The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 286 Hide Zhou Qing well, lest he be kidnapped and become a monk (6k)

Shen Yunzhou took a deep breath and spoke faster: "It's like this, whether I can break through to the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm depends on those stenches."

“But I can’t just carry around that mummified corpse you brought back, biting people or animals. It would be a waste of time and extremely immoral.”

At this point, he licked his lips, "Didn't the Golden Thunder Sect bring out a lot of coffins and mummies from the underground cave? I want to study them, so..."

After listening to Shen Yunzhou's words, Zhou Qing understood.

Moreover, Shen Yunzhou deserves much credit for being able to wage war against Tianji Sect and prevent Taiqing Sect from suffering even greater losses.

"Don't worry, leave it to me. But it's not possible yet. The matters at Tianji Sect are not yet finished. Once everything is settled, I will mention this to my senior master."

Upon hearing that Zhou Qing was willing to help, Shen Yunzhou became excited and repeatedly cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "I understand, I understand. No rush, no rush. You guys go about your business first!"

Zhou Qing nodded slightly.

Even if Shen Yunzhou doesn't bring it up, the sect leader will probably try to find out what they think.

The terrifying image of Lei Wuji in the image stone that Tian Hong sent was enough to make everyone take it seriously.

If even that mummified corpse could be enhanced with the help of the Taiqing Sect's mine personnel, then if Lei Wuji, as the sect leader, were to also master similar bizarre methods, the Taiqing Sect would undoubtedly face a tremendous threat.

Afterwards, Zhou Qing arrived at the place of imprisonment on the back mountain of Shenyue Peak.

Amidst the swirling cold mist, eight figures stood silently.

"It's good to be young, you've recovered completely so quickly!" Duanmu Shu and the other eight people said with smiles when they saw Zhou Qing arrive.

Zhou Qing bowed respectfully, his expression humble: "This junior was not seriously injured, only slightly depleted of spiritual energy, but has recovered completely after recuperation."

The group nodded, and now, looking at Zhou Qing again, their eyes were full of admiration and satisfaction.

The pattern that had formed in the Eastern Region over thousands of years has now been completely rewritten because of Zhou Qing, this "variable".

Moreover, with the millennia-old resources of the Tianji Sect, the Taiqing Sect will only develop even faster.

"What are your plans for coming here?" Duanmu Shu suddenly asked.

Zhou Qing said calmly, "I want to search your soul!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group changed, and they exchanged glances before nodding.

To be honest, after this incident, they have developed a strange confidence in Zhou Qing.

I always feel that whatever this child does is right.

As for the reasons, they didn't want to ask, much less interfere.

As people who have already stepped down from their positions, they are filled with pride and honor to see such outstanding talents emerge from the new generation.

At the same time, they are full of expectations for the future of Taiqing Sect.

“There is absolutely no problem, but these two are veterans at the Great Perfection of the Nascent Soul Realm. Their spiritual power far surpasses that of their peers, and they are extremely insidious. Their methods are also impossible to guard against.”

Duanmu Shu solemnly gave her instructions.

"If you want to search their soul, it will be no easy task. They are very likely to set up a self-destructing restriction in your soul, or even use the opportunity to turn against you."

"Once it senses the intrusion of external divine sense, it will trigger the self-destruction of its soul fire. At that time, not only will it not obtain any information, but it will also damage its own divine sense."

An elderly elder with white hair stroked his beard and added.

Zhou Qing nodded; he was naturally aware of this.

But these two are clearly afraid of death, and his soul is already far superior to others of the same level, and he even has the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top to protect him.

"The sect leader won't let these two leave alive, so if you insist on searching, we have to help suppress them first, otherwise, there's no point in discussing anything!"

Duanmu Shu and others put forward conditions.

Zhou Qing felt a surge of gratitude.

That would be even better, saving both time and effort.

"In that case, we will have to rely on you, esteemed elders." Zhou Qing clasped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Then, the group went inside.

The moment you step into the dungeon, a damp, putrid stench, mixed with chilling spiritual energy, hits you.

Zhou Qing looked up and saw eighty-one chains interwoven with high-level runes floating in the air, like eight lurking giant pythons, wrapping around the first cage layer by layer.

In the center of the cage, Ling Xuzi's primordial spirit phantom was semi-transparent, with an eerie bluish-gray hue, surrounded by a chaotic aura of suppression.

This primordial spirit seal is extremely exquisite. The runes flowing on the surface of the chains continuously condense into the ancient character "镇" (zhen, meaning "suppress"), exuding a chilling killing intent.

Whenever he tried to get close to the edge of the cage, the runes would burst out with dazzling golden light, repelling him violently.

The air was filled with the occasional ear-piercing sound of chains grinding together, which sent chills down one's spine.

Upon hearing footsteps, Ling Xuzi immediately looked up. Seeing the group enter, his previously dim spirit suddenly lit up, and he forced a fawning smile onto his face.

"Fellow Daoist Duanmu, Fellow Daoist Wei, Fellow Daoist Ximen, you've arrived! And the young sect leader too. What questions do you have this time? I'll answer them to the best of my ability!"

Ling Xuzi's voice was high-pitched and obsequious. He quickly stepped forward, but was bounced back by the rune chains again, letting out a painful groan.

Seeing the once arrogant Supreme Elder reduced to such a humble and subservient state in order to survive, everyone felt a mix of emotions.

But when he thought of the disciples who died tragically in the Taiqing Sect's mines, and the Tianji Sect's treacherous plot to provoke a war with the Jinlei Sect by sacrificing the lives of the two peak masters, Zhou Qing's eyes flashed with a murderous intent that was as real as a physical force.

He stepped forward, his eyes icy cold: "I want to search your soul."

Upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi's primordial spirit trembled and he quickly retreated, waving his hands repeatedly: "Soul search? No, no! You all know that the damage caused by soul search to a person is irreversible."

"I'm already this old, I simply can't handle it anymore, and I'll need to keep a clear head and guard the Eastern Region with your sect in the future."

Duanmu Shu stepped forward slowly, her body radiating coldness, and said, "Ling Xuzi, there are many discrepancies between what you said and what Tian Shuzi said. We need to verify some things. If you are truly surrendering, you should show your sincerity."

An elder standing nearby also spoke coldly: "Don't think you can pull any tricks. You're nothing but a turtle in a jar now."

Ling Xuzi panicked immediately, his primordial spirit phantom twisting and turning: "I really didn't lie! It must be that old bastard Tian Shuzi who deliberately framed me!"

"No need for nonsense." Another elder snorted coldly. "Your life is in our hands. The soul search is to confirm the truth and also to test your sincerity."

“But—” Ling Xuzi hesitated.

Duanmu Shu said, "Forget it, let's go find Tian Shuzi. He should be able to cooperate."

She glanced at the struggling Ling Xuzi, a cold smile playing on her lips. "Anyway, the Tianji Sect needs someone to lead it in the future. Ling Xuzi has already lost his physical body and has little value to begin with. Now he's being so picky, which is annoying."

Everyone else nodded in agreement and followed Duanmu Shu as she turned and left.

Upon hearing this, Ling Xuzi suddenly froze, his eyes flashing with extreme fear and resentment.

To this day, he still doesn't know the differences between the two when they revealed those secrets about the second generation.

If Tian Shuzi really seizes the opportunity to "surrender" first, I will surely become a pawn to be abandoned!

He still wants to live, even if it's just for ten years, a year, or even a month.

As long as you live, there is endless hope; once you die, you truly have nothing left.

Thinking of this, he suddenly lunged toward the edge of the cage, the golden light of the runes burning his body and wisps of smoke rising from it, but he was completely unaware of it.

"I'll cooperate! I'll cooperate! Please, fellow Daoists, spare my life!" Ling Xuzi cried out anxiously.

The group immediately stopped and exchanged glances, a barely perceptible hint of mockery flashing in their eyes.

Such cunning and treacherous people will not easily bow down unless they are in dire straits.
Zhou Qing almost burst out laughing too; experience really does pay off!

Duanmu Shu turned around, gave Zhou Qing a wink, and then her spiritual energy enveloped her, exuding a powerful aura.

"If that's the case, then let's not delay any longer." Before she finished speaking, she and another Supreme Elder made their move at the same time.

Two streaks of dark blue light pierced directly through the rune chains and struck Ling Xuzi's primordial spirit.

In an instant, a terrifying pressure descended from the sky, and Ling Xuzi's primordial spirit was firmly suppressed in place, unable to move.

Without hesitation, Zhou Qing quickly formed hand seals, and his spiritual power surged into Ling Xuzi's sea of ​​consciousness through the gaps in the spiritual power suppressed by Duanmu Shu and the other two.

Ling Xuzi's sea of ​​consciousness was in chaos, with ferocious faces and fragmented memories flashing through the thick black mist from time to time.

He could sense Ling Xuzi's resistance, but it was still within acceptable limits for now.

As his divine sense penetrated deeper, Zhou Qing saw many secrets of the Tianji Sect, but he ignored them all.

The most urgent task right now is to find out about the Yakuza weapons.

Soon, he witnessed the scene where the three of them had accidentally discovered the Corpse-Raising Cave of the Corpse Yin Sect in the Gobi Desert.

And in a corner, they found a carelessly discarded picture frame. Through their various conversations, Zhou Qing couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Judging from their appearance, these three people did not recognize the ultimate weapon and only thought it was an extremely special magic treasure.

That's true. Even if it were someone at the Spirit Severing Realm, they probably wouldn't recognize it, let alone a damaged item.

Finally, after confirming that all the key information had been obtained, Zhou Qing slowly withdrew his divine sense.

Ling Xuzi's primordial spirit had become extremely weak and collapsed to the ground.

"How is it?" Duanmu Shu asked with concern.

Zhou Qing smiled and said, "A small success."

"That's good, then we'll take you to Tian Shuzi's place!" Duanmu Shu said.

The same method can be used in the same way.

Zhou Qing waved his hand and said, "That's enough. I'm sorry to have troubled you all, Elders!"

The elders exchanged glances, then smiled broadly.

What's the trouble? As long as it helps Zhou Qing, that's all that matters.

After Zhou Qing came out, the entire Shenyue Peak became quiet.

After all, having conquered Tianji Sect, not to mention the resources in various places, the sect itself is an inexhaustible treasure trove for all the disciples.

Therefore, currently, apart from the eight Supreme Elders who have returned to guard the rear, almost everyone else in the entire sect is staying there.

So far, neither the Golden Thunder Sect nor the Cheng Cangyan Dao Palace has made any statement, which is quite puzzling.

Of course, he has more important things to do right now.

Upon returning to Xiaoling Peak, Zhou Qing immediately activated the restriction and once again took out the frame of the Boundless Karmic Fire Mirror.

Judging from this, there seems to be a real mirror missing in the middle.

Even though it was just a fragment, the ancient bronze material still exuded a chilling aura, and wisps of intense heat seeped out from it.

"When my second uncle helped unseal the 'Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain,' I had personally experienced the aura and pressure of an extreme weapon."

"So, when Yuhengzi trapped me with this picture frame, my first reaction was to immediately think of its rank."

Zhou Qingjing looked at the framed glasses with a complicated expression.

“Although ultimate weapons are rare, it’s possible that others have experienced them like I have.” “At least Shen Hanyi, number six, and even number four and number five, these people from big cities may have already come into contact with similar treasures.”

"Once they discover something amiss, I fear it could lead to my death."

"Today I will refine this frame. I will try not to use it unless it is a life-or-death crisis. If I do use it, I will make sure that the other party has no chance of escaping!"

After thinking it through, take a deep breath, slowly close your eyes, and begin circulating the Yin-Yang Technique.

The spiritual energy throughout his body began to surge through his meridians, gradually condensing in his hands. Then, a massive divine consciousness, accompanied by a mouthful of blood essence, suddenly spurted out.

Then it dripped precisely onto the frame of the Mirror of Infernal Karma, causing the frame to tremble violently.

Then came that familiar burning sensation, accompanied by a buzzing sound.

Zhou Qing's divine sense followed closely, seeping into the mirror frame along with the essence blood, and began refining it directly...

……

Five days later!
The figures of two monks, one large and one small, finally appeared slowly on the mountain path.

Gazing at the misty mountain gate of the Azure Feather Immortal Sect, smiles appeared on the faces of the two.

“Master, we could have gotten here faster using the prayer beads. Since the Golden Thunder Sect doesn't have them, what if we're delayed and other senior uncles come to the Eastern Region, and they find the Buddha Child…”

The young monk Kongchan clutched the wooden fish hanging around his neck, looked up at his master, and said...

Jueming raised his hand and gently stroked his disciple's head. Under the shadow of his straw hat, his eyes were filled with compassion: "Cultivation is like climbing a mountain; every step is a predestined encounter."

Then, looking at the figures rushing overhead, he smiled slightly: "If you and I are destined to meet, we will meet at the place of destiny. If you force your way through, you will miss the opportunity."

"Moreover, Buddhist disciples have their own karmic affinity. If someone else finds them first, it is simply due to cause and effect."

Kong Chan nodded as if she understood, and then said, "What about the Golden Thunder Sect? We've been here for several months, and although we haven't found anyone who can answer those three questions, there is clearly a great deal of resentment in the back mountain."

"If we can help them, we might accumulate more merit. So why pretend to be blind and leave?"

Jueming clasped his hands together and said, "Do you still remember that scene we saw on our way to Spirit Skull Mountain?"

Kong Chan thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up and she said, "That person with wings and a golden body?"

Jueming nodded and said, "Yes, it's the same principle as that time. Everything in the world has cause and effect. Some people and some things may seem like opportunities, but they are actually shackles."

“We practitioners uphold the principle of compassion, but if we forcibly intervene, what may seem like salvation may actually disrupt the established cause and effect, and even bring unwarranted disaster upon ourselves.”

Kong Chan seemed to have some understanding this time, and murmured, "Buddha saves those who are destined, but the word 'destiny' emphasizes 'following the natural order.' Forcibly intervening will only lead to a lower level of success."

Jueming nodded with satisfaction and said, "That's right, that's the principle. As I said before, cause and effect, karma, are intricate and complex, and a single move can affect the whole situation."

Kong Chan asked, "Then, Master, will the Buddha's disciple be at the Qingyu Immortal Sect right here?"

Jueming smiled but remained silent.

Kong Chan was taken aback, then smiled sheepishly, and put her hands together, saying, "This disciple has become attached to appearances again. Buddhist disciples have their own Buddhist affinity. Whether or not they can find it is all up to fate."

"I only pray that the Buddha will have mercy and guide us to find a Buddhist disciple as soon as possible, so that the disciple can return to Buddhism, spread the Dharma, and save all sentient beings."

After saying this, he closed his eyes slightly, his face full of piety.

Jueming was quite satisfied with his little apprentice's appearance.

"Let's go. Now that we've arrived at the Azure Feather Immortal Sect, let's go in and take a look." With that, he led Kong Chan toward the Azure Feather Immortal Sect's mountain gate.

Unexpectedly, they were soon blocked at the mountain gate.

The elder guarding the barrier stepped forward, bowing with a wary look in his eyes: "Greetings, masters. My Qingyu Immortal Sect is currently busy with some matters and will not be receiving any guests at the moment."

"If you two have important business to attend to, please come another day."

Now that the sect leader is on his last breath, the entire sect is in a state of panic. At this time, the arrival of two monks is just bad luck!

Why bother with that fly...

bah bah bah!
The sect leader will be alright.

Jueming was not surprised to hear the elder's words, after all, they had heard a lot along the way.

In particular, the Taiqing Sect, in conjunction with the Qingyu Immortal Sect, conquered the Tianji Sect and are now dividing up the spoils of war.

It is understandable that the sect is now under strict security.

“Amitabha, in that case, this humble monk and my disciple will wait at the mountain gate first.”

Jueming said nothing more, and led Kongchan to a tree to sit cross-legged.

The Qingyu Immortal Sect is currently empty inside, with most of its members probably at the Tianji Sect. It would be inappropriate to rush there at this time.

Let's wait and see. I think it won't be long before their main force returns. Then we can ask to see the sect leader and explain our purpose.

Upon seeing this, the guardian elder frowned and turned back.

But I was a little scared.

With the four Grand Elders and numerous Nascent Soul Realm cultivators absent, the sudden arrival of two monks suggests that the Sect Master may be about to...

Thinking of this, he immediately sent someone to find Zhu He and inquire about the sect leader's situation. Then he sent someone to inform Elder Yun Jing and the others about the matter.

……

Meanwhile, the Tianji Sect!

Yun Jing and the other three were diligently following the Taiqing Sect members and handling various matters.

All the dirty and tiring work was taken care of by the people of Qingyu Immortal Sect. They even personally took on the tasks, all in an effort to curry favor with Cao Zhengyang.

After all, whether the sect leader can live or die now depends on the sect leader's thoughts.

Cao Zhengyang, however, pretended not to know, keeping the peak masters busy and never mentioning this matter.

Especially after Yun Jing and the others hesitated to speak, he would make an excuse to be busy with other things.

You four have actually come to the wrong person.

Whether Fairy Xuanyou can survive depends mainly on Zhou Qing's thoughts, after all, you were the ones who dragged him into dual cultivation last time.

Whatever decision he makes, we will absolutely support him.

If I am unwilling, I am perfectly capable of being the villain.

……

And so, several days later, the entrenched vassal sects of Tianji Sect finally arrived belatedly.

But eventually, when the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; the Tianji Sect will no longer exist in the Eastern Region, and they will have to find a new backer.

Putting aside everything else, the Taiqing Sect has now killed one and imprisoned two of the three Supreme Elders. So, the fact that the other side once had leverage over them is now in the hands of the Taiqing Sect.

Therefore, these people did everything they could to flatter the Taiqing Sect, and even vowed to follow them to the death, serving them hand and foot.

The Taiqing Sect, of course, accepted all offers and immediately issued an order.

"Offer any top-grade Five Elements Spirit Stone and you will receive the protection of our sect, and all past grievances will be wiped clean!"

"If it's a wood-attribute spirit stone, it will be given priority! Otherwise, once everything is settled, we will settle accounts with each and every one of them!"

Upon hearing this, the various sects were immediately filled with mixed feelings of joy and worry.

The good news is that there seems to be room for negotiation; after all, things that can be solved with money are not really problems.

The worry is, where can I exchange for Five Elements Spirit Stones?

Of course, some people might just happen to have accumulated one in their own treasure trove as a family heirloom.

Now, it comes in handy.

……

"Zhou Qing seems to be in dire need of Five Elements Spirit Stones right now. Don't worry, we'll leave them to his senior uncle. By the way, aren't you going back in the next couple of days? Take these few with you first!"

Cao Zhengyang handed a storage bag to Mo Xingjian.

Inside were several Five Elements Spirit Stones that had been plundered from the storage bags of Tian Shuzi and Ling Xuzi.

Among them, there are three fire attribute coins, two metal attribute coins, and three wood attribute coins!
Mo Xingjian did not refuse, and solemnly put it into his sleeve: "I thank you on behalf of the child!"

Cao Zhengyang laughed heartily and said, "We've become estranged again. We're all family. Let's not talk about such formalities in the future."

Mo Xingjian smiled and said, "By the way, news just came that the two monks, one big and one small, did indeed arrive at the gate of the Qingyu Immortal Sect, but were refused entry."

Cao Zhengyang pondered and said, "According to the route, it seems that our Taiqing Sect will be next, but it seems that we need to take this matter seriously."

"How so?" Mo Xingjian asked.

Cao Zhengyang said with a solemn expression, "According to the information from the spy, the five Supreme Elders of the Golden Thunder Sect have extremely high respect for those two monks, and they are almost worshipping them as ancestors."

"They went to great lengths to meet all their conditions, wishing they had a disciple who could satisfy the three questions they raised."

Upon hearing this, Mo Xingjian pondered for a moment, then his eyes widened, and he said, "You mean to say—"

Cao Zhengyang nodded and said, "That's right. The other party is most likely a holy monk at the Spirit Severing Realm, and they claim to be from Jiyuan Temple."

Mo Xingjian gasped and said, "Spirit Severing Realm, that's truly enviable. But I've never heard of the Silent Abyss Temple before."

"I've never heard of it either, and I don't know if they're even from our cultivation country."

"The Holy Martial Dynasty has eight prefectures and seventy-two counties. We'll probably live our whole lives and still not have visited even half of them!"

Cao Zhengyang gave a wry smile.

Mo Xingjian also had a complicated expression. Looking at the churning clouds on the horizon, he sighed softly: "Yes, the cultivation world is vast and boundless, and there are countless hidden experts and mysterious sects hidden there."

"Things here are almost done. When you go back, take all the core disciples and true disciples from each peak back with you and study those three questions carefully!"

"Let's play it safe and find someone to guess first. If they guess right, our Taiqing Sect will have made another connection with a Spirit Severing Realm expert!" Cao Zhengyang joked.

Mo Xingjian couldn't help but laugh: "A fake is still a fake. This kind of thing can only be determined by fate. Junior brother, I'd better go back and take good care of Shen Yunzhou first."

Cao Zhengyang burst into laughter.

Indeed, Shen Yunzhou's sister is also a Spirit Severing Realm cultivator. According to Lu Yaoyao, she killed the Spider King on the border with a single finger.

"Oh, and remember to hide Zhou Qing well, don't let him get tricked into becoming a monk, or I'll skin you alive!"

Soon, Cao Zhengyang seemed to have thought of something and couldn't help but give him some instructions.

Mo Xingjian nodded and said, "I understand. Even if you're willing to part with it, I'm not."

After saying this, Mo Xingjian left.

The following afternoon, he and Tong Min from Yuqing Peak, along with a few disciples, returned.

……

(End of this chapter)