Chapter 236: Racking Up Ignore Points: Lu Yaoyao

But Zhou Qing had already understood what his senior uncle meant.

Indeed, the Supreme Elders can’t even enter the gravity zone—what can they do to intervene?

True, he could tell everyone about the secret passage, but then what after entering the coffin?

Inside lies a terrifying being of the Severing Spirit realm; one misstep could mean death.

“Master—” At that moment, Cao Zhengyang suddenly removed the soundproofing barrier, and He Han’s anxious voice rang out.

After stepping out of the tent, they saw a large crowd plunging down toward the abyss, while the tomb guardians on the cliff walls furiously attacked them.

Yet some Soul Transformation experts casually swept them into ash—the scene was utter chaos.

“I just heard—the entrance to the secret realm has reappeared!” He Han hurriedly said.

Cao Zhengyang stared at the throngs pouring downward, his eyes filled with anguish.

These shameless bastards—those are Taiqingmen’s belongings.

“Zhou Qing, stay here with He Han. We old men will go down and see what’s happening!” Cao Zhengyang ordered immediately.

Zhou Qing watched as Sikong Yan and others descended first, but shook his head and said, “Senior Uncle, I’ve reached Soul Transformation, and I want to go down and confirm something.”

Cao Zhengyang was about to speak, but Mo Xingjian stepped forward and declared firmly, “Go!”

With that, he descended.

Zhou Qing smiled slightly and followed without hesitation.

Cao Zhengyang sighed softly, quickly gave He Han two more warnings, then hurried off toward the abyss’s depths with Tong Min and the others…

…

This was Zhou Qing’s first time entering this abyss. After he tricked the Old Peng Emperor to his death, the uproar had been too great—he still felt uneasy.

Plus, Xuan Yuan Shuo was likely nearby; he and his third senior brother had to flee quickly to avoid suspicion.

He hadn’t expected it to be this deep—or this vast.

It took a full incense stick’s time before the group of six reached the bottom.

Here, spiritual energy raged wildly, and negative emotions were thick; even Zhou Qing’s composure felt moments of despair and euphoria, bordering on uncontrollable.

The surroundings matched the image stone He Han had brought back days ago—pitch black, with white mist drifting everywhere.

Soon, faint footsteps echoed around them, drawing nearer—others were arriving in succession.

“Stay alert!” Cao Zhengyang immediately drew his weapon and stood before the group, warning them.

No sooner had he spoken than roars and clashes erupted around them, but the noise quickly diminished.

There was no choice—even the tomb guardians in the central zone who had evolved into Soul Transformation were few, while the crowd pouring down outnumbered them a hundredfold.

Almost simultaneously, those above the abyss, seeing Soul Transformation experts had descended, assumed the danger had been cleared, and began streaming in one after another.

Nascent Soul, Golden Core, even Foundation Establishment cultivators all wanted a share.

If any Soul Transformation or Nascent Soul expert perished unexpectedly, they could sneak in like rats and gain unexpected rewards.

After all, the bold die full, the timid die hungry.

Below the abyss!

The group moved cautiously forward, and soon saw a large ripple undulating.

Hundreds of early to peak Soul Transformation experts stood to one side, staring with burning eyes.

Zhou Qing and the others looked—beyond the ripple stood a red tower, silent and still.

Additionally, wandering souls drifted within.

“It’s truly the scene from the first coffin!” Seeing this with his own eyes, Zhou Qing felt his heart sink.

A faint premonition of something terrible loomed.

But the ripple had not fully solidified—it still looked illusory; it might vanish again, like last time.

Shiiii!

Six figures landed directly before the crowd.

The two Lords of Lingyun Mansion and Qingming Mansion stood with Su Lishan.

The two Lords of Haomiao Mansion and Xinghan Mansion stood with Wu Tiangang.

Fearing to offend these six revered figures, everyone shuffled aside, making space for them.

Zhou Qing glanced Dandan at Xiao Cancan’s father—Lingyun Mansion’s Lord Xiao Ji—and Ke Shu’s father—Haomiao Mansion’s Lord Ke Zhenxiong—and frowned slightly.

Then he turned his gaze to the scene before him and activated his appraisal.

【Soul Realm Second Entrance: This is a unique portal to a world of wandering souls, filled with countless opportunities but extreme danger—especially now, as a Ghost Emperor watches silently within.】

Seeing the appraisal feedback, Zhou Qing’s heart tightened.

Indeed, the appearance of this entrance from the first coffin here was no accident.

At that moment, Cao Zhengyang also looked at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing knew what his senior uncle wanted to ask, and gave a slight nod.

Seeing this, Cao Zhengyang felt even more pained.

But in the next instant, Zhou Qing sensed several pairs of eyes fixed on his back—he turned, and the first face he saw was Xuanji Zi, the sect master of Tianji Sect.

His personal note above the man’s head had changed from years ago’s 【This brat deserves ten thousand cuts】 to 【Threat to be eliminated early】.

Indeed, the Tianyu Shantang alert had come from Xuan You Xianzi and Xuanji Zi.

Upon learning he had reached Soul Transformation, both had decided to kill him.

Now, Xuanji Zi and several other late-stage Soul Transformation experts stared at Zhou Qing with icy, frost-laced eyes.

They openly released threads of spiritual sense to confirm whether he had truly entered Soul Transformation.

Zhou Qing ignored them, turning instead to other glances directed his way.

Lei Wují, the Jin Leizong sect master, along with Lei Lie beside him, were sizing him up; seeing Zhou Qing look over, they gave a slight nod in greeting.

One doesn’t strike a smiling face—Zhou Qing simply bowed slightly, then turned to Qingyu Immortal Sect.

Xuan You Xianzi was surrounded by several old women, her appearance unchanged.

Seeing Zhou Qing look her way, she smiled and pulled Zhu He forward.

Zhu He carried three long swords on her back, looking reluctant, but stepped forward anyway.

This scene left Zhou Qing embarrassed.

After all, his sect master had already clearly rejected her.

Then he turned sideways to the final spot—Kong Yan of Cangyan Dao Palace.

Their eyes met, and Kong Yan raised a thumb at him, clearly approving.

Seeing the 【Fish】 note above his head, Zhou Qing frowned.

But Mo Xingjian gently tugged his sleeve and whispered, “Ignore it.”

Zhou Qing nodded and refocused on the rippling portal before him.

Nearly everyone gathered here was Soul Transformation—Qingyu Immortal Sect and Jin Leizong had even used telepathy to propose an alliance with Cao Zhengyang.

They hoped to watch each other’s backs and jointly divide the treasures within.

Cao Zhengyang, already furious, would never agree—he could only give vague, evasive replies.

“Senior Uncle, don’t go in!” Zhou Qing transmitted urgently.

Cao Zhengyang nodded—he hadn’t intended to enter anyway; he’d only come to avoid suspicion.

In the past, had he not known this led to the first coffin, he’d have insisted on entering.

But now, knowing a Severing Spirit expert lurked within, to enter recklessly would be madness.

Time passed slowly—it was clear this portal might finally solidify completely.

But progress would take at least another day.

【Ignore Point +1】

Soon, a prompt tone sounded—Zhou Qing’s eyes lit up; he glanced subtly at his master and senior uncle.

Almost everyone’s attention was fixed on the ripple’s image; a tense atmosphere hung over every Soul Transformation cultivator.

【Ignore Point +3】

【Ignore Point +2】

Not long after, the prompt sounded again—Zhou Qing grew more excited.

He silently prayed: let no one familiar notice him—let this perfect chance last just a little longer.

【Ignore Point +3】

【Ignore Point +4】

…

By the next day, the image before them finally stabilized—the crowd erupted in excitement.

Mo Xingjian leaned slightly closer to Zhou Qing: “Once these people enter, we return to the sect.”

Zhou Qing nodded and immediately checked his personal panel.

【Lower Presence—LV5 (88/100)】

A pity—he’d almost reached Level 6.

But this was already excellent: 88% of all Soul Transformation cultivators would now ignore him—far superior to Second Uncle’s precious 【Invisibility Talisman】.

In fact, within the entire Soul Transformation circle, he would become a virtual nonentity.

Watching others fidget but dare not advance, Zhou Qing activated appraisal again.

But the result was the same as yesterday—no new information appeared.

“Go!”

Before them, Xiao Ji, Lord of Lingyun Mansion, and Ren Kun, Lord of Qingming Mansion, led Su Lishan straight into the mysterious entrance, then dashed toward the red tower.

Immediately after, the Lords of Haomiao Mansion and Xinghan Mansion also entered with Wu Tiangang.

With these two powerful factions leading the way, others no longer hesitated and surged in en masse.

Then, large numbers of Nascent Soul and Golden Core cultivators emerged from all around, frantically rushing in.

“Retreat!” Cao Zhengyang gritted his teeth, making an instant decision to turn and fly upward from the abyss.

Compared to opportunities, they now had something far more important to do.

…

On the return journey, Zhou Qing learned what the Supreme Elders had planned in response to this matter.

If the wandering souls in the gravity zone were truly controlled by the Ghost Emperor inside the first coffin, with so many now entering, could it still spare energy to interfere elsewhere?

In other words, the gravity zone had now returned to normal.

Moreover, the matter of placing three dead crows on the shoulders and forehead had already been told to Mo Xingjian by Zhou Qing during their last encounter.

If all goes well, the Supreme Elders have already passed through the passage and are now staring across the blood river at the six coffins beneath the ancient tree.

As for opportunities, no one truly cared—what mattered most was that Taiqingmen not be harmed.

Besides, even if all six coffins were divided among them, five would still remain.

“I’ve already appeared at Linggu Mountain; no one will suspect much—most will just think I fled out of fear.”

Cao Zhengyang’s expression turned grave. “Our top priority now is to ensure no one who emerges from the coffins sees what they shouldn’t.”

Zhou Qing listened, nodded thoughtfully, then looked at Cao Zhengyang with clear admiration.

If someone truly emerged from the first coffin, they would likely glance curiously around.

Soon after, they would face three highly aggressive corpse-wax crows.

But if the person reacted quickly enough, they might seize the brief moment to retreat back into the coffin.

At that point, if they described the surroundings, others would inevitably connect it to Taiqingmen’s forbidden zone.

Take this Five Sect War, for instance—Tianji Sect has long coveted Taiqingmen’s Grotto-Heaven.

And previously, Gao Xian, as a peak master, had served Cangyan Dao Palace for years, entering the Grotto-Heaven more than once or twice.

So, like the blood river, the ancient tree, the heart, and the coffins—these key elements within the Grotto-Heaven—Si Kong Yan likely knew them all too well.

Once these secrets became widely known and spread, Taiqingmen might truly face annihilation.

Thanks to the rapid movement of the small space-ship, the group returned to Taiqingmen in just two days.

“You’re coming with us this time!” Cao Zhengyang suddenly turned, his gaze gentle as he spoke to Zhou Qing.

It was time for the future Sect Master to learn the location of Taiqingmen’s Grotto-Heaven.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing’s heart surged with excitement.

Mo Xingjian and the others, watching Zhou Qing’s expression, couldn’t help but smile with satisfaction.

Then, the group headed straight for the back mountain of Shenyue Peak.

Along the way, as they passed three Yanling Blood Pools, Zhou Qing glanced downward without drawing attention.

He had already successfully refined all the Yanling Blood Paste here, and the tunnel dug by Second Uncle ran directly beneath.

“The Grotto-Heaven must be close!” Zhou Qing murmured inwardly.

Sure enough, shortly afterward, they arrived before a stone stele, entirely overgrown with vines.

“Forbidden Zone of the Back Mountain—No Unauthorized Entry!”

Zhou Qing softly recited the weathered characters on the stele.

Then he turned his gaze toward the rolling mountains ahead, his eyes filled with anticipation.

Suddenly, he sensed something was off—he turned back to find his uncle and uncles smiling warmly at him.

Zhou Qing froze, then whirled again to stare at the stele, his face filled with shock. “The entrance is here?”

Cao Zhengyang burst into laughter, his face glowing with approval. “Didn’t expect it, did you? When we first came here with your Grandmaster, we looked exactly like you.”

Mo Xingjian, Tong Min, and the others wore expressions of nostalgia.

Yes, so many years had passed—and their Master had long since passed away.

Now, it was their generation’s turn to pass on what must be passed on.

To be honest, Zhou Qing had never imagined the entrance to Taiqingmen’s Grotto-Heaven would be this unremarkable warning stele.

After all, he’d seen the secret realm of Baiyu Taixu Courtyard—it was magnificent and grand.

But look at this one—even bird droppings are on it. Nothing like what he imagined a Grotto-Heaven entrance should be.

Zhou Qing couldn’t help but smile wryly—these days, even Grotto-Heaven entrances were playing the fool to hide their true nature.

Then Cao Zhengyang pulled out a uniquely shaped token and gently placed it on the stele.

Instantly, a soft glow emanated from the stele’s surface, revealing a hidden world within.

“Let’s go!” Cao Zhengyang said, stepping forward into the light, his figure vanishing before their eyes.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath, glanced at his Master and the three uncles, then stepped into the glow.

“Sect Master!” As soon as they entered, a flash of light shot toward them—when it settled, it was Lan Dan, Peak Master of Xuanbing Peak.

Seeing Zhou Qing there, Lan Dan visibly froze.

According to ancestral decree, only the Supreme Elders, the Sect Master, and the Peak Masters were allowed to enter the Grotto-Heaven—no one else was even permitted to know its location.

Even core disciples who helped with duties were always concealed.

But she quickly recovered—Zhou Qing was now Taiqingmen’s junior Sect Master; he had every right to be here.

“The Supreme Elders ordered that if you return, you must go at once!” Lan Dan said.

Cao Zhengyang’s eyes lit up. “No wandering souls in the gravity zone?”

Lan Dan nodded vigorously. “Not a single one. We had Yao Yao and Xiao Hu open the key.”

Hearing this, everyone was filled with delight.

They had actually won the gamble!

“Go!” The group hurried toward the gravity zone.

Soon, Zhou Qing saw the familiar bronze door—and Lu Yaoyao and Yan Xiaohu, pale-faced, sitting cross-legged in recovery.

At the sound, both immediately opened their eyes.

“Master! Uncle!” They rose quickly to bow, voices tinged with exhaustion.

Cao Zhengyang looked at them with deep concern. “You’ve worked hard.”

This place was so secret that only core disciples were ever sent.

The Supreme Elders likely chose them because they had experience and exceptional combat strength—if they guessed wrong, they could still escape safely.

As for Zhou Qing, now a Soul Transformation cultivator, he was no different from them—but if he drew out what lay beneath the gravity zone, it would become a problem.

“You two won’t go inside. The less you know, the better,” Cao Zhengyang said solemnly.

They nodded, understanding.

Then Cao Zhengyang and the others swiftly entered.

Lu Yaoyao wore an expression of quiet triumph as she looked at Zhou Qing.

Even without wandering souls, the gravity at Nascent Soul level was still terrifying—like carrying a mountain as you moved.

Especially since she had been the first to activate the key on the grindstone.

“Zhou Brother, where were you these past two days? I sent messages and you didn’t reply?” Lu Yaoyao asked.

Yan Xiaohu added, “Yeah, Fourth Brother, you don’t know—when I went looking for you, Old Hen was wandering outside the courtyard. If some hungry soul caught her and roasted her, where would you go cry?”

The Five Sects have now absorbed many disciples from fallen Eastern Region sects, growing stronger again.

Even Xiaoling Peak has new members—some have never seen a core disciple chasing chickens.

Zhou Qing could only say, “I went to Linggu Mountain—just got back…”

“Zhou Qing, hurry up—”

Before he finished, Cao Zhengyang’s voice called from inside.

Zhou Qing said, “I’ll tell you everything when I come out.”

Then he hurried inside.

Watching Zhou Qing’s back, Lu Yaoyao gazed at him with awe.

At any time, Father was always so outstanding—he was already working alongside the Master and the others.

Yan Xiaohu looked on with equal envy.

He’d been helping open keys since Foundation Establishment, yet still had no idea what the true Grotto-Heaven looked like.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qing walked through the gravity zone, feeling something strangely wondrous.

Whether in reality or simulation, he’d come here countless times—but this was the first time he could walk so easily after the key had been removed.

Until, without warning, he slowed his steps.

During his last simulation, the puppet controlled by Taiqingmen’s first Sect Master had burst forth from right here—its power terrifying, at least equal to Zhong Yao, Governor of Longyuan Prefecture.

Not a Cut-Spirit realm cultivator, yet far stronger than a typical Soul Transformation cultivator at peak.

Come to think of it, he might be the first person ever to see what the guardian beneath the gravity zone actually looked like.

After all, every past Sect Master strictly followed ancestral rules—never letting the guardian appear. Even his Master had only guessed it was a puppet.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing knelt and gently touched the ground with his hand, his eyes filled with reverence and awe.

Then he rose and marched forward.

When he reached the passage, he noticed all thirteen Peak Masters—including Gao Xian—were already there.

In addition, six of Taiqingmen’s eight Supreme Elders were present.

The other two must be refining the Nine You Lotus Seeds, though one has already failed.

This clearly shows how grave the matter is.

Yet it seems the several Peak Masters still do not understand what exactly has happened.

After all, the Supreme Elder only instructed that if any anomaly occurs within the Heavenly Cave, all must spare no effort to suppress it.

But looking at the scene before them, everything appears normal.

Zhou Qing bowed to each one in turn, his demeanor respectful.

“Hurry and restore your vigor!” Supreme Elder Mu Shu swept her gaze across them, her voice stern.

Everyone immediately sat on the ground, beginning to adjust their state.

Zhou Qing glanced left and right; he could feel a tense atmosphere permeating the entire corridor.

A thought stirred in his mind—perhaps he could use this chance to refresh his points.

Moreover, he himself already had an 88 percent chance of being overlooked by a Soul Transformation cultivator.

So Zhou Qing subtly shifted aside, then sat cross-legged; once certain no one was paying attention to him, he took out the Divine Ruins Tiangong Token, concealed it beneath his sleeve, and infused it with spiritual power.

After all, this was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity!

As his consciousness entered, Zhou Qing said nothing—he immediately entered the scene of his restricted zone.

When he opened his eyes again, he was in the Gravity Zone.

No gravitational restraint!

No puppet threats!

Zhou Qing smiled knowingly, then moved with practiced ease toward the corridor.

He saw his own self, eyes closed in meditation, and all his senior uncles and aunts around him, their expressions utterly focused.

This synchronized scene was truly strange—as if two worlds had overlapped at this moment.

The last time he synchronized, he had encountered his Second Uncle sneaking back; he had followed his footsteps and learned how to cross the Blood River.

He walked all the way to the end of the corridor, glanced at the darkness to his left, and exhaled deeply.

He leapt into the Blood River at top speed, grabbed three dead crows, then swiftly climbed ashore.

Arriving at the first coffin, he immediately transformed into the Second Form of Jin Chida, releasing all his cultivation restraint, and roared as he began to push the coffin.

Recall that last time he came here, he was at the late Nascent Soul stage and could still crack open a gap; now that he had ascended to Soul Transformation, his power had surged—this should be no different.

PS: It’s mid-month—please give me a monthly vote. I still haven’t broken a thousand. So pitiful!

(End of Chapter)