[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female-":3,"chapter-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-228":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Master's Elder Brother Just Took on a Female Disciple",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2265761,4423,"Chapter 228: Oh My, Your Mother-in-Law Has Come (6k)","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-228",228,"\u003Cp>After all, they had just arrived in Lingyun Prefecture, and this person had already targeted Third Senior Brother first; now it was his turn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would believe you don’t know him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it weren’t for fearing I’d drag Senior Brother Gao Xian into trouble, I’d confront you right now and demand to know if you’re Sikong Yan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll come find you again tomorrow night—I’ve got nothing else to do!” The other spoke, and Zhou Qing immediately sped away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You better wait, and if I get another [Bad Luck Slip] again, I’ll use it on you first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, the other came again the next night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Qing paid no attention; after all, the gap in their cultivation was too vast, and blindly chasing after him would only bring more frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He might as well calm his mind and shift his focus to the insights written by the three Great Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With their return to Taiqingmen imminent, learning more could only benefit him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you’ve got guts, show yourself when Second Uncle comes back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cowardly bully!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three days later, a paper doll suddenly knocked on the door of the cave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing froze, then quickly opened the formation barrier.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper doll immediately emitted Second Uncle’s voice, panting as if being chased.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Qing, focus on studying forbidden arrays and barriers for now—I’ve got some personal business to attend to, then we’ll return to the Cave Heaven.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, the paper doll’s spiritual energy dissipated; its floating body instantly sagged, drifting softly down to land on the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing sighed softly, bent down, and picked it up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that excitement for nothing—he’d thought Second Sister knew he was here and had come specially to find him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Second Sister loved using paper dolls; he had no idea where she and Baihe had gone after arriving in Haomiao Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why hadn’t she sent any word in so long?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two days later, Lu Yaoyao emerged from her seclusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he didn’t know what trial Lu Yuanzhi had assigned him, he could clearly sense her spiritual aura rising steadily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, a few days ago at the Treasures Pavilion, while chatting, Xiao Cancan had slipped him an important piece of information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old Weng had created the Baiyu Tai Xu Courtyard in less than five hundred years, and now it had become the pride of every prodigy in Haomiao Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Second Uncle said Old Weng wasn’t from the Shengwu Empire—he radiated an ambiguous aura of the Five Decays of Heaven, as if recovering from injuries here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Set that aside for now; the mere fact that Old Weng chose this location for the academy proves the hidden realm must be extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Lu could obtain permission from him and let that girl train inside—clearly, he values her deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon seeing Zhou Qing still there, Lu Yaoyao played with the old hen for a while, then left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing glanced at the still-prominent [Good Dad] tag above her head and sighed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that white-clothed man came nearly every day, shouting outside like summoning a ghost, driving him mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even prayed—no matter if he never got another [Sudden Enlightenment Slip], just give him a few more [Bad Luck Slips] to properly punish this guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then again, the [Corpse-Feeling Slip] still remained in the Odd Slip Registry, and one-third of its area had already dimmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant he could still touch two more corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From Fourth-Rank Array Master Situ Jiuyao, he’d tasted sweet success; now he must carefully consider and choose his next two targets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two more days passed, and Yan Xiaohu and Li Daoxuan returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh my goodness, my old hen! I’ve missed you so much, Tiger Grandpa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Yan Xiaohu entered, he excitedly chased after the old hen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where’s the fourth one been? You’ve gotten so thin in just a few days—has he been neglecting you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finally catching the hen, Yan Xiaohu gently stroked its back, muttering with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing, who had been meditating nearby, sighed softly, then walked over to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned down slightly, pressed his mouth close to Yan Xiaohu’s ear, blew gently, and stretched out his voice: “Third Senior Brother~”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu shuddered violently and screamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he saw it was Zhou Qing, he slapped his chest, gasped for breath, and stared at Zhou Qing in shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Y-you—you came from where? You scared me half to death!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing chuckled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This Fifth-Rank [Reduce Presence] technique might not work on others, but for Third Senior Brother, it was foolproof.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve been right here all along—you didn’t even look when you came in!” Zhou Qing said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu, now back to his senses, had no reply—this sort of thing had happened too many times already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now seriously doubted whether his eyesight had gone bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve got something to tell you—Senior Brother Li plans to return to Taiqingmen soon!” Yan Xiaohu said, calming himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing frowned. “Didn’t he just go back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu explained: “With my help, he’s deepened his understanding of the realm’s essence, so he wants to return to the sect to enter seclusion.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After all, Taiqingmen has no shortage of Soul Transformation experts, and more importantly, breaking through requires massive spiritual energy—he doesn’t have enough spirit stones, so he must beg the Sect Master for help!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Zhou Qing felt genuinely happy for Senior Brother Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once he broke through to Soul Transformation, he’d fulfill his lifelong cultivation dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect—he could return with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how much longer would Second Uncle need?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Big Brother, are you there?” At that moment, a clear, familiar voice came from outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged glances, then stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the cave stood Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian, elegant in a pale pink palace gown, fluttering gently in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside her stood two academy enforcers in solemn black robes, long swords at their waists, expressions grave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu emerge, the two enforcers bowed slightly; one said: “Princess, you two talk—we’ll take our leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, they turned and departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s eyes flickered with surprise; he raised an eyebrow and asked: “When did you arrive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian smiled sweetly, her eyes curling like crescent moons: “I just arrived this morning with my mother—isn’t it surprising?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing nodded slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, they’d only returned from the border a couple days ago, and when they left, she hadn’t shown any intention of coming to the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My mother wants to speak with you—do you have time?” Muqian blinked, her eyes full of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhou Qing could answer, Yan Xiaohu leaned close, grinning mischievously, whispering in his ear: “Oh no, your future mother-in-law has officially accepted you as her son-in-law.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Muqian’s already pale cheeks flushed crimson; she stomped her foot and scolded: “Big Brother Yan, don’t talk nonsense!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu’s grin froze; his face turned awkward, and he unconsciously rubbed his nose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too loud—next time, use telepathy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing also shook his head slightly; he hadn’t considered romantic matters at all, and in this Fourth-Rank spiritual nation, sects and the imperial family always maintained a delicate distance—too much entanglement would be dangerous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If what Third Senior Brother said was true, he’d better clarify things with the Imperial Consort early—it would be better for both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking this, Zhou Qing took a deep breath and nodded: “I’m free for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Great! Let’s go right away!” Muqian exclaimed, thrilled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But seeing Yan Xiaohu follow, she hesitated, then softly said: “Big Brother Yan, you don’t need to come—Mother only wishes to speak with Zhou Big Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yan Xiaohu, who had been eagerly preparing to tag along, froze mid-step, his face flushed with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he quickly turned his eyes, placed the old hen on the ground, and forced calm: “Who said I was coming? I was just about to take her for a walk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Muqian looked apologetic and quickly apologized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she and Zhou Qing took to the skies on their swords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the two figures vanish into the distance, Yan Xiaohu pouted, his face sour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young girls in love—this fourth one fought five Soul Transformation deputy generals alone on the border, how majestic! No wonder Princess Muqian is so smitten. But I, Yan Xiaohu, am also dashing and charming—why can’t I get such luck?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sighed again, shook his head helplessly, and began walking the hen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consort Chen’s space vessel had landed outside the academy, and this time she brought only a handful of golden-armored guards and maids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, no one knew a consort had appeared at the academy—if they had, countless others would have rushed to gawk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The academy had assigned her lodging to Cuiwei Courtyard, a relatively secluded mountain villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing stepped inside, glanced around, then turned to Muqian and asked curiously: “Has Seventh Imperial Prince come too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muqian shook her head gently: “Since you broke through to Soul Transformation, Seventh Brother has felt unprecedented pressure—he’s now rushing to solidify his final realm essence, so he didn’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing nodded, then casually asked a few more questions about the border; learning all was stable, he felt slightly relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Muqian was stunned to hear that the Demon King of Taishan was still alive—now every soldier on the border was anxious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one knew which Cut-Spirit expert had perished in the eastern region of Lingyun Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing merely smiled faintly and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, Mother originally wanted to find Lu Yaoyao, but she seemed to be in seclusion and couldn’t be located, so after thinking it over, Mother decided to see you instead!” Muqian continued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing paused, then his eyes flickered with understanding; he probed: “Does Consort Chen wish to meet Master Lu?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Muqian widened her eyes in astonishment: “How did you know?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s lips curled into a faint smile: “I guessed—Lu Yaoyao has no connection with you, yet she’s Master Lu’s student. Plus, you and Seventh Prince visited Master Lu before… so…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t finish; Muqian already wore a look of deep admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No wonder he was Zhou Big Brother—his insight was so sharp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhou Qing, we meet again!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just after turning a corridor, Imperial Consort Chen, dressed in a magnificent pale purple palace robe, walked gracefully forward with dignified poise and greeted him first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Disciple Zhou Qing pays his respects to Imperial Consort Chen.” Zhou Qing halted and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for such formalities,” Imperial Consort Chen lightly raised her hand in a gesture of dismissal, smiling warmly. “I asked you here because I have a question for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Zhou Qing could speak, the surroundings seemed to freeze— even the birdsong from the branches beside the corridor ceased abruptly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost simultaneously, he felt something new in his arms—a small box.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could react, Imperial Consort Chen’s urgent voice echoed in his mind: “No matter what, you must find a way to deliver this to Lu Yuanzhi. I cannot do it myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next instant, everything returned to normal, and Imperial Consort Chen appeared as if nothing had happened, her expression unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She merely turned slightly, gesturing elegantly for Zhou Qing to walk beside her, her voice still gentle: “Let’s talk as we walk.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian smiled, linking arms with her mother, utterly unaware of the brief moment that had just passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief moment of stunned silence, Zhou Qing glanced at the maids trailing behind Imperial Consort Chen and seemed to understand something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped forward to join them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Last time on the border, you helped Master Lin repair the Four-Color Array. You only shared one meal with us before leaving in haste—I never properly thanked you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they walked, Imperial Consort Chen spoke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing replied: “I merely assisted as a helper; all credit goes to Master Lin’s guidance. To contribute even a fraction toward defending the border was an honor for this disciple.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Imperial Consort Chen nodded, clearly satisfied with his answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But soon, she shifted the topic: “What do you think of Muqian?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing froze, his steps halting unconsciously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids behind them all lifted their heads in surprise, then quickly lowered them again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian blushed again, stomped her foot lightly, and scolded: “Mother, what are you saying?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she spoke reproachfully, she stole a shy glance at Zhou Qing, her youthful embarrassment clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were all intelligent people—Zhou Qing could not miss the implication in her words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied seriously: “Muqian is a fine young lady—lively, cheerful, and kind-hearted. But this disciple is currently wholly focused on cultivation and has no intention of considering such matters for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Imperial Consort Chen showed no surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian clenched her hands tightly, a deep sense of disappointment flashing in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a few more casual words, Zhou Qing excused himself under the pretense of urgent business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, walk with me,” Imperial Consort Chen sighed softly as she watched Zhou Qing’s retreating figure, then gently patted Princess Xuan Yuan Muqian’s head before turning down another path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only after returning to his cave dwelling and confirming no one was watching did Zhou Qing carefully pull out a white square box from his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The box was made of an unknown material, icy to the touch, with a snow-white fox carved on its top.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems this Imperial Consort is also bound by circumstances in the capital. But why didn’t she just have Muqian deliver it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing wondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ah, right—last time Muqian and the Seventh Imperial Prince visited Master Lu, they were turned away. If she delivered this, she’d likely get the same cold shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But still, why make me the scapegoat?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the jade box, Zhou Qing wanted to open it—but felt it would be impolite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, it appeared sealed with a special demonic energy imprint.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whatever. Consider it interest,” Zhou Qing chuckled, then activated his appraisal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Jade Box: This box is forged from unique mineral jade of the Far North Snowlands. Inside lies a strand of Imperial Consort Chen’s spiritual essence and a secret formula for breaking through the Zhan Ling realm.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>【Unfortunately, aside from the Nine You  Lotus, all other ingredients listed are false—though Imperial Consort Chen herself is unaware of this.】\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhou Qing’s heart leapt—but when he read the final line, he calmed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had truly thought the box contained a method to break through Zhan Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>According to the Supreme Elders, for a Soul Transformation cultivator to break through to Zhan Ling, one must sever their own attachment spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These attachment spirits are accumulated from birth onward—strong emotions such as desire, regret, hatred, and longing, whether cultivated or not.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like the region where the Peng Emperor of Lingku Mountain perished—no sunlight has touched it for centuries, and it is shrouded in thick negative emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those are the manifestations of the unyielding attachments severed during Zhan Ling breakthroughs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The seeds of the Nine You  Lotus generate a deathly force, with a fifty-percent chance of suppressing the attachment spirit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They also induce “spiritual memory regression,” allowing the cultivator, while the attachment spirit is suppressed, to trace their consciousness backward along the river of memory and re-examine the pivotal moments that formed those attachments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then sever them, one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had told this to Second Uncle—but Second Uncle said the old Emperor’s publicized information was false and concealed other truths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing that had startled him—after all, the Supreme Elders’ lifespans were nearly spent. If they attempted Zhan Ling and failed, they might suffer grave bodily damage—or vanish entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Second Uncle’s words reassured him: the Nine You  Lotus seeds were still a rare opportunity for them. He finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long ago, on the return journey from the border, Second Uncle, stroking a ten-thousand-year blood ginseng, happily explained more hidden truths about Zhan Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhan Ling is the cultivation ceiling many can only dream of—but this fate is sealed the moment one establishes their Foundation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because over ninety-nine percent of cultivators rely on human-path Foundation Establishment, while only a few lucky ones achieve earth-vein Foundation Establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rarest few, through extraordinary fortune, obtain a thread of Dao Qi and achieve Dao-path Foundation Establishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like building a house—its foundation determines its height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example, Third Senior Brother Yan Xiaohu—he achieved earth-vein Foundation Establishment. Despite his formidable strength, he still needed the potent power of a Nascent Soul Pill to succeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he formed the Fourteenth-ranked Earth-grade Nascent Soul: the Fierce Nascent Soul. It temporarily boosts his cultivation by one minor realm during battle, with no side effects, and grants him a thirty-percent chance to touch Soul Transformation later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he breaks through to Soul Transformation, he will still face countless opportunities—but if he wishes to advance further beyond Soul Transformation Great Completion, he will need something like the Nine You  Lotus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the same great challenge faced by countless other Soul Transformation Great Completion cultivators.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s Three Flowers Gathering Top requires no such concerns—his foundation is unprecedentedly solid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even those who achieved Dao-path Foundation Establishment, though they have a slight advantage over others, still face immense difficulty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only slightly easier—nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old Emperor of the Sheng Wu Empire was one such Dao-path Foundation Establishment cultivator—but as an alchemist, he found a shortcut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From ancient texts and other sources even Second Uncle knew nothing of, he studied certain things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them: the Nine You  Lotus generates a deathly force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also discovered other rare heavenly treasures and developed unique elixir formulas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, nearly every Zhan Ling breakthrough in the Sheng Wu Empire today came from those who sought the old Emperor’s aid—likely through some exchange—to earn their chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the old Emperor only publicized the Nine You  Lotus, causing countless cultivators to fixate solely on it, unaware of the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When utterly desperate, one either accepts fate—or seeks out the old Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether you are worth his aid depends on your talent and the value you can offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the things he requires are extremely costly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Zhou Qing turned his thoughts back to the jade box before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Far North?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But which of the Eight Provinces and Seventy-Two Prefectures?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likely the homeland of Imperial Consort Chen and Master Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems the capital isn’t as easy to navigate as it seems,” Zhou Qing muttered, frowning at the memory of what had just occurred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Imperial Consort Chen had gone to great lengths to obtain the secret of breaking through Zhan Ling from the current Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too bad it was false.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, she must have sensed the Emperor’s spies watching her. To avoid suspicion, she used a special innate ability to quickly pass the item to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the current Emperor is no fool—behind every internal war among the great sects and every regional conflict, his hand is surely at work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the Seventh Imperial Prince, due to his friendship with Senior Brother Ghost Mastiff, secretly sent three paintings to warn Taiqingmen, he remains royal blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially whenever he produces artifacts from the Fifth-Level Spiritual Nation, a faint unease stirs in Zhou Qing’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Avoid excessive contact with the royal family whenever possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But this item—” Zhou Qing thought for a moment, then decided to deliver it to Master Lu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he had just appraised it: besides the formula, there was also a strand of Imperial Consort Chen’s spiritual essence—surely she had something to say.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d just remind her when the time came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Master Lu didn’t need this formula—she had already touched that realm and could break through Zhan Ling by her own strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he himself, having achieved Four Flowers Gathering Top, would find his own breakthrough far easier than others’—he had no need for this formula either.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a quiet exhale, Zhou Qing pulled out another jade slip—this one left by Second Uncle on demonic clans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had previously wondered why Master Lu suppressed the realm so many coveted; after learning from Lu Yaoyao that she was a nine-tailed fox, his confusion deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So on the return journey, he asked Second Uncle about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning Master Lu was a demonic clan member, Second Uncle was also surprised—he hadn’t noticed—and thus dug out this jade slip for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After reading it, Zhou Qing finally understood completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3385,"2026-06-19T20:13:54.632Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f7d2785c774762d009747a347366bafa53389fc2ae48612e1eef7b417e24c7a7","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-229","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-227",302,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--cover.jpg"]