After Crossdressing and Provoking Long AoTian

“Huh?” Pretty Butterfly looked a little disappointed. “You’re not going to fight me for him?”

She muttered under her breath, “I wanted to snatch you back to Nanzhou too.”

“Me?” Yu Qingtang’s eyes widened in shock.

Pretty Butterfly smiled slyly. “If you went, someone would follow you. And then...”

Ye Chenyan did not miss that remark. His expression shifted slightly as he frowned, unable to tell what she meant.

“No rush.” The tall demonic cultivator cut her off. His gaze swept over Ye Chenyan before settling on Tianji Zi. “He’ll come sooner or later.”

“Ha ha.” Tianji Zi smiled as though he had known him for a long time. Stroking his beard with the calm assurance of an old immortal, he said, “Those with fate will meet again.”

“All right.” Pretty Butterfly shrugged regretfully and hid behind the tall demonic cultivator. “Dad, let’s go. That old monk is about to attack!”

“No need to fear him.”

The tall demonic cultivator grabbed Pretty Butterfly and the young monk Baoshan, one in each hand, and returned to Elder Green Snake’s side. He bent down and asked her, “Going home?”

“It’s time.” Elder Green Snake gave a low laugh. “Old monk, don’t you Buddhists love talking about fate? He has fate with my Pleasure Sect, so he ought to enter the mortal world and enjoy himself.”

“As for those precepts and rules, if you like them, keep them yourself. Heh heh.”

She leaned back. The tall demonic cultivator transformed back into a giant python, carrying the three of them and the rest of the Pleasure Sect soaring into the sky.

Master Huiming of Dharma Academy rushed after them. His staff came down toward the giant python’s head, but the strike froze in midair and would not fall no matter how hard he pressed.

Master Huiming shouted. His cassock burst apart, revealing a powerful upper body knotted with muscle. Every muscle in his body swelled as he threw down a fist like an indignant vajra.

“Get down here!”

The giant python narrowed its golden vertical pupils.

Tianji Zi suddenly stepped between them, smiling as he played peacemaker.

“Now, now. No fighting. The juniors are all watching, and it would not do for us to make such a scene.”

He gestured vaguely toward the giant python and warned him, “And you. Don’t go casually developing murderous intent.”

The giant python said nothing. It coiled its body and watched Master Huiming coldly.

“Come, come.” Tianji Zi turned and waved at Wen Tianxia. “Brother Wen, help us talk them down.”

Wen Tianxia had originally intended to pretend he had not seen anything, but Tianji Zi had called him out by name. He could only sigh and step between the two sides.

“Yes. Why go this far?”

“If you two keep this up, you will surely end up in this year’s Anecdotes from the Golden Core Competition. What was originally just a family matter will become...”

Master Huiming glared. “Am I supposed to stand here and watch them take away a disciple of Dharma Academy?”

“Everyone has their own fate.” Tianji Zi spread his hands, then leaned closer and lowered his voice. “I calculated it for you just now. You cannot keep this young monk. His opportunity is not here, so let him go.”

Master Huiming’s expression shifted at that, but he still stiffened his neck.

“No! The people of the Pleasure Sect already behave outrageously, and that demonic cultivator is even worse!”

His eyes filled with caution.

“They keep a low profile in Nanzhou, but their cultivation is unfathomable. To simply let them take him away...”

“Oh—” Tianji Zi turned back with a cheerful smile and whispered to Wen Tianxia, “Look at that. He is already a monk of Dharma Academy, yet he can still be so stubborn.”

“Indeed.” Wen Tianxia clearly knew that everyone present could hear them, but still deliberately acted as if he were whispering. “He says he will beat the child to death, but he is obviously still worried about his little disciple’s safety.”

Master Huiming’s face could no longer hold up under that. He turned away, gave a cold snort, and said nothing more.

Little Baoshan’s eyes filled with tears. He cried even harder.

“Master!”

“All right, all right.” Tianji Zi beckoned toward the giant python. “Candle Nine Yin, I will vouch for you, but you must promise not to harm this little monk’s life.”

The giant python sighed and spoke in a human voice.

“But he is so weak. One careless bump and he could die.”

“Fine. For your sake, I agree.”

The tension eased somewhat. Wen Tianxia turned toward Master Huiming.

“Master, look. They have already taken a step back. You should take one as well.”

“Treat it as letting him go to Nanzhou to gain experience.”

Master Huiming closed his eyes. The anger gradually faded from his face. At last, he let out a long breath and looked at Baoshan.

His expression was complicated as he slowly shook his head.

“Your Buddhist heart was never steady, and your foundation is unstable. You were never suited to become a great Buddhist cultivator.”

Baoshan lowered his head in shame and let out a choked sob.

“But your heart is kind. You are weak, yet compassionate.” Master Huiming shook his head again. “I once thought that Dharma Academy could temper you into a hard stone, but perhaps this is the path you were meant to take.”

“Baoshan, since you have touched this cause, you must bear its effect.”

“Go. If there is Buddha in your heart, then entering the mortal world still makes you a Buddhist. Go cultivate your own Buddha.”

“Master...”

Baoshan prostrated himself on the ground and cried so hard that he could not speak.

Pretty Butterfly propped up her chin and poked his cheek.

“Stop crying, little monk. Anyone who did not know better would think I was the one beating you and he was here to save you.”

“Let’s go.”

Candle Nine Yin gave a faint nod and was about to take off when the old man from the Esoteric Sect suddenly spoke from the air.

“A member of the Heavenly Demon clan. It has been a long time since I last saw one.”

Candle Nine Yin paused and narrowed his eyes at him.

“I have never seen you.”

The old man from the Esoteric Sect fixed him with a blazing gaze.

“According to the agreement between the immortals and demons, the pure-blooded Heavenly Demon clan is forbidden from leaving Nanzhou. By openly violating that agreement now, are you trying to...”

“Oh.” Candle Nine Yin looked up. “I forgot.”

He rolled up the monk, who was crying so hard he was nearly passing out.

“I’m heading back now.”

His response was utterly casual. His gaze swept over Ye Chenyan once more, then moved to Tianji Zi. He even swayed his snake head in greeting.

“I’m leaving. See you around.”

Tianji Zi waved him away.

“Get out of here already. You really know how to cause trouble.”

“I have no idea why you insisted on coming along.”

“I had no choice.” Candle Nine Yin lowered his eyes. “Those two wanted to go out. I was worried.”

“Then you should have hidden properly.” Tianji Zi clicked his tongue. “Weren’t you doing a fine job pretending to be a spirit pet at first?”

“I had no choice.” Candle Nine Yin swayed his head. “My daughter called for help.”

Tianji Zi sighed as well. He turned to glance at Ye Chenyan.

Ye Chenyan raised a brow. “What?”

“I can understand it, I suppose.” Tianji Zi sounded faintly sentimental. “Disciples and children are both debts. Mine is not exactly trouble-free either.”

“But you cannot go around snatching people whenever you please! Keep a close eye on that little monk.”

“Yes.” Candle Nine Yin answered earnestly. “I only have one daughter. One kidnapping should probably be enough.”

Pretty Butterfly giggled.

“Not necessarily.”

Candle Nine Yin looked at Tianji Zi in distress.

Tianji Zi rubbed his brow with a headache.

“Just go already! I am genuinely afraid your daughter will suddenly get inspired and do something else.”

Candle Nine Yin said no more. This time, he truly rose into the air and left.

The old man from the Esoteric Sect frowned slightly, but did not pursue him.

Elder Lieyang narrowed his eyes.

“Tianji Zi, you have always remained within Guiyi Sect. How do you know a remnant of the demon race?”

“Could it be that he left Nanzhou in secret long ago...”

“Heh.” Tianji Zi withdrew his gaze and snorted. “I visited the Four Books Academy just last month. Did you know that?”

“When you know nothing, stop shouting nonsense.”

He waved a hand.

“The Golden Core Competition is over. Everyone, go home. You are welcome to remain in Qingzhou if you like. Come visit Guiyi Sect whenever you have time.”

When he turned around, he discovered that Yu Qingtang had somehow slipped into Dharma Academy’s group. He was speaking among a crowd of tall, muscular monks.

Those monks treated him with great respect. Each of them stood with head bowed, listening as solemnly as though a revered high monk were delivering a sermon. In their eyes, Yu Qingtang, who had inherited the Lotus Realm, might truly possess an exalted standing.

No one knew what Yu had said, but Baoding’s gaze was firm as he kept shaking his head.

“What is he doing?” Tianji Zi asked Ye Chenyan curiously, glancing at him. “You are not going over to watch?”

“He is still trying to give away the Lotus Realm.” Ye Chenyan stood with his hands behind his back. “Why would I go over? He is only talking to them...”

As he spoke, Yu Qingtang grew a little anxious and tugged at Baoding’s monk’s robe.

Tianji Zi turned his head, and Ye Chenyan was no longer where he had been.

At some point, he had squeezed in beside Yu and begun speaking with him. Then he led Yu away, heading toward White Cloud Nunnery.

“Heh.” Tianji Zi shook his head with amusement. “That brat.”

Yu Qingtang went to Dharma Academy, then to White Cloud Nunnery. Both sects proved equally stubborn. Since they had not taken first place, they said they had no fate with the Lotus Realm and refused to accept it no matter what.

Yu Qingtang looked ancient beyond his years.

“Am I really going to have to take this thing back to my sect?”

“It is not that bad, is it?” Ye Chenyan consoled him. “At least it can protect you.”

Yu Qingtang turned to look at him and blinked.

“How about...”

Ye Chenyan had an ominous feeling.

Yu Qingtang grabbed his hand, his eyes full of hope.

“How about giving it to you?”

A legendary Long Aotian getting hold of a few extra good things not mentioned in the plot probably was not a big deal.

Ye Chenyan was briefly dazzled by Yu’s face suddenly moving so close. Only then did he look away.

“No.”

Yu Qingtang refused to accept that.

“Why not?”

“Because I break precepts every day.” Ye Chenyan laughed. “I doubt I could withstand the karmic fire.”

“It’s fine!” Yu Qingtang sincerely shook his hand. “Trust your butt!”

Ye Chenyan: “...”

Smiling, he pulled his hand free and placed it behind his back.

“I said no, so no.”

Yu Qingtang circled him twice. Seeing that Ye Chenyan would not budge, he finally sighed and shuffled over to Fifth Senior Brother.

“Senior Brother...”

Fifth Senior Brother scratched his head.

“I cannot take it either. I have a betrothal.”

“If you truly do not want it, go back and ask whether there is anyone in the sect who can resist eating meat...”

“Right.” Yu Qingtang lifted his head, a little hope rekindling in his eyes. “Seventeenth Senior Brother is the most competitive person in our sect and the most talented, too. He dotes on me, so he will definitely help!”

Ye Chenyan had caught every word. He tilted his head toward Yu.

“Who in your sect does not dote on you?”

“I’m the youngest, so everyone does.” Yu Qingtang smiled. “If I had to name someone who has a problem with me, it would only be that wild boar on the back mountain.”

Ye Chenyan could not stop himself from laughing.

“Then it must be blessed through three lifetimes, to have stayed in your thoughts all this time.”

“Do not rush home yet.” He pointed at Chi Yantian. “Do not forget that this fellow still owes us a meal.”

He cupped his hands toward Fifth Senior Brother.

“Why do you two not come back to Guiyi Sect with me and stay at Whatever Peak for a couple of days?”

“This...” Fifth Senior Brother hesitated slightly, but Tianji Zi was already calling out enthusiastically.

“Come, come, come! Stay on my mountain! Only the two of us live there, and it is terribly quiet!”

Yu Qingtang followed behind them. At the thought of going home soon, his steps grew noticeably lighter.

Ye Chenyan watched him thoughtfully.

“You are that happy?”

Yu Qingtang grinned foolishly.

“Someone is treating us to a meal!”

After a pause, he turned to Ye Chenyan.

“Why are you not happy?”

“I am.” Ye Chenyan withdrew his gaze. “Why would I not be?”

He raised a brow.

“What could I possibly be unhappy about?”

Yu Qingtang thought about it.

Ye Chenyan had just taken first place in the Golden Core Competition, and someone was treating them to a meal tomorrow. There really did not seem to be anything for him to be unhappy about.

So Yu nodded with certainty.

“I guess you’re right.”

Ye Chenyan: “...”

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