Clatter.
The sound of water echoed.
Only then did Tai Lingxuan muster her courage and slightly lift her head, glancing toward the folding screen.
Moonlight streamed through the window, tracing the silhouette of a young man on the screen.
He… has returned.
Tai Lingxuan’s heart swelled with excitement.
But excitement aside, she was also afraid at this moment.
Afraid that her beloved disciple would discover her lying on his bed—and that she had done something unspeakable to his pillow.
If she were found out, her dignity as his master would be—
She had to find a way to leave immediately.
Right now, Yu Yang was bathing.
This was the perfect opportunity.
Tai Lingxuan quickly cast a glance toward the door and was even more pleasantly surprised.
The door wasn’t fully closed.
This meant that if she moved fast enough and light enough, she wouldn’t even make a sound opening or closing it.
Such a careless child…
Tai Lingxuan muttered in her heart, but secretly rejoiced.
She moved gently and silently slipped off the bed.
Bending low with her hands pressed against the floor, she tiptoed like a sneaky cat.
This only made Tai Lingxuan feel more ashamed.
But for some reason, she also inexplicably felt excited, even joyful.
Was it because Yu Yang’s return gave her peace of mind?
No, it wasn’t that complicated.
The reason for her pleasure was simpler, more primal.
It was the thrill of doing something naughty in secret—always at risk of being discovered—that quickened her pulse.
Damn it, why was she feeling this way?
Clearly, this was wrong.
Realizing this made Tai Lingxuan feel even more ashamed, her face flushing red as she crawled stealthily toward the door.
Before long, she reached the door.
She glanced back once more at the folding screen.
The youth in the bathing tub showed no reaction, no movement.
No sign of him getting up to close the door—almost catching her in the act.
For some reason, this made Tai Lingxuan feel a little disappointed.
Still, she quickly pulled the door open and slipped out.
Once outside the room, Tai Lingxuan immediately stood up and resumed her upright posture, quickly looking left and right to make sure no one saw her before finally exhaling in relief.
With the immediate crisis averted, her attention immediately shifted to another matter.
Yu Yang—he had finally returned from the secret realm. Was he hurt?
That kid had a strong-willed personality; if she asked directly, he might not admit it.
If so, why not just go in now and check—actually, take advantage of his bath to see for herself?
Though Yu Yang was no longer a child, and what she was about to do was quite shameful, this matter could not be taken lightly.
Some hidden injuries, if untreated, could affect the boy’s future.
Inside the room, the young man in the bath tub let out a heartfelt sigh and wiped the liquid from his forehead—whether sweat or something else, he couldn’t tell.
Who in the family would understand?
Fresh from his trial in the secret realm, he returned to find his master lying in his bed.
And he had to pretend nothing was wrong, deliberately taking a bath to give her a chance to “escape.”
As for the door left ajar—it was also intentional.
To help Tai Lingxuan escape unnoticed, Chen Yu Yang had put a lot of thought into it.
“Since she’s gone, there’s no need to pretend anymore.”
Thinking this, Chen Yu Yang leaned on the edge of the tub and stood up.
But just as he rose, the door was abruptly pushed open.
“Yu Yang, you’re back?”
Tai Lingxuan had barely left when she returned again, feigning surprise and confusion as she stepped back inside.
Chen Yu Yang: “…”
Helpless, the youth sat back down in the tub, putting on a look of surprise.
“Master! You’re back!”
“Yes, just returned.”
Tai Lingxuan’s cheeks were still slightly flushed, but her expression was serious as she stepped forward.
“When did you come back? I was on the peak of Ziyang Summit; why didn’t I see you?”
“I’ve been back for over an hour,” Chen Yu Yang answered truthfully, watching as Tai Lingxuan walked straight to the tub’s side.
Without a word, the youth sank slightly deeper into the water.
“Well, um… Master, I’m still bathing—could you maybe…”
“What does it matter? When you were little, I personally bathed you; this is nothing. Besides, it’s a good chance for me to check if you’re hurt.”
Tai Lingxuan spoke seriously, her gaze openly wandering over the young man’s body.
She was indeed worried about his condition, especially given the major upheaval in the Ziyang Secret Realm.
But with the water in between, she still couldn’t see clearly.
“Stand up and let me examine you properly.”
Tai Lingxuan requested.
Hearing this, Chen Yu Yang grew a little flustered and hurriedly said:
“Master, I’m really fine. During the secret realm trial, I didn’t face any danger.”
But the moment he said this, Tai Lingxuan’s expression suddenly darkened.
“Yu Yang! Since when did you dare lie to me as your master!”
Chen Yu Yang was stunned, not understanding why her expression changed so suddenly. His voice wavered:
“Ma—Master?”
“Do you think I know nothing? The deputy sect leader of Jianmen Mountain told me everything. Her disciple was chased by demonic cultivators in the secret realm—it was you who saved her life and then led the monsters away.”
Tai Lingxuan raised her voice, her eyes filled with pain as she looked at Chen Yu Yang.
She thought that Yu Yang’s survival must have come from a deadly battle.
Now that he was so adamant in denying it, even willing to lie to her, it was likely because his injuries were serious and he didn’t want her to worry.
Chen Yu Yang was also stunned.
He hadn’t expected Tai Lingxuan to know about this.
Hadn’t he told Yan Luo to keep it secret?
But then he recalled that Yan Luo hadn’t revealed his true strength—only mentioned that he had helped her…
“Master, I truly am unharmed.”
Chen Yu Yang said solemnly once again.
“If you’re fine, then let me examine you properly.”
Tai Lingxuan was firm in her tone.
Helpless, Chen Yu Yang had no choice but to agree, covering himself as he stood up. Meanwhile, his mind kept reminding himself:
The master has already seen, used, and tasted—there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Tai Lingxuan quickly examined the youth’s body.
Indeed, she found no trace of injury.
Could it be that Yu Yang really was unharmed?
Uncertain, Tai Lingxuan reached out and placed her hand on his lower abdomen.
“Relax. I’m going in.”
She unfolded her divine sense, probing deeper into the youth’s body.
“Ah, a Golden Core! Yu Yang, you’ve broken through to Golden Core!”
It was at this moment that Tai Lingxuan discovered the most significant change in Chen Yu Yang and couldn’t help but exclaim.
Chen Yu Yang smiled wryly.
Though he had broken through, there was no pride or arrogance on his face.
“I was fortunate to gain a chance and gained insight during battle, allowing me to breakthrough in succession.”
“That Thunder Tribulation… how did you pass it?” Tai Lingxuan’s eyes widened as she asked.
Though the Thunder Tribulation at the Golden Core stage was generally not too strong, with a 90% success rate if well prepared.
But that didn’t mean it was without risk—especially since Tai Lingxuan knew Yu Yang had no protective talismans or spiritual treasures.
“Just went through it directly. Master, I’m a Haoyang Body after all. How could a mere Golden Core Thunder Tribulation threaten me?” Chen Yu Yang quickly answered.
Tai Lingxuan thought it over and nodded in understanding.
Indeed, though her disciple had no magical items to protect him, his innate talent and abilities were solid.
As his master, she shouldn’t worry—she should feel proud.
“Well, well, well! Yu Yang, you did very well… But what you did in the secret realm was too risky. From now on, you must never do that again. No matter what, you must prioritize your life!” Tai Lingxuan admonished solemnly.
“Yes, Master!” Chen Yu Yang responded and quickly sat back in the tub.
“By the way, Master, there are three Soul-Chasing Seals in my spirit…” Chen Yu Yang hesitated before continuing.
“What!”
Tai Lingxuan was momentarily stunned.
“Where did these Soul-Chasing Seals come from?”
“They belong to disciples of the Dan Sect,” Chen Yu Yang answered truthfully: “They are the three who previously had a conflict with my junior sister. We happened to meet them in the secret realm, and they wanted to cause trouble for us without reason… So, my junior sister and I teamed up and killed them.”
“I know what I did wasn’t right, but the situation left us no choice. If the Dan Sect elders discover the Soul-Chasing Seals on me, it could bring disaster to the Hehuan Sect. Therefore, I sincerely ask Master to help me erase these seals, so their deaths will be blamed on monsters.”
Having finished speaking, Chen Yu Yang quietly observed Tai Lingxuan’s reaction.
Tai Lingxuan’s face flickered between pale and flushed.
“Bold disciples of the Dan Sect, how dare they… Yu Yang, you did the right thing! Those nonsense people deserved to die! If I hadn’t feared the Dan Sect, I would have killed them myself!”
“I will find a way to help you erase those Soul-Chasing Seals… But doing so without harming your spirit is not easy. I only recently broke through to the Integrated Stage and can’t guarantee success.”
Speaking, Tai Lingxuan lowered her head with a hint of guilt.
As a master, she felt unqualified.
Unable to protect her disciple from danger.
Unable to immediately solve his problems.
“Alright, Master, no rush. At worst, we can just say those three were killed by monsters near me, and the Soul-Chasing Seals got stuck on me.”
Tai Lingxuan nodded. “That excuse is plausible, but people’s hearts are unpredictable. Who knows if they’ll truly believe it or harbor resentment?”
Chen Yu Yang nodded, then changed the subject.
“Well then, Master, enough of that. I still need to finish bathing. Why don’t you go check on junior sister’s condition and see if she’s hurt?”
Hearing this, Tai Lingxuan froze in place.
“Wh-what?”
“I mean, Master, you could go check if junior sister is injured first, and then slowly help me erase the Soul-Chasing Seals…”
Tai Lingxuan’s eyes widened as she shook her head and grabbed the youth’s shoulder.
“No, what I mean is… Lingxi, she’s still alive?”