Chapter 113: The Secret Passage of Second Uncle Is Right Here (6k)

I have to admit, if I really became a useless person, this would indeed be a decent path.

Li Shitao from Lingyun Mansion is exactly like this.

But using a body that isn’t your own feels awkward—and somehow sinister.

“May I ask, Senior Brother, what is the second method?” Zhou Qing bowed respectfully.

Gao Xian smiled slightly: “It seems you didn’t find the first method appealing—fair enough. Soul usurpation goes against the natural order and makes it difficult to walk the Dao for long. As for the second method, it’s not much different from the first: it’s reconstruction.”

“Your current body, shaped by a Golden Core, is far superior to an ordinary person’s; what it lacks is merely spiritual energy—and the source of that energy is your shattered Golden Core. This ancient text records a secret technique; take a look.”

At this, Gao Xian handed over a yellowed book.

After reading it, Zhou Qing immediately shook his head.

The secret technique requires extracting at least three other people’s Golden Cores, then using other rare spiritual herbs to forge a new Golden Core.

Afterward, you slowly cultivate it within your body until it adapts and gradually becomes your own.

Its success rate is as high as sixty percent—quite impressive—but you’ll likely never break through to the Core Formation stage.

After all, the Core Formation arises from the transformation of the Golden Core; something that isn’t truly yours can never become truly yours.

At that point, the residual resentment and wills of others lingering in the Golden Core, mixed with your own—what do you think would emerge from such a transformation?

“Thank you, Senior Brother. I’ll consider it!”

Zhou Qing took the book and bowed again, expressing his gratitude.

Though the methods are flawed, they were genuinely thought out after much effort on his part.

Even if we go to the extreme, both methods allow me to return to the path of cultivation—far better than remaining a mere mortal.

Seeing this, Gao Xian said no more and took his leave from Mo Xingjian.

“You’re a fortunate person. If you truly become a mortal in this life, it would be a pity. Some things must be fought for yourself—how can you know you’re incapable unless you try?”

After speaking, Gao Xian departed.

Watching Gao Xian leave, Mo Xingjian finally stepped down and picked up the book to examine it.

Yan Xiaohu was about to speak, but Mo Xingjian immediately shushed him, swiftly scanning the entire hall with his divine sense before relaxing.

But for safety’s sake, he still communicated with them via telepathy.

“Though I don’t know his true intentions, these two methods are indeed viable—though they violate the natural order. Don’t laugh at me, but I once considered soul usurpation myself during that period,” Mo Xingjian said.

Zhou Qing didn’t directly answer his master but replied: “I’m beginning to find him incomprehensible—even when he said he spent a month finding these methods for me, I strangely felt moved.”

Yan Xiaohu said: “I didn’t think much of it before, but after what he said on Jinyang Peak, I’ve grown genuinely uneasy around him.”

Mo Xingjian walked out into the courtyard, hands behind his back, and after a long silence, said with a thoughtful expression: “Perhaps your suspicion is correct—he may no longer be the Gao Brother we once knew. The final words he spoke to you were likely double-edged.”

Zhou Qing nodded in understanding.

[Some things must still be fought for yourself—how can you know you’re incapable unless you try!]

He may have been speaking to Zhou Qing—or perhaps to himself.

“It seems he’s deliberately trying to warn us,” Zhou Qing murmured, frowning slightly.

On Jinyang Peak, he mentioned that the Sect Master suspected him; now he’s come again to leave this cryptic remark—it feels deeply significant, as if hinting at something.

Mo Xingjian nodded slightly, his expression grave: “He’s grown bored. Playing a game alone for too long without anyone noticing—it’s dull. If not for your repeated reminders, no one would have paid attention to such remarks in ordinary times.”

Yan Xiaohu’s eyes suddenly lit up as if grasping a crucial point: “Master, are you suggesting his mission is nearly complete? Or that he’s about to act? Usually, people only feel this kind of boredom when something is nearing its end.”

Mo Xingjian nodded again, affirming Yan Xiaohu’s guess.

Mo Xingjian nodded solemnly, then turned to face them with an authoritative tone: “This is no longer something you two can handle. Don’t spread rumors—we’ll decide our own course.”

“Yes, Master!” they bowed.

…………

After not seeing the old hen for days, Yan Xiaohu missed her and followed him down the mountain.

「 Zhecibiguantupoyuanying ， Zuzuyikuaijipinlingshimeile ！」

As soon as Yan Xiaohu entered the room, he eagerly picked up the old hen, cradling it gently in his arms, stroking its feathers tenderly, and said with a pained expression to Zhou Qing:

No wonder Core Formation cultivators are so rare—nearly 80–90% of them built their foundation through human paths, and their lifetime limit is likely just Core Formation.

Even so, you still need to prepare the incredibly rare Immortal Formation Pill—just acquiring it, even with money, isn’t guaranteed.

Even in a place as vast as Lingyun Mansion, how long did Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu spend searching?

If not for befriending the rich heir Zhang Wanbao, we might have returned empty-handed.

Even if you’re lucky enough to obtain one, the next step—breaking through—requires massive amounts of pure spirit stones.

Yikejipinlingshi ， Xiangdangyuyibaikuaishangpinlingshi ， Zuzuyiwankezhongpinlingshi ， Baiwanxiapinlingshia 。

How long would an ordinary person need to save?

Erqiezhiliangyuechadelingshi ， Qizhongsuoyunhandezazhigengduo ， Zhishaoyexuyaozhongpintupocaikeyi 。

Zhouqingzeshixiaozhegeiyanxiaohudaoledianshui ， Tayeshiyiyang ， Ruguobushizhecifenleliangkuaijipinlingshi ， Shenshangyejiuyibailaikuaixiapinde 。

One of them has already dimmed considerably—used over the past month to restore his Golden Core, advance to late-stage, and power the Divine Ruins Palace—he doesn’t know how much longer it’ll last.

“By the way, Third Brother, what kind of Core Formation did you achieve?” Zhou Qing asked curiously.

In the cultivation world, Core Formations are ranked into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Mystery, and Earthly. Since Third Brother is Earth Meridian Foundation, his Core Formation should be Earth-tier as well.

At Zhou Qing’s question, Yan Xiaohu grinned and took a deep breath.

The next moment, a brilliant light erupted from his body, and Zhou Qing instinctively shielded his eyes, squinting to see a tiny figure, nearly identical to Yan Xiaohu, slowly emerging within the radiance.

Yet it looked incredibly youthful and adorable, exuding an ethereal aura.

Additionally, on the tiny Core Formation’s forehead was a red mark, pulsing with violent energy.

Yan Xiaohu’s body remained motionless, but the Core Formation floated out, grinning mischievously as it circled Zhou Qing once, clearly proud.

“See that infant mark on the forehead? That’s a unique symbol found only among the top twenty Earth-tier Core Formations. Your Third Brother, modestly speaking, ranks fourteenth among Earth-tier Core Formations—the Violent Core Formation.”

“During battle, you can temporarily boost your cultivation by one tier with zero side effects. Moreover, the top twenty Earth-tier Core Formations have a 30% chance of touching the Transcendence realm.”

Seeing this, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but feel delighted for his Third Brother.

Soon, the Core Formation returned into his body, and Yan Xiaohu opened his eyes again.

“But I can’t compare to you—you’re destined for the Cutting Spirit foundation. Honestly, my expectations aren’t high: just become a Transcendence cultivator someday, take over Master’s position, and become a carefree peak lord with a few disciples.”

Yan Xiaohu grinned cheerfully: “When you become a mighty figure someday, don’t forget me when you find good stuff.”

“Don’t belittle yourself—you might break through to Cutting Spirit too. Then you won’t just protect our Taiqing Sect—you might safeguard the entire Fourth-Level Spiritual Nation,” Zhou Qing said.

Yan Xiaohu waved his hands quickly: “Take on only the responsibility your ability allows. I’m happy just guarding our little patch of land. You’re already late-stage Golden Core—you’ll reach Core Formation soon. Make sure you achieve the Three Flowers Gathering!”

Zhou Qing shook his head: “It depends on fate—I only have a 40% chance. I’ll do my best.”

They chatted for a while longer before Yan Xiaohu left.

But suddenly, he realized—the old hen had been quietly stolen.

Zhou Qing was speechless; now that he knew he was safe, his greedy nature had resurfaced.

You’re short on spirit stones? So am I.

Just as he was about to read, a familiar voice called from outside the courtyard.

“Zhou Qing—”

Hearing the voice, Zhou Qing immediately checked the Void Phenomenon Method, then stepped out and bowed.

“Disciple Zhou Qing, greetings to the Supreme Elder!”

Indeed, the visitor was Elder Duanmu Shu.

A divine sense subtly circled Zhou Qing, and after scanning him, Elder Duanmu sighed deeply.

“I’ve been in seclusion for some time and only now learned of your condition—how unpredictable fate can be. Are you well?” she asked with concern.

Zhou Qing smiled faintly and bowed respectfully: “Thank you for your concern, Supreme Elder. I’m fine. By the way, can ordinary people enter the gravity zone inside the Grotto?”

Hearing this, Elder Duanmu felt both shame and deep pride.

Look—this is a disciple of our Taiqing Sect. Even after all this, he still thinks of helping us unlock the Grotto.

With disciples like this, how could our Taiqing Sect ever fail to flourish!

Meeting Zhou Qing’s hopeful gaze, Elder Duanmu shook her head: “Ordinary people cannot withstand the pressure of the gravity zone. Don’t worry about that matter.”

Hearing her words, Zhou Qing’s eyes filled with disappointment.

Seeing his dejection, Elder Duanmu asked: “I heard your master gave you a body-refining technique. How is your progress?”

Zhou Qing replied: “Still in the exploratory stage.”

In truth, he hadn’t even opened the “Flame Yang Mighty Body Scripture” his master gave him.

Elder Duanmu said: “I consulted with several other Supreme Elders, and we’ve decided to grant you one day of exclusive access to the Number Two Flame Spirit Blood Pool. Though you can no longer absorb spiritual energy, the rare herbs within should strengthen your body and accelerate your body-refining cultivation.”

Zhou Qing looked up in utter disbelief.

His first entry into the Grotto, after turning the key, earned him the “Silver Dragon Hand” and one day in the Number Three Flame Spirit Blood Pool.

In that pool, he directly transformed from Qi Condensation Ninth Layer to Foundation Establishment. But just as it ended, the pool’s level plummeted rapidly, and he heard the Supreme Elders outside angrily uniting to suppress an intruder.

Though he didn’t see the person, he clearly recognized the voice—it was Uncle Er. [Previous context: Chapter 16]

And Uncle Er had been utterly dismissive—yet the Supreme Elders couldn’t catch him.

Moreover, the Flame Spirit Blood Pool was also the origin of Yan Xiaohu’s nightmares.

Seeing Zhou Qing’s stunned expression, Elder Duanmu suddenly felt a pang of sympathy.

After all, she had lived for thousands of years and never touched the Cutting Spirit realm—her only role was to protect Taiqing Sect alongside the other surviving elders, safeguarding the next generation.

When Yan Xiaohu brought Zhou Qing to sneak and watch them bathe, they’d thought those two kids were amusing.

Later, Zhou Qing repeatedly succeeded in passing the gravity zone to unlock the key and help them explore forbidden areas.

She had always held great hope for this child—yet now this…

“Consider it thanks for all the help you’ve given us? Do you have time now?” Elder Duanmu asked with a smile.

Zhou Qing snapped back to reality and nodded eagerly, face alight with surprise: “Yes, yes, yes! Elder, just give me a moment!”

Zhou Qing hurried inside to fetch the body-refinement scroll his Master had given him.

Then, Du Mu Shu led Zhou Qing straight toward the back mountain of Shen Yue Peak…

Not long after, he arrived again at a certain peak, and the No. 2 Flame Spirit Blood Pool appeared far larger than the previous No. 3.

The entire pool emitted a strange, scorching glow; its liquid was an eerie, deep crimson, as if forged by endless flames.

The air was thick with a refreshing, medicinal fragrance.

Remember, whether Number One, Two, or Three, they’re all diluted subsidiary pools—the true main pool is reserved only for the Supreme Elders.

After all, they are the true spiritual pillars and final safeguards of the Taiqing Sect.

“Alright, I won’t disturb you—after all, you’ve already soaked in No. 3 before!” said Du Mu Shu.

Zhou Qing felt immense gratitude, yet hesitated before asking shyly: “Um, Supreme Elder, I have OCD—now that I’ve soaked in both No. 2 and No. 3, what about No. 1…?”

Du Mu Shu stared blankly, then burst into laughter, lightly tapping Zhou Qing’s head three times before turning away.

Zhou Qing rubbed his head.

Does she mean come in the middle of the night—or wait three days?

Great experts always love riddles.

After confirming no one was around, Zhou Qing stared at the blood pool, face alight with excitement.

He had to admit—the Supreme Elders still had a soft spot for him. This was pure luck, completely unexpected.

“Then I won’t be polite!” Zhou Qing rubbed his hands eagerly, about to step in—when he suddenly remembered something.

He hadn’t used today’s [Daily Appraisal] yet. Why not take this chance to see what’s inside? If he could crack the formula, maybe he could get himself a No. 4 Flame Spirit Blood Pool.

Thinking this, Zhou Qing immediately activated the Appraisal.

Soon, a stream of information returned.

【Flame Spirit Blood Pool: This is a blood pool diluted tenfold, rich with potent medicinal properties, highly beneficial to cultivators. But no one knows that, ten meters below, centuries of accumulated sediment have condensed into three blocks of Flame Spirit Blood Paste. Beneath the Paste lies a passage leading to the Heavenly Realm’s Gravity Zone.】

Staring at the floating text above the pool, Zhou Qing froze—then erupted in wild joy.

Flame Spirit Blood Paste? That sounded like a treasure—and it had formed over centuries.

What stunned him even more: a passage to a Heavenly Realm lay beneath.

In an instant, he recalled the tunnel the Second Uncle had drilled through—and how the Second Uncle had appeared here before. It couldn’t be coincidence.

“Wait—didn’t the Supreme Elders repair that tunnel twice? Didn’t they check its origin before patching it?” Zhou Qing mused.

Or had the Second Uncle planted something to hide it from them?

Zhou Qing puzzled, but had no time to dwell. He shed his clothes, stared at the scar on his belly—wide and jagged like a C-section—and stepped slowly into the pool.

Even after one prior soak, the moment he touched the liquid, a violent energy surged into his body, searing pain making him hiss.

Without hesitation, he activated the Yin-Yang Scripture to begin refining—and didn’t rush downward. Instead, he waited quietly, feigning agony.

“Supreme Elder! Cramp! My leg’s cramping! Aaahhh~!”

Suddenly, Zhou Qing shouted, frantically slapping the pool’s edge, then plunged completely beneath the blood.

He waited a long while before surfacing again.

Seeing no surveillance, he exhaled in relief.

Then he coated his eyes with spiritual power, dove straight down, and when he saw the floor tiles and silt, he wrapped them in spiritual energy to form a vacuum seal, preventing leakage, before pulling out his broken sword to pry up the tiles.

After prying loose three tiles, damp soil beneath was exposed.

Zhou Qing breathed a sigh of relief—such a vital place had no array at all? Otherwise, he’d have been helpless.

Taking a breath, Zhou Qing began his own “Shawshank Redemption.”

Time passed slowly—soon, he reached ten meters down and found the first block of Flame Spirit Blood Paste.

It was a thick, paste-like substance, a deep, rich crimson, radiating a scorching, exotic medicinal scent—its purity far beyond anything in the pool above.

Zhou Qing was ecstatic. This was essence accumulated over countless years.

Carefully, he sealed it in a jade box, then resumed digging left and right, now even more cautious, terrified of damaging it.

He periodically surfaced to breathe, constantly watching for the Supreme Elders’ sudden appearance.

Fortunately, soon the second block appeared—larger than the first. Two full hours later, he found the third, buried even deeper.

“Just these three blocks of Flame Spirit Blood Paste contain enough spiritual energy and medicinal power to propel me to Golden Core peak in short order!”

Estimating roughly, Zhou Qing’s heart pounded with excitement.

He hadn’t expected such a windfall from a simple Appraisal.

Then he turned his gaze downward. After brief hesitation, he kept digging. This time, less than half an hour passed before his broken sword plunged through—suddenly, the soil collapsed, revealing a dark, gaping underground entrance.

Zhou Qing’s face lit up. Without hesitation, he leapt down.

The moment he landed, he snapped into alert posture.

His spiritual sense flared outward—confirming no danger—he began scanning his surroundings.

The tunnel stood nearly a man’s height, faint cool air stirring within.

“Is it connected?” Zhou Qing quickly pulled out a Moonstone and advanced.

After walking about a hundred meters, he suddenly paused, looking up.

“If No. 2 could produce Flame Spirit Blood Paste, then No. 1 and No. 3 must have it too—but which one? Has this passage reached them? And the main pool—”

As he thought this, a vivid image flashed in his mind.

Several Supreme Elders soaking in the main pool, while he, below, dug with a hoe.

Ding-dong, ding-dong—they weren’t deaf. They’d hear him.

If he accidentally broke through, all the spiritual liquid would rush back—by then, even escape would be impossible.

“The main pool’s Flame Spirit Blood Paste must be abundant—but it’s surely protected by arrays. One misstep and I’d trigger them. Better not risk it. But No. 1 and No. 3? I’ll try those.”

Zhou Qing quickened his pace. Knowing he was in the Supreme Elders’ territory, he dared not use spiritual power—only tiptoed in a light run.

“Huh—”

Soon, Zhou Qing noticed lines of handwriting etched into the tunnel walls. The messy script matched almost exactly the two characters he’d seen beside the old tunnel: 【Just this?】

At that moment, Zhou Qing was certain—this tunnel was dug by the Second Uncle.

He brought the Moonstone closer to read.

【Didn’t think you’d find it after all!】

【Hmph, this time I’m going to see what’s inside those coffins.】

【Second trip. Scared the hell out of me—you guys guard this place like a fortress. I was almost made Sect Master, and you still claim you haven’t figured it out.】

【Damn those three crows—I refuse to believe there’s no way to evade them.】

…………

The inscriptions bore signs of age. As Zhou Qing advanced, the rambling messages grew more numerous.

The Second Uncle must have meticulously planned this after faking his death.

As he read, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but smile.

“What a childish old man!”

If he guessed right, these words were deliberately left—meant to be seen if the Supreme Elders ever discovered the tunnel.

A boast.

Like the 【Just this?】 carved after the tunnel was breached—who wouldn’t be furious?

Soon, two newest messages appeared.

【I’m finally free—I’m never coming back.】

【I’m back again. This time, you won’t trap me.】

…………

Any big shots have book recommendations? Give me three.



(End of Chapter)