Yuan Bai called him "Senior Brother Youxuan" with perfect ease, without the slightest awkwardness or reluctance.
Such was the way of the Tribulation Deliverance Sect: strength commanded respect, and whoever advanced first became the senior. In the past, his cultivation had been ahead, and Chu Mo had needed to call him senior brother. Now that their positions had reversed, it was only right for him to address Chu Mo as his senior brother.
Yet there was not a trace of fear on his face. His piercing gaze shot toward Chu Mo like lightning, while his surging magical power set his robes snapping in the wind.
The treasured radiance of the damaged seal and the Violet Cloud Furnace echoed each other, holding up a patch of unstained ground within the sinister ghost domain.
Chu Mo's brows drew together slightly.
Earlier, the damaged seal had lacked a spiritual connection with its wielder, occasionally stalling in its operation. Now, however, it seemed linked to Yuan Bai's will, responding as readily as his own fingers, its spiritual light flowing without obstruction. After a long moment, Chu Mo chuckled, breaking the silence.
"Since you're sincere about thanking me, junior brother, words alone won't do. Why not..."
He changed tack, his gaze level but his tone turning dangerous. "...give me that damaged seal as a thank-you gift? For you, junior brother, that thing is probably more curse than blessing now. Why not leave it in your elder brother's safekeeping? That would honor the bond between fellow disciples who have 'helped' each other." Yuan Bai's smile briefly stiffened before returning to normal. "It's not that I can't bear to part with it."
He hefted the damaged seal in his hand, golden flames billowing and its light glittering. "It's just that this seal is dangerous. It nearly let