Chapter 16: Five Sects Treasure Exchange Assembly

Feeling the surging power within his body, Zhou Qing was overjoyed.

Taking advantage of the remaining half-day, he seized the time to consolidate his cultivation.

But just a short while later, the liquid in the blood pool suddenly began to drop at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Zhou Qing was stunned, and before he could recover, the entire mountain cave began to shake violently.

At the same time, a majestic pressure, deep as an abyss, crashed down like a canopy.

"Damn little thief, where are you running!" The Grand Elder's angry roar came like rolling thunder, and in an instant, sharp, peerless sword energy tore through the void.

When Zhou Qing scrambled to put on his clothes and rushed out of the cave, he saw a brilliant golden light in the sky condensing into a seal that seemed capable of suppressing the ancient heavens, crashing down with world-destroying power.

High in the sky, several Grand Elders moved like ghosts, engaged in fierce battle with the enemy.

"Could it be that a peerless enemy has broken in?" Zhou Qing felt a shock in his heart and hurriedly retreated back into the cave, then carefully poked his head out to watch, fearing he would be caught in the crossfire of this world-shaking battle.

The mountain range in front emitted continuous, deafening roars, and high in the sky, brilliant, dazzling ball lightning flashed like the angry thunder of gods.

The magnificent starry sky map looked like the Milky Way pouring backward, and the light of countless stars shot out like sharp swords.

Afterimages continuously wove various runes, which then outlined a complex and profound formation, from which endless killing intent surged.

Golden Dao lotuses, purple gourds—the brilliant spectacles radiated by these treasures illuminated the heavens and earth, leaving Zhou Qing dumbfounded.

"Isn't it just absorbing a bit of medicinal power? Look at how stingy you all are. Hmph, if I can't afford to provoke you, can't I afford to hide? I'm off!"

A voice drifted over leisurely, and immediately after, the sounds of fierce battle gradually faded into the distance.

Zhou Qing's face turned deathly pale, and he muttered to himself, "Second Grandpa!"

…………

At the foot of Shenyue Peak, Zhou Qing was full of anxiety, pacing back and forth incessantly.

After a while, a ray of light descended from the sky.

"Master, how is the situation?" Zhou Qing asked with a guilty conscience.

Mo Xingjian said, "That thief acted extremely quickly and seemed quite familiar with Taiqingmen, presumably having scouted the location in advance. Now, every peak is searching with all its might."

Hearing this, Zhou Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Did you see his face clearly?" Zhou Qing asked next.

Mo Xingjian looked at Zhou Qing suspiciously, "Why do I feel like you are more concerned than we are?"

Zhou Qing felt a sudden jolt in his heart, then said with righteous indignation, "That hateful thief absorbed all the medicinal liquid that should have belonged to me! How can I not be angry? This was an opportunity I risked my life to earn!"

Upon hearing this, Mo Xingjian expressed understanding.

"According to the Grand Elder, the thief was dressed in black, clearly prepared. Enough, let's not talk about this. You go back early, and don't run around with the Third one. A full-scale search might be conducted next!" Mo Xingjian warned.

Zhou Qing breathed a quiet sigh of relief again and nodded.

Watching his Master's departing back, he scratched his head.

"So what if they find out it's Second Grandpa? Master and the others already know he's alive, so what does his leaving have to do with me? If he gets caught and rats me out, I'll just say I don't know. I was confused the whole time, let alone anything about a supreme-grade spirit stone—I never even saw it!"

Soon, Zhou Qing had a plan: he would just deny everything to the death.

After returning to Xiaoling Peak, he moved his mind and opened the panel.

【Name: Zhou Qing】

【Age: 19】

【Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage】

【Technique: Taiqing Xuanqi Jue】

【Innate Skill: Heart-Mirror Vision — LV1 (64/100),

Lower Presence — LV2 (51/100)】

【Skill Fragment: 1/3 (Cannot be obtained)】

Seeing that the data for both innate skills was over halfway, Zhou Qing was delighted.

Now, there was a fifty percent chance in the Foundation Establishment realm to ignore his presence. If Heart-Mirror Vision reached level two before long, he could bind more people, so he had to scout candidates in advance.

With nothing to do, Zhou Qing took out the Grand Elder's insights on practicing the "Silver Dragon Hand" and began to study them.

Over the next few days, every peak was turned upside down in a scene of chaos, yet nothing was found.

The final conclusion reached was: the thief had perhaps already fled the sect, or had used some high-level secret technique to conceal their tracks, as even several Grand Elders had been deceived at the time.

The sect issued an order requiring all disciples to be cautious and not to let their guard down.

If any suspicious person was discovered, it must be reported immediately.

If the situation was confirmed and the thief was captured, the reward would be no less than the Flame Spirit Blood Pool Zhou Qing had soaked in.

Once this order was issued, the crowd was stirred into a frenzy, their eyes gleaming as they looked at those around them, as if everyone looked like a thief they could exchange for a reward.

【Heart-Mirror Point +3】

Just as Zhou Qing was continuously attempting the "Silver Dragon Hand," a notification sound rang out abruptly, followed by Yan Xiao's voice from outside.

"Fourth, are you there?"

Zhou Qing smiled slightly, then rose to open the courtyard door.

Sure enough, the original 【Sad Little Shidi】 note above Yan Xiao's head had changed to 【Unlucky Little Shidi】.

Zhou Qing was speechless. Brother, it's been ten days; why are you only just now sympathizing with me? Is your reflex arc too long?

"Third Shixiong, is something the matter?" Zhou Qing asked.

Yan Xiao looked Zhou Qing up and down, and seeing his ruddy complexion, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why didn't you tell me that the thief also snatched your opportunity!" Yan Xiao said, his face full of heartache.

No one listened during the lecture, he encountered danger after going to the Cave Heaven, and after finally winning an opportunity, it was snatched away by someone else.

Tell me, isn't that infuriating!

【Heart-Mirror Point +4】

【Heart-Mirror Point +6】

But before he could speak, two more notification sounds rang out, leaving Zhou Qing stunned.

He looked at the entry note above the Third Shixiong's head; it hadn't changed again.

No, are you guys only just getting the news?

During the conversation, Zhou Qing learned that everyone only knew the thief had been detected by the Grand Elders first, but they didn't know the reason for the detection was that the thief had drained the medicinal power from the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.

What could Zhou Qing say? Strictly speaking, he had actually taken advantage of it; the latter half-day was a gift anyway.

Moreover, with the help of the Flame Spirit Blood Pool, he had successfully broken through to the Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage.

"People have their own fates, ordained by heaven. It's fine. By the way, Shixiong, you can take a look at this 'Silver Dragon Hand'; it should be of great benefit to you!"

Zhou Qing said, taking out the jade slip and manual, but was refused by Yan Xiao.

"I already have a divine ability suitable for myself. Greed leads to indigestion; you should keep this and practice it. I heard Master say that this 'Silver Dragon Hand' is Elder Duanmu Shu's famous divine ability, both offensive and defensive, and extremely remarkable." Yan Xiao said seriously.

Zhou Qing agreed with this. After all, he had read the technique's essentials, and it was so cumbersome it gave him a headache.

Seeing that Zhou Qing was fine, Yan Xiao didn't want to talk about this topic anymore, lest it make his Junior Shidi feel bad.

Soon, he seemed to think of something and said excitedly, "By the way, this 'Five Sects Treasure Exchange Assembly' will be held at the foot of our Taiqingmen mountain. We brothers can go and have a good look then."

"Five Sects Treasure Exchange Assembly?" Zhou Qing was puzzled.

Yan Xiao explained, "This Five Sects Treasure Exchange Assembly, as the name suggests, is an activity where disciples from the five major sects exchange items and set up stalls to trade. It is only held once every twenty years. Don't worry, I've participated several times; I'll take you to broaden your horizons then."

"By the way, do you have any junk? We can set up a stall. We can cheat... we can earn a little bit is better than nothing."

Zhou Qing finally understood and couldn't help but feel curious.

But unfortunately, he didn't have any items worth trading.

Yan Xiao could only say, "It doesn't matter if you don't have anything; just be prepared with money. Picking up bargains at stalls is common. Various items are mixed in quality, and stall owners set prices at will. It's hard to tell the real from the fake; it all depends on your eye."

"When is it?" Zhou Qing asked.

Yan Xiao chuckled, "Seven days from now!"

(End of chapter)