After invoking her secret art, Seventh Senior Sister transformed into a long-haired black ape.
The first demon spirit that came close was crushed instantly, reduced to a puff of black mist beneath her palm.
She glared at Gao Yang, voice like a growl. "What you just did—I'll report it to Master. You'd better think about how to explain yourself!"
Together, they fought their way back—fending off the spirits blow by blow, retreating step by step—until at last they reached the outskirts of Chai Village.
The moment they crossed into the village, the old phoenix tree at the gate swayed, its branches forming a barrier that kept the spirits outside.
The creatures howled and scratched at the invisible boundary, but could not pass.
Once safe, Seventh Senior Sister released her technique. The black hair covering her body fell away, and the human-faced insects beneath wriggled weakly before going still.
She stared down at them, heart aching. Breeding those things had taken years of her life—and now, all gone.
Rising to her feet, she turned sharply on Gao Yang. "Thirteen, you'd better have an explanation."
He didn't answer. His eyes had fixed on the old well at the center of the village.
Gao Yang gently laid Xiao Man on the ground and walked toward it, step by step. He could hear something beneath the surface—a voice, faint and calling his name.
As he neared, the rope tied to the bucket went taut, as if something below were tugging on it.
He stood at the edge and leaned forward to look.
Suddenly, Seventh Senior Sister grabbed his collar and yanked him back. "Thirteen! I'm talking to you!"
He frowned. "I'll explain to Master myself."
When he looked again, the rope hung slack. The water below was still and clear, reflecting his face.
A pity.
Before he could dwell on it, a group of villagers approached, surrounding the gray-haired village chief.
When the old man saw Gao Yang, he froze, then blurted, "The boy from the Gao family—"
Someone beside him hissed, "Village chief, call him Immortal Attendant."
Realizing his mistake, the old man quickly bowed low. "Immortal Attendants, forgive this old fool's rudeness! We did not prepare for your arrival. Please accept our apologies. You must be tired from your journey—allow us to prepare food and lodgings for you both."
Seventh Senior Sister's voice was sharp as a blade. "Then why are you still standing here? Go."
The villagers scattered to obey.
Gao Yang stepped forward. "Where are my parents?"
Seventh Senior Sister's tone cooled. "Thirteen, have you forgotten Master's words?"
Gao Yang kept his back to her, his face hidden by shadow. "Surely even you, Seventh Sister, have someone you care about. I just want to know how they are."
She hesitated, then said nothing.
Gao Yang looked up, meeting the old chief's cloudy eyes. "Village chief… are they all right?"
The old man's face twisted. He hesitated, lips trembling.
Gao Yang's pulse quickened. "What happened to them?"
The chief sighed. "Please, Immortal Attendant, come rest first. Then I'll tell you everything."
Gao Yang glanced back at the gate.
The steward still hadn't arrived.
He picked Xiao Man up. "Is there a doctor in the village?"
The old man's expression flickered when he saw her but quickly smoothed over. "Yes. Ergou, fetch the doctor."
He forced a smile. "Please, this way, Immortal Attendant."
Gao Yang followed him into the guest hall. Platters of dried meat and fruit awaited, servants trembling as they laid them out, none daring to meet his gaze.
The village chief nodded toward Xiao Man. "And this young lady—who is she to you?"
"My servant," Gao Yang said flatly.
The old man lowered his head and led him to the rear courtyard. "Please, Immortal Attendant, have her rest here. The doctor will arrive shortly."
As Gao Yang carried Xiao Man inside, the old man leaned close to his son and whispered, "Tell the doctor—find a way to kill that girl. If the Immortal Attendant learns what we've done, none of us will survive."
The son swallowed hard. "Father… about the Gao family—"
"I'll handle it," the chief snapped. "Go!"
The son hurried off.
But as he crossed the hall, he froze. Seventh Senior Sister was standing in the doorway.
Cold sweat rolled down his back.
Had she heard everything?
She smiled faintly, patting his shoulder. "Go on. Do as your father said."
His knees buckled. He nearly collapsed.
She steadied him with one hand and whispered, "Go."
He stumbled away, nearly tripping in his haste.
Inside, Gao Yang laid Xiao Man gently on the bed and stepped out. "Village chief," he asked, "what happened to my parents?"
The old man's face drooped, lined with sorrow. "When your father brought you to Azure Mountain Sect, a spirit possessed him. When he returned, he fell ill. Your mother searched for healers… one day she left the village and never came back. A few nights later, your father grew mad—his body sprouted red fur. He killed many before fleeing into the wilds."
"No!" Gao Yang's voice rose. "You're lying!"
The old man's expression crumpled. "Believe me or not… come see for yourself."
He led Gao Yang to the ancestral shrine.
Two straw mats lay on the floor. Beneath each was a shrouded form.
The old man lifted one corner of the mat, revealing a shriveled corpse.
Tears welled in his eyes. "They were drained of blood… all by Old Gao."
Gao Yang staggered back, his mind blank.
A crushing sorrow welled up from within him.
Though he tried to suppress it, the grief tore through his composure, spilling as tears down his face.
He touched them, stunned. "I… cried?"
It wasn't his emotion—but the body's. The soul that once lived here still mourned.
Then his thoughts flashed to his father, to the Infant Fruit he'd eaten.
The Immortal Mistress had warned that mortals who consumed it would suffer a fate worse than death.
So that's what she meant… they became demons.
The chief exhaled softly, relieved to see the young man weep. Better sorrow than fury.
If Gao Yang ever learned the full truth, the village would be doomed.
The old man forced a kind smile. "Child, don't grieve too much. You still have kin here. Stay in Azure Mountain Sect and cultivate well—we'll do our best to find your missing parents."
Gao Yang stood silent for a long time.
Then he said, "I need to see Xiao Man."
He turned toward the hall.
The chief caught his sleeve. "Don't you want to visit your old home first?"
Gao Yang hesitated, then nodded. "Fine."
But the moment he spoke, dread twisted in his chest. A suffocating malice pulsed from the guest hall.
He broke free and sprinted toward it.
"Child!" the old man called after him, panting. "Wait—this old body can't keep up!"
As Gao Yang ran, the Seven Fiends flared on their own. Blood-red markings crawled over his skin, the surge of hatred burning like fire through his veins.
He didn't know why—but he knew one thing for certain.
Xiao Man was in danger.