Was the Heavenly Demon from over three thousand years ago still in Yuhu Xuanzong?

Had the Demon Spirit Ghost Scripture reappeared in the mortal world because he had escaped?

Huang Rang’s heartbeat accelerated—if Leiyin Daji could break free from the Soul-Binding Bone-Setting Needles’ imprisonment, then could she as well?

But after just thinking this, her heart grew cold again.

Outside the dream, Di Yiqiu had been injured by the Demon Spirit Ghost Scripture and was in critical condition.

Even if she broke free, what use would it be?

The dream world was better.

In the past, each time she woke from the dream was because of her own death.

If in this dream she didn’t die, could she remain in the dream world forever and never wake again?

If that were the case, that would be quite good too.

Huang Rang didn’t even want to investigate Shi Wenyu. She only wanted to live well, no longer breaking the dream or pursuing cause and effect.

At Si Tianjian.

Xie Hongchen’s stance allowed everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Huang Rang asked, “I wonder how Sect Master Xie plans to enter and investigate?”

With this question, everyone furrowed their brows again.

Xie Lingbi had long ceased concerning himself with worldly affairs and rarely left Luofu Hall. For Xie Hongchen to enter would not be an easy matter.

But Xie Hongchen, after brief consideration, said, “Although my master rarely leaves the hall, he does have quite a few good friends. If a good friend were to invite him, he might go out for a gathering.”

Hearing this, the Supervisor mocked, “Quite a few good friends? Xie Lingbi is obstinate and self-opinionated, impulsive and impatient. I’m afraid in the entire Immortal Sects, he only has one friend—Yue Mihua of Mihua Sect, doesn’t he?”

Xie Hongchen couldn’t even be bothered to respond to him.

The others suppressed their laughter and remained silent.

“If Yue Mihua had some disaster or ailment, perhaps that old thing would leave his nest to visit,” the Supervisor said in a teasing tone.

Xie Hongchen said in a deep voice, “My master’s crimes are not yet established—this is merely suspicion. Please conduct yourself with propriety, Supervisor, and refrain from speaking ill.”

Zhang Shujiu tried to smooth things over, saying, “You two need not quarrel. It’s just that although Old Sect Master Yue Mihua of Mihua Sect yielded his position to Chai Tianrong many years ago, his body has always been robust. I’m afraid he wouldn’t falsely deceive an old friend.”

“Robust health?” the Supervisor said. “Then we’ll think of a way to make him temporarily less robust.”

…That really was a good method. Well, just a bit unscrupulous.

Everyone’s gazes met briefly before they each looked away in different directions.

Xie Hongchen said, “In that case, my master will definitely go to visit. I will thoroughly search Anlei Peak.”

Wu Zichou said, “You are Xie Lingbi’s personal disciple. Who knows if you two won’t cover for each other?”

His words were too sharp. He Xijin and Zhang Shujiu both frowned.

Zhang Shujiu said, “Sect Master Xie’s character is noble and pure. Brother Wu can probably rest assured.”

Wu Zichou retorted, “Wasn’t Yuhu Xuanzong noble and pure? Yet such things still happened. How can anyone feel assured?”

He Xijin said, “Don’t, don’t don’t quar, quarrel. Sect, Sect, Sect Master Xie will, will will naturally have, have a way to, to make us, us us trust, trust him!”

Xie Hongchen was no fool and naturally understood that these three great sages were working together in coordination, forcing him to take a stance.

He said, “I understand what you three are saying. But this matter concerns my master and the sect’s reputation. I cannot bring all of you along, but I request that Miss Arang accompany me to serve as witness.”

His considerations could not be called anything but thorough.

But the Supervisor immediately said, “My wife has no connections to Yuhu Xuanzong and cannot accompany the Sect Master into danger. I, however, am willing to make this trip with the Sect Master.”

However, Xie Hongchen clearly did not accept this. He said, “The Supervisor is affiliated with the imperial court and I’m afraid your position may not be impartial either.”

Seeing the two about to quarrel again, Huang Rang said, “I’ll go with you.”

Di Yiqiu was about to speak again when Huang Rang turned to look at him and said, “No need to worry. Sect Master Xie’s character is worthy of trust.”

The Supervisor immediately soured like a lemon: “Worthy of trust? What, is Sect Master Xie’s character as noble and upright as his master’s?”

Hearing these words, even someone with a temperament as good as Xie Hongchen couldn’t help but snort coldly.

That night, Baowu and Li Lu made a trip to Mihua Sect.

When it came to making someone’s body not quite so robust, the Supervisor had far too many methods.

These two brought a small round ball and placed it on the wall. Inside, the striking needle vibrated continuously.

Li Lu and Baowu didn’t feel anything unusual.

But inside the wall, Yue Mihua suddenly fell unconscious.

When the news spread, Li Lu and Baowu were both startled.

—Did this thing really just make those old bones less robust?

He wasn’t going to die like this, was he?

At this time, news of Yue Mihua’s serious illness finally reached Yuhu Xuanzong.

As expected, upon receiving the news, Xie Lingbi immediately took medicinal pills and rushed to Mihua Sect.

Once he left, Xie Hongchen immediately instructed Xie Shaochong to summon all the disciples guarding Anlei Peak to Diancui Peak under the pretext of a martial arts demonstration.

Xie Shaochong knew that Xie Hongchen had been acting strangely these past days, but he didn’t dare ask in detail. He could only follow orders.

Once all the disciples from Anlei Peak had left.

Xie Hongchen immediately brought Huang Rang and hurried inside.

Huang Rang was dressed as a low-ranking disciple of Yuhu Xuanzong. The two ascended the mountain path. Xie Hongchen closed the barriers along the way, and the World-Seeing Eyes were all shielded.

Knowing time was urgent, the two didn’t delay and entered the hall directly.

Luofu Hall was as silent as a hibernating beast. The two entered the hall. As Sect Master, Xie Hongchen was not barred by the barriers within the hall.

Then, Xie Hongchen took out a bronze mirror and channeled power into it slightly. The bronze mirror’s light reflected throughout. Everything in the hall became transparent.

All the objects in the drawers were clearly visible.

The two verified everything one by one, but found nothing suspicious.

Xie Hongchen said, “My master’s residence is all here. What more does Miss Arang have to say?”

Huang Rang examined every corner of the hall thoroughly and found nothing. She could only insist stubbornly, “How do you know he only has one residence? Did Leiyin Daji have no cave dwelling of his own?”

Xie Hongchen frowned and said, “After Leiyin Daji was vanquished, his cave dwelling was destroyed. However…”

He paused slightly in his heart, suddenly thinking of a place, and said, “Follow me!”

Huang Rang accompanied him out of Luofu Hall and headed toward the back mountain.

Huang Rang was quite familiar with Yuhu Xuanzong.

But the place Xie Hongchen was leading her to, she had never been before.

“Where is this?” Huang Rang couldn’t help but be curious.

Xie Hongchen led her all the way into the depths of the mountain forest. At the end was actually a tomb.

The tombstone was tall. On the inscription, a name was clearly engraved—Yinian Shenbu.

This was actually the tomb of Yinian Shenbu!

Xie Hongchen stared at the tombstone, his gaze heavy. After a long time, the Heart Sword emerged from his hand. Light like water poured down. The sword light broke through the barrier on the monument, revealing a small door through which people could pass.

“Follow me!” Xie Hongchen brought Huang Rang along, riding the light, entering directly through the small door.

Huang Rang only felt her vision blur and the light suddenly darken.

When she could see again, she had already entered a stone chamber.

The four walls of the stone chamber were carved full of sword intent.

In the center of the tomb chamber stood a coffin.

Huang Rang was greatly startled and said, “Is Yinian Shenbu in the coffin?”

Xie Hongchen said, “Precisely.”

Huang Rang said, “I remember this is a forbidden area of Yuhu Xuanzong. Those who enter without permission die.”

Xie Hongchen said, “Yes.”

Huang Rang couldn’t help but ask, “Then you brought me inside—is that alright?”

Xie Hongchen said, “If the elders pursue the matter, I will naturally accept punishment. It has nothing to do with you.”

Huang Rang was slightly stunned. After a long time, she said, “Thank you.”

Xie Hongchen’s gaze lowered. After quite a while, he said, “No need. I have yet to congratulate Miss Arang on her wedding.”

“Ah?” Huang Rang was slightly startled, then laughed and said, “Sect Master’s congratulations come somewhat late.”

Xie Hongchen was silent for a long time before saying, “With regret in my heart, I naturally cannot speak words contrary to my feelings. Even if it’s late, it still goes against my heart.”

The darkness in the tomb made vision unclear, and so one carelessly revealed the human heart.

Huang Rang said in a low voice, “Sect Master speaks out of turn.”

Xie Hongchen said nothing more. In his life, he actually rarely spoke out of turn.

Huang Rang turned to say, “Since we’re here, can we open the coffin and look inside?” After speaking, she also knew this was improper and couldn’t help but add, “I’ve put the Sect Master in a difficult position.”

Xie Hongchen said, “We came here to investigate in the first place. It’s not putting me in a difficult position.”

Having said this, he took down the eternal lamp from the tomb chamber and handed it to Huang Rang, saying, “There is sword intent on the coffin. Step back and wait for me.”

Huang Rang held the lamp with both hands and stepped back several paces.

Xie Hongchen’s Heart Sword emerged again. The sword marks on the coffin suddenly burst forth through the air. Xie Hongchen swung his sword to block. Sword intent came from all directions like a woven fishing net. Xie Hongchen was trapped within the net.

In Huang Rang’s eyes, there was only sword intent. She could no longer clearly see the figure in snow-white robes inside.

In her ears was the crisp sound of countless blades and swords clashing. Although Huang Rang had studied under Xie Hongchen for a hundred years, only now did she realize the profound mysteries of the sword way were endless and inexhaustible.

The person before her was truly a heaven-sent prodigy.

Where exactly had Xie Lingbi obtained him from? Why was he born with such extraordinary bone structure?

While she pondered, Xie Hongchen, by his own power alone, broke through the barrier set by Yuhu Xuanzong’s founding ancestor Yinian Shenbu.

When the sword intent gradually ceased, he reached out his hand and slowly pushed open the coffin.

When the final coffin lid opened, after a long time, he finally dared to look.

But inside, there was nothing at all.

The tomb of Yinian Shenbu was empty.

Xie Hongchen and Huang Rang exchanged glances. Both fell into silence.

The bottom of the coffin was clean as new.

Xie Hongchen reached out his hand and unexpectedly touched another layer of barrier.

Steeling his resolve, he simply broke through the barrier. The coffin board shattered, revealing a large opening.

Xie Hongchen leaped into it and said to Huang Rang, “Come.”

Huang Rang didn’t need his assistance and jumped in as well.

Within the secret chamber, there was a stone bed.

On the stone bed lay countless jade bottles and cultivation journals.

The journals were scattered about. Xie Hongchen casually picked up one, and just by looking at the handwriting, his heart felt as if he had drunk ice water.

—This was precisely Xie Lingbi’s handwriting.

The journal was written casually, yet drop by drop, point by point, it was all about a demonic technique—the Demon Spirit Ghost Scripture.

Huang Rang casually picked up a jade bottle. Opening the stopper, something swayed and drifted inside, releasing a wisp of black mist.

Xie Hongchen stepped back several paces. After a long time, he said, “Please witness this, Miss Arang.” Then, he recorded all the evidence found, one by one. His face was expressionless, yet he remained meticulous throughout.

Huang Rang didn’t interrupt. She knew how difficult this moment was for Xie Hongchen.

Xie Hongchen documented all the evidence in detail, leaving nothing out.

Then, he brought Huang Rang and walked out through the tomb door.

At this time, over a dozen people were already standing outside the tomb.

Huang Rang glanced over—every face was unfamiliar. Strange, how can there be people I don’t recognize in Yuhu Xuanzong? Huang Rang was curious in her heart, until Xie Hongchen said, “Greetings to all the elders.”

Ah. Huang Rang suddenly realized these people were actually the long-reclusive elders of Yuhu Xuanzong.

She had never seen them. Even at her wedding, these elders had not appeared.

Huang Rang wasn’t surprised. Given her origins back then, she truly didn’t deserve them personally welcoming her.

Among the elders, the leader was precisely Qiu Cailing.

Qiu Cailing stared at Huang Rang, brows tightly furrowed, and said, “Just now there was an abnormality in the barrier, so we came to investigate. May I ask the Sect Master, what is the meaning of this?”

Xie Hongchen said, “The elders have come at just the right time. I have a matter that requires all the elders to bear witness.”

He swept his gaze over everyone and said word by word, “The sect’s Ancestor Lingbi has privately and illicitly practiced the demonic technique Demon Spirit Ghost Scripture. He has harmed lives and fallen into the demonic path. Now the evidence is irrefutable. I will capture him and… deal with him according to sect rules.”

His words were shocking. Over a dozen elders all changed their expressions.

After a long time, Qiu Cailing said, “Who is this young lady?”

Xie Hongchen seemed casual, yet subtly shifted his position, blocking Huang Rang behind him. Huang Rang didn’t understand the meaning of this action and could only say, “I am Huang Rang. Greetings to all the elders.”

“Huang Rang…” Qiu Cailing pondered for a long time, clearly not remembering this person.

Xie Hongchen said, “She is also Di Sanmeng.”

Only then did Qiu Cailing say, “I see. But Di Yimeng has never had any connection with Yuhu Xuanzong. How would the young lady happen to appear here?”

Huang Rang’s heart skipped a beat. This Qiu Cailing heard that Xie Lingbi practiced demonic techniques, yet first questioned her. How strange.

She didn’t know how to answer. Xie Hongchen could only say, “Master Di Sanmeng discovered the irregularities and serves as witness.”

Qiu Cailing frowned and said, “This is strange indeed. When have internal matters of Yuhu Xuanzong ever needed an unrelated person to come serve as witness?”

These words weren’t right—Huang Rang muttered to herself. Judging by his meaning, it seemed he didn’t intend to make Xie Lingbi’s matter public?

Xie Hongchen turned around to look at Huang Rang and said, “The elder speaks correctly. It’s just that Miss Arang insisted on this request, so this Sect Master had no choice but to bring her. Now, I was just about to hand her over to the elders.”

Huang Rang heard these words becoming increasingly wrong and couldn’t help but be utterly confused. Just at this moment, Xie Hongchen suddenly shouted, “Where are you fleeing!”

“Hm?” Huang Rang was baffled—I’m not fleeing.

But Xie Hongchen had already struck with his sword.

In the sword wind, Huang Rang saw a black shadow charging straight at her face. She raised her hand to catch it—it was precisely Xie Hongchen’s storage magical artifact.

Her gaze met Xie Hongchen’s, and she suddenly understood. Then, borrowing the momentum of Xie Hongchen’s sword strike, she turned and ran.

The other elders shouted angrily and immediately made to pursue.

But Xie Hongchen turned with his sword and blocked everyone.

The elders hadn’t expected him to suddenly draw his sword and immediately retreated one after another.

Qiu Cailing angrily rebuked, “What is the meaning of this, Sect Master Xie?”

Xie Hongchen gazed at each of the elders. With his sword, he drew a line on the ground, cutting out a boundary, and said, “I ask that the elders not cross this line. Otherwise, you will be making an enemy of me.”

When he said these words, he didn’t even know why he was so resolute.

It was as if, in some mysterious way, he owed that person one act of protection.