Li Shuang's reaction was very calm, which surprised Lin Qingling. "Xiaoshuang, why aren't you surprised at all?"
Li Shuang slowly said, "Master, that Ye Zhaozhao had been lurking for so long without any demonic energy leaking out, but at the very last moment, it suddenly did. Originally, she would have just had her meridians severed and been expelled from the sect, still having a slim chance of survival. But once her demonic energy was exposed, she was left with only a path to death. Her actions were already somewhat strange. The only possibility is... this demonic energy could save her life. We cultivators are different from mortals; the physical body is merely a shell. As long as the soul remains, there might be a chance to start anew."
Li Shuang wanted to directly mention the Demonic Seed, but she had tried before.
She couldn't speak about anything related to the Demonic Seed, nor could she even write it down.
It seemed there was a peculiar rule preventing the existence of the Demonic Seed from being known to the world.
Li Shuang could only follow Lin Qingling's words and make some conjectures, hoping to draw some attention from the sect.
Lin Qingling nodded approvingly. "You are very perceptive. We also suspect that Ye Zhaozhao might have been reborn through soul possession. However, this method of soul possession and rebirth is extremely rare, and another person's body can never compare to one's own. She won't be able to stir up much trouble in the future."
In her words, Lin Qingling didn't seem to care much about Ye Zhaozhao.
Li Shuang couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
If Ye Zhaozhao were merely a demonic cultivator, then her master's deduction would be perfectly sound.
But Ye Zhaozhao had a Demonic Seed!
No one knew what capabilities the Demonic Seed from the Land of Absolute Despair possessed.
In Li Shuang's mind, Ye Zhaozhao was still labeled as extremely dangerous.
Li Shuang thought for a moment and then said, "Master, there's a Ye Zhaozhao in the Sword Sect, and other sects might also have demonic cultivators infiltrating them. With demons outside and demonic cultivators within, the Righteous Alliance should be more vigilant."
Lin Qingling smiled. "Don't worry, we have our own plans for these matters. Xiaoshuang, your current task is to raise your cultivation as quickly as possible! Let me see what your current cultivation level is."
Lin Qingling's divine sense swept over her, and then she froze.
How long had it been since they left the Langya Secret Realm?
How was Li Shuang's cultivation already infinitely close to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment?
This speed of advancement was even more terrifying than that of the sect's founder!
Lin Qingling quickly had Li Shuang practice her cultivation techniques to ensure there were no problems with her cultivation before she felt somewhat relieved.
"Perhaps it's because you're re-cultivating, but the speed of your cultivation advancement is truly astonishing," Lin Qingling instructed. "The most important thing in cultivation is to have a solid foundation; don't be too hasty."
Li Shuang obediently agreed.
Lin Qingling had now taken on a group of disciples and was much busier than before. After speaking with Li Shuang, she dismissed her.
Li Shuang respectfully withdrew, her eyes gleaming with thought.
Ye Zhaozhao... was indeed still alive.
Where would she be now?
But Li Shuang wasn't in a hurry.
Ye Zhaozhao harbored deep hatred for her, so even if she didn't seek out Ye Zhaozhao, Ye Zhaozhao would come to her.
And that day, she feared, wouldn't be too far off.
Before Ye Zhaozhao reappeared, what she needed to do was to raise her cultivation as quickly as possible.
Upon returning to her residence, Li Shuang first went into the Jade Slip Space to hone her sword techniques.
Her progress in swordsmanship had slowed down, but fortunately, with Su Mu's guidance, she still made some progress each time.
Once her sword dao accumulated to a certain level, she could begin to refine the second form of the Heartless Sword Dao.
After exhausting her time in the Jade Slip, Li Shuang went to the Disciple Hall. She kept only five hundred contribution points for emergencies, exchanging all the rest for various resources, a large portion of which were first and second-tier resources.
Afterward.
She went to the refining room and began another round of refining.
This time.
Refining artifacts.
Practicing swordsmanship.
Her time was suddenly fully occupied.
Heartless Peak.
Sheng Yuan's seven-day confinement ended. After seven days of torment, his face was pale, as if it hadn't seen sunlight. The secret chamber was cold and bone-chilling, and coupled with his unstable state of mind, Sheng Yuan's legs and feet had become somewhat limping.
He slowly walked to Spirit Void Peak.
He seemed to see many people greeting him.
"Senior Brother Sheng, you're back."
"Senior Brother, come and see the new sword moves we've practiced."
He seemed to see that woman in plain clothes looking at him with worry.
"Second Junior Brother. What's wrong? You don't look so good? Did someone bully you? Senior Sister will stand up for you."
"I'm fine, I..." Sheng Yuan subconsciously responded.
However, the next moment.
All the illusions vanished, and before him, only a silent Spirit Void Peak remained.
The once bustling sect now had only two or three people left.
They had been eliminated from other peaks due to their lack of diligence in cultivation and had barely managed to stay.
Anyone who had a chance to leave chose not to stay.
Sheng Yuan's lips trembled.
Was Spirit Void Peak ruined just like that?
He turned and limped to Heartless Peak.
In stark contrast to the desolation of Spirit Void Peak, Heartless Peak was now bustling with activity.
These disciples from Spirit Void Peak seemed to have adapted well to their new surroundings. They showed no nostalgia for their former Spirit Void Peak.
A hint of indignation welled up in Sheng Yuan's heart!
How could they!
How could they so easily betray their sect?
"Senior Brother Sheng." Yan Xiao saw Sheng Yuan and greeted him. "Is your confinement over?"
Sheng Yuan's eyes held a hint of coldness. "Yan Xiao, now even you can mock me?"
Yan Xiao: "???"
Mock?
He hadn't even started yet!
But since Sheng Yuan had said so, Yan Xiao directly stated, "I just wanted to ask, Senior Brother Sheng, when do you plan to return the resources you owe us? Previously, to leave Spirit Void Peak, I said I wouldn't need this month's resources. But, the Sect Master doesn't seem to allow that. The Sect Master means that what's owed must still be repaid."
"Exactly. Senior Brother Sheng, when will you be able to pay it back?"
"It's just a small amount, surely it won't drag on for ten or eight years, right?"
"That's right."
A group of disciples joined in the commotion.
They weren't in a hurry for this month's resources; if Sheng Yuan's attitude were better, it wouldn't matter if he paid it back a little later.
But Sheng Yuan immediately acted as if they had all wronged Spirit Void Peak, so they had to clarify things properly!
Sheng Yuan gritted his teeth, a flicker of anger in his eyes. "I will repay you all eventually! But you must remember, some places are easy to leave, but difficult to return to! Today Spirit Void Peak may be in decline, but it may not return to its peak someday!"
"Don't worry. Even if Spirit Void Peak reaches its peak again, I will never go back," Yan Xiao said without hesitation.
"That's right. You can rest assured on that point, Senior Brother Sheng," others also said.
Sheng Yuan's words made it seem as if they had left Spirit Void Peak because it was weak. He didn't mention a word about the unfair treatment they had suffered.