“Once upon a time, there was a place called the Youxuan Cave. However, I heard it was destroyed by an unknown cultivator single-handedly. But this act exhausted most of Zhenwu Heaven’s fortune and spiritual energy, turning this once abundant land into a wasteland.”

“But precisely because of Zhenwu Heaven’s self-sacrifice, several powerful beings from other realms joined forces to set up a restriction in Zhenwu Heaven, preventing other powerful beings from entering at will, thereby compensating for Zhenwu Heaven’s sacrifice.”

“And the current Nine Mansions should be formed by the demonic cultivators who escaped from the Youxuan Cave back then. I suspect they are still unwilling to leave, probably still searching for the ruins of the Youxuan Cave.”

Fairy Lingyue explained to Xu Taiping.

“So there was such a history between the cultivation world of Zhenwu Heaven and the Nine Mansions.”

Xu Taiping suddenly realized.

“The demonic cultivators of the Nine Mansions must be having a hard time. Without the demonic seeds and demonic embryos from the Youxuan Cave, they can only rely on blood fruits to break through and improve their cultivation. However, the blood fruit Corpse Lotus, which can awaken the power of the Nine Abyss Demon God, is extremely rare. So they can only engage in some petty thefts and shady dealings in the dark.”

Fairy Lingyue’s tone carried a hint of sympathy.

Clearly, she didn’t take the Nine Mansions seriously at all.

Instead of feeling repulsed by Fairy Lingyue’s condescending attitude, Xu Taiping felt inexplicably reassured.

“This world is much broader than I imagined. In comparison, Zhenwu Heaven feels like a cage. Although it traps the demonic cultivators, it also confines the cultivators within.”

He sighed with a hint of longing.

“So Taiping, after we deal with the Blade Ghost, you should break through to the Profound Realm in one go. Then, we can go to Youyun Heaven for training. Only there can you quickly break through to the Spirit Refining stage. Only by reaching the Spirit Refining stage can you truly step into the cultivation world.”

Fairy Lingyue said seriously.

“According to you, Fairy Lingyue, does that mean our Green Bamboo Residence’s Sect Master and the junior martial uncle are nothing in other realms?”

Xu Taiping asked curiously.

“Not exactly.”

Fairy Lingyue shook her head.

“I have seen many high-level Transformative Realm cultivators die at the hands of Spirit Refining stage cultivators who are skilled in killing. The level of cultivation can determine the length of your lifespan and your potential. For instance, cultivators skilled in alchemy are naturally no match for sword or blade cultivators.”

“Of course, if the difference is one or two realms, that’s another story.”

She continued to explain to Xu Taiping.

Xu Taiping nodded in agreement.

In fact, he had already felt this during his previous training trips.

For example, if a cultivator is restricted while casting spells, it is difficult for them to defeat a martial arts master.

This was the reason why the Sixth Peak invited him to the ruins of the Immortal Mansion.

“Also, be wary of your junior martial uncle.”

Fairy Lingyue suddenly looked at Xu Taiping with a serious expression.

“Why do you say that, Fairy Lingyue?”

Xu Taiping was startled.

“If it weren’t for the junior martial uncle, we wouldn’t have escaped from that demonic lord during the trip to the Immortal Mansion.”

He added.

“The problem lies in this trip to the Immortal Mansion. If it weren’t for this event, I wouldn’t have suspected your junior martial uncle.”

Fairy Lingyue shook her head seriously.

“What problem?”

Xu Taiping looked at Fairy Lingyue in surprise.

“On the surface, the events in the Immortal Mansion seem to be the demonic cultivators of the Nine Mansions using the flesh and blood of the Nine Mansions’ cultivators to cultivate the blood fruits needed for their breakthrough. But if you look at the bigger picture, you’ll see that these demonic cultivators are also part of the scheme.”

Fairy Lingyue reminded Xu Taiping.

“Are you saying that someone is allowing the demonic cultivators to cultivate the Corpse Lotus, and then using the demonic cultivators who consume the Corpse Lotus as nourishment to feed the monster in the Tai Xuan Hall?”

With Fairy Lingyue’s reminder, Xu Taiping broke out in a cold sweat.

“You also mentioned that the secret treasure of the Tai Xuan Sect in the Tai Xuan Hall appeared after the monster devoured the demonic master. So it’s clear that to obtain the secret treasure of the Tai Xuan Sect, a demonic master-level expert must be used as bait to lure out the monster.”

Fairy Lingyue nodded.

Xu Taiping fell silent, still unwilling to believe that Uncle Nine was behind the scheme.

“This scheme may not have been set up by your junior martial uncle, but considering the overall situation, he is the most suspicious.”

Fairy Lingyue continued.

“If it really was the junior martial uncle, why didn’t he retrieve the Tai Xuan Sect’s inheritance himself, but instead let Buyu and me do it?”

Xu Taiping looked at Fairy Lingyue in confusion.

“This is what worries me the most.”

Fairy Lingyue said with a heavy expression.

“If he simply saw your potential and wanted you to obtain the Tai Xuan Sect’s inheritance, that would be fine. But if letting you obtain the inheritance is just a part of his plan, it means you are already in his scheme.”

She continued to explain to Xu Taiping.

“I don’t believe it.”

Xu Taiping thought seriously for a moment, then shook his head.

“Why?”

Fairy Lingyue wasn’t angry at Xu Taiping’s rebuttal. She just smiled and asked curiously.

“Actually, I think your reasoning is sound, Fairy Lingyue, but I don’t know why.”

Xu Taiping scratched his head, then continued confidently, “I just feel that the junior martial uncle isn’t that kind of person. At least, he wouldn’t harm me.”

“Just like you, Fairy Lingyue.”

He added.

“Have you interacted with the junior martial uncle anywhere other than the Green Bamboo Residence?”

Fairy Lingyue didn’t refute but instead thought seriously.

Based on her understanding of Xu Taiping, he wouldn’t develop a liking for someone without reason.

“Probably not.”

Xu Taiping thought seriously, then shook his head.

“This is just my speculation. Perhaps your junior martial uncle simply likes you and wants to give you a fortuity. After all, during the Seven Peaks selection, he did say he wanted to take you as a disciple.”

Fairy Lingyue thought for a moment before speaking.

“That was just a joke from the junior martial uncle.”

Xu Taiping shook his head.

Fairy Lingyue smiled inwardly and thought:

“Now it seems it might not have been a joke.”

For some reason, she felt a sudden sense of crisis, as if something important was about to be taken away.

“Could it be that the old man discovered Taiping’s Mortal Bones and wants to snatch my disciple?”

She considered another possibility.

One must admit, a woman’s intuition can sometimes be terrifyingly accurate.

“Fairy Lingyue, what’s wrong?”

Seeing Fairy Lingyue lost in thought, Xu Taiping couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Nothing, nothing.”

Fairy Lingyue, in her childlike form, shook her head seriously.

“By the way.”

She suddenly clapped her hands, jumped off the chair, and extended a hand to Xu Taiping with an excited look in her eyes:

“Let’s go deal with that Blade Ghost together!”