Visiting (Part 2)

He ultimately ignored Senior Liao's warning and decided to try and observe someone else's ancestor struggling against their inner demon.

Actually, it wasn't mainly because he wanted to observe; he simply wanted to bring Fuzi along to gain some insight, so that Fuzi would have a concrete understanding of inner demons and wouldn't panic if he ever encountered one in the future.

Of course, he wouldn't expect them to let him observe for free. He could offer something in return.

"Although I might not have any particularly effective methods to help your family's ancestor, I might be able to lighten their burden a little?"

Lin Xiao deliberated as he said this to Yuan Qing.

This help naturally wouldn't involve giving away Senior Liao's Ice Plain Spirit.

He had just suddenly remembered that he possessed a spell called "Purification Art."

And the third level of this "Purification Art" had the effect of purifying the mind and sea of consciousness.

Although Lin Xiao wasn't sure if this would have any fundamental effect on resisting inner demons,

he thought that since inner demons were born in the mind and sea of consciousness, if he used the third level of Purification Art on the Yuan Family Ancestor, even if it couldn't help eradicate the inner demon, it might at least allow the ancestor to calm their spirit and keep their mind and sea of consciousness clearer, preventing the inner demon from consuming them too quickly?

If so, that should count as helping them, right?

Having paid the admission, it would be perfectly reasonable for him and Fuzi to observe, wouldn't it?

Hearing this, Yuan Qing was stunned for a moment.

He seemed not to have expected that Brother Lin could possess the ability to help an elder in the Nascent Soul stage.

After all, in his memory, just a year ago, the other party had descended with him into the Greenfield Secret Realm, which only permitted Qi Refining cultivators to enter. In a single year, even if the other party was a genius in cultivation, it was impossible for them to have improved that drastically.

It seemed that this Brother Lin might come from a family with deep heritage.

But regardless of that, none of it mattered to him now. What mattered was only Lin Xiao's words about being able to help lighten his family ancestor's burden.

"Brother Lin… are you serious?"

He asked instinctively, then immediately realized the impropriety, and quickly added:

"I don't doubt your words, but my family's ancestor is a Nascent Soul cultivator. The inner demon that has entangled him for years is no ordinary one. If Brother Lin can truly help my ancestor lighten even a single bit, I would be endlessly grateful."

Lin Xiao wasn't certain either, since he had never actually encountered an inner demon before. But he figured that given the Yuan Family Ancestor's current state, it was worth trying, since it couldn't hurt.

Moreover, because this Purification Art was a spell he had synthesized himself, he had a thorough mastery over it. So truthfully, he had some confidence in its effect.

Still, he couldn't make overly confident claims. So he said:

"I'm not sure if I can help, or how much help I can offer. But it is possible. And since we've known each other for a while and are friends, I truly don't want to see you so distressed. That's why I boldly brought this up."

Liao Pantu, in the Soul-Nurturing Pendant, understood everything: Hah, if you hadn't asked me just now, I might have believed that.

That Lin Xiao had truly perfected the skill of lying through his teeth.

Hearing this, Yuan Qing was deeply moved. He came over, bowed deeply, and said emotionally:

"Brother Lin treats me as a friend—I am endlessly grateful! Since Brother Lin is willing to help, regardless of the outcome, our Yuan family will be filled with gratitude! I'll go back immediately and speak to my uncle about this!"

With that, Yuan Qing turned and was about to rush out. Lin Xiao quickly stopped him:

"Hey, hey, wait a moment, Brother Yuan!"

Hearing this, Yuan Qing stopped his anxious steps, turned to look at him, and silently asked with his eyes what was the matter.

Lin Xiao instructed:

"Brother Yuan, listen. I don't expect the entire Yuan family to be grateful to me, really. Let's not make a big commotion. It's best if no one else knows about this—keep it low-key, low-key."

Hearing this, Yuan Qing nodded knowingly:

"I know you don't like attention and prefer to stay low-key. Don't worry. When I return, I'll speak to my uncle and have him arrange everything so that your situation won't be leaked to others. But I'll have to tell the truth to my uncle. However, Brother Lin, rest assured! My uncle is an upright man, and even if only for the sake of our ancestor, he will never divulge it."

In Yuanling City, Lin Xiao had gathered news from various sources. He had heard plenty of unsavory stories about other families, but most of the larger family heads were still relatively decent people, and he had never heard any bad rumors about the Yuan family head.

After all, for an old, established family, if the family head was corrupt, either the family or Yuanling City itself would have already declined.

So Lin Xiao had some degree of trust in the Yuan family head's character.

And if worse came to worst, he could always have the person swear a Heavenly Oath.

What he didn't know was that Yuan Qing was thinking: If his uncle, the family head, had to reveal Brother Lin's situation for some reason… then he would just have to erase his uncle's memories of Brother Lin.

Even though his uncle had always been good to him.

But Brother Lin's kindness was truly too great.

Now, even risking exposure for himself, he was willing to help the family ancestor.

Such a debt of gratitude could only be repaid with complete devotion, even at the cost of his life.

Neither was aware of the other's thoughts.

"You say you have a friend who might have a way to lighten the ancestor's burden in resisting the inner demon?"

Looking at Yuan Qing before him, Yuan Bi asked, both surprised and delighted.

In the main branch residence of the Yuan family, Yuan Bi's study was utterly empty of any figures. Layers of barriers and restrictions surrounded it, keeping unrelated people far away and unable to approach within earshot.

Seeing his uncle so overjoyed, Yuan Qing couldn't suppress his own excitement as he nodded in reply:

"He said he isn't very certain, but he's willing to try. I came back to ask for your opinion. What do you think, Uncle?"

"Excellent, excellent!" Yuan Bi exclaimed, nodding happily.

No matter what, the ancestor's current condition could no longer afford the luxury of slowly seeking out Cold Plain Spirit. The requests for help sent to Talisman Sect had never received a reply, and Yuan Bi had been feeling quite disheartened.

Now, hearing the good news that Yuan Qing had brought back, he felt that heaven had not abandoned the Yuan family after all!

But on second thought, the fact that the family ancestor had reached the point where any help, even a desperate gamble, was welcome, stirred a hint of sadness in his heart.

These thoughts, however, passed in an instant. As someone who had been the family head for many years, he wouldn't dwell on such trivial matters. He immediately said to Yuan Qing:

"I will make the arrangements right away. Regardless of the outcome, since your friend is willing to help at this time, I will be deeply grateful! As for your friend not wanting to be known, I understand completely. Make him rest assured—I will handle everything meticulously. If he still has concerns, I will voluntarily seal these memories myself."