Chapter 40: Heart Demon
Ning Qi could sense it.
Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was extremely curious about his cultivation progress. Although the other senior brothers and senior sisters were also curious, it was basically at a normal level, but Qin Yun was different. Ning Qi could often perceive Qin Yun’s inquiring gaze.
Although he really didn’t want to admit it, he felt that Eighth Senior Brother should be jealous of him, to the point of developing an obsession inner demon.
His strange state might be related to this.
Ning Qi knew that Qin Yun had always taken revitalizing the True Martial Sect as his own responsibility. Before Ning Qi went up the mountain, Qin Yun was the one with the highest expectations among the many true disciples. His talent even surpassed Jiang Baishan’s, and he was the focus of everyone.
But after Ning Qi gradually showcased his martial way.
Things gradually began to change.
Just his initial performance when practicing stance technique had already shocked everyone. Later, Dragon Mountain Daoist told the many disciples not to inquire about Ning Qi’s cultivation progress and even let him live alone near the Scripture Depository.
All these special treatments made everyone know that Ning Qi was extraordinary.
However, the others were all delighted, while Qin Yun, besides being happy, might also have a bit of sourness and jealousy.
Ning Qi could feel the complexity in Qin Yun’s heart; probably even Qin Yun himself could not control it.
At this time.
Qin Yun invited him.
If he didn’t go on stage, it might make Qin Yun overthink.
If he did go on stage, even if he used the Silent Art to conceal most of his cultivation, he would still have to show a realm that matched his talent. Showing at least the Bone Refining Realm was the minimum, otherwise, wouldn’t he be treating Qin Yun like a fool.
Either way seemed not great.
Ning Qi hesitated slightly.
Fortunately.
Dragon Mountain Daoist spoke.
“Alright, today’s grand competition ends here. Little Eight, come with me. I have something to tell you.”
Qin Yun was stunned, then nodded respectfully.
Two figures departed.
Luo Wentian was slightly stunned, then began to summarize this grand competition.
Ning Qi’s gaze flashed, and he sighed slightly in his heart.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s actions had basically confirmed his guess: Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun should have developed an obsession inner demon.
“Go to the Scripture Depository and search to see if I can find some records about inner demons. If I can know what form the ‘inner demon’ exactly takes, perhaps I can try to create a method to eliminate inner demons.”
Before Ning Qi had set foot on the martial way, only Ye Qinghe and Qin Yun were closest to him. Although after practicing martial arts, the relationship between Qin Yun and him had cooled a lot, Ning Qi still hoped that Qin Yun would be well.
If it was within his power, he would not begrudge his help.
…
Late at night.
Qin Yun’s residence.
Qin Yun sat cross-legged on the bed, five hearts facing the sky, operating his cultivation method to cultivate.
The scene at Mingwu Pavilion during the day couldn’t help but float into his mind again.
Dragon Mountain Daoist’s earnest teachings to him:
“Yun’er, Master knows what you’re thinking. You have always had unparalleled talent and are very competitive, taking revitalizing the True Martial Sect as your own responsibility, but sometimes remember not to be too impatient, otherwise one wrong step will lead to an irredeemable disaster.”
“Your cultivation reaching Inner Yuan Major Accomplishment is a good thing, but you must solidify the foundation and not advance rashly.”
“Master certainly hopes that the True Martial Sect can revive, but to Master, you are equally important. You True Martial Nine Sons should be as close as brothers, weathering storms together.”
“This is the Clear Heart Art. Master knows that you’ve had chaotic thoughts recently. Recite this incantation silently from time to time; perhaps it can help you condense your mind and calm your heart.”
Qin Yun recalled these words, his eyes somewhat moved.
He slowly recited silently.
“The highest good is like water, clear heart like nothingness, few thoughts solemnize the heart…”
The originally disturbed thoughts gradually faded.
But for some reason, the daytime scene kept reappearing, and Ning Qi’s figure kept enlarging in his mind.
“Junior Brother… what is your cultivation realm now exactly?”
Once this thought arose.
He immediately felt his heart fire blazing, his head splitting with pain, and the slight comfort and peace brought by the Clear Heart Art instantly dissipated.
Qin Yun operated Heaven Shaking Strength, with inner strength constantly coursing through his body, trying to relieve his discomfort in this way.
But even he himself didn’t notice.
Strands of black qi had unknowingly emerged on his body surface, and the operation method of Heaven Shaking Strength had also changed imperceptibly.
This was a remnant scroll he obtained during this trip down the mountain.
Once, after instinctively operating it, he found that the cultivation speed was much faster than Heaven Shaking Strength. But Qin Yun also discovered that cultivating this remnant scroll seemed to cause unpredictable changes in his mindset. He hadn’t told Dragon Mountain Daoist about the remnant scroll.
He operated it over and over.
The explosive pain in Qin Yun finally eased, but he himself didn’t notice that the black qi on his body surface had become denser, even his eyes carrying strands of black qi.
The many chaotic thoughts finally converged into one.
“I’ll secretly test Junior Brother.”
Qin Yun grinned with a eerie smile. He changed into night travel clothes, masked his face, and headed toward the Scripture Depository.
…
At this time, inside the Scripture Depository.
Ning Qi had pulled out all the records and methods about inner demons.
“So-called inner demons all arise from thoughts, essentially negative emotions amplified and condensed, undergoing unknowable changes. If the inner demon is not eliminated, martial way progress will likely be stalled?”
“In severe cases, even leading to bleeding from all seven orifices and death?”
Ning Qi’s heart chilled.
Inner demons were more serious than he imagined, but according to this record, inner demons were also divided into several stages.
“To remove it, one must start from the root cause, dissolving the obsession to eliminate the inner demon. But according to this record, those who eliminate inner demons all did so by chance and coincidence, with no traceable path. There were even sects that created methods specifically using inner demons to accelerate cultivation…”
“Among the Scripture Depository, only a few hand seals like Clear Heart Art have some calming effects, which can suppress stray thoughts. No wonder Master took the Clear Heart Art.”
“Creating a method to thoroughly eliminate inner demons is a bit difficult. Mainly, I don’t know in what form the inner demon exactly appears and exists, and moreover, my cultivation is not enough…”
Various thoughts arose in Ning Qi’s heart.
He planned to spend some time each day afterward to research it, striving to create a secret technique to eliminate inner demons as soon as possible.
While pondering.
Ning Qi’s brows raised, looking into the distance.
He could sense a unfamiliar aura quietly approaching, heading toward the Scripture Depository and Seeker’s Courtyard.
“A visitor late at night; I’m afraid the comer has ill intentions.”
The Body Shifting and Bone Changing Art operated silently, and an unremarkable middle-aged daoist instantly appeared in the Scripture Depository.
Ning Qi moved his body, and after getting used to it, he concealed his breath and vanished.
…
Qin Yun wore night travel clothes and masked his face as he moved, blending into the night very concealed. He was naturally extremely familiar with the True Martial Sect and easily bypassed the patrolling disciples.
His heart was filled with burning thoughts, but he still retained some reason.
“I’ll pretend to be a thief attacking Junior Brother later. He will naturally not hide his ability thinking he’s in a life-and-death crisis. At that time, I’ll know Junior Brother’s realm at a glance, but I must not hurt him.”
Qin Yun’s gaze was slightly complex.
He himself was also very conflicted, but he knew that after Junior Brother easily learned the Ya Zi Stance from him, he and Ning Qi could no longer be like before.
“Perhaps, I am just born narrow-minded.”
Qin Yun felt bitter in his heart.
But suddenly, his figure stopped abruptly, and gigantic waves surged in his heart.
Only to see ahead.
A figure stood with hands behind back, as if waiting for him there all along.
