The cat demon defies the heavens and is the emperor’s only beloved disciple!

The next morning.

In front of the bamboo house.

Bai Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his purple robe fluttering, his gaze sweeping over the tightly closed bamboo door.

"Junior brother!"

Bai Yuan spoke, his voice as gentle as ever.

"It's getting late, I'll head back now."

"You... just stay here and rest well, don't worry about me."

He only hoped that Xu Wan could rest and recuperate here for a while.

He knew that although his master loved Xu Wan, he would inevitably be punished if he went back like this.

He wanted to buy her some time to recover.

Inside the bamboo house.

Xu Wan was sitting on a small stool, holding a wooden comb in her hand, gently combing Lan Youyou's long, silky black hair.

The morning light shone through the window lattice, casting a soft glow on her focused profile.

"Hey, Senior Brother Baiyuan, please wait a moment."

Upon hearing this, Xu Wan continued working with her hands while hurriedly responding.

She deftly divided Lan Youyou's hair into three strands and began to braid it.

"I'm braiding Youyou's hair. We'll go together when I'm done."

"I should go back to the Taoist sect and apologize to my master. It's not a good idea to keep hiding here."

Bai Yuan, standing outside the door, felt a sudden jolt in his heart when he heard the words "Let's go back together."

The good news is!

Xu Wan subconsciously regarded him as a reliable colleague, and that sense of closeness made her feel comforted.

Indeed, it is a source of sorrow!

He knew the strict rules of the sect well, and he also knew his master's temper.

He feared that if Xu Wan returned, she would be met with a cold face and punishment, and that her relaxed brows would furrow again.

"Junior brother!"

Bai Yuan's voice suddenly rose a little, with a hint of urgency.

"You...you should stay here for a few more days and take good care of yourself."

"Youyou is still young and needs to adapt."

"As for returning to the Daoist sect, there's no rush."

"I'm leaving now. Take care."

After saying that, he seemed afraid that if he lingered any longer, he would waver in his resolve or hear more of Xu Wan's words that would soften his heart.

So, Bai Yuan quickly flashed away, transforming into a purple streak of light, and instantly disappeared in front of the bamboo gate.

Only a few startled bamboo leaves remained, swirling and drifting to the ground.

"Senior Brother Baiyuan?"

"are you still there?"

Xu Wan had just finished braiding a pretty pigtail for Lan Youyou.

Meanwhile, the other side hasn't even started editing yet.

After sensing that Bai Yuan's aura had gone far away!

She hurriedly picked up Lan Youyou and quickly walked out of the bamboo gate, looking around, but Bai Yuan was nowhere to be seen.

Why did my brother leave?

Lan Youyou leaned on Xu Wan's shoulder and asked curiously.

Xu Wan gazed in the direction where Bai Yuan had disappeared, a sense of loss welling up inside her.

She muttered to herself, a hint of grievance and confusion in her voice:

"Senior Brother Baiyuan...why didn't you wait for me?"

She held Lan Youyou in her arms, standing in the morning breeze, motionless for a long time.

She doesn't understand.

Why did Senior Brother Baiyuan leave in such a hurry?

They didn't even give me a chance to say a proper goodbye.

How could she know?

Bai Yuan didn't not want to wait, but rather he dared not wait.

He feared that when she came out and saw the expectation in her eyes, he would soften and agree to take her back without considering the consequences, thus causing her to directly face his master's wrath.

He would rather she complain about him now than let her suffer the slightest grievance.

Xu Wan has not yet fully grasped the deep-seated care and helplessness within her heart.

She simply held Lan Youyou, then turned and went back into the house, somewhat disappointed.

The longing in her heart to return with her senior brother Baiyuan turned into a faint sense of melancholy.

"Miss Xu."

A gentle voice sounded from behind.

Xu Wan turned around upon hearing the sound and saw that Ling Shuo had been standing at the edge of the bamboo forest at some point.

Today, he had his silver hair tied up with a gold band and was dressed in an elegant pink robe.

His demeanor was nothing like that of a man; he was more like a delicate pink flower that seemed ready to be picked.

He was carrying a very finely woven bamboo basket.

The basket was filled with golden rapeseed flowers.

Each one was covered with glistening morning dew.

It shimmered faintly in the sunlight.

A rich, spiritual energy emanates from the flowers, refreshing and invigorating.

"Good morning, Senior Ling Shuo!"

Xu Wan composed herself, forced a smile, and nodded in greeting.

Ling Shuo's gaze passed over her and landed on the small figure in her arms, his eyes instantly softening.

At this moment, Lan Youyou was wearing a braid that Xu Wan had just braided for her.

On the other hand, her hair was loose, which made Ling Shuo laugh.

Lan Youyou felt Ling Shuo's gaze and turned her head, her clear blue eyes meeting Ling Shuo's directly.

Those pure blue eyes, as clear as a clear sky, lit up instantly when they saw the golden rapeseed flowers in the bamboo basket, as if stars had fallen into them.

"Uncle Ling!"

Lan Youyou called out in a clear, cheerful voice, her little face full of joy.

The words have not yet fallen.

A flash of light emanated from her, and she transformed directly into a butterfly in Xu Wan's arms, its body entirely blue with starlight shimmering along the edges of its wings.

That butterfly was a size larger than ordinary butterflies, and its beauty was beyond compare.

With a light flap of her wings, she flew to the bamboo basket in Ling Shuo's hand and landed on the most beautifully blooming rapeseed flower.

The tiny antennae curiously touched the dewdrops on the petals.

Ling Shuo looked at the blue butterfly perched on the flower, a genuine smile spreading across his lips.

He reached out and carefully protected the blue butterfly, as if it were the most fragile treasure in the world.

Then, he raised his head and looked at Xu Wan.

When I saw the distraught look on Xu Wan's face...

The smile in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a hint of concern.

"Miss Xu!"

he asked gently.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xu Wan looked down at Lan Youyou, who was perched in the bamboo basket, then looked up in the direction Bai Yuan had left. She smiled bitterly and shook her head gently.

"It's nothing, Senior Ling Shuo."

"It's just... there are some things I just can't see through."

Ling Shuo looked at her quietly without asking any questions, but simply handed the bamboo basket in his hand forward and placed it in front of her.

"Take it."

His voice was clear and pleasant to hear.

"It was just picked, and it's full of spiritual energy. Placing it in the house will not only calm the mind but also bring more joy to this little guy."

Xu Wan looked at the basket full of vibrant rapeseed flowers.

The slight sense of loss in my heart caused by Bai Yuan's departure seemed to be somewhat dispelled by the golden and refreshing fragrance of the flowers.

She reached out and took the bamboo basket. It felt slightly heavy in her hand, carrying the coolness of the morning and the warm fragrance of flowers and plants.

Holding the bamboo basket, she bowed deeply to Ling Shuo and said sincerely:

"Thank you, Senior Ling Shuo."

Ling Shuo waved his hand, his wide blue sleeves fluttering in the wind, his posture elegant and otherworldly.

"You're welcome."

"They're just wildflowers in the mountains; as long as they're pleasing to the eye, that's fine."

His gaze gently fell on the blue butterfly in the bamboo basket, which was happily tumbling among the flowers. His eyes were full of affection as he softly said:

"If she's happy, that's all that matters."

Xu Wan held the bamboo basket, looking at Lan Youyou who was playing happily in the basket, and then at Ling Shuo, who was gentle and refined in front of her. A warm feeling welled up in her heart.

Although her senior brother Baiyuan left in a hurry, she felt a little disappointed.

But isn't it a kind of luck to have these people who care about and love her around her?

A morning breeze rustled through the bamboo grove.

The rapeseed flowers in the bamboo basket smelled even sweeter.

The blue butterfly danced gracefully among the flowers, and everything seemed so peaceful and beautiful.