Qiao Xuan’s body stiffened, feeling Bai Cang’s intense gaze that nearly made his hair stand on end. He almost felt like kneeling. Taking a deep breath, he forced a nervous laugh and said, “No, no, didn’t you say I’m still useful? If I just die like this, Hua Lan will definitely cause you trouble… Of course, I’m not saying you’re afraid of him, but my death wouldn’t bring you any benefit right now… And that demon was so arrogant, daring to play tricks in front of you—he deserved to die!”

Bai Cang silently gazed at the boy in front of him. The boy appeared anxious and terrified, but beneath the surface, there was a hint of craftiness in his eyes, and his words were well-reasoned.

To be honest, Qiao Xuan’s behavior had surprised Bai Cang. Zheng Xin, the old demon, was no good—sinister, cunning, and evil—but his appearance was deceiving. Normally, celestial beings who followed the Heavenly Path were filled with compassion, unable to ignore a plea for mercy, and wouldn’t remain indifferent to such killing.

Aren’t these so-called righteous celestials supposed to preach equality for all life, that every blade of grass and every tree is a living being?

Bai Cang had expected Qiao Xuan to try to stop him, or at least not to act as he had…

It was clear Qiao Xuan had anticipated Zheng Xin’s move, purposefully dodging behind Bai Cang and letting him do the dirty work. Throughout, Qiao Xuan remained cold and logical, showing no compassion or sympathy—on the contrary, beneath his innocent appearance was a cold-hearted cunningness. He acted as if he belonged in the Western Wasteland.

Not trusting anyone was a basic survival instinct here.

But for someone from the Heavenly Realm, it seemed completely out of place.

Qiao Xuan had talked himself dry, nervously watching Bai Cang for a reaction, but Bai Cang remained silent, simply staring at him. Qiao Xuan grew even more uneasy, cold sweat dripping down his forehead…

Come on, man, it was just me hiding behind you! Can’t you be a bit more magnanimous?

Bai Cang’s lips curved slightly, catching the dissatisfaction hidden beneath Qiao Xuan’s obedient facade… Interesting.

Narrowing his eyes, Bai Cang stopped paying attention to Qiao Xuan and instead turned to give orders to Ji Xiao. “You stay behind and handle things.”

Ji Xiao bowed respectfully. “Yes, sir.”

Qiao Xuan blinked, unsure of what was going on. Before he could react, Bai Cang grabbed his wrist and, with a teasing glance, whisked him onto the flying ship!

Qiao Xuan froze, not daring to move.

What’s Bai Cang up to now?

Does this mean I’ve passed the test or not?

Bai Cang cast a brief, amused glance at Qiao Xuan, then released his grip, turning toward the front of the flying ship as it lifted into the air, heading back.

Qiao Xuan waited for a long time, but when Bai Cang continued to ignore him, he finally exhaled in relief and wiped away his sweat. It seemed like Bai Cang wasn’t planning to deal with him after all!

While Ji Xiao was commanding the demon cultivators to clean up the battlefield, Kui Yuan’s eyes were glued to Qiao Xuan’s retreating figure. Grinning foolishly with his mouth hanging open, he seemed eager to follow. But before he could make a move, Ji Xiao appeared in front of him, blocking his path.

“Stay here and help me out,” Ji Xiao said calmly.

Kui Yuan, frustrated at seeing Bai Cang and Qiao Xuan fly further and further away, protested. What’s the point of staying here? No food, no fun—how boring! He wanted to follow Little Cutie back home!

But no matter how he tried to run, Ji Xiao moved in sync with him, always just in front of him.

Like a shadow he couldn’t shake off!

Kui Yuan was so fed up that he wanted to punch this sickly guy to death! But after panting heavily for a while, he had no choice but to give up. Even though Ji Xiao looked frail and half-dead, he was annoyingly hard to deal with, sticking to him like glue. However, if Kui Yuan just gave up, it would seem like he was admitting defeat—did he want this punk to think he was scared of him?

Kui Yuan had never been afraid of anyone besides the Lord!

Kui Yuan’s eyes bulged as he roared, “Move! I was going to stay here and do the Lord’s work anyway. I’ll prove I’m more useful than you!”

Ji Xiao’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Good. I just found out that Zheng Xin hid the previously mined Yin Ming Stones underground. Go dig them up; I’m sure you’ll do a great job and impress the Lord.”

Kui Yuan immediately puffed up his chest. “Of course!”

With that, he thundered off to start digging, shaking the earth as he went.

But after a while, Kui Yuan looked around at the other demon cultivators also digging and fell into confusion. Did this kind of work really require him to do it personally? Was this the best way to show his worth? Would the Lord really be impressed?

Since Kui Yuan, Ji Xiao, and the others stayed behind, it was just Bai Cang and Qiao Xuan on the return trip. It took less than an hour for them to get back to the Demon Palace, and only then did Qiao Xuan realize that Bai Cang had deliberately slowed down on the way there.

As soon as they landed, Qiao Xuan leaped off the flying ship and immediately distanced himself from Bai Cang—keeping exactly ninety-nine meters away, not a step more or less.

Back at the palace, Bai Cang got busy, completely ignoring Qiao Xuan as if he didn’t exist. At first, Qiao Xuan was still on edge, but eventually, he started to relax. At least for now, he seemed to be safe.

A few days passed in the blink of an eye.

Qiao Xuan was exhausted, yawning and barely keeping his eyes open. He hadn’t eaten, slept, or rested in days, constantly on alert. If Bai Cang suddenly walked too far away, his life would be over!

That evening, after finishing up, Bai Cang left the main hall and headed toward the back of the palace. Qiao Xuan, tired and bitter, followed.

They arrived at a rear palace building. Unlike Hua Lan’s palace, which was filled with gardens and pavilions, this place was barren and desolate—just a single lonely building surrounded by a cold, oppressive aura. Clearly, this was where Bai Cang resided.

Qiao Xuan had no choice but to follow him inside. The palace was just as empty on the inside, not a single plant or decoration in sight, and the air itself seemed chilly.

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but mentally criticize their lack of taste. The people in the Western Wasteland really have no sense of aesthetics. Everywhere looks like the underworld! It’d drive a normal person into depression…

But wait, was Bai Cang going to rest now? If so, maybe Qiao Xuan could rest too?

Feeling a glimmer of hope, Qiao Xuan looked up to see… food being brought in.

Bai Cang sat inside while a steady stream of demon servants presented various dishes, filling the table with food!

Qiao Xuan’s eyes widened in disbelief: …Why are you torturing me like this?

He wasn’t surprised that Bai Cang ate—despite his high cultivation level, many immortals still enjoyed food and drink. Bai Cang, being a demon cultivator, wasn’t bound by the principles of abstinence and discipline. What was the point of all this power if not to indulge a little?

But for Bai Cang to eat alone without offering anything to a guest? Didn’t he understand basic hospitality?!

Qiao Xuan, who hadn’t eaten or slept in days, was exhausted. Now, watching the table full of food, he was tempted beyond measure. But Bai Cang sat there eating by himself, showing no intention of inviting him to join…

Of course, this bastard would be like that!

Frustrated, Qiao Xuan turned his head away in anger. Fine, if you don’t offer, I won’t eat. I’m a celestial, for heaven’s sake! I’m not going to be swayed by a little temptation!

But even though his eyes were averted, the smell kept drifting into his nose, teasing him relentlessly.

Stay calm, stay calm!

Qiao Xuan slowly moved a little further away, trying to escape the aroma. But as soon as he took a step, the golden ring around his neck tightened. Damn it, I’ve exceeded the hundred-meter limit!

To make things worse, the demon servants kept walking past him with trays of food and wine, without the slightest consideration for his feelings…

Ugh, this is unbearable!

Fuming, Qiao Xuan walked back to the table. One look at Bai Cang, sitting there casually eating, only made him angrier. What a waste! You can’t possibly eat all that! Are you a pig? This is just the behavior of a rich, wasteful fool!

Do you know how precious food is in the Western Wasteland?

How can you waste it like this?

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but think back to his time as Qing Xun, where getting a meal was no easy feat. The harsh environment of the Western Wasteland made farming difficult, with most of the land barren and dry. The few plants that did grow were often toxic and inedible. There were no chickens, ducks, pigs, or sheep—such animals couldn’t survive the wasteland’s dark energy. Instead, the land was filled with ferocious beasts that would just as likely eat you as you’d eat them.

Back then, living by the muddy river, the fish were as vicious as piranhas—definitely not a viable food source. The men of the village would go hunting in groups, but many never returned.

The weaker women, children, and elderly had even less dignity in their struggle for food.

In the Western Wasteland, from the moment you were born, you were running for your life. Staying alive was the only priority, and there was no time to think about anything else.

For someone as weak as Qing Xun, the world was filled with despair. But for someone as powerful as Bai Cang, it was a playground where he could do whatever he wanted.

The Western Wasteland had no rules, no constraints, no ethics or morality.

The strong few hoarded most of the resources, leaving the weak to suffer, kill, and live in debauchery and excess.

It was an extreme disparity!

Take this feast for example. Ordinary people wouldn’t even dare dream of seeing such a thing…

But Bai Cang wouldn’t even think of giving leftovers to commoners.

This is outrageous! I can’t take it anymore!

Qiao Xuan made up his mind. Why should I be so afraid? I still have my value, and Bai Cang wouldn’t kill me over a bit of food. Besides, this is just too much to bear. I’m already suffering enough, being a hostage here. If he doesn’t even let me eat, that’s just cruel!

Humph!

Quietly, Qiao Xuan sneaked over to the farthest side of the table from Bai Cang, cautiously sitting down and picking up a roasted leg of the beast.

Good! Bai Cang didn’t react.

Qiao Xuan lowered his head and began eating quietly. As long as I don’t look at Bai Cang, he doesn’t exist. I’m safe! Oh wow, this roast meat is amazing! What kind of beast is this? I’ve never tasted anything like it before as Qing Xun. And this, and this—everything’s so delicious!

Bai Cang held a cup of wine, lazily reclining on his couch, his gaze casually falling on the boy in the corner.

He had noticed Qiao Xuan a while ago.

The boy clearly wanted to eat but didn’t want to get too close, sulking by himself on the side. Bai Cang didn’t mind. He was keeping Qiao Xuan around for one reason only: to prevent Hua Lan from bothering him. As long as Qiao Xuan was here, Hua Lan wouldn’t dare act rashly.

What happened to Qiao Xuan didn’t really matter to Bai Cang.

Whether he ate or not, it was irrelevant.

But now, watching the boy’s bright eyes as he happily devoured his food, Bai Cang found himself a bit distracted.

He thought of Qing Xun.

Qing Xun had been the same—his eyes would light up at the sight of food. For him, being able to eat and drink was the greatest happiness in the world. It didn’t take much to satisfy him.

Anything Bai Cang casually tossed to him was treated like a treasure, and if Bai Cang gave him a simple smile, it would make him happy for a long time…

Back then, Bai Cang had looked down on him. But now, thinking back, it stirred a strange sense of pity.

But at the time, Bai Cang hadn’t understood what it meant to care about someone.

Bai Cang’s gaze shifted to Qiao Xuan.

The boy was exceptionally handsome, his black eyes shining. He wasn’t born in the Western Wasteland and had never seen the darkest aspects of life. Any immortal who could undergo tribulation was a favorite of the Heavenly Path. Even if they faced hardships, they couldn’t compare to what people here endured. They couldn’t truly understand…

Yet, for some reason, this boy kept reminding Bai Cang of Qing Xun.

Even the way he sucked his fingers clean after eating was exactly the same as Qing Xun…

Bai Cang’s eyes darkened.

At first, Qiao Xuan was cautious, but when he saw that Bai Cang wasn’t reacting, he gradually let his guard down. He didn’t believe in depriving himself! Feeling content and full, he let out a small burp, even licking the juices off his fingers. Wow, this food was amazing… being full feels so good…

The Western Wasteland actually has some good food. Some of these unique beasts can’t be found anywhere else.

Too bad it’s such a dangerous place—not exactly somewhere people would want to stay…

After finishing, Qiao Xuan was about to sneak away quietly, but before he could stand up, a cold hand suddenly grabbed his wrist. The icy touch seeped into his bones, making Qiao Xuan shiver. In the next moment, Bai Cang pulled him into his arms.

What the—!

When did Bai Cang get so close? How did I not notice?

Bai Cang’s chest was as hard as iron, nearly knocking the breath out of him. Qiao Xuan panicked and looked up, meeting those eerie purple eyes. He was so frightened, he almost died on the spot!

You’re like a ghost—moving without a sound!

Qiao Xuan’s wrist throbbed slightly from Bai Cang’s grip. Taking a deep breath, he forced a helpless smile and asked, “Respected Lord? Do you need something?”

Bai Cang’s dark gaze lingered on him, and his lips curled. “So, you find the food in the Western Wasteland to your liking?”

Bai Cang’s tone was calm, even carrying a hint of amusement, but Qiao Xuan could hear the underlying message. He was being mocked! Bai Cang was implying, “You, a celestial, gave up your dignity for some food.”

This was a clear insult!

But Qiao Xuan had one great trait—his thick skin. If he wasn’t embarrassed, then it was the other person who should feel awkward.

Besides, how could I maintain dignity on an empty stomach?

Qiao Xuan put on a serious face and replied, “Yes, I’m quite used to it. You don’t need to worry, Respected Lord.”

“Worry?” Bai Cang’s eyes gleamed with even more amusement. This little celestial sure has thick skin. Interesting…

Bai Cang tilted Qiao Xuan’s chin upward, leaning in with a teasing smile. “Since you’ve eaten my food, how do you plan to repay me? In the Western Wasteland, we don’t believe in free meals.”

Qiao Xuan: …

Okay, sure, that’s fair. But isn’t feeding a hostage part of the deal? Do I really need to pay for the food?!

You’re the Demon Lord, but you’re acting way too stingy!

Seeing Qiao Xuan frozen in place, his expression blank, Bai Cang’s smirk deepened. He spoke casually, “I just happen to be in need of a bed warmer. I wonder, how do celestial beings taste? I’m a bit curious.”

Hearing the ominous words, Qiao Xuan’s heart dropped. The coldness spread from his wrist to his chest. This scene was all too familiar…

He jerked his hand free from Bai Cang’s grip and bolted!

But before he could run a hundred meters, the golden collar around his neck tightened. Qiao Xuan collapsed to the ground, clutching his throat and coughing desperately…

A pair of black boots appeared in his line of sight.

Qiao Xuan looked up to see Bai Cang calmly approaching, lazily fiddling with a black ring on his finger. His smirk was laced with mockery, and he stared down at Qiao Xuan like a predator cornering its prey.

Then he heard Bai Cang say:

“I told you before, if you try to escape again, I’ll send your corpse to Hua Lan. Do you remember?”

Qiao Xuan almost burst into tears.

If I had known the cost of this meal would be so high, I would have starved instead!

After all this time, I’ve managed to get a second chance at life—who would want to become Bai Cang’s furnace?!

Bai Cang casually flicked his robes and knelt down, his fingers lightly brushing Qiao Xuan’s face. He stared into the boy’s frightened eyes, his expression growing more malicious. “If you’re unwilling to serve me, I could always give you to my subordinates instead. Let them have their fun before I dispose of you. Afterward, I’ll still send your corpse back to the Heavenly Realm. That way, nothing will go to waste…”

Qiao Xuan’s face turned deathly pale.

Bai Cang paused, as if considering something, then added with a smile, “Oh, right. Kui Yuan seems quite fond of you. Maybe I should just give you to him. That way, he’ll stop asking me for you.”

Before, Qiao Xuan had only been terrified. But now, he was on the verge of passing out from fear!

He had no doubt that Bai Cang would go through with this. This was exactly the kind of thing he would do—it wouldn’t be surprising at all!

If he ended up in Kui Yuan’s hands, would there even be a body left to send? By the next day, he’d probably have been digested. If that happened, he’d be too traumatized to rest in peace!

Desperate, Qiao Xuan threw himself forward, wrapping his arms around Bai Cang’s leg, tears welling up in his eyes. “I-I wasn’t trying to escape! You misunderstood…”

Seeing that Bai Cang remained unmoved, Qiao Xuan stammered, “If…if you give me to Kui Yuan, there won’t be a corpse left to send to Hua Lan…”

Bai Cang raised an eyebrow, seeming to find some logic in this. He chuckled softly.

Qiao Xuan saw Bai Cang laugh and, though he didn’t care whether it was mocking or sinister, took it as a good sign. He choked out through his tears, “I’m not refusing to serve you. It’s just that I’m clumsy and don’t know how to please people. I’m afraid I’ll offend you by accident…”

Bai Cang responded coolly, “That’s not much of an issue.”

Qiao Xuan: …

Bai Cang’s fingers lightly traced Qiao Xuan’s neck. The boy’s skin was delicate, his neck so slender that it seemed like it could break with a touch. He trembled slightly in Bai Cang’s hand…

But he didn’t resist anymore.

Bai Cang studied the boy’s face. He was genuinely scared—terrified, even—but he wasn’t struggling. It was as if he had resigned himself to his fate and closed his eyes, seemingly accepting whatever was about to happen…

For some reason, Bai Cang thought of Qing Xun again. When he first met Qing Xun, the boy had been the same—cowering in front of him, trembling in fear as if Bai Cang were some kind of flesh-eating demon. But even though Qing Xun was terrified, he had no choice but to accept his fate and close his eyes.

No matter what Bai Cang gave him, Qing Xun could only accept it.

Even when Bai Cang discarded him, Qing Xun had still resigned himself to it.

Bai Cang’s gaze darkened. Suddenly, he lost interest.

He had never actually intended to do anything to Qiao Xuan. He just found the boy’s carefree attitude amusing and had been tempted to toy with him.

In fact, during the battle at the Demon Abyss, Bai Cang had allowed Qiao Xuan to hide behind him simply because the boy reminded him of Qing Xun—frightened, yet desperately trying to survive, even attempting to please him. In that moment, the boy had been eerily similar to Qing Xun.

But ultimately, he wasn’t Qing Xun.

Bai Cang released his grip and stood up, coldly spitting out a single word: “Scram.”

Qiao Xuan, who had already accepted his fate, was mentally prepared. He thought, This situation is nothing new—I’ve been through it before. It’s not that bad. If I endure it, it’ll be over soon.

But to his surprise, Bai Cang suddenly let him go and walked away!

This guy really is unpredictable!

But either way, Bai Cang not touching him was good news. Qiao Xuan had narrowly escaped a disaster, and his entire body was drenched in sweat.

Bai Cang entered his room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Qiao Xuan hesitated for a moment before finding a spot within the hundred-meter limit to sit down under the eaves.

The nights in the Demon Palace were freezing, the cold seeping into his bones. After what had just happened, no way was Qiao Xuan going to get any closer to Bai Cang. He sat there shivering through the night. If he hadn’t been a trained cultivator, he would have frozen to death by now. Reflecting on all that had happened since arriving, Qiao Xuan felt a wave of sadness wash over him.

This world is too dangerous!

Why did I ever sneak out of the Heavenly Realm?

All he wanted was a little fresh air, a break from everything—why was the universe being so cruel to him?

Hugging himself in misery, Qiao Xuan thought about how long he had already been stuck in the Western Wasteland. Should I ask my master for help? But then again, Bai Cang is pretty strong now—strong enough to steal treasures from the Heavenly Palace. What if my master can’t defeat him? And this is Bai Cang’s domain, his home turf—he’d have the advantage here. If my master fails, I’ll just be putting him in danger!

No, no, I can’t cause trouble for my master, especially after I ran off without permission.

Forget it, I’ll just wait for the right opportunity to escape.

Defeated, Qiao Xuan followed Bai Cang obediently for a few more days, like a spirit lurking in the background…

Before long, Ji Xiao and Kui Yuan returned, bringing with them several carts full of Yin Ming Stones.

Ji Xiao respectfully reported to Bai Cang, “I’ve arranged for the slaves to work around the clock. We’ll be finished by the nineteenth of this month.”

Bai Cang nodded in satisfaction. “Good.”

Ji Xiao bowed and said, “I’ll take my leave.”

Qiao Xuan sat quietly in a corner, trying to be as invisible as possible. Although Ji Xiao’s words were brief, based on the altar he had seen before and the Yin Ming Stones they had collected from the Demon Abyss, it was clear Bai Cang was up to something big. This demon was always plotting something—relentlessly evil, determined to stay in character as a villain. Let me tell you, villains like you never make it to the end!

If you hadn’t been so power-hungry and ruthless, you wouldn’t have driven so many sects to join forces against you.

Why can’t you just be like me, calm and peaceful, enjoying life without all the fighting?

Qiao Xuan was completely exasperated with Bai Cang.

However, there was one thing Ji Xiao had said that stuck with him.

The nineteenth of this month.

That meant Bai Cang’s plan would be completed soon, whether it involved storming the Heavenly Realm or conquering the mortal world. Either way, Qiao Xuan’s usefulness would be gone by then, and Bai Cang would probably decide to kill him.

For Qiao Xuan, the nineteenth of the month was his final deadline!

Just then, Bai Cang stood up again.

Qiao Xuan had no choice but to follow him.

They returned to the altar, which was now almost complete. As Qiao Xuan approached, he saw that the structure had progressed significantly since the last time he saw it.

Distracted by his thoughts, Qiao Xuan followed Bai Cang to the center of the altar.

Bai Cang stood in the middle, his eyes filled with a fervent, almost crazed light, as if something he had been waiting for was about to be realized…

Qiao Xuan couldn’t understand it. How is ruling the world so exciting? What’s so thrilling about constant fighting? Isn’t the Western Wasteland already chaotic enough?

But then, he saw Bai Cang wave his hand, and from the center of the altar, a black coffin slowly rose.

Qiao Xuan: …What?

Is Bai Cang planning to revive some long-dead monster and use it to conquer the world? Don’t blame Qiao Xuan for jumping to conclusions—he’s seen way too many crazy things.

But what happened next shocked him even more.

Bai Cang gently touched the coffin, and in his usually cold, distant eyes, a rare softness appeared. His voice was low and hoarse, filled with an almost obsessive tenderness as he whispered, “I’m sorry for making you wait so long…”

Up until that moment, Qiao Xuan could still make sense of things, but this scene left him completely stunned.

This isn’t about destroying the world—he wants to resurrect someone he loves?

Qiao Xuan couldn’t help but find the whole situation absurd. Shocked and disoriented, he couldn’t tell what was real anymore. Bai Cang, someone like you, actually fell in love with someone? And this deeply? Who was unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of that? Also, Bai Cang, your character setting is falling apart! This isn’t something you should be doing!

Qiao Xuan felt like he was losing his mind.

But the most terrifying part was still to come.

Curiosity got the better of him, and he glanced inside the coffin—what he saw nearly gave him a heart attack. Inside was a horrific, withered corpse! Not even a horror movie would go this far! Bai Cang, what’s with your taste?!

The world is getting crazier by the day, and Qiao Xuan felt like he needed some time to process it all.

He quietly backed away, trying to distance himself from the dangerous and insane Bai Cang. That’s when he heard the most terrifying and shocking words he had ever heard in his life—words that almost knocked his soul out of his body:

Bai Cang said:

“Qing Xun, I’m going to bring you back.”

Author’s Note:

Qiao Xuan: Today has been full of too many scares. I’m worse off than those mushrooms in the Suspended River Valley. QAQ

Author: See? Karma, right? Hehe.

Qiao Xuan: …

Bai Cang: Don’t worry, sweetheart.

Qiao Xuan: Please, just let me rest in peace! QAQ

Bai Cang: …

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