Inside the grand hall.

Only two people were present.

It felt a bit empty.

Ning Qi silently observed the silver-haired elder in front of him. His figure was tall, and there was a faint smile on his lips. He looked like an ordinary neighborly old man, and his presence was unassuming. Yet because of this, Ning Qi did not dare to underestimate him.

"He ought to be a powerful figure, like the Blade Demon," he speculated in his heart. Although he could win steadily, it would not be easy to take him down without a certain opportunity.

The Grand Elder smiled and gestured to the seat beside him:

"Tianming, please sit. It's just the two of us here, no need to be so formal."

Ning Qi was not surprised.

Qu Tianming, that was Ghost Mask's real name, but only a few in the Demon Sect knew this. Most people called him Ghost Mask because he habitually wore the Bronze Ghost Mask.

"Was the journey smooth?" The Grand Elder got straight to the point.

Ning Qi cupped his hands and said:

"Grand Elder, there were some surprises."

The Grand Elder sipped his tea, raised an eyebrow, and said:

"Did Qin Yun intervene to save Jiang Baishan?"

Ning Qi replied:

"Grand Elder, you are indeed insightful. However, I've already captured them, and they are currently held at another branch. How to deal with them, I await your instructions, Grand Elder."

This was the excuse he had prepared, and now that the Grand Elder had brought it up, Ning Qi naturally followed the lead.

The Grand Elder stood up and sighed lightly:

"What a pity."

Saying this, he began to walk out of the hall. Ning Qi followed behind him, and in just a few steps, they reached a garden in the rear hall, filled with vibrant flowers and rare plants.

The Grand Elder continued:

"Qin Yun ultimately couldn't let go of the past; it's a pity. He has extraordinary talent and a superior disposition. If he could be of use to our Holy Sect, he could achieve great success in the future."

Regret was evident in his eyes.

He truly valued Qin Yun, and one could even say that Ghost Mask's favorable treatment of Qin Yun was largely due to the Grand Elder.

Ning Qi's eyes showed a perfect hint of confusion.

The Grand Elder glanced at him and did not speak further.

They walked slowly toward the rear of the hall. Unexpectedly, what appeared before them was not a luxurious pavilion, but rather a shabby earthen house with a small courtyard. Inside the yard were patches of land planted with vegetables, alongside some farming tools, resembling a farmer's home.

Entering the courtyard.

The Grand Elder took off his outer robe and began to till the soil with a hoe in his hand.

His voice carried a note of emotion:

"People should never forget their roots."

Ning Qi asked the question that puzzled him:

"Why are you so fond of Qin Yun?"

This was a question Ghost Mask had never understood. It was appropriate to the scene, and Ning Qi was also somewhat curious.

The Grand Elder responded with a question:

"Don't you think the Holy Sect has changed? It has become scheming, vying for power, and corrupt beyond repair. How many still remember their original intentions? Though the passing down through generations has its benefits, after a thousand years, the drawbacks are greater."

"Qin Yun's greatest advantage is that he didn't grow up within the Holy Sect. He has no burdens, and if he could wield the blade, he could cut away some entrenched illnesses."

Ning Qi was mentally invigorated, deep in thought.

It appeared the Demon Sect also recognized its own shortcomings and was constantly looking for solutions. However, internal factional struggles, intertwined with each other, made it impossible to eradicate.

"When I found you back then and elevated you to the position of Vice Sect Leader, it had a good effect. Over the years, you've managed Xiang Tianxing and Lin Xueshuang very well. Now that the influence of Lin Xueshuang's faction is being suppressed, when you ascend to the position of Grand Elder, you can continue my work."

"And if Qin Yun could become the Saint Heir and further succeed as Sect Leader, with the two of you working together, our Holy Sect will surely be able to restore its glory!"

His voice carried a hint of hope and fervor.

Ning Qi respectfully replied at the right moment:

"Tianming will follow the Grand Elder's arrangements."

The Grand Elder waved his hand:

"What a pity, such a promising young talent as Qin Yun is not on the right path. But if he truly kills Jiang Baishan, I would have to think less of him."

Ning Qi asked:

"According to Grand Elder, should we not deal with Qin Yun for now?"

The Grand Elder slowly nodded:

"Let's give him one more chance. Restrain him, and after we destroy the True Martial Sect, when the Sect Leader exits seclusion, baptize him anew. By then, with no ties, he'll naturally become focused."

He seemed to have anticipated this, showing no surprise that Qin Yun would help Jiang Baishan and even seemed rather satisfied.

Ning Qi suddenly understood.

This trial for Qin Yun was not what it seemed on the surface. If Qin Yun had actually killed Jiang Baishan, he might have incurred the Grand Elder's disfavor. However, the Grand Elder before him didn't know that Qin Yun had burned all his remaining lifespan to resist Ghost Mask.

"Tianming understands." Ning Qi slowly nodded.

He listened for a long time, having walked to the Grand Elder's side. He was looking for an opportunity to act, but he knew that the seemingly amiable Grand Elder before him could erupt with full force in an instant; now was not the best time to act.

The Grand Elder cheerfully tapped his old waist and naturally handed the hoe in his hand to Ning Qi.

"As one gets older, sometimes nostalgia kicks in. Long ago, I spent a lovely period in a place like this, and coming here sometimes brings peace to my heart, Ning Qi."

Ning Qi swung the hoe, carefully comprehending his state of mind, as if he was gaining some enlightenment.

The Grand Elder lay down on the rattan chair.

His eyes slowly closed, and only a faint sound could be heard:

"Tianming, go inside and fetch me a straw raincoat."

Ning Qi's eyes flashed; he put down the hoe and walked slowly toward the earthen house. This might be a good opportunity, a slight ripple in his heart, but on the surface, he remained unperturbed.

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