Weeks passed, and the relationship between Han Shun and Bai Shijue cooled down a little. 

There was a strange awkwardness whenever they were together, mostly because Bai Shijue always thought that Han Shun was hiding something, while Han Shun would react strongly whenever Bai Shijue asked him whether Han Shun was hiding something. 

"Bai Gege, I will never hurt you! Why would I hurt you? You're the most precious person in my heart. You ARE my world!" Han Shun claimed insistently whenever Bai Shijue asked if he had a secret that he couldn't tell.

Bai Shijue knew that he couldn't pry more. But he grew alarmingly suspicious as Han Shun often dodged a few topics, like how fast his cultivation developed and how smart he was for knowing every part of Lost Mist Forest.

[Pupa, do you think he is hiding something?]

[Pupa: That's fairly obvious. Han Shun was never the best at keeping secrets. He is a simple-minded brat in the end.]

[Pupa: But I don't think you can pry more. Just let him be if he didn't want to tell you. The more you pressed about it, the more Han Shun will withdraw himself from you.]

[You're right, I'm just worried…."

**

The Looming Forest Celestial Beast hunting was held during the harvest season in the immortal world. Where the forest fruits ripen, and the celestial beats were all out of their hiding, many high-ranked celestial beasts were wandering around the Loom Forest, searching for food or hunting for one. 

Han Shun with Bai Shijue was already present with the other sect elders. They met with the rest of the participants from other sects in Plum Blossom Immortal Sect's training ground. 

Han Shun and Bai Shijue's arrival was like the main event because this would be the first time the absolutely powerful Master Bai dispatched his personal disciple, even went as far as trusting him enough to win the competition by himself. 

"Good morning, Master Bai!" The elders from other sects bowed their heads respectfully. They knew the man's capability behind the mask and how important he was to guard the cultivation realm. 

They all hailed Bai Shijue as a heavenly god, but the man himself disliked such a title and preferred to be a sect leader. 

"Raise your head, don't act like this when we're about to compete," Bai Shijue said.

"Whether we're competing or not, it doesn't stop us from respecting you, Master Bai!" One elder from another sect said.

Bai Shijue sighed and decided to ignore them. He looked at Han Shun beside him and said, "Stay right here. I'm going to start the ceremony."

Bai Shijue flew and stood on top of a white stone with 'Guiding Light' engraved. 

Everyone looked up towards Bai Shijue, waiting for him to speak as he opened the competition.

Bai Shijue disliked speaking too much, so he just said the necessary, "This is the 844th Loom Forest Celestial beast hunting. I welcome all the participants to this program, and I wish you all the best. I allow ten participants from each sect, but I will bring my only disciple as the Plum Blossom Immortal Sect participant. Please head to the Loom Forest southwest from here because everything has been prepared. That is all."

Everyone headed towards the forest while Bai Shijue just grabbed Han Shun's shoulder before teleporting. They arrived earlier than the rest of the cultivators, so Bai Shijue used this opportunity to hand Han Shun a talisman. 

Han Shun wanted to reject it again, knowing that it might accidentally leak Master Han Ye's identity inside Han Shun's body.

"I don't need it, Bai Gege. I can do it by myself!"

"… I know, but this is a safety talisman. It will help you…." Bai Shijue implored. He was so worried about Han Shun, especially since Han Shun sounded arrogant. "Don't be careless, Han Shun. I don't want you to get hurt."

"Bai Gege, I won't get hurt! I promise!"

…

Bai Shijue sighed, "Don't be rash, okay? If you think the situation is not good for yourself, then leave. Your safety is still of the utmost importance to me."

Bai Shijue wanted to hand the talisman again, but Han Shun distanced himself, "T—Thank you, Bai Gege., I won't disappoint you!"

"Han Shun—" 

It was too late for Bai Shijue because Han Shun suddenly entered the Loom forest alone. 

The rest of the participants entered after him, and the sect elders could only watch from outside. 

[Pupa, he will be okay, right?]

[Pupa: He will. He is a lot stronger than you think.]

[I'm just scared. I know this is important for his growth, but his safety is the most important, of course.]

[Pupa: You sound like the protagonist's wife in a war movie. Waiting for her husband to come home when he got dispatched to war.]

[That's oddly specific, geez. I'm just worried because he absolutely refuses to take any of my talismans. The talisman will be useful to protect him!]

[Pupa: Anyway, he will be okay. Though, I still don't know why he would refuse. Maybe he just thinks you're looking down on him by giving him a cheat talisman that would make him literally invulnerable to any attack, right, Yunyu?]

[Hehe, well, this safety talisman will repel any attack. I'm just afraid that he will get hurt.]

[Pupa: But that doesn't mean you can give him a literal cheat talisman! Your nepotism is strong.]

**

Meanwhile, Han Shun finally stopped after running away from Bai Gege for a while. This was the only way for him to avoid that safety talisman because Master Han Ye said that Bai Shijue's heavenly talisman was so strong that it would expose him instantly.

"Heheh, you're finally brave enough to reject something given by Bai Shijue."

Han Shun looked up and glared at Master Han Ye, who stood in front of him, "That's because you're the one who told me!"

"True," Han Ye smiled thin. "Anyway, stop dawdling around. I know that you need my help, right?"