Shen Yue listened quietly as he finished speaking, then said, "If there's anything you don't understand, you can come find me."
Jiang Ling could never maintain his composure before Shen Yue. He couldn't control the smile on his face, his eyes bright, as if holding light.
"Thank you, Master."
What a picture of deep affection, a scene of a good teacher and a helpful friend, so warm, so loving. The two of them conversed as if no one else could intrude. 138 Reading Network
Bi Lian's right hand, held behind his back, clenched tighter and tighter. He lowered his eyes slightly, obscuring the darkness within them. A faint demonic energy coiled around his fingertips before he quickly suppressed it.
After a long silence, he finally managed a smile and said to the blushing man.
"Doesn't the senior disciple usually train with the junior disciples at this time?"
Hearing this, Shen Yue indeed said, "Then hurry along, don't keep them waiting."
Although Jiang Ling was reluctant, he had no choice but to leave, his head drooping slightly with a hint of disappointment.
"Then Master, can I visit you when I have free time?"
Shen Yue did not refuse, "Of course."
Jiang Ling wanted to say something more, but found himself at a loss for words. He left with lingering reluctance.
The white-robed immortal behind him suddenly called out to him.
"Wait."
Jiang Ling's eyes lit up immediately. He turned around and, like a large dog, quickly ran to Shen Yue's side. If he had a tail, it would likely be wagging even more happily.
His voice was somewhat restrained, "Does Master have any further instructions?"
Shen Yue's palm turned, and a medicine bottle appeared in her hand. She said softly, "You've just entered the Integration stage, your foundation might not be stable yet. Take this Spirit Stabilizing Pill; it will make your foundation firmer and more stable."
Jiang Ling accepted it, overwhelmed with gratitude. His eyes became radiant. "Thank you, Master!"
—Crack.
It was the sound of bone-shattering grip. Bi Lian's knuckles turned white, and the veins on the back of his hand bulged.
Drip, drip.
Blood dripped from his fingertips.
What a good Master.
How harmonious.
Showing such a hypocritical, gentle side was truly an eyesore.
The scar on the back of his neck began to burn and ache again, then concentrated in his chest.
He suddenly laughed, his voice rough and unpleasant, strangely so that it made one's scalp tingle.
The world seemed to change color in an instant, the surroundings bathed in a blood-red hue.
It had been clear skies just moments before.
Shen Yue, who had been discussing cultivation matters with her eldest disciple, suddenly seemed to sense something. She abruptly turned to face the young man.
The young man stood still, his eyes concealing emotions of violence and bloodlust, yet also appearing indifferent and cruel, devoid of much feeling.
This time, however, he no longer suppressed himself. He let the demonic energy emanating from him flow out freely.
Shen Yue quickly set up a barrier. A rare hint of shock appeared on her usually composed face. The young man seemed to find her expression particularly amusing. He tilted his head slightly, revealing a sweet and adorable smile.
Although the demonic energy emanating from the young man was strong, his aura was weak. Only at a certain level of power could one control the strength of their aura, or even conceal it entirely.
Jiang Ling had not reached that level, so he couldn't perceive it, but he could acutely sense a different aura than before.
He looked at the white-robed immortal, whose face had suddenly turned cold, and asked with some confusion, "Master, what has happened?"
Shen Yue pursed her lips tightly. "It's nothing. You should leave now."
Jiang Ling, however, felt that something was still amiss. He looked at the smiling young man beside her and said meaningfully.
"Isn't this junior disciple leaving with me?"
The young man smiled even more sweetly. He directly hugged the white-robed immortal's arm and nuzzled his head affectionately against her shoulder, displaying great intimacy. "I won't be going. I need to take care of Master."
He had also changed his address, calling her Master.
But given his status as a newly accepted disciple, he was in no position to address Shen Yue as Master.
Jiang Ling felt that this junior disciple was excessively rude and undisciplined. He was about to say something more when Shen Yue interrupted him directly.
"Jiang Ling, you should go out first."
Shen Yue's body was stiff. He could clearly feel several wisps of demonic energy hovering around Jiang Ling's crown, as if searching for a place to strike. This made Shen Yue's heart clench.
Jiang Ling, however, did not sense it. He merely felt a chill on the crown of his head, causing his entire body to become guarded.
Seeing that his Master was so eager to send him away yet so tolerant of the young man holding her arm, he felt a sense of unwillingness.
"Master, this junior disciple is also disturbing you here. I'll leave with him."
He was completely unaware that at the very crown of his head, that wisp of demonic energy could easily end his life.
And during the time he was speaking, the demonic energy was already about to cover his crown.
As long as the young man beside him made a move, this vibrant life would immediately turn into a corpse.
Shen Yue finally showed some panic. She instinctively grabbed the young man's hand, her breathing slightly unsteady. "You, you should leave. He, he needs to stay to take care of me."
This was the only excuse Shen Yue could think of. She was unaware of how easily misinterpreted her words might be by others. She couldn't afford to care about that now; all she wanted was for Jiang Ling to leave quickly.
The person holding his hand seemed very nervous. His cold palm was covered in a fine, cold sweat, sticky and clammy.
The young man lowered his head and looked for a long time. He didn't shake off her hand. His expression was unclear in the blood-red light, but upon closer inspection, it seemed a faint, mocking smile played on his lips. It was unclear who he was laughing at.
"Senior disciple, do you understand now? I can't leave right now. Master needs me to take care of you. Without me... how will Master take care of herself alone?"
He smiled, his eyes filled with undisguised glee and resentment, completely lacking the emotion of care he claimed to have.
He didn't even pay attention to Shen Yue, let alone a mere disciple. If he wished, he could make the other party vanish into thin air with a flick of his finger.
He no longer wanted to pretend; it wasn't fun anymore.
The young man looked at the white-robed immortal, his expression utterly unmasked, cruel and violent. His tone was gentle, yet carried an undisguised threat. "Am I right, Master?"
Jiang Ling felt that something was not quite right and instinctively looked at Shen Yue, "Master..."
Shen Yue tightened her grip on the young man's hand, her expression returning to calm. "You go out. I'm feeling a bit unwell and will likely need to rest for the next few days. If you have any questions, ask Xuan Cheng. I'm feeling tired. You may withdraw."
Jiang Ling saw that Shen Yue's face was indeed terrifyingly pale, and he was very worried. However, fearing he might disturb Shen Yue, he could only suppress his overwhelming unease and concern.
"Then this disciple shall take his leave."