The Hong Ying sisters blinked.
They were the weakest here. Should they say something now?
Or should they continue to play the part of a nobody?
"You two don't need to go then," Xiang Jiao Jun said to the two women. "Grandpa will probably wake up in the next few days. Go back and keep him company."
Meanwhile.
An old acquaintance, Ling He Fan, arrived at the Ninth District with Frostmourne.
The Qing Yun Sect's stronghold was located on Qing Feng Mountain.
"Halt!" The mountain-guarding disciples immediately stopped Ling He Fan. "This is a restricted area of the Qing Yun Sect. Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to approach!"
Ling He Fan glanced at them and took Frostmourne out of his ring.
Seeing that Ling He Fan was about to resort to force, the mountain-guarding disciples were about to call for help.
Suddenly!
A demonic red light flashed in Frostmourne's eyes!
The several disciples seemed to be possessed, their bodies freezing in place.
"Now, take me to see your elder," Ling He Fan said calmly.
"Yes, sir."
The disciples replied mechanically, like puppets...
Before long, they led Ling He Fan to the residence of the Outer Sect Elder.
"Who are you, and why did you harm my sect's disciples!"
The Outer Sect Elder immediately saw that something was wrong with the disciples and was about to make a move.
Frostmourne flashed a red light, and the Outer Sect Elder instantly fell victim...
"Take me to see your Sect Master."
"Yes, sir."
The moment the two left.
The Outer Sect disciples' bodies went limp and they collapsed on the ground.
Their lives ended at this very moment!
"Delicious souls, my favorite!"
Frostmourne's voice echoed in Ling He Fan's mind.
"However, I can sense that your Sect Master is quite powerful. I'm still heavily injured and can't directly control him."
"Alright, I need to rest after eating. You be smart, kid."
Then, Frostmourne fell silent.
Before long, the two flew to the grand hall where the Sect Master resided.
"Elder Li, you were looking for me..."
Mid-sentence, the Qing Yun Sect Master's expression suddenly changed!
"Whoosh—!"
A spell shot out and slammed into Ling He Fan!
"Boom—!"
It was Frostmourne that blocked his attack!
The Sect Master's face immediately changed!
The stranger before him, only at the third level of Nascent Soul, could react quickly enough to block his attack!
More accurately, the peculiarly shaped sword had defended itself!
The ability to actively defend meant that the sword had a spirit!
And its level was definitely not low!
However, there was a faint aura emanating from the sword that made him feel uncomfortable.
If nothing unexpected happened, this should be a demonic weapon!
The "demonic" here referred not to the demonic path, but to actual demons!
The demonic invasion years ago had left many demon weapons in the human realm.
He had once had the fortune to see a demonic weapon, and its aura was exactly the same as the one before him!
To be precise, the aura of the sword before him was a bit weaker.
Even so, this demonic weapon was enough to pique his interest!
"Who are you?" the Sect Master asked, ceasing his attack.
"A friend," Ling He Fan said with a slight smile.
"You injured my people, making it hard for me to believe you are a friend," the Sect Master narrowed his eyes. "Or do you think you can defeat me, Li Qingyun, just because you have this demonic weapon?"
The demonic weapon was indeed powerful, even blocking his attack.
But that was because he had been caught off guard.
Ling He Fan was only at the third level of Nascent Soul, and the gap between him and the eighth level of Nascent Soul could not be bridged by a mere demonic weapon!
If he were to go all out, he was confident he could subdue Ling He Fan in an instant!
"I've long heard that Sect Master Li is a peerless talent, and seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary!" Ling He Fan said earnestly. "This junior, Ling He Fan, has admired you for a long time!"
His sudden flattery caught Li Qingyun off guard...
Wait, wasn't the pace of this too fast?
He couldn't keep up!
And...
This kid is being overly attentive for no reason, he must have something up his sleeve!
"Thump!"
Ling He Fan suddenly knelt on one knee, his face full of sincerity.
"I, Ling He Fan, have drifted aimlessly for half my life, regretting not meeting a wise lord!"
"If Sect Master does not forsake me, I am willing to acknowledge you as my sworn father and advance and retreat with the Qing Yun Sect!"
"And this demonic weapon is my sincerity!"
As he spoke, Ling He Fan raised Frostmourne with both hands, holding it high above his head.
This time, Li Qingyun was even more bewildered...
He thought you were here to cause trouble.
But after only a few words, you're calling me Dad?
Is this how young people play these days?
To be honest, he was a little tempted.
He was, of course, interested in the demonic weapon.
Moreover, judging by its energy fluctuations, this demonic weapon was clearly much stronger than his own.
Although it wasn't very suitable for human cultivators to use, with some refinement and modification, it shouldn't be a problem.
As for this cheap son...
It was extremely difficult for cultivators to have descendants.
Furthermore, he had some physical issues and had yet to have any children.
Ling He Fan was quite handsome, and having him as a son would bring him honor.
And judging by his bone age, he couldn't be more than a thousand years old.
Reaching the third level of Nascent Soul within a thousand years meant he was a genius!
As for his character...
He would keep him by his side for observation for a while. If his character was truly good, it wouldn't be a bad thing.
If he found out later that this brat had a bad disposition, he could just get rid of him.
Either way, it was a profit. This deal was worth it!
Of course.
The most important factor was Frostmourne's presence...
If Ling He Fan had come empty-handed today, he would have kicked him out long ago!
However, what he had shown so far was far from enough!
"If Sect Master Li still doesn't believe me..." Ling He Fan said, and then forced a drop of vital blood from his brow.
Within the vital blood, a miniature image of Ling He Fan could be faintly seen, which was precisely the highest form of submission among cultivators—a soul oath!
This time, Li Qingyun had no more doubts!
He immediately released a wisp of spiritual energy, enveloping the vital blood and letting it enter his own brow.
The moment the vital blood entered his body, Li Qingyun's expression showed a trace of a trance.
However, he seemed not to have noticed it.
A curve formed on Ling He Fan's lips.
Although he was truly offering a soul oath, that drop of vital blood contained a trace of Frostmourne's power!
While it wasn't enough to completely control Li Qingyun, it could significantly influence him!
As for his life and death being in Li Qingyun's hands?
With Frostmourne's power, he could retract that drop of vital blood at any time!
Control him?
Impossible!
"Good, good, good!" After absorbing the drop of vital blood, Li Qingyun laughed heartily. "My son, quickly rise!"
At this moment, Ling He Fan's life and death were entirely in his hands, and he no longer had any worries!
The two excitedly walked closer, clasping hands and looking at each other.
"Son!"
"Father!"
What a touching scene of filial piety...
"Son, this sword has a truly unique design," Li Qingyun said fondly, playing with Frostmourne. "Where did you get it? Do you know which master forged it?"
Ling He Fan quickly replied, "Father, this is what happened..."
He then recounted the entire incident in the monster forest.
Of course, some parts were definitely omitted.
Li Qingyun glanced at the puppet-like Outer Sect Elder beside him. "It seems his mind was affected by this demonic weapon..."
Speaking of which, Li Qingyun sent a wisp of spiritual energy towards the Outer Sect Elder.
"Hmm...?" The Outer Sect Elder's eyes regained clarity, and he looked bewildered. "Sect Master? Wasn't I in my own residence just now? Huh? Who is this person?"
"This is the adopted son this Sect Master has just taken in," Li Qingyun said, not wanting to elaborate. "Elder Li, go and summon the other elders. This Sect Master wants Son to get acquainted with them."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Although his mind was full of questions, the Outer Sect Elder obediently left.
Not long after the Outer Sect Elder left, the Third Elder of the Qing Yun Sect arrived.
"Sect Master, there's news from over there..." Halfway through his sentence, the Third Elder suddenly fell silent, looking at Ling He Fan with surprise.
"Third Elder, you've arrived just in time," Li Qingyun said happily, pointing at Ling He Fan. "This is the adopted son this Sect Master has just taken in, named Ling He Fan."
"Son," Li Qingyun then looked at Ling He Fan. "This is our sect's Third Elder. Why don't you pay your respects quickly."
"He Fan pays his respects to Third Elder!" Ling He Fan bowed respectfully.
The Third Elder looked bewildered, clearly not having reacted yet.
"By the way, Third Elder, what were you about to say?" Li Qingyun asked. "Son is not an outsider, so speak freely."
In his opinion, since Ling He Fan had already offered a soul oath, there was no need to keep things secret.
"Sect Master, we have received news from the Sunnoon Sect," the Third Elder quickly replied. "They have found the one who performed the sacrifice and have invited us to discuss important matters!"