Cough cough, of course, these things are just clues. What truly confirmed Lu Zhengâs suspicion was the strange Light of Fortune.
But thatâs something that shouldnât be disclosed to outsiders.
Coincidentally, having mingled with Lin Wan for quite some time, Lu Zheng had long known how to backward deduce reasons from results without any flaws.
Anyway, since things worked out, it was naturally his discerning eye that saw through everything at a glance.
"Fortunately, Young Master Lu went back to Dingfeng Mountain and invited Master Hu over," Xin Yuniang said with lingering fear. "This personâs strength is above mine. If he suddenly acted, even if I managed to escape, Iâd likely suffer severe injuries."
At this point, Xin Yuniangâs expression changed.
If Luo Tao had made a move earlier, she could have warned herself enough to flee by risking injury. Now that Luo Tao possesses a good sword, it might just be the last straw that breaks the camelâs back, making it truly impossible to escape from him.
Thinking of this, cold sweat trickled down Xin Yuniangâs back, and she hurriedly picked up her wine cup and drank it all, patting her chest to calm her nerves.
Hu Zhou asked, "Dad, do all Demon Cultivators have such concealing transformation techniques? Wouldnât it make it hard for many people to detect them then?"
"Itâs not that easy. The disguises of ordinary Demon Cultivators can only fool mortals; their Demonic Qi is entirely visible to the Abnormal People,"
Hu Yijun shook his head and said, "Those who can conceal so well usually have their own cultivation and were then enticed to fall; thus, if their demonic being is outward and their Dao Practice is inward, itâs hard to detect."
"And like someone such as Luo Tao, to disguise as someone undetectable even when tested by Xin Yuniang or a Cultivator requires significant effort to refine the Demon Body within.
Furthermore, after doing so, one can never fully use demonic skills nor let others break the concealment. Once exposed, all efforts are for naught, and one cannot hide again."
Hu Yijun said, "Cultivating in the Demon Dao is relatively quick, but extremely dangerous at every step, greatly affecting oneâs spirit. Demons arise from the heart and can turn illusions into reality, causing misfortune if not careful.
Look at Luo Tao, though his true form may appear human, what is he once he reveals his Demon Cultivator true form?"
Everyone nodded in agreement, feeling fearful.
The Demon Dao truly is terrifying; no wonder itâs suppressed by various Great Powers.
"The Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor isnât dead, thereâs talk of the Demon Scripture inheritance, and Demon Cultivators have gone to great lengths to infiltrate Xin Yuniangâs side," Hu Yijun said. "In light of this, are there others hiding around?"
Upon hearing this, everyoneâs expression changed.
"Furthermore, the Central Plains with its flourishing Buddhist Path heavily suppresses Demon Cultivators and possesses deeper foundations than the Southern Border. This matter needs thorough investigation," Hu Yijun said.
Draining the wine in his cup, Hu Yijun said to Lu Zheng and the others, "Alright, the matter of Jiyue Mountain ends here. I shall take ZhouâEr and Jun Yu back to the mountain and wonât see you off."
"Of course! Brother Hu, please!"
Hu Yijun nodded, waved his hand to engulf Hu Zhou and Gao Junyu, and transformed into a gust of wind, leaving Jiyue Mountainâs cave residence.
Watching Hu Yijun leave, Lu Zheng also took Liu Qingyanâs hand and stood up, "Weâll take our leave too."
"Please wait!" Xin Yuniang hurriedly called to them, "My life was saved by Young Master Lu. If I let you leave empty-handed, where would my face be?"
Saying this, Xin Yuniang pressed them back into their seats, swaying her waist elegantly as she hurried away while calling back, "Please wait a moment; I shall return soon!"
After Xin Yuniang left, Lu Zheng picked up a chopstick-full of side dishes and said to Liu Qingyan expectantly, "I wonder what Xin Yuniang will bring us? It canât be the same as that âYin Yang Harmony Nourishing Spirit Methodâ given by East Village Elder Ai to us, can it?"
Liu Qingyan blushed, "Come on, isnât one book enough for you, still thinking about another?"
Lu Zheng chuckled, "Iâm just thinking, if thereâs another book for reference, maybe I can draw analogies to enhance its efficacy?"
Hearing Lu Zheng say this, Liu Qingyanâs face grew even redder.
Ever since acquiring that cultivation technique, Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and Shen Ying have been cultivating it. Though its effect isnât strong, frequent practice has accumulated benefits, improving their Spiritual Realm.
The key is the feeling during spiritual harmony...
Indeed, as Elder Ai said, it is a method designed for spiritual enjoyment, even weakening the effects of spirit nurturing.
Lu Zheng winked at Liu Qingyan, "So Iâm looking to see if I can find a technique that doesnât affect the feeling while also retaining its efficacy."
Before Liu Qingyan could respond, Xin Yuniang returned, holding a small wooden box, prompting Liu Qingyan to swallow her unsaid words.
"Thank you both for waiting." Xin Yuniang placed the wooden box on the table and pushed it towards Lu Zheng.
"Inside are some jade stones and gemstones I found in the mountain, to make some jewelry for Miss Liu," Xin Yuniang smiled. "Thereâs also a 500-year-old Jade Ginseng and a book of Heretical Techniques, I hope you wonât find it lacking."
"A 500-year-old Jade Ginseng?" Liu Qingyanâs eyes lit up.
"Heretical Techniques?" This time, Lu Zhengâs eyes gleamed.
Without hesitation, he opened the wooden box. The bottom was lined with jade stones and gemstones, including White Jade, Cyan Jade, Ink Jade, along with pearls, crystals, agates, and various gemstones, nearly filling the entire foot-square wooden box.
On top of these jade stones, there rested a green-colored, translucent, near-human-shaped Jade Ginseng, alongside an aged book.
Lu Zheng picked up the book and glanced at its cover.
"Little Earth Emperorâs Ghost-Controlling Divine Communication Technique."
Raising an eyebrow, Lu Zheng wasnât in a rush to read it. Instead, he closed the wooden box and cupped his hands in thanks, "Thank you very much, Miss Xin, for the generous gift."
"Young Master Lu is too kind." Xin Yuniang smiled, watching Lu Zheng store the wooden box into his gourd, before escorting them all the way to the cave residence entrance.
"When you return to the Southern Border, be sure to visit me again for a chat," Xin Yuniang bid them farewell.
"Certainly!" Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan bid farewell with clasped fists and then left hand in hand.
...
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan left Jiyue Mountain Earth Realm and changed back into Southern Border Mountain Peopleâs clothing, heading north.
Though they didnât encounter any specific individuals waiting for them, they occasionally saw lights shining in the sky.
"Have they discovered other Demon Dao members?" Lu Zheng asked curiously.
"I donât know, but even if they have, there shouldnât be many," Liu Qingyan said. "If the Heartless True Desire Demon Ancestor had so many powerful disciples, why would they need to hide?"
Lu Zheng thought about it and agreed.
He almost generalized incorrectly, because even in White Cloud Temple, there arenât many greats capable of Cloud Riding and Mist Driving. If the Demon Sect could mass-produce such experts, they would have conquered the world long ago.
Having encountered just one was considered...
No, no, it was good luck!
Coming and going gained more than two hundred Light of Fortune, a huge profit!
Such encounters can happen more often, as long as the target isnât me, Iâm fine with anything.
Lu Zheng: ăŸ(â§OâŠ)ă~~~