The words from Guo Nu sent Ye Wen's mind wandering into murky territory, but others did not share his complex thoughts.

The Celestial Master Tian Yi and Zen Master Hui Xin were the most knowledgeable about the Demon Cult's martial arts; the moment they heard the description, they understood the situation. After a brief probe, both recognized Madam Hua Shen's technique as the Profound Yin True Art, one of the Demon Cult's paramount demonic methods. They were intimately familiar with its characteristics and knew its maneuvers like the back of their hands.

Upon hearing Guo Nu's words, Celestial Master Tian Yi immediately asked, "Are you suggesting that Miss Hua is cultivating the Profound Yin Qi, which is refined specifically to provide pure Yin energy for those practicing the Profound Yin True Art?"

Guo Nu nodded, unable to speak, merely clutching his chest in evident pain.

It turned out that Shen Yuqing's desperate lunge toward the Tianle Gang members had been solely to absorb the pure Yin energy emanating from Hua Yi. Now that Shen Yuqing's true identity was exposed, and Guo Nu realized Lin Hai had been manipulated by this woman all along, making them seem like fools who had been toyed with, he was overcome with indignation. Not wishing for her power to grow further, he instantly blocked her path, shouting, "Elder Hua, hurry and leave! Your Master is actually using you as a furnace to refine Yin energy, and now she intends to claim all your cultivation for herself!"

Without waiting to see if Hua Yi believed him, he unleashed a punch. However, Guo Nu's power was limited, compounded by his existing injuries, preventing him from exerting his full strength. Shen Yuqing didn't even spare him a glance, merely muttering, "Overestimating yourself!" With a casual wave, Guo Nu felt a jolt in his chest again, a stream of chilling Yin energy surging directly into his body, twisting and raging within, causing him unbearable pain until he collapsed, unable to rise.

Fortunately, Shen Yuqing hadn't intended to take his life with that strike. After dismissing him, she landed before Hua Yi, tightly gripping her wrist, terrified she might escape.

Hua Yi was stunned in place, completely bewildered by the turn of events. Hearing Guo Nu’s accusation, she had initially thought he was trying to trick her, but seeing the look in her Master’s eyes now, she began to believe it.

"Elder Guo, is what you said true?"

Shen Yuqing let out a delicate laugh. "I have taught you for over twenty years... Your ability to read faces and discern truth isn't bad; can you not tell whether it's real or fake now?" As she spoke, her movements were swift; she struck out with both hands, one hitting Hua Yi’s chest and the other her lower abdomen. Before Hua Yi could react, she felt the Profound Yin Qi she had cultivated for two decades completely leave her control, surging out of her body—like a rushing river, transferring in an instant through these two points into her Master’s body.

That true energy coursed violently through her, an unbearable sensation that injured several meridians in the process. Yet, her Master showed no intention of stopping; instead, she urged it faster and faster, completely draining Hua Yi's entire cultivation in the blink of an eye.

"I nurtured you for over twenty years for this very day! Originally, with your looks and innate Seductive Bone, you were not without use. It's a pity that right now, I can no longer afford to worry about you..."

With that, she lifted the dazed and bewildered Hua Yi, who had just learned the truth, and leaped away. Only when she saw Ye Wen did she casually toss Hua Yi aside. It was only then that Hua Yi understood she was merely trash her Master could discard at any moment. All the kindness shown to her before was only due to her Yin energy.

Guo Nu, while secretly regulating his breath, explained the entire affair, relaying all the inside information he had learned in the preceding days. Only then did everyone realize that Hua Yi was also a tragic woman, no different from Lin Hai, having been exploited for over two decades.

However, Lin Hai eventually felt something amiss, couldn't bear the internal torment, and sought an end. Hua Yi, conversely, only learned the truth at the very last moment, only to be cast aside by the Master she viewed as her own mother.

"Alas!"

Seeing Hua Yi still standing there in a daze, everyone couldn't help but sigh. Ye Wen, now aware of the truth, didn't know how to handle this woman. He glanced at Guo Nu, finally asking, "Then Elder Hua... is Miss Hua's entire cultivation effectively ruined?" With the Tianle Gang dismantled, calling her Elder Hua was no longer appropriate.

Guo Nu had swallowed several elixirs given to him by Celestial Master Tian Yi and regulated his breathing for a while before answering, "I am not sure about that. We would have to ask my Master!"

This statement drew gasps and questions from everyone: "Who is your Master?"

When Guo Nu first appeared in the martial world, many had speculated about his master's identity, but no one ever found out. Based on his orthodox Chan School martial arts, they inferred his master must be a figure of considerable standing within the Chan School, otherwise, he wouldn't have learned such profound Chan arts.

Now that he spoke, though everyone present was a renowned figure in the Jianghu, they couldn't resist the burning fire of gossip.

Just as Guo Nu was about to reply, Zen Master Hui Xin suddenly spoke, "Amitabha. Allow this humble monk to dispel the confusion for everyone on behalf of my junior disciple!"

This declaration shocked everyone. Guo Nu offered Zen Master Hui Xin a bitter smile, "Disciple is incompetent, bringing shame upon Master!"

Zen Master Hui Xin merely placed a hand on Guo Nu, channeling his Chan energy to examine his disciple's injuries. He then said, "It's just a palm strike; who hasn't known defeat? But upon examining Guo Nu's internal injuries with his true energy, his brow furrowed: "This Profound Yin True Art is indeed domineering and fierce. Fortunately, she didn't use her full power when striking you. And Madam Shen clearly cultivated it using extraction methods; this Yin energy is fierce yet impure. While it won't cost him his life, healing it will require certain measures!"

In terms of lethality, purity meant greater force. But in terms of trouble, complexity meant greater headaches. Shen Yuqing's Yin skill was entirely achieved through extraction. Even if Hui Xin was powerful enough to clear some impurities, it was ultimately less pure than energy cultivated steadfastly. In combat, to ensure power, she focused all her effort, and the Yin strike she sent out was relatively pure. But the Yin strike casually sent into Guo Nu’s body was mixed with many miscellaneous elements. When Hui Xin probed, although he found the force wouldn't kill his disciple, clearing it would be quite laborious.

Fortunately, if the force was impure, this Yin energy would dissipate on its own after some time. Even without intervention, Guo Nu could recover after resting and recuperating for a year or two.

"It will just mean you suffer a bit!"

The crowd remained silent as they watched the master and disciple converse. Most were still reeling from the revelation that Guo Nu was the disciple of Zen Master Hui Xin, the Abbot of the Chan School.

Ye Wen secretly thought, It's a good thing I didn't go all-out against Guo Nu back then. If I had accidentally killed the brat and provoked this old monk, it would have been a massive headache!

Hearing Zen Master Hui Xin say that the true energy in Guo Nu's body was problematic, Ye Wen proactively offered, "My school's cultivation method has remarkable efficacy in regulating meridians and healing internal injuries. Perhaps you would allow me to take a look?"

"Oh?" Celestial Master Tian Yi had initially planned to ask an old friend for assistance in treatment, but he hadn't expected Ye Wen to step forward voluntarily. He recalled Celestial Master Tian Yi mentioning that Ye Wen’s internal arts belonged to the Daoist lineage, and many Daoist methods possess restorative and life-preserving abilities. Since Ye Wen offered, he must have considerable confidence!

Putting down Hua Yi's wrist, Ye Wen looked at the woman still sitting there, wide-eyed and utterly stunned, confirming she was temporarily stable. He then walked over to Guo Nu, took his wrist, and pressed two fingers against it. A strand of Innate Purple Qi followed the acupoints into Guo Nu's body.

"It's not troublesome at all. It will be fixed in an instant!"

With just one probe, Ye Wen discerned that the Yin force within Guo Nu wasn't overwhelmingly potent. Although it contained some extraneous energies, it was nothing significant to Ye Wen.

"The impurities and toxins in the Green Fruit were far more bothersome than this!"

Ye Wen hadn't cared about the Green Fruit; how could he worry about this mere casual Yin strike? As Ye Wen's surrounding purple energy flared and then vanished instantly, the crowd, anticipating some grand display of technique, watched as the head of the Shushan Sect released Guo Nu's wrist and casually stated, "Done. That Yin force is eliminated. Elder Guo only needs to regulate his meridians properly; I expect he will recover soon!"

Everyone was greatly astonished, including Guo Nu himself, who was shocked.

"It's done?"

Ye Wen nodded.

Guo Nu didn't say more, but secretly checked his internal state; the Yin force was indeed gone. When Ye Wen’s Innate Purple Qi entered his body just moments ago, he felt a warm comfort spreading through his meridians. He hadn't even begun to feel how the Yin force was being annihilated when Ye Wen simply declared it fixed.

Moreover, upon further investigation, the slightly damaged meridians showed significant improvement. While not fully healed, they no longer ached faintly, and the areas Ye Wen’s energy had passed through seemed on the verge of recovery. Only then did he realize that Ye Wen’s claim of extraordinary efficacy in treating internal injuries was not arrogance but profound understatement.

Celestial Master Tian Yi was also startled. Seeing the look of joy on Guo Nu's face, he knew Ye Wen spoke truthfully, and he exclaimed, "May I ask which lineage your esteemed sect inherits from?"

Although the Tiandao Sect was a Daoist school, it only represented one branch. Daoism had many sub-schools; for instance, the Jade Cave Sect also practiced Daoism, seeking the path to eternal life. This shared some similarities with the Tiandao Sect's focus on life preservation but also held many differences. The Shushan Sect’s techniques, it seemed, emphasized the ability to nourish and heal. He couldn't immediately recall which lineage this belonged to.

Ye Wen answered casually upon hearing the question, "Our sect's inheritance comes from Quanzhen!" He didn't elaborate further, letting the others speculate. Celestial Master Tian Yi naturally stopped asking; it was merely a casual inquiry for him. Given the multitude of Daoist inheritances, it wasn't strange that there were hidden sects he didn't know about.

By easily healing Guo Nu, he had forged a good connection with the Chan School. Zen Master Hui Xin bowed to Ye Wen, "We must first thank Sect Leader Ye for treating my junior disciple! Since Sect Leader Ye was asking about the recovery of this young lady's skills, allow me to answer that as well!"

Only then did everyone remember Hua Yi, still sitting on the ground, silent and still, like a dead thing. Though exquisitely beautiful, she was utterly devoid of life and couldn't draw any attention.

"Speaking of Miss Hua's skills, we must first mention the Demon Sect's Profound Yin True Art. This particular technique..." Zen Master Hui Xin, seemingly accustomed to lecturing sutras, spoke with unparalleled clarity, each word distinct and rhythmic, delivered at a measured pace that could induce drowsiness.

Fortunately, Ye Wen was quite curious about the Profound Yin True Art, so he listened intently, not daring to miss a single word.

"Why does it sound a bit like the Star Absorbing Great Method?"

It could absorb the vital energy and cultivation of others, possessing numerous drawbacks—it did indeed share some similarities with the technique of that Cult Master. Over-absorption would also lead to impure cultivation. However, if the Star Absorbing Great Method led to excessively mixed cultivation, it would result in death. The Profound Yin True Art could at least neutralize some impurities, but its ability to absorb others' cultivation was not as dominant as the Star Absorbing Great Method.

"Overall, it's slightly stronger than the Star Absorbing Great Method, but weaker than the North Darkness Divine Art... A half-baked thing?"

The more he listened, the more this impression solidified, yet it wasn't the time to voice his thoughts. He simply listened quietly as Zen Master Hui Xin narrated. With most matters settled, Ning Ruxue and Xu Xian jumped onto the platform, intending to ask Ye Wen for instructions—whether they should leave immediately. Many sects, seeing that the grand assembly could no longer proceed and the fighting was over, had already started departing.

As for whether it would resume tomorrow, most assumed the conference had concluded here. Numerous sects suffered losses, while those largely unscathed were the powerful major sects, which rarely engaged in disputes. Seeing the duel between the Tianle Gang and the Azure Dragon Society, followed by the subsequent annihilation of the Tianle Gang, was already a major event. Leaving now wouldn't feel like a wasted trip.

Ning Ruxue and Xu Xian kept several disciples waiting nearby. After bidding farewell to a few sects they chatted with, they came to find Ye Wen, only to see him listening to the old monk speak, while Elder Hua of the Tianle Gang sat motionlessly on the ground.

Xu Xian walked over and waved his hand in front of Hua Yi’s eyes, finding she showed no reaction. He frowned, thinking, Has this woman fallen victim to some dark magic?

Ning Ruxue glanced a few times; though strange, she didn't speak, merely standing beside Ye Wen to listen to Zen Master Hui Xin's detailed explanation.

"Therefore, to resolve the many issues of the Profound Yin True Art, a master of the Demon Sect created this Profound Yin Qi technique. Subsequently, countless practitioners of the Profound Yin True Art attempted to use this method to complete the deficiencies in their internal energy, but very few succeeded. Who would have thought that today Madam Shen would achieve it!"

"Why did few succeed in this method?" Ye Wen didn't understand. It was just finding a furnace to cultivate and then absorbing it. Why was this method rarely successful?

Zen Master Hui Xin did not answer but merely recited a Buddhist phrase. It was Celestial Master Tian Yi who spoke, "That is because, to cultivate the purest Profound Yin Qi, one must find a woman with an innate Seductive Bone possessing a trace of Utmost Pure Yin Qi, teach her the Profound Yin Qi cultivation method from childhood, soak her for years in medicinal juices made from rare ingredients to improve her constitution, and this must continue for decades to bring the Profound Yin Qi to the required stage!"

He glanced at Hua Yi as he finished: "Judging by this young lady's age and cultivation, Madam Shen must have employed many methods, expended immense wealth and resources, and even risked damaging her own cultivation to advance hers to this level at such a young age!"

"More importantly, once the woman cultivating the Profound Yin Qi... yields to passion, this hard-earned Profound Yin Qi becomes useless to that person..., A furnace that is extremely difficult to find, requires massive financial and spiritual investment to nurture, and is ultimately very fragile, is naturally rare!"

Saying this, he glanced at Hua Yi again: "This young lady has such natural talent; she would have achieved great things practicing any martial art. It's a pity Madam Shen found her..." Here, he didn't know how to continue and simply stopped speaking.

By now, Xu Xian and Ning Ruxue also understood: Hua Yi had always been her Master's cultivation furnace, and now that her energy had been drained by her Master, she had been abandoned here. Furthermore, based on what they heard, Hua Yi must have been raised by her Master since childhood, likely viewing Madam Shen as her own mother, only to meet such an end. No wonder she looked the way she did.

Thinking of this, pity inevitably flooded their hearts. Ning Ruxue asked quietly, "Senior Brother, this Hua..." After several pauses, unable to find a suitable address, she finally asked directly, "Can Miss Hua be cured in this state?"

Ye Wen had listened to everything and examined Hua Yi’s internal meridians with his true energy, gaining a general understanding of her condition: "Theoretically speaking, Miss Hua is not in grave danger. Although her meridians have suffered some trauma, they can recover with slight regulation. It's just the psychological impact..."

He glanced back and saw her vacant eyes, unsure how to proceed, and finally sighed, "We will do our utmost, and then let fate decide..."

He could only do his part and leave the final outcome to destiny; he couldn't control it! Or perhaps, he could entrust Hua Yi to someone else? But the thought felt unsettling.

Without waiting for Xu Xian or Ning Ruxue to ask, he directly stated, "Let’s take her with us for now!"

Just as he was preparing to lead the group down the mountain and head toward the capital, Beichen Yan spoke up, "It’s getting late today. Why don't all of you stay at our sect tonight?"

Ye Wen intended to decline briefly, but seeing Zen Master Hui Xin and the others nodding in agreement, he said, "Then we shall impose!"

He turned to look; the members of the Tian Shan Sect had vanished at some point, likely having departed like most others. Only the Jade Cave Sect, Tiandao Sect, Chan School, and his own Shushan Sect remained on North Sword Peak. Even the members of the Azure Dragon Society seemed to have left at some unnoted time, but Beichen Yan showed no surprise, suggesting she had already arranged it with him.

After that, no one spoke much further. They followed the North Sword Gate disciples to their assigned residences. Almost every sect was allocated a large courtyard, featuring numerous rooms for lodging and two or three larger bedrooms specifically prepared for the leaders.

Ye Wen led his group into the courtyard. The North Sword Gate disciple said, "Please rest here, esteemed guests. Hot water for bathing has been prepared in the rooms, and food and drink will be delivered shortly."

After thanking him and seeing the disciple leave, Ye Wen arranged rooms for his own disciples, finally turning to Ning Ruxue, "I trouble you, Junior Sister..."

He turned back to see Ning Ruxue returning, holding Hua Yi's hand. Coupled with some external injuries Hua Yi sustained from falling, which he found inconvenient to treat, he handed her some medicinal ointment, asking Ning Ruxue to tend to the wounds.

What puzzled Ye Wen was that Hua Yi seemed utterly devoid of spirit now, dazed and clueless about everything. Yet, she seemed subtly to be avoiding him, keeping to the far side when walking, never near Ye Wen.

"Did she perhaps fall too hard and instinctively fear me?"