Chapter 93: Soft-Eared Mama’s Boy 8 Part 1

The mountains stood in elegant silhouette, bathed in the first rays of morning light. At the edge of the distant jungle, a hazy silver line like flowing water gradually emerged, marking the boundary between earth and sky.

It was still the hour of the tiger, yet crowds had already gathered in this stretch of heaven and earth. At the forefront stood the disciples of the Primordial Sect, most clad in matching cyan-and-white robes, followed closely by the disciples of the Immaculate Pavilion in their inky taiji attire, renowned for their mastery of formations.

The leading elders from each sect clustered together. Some appeared youthful, others sported long white beards. Most wore flowing immortal robes that lent them an air of otherworldly grace and profound wisdom.

The topic on everyone’s lips was the Hesong Small Secret Realm, soon to appear.

Discovered long ago and thoroughly explored by the Cultivation World by now, the realm was still called a secret realm for good reason: its natural advantages and abundant spiritual energy made it a hotbed for spiritual treasures and immortal goods.

With its dangers firmly under control—no true death within, merely a loss of heart essence at worst—the major sects used it as a grindstone to temper their rising stars.

Of course, not just anyone could enter. The Hesong Small Secret Realm opened once every thirty years, and entry tokens manifested unpredictably beforehand.

Once they appeared, the great sects—with their vast networks of eyes and ears and formidable strength—snapped up the lion’s share. Only scattered remnants trickled down to rogue cultivators or minor sects.

Among the great sects, the Primordial Sect reigned supreme, securing over thirty entry slots alone. Compared to the paltry dozen or even handful claimed by others, it was no wonder countless aspirants flocked to the Primordial Sect during every Cultivation World selection.

Daylight fully broke as the deep crimson sun crested the hidden peaks in the distance, its silhouette sharpening before it soared higher, nestling amid a sea of orange-red clouds and radiating blinding brilliance.

At that moment, the air at the jungle entrance trembled faintly, as if a sharp blade had pierced the world’s thin membrane. A slit tore open, unleashing a fierce gale that howled with chilling menace.

The crowd’s clamor swelled. Many young faces brimmed with eager anticipation, their bright black eyes alight with youthful ambition and hunger for glory. Youth had little patience at the best of times, and now, with the secret realm in sight, even the elders’ earnest warnings fell on deaf ears.

This was Jiang Rang’s first time beholding a secret realm with his own eyes. Though he had ventured down the mountain with Kunyu Immortal Venerable in the past, he had always been like an unweaned child, able to roam freely only under his shizun’s sheltering wing.

Of course, Xie Lingfeng did not spoil the youth blindly. Like a father instructing his son, the man had taught him sword arts stroke by stroke, how to handle crises, the meaning of integrity, proper etiquette, and the ways of the world.

Jiang Rang was a bright and perceptive child who picked up everything swiftly. Even at a young age, he earned endless praise for echoing the style of Kunyu Immortal Venerable in his youth.

His every gesture and smile bore the man’s unmistakable shadow. Back when young Jiang Rang trailed after Xie Lingfeng, onlookers often mistook the boy for the Immortal Venerable’s own flesh and blood.

No surprise there… he resembled him that much.

Like streams merging into the same ocean, like twin flowers blooming from shared roots.

The elders who had taught him swordsmanship, spellcraft, theory, and more all showered him with acclaim.

But Jiang Rang was playful at heart, and Xie Lingfeng always ached for the boy, reluctant to chide him harshly. Over time, when real troubles arose, the youth habitually turned to his shizun for rescue.

If he stirred up trouble, he hid behind his shizun. If fellow disciples irked him, he complained to his shizun. If the Lecturing Elder scolded him, he sought his shizun’s comfort.

When in the right, he stood tall and argued his case with logic and fervor. When in the wrong, he became like a rain-soaked puppy, peeking at Kunyu Immortal Venerable’s expression while murmuring sweet words to appease him.

But every child must grow up someday, and the first step was like a fledgling eagle learning to spread its wings and soar.

These days, the Cultivation World churned with upheaval. Demon Clan seals rattled constantly, mortal wars raged, and little demons stirred chaos at every turn. The man harbored quiet worries, fearing he might one day fail to stand at the youth’s side. Thus, he seized this secret realm excursion to temper Jiang Rang’s resolve and character.

“A-Rang, this time Shizun cannot accompany you. Whatever you do, think three times before acting…”

Dressed in moon-white robes, his features clear and jade-like, exuding the benevolent air of an immortal, the man murmured this gentle reminder. The vermilion mark between his brows evoked a drifting celestial aura, while faint concern swirled in his profound golden eyes, calling to mind a temple idol or the compassionate earth mother.

But before he could finish, an excited young voice cut him off.

“Shizun, got it, got it. Think three times before acting, learn to use strategies and every resource at hand—safety first. I’ve practically memorized it—”

The young man dressed in Primordial Sect disciple robes had handsome and refined features. A bright confidence and nonchalance danced in his smiling eyes, and the pale blue-white fabric could not contain his restless energy, lending him an air of casual frivolity.

Kunyu Immortal Venerable gently shook his head. His jet-black hair drifted in the breeze, misting across his jade-white complexion like a disheveled beauty fallen into the mortal world.

He sighed softly. “You, ah…”

“Shizun! Look, the entrance is opening!” The young man tilted his face upward. His slightly downturned black eyes gleamed with a sharp, keen edge, evoking the image of a freshly honed blade—unyielding, pressing forward until it drew blood.

The wind picked up fiercely. As one of the first sects to arrive, the Primordial Sect disciples exchanged glances, gave a slight nod, bid farewell to the elders, and plunged into the secret realm without a backward glance.

Xie Lingfeng watched quietly as the black abyss of the secret realm swallowed the young man whole. His grip tightened in his hand, and the gentle compassion at his brow faded slightly, eroded by a flicker of anxiety.

“Kunyu, your complexion has been looking rosier lately—like you’re experiencing a second youth.”

One of the accompanying lead elders said this. Being of the same generation as Kunyu Immortal Venerable, he spoke without excessive formality.

Xie Lingfeng’s brow relaxed, smoothing the vermilion mark there. It glowed against his nearly translucent skin like a flame burning fiercely.

The man seemed lost in thought for a moment. Then he pursed his lips slightly, revealing a faint smile. His gold-flecked eyes sparkled with the light of dawn as he said warmly, “Senior Brother speaks truly. It must be the Flesh Lingzhi that my young disciple sought out for me taking effect.”

“However…” Xie Lingfeng lifted his porcelain-smooth cheek, his expression serene. “As for this talk of a second youth, I must disagree. We cultivate in harmony with the heavens, preserving our youth eternally. Our appearances do not change.”

The elder was not one to fuss over looks. He appeared decades older than Kunyu Immortal Venerable, carrying a steady, seasoned air. He chuckled and scolded playfully, “Yes, yes, we know your disciple dotes on you.”

“Junior Brother, you’re as silver-tongued as ever. But let’s face it—we’re all a bunch of old fogeys. Put our ages together, and we could be the ancestors of those kids. Surely we can speak freely?”

Kunyu Immortal Venerable’s long lashes fluttered faintly. The man merely nodded calmly and said nothing more. The elegant bones of his wrist stirred subtly, like a water lily on the verge of blooming. After a moment, they stilled once again.

The elder shook his head. “No wonder your rascal disciple has such a temper—he takes after you completely. Unhappy? Then pretend you didn’t hear a thing and act like it’s out of sight, out of mind.”

Xie Lingfeng had always been attentive to Jiang Rang’s studies. At these words, the man’s lips twitched faintly. His profound golden eyes turned toward the elder, carrying an unexpected touch of human warmth as he asked softly, “How has A-Rang been faring in the academy? What made him unhappy? He’s never mentioned anything to me.”

The elder fell silent. “……”

The elder shook his head. “He’s not unhappy, exactly. It’s just that the moment those long lectures start, he dozes off. Ask him a question, and he pretends not to hear.”

Xie Lingfeng slowly gathered his sleeves. Hearing this, he responded with perfect mildness, “I’ve taught him every word of those lessons myself in the past. He only grows drowsy once he’s mastered them… In that case, Senior Brother, there’s no need to keep rousing him in the future. Just let him rest properly.”

The elder fell silent again. “……”

He never should have opened his mouth!

The other elders were right. Xie Lingfeng could never bear to criticize his precious disciple. He treated the boy like a treasure—afraid it would shatter if held in his palm, afraid it would melt if kept in his mouth.

It wasn’t an exaggeration to say that even if Jiang Rang blew up the academy today, this man would praise the explosion without batting an eye.

~~~

Jiang Rang had never imagined a day would come when he fell into Luo Yunchun’s clutches.

Now he understood why that guy had bumped into him for no reason right before entering the secret realm—the bastard had been scheming to screw him over from the start.

Jiang Rang and Luo Yunchun had been teleported to this dense forest at the same time.

The instant they landed, Luo Yunchun muttered something under his breath. Jiang Rang found himself unable to move as spiritual vines covered in talismans burst from the ground, binding his limbs and hoisting him into the air.

Feeling the spiritual energy in his meridians and his remaining strength, and confirming he could neither break free nor access any items to escape, the young man immediately changed his expression.

Jiang Rang let out a dry laugh. “What are you doing, Little Young Master Luo? This is the Minor Secret Realm. We’re from the same sect—even if there’s bad blood between us, this isn’t the time or place…”

“Jiang Rang.” Luo Yunchun’s long, narrow eyes slanted sideways. It seemed this was his first time doing something like this—nervousness flushed his face red, accentuating the seductive allure of his fox-like features against the tight red robes that hugged his body. The youth averted his gaze, his voice hoarse as he said, “I told you before. I’m going to teach you a lesson.”

Jiang Rang’s eyes shifted slightly. The youth’s limbs were tightly bound by deep green spiritual vines, reinforced with talismans as if to prevent any chance of escape. They gripped him with such force that his exposed arms and legs were flushed red, bulging veins adding a subtle erotic edge to his slender fingers and taut calves.