Chapter 238: So the No. 7 Purple Sphere Is You! (6k)

Looking at the dried corpse of Xuanji Zi, Zhou Qing felt an indescribable emotion in his heart.

Conspiring against Taiqingmen’s Cave Heaven?

Making a pact with the Cangyan Dao Palace?

Sabotaging Sikong Yan’s methods?

Plans never keep pace with change—perhaps even he never imagined he’d perish so easily here.

Isn’t Tianji Men famed for divination and calculation? Didn’t you cast a fortune for yourself before entering?

Zhou Qing shook his head, then looked at the storage bag at his waist—it could be touched, but could not be lifted.

Perhaps it contains secrets of the Cangyan Dao Palace.

No, such things should be stored within the sect; why would he carry them so carelessly?

Don’t you know your own combat strength?

“What exactly happened?” After rising, Zhou Qing memorized the location, then immediately chased after the direction the Ghost Emperor had fled…

Zhou Qing didn’t know how long he wandered, but he never saw the Ghost Emperor’s figure again.

Everywhere he went, bones and storage bags littered the ground; the once constant clamor of battle and screams had greatly diminished.

What a clever trap!

Arriving near the familiar Hongta Mountain, it remained undamaged, but the ghostly spirits within had long been slaughtered by the Lord of the Mansion and others.

Suddenly, a chill seeped from his back—he turned, but saw nothing.

When he turned back, his face turned pale.

Beneath Hongta Mountain, a silhouette stood silently, gazing up at the crumbling plaque.

Who else could it be but the Ghost Emperor?

“Don’t… come in!” The Ghost Emperor’s voice, hoarse as if rising from the deepest pits of hell, carried endless antiquity and rasp.

Zhou Qing glanced around, a chill gripping him.

Was that meant for him?

Is this Ghost Emperor the one from his simulated environment?

The next moment, he waved his hand—and Zhou Qing’s body shot upward into the air.

Even the coffin lid was flung open.

Only when he stood dazed outside did Zhou Qing regain his senses.

For the first time ever, he had emerged alive from a simulation.

“Could he really be Taiqingmen’s former Sect Master?” Zhou Qing was stunned—and ecstatic.

Though he didn’t know what had happened, it was clear this Ghost Emperor still retained a sliver of reason.

No wonder wandering souls appeared in the gravity zone—he must have controlled them to train us.

But the difficulty was so extreme it nearly became my personal lifetime post.

“So he knows me!” Zhou Qing suddenly understood something.

After all, for a long time, he was the one helping the Supreme Elder unlock the key.

Especially now, in this simulation state, he’s slain countless wandering souls—he must know.

Glancing at the opposite bank of the Blood River, the Supreme Elders standing at the passage to observe, and the corpse-wax crows emerging from the darkness, Zhou Qing sprinted toward the ancient tree.

After confirming it was indeed spirit soil, he laughed loudly—then his head exploded.

Zhou Qing, now reformed into light particles, was about to exit when a soft cough suddenly sounded beside him.

Seeing the No. 7 purple sphere had arrived without warning, Zhou Qing’s pupils shrank sharply, his eyes filled with disbelief and shock.

For above the orb now flickered a golden annotation.

【FISH】!

In an instant, Zhou Qing felt a coldness surge from his soles to his heart—his blood seemed to freeze in that moment.

His greatest fear had come true.

No. 7 was truly Sikong Yan!

In less than half a day, two events far beyond his expectations struck one after another, leaving Zhou Qing unprepared.

But soon, he forced himself to calm down.

Bad news often hides good—least of all, he now knew the true identity of No. 7.

Recalling Sikong Yan’s forbidden zone, Zhou Qing suddenly understood where the missing five-color array, the four-color killing array, and those cruel methods of controlling black-robed puppets originated.

Even his abnormal behavior upon entry—all of it now made sense.

“Hey, No. 1!” Sikong Yan’s familiar, cheerful voice rang out.

Zhou Qing merely stared at him, silent.

Seeing Zhou Qing’s lack of response, Sikong Yan didn’t care—as if he’d expected this reaction.

Instead, he said: “I’ve spoken with No. 5. You’ve been in here for years, and though I’ve never seen your forbidden zone firsthand, I’ve heard rumors.”

“So?” Zhou Qing finally spoke, his voice calm, betraying no emotion.

Sikong Yan instantly grew excited: “Aren’t you thrilled? This token of the Divine Ruins Palace comes from a fallen Level-7 cultivation nation—only nine exist. Who knows where they’ve scattered?”

“And now, in this tiny region, we two have both obtained them—what an incredible stroke of fate.”

Zhou Qing continued to stare at him silently.

This guy entered the Linggu Mountain secret realm too—how didn’t he die there?

“The other three are probably from Level-5 or Level-6 cultivation nations. Only we two are true countrymen.”

Sikong Yan grew more excited, as if he’d already labeled Zhou Qing a kindred ally.

Zhou Qing said coolly: “Oh? Are we really countrymen?”

He hadn’t met Lin Jin yet—if these two were one person, and considering Lu Yuanzhi and her two sisters came from the Frozen North, which region did they truly belong to?

Whether they’re countrymen or not remains uncertain.

Hearing this, Zhou Qing suddenly had an idea—he decided to turn passive into active.

After all, besides the Supreme Elders and peak masters, Tianji Men also knew of Taiqingmen’s Cave Heaven forbidden zone.

Who could say that Xuanji Zi and others holding the restraining artifacts hadn’t secretly allied and told others?

Like Jin Leizong, Qingyu Immortal Sect, or some other backup plan.

But no matter what, he wouldn’t suspect me.

After all, Sikong Yan himself said he’d inquired with No. 5—I’ve been No. 1 for years.

I still remember the first time I saw the Cave Heaven forbidden zone—I was only at Qi Condensation.

Do you think Taiqingmen would let a Qi Condensation disciple near such secrets?

Gao Xian must have told you long ago—so he’d rather suspect the Thirteen Peaks’ masters and the Supreme Elders than point the finger at me.

After a brief pause, Zhou Qing asked directly: “Since you’ve asked this far, I have a question I’d like you to answer.”

“Countryman, go ahead!” Sikong Yan replied cheerfully.

Zhou Qing said: “Why didn’t you ever consider taking one of the ten Jiuyou Lotus Seeds?”

At these words, Sikong Yan froze—his purple sphere stiffened in place.

Zhou Qing could clearly sense his shock and disbelief.

Zhou Qing smiled faintly: “Countryman, what’s wrong? Say something!”

After a moment of silence, Sikong Yan spoke gravely: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh? If you don’t understand, then forget it. When No. 4 logs in next, he might be interested—he can summon over a dozen Zhanling experts at will; his status isn’t ordinary.”

As Zhou Qing spoke, his red sphere began to dim, as if preparing to exit.

Seeing this, Sikong Yan cried out: “Wait!”

Zhou Qing halted, then smiled at him.

Sikong Yan stared intently at Zhou Qing—he’d assumed recognizing No. 1’s forbidden zone would throw him into disarray.

Then he could play cat-and-mouse, probing slowly.

After all, such a mystery-laden guessing game was his favorite.

But he never expected Zhou Qing to strike straight to the heart.

His mind raced, frantically replaying every word and action—trying to find where he’d slipped up, how No. 1 had seen through him.

“Are you bluffing?” Sikong Yan forced calmness as he asked.

Zhou Qing’s expression remained serene: “I’m not that bored. And right now, I’m asking you.”

After a brief silence, Sikong Yan said: “No specific reason—I just think good things should be shared.”

“That’s it?” Zhou Qing fixed his gaze on Sikong Yan.

Sikong Yan replied: “That’s all. If you don’t believe me, I can’t help it.”

Zhou Qing gave a light laugh.

After all, the Supreme Elder had once planned to save him one Jiuyou Lotus Seed—but he’d refused.

Back then, he was only Nascent Soul—he didn’t even know when he’d reach Soul Transformation.

He’d also checked for hidden traps—none were found.

Ultimately, this matter had little to do with him.

Looking at Sikong Yan’s purple sphere, Zhou Qing said coldly, with a hint of threat: “Let this drop. I won’t expose you—but don’t go poking around aimlessly.”

“You know I’m in the dark, you’re in the light—if you push me too far, don’t blame me for going all out.”

“Get to know me better—you’ll learn No. 4 is infamous for holding grudges. He’d rather kill a thousand innocents than let one guilty man slip away.”

Zhou Qing said this much, then withdrew, leaving it at that.

The rest, let him figure it out slowly—he should understand the stakes well enough.

Then he headed straight toward the Ancestral Hall.

Seeing the final portrait of Canglong True Person, and combining it with the withered face he had seen, Zhou Qing could now be utterly certain: the Ghost Emperor inside the first coffin was indeed the former Sect Master.

Taiqingmen has a Zhanling-level powerhouse!

Just thinking about it felt unbelievable.

But why had Canglong True Person never contacted Master and the others?

Was there some unspeakable reason?

Zhou Qing couldn’t figure it out, so he went again to the cemetery, revealed his identity, and went straight to his master’s tomb.

Standing before the tomb, Zhou Qing’s expression turned grave; after bowing three times respectfully, he extended one hand and slowly pressed it against the ground.

In an instant, a terrifying spiritual sense quietly spread downward, probing beneath.

Until he “saw” that below, in the coffin, lay indeed a withered skeleton, dressed in the exact same robes as the Ghost Emperor.

“Just what is going on?” Zhou Qing’s brow furrowed deeper.

…

Five days later, Cao Zhengyang returned first, his face exhausted.

According to what he saw, the entrance to the secret realm beneath the abyss had already closed; many who had escaped were still waiting anxiously outside.

After all, those inside were their own friends and family who had come with them—how could they bear to leave?

“Xuan Yuan Shuo has returned again from the border; according to his investigation, the space there is extremely stable—the secret realm’s entrance likely won’t reappear.”

“As for those who didn’t make it out, we must prepare for the worst. Also, he specifically announced that the Peng Emperor has not perished—he is currently in seclusion at Taiyao Mountain.”

“During that time, the two did indeed clash, but it was only a severe injury; nothing else. And he never once admitted to having slain the Peng Emperor.”

“But which Zhanling-level cultivator actually perished is still under investigation.”

This was the news Cao Zhengyang brought back; upon hearing it, everyone exchanged glances, feeling nothing but relief.

Two days later, Mo Xingjian returned.

His expression was grave; he brought back a shocking piece of news.

“The Tianji Sect’s Sect Master, Xuanji Zi, has had his soul lamp extinguished—he is confirmed dead within the secret realm. The other sects all escaped, but Xuan You Xianzi appears to have suffered grave injuries—she was carried out.”

As soon as this news spread, everyone sighed in sorrow.

Tianji Sect’s combat strength was already the weakest; now that their Sect Master has perished, their future will undoubtedly be extremely difficult.

These have been turbulent times—Taiqingmen should try to keep its disciples from leaving for now, to avoid stirring up trouble.

But the Supreme Elders still decided to remain in the Cave Heaven for another half-month, just in case.

Unexpectedly, only three days passed before Lu Yaoyao and Yan Xiaohu fled out in panic.

Because the wandering souls had appeared again.

The Supreme Elders, with no other choice, finally relaxed.

Because this also meant the Ghost Emperor inside the first coffin had already cleared everyone inside—and now he had turned his attention outward.

“You have no idea how dangerous it was—Lu Shimei and I had barely stepped inside when that thing sent out over a dozen mid-stage Nascent Soul wandering souls, claws and fangs bared. We barely made it out because we were close to the entrance.”

“By the way, how did you manage it back then when you were Nascent Soul? Did you just fight your way through? Your combat power is terrifying.”

Inside the room, Yan Xiaohu, while playing with an old hen, spoke with lingering fear.

Zhou Qing merely smiled faintly, offering no further explanation; after a brief chat, Niu Guangmo and the others came to find Yan Xiaohu.

“Alright, you go ahead and get busy!” Yan Xiaohu said, then hurried off again.

Soon after, Lu Yaoyao came to find him.

“Big Brother has entered seclusion, pushing hard toward Soul Transformation—he says once he emerges, he wants to spar with you properly!” Lu Yaoyao said.

Zhou Qing smiled. He’d have to let up a bit then.

After all, with the Four Flowers at the Crown enhancement, he could crush peers even with his eyes closed.

“Zhou Shixiong, please don’t marry Zhu He—I hate her. I’d rather you married Xuan You Xianzi!”

Soon after, while stroking the old hen, Lu Yaoyao seemed to remember something, stood up abruptly, and said to Zhou Qing with serious intent.

Zhou Qing was speechless. “What are you thinking about all day? I’m marrying no one.”

“Not marrying isn’t allowed—how can you have a sweet, lovely daughter without a partner?”

Lu Yaoyao declared this with complete conviction, as if bearing a daughter was a natural, mandatory duty.

Zhou Qing countered helplessly: “How do you know you’ll have a daughter? You might get a fat little boy instead.”

Lu Yaoyao’s face flushed awkwardly; she opened her mouth to say more, but Zhou Qing gently pushed her out.

“You just stop worrying about me. My affairs don’t need your meddling—go rest. I’ve got things to do,” Zhou Qing said, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

Outside the courtyard, Lu Yaoyao pouted, hands on her hips, glaring angrily as Zhou Qing activated a soundproofing formation, then stomped her foot in frustration.

But she quickly calmed down.

There was one thing she had seemingly overlooked all along.

She was about seven years old when she accidentally stepped on a mysterious array and fell helplessly from the sky.

At the time, her master was on a mission in that sea region and thought she’d been swept up by a tornado—and was unusually resilient—so he took her as his disciple.

Even now, she didn’t understand what had happened.

But if her father truly had a little Lu Yaoyao, what would become of her?

Would two Lu Yaoyaos exist simultaneously?

Or would she vanish?

Inside the courtyard, through the door crack, Zhou Qing watched Lu Yaoyao leave, frowning deeply, then shook his head with a smile.

This girl cared too much about his affairs.

…

“Master, was Grandmaster’s death truly due to natural lifespan exhaustion?”

In the main hall, Zhou Qing asked casually.

Mo Xingjian, who had been reviewing recent reports, turned his head suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly asking about your Grandmaster?”

Zhou Qing hurriedly replied: “Just curious. Nothing important.”

How could he tell his master that the Ghost Emperor was the former Sect Master?

Should he say he’d once entered the simulation environment?

That the Ghost Emperor had even sent him back out?

Our Taiqingmen is about to rise—we have a Zhanling-level elder!

Did our ancient ancestor kill all those people in the Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Prefectures?

Simulations are just simulations—if his true body entered, the Ghost Emperor would never remember speaking to him.

Mo Xingjian set down the jade slip, rose, and gazed out the window at the setting sun, his expression nostalgic.

“Your Grandmaster was a good man—at least, he truly cared for us disciples.”

“But the path of cultivation is a battle against heaven itself. Sadly, your Grandmaster never crossed the threshold—he perished from exhaustion of lifespan in the late Soul Transformation realm.”

At this, Mo Xingjian turned to Zhou Qing, his gaze filled with expectation.

He spoke earnestly: “Now, time spares no one—we old ones are facing this same trial. Fortunately, you’re young and already at early Soul Transformation. With that thing, you’re destined to go farther than we ever could!”

Zhou Qing’s heart churned with mixed emotions.

“When I reach that stage, I’ll find every possible way to help you all ascend. Then Taiqingmen will have over a dozen Zhanling-level elders!” Zhou Qing said.

Mo Xingjian burst into laughter, then patted Zhou Qing’s head. “Good. We old men will be waiting.”

Zhou Qing smiled faintly—he wasn’t joking.

Soul Transformation cultivators have only two thousand years of lifespan; all his uncles and aunts were now in late Soul Transformation.

In a sense, their situation mirrored Lin Daochen’s—they had only a few hundred years left.

If they couldn’t advance further, their only fate was to perish from old age.

Especially the Supreme Elders—they were already forced to risk using Nine You Lotus Seeds to attempt Zhanling.

This was the very scenario he dreaded most.

“Master, when Grandmaster’s lifespan ended, did you notice anything unusual?”

After much hesitation, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but ask again.

Mo Xingjian’s curiosity was fully aroused; he narrowed his eyes, studying Zhou Qing. “What are you really trying to say? Don’t be so vague.”

“Nothing!” Zhou Qing awkwardly stood up.

From his master’s reaction, he could tell Grandmaster had died a natural death.

And he still hadn’t found a good reason to bring up these matters.

At that moment, Mo Xingjian suddenly sensed something and pulled out his communication token; upon seeing the message, he was startled.

“Prince Xuan Yuan Shuo of the Shengwu Imperial Dynasty—the legendary Zhanling-level powerhouse—is coming to Taiqingmen, and he specifically requests to see Zhou Qing!”

Mo Xingjian reread it carefully, then immediately turned to Zhou Qing, urgently asking: “Do you know Xuan Yuan Shuo?”

Zhou Qing froze in surprise.

…

“Young Master Zhou, we meet again!” Xuan Yuan Shuo laughed heartily upon seeing Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing stepped forward and bowed. “Greetings, Elder Xuan Yuan.”

“I thought you were still with Master Lin at the Academy. I didn’t expect you’d actually returned!” Xuan Yuan Shuo said.

Zhou Qing smiled slightly and said, “Elder, what brings you here?”

“Nothing much. I heard a secret realm appeared on Lingku Mountain, but I arrived too late. So I figured I’d come see you—let’s talk up there!”

Xuan Yuan Shuo pointed to the flying vessel in the sky.

Zhou Qing nodded and followed Xuan Yuan Shuo as they soared upward…

Watching this, Cao Zhengyang felt both awe and concern.

One of his own Taiqingmen disciples had befriended a Zhan Ling realm expert—this was undoubtedly a powerful deterrent.

Should anyone ever dare to harm Taiqingmen, they would have to think twice about the force behind it and the consequences they might face.

But this Zhan Ling expert was from the imperial family.

Currently, all major sects in this fourth-tier spiritual nation avoided excessive contact with the imperial family.

After all, on the surface, all parties were equals.

Yet any deep involvement with the imperial family would inevitably shatter that equality, making the master-servant distinction unmistakable.

After all, the imperial family possessed more than one Zhan Ling expert; before such absolute power, even if one knew they might become cannon fodder, they still had to obey their orders.

Better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix!

“Did he tell you?” Cao Zhengyang turned to Mo Xingjian as he thought of this.

Mo Xingjian nodded. “I just found out too. It all starts with him accompanying Lin Daochen, invited to the border…”

About a stick of incense later, Zhou Qing and Xuan Yuan Shuo descended from the flying vessel.

Cao Zhengyang and Mo Xingjian bowed respectfully.

“Alright, I won’t disturb you. I heard one of Master Su’s patients lost half his body, the other lost his lower half—I really ought to go see them.”

With that, Xuan Yuan Shuo departed.

“Are you alright?” As the space vessel vanished into the void, Mo Xingjian asked urgently.

(End of Chapter)