Extra Story 1

Extra Chapter One

“Did you go to see her?”

“Am I not allowed to see her?”

“We agreed—I'd help you integrate into the family, and you would never see her again, only stay with me.”

“I only went to ask her to leave.”

“I hope this is the last time.” Suoyun stood behind Huaiyin, gently wrapped her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder.

Huaiyin gave a bitter smile, recalling the day he first arrived at the Sea Domain...

He was transported to the seaside of the Sea Domain directly through the transmission array of the Yaohua Sect.

The Sea Domain was comprised of many demon cultivators, most of whom lived in family clans. These clans clustered together, forming factions.

His cultivation was good—his name ranked among the notable ones even here. Yet in this place, where clans held sway, it was nearly impossible for an outsider to find footing alone.

He asked around and eventually reached the gathering place of the Nine-Tailed Heavenly Fox clan, right at the center of the Sea Domain.

He’d imagined embracing his mother, mourning the loss of her beloved child; he’d hoped for a warm welcome by the elders of the clan. None of it happened. All he encountered was exclusion and slaughter.

No one welcomed outsiders vying for resources, not even kin.

Demons reproduced far easier than human cultivators, making competition all the fiercer.

He’d reached the eighth tier, but what of it? Without choosing a side, he was just a discard.

Some elders, ambitious to seize the patriarch’s seat, tried to win him over, promising that if he joined their faction, his name and blood would be officially recorded in the family genealogy, and they’d help him find his mother’s whereabouts.

But before he could agree, another faction caught wind of it.

For two whole years, his days were spent fleeing from various assassination attempts. Once, he nearly died.

He was chased to the Wandering Forest of the Sea Domain, wounds so deep that bone showed, blood loss leaving him too weak to move, and he collapsed with a crash. As he fainted, a face flashed before his eyes—Hansu’s, that same look she gave him in the secret realm, trusting he would succeed.

Back then, she seemed a mere fourteen or fifteen, petite and delicate. Her round, rosy cheeks framed crescent-shaped brows, her eyes wide and bright, thick lashes fluttering like little fans.

Her back straight, fists clenched in front of her chest, her eyes filled with unwavering trust and determination.

She looked up at him, her earnest face radiating innocence and purity.

He had failed her trust.

If only he hadn’t left then... Would things have been different?

When he awoke, he found himself deep in the forest, within a hastily carved cave dwelling.

He, thinking himself doomed, slowly opened his eyes and saw a pair of almond eyes gazing at him in infatuation.

“Cough, cough—why is it you?”

“You remember me?!” Those simple words made her overjoyed. Her already flushed face bloomed with excitement, eyes shining with delight.

She had been sitting cross-legged beside him, chin propped up, watching him, but now she stood up, embarrassed by her excitement. Thinking it improper to tower over him, she hesitantly tried to kneel like other female cultivators. Yet the pose was awkward for her; her whole body seemed stiff, hands unsure where to rest.

The atmosphere in the cave became awkward; neither knew what to do.

“Sister, we’re back with the prey!”

“And we picked some spirit fruits—they taste sweet and restore spiritual energy.”

Da and Xiao Xi stepped in, breaking the tension.

Suoyun went to direct them, having them skin and clean the wild boar, then started cooking a meat stew.

With her away from him, Huaiyin finally breathed easier. The way she looked at him was as if she wanted to devour him. Though only a Golden Core cultivator, she somehow exerted immense pressure on him. It was bizarre—perhaps his injuries were too severe?

While Suoyun washed her hands and prepared the meal, Huaiyin glanced around and realized this cave was indeed freshly dug. Yet whoever had arranged it had paid great attention to detail, worried the dampness might worsen his wounds, so they’d used fire talismans to dry it thoroughly.

They’d hung curtains over the soot-stained walls and adorned the ceiling with beautiful crystals, as if it had been decorated precisely to his tastes.

He lay on a raised stone slab resembling a bed, thick animal pelts beneath him.

Was all this her doing?

His gaze unconsciously drifted to the busy Suoyun. For the first time, he thought this female cultivator who had chased him across the Luo Star Realm had some redeeming qualities.

During his recovery, Suoyun cared for him every day. Unlike her previous fervent pursuit, she now acted gentle and dignified, tending to him until he was well.

Throughout those days, he never spoke to her, maintaining his cold, aloof demeanor.

Yet she never seemed to mind. Sometimes even a glance from him would make her happy for hours. Huaiyin understood her feelings but could not reciprocate.

He knew he loved Hansu, and knew that his mysterious lineage and the riddle of his parents made him deeply uncertain. He didn’t wish to be entangled in romance too soon.

Love had never been his priority.

He could not afford attachments. So he let go.

How much more so now? He knew how arduous the path of solving his mystery would be; he could barely manage himself, how could he drag her into this mire?

He let go of the one he loved—how could he choose someone he didn’t love at all?

Even if she saved him, he would never compromise himself for it.

“I’m leaving. This is your reward for your efforts these days. If you ever need help, you can come to me, and I’ll do my best to assist.” He took out a storage pouch, placed it in Suoyun’s hand, and turned to leave.

“Don’t go! I don’t want any reward!”

“I saved you willingly, not for payment. I don’t want anything. If you wish to thank me, let me follow you!”

Huaiyin said nothing, merely shook off her hand and left.

From afar, he heard the sound of that girl flattening a small mountain with a wave of her palm, leaving no trace in his heart.

How could he be so cursed? Months later, when he was at death’s door again, she appeared once more.

He remembered feeling uncertain whether to be grateful or annoyed—another favor owed, another departure.

By the third time, he was ready to curse his fate.

As he fainted, he muttered, “Miss, how do you manage to appear at every critical moment? Do you have the power of divination?”

He heard her slightly hoarse, innocent voice say, “I don’t know how to do that. I’ve just been following you all along!”

He had nothing to say, and so, obediently, he fainted.

He couldn’t understand how someone who was merely a Golden Core cultivator could be so terrifyingly powerful. She’d followed him for so long without him ever noticing.

And each time, at the moment of crisis, she could strike his enemies a fatal blow, never missing. Was the world of physical cultivators truly so different?

After these three encounters, he could no longer leave as he had before.

She never asked why he stayed this time, but cheered and accompanied him wherever he went.

From then on, she was involved in everything—joyful moments, setbacks—her presence marked every memory.

When he was happy, she was happier; when he was discouraged, she helped him find his way and stand up again.

He couldn’t fathom how she had such a strong background, with connections among all the demon cultivators of the Sea Domain. Whenever he faced a problem, she brought him new possibilities.

Gradually, he gained the clan’s recognition.

He entered the inner circle and found clues to his mother.

With the clan’s support, he traveled among towns and forged ties with various families, becoming a figure of great influence in the Sea Domain.

The tragic past was overshadowed by the brilliant present, and she was still by his side.

As his status changed, she remained the same—until one banquet, where he unwittingly drank the intoxicating Drunken Breeze of the Proud Osmanthus City Lord.

“Who is the one you love most?”

“Hansu.”

When he spoke, Suoyun was stunned. Then tears filled her eyes and she clung to his sleeve, sobbing as if the sky had fallen.

“Have you never liked me, not even a little?”

“No.”

“So all I gave—you never saw any of it, because your heart belonged to someone else?”

“You really love her? That little girl? I never expected it.”

“I’ll never have a chance, will I?”

When the alcohol wore off, she seemed a different person.

The former adoration and trust vanished; as if afraid he would leave, she followed him everywhere and made him promise: if he wanted her continued help, he would never see Hansu again.

Though Huaiyin had gained some power in the Sea Domain, he saw the truth clearly—no matter how strong, he couldn’t do without her assistance. Hansu might never be seen again; since the opportunity was lost, so be it...

Yet unexpectedly, he saw Hansu not long after.

At that moment, emotions surged in his heart, indescribable—but now he was no longer free.

Everything, he thought, must end this way...

But why couldn’t he let go?