[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female-":3,"chapter-my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-285":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","My Master's Elder Brother Just Took on a Female Disciple",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2265818,4423,"Chapter 285: Dad (6k, Requesting Double Moon Tickets)","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-285",285,"\u003Cp>Yu Hengzi stared fixedly at the mirror frame, his spiritual sense surging like a tidal wave—only to meet empty void.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The figure once trapped within karmic fire had now vanished without a trace!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xuzi and Tian Shuzi froze, rising simultaneously to rush forward and investigate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But inside, there was truly nothing left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Impossible—I just felt him moments ago!” Tian Shuzi exclaimed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xuzi swallowed hard. “Could he… have been completely incinerated?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every disciple of Taiqingmen has a soul lamp; if Zhou Qing’s soul had truly scattered, they would have sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of the furious storm Cao Zhengyang and others would unleash upon hearing this, the three felt a chill crawl up their necks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then it would truly be a fight to the death!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hengzi’s temple veins bulged as he forcibly suppressed his panic: “Don’t scare yourselves! I haven’t fully mastered this mirror frame—perhaps it’s…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even as he spoke, he knew the excuse rang hollow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless completely incinerated, how could a Nascent Soul mid-stage cultivator like Zhou Qing vanish so utterly?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, he himself had tested its power since acquiring it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within seemed to dwell an invisible flame, clinging like a parasitic worm, burning the spiritual sea until the Primordial Spirit shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he had entered it himself—normally, enduring an hour or two should pose no issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his own cultivation was Nascent Soul peak; his spiritual sea was far vaster than Zhou Qing’s—that’s why he lasted so long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Qing’s cultivation was far weaker—could he really have been incinerated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three exchanged glances; the air seemed to freeze into ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the distance, countless disciples scrambled to repair the mountain gate; cries and the clashing of magic treasures echoed, heightening the trio’s growing dread.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hengzi suddenly gritted his teeth, a ruthless gleam flashing in his eyes: “I’ll go in myself!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His hands moved swiftly to form seals; with a flick of his will, the mirror frame’s runes blazed brightly, expanding instantly to human height.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dark red light spiraled like a vortex; his figure flickered and vanished into it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant Yu Hengzi stepped into the mirror fragment, before he could extend his spiritual sense, a chilling sense of doom slammed down from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he looked up, his pupils shrank to pinpricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For he saw a colossal blood phoenix, radiating a terrifying aura he had never felt before, hurtling straight at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wherever it passed, black fissures tore open in the surrounding space.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire dimension groaned under unbearable strain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No no no—” Yu Hengzi’s face twisted in despair; his scream was swallowed by the thunderous roar of the Mingwen-level technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing staggered, his vision darkening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he drew the stored spiritual power from the golden flower; his depleted meridians slowly warmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, forcing his trembling body upright, he stared expectantly at the spatial wrinkle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was his all-or-nothing gamble—success or death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But suddenly, the wrinkle flashed with light—and Yu Hengzi’s figure appeared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked bewildered, as if still unaware of what had happened, then his pupils dilated violently, his expression instantly twisting into terror.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And finally…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing never saw his final expression, for three crimson beams had already slammed into the wrinkle—and into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How perfectly timed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deafening explosion, the karmic fire cage tore open a gap ten feet wide; outside light poured through the rift.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s face lit up with joy; he snatched the fallen storage bag and shot forward like a streak of light, racing through the gap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xuzi and Tian Shuzi stared anxiously at the mirror frame, palms slick with sweat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Please don’t let him be incinerated—if he is, they couldn’t imagine the furious retaliation Taiqingmen would unleash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the mirror frame shuddered violently, its runes flashing wildly as a blinding golden light erupted from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two instinctively stepped back; when the light faded, a figure with flapping wings, entirely golden, stood before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three stared at each other, momentarily stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s gaze flashed like lightning; he scanned the surroundings, confirmed he was no longer outside the mountain gate, then seized the floating mirror frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he raised a single middle finger at the two: “That’s it? Pathetic.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could react, he vanished in a flash, racing at top speed toward the damaged mountain gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Stop—stop him!” Ling Xuzi and Tian Shuzi finally snapped to, faces draining of color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They roared after him, ordering disciples along the way to block his path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t know what had happened—but Zhou Qing could not escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, with this sole bargaining chip lost, Tianji Men was finished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their earlier battle against eight opponents, followed by the exhaustion from maintaining the mirror frame, made chasing Zhou Qing now wielding the Emperor’s Radiance Scripture utterly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this location was close to the mountain gate; most disciples hadn’t even reacted yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, everyone’s attention had been fixed ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet a few Nascent Soul early-stage Elders had heard the two Supreme Elders’ desperate shouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned—and saw the familiar golden-winged figure rapidly approaching; they immediately joined forces to summon Star Chains, attempting to intercept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s eyes blazed with killing intent; his will surged, unleashing the Emperor’s might.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the Nascent Soul cultivators trembled, as if facing a supreme, inviolable presence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did they dare not intercept—they felt an urge to kneel and worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing accelerated further, smashing through the chains with brute force; his talons shattered each link into fragments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No!” Behind him, Ling Xuzi saw Zhou Qing about to escape; his magic treasure became a streak of cold light, piercing the air toward Zhou Qing’s back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing didn’t turn; he swung his sword backward. Thunderous sword qi collided with blue light, exploding in a deafening roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using the recoil, he flapped his wings, summoning a golden hurricane that propelled him faster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At last, some Tianji Men disciples snapped out of their shock and charged forward en masse, wielding colorful magic treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who dares stand in my way—die!” Zhou Qing’s eyes turned icy; he no longer held back. Wherever lightning flashed, flesh tore, screams erupted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he plunged headfirst into the sea of blocking disciples—and broke through…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ling Xuzi and Tian Shuzi halted, faces filled with utter despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s over—completely over—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, disciples from both sects had surrounded Tianji Men in three concentric rings, watching every movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yaoyao stood at the very front, silently praying her father would return unharmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then suddenly, a figure erupted from below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone, intercept him—wait?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A late-stage Nascent Soul director of Taiqingmen had just opened his mouth to order—then froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the golden figure looked familiar; before he could react, Lu Yaoyao had already dashed forward in delight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dad—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh?” The battlefield fell into eerie silence; countless disciples from both sects turned to stare at Lu Yaoyao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing, who had just barely escaped death, stumbled, nearly falling back in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t joke—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The director finally snapped to, his face alight with joy; he and other Nascent Soul Elders rushed down at top speed, positioning themselves behind Zhou Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhou! Thank heavens!” Lu Yaoyao, racing up, was already in tears; she grabbed Zhou Qing’s sleeve, her voice choked and broken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The directors sighed in relief, exchanging wry smiles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They must have misheard—it should’ve been “Brother.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Old age made ears unreliable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master, retreat quickly—leave the rest to us!” The directors stood back-to-back with Zhou Qing, spiritual power surging around them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They turned as one, coldly snarling at the tidal wave of Tianji Men disciples approaching; the pressure of Nascent Soul experts slammed down like solid hammers, freezing the entire airspace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Tianji Men disciples halted abruptly, exchanging glances, eyes filled with fear and hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, involuntarily, they turned to their own Nascent Soul Elders, seeking orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fall back!” One Tianji Men Elder, his heart full of resentment, gave the order; the disciples, as if granted divine mercy, turned and fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing’s tightly clenched heart finally loosened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That had been too close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Cao Zhengyang and the others, who had been discussing rescue plans, arrived in shock and delight upon hearing the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could speak, Zhou Qing hurriedly said: “I’m fine—just drained of spiritual power. A short rest will restore me. Yu Hengzi is dead. I want the intact Primordial Spirits of the other two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wanted to understand the Wujian Karmic Fire Mirror in detail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing Yu Hengzi was dead, Cao Zhengyang and the others froze in stunned silence; the Supreme Elders gaped, eyes wide with disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Hengzi was a Nascent Soul peak cultivator from their own generation—Zhou Qing had killed him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yun Jing and the other four from Qingyu Immortal Sect also stared in shock, then regarded Zhou Qing with complex expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seems Taiqingmen is truly about to rise!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the tide of fate—no one can stop it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Xingjian, the first to react, filled his eyes with pride and triumph.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang erupted into wild laughter, lightly clapping Zhou Qing on the shoulder, his gaze brimming with unhidden approval.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Well done! Quickly restore your Qi—leave the rest to us! From today on, Tianjimen will cease to exist in the Eastern Region!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before his words had faded, Cao Zhengyang’s spiritual power surged violently, the overwhelming pressure of a Soul Transformation realm at its peak crashing over the battlefield like a tidal wave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Issue the order! Full-scale assault!” Cao Zhengyang’s voice thundered like lightning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” The crowd bowed in excited reverence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, war horns tore through the sky, war drums pounded relentlessly, and countless disciples, led by numerous Soul Transformation and Nascent Soul cultivators, charged straight toward the shattered Shanmen of Tianjimen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Tianjimen’s disciples lacked even the courage to resist—they turned and fled, many dropping their weapons with ashen faces, choosing surrender.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yaoyao, alongside two Peak Masters, silently guarded Zhou Qing, prepared to prevent any recurrence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside the airship cabin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thanks to the Yin-Yang Scripture, Zhou Qing restored nearly all his spiritual energy in less than five hours.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After confirming the soul imprint on Yu Hengzi’s storage bag had vanished and his spiritual sense could enter effortlessly, he finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, back in Zone Six, a single Phoenix Dao Pattern had repelled the dried corpse of Ku Di, a former Completion-stage Soul Severing cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Yu Hengzi were stronger, he could never have withstood three Phoenix Dao Patterns head-on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Logically, he shouldn’t have come in—but his expression seemed urgent… Could it be—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile curled at Zhou Qing’s lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed his talent skill [Lowered Presence] had activated again—he must have assumed he’d been absorbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He came to investigate, only to seal his own doom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So many spirit stones!” Zhou Qing soon discovered, astonished, that Yu Hengzi’s storage bag contained a massive pile of high-grade spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly estimated, there were no fewer than three thousand—equivalent to at least thirty supreme-grade spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In addition, there were exactly fifteen jade boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Zhou Qing opened them, he found supreme-grade spirit stones inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face lit up with joy—he never expected Yu Hengzi to be this wealthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wait, what’s this—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhou Qing glanced idly, he noticed a corner piled high with countless small boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each was sealed with spiritual talismans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon opening them, he saw two fire-element spirit stones, three water-element spirit stones, and two wood-element spirit stones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three of the five elemental spirit stones—directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And these three were precisely what he needed most right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fire and water elements greatly aided the water and fire petals of his four-color flower.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, on the way to the border, he’d traded with Second Uncle for these two elemental stones, and after absorbing them, two petals of the flower grew far larger than the other two.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for the wood-element spirit stones—no need to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wonder if Tian Shu and Lingxu’s storage bags still contain elemental spirit stones!” Zhou Qing felt a surge of anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suppressed his excitement and continued opening the boxes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some held rare ores, others high-grade elixirs, and some were magic treasures, tokens, or array flags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is… Sikong Yan’s heart’s blood!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Staring at the sealed blood in the final box, Zhou Qing murmured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I must keep this well—just in case.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, having organized all his gains, Zhou Qing exhaled deeply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harvest was more than abundant—it was a fortune beyond measure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The last ten wood-element spirit stones I had have already been infused into the Awakening Ancient Tea Tree. In another month, I’ll unlock the fourth Phoenix Dao Pattern.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“With these two new ones, I’m only eight wood-element spirit stones away from unlocking the fifth Phoenix Dao Pattern, activating the Blood Curtain, and condensing the [Blood Phoenix Oath Crystal].”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing thrilled—once he reached the late Soul Transformation realm, even Completion-stage would be merely a matter of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, by using the Corpse-Touching Scroll, he’d acquired Ku Di’s [Subdue Demon Golden Bones], a treasure inherently powerful in severing one’s attachments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Combined with the amplification of the Four Flowers at the Crown, he might even ascend to Soul Severing before fifty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A realm once impossibly distant now felt within reach, filling him with longing and awe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the three shadows outside the door, then excitedly retrieved the mirror frame.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Studying it again, his excitement remained unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An Ultimate Path weapon—far rarer than a Mingwen-level divine art. Even as a fragment, who knows? With the right fortune, I might one day gather the full set.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Other Soul Severing cultivators may never have seen a Mingwen-level divine art, let alone heard of an Ultimate Path weapon—yet here I am, a Soul Transformation cultivator, already possessing two such treasures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But many saw this mirror frame when it trapped me. Though it’s only a fragment, no one should recognize it—but for safety, I must search their souls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing mused inwardly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Tianjimen’s roots run deep—someone might recognize it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they left behind a curse before dying, and if other supreme powers learned of it, Taiqingmen could face annihilation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this thought, Zhou Qing decisively pushed open the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Senior Zhou, how do you feel now?\" Lu Yaoyao rushed over the moment she saw him, her face brimming with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing nodded gently, then bowed respectfully to the two Peak Masters who had remained behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Tong, Uncle Sun, I’m fine now. I’d like to go out and take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two Peak Masters readily agreed, yet repeatedly warned Zhou Qing to be cautious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the four stepped out together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon entering Tianjimen, the air reeked of thick smoke and blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pavilions, however, remained largely intact—not like the ruins left when Cangyan Dao Palace attacked Qingyu Immortal Sect, where only shattered walls remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sect war had been a complete annihilation, especially after Yu Hengzi’s death—the tide turned utterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, Zhou Qing spotted Cao Zhengyang and others gathered in a circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingxu and Tian Shu were bound tightly by spiritual energy chains, their eyes vacant, faces etched with utter despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Victory and defeat—here, laid bare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhou Qing finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Duanmu Dao friend, out of respect for our ancestors’ bonds, could you grant us a chance? In our generation, only a handful of us remain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingxu gazed at Duanmu Shu and the other eight, his cloudy eyes filled with desperate hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Duanmu Shu and the others exchanged complex glances—they had once, as young talents of their respective sects, trained together, exchanged insights, and traveled side by side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But over time, old friends had withered away like autumn leaves in the wind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, among their generation, only a few ancient relics remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were no longer on the same path. As for friendship—hah—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When you allied with Cangyan Dao Palace to erase Taiqingmen’s lineage, where was your so-called friendship?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sect Master, don’t care for us—do what must be done!” Duanmu Shu said to Cao Zhengyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingxu and Tian Shu’s faces twisted in despair; they immediately turned to Cao Zhengyang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We offer Tianjimen’s secret star map and elixir formulas as tokens of submission—only beg you… beg you to let us live!” Lingxu pleaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tian Shu echoed: “We know countless hidden secrets of other factions—we’ll serve you loyally, without a trace of betrayal!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang looked down at them coldly. “What you offer holds near-zero value to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether I kill you or search your souls, those secrets will still be mine. And as for other factions’ secrets—I have no interest whatsoever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have a few questions. Answer them truthfully, and perhaps I’ll spare your lives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two hurried forward, voices trembling with flattery: “Sect Master, ask! We’ll answer everything!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang sneered at their groveling postures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They say the older one grows, the more one fears death—but compared to Yun Jing and the other three, you’ve lost even your bones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at Zhou Qing approaching, gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze like a hawk’s, locking onto Lingxu and Tian Shu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He demanded sharply: “Was that dried corpse—repeatedly sabotaging our mines and slaughtering our disciples—sent by you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingxu and Tian Shu exchanged glances, throats bobbing, hesitating how to answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three breaths passed; Cao Zhengyang’s patience wore thin, a flicker of killing intent flashing in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you won’t speak, don’t blame me for being uncivil!” Before his words ended, a blade of light flashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lingxu’s head was severed before he could react, blood spurting violently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, his Nascent Soul fled in terror—only to be instantly bound by a spiritual chain flicked out by Cao Zhengyang’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden act turned Tian Shu’s face deathly pale, his legs buckling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What? Why did he just kill him out of nowhere?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trapped, Lingxu wept silently—why me? Even if it’s to make an example, why must I be the chicken?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang waved his hand. “Forget it—I’ll just search their souls directly. Less trouble.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'll talk!\" the two shouted in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew that once soul-searching began, they would be utterly ruined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang let out a cold snort, flicked his sleeve sharply, and the spiritual energy cage imprisoning Lingxu Zi flew like streaking light toward Mo Xingjian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's said one should leave a thread of mercy—I, the Master of Taiqingmen, have no intention of eradicating their lineage entirely, but someone must still steer the path forward.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he cast a meaningful glance at Tianshu Zi, a chilling smile curling at his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mo younger brother, please take them over there for questioning—it will help us cross-check their testimonies later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoever provides information useful to Taiqingmen stays—after all, better to live in shame than die honorably.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mo Xingjian understood at once and led the cage of Lingxu Zi and several peak masters away to the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao watched Cao Zhengyang in silence, their hearts filled with nothing but admiration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderous force, paired with mercy and authority!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, no one who ascends to lead a sect is simple—Zhou Qing had understood this deeply since the Five Sects War.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Zhengyang’s seemingly simple divide-and-conquer strategy precisely exploited human weaknesses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This method of dismantling enemies without a single soldier was far more terrifying than open combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even soul-searching could not extract certain secrets—if a death seal had been placed upon them, not only would they remain hidden, but the searcher might suffer backlash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially those who cultivated divination arts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",3235,"2026-06-19T20:13:54.632Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","4cbcc32dc410d630c0b07fc221bae46df843918fe066262b8f7540b1a19d0406","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-286","my-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--chapter-284",302,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fmy-master-s-elder-brother-just-took-on-a-female--cover.jpg"]