After leaving the secret realm, Zhang Shaozhong immediately went into seclusion.
The amount of chaotic energy absorbed this time is enormous; it needs to be properly digested.
Ling Qingxue stood guard outside the cave, pondering the events inside the secret realm.
Zhang Shaozhong's act of shielding Ye Meier at the end shows that he still cares about her, but he's just too stubborn to admit it.
Seven days later, Zhang Shaozhong emerged from seclusion.
His cultivation was stable at the mid-Nascent Soul stage, and his black hair made his face look even colder, but his eyes didn't seem so icy anymore.
"Husband, how are you feeling?" Ling Qingxue quickly went to greet him.
Zhang Shao nodded firmly: "It's alright."
He paused, then asked, "Is she... alright?"
Ling Qingxue was stunned for a moment before realizing he was talking about Ye Meier. She was overjoyed and said, "Meier is fine, she's just a little sad."
Zhang Shaozhong grunted in response and said nothing more.
The two went to report their trip to the secret realm to Master Xuanji. Master Xuanji was pleased to hear that they had obtained chaotic energy, but his expression darkened when he learned that Ye Meier was also in the secret realm.
"From now on, try to avoid associating with people from the Demon Realm," Xuanji Zhenren warned.
Zhang Shaozhong didn't reply, but took out the Shadow Mirror: "Senior, can this mirror really see things from the past?"
Master Xuanji glanced at the mirror, his eyes flickering slightly: "The Shadow Mirror does indeed have this effect, but it requires a specific method to activate. Your cultivation level is not high enough right now, so let's wait until the late Nascent Soul stage."
Zhang Shaozhong frowned: "Do we have to wait until the late Nascent Soul stage?"
What's the rush?
Master Xuanji flicked his sleeve, "If your cultivation is insufficient and you force it, be careful of backlash."
After leaving the main hall, Ling Qingxue saw that Zhang Shaozhong was in low spirits and comforted him, "Husband, now that we have the Shadow Mirror, it's only a matter of time before we find out the truth. Let's focus on our cultivation for now."
Zhang Shaozhong suddenly asked, "Do you really think... it wasn't the Demon Lord who did it?"
Ling Qingxue said seriously, "I don't think so. Although the Demon Lord has a bad temper, he doesn't seem like the kind of person who would do something but not admit it. Besides, if he really wanted to kill my uncle and aunt, why would he need to disguise his demonic energy? He could just do it directly."
Zhang Shaozhong was silent for a moment: "I also feel something is amiss. But Mei'er admitted it herself that day..."
"That was just said in anger!"
Ling Qingxue said urgently, "Think about it, if someone falsely accused me of killing your parents, wouldn't you say something in anger?"
Zhang Shaozhong remained silent.
A few days later, news came from the outer disciples of the sect that Ye Meier had made significant progress in her investigation in the Demon Realm and seemed to have found some crucial evidence.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Shaozhong couldn't sit still and wanted to go down the mountain again.
"no."
Master Xuanji refused again, saying, "The Demon Realm is in chaos right now; you'll just be throwing your life away if you go."
"But……"
"No buts."
Master Xuanji interrupted him, "Just focus on your cultivation. Once you've reached a certain level, you can investigate whatever you want."
Zhang Shaozhong returned to his cave, seething with anger, and began cultivating frantically once again.
This time, he didn't practice the Supreme Forgetfulness Technique, but instead focused on refining the chaotic energy.
Seeing his state, Ling Qingxue knew she couldn't persuade him otherwise, so she had no choice but to practice with him.
That night, Zhang Shao was halfway through his training when he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest. Some blurry images flashed through his mind: Xuanji Zhenren arrived at the scene immediately after his parents' deaths and skillfully examined the bodies...
He suddenly opened his eyes, cold sweat pouring down his face.
"What's wrong?"
Ling Qingxue was startled by him.
Zhang Shaozhong, panting heavily, said, "I think... I've remembered something."
"What's up?"
Zhang Shaozhong hesitated for a moment, then shook his head: "Maybe I remembered it wrong."
He remembered how Master Xuanji had always tried to stop him from investigating the case, how Master Xuanji had encouraged him to cultivate the Supreme Forgetfulness Technique, and the subtle expression on Master Xuanji's face every time he mentioned the Demon Lord...
A terrifying thought came to mind.
But he dared not think about it too deeply.
Master Xuanji is Qingxue's master and the one who saved his life. How could he be the murderer?
The next day, Zhang Shaozhong went to see Master Xuanji and asked indirectly, "Senior, were you at the scene when my parents were murdered?"
Master Xuanji's eyes narrowed: "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
"I just suddenly remembered," Zhang Shaozhong said, pretending to be nonchalant. "I was very grateful to my senior for helping with the funeral arrangements."
Master Xuanji sighed, "It's a pity we arrived a step too late. Those demonic cultivators are truly hateful!"
Zhang Shaozhong stared into his eyes: "Senior, did you... notice anything unusual back then?"
Master Xuanji frowned: "Why are you asking these questions? Are you still thinking about revenge? Focusing on cultivation is the right thing to do!"
As Zhang Shaozhong emerged from the main hall, his doubts deepened.
That night, he secretly took out the Shadow Mirror and tried to activate it with the chaotic energy.
The mirror shimmered faintly, but quickly dimmed again.
"As expected, my cultivation level is not high enough..." he sighed.
Just then, a scene flashed across the mirror: a slender hand pouring black liquid into a bottle.
On the ring finger of that hand, there was a ring with a yin-yang symbol.
Zhang Shaozhong was startled.
He had seen that ring before; Master Xuanji always wore it!
The image flashed by in an instant, and the mirror returned to its original state.
Zhang Shaozhong sat in the darkness, feeling cold all over.
If the murderer is indeed Xuanji Zhenren, then why would he do this? Why would he frame the Demon Lord?
Why teach him the Supreme Forgetfulness Technique?
He had too many questions and needed evidence.
The next day, Zhang Shaozhong said to Ling Qingxue, "I want to go to the Sutra Repository to look up some information."
Ling Qingxue found it strange: "Why do we suddenly want to go to the Scripture Pavilion?"
"I just want to learn more about the cultivation world," Zhang Shaozhong said, trying to cover it up.
In the library, he searched through all the records about the Supreme Forgetfulness Technique, and the more he read, the colder his heart became.
When this technique is practiced to its extreme, it will completely extinguish emotions and nature, turning one into a puppet who only obeys the commands of the spellcaster.
He then investigated the life of Xuanji Zhenren and discovered that this leader of the righteous path was actually a good friend of the Demon Lord when they traveled together in their youth, but later became enemies over a treasure.
All the clues point to that terrible truth.
That evening, Zhang Shaozhong made a decision.
He found Ling Qingxue and said seriously, "Qingxue, if... I mean if, the murderer isn't the Demon Lord, whose side would you be on?"
Ling Qingxue looked at him: "Of course I'm on the side of the truth. Husband, have you found out something?"
Zhang Shaozhong shook his head: "There's no conclusive evidence yet. But promise me, no matter what happens, you must protect yourself."
Ling Qingxue sensed something was off about his words and worriedly grasped his hand: "Husband, what's wrong with you?"
Looking into her clear eyes, Zhang Shaozhong ultimately refrained from revealing his guess.
Some truths are too cruel; he can bear them all by himself.
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