Ning Qi could feel it clearly.
Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was unusually concerned with his cultivation progress.
The other Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters were curious as well—but their curiosity was natural, restrained, and harmless. Qin Yun's was different. It carried a probing edge, lingering too long, pressing too deeply.
Ning Qi did not want to admit it, but he knew.
Qin Yun was likely jealous.
Not ordinary jealousy—but something closer to obsession.
An inner demon.
This strange state Qin Yun was in was probably related to it.
From the beginning, Qin Yun had carried the burden of revitalizing the True Martial Sect upon his shoulders. Before Ning Qi arrived, he had been the most anticipated of the Nine Sons. His talent surpassed even Jiang Baishan's, and he was the center of attention.
But ever since Ning Qi revealed his Martial Dao—
Things began to change.
When Ning Qi first practiced the Yazi Stance, the shock had been immediate. Later, Dragon Mountain Daoist personally instructed others not to inquire into Ning Qi's cultivation and arranged for him to live alone near the Scripture Pavilion.
Those special treatments made it obvious to everyone: Ning Qi was extraordinary.
Most people felt relief, even joy.
But Qin Yun—besides happiness—likely felt bitterness.
And envy.
Ning Qi could sense the turbulence in Qin Yun's heart, a complexity even Qin Yun himself probably couldn't control.
That was why this invitation mattered.
If Ning Qi refused, Qin Yun would overthink.
If he accepted—even with the Quietude Art concealing his strength—he would still have to display a realm worthy of his talent. Showing only the Bone Forging Realm would be outright insulting.
Either choice was dangerous.
For a moment, Ning Qi hesitated.
Fortunately—
Dragon Mountain Daoist spoke.
"That's enough for today's grand competition."
"Xiao Ba, come with me. I have something to discuss with you."
Qin Yun was startled, then immediately bowed.
"Yes, Master."
The two figures departed.
Luo Wentian paused briefly, then continued summarizing the competition as if nothing had happened.
Ning Qi's gaze flickered.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's actions had all but confirmed it.
Qin Yun had indeed developed an inner demon.
"I should go to the Scripture Pavilion and look into records concerning inner demons."
"If I can understand their form, perhaps I can attempt to create a method to eliminate them."
Before stepping onto the Martial Dao, Qin Yun and Ye Qinghe had been closest to him. Though their relationship cooled as cultivation separated them, Ning Qi still wished Qin Yun well.
If it was within his ability—
He would help.
Late at night.
Qin Yun's residence.
He sat cross-legged on the bed, five centers facing heaven, circulating his cultivation method.
Yet the scene from the training ground replayed endlessly in his mind.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's voice echoed in his ears.
"Yun'er, your Master knows what you're thinking."
"You've always been talented and strong-willed, taking the revival of True Martial as your responsibility. But remember—haste invites ruin."
"It's good that you've reached Inner Yuan Great Accomplishment, but your foundation must be stabilized."
"To your Master, the sect matters—but so do you."
"You Nine Sons should advance together."
"This is the Clear Heart Art. Your thoughts have been chaotic recently. Recite it often."
Qin Yun's eyes reddened slightly.
He began reciting softly.
"The highest good is like water.A clear heart mirrors nothingness.Few thoughts, solemn intent…"
His turbulent thoughts slowly settled.
But no matter how he tried—
The image of Ning Qi resurfaced.
Growing clearer.
Larger.
"Ning Qi… what realm is he in now?"
The moment the thought formed—
Pain exploded in his head.
His heart fire surged violently, and the calm brought by the Clear Heart Art shattered instantly.
He circulated Shaking Heaven Strength, forcing his Inner Strength through his meridians to suppress the discomfort.
He did not notice—
Thin strands of black qi had appeared along his limbs.
Nor did he notice that the circulation route of his Inner Strength had subtly changed.
This altered method came from a fragmented scroll he had obtained during his recent time down the mountain.
When he first circulated it, the cultivation speed had shocked him. But it also brought unpredictable changes to his mental state.
He had not mentioned it to Dragon Mountain Daoist.
As he circulated it again and again, the pain finally eased.
But the black qi thickened.
Even his eyes carried a faint darkness.
All chaotic thoughts collapsed into a single obsession.
"I'll test Ning Qi."
Qin Yun smiled strangely.
He dressed in night clothes, masked his face, and moved silently toward the Scripture Pavilion.
At that very moment—
Inside the Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi had pulled out every record related to inner demons.
"Inner demons arise from thought."
"They are the amplification and condensation of negative emotions, undergoing unpredictable mutation."
"If not removed, advancement becomes impossible. In severe cases, one may bleed from the seven orifices and die."
Ning Qi's expression darkened.
Inner demons were more dangerous than he had expected.
"They develop in stages… and removal must begin at the root—eliminating the obsession itself."
"But all recorded cases succeeded only by chance. There is no consistent method."
"Some ancient sects even cultivated inner demons deliberately to accelerate growth…"
His brows knit together.
The Scripture Pavilion contained only calming methods like the Clear Heart Art—useful for suppression, not eradication.
No wonder Master chose it.
"To truly remove an inner demon… my understanding isn't enough yet."
"And my cultivation is still too shallow."
He decided to research gradually, refining ideas each day, aiming to create a true demon-cleansing art.
Then—
Ning Qi raised his head.
An unfamiliar aura was approaching.
Quiet. Careful. Hostile.
"A night visitor… and not a friendly one."
The Transfiguration Skill activated silently.
In the next moment, a plain-looking middle-aged Daoist appeared within the Pavilion.
Ning Qi stretched lightly, adjusted his form—
And vanished.
Qin Yun moved through the darkness with practiced ease, avoiding patrols effortlessly.
Despite the frenzy in his heart, a shred of rationality remained.
"I'll disguise myself as a thief."
"When he believes his life is at stake, he won't hide his true strength."
"I only need to see his realm."
"I won't hurt him."
Yet even as he resolved this, conflict burned within him.
Ever since Ning Qi mastered the Yazi Stance so effortlessly, their paths had diverged.
Perhaps irreversibly.
"Maybe… I was always narrow-minded."
Bitterness flooded his chest.
Suddenly—
He stopped.
A chill surged through his heart.
Ahead of him—
A figure stood calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
As if he had been waiting there all along.