Chapter 251

Zhou Qing, back on deck, rubbed his swollen eyes, deeply pained.

The body of a Zhan Ling realm demon emperor—even just a thigh—would be an unimaginable treasure in Taiqingmen.

But.

Moreover, eliminating threats completely seems to reflect Six’s nature.

Zhou Qing silently noted this down; in reality, he’d better avoid provoking her.

“Embarrassing!” Lu Yaoyao suddenly spoke up.

Zhou Qing chuckled. “You know nothing.”

Your senior brother just got incredibly lucky—he acquired the ancient demonic beast’s innate ability: [Double Pupils] from the Void Spider.

Didn’t you hear those two demon emperors say? It might let you see through the operation patterns of a Level Five array at a glance. With this, I’m like a tiger with wings.

Whether crafting, setting up, or repairing arrays, I’ll now know exactly how to fix them—effortlessly.

“Do you have an objection?” Six, having finished, gazed coolly at the Dragon Emperor.

The Dragon Emperor’s expression instantly turned solemn; he waved his hands frantically, indignant: “Elder, you killed well, killed excellently, killed perfectly!”

“This woman dared attack Elder on my territory—clearly trying to drag me down too. Such a wicked heart deserves no mercy.”

Six turned away, instantly appearing atop the flying vessel.

“I hate people who kick you when you’re down!” With that, she controlled the vessel to depart.

The Dragon Emperor’s face flushed with embarrassment; only after the vessel vanished completely did he hastily wipe the cold sweat from his brow.

He’d truly walked the edge of death.

He’d better keep a low profile from now on—because you never know who you’ll meet next might be a tiger disguised as a pig.

But—

The Dragon Emperor’s eyes lit up instantly; he shouted: “All demon kings and demon generals, assemble at once! Before the Thousand Illusion Labyrinth reacts, attack and seize it!”

Instantly, the entire Blood Prison Mountain was filled with demonic energy, howls echoing everywhere.

…

On the flying vessel, Zhou Qing watched Six, still standing silently at the bow, filled with joy.

Last time, on Canglan Mountain, he obtained three drops of Jin Chida blood and successfully cultivated the Emperor’s Radiance Scripture.

This time, before even reaching the destination, he’d directly gained the ancient demonic beast’s innate ability: [Double Pupils].

Come to think of it, you’re truly fated to me.

Seeing no one was paying attention, he subtly sidestepped, leaning against the vessel’s cabin wall, carefully forming a mirror with spiritual energy.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath, calming his slightly excited emotions.

With a thought, his pitch-black pupils slowly revealed another pupil within—two pupils side by side, emitting a faint crimson glow.

The two pupils mirrored each other, perfectly aligned, with threads of spiritual energy flowing between them.

Yet within the newly formed second pupil, a peculiar spider silhouette lingered, radiating ancient energy.

Seeing himself like this for the first time, Zhou Qing felt an uncanny unease.

“This is the Double Pupils?” Zhou Qing felt his heart pounding uncontrollably.

As he looked around, the ordinary cabin wall’s patterns now revealed countless fine spiritual energy lines.

Even the clouds outside the vessel—the condensation and flow of moisture, the faint spiritual energy fluctuations—were crystal clear before his eyes.

This sight filled Zhou Qing with wild delight.

But it consumed immense spiritual energy; in just this short while, even with his Soul Transformation realm reserves, he’d unknowingly lost nearly half.

“Looks like if I really use this, I’ll have to be careful!” Zhou Qing muttered to himself.

At that moment, the flying vessel suddenly dove downward.

“We’re here!” Six’s cold voice rang out.

Zhou Qing instinctively glanced at Six and noticed a faint aura of coldness enveloping her, as if a natural defensive barrier.

Clearly, the Spider Emperor’s death was entirely deserved.

But wasn’t the [Double Pupils] supposed to reveal the true nature of things? Why couldn’t he see through her veil—or even her clothes…?

Zhou Qing immediately slapped his own eyes.

Disgusting. Truly disgusting.

Due to the heavy drain, Zhou Qing quickly retracted the Double Pupils—when suddenly, the vessel came to a violent stop.

Lu Yaoyao, who’d been peering down, nearly flew out from inertia; Zhou Qing, quick as lightning, grabbed her.

“That was close!” Lu Yaoyao patted her chest, face pale with relief.

Zhou Qing was speechless.

You’re a Nascent Soul cultivator—even if you fell, you wouldn’t break an arm.

Then both turned to Six, who frowned, clearly displeased.

Following her gaze downward, they froze.

Below lay an endless expanse of deep blue ocean, dotted with countless islands.

Each island was vast and rugged, with rolling mountains and dense forests.

Zhou Qing recalled: the Shengwu Empire bordered the sea on one side, and two Level Three and Level Four cultivation nations on the other two.

The remaining southern side—this very region—faced the Infinite Beast Mountains directly.

He hadn’t expected that after passing through the Dragon Emperor’s Blood Prison Mountain, there’d be an inland sea here—quite peculiar.

But that wasn’t the point. The point was: on one of the islands below, a man sat cross-legged.

When he saw the man’s face, Zhou Qing’s eyes narrowed—he recognized him.

The first time, in the Jin Peng’s cave, when he used the [Corpse Touching Talisman] on Situ Jiuyao’s corpse, he’d seen through the man’s eyes: Six, with eight thousand spiritual seals formed, and another man.

That man had formed over nine thousand spiritual seals—more than Six, and he’d looked at her with obvious admiration.

Last time, in the Divine Ruins Tiangong, Six probably assumed this man was Number One—since her habits and visits to Situ Jiuyao were known to few.

Zhou Qing guessed Six had come here to verify this.

“Zhan Ling realm, Level Four array master!” That was Zhou Qing’s guess.

At this moment, Six’s brows were tightly furrowed; layers of cold energy continuously swirled around her, as if inspecting something.

After scanning thoroughly, she found nothing. After a brief hesitation, her brows tightened further, then she guided the vessel downward.

“Why are you here? Are you following me?” Six demanded the moment she landed.

The man slowly opened his eyes, startled, then smiled: “Hanyi, what a coincidence—you’re here too?”

Upon hearing this, Six’s eyes narrowed instantly; her cold aura intensified, and ice crystals rapidly spread beneath her feet.

Seeing this, the man quickly stood up, looking awkward, cleared his throat, and said, “Ever since you reached Late Zhan Ling, you suddenly came to challenge me—and crushed me into serious injury.”

“You didn’t even apologize. I had to find out why. After you arrived here and left in a hurry, I’ve stayed behind to guard this place for you.”

Hearing this, Six’s expression turned even more displeased.

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao exchanged glances, instinctively looking at her.

Hanyi?

That’s her name?

Just don’t know her surname—if I did, I could bind her directly, just in case.

After my [Heart-Viewing Gaze] reached Level Five, I gained six additional binding slots.

So far, I’ve only bound Kong Yan and Lin Jin.

“Oh, are these your disciples? In Tianyun, countless people beg to join your sect—yet here, in this remote place, you’ve taken on students?”

The man, sensing awkwardness, quickly shifted his gaze, studying Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao.

Especially Lu Yaoyao—he sensed the same icy aura as Hanyi’s.

Six said nothing, her gaze like frozen lake water, fixed on the man.

Clearly, being followed annoyed her greatly.

“You’ve got a rival!” Lu Yaoyao whispered secretly.

Zhou Qing’s face stiffened; he whispered back: “Don’t say nonsense.”

“I’m Yan Sen. May I ask your names?” Yan Sen smiled warmly, bowing slightly, elegant and courteous.

For some reason, Zhou Qing felt that beneath this gentle exterior lay a hidden, unknown sharpness.

“Zhou Qing!”

“Lu Yaoyao!”

Both returned the bow—after all, he was a Zhan Ling cultivator, warmly greeting them.

Yan Sen’s smile widened: “So you’re Young Master Zhou and Miss Lu—pleased to meet you.”

Seeing no common ground with them, Yan Sen awkwardly smiled and turned back to Six.

But meeting her icy gaze, he shivered, then forced a grin and patted his chest.

“Hanyi, you know we grew up together. Since you found this place first, I, Yan Sen, won’t touch a single thing. If you tell me to leave—”

“Go.” Six said.

Yan Sen: “...”

“I meant, this secret realm seems extraordinary—I can stay and help you,” Yan Sen said.

Six walked straight ahead: “No need.”

Yan Sen hurried after her: “Come on, we’re both Level Four array masters, and I’ve mastered over two thousand more spiritual seals than you—perhaps—”

Watching the two walk farther away, Lu Yaoyao hurried over and whispered.

“I don’t like this guy—he gives me the feeling of a smiling tiger!” Lu Yaoyao said.

Zhou Qing deeply agreed.

But he still looked at Lu Yaoyao solemnly and said, “Watch your words from now on. This kind of person is the most petty, especially one at the Severing Spirit realm. We’re vastly inferior before him—any slip could bring trouble upon ourselves.”

Lu Yaoyao stuck out her tongue but nodded obediently. “Got it, got it—better to offend a gentleman than a petty man. I’ll be careful.”

But soon, as if remembering something, she said, “Senior Zhou, your sister’s name is Hanyi—don’t you think it’s so beautiful?”

Zhou Qing nodded, his expression unreadable.

The name Hanyi carried a unique elegance, perfectly matching the aura radiating from No.6.

The two fell into silent step behind her.

This island seemed devoid of beast clusters; along the way, the surroundings were unnervingly quiet, broken only by the wind brushing through the trees and the rustle of leaves.

Until they reached the island’s center.

The terrain here rose sharply, forming a sunken basin.

At the basin’s heart lay a pool of deep green water, still as a giant mirror reflecting the sky.

No.6 and Yan Sen had also stopped at the lake’s edge.

Since there were plenty of slots, Zhou Qing immediately bound himself to Yan Sen.

Soon, the 【？？？】 above his head slowly changed into a golden annotation—【ANT】!

Seeing this, Zhou Qing internally chuckled.

As expected—but understandable.

A Severing Spirit cultivator from a mysterious Level Five cultivation nation, meeting for the first time a Soul Transformation cultivator from some backwater region—of course he’d see him this way.

Perhaps even early-stage Severing Spirit cultivators were seen as slightly larger ants in his eyes.

“Sister’s surname is Shen—Shen Hanyi—it’s really beautiful!” At that moment, Lu Yaoyao excitedly sent a mental message.

Zhou Qing was startled. “How do you know that?”

Lu Yaoyao said, “Didn’t you hear Yan Sen keep saying Shen Bo Fu is worried about you? Obviously her surname is Shen.”

Zhou Qing had indeed not paid close attention to that.

If so—

Zhou Qing directly looked at No.6 and thought, “Bind to Shen Hanyi.”

Instantly, the 【？？？】 above No.6’s head rapidly changed into three characters: 【FATED ONE】.

Zhou Qing smiled and shook his head—it was just as he’d expected.

Watching Yan Sen’s constantly ingratiating face, the two stepped forward.

“This barrier is rather interesting. Without the correct entry method, one would only see a lake. Hanyi, how did you discover it?”

Yan Sen smiled as he asked No.6.

No.6’s expression was cool. “You’ve followed me this far—I don’t believe you didn’t notice.”

Her voice was icy, devoid of warmth, clearly displeased with Yan Sen’s stalking.

Still, she pulled out the beast hide scroll.

Long ago, the Old Peng King was a Severing Spirit realm cultivator at the peak of his power. According to the notes left in his storage bag, he had only surveyed the outer layer of this ruin.

Deeper layers were riddled with prohibitions, brimming with peril.

At that time, a great opportunity had appeared in the eastern region of Lingyun Prefecture, drawing powerful figures from all sides.

After weighing his options, the Old Peng King chose to conceal this place and followed some semi-pure-blooded beasts there.

Who could have foreseen that this journey became a one-way path, ultimately claiming his life there.

Time passed, oceans turned to mulberry fields.

Once-flat plains rose into mountains; once-independent Level Three cultivation nations, due to the rise of the Shengwu Imperial Dynasty, were reassigned by the Imperial Alliance.

She came here because the notes recorded that the Old Peng King had seen a divine herb within this ruin.

Back then, that divine herb was still very young, so the Old Peng King dared not pluck it.

Now, after so many years, it must have matured.

In the Divine Ruin Tiangong, thanks to No.1’s help simulating and teaching her Level Four arrays, she successfully obtained one of the shape-shifting divine herbs: 【Bingli Lingque Zhi】.

She fully believed this herb could cure her brother—but the result was disappointing. Though his body had awakened, his Primordial Spirit remained sealed within.

The only way to save her brother was to find a shape-shifting divine herb—any one would do.

For this, she traveled across every nearby cultivation nation, but found nothing.

Even when venturing into forbidden zones, she had only encountered the 【Bingli Lingque Zhi】.

Elsewhere, not only had she never physically entered, even in simulation trials, it was a certain death sentence.

After all, shape-shifting divine herbs were exceedingly rare in this world.

Looking at the beast hide scroll, Yan Sen’s lips curled slightly, but he said nothing further—though a meaningful glint flashed in his eyes.

But No.6 suddenly turned to Zhou Qing: “Come here!”

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao hurried forward.

No.6’s expression turned grave. “There’s a six-color prohibition here—I can’t break it. If we force it, we might permanently seal this entrance.”

At these words, Yan Sen’s face changed instantly, his eyes flickering with alarm.

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao stared in shock.

Such an ordinary lake concealed a six-color array? Could such a thing exist in a Level Four cultivation region?

No—this place was no longer under the Shengwu Imperial Dynasty’s jurisdiction; it belonged to the beast tribes.

No.6 continued: “The Old Peng King wasn’t an array master. When he found this place, he used special methods to fuse himself with the array’s entrance.”

“You could say he was a gatekeeper. So I thought—could his essence blood open it? But you’ve already refined it.”

“Now, the divine power you’ve mastered also comes from him, so I brought you here to test your luck!”

After hearing this, Zhou Qing finally understood.

He had to admit—the Old Peng King was impressive back then. If you couldn’t beat them, join them, huh?

He recalled how, deep beneath the Abyss, after lighting three incense sticks, the Old Peng King’s residual spiritual sense had manifested.

It was an elderly man with an extremely gentle face, smiling warmly.

He had praised Zhou Qing for kneeling before him, clearly a polite and kind-hearted man—leaving his treasures to such a successor, he could rest in peace.

Yan Sen, meanwhile, looked curiously at Zhou Qing.

So this man wasn’t Hanyi’s disciple?

“I’ll activate the array first—then you can try,” No.6 said to Zhou Qing, her tone serious.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath and nodded solemnly, understanding.

He quickly pulled Lu Yaoyao back, watching as No.6 raised her jade hand, her spiritual power surging violently.

Ten thousand spirit seals flashed into view, accompanied by the formation of an ice dragon, the seals instantly sinking into its body.

The ice dragon raised its head to the sky and roared, deafeningly loud, then plunged straight down.

The next instant, the previously calm lake surface rippled with glowing light, drawn into a vortex, forming a massive whirlpool.

The vortex spun faster, emitting a deep, rumbling roar.

Then, from its center, a thick six-colored pillar of light shot skyward, colors interwoven, dazzlingly brilliant, piercing the clouds and radiating a terrifyingly immense aura.

Under the array’s illumination, the surrounding scenery began to warp and blur, replaced by what seemed another world.

Lu Yaoyao, far away, stared wide-eyed, utterly stunned.

Is this the six-color array?

Truly majestic!

Especially Zhou Qing—he was deeply shaken. As a Level Two array master, he could clearly sense the vast number of spirit seals composing this array.

The thousand seals he himself possessed paled into insignificance before it—mere specks in the ocean.

“Huh~”

Soon, he noticed a faint shimmer in one corner of the array.

He stared closely—it was the faint shadow of an old man slowly emerging.

The old man wore a simple ancient robe, his hair golden, his face kind, his eyes filled with age and wisdom.

His body was nearly transparent, flickering in and out under the six-colored light, as if ready to vanish at any moment.

He looked almost identical to the Old Peng King Zhou Qing had seen beneath Canglan Mountain’s Abyss.

But now, he seemed like a flaw in the six-color array—his presence caused slight spiritual energy turbulence.

Even the flow of light stuttered slightly, as if his existence disrupted the array’s normal operation.

Anyone could see: if the array was to be broken, this old man might be the key.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing couldn’t help but think of the phrase “sneaky and underhanded.”

Watching the Old Peng King’s smug expression, he felt not only admiration but also a faint urge to laugh.

Suddenly, the six-colored light on the pillar began rapidly contracting, converging toward the center.

Then, a violently powerful beam shot straight toward No.6.

No.6’s previously cold expression changed instantly—she let go decisively.

Her hands moved swiftly, forming seals, and in an instant, layers of thick ice walls rose before her.

These walls stacked one upon another, inscribed with glowing runes, radiating bone-chilling cold.

No sooner had the ice walls formed than the violent beam slammed into them.

In an instant, a thunderous crash echoed across the heavens, followed by a blinding flash of light that swallowed No.6 whole.

The powerful impact compressed the surrounding air into visible ripples that spread in all directions.

Wherever it reached, the ground erupted in layers of dust, and trees were uprooted.

Without a word, Zhou Qing immediately transformed into Jin Chida, spreading his golden wings to shield Lu Yaoyao within.

After an unknown length of time, the two cautiously looked out again and saw that the ice walls had long since shattered into countless shards scattered across the ground.

Number Six stood frozen, her hair disheveled; a faint streak of crimson on her veil stood out sharply.

“Hanyi, are you alright?” Yan Sen immediately withdrew the black barrier before him and rushed over, his face filled with worry.

But Number Six seemed dazed, staring blankly at the devastation before her.

Then, a furious rage erupted violently from her heart; her eyes instantly turned blood-red, brimming with anger and resentment.

Suddenly, she turned her head, her icy gaze locking directly onto Yan Sen.

Yan Sen froze in place, his eyes filled with guilt.

“You—you shouldn’t be angry! I didn’t know the formation would lock after a direct assault! I only meant well—I wanted to surprise you after breaking it!”

Yan Sen hurriedly defended himself.

(End of Chapter)