Breakthrough, Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!

Faced with Zhou Qing's question, Mo Xingjian turned around, his expression grave. "A secret, concerning the Supreme Secret of our Taiqing Sect. Let me put it this way—it was precisely because of the discovery of that place that the Taiqing Sect as it exists today came to be."

The two were even more shaken after hearing this.

In other words, the Taiqing Sect was founded on the basis of that place, and had relied on it to develop and grow to its current state.

So those things weren't originally the Taiqing Sect's after all. No wonder they could trap someone of such caliber until now.

Zhou Qing suddenly understood.

Mo Xingjian continued, "The Grand Elder's recent breakthrough in cultivation methods was an attempt to see if he could obtain something from inside. Good thing you didn't go in—of course, you couldn't have anyway—otherwise, even if we didn't silence you, we'd have to erase your related memories."

Zhou Qing's heart jolted sharply.

Fortunately, after much deliberation earlier, he had concealed some details.

He had only reported to the Grand Elders that the Broken Bowl had shouted "Second Uncle" before slipping out through the Robber Hole, without mentioning that it would stay in the Taiqing Sect for a while longer.

If everyone searched with full effort and later discovered that he had brought it out, what then?

Besides, it had said it would "stay for a while longer," meaning it would leave before long.

He had already experienced all the secrets the sect had to offer, and had even nearly become the current Sect Leader of the Taiqing Sect, so he shouldn't covet anything else.

"By the way, regarding the matter of the Grotto-Heaven, you must not spread it carelessly. Not just within the sect, but there are no small number of outsiders coveting it. If they catch wind of anything, it will be a great disaster for you!" Mo Xingjian warned again solemnly.

Zhou Qing nodded repeatedly.

Yan Xiaohu, however, muttered under his breath, "After all that talk, you still haven't made clear what secret is inside the Grotto-Heaven, and I've just gained an extra danger for nothing."

Mo Xingjian couldn't be bothered to argue with him further, then rose and left, instructing Zhou Qing to rest well.

After both had left, Zhou Qing first took out the Top-Grade Water Attribute Spirit Stone and examined it, unable to put it down.

"I'll wait until tomorrow to absorb it while soaking in the No. 3 Flame Spirit Blood Pool—that way the effect will be better!"

Putting away the spirit stone, he then took out the secret technique "Silver Dragon Hand" awarded by the Grand Elder this time and read it carefully.

Early the next morning, Zhou Qing headed alone toward Divine Peak. He had originally wanted Third Senior Brother to accompany him, but that guy absolutely refused.

"Senior Brother Zhou!"

As soon as he reached the mountain, a graceful figure ran over—who else could it be but Lu Yaoyao.

When he saw Li Daoxuan also approaching from not far away, his face pulled long as if someone owed him money, Zhou Qing felt a headache coming on.

"Were you two waiting here specifically for me?" Zhou Qing asked after bowing to Li Daoxuan.

Lu Yaoyao nodded, then said with a smile, "I wanted to congratulate you on winning first place yesterday, but the Grand Elders kept you talking, and I never found the right chance."

Zhou Qing said, "Thank you."

[Heart Insight Points +4]

Soon, above Lu Yaoyao's smiling face, the original [So Loving] note instantly changed to [So Awesome!].

Zhou Qing sighed lightly. You really just cycle through these few adjectives, don't you?

At this point, Li Daoxuan also stepped forward, his face stiff. "I heard that in the Gravity Zone this time, you gave your Yang Fire Talisman to Little Junior Sister, putting yourself in danger. Thank you!"

With that, Li Daoxuan directly bowed.

Zhou Qing felt flattered.

"Senior Brother Li, you flatter me. Little Junior Sister is new here; as senior brothers, we should help whenever we can!" Zhou Qing said hurriedly.

Li Daoxuan straightened up, his heart full of gratitude.

[Heart Insight Points +5]

Soon, under Zhou Qing's gaze, the original [Somewhat Tactful Lecher] above the other's head quickly changed to [Starting to Look Decent Lecher].

Zhou Qing opened his mouth, then forcibly swallowed the curse words that had risen to his lips.

He then stepped back and said, "Alright then, the Grand Elder is still waiting for me, so I'll take my leave now."

After speaking, he hurried away.

Soon, he followed a familiar path to a certain spot in the back mountain. This was the secluded residence of several reclusive Grand Elders, and the Flame Spirit Blood Pool was located inside one of the peaks.

"You're here?"

Just as Zhou Qing was looking around, a voice came from behind him without warning.

Zhou Qing was startled and quickly turned to bow. "Greetings, Grand Elder."

The old woman nodded slightly, said nothing more, and led Zhou Qing straight toward the No. 3 pool.

Before long, he saw what the real Flame Spirit Blood Pool looked like.

The entire pool emitted a strange, scorching glow. The liquid inside was an eerie dark red, as if refined by endless flames.

The air was filled with a refreshing medicinal fragrance.

And this was merely a diluted branch pool—one could imagine how potent the main pool's medicinal power must be.

"Alright, this is the No. 3 Blood Pool. You did very well this time. The original reward was one day, but I'll extend it by half a day for you. Also, this is a manual of my cultivation insights for the 'Silver Dragon Hand' from back in the day—you can use it for reference!"

After saying this, the old woman handed over another booklet.

Zhou Qing was ecstatic.

"Thank you, Grand Elder!"

The old woman nodded and left.

Zhou Qing quickly put away the manual. After confirming no one else was around, he shed his clothes and slowly stepped into the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.

The moment he touched the scalding liquid, a violent wave of heat surged through his skin pores and rushed straight into his body.

Zhou Qing couldn't help but hiss, "Sss—" but fortunately, it was still within his tolerance. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain that nearly burned him, he gradually submerged his entire body into the blood pool.

As he sank in, the spiritual energy in the pool surged toward him like a raging torrent.

The liquid was thick with intense fire essence, scorching and domineering.

Zhou Qing quickly activated the Taiqing Mysterious Qi Art, guiding the medicinal power through his body. To help neutralize the pain, he took out the Top-Grade Water Attribute Spirit Stone and held it in his hand, beginning to absorb its energy.

Time passed slowly. Zhou Qing, who had been tightly shut-eyed with bulging veins on his forehead, seemed to gradually adapt to the pain. A hint of enjoyment even appeared between his brows.

"Truly a fine thing!"

Zhou Qing could clearly feel every strand of medicinal power flowing through his meridians like countless scorching little knives scraping against their inner walls. Though excruciatingly painful, the meridians grew tougher and wider under this stimulation.

Even the Foundation Establishment Spirit Core within his Dantian grew stronger. Beyond that, a faint red glow gradually spread across the surface of his body, as if he were a divine weapon being forged by flames, radiating a powerful aura.

One night passed quickly. Suddenly, a burst of intense light erupted from Zhou Qing's Dantian.

The Spirit Core, originally the size of a pigeon's egg, began to slowly expand. Like a greedy child, it frantically absorbed the surrounding spiritual energy.

The surface of the Spirit Core flickered with dazzling flames. Each flame was like a nimble fire serpent, winding and slithering across the core.

Zhou Qing's heart surged with wild joy. He increased the speed of absorbing the Top-Grade Spirit Stone, and the liquid in the blood pool began to spin madly around him.

The surrounding spiritual energy seemed drawn by some immense force, forming a massive vortex of spiritual power that poured endlessly into Zhou Qing's Dantian.

Before long, the Spirit Core finally stopped growing, settling steadily in his Dantian—now more than twice its original size.

As Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, it seemed as though two blazing flames were burning within them.

"Foundation Establishment Middle Stage!"