I didn't do it.

It took Qi Yuan a good long while to snap out of his astonishment, yet his heart remained surprisingly calm.

As for that group of clansmen belonging to the Original Owner, they had absolutely nothing to do with him. Even if they all suddenly died, it would be hard to stir even a trace of sadness in him.

He had initially thought the System would issue some cliché task about pretending to be the Original Owner, returning to the Family to show off and slap faces. Just thinking about that was cringe-inducing.

Unexpectedly, the plot had taken a sudden turn, shifting to the even more dramatic classic trope of the Family being wiped out, with the talentless Original Owner drifting abroad, vowing to avenge them.

Truly worthy of the dog system, every step is unpredictable.

After pondering for a moment, Qi Yuan decided to accept the task first and deal with the rest later.

Putting aside everything else, just the talent reward 【Dao Heart Clear and Bright】 was something he would never easily give up on.

Although Cultivators possess great Divine Abilities and long Lifespans, they still possess the same seven emotions and six desires as ordinary people. Over long periods of cultivation, it's easy to accumulate negative emotions.

These negative emotions are usually suppressed by the Dao Heart, causing little impact.

But if the Dao Heart is not firm enough, when about to Breakthrough a critical juncture, the accumulated negative emotions can seize the opportunity to invade, giving rise to a Heart Demon.

The Heart Demon is born from the various desires within a Cultivator's heart and is extremely difficult to eradicate. If one cannot free themselves in time, the lightest consequence is a drastic change in Heart-Nature and a decline in Dao foundation; the worst is directly falling into Qi Deviation, resulting in death and the dissipation of one's Dao.

Therefore, the Heart Demon Tribulation, like the Heavenly Tribulation, is a terrifying existence that everyone in the Cultivation World fears to speak of.

For Qi Yuan, the effect of 【Dao Heart Clear and Bright】 seemed tailor-made for him. His cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds recently, and the most dangerous issue accompanying such rapid progress was the instability of his Dao Heart.

In other words, his strength was growing too fast, while his mental state and temperament hadn't caught up yet, making it easy for a person to become arrogant and ungrounded...

If he could obtain this new talent, he wouldn't have to worry about the Heart Demon problem for a long time, at least!

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan calmed his mind and began to strategize on how to complete this task.

He had heard Qi Yao mention before that the Qi Family was located in Wangchu City, just a remote small city within the Xia Kingdom. The Family's Old Ancestor was merely a stubborn old man at the Middle Stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, known for his cautious nature who never provoked trouble.

In the Cultivation World, insignificant orthodox families like the Qi Family are countless. Why would they suddenly offend a demonic Cultivator, inviting the calamity of extermination?

Could it be... that it was done by that demoness Ji Chan'er?

Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly realized it was unlikely.

Ji Chan'er was currently clearly trying to win him over, and she firmly believed he was a ruthless great Devil Head who wouldn't even bat an eye if all his clansmen died.

That demoness had neither motive nor reason to attack the Qi Family.

After pondering for another moment, he still took out the communication talisman from his personal space. Activating it, a soft, pleasant voice immediately came from the other side:

"Qi Yuan, what do you need?"

Although her tone was indifferent, the slightly rising inflection betrayed a hint of barely suppressed joy.

Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly and asked calmly:

"Fairy Ji, not long ago, the Qi Family in Wangchu City was completely slaughtered. Do you know about this?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Chan'er on the other side fell silent for a while before slowly saying:

"It wasn't me."

"Oh."

Qi Yuan responded softly, then asked further:

"Then, do you know which faction's demonic Cultivators usually frequent the area around Wangchu City?"

After another period of silence, Ji Chan'er finally spoke again:

"Qi Yuan, I want to go investigate this matter myself. I will definitely give you an accurate answer then."

Qi Yuan nodded and said solemnly:

"You can investigate if you want, but just tell me who the suspects are. Regardless of which faction the murderer belongs to or their cultivation level, do not act on your own, and absolutely do not attack them."

"I will settle this matter with my own methods. Do you understand?"

Ji Chan'er on the other end of the communication talisman snorted, "You're right. How could the man of Ji Chan'er possibly lack the courage to face his enemies directly!"

"I'll leave the murderer for you. As for whether you can take revenge with your own hands, that depends on your ability."

Qi Yuan was long accustomed to Ji Chan'er's tsundere attitude of sharp words but honest actions. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he responded faintly:

"Good, I'll wait for your news."

Originally, he had planned to issue a Sect task, sending Holy Land Disciples to investigate first. Now that Ji Chan'er had volunteered, it was even better.

Ji Chan'er herself was a seasoned demonic Cultivator, so investigating a case done by demonic Cultivators was right up her alley.

With two months still left, even if Ji Chan'er returned empty-handed, he had ample time to go investigate personally.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan put away the communication talisman in his hand with a grave expression, a flash of coldness passing through his eyes.

...

Several days passed in a flash.

Deep within the Linglong Holy Land.

Brilliant light shimmered, auspicious vapors steamed.

A towering, sky-shielding giant tree stood majestically. The giant tree was lush with branches and leaves, adorned with blossoms and foliage. Its massive trunk resembled a pillar holding up the heavens, piercing through the sky and earth.

The tree's canopy was so high its top was unseen. Looking closely, one could discover a magnificent pavilion faintly visible among the clouds, like a celestial palace floating in the Nine Heavens, incredibly divine and wondrous.

Inside the pavilion, a girl of about sixteen or seventeen sat cross-legged on a cushion, absorbing spiritual energy. Her entire body was enveloped in a layer of dreamlike, illusory multicolored mist, appearing lofty, ethereal, and infinitely ancient.

This female Cultivator, who looked like a young girl, was shockingly an existence at the Late Stage of Mahayana!

For some reason, the deeply meditating girl suddenly trembled her eyelashes slightly, a strange expression flickering across her fair, delicate jade-like face.

The next moment, she abruptly opened her eyes and lightly pointed towards the Void Realm, silently sending out a beam of spiritual light.

Soon, an extremely respectful voice came from outside the pavilion:

"Grandmaster, what are your instructions?"

The girl's voice was utterly clear and cold, containing a hint of barely perceptible tension, "I have a task for you."

Hearing this, the guard maid outside the door immediately knelt down, kowtowing devoutly towards the pavilion, "Please instruct me, Grandmaster."

The girl nodded slightly, "Go tell the Sect Head that from today onward, operate the Sect's grand formation at full power. Apart from those guests attending the celebration, forbid any Cultivators of unknown origin from entering within a hundred li of my Linglong Holy Land."

"Pay special attention to certain old fellows at the Mahayana Realm. Once you discover anyone infiltrating, they must be eliminated with full force!"

Huh?

Hearing this inexplicable command, the maid seemed somewhat stunned, but she dared not disobey and immediately accepted the order before withdrawing.

...

At the same time.

On the taixuan treasure ship.

Song Cheng, the Hall Master of the External Affairs Hall, stood respectfully at the bow, pointing in a direction as he said:

"Dao Son, we are already approaching the territory of the Linglong Holy Land. We will arrive at Reed Flower City outside the Linglong Holy Land's mountain gate by tomorrow at the latest."

Hearing this, Qi Yuan waved his hand dismissively, "Continue the journey. Strive to reach Reed Flower City before nightfall tomorrow so everyone can rest properly there."

Just then, he noticed the compass in his personal space suddenly began to flicker incessantly. Its needle spun wildly before abruptly stopping, firmly pointing in one direction...

Noticing this, Qi Yuan's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly took out the compass.

His gaze swept over the compass, and he was instantly somewhat dumbfounded.

Could it be that the lost Innate Divine Beast is in the Linglong Holy Land?