Chapter 59: Is Zhou Qing of Xiao Ling Peak Present?

Both understood how grave this was—after all, the enemy had already infiltrated their inner circle and had been plotting for years; they might strike at the most critical moment.

“Master, I have a request!” Zhou Qing stepped forward.

Mo Xingjian looked at Zhou Qing and found him increasingly agreeable: “What is it? Speak.”

Zhou Qing said: “Master, if other suspects are uncovered, could you give me a copy of the list?”

“Oh? Why?” Mo Xingjian frowned.

Zhou Qing chuckled, rubbing his nose: “My nose is sensitive—I might be able to smell it out.”

Yan Xiao Hu stared in shock: “You can smell it out?”

【Heart Mirror Points +6】

【The Desperate Fourth Younger Brother’s Little Brother】 changed to 【The Divine Little Brother】.

“Maybe,” Zhou Qing smiled. “Let’s try.”

Since his talent skill 【Heart Mirror Vision】 upgraded to Level Three, three new slots opened up.

After binding the impostor Senior Brother Gao Xian, two slots remained ready.

He no longer cared about grinding points—his urgent task was to uncover hidden dangers as soon as possible.

After all, someone like Gao Xian was terrifying—he could kill Zhou Qing as easily as crushing an ant.

After a brief pause, Mo Xingjian agreed.

After all, it was Zhou Qing who had detected the Ling Ao fluid, and though it seemed implausible, the facts were clear—there had indeed been people from Cangyan Dao Palace involved.

“Get back quickly before anyone notices—don’t alert the snake!”

Mo Xingjian glanced around, then led Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao Hu away.

…………

The next morning, Zhou Qing woke up, fed the old hen some powdered spirit stones, and had just finished washing up when his token buzzed with a message.

It was from Shi Zhen, Senior Sister.

After enduring life and death together, their bond had deepened significantly; Shi Zhen had added both Zhou Qing and Yan Xiao Hu as friends for easy contact.

Shi Zhen invited them to lunch at Yushan Hall—she’d promised them for a long time.

Zhou Qing immediately refused—he feared Gao Xian might poison him silently or retaliate on the way back.

After all, Xiao Ling Peak was far too distant from the main peak, Shen Yue Peak.

Sure enough, Yan Xiao Hu soon sent a message asking the same.

This guy had already forgotten Master’s warning after a free meal.

I told you not to wander off, not to wander off.

“I’m going into seclusion to cultivate—I won’t set foot outside Xiao Ling Peak this whole time. Whoever leaves is a grandson!”

As soon as Zhou Qing sent the message to Yan Xiao Hu, a gentle voice echoed through the air.

“Is Zhou Qing of Xiao Ling Peak present?”

Zhou Qing opened the courtyard gate and saw an elderly white-haired woman hovering in midair.

He hurried forward and bowed: “Disciple Zhou Qing, greetings, Supreme Elder!”

She was none other than Supreme Elder Duanmu Shu—the one who had granted him 【Silver Dragon Hand】.

Duanmu Shu merely lifted her foot, and the next moment she stood before Zhou Qing.

“It’s been a while—your cultivation base has improved again. I heard you used 【Silver Dragon Hand】 to repel your enemies during the crisis?” Duanmu Shu asked kindly.

Zhou Qing nodded, eyes filled with gratitude: “Thank you, Elder, for granting me such a powerful technique—I might not have survived otherwise.”

“That was your due for unlocking the Gravity Zone’s key. How far have you progressed with it?” Duanmu Shu asked curiously.

Zhou Qing lied: “I’ve barely reached minor mastery.”

Duanmu Shu’s eyes lit up: “Good. You have talent. Keep working hard—when your cultivation advances and you achieve full mastery, you’ll fully understand the true power of this art.”

“Yes, Elder!” Zhou Qing said.

He knew well—he’d used Foundation Establishment late-stage twice to severely wound a Jin Dan peak cultivator. Had his cultivation been higher, he wouldn’t have struggled so much.

“Last time, after Senior Sister Ni broke through, she had you enter the Celestial Cave to unlock the Gravity Zone’s key, but unexpectedly, wandering souls appeared. Fortunately, only you reached the inner chamber.”

“Though a thief had already tunneled in ahead of us, the subsequent inspection was harmless. So now, I need your help.”

Duanmu Shu smiled warmly.

Zhou Qing’s mind stirred—he sensed what she meant.

And it seemed Uncle Er’s matter had been quietly dropped, even Taiqingmen appearing powerless.

Still, he asked: “Elder, please speak.”

Duanmu Shu said: “I wish to enter the Celestial Cave to retrieve something. You have experience with wandering souls, so…”

As she spoke, she took out a Yang Fire Talisman from her hand.

Zhou Qing: “...”

“Supreme Elder, the thing is, lately I’ve been having physical…”

“I’ve already spoken with your master—he agrees. And if we retrieve it, it might benefit the sect, perhaps even Jin Yang Peak,” Duanmu Shu said.

At these words, Zhou Qing instantly looked at Duanmu Shu.

She gave him a slight nod.

Zhou Qing immediately bowed: “I will give my utmost effort.”

Clearly, Duanmu Shu was trusted—otherwise, his master and the Sect Master would never have revealed such a secret to her.

“Fourth Brother, I’ve thought about Senior Sister Shi Zhen’s invitation—we don’t have to go to Yushan Hall, but we can have her pack up…”

As soon as Zhou Qing heard his Third Brother’s voice, he turned—and saw him vanish at his fastest speed, leaving only a frantic fleeing back.

…………

This time, Zhou Qing was led into the Celestial Cave blindfolded.

“Senior Brother Zhou, you’re here!”

As soon as the blindfold was removed and before he could adjust to the blinding light, Lu Yaoyao’s delighted voice rang in his ears.

Looking around, besides Lu Yaoyao, there were seven other Foundation Establishment senior brothers and sisters.

Great—same as last time.

Of course—experience wasn’t his alone; these others had it too.

Supreme Elder Duanmu Shu said: “Children, last time we entered, we searched specifically for wandering souls—but found no trace at all, and still don’t know where they hide.”

“When Zhou Qing was left behind and couldn’t escape, we later sent two Jin Dan disciples inside to search—and they too encountered wandering souls of the same realm, and fought them.”

“So we suspect this is tied to the cultivator’s realm. Since you’re all Foundation Establishment, you’ll likely encounter Foundation Establishment wandering souls.”

At this, everyone except Zhou Qing looked shaken.

Yes—last time, among the nine of them, only Lu Yaoyao was Qi Condensation, so they’d immediately faced a swarm of Qi Condensation wandering souls, followed by Foundation Establishment ones.

Especially in the Gravity Zone, the higher your realm, the more you’re suppressed.

Now that Lu Yaoyao had advanced to Foundation Establishment, what awaited them was clear.

“This time, same as before—the first to unlock the key may choose one of three supreme sword arts. I declare this: these three sword arts are no weaker than 【Silver Dragon Hand】!”

As she spoke, three jade slips—black, red, and silver—appeared in her hand.

Though they merely floated silently in her palm, everyone felt a towering sword intent.

Instantly, all eyes gleamed.

(End of Chapter)