“Could they also become demons?”
Gu Ningxin nodded.

“Practicing demonic cultivation is simple; becoming a demon is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Under normal circumstances it’s impossible to do it by relying on oneself. The conditions for a human to become a demon are extremely harsh. Even if someone were to exchange their body for demonic flesh and blood, without powerful obsessive fixations and strong negative emotions it would still be impossible to become a demon.”

Lin Zhan asked again, “Since humans can become demons, then why, Ningxin, can’t you completely become human?”

Gu Ningxin retorted, “Haven’t you noticed a problem?”

Lin Zhan scratched his head, “What problem?”

Gu Ningxin explained,
“In this world, humans can turn into demons, but demons cannot fully turn back into humans. They can even become ghosts, or perhaps turn into demons; in the end they can also cultivate into immortals, but the other races cannot become human.

Although humans are born frail, they possess limitless possibilities — as if they are the darlings of this world.”

Lin Zhan blinked with wide eyes: “Can humans become demons? Is it difficult?”

“Could it be a human-demon?”
Gu Ningxin, annoyed, gave Lin Zhan a sharp pat on the head: “Are you stupid? Take the most common case for example — if after death the spirit doesn’t leave the body, and it becomes a jiangshi (a reanimated corpse), then it becomes a corpse-demon.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhan suddenly understood, “Right — so why does that happen?”

“I wouldn’t know.” Gu Ningxin rolled her eyes. “You ask me — who else am I supposed to ask? Right now, what we should be thinking about most is how to find Mo’er.”

Saying that, Gu Ningxin reached for the ring she was wearing. Once this ring is used, it allows its wearer to call on the demon clan’s power to locate Mo’er.

They can use the demon clan’s power to find Lin Mo. But that would also completely expose their identities. As for what this ring does, Lin Zhan doesn’t know.

Lin Zhan said, “Right now the Lin family hasn’t reached the point of utter ruin; the Xia family has been secretly supporting us all along.”

Gu Ningxin spoke the main point: “However, even if Mo’er were found—or if Mo’er returned—so long as the issue of him practicing demonic cultivation couldn’t be clarified, the Lin family’s problems would not be fundamentally resolved.”

Lin Zhan also felt a headache. “Never mind. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Let’s wait until we’ve found Mo’er before dealing with anything else.”

The Lin family courtyard.

Nearly all of the Lin family’s younger generation were gathered here. Aside from Lin family members, there were two others present.

“Miss Susu, were you there at the time?”
“Uncle Mo really practiced demonic cultivation?”

Lin Tian voiced the doubts that all the younger members present had. Duan Susu became the focal point; stared at by so many pairs of curious eyes, she said firmly, “No, I didn’t see anything.” Since that sect competition, she had been following Lin Mo’s instructions and, bringing Gu Zi with her, came to the Lin family.

During this past year or so, the Lin family had been very warm toward her. They even gave her part of the monthly cultivation resources. Although she had indeed seen demonic qi on her senior brother. But she also understood the Lin family’s current situation. If she admitted what she had seen, it would only cause the Lin family to panic and act chaotically, and that would only lead her into an even greater crisis.

Besides, she had always been convinced that her senior brother could not possibly be cultivating demonic arts; even if he were, there would be extenuating circumstances and he couldn’t possibly hurt fellow disciples. Duan Susu said, “I believe in my senior brother’s character!”

Lin Tian chuckled and said, “Alright, since Miss Susu doesn’t know… Let’s let that matter go, but I’m quite concerned about something else.”

Duan Susu looked at him. “What is it?”

Lin Tian, wearing an excited expression, said, “Miss Susu, you and Uncle Mo—aren’t you two extremely close?”

He then glanced at Gu Zi, who was sweeping nearby. “Look… There are so many people in your sect — yet Uncle Mo let you come back, and even had you bring along an errand-runner. I suppose your place in Uncle Mo’s heart isn’t low.”

The errand-runner Gu Zi froze for a moment: “……”

Lin Tian’s question stirred the curiosity of many of the juniors present. Especially Lin Qingqing, who was extremely curious.

Duan Susu had always been blunt and carefree by nature, and she didn’t pick up on Lin Tian’s hidden meaning: “First, let me correct you on one thing — Gu Zi is the junior disciple of my senior brother and me; he’s not here to do menial chores.”

Gu Zi stood to the side with tears welling up in his eyes. Senior Sister Duan really is a good person!

“Secondly, my relationship with senior brother was indeed very good.”

Hearing this, many of the juniors thought the same as Lin Tian. No need to wonder — these are Uncle Mo’s women! In his heart, Lin Tian gave a thumbs-up to the distant Lin Mo.

As expected of Uncle Mo — even while running away, he didn’t forget to tell his wife to go home first. Truly loyal and righteous!

Lin Qingqing felt jealousy well up in her chest; she wondered to herself whether she should take the initiative as well.

Immediately, Duan Susu’s words shattered their guesses. “On Qingzhu Peak, my senior brother, Junior Sister Shen and I were like siblings—our relationship was naturally close.”

Hearing that, Lin Tian’s expression went stiff. “Ha, are you sure it’s ‘as close as brothers’ and not ‘a love stronger than gold’?”

That counter-question left Duan Susu completely stunned.

“Love stronger than gold…” Could they possibly think that she and her senior brother were that kind of relationship?

For some reason, Duan Susu felt her face flush hot. Still, she tried to protest, “Sen—”

Lin Tian blurted out, “So, you don’t treat Uncle Mo like a brother?”

Duan Susu hurriedly shook her head; at this moment she was actually somewhat nervous. “I don’t have any other thoughts…”

Lin Tian pressed forward step by step: “If you don’t have other thoughts, then what are you thinking—”