A sense of inexplicable bewilderment filled Zheng Yan's heart. Based on his interactions with Yu Ci, the younger man was thoughtful and self-aware. His cryptic words must have held some deeper meaning.

He didn't waste energy searching for memories that had long since been erased. Instead, he focused his mind and quickly scanned the surrounding ten-mile radius of the forest. Every movement of the living beings was clear to him. However, when it came to cultivators, there was only Yu Ci.

"What audacity this youngster has," the monk thought, feeling a sense of relief, yet also a sense of intrigue. "Does he truly believe he can handle everything on his own? This is not the way to vie for merit or benefits!"

Regardless, facing this youngster alone, he felt no fear. He simply responded calmly with a serene smile, "I apologize, but I seem to have forgotten."

Seeing his reaction, Yu Ci chuckled, "It seems that Master Zheng Yan's shock from that day still lingers. However, I have a method here that can stimulate the brain and help recall past memories. It's quite effective. Would you like to try, Master Zheng Yan?"

As his words fell, a burst of sword light emerged!

Monk Zheng Yan was on guard and tried to block it, but his body hadn't fully recovered yet. Moreover, Yu Ci's long-prepared sword stroke was as swift as a thunderclap, as fast as lightning, and imbued with the aura of the Half Mountain Mirage. The sword light flashed and skillfully bypassed his outstretched arm, striking his skull. A clear ringing sound echoed as the sword vibrated and bounced off.

Yu Ci retreated swiftly after his strike, perfectly dodging Zheng Yan's counterattack. As he landed, he called out, "Hold on!"

Monk Zheng Yan's face turned a ghastly shade, and he asked in a chilling tone, "What are you doing?"

Yu Ci simply smiled and touched his sword, asking curiously, "Why is a monk's skull so hard? Have you practiced the Iron Head skill?"

Xi Guang Sword might not be a remarkable divine weapon, but as a gift from the Thousands Spirits Sect to Yu Ci, it could easily slice through iron. However, when it struck Zheng Yan's skull, it only managed to break the skin before being repelled. The sword hummed before Yu Ci wiped it, creating a bizarre scene.

Monk Zheng Yan touched his scalp, feeling the sticky blood. His face turned even darker. Ignoring his thoughts, Yu Ci chuckled, "Has Master Zheng Yan not remembered yet? How strange. Could it be that a hard skull can also erase your past life-saving grace?"

"Life-saving grace?"

The monk suddenly recalled an event, "In the Sky Rift Valley..."

"Yes, Master Zheng Yan, you finally remember! In the Sky Rift Valley, you were abandoned by Yixin Zeitu and Lu Mingyue, hanging by a thread. Wasn't it I who saved you and painstakingly helped you up the cliff? To forget such a thing is truly inappropriate!"

Listening to Yu Ci's mocking tone, Monk Zheng Yan remained silent, his thoughts churning. He had believed that he had successfully concealed the most secretive matter, but judging by the young man's words, he had been nearby and had seen everything clearly. Didn't this mean that the secret was already out? And what was the reason behind He Qing and others releasing him after killing the Golden Body?

In the end, he was a man of extraordinary intellect. After gazing at Yu Ci for a while, a conclusion gradually emerged. Could it be that the young man, having just joined the Lichen Sect not long ago, was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Sect, or perhaps he had some taboo, and had not reported the precise information?

It must be said that Yu Ci's character and demeanor were no mystery in the eyes of truly intelligent individuals. Monk's train of thought was almost identical to He Qing's previous deductions, and the conclusions they reached were strikingly similar.

"If that's the case, it will be easy to handle," Monk murmured.

Across from him, Yu Ci, who was standing at a distance, didn't catch what he said and asked, "What did Master Zheng Yan say?"

Monk glanced at him again, lowered his gaze and said, "As a monk, I should not have forgotten such a matter. It is indeed highly inappropriate. I now beseech the Immortal Elder for a reminder. What did this humble monk promise that day? As long as the Immortal Elder brings it up, I will surely comply, to repay the kindness."

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"Oh? Monk forgets the matter, yet still wants to offer me benefits?"

"Once spoken, there's no taking it back," Monk replied, his voice calm and steady.

After these words, neither of them spoke for a while in the forest. When the sound of their conversation had completely faded, even the chirping of birds and beasts was absent. Only the soft rustling of leaves in the wind could be heard, making the forest seem even more desolate, like a land of death.

Yu Ci was looking at Monk, and Monk was looking at Yu Ci. Both of them knew in their hearts that all the promises and gratitude were nothing but empty talk. What they truly cared about was Monk's identity, the earth-shattering secret behind his identity, and the severe consequences that would ensue, which no one could bear.

Monk was well aware that the moment Yu Ci caught up with him, his identity had been exposed, and all his prior efforts were in vain. The only option left for him was to do everything in his power to keep the "secret" behind his identity hidden.

Silencing Yu Ci was certainly the simplest option, but even if he could somehow muster the strength to kill Yu Ci in the forest, the subsequent problems would likely be even more severe. The reaction of the Lichen Sect was irrelevant. Monk actually hoped that the Lichen Sect would make a big fuss about it and draw the attention of the world, which would meet the requirements of the Bodhisattva. However, explaining this to the Rakshasa Sect would be problematic.

He had an understanding with the Rakshasa Sect that this matter would start and end in Cliff City. He would then start anew, reorganize, and eliminate any influence, in exchange for the promise of continued cooperation and a safe exit.

Monk was not a man of his word, and breaking promises did not weigh heavily on him. However, this was an agreement he had reached with a major figure who had come specifically to clean up the aftermath. Even though that person was one of the busiest people in the world and had already returned to the East Sea to deal with a house full of legal documents, frankly, he did not want to provoke him. Even if it were the Bodhisattva himself sitting in his position, he would probably take it seriously.

In this way, killing Yu Ci, and whether it could be done cleanly and neatly without leading others to make any other assumptions, was a major dilemma facing Monk. Moreover, he didn't know if the young man in front of him had any tricks up his sleeve!

Compared to this, he felt that using other methods would be simpler.

After much thought, Monk finally spoke, "The path to immortality is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. Elder Yu Xian, in the Lichen Sect, you are but an Outer Disciple. What you have been exposed to is nothing more than the Primordial Qi Method and Elixir Formulas. Even if practiced to the extreme, they only grant a lifespan of three hundred years, which is a far cry from true immortality, isn't it?"

Casting a glance at him, Yu Ci chuckled, "I never thought I would appear so contemptible in the eyes of others."

The Monk, choosing to ignore this comment, continued, "Elder Yu Xian, both your fate and temperament are extraordinary. It wouldn't be too difficult for you to truly enter the Lichen Sect. However, the so-called Sky Flying Form, True Text of Nine Degrees, and even the Heavenly Mansion Method of the Lichen Sect are not the most effective in the path of Immortality. Since the two tribulations, only seven people from the Lichen Sect have achieved Immortality, and only three have the ability to transcend tribulations. As for the ultimate state of Eternal Life, there is none."

Yu Ci cut him off, "If you don't look where you're going, you're bound to stumble. Monk, why not talk about something more practical?"

At his words, the Monk's eyebrows furrowed. Having cultivated for many years, he was accomplished in the Six Realms of Buddhist Practice. Hearing the meaning behind Yu Ci's words, he knew that Yu Ci was unswerving in his determination. However, he still had to continue:

"Elder Yu Xian, you are a wise man, and there's no need for me to elaborate. I only propose one thing: if Elder Yu Xian is willing to compromise, I am willing to make a solemn vow, sacrificing my cultivation level, to guide you once as an Immortal Elder. I guarantee that within ten years, you will be the Grand Master of Golden Elixir, and within a hundred years, you will achieve Above Vacuum Walking, and Immortality is within reach."

Yu Ci interrupted him again, "Like Master Ming?"

At these words, the Monk was greatly shocked. His gaze turned cold as frost, piercing Yu Ci's face. This single sentence proved that Yu Ci indeed knew some of his secrets. If such information were to leak out, his millennia-old plans would be ruined.

"So it seems. Master Ming belongs to the Rakshasa Sect, and worships the Ghost King. But I wonder what sect the Monk belongs to, and which deity does he worship?”

“Show some respect!” The Monk retorted sternly, “Elder Yu Xian, you should show reverence!”

Yet Yu Ci just smiled faintly, "I naturally respect my seniors. But I need to see their true colors first. Causing demonic chaos, possessing disciples, harming ordinary people... Are these tactics approved by your God Lord? It's hard to respect someone when they behave like this.

"The Blood Monk is a convenient scapegoat for all sorts of dirty deeds. Lies can cover up anything, but in the end, they're still lies. Speaking of which, don't you want to know how I uncovered this chain of causation?"

It seems that a face-off is inevitable, and silencing him is a must. The only problem is how to deal with the aftermath.

The Monk pondered, his eyes narrowed, watching Yu Ci's lips move, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment. But he saw the young man on the opposite side flash a grin, his teeth as white and sharp as knives!

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced his Brain Palace, as if a knife was thrust directly into it!

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