The Grey Rat's Demon Path

Outside the temporary cave residence Xu Chang'an had carved out, a Quasi-Third Tier Concealment Isolation Array had been laid.

Unless it was a Demon King, it would be difficult to notice anything at all.

Even if a Quasi-Demon King were present, they would have to search carefully for some time before they could find any sign of it.

However, while outsiders could hardly perceive what was happening inside the cave, Xu Chang'an could easily observe the world outside.

Xu Chang'an carefully extended his Demon Sense, probing the area outside.

The current strength of his Demon Sense was on par with that of a Mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, covering a radius of a full thirty thousand feet.

"Senior Brother, isn't it a bit too risky for us to go this way?"

Amidst the barren mountains, a lovely female cultivator spoke to the man beside her.

The woman wore a pale blue gown with a Storage Bag hanging from her waist, her long hair cascading over her shoulders.

While not a peerless beauty, her features were delicate and gentle, making her quite lovely and endearing.

"Don't worry, Rou'Er."

The man beside her had sharp, sword-like eyebrows and a piercing gaze. He was handsome, with a grand and imposing bearing.

However, a hint of malevolence between his brows marred his features, giving him a defiant and untamable look.

"The war between the Yanyue Sect and the forces in the Thundering Mountain Range has ended. Though we're still at a standoff, the situation is much better than before!"

"Oh, I see. You already had a plan, Senior Brother! I was worrying for nothing."

The lovely female cultivator, known as Rou'Er, gazed at the man beside her, her expression full of adoration.

Both were cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

The man was a Great Cultivator at the Late-stage of Foundation Establishment, while the woman was at the Early-stage.

Long accustomed to the lovely female cultivator's worshipful gaze, the man smiled and said,

"Rou'Er, we'll detour around the Thundering Mountain Range this time. Once we've traveled another two hundred and fifty miles, we'll be back in the territory of the Human Race. By then, we should be beyond the Golden Sword Sect's reach. From there, we'll head straight for the western border of the Yanyue Sect's domain. At our speed, it should only take half a month to reach a different Cultivation Realm!"

"I'll do as you say, Senior Brother."

The lovely female cultivator seemed to have no plans of her own, letting the man take the lead in everything.

"Oh, right, Senior Brother. We're fleeing all the way to another Cultivation Realm this time. My grandfather... will he be angry with me?"

The lovely female cultivator's spirits fell, as if she'd just remembered something.

"Don't worry, Rou'Er! Once I successfully reach Core Formation and become a True Man, I'll bring you back to the Golden Sword Sect! By then, Master certainly won't blame you!"

"But... Senior Brother, if you return to the Golden Sword Sect... what about the Fifth Elder? After all, you killed his direct descendant, Meng Xi!"

The man's expression darkened at the mention of Meng Xi's name.

"I killed Meng Xi because he was asking for it! He dared to insult me!"

Long before he broke through to Foundation Establishment, Meng Xi had relied on his status as the direct descendant of a Sect Elder to heap insults on him.

Through his own efforts—training relentlessly, braving Secret Realms, and seizing every opportunity—he had fought his way to becoming a Great Cultivator at the Late-stage of Foundation Establishment, a powerhouse among his peers.

'Even though Meng Xi had formally apologized since then, how could he not take revenge for the humiliation of the past!'

'During a recent Sect training mission, he had seized his chance and killed Meng Xi!'

'Besides...'

'When he thought about what he'd obtained after killing Meng Xi, he felt not a shred of regret.'

'If he hadn't heard the rumors that Meng Xi had acquired that item, he might not have moved to kill him so directly!'

'But he was no fool.'

'Meng Xi's backer, the Fifth Elder, was a powerful Core Formation Zhenren of the Golden Sword Sect.'

'He wouldn't have been so reckless as to offend a Core Formation Zhenren without making any preparations.'

'On a previous training expedition, he had acquired a female confidante.'

'Following his earlier instructions, that confidante should already be waiting for him in the other Cultivation Realm.'

'She would have everything arranged for him, just waiting for him to arrive.'

'Of course, Rou'Er knew nothing about this!'

'It was better that she didn't know. That way, he would always be her dear Senior Brother!'

'Honestly, if Rou'Er hadn't taken such good care of him back when his cultivation was still insignificant, he, Long Aotian, wouldn't have given a woman of her looks a second glance!'

'Still, there was some affection between them.'

'Besides, when he'd offended the Fifth Elder this time, Rou'Er had decisively chosen him over her own grandfather.'

'That was why he, Long Aotian, was bringing Rou'Er along.'

'But there was another reason besides that.'

'The journey was long and tedious. Having his junior sister along to offer some mutual... comfort... would certainly ease his loneliness.'

'It would be a bit of a hassle once they arrived at their destination, though!'

'But it was a mere trifle. He, Long Aotian, was confident he could handle it!'

'For a great Child of Fortune such as himself, having a few female confidantes was perfectly normal!'

'Once he succeeded in Core Formation and became a True Man, these things would be trivial!'

'He would give Rou'Er the status of a concubine then, and she would surely weep with gratitude.'

'And then there was his master! Rou'er's grandfather. When he had been humiliated in the past, the old man hadn't lifted a finger to help.'

'Instead, he'd accused him of being too overbearing, lecturing him and telling him to rein it in. He'd even spouted a bunch of other nonsense, demanding he treat Rou'er better, or else he wouldn't be let off lightly.'

'He was completely unworthy of the title of Master!'

'Once he achieved Core Formation, he would have to teach that old man a lesson.'

'But, for Rou'Er's sake, he would spare his life!'

'Rou'Er would surely be incredibly grateful when she found out.'

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother. Rou'Er spoke out of turn."

Seeing Long Aotian's sullen expression and the anger brewing in his eyes, the lovely female cultivator didn't dare say another word.

She was usually in the weaker position when interacting with Long Aotian.

This had been true even in their early years, back when she was the direct granddaughter of an Elder and Long Aotian was nothing more than a Servant Disciple!

For years, her grandfather had constantly warned her!

Long Aotian was treacherous and wildly arrogant—not a suitable match!

But after they'd spent so much time together, her grandfather had eventually come to approve of Long Aotian and even accepted him as a disciple.