Heart of the White-haired Demon

As the journey continued, soon before sundown in the afternoon, they arrived at the top of Jade Mountain. Lian just laid down on the floor, laughing because he was tired. Ling Xiao hit him and said, "Stand up, take a look at the view before you sleep. You've been sleeping for days now."

Lian remixed his master's voice in a mocking tone, and then Ling Xiao attempted to hit Lian again. Lian dodged it and smiled at his master, saying, "Master, I'm faster than you think."

Ling Xiao sat down on a nearby rock, crossing his legs in a meditative pose, and began to talk to Lian, who was still lying down. "Lian, I have trained you for long, and I want you to have everything that I've trained you on stuck in your brain."

Lian sat up immediately and looked at his master, saying, "Master, why are you telling me this? You're going to train me more, obviously. You think I'm ready to roam the martial world on my own? Master, I'll die the moment I step out."

Ling Xiao laughed but continued his calm and collected tone. "I think it's time you face your destiny and stop clinging onto me."

Lian shook his head, saying, "Master, no! I'm still here. I'm not going anywhere. Trust me, Master, you can't survive without me."

Ling Xiao smiled, his eyes twinkling. "No, Lian. You have your journey, your destiny. You have to face it."

Lian nodded reluctantly, still looking concerned. "I accept it, Master. But seriously, why are you acting so weird?"

Just then, the sky immediately darkened, surprising Lian. He looked up, frowning. "Master, why is the sky dark? It's just afternoon, barely three o'clock. Why is it suddenly dark?"

While Lian was talking, heavy winds started blowing, just in the presence of the cow, and Ling Xiao continued to scare Lian. But Lian maintained his position, sitting still.

Ling Xiao's expression turned serious, his eyes fixed on the darkening sky. Lian's voice trembled slightly, but he tried to appear calm. "Master, what's going on?"

As the winds howled and the sky darkened, a figure emerged from the shadows. Lian's eyes widened as he took in the figure's appearance - it was the white-haired demon, Lord Bai Ye.

Ling Xiao stood up, his movements swift and fluid. He bowed deeply, his hands clasped together in a gesture of respect. "Lord Bai Ye," he said, his voice low and deferential.

As Ling Xiao stood up, he turned to Lian, who looked utterly bewildered. "Lian, this is your destiny," Ling Xiao said, his eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

Lian's face was a picture of confusion. "What do you mean, Master?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly.

But before Ling Xiao could respond, Lord Bai Ye spoke up, his voice like thunder in the darkness. "The time of reckoning is upon us, Ling Xiao. The boy's destiny is tied to mine, and the fate of the underworld hangs in the balance."

Lian's eyes darted back and forth between Ling Xiao and Lord Bai Ye, his mind reeling with questions. What did they mean? What destiny? And what fate?

As the winds howled and the darkness deepened, Lian felt his world spinning out of control. He was trapped in a web of intrigue and deception, and he had no idea how to escape.

And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, everything went black.

As Lian passed out, Lord Bai Ye turned to Ling Xiao with a questioning gaze. "What's wrong with him? Why did he pass out?"

Ling Xiao bowed his head, a hint of a smile on his lips. "He's just a silly little kid, Lord Bai Ye."

Lord Bai Ye nodded thoughtfully. "Okay, but I must take him with me."

Ling Xiao's expression turned serious, and he took a step forward. "Lord Bai Ye, is it compulsory that you take him with you now? I don't think he's strong enough to survive in the Underworld."

Lord Bai Ye's eyes gleamed with a knowing light. "The Underworld is indeed tough, but we have a journey to make before we head there. And I will make sure that I teach him very well."

Ling Xiao's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with concerns. "What journey, Lord Bai Ye? What do you plan to teach him?"

Lord Bai Ye's smile was enigmatic. "All will be revealed in time, Ling Xiao. For now, let us focus on preparing the boy for what lies ahead."

With that, Lord Bai Ye reached out and gently lifted Lian into his arms. Ling Xiao watched, a mix of emotions on his face, as Lord Bai Ye turned to disappear into the darkness, Lian's limp form cradled in his arms.

---

Lian slowly opened his eyes, groggily taking in his surroundings. He found himself in a dense forest, surrounded by towering trees that blocked out most of the sunlight. As he looked around, he realized that he was in the Jade Forest, a place he had been dreading since his last encounter.

His gaze drifted to the person carrying him, and his eyes widened as he took in the familiar white hair. Memories came flooding back - the white-haired demon appearing before him and his master, his master bowing down in respect.

Lian's face twisted in anger and betrayal. Did his master just sell him out? He tried to struggle out of the demon's arms, but it was no use. The demon's grip was like iron, holding him firmly in place.

As he realized the futility of his struggles, Lian went limp, deciding to conserve his energy. But his mind refused to accept the situation, and he found himself asking, "How much did my master give you to sell me to you? How much?"

The demon's expression didn't change, but Lian detected a hint of amusement in his voice. "Your master didn't sell you to me, boy. At least, not in the way you think."

Lian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing with possibilities. "What do you mean? Just tell me how much I owe you, and I'll pay you back. I'll work hard, I promise. Just let me go back to my master."

The demon chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. "You're not a slave to be bought and sold, boy. You're something much more... valuable."

Lian's face paled as the demon's words sent a chill down his spine. What did he mean? What was Lian's value? And what lay ahead for him on this journey with the mysterious white-haired demon?