The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 356 Deer Girl, Actually My Sister Doesn't Like Men! (6k)

Neither of them could have imagined that the Palace Master of the Cangyan Dao Palace, who acted so absurdly in the Eastern Region, was actually the eldest prince of the Holy Martial Dynasty, Xuan Yuan Xuan Huang.

“No wonder,” Luo Lingling muttered to herself, her brows furrowing unconsciously.

Looking back on Sikong Yan's various unusual actions over the years, it turns out that he never regarded them as opponents.

At best, it was just a pastime he used when he was bored while making plans.

For a moment, they didn't know whether to feel fortunate or frustrated.

"So, the favor he asked you to do is the secret formula that the Xuanyuan royal family currently possesses?" Ghost Mastiff asked in a hoarse voice.

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, his gaze serious.

Luo Lingling frowned: "It's too risky. First there was Sikong Yan, then Consort Chen, I don't believe no one has ever thought of this before."

She looked directly at Zhou Qing, her tone growing increasingly serious, "But the secret formula is still in the hands of the royal family. Do you think you can get your hands on it?"

Ghost Hound clenched his fist and continued, "Second Brother is right. Currently, the Dynasty has more than a dozen Spirit Severing Realm experts on the surface. If they join forces to seize them and benefit their respective forces, they can definitely do it."

He paused, his voice low, "But these old foxes are holding back, there must be something fishy going on that we don't know about."

Zhou Qing pondered for a moment: "I naturally understand the dangers involved, so I haven't agreed to Sikong Yan's request yet. We'll have to wait for him to come up with a complete plan before making a decision."

He changed the subject, a resolute glint in his eyes, "But if we can really succeed, our master and the others might have a better chance of survival."

Ghost Mastiff sighed heavily: "That's true, but as you just said, the president of the Duobao Chamber of Commerce also fought his way out from a group of more than forty peak Nascent Soul cultivators."

His voice grew increasingly heavy, “Among these forty-odd people, which one wasn’t an exceptionally talented individual? Only by demonstrating their self-worth and future potential to the imperial court could they obtain a secret medicine.”

"Even so, only one person succeeded," Ghost Hound continued, his eyes filled with worry. "Then how many corpses did the other Spirit Severing Realm cultivators have to step over to survive?"

"To put it bluntly, if the Supreme Elder and the senior uncles and senior masters really took that secret medicine, their chances of success would be slim."

Luo Lingling said softly, "I agree with the boss's opinion. Besides, you have already touched the threshold of the Spirit Severing Realm. After you were promoted to the fourth level of array master this time, we could all feel the unique aura on your body."

"If Lao Mo and the others knew you were going to take such a risk for them, they would definitely not agree."

“Besides,” Luo Lingling added, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes, “that guy Sikong Yan is a madman. What if he abandons you?”

Zhou Qing remained silent for a long time before finally looking up: "My master and the others don't have much time left. I still want to give it a try."

"You..." Hearing Zhou Qing's words, the two were both anxious and angry.

That damned Sikong Yan, what kind of bewitching potion did he give the fourth brother?

"Don't worry, I know what's going on."

Zhou Qing had already made up his mind. "Let's not talk about this for now. Let's split up. I'll go find Xuan Yuan Yichen to get things cleared up. You two help me find Junior Sister Lu."

Ghost Hound rushed forward and grabbed Zhou Qing's wrist: "No! That Seventh Prince is cunning and treacherous, we have to go with you!"

Zhou Qing gently broke free: "It'll be easier for me to get away alone. Besides..."

He smiled slightly, "Nowadays, apart from those at the Spirit Severing Realm, there are probably very few people who would want to keep me here."

“But—” Ghost Mastiff wanted to stop him, but Luo Lingling grabbed his sleeve and shook her head slightly.

Then she looked at Zhou Qing and said, "Alright, let's go find Junior Sister Lu. But I still have to remind you, this is the inner city of the imperial capital, so you must be careful."

“A Spirit Slayer Realm expert can arrive in the blink of an eye. Especially now that you’ve advanced to a Level 4 Array Master, countless Spirit Slayer Realm experts are watching you from the shadows.”

Zhou Qing nodded solemnly: "Understood, Senior Sister."

Zhou Qing gave him some more instructions, and the three of them parted ways. He then headed straight for his residence in the western part of the capital.

"Are you really comfortable letting Lao Si go alone?" Ghost Mastiff couldn't help but ask after turning a few corners.

Luo Lingling sighed softly, "We'll only be a burden to him."

The ghost mastiff opened its mouth, but ultimately let out a long sigh.

“I believe in Xiao Aqing.” Luo Lingling’s gaze was firm. “His status as a level four formation master alone is the best protection.”

"Let's go find that Xiao Liu from Shenyue Peak first. It's not good to keep following two outsiders."

Ghost Mastiff glanced worriedly behind him and had no choice but to follow.

……

Inside the Jintian Palace, Zhou Qing's figure drifted in quietly like a falling leaf.

The abandoned palace remains in ruins, yet it unexpectedly exudes an enticing aroma of food, adding a touch of human warmth to this desolate place.

He followed the scent through the overgrown courtyard and found a low table sitting quietly in the center.

Sikong Yan was leisurely sipping his wine when Granny Su came out from the inner room carrying steaming dishes and lovingly set out the bowls and plates one by one.

"Nanny, the guests have arrived. This is enough," Sikong Yan said with a smile.

Granny Su looked up and saw Zhou Qing, then nodded slightly: "Then you can use it first."

After saying that, he quietly withdrew.

Sikong Yan turned to see Zhou Qing and immediately stood up to greet him, his face beaming with an exaggerated smile: "Oh my, the presence of a Level 4 Master is truly an honor to our humble abode! Master, please take a seat."

He diligently patted the dust off the prayer mat.

Zhou Qing looked at him coldly: "You knew I was coming?"

Sikong Yan laughed: "I'm about 30% sure. If you had come straight here, you would have probably already found out that it was Xuanyuan Yichen who leaked the Taiqing Sect's secrets to Nangong Xiongba."

Zhou Qing's eyes sharpened: "That night, you did recognize him."

In fact, Mo Lao's words reminded him.

The Seventh Prince was so well concealed that if I hadn't bound him to my person, I wouldn't have recognized him at all.

But the white crane outside recognized him and went to Elder Mo for help.

As the eldest prince, even if Sikong Yan had possessed another body and abandoned everything, how could he not recognize his brothers now that he had advanced to the Spirit Slayer realm?
In this game of chess that has been planned for many years, countless people have become his pawns.

Seeing Zhou Qing's gloomy expression, Sikong Yan didn't take it to heart and smiled as he pointed to the prayer mat opposite him.

"Don't be so serious. I don't know he was going to leak secrets. Maybe he was just catching up or discussing other collaborations?"

Zhou Qing remained silent.

"Try this wine. It's a vintage I buried myself years ago. I guarantee you'll never forget it." Sikong Yan filled a cup and pushed it in front of Zhou Qing.

"I have given up drinking."

"So old-fashioned at such a young age?" Sikong Yan shook his head. "Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd experienced a lot and seen through the world."

Seeing that Zhou Qing still didn't raise his cup, he simply drank one himself, saying, "See, no poison."

Zhou Qing remained unmoved.

Sikong Yan picked up some food and said as he ate, "Looking for Xuan Yuan Yichen? I advise you to save your breath. That fellow is hiding and hasn't been to the manor recently."

"Hide?" Zhou Qing frowned.

“It’s none of your business.” Sikong Yan swallowed the food in his mouth. “A few days ago, your little follower came to see him. After he left, he sent someone to follow him and plant a mark on him.”

"As a result, she was severely injured and warned by the white-haired female spirit-slaying expert you know. After that, she caused a great disturbance in the array hall, and even Xuan Yuanshuo, who was in the middle stage of spirit-slaying, suffered a loss."

"This coward is afraid of dying, so he simply hid away to avoid trouble."

Zhou Qing's heart skipped a beat.

As expected, Junior Sister Lu contacted them, definitely to inquire about their whereabouts.

Do you know where he is hiding?

"Nature knows."

"where?"

"Well," Sikong Yan scratched his head, "I can't remember right now."

Zhou Qing took a deep breath: "Conditions."

"Look at what you're saying," Sikong Yan waved his hand, "From now on, we're partners who will entrust our lives to each other, how dare I make any demands?"

"Without further ado!"

"Alright!" Sikong Yan chuckled and leaned closer, lowering his voice, "I'm just curious, how did your Taiqing Sect suddenly produce three Spirit Slayers?"

Zhou Qing suddenly stood up, his clothes fluttering as he strode outside.

If the identities of the Lu sisters are exposed, the Xuanyuan family will definitely make a big fuss about Consort Chen.

As for the secrets of Grandmaster Canglong Zhenren and the forbidden zone of the cave, it will make Taiqing Sect a target of public criticism.

If the fact that my master used the Ghost Emperor's Secret Realm to devour cultivators from several prefectures during the battle at Lingku Mountain were exposed, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Sikong Yan watched Zhou Qing's departing figure, shook his head and laughed, "You rascal, you really don't let me take any advantage at all, you're utterly boring."

He poured himself a cup, tilted his head back and drank it all. "Fine, I'll tell you then—the Seventh Prince has fled to the border."

"I underestimated this little guy before; he actually has such a cunning mind."

He scoffed, "To preserve his life while maintaining his dignity in front of his father, Emperor Xuanyuan Hao, is quite a clever scheme of 'the darkest place under the lamp.'"

"I think he felt that the most dangerous place was the safest place, so he deliberately hid under the nose of that white-haired spirit-slaying man."

Zhou Qing paused, frowning, and asked, "Are you sure?"

“Absolutely true.” Sikong Yan swirled his wine cup. “With Xuanyuan Shuo overseeing the border, he has already made all the necessary arrangements for his escape route.”

Zhou Qing said, "What I mean is, why did that white-haired female spirit-slaying warrior go to the border?"

He thought Shen Hanyi was in the capital with Lu Yaoyao.

Sikong Yan asked in confusion, "You don't know? Well, not many outsiders heard their conversation in the Array Hall back then."

"The white-haired female spirit-slaying warrior went to the border to find the Peng Emperor because Xuan Yuanshuo said that the Peng Emperor killed the corpse of that level four formation master, so she went to verify it."

Zhou Qing remained silent.

Situ Jiuyao was indeed killed by Peng Huang, but Peng Huang had already died at his hands, so Shen Hanyi's trip was destined to be in vain.

"Without the royal teleportation array, it would take you at least two years to get to the border using only your airship."

Sikong Yan reminded him, "By the time you arrive, he might have already returned with Xuanyuan Shuo. Wouldn't that be a wasted trip?"

Seeing Zhou Qing deep in thought, Sikong Yan smiled slightly and continued, "He is unaware that you have already seen through his leaking scheme."

"As a level four array master that everyone is vying to win over, he'd love to befriend you. Instead of going to great lengths to pursue him, it's better to wait patiently."

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment.

Indeed, it's not worth spending four years traveling back and forth for a mere early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

Seeing this, a sly glint flashed in Sikong Yan's eyes: "If you really can't swallow this insult, I have an idea."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm, and four radiant jade slips appeared out of thin air. "Back then, the Holy Martial Dynasty spared no expense to invite a level four array master from a neighboring country to set up two four-color arrays."

Sikong Yan lightly tapped the jade slip with his fingertip, "One of them is the Seven Star Demon Binding Array that you and Master Lin repaired on the border."

"The other one is the royal exclusive teleportation array that runs through the entire Holy Martial Dynasty from east to west and north to south—the Hidden Dragon Path."

Zhou Qing slightly raised his eyes, signaling him to continue.

“You should know,” Sikong Yan said slowly, “that the Holy Martial Dynasty has a vast territory, with eight prefectures and seventy-two counties scattered throughout the land.”

“Although there are teleportation arrays connecting the various prefectures and counties,” he changed the subject, “ordinary teleportation arrays require multiple transfers and often take several months to complete.”

“If we want to travel directly from the northern border to the southern frontier—” Sikong Yan held up two fingers.

"Either you have to fly for years, or you have to go through dozens of teleportation arrays, step by step, which is time-consuming and laborious."

He suddenly lowered his voice: "In order to ensure the stability of the imperial power and to ensure that urgent reports from all directions can arrive in an instant, the Holy Martial Dynasty has devoted all its resources to building this four-colored teleportation array that spans the eight wastelands."

"The core of its formation is hidden deep within the forbidden area of ​​the imperial city, guarded day and night by 30,000 golden-armored guards. Only those of royal blood or those holding imperial jade tokens are allowed to approach it."

"The speed of this formation is comparable to that of a shooting star chasing the moon," he said, spreading his arms wide. "It can accommodate a thousand people traveling together."

Zhou Qing nodded after hearing this. He had naturally heard about these things before, but he had never seen them with his own eyes.

Sikong Yan shook the jade slip in his hand: "This is the true explanation of the [Hidden Dragon Path] array left behind by that array master back then."

“Channel width, intensity, energy fluctuations,” he counted on his fingers one by one, “the starting point, the ending point, and the intermediate nodes of the transmission are all contained within it.”

“You are now a level four array master,” Sikong Yan said, looking at Zhou Qing meaningfully. “If you can figure out the secrets, we might be able to bypass the entrance and hitch a ride along the way.”

Seeing Zhou Qing deep in thought, he added, "Their spatial passages are maintained year-round, making them extremely stable."

“At that time,” a glint flashed in Sikong Yan’s eyes, “it will only take three or four months to go to the border, and only a few months to return to Taiqing Sect.”

Zhou Qing's eyes lit up. He remembered the last time he repaired the four-colored [Seven Star Demon Binding Array] with Master Lin at the border.

What everyone was holding were the various array jade slips left behind by that fourth-level array master, but they had been opened.

Then, staring at the jade slip, he suddenly asked, "Where did you get this from?"

Sikong Yan smiled without saying a word, and after a long while said, "Guess?"

He suddenly took a half step closer: "If we can decipher this, we might as well take a trip to the royal treasury."

“Not only can you come and go as you please,” Sikong Yan raised an eyebrow, “there are also the wood-attribute spirit stones you’ve been dreaming of there. As for how many, you can guess.”

Zhou Qing's pupils contracted slightly.

After a brief silence, he grabbed the jade slip, turned around, and left.

Upon seeing this, Sikong Yan burst into laughter, then shouted to the retreating figure, "Keep it up! I'm waiting for your good news!"

……

After leaving the Jintian Palace, Zhou Qing did not leave immediately.

He circled around several times, and as night fell, he quietly slipped into the [Yiyun Mansion].

His vast divine sense swept across every corner of the mansion like flowing water. After confirming that Xuan Yuan Yichen was indeed not there, he went to the Ninth Princess's residence.

No one wearing a gold tag was seen yet.

"It seems they're all not here." Zhou Qing frowned slightly and had no choice but to give up for the time being.

He took out the communication jade talisman and contacted his eldest brother and second sister.

"I'm fine, don't worry." After a few brief words of reassurance, the two people on the other end visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, based on Zhou Qing's understanding of that girl Lu Yaoyao, if Shen Hanyi really went to the border, she definitely wouldn't go with him, but would stay behind to continue looking for him.

And then there's Shen Yunzhou, that rebellious younger brother, who's probably just waiting for a chance to get away from his sister.

Therefore, Zhou Qing specifically instructed his eldest brother and second sister to focus their search on those with full heads of blond hair—this would increase their chances of finding them.

After giving his instructions, he took out his former sect's token and tried to send a message to Lu Yaoyao.

However, after waiting for a long time, there was still no reply, probably because of the distance.

After that, he quickly found a quiet inn to stay in.

He took out four jade slips and carefully examined them using the "Daily Appraisal" tool.

After confirming that there was no danger, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

[Friend's Request] There are three people in total. Xuan Yuan Yi Chen has already helped them and obtained the corresponding wood attribute spirit stone.

No. 6 Shen Hanyi refused to reveal the predicament she was currently facing.

Whether he was in the identity of God Ruins Heavenly Palace No. 1 or in his current identity as a destined person, he could not force a powerful being in the late stage of the Spirit Severing Realm to reveal his true feelings to him.

Therefore, for now, the only thing we can do is help Sikong Yan.

Based on past experience, new posts can only be refreshed after a post has been mostly used up.

The fact that I have never been able to add another copy of this calligraphy since I obtained it before leaving Taiqing Gate is the best proof of this.

Moreover, what Sikong Yan said makes sense—

If one can decipher these jade slips, future travels to various places will be much more efficient.

The time saved was enough for him to do many important things.

After arranging everything properly, Zhou Qing sat cross-legged, with four jade slips floating and rotating in front of him.

He examined it closely and saw that the surface of the jade slip was as smooth as new, and there were still subtle spiritual energy fluctuations at the edges of the array patterns, indicating that it had just been copied not long ago.

These jade slips are so new that they don't even show the usual signs of spiritual energy accumulation, so they must be what Sikong Yan has collected recently.

Immediately afterwards, Zhou Qing closed his eyes slightly, tapped his fingertips, and the first cyan jade slip opened.

In an instant, countless fine array patterns emerged as if they were alive, outlining the complete structure of the [Seven Star Demon Binding Array] in the void.

Zhou Qing's gaze sharpened. This familiar array diagram was the version that he and Master Lin had repaired together back then, but what was displayed now was the most original and complete array diagram.

Each array pattern contains deeper mysteries, and those nodes that were once difficult to understand are now gradually becoming clear in the eyes of a level four array master.

"I see." Zhou Qing murmured to himself, a flash of inspiration passing through his fingertips, marking several key points.

He then put it away and turned to look at the second crimson jade slip. As his divine sense probed into it, a magnificent three-dimensional array unfolded in his sea of ​​consciousness.

This is the core structure of the current site, known as the Hidden Dragon Path.

Countless golden dots represent teleportation nodes, forming the shape of a winding dragon in the void.

The dragon's head is in the imperial city, its tail extends to the border, and its four claws correspond to the four important towns in the four directions.

Each node is marked with precise spatial coordinates and the trajectory of spiritual energy flow, and the dense array patterns are as vast as a galaxy.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath, formed hand seals, and ten thousand spiritual seals appeared like stars.

He first built the framework with 360 basic spirit seals, and then filled in the details with 720 auxiliary spirit seals.

As the spiritual seals circulated, a miniature version of the [Hidden Dragon Path] model gradually took shape, but soon became disordered at the third node.

“The curvature of the spatial folding is incorrect,” Zhou Qing frowned slightly and immediately adjusted the arrangement of the spiritual seals.

He took out the third white jade slip, which contained the method for maintaining the balance of spiritual energy in the void passage.

As the new array principles were integrated, the disorder in the model gradually subsided, and the flow of spiritual seals returned to stability.

However, just as Zhou Qing was about to breathe a sigh of relief, the seventh node suddenly began to tremble violently.

"Hmm?" Zhou Qing frowned, his fingertips quickly drawing several stabilizing spiritual seals.

After repeating this deduction for three whole hours, beads of sweat appeared on Zhou Qing's forehead.

But unexpectedly, he showed no signs of agitation; instead, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Interesting! Looks like I'll have to study this properly from now on!" he muttered to himself, his voice filled with barely concealed anticipation.

He then turned his gaze to the fourth dark jade slip and opened it...

……

"Brother Shen, do you think my Senior Brother Zhou is good enough for your sister?"

Inside the inn, Lu Yaoyao asked a question while stuffing a piece of crystal-clear osmanthus cake into her mouth.

The sweet and glutinous taste melted on her tongue, and she squinted her eyes in satisfaction, swinging her legs and puffing out her cheeks slightly, creating a stark contrast with her cold silver hair.

Shen Yunzhou nearly spat out the tea he had just taken a sip of. He put down his teacup, a half-smile on his face, and asked, "Your Senior Brother Zhou? With my older sister?"

Lu Yaoyao nodded repeatedly.

"Didn't I tell you last time?" He wiped his mouth and watched as Lu Yaoyao picked up another rose pastry, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she ate it.

"My sister is too ugly; she's not a good match for Brother Zhou. Besides, Brother Zhou's artistic conception..."

He looked around and lowered his voice, "That can break through everyone's artistic conception. It is truly one of the most domineering artistic conceptions I have ever seen."

Lu Yaoyao licked the frosting on her fingertip and said indistinctly, "I think Senior Brother Zhou is the ugliest one."

She reached for the almond tofu in the distance, scooped up a large spoonful, and put it in her mouth. The sweet taste made her unconsciously shake her head.

"Sister Shen is exceptional in both looks and temperament. And look at the two of them, both are level four array masters, they're a perfect match!"

As he spoke, he popped another piece of candied fruit into his mouth.

Shen Yunzhou couldn't help but laugh as he watched her wolf down her food, saying, "Eat slowly, no one's going to take it from you."

He shook his head and continued, "You are indeed a level four formation master, and with Brother Zhou's talent, advancing to the Spirit Severing realm is only a matter of time. However, how should I put it—"

"I understand!" Lu Yaoyao suddenly put down the pastry in her hand, crumbs still stuck to the corner of her mouth.

Then she glared at him angrily: "Your Shen family is so big and powerful, you look down on small families like our Taiqing Sect!"

Shen Yunzhou quickly waved his hand: "Absolutely not. Although my sister often beats me up, I must clarify this point—she has never looked down on anyone."

Then, he cautiously looked around, leaned closer to Lu Yaoyao, and lowered his voice, saying, "I mainly think... my sister might not like men at all?"

"What?!" The glutinous rice ball in Lu Yaoyao's hand fell onto the table with a thud. She didn't care about the loss and her eyes widened.

"Don't misunderstand!" Shen Yunzhou casually pushed a plate of freshly served walnut pastries in front of her.

"What I mean is that she may not want to find a Daoist partner. I haven't seen her take any man seriously all these years."

As he spoke, he leaned back lazily in his chair, his hands behind his head, a sly smile playing on his lips.

"I really wonder when she'll get married, when will that be..."

He suddenly started chuckling, then seemed to remember something and burst into laughter.

"Then I will be free to roam the mountains and rivers, enjoying myself to the fullest. Let's see who can control me then!"

(End of this chapter)