Ever since gaining a human form, this was the first time that Qiao Xuan had revealed his true form. Back when he was a bird, day and night, he would dream of becoming human. But now that he had become human, returning to his bird form again brought back memories of the days spent in his master’s hand, filling him with a sense of nostalgia. He couldn’t help but nuzzle his head against his master’s palm. Ugh, he didn’t want to come down!

His master’s hand was the safest place in the world!

Bai Cang’s jaw was tense, and his expression turned ice-cold as he watched this scene unfold. Before, he had been suspicious of Qiao Xuan’s identity, always wary of Hua Lan coming to steal him away. But no matter what, he never expected someone else to appear and claim to be Qiao Xuan’s owner.

Everyone knew that spirit pets and their masters were bound by a contract. Unless the master actively released the contract, a spirit pet couldn’t recognize a new master.

If Bai Cang killed this man, Qiao Xuan would die too. Even if he forcibly took Qiao Xuan back, his life would still be in the hands of someone else. This was something Bai Cang couldn’t accept.

Bai Cang watched as Qiao Xuan, now a little white bird, nestled affectionately and dependently in the man’s palm. A surge of jealousy and rage rose within him, and murderous intent flashed in his eyes. But he took a deep breath and eventually suppressed it.

Narrowing his eyes, Bai Cang spoke slowly, “I was unaware that he was your spirit pet and had no intention of taking him by force. I merely invited him to the Western Desolation as a guest. Now that you’re here, why not stay a while? I promise to be a good host to you both.”

Seeing Bai Cang hesitate to act rashly, Qiao Xuan felt relieved. He thought, “Stay, my foot! Master, let’s get out of here quickly!”

But just as Bai Cang finished speaking, numerous demonic cultivators began to gather silently. Ji Xiao stood quietly to the side, respectful but without any intention of stepping aside. Kui Yuan, on the other hand, crouched nearby, breathing heavily. His enormous eyes glared fiercely at Yun Ting Shu, looking as if he might charge at any moment.

Qiao Xuan: …

Was this a forced stay?

What should they do now?

Qiao Xuan looked up anxiously at his master, only to see him lift his hand, gently stroke Qiao Xuan’s little head, and chuckle softly, “Alright.”

Bai Cang’s eyes darkened, his expression grave. “I still don’t know your name, may I ask for your title?”

Yun Ting Shu spoke calmly, “Xuan He.”

Bai Cang’s brow furrowed slightly. He had never heard this name before, but he didn’t dare underestimate him. He had a feeling that he wasn’t sure he could defeat this person, which was why he hadn’t made a move. Anyone who could make him feel this threatened couldn’t be someone unknown. Could he be a reclusive god from the heavens?

Bai Cang collected his thoughts and curled his lips into a smile. “This way, please.”

Yun Ting Shu remained calm and composed, as if he wasn’t surrounded by demons but was merely taking a leisurely stroll through Xuan He Valley. He followed Bai Cang into a palace.

Bai Cang’s palace wasn’t like Hua Lan’s, designed for entertaining guests. It looked like this room had been hastily prepared—still bearing the gloomy style of the Western Desolation—but it was clean and spacious, showing no sign of disrespect.

All the while, Qiao Xuan had his head buried in his master’s palm, not daring to meet Bai Cang’s gaze. Though his master’s move had been clever, he was still worried that Bai Cang might get desperate. Outside, they were surrounded by Bai Cang’s subordinates, and the weight of so many eyes was making him nervous.

Bai Cang glanced sideways at Qiao Xuan, lost in thought.

Before, he had assumed Qiao Xuan was a celestial being from the heavens. Now, he realized Qiao Xuan wasn’t human at all. This bird was likely his true form—pure white with a single golden feather on its forehead, beautiful and delicate, though Bai Cang couldn’t determine its species. But the fact that it could take human form and perfectly conceal its identity—even from him—meant it wasn’t just any ordinary spirit beast.

Retracting his gaze, Bai Cang smiled at Yun Ting Shu. “This place is rather simple. I hope you won’t mind.”

Yun Ting Shu responded with calm grace, his voice clear like flowing water, “You’re too kind, Your Excellency.”

Bai Cang gave a few more orders, instructing his servants to take good care of the guests before turning to leave.

Once they were alone, Qiao Xuan immediately wriggled out of his master’s palm, his small black eyes filled with anxiety. Ugh, he hadn’t expected Bai Cang to react so quickly, leaving them no chance to escape. Now, not only was he trapped, but his master was stuck here too…

It was all his fault. If only he hadn’t wandered off in the first place…

Yun Ting Shu looked down at Qiao Xuan, then smiled softly, “So now you know you were wrong.”

Qiao Xuan drooped his little head, feeling guilty.

…

And so, Yun Ting Shu and Qiao Xuan stayed.

Though Bai Cang didn’t appear again, the demon servants were respectful, offering fine food and wine daily.

Qiao Xuan knew this couldn’t continue, but Yun Ting Shu seemed perfectly at ease, as if none of this concerned him. He wasn’t the least bit anxious, behaving as if he were in his own home…

After thinking it over, Qiao Xuan once again approached his master cautiously. “Master, if it really doesn’t work, maybe we could ask someone for help…?”

Yun Ting Shu smiled faintly and glanced at him, saying, “Oh? You have that little faith in your master?”

Qiao Xuan, flustered, quickly said, “Of course not! I just don’t think there’s any need to fight that demon head-on! A wise man knows when to back down!”

Yun Ting Shu regarded him silently for a moment before speaking slowly, “Bai Cang is your tribulation.”

Qiao Xuan froze, then nodded, “Yeah…”

Though it hadn’t been explicitly stated before, wasn’t that obvious?

Yun Ting Shu said calmly, “I hear from the demon servants that he’s preparing to make you his Demon Queen.”

Just thinking about this made Qiao Xuan furious. “Who wants to be his Demon Queen?!”

After blurting that out, he realized his master hadn’t responded for a long time. Confused, he looked over and found Yun Ting Shu staring at him intently.

Qiao Xuan hesitated. Had he said something wrong? He touched his face. Was there something on it?

While Qiao Xuan was still confused, he saw his master smile. When Yun Ting Shu smiled, his already ethereal beauty softened, his light-colored eyes shimmering with a gentle warmth like a breeze across a frozen lake.

Qiao Xuan was mesmerized. Ah, his master had always been incredibly good-looking, but even after over a hundred years, why was he still so easily entranced by his master’s beauty?

No, no, this won’t do… Just as Qiao Xuan was about to cast a Clear Mind spell on himself, his ears twitched. Immediately, he transformed back into a little bird and perched on his master’s shoulder, gripping his master’s robe tightly and shrinking back.

Bai Cang strode into the hall, followed by several demon cultivators carrying black wooden boxes.

Seeing Yun Ting Shu, Bai Cang’s sharp gaze softened, and he laughed heartily, “I trust you’ve been comfortable these past few days?”

Yun Ting Shu nodded slightly. “Very. I appreciate Your Excellency’s hospitality.”

Bai Cang’s gaze shifted to the small bird perched on Yun Ting Shu’s shoulder before he spoke. “I have a small request today.”

Yun Ting Shu raised an eyebrow, “Please, go ahead.”

Bai Cang spoke slowly, enunciating each word clearly, “I am willing to offer ten stalks of Zilong Vine, ten sprigs of Tianwen Grass, and ten Longgu Pills in exchange for your spirit pet. Would you be willing to part with it?”

As he finished speaking, the demon cultivators opened the boxes, releasing waves of spiritual energy. The items inside were just as Bai Cang had described.

Qiao Xuan’s eyes widened in disbelief. These were the top-tier treasures of the Western Desolation! Back when he was still Qing Xun, he had only heard of these things in legends. That so-called Thousand-Year Blood Vine that Bai Cang had once traded him for couldn’t hold a candle to these treasures. It wasn’t even worth mentioning in comparison.

These items weren’t just enough to trade for a mere spirit pet—any celestial deity would consider them a significant portion of their wealth…

There was no denying Bai Cang’s sincerity.

However, Yun Ting Shu remained unmoved, his expression calm, as if the priceless treasures before him were mere stones and weeds. He even had the leisure to glance down, pick up a wriggling bug, and offer it to Qiao Xuan.

Qiao Xuan: …

He stared at the writhing bug before him. Though it was smaller than one of Yun Ting Shu’s fingers, to Qiao Xuan, it was a massive, wriggling monster… Ahhhhhhh! Help!!!

He was terrified of this, okay?!

Qiao Xuan’s feathers puffed out in fear, and he almost fainted. This was one of the reasons he had fought so hard to become human. Being a bird was terrifying—he was scared of a simple bug! He would never be scared of this kind of thing if he were human!

Was his master angry? QAQ

Back when he couldn’t transform, his master had never fed him bugs, instead feeding him spiritual fruits and water. Qiao Xuan trembled as he backed away, nearly falling off his master’s shoulder. He was so nervous that he was shaking. He knew his master couldn’t possibly be completely unbothered by the mess he had caused. This was clearly his master’s way of showing his displeasure…

I get it, I was wrong!

Seeing this, Bai Cang’s eyes grew cold, and his anger was barely contained.

The young man could already transform into a human, and he was incredibly fussy about what he ate, always demanding the best. Bai Cang had cherished him, treating him as though he were made of glass, fearing that he might upset him even slightly. Yet here was Yun Ting Shu, treating him so casually, even trying to feed him bugs… Watching Qiao Xuan tremble in fear, Bai Cang was furious, almost ready to rush over and snatch him back!

Bai Cang took a deep breath, his stern face taut, and he spoke slowly in a hoarse voice, “Have you considered my offer? If you find this unsatisfactory, feel free to name your price. I am sincere in my desire to acquire your spirit pet.”

Yun Ting Shu lowered his hand, glanced at Bai Cang, and laughed softly, “Your Excellency is indeed sincere, but this spirit pet is dear to me. It would be best to ask him directly…”

He then looked down at Qiao Xuan and asked calmly, “Do you want to go with him?”

Now that the bug was finally gone, Qiao Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, his feathers stopping their tremble. But when he met his master’s eyes—those beautiful, calm eyes as serene as ever—he couldn’t help but feel his master was not entirely pleased…

And then there was Bai Cang, glaring at him fiercely. His violet eyes were filled with murderous rage, as if he would snatch him at any moment.

Terrified, Qiao Xuan buried his head against his master’s neck. Who would want to follow that demonic cultivator?!

Not to mention, Bai Cang had already traded him for a measly Thousand-Year Blood Vine. Now he wanted to buy him back with spiritual treasures? Love wasn’t something you could just purchase!

Even though these items were incredibly valuable… There was no way his master would be swayed by them!

Determined to make his rejection clear, Qiao Xuan clung to his master’s robe with his claws, trying to bury himself deeper into Yun Ting Shu’s clothing. Wasn’t it better to be a free bird than to get tangled up with a demonic cultivator like Bai Cang?

Just as he was about to burrow deeper, a slender, pale hand gently grasped his tail and pulled him out of the folds of Yun Ting Shu’s robe.

Yun Ting Shu pressed the little bird into his palm and turned to Bai Cang, saying coolly, “It seems he’s unwilling. There’s no need to bring this up again.”

Bai Cang’s eyes grew colder.

He hadn’t anticipated that Qiao Xuan would prefer to remain as someone else’s spirit pet rather than become his Demon Queen… He had made up his mind about a master, and no matter how he was treated, no matter how good or bad the circumstances…

He would never turn back.

Just like Qing Xun in the past. A little kindness was all it took for him to hold on for ages. Once he had chosen Bai Cang, even after Bai Cang had abandoned him, Qing Xun had still risked everything to come back for him…

But this little bird… it already had a new master. He would never look back and would only nestle into that person’s embrace. Those eyes would never hold anyone else again…

Before this moment, Bai Cang had never considered this possibility.

He didn’t care what secrets Qiao Xuan was hiding. He didn’t care about Qiao Xuan’s relationship with Hua Lan. He didn’t even care if Qiao Xuan loved or hated him…

All he wanted was to keep this person by any means necessary.

But now, for the first time, he clearly realized:

The things you lose—even if you manage to get them back—are never quite the same.

Even if it was the same soul, it would never again be the Qing Xun who, no matter how much hardship he faced, would always throw himself into Bai Cang’s arms.

Author’s Note:

Master: Bai Cang is very sincere and is even offering you the position of Demon Queen.

Qiao Xuan: I was wrong! QAQ