Chapter 200

As Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen opened the box, a lamp that was pitch black all over came into everyone's view.

This lamp had a strange shape, its body winding and twisting as if countless wronged souls were struggling.

Just by looking at it for the first time, Zhou Qing felt a bone-chilling coldness arise spontaneously, as if being watched by countless cold, gloomy eyes.

Zhou Qing remembered that at the Taiqing Sect, the three items Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen brought, after system identification, were the Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate, the Ghost Stitching Needle, and the Yellow Official Paper.

And these three items all originated from a certain Level 5 cultivation country and were extremely evil.

For example, the Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate could easily strip away the soul of a Soul Severance realm expert, drag it inside, and perform soul searching.

Even if the soul consciousness had restrictions placed on it, they could be removed bit by bit, thereby obtaining the information one wanted to know.

Ghost Stitching Needle: Can stitch up soul wounds; even if the divine soul is shattered into fragments, it can be stitched, but the stitching thread comes at the cost of the stitcher's lifespan.

Yellow Official Paper: Also called Life-Buying Paper; if you write someone else's name on it with a Yellow Official Pen and then burn it together with anything the other party has touched, it can halve their lifespan.

The item in front of him was also black, but he didn't know where Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen actually got these Level 5 cultivation country items from.

And thinking back, the ultimate weapon used by the Second Granduncle was a black bell; could it be that it has some kind of connection with these things?

Of course, the grades of the two are simply worlds apart and cannot be mentioned in the same breath.

Seeing Zhou Qing lost in thought, Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen's mouth curled up slightly, and then he unhurriedly took out thirty mid-grade spirit stones, placed them on the table, and said: "The price is the same as before."

Zhou Qing didn't say much and directly performed the identification.

【Soul-Absorbing Lamp: An item originating from a certain Level 5 cultivation country. The lamp handle is made of the hand bone of a Soul Severance realm expert, and the lamp shade is condensed from the resentment of vengeful spirits. It can absorb others' souls and turn them into spiritual consciousness fragments for other uses; it is extremely sinister.】

Seeing the introduction, Zhou Qing's brows lifted slightly.

The strength of this Level 5 cultivation country is indeed different; they can target Soul Severance realm experts at every turn.

However—

Zhou Qing looked at Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen's expectant gaze and the thirty mid-grade spirit stones beside him, but shook his head with a face full of regret.

He always felt that this Seventh Imperial Prince was not simple, especially since these things he brought out were mostly closely related to Level 5 cultivation countries.

Some secrets are safer the less you know about them.

After all, it's better to avoid trouble, and besides, he is not who he was a few years ago; he doesn't lack those few spirit stones.

Seeing Zhou Qing shake his head, a flash of undisguised disappointment crossed Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen's eyes.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing explained: "Brother Brother Yichen, you should know that I was able to recognize those three items back then purely by coincidence. After all, before I joined the Taiqing Sect, I just happened to see the relevant picture book at an inconspicuous book stall."

"I just flipped through it when I was bored back then; after all, I couldn't even solve the problem of food and clothing, so I really can't remember these trivial pictures."

After hearing this, Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Brother Zhou, don't misunderstand; I was just trying my luck. It's fine, it's fine."

Having said that, he put the box away.

Just at this moment, Li Li Daoxuan and Yan Yan Xiaohu, having heard the news, also rushed over.

"Brother Li, Brother Yan!" Seeing the two, Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen stood up politely.

The two returned the salute.

"Just chatted with Brother Zhou that you were here too; I was planning to visit later!" Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen said with a laugh.

And when Li Li Daoxuan noticed that this Seventh Imperial Prince, who had once sparred with him, already possessed that layer of ethereal realm of understanding, his eyes were full of envy.

And Ke Shu on the side, upon seeing Yan Yan Xiaohu's round face and small eyes squinted into slits, plus the Taiqing Sect just mentioned by Zhou Qing, suddenly remembered where he had seen these two.

Back then, in order to find that red token, he was indeed a bit abrupt.

He hoped they wouldn't take offense.

"Since everyone is an acquaintance, no need to be polite; sit, sit!" Ke Shu hurriedly invited them.

And he poured tea for everyone with a face full of smiles; the obsequious look was so obvious that he might as well have written the word "flattery" on his face.

Everyone chatted for a while longer, and the topic somehow turned to the relative that Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen and his sister were going to meet.

When Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen said the three words "Lu Lu Yuanzhi," the few people present were all shocked.

Others might not know, but Zhou Qing had heard from the Second Granduncle that this Lu Lu Yuanzhi had a mysterious background, complex connections in the Imperial Capital, and had helped several Soul Severance realm experts with big favors.

Besides that, she herself was a Divine Transformation Great Perfection expert, and the Second Granduncle even guessed that she was deliberately suppressing her cultivation to avoid breaking through.

At this moment, Lu Lu Yaoyao said with surprise: "I am currently practicing under Lu Shi; what is your relationship with Lu Shi..."

After hearing this, the two were a bit surprised, but they glossed over what kind of relative it was, as if deliberately hiding something.

Seeing this, the others tactfully stopped asking.

Not long after, Lu Lu Yaoyao took them to Lu Shi's residence, while Zhou Qing and the others waved goodbye and returned separately.

"I didn't expect Li Niang would actually come to the Vast Expanse Mansion side!" After returning to the cave dwelling, Zhou Qing was full of surprise.

Last time, the Sect Master sent the three of them to Lingyun Mansion to find Zhang Wan Bao to see if they could buy that Fusang Fusang Lingkui as a substitute.

After returning, the Elder informed them that Li Niang had disappeared. Because of the gathering of demon kings like Hou Shan, the Five Sects had to put aside their prejudices and unite privately to prepare for a counterattack.

The matter of Li Niang was thus temporarily shelved.

All along, Zhou Qing thought Li Niang was just hiding temporarily; after all, for so many years, she had been foolishly waiting for her husband to return.

What could have happened to make her give up the persistence of so many years and leave her home to come here?

Speaking of which, the Five Sects war was able to end so quickly, and this Li Niang was the fuse.

However, for her accidental involvement, Zhou Qing was still grateful from the bottom of his heart.

After all, long-term pain is worse than short-term pain; otherwise, heaven knows how many more people would have fallen in that big family.

The next day, Zhou Qing's communication token received a message from Lu Lu Yaoyao.

She seemed to have discovered some gossip and told Zhou Qing that Lu Shi was very displeased after meeting Xuan Yuan Brother Yichen and Xuan Yuan Miss Muqian.

And that night, the two seemed to have received some news and left without staying for even a moment.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but be stunned.

However, he didn't dwell too much on this matter, but he always had a bad premonition in his heart.

Two Soul Severance realm experts, once again deep into the Eastern Region—would they realize too late that there was some hidden space in the abyss?

Now that the Five Great Sects are all declining and are secretly using Nine Nether Lotus Seeds to break through to Soul Severance, will any accidents happen?

Zhou Qing's brows were tightly locked; the more he thought, the more uneasy he felt.

After careful consideration, he decided to return to the sect to take a look; he didn't ask for anything else, just peace of mind.

If they really encountered something, at the very least, the "Di Huang Jing" on his body could still block it.

"Third Zhou Shixiong!" Zhou Qing found Yan Yan Xiaohu, who had just wandered back, and told him his thoughts.

After all, he knew about the corpse spirit possessing him and the "Di Huang Jing."

Upon hearing this, Yan Yan Xiaohu immediately expressed his support; besides, having been away from home for so long for the first time, he also missed Old Mo, Niu Niu Guangmo, and the others.

"I'll go with you!" Yan Yan Xiaohu immediately started packing.

Afterward, Zhou Qing found the Second Granduncle and told him about their plan to return to the sect.

"This Xuan Yuan Shuo actually came again; is he that impatient?" The Second Granduncle was a bit surprised.

But he couldn't show his face now; if he let him know that he had already chosen Zhou Qing as his successor, accidents might happen.

Especially since Zhou Qing hasn't comprehended a realm of understanding yet.

"Going back to take a look is fine. If I force you to stay, it would instead affect your state of mind, especially since you have already condensed sixty-six spiritual seals; you've basically been gilded enough here at Lin Shi's!" the Second Granduncle said.

After hearing this, Zhou Qing couldn't help but be stunned.

No, how do you know I condensed sixty-six spiritual seals?

But when he met the Second Granduncle's cunning expression, Zhou Qing was speechless.

Lu Shimei Lu is right; it's better to drink less alcohol in the future.

"You've also done yourself proud; you're considered famous here at Lin Shi's, and with so many students as witnesses, the inheritance of a Level 5 formation master is at least backed up, so others won't suspect anything in the future!"

The Second Granduncle thought for a moment and added: "After you return to the sect and check the situation, come back to the academy once."

"What for?" Zhou Qing asked with confusion.

The Second Granduncle said with a serious face: "You wouldn't really wait until the Nascent Soul Great Perfection to comprehend a realm of understanding, would you?"

Zhou Qing was stunned for a moment, then reacted, his face instantly filled with joy, and he hurriedly bowed respectfully to the Second Granduncle: "Yes!"

But before leaving, Zhou Qing still checked in with Lu Lu Yaoyao and Li Li Daoxuan.

Sure enough, as soon as Lu Lu Yaoyao heard Zhou Qing was returning to the sect, she immediately clamored to go back with him.

Zhou Qing was helpless and had to patiently comfort her, saying he would be back in a while, and now that she was about to break through to the mid-stage Nascent Soul with Lu Shi's help, it would be a pity if she got distracted and affected her breakthrough.

Li Li Daoxuan also advised from the side: "That's right, Lu Shimei. For us practitioners, every breakthrough is crucial; you mustn't lose the big for the small. It won't be too late to gather again when Zhou Qing comes back."

After the two's persuasion, Lu Lu Yaoyao pitifully gave up the idea of following.

"Take care!"

Outside the academy, the two waved goodbye. Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu nodded and headed straight for the central square of the Vast Expanse Mansion.

Stepping out of the Lingyun Mansion teleportation array, Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"The feeling of being home is really good!" Zhou Qing's mouth curled up slightly, his eyes full of emotion.

Yan Yan Xiaohu suddenly slapped his forehead: "Finished, I didn't buy a gift for Old Mo!"

Last time they left the sect, Old Four gave the Master a box of Five-Element supreme-grade spirit stones; his spending was quite generous, although it was a return gift.

He really couldn't take out anything decent at the time; helpless, in a moment of heat, he gave the Master the coffin he got from digging up the ancestral grave of the Cangyan Dao Palace.

As a result, he got a beating from the Master; thinking about it now, his butt still feels a dull ache.

Moreover, besides Old Mo, there are eight other brothers like Niu Niu Guangmo; having finally gone on a long trip, returning empty-handed is really unjustifiable.

"Old Four, you wait for me here, I'll go out and stroll!" After Yan Yan Xiaohu finished speaking, he turned and left in a hurry.

Zhou Qing looked at his back and hurriedly shouted: "Bring one for me too!"

Afterward, Zhou Qing walked out of the teleportation square; because it was getting late, he simply found an inn nearby to rest for a while.

After calling the waiter to order some food, he glanced down inadvertently and actually saw Li Li Shitao and Xiao Xiao Cancan playing on the street below.

The ghost girl... well, Sister Tao is fine, but looking at Xiao Xiao Cancan, she looked full of worry and appeared unhappy.

This surprised Zhou Qing very much; he originally thought they would secretly follow Zhang Wan Bao to the Vast Expanse Mansion.

However, Zhou Qing didn't say hello, just quietly watching their figures gradually drift away and disappear at the end of the street.

Not long after, Yan Yan Xiaohu returned in high spirits. After the two finished eating and rested briefly, they set off on their journey.

After all, there is still a two-month journey to the Taiqing Sect.

A few days later, they passed by a mountain range. Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu stopped at the same time, their eyes full of emotion.

The traces of the battle here were still clearly visible; the surrounding mountain walls were covered with dense knife marks.

It was right here that Qian Qian Dafu gave them a good lesson.

Now revisiting the old place, Zhou Qing felt a mix of emotions in his heart.

Without any words, the two continued their journey until they gradually entered the territory of the Eastern Region.

Moving forward, the entire Eastern Region's large and small sects now showed a scene of desolation and ruin.

From time to time, one could see people fleeing in panic, tattered and terrified.

Some sects were even suffering the disaster of sect destruction; rolling thick smoke shrouded the sky, and screams and cries were intertwined.

The battle at Canglan Mountain had too great an impact, and the top-tier strength of countless sects had fallen.

Seeing the Eastern Region's vitality severely damaged, forces from the other three regions came one after another to loot the burning house.

Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu watched these tragedies unfold, feeling helpless in their hearts; they wanted to help, but they were weak and couldn't manage it, nor could they manage everything.

Because there were not a few Divine Transformation experts who came here to loot the burning house.

Half a month later, the two appeared at the Beimang Mine.

Since the death of the Elder Xuegu Old Ghost, this place had also been abandoned, becoming cold and desolate, overgrown with weeds.

"I just like to hunt for treasure in such abandoned places; you wait for me for a while!"

Seeing the mine, Yan Yan Xiaohu became excited. After hurriedly greeting Zhou Qing, he rushed in impatiently.

Zhou Qing shook his head helplessly and followed him in.

Until the two arrived at the No. 9 mine tunnel, many iron frames were still left here, and the surrounding walls were covered with dried bloodstains.

After the stronghold of Youhuang City was destroyed by him and the Third Zhou Shixiong back then, Elder Xuegu set up a new stronghold here.

And the person who came to deliver the formation was also changed from Song Yuan to Miss Sima Miss Sima Yaoji.

Looking at this scene, Yan Yan Xiaohu cursed, truly devoid of conscience.

Zhou Qing, however, had his brows tightly locked, suddenly realizing one thing.

In the battle of Canglan Mountain, according to the Master, only a very small portion of those black-clothed puppets participated in killing the demon clan; most of them hadn't appeared at all.

Then, where did those puppets go?

Also, is it really as the Third Zhou Shixiong said, that there is a puppet mother body constantly creating black-clothed puppets?

Has it reached saturation now?

If it is saturated, Senior Sikong Yan has accumulated such terrifying power; what exactly does he want to do?

If he wanted to become the overlord of the Eastern Region, back then in that four-color killing formation, it was entirely a matter of a single thought, not to mention that he generously shared the Nine Nether Lotus Seeds with others afterward.

"Time really passes fast; back then we snatched a piece of Chaos Chaos Xuanjin here and sold it in Lingyun Mansion. Now looking back, so many years have passed."

Yan Yan Xiaohu sighed while rummaging.

Zhou Qing, who had returned from his thoughts, nodded. Just as he was about to speak, suddenly, a bone-chilling aura spread from the depths of the mine tunnel, instantly shrouding them.

The two's expressions changed drastically; they wanted to run, but found their bodies were as if frozen, unable to move, and cold sweat uncontrollably poured from their foreheads.

"I, I am truly cheap!" Yan Yan Xiaohu trembled all over, feeling so much regret at this moment.

Why run to this abandoned place to hunt for treasure for no reason?

At this moment, he hurriedly cast a look of help toward Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead bulging, trying his best to break free from this invisible restraint, but found it was of no use.

This sense of oppression definitely could not be emitted by a Divine Transformation realm expert; only...

Instantly, Zhou Qing seemed to think of something, his eyes full of disbelief.

Just in this suffocating dead silence, a figure slowly walked out from the depths of the darkness, leaning against the wall.

That was an old man, but he looked a bit unbearable at this moment.

His clothes were tattered, his whole person was hunched over, and his right hand was tightly clutching his abdomen.

But even so, blood still continuously gushed out from between his fingers, dripping onto the ground, causing the air to emit a nauseating fishy smell.

When he saw this person's appearance, Zhou Qing's pupils shrank sharply.

And this scene was also keenly captured by the old man, who then asked with a hoarse voice: "You recognize me?"

Zhou Qing hurriedly said: "A few years ago at Canglan Mountain, the junior had the honor of seeing the Senior display great power from afar."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Qing wished he could slap himself twice.

A Soul Severance realm demon clan member who was in such a sorry state—admitting to recognizing the other party, isn't this seeking his own death?

Even a human Soul Severance realm expert would never want others to see them in such a down-and-out state, let alone a demon clan member who has always been full of hostility toward humans.

Sure enough, Zhou Qing saw the murderous intent that flashed across his eyes.

His heart sank instantly.

And at this moment, Yan Yan Xiaohu also recognized him, feeling even more terrified.

He's going to die; why is there an injured Soul Severance realm expert in this broken place, and it just so happens to be a demon clan member.

But Old Feng raised his hand slightly at this time, and an illusory old man's appearance slowly emerged; it was Xuan Yuan Shuo.

Old Feng stared closely at Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu, asking coldly: "Have you ever seen this person?"

Zhou Qing hurriedly said: "Never seen him. We brothers just returned from the Vast Expanse Mansion, passing by this place, and seeing it abandoned, we thought of picking up some scraps."

Yan Yan Xiaohu on the side nodded repeatedly, saying: "We swear!"

Old Feng came to the two little by little, his gaze scanning back and forth on them, muttering to himself: "Two Nascent Soul realm experts, barely usable."

Upon hearing this, the two felt their hearts tighten.

Yan Yan Xiaohu was about to cry, hurriedly saying: "Senior, whether you kill or skin us, the junior will listen to you. Please let my Junior Brother go; he just got married not long ago, his Dao companion's belly is very big, and if the child is born, he won't even be able to see his father."

Yan Yan Xiaohu begged with tears and snot flying.

Zhou Qing forced himself to stabilize, his mind thinking of ways quickly; hearing his Third Zhou Shixiong say this, he felt a warmth in his heart.

Old Feng sneered: "Nascent Soul realm just got married, and the Dao companion's belly is big? Are you sure that child is your Junior Brother's?"

Zhou Qing: "..."

Yan Yan Xiaohu: "..."

"You are really useless; your Junior Brother is late-stage Nascent Soul, and you are only early-stage? You've cultivated to the dogs!" Old Feng sneered with disdain.

Yan Yan Xiaohu's tears immediately stopped.

He really wanted to curse, but didn't dare.

Zhou Qing said: "Senior, we really didn't mean to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Old Feng suddenly took out an unknown black elixir, which carried a pungent smell, and it was instantly stuffed into Zhou Qing's mouth.

At the same time, Yan Yan Xiaohu on the other side didn't escape either, and was also forcibly fed the elixir.

The two were completely unprepared, and caught off guard, they were choked into a fit of violent coughing, and their abdomens immediately felt like they were burning.

Following that, Old Feng's expression turned gloomy, and he pointed his withered finger fiercely at his own glabella.

Two dim, mini-Jin Peng-shaped rays of light, carrying a cold aura, "whooshed" into the two's bodies.

Zhou Qing and Yan Yan Xiaohu only felt their bodies shake violently, as if a foreign object had taken root in their bodies, and a deep fear welled up in their hearts.

Old Feng looked at the two, his eyes flashing with cold light, and said with endless chill: "If you want to live, find me supreme-grade spirit stones, the more the better. If you can't do it, within seven days, you will surely die!"

"If you dare to reveal this to outsiders, the spiritual consciousness I left on you can also take your lives in an instant!" After a slight pause, he added: "But if you do it well, the rewards will also be beyond your imagination."

After speaking, Old Feng withdrew his pressure.

In an instant, the two felt as if they had been granted amnesty, their legs softening, and they almost collapsed to the ground.

"Se-Senior, rest assured, we guarantee to complete the mission!"

Yan Yan Xiaohu's voice trembled; he hurriedly reached out to pull Zhou Qing and ran out stumbling at the fastest speed, fearing Old Feng would change his mind.

After running for a distance, Yan Yan Xiaohu stopped, turned his head to look at Zhou Qing, his eyes full of regret and apology.

"Old Four, Zhou Shixiong is sorry for you... if it weren't for me pulling you here to hunt for treasure, it wouldn't have..."

"Oh, Third Zhou Shixiong, Junior Brother is too late to thank you," Zhou Qing suddenly interrupted Yan Yan Xiaohu, his face full of excited smiles.

"This Senior is now injured, and we happened to run into him; that is a heaven-sent opportunity!"

Yan Yan Xiaohu was stunned, but soon reacted, secretly suffering in his heart.

That damned feathered beast, besides feeding them poison, also left a surveillance mark on them.

Every word and action of theirs was under the other party's surveillance.

Zhou Qing laughed heartily, but his laughter carried a hint of bitterness that was hard to detect.

"Adding flowers to a brocade is not as good as sending charcoal in the snow. After we help the Senior heal his injuries, that will be the day our brothers rise to prominence. What are you still standing there for? Let's go quickly!"

After speaking, Zhou Qing lifted his feet and flew up excitedly.

Yan Yan Xiaohu sighed helplessly, knowing Zhou Qing was acting, and could only force a smile and hurriedly follow.

"Old Four, what should we do now?" Yan Yan Xiaohu asked while stepping on his flying knife, secretly transmitting his voice.

(End of chapter)