The sound immediately attracted Zhu Shan’s attention as well.

"Young Lord!"

Zhu Shan quickly rushed over.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen secretly let out a breath of relief while maintaining an innocent expression on her face.

Only she herself knew how close her hand had just been.

Wu Lao slowly regained consciousness.

His head still throbbed painfully from the mental shockwave, and for a moment, his thoughts remained blurry and disoriented.

"...I’m alive?"

The last thing he remembered was the Pishacha’s horrifying scream exploding directly inside his mind.

After that, his mind went blank.

Complete darkness.

Wu Lao frowned slightly as he forced his heavy eyelids open further.

The flickering light of the campfire entered his vision first.

Then, a beautiful face appeared before him.

For a brief moment, Wu Lao completely froze.

The young woman sitting beside him possessed delicate features that almost seemed unreal beneath the firelight. Her shoulder-length dark hair gently swayed along with the night breeze, while her clear eyes reflected the dancing flames beautifully.

The soft glow of the bonfire illuminated her fair skin, making her appear strangely ethereal in the quiet darkness of the forest.

Wu Lao’s breathing unconsciously paused.

’So beautiful...’

His heartbeat suddenly sped up.

’Is she... a fairy?’

For a second, his still-dazed mind genuinely questioned whether he had already died and ascended somewhere else.

’Was I saved by an angel...?’

"Young lord, you’re awake?!"

A loud voice suddenly shattered the atmosphere.

Wu Lao immediately snapped out of his daze and turned his head.

"Elder Zhu...?"

His brows furrowed slightly as fragments of memory returned.

"What are you doing here? What happened after I lost consciousness?"

Zhu Shan walked over calmly and explained.

"On my way back to the sect, I happened to camp nearby. After hearing the disturbance caused by your fight against the Pishacha, I came over to assist."

Wu Lao’s expression became slightly embarrassed.

He naturally understood what that meant.

If Zhu Shan had not arrived in time earlier, things could have ended disastrously.

"How is Shen Xing?" he asked, quickly.

"She’s fine." Zhu Shan glanced toward the unconscious girl nearby. "She only exhausted too much spiritual energy after using Moonfall Piercer. She should wake up after some rest."

Wu Lao finally relaxed slightly.

"I see..."

Then he lowered his gaze briefly.

"...Thank you, Elder Zhu."

He genuinely meant it.

The truth was, he and Shen Xing originally possessed enough strength to deal with an ordinary Grade One Pishacha.

The reason the situation became dangerous was because of his own carelessness.

He had underestimated the creature.

Especially its dying counterattack.

Zhu Shan waved his hand lightly. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"No need."

However, his expression soon turned serious again.

"But, Young Lord..." His brows furrowed slightly. "Why did a Pishacha suddenly appear during this period?"

Wu Lao looked confused.

"What do you mean?"

"You know very well." Zhu Shan sighed, "This season isn’t the time for Pishacha activity."

The night wind quietly rustled around the camp.

"The summer spiritual tides haven’t fully ended yet, while the Yin mists of the rainy season haven’t gathered either. Normally, Pishachas remain dormant during this transitional period." Zhu Shan’s eyes darkened slightly. "Especially near this region. The hunter squads should have already cleared nearby traces weeks ago."

Wu Lao’s expression gradually became solemn.

"I don’t know either..."

He slowly shook his head.

"Shen Xing and I only came out for a casual herb-gathering mission. We never expected to encounter a Pishacha here of all places."

A thoughtful look flashed through his eyes.

"...I’ll report this matter to Father after we return. He should investigate properly."

Zhu Shan nodded silently.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen quietly listened from the side.

Her eyes flickered slightly.

The way Wu Lao casually mentioned informing his father about sect matters made one thing increasingly obvious—

His background within the White Moon Sect was absolutely extraordinary.

Sect leader’s son, perhaps?

Or maybe some important elder’s son.

Interesting.

"Anyway..." Wu Lao suddenly spoke again as his gaze naturally returned toward Ye Chen.

The moment he looked at her again, his heartbeat strangely accelerated once more.

Especially now that he was fully conscious. He could see even more clearly.

She really was beautiful.

Not the aggressive or seductive kind of beauty.

Instead, there was a natural charm about her that made people instinctively want to approach her.

Wu Lao unconsciously straightened his posture slightly.

"Who is this young lady?" he asked, curiously. "Is she also a disciple of our sect? I don’t think I’ve ever seen her before."

His eyes briefly swept over Ye Chen’s clothes.

Since she wasn’t wearing disciple robes, he became even more curious.

Zhu Shan smiled faintly.

"She’s a newcomer I brought back from the secular world during my recent trip." He introduced casually, "Her name is Ye Ling. Though whether she possesses cultivation talent or not still remains uncertain."

Ye Chen immediately revealed a sweet smile.

She slightly bowed her head politely.

"Hello, Mr Wu."

The moment her soft voice entered his ears, Wu Lao’s composure nearly cracked again.

"H-Hello, Miss Ye!"

He answered far too quickly.

Even Zhu Shan raised an eyebrow slightly.

Wu Lao awkwardly coughed once before trying to maintain his usual calm demeanour.

"Welcome to the White Moon Sect," he said with a smile. "If you need help with anything after entering the sect, you can tell me directly. I... have a little status there."

Ye Chen’s eyes immediately brightened slightly.

"Really? Thank you very much, Mr Wu~ I really appreciate it."

Wu Lao instantly felt his chest puff up slightly.

"Haha, it’s nothing."

Then he suddenly paused.

"Also..." He scratched his cheek lightly. "There’s no need to sound so formal. Calling me ’Mr Wu’ feels too distant. We’ll probably become fellow disciples soon, anyway."

His smile became gentler.

"You can just call me Wu Lao... or Brother Wu."

Ye Chen blinked innocently before smiling brightly.

"Alright then, Brother Wu~"

*Boom!*

Wu Lao genuinely felt his heart skip a beat. Even his ears became slightly red.

***

[A.N: Pity him or Support him? Hehe~]