CH 130 Shallow Affection With Deep Fate, Deep Affection With Shallow Fate

After returning from the expedition, Kun-Lai was abuzz with activity, as everyone focused on processing the gains from the journey.

Places like the Ghost Ruins, Qingqiu, Yuntian Domain, Cloud Capital, and Nine Abysses were perilous regions that were nearly impossible to reach without an expedition. Thus, the rewards were immense. For instance, the stockpile of elixirs alone was enough to meet the sect's needs for decades—without even counting the spiritual fields cultivated by each peak.  

The trade section on Kun-Lai’s network was particularly lively, with posts refreshing so quickly that even a Nascent Soul cultivator's divine sense could barely keep up. The activity spilled over into other sections, which became inundated with trade-related posts.  

Feng Qingxiu also earned a substantial income and spent every spare moment browsing the network. His goods were high-quality and reasonably priced, drawing so many buyers that the line for him extended to the foot of Zhaoyue Peak.  

However, this behavior inevitably left his master, Ji Yunlai, feeling a bit neglected.  

Still, Feng Qingxiu carried on as he pleased, leaving Ji Yunlai to wonder what had upset his little apprentice. Lately, even the dreams they shared seemed to have stopped.  

Could it be because of that playful nibble on his ear and then not continuing after during their journey back last time? 

Ji Yunlai thought it was unfair—after all, it was Feng Qingxiu who pushed him away, saying it was too conspicuous in broad daylight. How could anyone have seen them when they were surrounded by clouds he had summoned himself?  

It wasn’t his fault that he adored seeing his little apprentice's aggrieved and pitiful expressions.  

But recently, even teasing him didn’t provoke much of a reaction.  

“Xiao Qing…” Ji Yunlai approached his apprentice, who was engrossed in the network again.  

“Don’t bother me. If I don’t sell off these Ghost Ruins items you caught for me, they’ll die and lose their value!” Feng Qingxiu scowled at him, evidently growing resistant to his master's antics after being teased so often.  

“Are these trivialities more important than your master?” Ji Yunlai pinched the tip of his apprentice's ear.  

“You’re not going anywhere,” Feng Qingxiu replied coolly, not even looking up before continuing his work.  

Something felt off.  

Ji Yunlai tried to divine the reason for Feng Qingxiu’s unusual behavior, but such matters couldn’t be divined. Puzzled, he pondered further.  

Just why was Xiao Qing unhappy?

Just then, the great ward of Zhaoyue Peak flickered, signaling a visitor. It was Luo Chi, using the token Ji Yunlai had given him to request an audience.  

After recognizing Luo Chi’s talent in divination techniques, Ji Yunlai had allowed him occasional visits for guidance. Seeing that Feng Qingxiu still ignored him, Ji Yunlai waved his hand to let Luo Chi in.  

Luo Chi entered in resplendent attire, exuding elegance and poise befitting a true heir of an illustrious sect. Compared to him, Feng Qingxiu—though equal in status—seemed less composed and confident. This was unsurprising, as Luo Chi had spent centuries as a core cultivator in two major sects, with an upbringing far above the ordinary.  

Luo Chi greeted Ji Yunlai with perfect courtesy before beginning his inquiries. His questions were well-prepared and thoughtful, skillfully maintaining an engaging atmosphere despite Ji Yunlai’s sparse replies.  

If any passerby were to see this, they would surely exclaim in admiration: "What a noble gentleman! His jade-like purity fills the ears, and his crown shines like the stars."

Meanwhile, a white camellia flower silently observed, occasionally prodding Feng Qingxiu with a branch.  

Feng Qingxiu emitted a wisp of black smoke, glanced briefly at the pair, and returned to his browsing.  

The camellia flower poked him again.  

Feng Qingxiu pushed it aside.  

Annoyed, the flower whipped him with its branch.  

Feng Qingxiu abruptly stood, causing Ji Yunlai to glance over in surprise. Without a word, the apprentice strode to his room, shut the door, and slapped a talisman onto it.  

“Brother Feng is…” Luo Chi’s expression shifted subtly, though his tone remained polite.  

“Nothing,” Ji Yunlai replied, though his thoughts were elsewhere. He quickly dismissed Luo Chi, intending to check on his apprentice later.  

Luo Chi bowed, then got up and left.

From start to finish, every gesture was impeccable.

Once Luo Chi departed, Ji Yunlai approached Feng Qingxiu’s door and knocked.  

No response.  

Although the door was no obstacle to Ji Yunlai, its presence symbolized the apprentice's firm stance. Sighing, he left reluctantly, returning to his room to brood.  

What could be wrong? He missed his little apprentice, especially the version of him from their dreams.  

As he was lost in thought, footsteps sounded outside.  

The door opened.  

Ji Yunlai, resting on his bed with his head propped on his hand, turned to see his apprentice standing there. Moonlight cast half his face in sharp relief, enhancing his cold, otherworldly aura.  

But Feng Qingxiu didn’t bring bedding this time. Instead, he strode forward, pushed Ji Yunlai down, and leaned over him.  

Ji Yunlai was stunned by the uncharacteristic forcefulness. The usual timid caution was gone, replaced by the blazing intensity of a red-hot iron branding him to his core.  

That night, the experience was vivid, surpassing even the most pleasant dreams he had shared with his apprentice.  

Locks of black hair intertwined, fingers interlocked—like the ethereal clouds above yet as fiery as a tidal wave, one surge surpassing the other, one wave overwhelming the last.

That night's Xiao Qing made him truly understand what it meant to be hard as a rock.

…Simply perfect.

*

Morning sunlight crept over the mountain peaks, illuminating the blooming white camellia flower adorned with glistening dew. 

Ji Yunlai rose leisurely, dressing piece by piece with a contented expression. Realizing his apprentice likely had unfinished work, he quickly added a search function to the network interface, saving Feng Qingxiu the trouble of scrolling through endless pages.  

It was a simple task, completed within moments.  

Just then, a rustling sound came from the bed.  

“Awake, my apprentice?” Ji Yunlai turned with a soft smile, his face radiant in the morning light. “Are you feeling unwell?”  

Feng Qingxiu froze momentarily, his cheeks turning crimson as the blush spread across his face, making him look especially endearing. Ji Yunlai’s heart skipped a beat; he almost pulled him back into bed.  

But Feng Qingxiu quickly shook off his embarrassment and sighed. “Not unwell, just… I feel like my cultivation is insufficient and might have disappointed you.”  

“You underestimate yourself,” Ji Yunlai reassured him with a gentle smile. “Your will is as unyielding as steel, capable of enduring a thousand trials. I’m very proud.”  

Feng Qingxiu, buoyed by the praise, hesitated before humbly replying, “You flatter me, Master. Even steel melts into molten iron under the heat of your fire.”  

“Your master has a thousand years of experience over you,” Ji Yunlai teased, pinching his apprentice’s chest. “You’re more than enough.”  

“...” Feng Qingxiu lowered his head with a shy smile, his earlier grievances dissolving into a gentle warmth. “As long as you’re satisfied, Master.”  

In that moment, nothing else mattered—neither rules nor conventions, only the smile on his master's face.  

Once one steps into the depths of a master-apprentice relationship, everything else becomes secondary.  

As long as they were together, it was enough. More than enough.  

“Why are you crying, Xiao Qing?” Ji Yunlai asked, startled as he embraced his apprentice.  

“It’s nothing…” Feng Qingxiu glanced at the tears streaming down his face, puzzled. “I don’t know. Perhaps it’s because I’m so moved, so happy?”  

He glanced at the window, noticing the camellia flower dripping dew as if it too was crying.  

“Maybe I ate too many petals,” Feng Qingxiu quipped, donning his robes as the sunlight illuminated his strong, healthy frame. “It’s strange—almost as if past regrets have vanished.”

Ji Yunlai was about to speak when the ward transmitted a message—it was Luo Chi, showing up early again.  

As he was about to let him in, Xiao Qing pressed down on his hand with a furious look. "Now can I ask you why you're treating him so differently?"  

Letting him freely enter Zhaoyue Peak—this was a privilege even Mingyu didn’t have!  

"He has impressive abilities and is of great use to me," Ji Yunlai said, patting his apprentice's head. Then, as if realizing something, he smiled. "Xiao Qing, you really overthink things..."  

Haven’t you noticed why he dresses up like a peacock every day?!  

"I’m not strong enough yet..." Feng Qingxiu started to make an excuse but suddenly froze. Then he stretched out his hand with a surprised expression. "Master, my cultivation... something feels off."  

*

Southern Continent, Great Yan Kingdom, Haijing.  

This bustling coastal city remained as lively as ever, with humans and spirit demons coexisting in harmony. As the largest trading hub between the West Sea spirit demons and Kun-Lai, its prosperity attracted merchant ships from the central, southern, northern, and eastern regions, traveling thousands of miles to reach its shores.  

From time to time, fire eagle transports came and went. If Luo Chi were present, he could have seen the city’s rising fortune, resembling a massive dragon's head enveloping the entire Haijing. Beneath the dragon's head, it extended into the sea, its claws and tail unseen.  

Suddenly, the dragon’s aura trembled. From a bird’s-eye view, it seemed as if an enormous sea dragon was struggling violently, shaken by an invisible giant hand.  

Both the water and land portions of Haijing quaked simultaneously. In the central palace, a massive jellyfish in the water transformed into a handsome man and gazed into the distance.  

"The South Sea Eye is trembling," the man, now in human form, said to the void. "That place is the heart of the sea dragon vein. If it isn't calmed, it will trigger volcanic eruptions across the South Sea. While we water spirit demons can survive..."  

The eruptions would create monstrous tidal waves, engulfing everything along the coast. Haijing and Great Yan would become a vast swamp.  

"To disturb the Sea Eye... it would take the power of a Great Sage or a Human Immortal," a lazy voice drifted from the void. "We’ll need to hold it off for a while to buy Kun-Lai time to send reinforcements."  

"You can't hold out for long. Be cautious. And if worse comes to worst, you don’t have to remain the King of Great Yan. Come underwater to the West Sea and be my queen," said Shui Wusi, the West Sea Demon King.