Chapter 183: Damn Master (6k)

Immediately after, the four Sect Masters left one after another.

As for Cao Zhengyang's choice to stay for another day, they had no objections.

Now that the Nine Nether Demon Lotus was placed here, let alone the Supreme Elders of their two sects, it was estimated that the people from Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect would not want anyone to touch it.

Although there was only a twenty percent probability, the Soul Severance Realm was simply too tempting.

For the sake of this opportunity, whoever stood in the way would be killed!

Zhou Qing waited until the early hours of the morning, and after the new 【Daily Appraisal】 refreshed, he chose to appraise again.

【Ordinary Soil: This is a piece of ordinary soil, nothing strange, but beneath it, a broken five-color array disc is buried, and there is also an extremely rare peerless divine medicine.】

Seeing the new information, Zhou Qing was somewhat disappointed; it seemed he would not receive any other useful information.

"Shibo, let's go!" Zhou Qing said.

Cao Zhengyang nodded and stood up.

Duanmu Shu looked at the two and said, "You two, be careful on the way back."

The two nodded. Zhou Qing looked at the concerned gazes of the several ancestors within the sect, but suddenly sent a voice transmission to Duanmu Shu.

Duanmu Shu was puzzled, but still stood up and, following what Zhou Qing said, stated, "I should still see you off."

Subsequently, the three of them left.

"Zhou Qing, you made me follow you specifically, what exactly do you want to say?" After leaving for a distance, Duanmu Shu couldn't help but ask.

Zhou Qing looked at the night, his expression solemn as he said, "Supreme Elder, what I am about to say is extremely important. Can we conceal ourselves?"

Duanmu Shu glanced at Cao Zhengyang.

Cao Zhengyang shook his head, indicating he didn't know either.

He could cultivate and guide Zhou Qing, but he could not control any of his words or decisions, so he hadn't asked a single extra question about staying an extra day.

Duanmu Shu had no choice but to nod, and suddenly a large tripod appeared, directly enveloping the three of them.

"This place forms its own space; others cannot see or hear. Say what you have to say," Duanmu Shu said.

Zhou Qing nodded, then looked at the two and said, "Supreme Elder, Shibo, in that buried 【Demon-Sealing Strangling Array】, there is another hidden fourth-level barrier. When the time comes, everyone inside the array will be erased."

As soon as these words were spoken, the two's expressions changed instantly.

Cao Zhengyang immediately asked, "How do you know?"

Duanmu Shu also looked at Zhou Qing with a solemn expression.

Zhou Qing had no choice but to lie, "I saw it."

"Saw it?" Cao Zhengyang was stunned, then quickly laughed.

You child almost gave us a scare.

As a five-color barrier, the 【Demon-Sealing Strangling Array】 was something they had specifically learned about from ancient books; it only targeted demon clans containing demonic power, and the human race would not be affected inside.

You say there is a four-color barrier hidden inside?

This is simply impossible. So many Supreme Elders were watching with their own eyes; do they not have even this bit of discernment?

Duanmu Shu also said, "I know what you are worried about. We also understand that this matter is like seeking skin from a tiger, but some things are indeed worth risking once..."

Before Duanmu Shu finished speaking, she saw white marks beginning to condense around Zhou Qing's body.

Those marks were lustrous and pure white, as if condensed from the first snow, emitting a soft yet unique light.

The two stood frozen on the spot, their eyes full of disbelief.

Cao Zhengyang's eyes widened, and he took a large step forward, his body leaning forward, almost touching Zhou Qing, his eyes staring unblinkingly as he looked carefully.

After a long time, Cao Zhengyang took a deep breath, his voice trembling slightly with excitement: "That's right, these really are spiritual seals belonging to an array master!"

Looking at the full twenty spiritual seals, Duanmu Shu's eyes were full of amazement and surprise, and she hurriedly asked, "A first-level array master, you are actually a first-level array master?"

Zhou Qing nodded and said, "Replying to Supreme Elder, Shibo, this disciple previously obtained a fortuitous encounter and luckily cultivated into a first-level array master."

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang burst into loud laughter.

Heaven truly has not treated our Taiqingmen poorly, unexpectedly sending them an extremely rare array master without a sound.

The Haomiao Prefecture under the jurisdiction of Long Yuanjun, which is where Ke Shu, who held the portrait and came looking for some red token last time, is located, has a White Jade Taixu Courtyard, and inside there is a venerable second-level array master.

In that region, Master Lin is famous, and even when the Prefecture Lord asks him to do things, he must be respectful and follow all etiquette.

Those black-clothed puppets of the Cangyan Dao Palace—he once took one to secretly visit this master, wanting to seek a way to break them.

Unfortunately, that master didn't research anything and could only return with regret.

And now, Zhou Qing has actually condensed twenty spiritual seals; this is a significant symbol of an array master entering the hall.

And he is still so young, with infinite potential. As long as he is given enough time to grow, with the talent he has shown, successfully comprehending two hundred spiritual seals in the future and advancing to a second-level array master is definitely not a pipe dream.

At that time, this child will also be like Master Lin, famous throughout Lingyun Prefecture.

Looking at the two's undisguised excitement, Zhou Qing smiled helplessly.

After all, becoming an array master, it is estimated that only Lu Yaoyao knows; even Master and the others are still unaware.

And the reason he exposed this secret was, on one hand, to make the Sect Master and the others give a certain amount of importance to what he said.

On the other hand, with the refining of the array flags in his hand, some things cannot be hidden for long.

But soon, Duanmu Shu seemed to think of something, and she couldn't help but put away her smile, looking at Zhou Qing with a solemn expression: "Are you sure there is a four-color barrier killing move hidden inside?"

Zhou Qing nodded, his tone firm: "Although this disciple is still only a first-level array master, I can still discover some clues."

Cao Zhengyang also put away his smile, snorted coldly, and said, "This Senior Sikong Yan intends to take the opportunity to wipe us all out and swallow all the lotus seeds alone. Truly, his heart is punishable."

The three-sect alliance contributed both people and effort for this plan, spending a large amount of resources and energy, only to potentially end up dead, while he sits back and reaps the benefits.

Is he not afraid that we will leave messages for our disciples, and once we die, directly expose the matter of the Nine Nether Demon Lotus on him?

At that time, even if it were a fabrication, a large number of people would come to investigate, including the contemporary Emperor.

"What exactly does he want to do?" Cao Zhengyang said in a low voice.

Duanmu Shu also frowned, her eyes full of worry.

No wonder a few days ago when setting up the array eyes, Senior Sikong Yan proposed that everyone must take a Heavenly Dao oath and all enter to slay demons, not just wanting to watch from the sidelines, preserving strength while waiting to divide the lotus.

After all, the array is only an auxiliary, and even the vast majority of its power is being used to collect and refine the essence of demonic beasts, thereby catalyzing the Nine Nether Demon Lotus.

"Perhaps he wants to use this beast tide to completely clear out us potential threats. Once we are both injured in the array fighting the demonic beasts, he quietly activates that terrifying four-color killing array; the result doesn't even need to be thought about."

Although Duanmu Shu's voice was steady, the chill contained within made people shudder.

Cao Zhengyang nodded in agreement: "This Senior Sikong Yan has always been deep-thinking and ruthless, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. This time I even thought he really wanted to be consistent with us against the outside; thinking about it is truly ridiculous."

Zhou Qing couldn't help but say, "Shibo, he intends to end the Five Sect War early."

Cao Zhengyang said indignantly, "Halfway through, those brainless idiots like Hou Shan appeared, directly creating a new variable. He is going to use this opportunity to reach Soul Severance; does he still care about these?"

"I even suspect that once they succeed this time, they might even easily abandon the entire Cangyan Dao Palace."

"At that time, find a secret place for seclusion; as long as he successfully promotes to Soul Severance, he can easily establish a brand new Cangyan Dao Palace. Let alone a small Lingyun Prefecture, if he wants a whole prefecture, I'm afraid the Emperor would reward him with it!"

Hearing Cao Zhengyang's words, Zhou Qing was thoughtful; with Senior Sikong Yan's scheming and methods, it is possible this guy could really do such a thing.

After the angry cursing, the three fell into silence.

All were frowning, thinking of countermeasures.

Taiqingmen only has one three-color barrier. When rescuing the Qingyu Xian Sect, they took all the core disciples and true disciples and went against the grain to attack the Cangyan Dao Palace.

Therefore, they know the power better than anyone, but even so, ten times the power cannot compare to a four-color barrier.

Then there is only one method: just choose not to enter.

But, to empty the entire sect's savings of generations just like that?

What reason?

How would Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect think?

Go tell them now that our sect's Zhou Qing, a one-color array master, saw that they hid a four-color killing array inside?

How much credibility do you think that has?

The moment the Nine Nether Demon Lotus appeared, the so-called three-sect alliance had already collapsed.

What Five Sect War, what Demon King threat—in the face of the hope of Soul Severance, everything becomes insignificant.

Especially Supreme Elders like them whose lifespan is coming to an end, they view breaking through to the Soul Severance Realm as the final life-saving straw.

"Shishu—" Cao Zhengyang spoke anxiously, but for a moment, he didn't know any good methods either.

Duanmu Shu also shook her head helplessly; the situation seemed to have fallen into a desperate situation.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but say, "Can we build a small teleportation array?"

Duanmu Shu gave a bitter smile: "According to the normal plan, all our high-level personnel, even including countless Golden Core and Nascent Soul realms, must enter to slay demonic beasts. Only when the timing is right will they activate that four-color killing array."

"But since the other party has the confidence to kill us all and swallow the Nine Nether lotus seeds alone, it shows that the four-color barrier has absolute power and has considered all possibilities."

Cao Zhengyang deeply agreed; the other party's calculations were far-reaching, making it impossible to guard against.

Then we can only choose not to enter.

But if so, once the other party promotes to Soul Severance in the future, Taiqingmen still cannot avoid the disaster of sect destruction.

But since the other party doesn't intend to share the Nine Nether lotus seeds, even if we enter and survive to the end, how can we guarantee the other party will give them?

Once the Nine Nether Demon Lotus matures, there aren't many lotus seeds to begin with. Just the Cangyan Dao Palace has several Divine Transformation perfection realms; if everyone takes three at most, the quantity would be far from enough.

The next moment, the two looked at Zhou Qing in unison, their eyes full of anticipation, and suddenly asked: "Zhou Qing, do you have any good suggestions?"

Zhou Qing was stunned; he was just a junior. In the game between these big figures, what method could he have?

However, looking at the two's inquisitive eyes, after a brief thought, Zhou Qing raised a question: "You say, does the Tianji Sect know about this?"

The two were stunned, and their eyes lit up instantly.

The Tianji Sect has the weakest combat power among the five sects; one could even say they are the lackeys of the Cangyan Dao Palace.

Since the Cangyan Dao Palace wants to swallow it alone, they probably wouldn't think about sharing twenty percent of the lotus seeds with them.

However, the entire layout of Canglan Mountain and the final placement of the array eyes were all fully led by the Tianji Sect. They couldn't possibly have failed to discover the four-color barrier.

"If I were the Tianji Sect, knowing that this time would completely eradicate the three-sect alliance, I would definitely worry about whether the Cangyan Dao Palace would turn against us, but I still chose to cooperate. Then there is only one possibility!"

Cao Zhengyang muttered to himself, his eyes shining.

Duanmu Shu followed: "The Tianji Sect has something in their hands that even the Cangyan Dao Palace fears, so they are fearless, even choosing to seek skin from a tiger from the beginning."

Thinking of this, Duanmu Shu let out a long breath.

The game is broken!

At that time, the five sects will definitely all enter to participate in the strangling. As long as they follow the Tianji Sect people closely, or even kill them, there must be a way to leave.

Only when strength is preserved to a certain extent do they have the qualifications to sit at the negotiating table and divide things with them.

Duanmu Shu went back and had to hurry to communicate with the others so that everyone could make preparations in advance.

And on this side, Cao Zhengyang also successfully returned to the station with Zhou Qing.

When they sat down, Zhou Qing suddenly realized one thing: what if the Cangyan Dao Palace also calculated the Tianji Sect into it?

With the Cangyan Dao Palace's style of doing things, if someone really threatened them, it would be better to eradicate them completely.

But in order not to arouse suspicion, they must let the Tianji Sect think they have a sure win, thereby dispelling suspicion.

"Still cannot place all hope on them!" Zhou Qing quickly made a decision.

Subsequently, he slowly took out the jade slip that Number Six left for him, thoughtful.

At that time, even if he could open a crack, he could preserve the living strength of the entire Taiqingmen.

This big family, he absolutely would not allow anyone to destroy.

Time passed day by day, and the entire Canglan Mountain was already filled with demonic energy, but the five major sects were still in a state of searching for medicine with all their might, seemingly not noticing the abnormal situation there at all.

Until this day, Zhou Qing opened his eyes with a feeling, and saw Mo Xingjian standing with his hands behind his back, looking at him with a face full of kindness.

Zhou Qing was stunned, immediately stood up with joy, and trotted over: "Master, you have come out of seclusion?"

Mo Xingjian was full of emotion.

He didn't expect that in one seclusion, this guy would cause such a big thing.

Li Hanshan and Yu Ziqi of the five great geniuses were all defeated by him.

He still underestimated the growth of the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top.

Amazing!!!

Zhou Qing was full of joy and tentatively asked: "Master, have you broken through?"

Mo Xingjian shook his head: "Still missing a little, lacking an opportunity, and plus the sect is at a life-and-death juncture, I had to come out."

Hearing Mo Xingjian's words, Zhou Qing immediately understood that this was Sect Master Shibo forcibly waking Master up.

"When did you become a first-level array master?" Mo Xingjian asked.

Zhou Qing smiled and said: "Went to Lingku Mountain, obtained some fortuitous encounters there, and luckily promoted."

Mo Xingjian was relieved; he didn't want to ask too much about the specifics, but he had to say, this child has good luck.

Otherwise, this time they would have really fallen into the trap of the Cangyan Dao Palace.

The next moment, Cao Zhengyang walked in and nodded to Mo Xingjian; everything was understood without words.

Zhou Qing said: "Are you ready?"

Cao Zhengyang nodded and said: "The demonic clan gathered in Canglan Mountain has long exceeded millions. Just now, a large number of disciples from the five sects were slaughtered by those demonic beasts that couldn't hold back. Now, there is a legitimate reason."

Zhou Qing sighed and said: "Shibo, has the matter of the fourth-level barrier been told to Jin Leizong and Qingyu Xian Sect?"

Cao Zhengyang looked at Zhou Qing quietly, then stepped forward and patted his shoulder: "When the time comes, don't go in!"

Looking at Cao Zhengyang's eyes, Zhou Qing already understood.

To this, he had nothing to say.

But his mind was made up; he must go in.

Cao Zhengyang looked helpless, sighed heavily, then cast his gaze toward Mo Xingjian, and said with a bitter smile: "How about it, I said this child is stubborn, you didn't believe it. Forcibly waking you up was the right thing to do; in the entire Taiqingmen, he only listens to you."

Mo Xingjian smiled slightly, even with a little pride.

"Isn't being emotional a good thing? This is a merit. Look at your sour look; rest assured, with me here, he won't be able to get in!"

Cao Zhengyang nodded slightly, then cast his gaze back on Zhou Qing, and said earnestly: "Zhou Qing, your future is immeasurable; promoting to Divine Transformation in the future is just a matter of time."

"Plus your status as a first-level array master, no matter what, I will not let you go." He paused slightly, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes, and continued: "If we don't come out, at least we have left seeds for Taiqingmen!"

Meeting Cao Zhengyang's eyes full of concern and hope, Zhou Qing's eyes couldn't help but turn red.

"Why are you being so sentimental? Don't put so much pressure on the child!" Mo Xingjian's voice trembled slightly as he spoke from the side.

Cao Zhengyang heard this, couldn't help but smile lightly, then slowly turned his head to look at Mo Xingjian, his gaze seeming to contain a thousand words.

Then he said: "Shidi, Gao Xuan is a trustworthy person; I have temporarily handed the sect to him."

"I know you are a person who likes freedom, so I won't restrain you. If the situation is not right, hurry and take the children away, as far as you can."

Mo Xingjian nodded vigorously, his lips trembling slightly, wanting to say something, but it was choked in his throat.

Finally, he only spat out two words: "Take care!"

Cao Zhengyang laughed heartily and was about to leave.

Zhou Qing hurriedly stepped forward and stuffed a jade slip into his hand.

Cao Zhengyang was puzzled.

Zhou Qing whispered a voice transmission, and when he heard the terrifying power of this jade slip, Cao Zhengyang couldn't help but burst into laughter.

This sudden surprise swept away the haze in his heart.

"Mo Shidi, I take back what I just said; when we return, let's drink and talk happily!"

Cao Zhengyang carefully put away the jade slip and hurriedly left.

"What is that thing?" Mo Xingjian asked curiously.

Zhou Qing let out a breath and said lightly: "Nothing much, just that thing can erupt with a full-strength strike of the Soul Severance Realm."

Mo Xingjian: "..."

And at this time, Cao Zhengyang, who walked out with big strides, had a solemn expression, and a chilling aura of slaughter suddenly erupted from his body.

He took a deep breath, exerted his spiritual power, and his voice was like rolling thunder, instantly spreading to every corner of the station.

"All disciples of Taiqingmen, listen to the order! The Demon King of Canglan Mountain has broken his promise, maliciously framed us, thinking that we stole his medicinal materials, and united with other Demon Kings, having gathered millions of demonic beasts, preparing to launch an attack on our sect."

"Today, they have already begun to slaughter our sect's disciples; their backstabbing behavior is chilling, so all disciples must immediately end the medicine-searching mission, assemble immediately, and set off toward Canglan Mountain!"

Following this order, all the disciples were stunned, then quickly became full of anger, immediately pouring out from all directions, gathering toward the designated location like a tide.

Almost simultaneously, those disciples who had already learned the situation from their own Peak Masters or Shixiong turned into streams of light, flying back at high speed on their swords.

Yan Xiaohu and Lu Yaoyao were somewhat panicked and ran toward Zhou Qing at the first opportunity.

"Old Four, did you hear, the damn... Master?" Yan Xiaohu, who had just run in, was stunned when he saw Mo Xingjian.

Mo Xingjian narrowed his eyes and said gloomily: "What did you just say?"

Yan Xiaohu immediately ran up happily and said with surprise: "Master, when did you come out of seclusion? Why didn't you say anything when you came? I was cursing those Demon Kings."

Mo Xingjian snorted lightly, then looked at Lu Yaoyao who followed closely behind, and said: "You three follow me closely, don't run around."

Afterward, he walked out with his hands behind his back, looking at the dense crowd of disciples in the air, like a winding giant dragon, marching toward Canglan Mountain in a grand manner; Mo Xingjian let out a long sigh.

Although there is array assistance, how many of these disciples will be able to return is unknown.

Hope everything goes smoothly.

"Let's go!" Mo Xingjian said, and took Zhou Qing and the others toward Canglan Mountain.

Lu Yaoyao followed closely behind Zhou Qing, somewhat terrified.

Although she knew the showdown with the Demon Kings was unavoidable, when this day really came, she was still somewhat afraid.

"Don't worry, it'll be fine!" Zhou Qing comforted.

…………

When the four arrived at Canglan Mountain, the entire vast mountain range was already shrouded by the strange and majestic power of the 【Demon-Sealing Strangling Array】.

A huge light curtain emitting deep light rose from the ground, wrapping Canglan Mountain layer by layer.

Runes flickered on the light curtain, twisting and swimming like agile snakes, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.

Only to see the sounds of killing shaking the sky inside, human shadows and beast shadows intertwined, fighting in a mess, and the thick bloody smell even permeated through the light curtain, making people almost vomit.

From time to time, powerful spiritual power impacts shook out, causing the light curtain to ripple in layers.

However, the scene inside the light curtain could not be seen clearly; one could only vaguely see blurred outlines, as if peeking into purgatory through a layer of fog.

(End of chapter)