This vague sense of being watched left Li Guanqi on edge. It was more than mere irritation; beneath it lay a real unease. Whether it was Cang Lu before or Li Shenzhi now, neither had been possessed.

He had examined Cang Lu’s three hun and seven po before, just as he had inspected Li Shenzhi today. There had been no abnormalities at all. Everything about them was entirely their own, and that was what made it so terrifying. Such a method was almost impossible to guard against.

This time, he had picked up on it only because of that faint, lingering aura. After today, whoever was hiding in the shadows would surely grow more cautious, erasing every trace of their presence. The next time ‘he’ surfaced, it would be even harder to detect. Li Guanqi looked down at the twisted corpse at his feet and sighed quietly.

Li Shenzhi... Li Guanqi had once imagined the man might one day stand beside him as a brother. But fate was unpredictable, and he could not allow such a danger to keep approaching him unchecked. The lesson of Cang Lu had been far too harsh.

Frowning slightly, Li Guanqi studied Li Shenzhi’s body again. Just as he had expected, Li Shenzhi had never realized he was no longer truly himself. It was as if some unseen force had planted a seed inside him. Given time, or the right conditions, that seed would slowly take root, grow, and consume his entire soul. By then, Li Shenzhi would no longer be Li Shenzhi.

A faint ripple opened within the Sword Prison space, and Lu Kangnian stepped through. Moments later, Ji Yuchuan appeared as well.

Both men looked at Li Guanqi with grave expressions. Ji Yuchuan’s gaze fell coldly upon the corpse, while Lu Kangnian’s voice carried clear concern. “Is it the same as Cang Lu?”

Ji Yuchuan said nothing. By now, he had already looked into everything about Li Guanqi, including Cang Lu, the man who had once changed Li Guanqi so profoundly.

Li Guanqi took a deep breath and handed Li Shenzhi’s body to Ji Yuchuan. “Yes, it’s the same. When I fought him before, I sensed a trace of that aura. That’s how I noticed. But... after this, ‘he’ won’t be so careless again.”

Lu Kangnian’s expression darkened. Even he felt the oppressive weight of an unseen threat like this, let alone Li Guanqi, who was its direct target. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Li Guanqi said, “Brother Ji, the Bright Mirror Sect should already know about Li Shenzhi’s death. I’ll have to trouble you with this. Make a trip to the Falling Sunset Territory yourself, or send Elder Xi in your place. Lay everything out plainly. Whether they believe us or not... there’s nothing more we can do. If they demand compensation, then give it. Li Shenzhi didn’t seem to have any close family left in the Xuantian Dynasty. I remember his father passed away long ago.”

Ji Yuchuan cupped his fists. “Rest assured, Pavilion Master. I will handle it personally and depart at once.”

Li Guanqi’s gaze sharpened slightly. After a long moment of contemplation, he spoke again. “Senior Xi, come to me. Sect Master, let’s talk in your study.”

Lu Kangnian nodded.

By the time they reached the study, a knock sounded at the door.

“Pavilion Master.”

“Come in. Senior Xi, sit beside me.”

Elegantly dressed, Xi Yunhuai bowed and took a seat.

Li Guanqi went straight to the point. “Sect Master, is there any artifact that can record and identify a person’s aura?”

Lu Kangnian thought it over, his gaze drifting upward. After a moment, he shook his head. “With the methods the opponent has shown... ordinary artifacts likely won’t work.”

Elder Xi asked for more details, and after hearing everything, his brows furrowed deeply. “If their methods are truly this well concealed, then they may be impossible to guard against. Both the bloodline and soul belong entirely to the original individual. It’s like... a speck of dust falling onto their clothes. Would people stop being themselves because of it? Of course not. They likely wouldn’t even notice the dust was there.”

Li Guanqi sighed. Elder Xi was right. This kind of method was nearly impossible to guard against.

“The only reason I caught it this time was that unique aura. Next time, they won’t make the same mistake,” Li Guanqi said.

Lu Kangnian grew even more troubled. Whoever was behind this clearly had reasons to keep probing and approaching Li Guanqi.

He glanced at Xi Yunhuai but chose not to ask further. Some things were clearly Li Guanqi’s secrets. If he did not wish to speak, there was no need to press him.

Meanwhile, atop a remote mountain range, Song Zhi’ang sat alone in the grass, absently plucking at the blades. “Hmph. So annoying...”

Grass rustled behind her, and a warm laugh followed. “Junior, why so troubled?”

Song Zhi’ang turned sharply. An old man was walking toward her, hands clasped behind his back, smiling kindly.

His aura ran unfathomably deep. The moment she saw his face, she stiffened in shock. It was Han Chengxian himself, the thirty-sixth-generation sect master.

She hurried to her feet and bowed. “Song Zhi’ang greets the former sect master.”

Han Chengxian waved it off and casually sat down beside her. “What former sect master? These days, I’m just another disciple of the sect. Come, sit. No need to be so stiff.”

She hesitated, then sat nearby. Despite his approachable demeanor, Han Chengxian’s power was beyond comprehension, and she couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

He smiled gently, stroking his beard. “I was wandering with nothing to do and saw you sitting here looking troubled, so I thought I’d come take a look. Care to tell me what’s bothering you? You’re beautiful, and you’ve even obtained a clone cultivation inheritance. What could possibly trouble you?”

Song Zhi’ang couldn’t help but feel a flicker of joy. She much preferred this kind of approval to her father’s constant criticism.

She pressed her lips together, unsure how to begin or whether she should speak at all. Still, it wasn’t as though she had anyone else to confide in. Maybe telling him wouldn’t be so bad after all.