Chapter 1140 - 346: Xuanyuan Yichen? Why Would He Appear Here?

Eight months later!

The flying ship complemented the space traversal of the Spirit Severing Realm, turning what should have been a year and five months-long journey into a mere eight months to reach Yaoguang Mansion.

Zhou Qing hovered in the air, gazing down at the bustling city below, feeling a sense of surreal disorientation.

He still remembered the last time he was here, wandering the streets with his Second Senior Sister, indulging in a shopping spree.

During that time, he even applied as an Array Master for Jin Mantang, catching a ride on a convenient ship.

He also survived the dangers of the Lightless Sea, slaying the nine big leaders of the Jieyun Thief, making a name for himself in the Imperial City.

After experiencing so much, it felt like a lifetime ago, having come full circle back to this place.

Little did he imagine that the main family of the Nangong Family was hiding in this prosperous Yaoguang Mansion.

"Do you plan to switch to the chicken head mask, or continue wearing this one?" Sikong Yan approached, pointing to the three-color mask on Zhou Qing’s face.

Zhou Qing gently touched the mask, "This one will do."

Switching back to the chicken head mask would only fan the flames, accelerating the Nangong Family’s investigation into the Taiqing Sect.

Sikong Yan smiled slyly as he moved closer, "This ordinary mask of mine can’t block the Divine Sense of the Spirit Severing Realm. How about giving me a pair too?"

"A dignified Spirit Severing Realm afraid of being seen?" Zhou Qing glanced sidelong at him, "Afraid of implicating the sect, or exposing the identity of the crown prince?"

"That’s not it." Sikong Yan waved his hand dismissively, "Everyone likes to maintain a bit of mystery."

"Though these two identities no longer concern me, a handsome face should not be easily shown."

Zhou Qing couldn’t be bothered with his nonsense and took out the Jade Scroll gifted by Elder Mo.

His Divine Sense swept over it, quickly finding the records of the Nangong Family:

Nangong Xiongba broke through the Spirit Severing under the support of the Xuanyuan Royal Family over two thousand years ago.

Now in the early stage of Spirit Severing, by considering a lifespan of six thousand years, he should still have at least two thousand years left, truly in his prime.

Beside it was his portrait, depicting a burly middle-aged man with a firm face, eyebrows like sharp swords, and deep tiger-like eyes that exuded an imposing aura.

Breaking through the Spirit Severing Realm allows one to rejuvenate. The sisters of the Lu Family were much younger afterward, including Sikong Yan.

As for Second Uncle... well, he has a thousand faces; the one I saw was definitely not his true visage.

No one really knows what he looks like.

However, the shadow that manifested from that Taoist Nangong Lu’s Jade Pendant last time was the shape of a stooped elder. What was that about?

"Let’s talk business, what’s the plan next?" Zhou Qing put away the Jade Scroll and asked.

Sikong Yan looked at the city below: "Yaoguang Mansion is one of the nine mansions of the Tianqiong County, where the Nangong Family reigns supreme."

"Some even directly call it ’Nangong Mansion,’ showing its massive influence."

"Back when I first attained the Nascent Soul, I visited the Nangong Family and I’m familiar with the terrain."

Zhou Qing frowned, "How do you confirm the location of the inner treasury? Their treasures might be carried by Nangong Xiongba."

"That’s what you don’t understand." Sikong Yan’s eyes gleamed, "The Nangong Family has been around for tens of thousands of years, with strict rules."

"Even the ancestors must adhere to ancestral rules. The treasures of the inner treasury belong to the entire family, not for ancestors to take for themselves."

"Every sect is like this. Would your Taiqing Sect’s Cao Zhengyang walk around every day with dozens of storage bags?"

"What if someone intercepted him, wouldn’t that be delivering treasures right to their door?"

Zhou Qing nodded slightly.

He needed to assess the risks and benefits to avoid unnecessary endeavors.

"Let’s head to the Nangong Family first, I’ll explain in detail on the way."

Sikong Yan patted his shoulder, promising, "Rest assured, I, Sikong Yan, would never betray a partner."

Zhou Qing twitched the corner of his mouth, letting out a meaningful "Heh."

The Five-Color Restriction self-destructed at Canglan Mountain, and he was merciless in activating the Four-Color Restriction against Lei Wuji.

This guy is notorious for sabotaging partners.

...

Half a day later, the two landed quietly on the mountains surrounding the Nangong Family.

Looking ahead, the entire Nangong Family was, like a hibernating giant beast, nestled within the embrace of mountains.

Nine bronze tripods were arranged according to the Beidou Nine Stars formation, with Millennium Spiritual Fire burning within, illuminating the whole valley as if it was daylight.

In the firelight, faint streaks of blue, white, and red flickered between the tripods.

"Do you see those bronze tripods?" Sikong Yan lowered his voice and said solemnly, "That’s the ’Nine Luminaries Burning Heaven Array’ of the Nangong Family, said to be tough even for Spirit Severing experts to breach."

Zhou Qing squinted, his brows furrowed, "Three-Color Restriction?"

"Exactly," Sikong Yan nodded, "It’s on par with your Taiqing Sect’s Sect Protection Array, allegedly obtained from a neighboring Level 4 Cultivation Country."

Hearing this, Zhou Qing pondered.

He remembered Second Uncle mentioned that the Holy Martial Dynasty, as a newly risen Level 4 Cultivation Country, bordered the Eastern Sea to the east, a Level 3 Cultivation Country to the west, and another Level 4 Cultivation Country, Jiu Li, to the north.

And to the south, it bordered the perilous Endless Beast Mountain domain, which was the border area with rulers such as the Peng Emperor and Flood Dragon Emperor.

Together with Jiu Li and the Holy Martial Dynasty, their other three sides bordered other Level 4 Cultivation Countries, and one side even bordered a Level 5 Cultivation Country.

That Level 5 Cultivation Country was the Celestial Fate Sacred Dynasty, where Shen Hanyi was from.

"This Restriction is quite innovative." Sikong Yan continued to explain.

"No need for a Token— it identifies individuals through scanning their cultivator aura, spiritual power fluctuations, and even pupil characteristics, completely preventing impersonation."

He turned his head to Zhou Qing, "So we rely on you, the Array Master, to open a side door in the Restriction."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, "It’s not difficult to break the Restriction, but once inside?"

"Well..." Sikong Yan chuckled and rubbed his hands together, "Let’s see when we get inside."