The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 451 Could it be that the so-called Demon Emperor's pursuit is because of that place? (6k)

As soon as Zhou Qing finished speaking, he raised his hand and gestured, causing the clouds to surge and countless purple-gold lightning bolts to crash down like divine punishment!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Xuanyuan Chong's primordial spirit twisted and struggled amidst the sky full of lightning, letting out a heart-wrenching scream.

The seven-colored primordial spirit body continuously disintegrated under the bombardment of the purple-gold lightning. Each lightning strike would blast a hole in his primordial spirit, revealing the flickering soul essence within.

"Zhou Qing! If you dare to kill me, my Xuanyuan family will fight you to the death!" The primordial spirit roared hysterically, but its voice grew weaker and weaker.

Zhou Qing coldly observed all of this, a mocking smile playing on his lips: "Are you getting senile? Does your Xuanyuan family still have anyone left?"

Before he could finish speaking, a final bolt of purple-gold divine lightning, as thick as a water vat, crashed down.

This attack shattered Xuan Yuanchong's primordial spirit into a mere fist-sized ball of dim spiritual light, which was then imprisoned in mid-air by countless fine lightning patterns.

"Whoosh-"

Zhou Qing flashed and instantly appeared in front of that withered primordial spirit.

A faint blue light emanated from his right index finger, which pierced into the core of his primordial spirit without any hindrance.

"Uhhhhhh!!"

Xuanyuan Chong's primordial spirit let out a heart-wrenching scream, and the seven-colored light trembled violently like a candle flickering in the wind.

Countless fragments of memories flooded into Zhou Qing's sea of ​​consciousness.

After a long while, Zhou Qing slowly withdrew his finger, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Zhou Zhouqing" Xuan Yuanchong's primordial spirit suddenly fluctuated violently.

The voice was filled with pleading: "Spare my life! I'm willing to have my soul imprinted on you, and serve you as my master from now on! A servant at the late stage of the Spirit Severing Realm, to you..."

"Noisy."

Zhou Qing's expression was cold and stern, and his five fingers suddenly clenched together.

"boom!"

His primordial spirit exploded and scattered, turning into countless points of light.

The old emperor, who had been steady and reliable all his life, perished on Mount Wuxiang.

Subsequently, the resentment of the late-stage Spirit Severing Realm cultivator who had perished erupted, and Mount Wuxiang, which was already shrouded in negative emotions, was suddenly filled with howling winds.

The gray-black clouds instantly thickened several times over, and countless distorted human faces could be vaguely seen roaring within them.

Zhou Qing raised his hand expressionlessly, and the storage bag that Xuan Yuanchong had dropped flew into his palm.

He then flashed to the mountain peak where Xuanyuan Shuo was buried.

With a wave of his sleeve, countless rocks were lifted up by an invisible force, revealing the dying Xuan Yuan Shuo below.

This royal prince, who once dominated the border and manipulated several demon emperors, was now covered in blood.

The wound in his chest, pierced by the Blood Phoenix, was still bleeding profusely, staining the large area of ​​rubble beneath him.

He was panting heavily, and Zhou Qing's figure was reflected in his gray pupils. He still couldn't believe that he would die here.

"you"

Before he could finish speaking, Zhou Qing had already teleported in front of him and pointed a finger at his brow.

Xuanyuan Shuo's eyes rolled back, his body convulsed violently, and white foam spilled from the corner of his mouth.

After a long while, Zhou Qing withdrew his finger, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "So that Blood Phoenix Feather actually came from the Primordial Secret Realm!"

"You can't kill me." Xuan Yuan Shuo's voice was barely audible, each word laced with bloody foam that spilled from the corner of his mouth. "If I die, the Holy Martial Dynasty will fall to the third tier of cultivation kingdoms."

Zhou Qing looked at him coldly: "The rise and fall of dynasties is nothing more than the cycle of heaven. Even a powerful seventh-level cultivation country will turn into dust."

At this point, he subconsciously took out the token of the Divine Ruins Heavenly Palace, then looked at this old friend and said in a voice as cold as a deep pool: "So-called eternity is nothing but the foolish idea of ​​a frog in a well looking at the sky."

Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Shuo suddenly burst into laughter.

The laughter was initially unrestrained and arrogant, then gradually became hoarse, and finally turned into a mournful sob.

"Hahaha, what a frog in a well! What a cruel twist of fate!"

Zhou Qing remained silent, and suddenly a pair of enormous blood-red phoenix wings unfurled behind him.

Its wingspan was a full ten zhang, and every feather was covered with ancient inscriptions, exuding a terrifying primordial aura.

The blood wings instantly closed, completely enveloping Xuan Yuan Shuo.

"May you have a safe journey!"

"laugh--"

A chilling sound of flesh dissolving rang out, and a few breaths later, when the blood wings unfolded again, only an egg-sized blood-red crystal remained suspended in the air.

The crystals are crystal clear, and inside there seems to be a blood-red phoenix spreading its wings and soaring, exuding a powerful life force.

"Those who are alive must look forward," Zhou Qing stared at the crystals. "I can't stop, and I can't stop now!"

This statement seems to be said to someone else, yet also to oneself.

He closed his five fingers, reached out and put the crystal into his storage ring, then turned to look at Wuxiang Mountain, which was shrouded in dark clouds.

She sighed softly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

It then transformed into a streak of crimson light, hurtling towards the location of the royal treasury of the Nine-Layered Palace...

……

Duobao Chamber of Commerce.

Mo Tianheng paced back and forth in the main hall with his hands behind his back, occasionally walking to the entrance of the Chamber of Commerce to look around. The anxiety between his brows was almost tangible.

More than two months have passed...

According to the information sent back by the spies, Xuanyuan Shuo had already returned to the court two months ago.

With the two brothers joining forces and residing in a place blessed by the national fortune of the Holy Martial Dynasty, even a powerful expert at the Great Perfection of the Spirit Slaying Realm might not be able to get the better of them!
Can Zhou Qing really escape unscathed?
Just as Mo Tianheng strolled back into the hall once more, a familiar voice suddenly rang out—

"Elder Mo, were you waiting for me?"

He suddenly looked up and saw a figure smiling at him in the center of the hall.

"Zhou Qing?!"

Mo Tianheng practically strode over to him, looking him up and down: "Are you alright?"

Zhou Qing smiled slightly: "What could possibly be wrong with me?"

As he spoke, he took out a jade slip and handed it over, saying, "This is what I promised you."

Both Xuanyuan Chong and Xuanyuan Shuo possess memories within their primordial spirits of using inscription-level divine abilities.

But human nature cannot withstand the test—it wasn't that he didn't trust Mo Tianheng, but rather that he didn't want to lose another old friend because of it.

Therefore, he did not preserve the primordial spirits of those two people, but only imprinted the information obtained from the soul search into this blank jade slip.

Not only that, after dealing with the Xuanyuan brothers, he also made a special trip to the royal treasury to completely destroy the Spirit-Slaying Secret Formula hidden in the sixth-level stone pillar.

From then on, no one in the world knew that insidious method.

Mo Tianheng took the jade slip, his fingertips trembling slightly, his throat so dry he could barely speak: "You..."

Zhou Qing said calmly, "They're all dead."

Those three short words were like a thunderclap, leaving Mo Tianheng's mind blank and his ears ringing.

Zhou Qing took out another storage bag: "These are some things from their treasure vault. I don't need most of them. Please help me get rid of them and exchange them for top-grade spirit stones."

He paused for a moment, then suddenly laughed and said, "By the way, Elder Mo, you started your business, but now the Xuanyuan royal family has been destroyed, and the Holy Martial Dynasty is leaderless..."

"Why don't you sit on the throne?"

Mo Tianheng froze.

Zhou Qing continued, "With your business acumen, you will not only prevent the Holy Martial Dynasty from falling to a third-level cultivation country, but you can even make ordinary people live better lives."

"Furthermore, with this formula to break free from the shackles, the other Spirit Severing Realm cultivators will surely support you."

He shrugged: "Of course, whether you sit in this position or not is entirely up to you. After all... other foreign Spirit Slaying Realm cultivators will stop at nothing to get that formula, and it is indeed a bit dangerous."

Mo Tianheng was still in a daze until he handed over all the top-grade spirit stones of the Duobao Merchant Guild to Zhou Qing and even watched him leave before he came back to his senses as if waking from a dream.

"too crazy!"

Watching the figure gradually disappear at the end of the long street, Mo Tianheng murmured to himself, his voice filled with unprecedented shock.

……

Inside the inn.

The warm candlelight cast an exceptionally soft glow in the room.

Zhou Qing had specially changed into a clean, plain-colored long robe, and her hair still had a little moisture on it, obviously she had just finished bathing and changing.

Then, she knocked on the door next door. After entering, she immediately squatted down, opened her arms wide, and her voice was filled with undisguised joy:
"Oh, Zhou Yaoyao—" he deliberately dragged out the word, his eyebrows curving into crescent moons, "Have you missed your father?"

The little girl was sitting on the edge of the bed, swinging her two soft, white feet.

Upon hearing the sound, she looked up abruptly, her large, dark eyes immediately lighting up.

"Daddy!"

The child's soft, childlike voice, with its slightly unclear pronunciation, melted Zhou Qing's heart like a pool of spring water.

He picked up his daughter and held her in his arms, deliberately rubbing his chin against her soft little face.

"Is Father's beard prickly?" he chuckled softly, gently rubbing his newly sprouted stubble against her.

Little Yao Yao felt ticklish from being rubbed, and immediately giggled, squirming her little body in his arms.

She stretched out her chubby little hand and tried to push Zhou Qing's chin away, but he took the opportunity to kiss her palm, making her laugh even more.

Yu Yan leaned against the door, watching the father and daughter play, and her tense lips finally relaxed.

The anxiety I've been carrying these past few days has finally subsided.

Thankfully, he returned safely.

……

Three months later, somewhere above Lingyun Mansion.

A slight ripple suddenly appeared in the space, and then two figures stepped out into the air.

Zhou held Xiao Yaoyao in one arm and gently touched her forehead with the other, releasing the protective barrier around her.

The little girl was fast asleep on his shoulder, her chubby cheeks flushed red from the sun, and glistening drool hanging from the corner of her mouth.

Seeing this, a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

"This royal [Hidden Dragon Path] is indeed convenient." Swift looked back at the gradually dissipating spatial passage and couldn't help but sigh.

Zhou Qing adjusted his posture to shield the child from the sun and nodded slightly, saying, "But this time I have destroyed the Xuanyuan Clan. If Elder Mo is unwilling to take over the Holy Martial Dynasty, this [Hidden Dragon Path] will be left unmaintained and will probably fall into disrepair in no time."

"Where to next?" Swift looked around.

"Let's go to Taiqing Sect first." Zhou Qing took out the flying boat. "There are some things that need to be confirmed."

The flying boat then transformed into a streak of light, heading straight towards the eastern region...

……

According to Xuan Yuanhao's memories, the Taiqing Sect disappeared before the Yan family arrived.

The only thing capable of uprooting hundreds of thousands of people from an entire sect overnight, besides that colossal golden hand that blots out the sky, is probably—that innate spirit ancient tree in the forbidden zone.

The hen, being its friend and also a naturally born spirit, may know more about the inside story.

Unfortunately, it is still in Uncle Erda's spirit beast bag, keeping company with that ten-thousand-year-old blood ginseng.

The situation was urgent that night, and the two of them forgot about it.

Moreover, as the old hen continues to awaken, it's possible that even the four-color restriction won't be able to contain it anymore.

If it were to suddenly decide to eat that transformed ginseng as a snack, Uncle Er might go completely mad.

……

And so, not long after, the two returned to the site of the former Taiqing Gate.

After handing the sleeping Xiao Yaoyao over to Yu Yan, Zhou Qing jumped into the abyss alone.

His divine sense swept across every inch of the land like a tidal wave, yet he still found nothing.

Then, standing in mid-air, he focused his gaze on the abyss below and began his "Daily Review".

[Abyss: This is a newly formed, enormous chasm, less than a year old. This place was originally the location of the Taiqing Sect, the overlord of the Eastern Region.]

Ten months ago, at the request of an old friend, the innate spirit that had been healing in the forbidden area of ​​the grotto was awakened. It unleashed its power to uproot the entire Taiqing Sect and relocate it to a more prosperous and safer place.

[From that time on, this abyss formed, and to this day, few people have ever set foot here.]

Seeing the information sent back by the [Daily Review], Zhou Qing's heart finally settled down.

He breathed a sigh of relief and murmured, "It's alright, it's alright!"

His biggest worry was that Taiqing Sect would be taken away by that mysterious golden giant hand. Since it was an innate spirit that made the move, there was no need to worry.

Moreover, the test results clearly show that they were taken to a "prosperous and safe" place.

just
"Just who has such great influence that they can persuade a primordial spirit to take action?"

Zhou Qing frowned slightly, and the image of his grandmaster, Master Canglong, first appeared in his mind.

I remember when Nangong Xiong Ba attacked Taiqing Sect, Canglong Zhenren appeared with domineering presence.

With his mid-stage Spirit Slaying Realm strength, he defeated Nangong Xiongba, leaving only a wisp of his soul, which was eventually rescued by Xuanyuan Shuo.

When he returned to the sect, his master told him that his grandmaster had left a message before returning to the forbidden area: this was the last time he would help the Taiqing Sect, and from now on, everything would depend on them.

Moreover, even if Master is now the Ghost King in the first coffin, he might not have such great favor to show.

Could we possibly persuade a primordial spirit from the starry battlefield, recuperating here, to lend a helping hand?

The Azure Dragon Immortal should have perished back then, but he inexplicably became the Ghost Emperor. This must be related to the innate spirit.

But after Nangong Xiong Ba's help, that favor must have been used up almost completely.

"Not to mention a massive undertaking like moving the entire Taiqing Gate."

"Who could it be?" Zhou Qing was completely baffled.

Since he couldn't figure it out, he had no choice but to return to the ground.

"How is it?" Yu Yan asked as she came up to greet them, carrying Xiao Yao Yao.

Zhou Qing shook his head, looked at Xiao Yaoyao who had opened her arms for a hug, and couldn't help but smile gently as he reached out and took her.

Holding the little girl in his arms, Zhou Qing suddenly had a thought:
"Could it be that something is subtly changing in the unseen world?"

Judging from Yao Yao's account, according to the original trajectory of her fate, when she was being chased by the Demon Emperor, given her cautious nature, she would never have let a little girl take the risk with her.

They even went so far as to abandon her to the home of a hunter in the countryside surnamed Lu for three years, and named her Lu Yaoyao.

But now, Yao Yao is three years old and has started to remember things. She has not been hunted down by the Demon Emperor, and Yao Yao has taken her own surname.

More importantly, in Yao Yao's memory, she was a level five formation master.

But now there are less than nine years left until she turns twelve.

How can one condense 20,000 spirit seals to become a level 5 array master in just nine years?
This is simply a fantasy.

Even if he were to return to the back of the Void Beast and cultivate diligently now, it would be absolutely impossible to achieve this in less than three hundred years.

This is only possible by taking a shortcut, almost like a leap, thanks to the blessing of Wudao Ancient Tea.

Furthermore, according to common sense, even if they were to be hunted down by the Demon Emperor, he should place Yao Yao in a relatively safe place.

For example... Taiqing Sect!

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing suddenly felt a jolt in his heart.

So, can I understand it this way:
According to the information in the "Daily Insight", the Taiqing Sect was taken away by the Primordial Spirit ten months ago.

Judging from Senior Sister Yuan Ya's last words and Xuan Yuan Hao's memories, the removal of Taiqing Sect and the attack by the Yan family happened almost simultaneously.

If it weren't for the timely intervention of the innate spirit, the Taiqing Sect would probably have already faced annihilation.

"I see."

This discovery left him with a bitter feeling.

According to the original fate, it was precisely because of the murder of her father-in-law, the disappearance of her brother-in-law, Han Yi's self-destruction, and the destruction of the Taiqing Sect.

That's why he and Yao Yao wandered from place to place, and he gradually became taciturn.

Because he no longer has anyone he can entrust or trust.

But now it's different.

Han Yi can be saved, and the Taiqing Sect is also there.
and many more!

Zhou Qing suddenly woke up with a start.

Some destinies may be changed, but others are probably unavoidable—such as Yao Yao's fact that she has never met her birth mother.

Because Han Yi will eventually die.

Looking at the innocent little girl in his arms, Zhou Qing felt a sharp pain in his heart.

However, according to the next plan, he must go to the Primordial Daoist Temple in the Vast Expanse to find out what might be the remaining Blood Phoenix Bone.

But he, his second senior sister Luo Lingling, Bai He, and Yao Yao had all been inside the Tai Chu Dojo.

Several terrifying demon kings slumber within.

Even in earlier years, the second senior sister and Bai He obtained some crucial information from it.

The Primordial Master who created that secret realm was very likely a demon emperor, that is, a supreme being.

And now, the swift is right beside him.

Could it be understood this way: one will definitely gain something from this trip to the Primordial Dojo, but will also anger a terrifying being?

This being was able to command the Demon Emperor, which led to him being hunted down.

The swift chose to sacrifice itself to draw away the pursuers in order to protect the father and daughter.
Thinking of this, Zhou Qing suddenly turned to look at Yu Yan, his eyes filled with guilt.

"W-what's wrong?" Yu Yan blushed at his sudden gaze.

Zhou Qing hurriedly shook his head: "No, it's nothing."

He forced himself to look away, gazing at the vast abyss ahead, his brow furrowed.

If this hypothesis is true, does it mean that as long as one doesn't go to the Primordial Secret Realm, the subsequent tragedy will not happen?
The swift won't die, and he and his daughter won't be hunted down. He can then spend quality time with Yao Yao as she grows up, giving her a happy and fulfilling childhood.
Otherwise, Yao Yao would have gone to great lengths to travel to the past and bring me this crucial information.

If we still cannot change our predetermined fate, then wouldn't all these sacrifices be meaningless?

However, the essence blood of the Blood Phoenix is ​​extremely precious; it is a treasure left behind by a supreme level among demonic beasts.

Even a broken bone or a feather was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him.

According to Xuan Yuanshuo's memories, for more than 170 years, many powerful figures at the Spirit Severing Realm of the Holy Martial Dynasty joined forces to attack the entrance to the secret realm, but always failed.

It's unclear what kind of power is maintaining this.

Left with no other choice, everyone had to resort to the most primitive method—using time as a blade, like water dripping on stone!
They believed that as long as they persevered, they would eventually be able to tear down this barrier and seize the extraordinary opportunity within.

But in the last two years, the situation has suddenly taken a turn for the better.

Especially a few months ago, a demon king in the mid-stage of the Spirit Slaying Realm seemed to be driven to the brink of despair, and actually forced his way out of the secret realm with a Blood Phoenix Feather.

After a fierce battle, the group finally killed him and divided the spoils equally.

This discovery further convinced everyone that the defenses of the Primordial Dojo were on the verge of collapse and a breakthrough was imminent.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing felt as if her heart was being gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

If there really is a Blood Phoenix relic in the secret realm, but I choose to back down, wouldn't I be missing a chance to awaken Han Yi for nothing?
If we take a step back, what if other Spirit Severing Realm cultivators beat us to it?
I can't possibly hunt them down and search their souls one by one, can I?

Once the soul is searched, it becomes an irreconcilable feud.

He couldn't bring himself to kill them. After all, they had shared some of their insights and notes on breaking through to the Spirit Severing stage on the Azure Lake back then.

Not killing them would be tantamount to creating a hidden danger for both himself and Yao Yao.

He is no longer a reckless loner.

But that's not what worries him most right now.

The Blood Phoenix Essence contains the power of Nirvana, and according to the Daily Insight, this is the key to awakening Han Yi.

But what if this item has already been obtained by that being who can command all demons, and is already in use?
Especially when the barrier is about to break, the opponent will definitely accelerate the refining process.

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing was caught in a dilemma.

On one side is her daughter's happy childhood, and on the other is the faint hope of reviving her beloved.

He couldn't afford to lose this bet, and he dared not reveal his cards.

Seeing Zhou Qing's furrowed brows and restless spiritual energy around him, Yu Yan understood.

He then stepped forward and said, "Brother Zhou, whatever decision you make, I will support you unconditionally. After all, you saved Yuyan's life."

Zhou Qing's gaze shifted between Yu Yan and the drowsy Xiao Yao Yao, his eyes showing even more struggle.

Finally, he took a deep breath, his gaze hardening.

Since we cannot have both, we must seek a compromise.

Han Yi wanted to save him, even if it was just a slim chance; he didn't want to give up.

But he didn't want Yao Yao to have a miserable childhood.

Then, he turned to Swift: "Miss Swift, I have a favor to ask of you."

Swift nodded without hesitation: "Brother Zhou, please give your orders. I will do my utmost."

Zhou Qing took out a storage bag with floating dark patterns from his bosom, the opening of which faintly glowed with spiritual light: "These are rare treasures that I collected from the royal treasury and the four Spirit Severing Realm experts of the Xuanyuan family. They are all rare treasures for tempering bones and muscles."

His gaze shifted to Yao Yao, who was fast asleep in his arms, and his voice softened unconsciously.

"Little Yao Yao is three years old, which is the perfect age to lay a solid foundation. You have a calm and meticulous personality, so I would like to ask you to help her build her foundation."

Swift took the storage bag with both hands and smiled, "Leave this to me, Brother Zhou."

“I have important matters to attend to.” Zhou Qing’s expression suddenly turned serious. “But before that, you must promise me one thing.”

Swift's heart tightened suddenly, but she still said firmly, "Speak freely."

(End of this chapter)