Even though they were still being hunted, neither of them showed the slightest concern.
After several intense rounds of entangled passion, they finally settled beside each other, their breathing ragged, bodies damp with sweat. Satisfaction hung in the air, quiet and heavy.
But something deeper had changed.
The result of their intimate dual cultivation was already beginning to show. Their spiritual energies had begun to cycle in unison, forming subtle threads that lingered in the space between them. Their auras now overlapped, no longer clearly separate. The resonance was soft but unmistakable.
Anyone with a discerning eye would notice it at a glance—they had cultivated together, and now their energies were in the early stages of entwinement.
After this intense encounter, their injuries had visibly improved. Their complexions were flushed, and they looked as if they wanted to speak but held back.
Ye Chuxue leaned against Gu Qingyuan's chest. There was no denying he was a man of the cultivation world—his endurance was leagues beyond those of the mundane men she'd known in her past life.
Her expression was one of contentment, but her thoughts were elsewhere. If Song Wanníng ever found out about their relationship, she would probably go mad with jealousy.
That cold and untouchable man had shown no restraint in her bed.
A flash of smug satisfaction flickered in her eyes before she shifted the conversation to more serious matters.
"We'll probably have to live on the run for a while now."
With demon clans hunting them and Wentian Sect determined to drag her back for punishment, there would soon be no place in either the human or demon realm where they could safely stay.
Gu Qingyuan tightened his arms around her. "If neither the human realm nor the demon realm has a place for us, we'll go to the spirit clans or demon beasts' territory. The world is vast. There's always somewhere we can make a home."
Right now, his lovesick brain was running at full capacity.
As long as he could stay with Ye Chuxue, he didn't care what they had to face.
"Mm, thank you, Master."
Ye Chuxue looked up at him with tender affection. Their emotions stirred again, and soon the atmosphere turned heated once more.
But Gu Qingyuan suddenly sensed something. He wrapped his arms around her and stood up swiftly.
"They've found us. We need to move, now!"
By the time they'd thrown their clothes on, the pursuers had already arrived at the cave entrance. They exchanged a glance, then sprinted toward the exit.
At that moment, Song Wanníng was lounging in the demon palace, casually munching on fruit while watching the glowing projection in front of her.
It displayed a live feed being sent in real time by demon cultivators.
She'd been watching the two of them run around like cornered rats for days. Her mood was delightful.
But this wasn't enough. All the pain and wandering she had endured in her previous life—she planned to return it tenfold.
Her eyes narrowed, and she suddenly leaned in closer. She stared intently at the intertwined auras on their bodies, then took in their flushed faces. A thought struck her.
Her expression instantly darkened. Her gaze landed on Gu Qingyuan, and a wave of revulsion rose in her chest.
He had actually laid hands on his own disciple?
Gu Qingyuan…
Truly shameless. Utterly disgusting.
At least in their previous life, his feelings had been one-sided. But this time…
Still, Song Wanníng suddenly smiled.
How considerate of them. They'd delivered her the perfect leverage on a silver platter.
It would be a waste not to use it.
Her lips curved in amusement as she leisurely pulled out a transmission talisman and summoned Mo Yuan.
"You're really leaving, Senior?"
Mo Yuan had known this day would come, but his heart still sank when it arrived. He knew they couldn't keep her here forever. Her world was vast, and she was destined to soar far beyond their reach.
"Yes. My disciple's death still hasn't been resolved, and the sect has other matters requiring my attention. I should've left long ago."
Song Wanníng gave him a few parting words with a smile, mostly encouraging him to cultivate diligently and take good care of the demon palace.
Mo Yuan listened intently, then solemnly promised, "Senior, if you ever need anything, please, don't hesitate to contact me. Everyone in the demon palace would willingly lay down their lives for you!"
He wasn't afraid of her asking too much. What he feared was her never reaching out again.
"Alright."
Song Wanníng nodded, then left the demon palace without a trace of hesitation.
Mo Yuan personally escorted her out. As he watched her leave, his heart felt inexplicably empty, like something important had just been lost. He stood in silence for a moment, then issued another order.
"Hunt down those two wretches—Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan! Make sure they die!"
After leaving demon territory, Song Wanníng could no longer receive real-time updates on Ye Chuxue and Gu Qingyuan. The golden little sword grew restless.
"Big Sister, those shameless dogs actually hooked up. So gross! Now that we've lost access to the demon cultivators' intel, how are we supposed to toy with them?"
Especially since its master didn't seem in a hurry to deal with them. Her current plan seemed to involve heading back to the sect first. What if they got away by then?
Song Wanníng just smiled meaningfully.
"Why do you think I passed down that inheritance to her?"
Just so Ye Chuxue could refine some poisonous pills?
If that was all, she might as well have severed the inheritance altogether.
"Huh?"
The golden sword blinked in confusion. It knew nothing about alchemy and had no idea what she was plotting.
Song Wanníng didn't explain. She simply smiled and continued on her way.
Now that she had taken in Li Ruo, she had to take responsibility. If she accepted a disciple, she would see it through. The betrayals of her previous three disciples had nothing to do with Li Ruo.
Just thinking about that girl's bright eyes and pure admiration made Song Wanníng's smile turn genuinely warm.
The flying carpet under her feet soared forward. It didn't take long before she crossed back into human territory.
She didn't stop, heading directly for Hundred Ghosts Gate.
Arriving at the same branch division as before, she had barely stepped through the door before drawing attention.
The old woman from last time immediately approached, bowed respectfully, and led her to the main hall.
When the doors opened, a graceful figure appeared before Song Wanníng—the branch's Palace Master.
Their eyes met.
While the old woman nervously imagined various scenarios, the two women smiled at each other as if they were old acquaintances and calmly closed the doors behind them.
The old woman let out a sigh of relief. At least they weren't fighting.
With a glance at the closed door, she quickly retreated.
Inside the hall, Song Wanníng lounged lazily in a chair. It was their first time meeting, but this Palace Master left a good impression.
In fact, Song Wanníng quite admired her.
So young, yet to avenge her sister, she'd dared to join Hundred Ghosts Gate and, through her own efforts, climbed all the way to Palace Master.
The hardships she must've endured were easy to imagine. But she had succeeded.
"Song Daoyou, thank you again for last time."
The Palace Master's eyes flickered as she studied the elusive aura surrounding Song Wanníng.
This woman didn't seem like a typical Yuányīng Zhēnjūn…
But it was none of her business. She dismissed the thought as quickly as it came.
"No need for thanks. It was a mutually beneficial exchange. I should thank you instead, Palace Master."
If Hundred Ghosts Gate hadn't stirred things up, Wangshan Sect might never have let go of Liu Yao.
They shared another knowing smile and left the past matter unspoken.
"This time, have you come to place another order?"
The Palace Master straightened slightly, a hint of anticipation in her voice.
Whenever Song Wanníng made a move, it always sent shockwaves through the cultivation world. Just following the gossip was enough to fill one's appetite.
"Palace Master is perceptive. Yes, I need Hundred Ghosts Gate's help once again."
===
I also change the upper part of this chapter, here is the original translation:
Even though they were still being hunted, neither of them showed the slightest concern. After exchanging several fierce rounds of combat, they finally stopped, seemingly satisfied.
Because of their cultivation involving the soul, their auras had started to intertwine and confuse one another. Anyone with a discerning eye would notice it at a glance.
===
To be honest, I personally don't have a problem with master-disciple relationships (romantically, I mean). It's not like I follow the traditional belief that says Master = Parent in the cultivation world. But in my eyes, a Master is just that—a Master. Sure, you could say they're kind of like a second parent, but they're not actually your parent. Get it?
I'd admire my master, respect them, listen to them, and do my best to never disappoint them. I'd even want to make them proud. But still, that doesn't mean I see them as a parental figure. Not exactly. And if a feeling of love does naturally grow from that bond... well, I think that's understandable. It's not impossible, right? I'm not sure if I'm explaining this well, but I hope you're catching my meaning. (•́ω•̀ ٥)
That being said—yes, I'm absolutely disgusted by what Gu Qingyuan did. (╬ Ò﹏Ó)
I know I just said I don't mind master-disciple romances in general, but this situation? Completely different.
He literally picked Ye Chuxue up when she was just FIVE years old. Their bond was more like a parent and child, or at least, a deeply familial one. That kind of relationship... turning it romantic later on? That's not love. That's disturbing. It crosses a line. It's grooming—a fucking predator in saint's robes. (ꐦ ಠ皿ಠ )
And it's not just a matter of how they met. It's clear from the earlier narration that Gu Qingyuan acted like a father figure to her. He protected her, guided her, raised her. Ye Chuxue herself was initially repulsed by the idea of having a romantic relationship with him. That alone should've been a red flag. Her reaction proves that she instinctively saw him as a parent—not as a potential lover.
I mean, think about it. How could you not develop a kind of familial love in that kind of environment? When someone raises you from childhood, takes care of you, and builds that deep emotional reliance... of course that love would take the shape of a father-daughter bond. That's normal. That's human. For it to shift into something romantic—especially on his part—is deeply unsettling. That's not just crossing boundaries, that's grooming. It doesn't matter how "mature" she becomes later. That foundation was already warped. (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻
When I talk about a healthy master-disciple romance, I mean something where the disciple when they pick up or when they become Master-Disciple was already old enough to think for themselves, to make their own choices—mentally mature. In the cultivation world, people don't always look at age. They judge based on cultivation, on experience, on presence. If both people are equally mature and genuinely fall for each other, then that's a consenting relationship between adults. Simple as that.
See the difference?
You get what I mean, right?