The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 378 Hmph, you heartless and ungrateful woman!

"In short, that senior said he had many inscription-level divine abilities, and even Dao-mark-level divine abilities, and casually gave me one to practice for fun."

As Zhou Qing spoke, he secretly observed Shen Hanyi's reaction.

"Relying on the foundation of the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top, I barely managed to cultivate the fifth Phoenix Dao Pattern." He paused, his voice unconsciously lowering.

"However, that senior once said that if one could cultivate to the level of three thousand Phoenix Dao Patterns, one could rival a Dao Mark-level divine ability, but the prerequisite was to maintain one's primordial yang body, which is not possible now."

Zhou Qing's tone was aggrieved as she kept glancing up at Shen Hanyi.

She remained standing still, her icy blue eyes revealing no emotion.

The silence made Zhou Qing's heart pound—he wondered if she would believe such a lame excuse.
They probably won't search my soul, right?

Staring at those eyes for a long time, Zhou Qing felt a chill run down his spine and his palms became sweaty.

He forced a smile and asked back, "And you? Have you met that senior? Why did he teach you this supernatural power?"

Shen Hanyi suddenly stood up, startling Zhou Qing, who took two steps back: "Wait! In my memory, you are not only exceptionally beautiful, but also a reasonable person. You would never bully others just because of your cultivation level."

"Thank you."

"Wh-what?" Zhou Qing's eyes widened, almost unable to believe his ears.

Shen Hanyi's eyes flickered slightly, but her voice remained cold: "I'm sorry about the matter of the inscription-level divine ability."

Zhou Qing was stunned for a moment.

A powerful expert at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Severing Realm was actually apologizing to a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

Not to mention that he defiled her under those circumstances; who would believe that if he told anyone?

"No, no need!" Zhou Qing hurriedly waved his hand. "I'm the one who should apologize. Besides, you can't cultivate that inscription-level divine ability now."

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Zhou Qing relaxed a little: "By the way, I heard from Shen Huangmao... Brother Shen, that person is from your third aunt's family? Did you not catch up with him in the end?"

“Zhao Muyi went after him.” Shen Hanyi changed the subject. “How do you know the Burning Heart and Corroding Bone Flame?”

"That poison," Zhou Qing said casually, "I stumbled upon it in an old book at a street stall when I was a kid."

Shen Hanyi nodded slightly: "I see."

Zhou Qing's eyes widened in surprise.

No, you just believed it so easily?
So easy?

"I heard you've advanced to the fourth level of array master, congratulations," Shen Hanyi suddenly said.

"Just lucky," Zhou Qing said, scratching his head.

“We can exchange ideas when we have time in the future!” Shen Hanyi’s voice was still cold, but it made Zhou Qing feel relieved.

Are you not going to pursue this matter?

“Last time at Kunpeng Palace, you not only helped me open the entrance, but you also attracted the attention of the Yan family uncle and nephew because of it.”

Shen Hanyi paused slightly halfway through her speech, a blush rising to the tips of her ears.

"This time they saved me again, and even helped me successfully break through to the Great Perfection of the Spirit Severing Realm. Now I can finally deal with that venomous snake lurking in the shadows."

Zhou Qing stared at her blankly.

This woman, who was usually as cold as ice, now had her eyes lowered and her eyelashes trembling slightly, which stunned him for a moment.

"What are you looking at?" Shen Hanyi suddenly looked up, a hint of panic flashing in her icy blue eyes.

"Ah? No, nothing!" Zhou Qing hurriedly waved his hand, his ears burning. "Well... I also got some benefits from you, so we're even."

"Mmm," Shen Hanyi responded softly.

The soft response brought Zhou Qing a huge sense of relief.

Anyone else would have killed her to silence her, yet she was so understanding.

"I can sense that you will break through to the Spirit Severing Realm within ten years," Shen Hanyi suddenly said. "Do you need any help?"

"No need, no need!" Zhou Qing quickly declined.

"Your extraordinary phenomenon of the Four Flowers Gathering at the Top caused quite a stir back then." Shen Hanyi's eyes flickered slightly. "Can you really hide this breakthrough from everyone?"

Zhou Qing was taken aback upon hearing this and hesitated for a moment.

“Even in the Heavenly Fortune Holy Dynasty, the Three Flowers Gathering at the Top is enough to cause a sensation and make one the object of countless forces’ courting,” Shen Hanyi said calmly.

"When four flowers gather at the top of the head, it is both a blessing and a curse."

She paused, then softened her voice: "Since we are destined to meet, and you have helped me many times, it is only right that I help you."

"You want to protect me?" Zhou Qing asked tentatively.

"Mm." Shen Hanyi nodded gently.

This response warmed Zhou Qing's heart.

With a powerful expert at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Severing Realm and a Level 4 Array Master protecting him, the breakthrough is indeed much more secure.

“I have a four-color array that can change the world and help you conceal yourself,” Shen Hanyi added.

Zhou Qing pondered for a moment, then solemnly clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you very much!"

"Once this matter is settled, I will return to the Heavenly Fortune Holy Dynasty." A cold glint flashed in Shen Hanyi's eyes. "Not only will I send Master Situ back to his roots, but I will also settle some old scores."

Zhou Qing felt a chill run down her spine, already guessing what she meant by those words.

"When do you plan to break through?" Shen Hanyi asked.

"It's still in preparation, probably in the next year or two," Zhou Qing replied.

Do you need any help with this?

Zhou Qing's eyes lit up.

The Nine Revolutions Spirit Condensation Array, as an intermediate-level array among fourth-level arrays, is extremely difficult to refine.

Even with his current mastery of formations, he wouldn't dare say he was absolutely certain.

What's even more troublesome is that the required materials are extremely rare, and even Elder Mo had to travel around to find those powerful experts in the Spirit Severing Realm to exchange for them.

Failure would not only result in the loss of valuable materials, but would also delay the opportunity for a breakthrough.

However, if another level four formation master were to assist...
Thinking of this, Zhou Qing looked intently at Shen Hanyi: "There really is a favor I need. Before that senior left, he gave me a set of four-color magic arrays."

……

At the same time, the window of the opposite room was quietly pushed open a crack.

Shen Yunzhou and Lu Yaoyao pressed their eyes against the window crack, staring intently at the room opposite that was completely enveloped in ice.

"Brother Zhou, hang in there," Shen Yunzhou murmured to himself, his face full of sympathy. "Once we get through this, we'll be brothers in arms."

He unconsciously rubbed his lower back, as if recalling some unbearable past events.

Lu Yaoyao squeezed to the side, blinking curiously: "What does Sister Shen want with my Senior Brother Zhou?"

Just as Shen Yunzhou was about to sigh, he looked up and saw Lu Yaoyao's double chin, which was showing as she peeked out from on tiptoe.

He straightened up without making a sound and changed his angle.

"Lu Meizi, do you particularly admire your Senior Brother Zhou?" Shen Yunzhou suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Of course!" Lu Yaoyao's eyes lit up. "In my eyes, Senior Brother Zhou is the most powerful person in the world. No one can compare to him!"

Shen Yunzhou sighed inwardly and continued to probe, "So, do you like him?"

"Of course I like it!" Lu Yaoyao said decisively, but then lowered her voice mysteriously, "but it's not the kind you're thinking of, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"What do you mean?"

"I won't tell you~" Lu Yaoyao made a face and continued to look around.

Shen Yunzhou curled his lips and muttered to himself, "Still not telling me? Then just keep pretending. They say that those who are near the water get the moon first. This is something you didn't fight for, so you deserve to be a concubine."

Lu Yaoyao's eyes lit up, and she pointed to the room across the way that was covered in ice: "I understand! Sister Shen must know that Senior Brother Zhou has advanced to the fourth level of array master, and the two of them are exchanging array techniques!"

“Heh,” Shen Yunzhou rolled his eyes and said sarcastically, “That’s right, the two of them are having an ‘in-depth’ conversation.”

"Then why are you so scared? Is it some kind of innate bloodline suppression?" Lu Yaoyao winked mischievously.

Shen Yunzhou sighed, "Little girl, you don't understand the adult world."

"If I don't understand, I don't understand. It saves me the trouble of thinking!"

Lu Yaoyao shook her head nonchalantly, then suddenly remembered something and took out a crystal-clear jade pendant from her storage bag.

"By the way, Brother Shen, I found a super fun game in the capital called 'Xuanmen Thirteen Orphans.' We're just one short, let's play together!"

Shen Yunzhou waved his hand weakly: "I don't have the mind to think about that right now."

"Let's play together!" A cool voice suddenly came from behind.

"Sister?!" Shen Yunzhou shuddered and almost fell off the windowsill.

He turned around stiffly, only to see that "Shen Hanyi" and "Zhou Qing" were already sitting at the table.

Lu Yaoyao cheerfully poured out a pile of jade tokens, their surfaces shimmering with mysterious runes: "Brother Shen, come quick, we're one short!"

Shen Yunzhou rubbed his eyes hard, looked at the frozen room opposite, and then at the three people in front of him.

Sensing the unusual aura that had suddenly filled the room, he asked in disbelief, "This is... your artistic conception?"

"Hmm~" Lu Yaoyao swung her toes triumphantly, "Let's make it clear first, no spiritual power allowed, fair and just, and we'll be playing with spirit stones! I'll explain the rules now."

As Lu Yaoyao spoke, she began to introduce the topic with great enthusiasm.

Shen Yunzhou walked up behind "Zhou Qing" as if possessed and poked his back.

"What are you doing? Focus on the rules!" Zhou Qing frowned.
"Hurry up and sit down!" Shen Hanyi also spoke coldly.

"My God!" Shen Yunzhou's eyes widened. "Lu Meizi, your artistic conception is absolutely amazing! Can you conjure up a copy of myself for us to see?"

Lu Yaoyao pouted: "What are you thinking! My 'Filial Piety Realm' can only manifest two people at most, but each person has three battle forms~"

Shen Yunzhou's eyes darted around, and he lowered his voice: "I suddenly have an idea! If we go to a fifth-level cultivation country, with your abilities, we can definitely pull off a big heist."

"No way!" Lu Yaoyao immediately shook her head. "Wherever Senior Brother Zhou goes, I'll go!"

"What a naive and innocent girl." Shen Yunzhou sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Your senior brother Zhou has already..."

"What's wrong?" Lu Yaoyao asked, tilting her head.

"It's nothing," Shen Yunzhou waved his hand, "It's just that I've grown up and am different now."

"East wind!" Lu Yaoyao excitedly played a jade token.

Zhou Qing and Shen Hanyi immediately cooperated by drawing cards, and respectively played the White Dragon and the South Wind.

Then all three pairs of eyes turned to Shen Yunzhou.

"Wait a minute," Shen Yunzhou narrowed his eyes suspiciously, "First question: Is this a three-on-one situation or a three-on-one game?"

Lu Yaoyao blushed slightly: "Of course, we're one short! It's absolutely fair!"

“Okay,” Shen Yunzhou scratched his head, “the second question is, how exactly do you play this thing?”

"Oh dear, this is what you get for not following the rules of the game. Let me tell you," Lu Yaoyao was about to explain when she suddenly realized something and turned to look at "Shen Hanyi".

Shen Hanyi slowly stood up, surrounded by a chilling aura, and walked straight behind Shen Yunzhou.

A cold voice exploded in my ear: "I'll only say it once, can you listen carefully?"

Shen Yunzhou froze, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, and nodded frantically, "Okay, okay! One time is more than enough!"

He hunched his shoulders, his eyes fixed on the jade pendant in front of him, even his breathing became lighter.

...Not long after, Luo Lingling and Ghost Hound also noticed the strangeness in Zhou Qing's room.

At first, they thought it was Lu Yaoyao causing trouble again, but when they learned that it was that unfathomable senior discussing formations with his junior brother, they were overjoyed.

"You've come at the perfect time!" Shen Yunzhou waved to the two of them eagerly as soon as he saw them.

"These two imposters are such a rip-off! I was basically fighting three against one, and I've already lost hundreds of high-grade spirit stones!"

Lu Yaoyao pouted and reluctantly put away her artistic conception.

But when he rearranged the cards and looked at the three people sitting opposite him, Shen Yunzhou's face fell.

How could I be so stupid? They're all from the same sect!
……

A month later, with the combined efforts of the two, part of the array plate of the Nine Revolutions Spirit Condensation Array was finally completed.

Shen Hanyi let out a long sigh, a hint of satisfaction flashing in her icy eyes.

As a level four array master, being able to participate in the creation of such a rare array gave her a rare sense of accomplishment.

Zhou Qing was equally delighted.

If you were to do it all by yourself, it would be extremely difficult to complete in less than half a year, not to mention the risk of failure.

He subconsciously looked at Shen Hanyi, and she happened to look up at him as well.

The moment their eyes met, they both turned their faces away again.

Although we had met before, we had never been this close.

But after that incident, there was an awkwardness between the two that was hard to explain.

“That senior is not only knowledgeable, but also has unparalleled mastery of formations.” Shen Hanyi broke the silence first, her voice still cold.

"He once bestowed upon me a long-lost four-color magic array called the Taiyin Soul Refining Array, and helped me capture a divine medicine that could transform into human form. Now, this restriction that can increase the probability of slaying spirits and resolve obsessions is even more extraordinary."

Zhou Qing smiled slightly: "Yes, that senior loves to play the game of the mortal world, and he is the most remarkable person I have ever met."

The two stared at the fragments of the array plate floating in mid-air, speechless for a moment.

"If there's anything I can do to help with the Shen family's affairs," Zhou Qing said hesitantly.

“No need.” Shen Hanyi shook her head decisively. “I will handle my own affairs. I am helping you this time to repay a past favor. How could I trouble you again?”

"It's actually fine."

I said no need!

Zhou Qing stared at her, then suddenly realized something: "So... after you become my protector, we'll be even?"

"Hmm." A single, simple word, yet it left Zhou Qing feeling empty inside.

It turns out I was just overthinking things.

snort!
What a heartless woman! She took advantage of me and now she wants to run away?
Shen Hanyi stood up at this moment, flicking her sleeve lightly: "I have other things to do. Once the person you mentioned has gathered the remaining materials, have Shen Yunzhou notify me."

Zhou Qing stood up, hesitated for a moment, and finally said only, "Okay."

Shen Hanyi's eyes flickered slightly as she gave Zhou Qing a deep look. She then lightly raised her hand, tearing open space and disappearing in an instant.

Looking at the gradually healing spatial rift, Zhou Qing sighed deeply.

【Today's post is being refreshed...】

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

Just then, a long-lost notification sound suddenly rang in his mind.

Zhou Qing's dim eyes suddenly lit up.

He looked at the space in front of him and immediately smiled: "You always say that I am your destined one, but little do you know, you are also my lucky star, just like Junior Sister Lu."

He then quickly looked at the system panel.

However, he did not notice that a subtle fluctuation was strangely emanating from the spatial rift that had just disappeared.

……

At this moment, Zhou Qing quickly looked at the Record of Strange Posts.

Upon opening it, a post shimmering with a chaotic gray light came into view.

On the surface of the sticker, two intertwined yin-yang fish patterns slowly moved, sometimes merging and sometimes separating, exuding a mysterious and unpredictable aura.

[The "Five-Five Token": Can be incorporated into oneself or gifted to others. Once effective, any duel will be a 50/50 affair, making victory or defeat difficult to determine. Effective for one day!]

A glint of light flashed in Zhou Qing's eyes as he gazed at the strange new post.

"50/50? This post is really..."

Upon seeing the description on the post, Zhou Qing couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"These random posts are really random; they can even pull out posts as outrageous as this!"

Zhou Qing was amazed.

He'd better keep this post safe. It'll give him a 50/50 chance against anyone, and even if he faces those old monsters in the future, he'll at least be invincible.

If you can't beat me, don't even think about taking me down easily.

"Brother Zhou!"

"Senior Brother Zhou!"

Two calls interrupted his thoughts.

Looking up, I saw Shen Yunzhou and Lu Yaoyao's heads peeking in through the window, one above the other.

Shen Yunzhou nimbly climbed through the window and looked around: "Huh? The ice's all melted? My older sister's really gone?"

He scratched his head, looking incredulous. "I even prepared this image stone, and she hasn't come after me yet?"

Lu Yaoyao's eyes sparkled: "You must have gained a lot from your month-long exchange, right?"

Zhou Qing glanced at Shen Yunzhou—it seemed this guy kept his mouth shut; he hadn't mentioned that matter to anyone.

That's true, it concerns his sister's reputation. If word gets out, Shen Hanyi will probably tear her mouth apart.

"Hmm." Zhou Qing changed the subject, "What's wrong with your dark circles?"

Lu Yaoyao shook her head smugly: "Hehe, I won a lot of money, I'll treat you to dinner another day!"

As she spoke, she winked at Shen Yunzhou.

Luo Lingling and Gui Ao also came to the window: "The two of them have been exchanging formations for so long, they must be tired, so please don't disturb them."

"Okay~" Lu Yaoyao stuck out her tongue and pushed Shen Yunzhou, who was still muttering, to walk out.

Shen Yunzhou looked back several times as he took a step: "Brother Zhou, did my sister really not mention me?"

"Don't worry, not a single word was mentioned!" Zhou Qing said with a smile.

As Shen Yunzhou walked, he scratched his head and said, "That's strange. How come I'm alright after causing such a big mess?"

He felt uneasy all over. "Could a person really change their personality overnight?"

I'm not used to it yet?

Is my older sister saving it up for me?

Zhou Qing shook his head and sighed softly, watching their departing figures, a sense of melancholy welling up in his heart.

……

In the dead of night, a furtive figure crept up to Zhou Qing's door again.

Just as she was about to raise her hand to knock on the door, the door suddenly opened.

"What?" Zhou Qing raised an eyebrow.

Lu Yaoyao blushed and nimbly slipped under his armpit.

Just as Zhou Qing was about to speak, she put her index finger to her lips and said, "Shh—"

She swiftly formed hand seals, and the chilling air beneath her feet condensed into a crystal-clear ice lotus.

The lotus blossoms, its petals scattering and drifting throughout the room.

“Strange.” After a moment, Lu Yaoyao tilted her head in confusion.

"What exactly happened?" Zhou Qing asked with his eyes.

"When I arrived at noon, I vaguely sensed that there was an ice lotus hidden somewhere in the room."

She lowered her voice, "Although Sister Shen probably wouldn't harm you, I still feel uneasy."

Zhou Qing's expression changed drastically. He immediately used his divine sense to scan the entire room, but found nothing.

He frowned, then smiled bitterly—sure enough, with Shen Hanyi's intelligence, how could she be easily fooled by his few words of nonsense?
She must have left some backup plan, hoping to use this opportunity to investigate.

Fortunately, he was careful with his words and actions after she left and did not reveal any clues about "Number One's" identity.

"They're all so cautious," Zhou Qing sighed, shaking his head.

It seems she didn't get any useful information, which is why she took the initiative to withdraw the wiretapping.

He looked at Lu Yaoyao and said sincerely, "Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me? Maybe I'm overthinking it." Lu Yaoyao blinked, then suddenly changed the subject.

"Senior Brother Zhou, your spiritual seals are almost as well-formed as Sister Shen's now, right? Aside from a slight difference in cultivation level, you two are actually quite a good match~"

Zhou Qing pretended to flick her forehead, but stopped halfway through raising his hand.

Recalling the scene she conjured up of herself and Shen Hanyi through imagery, her heart softened.

He then gently ruffled her hair: "Don't talk nonsense. You should understand that we and she are from completely different worlds."

"Is it because of the Shen family's background?" Lu Yaoyao tilted her head, her silver hair falling over her shoulders. "Do you think it's a mismatch in social status?"

Zhou Qing was silent for a moment, then softly hummed in agreement.

Lu Yaoyao sat down on the rattan chair next to her, swinging her legs and saying, "Strange, in my memory, Senior Brother Zhou is not someone who would easily admit defeat."

"Nothing can ever stop you once you've made up your mind about something."

Zhou Qing couldn't help but chuckle: "You talk as if you know me very well."

"I originally..." Lu Yaoyao started to say, but then swallowed her words and pouted, "Never mind, you wouldn't understand even if I told you. After all, I'm still confused myself."

Almost simultaneously, no one noticed that a gaunt old man was standing in mid-air in the night sky.

His sinister gaze pierced through the clouds, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he watched the scene below.

Between his withered, twig-like fingers, a wisp of black energy moved slowly like a venomous snake.

"Looks like there's been an unexpected gain," the old man's hoarse voice drifted in the night breeze.

"After getting rid of that Zhao family brat, and learning that Shen Yunzhou was also here, I originally planned to capture him to blackmail the Shen family girl."

His cloudy eyes were fixed on the courtyard below, his gaze lingering on Lu Yaoyao's silver hair: "I didn't expect that she would quietly take on a disciple here?"

"That silver hair, and that ice lotus from earlier," the old man's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "it's clearly the 'Ice Purity Technique' that the Shen family girl is mainly cultivating!"

Then, he turned his gaze to the other side room, where he could see through the window that Shen Yunzhou was fast asleep, cuddling his dung beetle, his full head of yellow hair standing out in the moonlight.

“The Shen family girl isn’t here…” The old man licked his chapped lips, his black robe fluttering even without wind.

"A golden opportunity! If we just throw these two baits into that great formation, given her nature, she'll definitely go to rescue them, and then..."

The old man let out a cackling laugh, then his figure suddenly transformed into black smoke and swept directly towards Shen Yunzhou's residence below...

(End of this chapter)