfeng and Qingyue had nearly lost their lives protecting her courtyard.
"It's just that I have to worry about you being used."
The scalding tea produced mist that swirled around them, as if something had changed, yet as if nothing had.
Qingfeng lowered his head, his pupils shifting slightly, appearing somewhat dejected.
He sighed softly, his fists clenched tightly. He ultimately missed their time in the lower realm.
Back then, there were no ghost races, divine realms, or demonic realms. There were no suspicions or treacherous plots between them.
They were simply five people relying on each other, their closest confidants.
They talked about everything and anything, and spoke of the future.
Even though the daily training was arduous, as long as their master smiled at them, they were the happiest people in the world.
"Qingfeng understands…"
Their sudden arrival now, it was natural for their master to be suspicious…
Qingfeng kept his head bowed very low, which made Bai Ran's heart ache.
Once suspicion arises, an irreparable rift forms between people.
The sudden appearance of old acquaintances with greatly increased strength, the mysteriously suspicious person from the Nine Heavens – all these factors forced Bai Ran to doubt.
Could Qingyue and Qingfeng be unknowingly manipulated by someone?
"Where are Qingxue and Qinghua now?"
Qingfeng answered truthfully, his head still lowered. "They are still with Master."
Still by that person's side? A vague sense of unease arose in Bai Ran's heart. "Qingfeng, since you left, have you contacted Qinghua and Qingxue?"
Qingfeng blinked in confusion, then shook his head. "Master... are you suspicious of our Master?"