Qiao Xuan left that place in a disheveled state.

He walked slowly through the forest, one foot dragging after the other. Even without counting the thousand years of his tribulation, he had lived here for over a century. During that time, besides his master, he was alone… Out of sheer boredom, he would play with the birds and beasts in the valley, and sometimes he would even bully the mushrooms…

It wasn’t that long ago, yet to Qiao Xuan, it felt like a very distant past. Back then, he spent every day thinking about how to sneak out and explore the outside world. Now, he only regretted not cherishing those moments—perhaps a common human failing… Always failing to appreciate what one has until it’s gone.

Unknowingly, he had wandered deep into the woods…

A gust of wind rustled the leaves, and a giant eagle landed next to Qiao Xuan, affectionately calling out to him, appearing very happy. The birds in the forest also flew out. Although Qiao Xuan had been back for a while, the spot beside him had been occupied by a giant wolf, and the birds, scared, dared not come too close. Now seeing Qiao Xuan alone, they happily approached…

Qiao Xuan looked at the cheerful scene before him and chuckled softly. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted some mushrooms hopping around at his feet but not running away; they were not afraid of him at all.

Even if the master was no longer there.

Nothing would change here.

It was just one less person.

His master was a man of few words, always in seclusion, cold and uninteresting, hardly ever coming out. Perhaps even if he were to pass away one day, the silly birds and animals in the valley might not even notice…

Yet, it was such a bland person that he had already grown accustomed to his presence.

There was no way to pretend otherwise…

Qiao Xuan chuckled self-deprecatingly.

He kicked a stone in front of him.

What madness had possessed him to speak such angry words in front of his master? But he was really, really angry…

Even if he was angry and sad, there was no helping it. To say things like “kill me” would truly trample all his master’s efforts underfoot, making all his master had done for him meaningless and ridiculous…

His master would rather give up his life than leave him, this disaster, behind.

How could he not fulfill his master’s wish?

…

Shu Chen stood behind a tree trunk, watching from a distance.

The young man and the white wolf were playing and laughing together; they were busy and lively, preparing lots of delicious food. Perhaps the young man had lectured them, for the valley’s animals seemed braver and no longer avoided Xue Ming… Birds brought fruits, squirrels brought seeds, and the table was filled with fine wines and dishes, creating a leisurely and joyous scene.

Ever since Qiao Xuan had met with Tai Chu and returned, he had been like this, as if he had accepted reality, carelessly indulging in eating, drinking, and playing every day.

Every day, he drank himself into a stupor.

When drunk, he simply slept on the grass, using the stars as his blanket and the earth as his bed.

Shu Chen had wanted to go over several times but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

He could only watch silently.

If you think this way, it might ease your pain a bit, then let it be…

Xue Ming lay lazily on the grass, his golden eyes glancing sideways into the distance before casually looking away, focusing on the youth in front of him.

During this time, Qiao Xuan spent his days with him.

Indulging in fun.

They even visited the mortal realm a few times, bringing back lots of delicious food and wine, living a simple and comfortable life.

This had once been the life Xue Ming longed for.

No one to disturb them, just him and Little Slave, always together, living a secluded life just for them…

He had waited hundreds of years for this, staying in that deserted cave, waiting day and night…

Now, his dream had come true.

But Xue Ming watched his Little Slave, who although smiling, was not happy at all…

If he was unhappy, then so was Xue Ming.

Xue Ming suddenly transformed into his human form, took the wine cup from Qiao Xuan’s hand with a frown, and said irritably, “Aren’t you afraid of drinking yourself to death?”

Qiao Xuan looked at the youth with golden eyes in front of him, feeling quite unaccustomed, and after a long while, he pouted and said, “Change back, I’m not used to seeing you like this.”

Xue Ming grabbed Qiao Xuan and went back into the house, throwing him onto the bed with a cold snort, “Sleep.”

Qiao Xuan looked at Xue Ming angrily, seeing that Xue Ming was ignoring him.

Unable to snatch back his wine, he reluctantly went to sleep, not forgetting to threaten, “If I had known you wouldn’t listen, I would have taken you as my spirit pet!”

Xue Ming scoffed.

Then turned and left to stand guard outside.

Qiao Xuan closed his eyes. Perhaps he had drunk too much; his mind was muddled, unclear, with many things to think about, yet seemingly unable to figure anything out… He might really be drunk, but why did his heart still feel blocked, as if he couldn’t vent something, making it impossible for him to fall asleep.

Qiao Xuan tossed and turned in bed.

He hadn’t gone to see his master for several days.

His master was like this now, almost on the verge of death…

And he couldn’t serve by his side, still angry with him, which was really too much…

Qiao Xuan had regretted it for several days.

Why did he speak out of turn that day?

So much so that now he had no way to step down.

He wanted to go see his master, worried about his master, worried to death, yet he had no face to go there…

His master was no longer as usual, needing to eat and drink, with no one by his side to serve him, and Shu Chen, that unreliable one, probably wouldn’t care about the master, would the master starve to death…

Qiao Xuan suddenly sat up.

No, no, he must go and see!

Qiao Xuan groggily climbed out of bed, gathered whatever food and drink were in the house, and sneaked out through the window.

In the night’s silence of Xuanhe Valley, only the sound of cicadas could be heard.

He jogged along the pebble path…

And soon stood in front of his master’s door.

Riding the courage from the alcohol, Qiao Xuan pushed open the door of the stone chamber and walked in.

At first glance, his master was sleeping on the stone bed, quietly, motionless…

Qiao Xuan immediately panicked, rushing over and placing his hand under his master’s nose to check for breath—still breathing, thank goodness, not dead…

He sighed in relief, only to see his master’s silver eyelashes tremble slightly, his eyes opening, deep and dark, staring fixedly at him, his brows slightly furrowed as if to say you’re pressing on me.

Qiao Xuan stared blankly and then realized he was almost entirely lying on top of his master. He had gained weight recently; he hoped he hadn’t hurt his master…

Qiao Xuan sheepishly climbed up, placing the food next to his master, and looked down shyly, “Master, are you hungry? Would you like to eat something?”

Tai Chu looked at him for a long while, then sighed helplessly, “Not hungry.”

Qiao Xuan’s eyes reddened immediately, lowering his head, “Are you still angry with me? I know I was wrong, I shouldn’t have spoken like that…”

Tai Chu pursed his lips, propped himself up on his elbows, sat up, and passed his hand over the strands of hair by Qiao Xuan’s face, smiling slightly, “I’m not angry, I’m glad you came…”

Qiao Xuan stared at his master’s face, unable to move his gaze away.

His lips moved slightly, his eyes reddening slightly, then he whispered, “Master, I actually really like you… I was afraid you were angry, so I never dared to say it, but actually, I really like you, I don’t want you to die, so please don’t die, okay?”

Qiao Xuan grabbed his master’s hand, placing it on his own heart, urgently asking, “Master, there must still be a way, right? You’re so powerful, there must be a way, no one needs to die, we can all be fine…”

Tai Chu’s hand trembled slightly, his fingertips lightly hooking around, holding Qiao Xuan’s hand, he sighed, “You’re drunk.”

Qiao Xuan’s face flushed lightly, his eyes stubbornly widened, “Master, please tell me, what should I do?”

Tai Chu was silent.

Qiao Xuan couldn’t bear it, he leaned closer to Tai Chu, biting his lip, “Master, then why are you so good to me, just because I’m your disciple?”

Why?

For a celestial being like you, who never takes disciples, why did you have to take me as your disciple, why did you have to be so good to me…

What is it about me that’s worth it?

Qiao Xuan stared at the man before him, his vision a bit blurry, the space so silent that only their breathing could be heard, but he never got an answer.

After a long time, Qiao Xuan chuckled, turned his face away, and said, “What I said earlier, I was just rambling… Don’t take it to heart…”

He awkwardly withdrew his hand and stumbled toward the door.

In the distance, he vaguely heard the man behind him sigh, “How can I not take it to heart.”

Qiao Xuan didn’t look back and left the room.

The night outside was cold and still.

He shook his head, feeling dizzy. As he walked, he stumbled and fell face-first to the ground.

He simply gave up on getting up, flipping over to lie on his back, staring up at the black night sky.

He remembered when he first hatched from the egg; he was still a bird, unable to walk steadily. He had fallen many times, but eventually, it got better. Yet, he never forgot that back then, his master smiled as he watched over him.

Who knows how long had passed.

A shadow came over, blocking the moonlight.

Shu Chen extended a hand to him, saying, “I’ll take you back.”

Qiao Xuan stared at him for a moment before slowly reaching out. Shu Chen pulled him up, but Qiao Xuan didn’t stand steady and instead leaned on Shu Chen’s shoulder, chuckling softly.

Shu Chen frowned slightly, silently supporting Qiao Xuan by the waist and leading him back.

Qiao Xuan rested his chin on Shu Chen’s shoulder, watching the young man’s silent, handsome side profile. He reached out to twirl a strand of Shu Chen’s hair and chuckled, “Hey, you’ve never told me, how did you find the Wine God Wood? Why did you have to go looking for it?”

Shu Chen paused for a moment, “Because you said you’ve had better wine.”

Qiao Xuan suddenly understood, “I just said that casually, and you actually went to find it?”

Shu Chen’s jaw tightened.

Qiao Xuan continued, “You like me, don’t you?”

Shu Chen’s body stiffened abruptly. He stopped walking and turned to look at Qiao Xuan.

Qiao Xuan raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable in the night, and he chuckled softly, “I’ve known for a while. If you like me, you like me, what’s there to be afraid of? Let me tell you, sometimes, when you like someone, you have to take the opportunity to say it. Otherwise, they might die without ever knowing you liked them. After all, not everyone is as smart as me…”

Shu Chen said in a low voice, “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Qiao Xuan leaned against Shu Chen, smiling with his eyes curved, “Ah Chen, you’re pretty good-looking, and I don’t dislike you. When Master is gone, why don’t we give it a try? That way, we’ll have company and won’t get bored…”

Upon hearing these words, Shu Chen finally couldn’t suppress his anger, “Enough.”

Qiao Xuan seemed aggrieved and unhappily said, “Enough? Why enough? Master is about to die, and no one will be around to control me after. I can do whatever I want…”

Shu Chen gritted his teeth, “Why say such things when you’re not that kind of person? Do you really think this… this will…”

Qiao Xuan’s lips curved into a mocking smile, his gaze playful as if he was looking at a fool, “How do you know I’m not that kind of person? You don’t know me at all, you’ve never seen what I was like before… I’m the most fickle and heartless person. I’ve had tons of exes. Life is all about enjoying the moment, so why restrain yourself…”

Shu Chen pushed Qiao Xuan away with cold anger, “You’re drunk.”

Qiao Xuan didn’t like hearing that, “Master said the same thing… But let me tell you, I’m perfectly sober. I just don’t want to keep holding back anymore.”

“Hey, aren’t you going to consider my suggestion…” Qiao Xuan thought for a moment, muttering, “If you don’t agree, that’s fine too. After all, plenty of people like me. Jiang Weiqing looks pretty good, Bai Cang is quite handsome and stylish too… They’re all lining up for me to like them. I’ve never been short of admirers…”

Shu Chen took a deep breath, his voice cold, “I know you’re upset, but do you really think this is all about you? Even without you, there would still be the next chaotic consciousness. The cycle of the three realms is unstoppable by anyone… And even if you died now, the heavenly way wouldn’t spare him.”

He said this, his expression dark and helpless, with a self-deprecating smile, “We should have died tens of thousands of years ago. Senior Brother chose to live, becoming a prisoner of the heavenly way, with no freedom ever again. His life is now dedicated to protecting the three realms. The heavenly way allows him to live, and it can allow him to die… All of this is his choice. He has protected the three realms for so long, and now it’s just…”

Just that the desire to protect one person now outweighs the need to protect the three realms.

Shu Chen said each word slowly, “Everything will disappear, only the heavenly way will remain. Chaos is eternal, and the cycle of reincarnation never ends… No one can defy the heavenly way, except for chaos. Why can’t you just let it go? Even gods will fall one day; that’s the will of the heavens…”

Qiao Xuan listened indifferently, then suddenly asked, “So what you’re saying is, chaos can defy the heavenly way?”

Shu Chen felt his anger rise, “That’s not what I meant!”

But Qiao Xuan ignored him, instead looking very interested, pulling Shu Chen closer and asking excitedly, “Tell me more about how powerful chaos really is?”