Chapter 127: Big Brother Zhou, why not find a place to let off some steam?

Zhang Wanbao and Fu Kui also arrived here, having stayed an extra day at Taiqingmen.

“Big Brother Yan, tell Big Brother Zhou not to worry—there will surely be a way. My father’s auction house has countless treasures; once I return, I’ll search thoroughly and see if I can help.”

Zhang Wanbao patted his chest and swore solemnly.

Yan Xiaohu heard this and instinctively glanced at the silent Fu Kui, then let out a light cough and said, “Thank you for your kindness. But don’t forget what we told you—those items aren’t your personal possessions; they’re what your father built up through years of hard work.”

“I know, come on, don’t worry about it—let’s go!” Then Zhang Wanbao stepped onto the silver flying vessel, waving goodbye to everyone.

At this point, all eyes turned to the only remaining outsider—Bai He.

Meeting so many gazes, Bai He chuckled awkwardly and scratched his head. “Mainly because I’ve got nothing to do… Well, actually, I planned to fully appreciate the mountain and river scenery—so I won’t disturb you all!”

When Bai He accidentally met Luo Lingling’s icy gaze, he shivered and quickly corrected himself.

After leaving Taiqingmen’s mountain gate, Bai He went straight to his usual spot and skillfully set up his tent.

At this moment, Zhou Qing was fully immersed in cultivating the “Yanyang Bati Jue,” his progress so swift it was astonishing.

The key to cultivating the “Yanyang Bati Jue” lies in drawing in the fiery yang energy of heaven and earth to temper one’s body.

Leaving aside his innate talent, just the fact that his fourth flower converged at the crown meant the third red flower’s enhancement was precisely yang energy.

Thus, Zhou Qing’s cultivation of this technique was seamless and effortless.

In just a few days, his physical strength multiplied several times over.

Others didn’t even need to approach him to clearly sense a vast, potent yang fire energy radiating from his body.

“Excellent, excellent!” When Mo Xingjian sensed this unusual aura, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

Zhou Qing also emerged from cultivation, his face flushed with excitement.

Previously, he had greatly underestimated the wonders of this body-refining technique; now, with his physical power greatly enhanced, he wouldn’t easily be injured even if he faced enemies.

“Originally, my plan was to take you on a journey, then return and claim we’d stumbled upon an ancient ruin of a fifth-tier spiritual nation—or found some legendary healing elixir—to explain your repaired Jin Dan.”

“But now, countless factions have flooded into this region, and the situation is chaotic. Under these circumstances, your ordinary identity has become your best disguise.”

Zhou Qing understood his master’s intentions and smiled. “This isn’t urgent. Right now, I might as well use this chance to steady and consolidate my cultivation base.”

Mo Xingjian nodded approvingly. “Your calm nature resembles Er Niang’s. I’m reassured now.”

“What do you mean, resembles? He’s my brother. Besides, who says young people must be flashy and boastful?”

Luo Lingling’s voice suddenly came from outside, then she stepped through the door carrying a food box, muttering.

Seeing this, Mo Xingjian grew awkward and quickly changed the subject. “Have you brought food to Bai He? He’s still a prince, staying outside our mountain gate looking pitiful. If the imperial capital finds out, they’ll think we’re deliberately humiliating the royal family.”

“Don’t worry—he won’t starve. Besides, I didn’t make him stay outside; what’s that got to do with me?” Luo Lingling said indifferently.

Mo Xingjian sighed helplessly. “Yes, yes, none of it’s your business. Even the Sect Master personally came to invite him in, yet he won’t step across the gate without your permission.”

Luo Lingling ignored Mo Xingjian’s nagging and quietly took out the dishes from the food box, arranging them on the table.

“I’m leaving!” Luo Lingling suddenly said after sitting down.

Both men froze at these words.

Mo Xingjian hurriedly said, “You just got back! Letting that guy stay outside is fine—I was just joking with you…”

“It’s not about him. Old Mo, haven’t you noticed anything strange since I returned?” Luo Lingling suddenly crossed her arms and glared at Mo Xingjian.

Mo Xingjian frowned, hesitated briefly, then said cautiously, “Is my second girl more beautiful now?”

“The aura on Second Sister is the same as when Big Brother left. Second Sister, are you about to enter Soul Transformation?” Zhou Qing had barely finished speaking when he realized his mistake, his face filled with shock.

Luo Lingling beamed, pinched Zhou Qing’s cheek, and said happily, “Only my little Aqing notices so carefully. Big Brother will enter Soul Transformation within four or five years, but I’ll still need about ten.”

“My realm differs from others—I need more opportunities to deepen and refine it. Staying in the sect will only trap me.”

Hearing Luo Lingling’s words, Mo Xingjian’s expression turned complex—unclear whether he was happy or reluctant, but mostly worried.

After a moment of silence, he asked, “When are you leaving?”

“Tonight!” Luo Lingling replied decisively.

After saying this, all three fell silent.

Mo Xingjian suddenly stood up and walked out.

Seeing this, Luo Lingling merely smiled, poured Zhou Qing a cup of wine, and said, “Ignore him. Aren’t you going to see your sister off?”

Zhou Qing, reluctant, picked up the cup and said, “Wish you a safe journey, Sister!”

“Thank you, my little Aqing. I also wish you smooth cultivation. You entered last, yet you’ve already caught up with Third Brother. Maybe you’ll be next—I must hurry, or I won’t be able to protect you!”

Luo Lingling smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with hope and affection for Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing replied seriously, “Then let me protect you.”

“Good! I’ll remember that, little Aqing. Now, eat!” Luo Lingling laughed, then pulled out her identity token and sent a message to Yan Xiaohu.

“That Third Tiger—he’s always hugging a hen. What’s he even doing all day? I’m leaving, and I still can’t find him!”

Luo Lingling complained as she sent the message.

Soon after, Yan Xiaohu rushed in, his face filled with disbelief as he stared blankly at Luo Lingling.

“What are you standing there for? Sit down! We don’t know when we’ll meet again,” Luo Lingling said quickly.

Yan Xiaohu’s eyes reddened, and he sat down silently.

“Look at you two—you’re acting like it’s a farewell before death. Cheer up! While I’m gone, you two must look out for each other. Especially you, Third Tiger—don’t let anything like what happened to Little Aqing happen again.”

Luo Lingling gave them a concerned warning.

Yan Xiaohu just kept eating, then pulled out the priceless ten-thousand-year blood ginseng and handed it to Luo Lingling.

“I don’t need this in the sect. Take it—just in case,” Yan Xiaohu said gruffly.

Looking at the blood ginseng, Luo Lingling paused, about to speak, but Yan Xiaohu cut in: “It can save lives.”

Seeing Yan Xiaohu’s stubborn expression, Luo Lingling suddenly laughed, reached out, and gently patted his head. “Alright, I’ll take it.”

Zhou Qing hadn’t expected Third Brother to be so generous—he immediately checked his storage bag, wondering what he could give his sister.

But aside from the wound-healing ointment, there was nothing else.

His sister had her own weapon; this broken sword clearly wasn’t suitable for her.

“Sister, I’ve got a hen…” Zhou Qing hesitated, then spoke up.

“Keep the hen—I still need to raise it! And a hen beside you might even bring danger!” Yan Xiaohu interrupted immediately.

Zhou Qing was speechless—you give your sister a priceless blood ginseng, yet won’t part with a hen?

Especially one that’s mine.

But thinking it over, Third Brother’s point made sense—it really wasn’t appropriate.

Seeing this, Luo Lingling laughed, waved her hand, and said, “Enough with the sentimentality—just eat and drink!”

“To Sister!” Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu said together.

“Wishing us all well!” Luo Lingling replied with a smile, then raised her cup and drained it.

…………

That night, Luo Lingling left—and quietly returned Yan Xiaohu’s blood ginseng.

Mo Xingjian stood alone atop the mountain peak, his gaze fixed on the slender figure fading into the distance, his expression complex, filled with reluctance.

Bai He hastily packed his tent and hurriedly put distance between them, following after.

“Next time we meet, they’ll both be Soul Transformation. Fourth, have you ever thought about your own realm?”

Moonlight flowed like water over the earth. Yan Xiaohu slowly turned his head, his gaze falling on Zhou Qing, and asked softly.

Zhou Qing shook his head, his expression calm. “I haven’t thought deeply about it yet. You can’t force it—it must come naturally.”

“Yes… naturally…” Yan Xiaohu looked up, gazing at the figure now nearly vanished into the night, murmuring to himself, his eyes filled with melancholy and loneliness.

…………

Inside the room, Zhou Qing sat cross-legged in peace, quietly cultivating under the clear moonlight streaming through the skylight.

After the four flowers converged at the crown, the first enhancement was that cultivation under moonlight doubled or tripled its effectiveness.

After personally verifying this over recent days, Zhou Qing was pleasantly surprised to find that one night’s cultivation under moonlight equaled two or three nights of ordinary practice.

In the days that followed, Zhou Qing first completed the “Yanyang Bati Jue,” then turned his full attention to mastering the third technique of the “Canglei Jian Jue.”

This final technique was a brilliant synthesis of the first two, immensely powerful, yet far more complex and difficult to comprehend, demanding great mental effort to study.

Time flew—half a year passed in the blink of an eye.

As Mo Xingjian had predicted, the Shengwu Empire began publicly spreading rumors about neighboring spiritual nations.

The gist claimed the one who achieved the four-flowers-converging was a cultivator from another spiritual nation, deliberately orchestrating this to divert danger eastward.

Otherwise, who would be so foolish as to choose the desert sands as their breakthrough location?

They listed countless such arguments, all claiming it must have been premeditated.

Yet those in the Lingyun Prefecture region had searched for months and found not a trace of the four-flowers-converging cultivator.

Now, with the Shengwu Empire’s declaration, people had no choice but to gradually withdraw.

Taiqingmen also lifted its mountain ban, allowing its disciples to freely leave and move about.

“Big Brother Zhou, what are you doing?”

That day, Zhou Qing was enjoying a sunbath when Lu Yaoyao walked over, hands behind her back, grinning mischievously.

“Why are you here?” Zhou Qing asked, removing the hat from his face.

Lu Yaoyao giggled. “Why can’t I be here? This body-refining technique must be great—I can feel your fire is burning hot. Why not find a place to let it out?”

Zhou Qing nearly fell off his reclining chair.

What the hell? You’re just a kid—what kind of nonsense are you thinking about?

Seeing Zhou Qing stare at her strangely, Lu Yaoyao frowned. “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m serious. Same place—the lake behind the mountain is perfect now. Swimming there is incredibly refreshing.”

“Oh—it’s swimming!” Zhou Qing finally understood, his face flushed with embarrassment.

Lu Yaoyao still looked puzzled. “What else would it be?”

Zhou Qing pondered briefly and found the suggestion quite good.

This would be a perfect chance to test the effect of my second Nascent Soul enhancement—and verify whether it truly grants the ease of a fish in water.

Besides, the lake behind the mountain might still harbor Ice Soul Shadow Scale Fish.

With my Level Four 【Reduced Presence】 skill, perhaps the fish will stumble straight into my arms without realizing it.

“What are you two chatting about? So cheerful?” At that moment, Yan Xiao’s voice came from beside them.

Lu Yaoyao turned her head, puzzled: “Yan Shixiong, you’re fast! Just a moment ago I saw you at the Mission Hall.”

“Shoo, shoo, can’t you speak properly? Remember—never say a man is ‘fast.’ That’s the bare minimum of respect!” Yan Xiao waved his hand, feigning annoyance.

Seeing this, Lu Yaoyao playfully stuck out her tongue and made a face.

But Zhou Qing stared intently at the space above Yan Xiao’s head, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

For above Yan Xiao’s head, the note now read: 【Prodigy Baby】.

Only Second Uncle could describe him with “Baby.”

But I recall his note used to say: 【Gifted Baby】.

When I succeeded in the Four Flowers at the Crown, two prompts came— one was Third Brother’s, the other must have been Second Uncle’s.

This situation fits perfectly.

Zhou Qing then turned to Lu Yaoyao, smiling gently, and said softly: “Lu Shimei, how about we go another day? I just remembered I need to talk properly with Third Brother.”

Hearing the clear dismissal in Zhou Qing’s tone, Lu Yaoyao pouted, sounding slightly hurt: “I just got here! Fine, go ahead and talk. Don’t forget to contact me with your identity token later.”

Lu Yaoyao didn’t sulk; she seemed to sense they had something important to discuss, so she turned and left.

Zhou Qing slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and sighed: “Old man’s scent—so pure. Greetings, Elder!”

After this remark, Zhou Qing immediately stood up and bowed respectfully to Second Uncle.

Second Uncle stared blankly at Zhou Qing, then suddenly lifted both armpits and sniffed them intently.

“Damn it! Before coming here, I bathed thoroughly and used special stuff to mask it—yet you still sensed it. Your nose is the rarest thing I’ve ever encountered!”

Second Uncle’s face was filled with shock.

Zhou Qing just chuckled.

No matter how you change your appearance, as long as your note remains, you can’t hide from me.

“Can’t be helped—it’s my innate talent!” Zhou Qing’s tone carried a hint of pride.

Second Uncle swept his sleeve, and instantly, the scene around them transformed utterly.

Just moments ago they stood at the doorstep; now, chaos surrounded them, as if they had stepped into an unknown mystical space.

“Today, let Old Man show you what this unprecedented Four Flowers at the Crown really looks like!”

Second Uncle stared at Zhou Qing with burning eyes, full of anticipation, even rubbing his hands together in excitement.

Zhou Qing shook his head helplessly: “Second Uncle, this time it’s not me—I’m still just at Golden Core peak. I haven’t broken through yet…”

Before Zhou Qing finished speaking, Second Uncle vanished in a flash and appeared behind him, then kicked his buttocks hard without a word.

“Stop pretending! Do it now!” Second Uncle urged impatiently.

Zhou Qing could only grin awkwardly, sat cross-legged immediately, and soon his Nascent Soul slowly emerged—clutching a brilliant four-colored flower tightly in its hand.

Seeing this, Second Uncle couldn’t help but murmur in amazement.

“Wow, a big, plump little boy! You’ve only just broken through—how is your Nascent Soul already this large?”

Second Uncle stared at Zhou Qing’s Nascent Soul, examining it thoroughly from top to bottom.

“How strong are you?” Second Uncle asked.

Zhou Qing replied honestly: “I can easily kill a Nascent Soul mid-stage. If conditions allow, even late-stage is possible.”

“Hmph, bold! But not surprising—I expected something like this.”

Second Uncle reached out again, gently stroking the strange flower, his eyes curious, then asked: “What about the Nascent Soul enhancements?”

To Second Uncle, Zhou Qing revealed everything—without him, Zhou Qing would have died countless times over, given his human-path Foundation Establishment.

So he spoke without reservation, eager to hear the views of this legendary genius.

Upon learning Zhou Qing’s Nascent Soul possessed four enhancements, Second Uncle was utterly stunned.

Normally, a Nascent Soul cultivator has only one enhancement—even those with Three Flowers at the Crown are no exception; their enhancement is merely stronger.

But Zhou Qing added just one more flower—and somehow gained three extra enhancements?

It was utterly beyond reason.

“It grants double efficiency under moonlight, lets you move as freely as a fish in water, grants heat-resistant flesh, and even allows pre-storage of spiritual blood—unbelievable!”

Second Uncle sighed again, his voice brimming with awe.

Zhou Qing chuckled, a small, involuntary look of pride appearing on his face.

Soon, Second Uncle fell into thought, then spoke slowly: “Speaking of your heat-resistant flesh—I have a favor to ask. How high a temperature can you withstand?”

Zhou Qing shook his head—he truly didn’t know.

“Come on, let’s go test it!” Second Uncle was eager, grabbed Zhou Qing without hesitation, and in an instant, both vanished from sight.

Less than two breaths later, they appeared at the entrance of the tunnel.

“Like shrinking earth into inches!” Zhou Qing’s eyes shone with admiration—this was far beyond his practiced Silver Dragon Step.

He then stared intently at Second Uncle, eagerly saying: “Elder, you promised—if I could recognize you next time, you’d grant me another opportunity. I don’t want anything else—just your ability to change others’ appearances.”

“Heh, last time I didn’t promise you that—you chased after me shouting. But I might consider it. Let’s go down first!”

Saying this, Second Uncle grabbed Zhou Qing and leapt down.

…………

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(End of Chapter)