<h4>Chapter 1509: Chapter 1506: Tainted by Demonic Qi</h4>


    Lu Shuling’s voice contained a trace of undeniable conviction: "He indeed fell into deviation and was eventually killed by our city guards working together."


    As she spoke, aplex emotion shed in her eyes, as if the memories of that battle were still vivid.


    "But..." Her words suddenly paused, and her tone became heavy: "Before he died, I detected demonic qi on him, which is a unique aura of the Otherworldly Demon."


    Upon hearing this, even the usuallyposed Xu Wendong couldn’t help but inhale sharply.


    He knew well that if cultivators inadvertently deviated during cultivation, it would give rise to demonic nature, a terrifying force that could cause one to lose their mind and self.


    However, demonic nature and demonic qi are fundamentally different; the presence of demonic qi often signifies a moreplex and dangerous situation.


    For instance, a cultivator’s mind and body being polluted by the demonic qi of Otherworldly Demon.


    Xu Wendong quickly recovered from the shock, furrowing his brows, eyes shing with determination: "Has there been a simr situation in the city before?"


    Lu Shuling gently shook her head, with a hint of helplessness in her tone: "For me, this is the first time encountering such a bizarre situation."


    Xu Wendong pondered for a moment, finally speaking softly: "Let’s go, I’ll join you in a deeper investigation of this matter."


    Hearing this, Lu Shuling nodded slightly.


    Then, she turned and led Xu Wendong towards the Yizhuang.


    Half an hourter.


    The two arrived at an open area in the West Suburb.


    Looking from afar.


    A ck building stood between heaven and earth.


    Surrounded by wild grass growing rampant, it looked like a solitary ind engulfed by endless gloom and silence.


    All around, tall trees stood like guards, their branches and leaves intertwined into a densely opaque, isting this area from the world, only allowing a few strands of moonlight to barely prate, which were swallowed up by the heavy atmosphere, disappearing without a trace.


    The gate was tightly shut, the thick wooden boards twisted out of shape from years of neglect, covered with moss and mildew, seemingly nature’s silent protest against thisnd of death.


    Whenever wind rose, the gate issued piercing creaks, akin to the gates of hell slowly opening, releasing a chilling air that made one’s heart flutter uneasily.


    "Creak!"


    Lu Shuling pushed open the Yizhuang gate, leading Xu Wendong inside.


    Stepping into Yizhuang, a cold and damp atmosphere instantly enveloped the entire body, like invisible tendrils attempting to drag each intruder into the endless abyss.


    Dim lights flickered on the walls, casting twisted shadows, which seemed to have lives of their own, silently roaming the surroundings, peering into every corner.


    The air was filled with an indescribable stench, the scent of decay and death intertwined, forming an almost suffocating atmosphere, making one nearly nauseous.


    Rows of coffinsy silently, some with lids half-open, exposing pale or decayed faces within, as if silently recounting stories of their lives or voicing discontent after death.


    Here, every breath became difficult, every step fraught with unknown fears.


    Even Xu Wendong felt trepidation upon arriving there.


    "That’s Yun Yang!"


    Finally.


    Lu Shuling opened a vermillion coffin, insidey a middle-aged man appearing in his forties, his face pale, a lethal sword cut across his neck, a shocking sight.


    Seeing the middle-aged man, Xu Wendong activated his Eyes of Golden me, and in an instant, the man’s body structure revealed itself fully in his pupils.


    Just as Lu Shuling stated, Yun Yang did indeed have a weak presence of demonic qi within him.


    However.


    This trace of demonic qi had already withered with his death.


    Xu Wendong spoke: "I feel we should visit Tianji Pavilion to investigate where Yun Yang has been and whom he interacted with recently."


    The appearance of demonic qi in a cultivator is strange and bizarre and must be thoroughly investigated for its cause.


    Afterwards.


    Xu Wendong and Lu Shuling arrived at Tianji Pavilion.


    As a city guard.


    Lu Shuling held significant authority, able to ess records of tasks undertaken by citizens, something ordinary cultivators could not.


    Upon stating her purpose, Tianji Pavilion’s staff promptly handed Yun Yang’s records to Lu Shuling.


    "Ten days ago, Yun Yang and four others executed a Level 5 tasksting three days and two nights, but during the task, they did not encounter any danger."


    Upon seeing this information, Lu Shuling almost ruled out Yun Yang being polluted by Otherworldly Demon’s demonic qi to the point of deviation.


    "After the invasion of the other races, many nts on the ground were contaminated."


    "If Yun Yang consumed a contaminated spirit fruit, such a situation might ur," Lu Shuling expressed her opinion.


    Xu Wendong said: "To be cautious, we should meet the other four people."


    "No need for such trouble, just send them amunication toe over," Lu Shuling immediatelymunicated with the four, asking them toe to Tianji Pavilion.


    Momentster.


    The first person, a young man named Luo You, arrived at Tianji Pavilion.


    Upon learning that Lu Shuling was inquiring about theirst mission’s details, Luo You spoke candidly, with a courteous demeanor: "Our group of five executed the task smoothly; at night we stayed behind a waterfall, although there were Otherworldly Demons outside, they did not sense our presence."


    While Luo You answered Lu Shuling’s questions, Xu Wendong secretly used his Eyes of Golden me, scanning his body, without finding any anomalies.


    It was certain that he had no demonic qi within him.


    Lu Shuling further asked: "During the task, did Yun Yang exhibit any unusual behavior? Did he consume any spirit fruits or mountain springs when outside?"


    Luo You thought for a moment and said: "Yes."


    "Brother Yun Yang discovered a rare Red me Fruit on the ground; despite our opposition, he consumed it directly, after which his cultivation level advanced to the Third Level of the True Immortal Realm."


    The Red me Fruit, a fire element spirit fruit.


    Cultivators possessing a fire element spirit root or practicing fire-based cultivation techniques can elevate their cultivation level upon consumption.


    Luo You continued: "That Red me Fruit was unlike those seen before, with a ck-red color signifying something strange and ominous."


    "At the time, we advised against consuming that Red me Fruit, but Brother Yun Yang was dismissive, iming the ck-red color was due to it being fully ripened."


    "In hindsight, that Red me Fruit was likely contaminated by demonic qi."


    "If only we knew Brother Yun Yang wouldter fall into deviation, we should have taken every measure to prevent him from consuming that Red me Fruit."


    He felt remorseful, believing this could have been avoided earlier.


    Eventually, the remaining three arrived at Tianji Pavilion, their answers identical to Luo You’s, all recalling the ck-red Red me Fruit.


    Believing Yun Yang’s death was intricately linked to that Red me Fruit.


    At this moment, a pressing call came from Lu Shuling’smunication jade card: "Whoever’s near Sinan Street, hurry, hurry, someone’s fallen into possession here!"