A huge thanks to Katy for the Ko-fis. Enjoy the bonus chapters!

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After staying at the inn for a while, Qin Zhou took out his alchemy furnace. According to Wen Jue, the barrier he had cast could block everything, so even if Qin Zhou lit a fire and fired up the furnace in his room, no one would know.

The alchemy furnace was a spirit artifact that recognized him as its master. Previously, he had found it cumbersome and difficult to carry, but now that he had come to the upper realm, the journey was long, so he had brought it along.

Asking him to meditate like ordinary practitioners was out of the question. To put it plainly, the slow process of absorbing and circulating spiritual energy was far too tedious for someone like Qin Zhou—someone who’d never broken through any bottlenecks and could level up simply by popping pills.

As long as he had enough elixirs, he could advance any cultivation level. Thus, alchemy far surpassed meditation.

When he began alchemy, he wouldn’t rest for at least several hours.

Seeing his focus, Wen Jue said, “Then you continue refining. I’ll go out and scout the area.”

Qin Zhou simply replied, “Alright.” He didn’t refuse. After all, when Wen Jue was in the lower realm, he too moved swiftly. As an upper realm cultivator, Wen Jue naturally had his own affairs to attend to.

Wen Jue felt uneasy. Seeing his consent, he hurried off.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

He didn’t return to the Immortal Restraint Prison. Using his divine spirit form, he weaved through twists and turns until he reached a secluded courtyard on the outskirts of Border City.

Two stone lions guarded the entrance, and the courtyard held a certain grandeur. A plaque above the gate bore the characters ‘Jingdong Manor’.

Several guards stood at the gate, appearing no different from those at ordinary residences. Yet, those with even slightly higher cultivation would sense these guards were no ordinary men.

Pick any one at random, and they were cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage.

The Nascent Soul stage wasn’t particularly rare in the upper realm; one could say most cultivators were stuck between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages. After all, the higher the cultivation level, the greater the difficulty in advancing. Many cultivators would even remain stagnant at the Nascent Soul stage for millennia without the slightest progress.

That said, deploying several Nascent Soul cultivators as gate guards clearly indicated the formidable strength of this residence’s master.

As soon as Wen Jue reached the entrance, someone intercepted him.

Wen Jue promptly removed his mask.

The guards’ expressions changed instantly. “It’s Elder Wen! We didn’t recognize you…”

Before they could finish, Wen Jue had already stepped past them and entered.

The entrance presented the appearance of a typical residence, but stepping inside revealed a hidden world.

Within lay a spacious courtyard estate—small bridges over flowing streams, pavilions and towers, rockeries and secluded gardens, everything one could imagine. Even beyond the buildings, several mountains stood, shrouded in mist when viewed from afar.

It resembled the secluded retreat of some immortal sage.

No one knew such a place existed within Border City, and this place actually belonged to the Demon Sect. More accurately, it belonged to the Demon Sect’s Supreme Patriarch, Lu Qi.

The moment Wen Jue pushed open the gate and stepped into the courtyard, someone called out to him—

“Uncle Wen.”

Wen Jue turned to see Lu Xiao.

Surprisingly, his little spy-assistant wasn’t trailing behind him. Wen Jue raised an eyebrow slightly. “Where’s your little spy?”

Lu Xiao answered truthfully, “Locked up.” After all, these were extraordinary times.

Wen Jue narrowed his eyes. “At least you know how to prioritize.”

“Yes.” Lu Xiao bowed his head slightly.

“Are your injuries healed?” Wen Jue patted his shoulder.

Lu Xiao cleared his throat. “Nothing serious.”

Just as Wen Jue was about to offer praise, his gaze fell upon the crimson marks creeping down Lu Xiao’s neck. Though he’d never experienced such things himself, he recognized them instantly.

His expression shifted instantly. “That reckless nature—I wonder who you picked that up from.”

Lu Xiao:?

Lu Xiao looked up, noticing Uncle Wen’s gaze had grown noticeably colder, as if silently asking, How could I have such a nephew?

Wen Jue was utterly perplexed. Lu Xiao’s two fathers—one was cold, yes, but disciplined and proper. All these years in the cultivation world, not a single scandal had ever surfaced about him.

The other put on a wild front, yet never crossed any lines. His heart was utterly devoted.

How could they have produced such a reckless son?

Lu Xiao watched Uncle Wen’s gaze fix on his neck, the expression growing increasingly unsettling. A chill spread through him. He had to explain, absolutely had to! A premonition gripped him—if he didn’t stop Uncle Wen’s thoughts now, he feared he’d become the most despicable nephew imaginable.

“Uncle Wen, it’s not debauchery,” Lu Xiao protested, clutching his neck. “I’m actually going to marry him and become his Dao companion.“

”Marry him and become his Dao companion?“ Wen Jue’s expression finally softened. ”That’s good.“

”Where’s your father?“ Wen Jue asked.

”He’s in the back yard, practicing swordsmanship. He said he wants to find my father and have a proper fight with him this time in the Secret Realm.“

”Oh. I’ll go find him.”

With a flash, he vanished.

Watching him depart, Lu Xiao touched his neck, and a smile curved his lips. Uncle Wen supported him in taking responsibility. That meant when he married, his father probably wouldn’t obstruct him too much.

Yes, Lu Xiao saw absolutely no issue with a Sword Sect and Demon Sect marriage.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

When Wen Jue found Lu Qi, the latter was practicing swordplay in the backyard.

“Listen, what’s the point of practicing swordsmanship? It’s all for naught. Do you really think you could beat Second Brother in a sword fight?”

Lu Qi swiftly traced a sword flourish through the air. “If I can’t beat him, I’ll outsmart him to death.”

Wen Jue: “Oh.”

If he really meant to sabotage him, that sword cultivator would’ve been dead long ago.

Lu Qi spun around abruptly, thrusting his sword toward Wen Jue. “What makes you doubt me?”

Wen Jue casually raised two fingers, effortlessly pinning the sword tip steady between them. “I believe, I believe.”

Lu Qi tried to pull his sword free, but it wouldn’t budge. Infuriated and speechless, he simply tossed the sword aside.

”Did you summon me just to watch you throw a tantrum?” Wen Jue pulled up a chair, picked up a bunch of grapes from the table, and began peeling them leisurely.

His leisurely demeanor grated on Lu Qi. This man had been living quite comfortably lately, unlike him. The thought of meeting Lu Er without a bloody fight, then being forced to put on a show of “loving husband and wife” for the village chief for days, made him furious.

“The major sects of the righteous path have formed an alliance. The Demon Sect is also ready. I called you here to ask when the secret realm will open.” Lu Qi sheathed his sword, speaking with irritation.

Wen Jue frowned. “It will open once Qin Zhou leaves the Boundary City.”

Lu Qi was stunned. “You brought the village chief up here? What are you planning?”

“He insisted on coming.” Wen Jue popped a grape into his mouth, its sweetness spreading across his palate. “He’s searching for his forging hammer and looking for Lu Yi. What could I do? Could I possibly stop him?”

Hearing the hint of smugness in Wen Jue’s tone, Lu Qi shuddered. “Fine, do whatever you want.”

Wen Jue snorted lightly. “I know what I’m doing.”

“I don’t think you have a clue,” Lu Qi sat down on the chair across the table. “He finally came back, and you’re too scared to even reveal your identity.”

Wen Jue: “…”

“Never mind you,” Lu Qi said seriously. “This time, the Alliance of the Righteous Path’s numerous sects didn’t bring the Cangyun Sword Sect.”

Wen Jue:?

“No Cangyun Sword Sect? How will they fight the Demon Sect without them?”

“They probably have their own plans. Who knows,” Lu Qi chuckled. “Maybe they’re squabbling internally. Those old farts from the righteous factions combined aren’t as sharp as the Cangyun Sword Sect’s leader alone.”

“You really are his disciple—no shortage of praise when it comes to your master.” Wen Jue remarked with a sigh.

“Shut up.” Lu Qi shoved grapes toward him, attempting to silence Wen Jue. “You’re still guarding the village chief? What day is it now? Aren’t you going back? You’re not planning to enter the secret realm with just your divine spirit body, are you?”

“I’ll return to the prison after escorting him out of the city.”

“Can you even escape the Immortal Restraint Prison?”

A flicker of disdain crossed Wen Jue’s eyes. “If I can enter it myself, I can certainly leave it. The Immortal Restraint Prison is meant to confine immortals—how could it possibly hold this one?”

He was a demonic master, after all.

“Then I’ll wait for you in the Boundary City.”

“Mm.”

With that, Wen Jue rose, intending to depart.

Before leaving, he didn’t forget to cast a barrier spell, sweeping the entire plate of grapes inside. He stuffed it into his sleeve.

I wonder if Qin Zhou likes these immortal realm specialty grapes. I’ll bring them back for him to try.

Lu Qi watched his bandit-like actions, utterly speechless.

“Wen Jue.”

“Hmm?”

“If the village chief returns, then we… I mean, in the future…”

Lu Qi’s words were unclear, but Wen Jue understood perfectly.

His footsteps halted. He turned back in a few strides and ruffled Lu Qi’s hair. “What’s there to fear now? If the sky falls, your big brother will hold it up!”

Lu Qi swatted his hand away. ” Get lost.”

Wen Jue returned, beaming, carrying a plate of grapes.

 ━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Early the next morning, Wen Jue led Qin Zhou out of the city.

The path Wen Jue pointed Qin Zhou toward was the ‘Immortal-Demon City’ north of Boundary City. Situated at the border between the territories of the Demon Sect and the various righteous sects, it was also the largest city in the upper realm.

Like Yuanqing Mountain, Immortal-Demon City belonged to a third faction beyond the righteous and demonic realms. With high-level cultivators stationed there, no one dared to act recklessly. Because of this, Immortal-Demon City had developed into the most prosperous city in the upper realm.

Immortal-Demon City was quite distant from Boundary City. Even with Tunfeng, Qin Zhou would likely need several days to reach it.

By the time Qin Zhou reached Immortal-Demon City, the secret realm would likely be opening.

“And you?” Qin Zhou asked him.

“This avatar of my divine soul should return to its original body,” Wen Jue said. “When we meet next, don’t be intimidated by this one’s imposing presence.”

Whether imposing or not, Qin Zhou couldn’t say. He was curious about one thing.

“Next time we meet, will I be able to see your face?” Qin Zhou asked.

Wen Jue’s eyes darkened.

He actually asked that question.

Recalling that curse, Wen Jue’s mood instantly grew complicated. It wasn’t like he was the one preventing Qin Zhou from seeing… …Alright, he did forbid it, but…

[Current Affection Level of ‘Wen Jue’ towards You: 89]

Alright, the affection level dropped a bit again.

Qin Zhou sighed, “I don’t want to see it.”

[Current Affection Level of ‘Wen Jue’ towards You: 88]

It dropped even after saying I don’t want to see it.

“I want to see it,” Qin Zhou amended.

Wen Jue glared at him. “Who cares what you want!”

Qin Zhou: “…”

“I’m leaving,” Wen Jue declared, turning his head away angrily.

He spoke as if departing, yet remained standing before him, chin slightly raised, venting his displeasure.

The next second, Qin Zhou’s hand landed on his face.

Wen Jue flinched but didn’t pull away.

“You know whether I want to see it or not.” His fingertips gently traced the side of his face, sliding toward his lips. The delicate sensation made Qin Zhou linger, touching him a few more times.

This face was already all too familiar to him.

Even without looking, he knew its shape.

What he wanted to see were the myriad expressions that appeared on Wen Jue’s face—whether haughty, annoyed, or dismissively snorting, all equally captivating.

“Who cares if you want to see it!” Wen Jue pulled his hand down, slipping a barrier stone into his palm. “When danger strikes, I’ll know. Even from a thousand miles away, I’ll come to save your life.”

“I have Tunfeng…” Qin Zhou spoke, yet without hesitation, tucked the small triangular stone away.

“Two fists can’t fight four hands.” Wen Jue snorted lightly, touching his slightly flushed cheek. “I’ll come find you after I handle my own affairs.”

“Alright.”

Wen Jue patted Tunfeng’s back, his tone turning icy. “Deliver him safely to the Immortal-Demon City. Understood?”

Tunfeng snorted, neither daring nor able to object. Wen Jue was nothing like Lu Xiao—he wouldn’t care how precious a spirit beast he was. One wrong move, and he’d truly be a dead horse.

Finally, Qin Zhou mounted Tunfeng and departed.

Only after watching him leave the Boundary City did Wen Jue withdraw his gaze and turn toward the direction of the Immortal Restraint Prison.

Next, it was time to prepare for the secret realm.