Chapter 40: Inner Demon

Ning Qi could sense it.

Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was extremely curious about his cultivation progress. While the other senior brothers and sisters were also curious, it was generally within normal bounds, but Qin Yun was different; Ning Qi could frequently sense Qin Yun's probing gaze.

Though he was reluctant to admit it, he felt that his eighth senior brother was likely jealous of him, to the point of developing an obsession and an inner demon.

His strange state might be related to this.

Ning Qi knew that Qin Yun had always taken it upon himself to revitalize the Zhenwu Sect. Before Ning Qi ascended the mountain, Qin Yun was the one most highly anticipated among the many true disciples, with a talent that even surpassed Jiang Baishan, making him the focus of everyone's attention.

But after Ning Qi gradually revealed his martial path...

Things gradually began to change.

His performance during the initial practice of the Stance Technique had already shocked everyone. Later, Daoist Longshan instructed the disciples not to inquire about Ning Qi's cultivation progress and even allowed him to live alone near the Sutra Pavilion.

Such special treatment made it clear to everyone that Ning Qi was extraordinary.

However, while the others felt gratified, Qin Yun likely felt a sense of bitterness and jealousy amidst his happiness.

Ning Qi could feel the complexity in Qin Yun's heart, something that perhaps even Qin Yun himself could not control.

At this moment.

Qin Yun had extended an invitation.

If he did not take the stage, it might cause Qin Yun to overthink.

If he did take the stage, even if he used the Silence Art to restrain most of his cultivation, he would ultimately have to demonstrate a realm consistent with his talent—showing at least the Bone Refining Realm—otherwise, wouldn't he be treating Qin Yun like a fool?

Neither approach seemed ideal.

Ning Qi hesitated slightly.

Fortunately.

Daoist Longshan spoke up.

"Alright, let today's grand competition end here. Little Eight, come with me; I have something to discuss with you."

Qin Yun was stunned for a moment, then nodded respectfully.

The two figures departed.

Luo Wentian was momentarily dazed before beginning to summarize the results of the competition.

Ning Qi's eyes flashed, and he sighed inwardly.

Daoist Longshan's actions had essentially confirmed his suspicion: Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun had likely developed an obsession and an inner demon.

"I should search the Sutra Pavilion to see if I can find any records regarding inner demons. If I can understand exactly what form an 'inner demon' takes, perhaps I can attempt to create a method to eliminate them."

Before Ning Qi had stepped onto the path of martial arts, only Ye Qinghe and Qin Yun had been closest to him. Although the relationship between him and Qin Yun had grown cold after he began practicing martial arts, Ning Qi still hoped for Qin Yun's well-being.

If it was within his power, he would not be stingy with his help.

...

Late at night.

Qin Yun's residence.

Qin Yun sat cross-legged on his bed, his five centers facing the heavens, circulating his cultivation technique.

The scene at the Mingwu Pavilion during the day involuntarily surfaced in his mind again.

Daoist Longshan's earnest teachings echoed

"Yun'er, I know what is in your heart. You have always possessed peerless talent and a strong will, taking the revitalization of the Zhenwu Sect as your own responsibility. But sometimes, remember not to be too impatient, otherwise, one wrong step could lead you into a place of no return."

"It is a good thing that your cultivation has reached the Great Success of Internal Essence, but you must also solidify your foundation; you cannot be reckless."

"While I certainly hope the Zhenwu Sect can be revived, to me, you are equally important. You, the Nine Disciples of Zhenwu, should be as close as brothers, weathering the storms together."

"This is the Heart-Clearing Art. I know your thoughts have been cluttered lately; recite this mantra frequently, and it may help you focus and calm your mind."

Recalling these words, Qin Yun felt a surge of emotion.

He slowly recited

"Highest goodness is like water; a clear heart is like nothingness; sparse thoughts, a solemn mind..."

The originally turbulent thoughts gradually receded.

But for some reason, the scenes from the daytime kept resurfacing, and Ning Qi's figure kept growing larger in his mind.

"Junior Brother... just what is his current cultivation realm?"

As soon as this thought arose.

He suddenly felt a surge of heart-fire, a splitting headache, and the slight comfort and peace brought by the Heart-Clearing Art instantly vanished.

Qin Yun circulated the Heaven-Shaking Strength, his internal energy continuously coursing through his physical body in an attempt to alleviate his discomfort.

But even he did not notice.

At some unknown point, wisps of black Qi began to emerge from various parts of his body, and the way the Heaven-Shaking Strength circulated was unconsciously changing.

This was a fragment of a manual he had obtained during his recent trip down the mountain.

Once, after circulating it instinctively, he discovered that the cultivation speed was much faster than the Heaven-Shaking Strength. However, Qin Yun also noticed that practicing this fragment seemed to cause unpredictable changes in his mental state; he had not mentioned the fragment to Daoist Longshan.

Circulating it again and again.

The pain that felt as if it would make him explode finally subsided, but he failed to notice that the black Qi on his body was becoming increasingly dense, and even his eyes carried a faint trace of blackness.

The many chaotic thoughts finally converged into a single intent.

"I will test Junior Brother in secret."

Qin Yun gave a strange, wide grin. He changed into night-traveling clothes, masked his face, and headed toward the Sutra Pavilion.

...

Inside the Sutra Pavilion at this time.

Ning Qi had flipped through all the records and methods regarding inner demons.

"So-called inner demons arise from thoughts; their essence is the amplification and condensation of negative emotions, undergoing an unknowable transformation. If the inner demon is not removed, will it be difficult for one's martial path to make any further progress?"

"In severe cases, one might even die with blood flowing from the seven orifices?"

Ning Qi's heart tightened.

Inner demons were more serious than he had imagined, but according to these records, they were divided into several stages.

"To remove them, one must address the root cause; only by eliminating the obsession can the inner demon be removed. But according to these records, those who have removed their inner demons did so by mere coincidence, with no traceable method. There were even sects in the past that created specialized methods to use inner demons to accelerate cultivation..."

"Within the Sutra Pavilion, only a few techniques like the Heart-Clearing Art have a certain calming effect to suppress distracting thoughts. No wonder Master took the Heart-Clearing Art."

"Creating a method to completely eliminate inner demons is a bit difficult, mainly because I don't know exactly what form they take or how they exist. Furthermore, my cultivation is insufficient..."

Various thoughts swirled in Ning Qi's mind.

He planned to spend some time each day researching this, striving to create a secret technique to eliminate inner demons as soon as possible.

While lost in thought.

Ning Qi's eyebrows twitched as he looked into the distance.

He could sense an unfamiliar aura quietly approaching, moving toward the direction of the Sutra Pavilion and the Seeking Dao Courtyard.

"A late-night visitor; I fear they do not come in peace."

The Bone-Shifting Technique operated silently, and an ordinary-looking middle-aged Daoist suddenly appeared within the Sutra Pavilion.

Ning Qi stretched his body, and once he was accustomed to it, he suppressed his breath and vanished.

...

Qin Yun, masked and dressed in night-traveling clothes, was very well hidden within the darkness. He was naturally intimately familiar with the Zhenwu Sect and easily bypassed the patrolling disciples.

His thoughts were incredibly fervent, yet he maintained a shred of rationality.

"I will pretend to be a thief attacking Junior Brother. If he mistakenly believes he is facing a life-or-death crisis, he naturally won't hide his strength. At that time, I will know his realm at a glance. But I must not harm him."

Qin Yun's gaze was complicated.

He was conflicted himself, but he knew that ever since the Junior Brother had easily learned the Grudge Stance from him, he and Ning Qi could never be the same as before.

"Perhaps, I am simply a person born with a narrow and petty nature."

Qin Yun felt a bitterness in his heart.

But suddenly, his figure came to an abrupt halt, and waves of shock surged in his mind.

There, ahead.

A figure stood with hands behind his back, as if he had been waiting for him all along.