Qinhe’s hands, hidden in his long sleeves, were now clenched tightly.

In his youth, he had joined the Ghost Sect alongside Wan Lian Shi, but lacking talent and unable to match Wan Lian Shi, he suffered backlash from ghost talismans and nearly died from demonic deviation.

Fortunately, he received Lord Can’s treatment, allowing him to be reborn. At Lord Can’s instruction, he changed his identity and joined Lingyun Pavilion. Because of his naturally handsome appearance, he won the heart of the old Pavilion Master’s only daughter, was introduced to the way of qi swords, gained enlightenment, and began rising rapidly in Lingyun Pavilion.

Over these years, he had abandoned the Ghost Sect and devoted himself to the sword way. The markings on his palms had faded considerably, though still faintly discernible, and they weren’t so bright red.

After all, the Ghost Sect way was best at behind-the-scenes manipulation of evil arts, rarely revealing itself publicly. Very few people in the world knew of the Ghost Sect’s methods.

Unfortunately, not long ago, Qinhe had operated the phantom mirror formation for his senior brother Wan Lian Shi, once again becoming tainted by human skin blood talismans.

Though the red marks on his palms weren’t as deep as Wan Lian Shi’s, they now clearly showed a spider web pattern that could be recognized at a glance.

Under such circumstances, how could Qinhe dare extend his hands for examination?

The two personal attendant disciples beside Qinhe exchanged suspicious glances.

They served Qinhe closely and naturally knew their master’s hands had indeed developed spider web blood marks recently.

When they asked their master about it, he only claimed it was accidentally scratched while fighting that demoness Cui Xiaoxiao.

But now looking at it, the spider web on their master’s palms was the same as this severed arm!

However, when Qinhe’s cold glare swept over them, the two disciples immediately lowered their heads in fear, not daring to speak further.

Cui Xiaoxiao’s words also gained recognition from Ebony Peak’s elder. Though he hadn’t participated in the campaign against Wan Lian Shi years ago, he had heard from his senior uncle about Wan Lian Shi’s blood-red palms.

So at this moment, he kindly advised Qinhe: “Pavilion Master Qin, since that’s the case, why not extend your hands for them to see? As they say, the upright need not fear shadows. Whether human or ghost, extending your hands would make it clear.”

The Ebony Peak elder seemed to speak gently, but his eyes beneath white brows flashed with shrewd light.

Ebony Peak had long ranked below Lingyun Pavilion, unable to develop. If Lingyun Pavilion had some shocking scandal, Ebony Peak would be happy to see it happen…

Qinhe was cornered with no way forward or back. He secretly gritted his teeth, full of regret – he truly shouldn’t have operated that phantom formation for his senior brother, becoming tainted by human skin talismans again.

Would his long-cultivated efforts come to nothing?

Just then, someone behind the crowd declared loudly: “Miss Cui, you need not vent your anger on my father over these baseless, boring matters.”

Everyone looked back to see a tall young man in white standing behind them with a face like still water.

This youth was none other than Lingyun Pavilion’s Young Pavilion Master, Qin Lingxiao.

Qinhe never expected his runaway son to appear and disrupt things at this moment.

He couldn’t help glaring at his son: “Your qualifications are still shallow – you have no place to speak here!”

But Qin Lingxiao glared back at his father with even sharper eyes, saying calmly: “Father, have you forgotten? You sent me to investigate the identity of Lord Can’s manor steward. I learned that the steward surnamed Cui was from Heze Township, so I went there to investigate. I discovered this person had polio as a child, was lame and small in stature, completely inconsistent with the white-haired steward we saw at the royal manor.”

This made it sound as if Qinhe had long suspected the manor steward’s identity and sent his son Qin Lingxiao to investigate.

But only insiders like Qinhe and Cui Xiaoxiao understood who Qin Lingxiao was protecting by suddenly stepping forward.

It turned out that after hearing Cui Xiaoxiao expose his father, though Qin Lingxiao appeared not to believe it on the surface, it had entered his heart.

After parting with Cui Xiaoxiao, the doubts in Qin Lingxiao’s mind wouldn’t dissipate. He decided to investigate thoroughly, going around to inquire about the manor steward’s origins and conducting a complete investigation.

The result proved the white-haired steward at the manor had unknown origins.

When Qinhe entered the manor for treatment, he didn’t know his son Qin Lingxiao had been secretly following him, hidden outside the manor walls, clearly seeing Qinhe’s entry.

When Father entered the manor, his spiritual bones were damaged. But after Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie caused havoc at the royal manor, when father emerged, he had completely recovered.

Hidden in the darkness, watching his father, Qin Lingxiao’s heart felt like it was being fried in fierce fire. At this point, Cui Xiaoxiao’s words were sixty percent verified.

In his previous life, Qin Lingxiao’s father had died early at Wei Jie’s hands. Qin Lingxiao had never harbored any suspicion about his father’s life.

Now that seeds of doubt had been planted in his heart, they grew into painful cracks that were hard to believe.

But even if Father truly had some unspeakable secret with Lord Can, he couldn’t let Cui Xiaoxiao embarrass his father and Lingyun Pavilion before everyone.

Seeing his father about to be caught with evidence, Qin Lingxiao stepped forward at the right moment. On the surface, he was testifying for Cui Xiaoxiao, pointing out the suspicious facts about the manor steward, but he was resolving Qinhe’s predicament.

As Qinhe’s son, living with his father day and night, Qin Lingxiao had naturally seen the changes in his father’s palm marks and knew his father couldn’t pass this test.

So after saying this, he appropriately told Qinhe: “Father, you were injured before and shouldn’t exhaust yourself here. You should return early – leave matters here to me.”

When saying this, he gripped his father’s arm with one hand quite forcefully.

Qinhe felt pain and looked up to meet his son’s cold stare. For a moment, he was suppressed by the aura emanating from his young son.

When had his son become so composed and mature? He… seemed to know quite a few things he shouldn’t know…

Qinhe narrowed his eyes, knowing that staying longer might result in that wretched girl pressing him verbally and exposing his palm markings.

So Qinhe also seized the opportunity, saying urgently: “My wound is indeed painful and I can barely hold on… I’ll leave this place for you to handle!”

After speaking, he turned to leave.

How could Wei Jie let Qinhe escape so easily? The moment Qinhe turned, Wei Jie sent a qi shield flying toward him.

If Qinhe wanted to use his cultivation to block it, he would inevitably have to extend his hands – Wei Jie was forcing him to reveal his true form.

But the next moment, Qin Lingxiao also flew over, waving his hand to send out five qi swords that blocked Wei Jie’s qi shield.

When this spiritual qi-filled shield and swords collided, they caused the surrounding air to distort. With a loud, explosive sound, the surrounding people were knocked back several steps by the airflow.

Looking at the two young men again, their entire bodies were wrapped in profound spiritual qi like steaming fierce fire, their spiritual power seemingly endless.

The five-lined red lotus of Jiuxuan Sword Sect appeared again on Qin Lingxiao’s forehead, indicating his qi sword way had recovered to the fifth level.

Though the qi shield Wei Jie used was a Miaoxian Mountain technique Xiaoxiao had taught him, he had long since adapted and improved it. The originally smooth qi shield surface had grown sharp spikes – when wielded, it could both defend and attack.

Qin Lingxiao’s five qi swords were instantly knocked away by the qi shield but didn’t dissipate, instead spinning and circling in mid-air while surrounding trees were swept by sword qi like a hurricane…

This collision of abundant true qi changed the expressions of many sect masters present.

You must know that among the outstanding young talents of various sects, there were only so many. Though their cultivation and spiritual power varied, the differences weren’t too outrageous.

But this collision between Qin Lingxiao and Wei Jie made the elders of major sects discover that among the younger generation, there were actually prodigies who had formed Inner Cores early, and there were two of them!

Qin Lingxiao need not be mentioned – as Lingyun Pavilion’s only son, enjoying inherent advantages, with Lingyun Pavilion’s strength, Golden Cores could be consumed like beans.

They had long heard that Qin Lingxiao’s cultivation had advanced rapidly recently, as if enlightened. For such a heaven’s pride to form an Inner Core early wasn’t too surprising.

But this Wei Jie… a half-demon’s son, a disciple of a wild chicken sect – how could he have such profound inner breath and spiritual qi?

It was rumored that Cui Xiaoxiao had become demonic, so logically, Wei Jie should have also taken the demonic path. But why did his spiritual platform qi show no trace of cold evil qi? Instead, it faintly had the masculine aura of a great master!

You must know that just over a month ago, on Qilao Mountain, when Wei Jie was surrounded by disciples of the four great sects, his cultivation and spiritual qi weren’t nearly this deep!

This Cui Xiaoxiao truly could teach – in such a short time, she had molded a wild boy with mixed techniques into a cultivation master with a profound Inner Core!

What exactly was the background of this unknown Talismonger Sect?

Wasn’t this Cui Xiaoxiao a lowly talisman maker? How could she train such an outstanding disciple in just a few days?

For a moment, after everyone finished examining the two heaven-blessed young men with amazement, they turned their gazes to the young woman Cui Xiaoxiao.

Cui Xiaoxiao didn’t know that Wei Jie and Qin Lingxiao’s exchange had shaken the hearts of major sect elders, nor did she know she had stepped into the ranks of masters who could teach prodigies.

In the instant when Wei Jie and Qin Lingxiao fought, attracting everyone’s attention, Qinhe abandoned his son and disciples and fled without a trace!

Xiaoxiao sighed secretly – Qinhe had run fast. But his hands could no longer be shown in public, so he’d probably have to go to great lengths to conceal them. She wondered how long this half-human, half-ghost existence could be maintained…

Ling Zhishan, on the side, watched with surging emotions. Though there were two outstanding young men, Ling Zhishan’s attention was entirely focused on Wei Jie.

This man was not only exceptionally handsome, but his spiritual power and inner breath were so profound. She had never seen their sect’s qi shield technique display such power.

Such talent could hardly be a mere pond creature! For a moment, Ling Zhishan felt her heart flutter again, forgetting Wei Jie’s previous terrible attitude toward her.

As for the senior brother Qin Lingxiao, who had made her fall in love at first sight in the original trajectory, he completely became a backdrop, never entering her sight.

Speaking of the two who had exchanged blows, Qin Lingxiao’s heart was also greatly shaken.

He hadn’t expected that in just a few short days, Wei Jie’s inner cultivation and spiritual qi had advanced so much!

He had always extremely hated Wei Jie, yet also viewed this demonic master as an insurmountable high mountain.

Because he had once pursued Wei Jie all the way, knowing that with his strength, he could never reach Wei Jie’s heights in his lifetime.

Taking advantage of Wei Jie’s weakness when entering demonhood, he had won by a narrow margin, killing Wei Jie and successfully inheriting his spiritual power.

Qin Lingxiao had thought the nightmare was over, and he no longer needed to live under Wei Jie’s shadow.

But in that instant of exchanging blows just now, Wei Jie’s qi shield carried tremendous force, actually numbing both arms he used to control qi swords.

That feeling of powerlessness under Wei Jie’s aura pressure came again, overlapping with the nightmares that had disturbed Qin Lingxiao countless nights, making this sword sect’s heaven’s pride once again experience the fear of being dominated by his former demon lord.

Qin Lingxiao felt lost, thinking: If Wei Jie hadn’t cultivated the demonic path this time, hadn’t gone through demonic deviation, and didn’t have the weakness of pearl separation, how could he defeat such a Wei Jie?

Wei Jie was truly annoyed!

He had only wanted to stop Qinhe, but didn’t expect Qin Lingxiao to interfere, still letting Qinhe slip away.

Thinking of this boy secretly sending cakes to Xiaoxiao, he was truly a scoundrel who deceived girls! Just like his dog father, working in collusion!

But this boy was also strange – after just one exchange, he suddenly became stunned like someone had pressed his acupoint.

Wei Jie wasn’t polite either. Taking advantage of Qin Lingxiao staring at him blankly, he raised his hand and gave him a resounding slap!

Qin Lingxiao was caught off guard, knocked back two steps by the blow, but forgot to be angry, covering his face while still staring blankly at Wei Jie.

This slap felt… too familiar!

When he had previously joined Wei Jie’s forces, whenever his comprehension was slightly lacking and he couldn’t grasp the essentials Wei Jie taught, his former master would always deliver such a slap without warning, coldly showing his snake-scaled face, looking at him like an idiot before slapping him aside to reflect.

Now this slap seemed to transport him back to those days as a disciple dominated by the demon head.

Qin Lingxiao’s body instinctively reacted – his knees went soft, and he almost knelt before Master Wei.

At this moment, Yu Ling’er rushed over like an arrow, concernedly supporting Qin Lingxiao’s arm and checking if her benefactor’s face was injured, which prevented Qin Lingxiao from making a fool of himself in public.

Yu Ling’er didn’t understand the verbal sparring that had just occurred. In her view, Young Pavilion Master Qin had kindly come to testify to Xiaoxiao’s words.

But Wei Jie had thrown a tantrum and struck without warning. She naturally had to stand on Qin Lingxiao’s side and protect her benefactor!

When Qin Lingxiao came to his senses and realized he had almost knelt before Wei Jie, his handsome face turned purple with rage.

How could he forget – those humiliations would never repeat in this lifetime!

Even if Wei Jie had better comprehension, they were now both standing at the same mountain base, climbing upward – neither was necessarily unreachably higher than the other!

Seeing their Young Pavilion Master humiliated, Lingyun Pavilion disciples were furious and rushed forward to fight Wei Jie desperately. The previously calming situation became chaotic again.

Besides the four great sects, those who came this time included small sects on good terms with Qinhe. Having been instructed by Qinhe previously, they came as rabble-rousers.

Seeing Wei Jie strike the Lingyun Pavilion Young Master, they immediately shouted that the Talismonger Sect master and disciple were too bullied!

Young Master Qin had come to testify for them, but Wei Jie struck without distinguishing right from wrong!

But Xiaoxiao knew Qin Lingxiao’s true intention – if he hadn’t just intervened, Qinhe would have revealed his true form before everyone!

Unfortunately, this Qin wouldn’t sacrifice family for righteousness, only wanting to collude with his father!

No wonder Wei Jie was angry enough to slap him – Xiaoxiao herself wanted to slap that Qin!

So Xiaoxiao ignored those troublemakers, looking directly at Qin Lingxiao: “Young Pavilion Master Qin, what do you mean by this?”

Qin Lingxiao knew he was in the wrong. Having just been severely suppressed by his former master’s aura, his eyes were slightly red as he said through gritted teeth to Xiaoxiao: “…No matter what, he’s still my father! I… I’m sorry…”

Xiaoxiao understood his meaning.

It seemed Qin Lingxiao had finally noticed something wrong with his father, but justice ultimately lost to blood kinship. He was determined to protect his father and absolutely wouldn’t let Cui Xiaoxiao and the others expose Qinhe’s true face.

Just then, Qin Lingxiao suddenly lowered his voice: “Xiaoxiao, other matters aren’t important to you and me. It’s just… the other Demon Pearl’s whereabouts are unknown. I can never find its aura – it should have possessed someone else…”

What? Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected him to suddenly say this and was slightly stunned.

Qin Lingxiao slowly moved closer, seeming to want to say more secrets. Thinking of his previous words, Xiaoxiao didn’t dodge for a moment.

Qin Lingxiao was waiting for such an opportunity. He quickly flashed over, gripped her arm firmly, and yanked open her sleeve.

Though Wei Jie was quick to pull Xiaoxiao back and kicked Qin Lingxiao away, Xiaoxiao’s sleeve was already torn, exposing her entire arm and revealing scattered snake scales.

When the snake scales on Cui Xiaoxiao’s arm were exposed, all the sects immediately erupted!

Having snake scales was the most obvious sign of becoming demonic! And looking at the scales on her arm, she had been demonic for some time!

Pavilion Master Qin’s words were correct – this Cui Xiaoxiao was indeed a demoness!

Cui Xiaoxiao stared with her mouth half-open at that surnamed Qin – it seemed this young one was even more vicious than the old one, knowing how to divert everyone’s attention and expose her weakness in one move.

Now, no one present cared about whether Qinhe’s palms had markings, only staring at Xiaoxiao’s snake scales and discussing heatedly.

At this moment, several Lingyun Pavilion disciples also swore to tell of how Cui Xiaoxiao had previously become demonic with red eyes and scratched Pavilion Master Qin.

Qin Lingxiao kept his face cold, turning away from Cui Xiaoxiao, struggling to suppress his inner guilt – if there had been any other way, he wouldn’t have wanted to betray Xiaoxiao like this.

But if not for this, the Talismonger Sect pair would keep pursuing the matter of his father’s palm.

In Qin Lingxiao’s view, even if Xiaoxiao was considered demonic, it was still solvable.

She wasn’t originally from this lifetime anyway. At worst, he’d take her away and follow their previous plan – have her avoid crowds, find Zhu Jiuyin’s divine statue, and they could both return to two hundred years later.

After returning, he would naturally help Xiaoxiao resolve her demonic nature and properly apologize.

With such plans, Qin Lingxiao felt Xiaoxiao’s reputation two hundred years ago wasn’t important.

So he could only grit his teeth and ignore much else, deliberately exposing Xiaoxiao’s demonic condition.

His method was truly effective. Curses calling the Talismonger Sect a demonic cult and Cui Xiaoxiao a thoroughly evil demon head shot straight to the sky!

When there are many people, it depends on who shouts the loudest. Even if there were still weak questioning voices about Wan Lian Shi and Qinhe’s relationship, they were quickly drowned out by shouts of “demoness, demoness.”

If it were Wei Jie being accused, he would have long since coldly drawn his whip and fought this mob.

But now the one being slandered was Cui Xiaoxiao, a street-smart woman who had traveled from two hundred years in the future.

She had no sad, angry, or extreme thoughts; she only found it amusing to watch this dark crowd of troublemakers.

What prestigious righteous sects, cultivation masters? Had they all only cultivated their spiritual platforms while refining their empty brains? These people – what difference was there from a flock driven by whistles? They were easily controlled and used by those with ulterior motives to wave flags and shout.

But not everyone was against her. One person was pointing at Qin Lingxiao’s nose and scolding vigorously – it was Yu Ling’er, who had always worshipped Young Master Qin like a god!

Yu Ling’er hadn’t expected Qin Lingxiao to betray Xiaoxiao before everyone like this. For a moment, the benefactor’s sacred image in her heart collapsed. Angrily disappointed, she questioned Qin Lingxiao – he clearly knew Xiaoxiao was a good person, so why embarrass her before everyone?

Qin Lingxiao had just taken Wei Jie’s kick and was in pain. Being pointed at and scolded by a little fox made him extremely ashamed and angry.

But knowing he was wrong, he could only hide behind Lingyun Pavilion disciples with a gloomy face.

For a moment, Xiaoxiao felt somewhat comforted, thinking the chicken legs and cakes she’d fed the little fox hadn’t been wasted.

Speaking of chicken legs, this courtyard full of chaotic cursing was quite appetizing.

Xiaoxiao touched her stomach and waved for Yu Ling’er to stop bothering Qin Lingxiao.

She had Wei Jie bring her a table, then she set a chair on the table, stood on the chair, cupped her hands into a megaphone, and shouted: “Everyone, it’s almost breakfast time! Are you hungry? How about I treat you to porridge – we can eat and chat, how about it?”

Now the noisy crowd fell silent – they stared wide-eyed at the young girl who had been cursed for so long, hardly believing what they’d just heard.

Cui Xiaoxiao was truly hungry. Though she had eaten some food and wine with the prince in the forest earlier, her attention had been mostly on conversation then, so she hadn’t eaten very heartily.

Now she had just broken the blood-sucking lantern formation and argued for a long time. Just when it seemed she could clear her grievances, that troublemaker Qin Lingxiao had stirred things up, and everything seemed back to square one.

Feeling discouraged made one easily hungry.

Seeing their attitude of not stopping until they cursed her to death, Xiaoxiao felt breakfast was more important. At worst, after eating her fill, she’d draw boundaries and start fighting!

So after this shout silenced the scene, she continued with full sincerity: “My cultivation isn’t as brilliant as yours – I really can’t stand being hungry at mealtime. My disciple bought several bags of emerald glutinous rice yesterday. Add some sweet vegetables and cured meat dice to cook with white rice – the aroma is incredible! The neighbor’s grandmother made peanut sesame cakes yesterday too – they taste sweetest with porridge. Would everyone like to try?”