Chapter 347: 353. Chapter 353: Break, Let Go, Detach

353. Chapter 353: Break, Let Go, Detach

A pop.

Another karma line snapped.

But after Lin Ke clarified the origin of Death Person Valley and his own ties to it in this world, this was the reward he obtained.

It had nothing to do with the promise made to Lauren Bend.

So far, of the five karma lines and one lock on the door, two karma lines have been severed, progress is encouraging.

Lin Ke has already understood.

Given the lack of information, his judgment that winning first place in the martial arts tournament eight years later would let him pass the trial was mistaken.

Becoming the new supreme martial artist cannot sever the karma lines, nor cut the lock, nor push open the door.

Based on the experience of severing the two previous karma lines, Lin Ke believes that cutting off his ties to this world and repaying the favors he received is the true way to sever karma, remove the lock, and complete the trial's core.

Based on this, he speculated that the remaining three karma lines might be on his master Li Shuwen, on the Eight Extremes Martial Arts Hall, and on the Human Immortal Martial Arts.

These three are strongly connected, but should be dealt with separately in a dialectical manner.

Li Shuwen's breakthrough, the development of the Eight Extremes Martial Arts Hall, the exploration of Human Immortal Martial Arts, or something like that.

As for the lock on the door, Lin Ke also had a new speculation.

According to the voyage log of the Sky Shuttle, the time when Lauren Bend's batch of wizard apprentices descended upon this world was exactly this world's ancient era.

If Hu Suqi's statement is correct, the ancient shamans were 'extraterrestrial visitors', possibly exactly that batch of wizard apprentices who left Death Person Valley and scattered.

Ancient witchcraft corresponds to the altered pure elemental system witchcraft, and evil witchcraft corresponds to the altered biological cultivation/modification type witchcraft.

However, matching them up this way leaves one thing unexplained,

namely the existence of the Dao and Buddhist teachings in this world.

Therefore, Lin Ke speculates that the shamans who descended upon this world in ancient times were not only that batch of wizard apprentices from the wizard world.

One must know that the goal of the Wizard World's High Council is the parallel universe behind the special ruin planet.

Could it be that this world lies at the conceptual boundary between the universe where the Wizard World resides and the parallel universe?

Thus, time's rules are chaotic, and it is simultaneously affected by both universes.

However, the influence of the universe where the Wizard World resides is slightly weaker.

Thus, the orthodox path of cultivation in the parallel universe, or one of them, is immortal cultivation / true cultivation.

This possibility could be true.

Shaking his head, Lin Ke pressed this speculation to the back of his mind, not wanting to dwell on it too much.

Instead, be pragmatic, focus on the trial, and devote energy to severing karma and the lock.

"Junior Brother, what's wrong?"

Senior Brother Shi looked at Lin Ke, who suddenly zoned out and then shook his head, feeling puzzled.

"Nothing, just thought of some trivial matters."

Lin Ke came to his senses, replied, and then led Senior Brother Shi, Hu Suqi, Min Ruhua, and Xu Huiyun back to the hatch of the Sky Shuttle.

"Can we go in now?"

Xu Huiyun came to the door and became excited, full of anticipation.

"No."

Lin Ke, however, directly doused them with a bucket of cold water: "The things inside are not suitable for you to see; they would cause unnecessary conflict."

"Oh."

Xu Huiyun instantly felt utterly disappointed, her head drooping, her whole spirit wilted.

The girl's lively and unrestrained nature was fully revealed.

Min Ruhua raised her right hand, bent her fingers, and lightly tapped Xu Huiyun's crown as a warning and reminder.

Only then did Xu Huiyun compose her expression and straighten her attitude.

No longer prioritizing interest and curiosity.

Lin Ke then turned to look at Hu Suqi and asked, "Hu Songqi has run into trouble—will you save her?"

?

Hu Suqi was taken aback by this question and felt doubtful.

She certainly knew that her own troublesome illegitimate younger sister also had to enter Death Person Valley.

However, before and after entering the valley, the two had never met face to face.

Moreover, privately speaking, they were still enemies.

"What does Hu Songqi's problem have to do with her, Hu Suqi?"

However, Hu Suqi, who navigates the provincial capital's social circles with ease, is naturally sharp and quick-witted, and immediately grasped Lin Ke's intention behind his question.

One possibility is that Lin Ke himself wants to save her; another is that Lin Ke still doesn't want to get involved with their father.

So he took a roundabout way; even if clever people could see through it, acting in Hu Suqi's name would be much better.

"Is it troublesome? Will it cause you trouble?"

Hu Suqi answered understandingly.

"Not troublesome."

Lin Ke said, raising his hand to grasp at empty space.

Hu Songqi, who had fallen deep in the peach forest, at the bottom of a cliff, unconscious and severely wounded, still clutching the evil witchcraft secret manual, was transported through the first half of Death Person Valley to beneath the longevity peach tree.

The martial artists who were exploring elsewhere only saw a streak of light streak across the sky.

Even the surveillance of the camp outside the valley failed to capture this process clearly.

After Hu Songqi landed, he remained unconscious.

"What's wrong with her?"

Hu Suqi saw the situation and spoke up to inquire.

Even if the relationship is bad, the blood relation is there, cannot be denied.

So I might as well not act cold-heartedly, lest I become disliked.

Lin Ke, hearing that, couldn't help but recall how Hu Songqi seemed to step by step walk into the peach blossom depths, but in reality had fallen to the bottom of the cliff.

Conceptual harm, in the end, unknowingly fed back to the true self.

Furthermore, after Hu Songqi discovered that evil witchcraft secret manual in her hands, she lost her composure and became obsessed with it.

When Loren Bend threatened Lin Ke, Hu Songqi suffered collateral damage, her injuries worsened, so she ended up in this state.

"Due to greed."

Lin Ke gave a brief answer, then pointed with his hand.

A streak of green light fell onto Hu Songqi's brow, then starting from the brow, it split into two paths: one flowed toward the soul, the other nourished the whole body.

In a moment, Hu Suqi felt it was very tricky, possibly needing at least ten days to eight months of treatment to properly heal the injury, yet it healed just like that.

This healing technique directly left Hu Suqi shocked, her mouth hanging open, unable to close.

As for Shi Senior Brother, Min Ruhua, and Xu Huiyun, three martial artists of the Human Immortal Martial Dao, there's no need to say more.

Medicine and martial arts are interconnected.

As martial artists who have attained the unity of Human Immortal Martial Dao, the three of them somewhat understand some medicine, and of course they comprehend the excellence of Lin Ke's healing technique.

That is, Lin Ke did not employ any secret mental arts, nor did he peek at the psychological fluctuations of those few.

If one were to know what they are thinking right now, they would surely retort, 'Do you understand the value of the term "medical" in the Ruiwo Suosi Biological and Medical Institute?'

This is an extraordinary medical system personally founded by the Suosi Eighth-Rank Grand Sage.

Even if the rules of this world differ, and wizardry from the wizard world cannot be copied directly, Lin Ke, in a state of 'inspiration bursting forth,' drew analogies and adapted wizardry into the secret technique he now uses.

But the prestige of wizardry from the wizard world stands there; even when remodeled into a secret technique, using it is still a dimensional strike-down.

A chirp.

Hu Songqi slowly woke up.

Upon opening her eyes and seeing Lin Ke, Shi Senior Brother, Hu Suqi, Min Ruhua, and Xu Huiyun, her thoughts shifted slightly, and Hu Songqi understood her situation: "Thank you, Young Hero Lin."

She rose from the ground and directly thanked Lin Ke, not glancing at Hu Suqi even once.

"No need to thank me."

Lin Ke waved his hand, then asked, "Why did you deliberately keep your distance from us before and after entering the valley?"

Even though on the 'Tiansuo' and with Loren Bend, he learned the origin of the Death Valley and some of this world's secrets, Lin Ke somewhat wanted to end his journey in the Death Valley, but he endured and did not rashly leave.

He was looking for a suitable opportunity.

An opportunity that would let the court no longer focus on this group of valley entrants, and no longer place its emphasis on Master Li Shuwen and these Void Realm martial artists.

And sending out a peach of longevity urgently needed by the Kangqian Emperor is exactly Lin Ke's plan.

However, the choice of who will pluck the longevity peach and send it out of Death Valley is very important.

He, Shi Senior Brother, Hu Suqi, Min Ruhua, and Xu Huiyun—none of the five are suitable.

So…

Looking at Lin Ke's gaze, Hu Songqi immediately understood that this mysterious Young Hero Lin had again found some dirty, tiring work for her.

Just like last time, using an illusory transcendent offline meeting to lure her into helping him capture those Human Immortal Martial Dao martial artists steeped in evil.

Moreover, someone like Young Hero Lin—how could he possibly care about her?

Hu Songqi gave a self-mocking smile and honestly replied, "Because I was sought out by Hu Shengqing, I don't want to implicate you."

Lin Ke half-believed, half-doubted that statement.

He believed that Hu Songqi was sought out by Hu Shengqing—that is, Commander Hu—but he did not believe Hu Songqi had such good intentions.

"What does your father want you to do?"

Hu Suqi spoke up at this point, intervening in the topic.

"The Kangqian Emperor wants the longevity peach; does Hu Shengqing not want the highest secret of the evil witchcraft?"

Hu Songqi said mockingly, "When I originally schemed against Li Shuwen, it was also at Hu Shengqing's behest!"

"What does he want the evil witchcraft secret manual for?"

Hu Suqi was somewhat out of composure, her face filled with a shocked expression.

"Are you truly unaware, or feigning ignorance?"

After carefully sizing up Hu Suqi's expression, Hu Songqi's tone was strange, tinged with mockery,

"You think your luck is really that good, that you've taken an interest in ancient witchcraft and will immediately discover a clue to a relic, from which you can find the relevant texts."

"If you want to do something, you can quickly establish the 'Witch Allure' organization; if you feel the 'Witch Allure' organization has gone off, you can withdraw safely."

"Don't you think about how many members of the 'Witch Allure' organization have tasted the sweetness of evil witchcraft, their dispositions becoming vicious and wicked—how could they possibly let you, who knows their true identities, so easily stay on the outside?"

Ah! I understand.

You actually knew from the beginning, but you're just deceiving yourself, not wanting to face it head-on.

No wonder you are clearly of a pure and self-disciplined nature, yet you constantly wander in social circles, nightly reveling, daily getting drunk.

It turns out you're just numbing yourself.

Hu Suqi, ah Hu Suqi, you really…

"You don't know anything at all?"

After a long-winded discourse, she fully voiced the resentment in Hu Songqi's heart.

Both being daughters of Hu Shengqing, even though one is biological and the other illegitimate, the difference in treatment is too great, isn't it?

"On what grounds does one get everything without effort, wanting something and having it, while the other must do dirty, tiring work and live under the strange gazes of the world?"

Hu Songqi was unwilling, refusing to submit.

It was precisely to expose Hu Suqi's disguise.

Hu Suqi, hearing this, lost her composure and stepped back several paces.

If Senior Brother Shi hadn't timely reached out to support her, she would have fallen to the ground.

Many words, to others they feel nothing, but to the person involved they are undoubtedly daggers, stabbing directly at the heart.

The emperor's new clothes were exposed.

Hu Suqi instantly felt ashamed and unable to bear it.

"Alright, say less about irrelevant matters."

Lin Ke stepped forward, timely changed the topic: "What the Kang-Qian Emperor wants, what Hu Shengqing wants, I can give. What do you want?"

Hu Songqi fell silent upon hearing that.

The pleasure of venting all his resentment in one breath quickly disappeared.

She actually realized upon waking that the place she was in was precisely the Longevity Peach Tree at the center of Dead Person Valley.

The supreme secret manual of Evil Witchcraft, Hu Songqi also discovered it, but she dared not take it herself.

Now, the time to make a choice has arrived.

Whether to risk being silenced by the Kang-Qian Emperor or Hu Shengqing in order to seize benefits.

There's nothing to hesitate about; Hu Songqi immediately said: "I want the strength to kill Hu Shengqing."

"What strength does Hu Shengqing have?"

In Hu Suqi's strange gaze, Lin Ke spoke indifferently.

Since the mastermind behind the plot against Master Li Shuwen was Hu Shengqing, he can just go die.

The Mechanical Martial Arts Four Cores, cultivating both Ancient Witchcraft and Evil Witchcraft, have reached a level comparable to the Human Immortal Martial Arts Cavity Void Realm.

As Hu Songqi spoke, a gloom suddenly arose in her heart.

Lin Ke, hearing this, slightly furrowed his brow.

He didn't think that Hu Shengqing's strength was impossible to kill.

But rather, he gained a new understanding of the Imperial Court's strength.

Hu Shengqing possesses such formidable personal strength that, before the Imperial Court, he dare not act rashly.

Although this is surely related to his own schemes, it also indirectly attests to the might of the Imperial Court.

To think that within arm's reach, everyone would be an enemy of the state—perhaps even a martial artist of the legendary Fifth Realm, See God, from Human Immortal Martial Arts, might not be able to achieve that.

Lin Ke also pondered whether, upon restoring his full witch power, he could single-handedly dominate the world.

"Perhaps it's feasible."

Catching a glimpse of the Heaven Shuttle's silhouette in his peripheral vision, Lin Ke made a judgment in his mind.

The strength of a witch is a comprehensive strength.

It is outstanding both in personal combat power and in creativity across all aspects.

It can be called an all-around strength with no blind spots.

And Lin Ke himself, besides witchcraft, is also skilled in potions and alchemy.

Whether potions or alchemy, they can help Lin Ke fight many against one.

Regaining his composure, Lin Ke looked at Hu Songqi's hopeful eyes and said: "If you're willing, I can help you increase your strength. As for whether it can be raised to the level needed to kill Hu Shengqing, I cannot yet determine, but the possibility is still high."

"Good!"

Hu Songqi couldn't help but recall the martial artists she had captured for Lin Ke; she had some guesses, decisively agreed, and then asked: "What do you want me to do?"

Lin Ke looked up at the towering Longevity Peach Tree reaching into the clouds, gestured to pluck a Longevity Peach, then casually reached out and took out a sandalwood box from somewhere, placing the peach inside.

"The so-called supreme secret manual of Evil Witchcraft is yours to take. However, I advise you not to view it yourself, nor to study it in the future."

While sending the sandalwood box containing the Longevity Peach floating to Hu Songqi, Lin Ke said:

"Why?"

Hu Songqi carefully put away the sandalwood box, questioning doubtfully:

"Because Evil Witchcraft is a dead end."