The Heart-Questioning Platform was originally built by Ning Qi based on the principles of the Soul-Snatching Eye Technique, making it the perfect complement to the technique. Ghostmask was no ordinary man—his strength ranked among the top of the Heaven-Man List, and his spiritual will was formidable with strong resistance. Ning Qi needed to extract as much useful information from him as possible.
They advanced forward. The many disciples near the Heart-Questioning Platform had already been cleared away in advance. Ning Qi carried Ghostmask and landed on the platform, causing Ghostmask to shudder involuntarily. He sensed something was wrong.
He naturally knew of the Heart-Questioning Platform's reputation. During the Zhenwu Sect's recruitment day, several spies from the Demonic Sect and Southern Alliance had revealed their true origins on this very platform. He wasn't sure if it would work on him, but the sight of the surrounding stone pillars sent chills down his spine.
Suddenly, he realized he could speak again and mustered his courage to say, "This place might work on some Qi Origin Realm martial artists, but with the powerful spiritual will of us Heaven-Man Realm experts, don't even think about getting anything useful out of me."
Ning Qi remained silent.
Luo Wentian sneered coldly, "Frog in a well. Do you even know who created this Heart-Questioning Platform? My ninth junior brother's abilities are beyond your imagination. The platform may not shake your will, but he can."
That simple statement immediately unsettled Ghostmask.
Most believed the Zhenwu Sect's Heart-Questioning Platform and Heaven Ascension Steps were remnants of an ancient sect. But now it seemed they were wrong—these were clearly creations of the Heavenly Sword Master before him.
Ghostmask stared at Ning Qi, his heart pounding wildly. After being captured, everything he'd witnessed along the way had revealed the Heavenly Sword Master's true identity. He wasn't an old senior nearing the end of his lifespan as rumors suggested, nor was he some elder Daoist Longshan had coincidentally met.
This Heavenly Sword Master was actually Daoist Longshan's ninth disciple!
This filled him with unprecedented terror. Among Daoist Longshan's eleven disciples, this ninth one had always been the most low-key and mysterious. The Demonic Sect had once tried investigating him but came up empty-handed, only learning he was barely in his teens.
That alone wouldn't have been remarkable—but when those teenage years were equated with the Heavenly Sword Master, everything changed completely.
"Heavenly Sword Master, are you human or ghost?" Ghostmask's eyes showed fear, his terror growing the more he thought about it.
Such a person couldn't be described with terms like "genius" or "monster." Throughout history, nothing so absurd had ever occurred. Even the mighty Martial Sages of the past couldn't compare to this level of abnormality.
If the Demonic Sect had someone like this, they wouldn't need their so-called Sacred Pills method—they could simply wait for him to grow up.
Ning Qi coldly regarded Ghostmask, ignoring his fear. He remained silent as strange fluctuations rose from the Heart-Questioning Platform, making Ghostmask increasingly uneasy. He tried to resist but only felt his panic grow, as if a dark vortex was slowly enveloping him.
Finally, he sank into abyssal darkness, facing indescribable pupils—black yet tinged with gold—his entire body going slack.
After creating the All-Seeing Golden Eyes technique, Ning Qi had incorporated some compatible elements to enhance his Soul-Snatching Eye Technique.
"What is the Secret Art of Grieving White Hair?" Ning Qi's vast voice echoed.
Normally he wouldn't ask about such techniques, but Qin Yun had burned his lifespan to nothing using this art. Understanding its principles might help in developing a cure later. Moreover, it tested whether Ghostmask was fully under the technique's control.
Ghostmask spoke stiffly, "Grieving White Hair takes one's lifespan, burns their essence..."
His explanation flowed smoothly, revealing the art's intricacies.
Luo Wentian and the others watched this eerie yet miraculous scene with hidden trepidation. Such a technique was unheard of—far surpassing the Heart-Questioning Platform, it could make someone divulge their secret arts completely without reservation.
They silently marveled.
Ning Qi listened while analyzing. With his current insight, simple deduction sufficed to verify the technique's validity.
"It's indeed an extraordinary art. Who knows where Ghostmask obtained it."
Insights flashed through his mind—just from the technique itself, he understood Qin Yun's condition was worse than imagined. The Secret Art of Grieving White Hair burned lifespan with terrifying efficiency, and Qin Yun had no intention of surviving, consuming all his remaining years at once.
Thus, Qin Yun now stood at the boundary between life and death. If Ning Qi hadn't frozen him immediately with ice-sealing techniques, recovery would have been impossible.
"Even so, the situation is precarious. The less lifespan eighth brother retains, the more demanding the revival technique will be," Ning Qi thought inwardly.
His gaze toward Ghostmask grew colder.
After revealing the secret art, Ghostmask looked pale, his pupils beginning to dilate.
Ning Qi wasted no time and began extracting other information.
Everyone had limits under the Soul-Snatching Eye Technique. Exceeding them risked reducing the subject to idiocy. Ning Qi cared little for Ghostmask's survival but wanted to squeeze out every useful scrap of intelligence.
"Where is the Demonic Sect's headquarters?"
"Ten Thousand Flames Cavern."
Ning Qi raised an eyebrow. The Ten Thousand Flames Cavern lay beyond Great Yan's borders near the western deserts. Legends spoke of wondrous fires within, some even threatening Heaven-Man Realm experts. He hadn't expected the Demonic Sect to base themselves there.
But he suspected there was more to it.
"Is this the only headquarters?"
"There are two. But we only know this one. Important meetings are held here."
"Who knows the other location?"
"Only the Grand Elder knows."
After obtaining more details and exact coordinates, Ning Qi noted Ghostmask's increasingly contorted expression and fading consciousness.
"Where does your sect refine the Sacred Pills? How are they used? Tell me everything you know about them."
Luo Wentian and the others tensed, watching Ghostmask expectantly.
But Ghostmask began struggling.
Ning Qi suppressed him with his will as the platform's fluctuations enveloped Ghostmask, who then rasped, "I don't know. Only the Grand Elder and Sect Leader know the Sacred Pills method—it's the sect's highest secret. All exotic beast inner cores are given directly to the Grand Elder. No one knows where they go—perhaps to the other headquarters."
"What is your sect leader's background?"
Ghostmask's voice carried traces of pride, "Our leader is the sect's unparalleled genius. He reached the pinnacle of martial intent sixty years ago. No one knows his current level—perhaps he'll become a Martial Sage and lead our Sacred Sect to unprecedented glory!"
Even under the technique's influence, he sounded fanatical.
Seeing Jiang Baishan's glance, Lin Ruhua shook her head, "The leader was in seclusion before I was born. His affairs are absolute secrets—no one is permitted to speak of them."
Everyone felt a chill, realizing this leader was no ordinary figure.
But Ning Qi remained calm.
As long as he wasn't a Martial Sage, there was nothing to fear.
After more questioning, Ning Qi concluded the Sacred Pills secret likely lay with the Grand Elder, whose strength was formidable—possibly top five on the Heaven-Man List, maybe higher.
Soon after, seeing Ghostmask begin foaming at the mouth, Ning Qi waved his hand to release him from the technique. He'd learned what he needed. Killing Ghostmask now was unwise—the Demonic Sect might have life-detection arts. If they sensed his death, it could jeopardize future plans. Moreover, he'd promised Jiang Baishan to hand Ghostmask over afterward.
Now, Ghostmask's eyes held nothing but terror, regarding Ning Qi as if seeing a ghost. He couldn't fathom such sinister techniques existing—he felt like a skinned lamb, stripped of all secrets.
His head throbbed as if stuffed with spiked stones churning inside. Snot and tears flowed uncontrollably as his body trembled violently—the technique's aftereffects had begun. Even if he survived, he'd be a cripple henceforth.
Ning Qi flicked his finger, sending Ghostmask tumbling before Jiang Baishan like a ragdoll.
He'd learned what he needed.
"Fifth brother, he's yours. Don't let him die yet—wait until I return," Ning Qi said softly.
Jiang Baishan nodded hatefully, "Don't worry, Xiao Jiu. I won't let him die so easily. Until Xiao Ba wakes up, death won't claim him!"
Luo Wentian sighed, patting Jiang Baishan's shoulder without comment. Qin Yun's condition weighed most heavily on Jiang Baishan—perhaps this would help him vent his emotions.
After comforting them briefly, he had Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua rest. He knew Lin Ruhua was pregnant—despite Ning Qi healing her injuries, the journey had exhausted her.
Alone with Ning Qi, Luo Wentian asked, "Xiao Jiu, what's your plan?"
Ning Qi gazed at the horizon, hands behind his back, "The Southern Alliance's Blood Emperor Gu yielded no leads. But now we have clues about the Demonic Sect's Sacred Pills—we must seize this chance. I'll go to Ten Thousand Flames Cavern and uproot them entirely."
His calm voice carried lethal intent.
Qin Yun's condition had signed the Demonic Sect's death warrant.
Luo Wentian didn't dissuade him, only saying gravely, "Whatever happens, prioritize your safety. Think of Master—if anything happened to you..."
He trailed off with a sigh.
Ning Qi nodded seriously, "Don't worry, I'll be careful. There's no time to waste—I'll set out now before the Demonic Sect suspects anything."
Ghostmask, Qin Yun, and Elder Ye had come to capture Jiang Baishan and Lin Ruhua. Delaying too long would raise alarms.
Luo Wentian patted his shoulder, "Go quickly and return safely. I'll handle matters here."
Ning Qi nodded slightly and vanished into the sky.
...
Traveling west at incredible speed while concealing his presence, Ning Qi reviewed all the extracted information—Ghostmask's mannerisms, subtle habits, passcodes, details about Ten Thousand Flames Cavern, and the Demonic Sect's experts.
"Ten Thousand Flames Cavern lies at the border between Liangzhou and the western deserts—a dangerous region filled with hazards. Though the Demonic Sect uses it as headquarters, they've only explored a fraction, occupying a small area based on predecessors' experience."
"According to Ghostmask, only Heaven-Man Realm experts with proven loyalty—those born into the sect—can know its location. That's why eighth brother didn't know. Fifth sister-in-law might qualify if she reaches Heaven-Man Realm and passes trials."
Ning Qi began understanding why the Demonic Sect was so tenacious.
Heaven-Man Realm experts were the core.
Even if Great Yan destroyed all their branches, given decades, they could simply send Heaven-Man experts to rebuild—like a weed regrowing from its roots.
And Ten Thousand Flames Cavern was only one headquarters.
"The Demonic Sect truly has multiple escape routes. Without my Soul-Snatching Eye Technique, we wouldn't even know about this headquarters."
Ning Qi knew this mission wouldn't be easy.
He had no idea how many Heaven-Man experts the cavern housed after all these years.
As he pondered, his appearance and stature shifted until he became Ghostmask's perfect replica.
"Something's missing."
He smacked his forehead—remembering.
Passing through a town, he disguised himself as a commoner to purchase bronze. Channeling Qi Force into flames, he melted it down, soon crafting an identical bronze mask to Ghostmask's. Having seen it once, Ning Qi could replicate every detail perfectly.
While flying, he also simulated Ghostmask's martial techniques.
Time passed.
By the time he crossed Liangzhou, he'd become an indistinguishable 'Ghostmask'—appearance, stature, clothing, and martial characteristics perfectly matched.
He smiled slightly.
This left no flaws, though caution was still necessary—the extracted information wasn't exhaustive. If exposed, he'd have to fight.
But easier was better.
His aura shifted subtly, his masked eyes turning cold and emotionless.
Ahead lay Ten Thousand Flames Cavern.
The cavern had countless entrances—from above, they resembled giant maws spewing multicolored flames, a spectacular sight. Some flames' power even surprised Ning Qi.
But years of exploration had let the Demonic Sect master some patterns.
Ning Qi stopped before one entrance, waiting silently.
An hour later, as the blue flames subsided, he prepared to enter.
But just then, fluctuations approached rapidly. Withdrawing his foot, Ning Qi's cold gaze met a purple-robed youth striding over with loud laughter, "What luck—meeting the Vice-Leader here!"
Ning Qi recognized him—one of the Demonic Sect's candidate holy sons, Jiang Tianlong.
He inwardly cursed—this was an inauspicious start.