Another day had passed.

Li An lay on the bed, silently contemplating.

Replaying the details of the scene, the fake jade talisman in Jing Ao's hand had been thoroughly cleaned without leaving a trace. No one would know that he had given the fake talisman to Jing Ao.

Earlier during questioning, Li Yuan was clearly using some secret technique to observe him, but Li An had already had a set concept in his mind, so there were no flaws in his responses.

His only worry was that the storage bag hidden in the ancient well of Qingyang Market might be discovered, as it contained too many items.

The Second Grade Glowing Lotus he acquired over a decade ago in the Spirit Beast Mountain Range, along with the Second Grade Purple Soul Herbs, Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill, and numerous magical artifacts obtained during his first demon cultivator hunt, as well as the two Second Grade Spirit Medicines from the Life-taking Horse-Faced's storage bag.

If discovered, all his painstaking efforts over the years would be in vain.

However, now that Qingyang Market is in ruins and being rebuilt, no one would think of digging things out of an ancient well, so it shouldn't be a problem.

The next issue he considered wasn't the Foundation Establishment Pill, but something else—

Why did the Life-taking Horse-Faced die in Qingyang Market?

This question had puzzled him since three days ago during the battle at Qingyang Market!

Having witnessed the entire battle, he felt it was unreasonable.

Who was the Life-taking Horse-Faced? A notorious demon Dao great cultivator, who had wiped out several cultivation clans, committed countless evil deeds, and troubled the Profound Yang Sect for years, without ever truly being eradicated.

Such a person wasn't simple, wouldn't lack situational awareness, and certainly wouldn't go all out just out of anger.

Yet, on that day, after his whereabouts were exposed, and knowing it was a trap set by the Profound Yang Sect, he didn't immediately leave but was mired in combat with Han Zhong and others on the scene!

Wasn't that courting death?

Moreover, during the battle, the Life-taking Horse-Faced was severely injured by Han Zhong using Yu Xiong... which seemed reasonable, but actually didn't fit the Life-taking Horse-Faced's identity.

Someone like the Life-taking Horse-Faced, living a life of licking blood off the blade, his combat experience wouldn't overlook that!

So, upon deeper thought, maybe there was only one possibility...

The Life-taking Horse-Faced actively sought death!

Li An's heart sank.

No one in this world wants to die—unless it's for a better life!

Could it be that the Life-taking Horse-Faced... didn't truly die?

He suddenly closed his eyes and repeatedly simulated the Yin Yang Demon Furnace Skill in his mind.

He felt this must be the key to why the Life-taking Horse-Faced died at Qingyang Market!

"Spirit Root ascends, the original body and the furnace perish together, needing to find a new host, and the better the Spirit Root qualification and cultivation of the host, the better..."

"Possessing with the Spirit Root requires Third Grade Spirit Medicine as an aid, plus no Heart Demon..."

Suddenly, he opened his eyes.

"The Profound Yang Sect thinks the Life-taking Horse-Faced needs Third Grade Spirit Medicine, but actually... it was just a smokescreen he released, he doesn't lack Third Grade Spirit Medicine at all!"

"But what if... he doesn't have a Heart Demon either?!"

"From start to finish, his resentment towards me, and his intention to kill me as a black-hearted Talisman Master, if it was all just a pose to mislead others? Otherwise, why would a dignified Foundation Establishment demon cultivator treat me selling him a few fake Spirit Talismans as his Heart Demon?"

"Allowing the Profound Yang Sect to think he needed Pill Medicines, believing I was his Heart Demon, so they set up a trap... if he didn't need Pill Medicines, nor had a Heart Demon, then this is the Life-taking Horse-Faced's scheme!"

"A scheme within a scheme."

"Moreover, if this inference is true, then the reason he came to kill me can be explained. He didn't intercept the Pill Medicines but came to kill me, thus dying more in line with his reputation as the Life-taking Horse-Faced, after all, to die directly at the interception would be too straightforward, arousing suspicion..."

"Now, no one in the Profound Yang Sect even doubts his death!"

Li An felt that his deduction, even if not entirely correct, was likely close to the truth.

"So the question is, why did the Life-taking Horse-Faced set this up?"

"It's possible that his Spirit Root ascension has already reached a critical stage, and he's been waiting for the Profound Yang Sect to fall into the trap..."

"Could he have not died, but instead seized a Profound Yang Sect person during the battle?"

Li An couldn't help but feel a little... creeped out.

If that's truly the case...

After Life-taking Horse-Faced's possession, he will surely hide within the Profound Yang Sect and later coordinate with the Yin Yang Demon Sect from inside and outside...

Then, the Profound Yang Sect may face a great calamity!

At that time, everyone in the Profound Yang Sect will be in grave danger.

Li An was also pondering, could he be overthinking, what if the Life-taking Horse-Faced was simply dead?

But he immediately shook his head, he must prepare for the worst-case scenario!

If that's indeed the case, then Li An has two choices: one, tell the Profound Yang Sect the truth. Two, conceal it.

Choosing the first option could lead to the Demon Sect's plot being exposed, future risks and calamities could be averted, but the drawback is that many of Li An's secrets might be exposed.

Choosing the second means watching the fate of the Profound Yang Sect unfold from the sidelines, finding an opportunity to distance himself, and wandering as a loose cultivator in the future.

Li An repeatedly pondered what would be most beneficial for him.

If he decides to warn the sect, he must carefully consider how to communicate and how to deal with the sect's scrutiny and suspicion...

If he chooses to conceal, he must distance himself from the sect's core and always be ready to protect himself...

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Li An sat up and spoke, collecting his thoughts.

Outside, the dazzling Xu Qiuhui entered, and this time, accompanying her was... another old woman!

The old woman was dressed in a gray spiritual robe, leaning on a pure gold carved cane, appearing dignified and stately in her advanced age.

"Junior Brother Li, this is Elder Yu from the inner sect, she heard you were injured and is very concerned, so she came to visit you today."

Xu Qiuhui introduced.

Li An's heart stirred, he had heard of this person's identity.

Yu Hui, one of the four Fake Pill Elders of the Profound Yang Sect, also the junior martial sister of Profound Yang Master!

Moreover, he had also heard from Zhao Xian's Story that this person was Chen Cheng's grandmother.

If not for such a background, Chen Cheng would not have been able to break Zhao Xian's arm and strip him of his formal disciple status, forcing him to bow and apologize submissively!

"Disciple greets Elder Yu!"

Li An hurriedly got up and saluted.

"No need, no need, young man, you're injured, just sit comfortably."

Yu Hui's wrinkled old face squeezed out a slight smile as she sat beside the table, with Xu Qiuhui pouring her some tea.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, thank you for your concern, Elder Yu."

"Hmm, I've heard from this girl Qiuhui that you're in your forties? But you look so young, like you're in your twenties."

"Disciple is forty-six years old, having experienced many uncertainties, but once consumed a beauty pill, which might make me appear a bit younger."

Li An was very humble.

Yu Hui nodded, "Forty-six, Qi Refining Fifth Layer... do you have aspirations to reach the Foundation Establishment?"

Li An's heart stirred... the old fox's tail was finally showing.

...

Sorry for the sudden emergency that delayed things by a day yesterday.

If similar situations arise in the future, I'll inform everyone in advance.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.