Escape from the Demon Island

The sky was clear and bright, sunlight streaming down warmly on Bai Yan.

Today, the group from Divine Mechanism Peak had come to build a house, saying it was on orders from her master.

She didn’t say anything. Just brought over a small wooden stool and sat in the courtyard, watching them split bamboo and glue it together.

The sun felt warm. She closed her eyes slightly, looking just like a lazy cat basking in the light.

Master… didn’t come back last night.

Should she be upset?

Fox Sister once said that any man who didn’t return home at night must be out doing something shady—probably lying with some flirtatious girl somewhere.

Bai Yan didn’t understand all those words, but she believed Master wouldn’t do such a thing.

Thinking this, she reached up and pulled the corners of her mouth downward, poking at her eyebrows with her middle finger, trying to form an angry expression.

But she failed. The look was awkward, not angry at all—more ridiculous than intimidating, almost funny.

Master only taught her how to smile. She didn’t know how to be mad.

“Bai Yan, we’ve mostly finished your master’s house. Be sure to let him know.”

Bai Yan nodded. A practiced sweet smile appeared on her face—but upon closer inspection, her eyes remained completely still, as if carved into place.

“What a beautiful smile, little one.”

The man chuckled warmly and reached out to ruffle her hair, but she tilted her head away.

She didn’t like being touched by others. Only by Master.

Why hadn’t Master returned? Was it because she had clung to him angrily the other night?

But Fox Sister said clingy girls were more likable. Even Xiao Huang said so—though he was still a fox, not even fully transformed yet.

Each fox tail represented one cultivation realm. Xiao Huang was at the third realm already. But under Heaven’s current suppression, transformation for demons was nearly impossible.

Because of this, Xiao Huang constantly complained in her ear, swearing that once they left Demon Gathering Island, he’d drag Old Lady Lingjun off her damn chessboard and kick her a few times.

Bai Yan found it annoying. That uneasy feeling was probably annoyance. All she wanted was to stay beside Master.

Master was special. After spending so much time with him, his absence made her feel uncomfortable—as if something essential was missing.

He’d been gone a long time. Unlike before, he hadn’t come back.

Fox Sister said he was doing something for someone else. He’d return when it was done.

Why did he have to do things for others? Wasn’t staying on Demon Gathering Island enough?

Xiao Huang started nagging again, blaming everything on that damned old hag Lingjun. He urged her to sneak out of the island and storm the Heavenly Realm, drag the old witch from her lofty throne. “Emperor today, me tomorrow.”

Bai Yan agreed. If she was the reason Master couldn’t return, then logically, she should listen to Xiao Huang and invade the Heavenly Realm.

But Xiao Huang said they had to wait until he broke through to the fourth realm—then he could transform. Eight years passed, and Master returned, but Xiao Huang still hadn’t broken through.

Since Master was back, the plan to storm the heavens was canceled. Xiao Huang only talked big. On his own, he’d never make it—he’d be caught halfway and turned into a fur coat.

Bai Yan turned her head toward the house built for Master by the Divine Mechanism Peak men. The man who had spoken to her earlier, seeing she didn’t respond, simply shrugged and left.

In truth, Master’s house had been burned down on purpose—by Fox Sister and herself. Fox Sister said afterward, they could sleep in the same room.

Hmm… sleeping in the same room as Master.

But Master only stayed one night before fleeing, going to sleep at someone else’s place instead. Fox Sister called him a coward—right there on the plate and too scared to eat.

Eat what? Food?

Bai Yan didn’t understand.

Fox Sister had only asked her one question:
Do you want to stay with Master forever?

Of course, there was no reason to refuse.

“Then good. Tonight, go buy a pack of sleeping incense and a love potion. Then cook the rice while it’s still raw. Xiao Yu is a responsible man. Once it’s done, he’ll definitely marry you. That way, you can stay with Master forever.

Hurry though. This time, I smelled another woman on him. If he marries someone else, pretty as you are, you’ll be driven out by a wicked stepmother. ‘Out with the old, in with the new’ applies to disciples too.

With a few whispered words in his ear, you might get kicked off Great Bamboo Sword Peak.”

Bai Yan didn’t want to be expelled. So she agreed to buy them.

But this time, she waited a long time and Master didn’t return. She checked the place where he had stayed before—gone.

She heard he’d been to Divine Mechanism Peak and Guest Reception Peak during the day. She searched both.

No sign of him.

Had Master left again?

Impossible. Master always told her before leaving.

Bai Yan waited the entire night on Great Bamboo Sword Peak. Would Master never come back?

Thankfully, at dawn, the men from Divine Mechanism Peak were released from Sword Prison and arrived to build the house.

Only then did she relax. Master hadn’t left—he’d just slept somewhere unknown.

But when would he return?

Bai Yan stared into the distance. She didn’t like talking. She preferred silently observing everything around her—watching how others smiled, learning expressions like joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness by heart.

Master once said that even if she couldn’t truly smile, faking it was fine. Maybe one day, fake would become real.

Suddenly, a face popped out from the distant haze—looking mischievous and cheeky. Bai Yan focused.

Master is back!

****

Xiao Yu returned. When he saw the newly built bamboo house, he paused in surprise.

Can’t say it’s not impressive, Fan Brother.

So fast—he’d already finished.

Too bad he couldn’t move in right now.

Scratching his head, Xiao Yu quickly walked to Bai Yan, who sat on a small stool in the yard.

“Little Yan, Master’s back. Uh… haha, what kind of expression is that?”

“I’m angry.”

Bai Yan tugged at her lips and said flatly.

Xiao Yu looked closely. If not for her words, he’d have thought she was making a silly face. He stepped forward and gently removed her hands from her mouth.

“Alright, alright. It was Master’s fault this time. Forgot to tell you I’d be staying out. Won’t happen again. Don’t make faces like that—it’ll make you ugly.”

Bai Yan nodded. She always listened to Xiao Yu. And Master never broke his promises.

Then, her gaze shifted behind him—seeing a large bundle strapped to his back.

“What is that?”

Noticing her attention on the pack, Xiao Yu explained:

“Some things. Some for you, some for my trip. Let’s go inside and talk.”

He picked up the small stool from the ground and led Bai Yan into the house.

Tie Yanran was probably hunting the island for him. Standing outside wasn’t safe.

Inside Bai Yan’s room.

Xiao Yu pulled item after item from the bag and laid them neatly on her bed.

“This is kitchenware I bought—forged from gold-iron stone, won’t break easily. Fan Brother will come back later to build us a proper kitchen. We’ll set these up then.

But cooking isn’t your job. Master will hire someone to cook from now on.

Also, this blanket is for you. It’s a magical artifact. You’re still mortal. Sleeping under it improves health—warm in winter, cool in summer. With time, living a hundred years is no problem.

And also…”

He pointed to each item, explaining one by one.

Finally, he took out a money pouch and placed it in Bai Yan’s hand.

“Oh! These are the spirit stones I have left—ninety mid-grade ones total. All yours. Spend wisely. Shame about my wife fund, though. Could’ve been more.”

Looking at everything Xiao Yu had prepared, Bai Yan tilted her head and asked:

“Leaving again?”

Every time before Xiao Yu left, he acted like this—like settling affairs before departure. She was used to it.

“Yes.”

Xiao Yu nodded. He kept his eyes on the items, avoiding her gaze.

“Master has something to take care of outside. Need to check the situation. Also, I caused a bit of trouble this morning. Better lay low for a while. I’ll be back soon. Really.”

Silence followed.

Xiao Yu held his breath. If Bai Yan said just one word—*don’t go*—

Screw the protagonist. Screw the system. Screw Tie Yanran. Even if a Transcendence境 cultivator came to stop him, he’d draw his sword and cut them down.

“Okay. Go.”

But Bai Yan simply nodded, just like always.

“Uh… won’t you try to stop me?”

Xiao Yu looked up. Her gray-blue eyes remained eerily still, their usual lifeless calm.

Bai Yan blinked. Should she stop him? As she opened her mouth, Xiao Yu waved his hand.

“Never mind. That’s fine. Master’s leaving.”

Xiao Yu sighed inwardly. Still the same. Nothing he said would change that. He walked to the door, pushed it open, and prepared to leave.

Suddenly, he remembered the mermaid still stuck at Guest Reception Peak. He turned back and added:

“The mermaid at Guest Reception Peak—keep an eye on her. She’s a friend of Master’s. If she gets into trouble, go to Deputy Sect Leader Gong. She’ll help. Remember to call her Sect Leader Gong, and be sweet.”

Bai Yan nodded.

Xiao Yu pushed the door again. Just as it cracked open, he remembered something else:

“One more thing—the Tie siblings from Tie Mansion… actually sisters. Do you remember them? Played with you as kids. Be careful around Tie Yanran. Never mention breasts in front of her. She’s sensitive about it. Otherwise, your fate will be…”

“What fate?”

Before he could finish, a cold voice slipped through the gap from outside.

The peaceful atmosphere shattered instantly.

I… I sh*t!

No way.

****

Xiao Yu opened the door slightly. The dark gray, grotesque mask filled his vision.

An illusion.

It had to be.

He quickly shut the door, trying to fool himself.

But.

“Open the door.”

The icy voice came again, carrying a faint oppressive aura that shattered his denial.

Damn!

She really came. He thought she was just threatening earlier.

Xiao Yu considered jumping out the window. But he glanced back at Bai Yan.

If he did, Tie Yanran would surely burst in—and Bai Yan might get hurt.

Then there was only one option—run hard.

Xiao Yu took a deep breath, steeling himself. She couldn’t possibly chase him beyond Demon Gathering Island.

He pulled the door open and faced the fully armed Tie Yanran.

“Ha… good afternoon. We meet again, Iron… Miss Tie.”

“Stop pretending. Surrender quietly. Come with me to Sword Prison. A few days of wall-facing meditation, and it’ll be over.”

Tie Yanran stood tall, masked and imposing—back to her untouchable self.

“Really? That easy? You won’t torture me privately?”

Xiao Yu eyed her suspiciously. After what he’d done, could it really be that simple?

“O-Of course.”

Tie Yanran hesitated, her eyes darting aside—her credibility at zero.

Hell no!

Of course not! Getting caught meant certain death.

Put yourself in her shoes—if a woman grabbed *his* chest and mocked it—“so soft, so small, sis—is this fake? Where’d you buy it?”—just thinking about it made his head explode.

In her hands, he wouldn’t walk out of Sword Prison. His fate would be worse than Liu Shicheng’s.

“Fine. I’ll go with you.”

Thinking this, Xiao Yu raised his hands as if surrendering and walked toward Tie Yanran.

“Oh… good.” Tie Yanran blinked, surprised it was so easy. She pulled out the rope at her waist—a specially crafted artifact for binding cultivators—and approached to tie him up.

As he stepped outside, Xiao Yu suddenly pointed behind her, wearing a shocked expression:
“Look! Huge chest!”

“Ahh!”

Even though it was obviously a cheap trick, Tie Yanran instinctively turned to look.

Whoosh.

A ball of grass rolled across the empty ground, blown by the wind.

Xiao Yu had intended to point at an empty spot, using the sensitive word “chest” to distract her and make her turn—then dash away.

But coincidentally, under the bright sun, a muscular Divine Mechanism Peak brother strolled by, carrying wood. Seeing Tie Yanran sharply turn toward him, he shyly waved. His massive pectorals rippled with the motion.

His bronze chest glistened with sweat, sparkling under the sunlight.

Tie Yanran nearly blacked out. Her brain froze for seconds before she snapped back—only to see Xiao Yu already sprinting far away.

You absolute greaseball!

This took way longer than planned.

Truly unintentional offense. So sorry. I’ll bring back extra breast-enlargement medicine for you.

“Xiao Yu, you’re dead!”

“Huh?”

Wait… that tone sounded different.

Tie Yanran trembled with rage. In the next moment, spiritual energy surged around her. Behind Xiao Yu, several feet away, an invisible giant hand formed from pure qi and lunged toward the fleeing sword beam.

The hand radiated overwhelming force, its shadow nearly engulfing Xiao Yu entirely.

Crap!

He pushed every drop of spiritual energy from his dantian, driving his sword light to its limit—barely dodging.

The qi hand slammed shut. The shockwave nearly knocked Xiao Yu off balance midair.

No good!

One attack and he was already exhausted. This was the legendary Zhengqi Jue? Indeed, the gap between Keeping Innocence境 and Golden Core境 couldn’t be bridged so easily.

At this rate, he wouldn’t reach the Sea of Forbidden Tides—he might not even survive.

Panicked, Xiao Yu remembered his backup plan.

“System, emergency! Send me something to save my life!”

“……”

“Points automatically deducted. Item delivered.”

Shing!

A golden-yellow talisman floated before him. Recognizing it instantly, Xiao Yu knew it was a Qiankun Earth-Dodging Talisman.

Perfect!

But what were points?! Whatever—no time to think.

Without hesitation, Xiao Yu grabbed the talisman, shoved a spirit-recovery pill into his mouth, and let himself fall rapidly toward the ground. He narrowly avoided another giant hand attack. The moment he landed, he squeezed the last drop of spiritual energy from his dantian and activated it.

In an instant, he turned into a mysterious light and vanished underground, escaping under Tie Yanran’s furious gaze.

He left behind one final line:
“I *will* come back!”

“That damn brat.”

Tie Yanran clenched her teeth, helpless.

Fine. Like she always said—runners can hide, but they can’t escape forever. Xiao Yu would return eventually. She’d just wait.

As for capturing Bai Yan to threaten Xiao Yu?

Hmph!

Her sense of justice forbade it. Besides, she got along well with Bai Yan.

Thanks to Xiao Yu, the emotionally detached Bai Yan had built strong foundations on Demon Gathering Island. No one targeted her for her odd nature. Instead, she had quietly become something like a mascot.

Meanwhile, Bai Yan stood in the room, staring at the bed full of gifts from Xiao Yu.

For the first time, her normally lifeless eyes trembled deeply.

“Master…”