When Destiny Brings the Demon

“Are you… my disciple Tingyan?” The man in green robes, Ji Wuduan—formerly known as Dongyang Zhenren, the master of Clear Valley Heaven branch in Gengchen Immortal Mansion—gazed at Liao Tingyan with dazed eyes, hardly daring to recognize her.

Eleven years ago, he had taken in a disciple named Liao Tingyan, who bore an uncanny resemblance to his beloved daughter who had passed away young. At the time, he had accepted the child as his disciple merely to channel his grief, hoping to care for this fated student. Never did he imagine that his disciple would eventually become entangled in such terrifying upheavals.

Back then, he was merely a minor branch master. Clear Valley Heaven lay at the junction between the inner and outer sects, an unremarkable place with nothing particularly noteworthy. So when his disciple was chosen to serve their grandmaster, though uneasy, there was little he could do. He inquired several times, but news from Three Sage Mountain was not something a mere Zhenren like him could uncover.

Later, he heard she had won the favor of their grandmaster, Cizang Daojun, and left Three Sage Mountain with him. Among a hundred senior inner disciples, she alone had miraculously survived. At that time, even Clear Valley Heaven flourished briefly, yet he sensed undercurrents of unease growing stronger. He longed to see his disciple and offer comfort, but it proved impossible.

Then came rumors that her life lamp had extinguished—suggesting her death—though other whispers claimed she still lived. As her master, Ji Wuduan felt utterly useless, unable to verify the truth. Moreover, Clear Valley Heaven had become increasingly unstable during that period, and he exhausted himself protecting the remaining disciples.

Afterward came the cataclysm that shattered Gengchen Immortal Mansion. Even from the distant edges of the inner mansion, he witnessed the fiery magma erupting from the center, thick black smoke blotting out the sky. The earth quaked, the spiritual veins withered and fractured within a single day, and the once-lush spiritual gardens withered under the scorching heat. Even nearby spiritual springs and lakes evaporated entirely…

In such a disaster, countless perished. The great palace masters and elders of the inner mansion, along with several prominent families—figures who once stood so high—were powerless against that terrifying force. Some died, others were injured, and those who survived fled in panic. Meanwhile, those on the fringes—minor cultivators and small families of the outer mansion—miraculously escaped unscathed.

It was said that Cizang Daojun had succumbed to demonic cultivation during his seclusion at Three Sage Mountain, hence the massacre and the destruction of Gengchen Immortal Mansion’s millennia-old foundation.

Like a towering pagoda losing its central pillar, the mansion’s collapse came far swifter than anyone anticipated. Other cultivation sects, long oppressed by Gengchen, swarmed in to carve up its remnants while they were still reeling.

Amid this chaos, Ji Wuduan, master of Clear Valley Heaven, resolutely abandoned his post. Gathering what resources he could and leading willing disciples, he sought refuge at Guyu Dock under the protection of a close friend, becoming one of its disciples and thus avoiding the worst of the turmoil.

Now, nearly a decade later, he had nearly forgotten that fleeting, ill-fated disciple of his.

How could he have imagined that today, he would suddenly encounter someone he believed long gone? Truthfully, he hadn’t spent much time with this disciple nor known her well. Now, faced with this unexpected reunion, he found himself at a loss for words, overwhelmed by a flood of emotions.Ji Wuduan was sighing with emotion, while Liao Tingyan was utterly bewildered. She didn’t remember anything from the past, folks—she had no idea who this young man in front of her even was!

Hearing him call her his disciple… Was this the original body’s master, or her own master?

Liao Tingyan couldn’t help but glance at Sima Jiao again. I need some help here, boyfriend—say something!

Sima Jiao had been leaning against the side the entire time, sitting in the shadows of the room. He had suppressed his aura, so Ji Wuduan hadn’t noticed him at first. Only when he saw his disciple staring intently in that direction did he follow her gaze.

"Thud—"

The moment Ji Wuduan finally saw clearly who was sitting there, his legs gave out, and he dropped to his knees.

It was as if he had returned to that calamitous day in Gengchen Immortal Mansion, when this Ancestor Master had slaughtered Nascent Soul, Void Refinement, and even Unity-stage cultivators as easily as chopping vegetables. Many low-ranking disciples of Gengchen Immortal Mansion had seen the Ancestor Master’s true appearance for the first time that day, only to be terrified out of their wits by the overwhelming bloodlust and ferocity emanating from him.

His infamy had spread even further across the cultivation world after he left for the Demon Realm. Over the years, though everyone knew it was he who had destroyed Gengchen Immortal Mansion, none dared openly curse this demon king, speak ill of him, or even mention his name or Taoist title.

And now, this distant, terrifying demon king had appeared right before his eyes.

Ji Wuduan felt as if his heart were being squeezed, making it hard to breathe.

Just then, the purple-robed man whom Liao Tingyan had kicked away earlier came charging back in a rage, followed by his disciples and thugs. He shouted furiously, "Ji Wuduan, today I swear I’ll make sure you die—"

Liao Tingyan was about to step in and deal with this troublemaker first, but then she saw the purple-robed leader freeze in place just like the green-robed young man, before dropping to his knees with a thud, his eyes locked on Sima Jiao in shock. He seemed even more terrified than the others, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.

This purple-robed man had once been a disciple of the main lineage, holding a higher status than Ji Wuduan, so he was even more familiar with what Cizang Daojun looked like. Two of the men he had brought with him had also been disciples of Gengchen Immortal Mansion and had witnessed the Ancestor Master hunting down the Shi family during those catastrophic days. Their faces paled, and they staggered forward before collapsing to their knees.

As for the others who had no idea what was happening, seeing this scene only made them panic even more.

Liao Tingyan: "…" Wow, are you guys really going to be this dramatic?

Her boyfriend hadn’t moved, spoken, or even looked at them.

The purple-robed man’s expression was like a modern person seeing a living, breathing Jurassic dinosaur. Liao Tingyan watched as he trembled and trembled, before finally turning and fleeing in terror, stumbling and crashing through several doors of the already-dilapidated pavilion, leaving it in an even sorrier state.

In an instant, everyone had fled. Seeing how terrified they were, Liao Tingyan felt a little bad about chasing them down to fight, so she just stood there, staring at Ji Wuduan, who still hadn’t gotten up.

Sima Jiao still hadn’t moved. He hadn’t even glanced at the group that had come and gone. Instead, he lowered his hand, sat up slightly, and studied Ji Wuduan for a moment.

Ji Wuduan broke out in a cold sweat, his face deathly pale. He recalled the rumor that Cizang Daojun could see through people’s hearts, uncovering all their darkest thoughts.

Liao Tingyan leaned over, covering her mouth as she whispered in Sima Jiao’s ear, "Is he really my master?"Sima Jiao casually wrapped an arm around her waist and responded, "Seems so."

Liao Tingyan asked again, "Were we on good terms then?"

Sima Jiao: "Not sure."

Seeing the clear 'this is serious trouble now' written all over Liao Tingyan's face, Sima Jiao added, "But I can tell he bears you no ill will."

Liao Tingyan immediately understood. Given what she'd learned over the years about master-disciple relationships in the World of Cultivation—which were generally akin to parent-child bonds—this master of hers must have been quite close to her too.

She gave Sima Jiao's hand a squeeze, signaling him to let go, then walked over to Ji Wuduan and helped him up with noticeably more respectful demeanor.

Ji Wuduan, who had just witnessed his disciple whispering intimately with the Great Demon King: "......"

In a daze, he allowed Liao Tingyan to help him up, hearing her say with some apology, "Sorry, Master. Something happened to me—I've lost my memories and don't remember you."

Ji Wuduan: "Ah... I see." He actually didn't comprehend what Liao Tingyan was saying at all. The shock was too great for him to process.

The two disciples he'd brought on this trip came limping over. Their cultivation wasn't particularly high, having been knocked into the lake by the purple-robed men earlier. Only after those assailants left could they finally free themselves and hurry to find their master.

"Master, are you alright?"

These two were disciples from Guyu Dock who had never seen Sima Jiao or Liao Tingyan before. They just felt their usually kind master was acting strangely and were quite concerned.

Ji Wuduan startled, grabbing both disciples' hands tightly, terrified they might say something inappropriate and provoke their murderous Ancestral Master into action. With just one thought from the Ancestral Master, none of them would live to see another day.

Seeing how frightened this master was, Liao Tingyan coughed lightly and asked, "Master, were you injured earlier?"

A younger disciple looked at her curiously. "Master? Why does this senior sister call you Master? Was it this senior sister who drove away those White Emperor Mountain people earlier?"

Ji Wuduan glanced at the expressionless Sima Jiao, then at the smiling Liao Tingyan, and said, "This is... a disciple I lost contact with years ago. Your Senior Sister Liao."

Even as he said "senior sister," he suddenly realized this disciple's cultivation now surpassed his own. For a moment he wondered if he'd introduced her incorrectly, but then remembered—she was indeed his disciple. Since he'd never expelled her from the sect, regardless of her current status, she remained his student.

Steeling himself, he made the introduction, prepared to amend his words depending on Liao Tingyan's reaction.

But Liao Tingyan showed no intention of refuting it, instead looking at the two junior disciples. "So you're my junior brothers."

The two younger disciples obediently addressed her as "Senior Sister."

"What joyous news that Master and Senior Sister have reunited! Master, will Senior Sister be returning to our Guyu Dock with us?"

Ji Wuduan's heart nearly stopped. He wanted to clamp a hand over his talkative junior disciple's mouth. Foolish boy! One shouldn't speak so carelessly. His concerns stemmed mainly from Liao Tingyan's current status—or more accurately, from Sima Jiao.

Though his disciple seemed intimate with the Ancestral Master, their exact relationship was unclear. Now that she was alive and well with such advanced cultivation, she and her former master and fellow disciples were no longer of the same world. How should they interact now?Liao Tingyan was also hesitant, unsure how to interact with this suddenly appearing master. According to her office worker habits, she'd normally exchange some pleasantries, find a place to reminisce, eat and drink together, then part ways after strengthening their bond with plans to meet again later.

But Sima Jiao was here now, and she hadn't forgotten his identity.

Both Liao Tingyan and Ji Wuduan couldn't help but glance at Sima Jiao.

The chatty junior disciple spoke up again: "Huh? Who is this senior?"

Ji Wuduan wanted to cover his curious, talkative disciple's mouth, but he didn't dare move recklessly before their ancestor.

Sima Jiao walked to Liao Tingyan's side and finally spoke: "Your senior sister's dao companion." This was directed at the junior disciple.

"It's been many years. Won't you take your disciple back to reminisce?" This was for Ji Wuduan.

"Let's visit Guyu Dock. The scenery there is nice." This was for Liao Tingyan.

Ji Wuduan's legs went weak, and he nearly knelt again. The ancestor wanted to visit Guyu Dock! But could he refuse? Of course not - if this ancestor became displeased, he could topple even the Gengchen Immortal Mansion, let alone their humble Guyu Dock.

The only slight comfort was that the ancestor's tone was gentler when speaking to his disciple, suggesting that claim of being dao companions might be genuine.

"Senior sister's dao companion is our senior brother then!"

Hearing his foolish disciple call their ancestor "senior brother," Ji Wuduan nearly couldn't stop himself from smashing the idiot into the ground.

Noticing the ancestor showed no intention of revealing his identity, Ji Wuduan barely maintained surface composure and cautiously asked, "Then... will you accompany us to Guyu Dock for a short stay?" His address was vague and carefully worded.

Of course it would be a short stay - everyone knew Cizang Daojun commanded the winds and rains in the Demon Realm and was nearly unified it. It wasn't like he could settle down at Guyu Dock permanently.

Listening to her master's words, Liao Tingyan felt like she was bringing her husband back to her maiden home. She responded, "If it's not too troublesome, we'll come take a look."

Come to think of it, shouldn't there be gifts when "returning to one's maiden home"?

Sima Jiao glanced at Liao Tingyan's pensive profile and smiled slightly, producing a small vial to place before Ji Wuduan. "You're injured. Take this."

Ji Wuduan's legs nearly gave way again, and he only remained standing by tightly gripping a disciple's arm. Accepting the medicine bottle, he suddenly felt overwhelmed by the unexpected honor - this was Cizang Daojun! People only ever spoke of him taking lives, never giving gifts.

As their group traveled to Guyu Dock, Ji Wuduan came to a realization: for someone of Cizang Daojun's stature, if he truly intended harm, likely no one in the entire World of Cultivation could stop him. Since he seemed to bear no ill will, Ji Wuduan should be more open himself.

He might have come to terms with it, but he wasn't sure if Guyu Dock's Dock Master and elders would be so accepting.

Among the many cultivation sects, Guyu Dock was rather unremarkable - mid-tier at best, comparable to agricultural universities in modern times. Most disciples weren't skilled at fighting but excelled at cultivation and husbandry. Their spirit grains, fruits, and medicines were exported to major sects far and wide. Thanks to this specialty, Guyu Dock's territory was scenic and spacious - though of course it couldn't compare to Gengchen Immortal Mansion.

Guyu Dock didn't have many disciples either, most being obsessed with farming. It was a rare cultivation sect where disciple relationships were relatively harmonious.They returned to Guyu Dock, and the first thing they saw were acres of lush green farmland. Unlike ordinary mortal fields, the soil here was divided into different colors, and the plants also varied in hues.

"These are common spiritual grains planted by our outer disciples," Ji Wuduan explained to her.

Liao Tingyan saw the Guyu Dock disciples rolling up their sleeves as they observed the growth of the plants in the fields. She found the sect's style quite unique—while others went for an ethereal, lofty demeanor, their mountain gate was filled with people farming.

"Elder Ji, you're back!"

Some disciples greeted them before diving back into the fields.

Ji Wuduan escorted his disciple and the revered ancestor to his bamboo grove in the Secluded Garden, then let out a long sigh before hurrying off to inform the Dock Master and other elders.

Upon hearing the news, the Dock Master and elders all knelt.

They remained kneeling in a circle, exchanging glances, their legs too weak to stand. They simply continued their discussion in that position.

"Wuduan, you're not joking with us, are you? That... that one? Really, truly in our Guyu Dock right now?" The Dock Master's voice trailed off to a whisper by the end.

Ji Wuduan gave a bitter smile. "How could I dare joke about something like this?"

"We're doomed, we're doomed. If we summon the disciples to flee now, could at least half escape?" a chubby elder muttered.

"Don't even think about it. If we anger that one, none of us will make it out," a flirtatious-looking elder with peach-blossom eyes said gloomily.

Seeing his friend like this, Ji Wuduan felt a pang of guilt. "Actually, there's no need for such anxiety. That one seems quite fond of my disciple Tingyan. He’s probably just accompanying her on a casual visit. As long as we don’t provoke him intentionally, we should be fine. I just think we should instruct the disciples not to act recklessly in his presence, lest they incur his wrath."

"Right, right. And we should go pay our respects. Otherwise, if he thinks we’re being disrespectful, who knows what might happen?"

After some discussion, they all changed into their finest robes, styled their hair most formally, and brought their most precious treasures as gifts. Then, bolstering each other’s courage, they went to meet the legendary Cizang Daojun.

What they found instead were the younger disciples of Guyu Dock gathered around the Secluded Garden's bamboo grove, all crowding to see Elder Ji's long-lost disciple.

"See, I told you! My shijie is incredibly beautiful. My master only has this one female disciple. When the senior brothers return and see her, they’ll be thrilled too."

"Shijie Liao, these things you call 'sunflower seeds' are delicious! I’ve never seen them before. We grow many spiritual fruits at Guyu Dock, but I’ve never planted these."

A group of naturally sociable disciples had packed the courtyard. Ji Wuduan listened in despair to their chatter, even hearing his disciple Tingyan say, "Here, I’ll give you some to try planting. Maybe you can grow them."

"Really? Thank you, shijie!"

"Shidi, shidi, share a few with me!"

"Shijie, is this shixiong your dao companion? Why doesn’t he speak?"

Liao Tingyan joked with them, "He doesn’t like talking. Don’t annoy him, or he’ll get angry and sell you off to the Demon Realm."

The young disciples burst into laughter, filling the air with joyous mirth.Only the Dock Master and a group of elders at the back of the crowd weakly steadied themselves against the bamboo beside them, wiping the sweat from their faces with their sleeves.