81: Ancient demonic energy, reverse deduction

Qingyun Sect, Main Deliberation Peak.

On the square paved with ancient bluestone, a murderous aura solidified into substance.

Even the Spiritual Mist that perpetually clung to the mountaintop was pressed down by this aura, not daring to float.

Inside the grand hall, one could hear a pin drop.

The leaders of the various Righteous Path Sects in Tiannan County were all gathered here.

Without exception, their faces were etched with an unyielding gloom.

Demonic corruption.

Like an unquenchable plague, it was relentlessly devouring their lands and their Disciples.

All methods had been exhausted, yet what they gained was only continuous retreat and greater panic.

The silver-haired Grand Elder leading the Tianjian Sect, whose aura was as profound as an abyss, was unconsciously caressing his sword hilt at this moment. Each caress brought forth a subtle, almost imperceptible sword hum, betraying his inner anxiety.

Next to him, the Valley Master of Lieyang Valley, known for his fiery temper, was now just pale-faced and silent.

The atmosphere in the entire hall was so oppressive it was suffocating.

All hope, all eyes, were focused on a name that had yet to appear.

Lin Gou.

The Qingyun Sect's newly promoted Saint, the legendary "Demon-Slaying Great Master."

A young Disciple who had risen at an almost mythical speed.

"Qingyun Sect Leader, Master Lin…when will he arrive?"

The Tianjian Sect Grand Elder finally spoke, his voice hoarse, breaking the suffocating silence.

The Qingyun Sect Leader sat in the main seat, his expression equally solemn. He glanced at the surging sea of clouds outside the hall.

"Lin Gou is making the final preparations to deal with the great calamity; he should…be here soon."

No sooner had he finished speaking.

Two figures appeared at the entrance of the hall.

One in green, one in white.

Against the somber backdrop of the hall, they stood out remarkably.

Lin Gou wore a simple green robe, his face calm, his eyes deep, showing no trace of emotional fluctuation.

Behind him, Zhao Linger, in a moon-white long dress, had the elegant temperament of a secluded orchid, but in her clear eyes, there was a hint of unconcealed worry.

As Lin Gou's footsteps entered the hall, the invisible, almost crushing, heavy atmosphere seemed to be gently parted by an unseen hand.

The gazes of all the Sect's high-ranking officials, like sharp swords, instantly fixed upon him.

Scrutiny, doubt, anticipation, and…the last shred of hope amidst despair.

Countless complex emotions intertwined into a large net, descending upon Lin Gou.

Lin Gou, however, seemed oblivious, merely bowing calmly to the Sect Head and the Elders in the main seat.

"Disciple Lin Gou greets the Sect Head and all Seniors."

His voice was not loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, carrying a peculiar, reassuring power.

"Master Lin, there's no need for formalities."

The Tianjian Sect Grand Elder suddenly stood up, clasping his fists towards Lin Gou, a junior, with unconcealed urgency in his tone.

"Now that demonic corruption rages and we are helpless, we hear that Great Master has unique insights into Devilish Qi. We hope you will not hesitate to impart your wisdom and save the common people of Tiannan from suffering!"

With his bow, all the representatives of the Sects behind him also rose, solemnly saluting Lin Gou.

At this moment, Lin Gou became the center of the entire Righteous Path in Tiannan County.

Zhao Linger stood behind him, her small hands tightly clutching the corner of her clothes, her heart pounding.

She had never imagined that one day, her Senior Brother, whom she always thought about, would stand at such a height, bearing such heavy expectations.

Lin Gou slowly straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the faces filled with anticipation.

He did not answer immediately.

This brief silence made everyone's hearts jump into their throats.

Just as the atmosphere in the hall was about to solidify again, he finally spoke.

"Seniors, Lin Gou already knows your intentions."

His voice remained calm.

"That ancient Devilish Qi is incredibly treacherous and cannot be suppressed by ordinary means."

"To deal with this great calamity, I will need some time."

The Tianjian Sect Grand Elder immediately pressed, "How long does Great Master need? What does he need? My Tianjian Sect, and indeed the entire Orthodox Alliance, will spare no effort and provide full support!"

Lin Gou raised his head, looking at the crowd, a profound look, incomprehensible to others, appearing in his eyes for the first time.

"Three days."

"I need to enter seclusion for three days to fully deduce a method to break the demonic corruption."

"During this period, no one is to disturb me."

Three days?

Only three days?

Everyone was stunned.

They had spent several months, used countless precious Magic Treasures, yet were helpless against the demonic corruption. Could he, in just three days, devise a solution?

This sounded like a complete fantasy.

The thought of doubt had just arisen, but they forcibly suppressed it themselves.

At this point, besides trusting him, they had no other choice.

"Good!"

The Tianjian Sect Grand Elder made the final decision, his voice trembling.

"We shall await Master Lin here for three days!"

"If Great Master succeeds after three days, our Tiannan Righteous Path will owe Great Master an immense favor!"

Lin Gou said no more, bowed to everyone again, then turned and, with Zhao Linger, slowly walked out of the hall.

That solitary, upright figure, in the eyes of all the experts, now seemed somewhat tragic and desolate, as if he alone was going to bear this collapsing sky…Holy Son Peak, inside the Immortal Cave.

In stark contrast to the tense and murderous atmosphere outside, it was warm as spring here, with Spiritual Qi permeating the air.

The Immortal Cave's gate closed with a rumble, isolating all prying eyes from the outside.

Lin Gou, who had been "bearing the weight of the common people" and looked solemn moments before, had all expressions instantly vanish from his face the next second.

He casually took off his outer robe, lazily stretched out on a soft jade couch, and let out a comfortable yawn.

"Ah, acting is truly exhausting."

Zhao Linger looked at his complete change in demeanor, feeling a bit amused, but the heavy stone in her heart also quietly settled.

She walked to Lin Gou's side, squatted down, and looked at him earnestly with her beautiful eyes.

"Senior Brother, do you really…have confidence?"

"That's a problem that all the Sects in the entire Tiannan County couldn't solve."

Lin Gou opened one eye, looking at her worried face so close to him, and a slight smile played on his lips.

"Don't worry."

He reached out and habitually pinched Zhao Linger's smooth, tender cheek.

"In this world, there's no problem your Senior Brother can't solve."

"If there is, it must mean I haven't messed around enough."

Zhao Linger didn't understand the nonsense of his latter half-sentence, but she could feel the powerful confidence in his words.

This confidence made her feel incredibly at ease.

She stood up and said softly.

"Senior Brother, you must be tired. I'll go prepare some calming spiritual tea for you."

Watching Zhao Linger's graceful figure turn and walk towards the Alchemy Room, Lin Gou's smile gradually faded.

He sat up, and with a thought.

A light-blue virtual screen, visible only to him, instantly unfolded before his eyes.

【Infinite Revival Reward System】

【Gou Dao Points: 35800】

Lin Gou's gaze directly locked onto the System Shop.

A dazzling list of items scrolled quickly.

His purpose was very clear.

【Skill Category】 -> 【Talisman】

【Thunder Law Talisman Mastery (Great Master Rank)】

【Price: 15000 Gou Dao Points】

【Description: Instantly grants you the theoretical knowledge and drawing experience of a Talisman Great Master, especially proficient in the principles and variations of various Thunder Law Talismans.】

"Purchase."

Lin Gou murmured in his mind.

【Special Item Category】

【Cultivation Technique Reverse Deduction Card】

【Price: 20000 Gou Dao Points】

【Description: Can designate a Cultivation Technique for fundamental reverse analysis, deducing its most essential Law and methods of restraint. Note: The higher the Rank of the Cultivation Technique, the longer the deduction time required.】

"This is it, purchase."

【Ding! Gou Dao Points - 35000, purchase successful!】

In an instant, a colossal torrent of information, like a bursting celestial river, surged wildly into Lin Gou's mind.

Countless mysteries about Thunder Law Talismans, from the most basic runic structures to the most profound Law activation, were imprinted deep within his Soul, as if he had personally studied them for hundreds of years.

At the same time, that pale golden 【Cultivation Technique Reverse Deduction Card】 transformed into a stream of light and merged into his Divine Soul.

Lin Gou closed his eyes, his mind sinking into his Sea of Consciousness.

Under his mental guidance, that card precisely adhered to the Cultivation Technique imprint of the "Heavenly Demon Disintegration Grand Technique."

【Target Cultivation Technique detected: "Heavenly Demon Disintegration Grand Technique" (Incomplete) 】

【Cultivation Technique Rank: Super S-Rank】

【Beginning reverse deduction... Estimated time: 48 hours.】

It's done.

Lin Gou slowly opened his eyes, letting out a long sigh.

For the next two days, he just needed to lie down.

At this moment, Zhao Linger returned, carrying a warm cup of spiritual tea.

She saw Lin Gou sitting cross-legged, his eyes tightly closed, his brows slightly furrowed, and his complexion appearing a bit paler than before.

She immediately lightened her steps, carefully placing the teacup on the stone table nearby.

In Zhao Linger's view, Lin Gou's appearance clearly indicated excessive consumption of his Divine Soul, as he was undergoing arduous and exceptional deduction within his Sea of Consciousness.

That must be an incredibly perilous gamble.

His Divine Soul was currently engaged in a confrontation with that terrifying ancient Devilish Qi, a struggle unimaginable to Mortals.

As soon as she thought of this, Zhao Linger's heart clenched, and her eyes filled with tenderness and pity.

She dared not disturb him, only stood quietly by his side, like the most devout guardian.