Yan Zhengming walked out of the bedroom, his face showing no trace of sleepiness. He raised his hand and pressed Cheng Qian's stiff shoulder, asking, "How did he die? I don't feel anything here. How could a great man like Shang Wannian die without any sound?"

Yan Zhengming is the true successor to the master's seal. He can sense any slight movement on Fuyao Mountain. His spiritual awareness can even sweep to the Monster Valley in the back mountain. His power is much greater than that of Mu Chun Zhenren who was half-dead and lived in the body of a weasel back then.

"I don't know," Li Yun pinched his brows and said, "There was a little boy in Baihu Villa who had never practiced Taoism. I woke up in the middle of the night and saw that the light was on in his room. The shadow on the window looked a little strange. I went to ask him and found that he was gone. Come on, let's go and take a look."

All sorts of conspiracies and intrigues raced through Cheng Qian's mind for a moment, and he stood up with a heavy heart.

As soon as he stood up, the hand that grabbed Ting Qiankun suddenly seemed to be burning, but there was no sign of abnormality on the smooth surface of the skin.

Cheng Qian's hands trembled violently, and then the burning sensation quickly spread from his hands to his arms, and then enveloped his entire body.

He suddenly felt dizzy and the frost blade that was originally hanging on his waist fell off his body without warning, trembling and making a buzzing sound.

Yan Zhengming and Li Yun were talking, but when they turned around, they saw Cheng Qian kneeling on the ground without even a groan. His face looked as ugly as a dead person, which scared Yan Zhengming to death.

Cheng Qian's hand instinctively pinched into the scabbard of the Frost Blade, and the sword body that used to be cold seemed to have become warm. Everything around him was moving away from him. He heard a sound, like the Huangzhong Dalü sound from ancient times. The sound was heavy and powerful, stirring up his internal organs. His soul, which had not yet fully repaired, could not withstand such a heavy blow and seemed to be about to split apart. He was really cut into pieces for no reason.

At this moment, an external force suddenly surged into him, instantly isolating the layers of sound waves and suppressing his turbulent true energy.

Cheng Qian swallowed the sweet taste in his chest and focused his mind. He saw that this powerful but not intimidating spiritual consciousness fell to the ground and turned into a phantom. It was the legendary Shang Wannian who had died.

Shang Wannian frowned as he looked at Cheng Qian's soul and asked, "What's wrong with you? Why is your soul damaged?"

Cheng Qian was speechless for a moment.

Shang Wannian looked at him and sighed. His spiritual consciousness spread out and his whole body seemed to transform into thousands of stars on the spot, helping Cheng Qian to sort out the chaotic true energy bit by bit.

Cheng Qian only heard him say: "Your soul is damaged and can't bear the inheritance of Ting Qiankun... Alas, I can only seal it in your inner palace for now and wait for the future."

What was this forced sale?

Shang Wannian added: "I heard that Qiankun has been lost for a long time. After I accepted the inheritance, I have been looking for it all my life. I finally came across it when I was about to die. Since we are destined to meet, I wanted to pass it on to you, but the timing was not right... It's God's will. I must have a bad fate."

As soon as the unfortunate Shang Wannian finished speaking, Cheng Qian felt something flowing from his arm through his meridians and finally into his inner palace between his eyebrows. He saw that the ear mark representing the ability to hear the universe had been branded in the middle of his inner palace at some point, shining brightly for a moment and then gradually dimming.

Shang Wannian's consciousness appeared in front of Cheng Qian again. He stared at Ting Qiankun for a moment with a complicated expression. He shook his head and sighed, "Although I can't see the inheritance, I can die with my eyes closed if I can see it once."

Cheng Qian: "What on earth are you..."

Shang Wannian added, "Well, my physical body has come to an end. I knew that my life would soon end, but I didn't expect it to end so soon. Tsk, I'm sorry to have caused trouble to your sect."

Cheng Qian: "What on earth is going on?"

Shang Wannian turned around, looked at him quietly for a moment, opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

He sneered at himself and said, "It's not that I don't want to tell you, my friend. When your soul is restored and you accept the inheritance I sealed here, you will understand that there are restrictions in the inheritance. No one can reveal the secret of listening to the universe."

He paused, then smiled bitterly and said, "Including the dead."

Cheng Qian didn't see any resentment or unwillingness on his face, he just seemed calm, so he couldn't help but wonder, everyone is pursuing enlightenment and ascension, why does this person seem to not care?

Shang Wannian stood in front of him with a sense of distance, and said, "I know you all hate Tianyan. They are mean and self-righteous, and have killed many people. They deserve to die. But for so many years, the monks and mortals have been able to live in peace, and it is indeed indispensable for these despicable villains. Now Tianyan and the Nightmare Walker are both defeated, and the Central Plains Demonic Path and the Righteous Path will be leaderless. This is the beginning of the disaster of 'millions of wronged souls', so I must save Han Yuan's life."

He glanced at Cheng Qian and added, "It's not to do you a favor for the Fuyao Sect."

Wronged souls were born in troubled times. The Nine Saints were all dead, and only Han Yuan was alive. Only then were the demons in Southern Xinjiang not completely a group of scattered sands... But he might never be able to return to Fuyao Mountain again.

"But the Soul Devouring Lamp appeared at a very coincidental time," Shang Wannian said. "I didn't expect the deadline to come so soon. I have no time to investigate. I will just tell you a feeling, which may not be correct - someone knows that Tong Ru made a wish to the ghost stone, and has been secretly fanning the flames. Apart from Tian Yanchu, who was the instigator, only the four of us should know about this..."

Cheng Qian's eyes flashed.

Shang Wannian said: "No, it's not Bian Xu. If he really had such a deliberate mind, he would definitely not be in such a mess now."

Cheng Qian nodded - Tianyanchu is such a large organization, who knows who might have leaked the information accidentally.

"This is the first." Shang Wannian reached out and retracted his consciousness that was wandering in Cheng Qian's inner palace, and said seriously, "There is one more thing I want to tell you. Someone has tampered with you. Do you know it?"

Cheng Qian's pupils shrank slightly: "What?"

"It's not your jade body, but your soul. Forgive me for not being proficient in this field, so I can't tell what it is right now," Shang Wannian said, "It hasn't happened yet, has it? Even if I can't say that your cultivation is invincible, it's enough to be among the best. I can't figure out who has such great magical powers to cast a curse on you without leaving any trace."

Cheng Qian's fingertips began to tremble, and it felt like a piece of ice was stuffed into his chest.

Who has mastered this skill over the years? Who has the opportunity to tamper with his soul?

Shang Wannian sized up his expression and said, "It seems like you already have an idea in your mind."

Cheng Qian nodded with difficulty and asked calmly, "Master, is there any way to resolve this?"

Shang Wannian sighed, "I can't tell what the curse is, so I'm afraid I can't help... But don't worry too much. If it does break out one day, the Ting Qian Kun that I sealed in your inner palace can help you resist a little."

Cheng Qian: "Thank you very much."

Shang Wannian waved his hand: "Everything has its own destiny. The world is destined to fall into your hands. No need to thank me - I'm leaving and reincarnating."

After he finished speaking, the last vestige of his consciousness in this world vanished into thin air, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden and disappeared without a care in the world.

When Cheng Qian woke up in his own Qing'an Residence, he heard a strange voice saying, "...This senior suffered a backlash from the damage to his Yuan Shen. I think it may be because he has frequently used his Zhen Yuan recently."

Cheng Qian: “…”

He was already in a very heavy mood, so where did this donkey with a big mouth come from?

Cheng Qian opened his eyes and saw a monk wearing the uniform of a disciple of White Tiger Villa, pressing his pulse in a mysterious manner. When he looked up and met his cold gaze, he immediately let go of his hand in fear: "Senior, are you awake?"

Cheng Qian tortured him with his eyes expressionlessly.

Yan Zhengming raised his hand and picked up the young monk and put him aside, blocking Cheng Qian's murderous sight for him. From the back, it could be seen that the eldest brother was furious.

"Don't worry about him," Yan Zhengming said while biting his back teeth. "Tell me, what will happen if the soul is damaged and then attacked?"

The white-robed monk stuttered, "No, no, no, it's okay. Senior Cheng's true essence is pure and deep. As long as he rests quietly, it won't take long for him to repair himself. Master, don't worry."

Yan Zhengming's expression eased a little - although it didn't look much better, and then he ordered him to leave: "Okay, thank you very much, take care."

Li Yun, who was guarding the door, immediately smiled and said, "This way, please, follow me... It's okay, don't be afraid, our leader doesn't bite anyone."

The unyielding Sect Leader Yan watched the two of them walk away with a look of impending disaster on his face, then slowly turned his head, ready to settle the score with Cheng Qian later.

Cheng Qian was in no mood to stroke his fur. He suddenly leaned back and stared blankly at the ceiling of the bed curtain.

This reaction was somewhat different from what Yan Zhengming had expected, that is, "guilty and short of breath". He was stunned for a moment, and put aside his prepared plan to question the culprit. He walked to the bedside in a daze: "Is there anything else wrong?"

Cheng Qian didn't say anything. He patted his side, motioning him to sit down. Then he closed his eyes and held Yan Zhengming's hand against his chest.

Cheng Qian was aloof and rarely got along with anyone. Tang Zhen was the outsider he was closest to. Because there were few people in his heart, the feelings he shared with each person were particularly pure. This was the first time he had tasted the taste of betrayal.

Yan Zhengming's hands were much warmer than his, more lively, and more like a living person.

Cheng Qian took a deep breath and whispered, "Shang Wannian died of old age and his soul was reincarnated. I think he died happily and no one wanted to harm him."

Someone had already reported this matter, and Yan Zhengming already knew about it. He was surprised and asked, "How did you know?"

"I saw him." Cheng Qian said briefly, "He wanted to give me a legacy, but my soul was damaged and I couldn't bear it for the time being... It's not the bullshit backlash that the man just talked about. Except for the idiot who used forbidden techniques to increase his cultivation, who would be backlashed by his own soul?"

Yan Zhengming: “…”

He suddenly pulled his hand away: "Do you want to rebel?"

"Stop it." Cheng Qian whispered, "Brother, I feel bad."

Yan Zhengming was stunned after hearing this. He had seen Cheng Qian covered in wounds after fighting, he had seen Cheng Qian who could choke people with just one word, and he had seen Cheng Qian who could barely tolerate him with his patience. But he had never seen Cheng Qian frowning like this and whispering "I feel bad".

In his impression, Cheng Qian seemed to have a heart of stone. Nothing in the world could shake him, and nothing could make him bow his head.

This accidental exposure of vulnerability suddenly made Yan Zhengming feel strangely excited. He bent down and pushed aside a few strands of hair on the side of Cheng Qian's face. The more he looked at her, the more he liked her. He couldn't help but bend down and kissed Cheng Qian between his slightly frowned brows: "What's wrong?"

Cheng Qian said nothing. He looked at his face so close to him and thought tiredly, "Will he betray me one day?"

Yan Zhengming felt itchy when he was staring at him, but he was worried about his body and didn't dare to touch him. He could only try to calm down and asked, "What are you looking at?"

Cheng Qian studied him for a moment, then suddenly smiled in relief, thinking, "What are you thinking about? I'll give him whatever he wants. If he wants my life, I'll give it to him... What's the point of betrayal?"

Yan Zhengming didn't have clairvoyance, so he didn't see the unspoken vows in his heart. He moistened his lips, with a blatant greed on his face, and said shamelessly: "Since you feel uncomfortable in your heart and body, just have a good sleep today. I...well, I can put other things aside and just accompany you."

Cheng Qian: “…”

The head brother is sometimes a rare species.

Cheng Qian swept away all his tender feelings and thought to himself, "Oh, this is too annoying."

He raised his hand and pushed Yan Zhengming's face away, saying indifferently: "I won't bother you anymore. I have something to go out for. You can go to sleep slowly."

Yan Zhengming: "Wait, you just woke up..."

Cheng Qian dodged and was no longer in the room.

Yan Zhengming: “…”

He couldn't deal with the owner of Qing'an Ju, so he decided to deal with the bamboo forest of Qing'an Ju.

Cheng Qian went straight to the guest room where Tang Zhen lived, but found that Tang Zhen had left at some point, leaving behind only a small box with a note next to it: "It is useless to stay any longer, so I will take my leave for now. The thing in the box is the soul-binding thread, which I have never had the chance to give to you, but I am afraid it is of no use now."

The soul-pulling thread can temporarily lead Han Yuan's soul out, allowing them to take the opportunity to kill the evil inner demon without having to be cautious.

Every word in the blood oath mentioned the "devil dragon". If they really killed the inner demon, could the real Han Yuan push the blame onto the inner demon and not have to travel to southern Xinjiang or be whipped for five hundred years?

Cheng Qian's fingers holding the note tightened, and then he sighed. If he had no doubts in his heart, he would have happily taken the note from Yan Zhengming.

But now he was doubting why Tang Zhen took out the soul-binding thread now, instead of taking it earlier or later?

Was it out of kindness that he didn't want Han Yuan to go to Southern Xinjiang, or was it just that he wanted the water to be a little muddier?

And...why did Tang Zhen leave in such a hurry?

Cheng Qian suddenly looked up as if he had sensed something, and saw Han Yuan's conspicuous coiled dragon robe fluttering up and down on the low wall outside the house.

Han Yuan explained calmly, "Shang Wannian, the nosy old man, is dead. They don't have time to deal with me for the moment, so I came out to look around by myself. What's in your hand?"

Cheng Qian paused and told the truth.

After hearing this, Han Yuan sat on the wall in a very unceremonious manner and said with a self-deprecating smile, "Throw it away, it's useless. Why does the eldest brother say such nonsense? It's not like he doesn't know what the inner demon is... There is no such thing as one body with two souls. It's not like he's taking over another's body."

Cheng Qian: "Oh, you've become 'Big Brother'? Not 'Master of your sect' anymore?"

Han Yuan was caught by him.

Cheng Qian added: "He just wants to find a way out for you. If they really want to kill you, at least you can use 'one body, two souls' as an excuse."

Han Yuan leaned his arms on the low wall behind him and looked up at the vast night sky above Fuyao Mountain. After a moment, he said, "No need, Junior Brother. I find that people can't make excuses for themselves."

Cheng Qian leaned against the wall of the guest room and also looked up, imitating his movements. The two of them, one sitting and the other standing, were on the same side, with the same night sky above their heads, as if they had not been so close for a long time.

"You three went to the Valley of Monsters to rescue me. Second Senior Brother admitted to my face that he was the one who tricked me into going in. At that time, I thought Second Senior Brother looked like a pretty boy, but I didn't expect him to be such a man." Han Yuan stretched out his legs and sat in an awkward position. If it weren't for the majestic and heavy Panlong robe on his body, he still seemed like a rogue little beggar.

"Later, I found out that he was just really smart." Han Yuan said, and then he changed the subject and asked, "I was possessed by the Painting Soul at that time and killed you by mistake. Junior Brother, if we were in each other's shoes, what would you do?"

Cheng Qian didn't say anything. He was not there in person, so it was easy for anyone to talk without any pain.

Han Yuan said to himself, "You will definitely not take advantage of the madness of the painting soul to jump into the sea and escape. Once you break free from the painting soul, you will definitely return to the sect to apologize. Whether the brothers blame you or not is up to them. You will not hide."

Cheng Qian smiled bitterly and said, "A bag of pine nut candy, can I buy you off for looking up to me for so many years?"

Han Yuan laughed softly, and as he laughed, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes disappeared quietly. His face was clearly that of a young man, but his eyes suddenly became old.

Han Yuan: "In fact, I am not afraid of what my brothers will do to me. I know they won't do anything to me. But I can't bear the guilt, little brother. Day and night, it's too torturous. I can only turn it into anger and hatred."

Cheng Qian: "You know we won't blame you."

Han Yuan: "Pretending not to know, but actually knowing."

The more I know, the deeper the guilt.

No one blames him, but he will blame himself more.

Han Yuan: "You can escape for a while, but you can't escape forever. I understand this now... But it's not too late, I can still see Fuyao Mountain."

The two of them were speechless for a long time.

Cheng Qian suddenly raised one hand. Han Yuan, who was sitting on the low wall, saw it and bent down slightly, then patted his palm.

With a crisp sound, all the betrayals and entanglements, and several battles, were wiped out in an instant.

Cheng Qian: "Okay, as a senior brother, you just threatened someone casually, why don't you go and apologize to the junior sister?"

"Tomorrow," Han Yuan said a little awkwardly, "It's too late today. She's already grown up, and it's not easy to go look for her in the middle of the night... Alas, if I hadn't watched her grow up, I really wouldn't be used to it."

Cheng Qian was deeply touched by this. Just as he was about to say something, suddenly, a ball of fire exploded in the yard in the distance like fireworks. Tong He's figure flashed and landed on a big tree. In the night, Shui Puddle seemed a little sharp and shouted, "Who are you!"

Cheng Qian's face changed, and the frost blade lightly touched the low wall. The next moment, he was no longer there, and Han Yuan flew after him.

I saw a person with a pale face in the yard of the puddle. It was hard to tell whether he was a man or a woman. He was dressed in colorful clothes, and his outfit was even more weird than the puddle.

Han Yuan walked out of a cloud of black fog, folded his hands in front of his chest, looked at the man and frowned, "Demon cultivator?"

When the man saw Han Yuan, he shrank back a few steps, and his retreat was blocked again.

Cheng Qian said, "Today is neither the first nor the fifteenth day of the lunar month. Why don't you stay in the Demon Valley in the back mountain and come to Fuyao Mountain? Are you tired of living?"

The two men stood in front and behind, blocking the demon cultivator so that he had nowhere to hide. He suddenly let out a terrified cry and suddenly turned into a giant bird, soaring straight up into the sky.

Han Yuan stood in the air, and a dragon shadow flashed behind him. The overwhelming demonic energy fell from the sky and pressed the big bird down alive. Han Yuan flicked his sleeves, and the blood oath seal on the back of his hand flashed. He made a "tsk" sound and said dissatisfiedly: "Don't let me kill."

The big monster fell to the ground and turned into a human shape. Before he could escape, a sword was already pressing on his neck.

The frost on the sword made the demon cultivator's neck appear bluish-white.

Cheng Qian held the sword in one hand and pressed him to the ground indifferently: "If I were you, I wouldn't think of running away."

The demon cultivator showed a painful expression on his face. He seemed to be unable to speak human language. He knelt on the ground, looked up at the puddle in pain, and said in a strange tone: "You are the queen's..."