"Don't die, don't die." Gu Qin poured her energy into Qin Xiansheng, tears streaming down her face. Her vision blurred, everything becoming a blank, her ears ringing.

The black panther paused for a moment, turned its head to look at Gu Qin and Qin Xiansheng, roared, and then charged towards Ren Bushou again.

"Overreaching!" With a wave of his hand, the black panther was thrown four or five meters away, unable to move.

The black panther was originally a product he had created, but he found that the Yin Beasts raised in the encampment grew too slowly and were not fierce enough, so he stopped using this method. Such a black panther naturally did not intimidate him.

Wanshi Yan glanced at Ren Bushou, his eyes cold. He liked Shu Shu, but he also despised this old man. No one would be grateful to a master who treated them as vessels, even if he was the father of the woman he loved.

Ren Bushou looked at the pale-faced Gu Qin crying uncontrollably in the distance and laughed. "Do you know why? We originally planned to deal with him first before dealing with you. Unexpectedly, you came looking for us earlier. But it doesn't matter; the yin-yang worms have almost grown into adults and are sufficient to deal with him. It's truly a pity; if it were another two months, we could have killed him on the spot, but now he still has a breath left."

Even if Gu Qin couldn't hear anything at the moment, Ren Bushou continued speaking. "The yin-yang worm is a type of gu poison. I predicted that this boy would harm me, and at that time, I happened to get a pair of gu worms. Don't underestimate the yin-yang worms; they might seem harmless when young, but I placed the young yin worm in his heart to feed on his blood, while the yang worm was fed outside. I took a lot of his blood, one drop per month, enough to keep them alive until now."

"All these worms were cultivated using his flesh and blood. Now that the yang worm is dead, the yin worm inside him cannot survive either. As the owner of these worms, you will also not survive. It's truly a pity; they could have fully grown into adult worms in another two months..."

He had calculated that Qin Xiansheng would be his greatest threat, so he went to great lengths to obtain this pair of gu worms to counteract Qin Xiansheng. These worms posed no threat when young, but as time passed, their threat increased. That was also why he hadn't used this method against Qin Xiansheng before, as the worms weren't mature enough to kill him then, which would have been a waste.

Now was perfect. Although Qin Xiansheng still had a breath left, he would definitely not survive.

In a blink of an eye, ten minutes passed, and the surrounding aura became increasingly abundant, enveloping Gu Qin and Qin Xiansheng. This made the others watching from afar more and more astonished.

Wanshi Yan lowered his head and kissed Shu Shu's forehead. "Be good, don't be afraid. In the future, you can live a healthy life, and we can be together forever."

"But, senior brother..." Shu Shu's eyes reddened. "Is this worth it? To harm so many people for my sake, I don't want this..."

"Why isn't it worth it? For you, dying in the hands of many is worth it," Wanshi Yan said, hugging her tightly.

Shu Shu's eyes welled up with tears, she remained silent, and hugged Wanshi Yan tightly.

It was useless, why was it still useless? Brother Qin, wake up quickly! Gu Qin became increasingly anxious. So much aura had entered Qin Xiansheng's body, but there was no change.

"D*mn, all of you should die, I want you to die with me..." Gu Qin muttered, staggering to his feet, staring intently at Ren Bushou.

With the flow of light already stirring in his hand, Gu Qin swung it towards Ren Bushou.

"Don't!" Shu Shu grabbed Wanshi Yan's clothes and shouted.

Wanshi Yan hesitated for a moment, but out of concern for Shu Shu, he wanted to help Ren Bushou.

"Get out of the way!" Gu Qin shouted, waving his hand, sending a surge of pure aura towards the two.

While Wanshi Yan wouldn't be seriously harmed by such an impact, Shu Shu, being very weak, would only have a death sentence if hit by the aura. Without hesitation, Wanshi Yan turned around, protecting Shu Shu by lying down with her in his arms.

Ren Bushou's face changed drastically. He tried to move but suddenly found himself immobilized, as if something had grabbed his ankles, pinning him down. Even the aura within his body couldn't be used at all. What was going on? Ren Bushou seemed to realize something, turning to glare at Wanshi Yan, opening his mouth to question, but Gu Qin's attack was already upon him.

Gu Qin's attack was already upon him. Without thinking, the flow of light stabbed deeply into his heart.

Ren Bushou's eyes widened, glaring fiercely. He was unwilling to accept his fate. Even though Gu Qin could control him with the yin-yang qi, they were equally matched in cultivation, and he shouldn't have been caught off guard like this. However, he couldn't mobilize any aura within his body, clearly indicating someone had tampered with him. The only ones who had contact with him were Shu Shu and Wanshi Yan, and it was clear who had done it.

Ren Bushou fell to the ground, dying with his eyes wide open.

Gu Qin was surrounded by a heavy aura of yin-yang qi and aura, two opposing energies that didn't mix well, creating a significant whirlwind around her. After pulling the flow of light out of Ren Bushou's chest and tossing a fire talisman onto his body, Gu Qin stared intently at the fallen Wanshi Yan.

Wanshi Yan stood up, holding Shu Shu in his arms. "Don't look," he said softly.

Shu Shu cried uncontrollably. "Father, save him..."

Wanshi Yan glanced coldly at the burning remains of Ren Bushou. He could see the calculation in his eyes.

Perfect, everything was under his control. By eliminating two enemies at once, as long as they agreed to swap bodies, he could be with Shu Shu forever, with no one else able to interfere.

***

Gu Qin's bloodshot eyes glared fiercely at Wanshi Yan. All she could think about was killing him, she must kill him. Her thoughts intensified, and the aura of yin-yang qi and aura surrounding her became more agitated.

Wanshi Yan's expression remained unchanged. He chuckled. "You've spent quite a bit of aura just now. Are you sure you can defeat me? Or do you want to end up both injured, leaving your family vulnerable to questions about the whereabouts of the Flow of Light? Or perhaps we both suffer, and after I leave and recover, I threaten you with your family?"

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Shu Shu was too sad and exhausted, having used up too much energy, and had fainted in Wanshi Yan's embrace.

Gu Qin's face changed dramatically, glaring at him.

"You know," Wanshi Yan smiled brightly. "And you think I haven't prepared? If you dare to hurt me, your family will immediately join me in death. Do you really believe a mere Yin Beast, the White Tiger, can protect so many people? Your mother, Uncle Lu, your younger brother, your grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends like Lin Xin Xin, Qian Shan Shan, Yang Ting, and Du Fei, do you wish for them to die because of you?"

Gu Qin clenched her fists tightly, her face pale. She rasped, "What exactly do you want?"

"What do you think I want?" Wanshi Yan replied. "Of course, I want you to voluntarily swap bodies with Shu Shu. My demands or wishes have always been simple: I only hope Shu Shu can be healthy." Everything he had done was solely for the woman he loved.

Gu Qin gritted her teeth. "I might be able to cure her..."

Before she could finish, Wanshi interrupted her. "No, no. If you've examined her, you'd know how severe her condition is. She has no cultivation, and over the past hundred years, to keep her alive and maintain her appearance, her body has been severely damaged. Unless she swaps bodies, there is no other solution. Moreover, soul transference is extremely difficult; with your Heavenly Eye, the success rate would be much higher."

Gu Qin looked at him coldly.

Wanshi Yan laughed again. "You don't need to look at me like that. I know what you're thinking. Don't think about using the opportunity of the body swap to devour Shu Shu. If it fails, I'll make sure everyone dies along with you."

He wasn't worried about Gu Qin refusing. Through their two years of interaction, he understood her too well—her family was her only weakness, and she would definitely agree.

Gu Qin clenched her teeth. "Shouldn't you have tampered with Ren Bushou? Don't you fear the woman in your arms will find out?" Ren Bushou's cultivation level was similar to hers. When she attacked, she clearly felt he couldn't mobilize his aura. Thus, he could only be killed in one blow. The best person to tamper with him would be Wanshi Yan.

Wanshi Yan's expression remained indifferent. "So what? He deserved to die. If it weren't for these plans, I wouldn't have kept him alive until now."

"Do you not fear she will find out?"

Wanshi Yan looked down at the woman sleeping in his arms, his gaze soft. "As long as you don't tell her, no one will know. If you let her find out, I'll personally kill every member of your family and friends."

Gu Qin looked back at Qin Xiansheng lying on the ground, unresponsive. Her heart trembled violently, and she began to shake. Big Brother Qin, you must hold on. I won't let you die.

She turned back, her eyes cold. "Alright, I agree. But you know swapping bodies requires an array and considerable time. My current state is definitely not suitable. I need to take him back to the capital first."

Wanshi Yan glanced at Qin Xiansheng. "Still hoping to save him? It's useless. Aura can't save him, nor can it repair the internal injuries. The yin worms have mostly grown, damaging nearly all his organs, including his heart. He's doomed. His injuries can't be healed by aura. I advise you to leave him here."

"No, I must take him back to the capital!" As long as there's a breath left, there must be a way. There must be.

"Fine, it's good timing to return to the capital to start preparations," Wanshi Yan didn't insist. He pulled out his phone and made a call.

An hour later, a helicopter arrived. Gu Qin carefully carried Qin Xiansheng onto the helicopter. Throughout the journey, she continuously channeled aura into his body, but there was no effect.

What exactly is this yin worm? Why is it ineffective? Even ordinary people can save someone with ruptured organs as long as they haven't died. Why can't I save Big Brother Qin? Gu Qin wanted to cry, but she knew she couldn't afford to now. She needed to think of a way. Wanshi Yan would need about a week to prepare the array and other items, and she had to come up with a plan within a week.

But what should she do? Her heart was too chaotic to calm down and think clearly.

After four hours, the helicopter returned to the capital. She dared not bring Qin Xiansheng back directly, nor did she dare return to the Nine Gates. Given Wanshi Yan's knowledge of their information, she didn't know if there were traitors among the Nine Gates and dared not take risks. She returned directly to Qin Xiansheng's residence, tears streaming down her face as she looked at the unconscious man lying on the bed.

Even though she was capable, at twenty-one, she was still just a young girl. She felt scared, worried, and confused.

She knew she must remain calm and find a solution.

For the next day, she neglected to contact her family. At least during this time, they were safe. Throughout the day, she continuously channeled aura into Qin Xiansheng's body, but it had no effect.

Yin-Yang Worms, Ren Bushou said this was a type of gu poison.

Miao ethnic group, right! She could ask Grandma Ling Ling. Back then, Qin Jiu and Ren Bushou fought each other, both heavily wounded, with Qin Jiu disappearing. Qin Xiansheng was saved by Ling Ling from the mountains, and she subsequently helped save Ling Ling's parents.

Ling Ling was Miao ethnic group. When she went to save Ling Ling's parents, Grandma Ling Ling accompanied her. That elderly lady was a skilled gu master.

At the time, they exchanged contact information. Now, like grasping a lifeline, Gu Qin pulled out her phone and dialed the number.

The call was quickly answered by Ling Ling's grandmother. "Grandma..." Gu Qin's voice was choked with emotion.

Ling Ling's grandmother clearly remembered Gu Qin. "Qin Qin?"

"It's me, Grandma. I have something I need your help with. Grandma, do you know what a yin-yang worm is?"

"Yin-Yang Worm?" Ling Ling's grandmother was surprised. "This kind of gu poison is probably extinct. It hasn't been seen for many years, and there likely aren't any yin-yang worm larvae left. This thing is extremely dangerous. In its larval stage, it poses little danger, but as it grows and becomes an adult worm, the threat increases greatly. It's fatal; there's never been anyone who survived. There's no known cure. Qin Qin, why do you ask about this?"

"Grandma..." Gu Qin's voice trembled. "Is there really no way? If, if it hasn't fully grown into an adult worm, just short of a couple of months, what would happen?"

Ling Ling's grandmother said, "There's no difference. Even if there's a last breath, it's impossible to survive. This gu poison is extremely difficult to cultivate. From larvae to adult worm, it may take decades or even centuries. I've never heard of anyone using this gu poison; it's been lost for many years. Qin Qin, who has been infected with this gu poison?"

Gu Qin couldn't hold it in any longer and burst into tears.

Ling Ling's grandmother seemed to understand who had been infected and sighed, hanging up the phone.

Gu Qin cried herself out, then lay down beside Qin Xiansheng on the bed, holding his icy hand, motionless.

Until night fell, Gu Qin's heart finally calmed down. She knew she couldn't give up.

Aura couldn't save him, so what else could?

Aura, yang qi, essence qi, yin qi, yin-she qi, dragon...

Gu Qin sat up abruptly. Dragon qi! Yes, that was it. Besides aura, yang qi, essence qi, dragon qi could also heal and cultivate. However, no one had ever seen dragon qi, and to find it, one had to locate the true dragon vein.

True dragon veins were integrated into the earth, vastly different from lesser dragon veins.

Lesser dragon veins were considered auspicious sites, but compared to true dragon veins, they were insignificant, a thousand times inferior.

Generally, geomancers who could find lesser dragon veins were considered highly skilled. Families buried in lesser dragon veins would gain significant power, such as ancient emperors and modern generals and prime ministers. The Mu family's rise to power was closely tied to their ancestral graves being located on a lesser dragon vein.

However, lesser dragon veins contained only auspicious qi and aura, not dragon qi.

To find dragon qi, one had to locate the true dragon vein.

Therefore, if there was anything that could save Qin Xiansheng, it was dragon qi. Dragon qi was omnipotent, and cultivating on a true dragon vein could achieve twice the result with half the effort. Hence, she had to find the true dragon vein.

Finding a true dragon vein was incredibly difficult, even with her Heavenly Eye, she couldn't be certain she could find it.

But she had to try.

But how should she go about finding it? Finding a true dragon vein wouldn't be accomplished in one or two days, possibly not even in one or two years. She couldn't abandon her family for such a search. If she were gone too long, Wanshi Yan would surely target her family. What should she do?

Gu Qin looked down at the black panther lying at her feet. Since returning, the black panther had been obedient, quietly lying beside the bed and looking at Gu Qin. Seeing her looking at it, it licked her hand.

Gu Qin gave a bitter smile. The black panther's cultivation was too low to be of much help.

Unless... there was someone incredibly powerful who could protect her family and ensure her safety during her search for the true dragon vein.

But who? Who in this world had a cultivation level surpassing hers, making Wanshi Yan fearful?

Powerful, fearful, Gu Qin's mind suddenly sparked with an idea.

She looked at the black panther. Too weak, definitely not. She had to find the General.