The next morning, the light rain stopped, the dark clouds dispersed, and the sky showed more clear colors.

They did not yet know what the aura of the demonic cultivators was like. Although Ye Jiuya cultivated the sword, which was not very related to the pure Qi that the spiritual cultivators relied on for cultivation, he ultimately came from the other shore of the Heavenly River. It was unknown whether the people here would detect any signs. Therefore, that sword had never been retracted into his body, and his aura was now no different from that of a mortal, and was even much weaker.

Although Chen Weichen also had achieved the first level Heavenly realm, he had no such worries. Who knew what evil demonic cultivation this person practiced, that he had no pure Qi at all. In addition, with that fate that was clearly not tolerated by the Heavenly Dao, there was no way to relate him to the two words "cultivating immortality".

Chen Weichen crashed and banged a few bowls and pots, and was laughingly scolded and driven out of the kitchen by the daughter-in-law who was cooking breakfast for the old man's family: "I thought you were going to help, but you're just making trouble!"

He leisurely watched the sunrise under the big banyan tree in the courtyard for a while, then turned his head to look inside the window.

He saw Ye Jiuya half-leaning against the head of the bed with his eyes closed, cultivating his spirit. His face was like jade, not as cold as usual. His black hair was scattered on his shoulders, like an ink painting on white rice paper.

The morning sunlight passed through the window lattice and fell on that person's body, the mist completely dispersed, like the first clear sky after snow, making people look at it in a daze.

Chen Weichen was in a daze for a moment, and it took a long time before he came back to his senses. He only felt an endless sourness and softness welling up in his chest, wishing that Ye Jiuya could just stay in the room quietly like this, and never recover his cultivation for the rest of his life.

He also felt very satisfied, as if coming to the mortal world for a lifetime was just to witness this scene. Even if today was the day of his death, he would be willing a million times over.

"Really have no ambition." He thought this way, but still couldn't bear to move his gaze away in the slightest. He also hated the rooster crowing coming from the backyard, afraid of disturbing the person in the room.

He watched for a good while, then thought: "Ambition, this thing, it's fine not to have it."

As the sun gradually rose, the daughter-in-law's breakfast in the kitchen was ready. The pickles, just taken from the jar, accompanied the sweet and fragrant rice porridge, stir-fried green vegetables, and steamed soft buns. When the pot was lifted, the room was filled with a rich white smoke.

Chen Weichen brought it to the room and called softly, "Cousin, breakfast is ready."

Although this title of "cousin" was an excuse for the old man, he himself liked it very much. He randomly called "Master" and "Cousin", as if he really had some unbreakable worldly ties with him.

Ye Jiuya slowly opened his eyes and said, "Thank you."

Chen Weichen smiled and said, "You're welcome."

A few more days passed like this. The two of them slept and ate together, talked when there was something to say, and kept to themselves when there was not. The atmosphere was not stiff. At this time, Chen Weichen became more well-behaved, truly showcasing a gentlemanly friendship as light as water between the two of them.

When Ye Jiuya had recovered a bit, it happened to be a wonderful festival here.

The festival was called the Lovesickness Festival. Unmarried girls and young men would write the name of their sweetheart on a thin red silk ribbon and tie it to the branches of the big banyan tree at the head of the village. They did this in the hope that their wish would come true the following year, granting them a happy marriage until their hair turned white.

Young Master Chen asked the old man's daughter-in-law for a red silk ribbon and followed their example, tying an exquisite knot on a tree branch.

Taking a few steps back to look, the red ribbons fluttered beautifully in the swaying tree shadows.

A young man from the neighboring family who had just become familiar with him heard about it and came to his door to joke with him: "Brother Chen, you also believe in this thing that little girls play with?"

"If you say it can make wishes come true, I don't believe it," Chen Weichen said to him, "But actually, it's not about seeking fulfillment, it's just wanting that person to know that there is someone in the world waiting there, willing to spend a lifetime with you."

"Sour, it's really sour," the young man pinched his nose, "So literary, I don't like to hear it."

"--Then you can just be sour!" Young Master Chen originally wanted to pour out his feelings to someone, but unexpectedly it fell on deaf ears. He was very angry and fought with that man for a good while before saying, "Zhao Dashi, when I was tying my ribbon, I just happened to see a newly tied one with your name on it. Do you think it was written by Xiaomei from the east?"

The man's face immediately turned red, and he sat restlessly, no longer playing with him. He hurriedly rushed towards the village entrance to take a look--and even tripped over the threshold.

.

Ye Jiuya looked at Chen Weichen's back and could almost imagine his perpetually gentle brows and eyes.

In those brows and eyes, he saw the shadows of many people, like the shy little wife in Scholar Zhuang Baihan's family, like the scholar looking at his wife, Zhao Dashi who had just hurried out the door, and the bride with a slightly raised corner of her mouth when the red veil was blown open by the wind at the foot of the snowy mountain during a wedding.

It was just one person, but it seemed to be the entire mortal world.

He had no idea what the mortal world was like before, but today he had a vague glimpse.

There was no conversation all night. The next day was the time when, as the old man said, people sent by Marquis Youshui would come to select disciples to serve as guards.

In the past few days, they had asked around and roughly understood the situation here.

Cultivators were beyond the mortal world and lived outside of it, but it was different here--there was no dynasty or emperor, only Demon Lords and the Demon Emperor.

Mortals farmed and weaved. If a child with aptitude for cultivation appeared, they would be selected to become disciples and cultivate as demons, becoming superior from then on.

The emperor ruled over the Nine Continents, and below him were various lords and marquises, all divided according to their strength.

This place was Zhu Continent, one of the Nine Continents, and was the territory of Marquis Youshui.

According to the old man, those "eminent envoys" under Marquis Youshui, in addition to regularly coming to select children and teenagers with good aptitude, would also manage some major events, such as plagues, floods and other natural disasters--to take some care of the mortals.

Early in the morning, three demon cultivators arrived here, with deep blue water patterns embroidered on their black clothes, rippling as they walked.

Families with children of the appropriate age all opened their doors, waiting for these three to come and inspect.

The old man's eldest grandson was fifteen years old this year. This young man was born with great strength and was considered very likely to embark on the path of cultivation.

Chen Weichen lazily leaned against the door frame and said to Ye Jiuya, "Brother Ye, look at those three. Although they cultivate demons, they look free and outstanding, quite impressive."

Ye Jiuya: "With the Dao in their hearts, naturally they are different from mortals."

As they spoke, the three had already inspected a few children and came to the home where they were staying.

A man in black first pinched the eldest grandson's bones: "The bone structure is passable."

The leader sized up this half-grown teenager and said, "Test his wisdom roots."

Then, just like how Xie Lang had asked Chen Weichen before, he pressed his hand against the teenager's forehead and began to ask questions. After about a few dozen questions, he let go: "The wisdom roots are also passable."

The old man was overjoyed.

The man in black was also a bit more polite to him: "Old man, take him to wait at the village entrance."

The old man bowed repeatedly. After his joy, he remembered the two guests he had taken in a few days ago and said to the man in black, "Sir, I currently have two guests at my home who have encountered strange events. With your great powers, could you..."

The man in black glanced at the two of them. "What strange events?"

Chen Weichen continued his fabrication based on the information he had gathered over the past few days: "We are originally from Nieming Prefecture. While wandering in the outskirts, we suddenly saw a gust of black wind in the sky. In a daze, we arrived here. What should we do?"

The man in black carefully observed the two, looking pensive.

Chen Weichen felt that this man was doing his job conscientiously. Upon hearing of such a strange event, he would undoubtedly inquire carefully and even report to Marquis Youshui, bringing the two of them into the city. Then they would have a chance to come into contact with the real demon realm and find clues about the so-called "Nine Nether Heavenly Spring."

Who would have thought he would say, "Nieming Prefecture is really too far. You probably won't be able to return. Why not settle down here instead."

Then he lifted his eyelids slightly. "The customs in Nieming Prefecture are lax and neglectful of cultivation. Have you checked your aptitudes?"

Aptitudes - this absolutely could not be examined. After Ye Jiuya's seven-day bone changing technique, Chen Weichen had a body of pure immortal bones. If that man were to check, they would be exposed immediately.

He exchanged a glance with Ye Jiuya - this method wouldn't work. It seemed they would have to find another way to infiltrate the demon realm.

So he said, "We checked. Neither of us have any aptitude."

The man in black let out a "hmm" and went to the next house.

After a few steps, he suddenly stopped. "Not right, not right."

He paced back and forth a few times, frowning. "The qi flow is wrong. I've been here many times, and it's impossible for it to be like this."

He looked back and forth at the entire village, finally fixing his gaze in the direction of Chen Weichen and Ye Jiuya.

Not good. They had likely been discovered.

Chen Weichen grabbed Ye Jiuya, his other hand on the sword he carried, ready to escape.

This was the sword formed from Ye Jiuya cultivating his sword arts to the pinnacle, condensing all his cultivation. It could slash through the void and easily kill immortal Marquises. With this to rely on, they were not afraid.

That man looked in this direction and said to the person beside him, "Bring the Heavenly Eye."

From the name "Heavenly Eye," one could tell it was something that could see through certain things.

The man took a black tablet engraved with strange symbols and pressed it to his forehead.

After a while, his expression turned solemn.

Chen Weichen was tense all over.

The man in black lowered the tablet, somewhat stiffly, his hanging hand trembling slightly.

This was a sign of an impending attack.

Young Master Chen was very aware that he needed to protect the powerless beauty now. He stepped forward slightly to shield him.

Seeing his movement, the man in black seemed to be jolted awake from his stiffness. He knelt straight down.

"Your Majesty!"

Chen Weichen: "..."

In this situation, the first thing that came to his mind was -

"Brother Ye, let me explain..."