Perfected Heavenly Demon of the Integration Stage
The flying boat shuttled through the sea of clouds, and the mountains and rivers below rapidly receded.
On the deck, Chen Yuan and Qin Shuhan stood by the railing, gazing at the distant horizon where a faint outline, shrouded in a light Devilish Qi, gradually appeared—that was the direction of the Demon Suppressing Sea.
Qin Shuhan remained silent for a long time, as if she had made some kind of decision. She gently tugged on Chen Yuan's sleeve, signaling him to set up a sound-insulating barrier.
"Chen Yuan," her voice carried a trace of imperceptible tremor, "there's something, concerning the greatest secret of my Qin Family, that I must tell you."
Chen Yuan's expression became solemn, and he nodded, "Speak."
Qin Shuhan took a deep breath and whispered:
"My Qin Family... in the past, was not merely a third-rank Family. In my great-grandfather's era, it was a second-rank Body Integration Family with Body Integration Stage mighty figures overseeing it!"
A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Yuan's eyes.
"Back then, my great-grandfather and several Family Old Ancestors jointly suppressed a Devil Head that was rampant on the frontier and had a cultivation of Body Integration Perfection!"
Qin Shuhan's voice dropped even lower, "The place where that Devil Head was Seal-ed... is right beneath my Qin Family mansion!"
Chen Yuan's pupils constricted slightly.
A Body Integration Perfection Devil Head suppressed beneath the Qin Family?
If this news were to spread, it would be enough to shake the entire Great Thousand Domain!
"This matter is extremely secret, not even the Xuantian Sect was informed."
Qin Shuhan's face showed a complex expression, "Because... my grandfather, the previous Family Revered Master, when his Lifespan was nearing its end, once tried to make a deal with that suppressed Devil Head, hoping to extend his life with its Demonic Technique..."
Chen Yuan's heart trembled; this was undoubtedly playing with fire!
"What happened next?"
"I don't know if the deal was successful, but grandfather eventually passed away. I later accidentally learned this Family secret: that Seal is extremely powerful, laid down by the combined strength of several Body Integration Old Ancestors back then. It is said that even if that Devil Head were at its peak, it would not be able to break the Seal on its own for a hundred thousand years, and would eventually be worn down and die within it."
Qin Shuhan explained, "This is also why this matter has been strictly kept secret. After father succeeded as Family Revered Master, he also chose to continue this secret and never reported it to the Sect. He never told me the specific reasons in detail."
She looked up at Chen Yuan, her eyes filled with worry: "But now, combining Auntie Rong being a Late Void Return Stage demonic cultivator, and the mysterious 'Revered Master' behind her.
I have to suspect that Song Wan's goal might not be the position of Family Revered Master at all, but rather... the Body Integration Devil Head suppressed beneath the Qin Family! If they really have a way to release it."
She didn't finish the rest of her words, but Chen Yuan already understood.
Once a Body Integration Perfection Devil Head, suppressed for an unknown number of years and filled with resentment towards the Qin Family and even the entire Human Race, breaks free, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Their trip, he feared, was a huge trap!
"Don't worry, with me here, nothing will happen to you." Chen Yuan squeezed her hand.
Qin Shuhan squeezed his hand back, "I've already secretly sent a message to Revered Master, and Revered Master is on her way."
Several days later, the flying boat slowly descended outside Qin City.
The entire Qin City was built against mountains and facing the sea, with tall city walls inscribed with countless Formation Dao runes to resist the erosion of Devilish Qi.
However, whether it was psychological or not, Chen Yuan always felt that the city was enveloped not just by the thin Devilish Qi drifting from the Boundary Sea, but also by a more eerie atmosphere.
Situ Jin led everyone into the city, heading straight for the Qin Family mansion.
The Qin Family mansion's entrance was heavily guarded, but when the guards saw Qin Shuhan, expressions of pleasant surprise appeared on their faces.
"Young Miss! You've returned!" The guard captain quickly stepped forward to salute, his attitude respectful and warm.
And when they saw Situ Jin, Chen Yuan, and dozens of Xuantian Sect Disciples following closely behind, they enthusiastically welcomed everyone in, without the slightest obstruction or interrogation, as if they had long anticipated their arrival.
This demeanor, however, only heightened Chen Yuan's vigilance.
It was too smooth, abnormally smooth.
Entering the Qin Family, they passed through layers of courtyards and arrived at the magnificent Guest Reception Hall.
Inside the hall, a middle-aged man dressed in brocade robes, with a refined yet imposing demeanor, was already waiting. He was the Qin Family Revered Master, Qin Shuhan's father—Qin Feilang.
His Aura was profound and majestic, his Late Void Return Stage cultivation completely undisguised.
Beside Qin Feilang sat a woman dressed in luxurious clothes, beautiful and graceful.
She appeared to be only about thirty years old, with smiling eyes and an elegant, noble temperament. She was Qin Shuhan's stepmother—Song Wan.
At this moment, Song Wan's face wore a perfectly gentle smile, her gaze sweeping over everyone, lingering especially on Qin Shuhan for a moment, revealing concern.
There was no hint of hostility, as if she were merely a virtuous mistress welcoming her daughter home and entertaining distinguished guests.
"Han'er, you've returned." Qin Feilang showed a gentle smile when he saw Qin Shuhan, then looked at Situ Jin, Chen Yuan, and the others. "Esteemed Disciples of Xuantian Sect, you have traveled a long way and endured hardships. I, Qin, failed to greet you from afar, and I hope you will forgive me."
Situ Jin stepped forward and cupped his hands:
"Family Revered Master Qin is too kind. By Sect Master's order, we have come to assist in defense and investigate some matters. We apologize for any disturbance."
Song Wan also rose gracefully and said softly:
"You have all come for the safety of Qin City, so how can there be any talk of disturbance? A banquet has been prepared at the mansion to welcome you all."
Everything seemed so normal, so harmonious.
Just as Song Wan finished speaking and was about to lead everyone to the banquet hall, Situ Jin stepped forward, raised his hand to stop her, his gaze like lightning, directly locking onto Song Wan, his voice deep and direct: "Madam Qin, there's no rush for the welcoming banquet for now.
I am here by the Sect's order and have something to ask Madam in person. Where is the old servant named Auntie Rong who is by your side?"
He paused, his tone growing heavier, with an accusatory edge: "According to my Sect's investigation, this person is a demonic cultivator, and her true cultivation has reached the Late Void Return Stage! Madam, how do you explain this?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall instantly solidified!
The Xuantian Sect Disciples who had followed all showed expressions of shock, subconsciously gripping their Magical Artifacts.
Qin Shuhan's heart also leaped to her throat, nervously looking at Song Wan and Chen Yuan.
However, facing Situ Jin's direct questioning and his oppressive Aura, the gentle smile on Song Wan's face did not change in the slightest, not even her eyes flickered.
She merely gently raised her slender hand, tidying a non-existent stray hair at her temple, her posture still elegant and composed.
"Your esteemed Sect's information is quite well-informed." Song Wan's voice remained soft, but her words sent a chill down everyone's spines.
"However, since you all already know Auntie Rong's identity, then this act... need not continue."
As her words fell, Song Wan gently waved her hand.
"Buzz—!"
A dark purple light screen suddenly rose from all around the main hall, instantly enveloping the entire Guest Reception Hall!
Demonic patterns flowed on the light screen, emitting a powerful binding force. It was clearly a powerful Demonic Formation that had been set up in advance!
The hall doors slammed shut, completely isolating the inside from the outside.
As the Formation's pressure descended, apart from a few individuals like Situ Jin and Chen Yuan who could barely remain standing, those Golden Core and Nascent Soul Stage Disciples immediately felt as if they were burdened by mountains, their spiritual energy sluggish, their faces turning pale, almost unable to move!