Chapter 263

Looking at the little girl in the picture, Zhou Qing was full of confusion.

"For Senior Uncle Gao Xuan? A five or six-year-old little girl? Could it be—"

Zhou Qing suddenly thought of something, his gaze instantly like a torch, looking straight at Mo Xingjian.

After all, he had told Master almost everything about Senior Uncle Gao Xuan's past experiences without reservation, and Master should know the key to it.

But this wasn't right either; according to Senior Uncle Gao Xuan, Nannan should have been affected by Senior Uncle Gao Xuan's battle in the past and unfortunately died.

And this matter had passed for many years, but the little girl in the picture was vivid and lively, as if she were still living in the present.

But if there were no accidents, the image should be Nannan.

"No other people appeared in the picture; it should have been recorded a long time ago. What does Senior Master Sikong Yan want to tell Zhou Shixiong Gao Xuan by sending this image stone at this time?"

Mo Xingjian frowned and muttered to himself in a low voice,

"Could it be that he has already heard some wind, so he wants to use this to disturb Zhou Shixiong Gao Xuan's state of mind and not let him break through?"

Mo Xingjian speculated, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he immediately denied his own idea.

"But this doesn't make sense either; even if the Taiqingmen temporarily lacks a Great Perfection of the Divine Transformation Realm, from a long-term perspective, the impact on the rise of the entire sect is negligible; he doesn't need to go to such trouble."

Zhou Qing also showed a thoughtful look, pondered for a moment, and asked: "Master, is everything going smoothly with Senior Uncle and the others in seclusion?"

Mo Xingjian raised his eyes, his expression softened slightly, and replied: "Basically no big problem; it is expected that they will all come out of seclusion in about a year."

"However, your Senior Uncle Gao Xuan is, after all, a soul-snatcher, and will be affected to some extent during the cultivation process."

Mo Xingjian paused slightly and continued: "But it's only half a year later than others. After Qi Sheng received this thing, he was worried that it would delay big things, so he sent it over in a hurry."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly.

Since the chief senior brother Du Kui, Luo Xue, and the fifth senior brother Tan Qiang unfortunately died, now only the third senior brother Qi Sheng and the fourth senior brother Meng Hexiu were left to preside over affairs on Jinyang Peak.

Coupled with Senior Uncle Gao Xuan's seclusion and Master acting as Sect Master, it was reasonable for the two of them to act this way.

"Although this Senior Master Sikong Yan's style of acting is often unpredictable, and his brain sometimes seems not quite normal, since he specifically sent this thing, there must be a deeper meaning!"

Zhou Qing said firmly.

He remembered Senior Uncle Gao Xuan saying that because he was only at the Nascent Soul Realm at that time, and Senior Uncle Gao Xuan was already at the Divine Transformation Realm.

So after Nannan was seriously injured by the battle, he had a heart full of grief and indignation, but because of the disparity in strength, he was powerless to seek justice for Nannan.

He could only struggle in the desperate situation alone, trying every means to save his daughter.

But the final outcome was cruel; he tried his best, even covered in wounds, but Nannan still couldn't be saved.

Just when he was disheartened and intended to self-mutilate to follow his daughter, Senior Master Sikong Yan suddenly appeared and threw out the question that changed Senior Uncle Gao Xuan's fate: Are you willing to take revenge?

Afterwards, Gao Xuan was tied up and brought over; after he finished venting, in order to repay the kindness, he voluntarily abandoned his physical body and completed the soul-snatching with the other party's help, suddenly becoming the current Peak Master of Jinyang Peak.

It was just that Zhou Qing still had a doubt until now; if Senior Master Sikong Yan thought that the previous Senior Uncle Gao Xuan was greedy and difficult to control.

Since he had already made up his mind to find someone to replace him, with his ability and power, why didn't he choose his own confidant?

But he happened to choose a strange Nascent Soul Realm cultivator; wasn't he worried that the plan would be exposed?

And wasn't he afraid that the person he found wouldn't do his best?

One must know, this soul-snatcher was a Peak Master of the Taiqingmen, one of the five major sects, and was even a senior brother to many fellow disciples, including Mo Xingjian.

What exactly did Senior Master Sikong Yan rely on to be so confident, certain that all this could proceed smoothly?

Unless—

Zhou Qing's gaze fell on the image stone in his hand again, and a bold guess flashed in his mind.

Then there was only one possibility: Senior Master Sikong Yan had been secretly observing Senior Uncle Gao Xuan a long time ago.

Even this image stone was highly likely to have been secretly recorded and saved by him before Nannan passed away.

Then why did he spend so much effort to carefully plan all this?

What exactly was special about Senior Uncle Gao Xuan now that was worth Senior Master Sikong Yan's painstaking efforts?

Thinking of the other party's note 【Fish】 for him, Zhou Qing became even more confused.

"Perhaps, his seemingly crazy and lawless way of doing things is just a facade deliberately created for others. Everything is in his calculations." Zhou Qing said slowly.

Mo Xingjian heard this and also fell into deep thought.

Not to mention anything else, in the battle of Lanshan, he had the full strength to keep everyone there along with those demonic beasts.

But the final result was that he actually gave everyone time to escape, and only then completely detonated that mountain range.

"This person is deep in scheming and ruthless in means; we must be extremely careful before we figure out the specific situation!" Mo Xingjian said solemnly.

Zhou Qing nodded, and then he looked at Master again and said: "Then this image stone..."

Mo Xingjian sighed lightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes, and said: "Besides opening your Senior Uncle's scars again, this picture is useless; I haven't seen it, and you... haven't seen it either."

Zhou Qing understood and indicated he understood.

Afterwards, Mo Xingjian chatted with Zhou Qing about other affairs in the sect for a while, and after all matters were explained, Zhou Qing said goodbye and left.

Just after going out, he ran into Yan Xiaohu, but at this moment he looked somewhat unhappy.

"Third Zhou Shixiong, what's wrong?" Zhou Qing asked in confusion.

Yan Xiaohu saw this and let out a sigh.

"These days Lei Luo has been looking for me, but I have rejected him; you also know your senior brother, not only am I loyal and righteous, but I am also born so dashing and romantic, I shouldn't be so heartless. But if some things were better not known, once known..."

Looking at his Third Zhou Shixiong's tangled appearance, Zhou Qing was also left between laughter and tears.

He had to patiently persuade: "The Jin Leizong is the Jin Leizong, Lei Luo is Lei Luo, some things are actually..."

"I know, forget it, you don't understand, I'm busy!" Yan Xiaohu directly interrupted Zhou Qing's words and left with a frustrated face.

This left Zhou Qing full of confusion.

When did Third Zhou Shixiong start to get into a dead end?

Something is wrong!

In the next few days, Zhou Qing continued to enter the grotto-heaven to fight against the first-generation ancestor, and with the energy refreshed after each death when spiritual power was exhausted, he became more proficient in the use of "Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain."

Until two days later, Master Mo Xingjian suddenly called him to the mountain gate, saying that a distinguished guest had arrived.

When Zhou Qing arrived, he discovered that a space ship with a unique shape was floating outside, and there were familiar Blood Prohibition Army soldiers standing around with vigilant eyes.

"Little Brother Zhou!" Just at this moment, a hearty voice came.

Zhou Qing looked in the direction of the sound and saw Governor Zhong Yao walking out with a full face of smiles.

Seeing those Blood Prohibition Army soldiers, Zhou Qing had already guessed the identity of the visitor, so he didn't feel too surprised by Zhong Yao's appearance.

He stepped forward and bowed respectfully: "Senior Zhong, we meet again."

Zhong Yao was all smiles, with a hint of appreciation in his eyes, and said: "Yes, since I sent you and Master Lin to the border last time, I have been busy with official business and left in a hurry."

"Later I heard that you shone brilliantly at the border, fighting five deputy generals alone and winning easily; you are truly a hero among the young!"

Zhou Qing waved his hand modestly and said: "That was because they were guests and deliberately let me win, and we just had a simple exchange, it can't be called winning or not winning."

"Alright, you young people cherish each other, and I understand. By the way, this time we are visiting, we want to rest here for a few days; I wonder if it's convenient?"

Zhong Yao narrowed his eyes slightly and asked with a smile.

Zhou Qing heard this, was slightly startled, subconsciously looked at Governor Lord Xiao Ji who was chatting happily with Mo Xingjian, and said: "Governor, you are too polite; I can't make the decision on this matter, it still depends on my Master's decision."

Zhong Yao seemed to have expected Zhou Qing to answer this way, smiled lightly, and said: "I heard that you are now the future Little Sect Master of the Taiqingmen; it is only right to greet you first."

Saying this, Zhong Yao pulled Zhou Qing aside without a trace, then lowered his voice, his expression somewhat solemn, and said: "It's like this, recently we don't know what evil we've encountered, our luck has been bad to the extreme."

"Especially since there is a distinguished guest on the ship, who has been injured and unlucky one after another. Now in the Eastern Region of Lingyun Prefecture, the strongest sects are your Taiqingmen and the Cangyan Dao Palace."

"But you and I can be considered acquaintances, and Lord Xiao Ji is an old friend of your Sect Master Cao Zhengyang, so we thought of coming to bother you for a few days to improve our recent luck."

Hearing Zhong Yao's words, Zhou Qing's heart moved, and he seemed to think of something.

He subconsciously looked at that space ship and asked: "Distinguished guest?"

Zhong Yao nodded slightly, his expression becoming more cautious, and said: "Yes, don't ask too much, be careful not to get yourselves implicated. We just want to borrow your sect to rest for a few days."

Looking at the many Blood Prohibition Army soldiers around, Zhou Qing couldn't help but think of the words Senior Master Sikong Yan said in the Shenxu Tiangong.

Could it be that the Fifth Prince Xuan Yuan Fengtai really fell?

So these people are here to investigate this matter?

But listening to Zhong Yao's meaning, they have been unlucky; could it be that the white-clothed Lin Jin used that 【Bad Luck Post】?

If so, why would Lin Jin use the 【Bad Luck Post】 on these people?

Did he cooperate with Senior Master Sikong Yan?

Or... the death of the Fifth Prince also has something to do with Lin Jin?

And as Zhong Yao said, the strongest in the Eastern Region now are nothing more than the Taiqingmen and the Cangyan Dao Palace.

These people coming this time, rather than saying it's for rest and recuperation, it's better to say they are using rest as a cover to secretly launch an investigation.

In a short instant, countless thoughts kept surging into Zhou Qing's mind.

At this time, Mo Xingjian led Lord Xiao Ji to meet them, with a just-right smile on his face, his tone humble: "Governor, our sect is simple; if you don't mind, please move to the sect to rest for a while."

Seeing Mo Xingjian agree to accept them, Zhong Yao returned the salute hurriedly, his face full of smiles.

"Sect Master Mo is too polite; coming here rashly is a bother, I hope you will forgive me."

As Elder Wu Zhu slowly opened the barrier, everyone filed in.

However, that space ship floating in the air kept its cabin door tightly closed from beginning to end, and no one was seen coming out.

As if the people on the ship looked down on the Taiqingmen, revealing an arrogant air.

Not long after, Mo Xingjian arranged everything, and the other party also clearly stated that they would not wander around the host's place.

"Master, they—" Zhou Qing was about to say something, but Mo Xingjian, who had just returned to Little Spirit Peak, immediately made a shushing gesture, and his expression was extremely solemn.

"Governor Lord Xiao Ji secretly gave me a hint; the Fifth Prince Xuan Yuan Fengtai was killed."

"And the one on the ship is Gao Xianzhong, the Grand Internal Manager sent by the Emperor to investigate, and he is also the warden of the Heavenly Edict Prison, known as the living Yama of the present world."

Zhou Qing heard this, and his expression changed instantly.

Sure enough, as he expected, this group of people came to investigate the cause of the Fifth Prince's death; it seemed Senior Master Sikong Yan had not deceived him.

He actually really made a move.

"Logically speaking, our sect has rarely had dealings with the people of the Imperial Dynasty, especially now that your Sect Master senior brother and the others are at the critical stage of seclusion and breakthrough, but you also saw—"

Mo Xingjian sighed helplessly.

"Not to mention anything else, just those three hundred Divine Transformation Realm Blood Prohibition Army soldiers are not something our small Taiqingmen can contend with."

"Although the people of the Imperial Dynasty generally won't easily make a move against the sect, we still have the Cultivation Alliance as a backing."

"But once a conflict really occurs, by the time the Alliance's support arrives, the Taiqingmen will probably have already suffered heavy damage; what is the use of delayed justice?"

Zhou Qing naturally understood Master's difficulty and showed a look of relief on his face.

He said softly: "It's okay, Master, let them rest for a few days; we'll just be more careful during this period."

"If they want to investigate, let them; we are upright and honest, and we are not afraid of them finding any tricks."

Mo Xingjian nodded slightly, his expression softened, and said: "Yes, we are upright and not afraid of shadows; let them investigate, just don't go too far."

"You must urge the disciples to be vigilant, carry on with daily affairs as usual, and don't show any panic, so as not to be caught by them and cause trouble for no reason."

"Master, please rest assured, I will go and arrange it." Zhou Qing replied, then turned and walked away quickly.

It was just unexpected that that night, Governor Zhong Yao and Governor Lord Xiao Ji found Mo Xingjian, and the two spoke vaguely, asking about the seclusion movements of Cao Zhengyang and the others.

Mo Xingjian looked at the two, understood in his heart, and said calmly: "I also know the situation roughly, but this matter really wasn't done by us."

"I know what you suspect, thinking it was the Sect Master senior brother and the others who did it, and then they were injured and are in seclusion healing, right."

"But they have been in seclusion for a long time; you can just find any disciple and ask how long I have been acting Sect Master."

Speaking of this, Mo Xingjian sighed helplessly.

"Taking a step back, when did the Fifth Prince come to Lingyun Prefecture? What did he come for? We don't even know what he looks like, and what good would it do us to make a move on him?"

A series of questions made the two somewhat awkward.

Mo Xingjian continued: "The sect has always been separate from the Imperial Dynasty; for us, getting involved in the Imperial struggle has no benefits, only adding trouble."

Zhong Yao naturally understood, and coming here this time was just to test it out.

And Mo Xingjian was right; when the Fifth Prince came to Lingyun Prefecture, even he didn't know, let alone others.

At this moment, he had to squeeze out a smile and said: "Peak Master Mo, we have no intention of suspecting your sect. It's just that the Fifth Prince's matter is too important, and with pressure from above, we have to be cautious."

Lord Xiao Ji also hurriedly echoed: "Yes, yes, we are also doing our duty, I hope you understand."

Mo Xingjian saw this, and his attitude softened a little.

Subsequently, Zhong Yao asked in detail whether the Taiqingmen had heard any wind, rumors, or noticed any abnormal movements in the recent period.

The two talked until the second half of the night before being sent back under Mo Xingjian's arrangement.

It was just unexpected to Zhou Qing that the Governor and the others only stayed at the Taiqingmen for five days before leaving.

Looking at the direction they went, it should be the Cangyan Dao Palace.

In this way, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief; after all, the sect had been walking on thin ice these few days, fearing that it would arouse any suspicion.

Mo Xingjian didn't even dare to show his face.

He wasn't afraid of that Grand Internal Manager Gao Xianzhong searching his soul, he was mainly worried that he would spill the beans about Zhou Qing's Four Flowers Gathering at the Top.

For this reason, he even completely blocked this memory, and if someone forcibly searched his soul, he would rather self-destruct.

Fortunately, this group of plague gods was sent away.

And Zhou Qing also felt relieved, and the next day he began to collect materials.

He was very short of money now, and the feeling of being short of money reminded him at all times that he must find a way to get money.

With money, the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree could operate normally, and he could continue to comprehend inscription-grade divine abilities or copy more profound array spirit seals.

After thinking about it, he planned to refine some arrays.

With his current needs and abilities, the grade didn't need to be too high; a one-colored array was enough.

After all, the materials required for a two-colored array were not only ridiculously expensive, but also difficult to collect, and the refining process was extremely time-consuming.

Take the sect-protecting array he refined for the sect before; it took more than a year of hard work, and during the period, he constantly tried and adjusted; the hardships in it were only known to himself.

Using some channels, plus Master opening the back door, Zhou Qing finally got the required materials and went into seclusion to start his "entrepreneurial journey."

Three months later, in the room!

Zhou Qing sat on the cushion, his eyes closed, and his spiritual power belonging to the mid-stage of the Divine Transformation Realm kept overflowing.

And around him, a full one thousand spirit seals of different shapes were floating, echoing each other, forming strange spirit seal vortices.

And as his hands danced rapidly, these spirit seals kept outlining lines of the array that crisscrossed, until they intertwined and gradually built a complex array prototype.

Subsequently, he took out some mid-grade spirit stones and threw them in, making the array constantly perfect and grow.

Until three days later, after countless injections of spiritual power and fine-tuning of runes, accompanied by a slight humming sound, the originally illusory array instantly solidified and bloomed with dazzling light.

And Zhou Qing also slowly opened his eyes, more tired than surprised.

But this was not enough; in order to facilitate use and carrying, he took out blank flags one by one, and again mobilized spiritual power to compress and condense the power of the array and integrate it into them.

"In three months, I successfully refined two one-colored arrays; it should be enough. According to the jade slip given by Zhang Wanbao, this thing can at least be exchanged for some spirit stones."

Zhou Qing was full of excitement.

After a short rest, he said hello to Master and hurried out of the mountain gate.

Third Zhou Shixiong had been making money with Niu Guangmo and the others for the past few years.

They had sold rare herbs collected from the mountains, sold self-made low-grade magic treasures, and even hosted some small gatherings for practitioners, charging venue fees and service fees.

Although they were somewhat famous and their reputation was not bad, the circle of transactions was always limited to the surrounding areas, and the scale was small, earning only meager profits.

For the huge amount of supreme-grade spirit stones he wanted to gather, it was just a drop in the bucket.

And the place he was going to this time was Spirit Skull Mountain.

Although most people had already left, there were still some stubborn people waiting there for the mystical realm to open again.

These people came from the eight prefectures and seventy-two counties, spanning a vast area, and their identities and backgrounds were complex and diverse.

Since they dared to wait for a long time in a foreign land, they must have carried a lot of money and had the strength to eat the one-colored arrays he carefully refined.

After Zhou Qing came to this area again, looking around, the once crowded Spirit Skull Mountain now seemed exceptionally deserted.

There were far fewer people left than he imagined, with scattered camps dispersed at the foot of the mountain and in the valleys.

It was estimated that in a few more years, these persistent people would also be completely disheartened and disperse.

Subsequently, Zhou Qing took a deep breath, calmed his mood, then took out an array flag, operated spiritual power, and activated it.

In an instant, runes flickered on the array flag, exuding a strong and unique spiritual power fluctuation, forming a striking light that shot straight into the sky.

And the green light on the array instantly attracted many people's attention.

"It's actually a one-colored array; this is a rare treasure."

"Looking at this young man's appearance, it seems he intends to trade."

"I think so, otherwise who would show their treasure so grandiosely."

Everyone discussed heatedly; after all, an array that could enter the hall was indeed a rare good thing for many practitioners.

Compared to those ordinary sound-insulating restrictions, this type of array could not only be used for defense and attack, but could also turn the tide of battle at critical moments.

A powerful array could even become a key factor in determining life and death.

However, some people at the late stage or Great Perfection of the Divine Transformation Realm were dismissive.

It was just a one-colored array; in the eyes of these people, it really didn't look like much.

If it were two-colored, it would be valuable.

Soon, practitioners from nearby camps gathered toward Zhou Qing one after another, their eyes full of curiosity and greed.

Zhou Qing was unhurried; after everyone gathered, he arched his hands and said loudly: "Fellow Daoists, this object in my hand is the one-colored array 'Wind-Thunder-Fire-Mountain Array,' which combines offense and defense and has extraordinary power."

"Of course, I don't need to say it; with your wise eyes, you should be able to feel it."

Saying this, Zhou Qing formed seals with both hands and injected a streak of spiritual power into it; for a time, the wind and clouds changed color.

Inside the array, thunder roared, sand and stones flew, and even scorching magma erupted from the ground.

Even though everyone was outside, they felt their skin being roasted painfully, as if they were about to be ignited.

They had to retreat again and again, their faces showing shock and awe.

"This... the power of this array is so terrifying!" Someone in the crowd exclaimed.

Others began to whisper and discuss.

Zhou Qing saw that the timing was about right, cleared his throat, and said loudly: "I am in urgent need of spirit stones for turnover, so I intend to sell this carefully refined 'Wind-Thunder-Fire-Mountain Array'."

"Fellow Daoists, if you are interested, you might as well make an offer."

(End of chapter)