"Finally, I understand why Su Luo brought me here. This is a significant discovery."
Lin Xuan had not yet gone north to deal with the beast army, and Su Luo had already sent such a generous gift. It was truly impressive.
Even Elder Yan couldn't help but praise, "Indeed, even I didn't know that the beast army had such a trump card."
"But is it really appropriate for me to take this credit? If Su Luo had chosen the righteous path back then, he would be shining brightly now."
Lin Xuan suddenly thought of this and felt a pang of regret for Su Luo.
"Haha, you're right. I'm not trying to discourage you, but it does seem like Su Luo is more outstanding than you at the moment."
"I know, but I won't let myself fall behind. I need to catch up to Su Luo. There's no time to feel disheartened."
Elder Yan nodded. This was the Lin Xuan he knew.
Although Elder Yan thought Su Luo was slightly more capable, he had always stood by Lin Xuan's side.
After years of companionship, he had come to regard Lin Xuan as family.
"I'm glad you think this way, but you should also understand that some things are hard to learn on the righteous path. The demonic path sometimes holds crucial knowledge."
Having experienced many things, Elder Yan naturally had his own perspective on this.
He sighed and continued, "But for Su Luo to understand this at such a young age, his foresight is truly remarkable. He's always been able to see far ahead, lurking in the shadows, gathering every useful piece of information, and succeeding every time. That's what makes him exceptional."
"Yes, this time, it's also critical intelligence, so we must not let his efforts go to waste."
Lin Xuan gathered his strength and unleashed the Eight Extremities Collapse, completely destroying the totem altar.
"Let's go. We need to deliver the beast army's secrets to the Emperor Heaven Sect. It's time for humanity to strike back."
Lin Xuan packed up all the useful items and continued his journey to the Emperor Heaven Sect.
......
After completing his part of the mission, Su Luo headed back home.
It had been a while since he had engaged in such a serious battle, and he found himself somewhat exhilarated, wondering if anyone would dare provoke him again.
But it turned out he was overthinking.
The journey back was smooth and uneventful.
Su Luo didn't need to head north for now, as the Heavenly Demon Sect would soon take action, and that would be the time to move north.
Upon returning home, he found Little Yu still diligently practicing, showing no signs of slacking off. Yun, however, was nowhere to be seen.
Yun was someone Su Luo didn't need to worry about. She was a seasoned veteran who could take care of herself.
"Su Luo's back? What did you do this time?"
Little Yu liked to ask Su Luo about his adventures only after he returned, perhaps because he rarely answered when she asked beforehand.
Su Luo indeed preferred to share the details after everything was settled, as there was no changing the outcome, and it was safe to tell Little Yu.
Of course, he didn't tell the whole truth. He usually framed it according to the narrative, like this time, where he certainly didn't say he had killed everyone. Instead, he shifted the credit to Lin Xuan.
It was all thanks to Lin Xuan's cleverness that they managed to turn the tables.
"Su Luo, you always do such strange things," Little Yu said, having somewhat accepted this. She used to get angry with Su Luo, but now she didn't mind as much.
After all, Su Luo himself didn't seem to care, and he even preferred things to unfold this way.
"Strange, isn't it? But it's fine. Next time, I'll make sure Lin Xuan pays the price."
Su Luo spoke with a menacing tone.
However, Little Yu didn't believe him this time.
"Su Luo, you say that, but I don't think you really hate Lin Xuan that much."
"Hmph, who knows?"
Su Luo had nothing good to say about Lin Xuan. His character and values were generally decent—otherwise, a novel protagonist with a dark and twisted personality would quickly face censorship.
But for Su Luo to develop any fondness for him? That was out of the question.
Su Luo had suffered too many defeats at his hands, though in the past, Su Luo had also dealt him some heavy blows and exacted his revenge.
Now, he could only say he had let go a little, seeing many things in a new light and focusing on playing his part in the story.
"Little Yu, this is what we do in the Heavenly Demon Sect. Do you think you can handle it?"
Since she had joined the sect, she needed to understand these things.
Little Yu thought for a moment and answered honestly, "I don't think I can."
"That's because you're kind-hearted."
"It's all thanks to Su Luo's teachings."
"Ah, did I really teach you that?" Su Luo usually lazed around and only acted when it was time to do something villainous. Could that really count as teaching?
"Su Luo, don't you remember? You used to tell me many stories and teach me a lot about life."
Ah, that. Su Luo had only done it to pass the time, and Little Yu's eager eyes back then were too hard to resist.
So he had played the role of a literary plagiarist in the cultivation world, though only Little Yu knew about it. Still, it had satisfied Su Luo's vanity a little.
However, being too kind-hearted could lead to ostracization in the Heavenly Demon Sect.
"Little Yu, tell me honestly, are you happy here?"
"I'm happy as long as you're here."
"I'm asking you seriously," Su Luo said, feeling this wasn't a proper answer. "Here, you'll encounter all sorts of unspeakable things. How do you feel about that? I want to know."
"I'm answering you seriously too," Little Yu said, looking up at Su Luo. "I think everything else is unimportant. If I do encounter something unspeakable, I believe I can accept it. I'll do what I want to do and avoid what I don't. Su Luo, I've grown too."
Yes, Little Yu was no longer the person who needed Su Luo to take care of everything for her.
Seeing the clarity in Little Yu's expression, Su Luo felt a sense of relief. In the cultivation world, darkness was everywhere.
The hardest thing was to remain true to oneself after seeing that darkness.
Su Luo only hoped that Little Yu's kindness wouldn't end up harming her.
"But there will be many things I can't take you along for in the future. Are you really okay with that?"
"I am."
"Alright, since you've said so, I won't ask you the same question again."
"Mm."
Little Yu stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed Su Luo's cheek.
Where did you learn that?
"Who taught you that?"
"Since joining the Heavenly Demon Sect, I think I've become a little corrupted," Little Yu said with a mischievous grin, though her blushing face betrayed her.
"Hmph, you've learned to be so naughty. I'll have to teach you a lesson."
Su Luo pretended to raise his hand to scold Little Yu.
Little Yu dodged with a quick step.
"No, don't hit me... I know I was wrong, but I won't change."
"Ah, if I catch you, I'll punish you severely."
Little Yu kept running, and Su Luo kept chasing.
It didn't look like discipline—it was more like playful banter.
Soon, Little Yu deliberately fell into Su Luo's arms.
"You... caught me," she said, her face turning even redder, her voice trailing off into silence.
At that moment, Yun returned and saw the scene.
Yun: "Sorry, it seems I came at a bad time."
"No, you came at just the right time."
Of course, it was all in jest. Su Luo quickly dodged Yun's playful pounce.
It was just a running joke.