Chapter 248: Third Mama, Your Waist Is So Slim (6k)

No one had expected that the two sects, once on the verge of open conflict, had somehow failed to fight at all.

It was utterly unbelievable; no one knew what agreement the two sides had reached to let the matter drop entirely.

The disciples of Qingyu Immortal Sect who had been dismissed and left soon began returning, one by one.

Their faces no longer bore the fear and despair they had shown when they departed, replaced instead by deep gratitude toward Taiqingmen.

Zhou Qing, back at the sect, stood motionless, staring at the Yin Spirit Stone before him.

If I were at the mid-stage of Soul Transformation, with the Four Flowers at the Crown’s enhancement, I would utterly crush peers of my own realm and easily fight beyond my level.

Even without Lin Jin’s help, escaping would likely not be too difficult.

My understanding of the realm of intent is still lacking; I cannot yet use the Yin Spirit Stone to break through.

“I still need some combat!” Zhou Qing put away the Yin Spirit Stone and was about to retrieve the Divine Ruins Palace token.

Even if I can’t enter the coffin, fighting a first-generation ancestral puppet at the Prefect’s level might still deepen my intent.

Provided he doesn’t kill me too swiftly.

Suddenly, a chilling aura made him shiver involuntarily; Zhou Qing immediately went on guard.

He drew Broken Wound Wind, channeled spiritual power, and stepped cautiously out the courtyard gate—then froze.

On the same tree where Third Senior Brother used to urinate, a silver-haired woman in a veil stood silently, her figure graceful as an ice lotus blooming in the cold wind.

The chill radiating from her had turned the entire tree into a sculpture of ice.

“Number Six—” Zhou Qing’s heart jolted.

He never imagined Number Six would appear again inside Taiqingmen without a sound.

Could she have guessed I’m Number One?

That’s impossible—I haven’t revealed anything.

“We meet again, fated one!” Number Six’s voice was cold and ethereal, carrying a haunting beauty that echoed through the silent night.

Zhou Qing clearly sensed her aura had grown vastly thicker since their last meeting—likely due to the Ice Glass Spirit Sparrow Mushroom.

Soon, Zhou Qing recovered and bowed slightly: “Greetings, Elder.”

At that moment, Number Six seemed to sense something unusual; a flicker of surprise passed through her beautiful eyes.

“Soul Transformation? Last time I saw you, you were barely Nascent Soul!”

Zhou Qing replied humbly: “Thanks to your blessings, this past few years I’ve been fortunate enough to gain a few opportunities.”

Their last meeting had been in the depths of Lao Pengwang’s Abyss on Canglan Mountain, where the five-colored barrier had dissolved after he bowed three times.

Then, Number Six had given him three true drops of Jin Chida blood, kindly warning him to have an elder present when refining it, or it would be dangerous.

But he possessed four-colored flowers and wasn’t worried.

She had also taught Lu Yaoyao the advanced heart scripture, Ice Purity Art, and its matching divine technique, Ice Lotus.

He just never expected her to return to Lingyun Prefecture.

For a Soul Transformation cultivator’s opportunity, Number Six clearly didn’t find it significant; she merely nodded slightly.

Then she spoke: “I’ve come to ask you for a favor.”

Zhou Qing looked up, puzzled.

A favor?

What favor?

Help you find me?

Still, he bowed respectfully: “Elder, please command.”

Number Six said: “But before I ask for your help, I must confirm one thing.”

With that, she fixed her gaze directly on Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing felt a pang of guilt.

He had been too careless—he shouldn’t have revealed so much inside the Divine Ruins Palace.

Especially mentioning the things she liked to eat—if Lu Yaoyao used the same code words with her, everything would be exposed.

After all, Number Six seemed to deeply believe in “fate.”

Meeting her a few times made one a fated one; Lu Yaoyao was even more so.

Was it her Nascent Soul enhancement or her Soul Transformation intent influencing this?

As Zhou Qing grew increasingly uneasy under her stare, Number Six finally spoke: “Do you still remember the stone platform left behind by Lao Pengwang?”

Zhou Qing was stunned, then nodded immediately.

How could he forget? That stone platform, wrapped in a five-colored array, held several treasures.

Three differently colored jade vials, an ancient-looking beast hide scroll, and an exquisitely crafted storage pouch.

In the end, I took only the vial containing three true drops of Jin Chida blood—all else, including the five-colored array, I left to you.

“Have you fully refined that blood?” Number Six pressed.

Zhou Qing replied: “I’ve refined it. I also gained a bloodline inheritance technique from the Jin Chida clan, and my cultivation advanced because of it.”

After all, the fact that he knew Emperor Radiance Scripture wasn’t a secret—and he couldn’t tell anyone it was left behind when the Corpse Spirit failed to possess him.

Upon hearing this, Number Six’s eyes brightened.

“Could I… see it?” she hesitated to ask.

Zhou Qing immediately unfolded his Golden Peng True Form.

As a high-level Zhan Ling cultivator, Number Six had shown Zhou Qing, whom she viewed as a mere insect, extraordinary respect.

Watching Zhou Qing, glowing with golden light, she studied him carefully, then said: “I was somewhat concerned when I came. Now, I see choosing you for this favor was the right decision.”

Zhou Qing returned to his normal form, sensing something, and asked: “Is this about Jin Chida?”

Number Six offered no concealment: “There was another beast hide scroll left on that platform. After years of elimination, I’ve finally located it.”

“But the situation is complicated. I originally planned to ask you for a drop of Golden Peng blood to test, but I assumed you’d already refined it—so I only came hoping for a chance. I didn’t expect this unexpected gain.”

Zhou Qing understood.

“Rest assured—if we succeed in entering that place, I won’t let you go unrewarded!” Seeing Zhou Qing silent, Number Six added.

Zhou Qing had no concerns at all.

After all, back in that abyss, she, a Zhan Ling cultivator, had let him—a mere Nascent Soul—choose first.

Not for any other reason than that he had bowed three times to open the five-colored seal.

She truly had principles and never abused her power!

That’s precisely why, inside the Divine Ruins Palace, I was willing to speak with her—and even help her in her forbidden zone.

“I will give my utmost effort!” Zhou Qing bowed again.

Number Six nodded in satisfaction, then seemed to recall something: “Where does your junior sister live?”

Zhou Qing’s heart lurched.

After all, that girl loved playing matchmaker—especially with silver-haired women.

Like Xuan You Immortal, Xuan Yuan Muqian, and even you.

Better not. Her mouth has no filter—she might offend you with a careless word.

Number Six said coolly: “Her constitution resembles mine. I once taught her a heart scripture; I’d like to see how well she’s mastered it now.”

Zhou Qing’s face twitched; he opened his mouth to speak, but Number Six seemed to sense something.

“So close!” She lifted her foot lightly and vanished instantly.

Zhou Qing felt a momentary dizziness; his feet steadied, and he stood before Shenyue Peak.

Before him was Lu Yaoyao’s residence, and nearby, the tunnel leading to the Cave Heaven forbidden zone.

It was long past midnight; Lu Yaoyao had already fallen asleep.

After a brief spiritual sense check, Number Six’s beautiful eyes flickered with surprise: “Hmm? Nascent Soul mid-stage.”

Beside her, Zhou Qing kept murmuring in agreement, subtly blocking the direction of the tunnel.

Lu Yaoyao’s current cultivation level was due not only to Lu Shi’s training, but more importantly, to the Ice Purity Art Number Six had gifted her.

He, having already cultivated Yin Yang Scripture, knew this best.

“Her sleeping aura seems gentle, yet slightly chaotic.”

Number Six narrowed her eyes, flickered forward, and vanished—entering the courtyard directly.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing panicked and tried to follow, but the courtyard was sealed by a barrier.

Besides, this was a girl’s residence; breaking in at this hour would be improper.

Yet he feared Lu Yaoyao’s loose tongue might say something reckless—he gritted his teeth and rushed forward, pounding on the door.

Inside, Number Six watched Lu Yaoyao quietly; her delicate nose exhaled faint white frost, swirling around the gauze curtains, appearing deeply strange.

The next moment, Lu Yaoyao sensed the disturbance in the barrier and snapped open her eyes.

She saw the silver-haired woman standing beside her bed—froze, eyes wide with shock and confusion.

“Th-Third Mama!” Lu Yaoyao blurted out instinctively.

Number Six frowned slightly; she remembered that on their first meeting, deep in Canglan Mountain’s Abyss, this girl had called her “Third Mama” the moment she saw her.

Wait—had she already become so maternal?

“Your Ice Lotus technique has a flaw. Perform it now—I’ll observe.” Number Six’s voice was cold.

Lu Yaoyao still seemed dazed, her gaze unfocused.

Especially as she stared at the tall, slender figure before her, then glanced at herself—her eyes filled with envy.

Then, almost unconsciously, she reached out and lightly touched Number Six’s arm.

An icy chill surged through her—so intense that even she, who cultivated cold-based arts, shuddered involuntarily.

“Not a dream?” Lu Yaoyao rubbed her eyes hard, staring again at the silver-haired woman before her, finally fully realizing the truth.

“Open the door! Open the door! I know you’re all inside—” Zhou Qing’s shouts from outside snapped her back to reality.

She immediately leapt off the bed, her face alight with excitement.

“Disciple Lu Yaoyao, greetings, Sister!” Lu Yaoyao’s voice rang clear as she bowed respectfully.

Number Six looked at Lu Yaoyao, a fleeting smile tugging at her lips beneath the veil.

She still remembered how, last time beneath the Abyss, this mischievous girl had envied her waistline—suddenly, it felt as if it were yesterday.

“Let me see,” Number Six spoke again.

Lu Yaoyao nodded eagerly, her eyes fixed on the woman’s silver hair, beaming with joy as she immediately activated the “Ice Lotus.”

As spiritual power flowed, the temperature plummeted sharply, and a faint mist spread through the air.

Under the influence of spiritual power, the mist rapidly condensed into countless tiny ice crystals.

As Lu Yaoyao swiftly formed hand seals, ice-blue lotuses slowly emerged beside her, radiating a cold, deep blue light.

Until the ice lotuses multiplied, swirling rapidly around Lu Yaoyao to form a massive lotus vortex.

In an instant, freezing energy raged, turning the entire courtyard into a sculpture of ice. Zhou Qing, still knocking outside, paled and immediately stepped back.

“This cold… it even froze the barrier!” Zhou Qing stared in shock at the completely dissolved barrier.

He then cautiously approached; when he glimpsed Lu Yaoyao fully clothed through the door crack, he exhaled in relief and pushed the door open.

There, Number Six lightly touched the deep blue lotuses with one finger, her expression focused, as if probing something.

“Stop,” Number Six said.

Lu Yaoyao immediately halted her cultivation, and everything gradually returned to normal.

The courtyard, once encased in ice, began slowly melting, dissolving into vapor that drifted into the air.

“I can see you’ve put in effort—but you’ve trained incorrectly. Fortunately, you caught it in time.”

“If you’d continued, the chaotic cold energy could have invaded your limbs and bones, even endangering your life.”

Number Six flicked her finger, and a snow-white elixir appeared in her palm.

“If you trust me, you may…”

“I trust you!” Lu Yaoyao’s eyes sparkled; she snatched the elixir and swallowed it whole.

Seeing this, Number Six gave a slight nod.

“We have a connection. Since I taught you this technique, I should guide you. I have some matters needing your senior brother’s help—come along.”

Number Six’s voice was cold, but her gaze toward Lu Yaoyao held a faint, almost imperceptible warmth.

Lu Yaoyao nodded vigorously, her face glowing with uncontainable joy.

“Thank you, Sister! I’ve been feeling something off in my cultivation these past few years, but I couldn’t put my finger on it!”

Lu Yaoyao grinned.

Beside her, Zhou Qing’s lips twitched slightly.

You really know how to speak without restraint.

You call Xuan You ‘Sister’—fine, you’re on the same level as all the peak masters of Taiqingmen. But this woman is a Cutting Spirit cultivator; you’re not unaware.

Though women generally enjoy flattery, you can’t just blurt it out like this.

You’ve suddenly made yourself one generation higher than me.

Looks like we’ll have to address each other separately: you call her Sister, I call her Elder, and you keep calling me Senior Brother.

More bizarrely, Number Six showed no objection whatsoever.

Maybe I should just skip ahead and call you ‘Sister’ too—might as well give up on effort.

“Sister, wait a moment!” Lu Yaoyao said eagerly, then dashed out in her nightgown.

“Senior Brother Zhou! Senior Brother Zhou, you can come in now—”

Zhou Qing: “...”

Number Six also stared blankly at Zhou Qing standing at the door, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Though it was midnight, as a Nascent Soul cultivator, she shouldn’t be unable to see a living person in the dark.

This girl’s appearance, talent, and physique are excellent—but her eyes…

Lu Yaoyao sprinted outside, only to find Zhou Qing gone.

What? She’d clearly heard her father’s shouts, and the barrier had been triggered.

How had he vanished so suddenly?

“Cough—” Zhou Qing cleared his throat loudly. “Lu Junior Sister!”

Hearing the voice, Lu Yaoyao turned—and realized Zhou Qing had been standing in the courtyard all along.

She rubbed her eyes, a wave of frustration washing over her.

This had happened more than once these past few years: someone right beside her, yet invisible.

Better than that old hen.

It must be a side effect of her flawed cultivation of the “Ice Lotus” technique.

“Senior Brother Zhou!” Lu Yaoyao quickly brushed aside her frustration and rushed forward.

“Senior Brother Zhou, see? She came for you—don’t miss this chance!”

Lu Yaoyao whispered urgently to Zhou Qing, her eyes gleaming with mischief.

Zhou Qing’s expression changed as he watched her excitement.

Girl, I’ve always feared this about you—and here it is again!

Zhou Qing whispered back: “Listen carefully—don’t say anything foolish, especially don’t bring out any of your snacks.”

“Why?” Lu Yaoyao whispered back, puzzled.

Zhou Qing hurriedly said: “Will you listen?”

“Of course!” Lu Yaoyao replied without hesitation.

Zhou Qing said: “Good. Then listen—don’t bring them out, don’t even mention them. I’ll explain later.”

Lu Yaoyao reluctantly nodded.

Number Six stepped out now, sensing the spiritual sense fluctuations between them, and said coldly: “Do you need any preparation?”

“Yes!”

“No!”

They spoke in unison, then stared at each other, both flushing with embarrassment.

“No!”

“Yes!”

Number Six glanced between them, frowned slightly, and said: “This trip was rushed. I’ll return precisely at this time tomorrow night to fetch you.”

Lu Yaoyao quickly asked: “Sister, can you tell us where we’re going?”

Number Six raised her hand and sliced lightly through the air—a rift in space opened.

“The border of your Shengwu Empire.” With that, she stepped into the rift and vanished instantly.

Zhou Qing was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t expected they’d be heading to the border again.

What exactly was recorded on that hide?

Why had Number Six brought him here? How could the “Emperor’s Radiance Scripture” help her?

“Can you tell me now?” Lu Yaoyao suddenly leaned over, curious.

Zhou Qing sighed, eyes darting, then adopted a solemn tone: “She has a beautiful master who loved those things you mentioned.”

“That’s perfect—we share the same taste!” Lu Yaoyao’s eyes lit up, excited.

Zhou Qing sighed: “You don’t know—her master died. Her enemies discovered this, and poisoned those very things.”

Lu Yaoyao’s smile froze instantly.

Zhou Qing continued: “Now she despises them—even hearing their names makes her furious enough to kill.”

Hearing this, Lu Yaoyao’s face turned pale.

Zhou Qing said seriously: “So since she’s willing to guide you in cultivation, we should be grateful—and never provoke her. Understood?”

Lu Yaoyao nodded vigorously: “Understood. But Senior Brother, how do you know this?”

Zhou Qing paused, then said: “She told me herself.”

“A Cutting Spirit cultivator would casually confide her grief to a Soul Transformation?” Lu Yaoyao raised an eyebrow, suspicion in her gaze.

Zhou Qing gave her a sharp tap on the forehead.

“Adult matters are none of your business. Just remember this. Before we leave, inform your Sect Master—he’ll worry if you don’t.”

Zhou Qing spoke, then left.

Lu Yaoyao rubbed her forehead, grimacing—but soon her eyes brightened with realization.

“Could it be… they’ve reached a point where they confide in each other? When did this start? How did I miss it?”

She muttered softly, her face beaming.

Back at Xiao Ling Peak, Zhou Qing found Mo Xingjian and told him everything without concealment.

Mo Xingjian was, of course, stunned.

He had seen this elder before—during that incident at the edge of the Canglan Mountain Abyss, before the Corpse-Peng Emperor emerged, only Nascent Soul cultivators could descend to investigate.

She had appeared before them and said to Zhou Qing: “We meet again.”

Then she implanted a mark into his body, asking him to descend and investigate.

But before they could set out, only one of the Peng Emperor of Taiyao Mountain’s disciples managed to flee in terror—and he turned into a pool of pus and blood—so the matter was dropped.

He was a very reasonable elder.

“No matter what help you offer, remember to stay safe—because if danger arises, they can escape effortlessly!” Mo Xingjian warned.

Zhou Qing nodded, indicating he understood.

“Also, watch that thing—don’t let it show before a Severing Spirit cultivator; their eyes are sharp.”

“Don’t worry about the sect—your uncle and I will handle it.”

“Either give the hen to me or to Sanhuzi—I’ll make sure it’s well cared for.”

…

Mo Xingjian kept giving advice for a long time before Zhou Qing finally left.

“Given the three drops of Jin Peng true blood, plus the refined scripture and divine art for Lu Yaoyao, I simply can’t refuse—and I wouldn’t dare.”

“Besides, by her standards, she’ll surely give me a share of the spoils—and the opportunities sought by a Severing Spirit cultivator yield tremendous rewards!”

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing began to feel anticipation.

After glancing at the hen, he resumed watering the Wu Dao Ancient Tea Tree with spiritual fluid.

Until the second night, Mo Xingjian and Cao Zhengyang and others nervously hid at a distance.

Aside from Erdaye and Xuan Yuan Shuo, Zhou Qing recognized a third Severing Spirit cultivator—this was an immense blessing for Taiqingmen.

If Zhou Qing ever became Sect Master, just this network alone would ensure the sect’s stability and prosperity, shielding it from bullying and invasion by other factions.

But in a single blink, the two men standing outside the courtyard vanished instantly.

Well, it seemed the elder had no desire to interact further with them.

The others could only sigh helplessly and went their separate ways.

…

It was a small space vessel, exquisitely crafted, its streamlined hull glowing faintly with silver-blue light, yet moving with astonishing speed.

Moreover, the three did not use any commandery’s teleportation array—they flew straight toward the border.

Based on their previous return to Haomiao Prefecture, this journey would take at least three months.

Lu Yaoyao stood on the deck, leaning slightly forward, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she gazed curiously around.

She kept muttering “Wow! Wow! Wow!”—clearly ecstatic.

This left Zhou Qing utterly exasperated.

Last time, when we returned from the border with Master Lin, Master Lu, and Erdaye, the scenery was the same—why weren’t you like this then?

Then he turned to Number Six.

She stood quietly at the front, her silver hair cascading like a waterfall, her veil fluttering gently in the wind, revealing glimpses of her refined features.

Her posture was elegant, like a snow lotus atop an icy mountain, radiating a cold, distant aura.

Her hands were folded before her, her gaze calm and fixed ahead—no one knew what she was thinking.

Lu Yaoyao glanced between Number Six and Zhou Qing, looking especially thrilled.

“Zhou Shixiong, the journey is long—I’ve collected some joke books. Why don’t you go over and chat with her?”

Lu Yaoyao ran over excitedly, pulling out a dozen books from her storage pouch and waving them before Zhou Qing, her eyes shining.

(End of Chapter)