“Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully eliminating the true culprit behind the Qi family massacre.” “Reward: 1,500 Counterattack Points.” “Reward: Top-grade Defensive Artifact—Golden Ao Bell.” “Reward: New Talent—[Clear Dao Heart].”

Accompanied by the familiar, cold mechanical voice, a wave of profound relief washed over Qi Yuan.

His Divine Soul clarified instantly. His thoughts, once cluttered, became crystal clear, as if he had shattered an invisible set of shackles. His connection to the Heaven and Earth became seamless, his perception expanding effortlessly.

Simultaneously, the spiritual power within his body purified. Dao Rhythms surged around his Nascent Soul, pushing his cultivation to the absolute peak of the mid-Nascent Soul stage in a matter of breaths.

He had a distinct feeling that the next time he sat down to cultivate, he would only need to circulate his technique a few times to breakthrough to the late Nascent Soul stage. The threshold that blocked others simply didn’t exist for him anymore.

Even more surprising was the loot he had just acquired from the Soul Search.

I didn’t expect much, but wow…

The Slaughtering Daoist truly lived up to his reputation as a ruthless titan who once shook the world. The memories and techniques stored in that twisted mind were substantial.

From the start, Qi Yuan had never intended to let Han Lie live.

He didn’t lack capable subordinates. In terms of power, prestige, and style, Shao Xuanji—the Sect Master of the Exquisite Sanctuary—was countless times more valuable than a lone wolf like Han Lie.

There was no point in keeping an untamable wolf by his side. A man like Han Lie was a ticking time bomb; he possessed zero loyalty and would betray his master at the first sign of weakness or opportunity.

Rather than nursing a future stab in the back, it was far better to slaughter him, complete the System mission, and squeeze every drop of value from his soul.

After a moment of reflection, Qi Yuan gathered his thoughts. He released his grip, letting the corpse—which originally belonged to the real Qi family scion—drop to the floor.

He turned to Qin Lingxue with a faint smile.

“Fairy Qin, the evil has been executed. However, this vessel was once your fiancé. It is only appropriate that I leave the handling of his remains to you.”

He wasn’t a demonic cultivator, so the original owner’s corpse held no value to him. It was better to do a favor and hand it over to Qin Lingxue for a proper burial.

Although this young woman appeared cold as ice, her character was solid. Qi Yuan appreciated women who were efficient and didn’t drown in unnecessary sentiment. Plus, she had taught him quite a few sword control tricks over the past two days; legally and morally, he owed her a small solid.

Qin Lingxue gazed at the motionless corpse with a complex expression. A trace of genuine pity flashed in her beautiful eyes.

She sighed softly, extending a slender finger. A wisp of spiritual fire danced forth, engulfing the body. In moments, the vessel was reduced to clean white ash.

She retrieved a small, exquisite jade jar from her storage bracelet and carefully collected the remains.

Only after sealing the jar did her expression relax.

“Brother Qi’s life was full of hardship,” she said, her tone filled with lament. “I never thought he would be denied peace even in death, his body used by a monster to nearly cause a calamity.”

She tucked the jar away. “This is the best outcome. Once we leave this place, I will find a scenic spot with green mountains and clear water to bury him. At least then, he can finally rest.”

She straightened up, her expression turning solemn as she bowed deeply to Qi Yuan.

“The Slaughtering Daoist’s ‘Borrowing a Corpse to Return the Soul’ scheme may seem like a small ripple, but it was fraught with extreme danger. If he had been allowed to recover his strength, it would have been a catastrophe for all living beings.”

“Fortunately, Fellow Daoist stood forward to uphold justice for the Heavens. Lingxue is endlessly grateful. I will surely repay this great kindness in the future!”

Qi Yuan chuckled and waved his hand dismissively. “Fairy Qin, there is no need for such formality. It was merely a lift of the hand.”

“Thank you.”

A rare, faint smile bloomed on Qin Lingxue’s stunning, frost-kissed face. She turned to leave, but her steps halted almost immediately.

“Fellow Daoist Qi…”

Her lips parted slightly, hesitation flickering in her eyes.

Qi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “Is something wrong?”

“There is… a matter I wish to ask your advice on.”

Qin Lingxue bit her lower lip lightly. After a moment of internal struggle, she gathered her courage.

“To be honest, ever since I inherited the Abyssal Frost Sword, my cultivation has skyrocketed. However, influenced by the sword’s innate freezing power, my emotions are gradually… fading. My personality is becoming colder, more indifferent.”

She clutched her chest, her voice trembling slightly.

“Even towards people or events I once held dear, I find it difficult to feel anything. That is why I clung to the engagement with the Qi family. I hoped the bond of that childhood affection would anchor my humanity and delay the process.”

“But the effect was negligible. When that demon destroyed the marriage contract in front of me, I didn’t feel a shred of anger or sadness.”

She looked up at him, fear visible in her gaze. “I am afraid… if this continues, one day I will lose all human emotion completely. I will become nothing more than a cold, ruthless tool for the sword.”

“If I have no feelings left… can I even be called human?”

Hearing this, Qi Yuan’s expression turned serious.

“Fairy Qin, if that is truly the case, I suggest you abandon the sword immediately.”

He looked her in the eye. “There are many paths to the Dao. With your talent, you could easily switch to another technique. Losing yourself for the sake of a weapon? The loss far outweighs the gain.”

Qin Lingxue shook her head firmly.

“Fellow Daoist Qi, I understand your reasoning. But from the moment the Abyssal Frost Sword recognized me as its master, I have carried the hopes of every sword cultivator in the Abyssal Sanctuary.”

“The Sanctuary has shown me kindness as heavy as a mountain. If I abandon this precious inheritance for my own selfish preservation… how is that different from betrayal?”

She stepped closer, her gaze burning with intensity.

“Fellow Daoist Qi, your actions are always unexpected. In just two days, you have surprised me countless times. You see things differently than others.”

“So, I implore you… help me solve this problem. What do you think someone in my situation should do to regain their emotions? Even if it just stops the condition from worsening, I would be satisfied.”

She bowed gracefully to him again, her expression a mix of nervousness and desperate anticipation.

Qi Yuan blinked, then instantly understood.

Well, well… so she’s admiring my immense talent and brilliant heroism, actively coming to me for guidance…

He smirked internally.

I have to say, this girl really knows how to judge people!