A generation’s Ghost Sect master, having been immersed in blood talisman dark arts for years, every drop of blood in his veins flowed with sinister poison and evil – an excellent offering to sacrifice to the most yin objects!

The moment the cloth stained with Wan Lian Shi’s blood entered the vat, the surface that had been still as dead water suddenly boiled like fire meeting oil, gradually overflowing the vat’s rim and spreading across the ground in gurgling streams.

Wan Lian Shi couldn’t care about Lord Can anymore. He spun around sharply and rushed desperately toward the secret chamber’s exit.

Unfortunately, his severed arm’s wound was still bleeding continuously. The blood vat, having identified his blood scent like a fierce beast locking onto prey, suddenly gushed upward like a spring. The massive blood flow gathered and surged on the ground like a giant hand, immediately grasping Wan Lian Shi’s body, then, with the roar of countless fierce beasts, dragged him into the vat.

Entangled by the blood flow, Wan Lian Shi instantly felt the beast’s blood boring into his pores like countless tentacles, greedily absorbing his blood.

Though he struggled desperately to break free, it was completely useless. Finally, struggling in the bottomless bloody filth, he barely managed to extend one arm, desperately gripping the vat’s edge. Then, showing half his face with terrified eyes, he wailed at Lord Can, who was slowly approaching: “Master… Master, I’ve devoted myself to serving you for so many years. Even without merit, I’ve worked hard! Please, spare me. I can still serve my master faithfully. I… I will capture that, Cui Xiaoxiao!”

The human-skin talisman he had thrown earlier was stuck to Lord Can’s left cheek.

This talisman could instantly control a person, but Lord Can seemed unaffected, walking toward the blood vat as if nothing had happened.

Only the skin where the talisman was attached, like a dried riverbed, rapidly became withered and wrinkled, even showing the grayish-white color of a corpse.

Lord Can, wearing this half-human, half-ghost face, grinned ferociously at Wan Lian Shi struggling in the vat, casually peeling off the human-skin talisman and tossing it aside.

After the human-skin talisman was removed, his skin quickly smoothed and became supple again, returning to the vitality of a thirty-year-old.

He looked down at Wan Lian Shi, who was gripping the vat’s edge with one hand, struggling desperately, and smiled coldly: “Did you think this prince didn’t know your thoughts? Logically, with people besieging outside the mansion, there’s no place safer than the prince’s mansion, yet you coaxed this prince to leave – what were your intentions? Did you think you could take advantage of the chaos to control this prince for your use?”

Wan Lian Shi continued wailing, struggling, and begging for mercy, desperately protesting his innocence and loyalty.

Unfortunately, Lord Can remained unmoved. He simply drew a steel dagger from his waist, his smile fading as he said coldly: “In times when even gods don’t honor righteousness and trust, how can I expect loyalty from a hyena like you? This prince was too hopeful…”

Before his words finished, his blade had already swung over. With Wan Lian Shi’s scream, his remaining hand was also severed and fell outside the vat.

Having lost his only support point, Wan Lian Shi was instantly dragged by the thick blood water and sank into the bottomless vat.

After a series of bubbles rose to the surface, it returned to calm. Wan Lian Shi’s body had instantly dissolved into blood water, sacrificed to whatever was in the vat.

Lord Can stared intently at the water’s surface. Seeing no movement, he couldn’t help but feel greatly disappointed.

If using someone like Wan Lian Shi with such deep cultivation and sinister nature was useless, what kind of sacrifice would be needed to awaken the torn page?

Just as he was about to turn and leave, the torn page that had been missing for so long finally slowly emerged from the water.

Lord Can couldn’t help but feel excited. Standing by the vat, he extended his finger through the air but hesitated to write.

When Wei Di had originally presented this torn page, he had told him that simply writing someone’s name and birth date on the torn page would reveal that person’s past and future.

However, this torn page didn’t belong to the mortal realm. Even when nourished with the fresh blood of rare beasts, each use would damage the torn page. When its divine power was finally exhausted and depleted, it would be nothing but waste paper.

Since this torn page fell into Lord Can’s hands, to extend his own life and change his mortal fate, he had pried into the destinies of countless people related to himself, using it frequently.

Last time, this torn page had shown complete blankness, appearing exhausted, so this time it probably couldn’t be used much more.

This time, whose name he should write became especially important…

Lord Can pondered for a while, finally making up his mind and quickly writing a name on the torn page.

However, this time he no longer wrote his name, but the three large characters “Cui Xiaoxiao.”

As for her birth date, that was easy to handle. Qin He had already extracted from his son Qin Lingxiao that she had the rare, extremely yin fate.

After noting her birth date and time, this torn page would display Cui Xiaoxiao’s lifelong destiny, allowing Lord Can to know all her secrets.

He narrowed his eyes at the blank torn page. Soon, characters began appearing on the page…

After reading a few lines, Lord Can’s pupils suddenly contracted: So… it was like this!

No wonder the torn page had previously said she was someone born in the wrong era. She had traveled here from two hundred years in the future!

No wonder she could alter Wei Jie’s fate line, causing all his carefully planned arrangements to fall through.

The torn page only wrote about Cui Xiaoxiao’s origins and her past experiences. But her future destiny remained completely blank, with only a few words explaining everything: “One not subject to heavenly mandate, destiny undetermined, life and death unknown…”

Most strangely, when others had their names written, it could display their three-lifetime reincarnation experiences.

But Cui Xiaoxiao seemed like a stone monkey that popped out of a rock – before this lifetime, it was still completely blank with no records of any previous lives!

Looking at the destiny that was blank before and after, with only a few sparse lines in the middle, one couldn’t fathom what made Cui Xiaoxiao so mysteriously special to present such a strange fate pattern!

Lord Can stared intently at the torn page, his eyelids twitching, finally letting out a cold laugh: What a fine ‘life and death unknown”!

He had thought that mastering heavenly secrets would allow him to control destiny completely, but who knew such a person from two hundred years in the future would emerge, with such a bizarre destiny chart?

With Cui Xiaoxiao’s existence, this torn page became completely useless.

Was this the heavenly way of interfering, trying to prevent him from seeking justice for the Xia family?

Thinking this, he looked at the torn page floating in the putrid blood, reached out to erase Cui Xiaoxiao’s name, thought again, and suddenly remembered that Young Sect Leader Qin seemed to know Cui Xiaoxiao quite deeply, so he wrote another name – “Qin Lingxiao.”

When the torn page displayed the destiny and experiences of this future first sword sect’s Qin Lingxiao, Lord Can finally showed a satisfied, sinister smile.

A person born in the wrong era naturally needed someone from the wrong time to deal with her.

Qin Lingxiao, this heaven’s favored son of Lingyun Pavilion, who in the original trajectory should have killed Wei Jie, was the key to controlling the variable that was Cui Xiaoxiao!

As for what to do next, he naturally needed to plan and scheme carefully.

However, the torn page seemed to have been overused too many times by Lord Can. When he wanted to write again, burn-like holes of various sizes appeared on the torn page’s surface, and then it sank back to the vat’s bottom.

Lord Can knew this torn page had been in the mortal realm too long and was completely exhausted beyond further use.

However, what needed to be remembered was already committed to his memory. It didn’t matter if this torn page was ruined.

Now, he needed to meet those ants at the mansion gate.

When leaving the secret chamber, Lord Can said to several approaching attendants: “How is it? Have the arrangements this prince ordered been made?”

The attendants quickly bowed: “According to Your Lordship’s instructions, officials from various prefectures and counties have been invited over. They should arrive soon.”

Lord Can nodded and said indifferently, “Temporarily move the Xiezhi sacred statue away from the pavilion. With it there, the various sects probably can’t perform properly.”

Saying this, Lord Can smiled slightly. Since they wanted to enter the mansion and tear people apart, how could he disappoint these immortal masters?

Thinking this, he smoothed his robes, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked slowly toward the front hall with steps that slightly revealed his age…

That day, a shocking tragedy occurred at Lord Can’s mansion in Luoyi City that shook the court and countryside.

The various sects had originally been filled with righteous anger, cursing at the mansion gates.

But later, somehow, someone first kicked down the doors, leading people to surge into the mansion.

For unknown reasons, the Xiezhi sacred statue that had always protected the mansion failed this time, allowing a group of people hostile to Lord Can to break in.

The four great sects weren’t bandits robbing homes – even after entering, they only intended to force Lord Can to hand over the Ghost Sect demon.

But in the end, they became more terrifying than bandits. According to those who entered the mansion that day, after going in, they were initially clear-minded.

But somehow, smoke came from somewhere. After carelessly inhaling it, they felt violent and easily angered. In the haze, they seemed to see Lord Can and the white-haired steward come out to discuss with everyone.

Somehow, it seemed Lord Can’s curses were too harsh, and someone started wanting to teach the treacherous prince a lesson.

So in the misty chaos, everyone surged forward, wielding qi swords and qi shields, slashing fiercely at Lord Can and the steward.

When the smoke cleared and everyone gradually regained clarity, they discovered these two had been chopped into… mincemeat!

Except for the white-haired steward’s palm covered with red spider webs, they couldn’t even piece together half an arm.

At that time, Lord Can had coincidentally summoned officials from nearby prefectures and counties to the mansion to discuss preparations for the Empress Dowager’s birthday gifts. Those officials witnessed the tragedy firsthand, each scared to the point their pants were soaked.

At that time, those cultivation practitioners had simply gone mad with killing, even wanting to attack the officials who had just entered the mansion.

Fortunately, Cui Xiaoxiao from the Talismonger Sect arrived with her disciples. They had sensed strange smoke permeating the mansion from outside.

So Xiaoxiao drew a wind-summoning talisman, dispersed the mansion’s mist, and had Wei Jie raise a qi shield to protect those terrified officials.

Xiaoxiao discovered the mansion’s air was filled with a drug scent that caused mental confusion and summoned another gust of wind. When the righteous practitioners were freed from the drug’s effects and saw those two pools of mincemeat, they were instantly dumbfounded.

This time, the four great sects had caused a catastrophic disaster!

Although Wan Lian Shi deserved death, Lord Can was still a descendant of the Xia imperial family, the current Emperor’s brother!

How could these cultivation practitioners still in the mortal realm judge and kill him?

For a moment, those sect disciples who had entered the mansion fled in panic.

The brutal killing of the Emperor’s beloved brother shocked the court and countryside. Many high-ranking officials tearfully submitted memorials requesting the Emperor to seek justice for the deceased Lord Can and investigate these lawless four great sects.

Other ministers advised that these cultivation practitioners usually didn’t engage in production but used becoming immortal gods to bewitch people. If this continued, the nation would collapse. Anyone found allied with the four great sects should have their entire families exiled and property confiscated to deter people and cut off the four great sects’ future followers, eliminating these evil sects.

Although the current Emperor had always respected immortal cultivators, this time they had besieged Lord Can’s mansion and chopped the imperial brother into mincemeat under so many officials’ noses – it was truly lawless.

If this weren’t investigated, not only would the court officials disapprove, but the Emperor himself couldn’t explain it to his tearful mother, the Empress Dowager.

So the court issued an order to thoroughly investigate the four great sects under the banner of “Purging Divine Ways, Eliminating Evil Sects.”

These four great sects each guarded their centuries-old halls, essentially forming their realms.

Although their disciples were powerful and didn’t fear siege by mortal armies, not all their disciples were orphans!

Many had living parents and siblings operating businesses in the mortal world.

With the “Purging Divine Ways” campaign, any family with four great sect cultivation disciples would have their property confiscated, and regardless of age or gender, all would be exiled to the borders. Countless tenant farmers, wealthy households, and noble families were implicated.

Some four great sect disciples, hearing the news and unable to bear their parents and relatives suffering, could only secretly bid farewell to their sects and return to their villages and towns.

The Emperor was benevolent, having declared early that anyone who wrote confession documents at government offices, hadn’t participated in besieging the mansion, was willing to sever ties with their sects, and would never again join those evil ways, could be pardoned and have their crimes forgiven.

Thus, over half of the four great sects’ disciples departed, many being outstanding members of their sects.

For a time, the major cultivation sects suffered severe damage and appeared quite devastated.

This turmoil continued for over a month, with signs of spreading further.

People talked about cultivation with changed expressions – the four great sects were no different from demonic paths.

However, small and unknown sects like the Lingshan Talismonger Sect, which originally had declining membership, weren’t greatly affected by these changes.

Although some ministers strongly advised including the Lingshan Talismonger Sect in the purging list, because officials testified that Talismonger Sect disciples had protected officials and didn’t participate in assassinating Lord Can.

So the Emperor, despite opposition, protected the Talismonger Sect. Their name didn’t appear on the “Purging Divine Ways” list.

When Wei Jie and Cui Xiaoxiao broke into the mansion that day, it wasn’t just to save the officials.

In the chaos, Wei Jie led Cui Xiaoxiao to find Lord Can’s secret passage again, and this time they encountered no obstacles, finding the blood vat in the deepest part of the passage.

The torn page inside was already damaged beyond repair, completely blank, just floating in the blood like waste paper.

But the cold aura it emitted was unmistakable.

As a Wei family member, Wei Jie immediately recognized this as an Underworld object. Thus, the task Wei family’s grandmother had assigned them finally had some leads.

But Xiaoxiao felt everything was progressing too… smoothly.

If Lord Can was truly the former Emperor Xia Yuansong, how could such a cunning old fox die so easily under random blades?

Moreover, the smoke the four great sects inhaled must have had mind-confusing effects to make them so agitated that they committed such bloody slaughter before those officials.

Everything seemed deliberately orchestrated to frame those righteous cultivators.

Regardless, the four great sects had committed the crime of killing imperial heirs. They were condemned and besieged by the court. Reportedly, mountain paths were completely blocked – not even a grain of rice could be transported up.

Those cultivation masters would truly have to drink dew and eat flower petals daily.

After such intimidation of the people, the four great sects’ followers were completely cut off. Probably no one would dare enter their mountain gates anymore.

Cui Xiaoxiao hadn’t expected that while the four great sects in this lifetime wouldn’t face Wei Jie’s siege and slaughter, they would meet twisted and slow destruction in another disgraceful way.

Everything seemed predestined – even with Cui Xiaoxiao as a disruptor, it couldn’t be changed.

After the mansion incident, when Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie went to investigate Lord Can’s mansion again, everything had been cleared out. Lord Can’s relics, including the Xiezhi sacred statue, were all packed and transported to the capital.

However, the convoy transporting the relics reportedly encountered problems halfway – the sacred statue, along with many boxes, was robbed by bandits.

There were too many mysteries here. Wei Jie and Xiaoxiao discussed and decided to visit the Crown Prince before Wei Jie returned to the Wei family to understand the hidden circumstances.

The Crown Prince usually followed a comfortable, moderate path. While he couldn’t be too extreme, he never slacked off when it was time to enjoy himself.

So this time, their meeting place was the Falling Goose High Platform outside the capital for moon viewing.

Layers of romantic light gauze hung on the high platform. The Crown Prince arranged protective guards below the platform, isolating eavesdropping ears.

Then, amid distant music, he received his two old friends.

The Crown Prince seemed to recognize Wei Jie as a wine immortal type, so he specially brought a fifty-year-old vintage to share with him.

When Xiaoxiao expressed her suspicions about Lord Can’s death, the Crown Prince sighed: “Miss Cui, your doubts are the same as those in my heart. If Lord Can was truly the person I mentioned before, how could he die so easily? If he truly had supernatural powers, he could easily continue living under a different identity – he could immediately become Southern Prince or Northern Prince. The Xia family has many descendants, enfeoffed in hundreds of territories. If he continues changing to some collateral prince or other identity, how should we investigate?”

Xiaoxiao thought and said, “Since the Crown Prince has doubts, why punish the four great sects so severely? They were just scapegoats used by Lord Can.”

The Crown Prince shook his head and said quietly: “This investigation wasn’t my father’s or my intention. The court’s outrage is like shocking waves – my father and I are just carried forward by the giant waves. The arrow is on the string and must be shot!”

Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. Like Wei Jie, she didn’t believe Lord Can died so easily. Having schemed for so long, he wouldn’t give up without achieving his goals.

But those tainted by power truly find it hard to let go. No matter how Lord Can changed his identity, he must have had ways to control the court.

Following this hidden thread, they could eventually drag him out. Hearing Xiaoxiao’s words, the Crown Prince nodded thoughtfully.

Originally, seeing his grandfather, who should have died, living with his uncle’s title and appearing the same age as himself in Luoyi City was horrifying enough.

But unexpectedly, this person who should have died died again.

And died, causing nationwide unrest and shock in all directions. The entire court seemed controlled by an invisible hand, with invisible swords hanging over his and his father’s heads, making them fearful and unable to sleep peacefully.

Now the Crown Prince couldn’t speak certain words to his father. Fortunately, he had made friends with Cui Xiaoxiao and Wei Jie. He would probably need their help with many future matters.

After meeting the Crown Prince, Wei Jie would escort the torn page back to Qilao Mountain.

This torn page had been overused, and the entire paper was damaged, like being gnawed by insects. If not returned soon, the entire torn page might dissolve in the blood.

After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince and rejoining Tang Youshu and the others, Wei Jie asked if Xiaoxiao wanted to go to Qilao Mountain with him.

But Xiaoxiao shook her head, saying she had been away from Lingshan too long. Her master’s death anniversary was approaching, so she needed to return to Lingshan for ancestral worship.

Hearing this, Wei Jie’s gaze grew deep, but he didn’t insist. He asked where exactly the Talismonger Sect’s Lingshan was located so he could find her after escorting the torn page.

Xiaoxiao stared at the sheepskin map Wei Jie pulled out, filled with unfamiliar place names. How would she know what Lingshan was currently called?

So she randomly pointed at northern mountain ranges, drawing circles with her hand: “Look, it’s right here!”

Tang Youshu had just washed a basket of mountain apricots to give to his master and grand-master when he glimpsed where Xiaoxiao pointed. After careful identification, he pointed to one of them and asked: “Grand-master, is it here? But it seems to be called Ghost Stone Cliff. I’ve never heard it called Lingshan!”

Tang Youshu’s casual remark made Xiaoxiao’s mind explode – Ghost Stone Cliff?

That… wasn’t that where Wei Jie, in his previous life, had established his mountain sect and founded the Demon Cult?

Xiaoxiao stared at those three large characters on the map, once again marveling at fate’s strangeness. This… was it forcing her to go to Ghost Stone Cliff first, create a Demon Cult, and complete all of Wei Jie’s destiny?

Tang Youshu had just casually pointed, but seemed to have hit his grand-master’s mute point – she just stared without speaking.

Tang Youshu quickly withdrew his finger, full of apology: “Grand-master, did I say something wrong?”

Xiaoxiao came to her senses and smiled at Tang Youshu.

What a joke – the master is always right!

So Xiaoxiao also pointed at Ghost Stone Cliff: “Right, this is our Talismonger Sect’s Lingshan! I originally felt Ghost Stone Cliff’s name wasn’t masculine and spiritual enough, so I renamed it ‘Lingshan’! What do you think of this name?”

Tang Youshu always loved flattering his grand-master. Hearing this, he immediately gave a thumbs up: “Great name! It indeed sounds much more righteous than Ghost Stone Cliff! Grand-master, so we’re going to Ghost Stone Cliff next… ah, no, to Lingshan?”