One person: Lu family bodyguard, who shattered Longhu Mountain with a single palm strike.

Upon hearing Wang Ye's words, Lu Linglong curiously moved closer.

She glanced at the silent Zhuge Qing, then turned to look at Wang Ye.

"Why am I blaming you?" Lu Linglong asked.

Wang Ye reached out and scratched his messy hair, a sigh escaping his lips.

He didn't answer immediately, but turned to look at the distant mountains outside the courtyard wall.

"Actually, I never intended to participate in the Luotian Grand Ritual," Wang Ye said.

He turned his gaze away and looked at the texture of the muddy ground in front of him.

"When I was on the mountain, I cast a divination out of boredom and unexpectedly discovered that the old Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain was about to face an unavoidable calamity," Wang Ye continued.

These words were like a thunderclap out of nowhere, surprising Lu Linglong, who was listening to the commotion nearby.

"Even a supreme figure like the Old Celestial Master can face calamities?" Lu Linglong's chin agape slightly.

Zhuge Qing, whose eyes had been lowered, raised them at this moment and turned his gaze to Wang Ye.

Wang Ye nodded.

"Yes, I'm wondering about that too," Wang Ye said with a wry smile.

"After arriving at Longhu Mountain, I delved deeper into the divination, and that's when I realized where the problem lay." Wang Ye met Zhuge Qing's gaze.

"Old Qing, the key to that ordeal lies with you," Wang Ye said.

Zhuge Qing's lips parted slightly, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

His breath hitched for half a second; he clearly hadn't expected this to be related to him.

"The Luo Tian Grand Ceremony is to allow Zhang Chulan to acknowledge his ancestors and thus naturally obtain the position of Celestial Master," Wang Ye explained slowly.

"But Zhang Chulan's strength at that time was simply not enough to make it to the end."

"In order for him to win, the Celestial Master will surely eliminate those truly threatening opponents in secret." Wang Ye paused for a moment, his gaze becoming deep.

"Old Qing, you are the biggest variable," Wang Ye said.

Zhuge Qing frowned slightly, and the hands resting on his knees unconsciously tightened.

"With your abilities, if you really go up against Zhang Chulan, the Celestial Master will definitely personally step in to trip you up." Wang Ye's voice was a few decibels lower.

"Old Qing, you come from the Wuhou Sect, a family with a deep heritage, which your elders will naturally take note of."

"Once the Celestial Master's underhanded methods are exposed, the Celestial Master's Mansion's reputation built up over thousands of years will be ruined."

Wang Ye revealed the results of his initial deductions without reservation.

The room fell silent immediately.

Lu Linglong covered her mouth, as if she had been frozen in place, and even forgot to blink.

She never imagined that such a thing was hidden behind a grand Taoist ritual.

Lin Mo, sitting to the side, appeared remarkably relaxed.

He picked up his water glass, took a sip of the warm tea, and a faint smile played on his lips.

He was certainly aware of this plot.

He watched with great interest as the two men opened up to each other.

Zhuge Qing's eyes flickered slightly.

He first looked at his own palm, then turned to look at Wang Ye, and felt a sense of absurdity.

"So, you came to participate in the Luo Tian Grand Ceremony, and even defeated me on the field using the Feng Hou Qi Men technique."

"Is it just to eliminate me and thus preserve the reputation of the Old Celestial Master?" Zhuge Qing asked.

"Yes."

Wang did not deny it.

"I felt that I shouldn't let a little brat like you ruin the reputation of the Celestial Master, so I took action." Wang Ye took a deep breath of the cold mountain air.

"It was because of this decision that I forcibly changed your destiny and also exposed the secrets of Feng Hou Qi Men to the world." Wang Ye looked exhausted.

"Old Qing, you've become like this because you were defeated by my Eight Extraordinary Techniques." Wang Ye lowered his head.

"That's why, as I just said, this is all my fault," Wang Ye said.

Zhuge Qing did not respond.

His mind was in turmoil, a jumble of thoughts intertwined.

He originally thought that Wang was a madman who kept his true abilities hidden, but now he realized that the other party was trying to stop a great disaster that would affect the entire world of superhumans.

This huge difference left him unsure of what expression to wear when facing Wang Ye.

Lin Mo put down the water glass, the porcelain bottom making a crisp clinking sound against the wooden table.

"So you went to block the calamity with such righteous indignation, only to drag yourself into the quagmire instead." Lin Mo smiled as he looked at Wang Ye.

"Now even your family is being targeted. Don't you regret it?" Lin Mo asked.

Wang Ye listened to Lin Mo's teasing, but instead of getting angry, he grinned and smiled.

"No regrets." Wang Ye shook his head.

He pointed at Lin Mo.

"From the day I mastered the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, it was only a matter of time before I was targeted. It was just a matter of sooner or later," Wang said nonchalantly.

"Besides, we still have Brother Lin here." Wang Ye rubbed his hands together, and that ingratiating smile reappeared on his face.

"If things really get to the point of being life-threatening, I'll pay you to come and save the day, and then everything will be fine," Wang Ye said.

Lin Mo laughed and pointed at Wang Ye.

"You're quite clever," Lin Mo said with a smile.

Having received Lin Mo's implicit promise, Wang Ye's last bit of worry vanished.

He turned around and looked seriously at Zhuge Qing, who was still silent.

"Old Qing," Wang Ye called softly.

"I'm sorry, it was my presumptuous decision that forcibly changed your fate," Wang Ye said solemnly.

The wind outside blew down a few withered leaves from the old locust tree.

Fallen leaves swirled in and landed at Zhuge Qing's feet.

Zhuge Qing remained seated on the bench, his gaze fixed on the fallen leaves on the ground, remaining silent for a long time.

Everyone thought he was about to explode, or complain about Wang Ye's meddling.

But a moment later, Zhuge Qing suddenly moved.

He supported himself on his knees, slowly stood up, and casually patted the dust off the back of his trench coat.

"No need to apologize to me, Lao Wang." Zhuge Qing raised his head, a relieved smile curving his lips.

Wang Ye was stunned for a moment.

"Although your interference did change my fate and even made me experience an unprecedented sense of frustration," Zhuge Qing said calmly.

"But it was because of you that I learned that there are such miraculous things as the Eight Extraordinary Skills in this world."

Zhuge Qing met Wang Ye's gaze calmly.

"This has broadened my horizons, and I think it's pretty good."

He bent down and pushed the stool forward.

"As I just said, my decision to stay here is based on my own considerations."

Zhuge Qing straightened his collar.

"I chose this path myself, so you don't need to feel guilty or remorseful anymore."

After saying all this, Zhuge Qing felt that the huge weight on his heart had lightened considerably.

He turned around and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Lin Mo.

"Now that we've had our business out in the open, I'll take my leave," Zhuge Qing said politely.

"Thank you for your righteous help today, Brother Lin. If I encounter any trouble later, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you again," Zhuge Qing said.

Lin Mo waved his hand casually.

"You're welcome."

"This is just a deal. Wang Ye pays, and I'll protect your lives. It's that simple," Lin Mo said bluntly.

Zhuge Qing nodded, indicating his understanding.

He didn't linger any longer, turned around, and walked unhurriedly towards the gate.

"Old Qing!" Wang Ye suddenly shouted.

His voice carried a hint of undisguised worry.

Zhuge Qing paused for half a second, but he did not turn around.

His blue trench coat swayed gently in the breeze as he walked straight out of the courtyard and down the forest path.

Watching Zhuge Qing's departing figure, Wang Ye felt as if all his strength had been drained, and he slumped onto the bench.

He covered most of his face with one hand, his shoulders slumping limply.

Lu Linglong watched this scene from the side, and felt a little uncomfortable.

She walked over and gently patted Wang Ye's shoulder twice.

"Old Wang, don't worry too much," Lu Linglong said softly.

"Zhuge Qing is a well-known genius among our generation, he must know what's important," Lu Linglong said.

Wang Ye put his hand down and shook his head repeatedly.

"Sister Lu, you don't understand."

"That's why I'm worried," Wang Ye sighed.

"Once this kind of person gets stuck on a rut, not even eight oxen could pull them back. The more I think about it, the more uneasy I feel."

Wang Ye looked in the direction where Zhuge Qing had disappeared.

Lin Mo sat opposite Wang Ye, looking at his worried expression.

He gently stroked the rim of the water glass with his fingertips and suddenly spoke.

"Wang Ye," Lin Mo called out to him.

Wang Ye raised his head, his face full of confusion.

"If you want him to truly get rid of his obsession with the Eight Extraordinary Techniques, there is actually a way," Lin Mo said slowly.

These words were like a shot of adrenaline, instantly pulling Wang Ye out of his dejection.

"Brother Lin!" Wang Ye scrambled over to Lin Mo.

"Do you really have a way to resolve Lao Qing's inner conflict?" Wang asked expectantly.

Lu Linglong also perked up her ears, curious about what good ideas Lin Mo might have.

Lin Mo looked at Wang Ye who was getting closer, and the corners of his mouth curved upwards into a beautiful arc.

He raised his right hand, extending his thumb and forefinger in mid-air.

He gently rubbed his two fingers together.

"Of course I have a solution," Lin Mo said leisurely, looking at Wang Ye.

"But, if you want to know..."

"You'll have to pay more."

……