Chapter 213: This post is interesting, huh (6k)

"What is the cultivation base of that Commandery Governor?" Just then, Yan Xiaohu, who was at the side, asked curiously.

Second Uncle thought for a moment and said, "Although he hasn't reached the Soul Severance realm, he should be close to touching the threshold of that level."

"In terms of strength, he is much stronger than the average Divine Transformation Great Perfection, and he can be considered a formidable character in this region."

The two nodded.

Afterwards, Second Uncle turned his gaze toward the two, his expression becoming serious as he said, "You two should have finished packing over these past two days, right? There is no time to lose; let's set off early."

Speaking of this, Second Uncle had a look of anticipation on his face.

That old brat probably didn't expect that I would come to fulfill the appointment so quickly.

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment, then spoke up, "Uncle, this time, I want to bring Junior Sister Lu along. After all, the three of us came from the Taiqingmen together, and leaving her here alone now, I just feel uneasy in my heart."

Seeing Zhou Qing's embarrassed look, Second Uncle laughed instead, then said, "When I brought you to the academy to learn arrays and find someone to endorse you, do you know why I agreed to let the two of them follow?"

"Why?" Yan Xiaohu leaned forward and asked curiously.

Second Uncle suddenly pulled out his smoking pipe and knocked it on his head, saying irritably, "Because he values relationships and righteousness; this is also the part of him I admire."

Yan Xiaohu clutched his forehead, baring his teeth and grimacing in grievance, while Zhou Qing looked embarrassed.

But he quickly reacted and said, "Thank you, Uncle!"

After speaking, he hurriedly took out his identity token and sent a message to Lu Yaoyao.

Not long after, Lu Yaoyao rushed over.

"Greetings, Uncle!" Lu Yaoyao bowed respectfully.

Second Uncle was just about to speak when he saw Lu Yuanzhi following closely behind.

The few people in the room were all stunned.

Lu Yuanzhi's expression was cold; she slowly swept her gaze over the few of them, finally letting it fall on Second Uncle, then she bowed solemnly and said, "Greetings, Senior!"

The group immediately looked at Lu Yaoyao, their eyes full of confusion and inquiry.

Lu Yaoyao's expression was slightly panicked; she shook her head repeatedly, indicating that she hadn't said anything.

Seeing this, Lu Yuanzhi explained, "This has nothing to do with Yaoyao. Actually, from the first time Senior came to the academy, this junior felt your extraordinariness. But seeing your obsession with arrays and your respect for Master Lin, this junior didn't expose you."

Second Uncle was quite surprised upon hearing this, then he re-examined Lu Yuanzhi, his eyes gaining a bit more scrutiny.

Afterwards, he asked, "Nascent Soul amplification or Divine Transformation realm of understanding?"

Lu Yuanzhi's expression was calm; she replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Both, perhaps. This junior comprehended the realm of understanding based on Nascent Soul amplification."

Second Uncle nodded.

He had always thought that he was only unable to hide his true self in front of Zhou Qing; he didn't expect that another one had been added today.

Lu Yuanzhi said sincerely, "Yaoyao is determined to go to the border this time, and this junior couldn't stop her no matter what. She was even willing to give up the cultivation plan I meticulously formulated for her to break through to the late Soul Formation realm within ten years."

Lu Yuanzhi sighed slightly when she reached this point.

"Therefore, after careful consideration, this junior intends to go with her." Lu Yuanzhi paused, "Firstly, we can look out for each other on the road; secondly, I can also provide her with guidance along the way, so she won't fall behind in her cultivation progress."

Speaking of this, Lu Yuanzhi bowed slightly and continued modestly, "Senior is a Soul Severance realm powerhouse with unfathomable cultivation; any guidance you provide would be far beyond what this junior could compare to."

"But Lu Yaoyao is a child with a special constitution; the cultivation techniques and path she follows have many similarities with my experience and insights. In this regard, this junior might be able to provide her with more targeted help."

Looking at Lu Yuanzhi's stubborn yet sincere appearance, Lu Yaoyao, who was at the side, felt a mix of emotions inside, full of shame.

Lu Shi was truly very good to her, but one cannot have both fish and bear's paw; she had to follow her old man to the border to investigate.

She didn't want to miss this opportunity, but she also didn't want to implicate Lu Shi.

"Lu Shi..." Lu Yaoyao called out softly, her voice carrying a hint of choking.

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu also looked at this ice-cold beauty before them; although they knew Lu Shi was very good to Lu Yaoyao, they didn't expect it to reach this extent.

"This junior knows nothing about Senior's affairs, and I will not participate in anything throughout the journey. I ask Senior to grant this!" Lu Yuanzhi bowed respectfully again.

As a mentor at the Bai Yu Taixu Academy, suppressing her own cultivation to prevent breakthrough, helping several Soul Severance realm experts, and having a deep connection with the Imperial Capital.

This made Second Uncle unable to help but become interested in her.

"Very well, then come along!" Second Uncle said after pondering.

Upon hearing this, a look of joy could not help but appear on Lu Yuanzhi's face, which was usually as cold as frost. Her words were sincere as she bowed again: "Thank you, Senior!"

"I heard that a few years ago, two royal juniors came to visit you, and you were very displeased. But I am going to see Xuan Yuan Shuo next; are you sure you can do it?"

Second Uncle asked out of the blue, as if he suddenly remembered something.

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuanzhi's expression stalled slightly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes. After hesitating for a moment, she nodded gently and said, "This junior also knows a little about changing one's appearance."

Second Uncle couldn't help but be stunned.

It seems that this has reached the point of never seeing each other again.

Interesting!

This border trip is likely to be even more exciting than imagined.

"Eh?" Second Uncle's gaze suddenly turned outside the cave dwelling.

What is going on today?

"Zhou Qing, are you there?" The next moment, Lin Daochen's familiar voice clearly came in from outside.

Zhou Qing subconsciously looked at Second Uncle, and after seeing him nod slightly to signal, he raised his hand to open the barrier of the cave dwelling.

Lin Daochen, who had just entered, was about to speak when he saw the group of people inside staring at each other with wide eyes, and he couldn't help but be stunned.

Soon, his gaze fell on Si Yunya, and he said, "I just went to the place where you live to find you, but found you weren't there. I didn't expect you to be here."

Seeing this, Second Uncle hurriedly walked up, bowed respectfully, and asked, "Does Mr. have any business?"

Lin Daochen nodded slightly, then immediately stated his plan to take them to the border.

This made everyone look at each other in dismay, and Yan Xiaohu almost laughed out loud.

Is it such a coincidence?

Lin Daochen looked at the expressions of Zhou Qing and the others, thinking they had concerns, so he said, "I know this is a bit of a strong request. If you are unwilling, this old man will not..."

"No, no, we are willing, willing, of course we are willing!" Second Uncle said, grabbing the lead for fear that Lin Daochen would change his mind.

Disguising himself as the teacher's proud student to head to the border, plus changing his own appearance—at this moment, he had already conceived a fun meeting scenario with Xuan Yuan Shuo in his mind.

Seeing Second Uncle so active, Lin Daochen cast his gaze toward Zhou Qing again.

Zhou Qing hurriedly stepped out and said, "This student is also willing to go."

Now that the teacher has been promoted to a third-grade array master, and there are two more at the border, if he could get a little guidance from them, his promotion to a second-grade array master should be easy.

"We also want to go!" Lu Yaoyao and Yan Xiaohu immediately said in unison.

Lin Daochen didn't know Yan Xiaohu, but Lu Yaoyao was Lu Shi's student.

He looked toward Lu Yuanzhi at the side.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yuanzhi said coldly, "I want to go too!"

Lin Daochen: "..."

Haomiao Prefecture!

It was as lively as ever here. Lin Daochen walked through it, his gaze slowly sweeping over everything around him, feeling as if everything was like yesterday.

Since entering the academy and devoting himself to the study of arrays and barriers, he had rarely come out.

"Teacher, which old friend are we going to visit?" Zhou Qing, who was following behind, asked curiously.

Lin Daochen didn't stop his pace; he turned his head slightly, stroked his beard, and with a gentle smile on his face, said, "The Dean!"

"The Dean?" Second Uncle, who had been indifferent, couldn't help but exclaim upon hearing these two words.

Even his voice was a bit abrupt, causing passersby around to look over one after another.

Lin Daochen stopped his pace, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes as he looked at Second Uncle and asked, "What's wrong?"

Second Uncle hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Nothing, nothing, just curious."

Zhou Qing also didn't expect that the mysterious Soul Severance realm Dean Second Uncle spoke of would actually be here in Haomiao Prefecture.

Lin Daochen continued walking while saying, "If it weren't for the Dean's life-saving grace, I'm afraid I would have died long ago. How could I have the me of today? Since I've been promoted to third-grade, it is only right to go and thank him."

Second Uncle, who was following behind, nodded repeatedly. Under Zhou Qing's gaze, his hands formed seals rapidly, continuously casting imprints into his body.

With the integration of these obscure imprints, a steady aura permeated from him, and his cultivation was completely stabilized at the early Soul Formation realm.

But thinking about it, he still felt it was too fake, so he raised his cultivation to the early Divine Transformation realm.

Zhou Qing also wanted to use the "Void Realm Dharma Image" to cover it up, but thinking that he would be facing a Soul Severance realm senior, he decided against it.

After all, he couldn't even deceive Old Fu Kui before.

These little tricks of his would likely be exposed in front of the other party, and being too clever might lead to a bad result.

"You are my proud students, so I want to take you here to meet him. In case I am not around in the future, if you encounter any trouble, perhaps the Dean can help you out of old acquaintance."

Lin Daochen's voice unconsciously carried a hint of vicissitudes.

The total lifespan of the Divine Transformation realm is three thousand years; this three-thousand-year limit starts from the moment one comprehends the realm of understanding and promotes to Divine Transformation, until the Divine Transformation Great Perfection ends.

Don't look at how he condensed three thousand spiritual imprints this time and broke through to the Great Perfection realm; it is already impossible to take another step forward to break through to the Soul Severance realm.

Throughout the entire fourth-level cultivation nation, cultivators at the Great Perfection of the Divine Transformation realm are as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river, countless in number; yet, powerhouses at the Soul Severance realm are few and far between, with only a dozen or so in total.

Moreover, he doesn't have a few hundred years left to live.

But whether it is Zhou Qing or Si Yunya, they are still young and have a bright future.

Hearing Lin Daochen's words at this moment, both of them were silent, their moods complex and hard to explain.

Just like that, the group of three passed through one bustling main street after another, and turned into one quiet alley after another. Zhou Qing felt more and more familiar as he walked.

"It's right here!" Not long after, Lin Daochen suddenly stopped his pace, his gaze falling on the inconspicuous grocery shop in front of him.

Zhou Qing looked up, and the moment he saw this small shop, he was stunned on the spot.

"No way!"

Because what came into view at this moment was none other than Old Weng's grocery shop.

"You've come!" The next moment, Old Weng's familiar voice truly came from inside.

Lin Daochen's expression was solemn; he bowed respectfully and then stepped inside.

Zhou Qing's heart tightened; he hurriedly turned his head to look at Second Uncle, wanting to transmit something, but saw his expression was as usual, following inside calmly.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing had no choice but to follow inside with an anxious heart.

Walking into the shop, the furnishings inside were still the same as in the past.

Old Weng was still sitting on that dilapidated bamboo chair as usual, swaying slightly, making a slight "creaking" sound.

On the small table beside him, there was also a slightly old teapot, emitting wisps of hot steam.

"Dean!" Lin Daochen said softly, full of respect, upon seeing Old Weng.

Hearing this sentence, Zhou Qing's heart jumped violently. He looked at Old Weng again; although he was prepared in his heart, he still couldn't believe it.

Old Weng opened his eyes, nodded slightly toward Lin Daochen, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, and then said, "Congratulations, you have finally taken this step!"

Lin Daochen hurriedly bowed and said, "Thank you, Dean. I have walked this step for too long, and it can be considered fulfilling a wish I've had for many years. Coming here this time is specifically to bid you farewell."

Afterwards, Lin Daochen stated the matters concerning Long Yuanjun Governor Zhong Yao and Prince Xuan Yuan Shuo.

Weng Yunqi listened quietly, then nodded and said, "As a citizen of the Shengwu Imperial Dynasty, one is duty-bound in such matters concerning the safety of the country. It's just that the border is dangerous; you must pay attention to safety."

Lin Daochen replied respectfully, "Yes, Dean. By the way, I brought two people this time; they are also from the academy..."

"Zhou Qing, long time no see. I didn't expect you to break through to Divine Transformation so quickly!" Before Lin Daochen could finish introducing, Old Weng suddenly said with a smile.

Lin Daochen was slightly stunned, full of confusion.

They actually know each other?

Zhou Qing walked up with a bitter smile, bowed respectfully, and said, "I didn't expect you to be the Dean."

Recalling the various things experienced during those nine months, Zhou Qing felt a bit embarrassed.

No wonder he couldn't detect his cultivation no matter what at the beginning, and thought he was just an ordinary old man; it turns out he was a Soul Severance realm powerhouse.

Old Weng waved his hand and said with a smile, "What Dean or not, it's just a title; you are really quite good."

"Thank you for the praise, Dean!" Zhou Qing said gratefully.

Zhou Qing is in the Divine Transformation realm; Lin Daochen can naturally feel it clearly.

After all, in the academy, many people hid their cultivation for various purposes.

Some were to study better in the academy, while others were just to cling to a relationship and seek more opportunities.

To Lin Daochen, this was not a surprising matter.

However, at this moment, what surprised him was that the Dean seemed unusually familiar with Zhou Qing, and the Dean rarely evaluated others on weekdays, yet now he praised Zhou Qing like this, which really made him curious.

Afterwards, Lin Daochen pulled Second Uncle again and introduced him to Old Weng, "Dean, his name is Si Yunya; he is very talented in the way of arrays and is a rare talent."

"Greetings, Dean!" Second Uncle bowed respectfully.

Old Weng nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Second Uncle, and said, "I have seen him a few times; Zhou Qing being able to break through to Divine Transformation so quickly is thanks to him."

Upon hearing this, Second Uncle raised his head abruptly, a hint of shock flashing in his eyes.

Zhou Qing's heart was even more turbulent.

Lin Daochen was even more confused.

How come the Dean knows both juniors brought along?

Old Weng didn't say anything more, but closed his eyes again, yawned lightly, and said slowly, "Alright, I'm tired too. Come back early after finishing your business; that place is not a place to stay for long."

Seeing that the purpose of this trip had been achieved, Lin Daochen bowed respectfully again, and then left with Zhou Qing and Second Uncle.

After turning through several main streets, Second Uncle, who had been silent, suddenly stopped his pace and said, "Teacher, I want to buy some things to bring along in the vicinity. You go back to the academy first; I will be back soon."

Lin Daochen nodded in agreement and exhorted, "Be careful, go and come back quickly."

Zhou Qing looked at Second Uncle, thoughtful, but didn't say anything in the end.

This Dean's cultivation is definitely above Second Uncle's.

Wandering through the major prefectures these past few years, he had never noticed anyone spying in the dark.

When Zhou Qing returned to the cave dwelling, Second Uncle was already waiting for him.

"Don't worry, it's fine. Fortunately, he only followed for the first two months; he shouldn't have been there when you broke through to Divine Transformation," Second Uncle said.

Zhou Qing's Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown is too special; the fewer people who know, the safer it undoubtedly is.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing breathed a long sigh of relief, and his expression eased a lot.

"Tell me carefully about the things between you," Second Uncle thought for a moment and said.

Zhou Qing organized his thoughts and told everything that happened in Haomiao Prefecture during those nine months.

Second Uncle suddenly understood after hearing it.

Afterwards, he said, "His cultivation should be above mine, and he shouldn't belong to our fourth-grade cultivation country."

Zhou Qing was a bit surprised upon hearing this and said, "From an external cultivation country?"

Second Uncle nodded and continued, "I felt an aura of the Five Decays of Heaven and Man on him, but it doesn't look entirely like it. In my opinion, he should be injured and hiding here to heal."

Zhou Qing pondered.

Second Uncle patted Zhou Qing on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Don't worry, for now, it seems he shouldn't have other intentions, but the human heart is unpredictable, and we cannot but guard against it."

Zhou Qing agreed deeply, nodded seriously, indicating he understood.

Soon, the old hen fluttered its wings and ran in from outside the cave dwelling, with Yan Xiaohu chasing closely behind: "Yo, you're back. I've prepared everything here; when are we setting off?"

Zhou Qing smiled and squatted down, and the old hen fluttered its wings and jumped up directly.

He gently stroked the chicken feathers, feeling them to be so soft and smooth, with excellent texture. It seems the effect of the mid-grade spirit stones over these few years is not bad.

But now he has very few spirit stones left. It is said that it is easy to go from frugal to luxurious, but difficult to go from luxurious to frugal. I don't know if this old hen will still be able to get used to it if he feeds it inferior-grade spirit stones in the future.

"Wait for the teacher's notification!" Zhou Qing said while taking out his identity token to contact Lu Yaoyao first, telling her to be prepared.

Second Uncle cast his gaze toward the old hen and said, "I remember you bought this chicken at the Five Sects Treasure Exchange, right?"

Zhou Qing gently stroked the chicken's head and replied with a smile, "Yes, I opened a blind box at your place after buying it."

Second Uncle nodded and said seriously, "This should be a mutated Egg Treasure Chicken; you must watch it well, don't let anyone catch it and eat it."

Zhou Qing laughed, "That will definitely not happen."

But then again, going out these past few years, it seems he hasn't seen it lay spirit eggs for a long time.

After a brief hesitation, he identified it again along the way.

【Egg Treasure Chicken: A rare spirit chicken that has mutated too much, possessing powerful digestive functions. Over these few years, with the continuous intake of spirit stones, it is now undergoing a second mutation; some array barriers basically cannot trap it.】

Seeing this, Zhou Qing's eyes couldn't help but light up.

It seems that several years ago, he saw it slipping out of the courtyard from time to time, ignoring the barriers; it turns out this was the reason.

"After you are promoted to a second-grade array master, let's go back to the Taiqingmen once. There are definitely good things in that Red Tower Mountain; bring it along to see then!"

Second Uncle transmitted secretly.

Zhou Qing nodded. He also has to hurry up and simulate to ensure that when the real body goes in, it won't encounter too much danger.

【Today's post is refreshing...】

【The new post already exists in the Strange Qi Qi Tie Lu; please check it in time.】

Just at this moment, the system's prompt sounded in his mind, which made Zhou Qing pleasantly surprised.

Since the last time two 【Epiphany Posts】 were refreshed, there had been no sound from the random posts; it emphasizes randomness.

At this moment, he hurriedly sank his mind into the panel to look.

Appearing in front of him was a black post carrying a foul smell.

【Corpse Touching Post: By touching a corpse, you can trigger the deceased's last wish. Completing the last wish can randomly obtain the deceased's precious items from before their death; limited to three people!】

Seeing the introduction, Zhou Qing blinked.

This post is interesting, huh; the thing that shouldn't be lacking at the border is dead people.

"Eh?"

Soon, Zhou Qing looked at the Strange Qi Qi Tie Lu; it seemed a golden border was faintly flickering.

As Zhou Qing opened it with his spiritual sense, another post was revealed.

【Good Luck Post: Can be integrated into oneself or gifted to others. Once effective, good luck will accompany you, and fortune will follow one after another; valid for one day!】

A surprise; he almost didn't notice that two posts were randomly generated this time.

Last time it was 【Epiphany Post】 + 【Good Luck Post】, double buff superposition, directly making the "Di Huang Jing" Great Completion, sixty-six spiritual imprints, plus picking up spirit stones for a whole night.

If he could refresh another 【Epiphany Post】, he would be able to properly try that inscription-level divine ability 【Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain】.

He doesn't ask for the Three Thousand Phoenix Dao Patterns, just asks to unlock the Blood Wing phantom in advance, and after beheading the enemies within the range, it will automatically condense into 【Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystal】.

As a Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown, the energy required for advancement now is too huge.

"What are you giggling about? The teacher is calling!"

Just at this moment, Second Uncle knocked on the back of Zhou Qing's head, then walked out.

Zhou Qing, who came back to his senses, hurriedly carried the old hen out.

When he got outside, he saw Lu Yaoyao rushing over, and beside her, there was also a strange face, looking about the same age as Lu Yaoyao.

"Can you smell it?" Uncle said to Zhou Qing after looking him up and down with interest.

Zhou Qing shook his head.

It has to be said that Lu Yuanzhi's illusion technique is still quite good; it's just that he doesn't know how long it can last.

Seeing this, Lin Daochen didn't ask much; it seems both sides should have communicated long ago.

(End of chapter)