Chapter 10: The First Bird Gets Shot—My Second Senior Sister Was Right!

When Zhou Qing arrived at the square, eight others were already waiting—no doubt, Lu Yaoyao, who had only recently joined, was among them.

Places brimming with opportunity must be properly arranged by the Sect Master, especially since she was his disciple.

In addition, the old woman Zhou Qing had seen on Shenyue Peak had also arrived early, sitting cross-legged in a nearby pavilion.

“Our Xiao Ling Peak is still too far away—stay safe!”

After speaking, Mo Xingjian bowed respectfully from afar toward the old woman, then left.

“Senior Brother Zhou, I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon!”

Everyone had been gathered around Lu Yaoyao, talking—after all, the junior sister wasn’t just beautiful, but also pleasant to deal with.

They’d all been invited to fish in the back mountain, feasting and receiving gifts afterward.

Unfortunately, Zhou Qing and his third senior brother from Xiao Ling Peak had fled prematurely, startled by the sudden appearance of the Supreme Elder.

When Lu Yaoyao saw Zhou Qing arrive, she immediately beamed and rushed over.

Others fell silent, glaring at Zhou Qing with displeasure.

Especially three senior sisters at the late Foundation Establishment realm, their expressions wary.

Liked sneaking glances at baths?

Could really tarnish the reputation of core disciples.

Zhou Qing merely smiled politely and nodded in greeting.

What others thought of him didn’t matter—he just needed to do his best.

Undeniably, all of them were Foundation Establishment, the strongest even reaching peak, not a single one at mid-stage.

By that count, he and Lu Yaoyao had the weakest cultivation bases.

One Qi Condensation, the other only recently broken through to Foundation Establishment early stage!

Faced with Lu Yaoyao’s enthusiastic greeting, Zhou Qing could only smile.

【Heart Mirror Point +3】

The next instant, the 【Poor Thing】 hovering above her head instantly changed to 【So Happy】.

This left Zhou Qing unsure whether to be pleased or worried.

Then the Supreme Elder stepped forward, and everyone bowed.

“Enough. Since everyone is here, let’s depart. Your masters have surely already explained the details.”

After speaking, the old woman summoned a three-legged miniature tripod into the air.

The tripod spun rapidly, then expanded violently, sucking everyone in without resistance.

“Stay inside for now—once we reach the cavern realm, you’ll be released.”

The old woman’s voice came from outside.

Zhou Qing stared at the chaotic void around him, speechless.

This cavern realm’s secrecy was excessive—even core disciples weren’t allowed to know its true location.

“Senior Brother Zhou?” Lu Yaoyao suddenly stumbled over, pale-faced.

Zhou Qing sighed.

He was about to speak when he sensed something was wrong with her.

Lu Yaoyao grabbed his arm tightly, shut her eyes, and trembled all over.

“What’s wrong?”

This time, Zhou Qing didn’t pull away—he asked, puzzled.

Lu Yaoyao shook her head frantically, then pressed herself tightly against him, trembling, and gradually calmed down.

Zhou Qing glanced around, then at her.

Could this girl have claustrophobia?

Otherwise, why had she been fine just moments ago, and now like this?

Such symptoms were either congenital or caused by childhood trauma leaving psychological scars.

For a moment, Zhou Qing didn’t know how to comfort her.

Fortunately, after only a short while, they were all released together.

When they looked again, they stood before a landscape of green mountains and clear waters, the sky a brilliant blue, white clouds drifting.

Interesting—when they entered, it had been dark outside.

Lu Yaoyao now realized her state, immediately released Zhou Qing’s arm, and calmly surveyed her surroundings, face composed.

The old woman stepped forward, drew her token, and after pouring intricate seals into it, the ancient mountain range before them shook violently.

Then, a massive bronze door hidden within slowly emerged, cracking open a narrow fissure.

Instantly, an ancient aura, sealed for countless years, surged forth, accompanied by oppressive pressure that made everyone’s expressions turn solemn.

It felt as if powerful figures had perished here, their lingering might still present, causing even their spiritual power to flow slightly sluggish.

The old woman retrieved her token and conjured a stone mill-like object from spiritual energy in the air.

“Children, beyond the bronze door lies a thousand-meter-long magnetic passage. Your task is to pass through it and find this object, then rotate it counterclockwise.”

The old woman addressed the group.

“The magnetic passage carries natural pressure, beneficial to your cultivation—this trial will strengthen your foundation and solidify your roots. The benefits will only become clear after you’ve walked through.”

Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes lit up.

The old woman continued: “Due to the passage’s unique nature, I cannot guide you by voice once you enter. But there shouldn’t be major danger—just exhaustion. Remember: as soon as you pass through, activate the key immediately to dispel the magnetic force. Do not rush ahead.”

Everyone bowed: “Yes!”

Then everyone rushed in eagerly—except Zhou Qing, who lingered, peering cautiously.

“What’s wrong?” the old woman asked, puzzled.

Zhou Qing hurriedly replied: “N-nothing—I just want to let the others go first and show me the way.”

The old woman: “...”

“Kid, why do you look so familiar to me?”

The next instant, the old woman spoke.

Zhou Qing shuddered and immediately sprinted forward.

“Ah, there’s a ghost!”

“What is that thing?”

“Watch out, everyone—be careful!”

…………

Suddenly, a piercing scream erupted from within the bronze door, causing Zhou Qing—who had been jogging—to freeze and retreat rapidly.

“The first bird gets shot—the Second Senior Sister didn’t lie!” Zhou Qing silently rejoiced.

The old woman frowned, wanting to advance but seemingly hesitating over something.

Soon after, those who had entered staggered out, two of them engulfed in white flames.

The flames spread but didn’t burn—they instead coated everything in layers of ice crystals, fortunately extinguished in time.

Roar—

Several clusters of ghostly flames burst forth, but upon encountering sunlight, they shrieked and recoiled swiftly.

“Wandering souls? When did these appear here?”

The old woman instantly recognized the retreating forms, her face filled with disbelief.

Fortunately, their aura was weak—likely only Qi Condensation level, suggesting they hadn’t existed long.

After all, none had been present two hundred years ago.

Strange.

Meanwhile, the others hastily retreated, then stared at the Supreme Elder with resentful expressions.

Seriously? Are you treating us like children?

You said it was just gravity—what the hell was that thing just now?

Facing their stares, the old woman grew awkward, then said: “What exactly happened inside? Describe it in detail.”

Hearing this, everyone felt even more uneasy.

If you were trying to trick us in, we could understand—but if even you don’t know, how are we supposed to proceed?

The unknown was the most terrifying.

A senior brother from Longji Peak, at Foundation Establishment peak, bowed: “Respected Supreme Elder, as soon as we entered, all the lights along the passage lit up on their own, then those things surged out from the depths...”

The old woman listened, deep in thought.

She then pulled out a talisman, murmured a few incantations, and within half an hour, several whistling sounds approached from afar.

They were more old women with white hair—Zhou Qing, seeing them, immediately turned away, muttering: “Don’t see me, don’t see me...”

The several Supreme Elders conferred at a distance, then came together.

Everyone hurriedly paid respects.

One Supreme Elder said: “No issue—just a few wandering souls. I’ll give each of you a Yang Fire Talisman to stick on your back; it should keep them at bay. If not, strike back or retreat immediately.”

After speaking, the old woman released a flurry of blazing talismans from her sleeves, each embedding itself into the back of every disciple.

Zhou Qing felt a warm sensation, then nothing more.

Another old woman stepped forward, frowning: “If you see any coffins, remember—make no sound whatsoever. Immediately, instantly, retreat.”

Hearing this, everyone exchanged glances.

Wasn’t this supposed to be a lucrative opportunity brimming with opportunity? Why did it sound so terrifying?

Or are there some things inside that have exceeded your expectations?

But at this point, there’s no turning back—they had to push forward even if it meant forcing their way in.

In contrast, Lu Yaoyao occasionally stole glances at Zhou Qing, who had slowly retreated behind the others, remaining silent.

“Go in. We’ll hold the outside. If anyone is the first to pass through and unlock the key, I have three secret techniques for them to choose from, plus one day’s bath in No. 3 Flame Spirit Blood Pool.”

The third old woman stepped forward, speaking gently, and three glowing jade slips floated in her hands, stirring excitement among the crowd.

Never mind how powerful the secret techniques from the Supreme Elder were—just the Flame Spirit Blood Pool alone was an extraordinary opportunity.

It is said that beneath this pool lies a strange natural Dao pattern; each time it opens, vast quantities of rare herbs and beast essences must be blended, then activated by a special method to brew a peculiar crimson spiritual liquid.

Bathing in this spiritual liquid grants unimaginable benefits.

Afterwards, everyone instinctively turned to look at Zhou Qing, standing behind the crowd, their expressions turning strange.

Zhou Qing’s face changed instantly; he awkwardly scratched his head and looked away.

Not because of anything else—because the Flame Spirit Blood Pool, due to the purity of its liquid, consists of one main and three auxiliary pools, and the No. 3 pool the Supreme Elder mentioned was one of the auxiliary ones.

Several years ago, Yan Xiaohu, having heard the Flame Spirit Blood Pool had finally gathered enough materials, could no longer contain himself and sneaked Zhou Qing in secretly.

If one could sneak in and bathe before anyone else noticed, it would be a massive windfall.

What happened after that need not be said—a group of old women had already stripped naked and entered ahead of time.

Now faced with such a reward, everyone finally had no more hesitation and rushed toward the bronze door…

(End of Chapter)