Seeing that Shen Changlin remained silent, Zhan Hongyuan's gentle smile did not diminish as he continued to ask, "What's wrong, Shen Changlin?"

Hearing the question filled with the concern of an elder, Shen Changlin's eyes darkened slightly before he looked up and said with some fear, "It's alright, Sect Master. I also want to know what happened to Senior Brother Yang."

"He just won first place in the sect competition yesterday, and we just put our differences to rest. I was planning to celebrate with Senior Brother Yang after he arrived at Yanlai Peak, but I didn't expect..."

At this point, Shen Changlin sighed again, acting as if he and Yang Lin were close friends, leaving Zhan Hongyuan speechless for a moment.

"I see. I didn't expect you and Yang Lin to have such a good relationship. It's such a pity."

Zhan Hongyuan casually remarked before turning to Ruan Qing'an: "Elder Ruan, are you aware of Yang Lin's accident? Did he go up Yanlai Peak last night?"

"No."

"Elder Ruan, did you only find out today from Elder Wang?"

"yes."

Ruan Qing'an paused, then looked up at Zhan Hongyuan: "Does the sect leader suspect me of killing a disciple?"

Her tone grew colder, but Zhan Hongyuan shook his head and chuckled: "How could that be, Elder Ruan? Yang Lin has already joined your Yanlai Peak, so why would I doubt you?"

"Moreover, Yang Lin died in his own room because he suffered a qi deviation and made a mistake in his cultivation. I also had Elder Wang check it, and there was nothing suspicious."

"But after all, Yang Lin just won first place in the sect competition yesterday and was able to enter Yanlai Peak. It's hard to guarantee that some people won't be jealous and might do something to harm him. That's why I asked a few more questions, just in case."

After hearing Zhan Hongyuan's explanation, Ruan Qing'an's cold expression softened a bit: "Sect Master, you flatter me."

Shen Changlin, standing to the side, though his expression remained unchanged, felt utterly devastated—he knew better than anyone how Yang Lin had died; he had chopped off Yang Lin's head.

To be able to conceal it to this extent, could it be... that the person behind it is really Zhan Hongyuan?

Just then, he suddenly said to the black mist, "When you were checking the restrictions on the storage ring, did you notice the aura of the person who set up the restrictions? Can you compare it with Zhan Hongyuan's?"

"It's possible, but I can't be discovered by this Mahayana cultivator. That would require using more power, and I'm afraid I'll be weak for a long time after this."

The black mist paused: "During this period of time, I will be unable to protect your sea of ​​consciousness. You'd better stay away from Yanlai Peak to avoid being harmed by Ruan Qing'an."

Shen Changlin was speechless. If Zhan Hongyuan had really done something to harm him, then leaving Yanlai Peak would have been the most dangerous thing. Most importantly, the Black Mist had too deep a prejudice against Ruan Qing'an.

After all, he had been betrayed by Ruan Qing'an and died as a result, so it was inevitable that he would be so extreme. However, Shen Changlin did not really believe in the black mist completely, let alone the fact that his past self had been trying to influence him.

What Shen Changlin fears most is that one day he will no longer be himself, but the "him" from his past life. Therefore, he cannot fully trust Ruan Qing'an, and he cannot trust Hei Wu either.

No longer trying to explain to the black mist, Shen Changlin simply said, "Let's investigate. I'll find a way to protect myself during this time."

Upon hearing this, the black mist stopped trying to persuade him, clearly aware of his own character.

Just then, Zhan Hongyuan seemed to remember something and turned to Ruan Qing'an, saying, "Speaking of which, when you brought Shen Changlin back from the mortal realm, did anything happen?"

"Besides the obstruction from the elders of the Longevity Palace and other sects, is there anything else that Elder Ruan has overlooked?"

After hearing this, Ruan Qing'an subconsciously looked at Shen Changlin.

Zhan Hongyuan's expression changed slightly, and he said, "Don't worry, I've been investigating how to repair a damaged innate Dao Body recently, and I want to learn more about it."

Before Ruan Qing'an could speak, Shen Changlin tugged at her sleeve, his expression trusting: "It's alright, I'll speak, Master."

"Sect Master, when I was in the mortal realm, I lived in a village with my parents. But before Master arrived, a group of bandits suddenly broke into the village, and I unexpectedly fell unconscious."

"When I woke up again, I found out that the sudden fire that broke in during those three days had killed all the bandits and villagers. It was my master who arrived at the village and saved me from the remaining bandits."

After Shen Changlin finished speaking, Zhan Hongyuan lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment before looking up and saying, "So that's how it is. I will continue to find a way to repair your innate Dao body. Just focus on your cultivation."

Shen Changlin immediately said with emotion, "Thank you, Sect Master!"

“You are also a disciple of my Myriad Paths Sect, and this matter is also the fault of the Myriad Paths Sect, so we must find a way to deal with it.”

After Zhan Hongyuan finished speaking, he waved his hand and said, "Alright, you don't need to interfere in Yang Lin's affairs. He brought this trouble upon himself after going astray in his cultivation, and there's nothing we can do about it."

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qingan and Shen Changlin bowed slightly and then turned and left the main hall together.

After they walked out, the boy beside him asked again, "Master, shall we go back to Yanlai Peak now?"

"Okay, let's go back."

Ruan Qing'an nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping lightly over Shen Changlin, maintaining the original owner's persona, remaining cold and devoid of any emotion.

When that gaze swept over him, Shen Changlin unexpectedly felt as if he had been seen through. His heart tightened, and he immediately put on a smile, obediently stepping forward and taking Ruan Qing'an's hand: "Master?"

Originally, Shen Changlin only wanted to distract Ruan Qing'an, but he was instead attracted by the delicate touch of the jade in his hand—it was somewhat cold, just like her, yet it was like jade, making it irresistible.

Shen Changlin's mind went blank for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and he looked down at the jade-like soft hand in his palm.

Just then, Ruan Qing'an casually said, "It's nothing, let's go back."

"Yes, Master."

Shen Changlin's voice grew deeper and gentler. As Ruan Qing'an was pulled back to her senses, before she could react, she suddenly felt a soft touch on her fingertips.

Ruan Qing'an subconsciously looked up and saw the boy beside her looking at her with his smiling, starry eyes. He took her fingertips, placed them to his lips, and kissed them intimately with his warm lips.

Shen Changlin lowered his eyes, his breath falling on her fingertips, and he said softly, "It's a pity that Senior Brother Yang can't live with us on Yanlai Peak anymore."

What a pity...

The boy smiled innocently and obediently, speaking with regret.

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