However, things proved to be far more difficult than Qin Zhizhi had imagined. Qin Jiaojiao and Lin Wan covered their tracks flawlessly, hiding all incriminating evidence so deeply that even the System needed a vast amount of time and effort to find the slightest trace.
While dealing with the open and covert attacks from Qin Jiaojiao and Lin Wan, Qin Zhizhi also had to secretly investigate their crimes, leaving her physically and mentally exhausted. On several occasions, she was almost discovered by Qin Jiaojiao, nearly plunging herself into danger.
"Host, don't be discouraged! We will definitely find a breakthrough!" The System constantly encouraged Qin Zhizhi, helping her through the difficult times. Qin Zhizhi clenched her teeth, a resolute light flashing in her eyes. She would never give up. She had to clear the name of her true self and demand justice for the family she loved so dearly! Taking a deep breath, Qin Zhizhi suppressed her chaotic thoughts and turned to leave the garden.
However, she had taken only a few steps when a strong hand grabbed her wrist. "Zhizhi, wait." Yin Sichen's voice was low and hurried, carrying a trace of unperceived panic. Qin Zhizhi stopped, but did not look back. She did not know how to face him, especially after learning that he had been blinded by Qin Jiaojiao all along, and had even doubted and hurt her. "I have things to attend to. I'm leaving."
Qin Zhizhi's tone was cold as she tried to pull her hand back. "Zhizhi, I know you're still angry with me, but I can explain..." Yin Sichen's grip tightened, a hint of pleading in his voice. "Explain?" Qin Zhizhi finally couldn't help but turn around, looking straight into his deep eyes. "What are you going to explain? Explain why you believed Qin Jiaojiao's lies instead of me? Or explain why you hurt me over and over again?"
Yin Sichen's heart ached fiercely. He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. He could not deny that he had once been bewitched by Qin Jiaojiao's gentleness and understanding, nor could he deny that he had felt confused and suspicious because of Qin Zhizhi's changes. "Zhizhi, I'm sorry..." A thousand words ultimately converged into a single, heavy apology. The corners of Qin Zhizhi's eyes reddened slightly, but she fought back the tears, refusing to let them fall.
She took a deep breath, her tone returning to calm. "Yin Sichen, we are over. Go." With that, she turned and resolutely walked away, never looking back. Late at night, when all was quiet, Qin Zhizhi went alone to the open space in the backyard to cultivate.
She knew that only by making herself stronger could she protect herself and her family, and make those who had hurt her pay the price.
The moonlight spilled over her slender figure, highlighting her pale complexion. Days of continuous investigation and cultivation had exhausted all her energy, yet she still gritted her teeth and persisted, refusing to give up. However, fatigue rushed over her like a tide, gradually swallowing her consciousness.
With a muffled thud, Qin Zhizhi's body collapsed limply to the ground, plunging into darkness... "Warning! Warning! Host's vital signs are dropping. Please wake up immediately! Please wake up immediately!" The System's urgent alarm rang in Qin Zhizhi's mind, but it could not pierce through the layers of darkness.
"Damn it! How could this happen at a time like this..." The System was extremely anxious, yet helpless against Qin Zhizhi's current condition. It was merely an auxiliary system and could not interfere with the host's physical state. Just as the System was about to despair, Qin Zhizhi's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.
"Host, you're finally awake!" The System's voice was filled with surprise and worry. "What is this..." Qin Zhizhi struggled to sit up, but felt entirely weak with a splitting headache. "Host, you were overfatigued and passed out," the System explained. "Your physical condition is terrible right now. You need to rest immediately."
"No, I can't rest," Qin Zhizhi gritted her teeth, forcing herself to sit up. "I still have many things to do. The conspiracy between Qin Jiaojiao and Lin Wan has yet to be exposed. I cannot fall..."
"Host, I know you're anxious, but your current situation is dangerous," the System persuaded. "Only by breaking through yourself can you completely escape this predicament. Otherwise, you will only keep repeating past mistakes and reap what you sow in the end."
The System's words exploded in Qin Zhizhi's mind like a peal of thunder. That's right, she could not go on like this. She had to find a new way to defeat those powerful enemies.
At that moment, the scene from before her fainting spell surged back into her mind. Those blurred fragments gradually cleared up, finally converging into a distinct scene... It was an ancient and mysterious era, featuring towering palaces with carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade. A woman dressed in golden, ornate robes sat high upon a throne. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, yet carried an aloof coldness that kept people a thousand miles away.
"Who are you?" Qin Zhizhi's voice trembled. She felt as though she knew this woman, yet could not remember where she had seen her. "I am Jiutian Xuannü, your master from your past life," the woman said slowly, her voice ethereal and distant. "You were originally a supreme prodigy in cultivation, but you ultimately perished due to the entanglement of your Inner Demon..." "Inner Demon?"
Qin Zhizhi muttered to herself as a flash of insight crossed her mind. Could her current predicament also be the work of an Inner Demon? "To defeat your Inner Demon, you must find what you desire most deep within your heart," Jiutian Xuannü's voice gradually faded away. "Remember this, remember this..." The vision shattered, and Qin Zhizhi abruptly snapped to her senses, only to find herself still in the backyard's open space, with moonlight pouring down like water.
"Past life... Inner Demon..." Qin Zhizhi murmured, her eyes flashing with confusion and bewilderment. Did she truly possess a past life? And was her current plight truly caused by an Inner Demon from her past life? More importantly, what on earth was the thing she desired most deep within her heart? The night breeze swept past, bringing a hint of chill that also blew away the last shred of sleepiness in Qin Zhizhi's heart. She knew that what awaited her would be an even more grueling test.
Qin Zhizhi woke up with a start from the dream, cold sweat soaking her clothes. The scenes in the dream had felt so real, and Jiutian Xuannü's words still echoed in her ears: "Inner Demon," "the thing you desire most deep within your heart." These words were like shackles, tightly binding her thoughts. She tried to steady her mind and circulate the Cultivation Manual she had obtained from the System.
However, this time, the spiritual energy, which should have flowed smoothly, became sluggish and blocked, as if sinking into a quagmire where every inch of movement was a struggle. "How can this be?" Qin Zhizhi's face instantly turned pale. Could her cultivation level have stagnated? How was that possible! Ever since returning to the Qin Family, she had practiced diligently day and night without ever slackening—how could she have made zero progress? "Sister, what's wrong with you?"