The next morning.
Ning Qi went to pay his respects to Dragon Mountain Daoist at dawn.
"Xiao Jiu?"
Dragon Mountain Daoist looked up, a trace of unease surfacing in his heart. Ning Qi rarely came at this hour.
Ning Qi bowed lightly.
"It concerns Eighth Senior Brother."
He calmly recounted everything from the previous night—Qin Yun's nocturnal intrusion, the abnormalities in his Inner Strength, the traces of malevolence, and his own deductions.
He had originally planned to seek out his Master immediately, but after some thought, decided against confronting Qin Yun while emotions were still unstable. Waiting until morning was the better choice.
As Ning Qi spoke, Dragon Mountain Daoist's expression grew increasingly grave.
"So he really went to your residence last night…"
His voice sank.
"I originally thought Xiao Ba's obsession was only beginning. I didn't expect it to have already reached this level—perhaps even influenced by external forces."
Ning Qi's heart tightened.
The two immediately used their movement techniques and rushed toward Qin Yun's residence.
Before they arrived, they saw Song Cheng hurrying out in panic. Upon seeing Dragon Mountain Daoist, he quickly bowed.
"Master, something terrible has happened!"
"I came early this morning to speak with Eighth Senior Brother, but he was gone. I found two letters on his desk."
Dragon Mountain Daoist's eyes sharpened.
He took the letters from Song Cheng.
One envelope clearly read:
For Master's Eyes Only.
Dragon Mountain Daoist opened it and read swiftly. His expression changed several times, and in the end, he let out a long sigh.
Ning Qi did not ask.
Then Song Cheng handed over the second letter.
"Xiao Jiu… this one is for you."
Ning Qi paused.
The envelope read:
For Xiao Jiu's Eyes Only.
He opened it.
The paper was filled with crossed-out lines and messy handwriting—clear signs of a chaotic mind. In the end, only a few sentences remained.
"Xiao Jiu, I know you like to read."
"I've collected many classics over the past few years. They're in my room."
"If you don't mind, take them."
Ning Qi's gaze dimmed.
In his mind appeared the image of that bright youth from years ago—the one who had laughed loudly and declared that the True Martial Nine Sons were finally complete.
Without reading his Master's letter, Ning Qi already knew its contents.
Qin Yun did not intend to return.
He had chosen to leave before his inner demons fully consumed him.
At that moment, the other True Disciples also arrived.
"Master, what happened to Xiao Ba?"
Luo Wentian finally voiced what everyone feared.
Dragon Mountain Daoist placed the letter down.
He remained silent for a long time.
Then he said slowly,
"Wen Tian, take charge of sect affairs for a while."
"Your Master will be going down the mountain."
He patted Ning Qi's head once, then turned and left—without packing, without delay.
Everyone felt a heavy pressure settle in their chests.
"Xiao Jiu… do you know why?"
Many gazes turned toward Ning Qi.
After a brief pause, he replied,
"It may be related to Eighth Senior Brother's inner demon."
He said no more.
That was enough.
Expressions dimmed all around.
Inside the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi looked at the stack of classics laid out before him.
Medical texts. Miscellaneous records.
And most notably—martial arts manuals of extremely high grade, several of which did not exist in the Scripture Pavilion.
"It seems Eighth Senior Brother truly encountered something extraordinary…"
"Perhaps an inheritance."
These books were valuable—even to him.
Ning Qi let out a quiet sigh.
Qin Yun's inner demon may have been connected to him, but over the years, Qin Yun had never once treated him poorly.
"Such is his nature. Perhaps even he couldn't control himself."
"The Yazi Stance alone shouldn't have led to this… but fate is strange."
"I only hope Master can bring him back."
"And if one day my cultivation is deep enough… perhaps I can truly remove inner demons."
He stopped there.
Some matters could not be forced.
If Qin Yun wished to return, he would. If not, no one could keep him.
Ning Qi steadied his heart and returned to cultivation.
Half a month later.
Dragon Mountain Daoist returned alone.
All Disciples gathered in Mingwu Pavilion.
"Master… where is Eighth Senior Brother?"
Dragon Mountain Daoist's voice was hoarse.
"Qin Yun…"
"He joined the Demon Sect."
Silence fell like a blade.
Dragon Mountain Daoist closed his eyes briefly.
After going down the mountain, he had found Qin Yun quickly.
Qin Yun had knelt.
He had begged for death.
But he refused to return.
Later, Dragon Mountain Daoist learned that Qin Yun had been noticed by a Heavenly Human expert of the Demon Sect.
From that moment—
There was no turning back.
"You may leave," Dragon Mountain Daoist said quietly.
"From this day forward, there is no Qin Yun in the True Martial Sect."
No one argued.
They withdrew in silence.
Outside, Jiang Baishan snorted coldly.
"If I ever meet that man again, I'll demand an explanation."
Luo Wentian quietly said to Ning Qi,
"This has nothing to do with you."
Ning Qi nodded.
But in his heart, he thought—
If there is a chance in the future… I will still try.
Late at night.
Dragon Mountain Daoist came to the Seeking Dao Courtyard.
Ning Qi stood beneath the moonlight.
"Xiao Jiu," Dragon Mountain Daoist said softly,"Qin Yun chose this path himself. It has nothing to do with you."
Ning Qi looked at his Master.
"Master, if one day I create a method to remove inner demons… give it to him then."
Dragon Mountain Daoist stiffened.
After a long pause, he shook his head.
"We'll speak of that later."
He placed a key into Ning Qi's hand.
"This is the sect treasury."
"You no longer need to report your cultivation to me."
"The fewer who know… the better."
Then he left.
Ning Qi stood quietly, the key cold in his palm.
The path ahead had grown longer.
And darker.