The reason for the sect's destruction was a significant question in Ye Yun's current journey.
Why would the Nine Nether Demonic Sect, risking a war with their Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, send their affiliated Black Demonic Gate to attack the Lin family from so far away?
Upon mentioning this, Yue Kuangtao's already ashen face turned even paler.
"I don't know, I know nothing!"
As soon as he spoke, Ye Yun's sword pierced his hand. The searing pain made Yue Kuangtao scream.
Ye Yun said coldly, "Know nothing? I didn't hear clearly, could you please repeat that?"
However, despite the immense pain, Yue Kuangtao still refused to say anything, even sneering provocatively.
"I said what I said, I know nothing, kill me if you can!"
Seeing this, Ye Yun fell silent. But his silence filled the laughing Yue Kuangtao with a sense of foreboding.
Especially when Ye Yun then smiled at him.
"Death? Isn't that too simple a wish?"
"You should know about our Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect's Soul Refining Tower, shouldn't you? I'll cripple your limbs and throw you inside, where your soul will be burned by soul flames constantly. You won't die for a very long time."
"I'll have people give you healing medicine to ensure you live to receive your punishment. A hundred years, a thousand years, eventually, you will confess everything!"
Upon hearing the words "Soul Refining Tower," Yue Kuangtao's expression completely changed.
The Soul Refining Tower was created by an elder of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect who was once in charge of punishments. No one sealed within had ever failed to confess everything truthfully.
Even as an outsider, he had heard of the Soul Refining Tower's efficacy and finally felt fear.
At this moment, Ye Yun's smile turned ice-cold.
"So, I'll give you one last chance. Confess everything you know, and perhaps you'll have a swift death."
Facing Ye Yun's chilling gaze and the oppressive aura of the Soul Refining Tower, Yue Kuangtao was consumed by fear. He struggled and cried out,
"I'll tell you! I'll tell you everything I know!"
Yue Kuangtao swallowed hard. "Regarding the Lin family, I'm actually not very clear..."
As he spoke, Ye Yun's sharp gaze fell upon him, making him tremble. He quickly added,
"I truly don't know. That operation was tacitly approved by the Nine Nether Demonic Sect Master, and it was a mission spearheaded by the Young Sect Master. The Young Sect Master personally led the team, bringing two others from the Demonic Sect."
"I was only ordered to exterminate the Lin family. But why, the Young Sect Master did not reveal."
Hearing this, Ye Yun's gaze sharpened, and he glared at him, "Since you acted together, didn't you see what he did?"
Yue Kuangtao shook his head repeatedly. "During the operation, the Young Sect Master was not with us. We only saw him when we regrouped later. He seemed quite happy and even rewarded us with a lot of spirit stones."
"Besides that, I truly don't know the reason for attacking the Lin family."
Looking at him, it didn't seem like he was lying. Ye Yun couldn't help but frown.
He had expected to get an answer here, but instead, it was even more perplexing. He probably had to go to the Nine Nether Demonic Sect to find out.
Ye Yun sighed inwardly and pointed to three iron prison carts in the distance, asking coldly,
"What about these people?"
Yue Kuangtao quickly explained, "It's the Nine Nether Demonic Sect! They told us to capture them, saying they were sacrifices for some ritual. I'm not too clear about the specifics."
Upon hearing this, Ye Yun's expression darkened. A ritual that used humans as sacrifices?
It had long been rumored that the Nine Nether Demonic Sect engaged in sinister practices in secret, and now it seemed true. They were likely up to some unspeakable conspiracy again!
He frowned and asked, "Through what channel are you sending these people to the Nine Nether Demonic Sect?"
"We don't have to send them. A messenger from the Demonic Sect will come to pick them up today. They should be here soon."
The now submissive Yue Kuangtao unhesitatingly revealed the arrival of the Nine Nether Demonic Sect's messenger.
"I see. You've answered reasonably well. You can die now."
Ye Yun nodded slightly, and with a flash of his sword, he ended Yue Kuangtao's life.
After killing Yue Kuangtao, Ye Yun looked at the distant sky. It seemed he would have to wait for the guests to arrive.
He had no hope of getting useful information from these Black Demonic Gate members. He could only see if the so-called messenger knew anything.
Meanwhile, Lin Xueyan returned for revenge not long after. She didn't seem to be lost in the act of slaughtering her enemies.
However, the un-dried blood on her hands, the sword dripping with blood, and her blue skirt stained crimson were ample proof of what she had done.
Lin Xueyan, covered in blood, appeared like a demon. Even Gu Xiaoyue, who wanted to approach her, was too scared to come near.
Despite avenging her family, there was no spark in Lin Xueyan's eyes. Instead, she seemed broken, walking unsteadily towards Ye Yun.
"You've... taken your revenge?"
Ye Yun reached out to wipe away the tears on her cheek, tidied her messy hair, and asked casually, as if inquiring about lunch.
Lin Xueyan did not answer. After a long moment, she opened her mouth, her voice hoarse.
"Master, should I really keep living? Do I still have a reason to live?"
Ye Yun smiled faintly. "What's wrong? Why are you suddenly asking such a strange question?"
"My father, my mother, and many others, they could have escaped back then, but they were killed because they protected me. In the end, only I, the sole survivor..."
For a long time, Lin Xueyan had suppressed the darkness in her heart with her affection for her master. But today, at this moment, she could no longer let it go.
Survivor's guilt. Given Lin Xueyan's experience, Ye Yun wasn't surprised by her condition.
Looking at his disheartened disciple who seemed to have lost the will to live, Ye Yun sighed. He reached out and gently stroked her head, comforting her with immense tenderness.
"Silly girl, of course, you should live, and you have a reason to live."
Ye Yun glanced around at the corpses littering the Black Demonic Gate's grounds, a smile forming on his lips.
"Look around. It is precisely because you survived that you can avenge them, that you can personally kill your enemies and make them taste a life worse than death!"
"Therefore, your existence has meaning!"
"You not only should live, but you should live happily, so that your family, who sacrificed for you, can rest in peace. Only then will you truly not have let them down!"
The deceased are gone, and the living must continue. Even for the sake of the dead...
Under Ye Yun's comfort, Lin Xueyan slowly raised her head, a flicker of light returning to her eyes.
Seeing that his words were effective, Ye Yun looked at her and said with a firm tone,
"Disciple, if you still feel that living is meaningless, or that you don't know what to live for."
"Then I, your master, will give you meaning. My requirement is that from now on, your life will have nothing to do with hatred or others. Live only for your own happiness and joy!"
"Do you understand, Xueyan?"
Lin Xueyan was stunned. Her mind cleared, and she gazed at her master, tears streaming uncontrollably from the corners of her eyes.
The last time, her master had pulled her from despair in the plaza of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect. This time, her master had given her the motivation to live again.
After a long while, she wiped away her tears, her reddened eyes looking at Ye Yun. She then reached out and hugged him tightly, burying her head in his chest and whispering,
"Master is so unreasonable! But, Xueyan likes this kind of master very much..."