Yun Ye’s grip tightened making Bai Tu winced from the pain, gently struggling to free himself. “Let go of me.”

Yun Ye snapped back to his senses.

He awkwardly released the boy’s hand, muttering. “S-sorry…”

Bai Tu blinked in surprise.

What was going on with this person? Why had he suddenly changed?

Shouldn’t he have first mocked him for being overconfident, then called him a little idiot or something?

Had he been intimidated by his display of skill just now?

At that moment, the massive creature before them suddenly radiated a faint blue light. The Primordial Beast turned to ashes in the glow, leaving behind only a slender celestial sword on the snow.

It was the Taichu.

Bai Tu’s eyes brightened, immediately pushing aside his earlier thoughts. He turned to Yun Ye. “Look, it’s—”

Before he could finish speaking, a sword cry suddenly rang out beside him.

A gust of biting wind and snow swept toward them, carrying the sword light. Bai Tu instinctively raised his hand to shield himself, and when he looked up again, Yun Ye had disappeared without a trace.

Bai Tu: “…”

Where the hell did that bastard go??

At the foot of the snow mountain lay a desolate, empty forest. It was sunset, and the sky was ablaze with the colors of the setting sun, reflecting off the distant snow-capped peaks, merging the world into a single hue.

Yun Ye walked through the forest, his mood surprisingly complicated.

Perhaps some things were coincidences, but that sword intent—there was no way that could have been fake.

Knowing that his master hadn’t abandoned him, Yun Ye felt a small surge of happiness. But soon, he recalled everything he’d done over the past two days.

What had he done…?

Yun Ye felt a mixture of regret and frustration, wishing he could go back in time and strangle the version of himself who had spoken so recklessly.

He had indeed suspected the person’s identity before, but he never imagined such a possibility. How could it be that…

In any case, Yun Ye’s mood was complicated. He didn’t even have time to think about it and instinctively summoned his personal sword, fleeing the scene.

Once he calmed down, Yun Ye sat on a rock by the roadside, head lowered, like a large dog that had just caused trouble and didn’t know where to go next.

When Bai Tu caught up, this was the sight he saw.

Bai Tu approached and asked. “What are you doing?”

“Huh?” Yun Ye snapped out of his daze, instinctively trying to run again, but Bai Tu grabbed his arm first. “Where are you going?”

Bai Tu who had already been frustrated from being left behind on the snow mountain, felt his temper flare when he saw Yun Ye trying to escape. “What are you running for? Do you think I’m going to eat you?”

“No, it’s not…” Yun Ye stammered.

“No ‘it’s not,’ I came all this way to find you, and you just leave me on the mountain? Is that how you treat me?” Taking advantage of Yun Ye not knowing his true identity, Bai Tu felt free from concerns, scolded. “I just saved your life, and this is how you repay me?”

Yun Ye had never heard his master speak to him like that, and he stood frozen in place, stunned.

Seeing that Yun Ye didn’t speak, Bai Tu asked “What, did the Primordial Beast scare you silly?”

“No, I… I just…” Yun Ye began.

Bai Tu interrupted him. “I know, you don’t need to explain.”

Yun Ye stiffened, and then heard Bai Tu continue. “You don’t like to interact with others, right? I told you, this Primordial Secret Realm is extremely dangerous. It’s safer to stay with the group for mutual support. But you didn’t listen, you…”

Bai Tu continued to lecture, but Yun Ye lowered his gaze, watching him. The more he looked, the more he found this master unexpectedly endearing.

Moreover, it seemed Bai Tu hadn’t realized that Yun Ye had already figured out his true identity.

As this thought settled in his mind, Yun Ye felt at ease. He gently interrupted Bai Tu. “I understand now. I won’t do this again.”

Seeing him admit his mistake, Bai Tu nodded in satisfaction and raised his hand to summon a slender sword made entirely of cold jade.

“You were in such a hurry, you forgot this.”

As Bai Tu finished speaking, the Taichu Sword suddenly soared into the air and flew in front of Yun Ye.

Bai Tu: “You personally slayed the Primordial Beast guarding Taichu, and now Taichu acknowledges you as its master. Go ahead, give it a try.”

Yun Ye nodded. “Alright.”

As soon as he grasped the hilt, the entire Primordial Secret Realm shook violently.

The slender sword blade radiated a brilliant golden light, and Taichu continuously shifted its form in Yun Ye’s hand. Swords, spears, halberds, staffs, whips—various weapons rapidly changed shape before finally settling into a black bamboo folding fan, which gently rested in his palm.

With practiced ease, Yun Ye tucked the fan into his waist, turning to Bai Tu. “All set.”

In reality, Taichu wasn’t a sword.

It could transform into any weapon according to its master’s will, or even become a personal item for easy carrying. The previous master had preferred using a sword, which is why Taichu had appeared in sword form.

After the passing of its last master, Taichu had remained within the Secret Realm, guarded by the fierce Primordial Beast.

The beast’s whereabouts were unknown, but whenever a suitable person appeared for Taichu, it would reveal itself. If that person defeated the Primordial Beast, they could claim Taichu.

This was the rule left by the ancestors.

In simpler terms, it was a golden finger made for the protagonist.

Having resolved one worry, Bai Tu finally relaxed but soon felt weak all over.

In the Primordial Secret Realm, he could only use thirty percent of his cultivation. When dealing with the Primordial Beast earlier, he had almost exhausted all of his strength. Normally, this wouldn’t have been a problem, but he had been feeling unwell these past few days. Now, he couldn’t help but feel lightheaded.

Yun Ye quickly reached out to steady him. “Master… No, what’s wrong with you?”

Bai Tu’s head was buzzing, and he couldn’t quite make out what Yun Ye was saying. He grabbed Yun Ye’s arm and took a while to regain his composure.

Shaking his head, Bai Tu whispered. “I’m fine… just a little tired.”

“Your hands are so cold.” Yun Ye helped him to the side of the road, finding a clean spot for him to sit. He worriedly took Bai Tu’s hand and gently warmed it in his own. “Are you cold?”

Only now did Yun Ye realize something was wrong. When had his master’s body become so weak?

Immortal Lord Zhaohua had long since transcended mortality, and ordinary illnesses couldn’t harm him. What on earth had happened?

Yun Ye was deeply concerned, yet he didn’t dare to ask directly. Instead, he knelt in front of Bai Tu, carefully warming his cold hands.

In a short amount of time, Bai Tu began to feel a dull ache in his abdomen, and his waist was so sore that he could barely straighten up. Weakly, he glared at Yun Ye and complained. “It’s all your fault.”

Yun Ye was stunned, not understanding how Bai Tu’s mood had shifted so quickly.

Seeing that Yun Ye didn’t get it, Bai Tu’s frustration grew and scolded. “We were having a good conversation, and you insisted on going off alone.”

“…If it weren’t for coming to find you, would I be in this state?”

Yun Ye obediently apologized. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry.”

Hearing the apology, Bai Tu felt somewhat relieved. After thinking for a moment, he added. “As punishment, you have to carry me back.”

He truly felt unwell—his body was sore and limp, and he didn’t want to walk anymore. Besides, Yun Ye didn’t know his true identity, so he wasn’t worried about losing face.

However, Yun Ye remained silent for a while.

“What’s the matter? You don’t want to, do you?” Bai Tu looked at him with a faint air of grievance.

What kind of master had such bad luck? Ever since he helped this little wolf cub dispel his inner demons, he hadn’t had a peaceful moment. After entering the Primordial Secret Realm, he’d been uncomfortable off and on.

He hadn’t felt like this in over a hundred years.

It’s all this little wolf cub’s fault.

“No.” Yun Ye snapped back to his senses and took off his outer robe, draped it over Bai Tu’s shoulders then bending down to embrace him. “It’s my fault. I’ll take you back. Please… don’t be angry.”

With that, he hooked one arm around Bai Tu’s knees and the other around his shoulders, lifting him effortlessly in a horizontal position.

Bai Tu: “…”

How… was this not quite what he imagined?

Yun Ye’s body temperature was on the higher side, and as Bai Tu rested his head on Yun Ye’s chest, the warmth from his skin quickly dispelled the chill.

Since coming here, Bai Tu had been accustomed to standing at the forefront, shielding others from the wind and rain due to his role. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had held him like this, protecting him from the cold with such a gentle embrace.

A soft part of Bai Tu’s heart stirred, and he tightened his hold around Yun Ye’s neck, quietly asking. “Aren’t you cold?”

Yun Ye looked down at him and replied. “No.”

Bai Tu gave a soft hum of acknowledgment and settled into Yun Ye’s embrace, saying no more.

The moment Bai Tu relaxed mentally, drowsiness hit him again.

He rubbed his eyes, leaning against Yun Ye as sleepiness overcame him.

Since entering the secret realm, his body hadn’t been well, and he frequently felt unwell. Once they left the secret realm, he definitely needed to examine his condition to figure out what was wrong.

At first, he thought everything would be resolved once Yun Ye obtained Taichu, but then the demonic artifact appeared.

The jade flute’s origins were unclear, and if it truly belonged to the demonic clan, things would likely not be so simple.

No matter what, he couldn’t afford to get into trouble at such a crucial moment.

Bai Tu thought idly, gradually drifting off to sleep.

As the sky darkened, the forest fell silent, only the rustling of fallen leaves beneath Yun Ye’s footsteps broke the stillness.

The snow mountain was far from their campsite, and as the night grew colder, it began to snow lightly. Yun Ye had no choice but to seek refuge in a cave along the way, carrying Bai Tu inside.

He started a fire in the center of the cave, placing the sleeping Bai Tu beside it and adjusting the robe around him. Bai Tu slept soundly with his body wrapped up warmly and only his delicate face exposed.

His lips were slightly parted, looking quiet and soft.

Yun Ye sat beside him, gazing intently at Bai Tu’s peaceful sleeping face. In a strange moment of impulse, he leaned down, closing the distance between them.

Before his lips could touch Bai Tu’s soft ones, Bai Tu’s eyelashes fluttered, and his eyes slowly opened.

“…”

=^_^=