"You're confused."
Lin Xinglan scolded sharply. "Everyone has their own destined fate. Yours lies in being born with Heaven's Mandate. As long as you grasp this destiny, even if you don't reach Yang Cheng's level in the future, you will still have a place among the myriad worlds. Otherwise, you may end up picking up sesame seeds while throwing away a watermelon."
"Disciple does not think this is sesame."
Yang Xiu said, "Master, do you know that in just seven days, my cultivation rose from Second Layer Martial Grandmaster to Sixth Layer Martial Grandmaster?"
Lin Xinglan felt a chill spread through her body.
What kind of demon was this?
"Yang Xiu, if you do not stop cultivating this method, then from today on, our bond of master and disciple will end."
Her voice was stern.
Yang Xiu's heart tightened. He couldn't believe it. "Master, just for this, you want to sever our bond as master and disciple?"
"You think this is a small matter?"
Lin Xinglan's eyes were filled with disappointment. "My path as a teacher is the blazing Sword Dao—upright, honorable, with a spirit that endures for eternity. This demonic way of growing strong by consuming others completely opposes my Dao. If you insist on practicing it, then it is no different from betraying your sect. How could our bond as master and disciple continue?"
Yang Xiu's breath grew heavy.
To give up cultivating the Heaven-Devouring Technique was unbearably painful.
But he couldn't accept losing Lin Xinglan either.
She was not only his greatest support but also someone who had shown him true kindness.
"Very well, Master. From this day on, I will no longer cultivate this technique."
Yang Xiu gritted his teeth.
Hearing this, Lin Xinglan let out a sigh of relief. "Xiu'er, as long as you are willing to turn back, it is never too late."
Yang Xiu did not reply. For some reason, he no longer felt the same gratitude toward Lin Xinglan as before.
Next, he decided to head for Baiyun City.
He planned to seek cooperation with the Southern Guardian Prince.
He ran through the mountains for several hundred li when suddenly his steps froze. His eyes widened in shock at the scene ahead.
In the forest, two figures were locked in battle.
One was a stunning young girl in colorful robes. The other was no human, but a giant python more than ten zhang long.
"That's a demon."
Yang Xiu's breathing caught.
Judging from its aura, the python was a Demon Emperor.
What was even more terrifying was that the beautiful girl in colorful robes was only thirteen years old, yet her strength was on par with the python.
Rip!
At last, the girl slashed down with her sword, severing the demon python's head. But she herself was badly wounded and fell from the sky.
Yang Xiu hesitated, then ran toward her.
The girl's eyes were cold at first, but when she saw it was a boy less than ten years old, her expression softened, though she still remained wary.
"Sister, don't misunderstand. I mean no harm."
Then Yang Xiu took out his pills and began treating her injuries.
The girl's wounds were too severe, so Yang Xiu carried her to a mountain cave and tended to her there.
Three days later.
Her injuries were mostly healed.
"Sister Yun'er, try the fish I roasted."
Yang Xiu handed her a freshly grilled fish.
After three days together, he had learned that the girl's name was Tang Yun'er.
She took a bite, her beautiful eyes lighting up. "It tastes good."
Then her gaze toward Yang Xiu softened with pity.
He was only three years old, yet he could roast fish and take care of others. That meant he must have endured countless hardships before.
"Little brother, you're only three. How did you end up deep in this wilderness? Where are your elders?" Tang Yun'er asked.
Yang Xiu stayed silent for a moment before saying, "It's a long story."
"It doesn't matter. We have time. You can speak slowly, and I'll listen slowly," Tang Yun'er said.
Yang Xiu had been holding back for a long time, desperate to find someone to confide in.
So he poured out his past years of experiences to Tang Yun'er.
Of course, when speaking, he avoided mentioning his own mistakes. Instead, he exaggerated and twisted the story, making Yang Cheng seem more ruthless in his treatment of him.
For example, when Madam Cheng had not chosen him and instead picked Yang Cheng, he claimed Madam Cheng had originally selected him. Then, Yang Cheng forcibly interfered, and because Madam Cheng valued Yang Cheng's higher status as Crown Prince, she abandoned him.
In the Ancient Desolation Tower, it had been him joining with others to target Yang Cheng, yet he still only received the Taichu Sword Talisman. He twisted this, saying it was Yang Cheng who united with others to oppress him, leaving him with nothing but the Taichu Sword Talisman.
As for Wei Roujia, he said he had been on good terms with her. But Yang Cheng schemed and stole her away, and like everyone else, she sided with Yang Cheng because of his higher position.
Finally, he had colluded with experts from Tianyuan to plot against Yang Cheng, only to fail and be forced to flee. He twisted this into claiming that Yang Cheng had framed him, making him suffer injustice and leaving him no choice but to run.
Hearing this, Tang Yun'er's anger flared. "That Crown Prince brother of yours is truly venomous! And your imperial father, equally blind and muddle-headed. Little brother, I never thought your fate would be so miserable. Yet even so, you never gave up. That makes me truly admire you."
"This is nothing. At least I already have some ability to protect myself. Compared to most people in this world, I'm already much better off," Yang Xiu replied.
Tang Yun'er looked at him with growing admiration. "You're right to think that way. Those who didn't cherish you, like Madam Cheng and Wei Roujia, it only proves they lacked vision. Little brother, do you want me to help you take revenge on that Crown Prince brother of yours?"
Yang Xiu's heart leapt with joy.
He had long seen that Tang Yun'er's identity was extraordinary.
So young, yet already with such cultivation—talent alone couldn't explain it. She must come from a powerful background.
Having Tang Yun'er resent Yang Cheng was undoubtedly a disaster for Yang Cheng. But for him, it was a blessing.
Still, Yang Xiu wasn't shortsighted. If he let Tang Yun'er deal with Yang Cheng now, first, it would consume the favor she owed him. Second, if she thought he was manipulative and scheming, it would backfire.
So Yang Xiu answered firmly, "Sister Yun'er, I know you mean well. But though I'm young, I also know a man must shoulder his own burdens. How could I let someone else take revenge for me?"
"Little brother, I didn't misjudge you."
Tang Yun'er smiled. "But remember this—at any time, you can come to me for help."
Her confidence flared as she added, "Even against your Crown Prince brother, as long as I wish, I could crush him with a single move."
Her brows and gaze radiated a calm yet domineering aura.
Yang Xiu felt more and more certain his choice was right.
At the same time, Yang Cheng knew nothing about Yang Xiu meeting Tang Yun'er.
If he did, he would surely sigh that Heaven's Mandate sons were truly monstrous.
He had stripped Yang Xiu of the support of Lin Shu, Wei Roujia, and Tang Xingyu, yet fate had compensated him with a powerful beauty.
"These past days, no increase in fate? Yang Xiu actually endured?"
Yang Cheng mused, "With Yang Xiu's temperament, he shouldn't have that willpower. It seems Lin Xinglan stepped in to suppress him."
At this thought, Yang Cheng smiled faintly.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing.
Lin Xinglan suppressing Yang Xiu meant she disapproved of his actions. Yang Xiu being suppressed would surely breed resentment toward her.
Thus, the crack between master and disciple would only grow wider.
Setting the matter aside, Yang Cheng said, "Hu Po, let's return to Fengtian."