Chapter 136: Xu Xiaosheng

Bai Shengyun led the two of them through the Peach Blossom Wonderland. To him, this maze-like terrain posed no difficulty at all. He seemed intimately familiar with the layout, guiding them through the peach groves and into hidden mountain caves without a single wrong turn.

Along the way, they played a game of hide-and-seek that thoroughly exhausted the pursuing demonic beasts. Lacking high intelligence, the beasts were no match for the pair. Soon, Bai Shengyun left the pack far behind, and the three found a mountain cave where they could take refuge and tend to their wounds in silence.

Bai Shengyun channeled his spiritual energy into Xie Yingying to treat her. Moments later, the bleeding stopped, and her wounds began to scab over. A sense of relief flickered in his phoenix eyes before he slowly withdrew his hand, looking at her with a calm expression. "How do you feel now?"

Xie Yingying exhaled slowly, steadying her internal flow, and touched her chest. "I'm fine." She had managed to cling to her life, after all.

Bai Shengyun turned his gaze toward Bai Qirui, curiosity sparking in his eyes. "Third Brother, what brings you to the Peach Blossom Wonderland?"

Bai Qirui immediately recounted the events that led him there. Bai Shengyun’s eyes softened with gratitude, his tone growing intimate. "Then I must thank you, Third Brother, for saving my fiancée!" His words were heavy with warmth.

Bai Qirui smiled faintly and replied, "Think nothing of it. We are all family."

They were engaged, so they were indeed family. If only Bai Qirui knew that their engagement was merely a temporary expedient, one could only wonder what he would think. Xie Yingying felt a complex tangle of emotions rising within her.

At that moment, Bai Shengyun’s sharp gaze swept over them. "Did you discover anything while you were here?"

Bai Qirui shook his head. "Ever since we arrived, we’ve been hounded by beasts. We did find a secret realm with spatial fluctuations and suspected the Snow Chant Sword might be hidden inside. But just as we were about to break the seals, we attracted those beasts."

"So that's how it is!" Bai Shengyun’s eyes brightened, his voice tinged with excitement. They had come specifically for the Snow Chant Sword, and now that it was within reach, he could hardly contain his thrill at the prospect of his plan nearing completion.

"Indeed," Bai Qirui nodded. Since his third brother was highly accomplished in the art of formations, there was no reason to doubt him.

"Don't be too optimistic," Xie Yingying interrupted, her expression grave. "I encountered Xu Xiaosheng in the Peach Blossom Wonderland!"

"Xu Xiaosheng!" Bai Qirui exclaimed, a flicker of alarm crossing his face. "The Master of the Immortal Sect?"

Bai Shengyun glanced at her, an strange look in his phoenix eyes. Was it Xu Xiaosheng who had captured her when she entered the snake pit? Xie Yingying nodded heavily.

Bai Shengyun felt as though a heavy stone had been placed upon his heart, making it difficult to breathe. He furrowed his brows. "What should we do now?"

Both of them looked reflexively to Bai Shengyun. He sat upright, slowly lifting his gaze, his long, narrow phoenix eyes reflecting deep contemplation. "For now, we can only take it one step at a time. We need to get out first. I’ve set up a formation outside; once the beasts lose our trail, they will disperse, and we can deliberate further then."

The two nodded in agreement.

However, Bai Shengyun had not expected Elder Bahu to arrive at the Peach Blossom secret realm sooner than anticipated.

The next day, as dawn broke, Bai Shengyun suddenly sensed the presence of Elder Bahu. His expression tightened; if an outsider learned of their plan, obtaining the Snow Chant Sword would become infinitely more difficult. A dark, cold glint flashed in his eyes as he immediately sent a message to his avatar.

Bai Shengyun opened his eyes and pursed his lips. "Elder Bahu is here."

At these words, Xie Yingying was instantly jolted awake. "That old stick-in-the-mud is here? We're doomed!"

Bai Qirui looked worried, rubbing his fingers together. "If the Elder discovers us, it will be a disaster."

"I will send you both out now," Bai Shengyun said, his phoenix eyes narrowing, his voice laced with chill. The two nodded; they had already reached the realm, and obtaining the sword was only a matter of time—provided they kept the Immortal Sect in the dark.

Bai Shengyun immediately cast a spell, whisking them away and returning them to their residence. By a stroke of misfortune, no sooner had the three of them returned than Elder Bahu arrived with his disciples.

Upon seeing Bai Shengyun, Elder Bahu bowed. "Greetings, Young Emperor!"

Bai Shengyun, draped in red, looked both alluring and aloof. He lifted his chin slightly and gave a faint nod. "Rise."

Elder Bahu straightened up, his gaze drifting inadvertently to the side, and his eyes flashed with surprise. "Qirui, why are you here?" Was he not supposed to have remained on the mountain?

Bai Qirui smiled immediately. "It is Shengyun’s joyous occasion; it would be remiss of me not to attend. I must witness him take a wife."

Elder Bahu’s wrinkled face squeezed into a smile. "It is good that you feel that way." He folded his hands over his chest, his tone turning serious. "Young Emperor, the hour is late. Should we not head toward the Peach Blossom Wonderland?"

Xie Yingying, standing to the side, thought, *Are they pretending I don't exist?* She had not expected Bahu to dislike her so much. *Forget it,* she told herself, *I am the bigger person. I won't lower myself to his level.*

Bai Shengyun, watching Xie Yingying roll her eyes in resignation, felt a surge of secret amusement, though his face remained composed. "Very well, let us depart at once."

The group followed Elder Bahu to the gates of the Immortal Sect. After declaring their names, they were escorted by disciples into the main hall. The sect appeared dignified, solemn, and untouchable.

"Elder, Young Emperor, please wait here. I shall inform the Master immediately."

"There is no need!"

Before the words had faded, a flash of light appeared, and a figure in white stood upon the dais. The man turned slowly; his cold, detached features and ink-black hair gave him an air of holy inviolability.

"Young Emperor, Elder Bahu, it has been a long time." Xu Xiaosheng flicked his sleeves and took his seat on the high throne, looking down at them with indifferent eyes.

"Greetings, Immortal Emperor. It has indeed been a long time," Elder Bahu, usually so rigid, managed a rare smile.

"And who is that behind you?" Xu Xiaosheng squinted slightly, looking toward the figure who kept trying to duck out of sight, his face full of questions.