“The Soul-Chasing Compass can send us over. Just make some simple preparations,” Chi Yu said, placing the Soul-Chasing Compass on the tea table.

“This artifact is really useful,” Chang Wu said curiously, studying the Soul-Chasing Compass.

“Of course,” Chi Yu replied with a smile. “In a bit, we’ll go straight into the mountains. I’m not sure if it can send us right next to the old locust tree.”

“It doesn’t matter. Those two brothers are great at finding things. Even if we’re not right at the tree, with them around, we won’t have trouble locating it,” Li Xin reassured Chi Yu.

“Alright, it’s settled then.”

They exchanged glances, feeling an indescribable joy at being able to walk the human world together once again.

Li Xin, Chang Wu, and Chang You changed into loose and flexible clothes, while Chi Yu still wore his Underworld emissary uniform, looking cold and serious.

Li Xin thoughtfully draped a lightproof cloak over Chi Yu’s shoulders. “Senior brother, it’s still daytime. You’ll feel more comfortable wearing this.”

“Thank you.”

“Senior brother, there’s no need for thanks. It’s only right for me to take care of you.”

The two shared a smile, and Chi Yu asked again, “Is everyone ready?”

“Master, all set,” Chang You replied.

“Good. Everyone stand closer together, hold onto each other, and don’t move around. I’m activating the Soul-Chasing Compass now,” Chi Yu instructed.

The three immediately obeyed, linking hands. Li Xin even used one hand to clutch the corner of Chi Yu’s clothes.

Chi Yu noticed the tug at his waist, lowered his head, and saw Li Xin holding on, so he turned to look at him.

Li Xin chuckled softly, “I have to hold onto Senior Brother too.”

Chi Yu smiled. “Alright, hang on tight.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chi Yu cast the spell to activate the Soul-Chasing Compass. Instantly, a ghostly light flashed out, swallowing them all.

After a dizzying spin, they landed in a thicket of short shrubs, the Soul-Chasing Compass dropping beside Chi Yu.

Chang Wu quickly got up, patted the dry leaves and grass off himself, and hurried over to help Chi Yu. “Master, have we arrived?”

“I think this is the place,” Chi Yu said, looking around, though he couldn’t be entirely sure.

All around them were more shrubs, of varying heights and densities. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, not harsh but still uncomfortable for Chi Yu.

He pulled the cloak’s hood up to shield himself from the sunlight, feeling a little better afterward.

Seeing that Chang Wu was still supporting Chi Yu, Li Xin rushed over, put an arm around Chi Yu’s waist, and pulled him into his arms.

He turned and glared at Chang Wu. “You two, hurry up and start looking for the tree.”

Startled by Li Xin’s sudden anger, Chang Wu and Chang You quickly stammered, “Yes, Lord Li,” before scampering off.

Once they were gone, Chi Yu finally spoke. “Are you always so fierce with them?”

Li Xin froze. “No, I’m usually good to them. After all, they’re the only memories you left me.”

“Then why did you glare at Chang Wu just now?” Chi Yu frowned slightly.

Seeing Chi Yu seemed upset, Li Xin hastily explained, “He was being inappropriate. I was just reminding him.”

“Inappropriate?” Chi Yu was puzzled. “How so?”

“He… after helping you up, he should’ve let go. But he didn’t… he didn’t know his boundaries,” Li Xin stammered, clearly flustered. His usual arrogance and pride had completely disappeared.

Chi Yu chuckled. “That’s all?”

Li Xin nodded, then asked back, “Isn’t that enough?”

Having recovered part of his memory, Chi Yu naturally remembered Li Xin’s extremely possessive nature from childhood. He smiled lightly and shook his head without saying more.

Seeing Chi Yu silent, Li Xin grew even more anxious. “Senior brother, I really just wanted to remind him. That boy’s a bit slow — if I don’t teach him, he won’t learn.”

Chi Yu replied casually, “If he’s slow, what about Chang You?”

“Chang You is a little better. They’re twins, but it’s surprising how different they turned out,” Li Xin said, a hint of grievance in his voice. “Senior brother, I really treat them well. I’ve raised them for a thousand years, taught them spells. Besides a few scoldings, I’ve never let them suffer.”

Chi Yu fully believed him. Seeing how dependent Chang Wu and Chang You were on Li Xin, it was clear they had long seen him as their true protector. Though they still called Chi Yu “Master,” in their hearts, they trusted Li Xin the most.

“Senior brother?” Li Xin hugged Chi Yu tightly with both arms and looked him in the eye. “If you don’t like it, I won’t scold them anymore, okay?”

Chi Yu couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s fine. Children need guidance. Just don’t be so harsh.”

Seeing Chi Yu smile, Li Xin finally relaxed. “Good. As long as you’re not upset.”

“And another thing — can you stop being so anxious and self-conscious?” Chi Yu also wrapped his arms around Li Xin’s waist. “I may not fully understand love, but I remember everything from our past. I remember how good you were to me. I’m not going to leave again. I promise.”

After a thousand years, being held by Chi Yu again filled Li Xin with a rush of emotion he couldn’t describe.

“I…” Li Xin choked up, “Senior brother, it’s just that I care about you too much. But if you don’t like it, I’ll change.”

Seeing him still so cautious, Chi Yu lovingly stroked his hair. “Bu Yi, you don’t have to be so careful. I remember you used to be carefree and bold. Just be yourself.”

“Senior brother…”

“Trust me. Relax a little.”

“Alright, I’ll try.”

Chi Yu nodded and gently patted his head again. “Good boy.”

A thousand years ago, Chi Yu used to enjoy stroking his head and praising him for being “good.”

At first, he was only as tall as Chi Yu’s chest. Later, he grew taller, eventually surpassing Chi Yu’s height by half a head. Yet, Chi Yu still raised his hand to stroke his head and praise him.

He had always been active and a bit mischievous, and among all the disciples at the Fude Temple, only Chi Yu thought he was well-behaved.

Li Xin liked Chi Yu stroking his head. Every time, he would obediently lower his head, allowing Chi Yu to do so. At some point, his feelings for Chi Yu changed.

What started as gratitude and admiration slowly turned into affection and desire to possess.

Whenever Chi Yu stroked his head, Li Xin would have the urge to kiss him.

He knew it was wrong, and he had restrained himself for a long time, but in the end, he couldn’t help but kiss him.

He still remembered their first kiss vividly. He could feel Chi Yu’s whole body freeze, his breath becoming erratic, but Chi Yu did not push him away.

After that, their relationship subtly changed. He wasn’t sure if Chi Yu had already had feelings for him, but the fact that Chi Yu accepted him was enough.

“Master, Lord Li.” Chang You’s voice came from far away.

The two immediately separated upon hearing the voice.

Chang You quickly ran over, panting. “I found it… It’s just ahead. I’ve left Chang Wu watching it.”

Li Xin and Chi Yu exchanged a glance and, confused, asked, “The tree can’t move, can it? Why keep watch?”

Chang You caught his breath before responding, “It’s not that it moves, but there’s a group of people performing a ritual there. I feel something’s off, so I had Chang Wu stay behind to watch. I ran back to report to you and Master.”

“The tree has become a spirit?” Li Xin asked.

“It doesn’t seem so. We didn’t sense any demonic aura,” Chang You replied thoughtfully.

Chi Yu looked at Li Xin. “Let’s go take a look first.”

“Alright.” Li Xin nodded and signaled Chang You to lead the way.

About ten minutes later, they arrived at the hillside where the old locust tree stood.

Chang Wu was crouching behind a patch of tall grass not far from the tree. When he saw them, he immediately waved and whispered, “Master, Lord Li, over here.”

The three of them knew the worshipers hadn’t left, so they quietly approached, crouching behind the grass to observe the situation ahead.

The tree looked just as Chi Yu had described, but the only difference was that its branches were covered with red cloth strips. Some had already faded to gray, indicating that the ritual had been a custom for many years.

In front of the tree was an offering table with a fresh pig’s head, several fruits, and a large incense burner with three sticks of incense.

Kneeling in front of the table were about a dozen men, both old and young, dressed simply, likely the local villagers.

The man kneeling in front was a middle-aged man, probably the most influential among them.

After three bows, the group did not rise. The middle-aged man, with a pious look, loudly prayed, “Please, great deity, overlook our past offenses and bless our Xiuquan village. We will offer you our worship for generations, and our incense will never go out.”

Then, everyone knelt again in unison.

Chi Yu observed the old locust tree and said to Li Xin, “I don’t doubt it; this tree definitely doesn’t have any demonic or celestial aura. But why do they think it’s a deity?”

Li Xin chuckled. “We’ll find out by asking a villager later, but…”

Seeing Li Xin hesitate to speak, Chi Yu quickly asked, “But what?”

Li Xin paused before saying, “I’m worried it’s related to your lingering soul.”

Chi Yu froze for a moment before quickly realizing. “You suspect my soul is in this tree?”

“I’m not sure,” Li Xin replied.

“There are only two types of beings that could be worshiped: one is someone who has made a great contribution, and the other is someone who can exert control over others,” Chi Yu thought of the middle-aged man’s words and added, “From their manner of worship, it seems like the latter.”

“Master, your lingering soul would never exploit the villagers. There must be something else going on,” Chang Wu reassured Chi Yu.

Chang You also spoke up, “Exactly, Master. Don’t overthink it. There might not even be your soul inside at all.”

“Right, Senior Brother. Don’t jump to conclusions yet.” Li Xin gently took Chi Yu’s hand and comforted him, “Once they leave, we’ll go check it out.”