The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 269 No, how did this post even refresh? (6k)

After about half an incense stick's time, the passage suddenly opened up.

Below, a dozen or so octagonal altars suddenly appeared, their surfaces covered with spiderweb-like cracks, indicating their great antiquity.

In the groove at the center of the altar, there were pools of dark green slime, emitting a nauseatingly sweet and pungent odor.

Shen Yunzhou's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he rushed forward impatiently.

"Watch out!" Zhou Qing's expression tightened instantly, and he hurriedly warned.

Cao Zhengyang frowned deeply and said with a solemn expression, "Although there is no one here anymore, it is hard to guarantee that the other party did not leave any traps or mechanisms."

The crowd immediately dispersed, their divine senses searching in all directions like a spider web.

After confirming that it was safe, they dispersed, searching carefully while remaining highly vigilant.

"That's the taste!"

Shen Yunzhou lay beside the groove, greedily inhaling the scent, a look of ecstasy on his face.

Beside it, a black dung beetle the size of a fist was also excitedly waving its forelegs, as if sensing something.

Zhou Qing raised his hand and waved it, and golden flames leaped from his palm, instantly transforming into a sky full of fireballs that illuminated the entire cave as bright as day.

Illuminated by the firelight, everyone was finally able to see the entire structure of the cave.

Zhou Qing squatted down, gently stroking the edge of the groove with his fingers, and pondered, "Judging from its length and outline, it seems that some coffins were placed here before, and the colors of the ground on both sides are now clearly different."

Mo Xingjian also walked over and nodded, saying, "That's right, there are fifteen octagonal altars in total, and each one should have eight coffins placed on it. This should be the corpse fluid."

Mo Xingjian glanced at the green liquid in the groove that Shen Yunzhou was greedily inhaling and couldn't help but frown.

Why does the younger brother of that silver-haired Spirit Slayer Realm senior who fought against Xuanyuan Shuo and Peng Huang at the place where the old Peng King died seem like a freak?
Upon hearing this, Shen Yunzhou became excited: "Corpse fluid, no wonder it smells sour and stinky. It must have been there for a long time. Normal corpse fluid doesn't taste like this."

Without saying a word, Shen Yunzhou quickly took out one earthenware jar after another and began collecting them.

"Master, have you ever heard of the Corpse Yin Sect?" Zhou Qing asked quietly.

Mo Xingjian shook his head in confusion.

Well, it seems that this land was once home to numerous sects and a long and complex history, yet no one had ever been able to advance to the Spirit Severing stage, maintaining its status as a third-level cultivation nation.

That said, there was a sect in Canglan Mountain, where the old Peng King's body was located, a long time ago.

As a Spirit Slayer Realm expert, Old Peng King hid within to provide protection while simultaneously investigating the opportunities he had encountered in the Eastern Region.

Unfortunately, he perished after arriving at Canglan Mountain from the ruins of Kunpeng Palace.

"Why do you ask that?" Mo Xingjian asked curiously.

Zhou Qing had no choice but to lie, saying, "I seem to have vaguely seen it in some ancient book. This place should have belonged to a sect called Corpse Yin Sect a long time ago."

Mo Xingjian looked at the strange scenery again and suddenly realized what was happening.

Cao Zhengyang frowned as he approached and said, "A total of one hundred and twenty coffins are missing. If I'm not mistaken, Xiao Shen must have discovered this place, and Lei Wuji hurriedly moved them away."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Those coffins must have contained corpses, which reminded them of the five coffins in their own forbidden area.

The difference is that each of those five coffins was like a small world, far more advanced than these.

“No,” Zhou Qing suddenly said, his expression hardening. “If they have already moved all of these away, why are they still leaving the two-colored magic array at the cave entrance to conceal them? Even ordinary ones are worth some top-grade spirit stones.”

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively frowned.

"Retreat quickly!"

But in the next moment, Cao Zhengyang's expression suddenly changed drastically.

Because his Nascent Soul realm is a state of mind that allows him to sense life-or-death crises two to three breaths in advance.

Upon hearing Cao Zhengyang's shout, everyone rushed towards the passage at top speed without saying a word.

"Go!" Zhou Qing instantly transformed into the second form of the Golden-Winged Roc and grabbed Shen Yunzhou, who was still collecting corpse fluid.

Immediately afterwards, the cave walls emitted a sharp, screeching sound, followed by an eerie purple glow on the grayish-blue surface of the rock.

Just as everyone entered the passage, the rock wall suddenly exploded, and countless violent lightning patterns as thick as bowls, accompanied by a torrent of purple lightning, surged out.

Wherever it passed, the air twisted into vortexes, emitting a deafening shriek!

"It's too late! Protect Zhou Qing!" Duanmu Shu's shout was drowned out by the sound waves. Everyone immediately formed a circle, protecting Zhou Qing and Shen Yunzhou in the center.

As Cao Zhengyang's palms moved with magical incantations, nine ancient runes floated in the air, instantly transforming into a layer of light.

The others quickly poured their own spiritual energy into it.

boom!
The next second, the entire cave exploded with a deafening roar that nearly shattered everyone's eardrums.

Everyone grunted in unison, veins bulging on their foreheads, as they increased their spiritual energy output, doing their utmost to maintain the light barrier.

Zhou Qing and Shen Yunzhou, sandwiched in the middle, looked rather unpleasant.

I never expected Lei Wuji to be so ruthless, leaving behind such a deadly trump card.

Fortunately, a group of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators at the Great Perfection stage came. If he had come alone, he probably would have been blown to bits long ago.

He didn't know how much time had passed, but when Cao Zhengyang sensed that the external energy was subsiding, he trembled as he put away the runes.

The sight before them made everyone gasp. The original passage had turned into a bottomless abyss, the dark rock walls were charred, and rubble was still falling.

Dust billowed, and all traces had been wiped clean.

shhhhh!

At this moment, the two peak masters who were left outside came down anxiously. When they saw that everyone was just pale and nothing else had happened, their tense nerves finally relaxed.

"Let's leave first, or the disturbances here will soon attract others!" Cao Zhengyang ordered with a furrowed brow.

Everyone nodded in agreement, while Shen Yunzhou looked regretful.

After all, he had only managed to collect less than half of the corpse fluid, which was a pity.

But at this moment he dared not ask for too much, after all, he had almost harmed Brother Zhou and others because of this matter.

If even one of these people were to get into trouble, he would be repaying kindness with enmity.

Meanwhile, in a mountain range adjacent to this Gobi Desert, a hunched, mummified corpse with dark red skin and a spiderweb-like crack on its surface was clinging tightly to and biting a huge tiger-like monster.

Its eye sockets were sunken, and two eerie green phosphorescent lights flickered rapidly in the hollow eye sockets.

The tiger demon exuded a foul stench, and its sharp claws left marks on the mummified corpse, yet not a drop of blood flowed from it; instead, the white bones beneath were exposed.

The mummified corpse made a strange "clucking" sound as its rotten teeth bit into the tiger demon's neck, tearing off a large chunk of flesh.

No matter how much the other party roared and struggled in pain, the mummified corpse's hands were like iron clamps, tightly gripping it.

After a long time, the tiger demon's resistance gradually weakened, and the light in its eyes slowly dimmed.

The mummified corpse chewed away, and as strands of essence and blood entered its body, its body strangely became fuller.

When someone passed by again, only half a corpse, emitting a strong stench of decay, remained...

……

Taiqing Gate!
Upon returning to their sect, the group immediately contacted the Azure Feather Immortal Sect, requesting them to investigate the specific situation within the Golden Thunder Sect.

After all, their spies planted in the Golden Thunder Sect were quite capable, always able to uncover secret information that even the Taiqing Sect could hardly access.

Meanwhile, the sect was also busy, sending out spies as well.

Inside the council hall, Cao Zhengyang frowned and analyzed with a solemn expression: "Lei Wuji set up such a ruthless contingency plan and was willing to self-destruct the dual-color array. It is clear that he is targeting Young Master Shen alone."

"If it were an ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, even five or six of them would probably not be able to escape this calamity!"

Upon hearing this, everyone nodded with lingering fear.

It seems that Lei Wuji only wanted to kill them to silence them and prevent the secrets there from being spread.

They just didn't expect Shen Yunzhou to tell them about this.

"Although the Golden Thunder Sect has lost many of its high-ranking members, its foundation is still not to be underestimated. The Thunder Pool alone, which was refined after birth, is a life-saving weapon that has been passed down for generations. We must be wary of it!"

Mo Xingjian pondered for a moment before speaking.

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

Moreover, the lightning-based cultivation technique they primarily practice is exceptionally domineering. If it weren't for the internal strife and the devastating battle at Canglan Mountain back then, the Jinlei Sect's current strength would probably be comparable to that of the Taiqing Sect.

"Be extra careful these days, especially you guys. Don't think that just because you've reached the Great Perfection stage, you can look down on everyone!"

Cao Zhengyang then turned his gaze to the various peak masters.

Which of the five major sects' supreme elders isn't an old monster who has experienced countless bloody battles?

Back when the other party became famous, they were just a bunch of little kids following their elders around.

It was only because the threshold of the Spirit Severing Realm blocked their path that we were able to catch up with them by sheer luck.

In response to Cao Zhengyang's words, everyone stood up and clasped their hands in agreement.

……

Meanwhile, the Tianji Sect!

Since the sect leader Xuanjizi perished in the Spirit Skull Mountain Secret Realm, they have still not chosen a new sect leader.

The entire sect was as if it had lost its backbone, falling into a state of leaderlessness.

The disciples were filled with worry and anxiety every day, fearing that the sect would suddenly fall apart.

Now, the sect only has three Supreme Elders and six Elders in the late stage of the Nascent Soul Realm left.

The reason why a new sect leader was not elected was actually a deliberate act by the three Supreme Elders.

After all, we need to give all parties a chance.

In particular, it made the other four major sects feel that instead of spending a lot of manpower and resources to annex them, it would be better to secretly support someone to become the new sect leader.

This is the purpose of subtly controlling and restraining other sects.

At this moment, in front of the three Supreme Elders, was an image stone emitting a faint light.

The photo above shows the scene at nightfall, where Lei Wuji, the sect leader of the Golden Thunder Sect, and others are quietly moving coffins that have been excavated from a cave in the Gobi Desert.

Lei Wuji's face, in particular, appeared extremely sinister and eerie under the moonlight.

"It seems that Lei Wuji successfully absorbed the Yin energy by using those corpse puppets."

The Supreme Elder Ling Xuzi stroked his beard and sneered. The other two Supreme Elders also clapped their hands and laughed.

He then said, "This is all thanks to you. You set up a trap based on ancient texts, saying that this is a special place for the Corpse Yin Sect to raise corpses, and that those corpse puppets are like fine wine, becoming more mellow with age."

"Once absorbed and refined, the obsession and the evil energy will clash with each other. By 'fighting poison with poison,' the obsession can be severed, thereby advancing to the Spirit Severing Realm."

Ling Xuzi raised an eyebrow and lightly flicked the whisk in his sleeve: "I'm not lying. When we discovered this place back then, based on the clues left inside, it was indeed the Corpse Yin Sect's corpse-raising ground."

"I just added a little something to it, and I specifically left it for those who cultivate lightning-type techniques. If they absorb it while suppressing the evil energy, their chances of breaking through to the Spirit Severing stage will be higher."

Yu Hengzi laughed and said, "You, you, even if we put our brains together, we can't beat you. It's just a pity that Lingku Mountain was an accident."

Another Tian Shuzi sighed and said, "Yes, during the Five Sects War, we deliberately guided the Jin Lei Sect to attack that mine and made them successfully discover it."

"Everything was going so smoothly, but our sect leader died in Spirit Skull Mountain. Fortunately, nothing major has changed."

Yu Hengzi nodded slightly and said, "Yes, during the Five Sects War, the Golden Thunder Sect was embroiled in factional strife and fell into internal strife. To this day, their vice sect leader and others are still imprisoned."

"Now that their Supreme Elder has failed to absorb the Nine Nether Lotus Seed, one is seriously injured and the other has died, Lei Wuji will definitely take the lead in the matter of the Corpse Puppet and will not miss this opportunity."

"As expected, everything went just as we predicted. Lei Wuji couldn't suppress his greed."

"Not to mention the Azure Feather Immortal Sect, its sect leader, Fairy Xuanyou, doesn't have many years left to live, and it's practically defunct, having become dependent on the Taiqing Sect."

Tian Shuzi stroked his bushy beard, a sinister smile curving his lips.

He said, "Yes, although the Cangyan Dao Palace received ten Nine Nether Lotus Seeds, according to the information we gathered, two people were unharmed, four were seriously injured, and four died."

"With our ability to manipulate Sikong Yan using our heart's blood, the outcome of this game is entirely under our control."

"Now, as long as we keep showing weakness, and wait for them to fight each other, it will be time for us to reap the benefits."

Before he finished speaking, the three elders exchanged a smile.

According to the divination and deduction of their ancestors, their hope of advancing to the Spirit Slayer realm actually lies within the forbidden zone of the Taiqing Sect's cave.

"By the way, how is the escaped corpse puppet doing?" Yu Hengzi suddenly looked up and asked, his expression hardening.

Tian Shuzi waved his hand confidently: "Everything is under control. The power of that corpse puppet is constantly increasing. When the time is right, we can lead it directly to Taiqing Sect."

"That's good, but have you noticed that when we use our heart's blood to divine Sikong Yan's location lately, it sometimes shows two different locations? What's going on?"

Yuhengzi said with a worried expression.

Upon hearing this, the other two Supreme Elders also frowned.

There is indeed something wrong with this matter; someone who doesn't know the situation might think there are two Sikong Yans.

"We cannot let our guard down. And so far, we still haven't figured out how those black-clad puppets are controlled."

"Even trying to influence some of Sikong Yan's decisions and ideas seems a bit beyond my capabilities," Ling Xuzi said solemnly.

Yu Hengzi let out a long breath and said, "I have the same feeling. If all else fails, let's gather all the blood essence that the others brought. I refuse to believe that the three of us can't find the cause."

"agree!"

"agree!"

……

Taiqing Gate!
Zhou Qing covered her mouth and nose and fled Shen Yunzhou's residence in a disheveled state.

The stench emanating from the two jars of bodily fluids inside the room was utterly repulsive.

He only stayed for a short while before the fumes made him dizzy and his stomach churn.

On the contrary, this guy was so fond of it that he even enthusiastically wanted to introduce it to Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing refused to run away.

As soon as I got back to my place, Lu Yaoyao sent me a message.

She was filled with worry upon learning that Zhou Qing and the others had gone out and almost met with misfortune.

Zhou Qing quickly reassured him, "I'm fine, don't worry!"

After sending the message via his identity token, he then took out the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree.

Unfortunately, although ten top-grade wood-attribute spirit stones were inserted, the ethereal aura contained within was still thin, so it seems we will have to wait patiently for some time.

The question then becomes: should I continue to study the path of the array master, or try to comprehend the second strand of the Phoenix Dao Pattern?

Zhou Qing fell into deep thought.

While pondering, he casually took out the Divine Ruins Heavenly Palace token, intending to check on the movements of Sikong Yan, number seven.

After all, the bloody scene of the forbidden zone that the other party displayed always made him suspicious, and he didn't know if the location was in the Eastern Region.

"Huh, Number Six is ​​online!"

After taking out the token, Zhou Qing was surprised to find that no one else was there, but Shen Hanyi was online.

After a brief hesitation, he infused the spirit stone with energy, opened the passage, and stepped inside.

As soon as it appeared, number six emerged from the screen as a ray of blue light and transformed back into a blue ball.

"Senior, you've arrived!" Shen Hanyi's attitude became much more respectful upon seeing Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing nodded slightly and asked, "Are you still searching for the corpse of the divine beast?"

Shen Hanyi shook her head slightly, staring intently at Zhou Qing. After pondering for a moment, she said, "Senior, the strange phenomena that appeared in the inscription-level divine power you used last time seem familiar to me."

"Thinking back carefully, it's extremely similar to the red scroll I saw in the secret room when I asked you to help me control the shroud and pick the Ice Glass Spirit Sparrow Mushroom!"

Zhou Qing's heart skipped a beat.

His last confrontation with the ascetic monk in that temple was purely a subconscious act, and he now deeply regrets it.

Why was he pretending back then? It was just a simulation anyway, so he died.

But he still tried to remain calm and asked, forcing himself to be honest, "What's wrong with that red scroll?"

Shen Hanyi gazed at Zhou Qing quietly and continued, "That secret chamber can only be opened with the Blood Phoenix Bone. Although I can now control the shroud with the four-colored magic array given to me by you, I still cannot obtain the scroll."

"Anyone who gets even slightly close will be burned, and the scroll will also manifest a miniature blood phoenix to attack those who approach."

After hearing this, Zhou Qing forced a smile and said, "So, the scroll is still in the secret room. My supernatural powers have nothing to do with it. It's just your imagination."

Shen Hanyi fell silent.

In fact, after today's simulation, she also felt that the two might not be related.

But she always had a vague feeling that something was wrong, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

If we're talking about the current Master Ku'e of Jiyuan Temple, then it's impossible that he hasn't been to the forbidden zone where she is now.

However, the manifested restricted area doesn't overlap with hers; normally, two restricted area scenes should appear simultaneously.
And that inscription-level divine ability is so similar to that Blood Phoenix.

You could say he isn't, given how clear he is about his identity, his extensive knowledge, and, more importantly, his mastery of the "Demon-Subduing Golden Bone" technique.

This technique has only been successfully mastered by Master Ku'e and Master Ku Di, who died in the forbidden zone.

Number One, who exactly are you?
Now she's confused too, and even really wants to go to Jiyuan Temple to ask.

It has been many years since we last heard from Master Ku'e, and it is rumored that he has passed away many years ago.

"Is there any news about the corpse of that divine beast?" Seeing Shen Hanyi remain silent, Zhou Qing changed the subject.

He had already used up his last chance to use the "Corpse-Touching Scroll," and he wasn't particularly interested in the divine beast's corpse.

I'm just curious what my second uncle was planning by deliberately spreading the video of the mythical beast falling.

Shen Hanyi came to her senses and shook her head: "There is still no news. Many people have given up the search, and even the Emperor has ordered that the video footage is fake and forbids everyone from continuing to explore further."

"Oh, why is that?" Zhou Qing asked, looking puzzled.

Shen Hanyi explained, "So far, more than a dozen Spirit Severing Realm cultivators have perished because of this matter, which is extremely damaging to the foundation of a fifth-level cultivation nation."

Zhou Qing suddenly realized.

"Senior, why don't you come in and take a look around?" Shen Hanyi suddenly extended an invitation with an expectant look in her eyes.

After all, every time Number One comes in, it always brings her different surprises and gains.

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment.

A single copy of the text earned him the enviable Inscription-level Divine Power—"Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain."

A single "Corpse-Stealing Token" grants you the "Demon-Subduing Golden Bone" from Jiyuan Temple, making you virtually immune to broken bones from then on.

This was still in a simulated environment; after several real-world experiences, I also gained a lot.

In her eyes, I am her destined one.

But in reality, perhaps you are also my destined one.

Who knows, there might be some unexpected surprises this time.

“Alright, I don’t have anything to do right now anyway, so I’ll take a look inside your restricted area,” Zhou Qing replied after a moment’s thought.

【Today's post is being refreshed...】

【The new post has been saved in the odd post record, please check it in time. 】

The next moment, a familiar notification sound suddenly rang in my mind.

This startled Zhou Qing.

No, what a coincidence!
I had just agreed to her request, and then this [randomly posted] product arrived looking so fresh and lovely?

"Senior, please!" Shen Hanyi's face lit up with joy when she saw Zhou Qing agree.

As long as you spend more time with Number One, you'll eventually be able to piece together his true identity from the clues.

Zhou Qing had no choice but to nod and follow them inside.

As the two reappeared behind the crooked jujube tree, Zhou Qing quickly looked at the Strange Post Record.

At this moment, a pure white post appeared inside, with eight interlocking rings engraved on it.

[Eightfold Enhancement: Once activated, it can amplify the user's strongest mental power's detection limit by eightfold, allowing them to see places invisible to the naked eye. Its effect lasts for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.]

Looking at the description above, Zhou Qing was stunned.

Can there really be posts like this?

This is truly eye-opening!
(End of this chapter)