Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

A corner of the tent flap was lifted, revealing Leng Ningshuang's face, which remained calm: "Junior Brother Li, is something the matter?"

"I detected a demonic aura earlier and tracked it all the way here. Are you alright?"

Leng Ning Shuang's eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her gaze: "Come in and talk."

This reaction was a bit strange. Li Yuan hesitated for a moment, then bent down and crawled into the tent.

A candle was lit inside. Leng Ning Shuang knelt with her hands on her knees, looking him straight in the eye: "You sensed such a slight fluctuation?"

What does that mean?

It seems this matter is inextricably linked to Leng Ning Shuang. Li Yuan nodded without saying a word.

"I don't know how to tell you about this."

Leng Ning Shuang seemed somewhat embarrassed to speak, and raised her head, "Do you remember when you encountered the Chen Su Demon Emperor in the secret realm last time?"

Li Yuan nodded. This was a secret shared by him, Ji Fanghua, and Leng Ningshuang.

At that time, the Demon Emperor of Chensu gave each of them an item, and Leng Ningshuang received a fragment of a scroll.

"That incomplete scroll is an ancient cultivation technique," Leng Ningshuang said slowly. "I studied it for a long time and found that it is indeed a profound technique. When mastered, it is incredibly powerful and very suitable for me."

Li Yuan had also considered this point. The gift from the Chen Su Demon Emperor could not have been given without a reason. Leng Ning Shuang would definitely not be able to resist the temptation and would choose to cultivate.

"I did practice it, but the problem is that the technique is incomplete. I went into qi deviation halfway through the practice."

Leng Ningshuang looked up and stared at him frankly.

"Has he gone mad from practicing qi cultivation?"

The consequences of a cultivator going astray in cultivation are extremely serious; at best, their cultivation will be completely ruined, and at worst, they will perish and their cultivation will be destroyed.

Li Yuan frowned and carefully examined her. Leng Ning Shuang seemed normal, and her cultivation had even advanced by leaps and bounds. She really didn't seem like someone who had gone into qi deviation.

"I originally planned not to tell anyone about this, but since you've already figured it out, I won't hide it from you anymore."

Leng Ning Shuang gave a wry smile. "Ever since I went astray in my cultivation, my aura has become extremely chaotic, even indistinguishable from that of a demon."

"What? You mean that aura just now was emanating from you?"

Even Li Yuan was shocked. He was certain that Leng Ningshuang was definitely not a demon, otherwise she wouldn't have been able to hide it from the teachers at Taixu Academy.

Leng Ning Shuang did not answer. She raised her hand, palm up, and activated her Yuan Power. An icy blue light appeared in her palm, with faint black lines mixed in, exuding an eerie aura.

"Look," Leng Ningshuang said, "that's it. I've tried many methods, but I can't get rid of them. It's like they've grown into my Yuan energy, and I can't get rid of them no matter what I do."

"Can I take a look?"

Thinking of the purification function within his Yuan Power, Li Yuan decided to give it a try.

"Can."

Leng Ning Shuang generously extended her wrist, completely unguarded. Li Yuan placed his palm on it, probing with his true energy, and discovered that a black lotus flower was growing in Leng Ning Shuang's dantian.

The wisps of demonic energy emanated from this black lotus flower. Leng Ningshuang used her own Yuan power to wrap it up layer by layer, trying her best to prevent the demonic energy from leaking out.

Li Yuan tried to purify it, but the black lotus reacted as if facing a formidable enemy, its petals instantly opening and a violent demonic aura rapidly spreading throughout its dantian.

"Ugh!"

Leng Ning Shuang let out a muffled groan, and instantly seemed to be about to go berserk. Li Yuan was startled and quickly withdrew his hand.

"sorry."

Not only did I fail to help, I almost made her lose control.

Leng Ning Shuang hurriedly circulated her cultivation technique and regulated her breathing for a quarter of an hour before she was able to suppress the demonic energy in her dantian.

She opened her eyes, her face pale, and shook her head helplessly at Li Yuan: "It's okay, I'm used to it."

"Didn't you think of asking the teachers and professors at Taixu Academy for help? Maybe they could come up with a solution."

Taixu Academy is one of the four great academies of the Tang Dynasty, with a profound foundation and many powerful individuals who have entered the Dao realm.

"I dare not."

Leng Ning Shuang lowered her eyes. "I'm afraid they'll find out and see me as an evil spirit from now on."

Li Yuan sighed softly. He could understand Leng Ningshuang's thoughts, after all, he, like her, also had secrets that were difficult to talk about.

"The academy should have formations to detect demonic energy, wouldn't that make you easily exposed?"

To be honest, Leng Ningshuang's situation was even more dangerous than his. It must have been tough for her; she must have been living in constant fear and trembling with anxiety every day.

"Yes."

Leng Ningshuang smiled bitterly, "That's why I volunteered to come to the Western Regions front. On the one hand, it's for training, and on the other hand, it's to stay away from those who know me so as not to be exposed."

Li Yuan fell silent. He understood Leng Ningshuang's situation. In this world where humans and demons were at odds, the consequences of discovering a human cultivator with demonic energy would be unimaginable.

At best, they would be expelled from their sect; at worst, they would be executed as spies.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I don't know either." Leng Ningshuang shook her head. "I'm trying to figure out how to decipher the incomplete scroll, and I'm also thinking of going to the Demon Court to see if there's any way."

Li Yuan sighed; that was all he could do.

"Junior Brother Li, I hope you can keep this a secret for me and not let anyone know, including Ji Fanghua."

Leng Ning Shuang looked up at him. Her decision to tell Li Yuan what had happened was a very risky move; she was taking a gamble.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone." Li Yuan nodded. "If you're still worried, I can swear an oath by my inner demons."

Leng Ning Shuang breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, I believe you."

"However," Li Yuan changed the subject, "this can't go on like this. Since this incomplete scroll is so dangerous, I suggest you stop cultivating it until you find a solution. After all, we don't know what changes might occur later."

He could sense that Leng Ningshuang wasn't telling the whole truth, but Li Yuan didn't intend to pursue the matter; everyone has their own unavoidable difficulties.

"The Western Regions are not necessarily safe either; there are many experts there, and each has their own agenda."

Li Yuan frowned. "How about this? I have a concealment technique here, which Mr. Mo taught me. It's very powerful and can help you hide your presence."

Mr. Mo is a recognized expert of our time, and the concealment technique he taught must be of extraordinary quality. Leng Ning Shuang was pleasantly surprised.

"That's great, thank you very much, Junior Brother Li."

Li Yuan took out a jade slip from his pocket, placed it on his forehead, injected a message into it, and handed it to Leng Ning Shuang.

"After you've mastered it, fellow cultivators at the Condensation Realm will be able to tell the difference, but if it's a master at the Dao Entry Realm, you'd better be careful."

"I see."

Leng Ningshuang took the jade slip and carefully put it away. With this concealment technique, her situation would be much safer. After all, there are only a handful of experts who have reached the Dao Realm. She just needs to be careful.

"Alright, I won't disturb your rest any longer. We still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

Li Yuan stood up, lifted the curtain, and went out.

Leng Ningshuang sat motionless, listening to Li Yuan's footsteps gradually fade into the distance, before slowly lowering her head to look at the jade slip in her hand. The candlelight flickered on her face, her expression shifting between light and shadow.

After a long while, he finally let out a soft sigh.

The next morning, the team continued their journey.

Half a day later, they arrived at a river valley, which was the boundary between Hexi and Longyou. After crossing this river, they would be in the territory of Longyou Road.

Li Yuan reined in his horse, turned around and said with a smile, "That's all for now. Take care on your journey, everyone."

"Take care of yourself."

Leng Ning Shuang nodded.