Gently holding Lu Qingqing, Lu Sheng's heart was extremely complicated. Although this girl was his sister, they did not have much emotional connection. For one, Lu Qingqing had been away training in martial arts for years. For another, he was not the original Lu Sheng. Still, as her elder brother in this moment, he had to display some grief.

Lu Sheng brought Lu Qingqing and Zhu Feng to inspect the small dungeon. Other than the corpses and three dim-witted fools, there was nothing else left. The two brought the three dumb people out of the dungeon to see Yan Kai and Duan Rongrong waiting outside. Yan Kai was sitting cross-legged in meditation, his complexion ruddy, with a trace of blood remaining at the corner of his mouth and some black blood spat on the ground. "It's just congestion blood," Yan Kai said lightly.

"Miss Lu Qingqing was injured by the evil spirit energy. It's a blessing that she survived," he continued regretfully, glancing at Lu Qingqing.

"I..." Lu Sheng opened his mouth but did not say anything. He felt that he was in a very dangerous situation right now. Just as he was carrying Lu Qingqing out earlier, he suddenly realized - the role he was playing now was precisely like those disposable young masters from ancient ghost stories.

The current situation was:

There were hidden monsters and ghosts in Jiulian City that were nowhere to be found. His Lu family could become collateral damage again at any time. As an ordinary person, the only things he could rely on were his modifier and martial arts. He truly lacked the means to deal with ghosts, monsters, and supernatural events. One monster had already exhausted him. If two came, that would truly be trouble.

Thinking of this, the grief on Lu Sheng's face gradually turned into heaviness.

"My sister has become like this, all due to the ghosts and monsters. I wonder if Elder Yan could tell me if there is any way for us ordinary people to also be able to deal with ghosts and monsters? Or is there anywhere else we can go to seek help?"

On one hand, this was an inquiry about other means; on the other, it was a probing question to find out if there were other groups capable of dealing with ghosts, monsters and the supernatural.

"This... My knowledge is limited. It's extremely difficult for ordinary people to contend against ghosts and monsters, there's no doubt about that," Yan Kai weighed his words and looked at Lu Qingqing regretfully before continuing.

"As for groups that could potentially help... exorcists are one type, but most are elusive. I suggest Young Master Lu continue posting recruitment notices, perhaps you may get lucky and find a few more exorcists to help."

After listening, Lu Sheng pondered, then asked, "I wonder if Elder Yan accepts disciples?"

He didn't intend to apprentice himself, but rather to send some of the Lu family's children to study under Yan Kai. This would allow them to gain some self-protection in this dangerous world, and also build connections.

At the mention of accepting disciples, Yan Kai's expression instantly became difficult.

"To be honest with the young master, exorcists are mostly born with the talent. This cannot be cultivated through practice. The mystic arts I and others practice would actually be harmful if ordinary people learned them. Otherwise, I wouldn't need to hide Rongrong."

"Born with it?" Disappointment flashed across Lu Sheng's face.

"Indeed. The main reason I can restrain ghosts and monsters is due to my blood. With certain techniques, my blood can produce an effect that restricts ghosts and monsters after processing. This is the only way to exert control over them. Many exorcists actually rely on their own blood," Yan Kai did not conceal this point.

"Blood..." Lu Sheng finally understood.

Yan Kai had no reason to lie to him. Seeing Duan Rongrong's continual nods of agreement beside him, it seemed exorcists did indeed rely on blood to restrain ghosts and monsters.

"Is there really no other way?" Lu Sheng sighed deeply.

Seeing this, a trace of reluctance finally flashed through Yan Kai's eyes as he looked at Lu Qingqing in Lu Sheng's arms.

"There are no more methods from me... Without the aptitude, it's impossible... However, the fact that ordinary people can still survive and propagate in such great numbers means there must be forces secretly protecting the masses and contending against ghosts and monsters. We exorcists are one of them. If Young Master Lu is determined, look into this further and you may find some clues."

Lu Sheng nodded. "Alas... this is all I can do for now. Well, does Elder Yan sell anything that restrains ghosts and monsters? I would like to make a purchase."

Yan Kai shook his head slightly. "I'm afraid not. It's not that I'm unwilling, but objects made from my own blood can only be used by myself. Otherwise, I wouldn't need to keep Rongrong in hiding."

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Lu Sheng believed Yan Kai was not deceiving him. Otherwise, he would not have been so frank about the blood. If scoundrels got wind of this and captured him to turn him into a blood cow, draining blood every day, that would be extremely dangerous!

Sighing once more, Lu Sheng held the silly Lu Qingqing more tightly, then left the temple with Yan Kai's group and rode on horses back to the Lu manor. "Since this is the case, I wonder if Elder Yan would like to return with me?"

"There's no need, I still wish to investigate here further. There may be clues about the original monster. There are quite a few monsters and ghosts in Jiulian City. We must find the original source. Otherwise, as time goes on, the might of that original monster will grow continuously stronger."

Yan Kai declined.

"I see. Elder Yan, if you require anything, please come directly to my Lu family and I, Lu Sheng, will certainly do my utmost to assist! Also, please come to collect your payment."

Lu Sheng took the reins with one hand, turned his horse around, and quickly headed back with the idiots and entourage of guards.

"Oh right, Young Master Sheng, you killed a monster earlier so there will be some lingering aura on you. Any other monsters in the city that draw near will definitely choose to attack you first. It's highly likely a greater monster will appear, so please be very careful. Notify me immediately if needed," Yan Kai suddenly called out loudly from behind.

Upon hearing this, Lu Sheng's heart shuddered.

"Thank you for your warning, Elder Yan and Lady Zhu!"

He waved back to signal acknowledgement.

The group rode their horses back along the original path. The bumpy mountain road was covered swiftly atop horses. Yu Han followed closely beside Lu Sheng, ready to guard him at any moment.

The rest of the guards still had not fully calmed down after the earlier fright, so except for the clopping of hooves and breathing, there were no other sounds among the troops.

Lu Sheng's mind was occupied with thoughts.

"A greater monster! I nearly couldn't handle one monster. This 'greater monster' - just the name makes it clear it will definitely be stronger than the last one."

He felt a sense of urgency once more.

He'd thought that at the very least, he now had some self-protection after all this time. Yet after Yan Kai's words, he realized he was still in an extremely dangerous situation.

"Something strange is happening in Jiulian City. Previously, all the forces in the city were looking for someone or something. And now all these monsters and ghosts are appearing. It's absolutely impossible there's no connection between the two."

Lu Sheng contemplated.

"Currently, the only way I can raise my strength is if there's still another level to the Dark Destruction skill. There don't seem to be any other paths I can find."

His brows furrowed tightly.

Silly Lu Qingqing saw him frowning and quietly reached out a finger to poke at his eyebrows, letting out foolish giggles.

Lu Sheng pressed her hand down as his mind raced.

The situation he now faced was dangerous.

The Lu family's influence and business dealings were extensive within the city, involving many areas. With such a large foundation, any issues would spread swiftly throughout Jiulian City.

The midnight cries being resolved would probably circulate soon.

"Since someone knows about the monsters and ghosts, then, for those operating at that level, what exactly is their goal? Yan Kai and the others happened to show up right after I posted the recruitment notice a few days ago and responded promptly. Perhaps there are other forces moving behind the scenes."

He believed Yan Kai's theory of inborn blood aptitude. That kind of exorcism power must require special blood to wield. And this was probably also a prerequisite for stepping into an even higher plane of existence.

All the way back riding the horse, Lu Sheng's mind spun in contemplation. By the time they re-entered the city and arrived at the Lu manor, he finally collected himself a bit and dismounted.

Yan Kai's words left an indistinct frustration weighing on his heart.

No aptitude.

He was merely one of the ordinary people Yan Kai spoke of.

Although according to Yan Kai, it was already incredible for an ordinary person to reach his current level.

But Lu Sheng knew the disparity was still a disparity. His aptitude determined there was a natural, enormous chasm between him and that realm. It also determined that when facing ghosts and monsters in the future, he would be in the disadvantaged position by default.

After dismounting, Lu Sheng saw Second Mother Liu Cuizhu following behind his father Lu Quanan as she tottered out. When Liu Cuizhu saw Lu Qingqing in his arms, relief flooded across her face.

Lu Sheng's heart darkened.

"Come, bring the young miss to her chambers to bathe and rest," he called loudly.

He summoned over several sturdy servant girls to take Lu Qingqing.

Lu Sheng gave a few more orders for the two idiots to also be bathed and settled.

Both Lu Quanan and Second Mother Liu Cuizhu noticed something was off, and it wasn't just because of seeing the two unfamiliar idiots.

More importantly, when Lu Qingqing saw them, she was entirely unresponsive despite her vacant stare. She even yawned as if she didn't recognize them.

"Little Sheng? This... this is...?!" Liu Cuizhu's face paled as she asked in a trembling voice.

"Let's go inside to talk."

Lu Sheng raised his hand to indicate for the guards behind him to disperse and rest. Yu Han would take account of those who had not been frightened senseless earlier.

The group entered the manor. Lu Sheng swiftly arranged for the payment to be prepared so it would be available for Yan Kai's group anytime. Then he led the family elders into the main hall of the inner courtyard.

After dismissing the servant girls and guards, Lu Sheng sat down and gave a full account of the process by which he discovered Lu Qingqing.

He had just finished speaking when Second Mother Liu Cuizhu's eyes rolled back and she collapsed limply, losing consciousness.

"Second Mother!" Lu Sheng rushed over to catch her while Fifth Lady and the others hurriedly came to press her acupoints.

"Qingqing..." Like he had instantly aged another few years, Lu Quanan slumped weakly in place without moving a muscle.

"So she really can't be saved?" he finally asked Lu Sheng with a trace of hope.

"We could ask Elder Yan, perhaps he might..."

Lu Sheng closed his eyes, his expression gloomy, and slowly shook his head. "I've already asked..." His voice was hoarse.

"In my opinion, it's probably better for Eldest Sister to be like this... at least she won't keep going out and stirring up trouble all the time..." his niece, Lu Yingying, muttered softly to the side.

The others did not hear, but thanks to martial arts training, Lu Sheng now had keen senses. His hearing and vision were sharp and he heard her clearly.

He sternly glared at Lu Yingying, causing her body to shudder as she dared not speak again.