A celestial carriage soared across the sky as Bai Tu lifted the curtain to glance outside. At that moment, the clouds parted, revealing the rising sun. The warm golden light spilled over him, filling the air with a gentle warmth.

He let the curtain fall back into place and lowered his gaze to his slightly rounded belly.

His pregnancy wasn’t particularly noticeable—his waist remained slender, with only a small curve at his lower abdomen. Hidden beneath his cloak, it was hardly visible at all.

Bai Tu murmured softly, “Little one, you’re about to meet your father. Are you nervous?”

Naturally, the tiny rabbit inside his belly couldn’t answer.

But Bai Tu himself was undeniably nervous.

He still didn’t fully understand what had happened that day at Tianyan Sect. From what the sect master had described, he could piece together a rough guess—Wu Jiu must have done something to Yun Ye, triggering the dormant demonic nature in his bloodline and causing him to lose control.

Yet, since Yun Ye hadn’t actually harmed anyone, that meant he hadn’t completely lost his sanity.

So… why had he returned to the Abyss of Demons?

In his past life, after arriving at the Abyss, Yun Ye had mastered demonic cultivation in just three months and ascended to the position of Demon Lord. Not long after, the righteous sects decided that Bai Tu would lead an army to the Abyss to eradicate the demon race.

After that, he and Yun Ye fought, and both perished together.

To be precise, Bai Tu had only ever seen Yun Ye as the Demon Lord once.

It was a fleeting encounter on the battlefield.

They said cultivating demonic arts could change a person’s nature—turning them ruthless and bloodthirsty. If Yun Ye had truly become like that… what would he do?

Bai Tu gently stroked his belly and murmured to himself, “If he’s really turned into that kind of person… then we won’t want him anymore.”

Suddenly, the celestial carriage began to slow.

The spirit beast pulling it descended steadily, landing in the mountains before an abandoned temple. The temple’s walls were weathered and scarred by rain, covered in patches of decay. Sensing something amiss, the spirit beast grew restless, shifting its hooves anxiously and letting out a deep, heavy huff.

Bai Tu spoke to it reassuringly, “This is far enough. I’ll go in on my own.”

The beast huffed again, louder this time.

Bai Tu chuckled, reaching out to ruffle its mane. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine. Go on back.”

The spirit beast had no choice but to obey its master’s command.

Still reluctant to part, it nuzzled Bai Tu’s palm with its head before finally turning away and vanishing into the clouds.

Bai Tu stepped into the abandoned temple.

For the past three months, he hadn’t stopped searching for the entrance to the Abyss of Demons—not for a single day.

Perhaps Yun Ye had deliberately concealed it, making the entrance unusually difficult to find. Even for him, it had taken a full three months to track it down.

He came to a stop before a weathered, crumbling wall.

Reaching out, he pressed his palm against the surface and channeled a trace of spiritual energy into it. Instantly, a thin crack split open before him. The fissure widened, and a cold, eerie aura seeped out from within.

Bai Tu closed his eyes. In the next moment, a powerful force pulled him into the rift.

Then, just as swiftly, the glow faded, and the wall returned to its original state.

When Bai Tu opened his eyes again, he found himself surrounded.

A dozen guards clad in black armor stood in a tight formation, towering and imposing. Their gazes were wary, yet none dared to make the first move.

After a brief hesitation, someone in the crowd spoke up tentatively.

“Are you… Immortal Lord Zhaohua?”

“That’s me.” Bai Tu instinctively pulled his cloak tighter around himself and replied calmly.

He was about to say more when he noticed the guards before him swiftly lowering their weapons. In fact, he even caught a glimpse of relief flashing across several faces.

Bai Tu: ???

The guards exchanged hushed whispers among themselves. Before long, a grand carriage drawn by luan birds slowly approached.

One of the guards spoke politely, “Immortal Lord, please step inside.”

“…Thank you.”

The carriage glided steadily into the city.

The dozen black-armored guards surrounded it on all sides, maintaining a watchful stance. Yet, their formation didn’t resemble that of an escort for a prisoner. If anything… it looked more like a wedding procession?

Seated inside, Bai Tu stared blankly ahead, struggling to process the situation.

This… was completely different from how he had imagined entering the Abyss of Demons.

Forcing himself to stay calm, he carefully lifted the sheer curtain of the carriage and peeked outside.

They were traveling down a long street, lined with curious onlookers—demonic folk clad in clothing no different from that of ordinary mortals.

The only difference was that the Abyss of Demons never saw daylight—lanterns hung everywhere, casting a perpetual glow over the city.

As the grand luan-drawn carriage passed through the streets, the demonfolk merely glanced up before going about their business. There was no surprise or curiosity in their expressions, as if this was nothing out of the ordinary.

The carriage soon left the marketplace behind.

At a roadside noodle stall, two people whispered to each other.

“You think they got the right person this time?”

“Hard to say. How many times has it been this month already?”

The other person sighed, shaking their head. “Honestly, after months of waiting day and night by the entrance to the Abyss, without ever having seen Immortal Lord Zhaohua before… if it were me, I’d probably start thinking any cat or dog that wandered in from outside was the one they were looking for.”

The Demon Lord’s palace stood at the heart of the city, heavily guarded and tightly regulated. Yet, the carriage passed through its gates unchallenged, gliding deeper into the palace, down a long corridor, until it came to a stop in front of a bedchamber.

Everything fell silent.

The carriage had stopped. The guards had stopped. A strange, heavy quiet spread through the air.

Bai Tu blinked, glancing around in confusion.

So… what exactly were they waiting for?

The inside of the carriage was lined with plush cushions, but ever since his belly had started growing, Bai Tu had found it hard to sit still for long. After hesitating for a moment, he lifted the curtain, intending to step out.

Immediately, the nearby guards tensed as if facing an imminent threat.

“What are you trying to do?” one of them asked, on high alert.

Bai Tu paused for a moment before patiently saying, “I’m here to see Yun Ye.”

“I know,” the guard replied.

Bai Tu: “Then can I go in?”

“No.”

Silence.

Bai Tu frowned. “…Why not?”

The guard was quiet for even longer than he had been.

“…You just can’t.”

Bai Tu withdrew into the carriage, baffled, arms wrapped around his belly.

What was this about? He was already at the doorstep—why wouldn’t they let him in?

After a moment of thought, his figure flickered slightly before he settled back into his seat, unmoving.

At his feet, a wisp of white light quietly drifted out from the carriage and slipped into the bedchamber. The light pooled against the wall, taking the shape of a soft, fluffy little white rabbit that peeked curiously out from the bushes.

Truthfully, Bai Tu didn’t particularly like reverting to his original form anymore.

The child in his belly was just over four months along, but in his rabbit form, his abdomen already looked as though he were full term, making movement especially cumbersome.

But now wasn’t the time to worry about that.

The little white rabbit slowly crawled toward the bedchamber. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a glimpse of the room inside. A man and a woman stood near the entrance, while at the far end of the chamber, a tall figure stood with his back to them. His long black robe accentuated his sharp, upright posture.

Bai Tu recognized that robe.

In his past life, the last time he had seen Yun Ye, he had been wearing that very same garment.

Inside the chamber, the woman spoke. “My lord, they’re already waiting outside.”

The man beside her added, “Yes, my lord. The captain of the guards sent word—this time, they’re certain they’ve brought the right person. Won’t you go and see for yourself?”

For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, the figure on the high platform finally turned his head, his expression indifferent.

“…I know.”

It was Yun Ye.

They hadn’t seen each other in three months, yet his entire demeanor had changed.

His once-handsome features had grown even more striking, with sharper contours and an air of quiet dominance. His long, narrow eyes carried an unmistakable pressure, and a thin crimson mark now stretched across his brow—a demonic brand. The corners of his eyes were tinged with a faint red, like ink bleeding across parchment, lending his face an eerie, almost otherworldly allure.

And yet… somehow, he looked even more attractive than he had back at Tianyan Sect.

Bai Tu clung to the doorframe, entirely inappropriate thoughts creeping into his mind.

Inside the chamber, the woman hesitated before speaking again. “Then, my lord…”

Yun Ye cut her off. “Leave me.”

The two exchanged a glance before bowing. “Yes, my lord.”

Bai Tu quickly scurried to a corner of the wall. Only after the man and woman exited did he sneak inside, slipping behind a stone pillar to peek at the scene before him.

Yun Ye paced back and forth on the platform.

Of course, he knew they hadn’t made a mistake this time. The moment that person had stepped into the Abyss of Demons, he had felt it—that familiar presence.

For the past three months, Yun Ye had longed to see his master to the point of madness.

But he didn’t dare to see him.

Three months ago, he had fallen into Wu Jiu’s trap. The powerful surge of demonic energy had awakened the deep-seated magic within him, forcibly igniting the dormant blood of his demonic lineage. From that moment on, his transformation was complete—he had fully succumbed to demonhood.

In the throes of his awakening, his mind had been clouded, his thoughts chaotic. He had nearly taken innocent lives.

Had it not been for the memories of his past life, which surfaced just in time to anchor him, he might never have regained control.

Panicked, he had fled Tianyan Sect—only to realize he had nowhere to go.

News of his rampage had spread through the cultivation world like wildfire. There was no longer a place for him among the righteous. Left with no choice, he had returned to the Abyss of Demons to hide.

Once there, he threw himself into the cultivation of demonic arts. Armed with the knowledge from his past life, it had taken him only a month to seize control of the Abyss and claim the throne as its ruler.

And his master… had taken the fall for him.

Bai Tu bore the brunt of the world’s condemnation, left Tianyan Sect behind, and withdrew to a secluded mountain forest.

The Immortal Lord Zhaohua had never made any effort to conceal his whereabouts. Yun Ye had always known where he was.

Yet, even so, he never dared to go looking for him.

Because he had no idea how to face him.

In his past life, when Yun Ye first arrived at the Abyss of Demons, his heart had still harbored resentment toward the righteous sects of the Central Plains, along with an ambition to unite them under his rule.

But now, none of that mattered to him.

Given a second chance at life, he no longer cared for worldly power or conquest. The only thing he cared about was…

Yun Ye let out a heavy sigh, his pacing growing more restless.

He hadn’t dared to seek him out, nor did he dare to imagine how his master might regard him now.

He had already prepared himself for the worst—that Bai Tu would refuse to accept him.

And so, he forced his hand.

He sent a battle challenge to the righteous sects, leaving the Immortal Lord Zhaohua no choice but to make a decision.

By declaring war on Tianyan Sect, he ensured that Ling Weijun would have no choice but to turn to Bai Tu for help.

If the Immortal Lord Zhaohua refused to meet him, war would be inevitable, and Tianyan Sect would be on the brink of destruction. But if he did come, the Abyss of Demons was a one-way trip, and he would be walking straight into Yun Ye’s grasp, allowing him to do whatever he pleased.

It was a despicable and underhanded plan, but in order to see that person again, he had gone through with it.

Yet, when the familiar, soul-stirring presence finally arrived at his doorstep, he found himself too afraid to face him.

Having completed his mastery of the demonic arts in just a month, becoming the respected and beloved ruler of the Abyss of Demons, it was the first time Yun Ye had ever been so thoroughly intimidated.

Yun Ye’s fingers tightened, turning white, as he felt that familiar presence drawing nearer, closer, and closer still…

Bai Tu crouched behind him, gazing up at him with a puzzled expression.

He had just relaxed the pressure on his aura, even going so far as to release a little extra energy on purpose. Yet, despite being so close, this person still hadn’t noticed?

Had Yun Ye’s demonic powers been buried so deep inside him?

Bai Tu sighed softly, extending a paw to tug at Yun Ye’s robe.

No reaction?

He tugged again.

Still nothing…

Bai Tu was about to pull again when suddenly, his neck was gripped, and he was hoisted high into the air.

He looked up and locked eyes with a pair of dark, cold, demonic pupils.

Yun Ye tilted his head, a puzzled expression on his face. ” Bai Xiao?”

Bai Tu: “…”

Yun Ye frowned. “Why did Master bring you here? And you’re still…”

His words suddenly trailed off.

Would an ordinary rabbit be pregnant for this long?

The familiar aura of his master lingered near Yun Ye, but the hall was clearly empty—only he and… this rabbit were present.

This rabbit…

Yun Ye froze, standing utterly still for a long while, before hoarsely asking, “Master?”

Bai Tu sighed inwardly.

Silly disciple, looks like you’ve finally figured it out.

The little rabbit spoke in human language: “Put me down.”

Yun Ye complied and gently set him down.

A faint white light flickered in the hall, and Bai Tu emerged in his human form, subtly adjusting the light cloak around his shoulders to cover himself.

He couldn’t be sure if Yun Ye was truly planning to attack the righteous path, but based on what he knew of this person, playing on emotions… should work, right?

Bai Tu lowered his head awkwardly, feeling the intense heat of Yun Ye’s gaze on him, too afraid to look up.

Yun Ye stared at him, unwavering.

The person before him wore a simple white cloak, which made his skin appear even more pale, and outwardly, there was no sign of anything unusual.

But under that cloak…

Yun Ye’s hand trembled slightly as he reached out, pulling back the cloak to reveal the subtle curve of Bai Tu’s abdomen.

His eyes darkened, and a faint crimson hue began to surface in his gaze.

The demonic aura burst uncontrollably from Yun Ye, overwhelming the room. Bai Tu took half a step back, instinctively guarding his stomach with his hand.

It had to be said, Yun Ye in this state was truly intimidating.

Ever since Bai Tu became pregnant, the little one inside had been absorbing his cultivation day and night, draining his spiritual energy. His power had diminished significantly, leaving him no more than a small rabbit immortal now.

And standing before him was Yun Ye—someone who had just perfected his demonic power, exuding the full force of his terrifying aura.

The wolf, Bai Tu thought, was the natural enemy of the rabbit.

Even if Yun Ye stood still and didn’t show any anger, Bai Tu could still feel the predatory, terrifying presence emanating from him.

Without the protection of his spiritual energy, some instincts were impossible to suppress.

An eerie silence stretched throughout the hall. Bai Tu shivered, but Yun Ye simply stood there, his dark eyes fixed on him, silent.

After what felt like an eternity, Yun Ye finally spoke in a hoarse voice: “Master… is it Twins?”

Bai Tu replied softly, “Mm.”

The demonic aura in the hall grew even heavier in response.

Bai Tu frowned, feeling uncomfortable.

Suddenly, Yun Ye withdrew all of his pressure and sighed deeply. “Master, you must be tired from the journey. I’ve prepared a bedroom for you. Please, follow me.”

With that, he turned and walked toward the door.

Bai Tu stood there, stunned.

That was it?

Why didn’t he ask anything?

On the way here, Bai Tu had rehearsed in his mind how he would explain what happened that night, but Yun Ye didn’t ask a single question, nor did he give him a chance to explain.

Bai Tu stood frozen for a moment, unsure whether to move forward or retreat.

Yun Ye reached the door of the hall and, noticing that Bai Tu hadn’t followed, glanced back at him. “The Demon Abyss is filled with dangers. Master, you should stay close to me.”

“Coming,” Bai Tu replied, grumbling under his breath, and quickly caught up.

As they exited the hall, the group of guards who had originally escorted Bai Tu were still waiting at the entrance. They stood motionless, their expressions solemn.

Upon seeing Yun Ye finally appear, one of the guards stepped forward. “Reporting to the Lord, we’ve brought the Demon Queen—no, I mean, we’ve brought Master Zhaohua here. You—”

He looked up, only to freeze when he saw Bai Tu walking behind Yun Ye.

The guard stood there, stunned, mouth agape, before suddenly turning to look around.

Inside the phoenix carriage, the figure in white dissolved into a wisp of green smoke, vanishing without a trace.

“Everyone, go rest,” Yun Ye dismissed the guards, then led Bai Tu through the palace halls, not saying a word the entire time.

Bai Tu silently followed behind him.

Perhaps out of consideration for Bai Tu’s condition, Yun Ye slowed his pace. Bai Tu had been able to keep up at first, but gradually, he began to feel a bit strained. Since becoming pregnant, his stamina was nowhere near what it used to be, and after traveling so far today, even just a few steps left him feeling exhausted.

Bai Tu stopped and took a moment to catch his breath.

Yun Ye immediately turned to look at him. “Tired?”

Bai Tu shot him an annoyed glance. Try carrying a little one yourself.

Yun Ye paused for a moment before stepping forward. He wrapped one arm around Bai Tu’s waist and the other under his knees, lifting him effortlessly into his arms.

The scent of the wolf demon immediately enveloped him, and Bai Tu froze, instinctively shuddering slightly.

Then, he heard a soft chuckle from above his head.

Bai Tu frowned. “…Did you just laugh at me?”

Yun Ye kept his gaze ahead, his face impassive. “No.”

Bai Tu was certain. “You absolutely laughed at me.”

Yun Ye didn’t answer, holding Bai Tu more securely in his arms.

The body in his embrace was soft and warm, so light that it felt almost weightless, very much like the little white rabbit.

Immortal Lord Zhaohua was a rabbit spirit. Yun Ye, though surprised, found it somehow logical.

If Zhao Hua Xian Jun had cultivated and transformed into a spirit, taking the form of a white rabbit was perhaps the most fitting choice.

Beneath that cold, exceptional exterior, wasn’t this person just like an ordinary little rabbit?

Soft, small, and the kind that made you want to hold them gently in your hands and protect them.

Even their nervous, fearful nature, trembling at the slightest disturbance, was strikingly similar to a rabbit’s.

…It made it impossible to stay angry at them.

Yun Ye didn’t bother with Bai Tu anymore. Bai Tu, not one to stand on ceremony, rested his head on Yun Ye’s shoulder and closed his eyes to nap.

He was truly exhausted.

They say that pregnant people should move around more, but perhaps due to the inherent weakness of the twins’ constitution, Bai Tu found that after walking just a few steps, his body would become sore and weak, to the point where he didn’t even want to move his fingers.

The distance he’d walked today was more than he usually covered in ten days combined.

Bai Tu closed his eyes, quietly resting against Yun Ye, his breathing slowly evening out.

Yun Ye carried Bai Tu through the palace, leading him to the innermost courtyard of the Demon Palace. Outside the courtyard, there was a protective barrier. As Yun Ye stepped over it, the surroundings shifted dramatically.

The courtyard was lush with vibrant flowers and plants, and a stream flowed gently beneath a white jade stone bridge. On the other side of the bridge stood an exquisite little house.

The sky was filled with soft clouds, and warm sunlight bathed the grassy field in front of the courtyard. A gentle breeze rustled through, carrying with it a faint scent of fresh grass.

Within the Demon Abyss, where there was no daylight, this place had been crafted by Yun Ye, who used his powers to reverse the natural order, creating a sanctuary that mimicked the methods of the Falling Sunset Peak. He had even sent people to rebuild and restore it, making it the only spot in the Demon Abyss where sunlight could be seen.

Yun Ye carefully carried Bai Tu into the house and gently laid him down on the only bed in the room.

The bed was covered with several layers of soft blankets. The moment Bai Tu lay down, he rolled over comfortably, stretching his body and drifting back into sleep.

Yun Ye: “…”

Did this person have no sense of self-awareness about being a guest?

Frustrated and helpless, Yun Ye gave up with a sigh, poking Bai Tu’s face. “Wake up.”

Bai Tu frowned and kicked his legs a little, but didn’t respond.

…Still thinking of himself as a rabbit, kicking around like that.

Yun Ye had no choice but to sit by the bed and wait for him to wake up.

Reuniting with this person was the happiest thing he could imagine, but he had never considered why this person was… pregnant.

Thinking back to the final days at the Tianyan Sect, it was true that Immortal Lord Zhaohua had often felt unwell. But they were both men, and Immortal Lord Zhaohua was of a pure and ascetic nature. Yun Ye had never thought of this possibility.

Whose child could it be?

Yun Ye couldn’t figure it out.

Although Immortal Lord Zhaohua had been close with Immortal Lord Qinghui, Yun Ye didn’t believe there was anything romantic between them. But if not him, then who?

Yun Ye felt a wave of frustration. He lowered his head and happened to catch sight of Bai Tu’s long, curled eyelashes, trembling slightly with each breath, like tiny brushes that stirred something deep within his chest.

In an unexpected moment, Yun Ye leaned down and gently kissed Bai Tu’s lips.

No matter what, this person was his now, Yun Ye thought to himself.

No matter how he reacted when he woke up, Yun Ye would never let him leave his side again.

As for the one in his belly…

He would send someone to investigate; surely, they’d find something.

Yun Ye cast a glance at the source of his frustration and, almost in a burst of anger, kissed those soft lips even harder.

He opened his eyes and met a pair of confused ones.

Yun Ye, feeling guilty, straightened up and tried his best to keep a stern face. “Y-You’re awake.”

Bai Tu touched his lips, which were still tingling from the kiss, and smiled slightly, deliberately asking, “What were you doing just now?”

“Nothing,” Yun Ye turned his head, his ears quietly turning red.

Bai Tu didn’t press him further, instead looking around the room. “Where is this?”

Yun Ye replied, “Your new home.”

Bai Tu immediately understood. “You want to lock me up, huh?”

Yun Ye’s expression grew even more uncomfortable. He hesitated for a moment before awkwardly saying, “Anyway, Master, you’ll stay here for now. Don’t think about leaving.”

“Mm, I won’t go.” Bai Tu looked up, carefully studying him. He reached out and gently brushed Yun Ye’s messy hair from his forehead, speaking softly, “I’ve been looking for you for three months. Finally found you. Why would I leave?”

“…You seem to have lost some weight. It must have been tough on you these past few months.”

Yun Ye couldn’t maintain his cold demeanor and his voice softened. “…It’s been alright.”

Bai Tu thought for a moment before cautiously asking, “Then… are we still going after Tianyan Sect?”

Yun Ye nearly shook his head out of reflex but quickly controlled himself and replied in a serious tone, “That depends on Master’s performance.”

Bai Tu nodded with an “Oh” and then tilted his head, noticing something slightly gleaming at the bedside.

Curious, he reached out to pull it, and the sound of metal clinking rang through the air.

It was a set of… silver shackles.

Yun Ye: !!!

“Master, please let me explain,” Yun Ye said quickly. “This wasn’t done by me. It must have been those people acting on their own. I’ll go punish them severely right away, I—”

Before Yun Ye could finish, Bai Tu gently picked up the shackles and fastened them around his own wrist.

The enchanted cuffs immediately tightened around Bai Tu’s wrist, but the inside of the shackles had been padded with fine velvet, so they weren’t uncomfortable.

Bai Tu waved his wrist in front of Yun Ye, his voice calm and gentle. “Is this more to your liking?”

=^_^=