Chapter 662

Chapter 662: A Questionable Identity

“Dead… dead… Xuan Yu fell into the river after school and drowned…”

Aunt Tao mumbled incoherently, her head tilting from side to side, sometimes lost in a daze, sometimes seemingly lucid.

Perhaps… he truly was dead.

The Xuan Clan lived at the western end of the village. It was said that their ancestors had once produced a cultivator, and ever since, the clan held itself with a certain pride. When the children of the clan turned six, they were all sent to the town to study, learning both literacy and cultivation.

It was rumored that they practiced an ancient cultivation technique passed down from their forefathers, yet for generations, not a single one had succeeded in drawing Qi into their bodies. Even so, they were all literate and lived decent lives.

Among them, Xuan Yu, the youngest grandson, was exceptionally gifted. The clan cherished him as though he were a precious gem.

But one summer, after school, he went to the river for a swim and was seized by a water ghost seeking a replacement. Xuan Yu drowned.

When they pulled him out, his pale ankles were covered in blue, ghostly claw marks.

The Xuan family’s daughter-in-law collapsed on the riverbank, clutching the boy’s lifeless body, wailing in grief.

She clearly remembered—Xuan Yu had already died.

The village chief, upon hearing her words, shuddered, his heart hammering in fear. “Stop speaking nonsense! Your mind is muddled, your words make no sense!”

“Xuan Yu is alive and well! He even became the disciple of an immortal master—how could he have drowned?”

“That’s right, Aunt Tao. Xuan Yu is just fine, don’t anger the immortal master with such reckless talk. He even left you a jade pendant as a sign of his care.” The villagers tried to comfort her. Ever since her family was massacred, Aunt Tao had been deranged, and no one believed her claim that Xuan Yu was dead.

Aunt Tao stumbled through the village, wandering aimlessly, as if by chance—or perhaps fate—leading her to the back mountain.

The entire village was buried here, including the Xuan family.

Children who died young were not given a place in the ancestral tomb. Yet, because Xuan Yu was exceptionally talented and dearly loved by the old patriarch, an exception had been made. He was buried in the ancestral grounds, though no tombstone was erected—lest it hinder his next reincarnation.

Now, standing before the Xuan family’s graves, Aunt Tao muttered in confusion.

Beside the Xuan family’s burial plots lay a small mound—a child’s grave.

“Xuan Yu… Xuan Yu… sleeping, Xuan Yu is sleeping…” she pointed at the mound and called out. But before long, she forgot the matter, hugging her pillow as she hummed a lullaby.

She once had a son, still swaddled in cloth. Ever since her family was slaughtered, she had been lost in time—sometimes clear-headed, sometimes lost in dreams.

Naturally, no one took her words seriously.

Outside the village.

Lu Chao Chao stood at the village’s edge with Xuan Yu, carefully observing him. Only after confirming no abnormalities on his face did she finally speak.

“Xuan Yu, the Sunshine Sword Technique is ruthless and overpowering. Every ten years, disciples undergo a heart trial, lest inner demons arise and bring calamity upon the world.”

“Tomorrow, the sect master will conduct another inquiry into your heart… If you fail to pass…” Lu Chao Chao hesitated.

“Then my cultivation will be crippled, and I will be expelled from the sect.” The Sword Sect was strict with its disciples. Talent was secondary—what truly mattered was one’s heart.

Xuan Yu stared at her, stunned.

“If I am no longer your disciple, will you still care about me?”

Lu Chao Chao frowned, feeling that his words were strange, as though he were lost in some tangled thought.

“I…” He gazed at Lu Chao Chao, silent for a moment, then let out a breath.

“Forget it… Knowing the result, why do I still hope?” Xuan Yu’s face turned pale, but he forced a smile.

“Please, return first, Master. Let me walk through town and clear my mind. Tomorrow, I will give you an answer—I will not disappoint you.” His back faced her, and his voice was cold.

“Alright. Be careful. The Demon Realm has been stirring again lately, scheming something unknown.” Lu Chao Chao frowned deeply.

Though the Celestial Realm ruled over the demons, the Demon Race never ceased their attempts at rebellion. They had never truly submitted.

Xuan Yu nodded. Only when she left did the peaceful air about him fade.

His entire being exuded a cold and distant aura.

A man hurried out of the village, leading a child by the hand. Upon seeing Xuan Yu, he brightened up.

“Young immortal, I heard that the Sword Sect is recruiting disciples. Could you take a look? See if this boy has the destiny for cultivation? If he does, we’ll send him to the sect, so he can at least learn a few techniques and protect himself in the future.” The man looked at him eagerly.

Xuan Yu lifted his gaze, the corner of his lips curling into a faint, icy smile.

The man froze, an unease creeping into his heart.

Instinctively, he pulled his child back a step.

Just moments ago, this young immortal had seemed gentle, even shedding tears with Aunt Tao. But now, he was terrifying—those eyes of his, as though they could devour people whole.

“Ah, never mind, never mind. I just realized—perhaps my son is too young to leave home. It might be better if he stays and serves his parents.” The man grabbed his child and fled, never daring to look back.

Xuan Yu let out a soft laugh. How could he allow the villagers to get close to the Sword Sect? That would mean exposing himself at any moment!

Before Lu Chao Chao, he hid his true nature, appearing docile and obedient.

But the moment she was gone, he revealed his real self.

That night, as he returned to Without Folly Mountain, Gan Tang was sneaking out. Hearing a sound, she turned back in terror.

Seeing Xuan Yu, she sighed in relief.

Dressed in a pale green robe, she bit her lip. “Senior Brother Xuan Yu, please don’t tell Master that I left the mountain.”

She chuckled, “There’s a new storybook in town—I wanted to take a look.”

“I heard it’s a romance between an immortal and a mortal—a mighty celestial deity falls in love with a humble peasant girl and they have an adorable daughter… Ahhh, how fascinating… I won’t chat anymore—I must hurry! Cover for me, alright?” She grinned before dashing away. Once beyond Without Folly Mountain, she finally dared to fly with her sword.

Xuan Yu stood by the window, gazing blankly at Lu Chao Chao’s silhouette within the courtyard.

He did not know how long he stood there before silently leaving.

Returning to his cave, his steps faltered. His eyes burned red, his fists clenched, veins bulging.

He slumped against the wall, panting heavily, as though suppressing something.

[Coward… You’re a coward! Do you not even have the courage to speak to her?]

[You gave up everything—are you going to waste it now?]

[You abandoned your cultivation to rebuild yourself just to stand before her—are you really going to back down now?]

[If you won’t go, then let me!]

[Coward! If you leave Without Folly Mountain tomorrow, you will never get another chance!]

Xuan Yu gritted his teeth, veins protruding at his temple. “I don’t need you. I don’t need you to take over!”

His inner demon was stirring—he could no longer suppress it.

“You are not allowed to appear before her. Not allowed!” His voice trembled with fear—his Master could never discover the darkness lurking in his heart.

But in a flash of crimson light, his vision blurred.

He felt his body slipping from his control, as though he had become a mere spectator.

His inner demon had seized control.

Changing into new robes, Xuan Yu’s entire presence became one of unbridled menace. A chilling smile graced his lips as he stepped toward the courtyard.