At this moment, Xiaoxiao couldn’t spare attention for “Jie’er’s” strange look. Taking advantage of the shock she had just created, she wanted to strike while the iron was hot and quickly persuade the Four Great Sects to retreat.

After all, they had already retrieved the Golden Core, and Wei Jie hadn’t yet become the Demon Lord – public outrage wasn’t sufficient. Except for Qin Lingxiao, whose soul had transmigrated back, probably no one would insist on killing over the theft of a Golden Core.

Her words indeed diverted everyone’s attention.

Seeing that Cui Xiaoxiao’s words had taken effect, the other elders cast strange glances over, silently reproaching Lingyun Pavilion for standing by and watching.

Qin Lingxiao snorted coldly in his heart again: This Cui Xiaoxiao had many cunning schemes! She was trying to redirect trouble eastward, stirring up everyone’s dissatisfaction with Lingyun Pavilion.

However, the other three sects were truly just a rabble, useless! If this were two hundred years later, he wouldn’t need these people’s help at all – he alone could deal with the Wei Jie before him.

As for the other three sects’ dissatisfaction with Lingyun Pavilion, Qin Lingxiao paid it no mind. Accustomed to being the world’s number one sect leader, he had long grown used to looking down on all beings and couldn’t learn to be cautious and please others everywhere.

So, despite the strange looks from other major cultivation sects, Qin Lingxiao maintained his usual coldness, with a calm expression, standing there openly and steadily without speaking.

This made the other major elders even angrier, thinking: Lingyun Pavilion’s young pavilion master is such a cunning person, always good at ordering others around!

Thinking this, the other elders called back their disciples one after another, no longer fighting. After all, their foundations had been exposed one by one. If they continued fighting, who knew what other breaking methods the Talismonger Sect’s Sect Leader Cui might see?

They needed to hurry back and patch up their sect’s technique flaws, or else, if exploited by enemies, the consequences would be unthinkable.

The Wumu Peak elder spoke first: “Sect Leader Cui, since you’ve said you’ll properly discipline your disciple, let today end here. The Golden Core has been retrieved, and we shouldn’t delay here any longer – after all, there are still sect affairs waiting for everyone at our respective sects. Come, let’s divide the Golden Core and each go back!”

Hearing this, Cui Xiaoxiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking she had finally gotten through this crisis…

But before she could catch her breath, her obedient disciple Jie’er suddenly swung the long whip around his waist. With a sharp crack, the whip struck from a tricky angle, wrapping around the cloth pouch in the Wumu Peak elder’s hand.

The pouch flew through the air and unfortunately landed right in Cui Xiaoxiao’s hands.

Wei Jie’s strength was great, and the pouch was torn by the whip. Golden Cores rolled out from the torn pouch, touching Cui Xiaoxiao’s palm…

The Gold-Dissolving Curse’s power remained, and the Golden Cores instantly turned to ash, scattered everywhere by the wind…

Wei Jie had originally wanted to snatch back the Golden Core to use as leverage, forcing everyone to retreat so he could leave smoothly.

Unfortunately, the pouch fell into Cui Xiaoxiao’s hands. He never expected that the master he had taken halfway would be so righteous, using some unknown technique to directly reduce the Golden Cores to ash, eliminating future troubles.

He couldn’t help but give Xiaoxiao a thumbs up – worthy of being his master, acting decisively and leaving no way out for herself!

Now the righteous cultivators who had been preparing to leave gracefully were all wide-eyed, wishing they could strangle this damned master-disciple pair.

Cui Xiaoxiao was also dumbfounded, smiling awkwardly at everyone: “Uh… this… I didn’t do it on purpose, please let me explain…”

This batch of Golden Cores related to the cultivation advancement of great masters in the major sects – ten years of hard work had been turned to ash by that Talismonger Sect’s Cui Xiaoxiao. It was truly infuriating!

Just then, Qin Lingxiao inconspicuously gave his attendant a look.

Now the opportunity was perfect – many righteous cultivator disciples were gathered, and Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie were each more capable of courting death than the other.

Now they had provoked public anger. As long as they attacked with full force, Wei Jie would be severely injured if not killed.

Since the Po Hun Snake was dead, Wei Jie no longer had the fortune to become a demon.

Did Cui Xiaoxiao think only she could see other sects’ flaws? Just now, Qin Lingxiao had already inconspicuously observed Wei Jie’s techniques and also saw his insufficient cultivation and the weakness of his true qi, making him unable to continue.

This former master of his was truly a heaven-sent genius – with just wild techniques, he was already formidable. Unfortunately, his power was insufficient and couldn’t be sustained!

This time, he wouldn’t even give Wei Jie the chance to become a demon. Let Wei Jie disappear into the masses, dying weakly and humbly…

Seeing Qin Lingxiao’s look, Lingyun Pavilion’s disciples immediately understood and took the lead in raising their arms and shouting: “This master and disciple are in cahoots, destroying our Golden Core. We are irreconcilable with them!”

So the Four Great Sects, with their anger reignited, rushed forward again. This time, not only disciples but even elders brought out their magical treasures and weapons, surrounding the master-disciple pair.

Seeing this formation, Cui Xiaoxiao felt a severe headache. Regardless of Wei Jie’s character, he was truly a troublemaker!

No wonder he would fall deep into demonhood and bring bloody storms to the world. What to do? Looking at this situation, if they captured these two, the Four Great Sects would probably stuff her and Wei Jie into a pill furnace…

Just as swords were drawn and the situation was critical, the surroundings of Qilao Mountain suddenly echoed with harsh metallic sounds.

As if emerging from underground, a group of warriors in silver helmets and armor suddenly appeared, surrounding the Four Great Sects’ people.

The general-like leader was tall and imposing, like a pagoda-bearing heavenly king. With a grim face, he said to the Four Great Sects’ followers: “Do you think Qilao Mountain has no master? What are you doing here, shouting and threatening violence on Wei family territory?”

The Wumu Peak Qi Sect elder looked around – these people’s silver armor bore black rust marks with demon-subduing seals. He cupped his fists and said: “Are you from the demon-subduing Wei family?”

The man replied: “I am Wei Jingfeng, eighteenth generation descendant of the Wei family. Qilao Mountain guards the forbidden land between yin and yang realms – idle people are not permitted entry!”

Someone then mocked: “Wei Jingfeng? Aren’t you Wei Jingling’s brother? Does the Wei family still have the face to come out? It was your Wei family’s demon spawn who stole our Golden Core! Do you want us Four Great Sects, to help your Wei family clean house again?”

Back then, the Wei family head Wei Jingling secretly kept a female demon and had a child with her, shocking the Four Great Sects.

The righteous cultivation sects came to pressure Wei Jingling to hand over the female demon and the demon spawn.

In the end, Wei Jingling would rather gouge out his flesh and blood than surrender the female demon and half-demon child.

After Wei Jingling’s death, the female demon escaped pursuit and disappeared. The young half-demon son was protected by the Wei family and raised there.

However, this child named Wei Jie suddenly left the Wei family at age twelve, whereabouts unknown.

Now the righteous sects learned that this one called Wei Jie was the half-demon child Wei Jie from back then.

It seemed they hadn’t completely rooted out the problem, leaving behind future troubles.

Wei Jingfeng, Wei Jie’s actual second uncle, hearing the mockery, pulled a long face and said: “My elder brother’s affairs back then – one person’s actions, one person’s responsibility. He already took his own life in apology, using his flesh and blood to repay his sins. This child, Wei Jie, was personally protected by our grandmother, who begged the Four Great Sects’ sect leaders for mercy. Now that he’s caused trouble through misbehavior, it’s naturally our Wei family’s poor discipline – the Wei family will handle it. If you insist on being unreasonable and causing trouble at Qilao Mountain, don’t blame our entire Wei family for being unable to agree!”

The events back then were indeed the Wei family’s fault. Wei Jingling was unwilling to drag down the Wei family’s reputation and voluntarily died in apology, staining Qilao Mountain slopes with blood.

At that time, the Wei family closed their doors tightly with no one coming forward, creating the illusion that the Wei family was easy to bully.

The Four Great Sects pushed their luck – after forcing Wei Jingling to death, they even dared to erect Dragon Bone Monuments at the foot of Qilao Mountain to sing their praises.

Those monuments were simply nailing the Wei family firmly to the pillar of shame. Unfortunately, the Wei family ancestors decreed to treat those monuments as warning bells – it was good to have them stand there to prevent the Wei family from producing more rebellious sons.

Now the Four Great Sects were making a fuss and causing trouble again. The Wei family had been holding back their evil fire for over ten years and finally had a place to vent it!

If they didn’t show their power, the Four Great Sects would think the Wei family was a sick cat? They should think about it – could the Wei family that guarded the yin and yang realms and prevented thousands of evil spirits and demons from harming the mortal world be soft persimmons to be squeezed at will!

With harsh words already laid down, Lingyun Pavilion, led by Qin Lingxiao and the senior elders of Wumu Peak Qi Sect, knowing the Wei family’s background, didn’t speak for a moment.

But most young disciples among the Four Great Sects didn’t know the Wei family’s true background. They only felt that with someone like Wei Jingling, who was bewitched by a female demon, the Wei family had completely fallen – what was there to fear?

So several young hotshots jumped out, preparing to test the demon-subduing Wei family.

Having experienced two hundred years, Qin Lingxiao naturally knew the Wei family’s final fate.

The Wei family that had guarded Qilao Mountain for over ten generations would be annihilated when the Underworld gates opened wide five years later. Their flesh and blood would all be fed to demons, with no women, children, or elderly surviving!

At that time, Qin Lingxiao was initially plotting with junior sister Ling Zhishan to assassinate Wei Jie, so he didn’t follow Wei Jie to Qilao Mountain at first.

However, he heard from others that the Underworld gates were opened by the demon Wei Jie himself, who personally led demons out to slaughter and devour the Wei family members who had persecuted his parents.

It was precisely because of this tragedy that Ling Zhishan finally made up her mind to betray master Wei Jie together with Senior Brother Qin Lingxiao.

Someone like Wei Jie, who was so inhumane that he could strike down blood relatives, was worse than a beast! If his demonic nature continued to run rampant, the world would be in danger!

So Qin Lingxiao took advantage of Wei Jie refining the Demon Pearl to unite with his junior sister and finally killed this demon king.

Now, seeing the Wei family members, Qin Lingxiao was also laughing coldly in his heart.

He wondered if the Underworld gates would be secretly opened by someone like Wei Jie, full of hatred, five years later. If so, these Wei family members only had five years to live.

Before then, he would see what abilities this Wei family, destined to no longer exist, actually possessed.

Several Lingyun Pavilion disciples glanced at Qin Lingxiao. When they saw the young pavilion master’s indicating look, they simultaneously and provocatively charged toward Wei Jie again.

Wei family head Wei Jingfeng didn’t move. From behind him suddenly jumped out two identical girls who appeared to be twins.

They also wore silver armor, but in their hands they held… long spikes like coffin nails.

When they jumped in front of Wei Jie, blocking the Lingyun Pavilion disciples rushing up, the twins’ identical faces showed no expression, their gazes even somewhat hollow, radiating an indescribable eeriness.

How could those disciples take two girls seriously? Seeing them come to block, they immediately circulated qi to shake off the two girls. Miaoxian Mountain had always been on good terms with Lingyun Pavilion, so seeing Lingyun Pavilion enter battle, Miaoxian Mountain’s disciples also raised their qi shields to assist.

Miaoxian Mountain’s qi-gathering method was to collect the qi of surrounding living beings for their use. So their qi shields were unparalleled in the world. The airflow in the void twisted, quickly forming qi shields that charged straight at the two girls.

Just when everyone thought the two girls would be knocked away, both girls moved simultaneously, leaping into the air.

They raised the coffin nails in their hands to stab at the qi shields, while their other empty hands grasped in the void, suddenly producing half of a dark, muscle-twisted ghost claw.

The fierce ghost claw moved its black, sharp claws, then clenched into a fist like a hammer, letting the girls swing it to smash against the coffin nails.

Two sharp, ear-piercing “clang” sounds rang out as the coffin nails were hammered hard into the qi shields by the hammer-like ghost claws.

The originally formless qi shields showed obvious cracks, and between the fissures, dark red blood flowed. Where the cracks broke open, it seemed like gates to the underworld were opening, as if thousands of wronged souls were wailing and crying…

The wailing mixed with the lingering impact sounds, shocking everyone into covering their ears and retreating.

The Lingyun Pavilion disciples still wanted to show off, raising qi swords to stab, but the two girls again raised their ghost claws in unison, using coffin nails to attack their faces.

Those Lingyun Pavilion disciples were hit squarely. The next moment, their souls were visibly knocked out of their bodies, leaving only dumbstruck corpses maintaining their original postures, motionless…

Fortunately, the Miaoxian Mountain elder understood some ghost and spirit arts. He quickly ran over to press their soul-returning acupoints while silently chanting incantations to call back the departed souls.

The next moment, these soul-separated disciples awakened with pale faces and cold sweats, but their whole bodies shook like chaff as they powerlessly collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, the Wumu Peak Qi Sect elder’s face changed dramatically as he said in a low voice: “This… could this be the Wei family’s Ghost-Summoning Arts!”

As the demon-subduing Wei family guarding the boundary between yin and yang, their specialty was controlling yin ghosts, separating bones from souls, and reversing yin and yang.

Though these two girls were young, their Ghost-Summoning Arts were already so formidable – the other Wei family members’ strength was even more formidable.

If they pushed this family to desperation, they could do anything – they need only open the Underworld gates to overturn the world and bring disaster to all living beings in the nine provinces.

Wei Jingfeng had the two girls enter battle to intimidate – now no one dared to underestimate the Wei family or challenge them casually.

The elder brother’s affair back then was truly the Wei family’s fault. As a demon-subduing family, each generation’s head bore heavy responsibilities, but the elder brother was bewitched by the female demon and lost his original heart, nearly causing a tremendous disaster.

Fortunately, he finally remembered the Wei family’s duties, repented, and was willing to die in apology. The Wei family members could only accept this without interference.

But the Four Great Sects thought forcing Wei Jingling to death was their achievement! Did they think the Wei family stayed behind closed doors out of fear of the Four Great Sects’ power?

Now the Four Great Sects were pushing their luck and provoking them again. Without showing them something fierce, they’d think the Wei family were just graveyard watchmen.

Of course, not everyone among the Four Great Sects was an ignorant youngster. For instance, the Wumu Peak elder knew why the Wei family was not to be trifled with.

Seeing Lingyun Pavilion and Miaoxian Mountain lose face, the Wumu Peak elder came out to smooth things over: “These young juniors don’t recognize the Wei family head – please forgive them. Since you’ve come out to vouch for him, we’ll naturally forgive Wei Jie this once. We just hope he’ll reform and not commit crimes again… Young Pavilion Master Qin, things have come to this – we should each return. After all, Qilao Mountain is where yin and yang meet. Too much killing might cause yin-yang imbalance, which wouldn’t be appropriate.”

Having experienced a hundred years, Qin Lingxiao had personally witnessed the disaster when the Underworld gates nearly opened. He just hadn’t expected the Wei family to be so unfathomably deep.

If such a Wei family had been silently annihilated overnight back then, the consequences of the Underworld gates opening wide were unimaginable…

But when the Underworld gates opened wide back then, they seemed to only slaughter the entire Wei family. After Wei Jie was killed, phoenixes circled Phoenix Pool wailing, releasing heavenly fire that burned hundreds of li around Qilao Mountain, and the opened Underworld gates also closed accordingly.

Though some demons escaped, with Qin Lingxiao leading the sword sect to subdue demons everywhere, they were gradually killed off completely.

This also accumulated countless reputation for his world’s number one sword sect.

However, thinking carefully now, the Underworld gates’ sudden opening and abrupt closing back then were strange.

During this period, only Wei Jie went up Qilao Mountain – what happened was known only to him.

Now, not only had he transmigrated back over two hundred years, but there was also Cui Xiaoxiao, the biggest variable.

Cui Xiaoxiao had taken Wei Jie as a disciple. This was truly like a mouse becoming a cat’s master – courting death!

Moreover, in his previous memories, when Wei Jie was chased to the foot of Qilao Mountain by the Four Great Sects for stealing the Golden Core, the Wei family never showed their faces from beginning to end, letting the Four Great Sects beat Wei Jie off the cliff!

Why had the same events changed so dramatically this time when time flowed backward? Qin Lingxiao very much disliked the feeling of current events being beyond his control.

Thinking this, Qin Lingxiao decided he must take away Cui Xiaoxiao, the biggest variable, and absolutely couldn’t let her remain by Wei Jie’s side.

But looking at her appearance, she was getting along swimmingly with the demon head and probably wouldn’t leave with him.

Thinking this, while everyone’s attention was on the demon-subduing Wei family, he suddenly leaped up, approaching Xiaoxiao while manifesting black iron shackles in his hands. One end clicked and locked onto Cui Xiaoxiao’s wrist.

These shackles were special, called Soul-Locking Cuffs. As the name suggested, once locked, without the spirit key, they would remain locked until death – no sword could cut them open.

These chains were usually used to lock demons. Fearing Cui Xiaoxiao wouldn’t go with him, after locking Cui Xiaoxiao, Qin Lingxiao planned to fasten the other end to his wrist.

But before he could fasten it, Wei Jie again pulled Xiaoxiao over, helping her block and parry. During their brief grappling exchange, Qin Lingxiao mistakenly fastened the other end to Wei Jie’s wrist…

When Wei Jie pulled Cui Xiaoxiao back, Xiaoxiao was dumbfounded seeing the shackles connecting her and Wei Jie. She turned to Qin Lingxiao and said, “What are you trying to do? Why did you shackle me and him together?”

Qin Lingxiao’s forehead darkened as he could only grit his teeth and say: “Come with me and I’ll unlock the shackles. Otherwise, you can only sever your arm to separate from him.”

Cui Xiaoxiao discovered that Sect Leader Qin couldn’t speak without threatening people. Before she could answer, Wei Jie said: “Why are you so persistently entangling my master?”

Qin Lingxiao snorted coldly and said gravely, “The Wei family protected you, but didn’t protect this woman. She stole something important from me and hasn’t returned it yet. This is a private grudge between her and me – you have no right to interfere!”

Cui Xiaoxiao was almost amused by Qin Lingxiao’s words. Having flowed back two hundred years, Sect Leader Qin’s appearance had become more tender, but how had his face grown thicker?

What had she stolen from him? Could it be that Demon Pearl?

But Wei Jie looked coldly at Qin Lingxiao and said, “My master said someone shameless wanted to force her into marriage. I think… could it be you, using the name of catching a thief while kidnapping a beauty?”

Xiaoxiao was also deadly with her words, casually adding: “Jie’er, this… You saw through it?”

Qin Lingxiao’s handsome face flushed red with anger again. He never expected that just moments after returning to two hundred years ago, Cui Xiaoxiao would have the leisure to discuss this matter with the demon head.

Were she and Wei Jie long-lost soulmates? They talked about everything!

However, his previous marriage proposal to Cui Xiaoxiao was a fact. The proud dignity of the former world’s number one sword sect wouldn’t allow Qin Lingxiao to lie in front of Cui Xiaoxiao.

Wei Jie had spoken casually, but seeing this Lingyun Pavilion youth’s cold, grim expression without denial, he couldn’t help but find it amusing.

He couldn’t help but look the youth up and down, thinking: How old is this child? Already thinking about marriage? Lingyun Pavilion always produces people whose intelligence is clouded by lust, but this so-called young pavilion master is too ridiculous!

Seeing Wei Jie’s gaze examining him like looking at a lecher, Qin Lingxiao became even more frustrated.

The two who originally had master-disciple fate were now, in this chaotic time two hundred years ago, glaring at each other with big eyes staring at small eyes, seemingly unable to continue their master-disciple karmic connection this time…

Taking this opportunity, in front of the Four Great Sects, Cui Xiaoxiao pursed her cherry lips and said loudly to Qin Lingxiao: “Listen well – I will never marry you! Give up and stop pestering me!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was internally surprised! Especially the female disciples present, who didn’t know that Lingyun Pavilion’s young pavilion master was gentle as jade, a youth like a banished immortal?

Unexpectedly, he would privately pester women relentlessly…

At this moment, Qin Lingxiao was so angry his cheeks were flushed red, really looking like a youth whose love was unrequited.

Knowing the Wei family was backing them and he couldn’t handle these two or temporarily take away Cui Xiaoxiao, there was no need to engage in verbal disputes here.

He said to Cui Xiaoxiao with a dark face, “Fine, since you love being with him so much, I’ll fulfill your wish. If you regret it, don’t come crying to me! Take care of yourself! Remember – those who reveal heaven’s secrets won’t have good endings!”