Su Qiuyue softly responded with a gentle “Mm,” acknowledging it.
A crisp “crunch, crunch” sound echoed at that moment.
Yan Hua had already finished eating the grilled fish in her hand, leaving not a single scrap behind.
Now, she was stuffing an entire fish bone into her mouth, chewing it to pieces like a snack, and swallowing it with satisfaction.
She secretly stuck out her long tongue, licking her oily lips, then turned to see Master Bai Yue gently stroking Su Qiuyue’s head.
“Master, me too.”
Yan Hua spoke, then wobbled and tumbled into Bai Yue’s embrace.
Her small head rubbed skillfully against Master’s softness, searching for the most comfortable position to lie in.
Bai Yue sighed helplessly, but a gentle smile still spread across her face.
She lifted her hand and also rubbed Yan Hua’s soft, fiery red hair.
Yan Hua squinted comfortably, her little face nuzzling in Bai Yue’s arms as she adjusted to the perfect angle.
Then, she closed her eyes, her breathing growing steady and long.
She fell asleep.
Just like that?
Looking at Yan Hua, who was snuggled tightly in her arms, feeling her dependence, a wave of warmth rose in Bai Yue’s heart, followed by a trace of worry.
She was a bit concerned that Yan Hua might sleep for several years again, just like before.
However, the little one in her arms seemed to sense her unease, moving unconsciously in her sleep, her face pressing against Bai Yue’s chest, nuzzling again.
Seeing her dependent and peaceful sleeping face, Bai Yue’s anxious heart slowly settled.
It seemed Yan Hua was simply exhausted.
With this thought, Bai Yue gently wrapped her arms around Yan Hua’s small body, letting her sleep more soundly.
At that moment, she felt a gaze fall upon her.
Bai Yue turned her head and met Mu Chenxi’s clear blue eyes.
Unlike Yan Hua, who devoured food like a storm, Mu Chenxi ate slowly, elegantly, and quietly.
But now, she held half of a grilled fish, looking at Bai Yue with longing, her gaze unmistakably spelling out two words.
She wanted it too.
Bai Yue’s heart softened.
She knew what to do.
Her other free hand reached over, gently stroking Mu Chenxi’s smooth blue hair.
The strands were cool, yet unbelievably soft, sliding through her fingers.
Mu Chenxi couldn’t help but lift the corners of her mouth, revealing a shallow, satisfied smile.
Feeling the warmth on both sides and watching her disciples regain their vitality one by one, the heavy stone pressing on Bai Yue’s heart finally dropped.
Everyone’s condition had stabilized. With some rest, they’d recover.
However, if one does not plan for the future, trouble is near at hand.
After a brief peace, Bai Yue began to review the various problems and hidden dangers left by this incident.
First was the issue with Chenxi.
“Qiuyue, Chenxi also took the Dan Medicine given by Yue Shanming.”
Bai Yue’s voice grew heavy.
“That Dan Medicine must have been tampered with in the same way.”
It was a time bomb buried within Mu Chenxi, ready to explode at any moment.
Although Yue Shanming was currently restrained by Mu Chenxi’s status and didn’t dare to act rashly, it was still a threat that couldn’t be ignored.
“Master doesn’t need to worry.”
Su Qiuyue spoke up, her expression calm, clearly having considered this issue long ago.
“The Restriction on that kind of Dan Medicine was specifically designed to suppress those who practice the Taishang Forget-Emotion Sword Art. I’ve already found a way to break it.”
She paused, then continued, “That is to Reverse Cultivate the Taishang Forget-Emotion Sword Art. By reversing the technique, the Restriction in the Dan Medicine can be destroyed from its root.”
“However—” her tone shifted, “doing so would immediately alert Yue Shanming. With our current strength, we are still no match for him. So I don’t recommend acting now.”
“My thought is to wait until our strength is sufficient, then turn against that Old Dog Yue Shanming.”
A cold hatred flashed in Su Qiuyue’s eyes.
“At that time, both new and old grudges—we’ll settle them together!”
She had long since planned for the future.
Of course, more than simply killing Yue Shanming for revenge, her deepest desire was to use Master’s power to return to the past and save her long-lost parents.
Bai Yue and Mu Chenxi both nodded in agreement at Su Qiuyue’s analysis.
Even Su Qiuyue herself admitted they weren’t a match for Yue Shanming now—there was no need to blindly seek death.
A gentleman takes revenge, even after ten years.
“Master,”
Mu Chenxi suddenly remembered something and asked in confusion,
“There’s something I don’t understand. During the battle, why did you say those things to the Fire Demon? In the end, it seemed to help it… attain enlightenment…”
This was the greatest doubt in Mu Chenxi’s heart.
Master’s words were incredibly risky, like dancing on the edge of a blade.
“Uh, about that…”
Bai Yue was stunned by the question, an awkward and regretful expression crossing her face.
“Actually, I didn’t know it would turn out like that. I just said whatever came to mind, choosing topics that might interest or shake it. Who would’ve thought… Who would’ve thought it would break through right then and there?”
She sighed, looking apologetically at her two disciples.
She had almost caused a disaster with her own words—it seemed she really couldn’t speak carelessly.
If Yan Hua hadn’t come through in the end and taken care of the Fire Demon, she really would have doomed everyone this time…
Seeing Master’s awkward expression, Mu Chenxi finally understood.
So… it was all just a coincidence.
Master’s desperate ramblings inadvertently helped the Fire Demon comprehend the Dao.
But the result was all right—a false alarm.
“By the way, Qiuyue.”
Bai Yue looked at Su Qiuyue, her expression becoming serious.
“You want to use my power to return to the past, but I don’t fully understand this ability myself. Do you have any methods to try?”
Su Qiuyue shook her head.
“Master, there’s no rush. I don’t have any leads for now, and forcibly using such a heaven-defying power would surely drain you greatly. I think we should wait until everyone’s recovered to their peak before attempting anything.”
Though urgency burned in her heart, reason told her to restrain it.
“Alright.”
Bai Yue nodded, agreeing to her proposal.
With her disciples settled, Bai Yue began to consider their next destination.
After surviving life and death in the Ancient Battlefield, once her wounds healed, she still decided to seek out her own Master, Bai Ling’er.
She shared this thought with her disciples as well.
“I’m asking you to go on another adventure with me,” Bai Yue said with a hint of guilt.
“Master, that’s not right.”
Su Qiuyue immediately refuted.
“Even if we don’t seek out trouble, trouble will still find us. Those things from Outside the Realm—there’s no way the Fire Demon is the only one.”
Mu Chenxi chimed in,
“Qiuyue is right. I feel the next Full Moon will be a dangerous turning point. It’s possible even stronger enemies than the Fire Demon will descend then.”
With that, the atmosphere grew heavy once more.