Chapter 93: The Mysterious Artifact from a Level Five Cultivation Nation (6k)

Facing the constant shadow Yan Xiao Hu, Mo Xingjian was speechless.

“Are you crazy? I’ve told you a hundred times—it’s not me, not me! If I’d recognized it, what would be left for you two?” Mo Xingjian couldn’t help shouting.

Watching Mo Xingjian’s dismissive attitude, Yan Xiao Hu still trailed after him, looking pitiful.

“Master, Master! Brother Four just opened his mouth and walked away with thirty middle-grade spirit stones. We’re both disciples—how can the difference be so huge? Before I lost Brother Four, I was your youngest disciple too!”

Mo Xingjian sighed deeply: “Fine, I swear—I swear, alright? If you don’t believe me, call Brother Four here and we’ll confront each other face to face.”

“You’re clearly guilty and angry. How about this—we both compromise. I won’t steal the spotlight; I’ll let Brother Four have it all. I’ll let him keep the money. But you give me half the spirit stones. Deal?”

Yan Xiao Hu extended his hand.

Mo Xingjian: “...”

“You can’t even spare fifteen middle-grade spirit stones? Are you even my master?”

Seeing Mo Xingjian frozen in silence, Yan Xiao Hu’s eyes instantly reddened.

Mo Xingjian stared at him, exasperated: “Fifteen? Middle-grade? Why on earth? I don’t owe you anything. Before this, you were going around clutching Brother Four’s portrait, begging every core disciple for donations. Your gambling tables were everywhere during the Seventh Prince’s contest—do you think you’re short on cash?”

The tears Yan Xiao Hu was about to shed instantly vanished.

“Master, that’s two different things. That money was earned by my own wit and audacity. What we’re discussing now is your favoritism...”

“Get lost!”

Before Yan Xiao Hu could finish, Mo Xingjian kicked the annoying pest out with one foot, then slammed the hall door shut and activated the barrier.

Listening to Yan Xiao Hu’s curses outside, Mo Xingjian, though irritated, suddenly smiled with quiet satisfaction.

“Who’d have thought Brother Four had such luck? Even I’ve never seen such a thing—he just happened to have read about it somewhere. Good for him for making that money!”

Immediately, the note above his head changed from 【Disciple with Good Talent】 to 【Disciple with Some Fortune】.

Soon after, news spread that Zhou Qing of Little Spirit Peak had identified a mysterious object brought by the Seventh Prince, who had rewarded him with thirty middle-grade spirit stones.

Everyone was filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

They refused to believe a peeping tom could recognize such an artifact—how many peak masters and elders had eaten more salt than he’d walked roads?

None of them had heard of it—how could he?

What nonsense! It’s definitely Master Mo who sent him to steal the spotlight. After all, Zhou Qing’s reputation isn’t great.

Sure, he once recognized Shi Zhen in the dark and saved many core disciples, earning their gratitude—but deep down, they still saw him as a pervert who liked watching girls bathe, corrupted by Yan Xiao Hu.

Now, having saved Taiqingmen’s honor, his image had instantly transformed.

Ah, the heart of a fatherly master.

Master Mo truly went to great lengths.

Hearing this, Shi Zhen felt genuinely happy for Zhou Qing.

【Wisdom Point +8】

Her note above her head changed from 【Zhou Brother, as smart as me】 to 【Learned and Well-Versed Zhou Brother】.

Then, her expression turned wistful.

Ghost Hound Senior Brother pressed forward relentlessly on his own path—he was nearly reaching Soul Transformation, like our Master and others.

Yet I’m still at Golden Core peak, unable to even enter Nascent Soul.

If things continue like this, I’ll merely be a fleeting shadow in his life’s journey.

It’s time for a proper retreat.

But how easily could one break through to Nascent Soul?

…………

In the courtyard, Zhou Qing held Po Shang Feng and continuously practiced the second form of the Azure Thunder Sword Art.

This form was more complex than the first by several times over, but his talent had vastly improved—he grasped it swiftly.

Night passed silently, and his progress was astonishing.

Before he could rest, Yan Xiao Hu’s voice rang out like a rooster’s crow, punctual as ever.

“Brother Four! Are you up yet?”

Zhou Qing wiped sweat from his brow and opened the door, speechless.

He realized that besides Third Senior Brother, the Seventh Prince Xuan Yuan Yichen and Lu Yaoyao were also there.

“Good morning, Zhou Senior Brother (Brother Zhou)!”

Lu Yaoyao and the Ninth Princess greeted him with smiles.

Zhou Qing nodded instinctively, still unclear about the situation.

Yan Xiao Hu, however, wore a look of deep grievance.

“I just came down the mountain and ran into them. Prince Yichen wants to know how your thoughts progressed last night,” Yan Xiao Hu said.

Zhou Qing instantly understood.

He hadn’t expected the Seventh Prince to be this eager.

“Please, come in!” Zhou Qing hurriedly invited them.

Yan Xiao Hu followed inside—he wanted to see what fake name Brother Four would invent today.

“Barging in like this is rude, but these three items are vital to me. I wonder, Brother Zhou...”

Xuan Yuan Yichen said, slightly embarrassed.

Zhou Qing nodded, understanding.

“After thinking hard last night, I did recall something. Show me the items again!” Zhou Qing said.

Xuan Yuan Yichen’s eyes instantly lit up.

He carefully pulled out the small black door and the long black needle.

While Zhou Qing pretended to strain his memory, Lu Yaoyao and the Ninth Princess went to tease the old hen.

Then, Zhou Qing turned his gaze to the black door and performed his daily appraisal.

Quickly, a message appeared in response.

【Four Ghosts Bow at the Gate: An artifact forged by a Level Five Cultivation Nation, possessing immense sealing power. When the four ghosts are activated, they can effortlessly strip the soul of a Severed Spirit cultivator and drag it inside for soul-searching. Even if the soul is under a restriction, it can be slowly undone to extract desired information.】

Seeing this, Zhou Qing was startled.

He hadn’t expected this object to originate from a Level Five Cultivation Nation.

Now it seemed clear—whether yesterday’s Soul-Buying Paper or these two items, they all came from the same place.

The imperial family’s depths were truly profound.

But how did he acquire them?

Still, none of his concern—he was just here to make money.

Just as Zhou Qing was about to slap his forehead to feign deep thought, the Seventh Prince stepped forward with a tray.

It was piled high with glittering middle-grade spirit stones—over forty of them.

Yan Xiao Hu, beside him, drooled visibly.

“Whichever one you recall, please accept this token of gratitude, Brother Zhou—don’t refuse it!” Xuan Yuan Yichen said.

Zhou Qing’s eyes gleamed, his heart racing.

Right now, what he needed most was money—especially from benefactors like this.

Zhou Qing cleared his throat and smiled: “Prince Yichen, you’re too kind. Let me think a bit longer.”

After a long pause, Zhou Qing snapped his fingers: “I remember! This thing is called Four Ghosts Bow at the Gate.”

“Four Ghosts Bow at the Gate? Are you certain?” Xuan Yuan Yichen burst out, thrilled the moment Zhou Qing spoke the name.

Zhou Qing nodded, glancing at him thoughtfully.

He seemed to know something.

Yan Xiao Hu muttered under his breath: “Four Ghosts Bow at the Gate? Shouldn’t it be Black Spirit Gate?”

Zhou Qing said: “It’s Four Ghosts Bow at the Gate. The record mentioned it had immense sealing power, especially those four ghost figures—those were the core. But activating it isn’t easy; I don’t know the exact method.”

Zhou Qing dared not reveal this artifact could seal Severed Spirit cultivators—some things were better kept to oneself.

In the entire Shengwu Empire, there were only a dozen Severed Spirit cultivators—if they knew something could threaten them, chaos would erupt.

Besides, since this Seventh Prince could distinguish truth from falsehood, he likely already knew the object’s function.

“Thank you!”

As soon as Zhou Qing finished, Xuan Yuan Yichen gratefully handed over all forty middle-grade spirit stones without hesitation.

“And this one—” he pointed to the final black needle, as if seeking confirmation.

Zhou Qing frowned: “My memory is still hazy. Tomorrow—maybe tomorrow—I’ll remember.”

Xuan Yuan Yichen said: “Alright, I’ll come back tomorrow. Thank you greatly.”

“No need to thank me!” Zhou Qing beamed.

Soon, Lu Yaoyao and the Ninth Princess came over. Lu Yaoyao looked awestruck and smug: “See? Isn’t Senior Brother Zhou amazing? Nothing can stump him.”

The Ninth Princess nodded vigorously: “I never imagined Brother Zhou was so well-read—he solved Brother’s problem at once.”

Zhou Qing felt slightly embarrassed.

“Just luck. Years ago, I thought those trinkets on street stalls were just idle pastimes—I never realized they were real. If I’d known, I’d have memorized them better,” Zhou Qing laughed.

Xuan Yuan Yichen’s expression looked anxious; he added: “Then we won’t disturb your rest. We’ll come back tomorrow.”

Lu Yaoyao quickly said: “Why don’t you two go ahead? I’ll stay here and play with Sister Muqian a bit longer.”

Xuan Yuan Yichen glanced at the silly hen pecking at their shoes: “Brother Zhou looks tired. Let’s not disturb him—we’ll return tomorrow.”

“Yes, Brother Zhou, we’ll leave now—see you tomorrow!” the Ninth Princess bowed.

Lu Yaoyao opened her mouth, then hesitated.

Zhou Qing followed the tone of the words: “Fine. I trained all night—perfect time to catch up on sleep. I won’t see you off.”

After bowing, they left.

Yan Xiao Hu stared at the tray of glittering mid-grade spirit stones, his drool nearly dripping.

“Little Four…”

“Third Brother, see them off for me!” Zhou Qing gestured, and a mid-grade spirit stone instantly flew to Yan Xiao Hu’s hand.

Yan Xiao Hu’s face lit up instantly.

“Leave it to me!” Yan Xiao Hu said, then hurried after them.

Zhou Qing smiled and shook his head, gazing at the spirit stones on the table, his heart racing.

Including this one, he now had seventy-nine mid-grade spirit stones—enough for two trips into the Divine Ruins Heavenly Palace.

And he had to hurry and try passing the gravity zone—at least improve his success rate. Otherwise, what would he do if the Grand Elder came calling again?

If he refused, those countless Jin Dan wandering souls inside would tear him apart.

But if he refused, the Grand Elder might feel embarrassed and stop asking him next time.

He had a feeling—the scroll inside the green mist was crucial to him.

After a brief rest, he once again familiarized himself with the second technique.

Soon, as the third day arrived, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen and the others returned, filled with anticipation.

Zhou Qing immediately performed the appraisal.

【Ghost Stitch Needle: Originates from a Level Five Cultivation Nation. Can stitch soul wounds, especially those where the primordial spirit has shattered—most effective. But the thread used is paid for with the user’s lifespan.】

Seeing this description, Zhou Qing frowned.

Yellow Official Paper, Four Ghosts Bowing at the Gate, Ghost Stitch Needle—these three items came from a more mysterious and powerful Level Five Cultivation Nation, yet they all felt deeply sinister.

One buys your life, one peels away your soul, one stitches your primordial spirit—what Level Five Cultivation Nation produced these?

Then, Zhou Qing looked at the forty mid-grade spirit stones already laid out on the table and said: “This is the Ghost Stitch Needle. It can stitch soul wounds…”

This time, he caught a fleeting flash of delight in Xuan Yuan Yi Chen’s eyes—as if he’d expected it.

“He’s verifying with me!” Zhou Qing mused.

After listening, Xuan Yuan Yi Chen bowed to Zhou Qing: “Thank you so much. Please accept this payment.”

“It’s a bit embarrassing,” Zhou Qing pretended to refuse, then took it.

Xuan Yuan Yi Chen chuckled: “All three items are thanks to your memory. Aren’t you curious where I got them?”

Zhou Qing immediately shook his head: “I just take money and do the job. I don’t ask about things that don’t concern me, and I don’t want to know.”

Xuan Yuan Yi Chen’s expression turned appreciative: “Brother Zhou, no wonder you’re Ghost Hound’s little brother. You read the situation, preserve yourself—you’ll achieve great things.”

Zhou Qing smiled slightly: “Thank you, Brother Yi Chen.”

Xuan Yuan Yi Chen said: “In two days, we’ll be returning. This visit to Taiqingmen has been very fruitful, but more importantly, I’ve made a friend like you. By the way, take this.”

He handed Zhou Qing a blue token, inscribed with the character “Yi.”

“Brother Zhou, if you ever have time to visit the Imperial Capital, I’ll be waiting for you at Yi Yun Mansion!”

Zhou Qing knew each Imperial Prince had his own residence in the capital—this one’s name clearly tied to the prince’s own.

“Definitely, definitely—I’ll come pay a visit,” Zhou Qing smiled and accepted it.

Beside him, Yan Xiao Hu watched, envious.

A prince personally inviting him—he was treated like an honored guest.

I’m well-read too, you know!

But if Little Four really goes, how could he be left behind? Hehe~~

Lu Yaoyao sighed softly, as the Ninth Princess had invited her to visit the capital—and she’d accepted.

She’d originally planned to go along and find a way to bring Zhou Qing too, but her Master had flatly refused.

He said their return journey would be dangerous, and Taiqingmen disciples must not be involved. If she wished to go, she could wait until things settled.

“I’ll see them off!” Yan Xiao Hu said immediately.

“No need, no need—I’ll go.”

“It’s fine, I’ll see them off.”

“You rest. Running errands is my job!”

Yan Xiao Hu expertly snatched a spirit stone from the table and happily escorted them down the mountain.

Zhou Qing smiled and shook his head, then looked at the token in his hand.

For safety, he’d have to appraise it tomorrow.

That night, Yan Xiao Hu sent Zhou Qing a message: the Seventh Prince and the others had departed.

“People from the capital are all sly little monkeys. Never trust their words. You’re too naive—I’ll have to keep an eye on you wherever you go!”

Zhou Qing could only agree.

Then he gazed at the night sky—this was clearly a smoke screen, deliberately laid out. Very cautious.

Only after midnight did Zhou Qing immediately appraise the token. Once confirmed safe, he relaxed.

For the next three days, Zhou Qing never left his room, fully immersed in mastering the second technique.

Even when Yan Xiao Hu messaged him that the Qinyu Immortal Sect’s Sect Master, Immortal Xuan You, would arrive in two days, he didn’t reply.

Only after fully mastering the second technique did he happily reactivate the Divine Ruins Heavenly Palace token and enter.

“Oh? Number One, you’re here today!”

As Zhou Qing stepped in, a greeting voice sounded beside him.

Zhou Qing turned—and saw that Number Five’s green orb was present.

“Keep going!” Zhou Qing replied simply with two words, then stepped resolutely into his own scene.

Number Five’s green orb clicked his tongue: “Not only cold and aloof, but also cautious. Could she be a beautiful woman? After all, Number Six’s blue orb is. Interesting—truly interesting!”

After muttering to himself, Number Five sighed deeply: “Last chance. If I still can’t pass, I’ll have to lock myself in seclusion.”

With that, he vanished into his own scene.

Meanwhile, Zhou Qing arrived again at the gravity zone—but no wandering souls emerged, despite waiting a long time.

Bad luck. He’d hoped they’d appear so he could test the second technique of the Azure Thunder Sword Art.

After sweating profusely, Zhou Qing crossed the gravity zone, shifted the stone mill, and entered the final chamber.

Sensing the Yin-Yang Twin Dantians within him, the first coffin slid open again. A wisp of green mist emerged, coalescing into a scroll.

Zhou Qing glanced at it briefly, then turned and tossed a Moonlight Stone into the darkness.

As the light illuminated the area, three enormous crows, entirely encased in corpse wax, came into view.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing’s face turned pale.

“No way—three of them?!”

Under Zhou Qing’s stunned gaze, the crow on the left began slowly melting its corpse wax, then suddenly opened its blood-red eyes.

Then it stepped forward—without a single sound.

“What the hell am I even doing here?!” Zhou Qing chuckled bitterly.

Then a feather shot from the dead crow, piercing his skull once more.

Reverting to a red orb, he was utterly despondent.

Even a single feather from one of these dead crows could kill him. Perhaps due to his low cultivation, the other two hadn’t even glanced his way.

“I’m Niu Lang and Zhinü!”

The scroll in the green mist was right across the river—but he couldn’t reach it.

“No. I won’t give up so easily. From when that dead crow opened its eyes to stepping out of the darkness—I have three breaths. Maybe I can force my way through!”

Zhou Qing gritted his teeth and entered again.

To his surprise, the gravity zone immediately erupted with the howls of wandering souls.

Zhou Qing’s eyes lit up—he prepared himself.

As the souls appeared, silver light flashed beneath his feet—and he launched his attack first.

“Azure Thunder Sword Art, Second Form: Thunder Shadow Ten-Thousand-Tael Strike—kill!”

Silver lightning, coupled with razor-sharp sword qi, instantly filled the entire corridor…

“So close!”

When Zhou Qing reverted to a red orb again, he cursed loudly.

The second form of the Azure Thunder Sword Art was indeed powerful—even under crushing gravity, the first wave of wandering souls turned to ash at a single glance.

But the spiritual power drain was enormous. He followed up with the first form and Silver Dragon Step, yet still fell at the third wave—though he could now see the stone mill ahead.

“Again!” Zhou Qing’s eyes hardened with stubbornness—he entered once more…

Back in his room, Zhou Qing washed his face, closed his eyes, and thoroughly reviewed his combat techniques from the previous attempt, identifying every wasted moment, then pulled out thirty mid-grade spirit stones and inserted them into the token.

He refused to believe he couldn’t cross this corridor.

If all else failed, he’d treat the wandering souls as training partners to perfect his second form.

“Only ten meters left!”

“Five meters!”

“Damn it—one meter!”

He checked the sky—it was deep night. Zhou Qing’s eyes glowed red, like a gambler on a losing streak—he tossed another thirty mid-grade spirit stones in.

With his accumulated combat experience, this time he bulldozed through the same number of wandering souls.

Finally, just as the fourth wave appeared, he reached the stone mill.

“Is that all?” Zhou Qing stood on the stone mill, hands on his hips, and burst into uncontrollable laughter.

Instantly, his head spun, his heart pounded harder, then came a violent coughing fit that nearly made him pass out.

He’d just left the gravity zone and laughed too hard—his blood surged violently, rushing straight to his skull.

After barely catching his breath, Zhou Qing hurried back in.

Since spiritual power and spiritual sense were restricted here, this time, before the stone coffin opened, Zhou Qing took a deep breath, gritted his teeth, mustered all his strength, and leaped straight into the river of blood.

But soon, an indescribable stench slammed into his nose, making him gag violently inside the river.

But there was no time to hesitate—he shoved aside the dead crows around him and struggled toward the opposite shore.

Yet after swimming just a few strokes, he suddenly felt a chill crawl up his back.

Zhou Qing sighed deeply, turned around, and stared at the massive dead crow fixed on the shore, watching him intently.

“You fucking—”

Before he could finish, a streak of black light shot toward him; when he opened his eyes again, he was outside, transformed into a red sphere.

“This is so annoying!” Zhou Qing cursed, feeling utterly drained.

This wasn’t even a stage for someone just entering the Golden Core realm—even the Senior Elders who entered came out wounded.

“Looks like this method won’t work—there’s not enough time. Maybe I should try the opposite—like hiding in plain sight?”

Zhou Qing’s eyes lit up.

He re-entered the zone; the gravity area roared again. Holding Po Shang Feng, he moved through it with practiced ease, pushing forward relentlessly.

This time, he still reached the stone mill before the fourth wave—now, the gravity zone posed no challenge to him.

Just as he prepared to roll the stone mill, a faint rustling sound suddenly echoed through the silent stone hall.

Zhou Qing instantly crouched in alertness, then remembered—he was in simulation mode. What was there to fear?

He crept forward cautiously, soon reaching the source of the noise—and froze.

Before him stood a wall forged from cold jade; more precisely, the walls surrounding the gravity zone were all made of this same material.

On one side of the wall was a half-meter-wide repair patch—a tunnel dug by thieves. The sound came from inside it.

“Could it be—”

As Zhou Qing thought this, the tunnel was kicked open from within, and out tumbled an old man with a headband reading 【A Kid Who Matches My Old Glory】.

“Uncle Er!” Zhou Qing staggered backward in shock, eyes wide with disbelief.

Requesting monthly votes





(End of Chapter)