Chapter 58: Wicked Habits—Kneel? Are You Even Worthy?

"Alright, that's enough. Let's go. If you keep looking, I'm afraid you might pick up some unsavory habits..." Seeing how absorbed Hu Yunyin was, Ling Tian tugged at the corner of his mouth, worried she might develop an unhealthy fascination.

"Who's looking?" Even straightforward as she was, Hu Yunyin couldn't help but spit out a retort at Ling Tian's words before leaving.

To put it plainly, it wasn't that she wanted to see such things; she only wanted to witness how brutally Hu Tian had been treated. Yes, that's right, that was her intention all along. She comforted herself with this thought, then followed Ling Tian out of the room.

That scene was truly unbearable. She had no desire to stay in that place any longer.

"That flame the alchemist used..." Once outside, Hu Yunyin glanced at Ling Tian, unable to help but inquire about what she had just witnessed. The fire in that alchemist's hand was no ordinary flame. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been lured in by it and fallen for his trap.

"His fire is interesting, but not particularly so—it's beast fire," Ling Tian nodded, explaining. In addition to the strange fires, there was another kind called beast fire, produced by certain unique demon beasts. Its power was considerable, but if used for other purposes, it was somewhat inferior to the strange fires.

"No wonder," Hu Yunyin sighed. No wonder it felt so unusual. For that alchemist to acquire beast fire, he was indeed lucky. However, after today, whether his luck would hold was another question.

Ling Tian was rather surprised; he hadn't expected that the person Hu Tian referred to wasn't Yan Chen. Speaking of him, Ling Tian actually found himself missing him—he wondered how he was faring. Hopefully, if they met again, Yan Chen would have made a name for himself.

"What happened in there?" Fox Fairy, seeing that three had gone in but only two emerged, sized them up and stepped forward to ask. Xiao Ling'er was eating nearby, unconcerned with the matter.

"Grown-ups' business—children shouldn't meddle," Ling Tian said with a glance. Fox Fairy, fuming, said nothing more, though her gaze was not particularly friendly.

"By the way, what you promised me earlier—does it still stand?" Fox Fairy's eyes turned as she asked her question. Compared to whatever had transpired in the room, she cared more about matters benefiting her clan.

"Of course it stands, but the later you decide, the fewer benefits you'll receive," Ling Tian replied, eyes narrowing as he offered a kindly reminder.

Fox Fairy hadn't agreed earlier; her question was only to confirm. She couldn't make such decisions alone. Ling Tian's words were meant to increase his bargaining power. Hearing this, Fox Fairy folded her arms and turned away. This human youth was rather interesting—such arrogance; she was curious what gave him such confidence.

"Let's go," Ling Tian turned to Hu Yunyin, speaking coolly. With Hu Yunyin's status, they encountered little obstruction. Even though Ling Tian and his companions' auras couldn't be discerned, Hu Yunyin's identity ensured they were allowed to pass.

"It seems your branch within the White Tiger Tribe is in a rather delicate situation," Ling Tian remarked a day later as they arrived at the White Tiger Tribe. He had expected it would be difficult to enter and see Hu Yunyin's grandfather, but it was unexpectedly simple. Apart from Hu Yunyin's branch, their group of outsiders stirred no alarm among the tribe's elders.

One had to know, Hu Yunyin's grandfather was tainted by demonic energy and his mind was clouded—an ideal time for an attack. There should have been powerful members of the White Tiger Tribe guarding him, or at least helping to cleanse him. But that was not the case, leading Ling Tian to his conclusion.

"If my grandfather hadn't been corrupted by demonic energy, they wouldn't have pushed for a marriage alliance with the Phoenix Tribe's Third Holy Son," Hu Yunyin shook her head with a bitter smile. Their branch had indeed fallen from grace. If not for her own high bloodline talent, who knows what fate might have befallen her. Yet even so, her talent wasn't the highest—her greatest value was in this marriage alliance.

So much for kinship; in the face of interests, such things are meaningless. If her grandfather hadn't been injured, none of this would have happened. She secretly felt sorry for him, but it was too late for regrets.

After her words, the two fell silent. Along the way, people from Hu Yunyin's branch greeted her warmly, but didn't question Ling Tian and the others' identities.

"This is where my grandfather is," Hu Yunyin took out a token and opened the barrier. Inside was a scene of death: withered vegetation, a desolate and decayed landscape. Ling Tian frowned—this wasn't just bad, it was disastrous.

"You two shouldn't come along," Ling Tian said to Fox Fairy and Xiao Ling'er, his tone grave and allowing no refusal.

He summoned the Azure Lotus Flame to envelop himself, and with Luo Changsheng and the others, approached the cave where Hu Yunyin's grandfather was confined. Demonic energy was thick in the air. Without knowing otherwise, one might have thought a demon lord was imprisoned within.

"I'll go in myself," Ling Tian raised his brows. Damn, this was troublesome. But only a little—he had so many protective treasures on him, he wasn't afraid.

"I'll go with you," Luo Changsheng stepped forward. Ling Tian couldn't afford a mishap; otherwise, he himself would be in trouble.

"No need. Things might get noisy. Keep watch outside and don't let anyone disturb me. Listen to me." Hu Yunyin wanted to protest, but Ling Tian's calm gaze and quiet yet commanding voice left no room for argument. By the time she came to herself, Ling Tian had already entered the cave.

Hu Yunyin clenched her hands, worry written across her face, but she could only stay outside with Luo Changsheng to keep watch.

"My, what a fiery temper," Ling Tian remarked as a surge of oppressive energy rushed at him in the cave. He explained, "I've been asked by your granddaughter to heal you. If you have any shred of sanity left, don't resist me, or else..."

His last words grew cold; helping was a favor, but refusing was his right.

At these words, the oppressive force dissipated. Ling Tian advanced and saw an old man, filthy and bound by heavy chains, each inscribed with wards to suppress demonic energy.

"Impressive, indeed," Ling Tian sincerely praised the old man. Despite the surging demonic energy, he had managed to protect his heart meridian and kept a glimmer of clarity in his eyes.

Ling Tian drew closer, his Azure Lotus Flame burning away the demonic energy with crackling sounds—the flame seemed especially effective against it.

"My cultivation isn't sufficient, so I'll have to refine the demonic energy bit by bit with fire. Bear with it," Ling Tian warned before beginning the purification.

"I underestimated you; I didn't expect you could actually do it," after a while, as most of the demonic energy dissipated, Hu Yunyin's grandfather opened his eyes and spoke in a trembling voice, hope welling in his heart—he might yet survive.

"It's almost laughable. If it weren't for my obsession with Yunyin, I couldn't have held on this long. Each time the girl came to complain before me, my heart ached, yet I couldn't comfort her. Kinship, they say? While I was corrupted, they wanted to marry my granddaughter off, ha..." Hu Yunqing's face was full of grief and indignation at how his granddaughter had been treated. He had been too naive.

"Adversity reveals true feelings. It's not surprising," Ling Tian wiped the sweat from his brow and shook his head, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

"I understand. For saving me, you are now my friend," Hu Yunqing looked at Ling Tian, understanding the implication. Debt of kindness is the hardest to repay. Those who harmed him were demons; those who saved him were humans. His choice was already made.

Ling Tian nodded and continued refining the demonic energy...

...

"You are human? This is an internal matter of the White Tiger Tribe—your interference is overstepping your bounds, don't you think?" Several elders of the White Tiger Tribe stared gravely at Luo Changsheng, who was at the ninth rank of the Emperor Realm. The chief elder cupped his hands, wishing to resolve the matter without conflict.

"Chief Elder, my grandfather has given everything for the White Tiger Tribe, and now you want to kill him? Does this not chill the hearts of the people?" Hu Yunyin glared at the elders, her voice full of anguish.

As soon as Luo Changsheng and the others emerged, they found several elders in dispute with Xiao Ling'er and her companions. The elders' intent was to kill her grandfather—something they could not allow. When the elders tried to force their way, Luo Changsheng stopped them.

"This was the decision of the high council. The Third Supreme Elder, Hu Qingyun, is about to lose his mind to demonic energy. He must be eliminated to prevent future calamity," the chief elder said coldly to Hu Yunyin. They had no choice—if Hu Yunqing fell to demonic madness, the consequences for the tribe would be dire. As a Supreme Elder, he should understand their concerns.

"I've already found someone who can purge the demonic energy. Please, Chief Elder, give me more time! I—"

"Ridiculous," the Fourth Elder interrupted before she could finish. "Not even our ancestors could do it. Stop stalling!"

With that, he moved to enter the barrier.

"Did I say you could go in?" Luo Changsheng drew his sword and, with a casual swing, carved a deep furrow into the ground.

"You—" The elders turned livid with anger. Luo Changsheng nearly couldn't hide his smile; it felt good to show off.

"Are you trying to provoke war between the demon clans and the human race?" the chief elder retorted, trying to force Luo Changsheng to back down with this accusation.

Luo Changsheng hesitated, but Hu Yunyin, gritting her teeth, stepped forward to shield him. If Luo Changsheng couldn't act, she would.

In moments, she was battered and bruised—the elders, of course, held back their full strength.

"I beg you, give me just a little more time..." Hu Yunyin couldn't hold them back any longer. In desperation, she pleaded, hoping to win even a brief reprieve. As she spoke, she prepared to kneel.

But in the next instant, someone supported her upright.

"Kneel? They're not worthy."