Chapter 300: Did This Person Give You the Image Stone? (6k)

Lu Yaoyao’s mind once again conjured up Shen Hanyi and Xuan Yuan Muqian.

She was truly curious: in the future, which of them would our father end up forming a love crystal with?

No, there might even be that nun from Ji Yuan Temple.

Sometimes, she truly wanted to pour out her secret to our father—but do you think he’d believe her?

Should she search his soul to prove it true?

Even if he believed her, would he try to change things upon learning how wretched his future would be?

Changing things didn’t matter to her; she’d rather vanish herself than let our father live anything but a joyful life.

But what if the other path she chose turned out even harder?

Even, in a certain sense, she didn’t know how she’d come to be here.

That day, our father had gone out as usual to lure the pursuing Demon Emperor, and hadn’t returned for days.

With no cultivation foundation, she hid in that cold, damp cave, starving until she finally crept out to find food.

She wandered for a long, long time through that ancient forest, lost long ago, until finally she stepped on something—light flashed, and she lost consciousness.

When she opened her eyes again, she was plummeting from tens of thousands of meters above, wind howling in her ears.

Only when she crashed into the sea and encountered her Master, who happened to be on assignment in that region, was she brought back to Taiqingmen.

Afterwards, she formally began cultivation—and met this young father of hers.

“Even if we recognize each other, what help could I possibly offer him?” Lu Yaoyao murmured to herself.

Though the days ahead would be hard, at least our father had reached the Cutting Spirit realm and could casually slay Demon Emperors.

What if meddling with his life path prevented him from ever reaching that realm?

And since she’d arrived at this earlier point in time, she still wanted to know: who was her mother?

Why did our father never speak of her?

Why was he hunted by so many Demon Emperors?

And since she could remember, she’d never once seen her mother.

And Taiqingmen—such a wonderful family—why hadn’t our father left her there?

After all, in a certain sense, little her was nothing but a burden, useless to our father.

“Here, these spirit stones are fine—remember always: don’t flaunt wealth, don’t show off fortune, never travel alone when you’re noble!”

At that moment, Zhou Qing’s voice suddenly rang out, pulling her from her thoughts.

“Shen Huangmao is the perfect example—you absolutely must not follow him!” Zhou Qing added sternly.

Lu Yaoyao burst out laughing, nodding vigorously: “Don’t worry—I’d never become someone like him!”

After speaking, she tucked the spirit stones away.

She quickly thought of something and pulled out her sketchbook, dipping her brush in pine-soot ink to draw the adventures she and he had shared recently.

Perhaps this would greatly aid her understanding of artistic intent.

Five days later, Zhou Qing unexpectedly noticed that Lu Yaoyao, who had been utterly absorbed in her drawings, now had a faint, almost imperceptible outline of intent forming around her.

His eyes gleamed with sharp light.

He hadn’t expected Lu Shimei’s path had truly led her to success.

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to rejoice or worry.

If, as she claimed, her future intent would summon him to fight, the thought alone felt strange.

Shhh!

At that moment, a sharp whistling sound pierced the air, streaking past them at blinding speed.

Zhou Qing stared at the earth-yellow flying vessel, scratching his head—why did it feel so familiar?

Before he could think further, the vessel abruptly reversed direction in a full 360-degree turn.

“Excuse me, fellow cultivator—have you seen… Brother Zhou? My goodness, you’re here?! I’ve been searching everywhere!”

From the vessel came a familiar, grating voice.

Next, Shen Yunzhou, face alight with joy, leapt off his vessel with a loud yell.

But the next instant, he was bounced off by the still-active spiritual energy shield on Zhou Qing’s vessel.

Zhou Qing sighed helplessly, turning to Lu Yaoyao, who had just closed her sketchbook: “Remember—never, under any circumstances, be like him!”

Soon, Shen Yunzhou scrambled back up and began pounding on the shield.

When Zhou Qing deactivated it, Shen Yunzhou rolled inside, arms wide, ready to hug him.

But Zhou Qing quickly held him off.

You still reek of that nauseating corpse stench—don’t infect me.

Shen Yunzhou, still beaming, turned and lunged toward Lu Yaoyao.

Lu Yaoyao darted behind Zhou Qing with a hiss, pinching her nose: “Don’t come near! You stink!”

Shen Yunzhou looked embarrassed but hurried on: “I’m so glad you’re both safe—you have no idea how worried I’ve been!”

He circled them both, confirming they were unharmed, then suddenly glared around, teeth clenched.

“Where’s Yan Sen? Where’s that beast Yan Sen?!”

Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow, surprised: “How do you know about Yan Sen?”

Shen Yunzhou quickly explained—he’d inquired extensively along the border, finally learning the Demon Emperor Qingluo Beast’s territory was a vast sea.

But the sea was enormous, with countless islands—he’d searched for days and still couldn’t pinpoint the location of the Peng Palace.

He never expected to run into them here.

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao hadn’t anticipated Shen Yunzhou’s Nascent Soul enhancement was so bizarre.

It was nearly equivalent to time reversal.

If he were in the mortal world as a judge, he’d be a flawless detective!

Promotion and raise? No dream at all!

“They’re dead,” Zhou Qing said frankly, now that Shen Yunzhou knew they’d been kidnapped.

Not killed by him—rather, they’d entered the secret realm and never emerged on time.

After all, Number Six, Shen Hanyi, knew the special rules of the Peng Secret Realm.

And who would believe the Cutting Spirit death phenomenon in the Qingluo Beast’s territory was caused by Yan Weiyi?

Even the Qingluo Beast wouldn’t invite trouble.

Upon hearing this, Shen Yunzhou burst into loud laughter.

“Serves them right! Greedy bastards—tricked me into that secret realm years ago, and now they’ve died inside themselves! Truly, karma is cyclical!”

After cursing, Shen Yunzhou frowned.

“The ‘Eighth Uncle’ you mentioned must be Yan Weiyi—late Cutting Spirit realm, four-color array master. If both he and Yan Sen perished here, this is trouble.”

At this, Shen Yunzhou fixed his gaze on Zhou Qing.

“In the Southern Phoenix Province of the Heavenly Fortune Holy Dynasty, there are eight supreme clans—Yan Clan ranks third, my Shen Clan is only fifth. As for Yan Sen… never mind—I need to hurry back.”

Seeing Shen Yunzhou’s suddenly grave expression, Lu Yaoyao stepped forward, worried: “Is it that serious?”

“More than serious!” Shen Yunzhou lowered his voice. “Yan Clan has an elder ancestor who dotes on Yan Sen, and Yan Sen’s father has only this one son—luckily, he’s been in long-term seclusion.”

“I just hope Yan Sen and Yan Weiyi didn’t tell anyone they came here—if they did, not only you two, but even my sister might be implicated.”

Then Shen Yunzhou turned to Zhou Qing, solemn: “Remember—you two never saw them. They never kidnapped you.”

“I need to return and consult my sister, and find out if those two left any traces upon arrival.”

“If anyone comes to investigate, pretend you know nothing—avoid contact entirely if possible.”

Shen Yunzhou paused, then added: “Of course, don’t panic—this is just the worst-case scenario.”

“Maybe no one even knows where they went—Yan Sen and Yan Weiyi have always been selfish.”

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao nodded repeatedly, understanding.

“No—I asked several border soldiers about the Qingluo Beast’s sea—I need to erase their memories.”

“You two hurry back too—try not to let anyone know you ever came here!”

With that, Shen Yunzhou piloted his vessel away at once.

Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao exchanged glances; the relief from surviving the ordeal had vanished, replaced by a heavy stone pressing on their hearts.

But soon, Shen Yunzhou returned, standing on the deck and bowing apologetically to Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao.

“This matter has dragged you into our family’s troubles—I’ll repay you when the time is right!”

After speaking, Shen Yunzhou smiled.

“Brother Zhou, Little Sister Lu—until we meet again!”

Zhou Qing smiled and waved.

Only after Shen Yunzhou vanished from sight did they exhale deeply and head toward the border.

…

Passing through the Blood Prison Mountain of the Jiao Emperor, the area remained shrouded in thick, oppressive clouds left by the Spider Emperor’s death, the air thick with suffocating pressure.

But since he once impersonated the Peng Emperor and, per Xuan Yuan Shuo’s orders, designated this region as a training ground for human border cultivators, it had grown far livelier.

Far off, one could see many human soldiers in uniform armor coming and going.

“Let’s go,” Zhou Qing said, casting only a distant glance and leading Lu Yaoyao to conceal their qi and detour around it.

Haomiao Prefecture!

Zhou Qing changed his attire and went to visit Lin Daochen.

Lin Daochen now felt guilty—he’d taken so long and still hadn’t found any trace of Zhou Qing’s Second Master.

“It’s fine, no rush—maybe my second sister is just secluded somewhere in cultivation!” Zhou Qing could only smile to reassure him.

He then went to check on Lu Yuanzhi and Lu Yuanjiu, the two sisters.

Both had fully entered seclusion; the academy’s secret realm was inaccessible to him, so Zhou Qing gave up and set off on the return journey with Lu Yaoyao.

…

By the time the two returned safely to Taiqingmen, more than two months had passed.

Mo Xingjian and the others had not noticed their absence at all—even Shen Yunzhou’s whereabouts were a mystery.

“Wasn’t he investigating the six family massacres with you? Why didn’t he come back?”

Zhou Qing smiled and merely said Shen Yunzhou had left ahead on urgent business, saying no more.

As for Yan Sen and Yan Weiyi’s affairs, the two naturally kept them buried deep within themselves—telling the sect would only add needless worry without benefiting the situation.

“By the way, your Sect Master uncle and Tong Min uncle have returned!” Mo Xingjian suddenly remembered and reminded him.

Zhou Qing nodded.

On the way through Lingyun Mansion, he had considered visiting Zhang Wanbao.

After all, the two supreme wood-element spirit stones sent by Fu Kui had solved a major crisis—but after much deliberation, he abandoned the idea, fearing unnecessary complications.

Instead, he visited three Taiqingmen shops in the area and learned that the Sect Master uncle had indeed returned.

He assumed the materials for the three-color formation had already been gathered, so hearing the news caused no surprise.

“There’s another matter. It’s troublesome.” Mo Xingjian suddenly turned serious, fixing his gaze on Zhou Qing.

“What is it?”

“Your Gao Xian uncle emerged from seclusion ahead of schedule.”

Zhou Qing’s expression shifted slightly.

Sikong Yan had already sent two video stones concerning Nannan, openly declaring he wanted to play a game of familial bonds and sect loyalty.

“Did you give him the video stones?” Zhou Qing asked urgently.

Mo Xingjian shook his head: “Of course not. But how can this be hidden? Sikong Yan will send new video stones—and besides, they have other means of contact.”

Zhou Qing frowned in thought, then asked again: “Has he reached Soul Transformation peak?”

Mo Xingjian gave a slight nod: “Within Taiqingmen, he is everyone’s senior, junior, master, and peak lord. All treat him as a true family member.”

“Especially since the yin spirit stone you brought from the first coffin helped him break through his bottleneck and achieve full cultivation.”

“But now, faced with a daughter returned from death, coupled with Sikong Yan’s twisted sense of playfulness… even I can’t guess what choice he’ll make.”

Mo Xingjian’s voice was low, his eyes filled with worry.

A flicker of irritation passed through Zhou Qing’s eyes: after brief thought, he said, “I’ll go speak with Sikong Yan myself!”

Mo Xingjian immediately panicked and blocked him: “Are you mad?”

“Master, I’ve broken through to Soul Transformation late stage.” Zhou Qing gave a light laugh, subtly releasing a trace of aura from his fingertip.

When Mo Xingjian sensed that pressure, he froze for a moment, then his face lit up with ecstatic joy.

No wonder—four-flower summit. Even after nearly two thousand years of life, they’d only just reached peak cultivation thanks to the yin spirit stone.

But Zhou Qing? At under forty, he’d reached the very pinnacle most could only dream of in a lifetime.

The future? Even more unimaginable.

Yet the more extraordinary he became, the more Mo Xingjian could not let him risk himself.

“He’s a madman. Even if you can fight across realms, two fists still can’t match four hands!” Mo Xingjian hurriedly said.

If a peerless prodigy from Cangyan Dao Palace, destined to threaten the sect, came alone to Taiqingmen, Mo Xingjian believed even the Sect Master might do something reckless.

Not to mention Sikong Yan, who never followed conventional logic.

Don’t forget—Cangyan Dao Palace has nearly ten Supreme Elders and many mid- and late-stage Soul Transformation Elders.

“But—” Zhou Qing still tried to argue.

“No buts!” Mo Xingjian cut him off decisively. “If a choice must be made, Taiqingmen would rather lose Gao Xian—even become his enemy—than let you risk yourself!”

Seeing Zhou Qing still unwilling to yield, Mo Xingjian forced him to swear an oath not to secretly go to Cangyan Dao Palace, only then reluctantly calming down.

After Zhou Qing left, he wasted no time and hurried to consult Cao Zhengyang.

…

As soon as Zhou Qing returned to his quarters, Cao Zhengyang pushed the door open with a beaming smile.

“These materials were hard to find,” he chuckled, pulling out a storage pouch. “But I’ve finally gathered them all for you, as promised.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” Zhou Qing bowed respectfully.

“That’s too formal,” Cao Zhengyang waved his hand, eyes gleaming with excitement. “The Three-Color Sect Protection Formation! Which former Sect Master ever had such honor? Just thinking of it stirs the blood!”

Seeing Zhou Qing blush slightly, he suddenly grew serious: “With the current situation in the Eastern Region so volatile, why not begin refining immediately?”

“So soon?” Zhou Qing was startled.

“The sect’s safety is at stake—better sooner than later!” Cao Zhengyang spoke with gravity, adding pointedly: “As for Gao Xian and Jin Leizong—leave it to us old bones to handle.”

Before Zhou Qing could refuse, the Sect Master bowed deeply in a formal gesture.

Zhou Qing hastily stepped forward to support him: “Uncle, you humiliate me! This formation was my idea—I’ll spare no effort!”

Cao Zhengyang’s face brightened: “Good. I have other matters—I’ll leave you now. Start as soon as you can!”

After giving a few more earnest reminders, he departed.

As soon as he closed the courtyard gate, his smiling face turned grim.

He gazed intently at Mo Xingjian, who had been peeking nearby; the two silently vanished into the shadows.

“How is it?” Mo Xingjian whispered.

Cao Zhengyang replied in a low tone: “He’ll likely settle down to refine, but I’m still uneasy. I’ll send Lao Liu over—these two kids get along well; they’ll keep each other company.”

Mo Xingjian nodded, brow slightly furrowed: “Good. With the current situation—Gao Xian, Jin Leizong, Cangyan Dao Palace—all demand he stay focused and out of danger.”

Cao Zhengyang said: “I know that well. Now that Zhou Qing has reached Soul Transformation late stage and is a three-color formation master, such a talent—if he survives—will surely become a towering tree.”

“And you and I, and the others…” Cao Zhengyang’s voice grew quieter, yet carried unshakable resolve.

“We must be the bedrock that anchors his roots—even if thunder strikes, we will not let his foundation be shattered.”

…

Inside the quiet chamber, Zhou Qing stared at the storage pouch before him, deeply troubled.

But after thinking it over, he decided to begin refining.

Now that he had entered Soul Transformation late stage, his spiritual power and mental energy far surpassed his former state.

He estimated it would take no more than two years to complete the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation.

Once the new formation was complete, the original two-color Sect Protection Formation could be gifted to Qingyu Immortal Sect.

Then Taiqingmen, Tianji Men, and Qingyu Immortal Sect would stand as three pillars, watching over one another.

Should any crisis arise, they could support each other, advancing or retreating with strategy.

Once clear in his mind, he wasted no time and began preparations.

Unexpectedly, Lu Yaoyao arrived shortly after.

“Senior Zhou, don’t worry—I won’t disturb you. From now on, I’ll focus entirely on comprehending my realm!”

Lu Yaoyao spoke with solemn determination.

Hearing her words, Zhou Qing finally understood what his uncle meant.

He shook his head.

Fine—if they don’t want me involved, then I won’t interfere.

After activating the soundproofing barrier, Zhou Qing fully immersed himself in the refining process…

…

Jinyang Peak!

Gao Xian knew well that, due to his soul possession, achieving Soul Transformation peak would be far harder for him than for others.

After all, this body was not his own.

Even after years of alignment, subtle resistance remained.

Fortunately, the yin spirit stone Zhou Qing brought out was of exceptional quality, allowing him to break through safely.

What he hadn’t expected was that, in just a few years of seclusion, the outside world had turned upside down.

Because of Zhou Qing’s friend, they discovered Jin Leizong’s Sect Master, Lei Wuji, had become that monstrous thing.

Because of one sudden decision by Zhou Qing, Tianji Men—dominant in the Eastern Region for millennia—had become a mere ripple in the river of history.

Because of Zhou Qing, Qingyu Immortal Sect’s Sect Master, Xuan You Immortal, had been reborn, and the entire sect now pledged absolute loyalty to Taiqingmen.

Reading these reports, Gao Xian still found it unbelievable.

【Heart Mirror +9】

Above his head, the original title 【True-to-Name Young Master】 transformed, at the moment his lips curled into a satisfied smile, into 【Taiqingmen’s Trustworthy Helmsman】.

“Any other news?”

After digesting the recent years’ reports, Gao Xian turned to his two disciples.

Since the Senior Disciple Du Kui, Luo Xue, and Fifth Disciple Tan Qiang all perished during the Five Sects War, Jinyang Peak now had only Third Disciple Qi Sheng and Fourth Disciple Meng Hexiu left.

Seeing their master ask, the two quickly suppressed their joy.

Qi Sheng thought for a moment and said: “Nothing else, actually. A few years ago, while I was away, someone asked me to deliver a video stone, saying it must be given to you personally.”

“But you were in seclusion, and the Sect Master and others had just taken Tianji Men—Master Mo was handling all sect affairs.”

“I dared not act on my own, nor dare to open it—I gave the video stone to Master Mo.”

Hearing Qi Sheng’s words, Gao Xian frowned slightly, a flicker of suspicion in his eyes.

He had always lived in seclusion, rarely interacting with the outside world—how could anyone have precisely located Qi Sheng and deliberately sent him to deliver the memory stone?

Even more peculiar was that when Mo Xingjian and others came to offer congratulations a few days ago, they said not a word about this matter.

“Could it be…” Gao Xuan suddenly felt a sinister premonition surge in his heart.

With spiritual energy flowing through his fingertips, he swiftly sketched a lifelike portrait in the air.

“Was this the person who gave you the memory stone?” Gao Xuan asked in a low voice, his tone heavy with gravity.

Qi Sheng looked up closely, then nodded quickly: “It’s him! I don’t know who this is…”

Upon hearing this, Gao Xuan’s previously cheerful mood plunged to the bottom; his face turned grim.

Even his hands, clasped behind his back, involuntarily clenched tight.

“Wu Sha—it really is him!” Gao Xuan’s eyes flashed with icy light.

Since he had schemed to eliminate those individuals years ago, Wu Sha had become the sole covert contact directly linked to him.

Over these past years, Sikong Yan had never again sent him any task through Wu Sha.

He had even begun to suspect that the cunning Lord of the Palace had already uncovered something…

But why, now, had Wu Sha suddenly appeared?

And why had he specifically sent Qi Sheng to deliver the memory stone?

What image had the memory stone recorded?

After a brief moment of thought, he was about to head for Xiao Ling Peak when Cao Zhengyang’s voice reached his ears.

“Senior Brother Gao, come to Shen Yue Peak!”

Upon hearing this, Gao Xuan no longer hesitated—he set off straight for Shen Yue Peak.

…

(End of Chapter)