79: The devil spreads, and he becomes famous by borrowing a knife

The discovery deep within the Demon Suppression Abyss was like a giant boulder, violently smashing into the seemingly calm lake of Qingyun Sect, stirring up monstrous waves.

Lin Gou and Zhao Linger were directly brought to the main peak of deliberation, a place usually only accessible to true Disciples and Elders.

Inside the ancient and solemn hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it could almost drip water.

The Sect Head of Qingyun Sect, along with several Grand Elders who had been alarmed from their seclusion, were all present.

Profound and unfathomable gazes, like invisible mountains, all pressed down on Lin Gou alone.

Zhao Linger stood beside Lin Gou, her small hand nervously clutching the corner of her clothes, meticulously recounting everything she had seen and heard in the Demon Suppression Abyss.

Upon hearing about the massive altar that could reverse Spiritual Veins into Devilish Qi, and the remnant Divine Soul of the Devil Head that had already locked onto Zhao Linger, the expressions of all the high-ranking officials present turned unprecedentedly grim.

"Outrageous!"

A white-haired Grand Elder suddenly opened his eyes, divine light bursting from his pupils, and the temperature of the entire hall seemed to drop to freezing point.

"This old man has guarded Qingyun for hundreds of years, yet I didn't know such a shocking calamity was hidden beneath the earth's pulse!"

The Sect Head's face was also ashen, and his sharp gaze turned to Lin Gou, carrying a hint of scrutiny.

"Lin Gou, this matter was discovered by the two of you. Do you have anything to add?"

Lin Gou stepped forward, his expression unbelievably calm, as if the pressure that could make even Golden Core cultivators tremble was merely a gentle breeze to him.

"Reporting to the Sect Head and all Elders."

"This Disciple once fought with demonic creatures near that altar and found that those demonic creatures... seemed to have a natural fear of the thunder techniques I cultivate."

Without changing his expression or heartbeat, he casually attributed his Devilish Qi restraint, which came from the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Grand Technique, to the legendary Thunder Spirit Saint Body.

This explanation was flawless.

After all, thunder techniques are inherently the most rigid and yang power in the world, and restraining evil demons is a common truth in the Cultivation World.

"What a Thunder Spirit Saint Body!"

The Sect Head's eyes finally showed a hint of approval, and the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

"This time, the two of you risked your lives to uncover important intelligence; a great merit shall be recorded!"

The high-ranking officials of the Sect acted decisively, immediately making a decision: the Seal Rank of the Demon Suppression Abyss was raised to the highest level, and several Grand Elders, carrying the Sect's Magic Treasures, personally went to the abyss, vowing to Seal the altar.

An unprecedented storm quietly brewed within Qingyun Sect.

As for Lin Gou and Zhao Linger, they were ordered to return to Holy Son Peak, ostensibly for "protection," but in reality, it was surveillance, as Zhao Linger still carried the Devil Head's mark... Holy Son Peak, shrouded in clouds and mist, with cranes chirping in unison.

Compared to the tense and murderous atmosphere down the mountain, this place was like another world.

The first thing Lin Gou did upon returning to his Immortal Cave was to take out spiritual fruits and pastries to appease the still somewhat uneasy Zhao Linger.

"Senior Brother, do you think the Grand Elders... can deal with that Devil Head?" Zhao Linger asked with a worried expression.

"Don't worry."

Lin Gou's answer was always so concise, and his inexplicable confidence always easily soothed Zhao Linger's heart.

However, Lin Gou's heart was sneering.

Solve?

He knew better than anyone that the Origin Qi of the ancient primordial demon was something that could never be handled by the conventional methods of this world.

The Elders' trip would be 100% fruitless.

And this was precisely his excellent opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

As expected.

In just one day, bad news arrived one after another.

The Seal operation failed miserably!

The remnant Divine Soul of the Devil Head was completely enraged, counterattacking furiously, and several Mortal towns surrounding Qingyun Sect were demonically corrupted overnight, turning into a living hell.

A chaotic era, in a bloody manner, had begun.

Inside the Immortal Cave, Lin Gou sat cross-legged, his eyes closed.

In front of him, a small, palm-sized doll made of withered straw floated quietly, with a bizarre smiling face drawn on it with charcoal.

"Karma Grafting · Hatred Transfer Scarecrow."

A one-time item with an extremely overbearing and equally sinister function.

It could temporarily graft a certain entity's "lock-on" to oneself onto another target.

Lin Gou slowly opened his eyes, and a large map of Tiannan County was spread out before him.

His finger slowly traced across the map, and finally, it landed heavily on an area marked "Xuan Yin Sect" in the east.

The corner of his mouth curved into a devilish smile.

"Old friend, a big gift is coming. Get ready to sign for it."

...At the same time, outside Qingyun Sect, Black Stone Spiritual Mine.

A massive army of dark demonic creatures was frantically assaulting the protective grand formation, led by a demonic commander whose aura even surpassed the Late Stage Foundation Establishment, and each impact made the grand formation groan incessantly.

The Disciples of Qingyun Sect inside the stronghold all had ashen faces.

Just then, the extremely violent demonic commander suddenly paused.

Its crimson giant eyes suddenly turned towards the distant east, as if it sensed something that made it even angrier than the blood food before it.

"Roar—!!!"

A roar filled with endless rage echoed through the sky!

It actually abandoned the Spiritual Mine that was within reach, and with the demonic army behind it, transformed into a black torrent, rushing madly towards a certain stronghold of Xuan Yin Sect!

Inside the Black Stone Spiritual Mine, a group of Qingyun Sect Disciples, survivors of the calamity and utterly bewildered, stood dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, a Xuan Yin Sect stronghold a thousand miles away, completely unprepared, met with utter disaster.

The mastermind behind all this, Lin Gou, was leisurely sipping spiritual tea freshly brewed by Zhao Linger in his Immortal Cave on Holy Son Peak.

"Ding! You have successfully framed Xuan Yin Sect, leading to the destruction of its stronghold and causing great chaos."

"Reward: Dao Points +5000, special item 'Substitute Scarecrow' x1."

Listening to the prompt in his mind, the smile on Lin Gou's lips grew wider.

This feeling of hiding behind the scenes, stirring up trouble, and toying with enemies in the palm of his hand, was truly... wonderful.

Over the next few days, he repeated his trick.

Again and again, he "lured" powerful demonic armies to various strongholds and industries of Xuan Yin Sect.

Xuan Yin Sect was completely baffled.

They were greatly weakened, running around frantically, and no longer had the strength to harass Qingyun Sect.

Meanwhile, Lin Gou took advantage of this lull to sneak into the demonically corrupted areas that had been "cleared" by the demonic creatures, beginning his personal carnival.

"Ding! Your Divine Soul has been corroded by the curse of a 'Demonic Vengeful Spirit', Death Rank: A-Rank!"

"Reward: Permanent slight increase in Divine Soul power, gain 'Elementary Curse Resistance'!"

"Ding! You voluntarily jumped into the 'Demonic Qi Spring' and were torn apart by tens of thousands of Demonic Qi, Death Rank: S-Rank!"

"Reward: Heavenly Demon Disintegration Grand Technique proficiency +10%, Physique permanently increased 'Intermediate Demonic Qi Resistance'!"

His strength was rapidly increasing in a way that outsiders could not comprehend.

Each time he returned from "courting death," he would bring back some crucial demonic Materials or "important intelligence," submitting them to the Sect, perfectly playing the role of a "lone hero" and "demonic corruption expert."

Gradually, Lin Gou's prestige within the Sect soared.

And the true protagonist of the story, at this moment, was enjoying a rare leisure in the Alchemy Room on Holy Son Peak.

He used the excuse of "protecting Zhao Linger from being locked on by the Devil Head" to stay by her side constantly.

The fragrance of alchemy wafted, and the atmosphere was warm.

"Senior Brother Lin." Zhao Linger suddenly spoke, breaking the silence.

"Hmm?"

"I've been feeling a bit strange lately." Zhao Linger frowned prettily, her clear eyes showing a hint of confusion.

Lin Gou's heart tightened, but his expression remained calm.

"What's wrong?"

"You said... why do those demonic creatures only target Xuan Yin Sect?"

She tilted her head, her voice soft, yet it was like a small hammer, precisely striking Lin Gou's heart.

"It's as if... someone is commanding them."

Zhao Linger turned her head, her moist eyes fixed on Lin Gou's, as if trying to discern something from his calm face.

Actor Lin Gou instantly came online.

He first showed a hint of surprise, then fell into contemplation, and after a moment, slowly spoke, his tone carrying a touch of uncertainty.

"Junior Sister's words are not without reason."

"Perhaps... it's because Xuan Yin Sect's Cultivation Technique is inherently inclined towards the sinister, and shares the same origin as Devilish Qi, making it easier to attract those demonic creatures?"

This explanation was watertight, and it also subtly slandered Xuan Yin Sect.

Sure enough, Zhao Linger was convinced by him, and the suspicion in her eyes quickly dissipated, replaced by deep concern.

"Senior Brother, you've been so dedicated to the Sect's affairs that you've grown thin."

She took out a warm Jade Bowl from her Storage Pouch, containing spiritual porridge she had personally cooked.

She scooped it with a small white jade spoon, brought it to her lips to carefully blow on it, and then offered it to Lin Gou's mouth.

"Senior Brother, open your mouth."

His reflection was all that was in those eyes as gentle as water.

Lin Gou's heart, once again, uncharacteristically skipped a beat.

He opened his mouth and ate.

Warmth flowed through his limbs and bones, warming not only his body but also the heart that had long been frozen for the sake of his 'courting death' grand endeavor.

Just then, Lin Gou's transmission Jade Slip suddenly vibrated.

It was a message from Fatty Zhang.

"Boss! Those bastards from Xuan Yin Sect are going crazy! Their Sect Master was so angry he spat out three liters of blood and gave a death order to find out who was behind this at all costs!"

A cold smile flashed in Lin Gou's eyes.

Investigate?

If you can find out, I'll write my name Lin Gou backwards!

He put away the Jade Slip, looked at Zhao Linger who was carefully wiping the corner of his mouth beside him, and a bolder, even crazier plan gradually formed in his mind.

He took out a blank talisman paper from his Storage Ring and spread it on the table.

Then, he took out a talisman brush.

Zhao Linger looked at him curiously: "Senior Brother, what are you doing?"

Lin Gou looked up, giving her a mysterious smile, his eyes confident and radiant.

"Junior Sister."

"I think I've found a way to truly restrain these demonic creatures."