Heart Demon

Ning Qi could sense it.

Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was extremely curious about the progress of his cultivation. Although the other senior brothers and sisters were curious as well, theirs remained within normal bounds. Qin Yun was different; Ning Qi often sensed Qin Yun's probing gaze.

Though he hated to admit it, he felt that Eighth Senior Brother was probably jealous of him, to the point of developing an Obsession Heart Demon.

His strange state might be connected to that.

Ning Qi knew that Qin Yun had always regarded revitalizing the True Martial Sect as his own duty. Before Ning Qi came up the mountain, Qin Yun had been the most highly anticipated among the many True Disciples. His talent even surpassed Jiang Baishan's, and he had been everyone's focus.

But after Ning Qi gradually began to reveal his Martial Dao—

Things slowly began to change.

His performance when first practicing stake skills alone had already stunned everyone. Later, Dragon Mountain Daoist told the disciples not to ask Ning Qi about his cultivation progress and even arranged for him to live alone near the Scripture Pavilion.

All this special treatment made everyone realize that Ning Qi was extraordinary.

The others were all gratified, but amid Qin Yun's joy, there might also have been a measure of bitterness and jealousy.

Ning Qi could sense the complexity in Qin Yun's heart. Perhaps even Qin Yun himself could not control it.

At this moment—

Qin Yun invited him to fight.

If he did not take the field, Qin Yun might overthink things.

If he did take the field, even if he used the Silent Tranquility Art to conceal most of his cultivation, he would still have to display a realm befitting his talent. Revealing the Bone Refinement Realm was the bare minimum; otherwise, would he not be treating Qin Yun like a fool?

Neither course of action seemed particularly good.

Ning Qi hesitated slightly.

Fortunately—

Dragon Mountain Daoist spoke.

"Alright, today's competition ends here. Little Eight, come with me. I have something to tell you."

Qin Yun froze for a moment, then nodded respectfully.

The two figures departed.

Luo Wentian was slightly startled, then began summarizing this competition.

Ning Qi's gaze flickered, and he sighed inwardly.

Dragon Mountain Daoist's actions had essentially confirmed his guess. Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun had likely developed an Obsession Heart Demon.

"Go search the Scripture Pavilion and see whether there are any records concerning Heart Demons. If I can learn exactly what form a Heart Demon takes, perhaps I can try creating a method to eliminate one."

Before Ning Qi stepped onto the Martial Dao, Ye Qinghe and Qin Yun had been closest to him. Although Qin Yun's relationship with him had grown much colder after he began practicing martial arts, Ning Qi still hoped Qin Yun would be well.

If it was within his power, he would not begrudge him his help.

Late at night.

Qin Yun's residence.

Qin Yun sat cross-legged atop his bed, palms, soles, and crown facing heaven as he circulated his cultivation technique.

The scenes from Bright Martial Pavilion during the day involuntarily surfaced in his mind once more.

Dragon Mountain Daoist had earnestly instructed him:

"Yun'er, your master knows what is in your heart. You have always possessed peerless talent and a fiercely competitive nature, and you regard revitalizing the True Martial Sect as your responsibility. But at times, remember not to be too impatient. Otherwise, one wrong step will plunge you into a place of eternal damnation."

"It is a good thing that your cultivation has reached Inner Yuan Grand Completion, but you must also solidify your foundation. You cannot advance rashly."

"Your master naturally hopes that the True Martial Sect can rise again, but to me, all of you are equally important. You True Martial Nine Sons should be as close as brothers, weathering wind and rain in the same boat."

"This is the Heart-Clearing Incantation. Your master knows that your thoughts have been disorderly lately. Recite this incantation often; perhaps it will help you focus your spirit and calm your heart."

Remembering these words, Qin Yun's eyes showed some emotion.

He slowly recited:

"The highest goodness is like water; a clear heart is as though nothing exists, with few thoughts and a solemn mind..."

His chaotic thoughts gradually receded.

Yet for some reason, the scenes from the day kept resurfacing. Ning Qi's figure continued to expand within his mind.

"Junior Brother... just what level of cultivation has he reached now?"

The instant that thought arose—

He immediately felt Heart Fire blazing within him, his head splitting with pain. The slight comfort and tranquility brought by the Heart-Clearing Incantation instantly vanished.

Qin Yun circulated Shaking Heaven Strength, Inner Strength continuously coursing through his Physical Body, attempting to ease his discomfort this way.

But even he failed to notice—

Wisps of Black Qi had appeared across the surface of his body at some unknown point, and the circulation method of Shaking Heaven Strength was also changing without his awareness.

This was a fragment he had obtained during his latest descent from the mountain.

After instinctively circulating it once, he discovered that it increased his cultivation speed far more than Shaking Heaven Strength. Yet Qin Yun had also noticed that cultivating this fragment seemed to bring unforeseeable changes to his state of mind. He had not mentioned the fragment to Dragon Mountain Daoist.

Again and again, he circulated it.

The pain that felt as if Qin Yun were about to explode finally eased. Yet he did not notice that the Black Qi over his body was growing denser and denser, even staining his eyes with faint wisps of Black Qi.

His countless chaotic thoughts finally converged into one.

"I'll go test Junior Brother in secret."

Qin Yun bared his teeth in a strange smile. He changed into a Night Robe, covered his face, and headed toward the Scripture Pavilion.

At this moment, within the Scripture Pavilion.

Ning Qi had pulled out every record and method concerning Heart Demons.

"A so-called Heart Demon arises from thoughts. Its essence is the magnification and condensation of negative emotions, which undergo an unknowable transformation. If the Heart Demon is not eliminated, one's Martial Dao may find it difficult to advance even an inch?"

"In severe cases, one might even die with Seven Orifices Bleeding?"

Ning Qi's heart tightened.

Heart Demons were more serious than he had imagined. However, according to these records, Heart Demons were divided into several stages.

"To remove one, I must start at the root. Only by dispelling the Obsession can the Heart Demon be removed. But according to these records, everyone who has removed a Heart Demon did so through a fortunate coincidence, with no trail to follow. There were even sects in the past that created methods specifically using Heart Demons to accelerate cultivation..."

"Within the Scripture Pavilion, only a few methods like the Heart-Clearing Incantation have some calming effect, capable of suppressing Distractions. No wonder Master took away the Heart-Clearing Incantation."

"Creating a method that can completely eliminate Heart Demons is a little difficult. The main issue is that I do not know exactly what form a Heart Demon takes or how it exists. Besides, my cultivation is insufficient..."

All sorts of thoughts welled up in Ning Qi's heart.

He planned to spend some time researching it every day afterward, striving to create a secret art to eliminate Heart Demons as soon as possible.

Just as he was pondering—

Ning Qi raised a brow and looked into the distance.

He could sense an unfamiliar aura quietly approaching, advancing toward the Scripture Pavilion and the Seeking Dao Institute.

"A visitor in the dead of night. I fear they come with ill intent."

The Shape Shifting and Bone Changing Art circulated soundlessly. A Middle-aged Daoist with an utterly ordinary face immediately appeared within the Scripture Pavilion.

Ning Qi moved his body a little. Once he had grown accustomed to it, he concealed his aura and vanished.

Qin Yun wore a Night Robe and moved with his face covered. Blending into the night, he was exceedingly well hidden. Naturally, he knew the True Martial Sect like the back of his hand and easily bypassed the patrolling disciples.

The thoughts in his heart burned fiercely, though he still retained some rationality.

"I'll pretend to be a Thief and attack Junior Brother. If he mistakes it for a life-and-death crisis, he naturally will not hide his abilities any longer. Then I will see at a glance what realm Junior Brother has reached. But I cannot hurt him."

Qin Yun's gaze was slightly complicated.

He was deeply conflicted himself, but he knew that ever since Junior Brother had easily learned the Yazi Stance from him, he and Ning Qi could no longer be as they once were.

"Perhaps I was born with the narrow heart of Ya Zi."

Bitterness filled Qin Yun's heart.

But suddenly, he came to an abrupt halt, and stormy waves rose within his heart.

Ahead of him—

A figure stood with hands clasped behind his back, as though he had been waiting there all along.