Chapter 40: Inner Demon |
Ning Qi could feel it.
Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was extremely curious about his cultivation progress. While other senior brothers and sisters were curious too, it was all within normal bounds—but Qin Yun was different. Ning Qi often sensed Qin Yun's probing gaze.
Though he didn’t want to admit it, he felt that Eighth Senior Brother was probably jealous of him, to the point of developing an obsessive inner demon.
That strange state he was in might be related to it.
Ning Qi knew that Qin Yun had always taken the revitalization of the Zhenwu Sect as his personal mission. Before Ning Qi came to the mountain, Qin Yun was the most highly regarded among the True Disciples, his talent even surpassing Jiang Baishan—he was the center of everyone’s attention.
But after Ning Qi began to show his Martial Path,
Things began to change.
Just his early performance in practicing Stance Techniques had shocked everyone. Later, Daoist Longshan instructed all disciples not to ask about Ning Qi’s cultivation progress and even arranged for him to live alone near the Scripture Pavilion.
All this special treatment made it clear Ning Qi was no ordinary disciple.
Ning Qi could sense the turmoil in Qin Yun’s heart—emotions Qin Yun probably couldn’t even control himself.
At this moment.
Qin Yun issued an invitation.
If he didn’t accept, it might make Qin Yun overthink.
If he did, even if he used the Silent Technique to suppress most of his cultivation, he would still have to display a realm that matched his talent. At the very least, he'd need to show the Bone Refinement Realm—otherwise, wouldn’t that be treating Qin Yun like a fool?
Either way, neither option seemed good.
Ning Qi hesitated slightly.
Fortunately.
Daoist Longshan spoke.
“All right, let’s end today’s tournament here. Little Eight, come with me—I have something to tell you.”
Qin Yun was stunned, then nodded respectfully.
The two figures left together.
Luo Wentian was briefly surprised, then began to summarize the results of the tournament.
Ning Qi’s eyes flashed, and he sighed inwardly.
Daoist Longshan’s actions had pretty much confirmed his suspicions—Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun had likely developed an obsessive inner demon.
“I’ll go search the Scripture Pavilion and see if I can find any records about inner demons. If I can understand what form an ‘inner demon’ takes, maybe I can create a technique to eliminate it.”
Before Ning Qi had set foot on the Martial Path, Ye Qinghe and Qin Yun were the closest to him. Although their relationship had cooled somewhat after he began training, Ning Qi still hoped Qin Yun would be all right.
If it was within his power, he wouldn’t hesitate to help.
...
Late at night.
Qin Yun’s residence.
Qin Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, palms and soles facing upward, operating his cultivation method.
The scene at the Mingwu Pavilion during the day surfaced again in his mind.
Daoist Longshan had earnestly advised him:
“Yun’er, your Master knows what’s on your mind. You’ve always been supremely talented and strong-willed, viewing the revitalization of the Zhenwu Sect as your duty. But remember—not to act too rashly. One misstep could plunge you into a pit of no return.”
“Your breakthrough to Inner Origin major achievement is a good thing, but you must solidify your foundation. Don’t rush forward blindly.”
“As your Master, I certainly hope the Zhenwu Sect will thrive—but you all are just as important to me. You Nine Sons of Zhenwu should treat each other like brothers, sharing the hardships together.”
“This is the Clear Heart Technique. I know your thoughts have been in disarray lately. Recite this mantra often—it may help you calm your mind.”
Recalling those words, Qin Yun was slightly moved.
He began to recite softly.
“Supreme virtue is like water, the heart clear as nothingness, few desires purify the mind...”
The chaotic thoughts gradually faded.
But for some reason, the day’s events kept replaying in his mind, and Ning Qi’s figure grew larger and larger in his thoughts.
“Little Junior Brother... what realm is he at now?”
The moment this thought arose—
He felt a surge of inner fire, his head throbbed violently, and the peace brought by the Clear Heart Technique instantly vanished.
Qin Yun began circulating the Heaven-Shaking Force, his internal energy coursing through his body, trying to alleviate the discomfort this way.
But he didn’t even notice—
Dark mist had quietly appeared on various parts of his body. The circulation of the Heaven-Shaking Force had subtly changed.
This was from a fragmented scroll he had obtained during his last trip down the mountain.
After using it instinctively once, he found the cultivation speed was much faster than the Heaven-Shaking Force. However, he also noticed his mindset shifting unpredictably. He had never mentioned this scroll to Daoist Longshan.
Cycle after cycle.
The explosive pain in Qin Yun's head finally eased—but he didn’t notice that the black mist on his body had grown thicker, and even his eyes carried a trace of dark haze.
All the chaotic thoughts in his mind finally merged into one.
“I’ll test Little Junior Brother in secret.”
Qin Yun grinned strangely. Donning nightwear and a mask, he headed toward the Scripture Pavilion.
...
At that moment inside the Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi had pulled out every record and technique related to inner demons.
“So-called inner demons all arise from thoughts. In essence, they are amplified negative emotions that have undergone an unknown transformation. If left unresolved, progress in the Martial Path could be impossible?”
“In severe cases, one might even bleed from all seven orifices and die?”
Ning Qi’s heart tightened.
Inner demons were more serious than he’d imagined. But according to the records, they had stages.
“To eliminate them, one must start at the root—removing obsessions to dispel the demon. But the records say that all who’ve succeeded did so by coincidence. There’s no clear method. Some sects even created techniques that used inner demons to accelerate cultivation...”
“The Scripture Pavilion only has a few techniques like the Clear Heart Technique that help calm the mind and suppress stray thoughts. No wonder Master took it.”
“To create a technique that truly eradicates inner demons is tough. Mainly because I don’t know what form an inner demon takes—and my cultivation isn’t high enough...”
Ning Qi’s thoughts churned.
He planned to spend a bit of time each day researching, hoping to eventually develop a secret art that removed inner demons.
Just as he was pondering,
Ning Qi’s brow twitched as he looked into the distance.
He could sense a strange aura quietly approaching, heading toward the Scripture Pavilion and the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
“A visitor at this hour... probably not friendly.”
He silently activated the Body-Altering and Bone-Changing Technique. A plain-faced middle-aged Daoist immediately appeared inside the Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi loosened his limbs, and once he adjusted, he suppressed his breath and vanished.
...
Qin Yun moved silently in the night, masked and dressed in black.
He blended perfectly into the shadows. Naturally, he knew the Zhenwu Sect like the back of his hand and easily avoided the patrolling disciples.
His heart was burning with desire—but he still retained a bit of rationality.
“I’ll pretend to be a thief attacking Little Junior Brother. Thinking he’s in a life-or-death crisis, he’ll surely reveal his true strength. Then I’ll know exactly what realm he’s at. But I mustn’t hurt him.”
Qin Yun’s gaze was slightly conflicted.
He was torn inside. But he knew—from the moment Little Junior Brother easily mastered the Yazi Stance from him, their relationship could never be the same again.
“Maybe... I’m just naturally narrow-minded and jealous.”
Qin Yun felt bitter.
But suddenly, he came to a screeching halt—his heart surged with shock.
Ahead of him—
A figure stood with hands behind his back, as if he’d been waiting there all along.