”Chapter 10: The Evil Emperor Technique“

Summer Yunxi left with mixed feelings, and Lin Fengmian also returned with a heart full of emotions.

As soon as he arrived back at Qingjiu Peak, Wang Ming's lackeys surrounded him, asking, "Where's Senior Brother Wang Ming?"

After all, generally speaking, the "leeks" at Qingjiu Peak wouldn't have their vitality drained all at once but rather in multiple sessions.

This was because a slow and steady approach allowed for maximum use, as it wasn't easy to find leeks with spiritual roots.

As their vitality was extracted, the "leeks" would actually become more vigorous, and their cultivation of the Nine Yang Divine Technique would improve.

This phenomenon was akin to the "last radiance of the setting sun," burning up the remaining vitality and energy of the leeks.

The leeks, now brimming with energy and seemingly advancing in cultivation, mistakenly attributed this progress to the effects of dual cultivation and thus became even more eager to engage in it.

However, everyone's vitality was limited, and once depleted to a certain extent, they would begin to show signs of weakness.

At that point, the senior sisters of Hongluan Peak would completely drain the leeks' remaining vitality and cultivation in one go, creating the illusion that they had entered the inner sect, thereby deceiving the other leeks.

Wang Ming had already gone eight times, which was considered fairly resilient.

According to Lin Fengmian's observations, he went to Hongluan Peak to collect corpses five times a month, with around sixty leeks dying each year.

Each year, about the same number of new leeks would join, keeping Qingjiu Peak's leek population at around a hundred.

Of course, this wasn't something that could be spoken about openly. Lin Fengmian could only lie, saying, "He passed Senior Sister Liu's test and entered the inner sect."

The surrounding leeks became extremely excited, all sharing in the honor and glory.

After all, in Hehuan Sect's view, entering the inner sect meant one could dual cultivate with the senior sisters, and perhaps even with the sect elders—what a delightful prospect!

However, Lin Fengmian noticed a few people looking thoughtful—these were the leeks who hadn't been completely fooled.

There were always a few clever leeks in every batch, though they didn't last long either.

Lin Fengmian had no interest in paying them any attention and headed straight back to his courtyard.

Lying on his bed, exhausted, his mind was filled with the events of the night, replaying each of his actions silently.

He had underestimated the strength of the Foundation Establishment cultivators. His failure to be forthright with Liu Mei right from the start had almost cost him his backup plan.

Moreover, his decision to use the name of the Hehuan Sect disciple Xie Yuyan had sown the seeds of future trouble.

If Xie Yuyan didn't emerge from her closed-door cultivation soon and was presumed dead, his protective charm would be lost.

If she emerged safely and heard about his lies, who knew how she would retaliate?

Furthermore, from what Liu Mei said, it seemed she was taking orders from someone, likely another member of Hehuan Sect.

In any case, he needed to find a way to escape from Hehuan Sect as soon as possible, or he would be doomed eventually.

And then there was the matter of Summer Yunxi. Thinking of her left Lin Fengmian conflicted.

She had been kind to him, and they had even grown close. It seemed she had some feelings for him.

After all, he wasn't made of stone. Lin Fengmian admitted that he had developed some feelings for Summer Yunxi as well.

Who wouldn't be moved by such a pure and beautiful young woman?

But when he thought about how she was on the verge of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, and how she might end up like Liu Mei, he felt a strong urge to take her away, no matter the cost.

He couldn't bear to see her fall into the same darkness within Hehuan Sect and become like those other demonic women.

But right now, he was barely holding his own.

Lin Fengmian sighed. For now, all he could do was take things one step at a time.

He calmed his mind and quietly began to cultivate, reinforcing the cultivation he had just absorbed from Summer Yunxi.

The reason he could absorb her spiritual energy was because he wasn't cultivating Hehuan Sect's Nine Yang Divine Technique, but the more mysterious Evil Emperor Technique.

It was the technique he had acquired three months ago, after his first nightmare involving the double-fish pendant. He had started practicing it then.

Though he didn't fully understand the technique's effects yet, it seemed to Lin Fengmian that it was far superior to the Nine Yang Divine Technique.

However, tonight had brought him a surprise: the technique could actually absorb other people's cultivation. Wasn't that a bit too sinister?

The name *Evil Emperor Technique* certainly seemed fitting.

Lin Fengmian decided that the next time he entered that strange space, he would ask Luo Xue if she knew anything about this.

He wanted to cultivate in peace, but just as he began, a knock came at his door.

Lin Fengmian was startled. In a low voice, he asked, "Who is it?"

"Senior Brother Lin, are you resting?" a deep male voice responded.

Curious, Lin Fengmian opened the door to find a young male disciple standing outside.

The disciple respectfully greeted Lin Fengmian, "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin. I am Xie Gui."

"What brings you here?" Lin Fengmian recognized Xie Gui as one of the suspicious leeks from earlier.

"May I come inside to speak?" Xie Gui asked cautiously, glancing around.

Lin Fengmian stepped aside to let him in, then closed the door behind him.

As soon as they were alone, Xie Gui suddenly knelt down, pleading, "Please, Senior Brother, save me!"

"Junior Brother, what are you doing?" Lin Fengmian tried to lift him up, but Xie Gui refused to stand.

"Please stand up first. If anyone sees this, it could be troublesome."

Reluctantly, Xie Gui got to his feet, and they both sat at the table. Lin Fengmian poured him a cup of leftover tea.

"Junior Brother Xie, what do you mean by this?"

Xie Gui explained, "Senior Brother, I've been here for six months and have observed everything carefully. Only you have gone to Hongluan Peak multiple times and returned unharmed."

"Others went three or five times at most, with the strongest making it through eight trips. I've already gone three times myself. Please, Senior Brother, help me."

Lin Fengmian chuckled, "Junior Brother, you're overthinking it. I've simply failed to pass the test due to my poor aptitude."

Xie Gui shook his head, "Senior Brother, don't lie to me. My brother Xie Xun supposedly entered the inner sect, but I haven't heard from him since."

"I know him well. He would never abandon me like this. Something must have happened to him. He may even be dead."

He explained how he and his brother had been lured into Hehuan Sect, initially filled with hope for the path of immortality.

After visiting Hongluan Peak twice, they had both experienced the ecstasy of dual cultivation, convinced that the life of a god was within their grasp.

But after his brother entered the inner sect and never returned, Xie Gui began to suspect something was wrong. After much observation, he came to his grim conclusion.

With a deep voice, he pleaded, "Senior Brother, you must possess great abilities to have survived this long. Please, save me. I will serve you in any way."

Lin Fengmian looked at Xie Gui and sighed inwardly. This one was smart, but unfortunately, he had entered Hehuan Sect.

Lin Fengmian could barely save himself. How could he possibly save Xie Gui?

Shaking his head with a smile, he replied, "Junior Brother, you're overthinking it. Your brother is probably just enjoying himself in the inner sect and temporarily forgot about you."

Xie Gui stared at Lin Fengmian, his teeth clenched. "Senior Brother, are you really going to watch me die?"

Lin Fengmian chuckled, "I'm not as capable as you think. I just have poor aptitude, that's all."

With a dark expression, Xie Gui stood up and said coldly, "In that case, I apologize for bothering you."

Watching him leave with a sullen face, Lin Fengmian remained calm, feeling little emotional disturbance.

After all, he barely knew Xie Gui.

If he could have helped easily, he might have. But in his current situation, there was simply nothing he could do.