Mu Jingbai's lifeless body lay silently within the mountain cave. Her demise was tragic. Fear and agony contorted her features, her body resembling a mummy desiccated by the wind for a millennium. Her once-delicate silk robes were violently torn to shreds.

Witnessing this macabre scene, Shu Han involuntarily furrowed his brows. The Clear Bright Spiritual Eye swiftly scanned the corpse, making his frown deepen even further.

Shu Han remarked somberly, "This woman was drained of her life force to the point of death. Her dantian, meridians and every internal organ have been shattered. I reckon everything but her soul was taken by that malevolent being."

The adjudicating elder nodded, "Indeed, your insight is commendable. I presume you are the survivor from Elder Lu's grasp, Yu Tiancheng?"

Shu Han hesitated slightly, "In reply to the adjudicating elder, I am."

"Rest assured, this matter is clandestine, known to few within the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. As the sect's adjudicating elder, it's only natural I'm privy to it."

Song Changyi, examining the body closely, mused, "This method... it's eerily familiar. Could it be the lustful demon from forty years ago has resurfaced?"

"The lustful demon?"

Wei Haolong elucidated, "You arrived late and are unaware. Forty years ago, one after another, female cultivators around the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect were found drained to death in this same manner. At first, the lustful demon's draining technique wasn't as formidable as now. But over the years, as the victims multiplied, his technique became increasingly horrifying. Without exception, every victim was a young and beautiful Foundation Establishment female cultivator."

Wei Haolong slowly removed his cloak, letting out a deep sigh. He gently placed it over Mu Jingbai's pitiable remains, adding, "This draining technique is exceedingly tyrannical. Once a female cultivator is targeted, her dantian and meridians shatter in an instant, her organs dissolve, and every ounce of her life essence is extracted. At that time, female cultivators near the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect lived in constant dread. Eventually, the sect leader ordered senior disciples of the Foundation Establishment phase from the sect to band together and hunt the demon. Yet, his prowess was overwhelming, evading capture time and time again. Even though he eluded them, he vanished without a trace. To think he has now re-emerged within the boundaries of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect!"

Song Changyi crouched beside Mu Jingbai's corpse, slamming a fist into the ground in fury. "Elder Adjudicator, I beg permission to activate the Heavenly Fire Mountain Protective Formation, sealing the mountain entrance. From inside out, we must root out this lustful demon! Disciples of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect cannot be unjustly drained of life like this!"

However, the Adjudicating Elder shook his head.

"It's not feasible."

Song Changyi, taken aback, countered, "Why?! Does the life or death of our disciples not weigh on the sect's heart?"

The usually imposing Adjudicating Elder was rarely questioned, and only Song Changyi dared to do so directly. He patiently explained, "The timing isn't right. Mu Jingbai wasn't harmed recently but a year ago. We cannot ascertain that the demon is still within the Fiery Cloud Peak. Furthermore, in less than eleven years, it will be the day of 'Fiery Sun Dominating the Sky', when our Sect Leader will break through to the Nascent Soul. Prior to that, the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect mustn't activate the Heavenly Fire Mountain Protective Formation, lest we overly deplete the source of the Earth Dragon Fire Vein."

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Song Changyi wanted to refute it, but he couldn't find the words.

For cultivators, time often spanned years. Discovering this after over a year is already considered swift. However, a year was a long time with many variables. The demon's whereabouts were likely unknown, and a thorough search of the sect now might prove futile.

Song Changyi heaved a deep sigh, leading Shu Han and Wei Haolong out of Mu Jingbai's cave dwelling. His hand clenched in a mix of anger and grief, he muttered vehemently, "If I ever catch that demon, I'll tear him to shreds!"

Observing Song Changyi's overwhelming rage, Shu Han pondered why. He knew that Song Changyi wasn't particularly close to Mu Jingbai. Why then did her death evoke such wrath in him?

Ever since Shu Han entered the world of cultivation, he had seen the ebb and flow of countless lives. Most lived primarily for themselves, with few genuinely grieving for the destiny of others.

When Shu Han had first seen Mu Jingbai's tragic state, his heart, at most, felt pity, let alone a resolute intent to capture the demon and tear him apart.

He couldn't help but advise, "Life and death are destined, Brother Song. Perhaps it's best to come to terms with it."

Song Changyi retorted, "Brother Yu, your words are amiss. While I might not have been close to her, she was a disciple of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect. Since childhood, my father taught me that the prosperity of the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect is rooted in each and every disciple. When the day comes for my father to retreat into seclusion, the Sect will inevitably be under my stewardship. If I can't be concerned with the life and death of its disciples, what right would I have to lead?"

Wei Haolong pulled Shu Han aside, advising, "Don't bother arguing with him. He's relentless with his logic, and you'll never win."

Shu Han chuckled, feeling a newfound respect for Song Changyi. He questioned himself, realizing he might not possess such magnanimity. Bowing to Song Changyi, he praised, "Brother Song has a vast and generous heart. It's a blessing for all the disciples of Fiery Cloud Instant Sect that you and your father helm the sect."

"Pssh! If he ever becomes the sect leader, I'll pack my bags and leave that very night!"

Although Wei Haolong spoke flippantly, his eyes did not belittle Song Changyi.

After bidding Song Changyi farewell, Wei Haolong led Shu Han through the secret tunnel to the Pure Ice Formation once again.

Lost in thoughts about the lustful demon, Shu Han couldn't help but muse, "I've been trying to understand why, after the previous purge, the demon would still target Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, especially harming its disciples. It doesn't make sense! He could easily find female cultivators like Mu Jingbai elsewhere."

"Demons capable of such deeds are surely bizarre in their thinking."

Shu Han speculated, "From your accounts, this demon doesn't seem like a typical psychopath. When he vanished around the Fiery Cloud Instant Sect, it was right after his energy-draining technique had matured. I feel he isn't cultivating by draining female cultivators, but rather refining this particular technique."

Wei Haolong shrugged, "Who knows, maybe it's just a twisted hobby of his! And now, all this is making me nervous. I mean, with my captivating feminine disguise, what if the demon notices me in the other courtyard?"

"I'll take care of your remains."

Wei Haolong exclaimed, "Damn! So heartless! You better visit me more often! And bring that mad elder along. With you and him around, I'd feel much safer."

Shu Han glanced at him, "Have you forgotten you're a pseudo-core cultivator? If he dares to drain you, just subdue him and reverse-drain him!"

"Pssh! I only have eyes for female cultivators!" Wei Haolong's expression grew solemn, "Actually, based on the encounters our senior brothers had with the demon forty years ago, there's a high chance he's at the Golden Core level of cultivation. We never dared to publicize this; the mere thought of a Golden Core-level demon is just too intimidating..."

Golden Core level!

Shu Han nodded, stroking his chin, "Oh, I see. Well, then you're doomed."

Wei Haolong retorted, "Seriously? Are those words befitting a human?"

The two walked the long tunnel, eventually reaching the Pure Ice Formation again. Now, with the knowledge of the Heavenly Fire Conversion Formation, Shu Han perceived the massive Pure Ice Jade Pillars differently from before.