Chapter 200: It

As Xuan Yuan Yichen opened the box, a completely black lamp came into view.

The lamp had an eerie shape, its body twisted and contorted, as if countless wronged souls were struggling within.

Merely glancing at it, Zhou Qing felt an icy chill rise unbidden, as if watched by countless cold, shadowy eyes.

Zhou Qing remembered that, at Taiqingmen, the three items Xuan Yuan Yichen had brought were, after system appraisal, Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate, Ghost Stitch Needle, and Huang Guan Paper.

And all three items originated from a Level Five cultivation nation and were deeply sinister.

For example, Four Ghosts Bowing to the Gate could easily strip the soul of a Cut-Soul Realm cultivator and drag it inside for soul-searching.

Even if the soul's consciousness was under a taboo, it could be slowly undone to extract the desired information.

Ghost Stitch Needle: could stitch together soul wounds—even if the spiritual soul was shattered into fragments—but the stitching thread consumed the stitcher's lifespan as payment.

Huang Guan Paper: also called Life-Buying Paper; if one wrote another's name on it with a Huang Guan brush and burned it alongside any object the target had touched, it would halve their lifespan.

The item before them was black—yet where had Xuan Yuan Yichen obtained this artifact from a Level Five cultivation nation?

And recalling it, the ultimate weapon used by Er Daye had been a black bell—could there be some connection to these items?

Of course, their cultivation tiers were worlds apart, incomparable.

Seeing Zhou Qing lost in thought, Xuan Yuan Yichen's lips curled slightly, then he calmly pulled out thirty middle-grade spirit stones and placed them on the table. "Same price as before."

Zhou Qing said nothing, immediately performing the appraisal.

【Soul-Siphoning Lamp: Originated from a Level Five cultivation nation; the handle is forged from the hand bones of a Cut-Soul Realm cultivator, the shade formed from the concentrated malice of vengeful spirits; it can extract others' souls and turn them into spiritual sense fragments for other uses—extremely sinister.】

Reading the description, Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow.

The power of Level Five cultivation nations truly was unmatched—they could so easily target Cut-Soul Realm experts.

But—

Zhou Qing looked at Xuan Yuan Yichen's expectant gaze and the thirty middle-grade spirit stones beside him, then shook his head with clear regret.

He felt this Seventh Imperial Prince was far from ordinary, especially given how many of his items tied directly to Level Five cultivation nations.

Some secrets were safer the less one knew.

After all, better to avoid trouble than invite it, and besides, he wasn't the man he'd been years ago—he didn't need those spirit stones anymore.

Seeing Zhou Qing shake his head, Xuan Yuan Yichen's eyes flickered with unmistakable disappointment.

Zhou Qing explained: "Brother Yichen, you know I recognized those three items purely by chance. Before I joined Taiqingmen, I'd merely stumbled upon a sketchbook at some obscure stall."

"I flipped through it out of boredom—I couldn't even afford food back then. Those vague images are long gone from my memory."

Xuan Yuan Yichen quickly waved his hand. "Brother Zhou, don't misunderstand—I was just trying my luck. No harm done."

With that, he tucked the box away.

At that moment, Li Daoxuan and Yan Xiaohu arrived upon hearing the news.

"Brother Li, Brother Yan!" Xuan Yuan Yichen rose politely upon seeing them.

They returned the greeting.

"I was just speaking with Brother Zhou about you two—I was about to pay you a visit!" Xuan Yuan Yichen smiled.

When Li Daoxuan sensed the ethereal aura now surrounding the Seventh Imperial Prince—who had once sparred with him—he stared in envy.

Nearby, Ke Shu, seeing Yan Xiaohu's round face and narrow slit-like eyes, plus Zhou Qing's mention of Taiqingmen, suddenly remembered where he'd seen them before.

Back then, searching for that red token, he'd been too abrupt.

He hoped they wouldn't hold it against him.

"Since we're all familiar, no need for formalities—sit, sit!" Ke Shu urged warmly.

He beamed as he poured tea for everyone, his eagerness to please almost written across his face.

After a while of idle chatter, the topic somehow turned to the relatives Xuan Yuan Yichen and his sister intended to meet.

When Xuan Yuan Yichen uttered "Lu Yuanzhi," everyone present was stunned.

Others didn't know, but Zhou Qing had heard from Er Daye that Lu Yuanzhi was mysterious, entangled in complex imperial capital politics, and had aided several Cut-Soul Realm experts.

Moreover, she herself was a Soul Transformation peak cultivator—Er Daye even suspected she was deliberately suppressing her cultivation to avoid breakthrough.

At that moment, Lu Yaoyao exclaimed joyfully: "I'm currently training under Master Lu! You two are…?"

The two reacted with surprise but avoided clarifying the exact relationship, as if deliberately concealing something.

Seeing this, the others wisely dropped the subject.

Soon after, Lu Yaoyao led them to Master Lu's residence, while Zhou Qing and the others bid farewell and returned to their own paths.

"I never expected Li Niang would come to Haomiao Prefecture!" Zhou Qing murmured in surprise upon returning to his cave dwelling.

Last time, the Sect Master had sent the three of them to Lingyun Prefecture to find Zhang Wanbao and see if he could procure a Fusan Lingkui as a substitute.

Upon returning, the Sect Master informed them Li Niang had vanished—due to the convergence of Hou Shan and other demon kings, the Five Sects had been forced to set aside their differences and secretly unite to prepare a counterattack.

Li Niang's disappearance was temporarily shelved.

Until now, Zhou Qing had assumed she was merely hiding, given how she'd waited faithfully for her husband's return all these years.

What could have happened to make her abandon her decades-long vigil and flee far from home?

In truth, Li Niang's actions had been the spark that ended the Five Sects War so quickly.

Still, Zhou Qing genuinely appreciated her accidental role.

After all, short pain was better than long suffering—otherwise, who knew how many more would have perished in that household?

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

She sounded like she'd uncovered gossip: Master Lu had been deeply displeased after meeting Xuan Yuan Yichen and Xuan Yuan Muxian.

That night, the two received some news and departed immediately without lingering.

Zhou Qing was stunned.

But he didn't dwell on it—yet a sense of unease lingered in his heart.

Two Cut-Soul Realm experts venturing deeper into the Eastern Region—could they, too late, sense hidden spaces within the Abyss?

With the Five Sects now in decline, secretly using Jiuyou Lotus Seeds to break through to Cut-Soul—could something go wrong?

Zhou Qing frowned, growing increasingly uneasy.

After careful thought, he decided to return to the sect—nothing more than to ease his mind.

If trouble arose, at least the Emperor's Radiance Scripture on his person could offer some protection.

"Third Brother!" Zhou Qing found Yan Xiaohu returning from his stroll and told him his plan.

After all, Yan Xiaohu knew about the Corpse Spirit's possession and the Emperor's Radiance Scripture.

Yan Xiaohu immediately agreed—besides, being this far from home for the first time, he missed Old Mo, Niu Guangmo, and the others.

"I'm coming with you!" Yan Xiaohu immediately began packing.

Then Zhou Qing sought out Er Daye and informed him of their plan to return to the sect.

"Xuan Yuan Shuo is here again? So eager?" Er Daye was surprised.

But he couldn't show himself—if Xuan Yuan Shuo learned he'd chosen Zhou Qing as his heir, something unpredictable might happen.

Especially since Zhou Qing hadn't yet comprehended an aura yet.

"Going back to check is fine. If I forced you to stay, it would disturb your inner state—especially now that you've condensed sixty-six spirit seals, you've nearly finished your training under Master Lin!" Er Daye said.

Zhou Qing froze.

Wait—how do you know I've condensed sixty-six spirit seals?

But meeting Er Daye's sly grin, Zhou Qing fell silent.

Lu Meimei was right—better to drink less wine from now on.

"You've done well—you're already known under Master Lin, and with so many students as witnesses, the Level Five Array Master inheritance has at least been validated. No one will doubt you now."

Er Daye paused, then added: "After you return to the sect and check things, come back here once more."

"Why?" Zhou Qing asked.

Er Daye's expression turned serious: "You don't plan to wait until Nascent Soul peak before comprehending an aura, do you?"

Zhou Qing blinked, then realized—his face lit up instantly. He bowed deeply to Er Daye: "Yes!"

But before leaving, Zhou Qing informed Lu Yaoyao and Li Daoxuan.

As expected, Lu Yaoyao immediately protested when she heard he was returning to the sect.

Zhou Qing sighed and patiently reassured her—he'd return soon, and now, with Master Lu's help, she was on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul mid-stage; if she distracted herself now, it would ruin her breakthrough.

Li Daoxuan added: "Yes, Sister, every breakthrough is crucial. Don't sacrifice the big for the small. Wait until Zhou Qing returns—we'll reunite then."

After their persuasion, Lu Yaoyao reluctantly gave up her wish to follow.

"Stay safe!"

Outside the academy, they waved goodbye. Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu nodded and headed straight for Haomiao Prefecture's central plaza.

…

Stepping out of the Lingyun Prefecture teleport array, Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu drew a deep breath.

"Feels good to be home!" Zhou Qing smiled faintly, eyes filled with nostalgia.

Yan Xiaohu suddenly slapped his forehead: "Damn—I didn't buy Old Mo a gift!"

Last time they left the sect, Fourth Brother had given their Master a box of five-element supreme-grade spirit stones—very generous, though it was a return gift.

He himself had nothing decent to offer, so in a moment of impulsiveness, he'd given their Master the coffin he'd dug up from the Cangyan Dao Palace ancestral tomb.

The result? A beating from their Master—he still felt his butt ache thinking about it.

And besides Old Mo, there were eight other brothers—Niu Guangmo and the rest—after traveling so far, returning empty-handed was unthinkable.

"Fourth Brother, wait here—I'm going out!" Yan Xiaohu spun around and hurried off.

Zhou Qing called after him: "Get me one too!"

Then Zhou Qing left the teleport plaza. As dusk fell, he found a nearby inn and decided to rest for a while.

After calling out for the waiter and ordering some food, Zhou Qing glanced down unintentionally and saw Li Shitao and Xiao Cancan playing on the street below.

The female ghost… well, Tao-jie seemed fine, but Xiao Cancan looked utterly gloomy, her face heavy with sorrow.

This surprised Zhou Qing greatly—he had assumed they'd secretly followed Zhang Wanbao to Haomiao Prefecture.

Still, Zhou Qing did not greet them; he simply watched their figures fade into the distance until they vanished at the end of the street.

Not long after, Yan Xiaohu returned in high spirits; after they finished eating and rested briefly, they set off again.

After all, they still had two months' journey to Mount Taiqingmen.

…

Several days later, they passed through a mountain range, and both Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu halted, their eyes filled with emotion.

The battle scars here remained clearly visible; the surrounding cliffs were riddled with countless knife cuts.

It was here that Qian Dafu had given them a harsh lesson.

Now, revisiting this place, Zhou Qing's heart was a tangle of emotions.

Without a word, the two continued on their way until they gradually entered the territory controlled by the Eastern Region.

As they traveled, every sect, large or small, across the entire Eastern Region now lay in ruin and desolation.

Occasionally, they saw people fleeing in panic, dressed in tattered clothes, their faces filled with terror.

Some sects were even being annihilated, thick smoke choking the sky, cries and wails intertwining in the air.

The Battle of Canglan Mountain had had too great an impact; countless sect leaders had been wiped out.

Powers from the other three regions, seeing the Eastern Region weakened, rushed in to exploit its vulnerability.

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu watched these tragedies unfold, filled with helplessness—they wanted to help, but they were too few and too weak to intervene, let alone manage it all.

After all, many of those coming to plunder were Soul Transformation cultivators.

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

Since the death of Blood Bone Old Ghost, the place had been abandoned, now silent and overgrown with wild grass.

"I love searching for treasures in places like this—wait for me a moment!"

Upon seeing the mine, Yan Xiaohu instantly grew excited, gave Zhou Qing a hurried greeting, then rushed inside without delay.

Zhou Qing shook his head helplessly and followed him in.

When they reached Mine Shaft No. 9, many iron frames still remained, and the walls were stained with dried blood.

After he and his third senior brother destroyed the outpost in Youhuang City, Blood Bone had set up a new base here.

The one delivering the array arrays had changed from Song Yuan to Sima Yaoji.

Seeing this, Yan Xiaohu cursed bitterly—it was truly a crime against heaven.

But Zhou Qing frowned deeply, suddenly realizing something.

According to his master, during the Battle of Canglan Mountain, only a tiny fraction of the black-robed puppets had participated in slaughtering the demon races; most had never even appeared.

So where had those puppets gone?

And was it truly true, as his third senior brother claimed, that a puppet mother body existed, endlessly producing black-robed puppets?

Had it now reached saturation?

If it had, what did Sikong Yan intend to do with such a terrifying force he had amassed?

If he wanted to become the dominant power of the Eastern Region, he could have done so with a single thought inside that four-color killing array—let alone later generously distributing Nine You Lotus Seeds to others.

"Time really flies—back then, we stole a piece of Chaos Xuan Gold here and sold it in Lingyun Prefecture. Now, looking back, it feels like years have passed."

Yan Xiaohu muttered as he rummaged through the ruins.

Zhou Qing snapped out of his thoughts and nodded. Just as he was about to speak, a chilling aura suddenly surged from deep within the mine, instantly engulfing them.

Both turned pale; they tried to flee but found their bodies frozen in place, sweat pouring uncontrollably from their foreheads.

"I'm such a fool!" Yan Xiaohu trembled violently, filled with regret.

Why the hell had he come to this abandoned place looking for treasure?

He immediately turned desperate eyes toward Zhou Qing for help.

Zhou Qing gritted his teeth, his temples bulging with veins as he strained with all his strength to break free—but it was useless.

This pressure could not possibly come from a Soul Transformation cultivator—it could only be…

In an instant, Zhou Qing seemed to realize something, his eyes wide with disbelief.

Amid the suffocating silence, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness, leaning against the wall.

It was an old man, but now he looked utterly horrific.

His clothes were in tatters, his body hunched over, his right hand tightly pressed against his abdomen.

Yet even so, blood continued to seep from between his fingers, dripping steadily onto the ground, filling the air with a nauseating stench.

When Zhou Qing saw his appearance, his pupils contracted sharply.

The old man, sharp-eyed, caught this reaction and rasped: "Do you know me?"

Zhou Qing quickly replied: "A few years ago at Canglan Mountain, your humble disciple was fortunate enough to witness your divine prowess from afar."

The moment the words left his mouth, Zhou Qing wanted to slap himself hard.

To admit knowing a Soul Severing demon cultivator in such a pitiful state—wasn't that asking for death?

Even a human Soul Severing cultivator would never let others see him so broken, let alone a demon race that had always despised humanity.

Sure enough, Zhou Qing saw a flicker of murderous intent in the old man's eyes.

His heart sank.

Yan Xiaohu had also recognized him now, and his fear deepened.

Damn it—how could a wounded Soul Severing demon be lurking here? And of all places, why here?

But at that moment, Feng Lao slowly raised his hand, and a faint, elderly figure materialized—it was Xuan Yuan Shuo.

Feng Lao's gaze locked onto Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu, coldly asking: "Have you ever seen this man?"

Zhou Qing quickly replied: "Never. My senior brother and I just returned from Haomiao Prefecture, passed through here, saw it abandoned, and thought we might find something."

Yan Xiaohu beside him nodded frantically: "We swear it!"

Feng Lao slowly approached them, his eyes scanning their bodies, muttering to himself: "Two Nascent Soul cultivators—barely usable."

Hearing this, both felt their hearts tighten.

Yan Xiaohu nearly wept: "Master, whether you kill me or cut me up, I'll obey—but please spare my junior brother! He just got married; his wife is heavily pregnant. If the child is born, he won't even see his own father!"

Yan Xiaohu begged, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Zhou Qing forced himself to calm down, his mind racing for solutions; hearing his third senior brother say this, he felt a sudden warmth in his chest.

Feng Lao sneered: "Nascent Soul cultivator just married, and his wife's belly is already big? Are you sure the child is even yours?"

Zhou Qing: "..."

Yan Xiaohu: "..."

"You're pathetic. Your junior brother is Nascent Soul late stage—you're only early stage? You've cultivated yourself into a dog!" Feng Lao scoffed.

Yan Xiaohu's tears vanished instantly.

He wanted to curse, but dared not.

Zhou Qing said: "Master, we truly came here by accident—"

Before he could finish, Feng Lao suddenly produced an unknown black pill, reeking of a pungent odor, and shoved it straight into Zhou Qing's mouth.

At the same time, Yan Xiaohu was not spared—he too was forcibly fed the pill.

Caught off guard, both choked violently, coughing uncontrollably; their abdomens immediately burned as if on fire.

Then, Feng Lao's expression darkened; with a withered finger, he stabbed his own forehead hard.

Two dim, miniature golden-peng-shaped lights, radiating icy energy, shot "whoosh" into their bodies.

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu felt their bodies jolt violently—as if something alien had taken root inside them, a deep terror rising in their hearts.

Feng Lao stared at them, his eyes glinting with cold, endless frost: "If you want to live, bring me supreme-grade spirit stones—the more, the better. If you fail, you'll die within seven days!"

He paused, then added: "If you dare reveal this to anyone, the spiritual sense I've implanted in you will kill you instantly. But if you succeed, your reward will be beyond imagining."

With that, Feng Lao lifted his pressure.

Instantly, the two felt as if granted amnesty; their legs buckled, nearly collapsing to the ground.

"M-Master, we swear we'll complete the task!"

Yan Xiaohu's voice trembled; he grabbed Zhou Qing's arm and dragged him out as fast as he could, terrified Feng Lao might change his mind.

Only after running a considerable distance did Yan Xiaohu stop, turning to Zhou Qing with regret and guilt in his eyes.

"Brother Four, I'm sorry… If I hadn't dragged you here to search for treasure, none of this would've happened—"

"Oh, come on, Third Senior Brother," Zhou Qing suddenly interrupted, his face beaming with excitement.

"This elder is injured—and we just happened to find him! This is a tremendous opportunity!"

Yan Xiaohu froze, then quickly understood—and inwardly groaned.

That damn feathered beast had not only poisoned them but also implanted a surveillance mark on both of them.

Every word and action of theirs was being watched.

Zhou Qing laughed loudly, though beneath the laughter lay a faint, unnoticeable bitterness.

"Adding flowers to brocade is nothing compared to giving charcoal in snow. Once we help the elder heal, that's when our fortunes will soar! What are you standing around for? Let's go!"

Saying this, Zhou Qing immediately leapt upward with eager steps.

Yan Xiaohu sighed helplessly—he knew Zhou Qing was acting. He forced a smile and hurried after him.

"Brother Four, what now?" Yan Xiaohu whispered as he rode his flying blade, secretly sending a mental message.

(End of Chapter)