Ning Qi could feel it.
Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun was extremely curious about his cultivation progress. Although other Senior Brothers and Senior Apprentice Sisters were also curious, it was generally within normal limits. But Qin Yun was different; Ning Qi often sensed Qin Yun's probing gaze.
Although he was very reluctant to admit it, he felt that Eighth Senior Brother was probably jealous of him, to the point of developing an obsessive 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 True Martial Sect. Before Ning Qi came to the mountain, Qin Yun was the most highly anticipated among the many True Disciples. His talent even surpassed Jiang Baishan's, and he was the focus of everyone's attention.
But ever since Ning Qi gradually revealed his Martial Dao.
Things gradually began to change.
Just his performance when first practicing the Yazi Stance had already shocked everyone. Later, Dragon Mountain Daoist told many Disciples not to ask about Ning Qi's cultivation progress and even had him live alone near the Scripture Pavilion.
All these special treatments made everyone realize that Ning Qi was extraordinary.
However, the others were all relieved, while Qin Yun, besides being happy, perhaps also felt a bit of bitterness and jealousy.
Ning Qi could feel the complexity in Qin Yun's heart, which even Qin Yun himself probably couldn't control.
At this moment.
Qin Yun invited him.
If he didn't go, it might make Qin Yun overthink.
If he did go, even if he used the Quietude Art to conceal most of his cultivation, he would still have to display a Realm fitting his talent. Showing the Bone Forging Realm was the minimum, otherwise wouldn't that be treating Qin Yun like a fool?
Neither approach seemed very good.
Ning Qi hesitated slightly.
Fortunately.
Dragon Mountain Daoist spoke up.
"Alright, today's grand competition ends here. Xiao Ba (Eighth), come with me, I have something to tell you."
Qin Yun was startled, then nodded respectfully.
The two figures departed.
Luo Wentian was slightly stunned, then began to summarize the grand competition.
Ning Qi's eyes flashed, and he sighed inwardly.
Dragon Mountain Daoist's actions had basically confirmed his guess: Eighth Senior Brother Qin Yun had likely developed an obsessive inner demon.
"I'll go to the Scripture Pavilion and see if I can find any records about inner demons. If I can understand what form an 'inner demon' takes, perhaps I can try to create a method to eliminate inner demons."
Before Ning Qi had stepped into the Martial Dao, Ye Qinghe and Qin Yun were the closest to him. Although their relationship became much colder after he started practicing martial arts, Ning Qi still hoped Qin Yun would be well.
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 the bed, with his five centers facing the sky, circulating his Cultivation Technique.
The scene from the Mingwu Pavilion during the day couldn't help but resurface in his mind.
Dragon Mountain Daoist earnestly taught him:
"Yun'er, your Master knows what you're thinking. You've always had extraordinary talent and are strong-willed, taking the revitalization of the True Martial Sect as your responsibility. But sometimes, remember not to be too impatient, otherwise, one wrong step could lead to eternal damnation."
"It's good that your cultivation has reached the Great Completion of Inner Vitality, but you must also solidify your foundation and not rush."
"While your Master certainly hopes the True Martial Sect can be revived, to your Master, you are equally important. You, the True Martial Nine Sons, should be like brothers, weathering storms together."
"This is the Clear Heart Art. Your Master knows your thoughts have been chaotic recently. Reciting this chant often might help you focus and calm your mind."
Qin Yun recalled these words, his eyes filled with emotion.
He slowly recited.
"The highest good is like water, a clear heart is like nothingness, few thoughts and a solemn heart..."
His originally turbulent thoughts gradually faded.
But for some reason, the scene from the daytime kept reappearing, and Ning Qi's figure kept growing larger in his mind.
"Junior Brother... what is his cultivation level now?"
As this thought arose.
He immediately felt his heart fire surge, and his head throbbed with pain. The slight comfort and peace brought by the Clear Heart Art instantly vanished.
Qin Yun circulated the Shaking Heaven Strength, his Inner Strength continuously moving through his body, trying to alleviate his discomfort in this way.
But he himself didn't notice.
At some unknown point, wisps of black qi appeared on various parts of his body, and the way the Shaking Heaven Strength circulated also unknowingly changed.
This was a fragmented scroll he had obtained during his recent trip down the mountain.
After instinctively circulating it once, he found that its cultivation speed was much faster than the Shaking Heaven Strength. However, Qin Yun also discovered that cultivating this fragment seemed to cause unpredictable changes in his mindset. He hadn't mentioned the fragment to Dragon Mountain Daoist.
Circulating it repeatedly.
The explosive pain Qin Yun felt finally eased, but he himself didn't notice that the black qi on his body became denser, and even his eyes took on a hint of black qi.
His many chaotic thoughts finally converged into one.
"I'll secretly test Junior Brother."
Qin Yun gave a strange smile, put on his night clothes, masked his face, and headed towards the Scripture Pavilion.
...
At this moment, inside the Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi had pulled out all records and methods related to inner demons.
"So-called inner demons all arise from thoughts. Their essence is the amplification and condensation of negative emotions, undergoing unpredictable changes. If inner demons are not removed, perhaps one's Martial Dao will be hard-pressed to advance even an inch?"
"In severe cases, one might even bleed from the seven orifices and die?"
Ning Qi's heart tightened.
Inner demons were more serious than he had imagined, but according to these records, inner demons were also divided into several stages.
"To remove them, one must start from the root, eliminating the obsession to remove the inner demon. But according to these records, those who have removed inner demons have all done so by chance, with no discernible pattern. There were even sects in the past that created methods specifically to accelerate cultivation using inner demons..."
"The Scripture Pavilion only has a few techniques like the Clear Heart Art that have a certain calming effect and can suppress distracting thoughts. No wonder Master took the Clear Heart Art."
"It's a bit difficult to create a method to completely remove inner demons, mainly because I don't know what form inner demons take or how they exist, and my cultivation is not high enough..."
Various thoughts arose in Ning Qi's mind.
He planned to spend a little time each day researching it, striving to create a secret art to remove inner demons as soon as possible.
While he was pondering.
Ning Qi raised an eyebrow and looked into the distance.
He could feel an unfamiliar aura quietly approaching, heading towards the Scripture Pavilion and the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
"A late-night visitor, likely with ill intentions."
The Transfiguration Skill silently circulated, and a plain-looking middle-aged Daoist suddenly appeared in the Scripture Pavilion.
Ning Qi stretched his body, and after getting used to it, he concealed his presence and disappeared.
...
Qin Yun, dressed in night clothes and masked, moved stealthily in the darkness. He was naturally more than familiar with the True Martial Sect and easily bypassed the patrolling Disciples.
His thoughts were incredibly fervent, but he still retained a shred of rationality.
"I'll pretend to be a thief and attack Junior Brother. When he thinks he's in a life-or-death crisis, he naturally won't hide his true strength. At that time, I'll know his Realm at a glance, but I can't hurt him."
Qin Yun's gaze was slightly conflicted.
He himself was very contradictory, but he knew that ever since Junior Brother easily learned the Yazi Stance from him, he and Ning Qi could no longer be like before.
"Perhaps I am naturally a narrow-minded person."
Qin Yun felt bitter in his heart.
But suddenly, he stopped abruptly, and a stormy wave surged in his heart.
Ahead.
A figure stood with hands clasped behind his back, as if he had been waiting there for him all along.