Chapter 112: The Rattle Beneath Gao Xian

【Heart Mirror +9】

The prompt sounded again, and Zhou Qing instinctively looked at Yan Xiao, who was now greedily staring at him.

More precisely, at his nose.

And his headtag 【Only Little Brother for the Rest of My Life】 had changed to 【Little Brother with a Weird Nose】.

Come on, do you two have some kind of telepathy? How could you both say the same thing?

Yan Xiao couldn’t help blurting out: “Fourth Brother, how about you pluck me a couple of your nose hairs? I’ll try sticking them in my own nose and see if I can become like you.”

Zhou Qing shuddered at the words.

Wait, who’s the real weirdo here?

Mo Xingjian was speechless. “I saw you so down these past few days, I thought this incident might’ve matured you a bit. But now that Fourth Brother just brought good news, you’re back to your old tricks.”

Can you please act like a proper cultivator for once!

“Listen: to outsiders, Fourth Brother is now just an ordinary person. Stop grinning like an idiot. Try to look gloomy, keep your face serious—don’t let anyone suspect a thing!”

Mo Xingjian kicked Yan Xiao squarely on the butt as a warning.

Yan Xiao rubbed his rear, muttering grumpily: “Alright, alright, I got it.”

Zhou Qing hesitated: “Master, should we tell Sect Master Bai Yu about the yin-yang energy and the Xuanyou Immortal?”

After a moment’s thought, Mo Xingjian shook his head: “No. Knowing him, he’d lock you up immediately—and that’d only put you in greater danger.”

“As for the Xuanyou Immortal, even less so. Taiqingmen must remain allied with Qingyu Immortal Sect. We absolutely cannot drive her to the enemy. As a Soul Transformation cultivator, even an idle word or a glance from you can reveal too much.”

Hearing his master’s words, Zhou Qing exhaled softly in relief.

That was precisely what he’d feared most.

“Don’t wander off for now. If I uncover anything, I’ll let you know. By the way, Third Brother, hurry and reach Nascent Soul—don’t let Fourth Brother overtake you!”

Mo Xingjian turned to Yan Xiao again.

Yan Xiao snorted, arms crossed: “Not necessarily.”

After giving the two detailed instructions, Mo Xingjian hurried off.

Yan Xiao didn’t dare linger—Zhou Qing had only just begun recovering today—so he too left, preparing for his own Nascent Soul formation.

But as soon as he stepped out the gate, he seemed to remember something, immediately dropped his face, and slapped his thigh in lament: “Oh, my Fourth Brother—”

“Stop wailing!” Zhou Qing rushed out after him.

Yan Xiao grinned sheepishly and vanished in a flash.

After closing the door, Zhou Qing felt a wave of relief. It seemed carrying too many secrets weighed heavily indeed.

The system interface couldn’t be explained at all. As for the Divine Ruins Tiangong—that involved a Level Seven cultivation nation long since exterminated. This matter was too huge; the fewer people who knew, the safer it was.

“Originally, today I planned to go with Third Brother to Jin Yang Peak again, under the guise of returning books, to probe into Senior Brother Gao Xian’s secrets. But then my Golden Core began rebirth.”

Zhou Qing looked at the scroll of the Divine Art: Illusory Form in the Void, and decided to begin cultivation of it first.

He placed the scroll against his forehead and probed it. A flood of characters surged into his mind. The cultivation difficulty made him whistle in disbelief—it was no weaker than the Azure Thunder Sword Art.

No wonder Master said it was hard—it truly was!

In the days that followed, Zhou Qing slowly recovered while studying the Illusory Form in the Void, using supreme-grade spirit stones.

Five days later, Yan Xiao brought over the hen.

“I’m about to form my Nascent Soul. Since I’ve already condensed the Infant Flame, it won’t take long—but still, ten days to half a month at least. I’m afraid I’ll starve her to death!” Yan Xiao said.

Zhou Qing offered his congratulations and pulled out another supreme-grade spirit stone and a Nascent Soul Pill from his person.

“Just in case.”

Yan Xiao waved it off: “You’re underestimating me. I’m a Earth Vein Foundation Establishment cultivator with decent talent—I don’t need this. Just wait for my good news!”

Yan Xiao beamed with pride, then turned and left.

Zhou Qing shook his head in disbelief but silently wished his brother would succeed soon.

He looked at the Nascent Soul Pill in his hand. With his current talent and Heavenly Dao energy, he wouldn’t need it. Perhaps someone else did.

But he hadn’t expected Lu Yaoyao to return three days later—this time with Li Daoxuan and others.

All of them carried gifts. Even Li Daoxuan invited Zhou Qing to visit Shen Yue Peak for a stroll to clear his mind.

As for Lu Yaoyao, she brought more wooden carvings—but these weren’t the unknown beasts from before. Instead, they depicted great mountains and rivers, full of grandeur.

Zhou Qing accepted them with a smile. He was now nearly certain: he truly resembled one of Lu Yaoyao’s brothers—and that brother had likely met his end.

That was why she treated him so warmly, even matchmaking him randomly.

Fortunately, she didn’t seem angry. He’d worried his questions during their last meal might’ve hurt her.

After seeing them off, Zhou Qing slowly resumed his recovery.

During this time, Xuanyou Immortal indeed came with Cui Yingying and others—but Mo Xingjian, fearing they’d sense Zhou Qing’s returning spiritual power, refused their visit.

He claimed the boy didn’t want to see anyone, and managed to send them away—but they left behind a large quantity of tonics.

After staying a few days, they departed aboard a massive airship.

That night, Zhou Qing sat cross-legged, yin-yang energy swirling around him. As his aura surged higher, pressure spread outward like a tidal wave.

Inside his body, spiritual power surged like a raging river, ceaseless and unyielding. His Golden Core glowed brighter than ever before.

In an instant, an even stronger aura erupted from Zhou Qing, blindingly radiant, impossible to look upon directly.

As he formed hand seals, the aura rapidly retracted, returning to stillness.

“One month—finally fully restored. Just as expected. I’ve even broken through to late Golden Core!”

Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the slightly dimmed supreme-grade spirit stone in his hand, overjoyed.

Immediately, he formed hand seals again, murmuring incantations. As the spell activated, a faint, translucent halo slowly emanated from his body.

The halo, like gauze, enveloped him. His once powerful, sharp aura gradually faded.

In its place emerged a calm, ordinary presence.

“The Illusory Form in the Void is truly remarkable—thankfully, my comprehension talent isn’t fake!”

After completing this, Zhou Qing seemed to have returned to his natural state—once again, a “useless mortal” with no spiritual power whatsoever.

Third Brother hadn’t emerged yet—he must be close. Looking at the books on the table, Zhou Qing made his decision.

When dawn broke, Zhou Qing found Niu Guangmo and asked him to take him to Jin Yang Peak.

He had no choice—he was now a “commoner.” The distance between the two peaks was immense. Walking would take forever.

…………

“Senior Brother Gao Xian!” Zhou Qing bowed, holding the books.

Gao Xian smiled slightly: “Finished reading?”

“Yes. Learned a great deal. So I’ve come to borrow more books,” Zhou Qing said gratefully.

Gao Xian looked at him in mild surprise, then said nothing. After brief thought, he began selecting suitable books for him.

Zhou Qing seized the chance to glance around, searching for anything unusual to identify.

Soon, beneath the tea table by the window, he spotted a rattle resting on a cushion.

He frowned in confusion.

This object, like the Gu container he’d seen on the desk before, stood out grotesquely from its surroundings.

While Gao Xian wasn’t looking, Zhou Qing slowly shifted closer. When near enough, he activated his identification.

【Rattle: This rattle was handmade by a father for his daughter, Nannan. Now, it can only serve as a keepsake of longing, always by his side.】

Seeing the feedback, Zhou Qing narrowed his eyes.

Father?

Nannan?

Clearly, the father referred to Gao Xian himself. The real Gao Xian had never had a consort, let alone a daughter.

“Nannan” was a term of endearment for a child. But this man had replaced the real Gao Xian—who knew how long ago?

Yet he still carried the rattle as a keepsake. That meant only one thing: his daughter was dead.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing frowned slightly.

Had he come for revenge? Had someone from Taiqingmen killed his daughter?

Was it another peak master—or the original Gao Xian?

Of course, it might not be revenge. Other motives were possible.

“What are you thinking about? So lost in thought!” Gao Xian’s voice suddenly sounded beside him, snapping Zhou Qing back.

Looking at Gao Xian’s gentle face, Zhou Qing quickly took the books and smiled: “Nothing. Just… the smell of books is really nice sometimes.”

“If you like the smell, come to Jin Yang Peak often. You can read any of these books!” Gao Xian said.

Zhou Qing thanked him again, exchanged a few more words, then rose to take his leave.

Outside, Niu Guangmo, who had been waiting, immediately mounted his sword and carried Zhou Qing back toward Xiao Ling Peak.

“Gao Xian’s true identity… I’ll have to peel back the layers slowly to uncover it.”

Zhou Qing thought to himself.

Upon returning to his quarters, he saw Yan Xiao waiting eagerly outside the courtyard, waving enthusiastically at the two.

“Third Brother!”

“Boss!”

Both rushed down, astonished and delighted.

Yan Xiao tossed a storage bag to Niu Guangmo: “Niu, go gather the guys. Tonight, we’re hitting Yushan Hall.”

Niu Guangmo instantly understood, excited: “Boss has reached Nascent Soul! This feast is on me! I’ll go call everyone right away!”

Saying that, he vanished like a gust of wind.

“You’re treating us to dinner? Then pay me back first!” Yan Xiao Hu shouted from behind.

Zhou Qing smiled broadly: “Congratulations, Third Senior Brother! Heartfelt congratulations!”

Yan Xiao Hu immediately stuck his hands on his hips and burst into loud laughter—but soon, he sensed a fleeting aura of late Foundation Establishment.

His grin froze instantly, then he stared at Zhou Qing in disbelief.

Zhou Qing merely nodded slightly.

Yan Xiao Hu rolled his eyes: “My whole day’s good mood is ruined. Look, I originally used… never mind, it’s pointless. Old Ox, stop right there—I’m not eating this meal anymore…”

Without another word, Yan Xiao Hu hurried after him.

………

Jade Banquet Hall!

In the largest private room, everyone’s face beamed with joy as they kept raising cups to toast Yan Xiao Hu.

Yan Xiao Hu was genuinely delighted, especially after drinking heavily—he couldn’t stop boasting.

Zhou Qing stood aside, smiling as he watched them.

Nascent Soul realm? That’s already considered the backbone of Taiqingmen. Next comes Soul Transformation, requiring comprehension of artistic intent.

But how many Soul Transformation cultivators does Taiqingmen have altogether? Even the senior elders barely reached Soul Transformation’s peak.

Soon, Shi Zhen arrived with her close friend Lu Yaoyao to join the celebration.

After eating and drinking their fill, it was deep night; the summit of Shen Yue Peak was about to be locked down, so everyone gradually dispersed.

“Senior Sister Shi Zhen!” Zhou Qing, who had barely drunk any alcohol, called out to her then.

Shi Zhen turned, puzzled: “Young Brother Zhou, what is it?”

Zhou Qing smiled faintly and handed her a jade vial.

“I won’t be needing this anymore. I hope one day you’ll reach Nascent Soul soon too—then you’ll have to treat us!” Zhou Qing chuckled.

He then left with the drunken Yan Xiao Hu and others.

Shi Zhen frowned, but when she opened the vial and saw the Nascent Soul Pill inside, her eyes instantly reddened.

【Heart Mirror Point +9】

The annotation above her head—【Poor, Helpless Young Brother Zhou】—instantly changed to 【Young Brother Zhou Like a Little Brother】.

Never mind how rare a Nascent Soul Pill is; everyone knew Young Brother Zhou had become what he was today precisely because he went to Lingyun Mansion to retrieve one.

Yet now, he calmly gave it to her—clearly, his heart was vast, and he treated her like family.

She, Shi Zhen, would remember this kindness!

………

“Master!” When the two returned to Xiao Ling Peak, they found Mo Xingjian standing at the mountain’s base, arms behind his back.

Yan Xiao Hu’s drunkenness vanished instantly; Niu Guangmo and the others bowed and quickly departed.

Mo Xingjian sniffed the alcohol on Yan Xiao Hu and said dryly: “Oh? Isn’t this Yan Xiao Hu, who turned grief into strength and broke through to Nascent Soul? Seems awfully happy.”

Yan Xiao Hu chuckled awkwardly: “Master, you know I’ve been stuck at this realm for years. Now that I’ve finally broken through, I just wanted everyone to celebrate together.”

Mo Xingjian sighed helplessly—he wasn’t one to spoil the fun—and led the two up the mountain.

“According to our spy in Cangyan Dao Palace, no one has yet learned of the discovery of Chaos Xuan Metal in the Beimang Mine. You handled this very cleanly!” Mo Xingjian whispered to them.

Yan Xiao Hu beamed: “Of course! The Nascent Soul guard at Beimang, a fellow named Peng Si, had already been badly injured by Senior Brother One. Then me and Old Four teamed up—he never had a chance to escape.”

“Still too risky. They’ve already sent five Nascent Soul cultivators to investigate. Stay away from there in the future!” Mo Xingjian warned.

Both nodded in understanding.

Soon, Mo Xingjian seemed to recall something else: “Lingyun Mansion has sent new people to replace Qian Dafu. To ensure safety, the Sect Master has assigned three individuals in a triangular surveillance formation. Here’s the list and addresses.”

Mo Xingjian handed them a slip of paper.

He showed them because these two had accidentally befriended Zhang Wanbao, the only son of Zhang Yifu, chairman of the Wanxiang Auction House, and Xiao Cancan, the mansion’s governor’s daughter.

This was a valuable connection. Even if Zhou Qing never went there again, if the sect ever needed something, Yan Xiao Hu could still be the link.

“Master, I’ve reached late Golden Core!” Zhou Qing whispered.

Mo Xingjian froze, eyes brightening—then immediately snapped back and asked urgently: “Have you mastered the Void Realm Manifestation?”

He had sensed not a single ripple of spiritual power from Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing nodded.

Seeing Zhou Qing confirm it, Mo Xingjian was even more stunned.

He knew better than anyone how difficult that scripture was to master—yet this boy had quietly mastered it in just one month.

Such comprehension was extraordinary.

“I’ll need to design a separate cultivation plan just for you,” Mo Xingjian murmured.

When Zhou Qing returned to his quarters and activated the barrier, he took out the [Divine Ruin Tiangong] token.

It had been over eight months since his last entry.

But this time, he had no mid-grade spirit stones—yet he suspected those stones merely provided the energy needed to open the passage.

A supreme-grade spirit stone should work similarly.

He placed the already dimmed supreme-grade spirit stone atop the token—and as expected, its color rapidly faded to gray.

In an instant, his consciousness was sucked back inside.

When he opened his eyes again, he stood within that strange space.

The three floating images above were filled with green, blue, and cyan hues—each showing someone attempting to enter a forbidden zone they had seen.

Zhou Qing smiled and stepped into one.

Since his breakthrough to late Golden Core, the gravity here had become even more terrifying; deep within the passage, roars echoed endlessly.

There was also a faint, chilling sensation of being watched.

[160] A faint, hair-raising sensation of being watched lingered.

Zhou Qing remembered—the senior elders dared not enter because this gravity zone concealed some terrifying entity.

If any force exceeding Nascent Soul level intruded, it would awaken—and attack indiscriminately.

It was a protective mechanism—and also a constraint upon them.

Of course, previously there had been no wandering souls; when Qi Condensation or Foundation Establishment disciples entered, the gravity served as a boon.

ROAR!

Five late Golden Core wandering souls lunged out at once. Zhou Qing braced against the pressure, drew his Broken Wound Blade, and lightning surged as he began to fight…

Beneath the moonlight, Zhou Qing lay on his bed, smiling bitterly.

He had entered three times—nine chances—all ended in the second wave. He simply couldn’t get through.

“No rush. Take it slow. Treat it as training—after all, this gravity is the best supplement for me right after my breakthrough!”

Zhou Qing comforted himself, listening to the old hen snoring. He rolled over and drifted into drowsiness.

The next day, after feeding the old hen some powdered spirit stones, Yan Xiao Hu rushed over.

“Old Four, big news! Senior Brother Gao Xian is here looking for you!”

Zhou Qing frowned: “Looking for me? Why?”

Yan Xiao Hu shook his head: “I don’t know. Master told me to fetch you. You’re a mortal now—you can’t receive messages from the token, and I have to escort you personally.”

Zhou Qing puzzled, tidied up quickly, confirmed his Void Realm Manifestation left no trace, then followed Yan Xiao Hu toward the summit.

Soon, in the grand hall, he saw Senior Brother Gao Xian—and Mo Xingjian, silent.

After all he’d been through, everyone’s impression of him had shifted slightly—but the annotation above Gao Xian’s head still read: 【Clever Little Actor】—the one from when he helped Imperial Prince Xuan Yuan Yichen identify the first ancient artifact.

Besides him, there was Xuan You Immortal Lady. Though his master had blocked their meeting, surely she’d at least given him a point or two?

Clearly, he was just a background extra. If not for her suspicion that Senior Brother One might be the Three Flowers Gathered at the Crown, she’d have sent someone to offer condolences—not come herself.

“Senior Brother, Senior Brother!”

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao Hu bowed.

Mo Xingjian turned to Gao Xian: “Senior Brother Gao, he’s here. You may speak.”

Gao Xian nodded slightly, then turned to Zhou Qing: “Zhou Qing, do you still wish to cultivate?”

Zhou Qing froze, then forced a resolute expression: “Of course I do!”

Gao Xian stood up: “Since your Golden Core shattered, I’ve spent over a month searching for ways to restore it. That hall didn’t originally hold so many books—they were all gathered during that time from across the sect.”

Hearing this, Zhou Qing’s heart trembled.

No wonder he’d always been poring over those shelves during his visits—he’d been searching for a way to restore my Golden Core.

Suddenly, Zhou Qing felt something he couldn’t name toward this man—and grew utterly confused.

“You’re fortunate—I actually found one. There are two methods. Which one do you want to try?”

Zhou Qing instinctively glanced at Mo Xingjian, who frowned, eyes locked on Gao Xian’s back, silent.

Yan Xiao Hu, snapping to attention, feigned ecstatic joy and elbowed Zhou Qing hard.

Zhou Qing came to his senses and bowed deeply: “I want it desperately! Please, Senior Brother, instruct me!”

Gao Xian showed no surprise at his reaction: “Both methods defy Heaven’s harmony. But then again—man must serve himself, or Heaven and Earth will destroy him. The choice is yours.”

Zhou Qing hadn’t expected—most people couldn’t even find one method, yet he had two.

Gao Xian continued: “The first method is soul possession. But it has three restrictions: First, you cannot possess a mortal body—it will collapse under the strain.”

Second, only a cultivator with higher spiritual power may possess one with lower power, to avoid backlash.

But even then, success increases greatly if the target willingly submits—or if others assist in suppressing resistance.

Third: each person has only one chance at soul possession. A second attempt will erase the soul completely—no reincarnation possible.

You once cultivated to Golden Core. Even though your power is gone, your soul was shaped by cultivation. If you possess a Golden Core body—with me and your master assisting—you could do it easily.”

Hearing Gao Xian’s words, Zhou Qing frowned.

Requesting monthly votes

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(End of chapter)