As Muyun Qin watched his father's fading figure, he pondered deeply. When his father had just entered the house, Muyun Qin had a vague feeling that there was a strange aura emanating from him, faintly resembling demonic energy.

Muyun Qin paid close attention and observed that everyone in the Qin residence, except for his father Gang Qin, seemed normal.

"Could it be..." Muyun Qin's thoughts raced, and he found the gatekeeper, Old Li, and gave him a few simple instructions before heading east on his own.

He traveled eastward, reaching the Ten Li Slope outside the city. Guided by the moonlight, Muyun Qin could already see the large locust tree mentioned by Old Li. Under the tree, there was a moderately-sized courtyard, which should be the new residence of his elder brother

Being about a dozen yards away from the courtyard, Muyun Qin activated the spiritual energy within his body, gathering it at his brow. Gradually, a mysterious rune appeared above his forehead.

"Spiritual Eye, open!"

Through the Spiritual Eye, Muyun Qin indeed saw a strange green aura enveloping the courtyard—demonic energy!

All living beings possess their own aura. Plants and insects have the weakest aura, appearing as a pale greenish-gray color. Birds and animals have a stronger aura, appearing as a light yellow color. The aura of ordinary humans is tinged with white light, while those who practice martial arts have a brighter aura. Besides cultivators, there are also demons and monsters with the strongest aura.

In addition to the green demonic aura, there were also several strands of white human aura within the courtyard. The one in the northeast corner was the dimmest, presumably belonging to his elder brother.

Muyun Qin unfolded his body techniques and silently arrived outside the window of the room in the northeast corner. Peering inside through the window, he saw a green-clad young girl in maid attire sitting cross-legged on the bed. A green aura was emanating from her body, while in front of her lay a pale-faced man, his elder brother. Green demonic energy entwined Yun Qin's body, while the white aura was gradually being absorbed by the green-clad girl, creating an eerie and horrifying scene.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the girl stopped absorbing the aura and slowly opened her eyes.

"In three months, I will achieve great success," the green-clad girl muttered to herself. "By then, I will devour this whole family, leaving no one behind. Hmph! How dare these insignificant mortals think they are worthy of my service?"

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At that moment, the green-clad girl suddenly sensed danger and noticed a black-clad person standing at the door. It was none other than Muyun Qin.

Just as the green-clad girl was about to get up, she heard a shout of "Seal!" and golden light burst forth, forming a massive barrier that instantly engulfed the entire room.

"Magic?" the green-clad girl exclaimed in terror.

"Magic," a method discovered by cultivators, has different effects and varying degrees of power. The spell Muyun Qin used was called "Sealing Spell," which not only temporarily cut off the connection with the outside world but also trapped enemies within its confines, invisible to those outside.

"You mentioned eating someone just now," Muyun Qin said, his eyes sharp as lightning, coldly staring at the green-clad girl before him. Who would have thought that this seemingly harmless girl was actually a man-eating monster?

The girl feigned composure and replied, "Master, you misunderstand. I am called Green Pearl, a new maid in Lord Qin's mansion. Lady Qin said there were surplus sacrifices that would be a waste, so she rewarded us to eat them."

Muyun Qin sneered and said, "So you're saying that you have nothing to do with the demonic poison afflicting your master?"

Before the girl could respond, Muyun Qin exclaimed, "How dare you, demon! You address me as 'Master' and still dare to deceive?"

Startled, the green-clad girl hurriedly said, "Master, please spare me! Although I am a monster, I have always deeply loved Qin Lang and would never harm him."

"If you claim you haven't harmed anyone, then why is your master's vitality waning, his Yang energy withering to this extent?" Muyun Qin stared intently into the girl's eyes as he spoke.

The girl was greatly shocked and fell to her knees, begging for mercy. "Master, please spare my life! They forced me into this; it has nothing to do with me! If I disobey, they will kill me..."

"Who are they?" Muyun Qin pressed on with his questioning.

"They are... they are..." Suddenly, the green-clad girl let out a scream, her eyes widening in terror as she looked behind Muyun Qin.

In that split second when Muyun Qin turned his head, a pair of sharp claws lunged towards his throat. If he hadn't anticipated the attack and quickly dodged, his throat would have been torn open.

Before he could catch his breath, the claws swiped again, directly targeting Muyun Qin's eyes. With a swift movement, Muyun Qin leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the attack.

Finally seeing the creature that had just ambushed him, Muyun Qin realized it was a half-human, half-beast monster—a cat demon. The creature had pointed cat-like ears, and its emerald green eyes gleamed with an eerie light.

So, it was a cat demon! This was the true form of the green-clad girl.

"Meow~"

The cat demon pounced, but in a flash of yellow light, a spiritual talisman flew out, immobilizing her on the ground.

"Give me one reason not to kill you!" Muyun Qin's gaze was chilling, exuding an invisible pressure like a raging mountain and surging sea.

"Master, please don't be angry. I can save Lord Qin!" the cat demon pleaded. "The demonic energy has already invaded Lord Qin's five organs and six bowels, and only I can save him."

"A demon slave?" Muyun Qin's voice turned icy. He knew that once a mortal's soul was controlled by demonic energy, they would become nothing more than a slave to the demon, living a fate worse than death.

"The demonic energy hasn't reached his soul yet. As long as you spare my life, I am willing to remove the demonic energy from Lord Qin and help restore him," the cat demon said.

Muyun Qin stared unwaveringly into the cat demon's eyes and asked, "Yun Qin is just a mortal. Why would you go through all this trouble for him? Who is behind you?"

"I am acting on the orders of my master, and I am unaware of the rest," the cat demon replied.

"Where is your master?"

"Inside the Yingtian County."

"Lead the way!" Muyun Qin waved his right hand, retrieving the yellow talisman that had sealed the cat demon.

After their brief confrontation, the cat demon realized that the black-clad person before her had cultivation far superior to her own. If she wanted to survive, she had no choice but to obediently lead the way.