I had just finished my business when the Nascent Soul Ancestor blocked the door.

The lingering afterglow of intimacy still swirled in the air. Mu Wanqing leaned languidly by the mahogany dining table, her clothes half-undone, a charming flush still on her fair skin. Her eyes, shimmering with allure, were scrutinizing the man who had just conquered her.

Lin Yuan was already fully dressed. He adjusted his collar unhurriedly, and casually poured himself a glass of wine. He smacked his lips, savoring the recent battle and the aroma of the wine, a look of contentment on his face, like an old driver who had achieved his goal.

He was just about to tease the beauty beside him with a few suggestive words when, at that moment, an indescribable, terrifying pressure, like an invisible world collapsing, instantly suppressed the entire Peak Masters Residence!

Lin Yuan's heart abruptly constricted, and the contentment on his face vanished without a trace.

This kind of pressure could only come from a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator.

In the entire Yin Corpse Sect, there could only be one existence with such might—the Grand Elder, Immortal Master Xuan Yin!

He and Mu Wanqing exchanged a glance, both seeing the deep shock and confusion in each other's eyes. How could this old monster, who was rarely seen, suddenly arrive here?

The two hurried out of the banquet hall.

They saw True Man Mu already hovering in mid-air, his figure erect, yet his posture was extremely humble, bowing respectfully towards a certain direction in the Void Realm.

"Old Ancestor, I was unaware of your grand arrival and failed to greet you properly."

True Man Mu's voice carried a tension he himself didn't detect.

A gaunt figure slowly appeared in mid-air. He stood there without any Magical Artifact, simply suspended, surrounded by an impenetrable black Qi, as if he were the dark core of this world, the end of all life.

His gaze swept across the scene, indifferent, yet penetrating everything.

When that gaze fell on Lin Yuan, Lin Yuan felt a bone-chilling coldness shoot from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. His Divine Soul trembled, as if every secret from his flesh and bones to the depths of his Soul was being laid bare before the other party.

Fortunately, this gaze lingered for less than a breath before moving away.

But even that one glance had instantly drenched Lin Yuan's back in cold sweat.

"Peak Master Mu."

Immortal Master Xuan Yin spoke, his voice hoarse, like two dry pieces of bark rubbing together, every word carrying the decaying scent of death.

"I have a question for you. Do you possess any yang returning lotus seeds, or know the whereabouts of a yang returning lotus?"

True Man Mu's body subtly trembled. He respectfully replied, "Replying to Old Ancestor, this Junior does indeed know the whereabouts of a yang returning lotus, deep within the Demon Falling Valley. However..."

"However what?"

Immortal Master Xuan Yin's tone was flat, yet it made the air below grow even more stagnant, suffocating everyone.

"However, that yang returning lotus was picked not long ago. One of its Lotus Seeds, by a stroke of Opportunity, fell into my daughter's hands."

True Man Mu answered. He dared not conceal anything. Playing tricks in front of a Nascent Soul Old Ancestor was like an ant lying to the heavens.

Standing below, Lin Yuan's heart thumped heavily upon hearing this.

Damn it! It's over! He only knew that Qing Tan and Mu Wanqing had a close relationship before. Now that True Man Mu had personally confirmed that the Lotus Seeds fell into his daughter's hands, it must refer to Qing Tan! Following this lead, he, the one who picked the Lotus Seeds, would have nowhere to hide.

Being targeted by a Nascent Soul Stage old monster was definitely not a good thing! He now only wanted to escape immediately, but Immortal Master Xuan Yin's Qi had already locked onto the entire area; any unusual movement would only be courting death.

"Oh? Is that Lotus Seed still in her hands?"

"It has already been refined into a soul nurturing pill." True Man Mu answered, steeling himself. "My little girl's Divine Soul was damaged, and this pill... she has already consumed it."

Visible disappointment appeared on Immortal Master Xuan Yin's withered old face, and the surrounding black Qi seemed to stir because of it.

He immediately pressed, "A lotus pod usually bears nine Lotus Seeds. What about the others?"

"This... Junior, does not know." Beads of cold sweat seeped from True Man Mu's forehead.

"Hmm?"

Immortal Master Xuan Yin merely let out a soft hum from his throat.

This sound was not loud, yet it carried a power that shook the Divine Soul, causing all Cultivators below the Core Formation Stage present to feel their Qi and blood surge, their faces turning pale.

True Man Mu's face was ashen. He hesitated for a moment, then finally gritted his teeth, his gaze helplessly turning to Lin Yuan below, sighing, "Old Ancestor, this matter... perhaps you should ask Fellow Daoist Lin. He has an extraordinary friendship with my little girl Qing Tan, and he was also a participant in the events of the Demon Falling Valley."

What a sly old fox! He's trying to push me out as a shield!

Lin Yuan's heart instantly turned cold, but his mind was clearer than ever.

Immortal Master Xuan Yin's dead eyes also landed precisely on Lin Yuan. This time, his gaze carried scrutiny and inquiry, and the pressure, like a tangible mountain, bore down entirely on Lin Yuan alone.

In an instant, Lin Yuan felt as if he was being stared at by a primordial beast from the Nine Netherworlds.

"Running is death. Hiding is also a dead end."

"Damn it, I'll risk it! Crisis, crisis, Opportunity only arises in times of danger!"

"This old fellow wants the yang returning lotus seeds, but I can't just give them to him for free! A Nascent Soul Old Ancestor, even if a little something leaks from his fingernails, it would be enough for me to benefit endlessly!"

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressed his surging Qi and blood, and stepped forward, cupping his fists and bowing to Immortal Master Xuan Yin above, his voice controlled, neither obsequious nor arrogant, even carrying a hint of frankness.

"Reporting to Old Ancestor, this Junior Lin Yuan, some time ago, was indeed entrusted by Fellow Daoist Qing Tan to enter the Demon Falling Valley to pick the yang returning lotus."

"That yang returning lotus's pod indeed contained nine Lotus Seeds. However, I was not the only one present at the time. After picking them, the three of us divided them equally. This Junior was fortunate enough to receive three."

Lin Yuan's mind was racing, every word meticulously calculated.

As he spoke, without any hesitation, he patted his Storage Pouch at his waist. A flash of light appeared in his palm, and he held up a Lotus Seed glowing with a radiant treasure light.

"One of them, this Junior has already delivered to Fellow Daoist Qing Tan as per our agreement. This, then, is one of the remaining two! Today, I am fortunate to behold Old Ancestor's heavenly countenance, which must be destiny. This item rightfully belongs to Old Ancestor; I wish to offer this Lotus Seed to Old Ancestor!"

He held the Lotus Seed high, his posture open, and his words turned an unwilling offering into a destined tribute.

There was no ripple in Immortal Master Xuan Yin's dead eyes. He simply raised a hand, and the Lotus Seed transformed into a streak of light, falling into his withered hand.

He caressed the Lotus Seed, feeling the pure vitality within it, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify.

After a moment, Immortal Master Xuan Yin slowly spoke, his voice still hoarse and cold, betraying no emotion.

"You are very clever."

After saying these three words, he said no more, merely staring at Lin Yuan with his hollow eyes.

It's here!

In the depths of Lin Yuan's eyes, a faint, imperceptible glint of cunning flashed and disappeared. These yang returning lotus seeds were absolutely unsalvageable; the only thing he could do was maximize his profit.

"This old man indeed urgently needs this item, but I will not take something from a Junior for free."

"Speak, what do you want? Cultivation Technique, Magic Treasure, or Medicinal Pill? I'll give you one chance." His tone was not like a reward, but more like a condescending judgment. "Think carefully before you speak; you only get one chance."