Zhou Qing ignored Lu Yaoyao and Li Daoxuan. He found a spot where they could not see him, sat down, and opened the panel.
Name: Zhou Qing Age: Nineteen Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Early Stage Cultivation Art: Taiqing Mysterious Qi Art Innate Skills: Mind Mirror Vision—LV1 (36/100), Reduce Presence—LV2 (39/100) Skill Shard: 1/3 (Cannot be obtained)
He had not expected that, despite binding only three people, he could farm points this quickly.
Even Reduce Presence had reached 39 points. There was now a slight chance that Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators would overlook him.
Worth it!
Yan Xiaohu spoke only briefly before announcing the end.
His own junior brother had been humiliated like this—how could he still be in the mood to hold forth? You people did not respect him, yet you wanted this old man to answer your questions?
Dream on!
As the Outer Sect disciples whispered among themselves and left, Yan Xiaohu hurried to Zhou Qing's side and asked with concern, "Are you all right?"
Zhou Qing waved his hand. Aside from the abruptly appearing "uninvited guests," he was excited beyond measure right now.
After all, he had farmed so many points.
"I'm fine, Senior Brother, but you ended things far too quickly," Zhou Qing said as he watched the crowd leave with reluctant expressions.
Yan Xiaohu said nothing. Seeing Zhou Qing's smiling face, he knew his junior brother was only putting on a brave front so he would not worry.
"Senior Brother Zhou—"
Lu Yaoyao jogged over, her face full of heartache.
Zhou Qing instinctively stepped back, afraid she might touch him and cause others to misunderstand.
Although the note above her head said, So heartbreaking, and she had no other thoughts of revenge, for some reason, a voice deep in his heart kept warning him to keep his distance from Lu Yaoyao.
"Why are you here?" Zhou Qing asked Lu Yaoyao.
Seeing that Zhou Qing did not seem to have been too badly shaken, Lu Yaoyao finally breathed a sigh of relief. Then she said, "Of course we heard that a Core Disciple from Little Spirit Peak was giving a lecture, so we came specially this time. I never expected—"
Li Daoxuan, whose note read A lecherous rogue who likes peeping at baths, stood with his arms folded and an expression that kept strangers at arm's length. "Lectures in the Lecture Hall have always been point tasks for the True Disciples of each peak. If an elder or Core Disciple appears, that is naturally for the best."
"Status is important, certainly, but prestige and cultivation are equally indispensable. If you improve your reputation, there will definitely be plenty of people willing to attend your lectures!"
Hearing Li Daoxuan's advice, Zhou Qing could not help smiling.
He was basically saying that I peeped at people bathing. If a great pervert gave a lecture, what woman would be willing to come?
If women were unwilling to come, then there was no need to mention their Dao Companions or admirers. Besides, his cultivation was not high to begin with, and he was still muddled about his own cultivation. How could he possibly impart knowledge and resolve their doubts?
This guy's character was beyond reproach. He was just too jealous.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li. This junior brother understands!" Zhou Qing clasped his hands in salute.
Li Daoxuan nodded slightly and said no more.
When Zhou Qing saw Lu Yaoyao about to speak again, he immediately slapped his forehead. "Oh no, I suddenly remembered something extremely important. You two chat first!"
With that, he hurried away.
Yan Xiaohu looked at Zhou Qing's retreating back, then at Lu Yaoyao before him. He blinked and put on the same annoyed expression.
"Oh no, that important matter involves me too. Senior Brother Li, Junior Sister Lu, please forgive my poor hospitality. I need to get busy first. Fourth Child, wait for me!"
After speaking in a rush, Yan Xiaohu hurried after him.
The vast plaza was left with only the two of them staring at each other.
Heart Insight Points +3
A lecherous rogue who knows when to read the room
Li Daoxuan's mood immediately improved considerably. Then, as if sensing something, he hurriedly took out his Identity Token.
Lines of text appeared one after another.
"Junior Sister, Master wants us to return immediately. He says he has something to tell us!" After reading it, Li Daoxuan spoke to Lu Yaoyao.
Lu Yaoyao kept her gaze fixed on the direction in which Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu had vanished. Only then did she pout and give an "Mm." The two of them left as well.
"You two, come to the Council Hall at once!"
Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu were secretly lying prone halfway up the mountain. Only after watching the two leave did they breathe a sigh of relief.
But just then, their master Mo Xingjian's voice transmission rang in their ears.
The two looked at each other, not knowing why, and hurried over.
When they arrived at the Council Hall, they saw Mo Xingjian sitting above with a furrowed brow.
Looking at his two foolish disciples, Mo Xingjian let out a soft sigh.
The eldest was steady by nature, decisive in action, and possessed a ruthless streak.
The second girl was gentle enough, but she was too cautious and was never home.
Only Third Child and Fourth Child remained by his side, yet they were always so carefree and thoughtless.
Forget it, forget it. It was good enough that the two could get along. Better than other martial brothers turning against each other in bitter hatred.
Then Mo Xingjian said, "Some time ago, a Grand Elder finally achieved success in a divine art. Therefore, she intends to make a trip to our Taiqing Sect's Grotto-Heaven and have someone pick a few things."
As Mo Xingjian spoke, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell upon Yan Xiaohu.
The two were listening with their wise-looking eyes wide open. When they suddenly met their master's gaze, they froze.
Very quickly, the image of that wrinkled old woman in the rear mountain of Divine Peak surfaced in both their minds almost at the same time.
Back then, she had said that her divine art had reached great completion. Though she had tried her utmost to suppress it, she had still accidentally destroyed the rear mountain and formed a lake.
Yan Xiaohu's face instantly turned pale. Sweat poured down his forehead as he clutched his stomach and began rolling on the floor.
"Ow, ow! I must have gone wrong while cultivating. My stomach hurts so badly now, and my head is spinning! It's over, I can't see! Fourth Child, Fourth Child, where are you? Old Mo... no, Master, am I going to die?"
Zhou Qing's expression changed. He quickly caught on, immediately crouched down, grabbed Yan Xiaohu's hand, and put on a worried face. "Senior Brother, don't be afraid. I'm here, I'm here. Right, there's medicine in my room..."
As Zhou Qing spoke, he hurriedly helped Yan Xiaohu up.
Yan Xiaohu nimbly climbed straight onto Zhou Qing's back.
"I'll support you," Zhou Qing said, his body suddenly sinking under the weight.
Yan Xiaohu wailed in agony, his heart-rending cries echoing throughout the hall.
"I can't see now. If you support me and I fall, it'll hurt even more."
"All right!"
After saying that, Zhou Qing carried Yan Xiaohu and hurried toward the entrance of the hall.
Above them, Mo Xingjian's hands clenched until they crackled. He kept telling himself that these were the two wretched disciples he had taken in himself.
Anger harms the body. Smile, smile. Exhale, inhale. Yes, like that...
Smack!
Mo Xingjian slapped the armrest, startling both of them into shuddering. They froze in place, not daring to move an inch.
"The Grand Elder can bring only a limited number of people. Little Spirit Peak has designated Fourth Child to go. Even if others wanted to go, they would not have the chance!" Mo Xingjian said faintly.
Zhou Qing's face immediately went pale.
Yan Xiaohu instantly jumped off Zhou Qing's back. He was neither in pain nor crying anymore. His small eyes looked at Zhou Qing with sympathy.
Then he shook his head and patted Zhou Qing's shoulder. "Take care!"
With that, he took off running and vanished without a trace.
Zhou Qing wore a bitter expression as he turned to Mo Xingjian. "Master, how about we send someone else? I heard the Grotto-Heaven is quite dangerous..."
Mo Xingjian said, "This is our own territory, and there is even a Grand Elder there. How dangerous could it be? No, when did your Second Senior Sister teach you her path of cowardice? You are a grown man—look at how spineless you are."
Mo Xingjian was utterly speechless, but seeing Zhou Qing's hesitant appearance, he still patiently explained.
"Do you think they specifically asked for you because you and Third Senior Brother once watched them bathe? What are you thinking? You were just children. They never took it to heart and have probably long since forgotten."
After hearing this, Zhou Qing scratched his head awkwardly.
In truth, he had not seen anything that night. Third Senior Brother had only poked his head out before fleeing madly with him, his face filled with terror.
But even if he had not been the ringleader, he had still been the lookout and an accomplice. He could not help feeling uneasy.
Mo Xingjian continued, "The reason they chose you is because one passage in that Grotto-Heaven was forged from a Magneto-Essence Peak. The stronger the person entering it, the greater the pressure they endure. It may even awaken the terrifying existence guarding it within. Once that thing awakens, it cannot distinguish friend from foe."
"Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators are the most suitable. Since the Grotto-Heaven concerns secrets of the Taiqing Sect, only trustworthy disciples can be selected to enter. So it will not only be you. Suitable Core Disciples from every peak will be going."
Hearing this, Zhou Qing finally understood somewhat.
So there would be other people. You should have said so earlier—you scared me half to death!
But he still had a question. "Then what are people like us going in there for?"
Mo Xingjian said, "To shut down Magneto-Essence Peak. Or rather, the key is actually placed inside."
Zhou Qing was even more confused. It was their own territory, so why put the key inside?
Was that not asking for trouble?
Seeming to see Zhou Qing's confusion, Mo Xingjian rose to his feet and walked straight down, his expression solemn. "Just as I said earlier, the Grotto-Heaven conceals an earth-shaking secret of our Taiqing Sect, one that cannot be told to outsiders."
"Of course, we could send others in and silence them afterward, even erase their Spiritual Sense memories. But that would violate the harmony of Heaven, and there are certain opportunities within. Would that not be a waste? Rich water should not flow into outsiders' fields. After thinking it over, only you are the most suitable."
Since his master had put it that way, Zhou Qing had no reason to refuse. After all, a Grand Elder would be there to cover for him, and there were extraordinary opportunities to be had.
"When do we set out?" Zhou Qing asked.
An Eight Trigrams Plate appeared beneath Mo Xingjian's feet. "Midnight tonight!"
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