Deng Changqing caught his gaze and couldn’t help shivering.

Xie Shuci, with his back to the other three, didn’t notice the varied expressions on their faces.

Chu Guiyi raised his eyebrows slightly in surprise;

Chu Wenfeng seemed particularly innocent about such matters, his face quickly turning red to the base of his neck, silently cursing Xie Shuci for being shameless;

Xie An’s face darkened almost instantly.

Xie Shuci, oblivious to all this, looked at Deng Changqing’s changing expressions, alternately pale and flushed, feeling immensely satisfied inside.

To prevent himself from laughing out loud, Xie Shuci covered his mouth and coughed dryly, asking, “What do you think?”

Deng Changqing chuckled nervously, swallowing his saliva, “Thank you, Young Master Xie, I…”

Although he felt that sacrificing himself for the sake of the Xiaoyao Sect was not impossible, the sight of Xie An behind Xie Shuci, looking over with a half-smile, filled him with an inexplicable fear. He always felt that if he said something against Xie An’s wishes, he would definitely be in trouble.

“Thanks to Young Master Xie’s generous love, I really…” Deng Changqing’s forehead broke out in cold sweat, hesitating again. If he could use this to curry favor with Xie Shuci, his position in the Xiaoyao Sect would surely rise, maybe even get promoted into the Xiaoyao Sect’s main branch. Maybe… I should just…. sacrifice myself?

After all, Xie Shuci is not bad-looking, and as for Xie An, exuding coldness behind him… he’s just a blind man, so why should I be afraid of him?

Thinking of this, Deng Changqing paused, pretended to be shy, lowered his head with a coy smile, and glanced at Xie Shuci with a flirtatious look, causing Xie Shuci to shudder with disgust.

Xie Shuci warily watched Deng Changqing and leaned back toward the blind boy.

Xie An tensed his lips and withdrew the hand that was supporting him.

“If you really like me, Young Master Xie… I am willing to…” Deng Changqing’s eyelids twitched as if cramping, blinking crazily at Xie Shuci.

Xie Shuci felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his body covered in goosebumps.

His face turned livid; he had intended to disgust the other party but ended up disgusting himself instead.

Seeing Deng Changqing’s bashful and awkward demeanor, Xie Shuci felt his stomach churn, “Ugh…”

Xie Shuci covered his mouth, almost vomiting.

Everyone: “…”

Xie Shuci turned his head aside, waving his hand as if shooing a fly, “Go away, hurry up and leave, don’t let me see you again.”

Deng Changqing’s face stiffened, his mouth twitching uncontrollably. It was obviously him who wanted this… yet now he was the one being rejected?

Chu Wenfeng burst into laughter, “Serves you right, Xie Shuci! Disgusting!”

Xie Shuci grimaced, “I just wanted to disgust him, who knew he would actually agree? After this ordeal, I finally understand, that I really do only prefer beautiful ladies.”

Furious yet unable to retaliate, Deng Changqing could only clench his fists and grit his teeth, “I should take my leave!”

After the others left, Xie Shuci heaved a sigh of relief and patted Xie An’s shoulder with some admiration, feeling much more relaxed.

Having spent so much time with the Little Blind, he thought his preferences might have changed. But now it seems it was just his imagination. If he had to face Deng Changqing’s face every day, he felt he would lose at least ten years of his life!

The latter coolly lifted his eyelids, giving no particular reaction.

During the days waiting for the opening of the Dragon Tooth Secret Realm, the Hundred Sects Messenger uncovered the truth, permanently revoking the immortal sect qualification of the Helian family. They would never be able to participate in the immortal sect selection again.

On that day, the seal outside Luofang City was also lifted. The city’s affairs were being temporarily managed by the elders of the Hehuan Sect. Apart from the unshakable Cloud Piercing Spear, everything seemed as it was before.

As Luofang City once again became free to enter and exit, many cultivators from various sects flooded into the city. Many came not just for the Dragon Tooth Secret Realm, but also for the mysterious alchemist rumored to be there.

This led to an unprecedented hustle and bustle in Luofang City. Inns and taverns were packed with cultivators, and some who arrived later even had to camp outside the city.

Xie Shuci had never been so sought after before. He was so excited that he was almost over the moon every day, causing Chu Wenfeng to become annoyed. Both of them bickered and quarreled all day long.

Initially, Chu Guiyi tried to intervene, but like Xie An, he eventually got used to it and let them be.

The Chu family seemed to have tried to bring Chu Guiyi back to Yingzhou, but the attempt was predictably unsuccessful.

As for Deng Changqing, after leaving that day, he had shamelessly tried to ingratiate himself with Xie Shuci again, by expressing his gratitude or sincerity. Xie Shuci didn’t particularly hate him, but just the sight of him made Xie Shuci feel nauseated, so he would hide behind Xie An whenever Deng Changqing approached. Eventually, he stopped coming.

Xie Shuci enjoyed good food and drinks at Manjiang Hall, with countless cultivators trying to strike up conversations with him daily. Initially enthusiastic, he soon grew tired of the attention and had Chu Guiyi turn them away.

Then, rumors started spreading that he preferred men, and he found himself frequently approached by flamboyantly dressed male cultivators, which always made Xie Shuci’s eyes hurt. Chu Wenfeng even teased him about it, leaving Xie Shuci embarrassed and eventually choosing to stay indoors.

Xie An was more tolerant of solitude, content to sit in the room doing nothing all day. Xie Shuci, on the other hand, couldn’t stand being cooped up and was easily provoked by Chu Wenfeng.

“Xie Shuci, do you want to go downstairs to listen to the storyteller?” Chu Wenfeng kicked at the door.

“Storytelling? Let’s go!” Eager for something new, Xie Shuci hurriedly pulled Xie An downstairs.

The hall was already packed with people. Chu Wenfeng and Xie Shuci, both playful by nature, had reserved four seats in the front row. Chu Guiyi, initially uninterested, was cajoled into joining them.

The storyteller was an elegantly dressed man in his fifties. Seeing the hall filled to capacity, he stroked his goatee with satisfaction, clapped his wooden clapper loudly for silence, and boasted, “Quiet, quiet. The story I am about to tell is one that none of you have heard before.”

“Quite a claim!”

“With so many cultivators from all over gathered here in Luofang City, sir, I hope you won’t embarrass yourself in front of this crowd.”

The storyteller waved his hand, “Absolutely not. Even if you call everyone from the entire cultivation world here, there are no more than five people who know about this.”

Xie Shuci sat upright and attentive, while Xie An, spotlessly clean, held snacks and crispy fried peanuts in each hand under Xie Shuci’s insistent request, resembling nothing so much as a dutiful little follower.

Xie Shuci, never one to be satisfied with little, had previously guarded the blind boy like a treasure. But now, he was bossing him around, using him as a personal attendant to cater to his every whim and need.

Xie Shuci loved listening to stories, feeling it was like watching a movie. And of course, no movie experience is complete without popcorn and soda. Unfortunately, there were neither here, so he had to make do with other snacks.

Xie Shuci popped a peanut into his mouth, glancing at the ever-accommodating Xie An, who was at his beck and call. He couldn’t help but admire how good-looking and gentle-tempered Little Blind was. Whoever ended up being his partner would be incredibly lucky.

“Ha…,” Xie Shuci couldn’t help but exhale softly.

The gentle tempered-Xie An, frowned in confusion and silently asked, “What’s wrong?”

Xie Shuci didn’t reply, instead picked up another peanut and brought it to Xie An’s lips, “Ah—”

Xie An hesitated for a moment, then obediently lowered his eyelids and slightly parted his lips to accept the snack. His lips gently touched Xie Shuci’s fingertips as he did so.

Chu Wenfeng, noticing their interaction, stretched his arm over Xie Shuci and reached out to Xie An, “Give me one too.”

Xie Shuci slapped his hand away, glaring, “If you want some, get them yourself.”

Chu Wenfeng pouted, “Look at you, acting as if it’s such a big deal.”

“Then don’t ask for it.”

“I still want it…”

Chu Wenfeng, while talking, took advantage of Xie Shuci’s distraction to grab some peanuts. Fortunately, Xie An was prepared and shifted slightly, causing Chu Wenfeng to miss his grab.

“Tch, I don’t want it anyway,” Chu Wenfeng scoffed, sitting back down.

Xie Shuci raised an eyebrow smugly and picked up another peanut, bringing it to Xie An’s lips, “Good boy, this is for you.”

Xie An chuckled softly.

This time, as he opened his lips, he playfully flicked his tongue out first, lightly brushing Xie Shuci’s fingertips before taking the peanut into his mouth.

Xie Shuci who was now convinced that he only preferred beautiful women, just felt a slight unusual sensation and did not dwell on it. He clapped his hands, “Alright, it’s starting!”

The storyteller, seated on the platform and waving a folding fan in front of his chest, looked to be over fifty. His eyes were exceptionally bright, giving him an air of a sage.

He signaled the waiter to close the windows and doors and lit candles on both sides, creating a tense and eerie atmosphere.

The hall quieted down immediately. Xie Shuci’s chewing slowed involuntarily, and he leaned subtly closer to Xie An.

“Legend has it that 7,000 years ago, when the heavens and earth united the yin and yang, a monster named ‘Bixie’ was born. It embodied all the evil in the world. People back then said that if Bixie were killed, there would be no more disasters in the world.”

The storyteller’s deep and ancient voice, combined with the dark surroundings, easily drew everyone into the story.

Xie Shuci, however, jerked slightly when he heard the name “Bixie,” lifting his head in surprise. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but when he looked at the stage, the storyteller’s gaze seemed to fall directly on him, holding a profound meaning that made Xie Shuci pause.

“You may have heard of the first immortal sect family’s young master from 7,000 years ago, Luo Jingyu. His birth was marked by twelve Astonishing Feathered birds circling the sky twelve times, much like today’s Xiao Xun. Since ancient times, these birds have been symbols of auspiciousness, representing strength and the favor of the heavens. Such a highly anticipated young master of the immortal sect was killed by Bixie at the grand meeting for the title of the leader among the hundred sects.”

Luo Jingyu? [1]

Xie Shuci furrowed his brow. This name was indeed mentioned in the original book.

Though Luo Jingyu and Xiao Xun had similar backgrounds, their natures were completely different.

In the few descriptions in the book, Luo Jingyu was portrayed as a carefree, flamboyant young master, a typical figure among the young generation of the cultivation world. He was the kind of person parents referred to as “someone else’s child,” a person with a great and kind heart.

Such a kind-hearted cultivator, blessed by the heavens, was paradoxically expelled by the laws of heaven and earth after his death, denied the chance of reincarnation.

Furthermore, it was said that on the day of the great contest, Bixie didn’t just kill Luo Jingyu; almost all the cultivators present died at its hands. However, only Luo Jingyu’s body and spirit were completely destroyed.

After that incident, the Luo family’s power plummeted, gradually fading into obscurity among the many immortal sects of the cultivation world. And Bixie disappeared without a trace.

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[1] Jingyu in Luo Jingyu’s surname means Astonishing Feathered birds, so maybe he was named after them.