Since the Taiyuan Gate struck the couple apart, Yin Ji has been veiling herself in black silk, no longer attending most events or engaging in any interaction with male figures—presenting a quiet, lifelong solitary demeanor. Everyone knows this is a silent act of resistance, a quiet fury. Official delegates with experience are well aware of the reason for Yin Ji's veiling, and they all know that unveiling her face is a highly sensitive matter. Unless one wishes to deeply offend this precious jewel of the Taiyuan Gate, no one dares to do so. Thus, when Miao Teng'er witnessed Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun pulling back Yin Ji's veil with a sly, amused smile, she immediately realized that he was now in a state of frenzy, profoundly unstable. To prevent Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun from making any further dramatic moves, Miao Teng'er felt it necessary to alert the Dog Elder. "We've unveiled Yin Ji's veil…" the Dog Elder said, his tone now serious. "Indeed, he's quite mad. I'm coming right away. You keep a close watch on Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun, but don't provoke him." Master Dog didn't ask Yuan Shi Tian Zun why his condition was unstable, and simply hung up the phone. Zhang Yuan sat cross-legged on the ground, holding the veil in his hands, gazing down at the face before him, stunned. Yin Ji's features were naturally flawless, yet even flawless faces differ in character, giving rise to women with distinct personalities. This face was exceptionally gentle and refined—her eyebrows were delicately outlined, her lips full and naturally rosy, exuding a soft, yielding quality. Her cheeks were pale with a healthy flush, free of any adult imperfections, as smooth and luminous as that of a newborn infant. Her features were graceful and composed, and though she was a goddess-level beauty, upon seeing her face, one would never feel self-conscious or intimidated—never hesitate to approach or even to tease her. This was a rare, serene and warm presence. Even someone who felt deeply insecure would find themselves at ease, confident that they could be friends with her, or even gently tease her. She was less assertive and coldly elegant than Xiao Yuan, less detached and otherworldly than the Princess, less fresh and graceful than Xie Lingxi, and less vibrant and refined than Gu Ya. She possessed a soft, refined beauty. A cultivated lady, gentle and smooth as jade. Due to a stumble, her once-soft, flowing hair was slightly disheveled, strands cascading gently over her fair cheeks, adding a touch of endearing charm. To Zhang Yuanqing, this face was unfamiliar—yet somehow, it felt as though she had always belonged to this appearance, perfectly embodying her gentle nature. Zhang Yuanqing stared at her for a long while, then a subtle, enigmatic smile curled at the left corner of her mouth. "Interesting—now I understand why the Magician has fallen for you!" As she spoke, Yin Ji suddenly opened her eyes. After recovering from her weakened state, she broke through her spiritual scroll on her own and regained consciousness. They locked eyes, and Yin Ji was stunned. Tears shimmered in her clear, autumnal gaze, beauty and joy radiating across her composed, gentle face. She murmured, "You..." As she uttered the first word, she suddenly recognized the figure before her—Yuanshi Tianzun. The resemblance was there, though the bold, unruly spirit was new. At the same time, Yin Ji noticed the veil held tightly in Yuanshi Tianzun's hands. Her heart skipped a beat; instinctively, she reached out to her cheeks, only to find the veil gone. "Who gave you the permission to lift my veil?" she snapped, snatching the black cloth from his hands and delivering a forceful palm strike to his chest. Yet, as the sharp wind of her palm neared him, she recalled that Yuanshi Tianzun might be injured, and thus gently softened the force, retreating several degrees. To the guests in the distance, this appeared more like Yin Ji's delicate pout and petulance than true anger. Even when angry, her poised, refined features lacked commanding presence—after all, it was only natural for a well-bred lady to scowl and furrow her brows when upset. Indeed, Zhang Yuanqing chuckled lightly, "With your beauty like this, why not just take a look?" Yin Ji's chest rose and fell, realizing that Yuan Shi Tian Zun's mental state was off—seemingly under the influence of some force of decline. As she slipped the veil over her head, she stepped back, her voice cold. "Since your condition is off, I won't hold it against you." At that moment, Yuanqing's sense of reason regained the upper hand. He murmured a quiet "I'm sorry," pressed his forehead, and staggered through the crowd, making his way toward the lounge room behind the dining hall. "Thud!" He entered the lounge room and closed the door behind him. "The Ghost Mirror can only suppress emotions—it cannot cleanse spiritual contamination. In this situation, the Fumigating Staff is truly better. Yin Ji is indeed beautiful—no wonder the Demon King has such a fondness for her." Sitting at the table, Yuanqing examined his own condition. Aside from the relentless surge of negative thoughts, he felt an intense sense of dissonance. His hands, his feet, his head—seemed as though they were forcibly attached to his torso, This profound sense of dissonance originated from within the spirit, not the body. First, purify the mental pollution... Zhang Yuanqing took the Shān Shāi Amulets from his inventory and pressed them against his forehead. The scroll glowed with intense golden light, surging into his consciousness and dissipating part of the mental impurity. He then used two more Shān Shāi Amulets, just enough to fully cleanse the pollution and eliminate the lingering negative thoughts within him. In truth, the Pure Yang Master’s decision to cut off his tail and escape not only saved himself but also saved Zhang Yuanqing. Otherwise, given the ancient cultivator’s substantial level of impurity, if Zhang Yuanqing had fully absorbed it, he would have instantly gone mad, beyond recovery. Yet, this deep sense of dissonance within him did not vanish. Having resolved the issue of mental pollution, and still having time, Zhang Yuanqing began to reflect on how to handle the Dog Elder. "Given my condition at the time, I was nearly certain to die. The elders, with their experience and judgment, would certainly harbor doubts. If they pursued the matter deeply, things would go badly..." This was the challenge he would face next. But it wasn't entirely hopeless. First, all the upheavals occurred within his spirit realm, unseen by outsiders, which gave him ample room to fabricate stories. I can say that Lady San-Shan, moved by my promise to return the Vengeance Staff, left me a life-saving item—no, not merely an item, but a consumable; once used up, it vanishes without a trace, leaving no proof of its existence. Second, this statement must be conveyed to Fu Qingyang, not to the Dog Elder. For the Grand Master will naturally investigate and verify every detail, whereas the Dog Elder—though we have a good relationship—still falls short of the deep affection and loyalty shown by the money-son. Should I notify Fu Qingyang and invite him to come by? Ling Jun will surely inform him. After formulating a strategy, Zhang Yuanqing, now composed, reviewed the Grand Master’s words once more. "I am a one who has lost my soul—my spirit is stitched together, and this is truly the root of my long-standing distress. Yet, I cannot recall why my soul has dispersed. I have no memory of it at all." "I feel so profoundly out of sync—perhaps because the Master of Pure Yang has been 'chewing' my spiritual essence, causing the soul's seams to loosen? What now? The Master of Pure Yang claims I should have died long ago. During my high school years, there was a major event that nearly took my life—no, if my memory is flawed, then perhaps even my chronic headaches, which I've had since then, deserve to be questioned. Moreover, he says my soul is flawed—besides being a scattered-soul being, what other issues does my soul have? Unfortunately, he didn't finish speaking before the Full Moon appeared." Then, following this line of reasoning, he speculated whether the small sun within the Fallen Cup corresponded to the supreme status of the Sun God. Additionally, drawing from the memories of the Master of Pure Yang, he learned some fundamental knowledge shared among ancient practitioners. It is well known that occupational divisions have existed since ancient times; however, unlike the common belief that different professions stem from distinct training manuals, ancient practitioners found that the distinction between professions lay not in the manuals themselves, but in the presence of spiritual energy. Spiritual energy, a general term for the energies of heaven and earth, comes in various forms, each form giving rise to a specific profession (a particular method of cultivation). In the Master of Pure Yang’s understanding, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth has been gradually weakening year after year, becoming increasingly thin and diminishing over time—making it a non-renewable resource. Ancient records of the Pure Yang sect note that the last known appearance of a Human Immortal occurred during the early Tang Dynasty, though its authenticity remains uncertain. In contrast, during the Qin and Han dynasties, although Human Immortals were relatively rare, their existence was well documented and traceable. "I remember Lian San-yue mentioned that the 19th day of the third month would have a Tang Dynasty setting, with the Abyss seemingly sealing an entity beyond the Primordial Sovereign—perhaps a Tang Dynasty human immortal? Hmm, that seems rather coincidental..." ...In the restaurant, the guests who had paused to rest, recover from injuries, and regain strength, observed the scattered floor, and then saw a gentle green glow bloom. Soon, a young vine pierced through the floor tiles and rapidly grew. Within moments, it reached over three meters tall, with a single pink bud at its apex—large enough to fill an entire water tank. The bud slowly unfurled, and within it stood a man and a dog. Fu Qingyang, dressed in snowy white robes, with an indelible elegance, and a curly-haired, button-eyed Teddy. Fu Qingyang calmly surveyed the chaos before turning to Ling Jun, "Where is Yuan Shi?" "My brother, I'm barely holding on—I didn't even know to care first. It seems our connection is fading slowly. Let's just part ways. "Lingjun's condition has improved greatly," he pointed toward the deeper part of the dining hall. "He's been resting there—he must have been influenced by the Pure Yang Master. Just a moment ago, he seemed determined to overthrow the entire establishment." Fu Qingyang furrowed his brows. “Big brother…” Zhang Yuanqing turned pale and glanced up from his seat. At the Fu Family Villa, in the study, Fu Qingyang opened his laptop and logged into the online meeting. It was a six-member meeting room: besides him, there were "Challenging the Peak" and "Liu Shenhai" from the Hangzhou branch, "Li Secretary" from headquarters, and the "Dog Elder" and "Cloud Zhongzi" from the Hundred Blossoms Association. Among them, Cloud Zhongzi was the eldest son of the Grand Elder of the Hundred Blossoms Association, and the uncle of Miao Teng'er and Ling Jun. The meeting was initiated by headquarters, and its topic was precisely the attack on the Hundred Blossoms Association in Songhai City tonight. The elders attending were either closely connected to the Pure Yang Master or directly involved in the victims of tonight's attack. Li Secretary spoke first, her voice low and steady: "Regarding the tragic incident at the Hundred Blossoms Association tonight, the Grand Elder has already been informed. He is deeply saddened and has asked me to convene this meeting to learn the details. How many of our colleagues have we lost?" The Dog Elder responded solemnly: "Two Sages, eleven Transcendentals, over thirty staff members After this incident, the Dog Elder deeply realized just how difficult ancient cultivators were, who were not bound by moral or reputation scores. Li Secretary sighed, "Senior Peak, your responsibilities are quite heavy—you need to move faster." Senior Peak spoke with a tone of displeasure: "I've heard from the young man from the Liu family that the Master of Pure Yang has obtained a master-level artifact—exactly the one listed as number two, which hadn't been recovered. He's already skilled at remaining inconspicuous, and now he's gained a master-level artifact—how is he supposed to manage this?" Li Secretary paused and said, "Senior Grand Elder understands your concerns. Before the meeting, he mentioned that he could ask Senior Fu to assist." Fu Qingyang gave a light scoff: "That would indeed be greatly appreciated by Senior Grand Elder." Anyone could hear the undercurrent of mockery in his tone. Li Secretary ignored it entirely and said, "Dog Elder, could you please provide a detailed account of the incident?" The Dog Elder then repeated the details he had learned from Ling Jun. Yunzhongzi said, "It seems the Pure Yang Master has now begun deliberately targeting official travelers. His primary focus is on the Night-Wanderer and illusionists; however, if the opportunity arises, he won't overlook colleagues from the Five Elements Alliance either, as he seeks to acquire their tools and strengthen his own position. 'Tonight, thanks to Yuanshizhentian Zun, otherwise Ling'er and Lingjun would have perished.' Li Shenhai nodded, 'A B-level merit is entirely reasonable—compensation shouldn't be overlooked. We'll announce it on the forum tomorrow.' Although during the report, his grandson Li Zhiyi had criticized Yuanshizhentian Zun extensively, even weeping over his harsh treatment, these matters were of little consequence to Li Senior. Li Zhiyi had long been known to bully others and often suffered at the hands of other senior family members. As for minor disputes among children, he didn't find them particularly troubling. The secretary nodded in agreement, 'We should reward for achievements and penalize for shortcomings. Yuanshizhentian Zun has made significant contributions and deserves recognition.' "Pause a moment, he asked, "Dog Elder, I have one thing I don't understand—how did he manage to repel the Pure Yang Master?" Fu Qingyang replied calmly: "The Lady of San Dao Mountain left him a life-saving reserve." His answer was concise, with a tone as if he didn't intend to share it with me at all. Li Secretary had intended to ask further, but noticed Fu Qingyang had already closed his microphone, suspecting that the instruction to assist the High Peak Elder had displeased the young Fu. After a moment's thought, she decided not to press, and said: "I'll have you detail it in the report later." The Dog Elder added: "According to the report from the Prime Origin Lord, and confirmed by the present attendees, the Pure Yang Master was seriously injured and will not be able to act in the near term—he will choose to remain hidden. This person is proficient in both Night-Wandering Immortal and illusion arts, and is not bound by moral constraints, making him difficult to locate. It will inevitably be a prolonged back-and-forth struggle. I recommend assigning this matter to the Taimei Sect. The one truly best equipped to understand the Night-W "He effectively removed Fu Qingyang from the matter." "Excellent idea!" Master Gao raised both hands in agreement. Li, the secretary, thought for a moment and said, "I'll relay your suggestions to the Grand Elder. Do you have any further points to add?" Master Liu asked, "I heard from Zhiyi that the Prime Origin Celestial Sovereign has gone mad?" The moment the words were spoken, several elders turned their attention to him. "He absorbed part of the Pure Yang Master's spiritual essence and has suffered significant mental contamination. He is now recovering," Fu Qingyang activated the microphone. Li, the secretary, said, "This is no ordinary matter. We should assign a psychologist to him soon to help stabilize his emotional state." "The meeting is adjourned." ... The night was hazy and melancholy. A street lined with old ginkgo trees, dim streetlights, and vintage residential buildings—this was likely a historic district, deep into the night, with no vehicles in sight. Zhang Yuanqing silently thought to himself. For some reason, he felt an intense fear and sorrow, as though he had just gone through a separation and a death. With whom? He couldn't recall. Why was he here? He couldn't remember either. At that moment, a sigh came from behind: "The Chu family is gone. I'm sorry, I was unable to save your parents. From now on, you will live in Songhai." The voice was both unfamiliar and familiar. Who was speaking? Zhang Yuanqing looked back in confusion. A few meters behind him, standing by the street, was a man with a distinguished appearance and a gentle demeanor. His face was slightly pale, with a delicate illness evident in his features, as though he were not in good health. Seeing this man, Zhang Yuanqing's emotions suddenly surged. Father? This was his father, Zhang Zizhen. As he was about to utter the words "Dad," he heard instead a soft, childlike voice, fragile and laced with tears: "I don't want to be a guest in someone else's home. I don't want to go with you. My people will come looking for me. When I grow up, I will wipe out all my enemies—none will remain!" The scene then shattered. In the bedroom of Fu Family Villa, Zhang Yuanqing suddenly woke up, gasping for breath. Bright sunlight poured in through the windows, and the birds' chirping in the garden could be faintly heard through the soundproof glass, while the air conditioner hummed steadily, carrying with it a familiar, soothing fragrance. Zhang's mind was in a whirl, his thoughts like an old ox stuck in mud—no matter how hard he tried, they wouldn't budge. He even forgot who he was, what his name was. A man? A young girl? Or perhaps, the Master of Pure Yang? "Is your head hurting?" a gentle, caring voice whispered beside him. This voice, like a lighthouse in the night, brought Zhang direction, clarity, and a sense of belonging. He remembered who he was. Zhang Yuanqing turned his head and saw a graceful, refined oval face at the pillow—her mixed-race features gave her a mature yet sensual charm. "Guan Ya姐…" His heart instantly settled. Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around the full-bodied, fiery beauty, instinctively cradling her waist with one hand and gently caressing her hips. Only then did he suddenly exclaim in surprise, "You've just completed the quest?" Upon hearing about her boyfriend's ordeal, Guan Ya simply took a quick shower and came to sit with him in her pajamas. "How are you feeling? Is there anything else bothering you?" Guan Ya gently massaged his forehead, not this time pressing firmly on his hands as she usually did, searching for answers. "After sleeping, I feel much better," Zhang Yuanqing said, though his mind remained foggy and still not fully clear. The mental strain had lifted, but that odd sense of discomfort and dissonance lingered—faint, yet persistent, making him uneasy. Zhang Yuanqing enjoyed the massage, breathing in the scent of her body, and gradually his mind settled. He found himself recalling the dream he'd just had. When his father passed away, he was only in elementary school and had little memory of paternal love. Over the past decade, he had rarely dreamed of him—until today. This dream was strange and unusual. Besides his father, there was a little girl in it. Her father's words resonated deeply with Zhang Yuanqing—he remembered them vividly. He had heard his father say that the Chu family had disappeared, and that the little girl should live out her life in Songhai. It felt as though he The Chu family is gone, the little girl, her father... Hmm! Zhang Yuanqing shot straight out of bed. Now his mind was completely clear.