"What's wrong?" Li Sheng's eyes brightened, wondering if there were remnants, and glanced at Qingyi.

"I've heard a rumor, but it's rather unbelievable..." Qingyi said uncertainly, blinking her beautiful eyes.

"Tell me, let's just chat," Li Sheng gestured.

"Apparently, the birth of the forbidden area in the South is related to the Demon Lord... If there's anywhere in the world where one might find the method of planting a demonic heart, it would be the Death Mountains."

"The Death Mountains of the South, the only life forbidden zone in the world..."

Li Sheng frowned, deep in thought.

"To enter the Death Mountains, one must at least reach the first-grade Earth Immortal stage. I wonder if my sister can hold out until he reaches that level..."

Qingyi gathered her scattered hair and continued, "The truth of this news needs verification. When I return to the clan, I'll look up some texts and inform Master Li."

"Thank you, Miss Qingyi," Li Sheng said, cupping his hands in gratitude.

"It's no trouble at all."

After some casual conversation, Qingyi and Bai Ye left in succession, and Li Sheng also rose to head to the Gathering Spirit Chamber for cultivation.

...

As the sun rose and set, a vast wave of spiritual energy surged through the mountain's spirit vein.

In the west wing, Qingyi and her companions paused, sensing the wave's direction.

"What a strong spiritual wave..."

"This aura belongs to Master Li!"

The three exchanged surprised glances.

After a moment, as the wave receded, Qingyi murmured, "Fourth-grade Spirit Nourishing stage..."

"Master Li is only in his early twenties and has broken through to the fourth grade; he might even rank high on the Talented Heroes list!" Manager Hua exclaimed.

"Wow, the top forty-three on that list are all at the Spirit Nourishing stage; Master Li could break into the top twenty!" Hua Jingjing said with admiration.

"The top twenty are all disciples favored by major forces... Who would have thought that just a month ago, our sect was on the verge of disbanding, and now we have two fourth-grade powerhouses!"

"Miss..."

"Silence!" Qingyi shook her head, signaling to stop.

Even a fool could guess that such rapid advancement had to have a big secret.

However, prying into others' secrets is a big taboo; raising suspicion wouldn't be good.

As a competent merchant, she had her own principles, knowing what to say and what not to say.

If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Miss, I spoke out of turn; please punish me!" Manager Hua said, feeling awkward.

A hint of melancholy crossed Qingyi's stunning face as if recalling something, she sighed.

"It's only human nature; how many can resist great temptation? Honestly, for a moment, I also had improper thoughts, but one must recognize their own worth; otherwise, it's all for naught..."

"Sis Qingyi, don't scold Mom... If anyone should be scolded, it's Jingjing." The lively girl quickly clung to Qingyi's white arms, shaking and acting cute.

On the other side, Bai Ye noticed the wave as well, instructing her disciples to focus on their cultivation before heading towards the spirit vein.

Inside the Gathering Spirit Chamber, Li Sheng opened his eyes, feeling the more robust spiritual power within him, a smile spreading across his face.

He took a supreme Nourishing Essence Pill from his storage bag and swallowed it to begin healing.

...

The internal injuries were quite severe; only after the effects of the Nourishing Essence Pill wore off did he recover about twenty percent.

Li Sheng stood up to assess his injuries, contemplating.

"The Nourishing Essence Pill primarily focuses on nourishment, so it's not as effective for healing as the Golden Core Pill... Thankfully, the deterioration has been halted, and some hidden dangers have been eliminated; now, I just need to heal step by step."

Outside the Gathering Spirit Chamber, seeing Li Sheng emerge, Bai Ye exclaimed happily, "Congratulations on your breakthrough, Senior Brother!"

"Haha... Congratulations to you too, Junior Sister. You need to work hard to catch up!" Li Sheng said cheerfully, giving her a nudge.

Bai Ye's smile faltered, and with a mischievous glance, she muttered, "Heartless slave owner!"

In high spirits, Li Sheng tousled her hair playfully and encouraged her, "Train well; I'll be refining pills for you."

Just before she could explode in anger, he vanished, reappearing a hundred feet away.

Watching her senior brother's retreating figure, Bai Ye sniffed, huffing, "Stupid senior brother!"

In the alchemy room, Li Sheng refined an eighth-grade Cleansing Spirit Pill, a Golden Core Pill, and two Blood Solidification Pills.

Then he called Wang Hu to send the Blood Solidification Pills to the spirit vein while he headed towards the training ground.

...

At the foot of the hill, Li Sheng looked up to see his sister sitting cross-legged on the eighteenth step, her beautiful face filled with concern.

"Senior Sister..."

Li Sheng softly called, waiting for her to open her eyes before walking up.

"Don't rise yet; try this Cleansing Spirit Pill. I'll guard you," he said, handing her the pill.

"Mm!"

Liu Hongfeng took the pill and swallowed it, then began to fight against the demonic thought.

Li Sheng quietly stood by, watching as her aura fluctuated wildly, sometimes filled with malice, other times exuding killing intent, at times alluring and bizarre.

Half an hour later, she opened her eyes, her expression serious.

"The spirit pill doesn't work for me..."

Li Sheng's heart sank; even a top-grade pill targeting mental will was ineffective—this was worrying.

"What about the demonic thought?"

Liu Hongfeng's expression fell, her heart a mix of emotions.

"The demonic thought is too deeply entangled with my will; it has become unmanageable. If I leave the hill, I might lose control at any moment unless..."

"Unless what?" Li Sheng raised an eyebrow.

"Unless I give up resistance and merge with the demonic thought!"

"Merging with the demonic thought... Is there any certainty, Senior Sister?"

Liu Hongfeng clenched her silver teeth, seemingly making a resolution.

"Sixty percent certainty. If this drags on, it won't be good!"

"In that case, it's up to you, Senior Sister!"

Li Sheng nodded, sharing the tale of the Demon Lord Pang Ban to boost her confidence.

"The method of planting a demonic heart... the Death Mountains in the South..."

Liu Hongfeng pondered deeply, remembering it, then looked at Li Sheng.

"Junior Brother, there's no turning back in this merging. If I lose control... don't hesitate, strike me down immediately. I entrust Hong Ying to you."

Her tone was resolute, leaving no room for doubt.

After a deep look at Li Sheng, she pushed him down the stone steps.

A crimson mist rose, slowly engulfing the graceful figure on the steps.

"Senior Sister..." Li Sheng whispered, feeling an emptiness in his heart, unsure of what to do or say.

After a moment, he sat down, quietly gazing at the steps.

He understood he could do nothing but let events unfold, whether good or bad.

The satisfaction from his recent breakthrough to the fourth grade vanished instantly; he clenched his fists, murmuring.

"That feeling of helplessness again..."