Chapter 145: Chapter 145: From Dutiful Senior Sister to Demon Cultivator 19

“Senior Brother Ling, how are you?” Lin Mingxi hurriedly helped Ling Kewei, who was pale and about to collapse, stand up.

Her face was full of worry as she quickly pulled out an elixir from her storage treasure to feed into Ling Kewei’s mouth.

In the end, he fainted, so she had to pry open his mouth and stuff the elixir in.

The two of them were not yet out of danger. After sensing that Ling Kewei’s aura was stabilizing, Lin Mingxi, who was also injured but not as severely as Ling Kewei, quickly hoisted him onto her back and ran away.

Though Ling Kewei seemed unconscious, he was actually fully aware. He was indeed injured, seriously so, but not to the point of being unable to resist. The reason for his pretense was a suspicion that the demon cultivator from before was still hiding within the Lingxiao Sect.

Since the intruder was targeting the Lingxiao Secret Realm, it was very likely they would follow them inside.

The person he suspected most was Lin Mingxi. Though she seemed to be another victim back then and was cleared by the sect, and even though she appeared perfectly normal and was admired by many as someone wonderful, he couldn’t shake his suspicion.

He was always looking for an opportunity to test her out. If she wasn’t the culprit, that would be great. If she was, he wouldn’t show mercy.

When they were teleported in today, they ended up alone together, without anyone else, and he felt his chance had come.

The realm is full of dangers, and injuries are commonplace. He was already hurt earlier, and his current state would naturally appear severe. After all, in a place like this, everything is beyond human control, and disciples dying here is also normal.

Now seemed the best chance to strike.

But even after Lin Mingxi carried him to safety, she showed no abnormal behavior, frequently checking his wounds and feeding him elixirs, never once displaying a hint of malice.

He observed her all this time, and she genuinely had no other intentions.

Had he suspected the wrong person?

If so, he could only resort to his second plan. When Lin Mingxi’s back was turned, Ling Kewei gathered spiritual power in his palm, ready to strike her on the head.

Such an abrupt action couldn’t go unnoticed by Lin Mingxi. She quickly reacted, looking at him with disbelief: “Senior Brother Ling?”

Her eyes were filled with evident suspicion, as if she questioned whether he had been possessed by a demon or if a demon cultivator had taken over his body.

“Are you still Senior Brother Ling?” she asked, tightly gripping her sword and pulling out a talisman, seemingly planning to flee at any moment.

Why would Senior Brother Ling suddenly attack her? Could his earlier injury have caused some kind of infection?

The spiritual power in Ling Kewei’s palm dissipated: “Junior Sister Lin, I’m sorry.”

It seemed it wasn’t her.

He had been overthinking.

After Ling Kewei explained, Lin Mingxi finally breathed a sigh of relief: “You really scared me just now. I thought you were possessed or taken over by a demon cultivator. If you hadn’t explained in time, I would have used a high-level talisman to escape, and once I told others, there would have been no end of entanglement.”

Such a situation growing out of control would be quite embarrassing; at that point, Senior Brother Ling would certainly be punished by Peak Master Zou.

“I understand why you did it, Senior Brother Ling. It’s good that you’re alright,” said Lin Mingxi. “I also despise that demon cultivator. If it weren’t for their framing, Senior Sister Yun wouldn’t have fallen into demonic ways. If things had been different, she might have been able to enter this realm with us.”

Ling Kewei didn’t answer, thinking she likely wouldn’t have secured a spot.

She loved tending to spirit plants and wasn’t skilled in combat at all.

No, back then at Ice Peak Cliff, her simple techniques were surprisingly effective. She had talent, but she spent too much time caring for spirit plants, which caused many to overlook it.

He too wished those things hadn’t happened.

Who exactly was the demon cultivator that framed her?

“Senior Brother Ling, shall we move on then?”

Ling Kewei nodded: “Alright.”

It had been no small feat to enter the secret realm, with only thirty days before they would be automatically teleported out. While he wished to find that demon cultivator, he couldn’t go around testing everyone individually.

He needed to seek his fortune.

“Senior Brother Ling, do you still suspect anyone else from the sect?” Lin Mingxi asked, “If we encounter them, I can cooperate with you.”

Ling Kewei replied, “I think everyone is suspicious. Demon cultivators are cunning and can disguise themselves as anything.”

“True, if we encounter them, shall we test them one by one?” Lin Mingxi suggested. “Regardless of whether there is a problem, for Senior Sister Yun’s sake, I want to try. I never understood why Senior Sister Yun, clearly framed, had to endure all those accusations.”

Ling Kewei said, “Because an explanation is needed.”

“Destroying her Dantian and leaving her to fend for herself at Ice Peak Cliff serves as an explanation, as does allocating some of this realm’s quotas. It’s because Lingxiao Sect isn’t strong enough yet and possesses the Lingxiao Secret Realm. If other sects stirred up trouble over this, we might not even be able to hold onto the realm.”

Lin Mingxi’s face turned grim: “So that’s how it is.”

“Senior Sister Yun was indeed wronged.”

Shortly afterward, they encountered Ba Fan and Gu Yu. Just as Lin Mingxi had mentioned, after some probing, the results showed no issues.

Ba Fan and Gu Yu felt rather speechless, considering Lin Mingxi’s influence, they refrained from causing a stir with Ling Kewei.

Especially Gu Yu, who had been at odds with Ling Kewei for some time, constantly sneering along the way.

After a while, they ran into Wen Shaojin.

Before Lin Mingxi and Ling Kewei could probe, Gu Yu preemptively commented on Ling Kewei’s earlier actions, feeling he was too reckless, advising Wen Shaojin to be cautious.

Ling Kewei hadn’t intended to test Wen Shaojin, as it was unlikely he’d succeed. Moreover, Wen Shaojin’s cultivation was far superior, and testing him might provoke a harsh reaction.

“I think you should stop, Junior Brother Ling.” Wen Shaojin’s voice was icy. “If you make trouble yourself, that’s one thing, but dragging your junior sister into this—have you considered the consequences if something goes wrong?”

Lin Mingxi quickly interjected, “Senior Brother, I’m willingly doing this. I just want to help Senior Sister Yun find the demon cultivator who framed her.”

“Stop messing around.” Wen Shaojin’s attitude was much better toward Lin Mingxi. “The chance to enter the Lingxiao Secret Realm when it opens is rare. Finding the demon cultivator is important, but securing opportunities is even more crucial. If you acquire a chance and enhance your cultivation, wouldn’t it be easier to uncover the demon cultivator?”

“If you continue with this nonsense and Master finds out, you’ll be punished. No matter what I say, it won’t help you then.”

Lin Mingxi stuck out her tongue, not daring to say more.

“I’ll go my own way from here.” Ling Kewei said, turning to leave, announcing his departure without seeking their approval.

Gu Yu remarked, “Since Yun Chen became a demon cultivator, his situation has been increasingly troubling.”

Wen Shaojin commented, “Let’s continue, everyone has their own destiny.”

A month passed in the blink of an eye, painfully short for those inside the secret realm.

All cultivators gained something, delighted by major opportunities, wanting to stay longer to acquire more.

Those who gained only modest benefits also desired to remain, hoping for a fate-altering opportunity.

Sadly, time was up, leaving no room for hesitation, whisking them away instantly.

Jiang Zilin and Kong Xue were teleported out together, his expression complex.

Kong Xue’s complexion was pale too, unable to shake off the shocking revelation she’d just learned.

A jade pendant unknowingly granted her another parent.

“I’ll handle this matter,” Jiang Zilin said. “After all, you can’t form a Dao couple. Whether you choose to return to the Jiang Family or stay in Lingxiao Sect is up to you.”

Certainly, niece and uncle cannot become Dao companions.

Thankfully, Zilin’s identity stayed hidden; otherwise, the situation would have escalated.

Little did he know, Kong Xue was the daughter of a mundane woman from a past encounter, nearly forming a Dao pair with his son.

On reflecting, he asked awkwardly, “Nothing happened between you, right?”

Kong Xue forced a grim smile, “Nothing.”

Both sighed in relief, grateful nothing had occurred.

Just then, Ling Kewei emerged.

Kong Xue, wanting to ease the awkwardness, hesitated upon seeing Ling Kewei’s intimidating aura, “Second Senior Brother, what level are you at now?”

Ling Kewei rarely smiled but now did, “By chance, I’ve broken through to the middle Out-of-Body Stage.”

Kong Xue inhaled sharply; that’s several levels jumped, likely gaining immense benefits.

Ling Kewei said little more and walked away.

People emerged in succession, some joyful, some regretful.

Wen Shaojin and Lin Mingxi appeared, his expression neutral. He had gained some benefits, but nothing significant to him.

After a few steps, he noticed Lin Mingxi hadn’t kept pace. Turning, he saw her standing, unmoving, frowning, “Junior Sister, why aren’t you moving?”

“Senior Brother, you go ahead, I want to stay here a while,” Lin Mingxi said with a smile.

Wen Shaojin, no fool, rushed over, only to find Lin Mingxi suddenly taller, more robust—a man’s appearance.

“Comrade, since you refuse to leave, I won’t hold back.” With that, the man struck Wen Shaojin, sending him flying, “Being tricked by me shows your foolishness.”

Sent flying, Wen Shaojin’s mind was chaotic, eyes dulled, failing to comprehend as he crashed into the crowd outside.

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