Could it really be such a coincidence?
His gaze fell upon the earnest, enthusiastic, and seemingly irrefutable words from Qi Yun. Zhou Hao's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, his knuckles tapping a dull, rhythmic beat against the back of his chair.
A moment later, he closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and let out a nearly inaudible sneer.
'Whatever. So what if there's something fishy going on? A little shrimp at the Qi Refining First Layer… what kind of trouble could he possibly stir up? What difference would it make if I gave him a little time?'
...
BANG!
Inside the meditation chamber, everything was a mess.
A ghastly white skull, like a marionette with its strings both pulled and completely cut, was trailing black smoke and letting out a harsh, cackling laugh. It zipped madly back and forth, crashing into everything in the small space!
Standing to the side, Qi Yun looked completely helpless.
'As expected of a Magic that requires the Qi Refining Third Layer to practice,' he thought. 'Even with the detailed explanations of its core principles, I've spent over half a month and still haven't fully grasped this final step of True Qi infusion.'
'After several attempts, the skull just zips around the room like it's been electrocuted, completely ignoring my commands.'
THUD! The skull slammed hard against the wall again with a dull thud, the force so great that the wall itself trembled slightly.
This time, it finally exhausted its last bit of energy and fell wobbling to the ground.
But at the same time, several ink-black, thread-thin lines shot out from it, lunging toward Qi Yun with a piercing, bloodcurdling shriek.
A backlash of resentful Evil Qi!
The Dharma Gates of the Demon Dao are powerful and tyrannical, benefiting oneself at the expense of others.
Their drawback is that a failed Sacrificial Refinement can easily lead to a backlash.
Fortunately, thanks to his cultivation during this period, Qi Yun was already prepared and had experience.
With a sharp flick of his wide sleeve, a dozen or so Exorcism and Breaking Fiend Talismans he had been holding were instantly activated.
The Talismans flared with light. Layers of golden Dharma Light wove together into an inverted Light Bowl, precisely suppressing the strands of resentful Evil Qi just three feet from his face.
The black gas slammed about inside the barrier of light, letting out unwilling shrieks, but it couldn't advance an inch and was gradually worn away.
Having suppressed the backlash from the skull, Qi Yun rubbed the bridge of his nose, bent down to pick it up, and was about to attempt the Sacrificial Refinement and infusion again.
But just then, a knock came from the courtyard gate.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Qi Yun's brow furrowed instinctively at the sound. After that letter from Wu Tao, he was practically conditioned to dread the sound of knocking.
'Whenever there's a knock, it's never good news.'
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK—
Perhaps because Qi Yun hadn't opened the gate for a while, the knocking grew more rapid and forceful.
CREAK—
Qi Yun took a deep breath, walked out into the courtyard, and slowly pulled the gate open.
Standing outside was a young man in a simple, elegant long robe.
He had a handsome face and a gentle smile, looking very much like a scholar.
Seeing Qi Yun open the gate, he immediately clasped his hands in a salute, his voice gentle and polite.
"May I ask if you are Junior Brother Qi Yun from Ling Family Mountain?"
The moment he heard the three words "Ling Family Mountain," a vein throbbed on Qi Yun's forehead. He almost instinctively formed a hand seal for a Spell to activate the Clear Wind Technique and flee.
Noticing the strange look in Qi Yun's eyes, the scholar quickly explained,
"Don't panic, Junior Brother. I'm not with the people who came looking for you before."
"You know someone came looking for me before?"
Sharply picking up on the information in the scholar's words, Qi Yun raised an eyebrow and paused the movement of his hands.
"But of course. Why else would I be here?" With a faint smile, the young scholar looked at Qi Yun, who was still blocking the doorway, and chuckled.
"Junior Brother, aren't you going to invite me in to sit down?"
After a slight hesitation, Qi Yun slowly stepped aside. He couldn't sense any aura from the man, which meant the visitor's Cultivation was likely far superior to his own.
"My courtyard is humble. Please don't mind its simplicity, Senior Brother."
"Not at all. You're too polite, Junior Brother."
Zheng Yi's smile didn't falter as he calmly stepped into the small courtyard. His gaze seemed to sweep casually over the grass, trees, and the stone table and stools, yet he took in every minute detail with perfect clarity.
"Please have a seat, Senior Brother." Qi Yun led the young scholar into the main house, poured a cup of plain tea, and handed it to him.
"May I ask for Senior Brother's name?"
"No need to be so formal. My surname is Zheng, and my given name is Yi. You can just call me Senior Brother Zheng." Zheng Yi took the teacup, feeling its warmth against his fingertips, and took a small, composed sip.
'Zheng Yi? As in, justice?'
'A Demon Sect Cultivator with a name like that? Are you for real?'
Though he was complaining internally, Qi Yun's expression remained unchanged as he sat down across from Zheng Yi.
"So, Senior Brother, what brings you here today?"
"Heh, I'm naturally here to help you with your urgent problem, Junior Brother," Zheng Yi said unhurriedly, as if he had prepared his words long ago.
"My master is the Master on duty in the Inner Mansion's Jia Li Hall. The Jia Li Hall is responsible for collecting the records of all Disciples in the Outer Mansion.
Not long ago, the Flower Moon Hall Master, Foundation Establishment Master Song Kun, personally came to Jia Li Hall and forcibly took all the records of Disciples from Ling Family Mountain.
And this Master Song Kun has a nephew from his direct line… who just so happens to be among this year's group of Disciples from Ling Family Mountain.
I believe his name is… Tang Shun!"
As he said this, Zheng Yi slowly turned his gaze to Qi Yun. He had expected this fledgling Outer Mansion cultivator to panic now that his secret was out.
But one look told him this young cultivator was completely composed, without the slightest ripple of emotion in his eyes.
"You have a fine disposition, Junior Brother."
Not stingy with his praise for Qi Yun, Zheng Yi smiled.
"It seems my master was right to send me to find you."
"Senior Brother, please stop beating around the bush and just say what you mean." From Zheng Yi's behavior since he arrived, Qi Yun had already formed a rough guess about the purpose of this sudden visit from the Inner Mansion Senior Brother.
"Good, how refreshing!" Zheng Yi clapped his hands and laughed, no longer mincing words. "To be honest with you, I've come on my master's orders.
That Flower Moon Hall Master, Song Kun, relies on his profound Cultivation and his status as a deadly Sword Cultivator to run rampant throughout the sect, making countless enemies!
The sect is already filled with grievances against him.
Unfortunately, the True Monarchs are all currently occupied with important matters and have no time to attend to these internal disputes.
If we want to punish this man, we must obtain ironclad proof that he has broken the rules!"
"Senior Brother, you mean…"
"My master wants you to act as bait to lure out the Flower Moon Hall Master. As soon as he makes a move, my master will immediately intervene.
At that time, once the Flower Moon Hall Master's crime of violating the sect rules and interfering in the Outer Mansion is confirmed, he'll be sentenced to sixty years of confinement at a minimum.
Then you will be safe.
As a reward for your assistance, my master will grant you an opportunity and guarantee your entry into the Inner Mansion to become an Inner Mansion Cultivator."
After hearing Zheng Yi's explanation, Qi Yun nodded silently. 'Just as I thought,' he mused. 'Pretty much spot on.'
'Factional strife in the Inner Mansion.'
'This Foundation Establishment Master from Jia Li Hall wants to use me as a pawn to take down Song Kun of Flower Moon Hall!'
"Can your esteemed master truly protect me from harm?" After a moment of silence, Qi Yun looked up at Zheng Yi.
"I guarantee it. Please believe me." Zheng Yi gave a sincere smile and nodded solemnly.
In response to Zheng Yi's reaction, the corner of Qi Yun's mouth twitched slightly.
'Believe you? A Demon Sect Cultivator?'
...