Wizards begin with Occlumency.

With a snap.

Another thread of cause and effect has been severed.

However, this was a gain that Link obtained after figuring out the origin of the Valley of the Dead, his connection with the Valley of the Dead, and even this world.

This has nothing to do with the deal agreed to with Loren Bender.

At this point, two of the five causal lines and the shackles on the door have been severed, a promising development.

Link has realized it.

His judgment that winning the World Martial Arts Tournament eight years later, without sufficient information, would allow him to complete the test, was wrong.

To become the new number one martial arts master in the world, one cannot sever the causal chain, nor break the shackles and push open the door.

Based on his previous experiences of severing the causal links, Link believes that cutting off his connection with this world and repaying the favors he has received are the core keys to severing causality, shedding his shackles, and completing the trial.

Based on this, it can be inferred that the remaining three causal lines may be: one related to Master Li Shuwen, one related to the Bajiquan Martial Arts School, and one related to the Human Immortal Martial Arts Path.

These three are strongly connected, but they should be treated dialectically and separately.

Li Shuwen's breakthrough, the development of Bajiquan Martial Arts School, and the exploration of the Human Immortal Martial Arts Path may be due to this.

As for the shackles on the door, Link had a new guess.

According to the time span of the "Skysock" ship's log, the time when Loren Bender and his group of wizard apprentices arrived in this world was during the ancient period of this world.

If Hu Suqi's statement is correct, the ancient shamans were "visitors from outer space," possibly the group of shaman apprentices who left the Valley of the Dead and scattered in all directions.

Ancient witchcraft corresponds to pure elemental witchcraft that has undergone transformation, while evil witchcraft corresponds to biological cultivation/modification witchcraft that has undergone transformation.

However, if we follow this line of reasoning, there's one thing that remains inexplicable.

That is the existence of Taoism and Buddhism in this world.

Therefore, Link speculates that the shamans who descended upon this world in ancient times were not just the group of wizarding apprentices from the wizarding world.

It should be noted that the High Council of the Wizarding World aims at the parallel universe behind the special ruined planet.

Is it possible that this world is at the conceptual juncture between the universe where the wizarding world exists and parallel universes?

As a result, the rules of time are disordered, and it is simultaneously affected by two universes.

However, the influence of the universe in which the Wizarding World is located is slightly weaker.

Thus, the righteous path of cultivation in parallel universes, or rather, one of the righteous paths of cultivation, is cultivating immortality/cultivating truth.

This is likely to be true.

Shaking his head, Link suppressed this guess and decided not to think about it too much for the time being.

Let's be more pragmatic, focus on the challenges, and concentrate our efforts on breaking free from cause and effect and shackles.

"Junior brother, what's wrong?"

Shi Shi looked at Link, who suddenly seemed lost in thought and then shook his head, with some confusion.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about some trivial things."

Link came to his senses and replied, then led Shi Shixiong, Hu Suqi, Min Ruohua, and Xu Huiyun back to the door of the "Sky Shuttle".

"Can we go in now?"

Xu Huiyun became excited and full of anticipation as she arrived at the door.

"no."

Link, however, immediately poured cold water on the idea, saying, "What's inside isn't suitable for you to see; it will cause unnecessary trouble."

"oh."

Xu Huiyun was immediately dejected, her head drooped, and she was completely listless.

The girl's free-spirited nature was on full display.

Min Ruohua raised her right hand, bent her knuckles, and gently tapped Xu Huiyun's crown as a warning and reminder.

Xu Huiyun then composed herself and straightened her attitude.

No longer prioritizing interests or curiosity.

Link then turned to Hu Suqi and asked, "Hu Songqi is in trouble, are you going to help her?"

"?"

Hu Suqi was quite puzzled when she heard this question out of the blue.

She knew, of course, that her troublesome illegitimate younger sister also had to enter the Valley of the Dead.

However, the two did not meet before or after entering the valley.

Moreover, from a personal perspective, the two of them are enemies.

What does Hu Suqi have to do with Hu Songqi's problems?

However, Hu Suqi was naturally very clever and shrewd, and she was able to navigate the social circles of the provincial capital with ease. She immediately realized the intention behind Lin Ke's question.

Firstly, Link might want to save them himself, and secondly, Link doesn't want to get involved with their father.

So, even if a smart person can see through it, it would be much better to act in Hu Suqi's name.

"Is it troublesome? Will it cause you any trouble?"

Hu Suqi understood and replied.

"It's no trouble at all."

As Link spoke, he raised his hand and made a grabbing motion in the air.

Lying unconscious and severely injured deep in the peach grove/at the bottom of the cliff, Hu Songqi, still clutching the secret book of evil sorcery, traversed the first half of the Valley of the Dead and arrived at the Longevity Peach Tree.

The martial artists, who were exploring their way forward elsewhere, only saw a streak of light flash across the sky.

The surveillance cameras at the military camp outside the valley did not clearly capture this process.

Hu Songqi remained unconscious after landing.

"What's wrong with her?"

Upon seeing this, Hu Suqi asked a question.

Even if the relationship is not good, the blood ties are there and cannot be denied.

I might as well stop pretending to be heartless and annoying people.

Upon hearing this, Lin Ke couldn't help but recall the process by which Hu Songqi seemingly walked step by step into the depths of the peach blossoms, but in reality fell off a cliff.

The conceptual damage eventually, without anyone realizing it, manifested in the physical body.

Furthermore, after Hu Songqi discovered the secret manual of evil witchcraft in his possession, he lost his composure and became obsessed with it.

When Loren Bender threatened Link, Hu Songqi was caught in the crossfire and suffered even more severe injuries, which led to his current predicament.

"Caused by greed."

Link gave a brief explanation, then pointed.

A beam of emerald light landed on Hu Songqi's brow, and then split into two streams, one flowing towards his soul and the other nourishing his entire body.

In a short while, Hu Suqi felt that the injury was very difficult to treat and might require at least ten days to eight months of treatment before it was completely healed.

This healing technique left Hu Suqi so shocked that her mouth gaped open, unable to close it.

Needless to say, the three Immortal Martial Arts practitioners, Shi Shixiong, Min Ruohua, and Xu Huiyun, are even more formidable.

Medicine and martial arts are interconnected.

As martial artists at the Human Immortal Martial Arts Unity Realm, the three of them knew a bit about medicine and naturally understood the superiority of Link's healing technique.

In other words, Link did not use any cognitive techniques to observe the psychological fluctuations of the others.

If they knew what they were thinking right now, they would definitely say, "Do you even know how valuable the word 'medicine' is in the Rivoss School of Biology and Medicine?"

This is an extraordinary medical system personally established by the eighth-level sage Soth.

Even though the rules of this world are different and the magic of the wizarding world cannot be copied directly, Link always adapts the magic into the secret methods he uses now when he is in a state of "inspiration".

But the high-class status of witchcraft in the wizarding world is undeniable; even when modified into arcane arts, its use is a devastating blow.

She let out a soft moan.

Hu Songqi slowly woke up.

Upon opening her eyes and seeing Lin Ke, Shi Shixiong, Hu Suqi, Min Ruohua, and Xu Huiyun, Hu Songqi quickly realized her predicament after a moment's thought.

"Thank you, Young Master Lin."

After getting up from the ground, Hu Songqi thanked Lin Ke directly, without glancing at Hu Suqi at all.

"You're welcome."

Link waved his hand, then asked, "Why did you deliberately distance yourself from us before and after entering the valley?"

Even after learning about the origins of the Valley of the Dead and some of the secrets of this world from the Sky Shuttle and Loren Bender, Link was tempted to end his trip to the Valley of the Dead, but he patiently refrained from leaving rashly.

He was looking for the right opportunity.

This could provide an opportunity for the imperial court to shift its focus away from this group of martial artists who entered the valley and stop concentrating on masters like Li Shuwen who were at the Void Realm.

Sending a longevity peach, which Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong desperately needed, was precisely Lin Ke's plan.

However, the choice of who "picks" the Longevity Peach and sends it out of the Valley of the Dead is very important.

None of the five people—himself, Shi Shixiong, Hu Suqi, Min Ruohua, and Xu Huiyun—are suitable.

and so……

Looking into Link's eyes, Hu Songqi immediately understood that this mysterious young hero, Lin, had come looking for some "dirty work" to do.

Just like last time, he used a vague and illusory opportunity to entice me to help him capture the notorious Human Immortal Martial Arts Master.

Indeed, how could someone like Young Master Lin possibly care about himself?

Hu Songqi smiled inwardly and replied honestly, "Because Hu Shengqing came to my door, I didn't want to involve you."

Link was skeptical of this statement.

He believed that Hu Songqi had been approached by Hu Shengqing, also known as Governor Hu, but he didn't believe that Hu Songqi was so kind.

"What does your father want with you?"

Hu Suqi then spoke up, intervening in the conversation.

"Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong wanted the Longevity Peach, but doesn't Hu Shengqing want the highest secret manual of evil witchcraft?"

Hu Songqi said sarcastically, "My plot against Li Shuwen was also at Hu Shengqing's behest!"

"What does he need a book of evil sorcery for?"

Hu Suqi was somewhat flustered, her face filled with shock.

"Are you genuinely unaware, or are you pretending not to know?"

After carefully observing Hu Suqi's expression, Hu Songqi's tone was strange, tinged with sarcasm.

"You think you're really that lucky? You've become interested in ancient witchcraft and will soon discover a clue to a ruin and find related texts."

If they want to cause trouble, they can quickly establish the "Witchcraft" organization. If they feel the "Witchcraft" organization has gone astray, they can easily withdraw.

Don't you realize that there are so many members in the 'Witchcraft' organization who have tasted the sweetness of evil witchcraft and become cruel and wicked? How could they possibly allow you, who knows their true identities, to remain so easily outside the organization?

Ah! I understand.

You actually knew it from the beginning, but you were just deceiving yourself and didn't want to face it head-on.

No wonder you, who are clearly of a virtuous and self-disciplined nature, always frequent social circles, partying every night and getting drunk every day.

So, I was just numbing myself.

Hu Suqi, oh Hu Suqi, you really...

Don't you know anything at all?

After a long and detailed explanation, Hu Songqi fully expressed the resentment in his heart.

Both are Hu Shengqing's daughters, one biological and one illegitimate, yet the difference in their treatment is too great.

Why is it that one person can have whatever they want without having to pay anything, while the other has to do dirty and tiring work and live under the strange looks of the world?

Hu Songqi was unwilling and resentful.

The goal is to expose Hu Suqi's pretense.

Hu Suqi was so distraught that she took several steps back.

If it weren't for Senior Brother Shi's timely intervention, he probably would have fallen to the ground.

Many words may not seem like much to outsiders, but to the person being spoken of, they are like knives stabbing straight into their heart.

The emperor's new clothes were exposed.

Hu Suqi felt extremely ashamed.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase."

Link stepped forward and quickly changed the subject, "Whatever Emperor Kangxi or Emperor Qianlong wants, whatever Hu Shengqing wants, I can give it to them. What do you want?"

Hu Songqi fell silent upon hearing this.

The initial pleasure of venting all the resentment in my heart vanished quickly.

When she woke up, she found herself in the Longevity Peach Tree in the center of the Valley of the Dead.

Hu Songqi also discovered the highest secret manual of evil witchcraft, but she dared not take it without permission.

Now, the time for a decision has come.

Should we risk being silenced by the Kangxi or Qianlong Emperors or Hu Shengqing to seize the benefits?

Without hesitation, Hu Songqi immediately said, "I need the strength to kill Hu Shengqing."

"What is Hu Shengqing's skill level?"

Amid Hu Suqi's strange gaze, Lin Ke spoke indifferently.

Since Hu Shengqing was the mastermind behind the plot against Master Li Shuwen, then he can just die.

"He possesses a four-core mechanical martial arts system and cultivates both ancient and evil witchcraft, reaching a level comparable to the Void Realm of a Human Immortal."

As Hu Songqi spoke, a sense of gloom settled over him.

Link frowned slightly upon hearing this.

It wasn't that he thought Hu Shengqing was too strong to kill.

Instead, it gave them a new understanding of the court's strength.

With such formidable personal strength, Hu Shengqing dared not act recklessly in front of the imperial court.

While it is certainly related to his ulterior motives, it also indirectly proves the strength of the imperial court.

To turn an enemy into a foe within arm's reach is something even the fifth realm of the legendary martial arts path, the "Seeing God" level, might not be able to achieve.

Link was also pondering whether, having regained his full wizarding power, he could single-handedly dominate the world.

"Perhaps that's feasible."

Catching a glimpse of the Skysock out of the corner of his eye, Link made a judgment in his mind.

The strength of a wizard is a comprehensive strength.

He is outstanding not only in individual combat ability, but also in creativity in various aspects.

It is strong in every aspect.

Link himself is skilled in potions and alchemy, in addition to witchcraft.

Both potions and alchemy can help Link fight against multiple opponents.

Coming to his senses, Link met Hu Songqi's expectant gaze and said, "If you're willing, I can help you improve your strength. As for whether it will be enough to kill Hu Shengqing, I can't say for sure, but the possibility is quite high."

"good!"

Hu Songqi couldn't help but recall the martial artists he had captured for Link, and with a guess in his mind, he decisively agreed, then asked, "What do you want me to do?"

Link looked up at the towering giant longevity peach tree, reached out and plucked a longevity peach, then casually grabbed a sandalwood box from somewhere and put the longevity peach inside.

"Take the so-called supreme secret of evil witchcraft. However, I suggest you don't look at it yourself, and don't learn it in the future."

As Link floated the sandalwood box containing the Longevity Peach into the air and delivered it to Hu Songqi, he said.

Why?

Hu Songqi carefully put away the sandalwood box and asked in confusion.

"Because of evil witchcraft, you're doomed." (End of Chapter)