Chapter 165: Heaven Has Eyes

Frightened by the power of Tianyin, the bald man, even if he had some ulterior motives toward Su Che, dared not stay any longer. Before leaving, he said to Su Che, “Young man, don’t underestimate the demonic arrest warrant. I suggest you find a place to hide.”
After that man left, Su Che said to Tianyin, “It seems I won’t be able to complete the sect exchange task assigned by the Taiyi Sect.”
Tianyin nodded gently. “For now, you should return to your sect as soon as possible. It’s best not to go out for a few years.”
With the demonic arrest warrant on him, if Su Che went to the Taiyi Sect in his true form to complete the task, it would be tantamount to suicide. No matter how powerful Tianyin was, she couldn’t protect him alone. Moreover, Su Che was still unsure whether this “senior sister” Tianyin was an ally or an enemy. He couldn’t determine why she was being so kind to him…
At that moment, Tianyin quietly transmitted a message, “To be honest, I couldn’t use that attack to its full extent either. With my current level of cultivation, it’s difficult to activate my divine tools. So if too many demons show up, I’ll be helpless.”
It was impossible to tell whether her words were true or not. Su Che could only nod and reply, “Fortunately, my senior sister taught me the art of disguise, along with some of my own tricks. I’m not worried about being recognized in the short term. But I won’t be able to keep my promise to travel with you through the world.”
“That’s trivial…”
Tianyin murmured softly, a hint of hesitation in her eyes. After a pause, she said, “But you must promise me that you’ll come to see me at the Wuji Sect on the seventh day of the seventh month in five years… Can you do that?”
“Of course!”
Su Che agreed without hesitation, thinking, “Five years is still far away. I’ll see if I’m still alive by then…”
Tianyin nodded gently, her chest rising slightly, as if letting out a faint sigh. But the movement was so subtle that Su Che didn’t notice. He then asked tentatively, “Senior sister, what if I can’t make it on that day in five years for some reason?”
Tianyin’s expression changed abruptly, showing a rare frostiness. She said sternly, “No matter what the reason, you must come to see me!”
“Okay, okay!” Su Che quickly laughed. “Senior sister, don’t be angry. I was just curious and talking casually. I, Su Che, am someone who keeps his promises. Once I’ve promised you, I’ll definitely fulfill it.”

Tianyin stared at him fiercely and issued another stern warning, “If you turn out to be a dishonest scoundrel, don’t blame me…”
She was still not used to speaking such harsh words, so she hesitated and instead let out a cold snort.
Seeing her lose her composure, Su Che felt relieved—this meant he didn’t have to worry about clashing with her for at least five years.
With a lighter heart, Su Che said with a grin, “Then, if I need to consult you someday within these five years, may I come to Wuji Gate to see you?”
“If you’re not afraid of being captured by Youlan Guiji, then it’s up to you,” Tianyin replied, still seething, with another snort.
But for Su Che, her fluctuating emotions were far better than her ever-unchanging gentleness. It seemed like this was the real her…
Su Che, with great audacity, said, “Sister, please protect me a little longer. I want to try the disguise spell you taught me.”
Without waiting for her approval, he closed his eyes and tried to adjust his vital energy to use the spell and change his appearance.
This disguise spell could completely alter the shape of bones and muscles, truly changing one’s appearance as if it had grown naturally. Even the discerning eyes of cultivators would not be able to detect any difference.
Su Che believed that with this spell combined with his own spirit-concealing technique, theoretically, even his master wouldn’t recognize him.
It was extremely awkward on his first attempt. During that time, Tianyin gave him a few gentle hints, and finally, Su Che’s face and physique were successfully transformed.
However, the transformation was somewhat painful—bone deformation brought inevitable pain. Fortunately, every time Su Che meditated, the pain was dozens of times worse, so he could endure it without flinching.
Originally a handsome young man, Su Che now resembled a burly middle-aged man with thick bones and a strong build, like those military generals who practiced external martial arts all their lives.
“How is it?” Su Che asked in a rough voice.
“Not bad. It looks much better than before,” Tianyin replied softly. Her expression resembled that of a sulking little girl.
Su Che laughed, knowing she was being sarcastic. His current appearance was definitely not pleasing to look at.
“Then I’m off. See you again someday, Sister!”
Su Che left right away, waving casually, putting away the jade dish, and riding a flying sword as he soared away in an instant.

Tianyin’s expression shifted slightly; she wanted to say something but held back. The reason Su Che was in such a hurry to leave was that he believed the Dream Lulu Witch of the Illusion Demon Sect might send messages along the way, claiming he was with Tianyin from the Wuji Gate. That way, Tianyin would become an extremely prominent target. At this moment, he had completely changed his appearance, so the farther he stayed away from her, the safer he would be. By the time Su Che had flown a hundred miles away, Tianyin still hovered silently in midair, staring blankly at the horizon, lost in thought…

On the way back, Su Che first visited the Monster Material Market on Qinglong Mountain within the jurisdiction of the Wuji Gate. There, he bought dozens of demon pills of second-class or higher at relatively low prices, all intended for the Snake Woman and the Little Dragon in the Immortal Prison. Such demon pills could also be purchased at the Wuhua Peak of the Tianxuan Sect, but at a higher price, and not in large quantities in a short time. According to the original plan, Su Che also intended to acquire a large number of souls to cultivate ghost generals in the Netherworld, but given the current situation, it was absolutely impossible to enter the demonic realm. To protect his life, Su Che preferred to take a longer route, traveling tens of thousands of miles through areas under the jurisdiction of immortal sects. After ten days, he finally entered Xuanji City outside the Tianxuan Sect’s gates safely. Once inside Xuanji City, Su Che finally breathed a sigh of relief. He found an inn to stay at, used disguise magic to return to his true appearance, and slept all night to recover. The next morning, he returned to Xuanji Peak.

Inside the Xuanji Golden Hall, Su Che knelt on a mat, silently waiting for his master’s arrival. This time, it only took half a incense stick’s time before the Venerable Xuanji appeared before him. As soon as they met, he began scolding loudly, “It really surprises me that you’re still alive! You really have a knack for causing trouble—I’m almost impressed… Being wanted by the demonic sect—what an honor! I’ve lived for hundreds of years and have never had such treatment before…” Su Che kept his head lowered in silence, knowing that his master’s anger stemmed from concern for him. Learning that he was wanted by the demonic sect must have worried him greatly…

After scolding him for a while, the Venerable Xuanji’s anger subsided, and his tone became much gentler. After all, this disciple, whom he valued greatly, had finally returned alive. The Venerable Xuanji sat down opposite Su Che and said in a deep voice, “Tell me, how did you offend that crazy witch, the Ghost Princess Youlan? And what’s the deal with your spiritual root aptitude?”

Su Che had already figured it out—there was no way to hide the truth about the Black Realm Immortal Lotus. No one could silence that witch once she opened her mouth. As long as she was alive, it couldn’t remain a secret.

Plus, his own spiritual root transformation was right there for everyone to see, making it impossible to claim he hadn’t obtained the Immortal Lotus. So, he explained everything to his master in detail. Of course, he couldn’t mention anything related to the Immortal Prison or the mysterious essence blood.

“I see…” After hearing this incredible story, Venerable Xuanji frowned and weighed it carefully for a while before suddenly bursting into laughter. “Che, what remarkable skills! The Stormy Desolation, which even the Primordial Soul Ancestor avoids, you can traverse freely; the Black Realm Immortal Lotus, coveted by countless people yet beyond their reach, you’ve managed to acquire…”

“Great, great, great!” Venerable Xuanji’s eyes shone with excitement. In an instant, he created a barrier and then said, “Now, show me that Immortal Lotus.”

Without hesitation, Su Che took out the large pot containing the Black Realm Immortal Lotus. But he had prepared in advance—instead of keeping it in the Immortal Prison, he had stored it in the spiritual treasure box meant for growing spiritual herbs. Now, both the Black Realm Immortal Lotus and the spiritual treasure box were exposed before Venerable Xuanji. Su Che knew it was time to test his master’s integrity.

In the Immortal Prison, Lao He was filled with worry, fearing that Venerable Xuanji might become greedy and take actions harmful to their master. Yet, this matter couldn’t be hidden—unless their master never returned to Tianxuan Sect again.

Su Che, however, remained calm and composed, with no trace of unease on his face…

Venerable Xuanji stared at the Immortal Lotus for a long time, murmuring, “So this is the Black Realm Immortal Lotus. Indeed, it has a profound and restrained appearance…”

After admiring the Lotus, Venerable Xuanji picked up the spiritual treasure box to examine it as well, praising, “Che, you truly have great fortune. To obtain such treasures…”

Su Che smiled calmly and said softly, “If Master likes them, I’m willing to offer both treasures to you.”

“Sincerely?” Venerable Xuanji glanced at him with a strange expression.

“Things outside the body are nothing compared to Master’s love for his disciple,” Su Che replied gently.

Elder Xuanji chuckled, nodded, then put the Black Realm Immortal Lotus back into the Spirit Treasure Box, pushing the box back in front of Su Che.
“You, child, value loyalty and righteousness deeply; that’s why heaven bestows upon you great blessings time and again.”
Elder Xuanji looked up at the sky, his profound gaze seemingly piercing through the golden roof of the hall: “Man does, and heaven watches; heaven also has eyes…”