Zhai Shuo caught the hidden meaning in Yuan Shu's words. His eyes widened slightly as he looked down at her.
The next moment, the demon-testing stone in front of him emitted a faint golden light.
"He's not a demon!" a gasp rang out from the crowd, and the others immediately exchanged bewildered glances.
Zhai Shuo really wasn't a demon. No wonder he dared to extract his own heart's blood for the test without any hesitation!
Yuan Shu looked at the disciples around them who had started murmuring among themselves, and sighed softly in her heart.
Of course Zhai Shuo wasn't a demon; the real demon was Li Xie!
The one who took Su Lingxi's spirit ring and immortal energy was also Li Xie, it was just that the people in front of her didn't know it.
Yuan Shu naturally knew, but she couldn't say it.
If the Luoxian Sect found out about her relationship with Li Xie, the consequences would likely be even more severe.
As the master of a charm demon, she was practically half a demon herself!
When that time came, there would definitely be no place for her in the Luoxian Sect.
This blame was destined to be taken by Zhai Shuo. All they could do was minimize the impact.
Su Lingxi's eyes widened in disbelief, and she shook her head repeatedly. "How, how is this possible? This is impossible, it was clearly him..."
"How is it impossible? I already told you, Second Brother has been with me this whole time. He was severely injured and couldn't possibly have done the things you mentioned!"
Long Yunhui interrupted Su Lingxi from the side. "Even now, Junior Sister, you still want to slander Second Brother. What are your intentions?"
Long Yunhui even suspected that because they hadn't rescued her along with themselves back then, she was now exacting revenge on them.
Su Lingxi's face turned pale, and she swayed unsteadily.
Fortunately, Lu Guichen, who was sitting in the chair, caught her arm, allowing her to steady herself.
Seeing this result, although Lu Guichen felt it was a bit of a pity, he knew he had no reason to make things difficult for Zhai Shuo anymore.
With a soft snort, he said, "We'll let the matter drop this time. You've been training outside for many years and only recently returned to the sect. It's inevitable that there will be some gossip."
"Today's incident can be considered clearing your name. From now on, whatever you do, no one will use this matter to attack you. It's a good thing for you!"
"Zhai Shuo, do you understand?"
Zhai Shuo's gaze trembled slightly. He glanced at Su Lingxi beside Lu Guichen. "Master, what you mean is..."
Lu Guichen coughed, waved his hand, and sent two bottles of pills flying through the air to land in front of Zhai Shuo.
"These two bottles of pills are compensation for you. You don't need to participate in this exploration of the Demon Forest Mystic Realm. Return to the sect and rest well first."
Zhai Shuo pursed his lips and remained silent.
Sure enough, his master was still the same as before, feeling nothing but indifference and dislike towards him.
Even though he had proven his innocence and shown that someone had framed him, his master just casually dismissed him with two bottles of pills.
"Master, Junior Sister framed Second Brother and almost caused you to misunderstand him. This matter..."
"What framing? Lingxi was merely deceived by those cunning demons. I believe she didn't do it on purpose."
Before Long Yunhui could finish, Lu Guichen interrupted him, his tone carrying a hidden warning.
"Enough. We already have a clue on how to open the Demon Forest Mystic Realm. Focus all your attention on the mystic realm for the next few days!"
Lu Guichen paused, then added, "Yunhui, come with me. We are going to the Demon Forest Mystic Realm together!"
After saying this, Lu Guichen called for Su Lingxi and left.
Long Yunhui felt it was unfair for Zhai Shuo. He stepped forward to help Yuan Shu support Zhai Shuo, but was pushed away.
"This Demon Forest Mystic Realm was reportedly left behind by the founder of Qingyun Peak, Qingyunzi. It's a rare opportunity. Go with them, you might encounter some good fortune!"
"Second Brother, I don't want to go!" Long Yunhui was reluctant.
Despite his Second Brother's somewhat fierce and intimidating appearance, Long Yunhui felt he was very approachable.
When he had first come up the mountain, his Second Brother had taken great care of him.
Now that he was heavily injured, how could he abandon him to go treasure hunting in the mystic realm?
Zhai Shuo just waved his hand, signaling him to hurry up and not waste time.
Yuan Shu also spoke up from the side. "Go ahead. Master didn't ask me to tag along anyway, so I can escort Second Brother back to the sect."
Long Yunhui, "..."
In the end, Long Yunhui followed Lu Guichen, having been persuaded by Yuan Shu.
For instance, Yuan Shu had said, "Third Brother, remember to keep some things for yourself after you go in. Hide a treasure for me and another for Second Brother!"
And she had also said, "Third Brother, you're not afraid of the mystic realm, are you? I heard there are many monsters and ghosts inside, it's extremely dangerous!"
Furthermore, she had added, "Third Brother, if Master finds out you disobeyed his orders, he might blame it on Second Brother. Then Second Brother would probably have to suffer Master's coercive pressure again!"
Long Yunhui looked at Yuan Shu's "hurry up and leave" expression, pointed his finger at her several times, looking as if he wanted to say something but stopped.
"Fine, I'll go!"
But at least he left.
...
Under the tips of the willow branches by the pond, Yuan Shu met Yin Ruobai, who had been waiting for a long time.
As soon as her footsteps drew near, a white shadow flashed.
The next moment, Yuan Shu was pulled into Yin Ruobai's embrace.
"Shushu."
He lowered his head to take in her scent, unable to resist kissing her cheek.
Yuan Shu didn't refuse. She reached out and gently wrapped her arms around his waist, chuckling softly as she leaned against his broad chest.
"How do you still have time to see me? The people from Qingyun Peak left a long time ago. Aren't you from Lingyun Peak afraid the treasures in the mystic realm will be snatched away first?"
Yin Ruobai's light chuckle came from above her head. "You forgot the Luoxian Sect's mystic realm distribution rules. The peak of the sect disciple who first discovers a new mystic realm has the right to enter it two hours ahead of everyone else."
"This time, it just so happened that your master, Peak Master Lu, chanced upon saving Su Lingxi and discovered this ancient dark-element mystic realm."
"Therefore, Qingyun Peak has the right to enter the mystic realm two hours early. Even if our Lingyun Peak rushed over right now, we could only wait outside."
"My master said that rather than doing that, it's better to rest and build up our strength here first, and head over when the time is almost up."
Hearing this, Yuan Shu suddenly understood.
No wonder Yin Ruobai was still here; so that was the reason!
"Shushu, I originally wanted to follow you back to the Luoxian Sect."
Yin Ruobai's tone carried a hint of grievance. Their kisses and hugs in the woods earlier had hardly relieved the pain of his longing.
He really, really missed her!
He originally wanted to give up the opportunity to enter the mystic realm, but his master wouldn't let him go and forbade him from returning to the sect early.
This ancient mystic realm was said to be quite large. To thoroughly search the entire place would likely take a considerable amount of time.
He didn't know how long it would be before he could return to the sect.
He didn't know how long it would be before he could see Yuan Shu again.
Yin Ruobai hugged Yuan Shu's waist, pressing her tightly against him, his eyes greedily and meticulously tracing the features of her face.
Yuan Shu suddenly remembered what Yin Ruobai had said that day: "Tonight, wait for me." If this guy couldn't return to the Luoxian Sect for the time being, then those words would become empty promises.
Perhaps sensing Yin Ruobai's mood at this moment, Yuan Shu smiled. Her eyes flickered slightly as she reached out and gently tilted up his exquisite chin.
Narrowing her eyes, she leaned in close to him. "Missed me?"
