[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female-":3,"chapter-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-176":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Master's Elder Brother Just Took on a Female Disciple",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2265709,4423,"Chapter 176: The Record of the Pregnant Woman in the Image Stone (6k)","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-176",176,"\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang understood Hou Fei’s mood at this moment—if he had carefully nurtured a sacred herb for a thousand years, only for it to vanish without reason, anyone would be furious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Hou, don’t be angry just yet—we’ll definitely help you with this!” Cao Zhengyang hurried over with a forced smile, pulling Hou Shan down to sit, trying to calm his emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Canglan Mountain, Qing’ai Mountain, Dongming Mountain…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These mountain ranges all housed countless great demons, each ruled by a demon king, and they maintained decent relations with one another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they truly united, it would be catastrophic for the Five Sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, Hou Shan’s tone softened slightly: “We have at most half a year left—we must find the Fusang Lingkui. Your human cities and sects are numerous; our presence would only draw suspicion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, there were only a dozen or so Nascent Soul demon kings among them, and their bodies still retained partial demonic traits—too conspicuous. If they entered cities recklessly, they’d incite panic among the populace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other demon clans, they could barely stammer out human speech and were of no real help.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Next, I’ll pay a visit to Cangyan Dao Palace. On my word, your five sects will cease hostilities for half a year—after that, do as you please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan rose to his feet, then added: “If any of you help me find it, I’m no stingy man—I’ll reward you handsomely. If not, come half a year from now, no one knows what I might do.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Hou Shan didn’t linger—he vanished in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the people in the hall remained, exchanging uneasy glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is a mess!” Cao Zhengyang’s face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Hou Shan led his forces to join one side—or triggered a beast tide—no faction could stand against it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu, who had been standing quietly nearby, couldn’t help speaking up: “Isn’t this just extortion? How can you be sure it was us who took it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang glanced at him and sighed: “Hou Shan isn’t the type to cause trouble for no reason—he’s genuinely furious, and that Fusang Lingkui must be extremely important to him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Yuexiao, the peak master of Baizhan Peak, stepped forward, his expression grave: “Indeed—if we can’t find it, he might just lash out at all five sects. Could it have been Cangyan Dao Palace?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Unknown, but I doubt he’d do something so foolish. For decades, the five sects have kept a clear boundary with the demon kings—especially now, wouldn’t Sikong Yan fear our three-sect alliance becoming four?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ruan Mingxiu, peak master of Yunyin Peak, stepped out from the crowd, stroking his chin as he analyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other peak masters nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Min, the peak master of Yushan Peak, said: \"Hou Dao himself admitted he has been secretly investigating for a year and found no trace of the sacred herb in any of the five sects.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang frowned deeply in thought: “That’s strange—someone stole it a year ago, yet hasn’t consumed it. They’ve just watched its potency fade, even wither to death—what are they after?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing said: “Could it be the Imperial Capital again?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone immediately turned to Zhou Qing—this guess wasn’t impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, disperse. I’ll first contact Jin Leizong and Qingyu Immortal Sect, then see what Cangyan Dao Palace and Tianji Gate plan to do!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Cao Zhengyang left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao stepped out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiao said: “So Hou Shan senior came looking for you just to see what you look like?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing: “Probably.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, you really are famous. I came all this way, and he didn’t even glance at me. By the way, if Second Sister truly breaks through to Nascent Soul, you’ll leap straight to the top of the assassination list.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiao was filled with envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing, however, had already stopped caring—he looked worried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A true wildcard had appeared out of nowhere—if a beast tide erupted, even the united five sects would suffer heavy losses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, they’d been fighting for so long that distrust ran deep; if danger struck, it’d be merciful if neither side stabbed the other in the back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one day later, Taiqingmen received ceasefire offers from Cangyan Dao Palace and Tianji Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three sect masters immediately led their teams to negotiate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, news arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Effective immediately, the five sects will suspend hostilities for half a year—no attacks permitted. Violators will be executed on the spot by any Nascent Soul cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All disciples of the five sects will now join forces to search for a sacred herb named Fusang Lingkui, each given a portrait of it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The first to find it will receive thirty supreme-grade spirit stones, and the Canglan Mountain demon king will grant an additional great opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the new notice, Yan Xiao was thrilled—this bounty was too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it also showed how seriously the five sects took this matter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After years of fighting each other, they couldn’t let someone else reap the reward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What are we waiting for? Let’s head to Canglan Mountain first and look for clues—I’ve never been to a demon king’s lair before!” Yan Xiao was excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was already planning the itinerary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing agreed—he could use 【Daily Inspection】 to check the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he truly helped Senior Hou find the sacred herb, not only would he gain an opportunity, but he could also strengthen ties with the demon king.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Taiqingmen ever faced trouble later, perhaps Hou Shan would remember this favor and lend a hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, a team personally assembled by Sect Master Cao Zhengyang prepared to head to Canglan Mountain first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing, Yan Xiao, and Lu Yaoyao—who had already been there once—were naturally included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alongside them were three Nascent Soul elders skilled in tracking, plus multiple Nascent Soul disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, Jin Leizong and Qingyu Immortal Sect arrived via teleportation array; the three sects merged into a hundred-member force and headed straight for Canglan Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…………\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lei Luo, you brat came too!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister Yuan Ya, long time no see!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Chu, Sister Deng!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhou, you’re incredible—you killed Yu Ziqi! From now on, I’ll have to call you Senior Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the massive airship, old acquaintances reunited, full of warmth and cheer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone greeted each other, faces beaming—but behind those smiles lay complex emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, surviving this brutal war to this point left everyone with a strange sense of unreality—none knew if they’d ever see each other again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, Hou Shan’s incident gave everyone six months of breathing room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if mishandled, the situation would only grow more dire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to urgency, the airship moved at breakneck speed, leaping through space, and arrived at Canglan Mountain in just two days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at the desolate abyss below, Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao exchanged glances, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they reached the depths of Canglan Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They got here so fast!” Cao Zhengyang frowned as he saw Cangyan Dao Palace and Tianji Gate’s airships already below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they found clues and erased them, it’d be troublesome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Lei, Immortal Xuanyou—I think we need a backup plan. The item vanished a year ago; chances are, all traces are gone. But to prevent Hou Shan from siding with the enemy, we must find a way to buy a Fusang Lingkui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang whispered to Lei Wují and Xuanyou Immortal as he saw Sikong Yan waving below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Wují and Xuanyou Immortal exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean the Wanxiang Auction House in Lingyun Prefecture?” Xuanyou Immortal whispered back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang nodded: “Yes. Wanxiang Auction House operates not just in Lingyun Prefecture—they have buying shops across other prefectures. Their network is vast; they might actually find it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lei Wují pondered: “That’s a possibility—we could pay more, but I’ve checked: Fusang Lingkui is extremely rare, practically unobtainable even with money. Wanxiang might not be able to get it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all else fails, they’d have to send Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao—they’re on good terms with Zhang Wanbao, the young master of the auction house. Maybe they’d go the extra mile for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, they’d be relatively safe there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go!” Cao Zhengyang immediately led everyone down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Yan and Xuanji Zi greeted them with broad smiles: “Brother Cao, Brother Lei, Immortal Xuanyou—you’re late! We’ve been waiting a while.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their act, the three men forced back their irritation: “We were preparing. You arrived so early—find anything?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Yan sighed heavily and shook his head: “Impossible to trace. I even told Hou Shan that your Taiqingmen’s Zhou Qing rose so fast in just a few years—even slew one of our half-Nascent Soul elders. And he was seen near the abyss a year ago—maybe he consumed the sacred herb. He didn’t believe me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang’s face darkened instantly: “You’re lying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? You’re getting worked up! I was just joking. Don’t worry—Hou Shan already checked Zhou Qing. It’s not him!” Sikong Yan laughed heartily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three men clenched their fists tightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Yan was profoundly calculating—just two sentences had already sown discord between the three sects and Hou Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taiqingmen had been seen near the abyss a year ago; now that the herb vanished, the burden of suspicion fell on the other two sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon king had gone to Taiqingmen first and personally inspected Zhou Qing—clearly, he didn’t trust Taiqingmen. He suspected them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A crack had formed between the three sects and the demon king Hou Shan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind them, Zhou Qing’s face was grim—especially facing Li Hanshan, who stood among the crowd, his great halberd on his back, smirking and making a throat-slitting gesture toward Zhou Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the ceasefire agreement, Zhou Qing could only suppress his fury, silently storing it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah, you’re here!” Hou Shan stepped out from the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang and the others bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Skip the formalities—get inside. They’ve already searched.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan’s face was dark, his tone impatient. He turned and walked into the cave, gesturing for them to follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang immediately led everyone inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon king’s cave was vast—from the entrance, multiple Nascent Soul demon generals lay sprawled, glaring at them with hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang asked first: “When you left, were they guarding here too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan nodded: “Yes. They’re my most loyal subordinates. I’ve already searched their memories—but no one entered or left. That’s what’s most bizarre.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Could a Nascent Soul cultivator have done it? Erased the memories afterward?” Lei Wují asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan said: “I don’t know. The first to arrive were Cangyan Dao Palace and your Taiqingmen’s senior elders. Only you two have clear suspicion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Faced with Hou Shan’s blunt words, Cao Zhengyang and the others had nothing to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his feelings could be understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For years, you’ve given the Five Sects such immense aid, yet after a thousand years of cultivation, the Sacred Herb vanished—and at the very moment of the theft, only these two families sent a group of Nascent Soul cultivators the fastest. How do you explain that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little Four, your nose is sharper—rely on you later!” Yan Xiao Hu whispered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once we help Elder Hou Shan solve this case, our Three Sect Alliance will gain another ally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hearing this, Lu Yaoyao couldn’t help muttering softly: “It’s been over a year—any scent would’ve vanished long ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing said nothing, merely following the Sect Master and the others deeper into the cave, his gaze sweeping constantly around, leaving no possible clue unexamined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, they spotted a massive jade bed, its surface dotted with strands of hair—clearly where Hou Shan had cultivated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine treasure!” Yan Xiao Hu stared at the jade bed, eyes gleaming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If my guess is right, this is a jade bed entirely forged from Bi Ling Jade. Cultivating atop it doesn’t just double your progress—it calms the spirit and steadies the mind. Its value is incalculable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn, this is too luxurious—Yan Xiao Hu nearly drooled looking at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing was equally awed; as he turned, he spotted a massive weapon like a stone pillar, radiating waves of scorching heat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This must be Hou Shan’s weapon—truly, he doesn’t care about petty details.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So many visitors tour his cave dwelling, yet he just leaves these things lying around, as if he doesn’t care at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they pressed deeper, they saw numerous valuable crystals embedded in the walls, and even a vast expanse of Ling Yun Mushrooms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Yun Mushrooms are the primary ingredient for Chong Qiao Pills. For a Foundation Establishment cultivator at the peak, consuming one greatly increases the chance of breaking through to Jin Dan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing had previously seen them in the tunnel during his Cave Simulation, and after passing through the gravity zone, he harvested and assimilated them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there were only a dozen or so then—these here must number no fewer than a thousand. The sight left everyone stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet for a Nascent Soul peak demon king, these are merely snacks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s right here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group passed through the Ling Yun Mushrooms on either side, Hou Shan suddenly halted and pointed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before them now stood a separate cave, its floor a small spring built of stones, glowing crimson—extremely rare Yang Fire Liquid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the center lay a hollow, as thick as an arm—undoubtedly where the Fusang Ling Kui once grew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that the Sacred Herb was gone, only this empty, hollow pit remained, glaringly conspicuous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Each of you, use your methods!” Hou Shan gestured, then stepped aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang and the other two exchanged glances, then summoned several Sniffing Red Dogs, which began circling the area, sniffing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The result, needless to say, yielded no clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next, Cao Zhengyang, Lei Wují, and Xuan You Immortal began searching meticulously, each using their own specialized techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sikong Yan and Xuan Ji Zi also entered at this moment, standing behind the crowd, watching the three, shaking their heads slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed slowly; the three’s expressions grew grim—no clues at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’d come to us right after it went missing, we might’ve found something. But now, so much time has passed—it’s impossible to trace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Try yourselves!” Cao Zhengyang turned to the three Elders from the Three Sects most skilled in tracking clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men didn’t dare delay; they stepped forward one by one, deploying every skill they possessed, searching intently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One group after another tried—but still, nothing. Eventually, even Zhou Qing and the others took their turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, the place is this small—what could you possibly find?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even using [Daily Insight], the feedback would merely confirm a missing Sacred Herb—no substantive help at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But there’s no other option now—we must try anything, even if it’s desperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhou Qing prepared to act, Hou Shan, who had been growing impatient, seemed to read their expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This truly is difficult for them—so much time has passed; finding clues isn’t easy. He clapped his hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gentlemen, I’ve always been cautious. When I left, I left behind an Image Stone in the cave—just in case. I never expected it actually recorded something.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Hou Shan pulled out an Image Stone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone’s eyes lit up instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why didn’t you say so sooner? What did it record?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon King Hou Shan swiftly scanned the crowd—but found not a single flicker of guilt in any eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it really not be them?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if it wasn’t you, after all the goodwill you’ve received over these years, you owe me this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan said no more—he activated the stone immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, an image appeared: a medicinal herb shaped like a sunflower, wrapped in swirling mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its main stem was slender, its skin a weathered copper-brown. At its center, a golden vortex slowly rotated, steadily drawing in surrounding spiritual energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It matched almost exactly the portrait Hou Shan had shown the five families—but seeing it directly now, everyone was deeply shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a figure wrapped entirely in gray robes walked calmly through the tunnel entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Due to the angle, their face couldn’t be seen—only that their belly was enormous, bulging like a pregnant woman’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No—more accurately, that belly alone was the size of five or six pregnant women combined. It looked grotesque.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, the figure strolled over, reached out, plucked the Fusang Ling Kui, and walked out again as if nothing had happened—as if the Sacred Herb were his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gender was unknown—the gray robes concealed everything. Hou Shan had never bothered to learn the identities of the Five Sects’ hidden forces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he couldn’t tell where this person came from.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least this was a lead—far better than the total void before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The culprit is at least Nascent Soul. That swollen belly was likely a disguise!” Hou Shan analyzed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since the Sacred Herb was taken, over a year has passed—and yet it hasn’t been refined. None of my spies in the wilds have seen it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That leaves only one possibility: the culprit hides within human cities or among the countless sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only the Five Sects can help. I have neither time nor energy to search each one individually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, Hou Shan pulled out five identical Image Stones and handed one to each Sect Master, asking them to search for clues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After receiving the stones, both sides parted ways. As Zhou Qing left, he immediately used [Daily Insight].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Yang Fire Liquid: This is a pool of expensive Yang Fire Liquid, rich in pure fire energy. It once nourished the priceless Fusang Ling Kui Sacred Herb—but was crudely harvested and stolen.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the feedback, Zhou Qing knew it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the group exited the cave, they saw a giant bird resembling a vulture, flapping its wide wings as it slowly descended.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, it transformed into a bald man whose face was covered in feathers—everything else was nearly identical to a human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground trembled violently again; a massive bear charged forward, leapt into the air, and instantly became a towering, muscular giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His muscles bulged in thick blocks, radiating raw power and an overwhelming sense of menace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Old Hou, I heard your hard-earned herb is gone—did they do it? We’ll avenge you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant’s mouth bristled with fangs as he rumbled, glaring down at Zhou Qing and the others with eyes like copper bells, radiating hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald man fixed his gaze on Zhou Qing’s group, licking his lips as if they were prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Five Sects members immediately frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These two were demon kings from Dong Ming Mountain and Qing Ai Mountain—both Nascent Soul peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this isn’t handled well, the enemies the Five Sects will face become clear. And these are merely two of the eighteen demon kings—if the others are stirred up, the consequences could be catastrophic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hou Shan said: “I’ve already asked them to help investigate. Come inside and talk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the giant ignored Hou Shan, striding forward to stand over Cao Zhengyang and Sikong Yan, speaking with clear hostility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Old Bear finds out you stole my brother’s treasure, prepare for the Beast Tide.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3157,"2026-06-19T20:13:53.139Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","b92f3396abec822707cd04bc82198642d555ae1f3d511ec0c0afff865d157c33","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-177","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-175",302,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--cover.jpg"]