The head master has a new female apprentice

Chapter 201: Uncle, is it because of Nannan? (6k)

"Old Four, Old Four, where have you been? Why did you leave without even saying goodbye? And you're injured..."

"I'm here!" Before Yan Xiaohu could finish his words, Zhou Qing's voice sounded slowly from the side, with a bit of helplessness and indifference.

Yan Xiaohu rubbed his eyes and realized that Zhou Qing had been sitting there cross-legged and had not moved at all.

He immediately smiled awkwardly and quickly walked over.

Speaking of which, he felt something was wrong with his eyes from the moment he entered Baiyu Taixu Courtyard. The Fourth Brother was clearly right next to him, but he just couldn't see him.

This made him think of the past.

Second Senior Sister Luo Lingling asked him to get something from a certain place. He searched high and low, inside and out, but couldn't find it.

When the second senior sister came looking for him in a rage, the thing suddenly appeared like a ghost in the place where he had turned over.

Tell me if it’s scary or not!
"Fourth brother, how do you feel now?" Yan Xiaohu asked with concern.

Zhou Qing sighed, then shook his head: "Looks like I can only find Second Uncle!"

After hearing this, Yan Xiaohu's face was full of self-blame.

"Fourth Brother, I'm sorry. It's me who caused you to be like this. If I hadn't been so greedy, we would have returned to the sect by now and wouldn't have gotten into this!"

Yan Xiaohu said regretfully.

Zhou smiled slightly, with a bit of open-mindedness and comfort, and said softly: "Every failure makes you wiser. It's no big deal. Second Master will definitely have a way. Don't worry."

Come to think of it, it's just a blood curse. Even if Uncle Er can't do anything about it, his innate skill [Random Post] might be able to produce a targeted post someday.

Just like this [Detoxification Post], it brought them a turning point in their desperate situation.

Besides, he didn’t even know where Tianyao Mountain was, so what about the bloodline of the Peng clan? He had refined three drops of real Dapeng blood.

If someone from the Peng clan comes to seek revenge on him, just come, there is nothing to be afraid of!

"Let's go home!" Zhou Qing stood up with a smile. After comforting Yan Xiaohu, the two of them set out on their return journey.

……

Taiqing Gate!
When Mo Xingjian, who was taking a nap, learned that Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu had returned, he was so excited that he lost one of his shoes and hurried out.

"Master!" Seeing Mo Xingjian stumbling towards them, their eyes instantly turned red and they knelt on their knees in excitement.

Mo Xingjian took a few steps forward, and with trembling hands he helped the two of them up. He gently patted their shoulders with his broad palms and said several times, "Okay, okay, it's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

This was the first time in all these years that he had let the two of them go so far away.

Now that I see that the two of them are safe and sound, the huge stone in my heart has finally fallen to the ground.

Inside the Jade Kitchen!

Mo Xingjian sat aside, a doting smile on his face, watching the two people wolfing down their food quietly.

"Don't be impatient, order more if it's not enough!" Mo Xingjian said kindly.

Yan Xiaohu, his mouth full, mumbled, "The food at home is still delicious. The food at the academy is so delicious that even a dog wouldn't eat it."

Zhou Qing couldn't help but laugh and said, "Third Senior Brother, you've been to the kitchen in the inner courtyard quite often."

Yan Xiaohu suddenly felt a little embarrassed and scratched his head, saying, "The comparison will reveal the answer."

After hearing this, Mo Xingjian couldn't help but burst into laughter.

These two guys have been out for more than half a year, and they haven't changed at all. They still have the same temper.

After eating and drinking to his heart's content, Yan Xiaohu comfortably picked his teeth, looking around and asking doubtfully, "Master, why has the sect become so deserted again?"

Mo Xingjian's expression froze slightly, and he slowly said, "A few days ago, a strong earthquake spread throughout the entire Eastern Region. The Sect Master led the various Peak Masters out to investigate, and all the disciples were also dispatched."

After hearing this, Yan Xiaohu subconsciously looked at Zhou Qing, with a hint of panic in his eyes.

Zhou Qing also felt a little uncomfortable. He lowered his head slightly, and a hint of embarrassment flashed across his face.

Mo Xingjian saw the two men's guilty expressions and immediately realized what was happening. He stared at them intently with a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice, "Were you the ones who caused the vibration?"

Yan Xiaohu immediately felt remorseful and told the whole story in detail.

When Mo Xingjian heard that Zhou Qing had actually killed a legendary powerful being in the Soul-Slaying Realm, his eyes widened with disbelief.

With a wave of his hand, a layer of soundproofing came out immediately, and then he asked anxiously: "What's going on?"

Yan Xiaohu was also curious about this.

He has been in a daze ever since he got into trouble.

Zhou Qing had no choice but to recount in detail what had happened at Lingku Mountain.

Mo Xingjian and Yan Xiaohu were stunned.

I said that after you brought Lu Yaoyao back that time, that girl actually broke through two small realms directly. It turns out that she refined the natural thunder liquid.

At this moment, Yan Xiaohu was so regretful. If he had known earlier, he would not have gone out with Lei Luo to dig up other people's ancestral graves.

Mo Xingjian frowned.

No wonder the entire Eastern Region was shaken so violently. In other words, this was caused by the self-detonation of two Soul-Severing Realm masters.

"What about the blood curse on you—" Mo Xingjian asked worriedly.

Zhou Qing comforted him, "It's really okay, just look for Second Master when the time comes."

After hearing this, Mo Xingjian felt a little relieved.

I hope that old guy really has a solution.

Seeing the somewhat heavy atmosphere, Zhou Qing quickly changed the subject and said with a smile, "By the way, Master, do you have any news about Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister?"

Mo Xingjian shook his head slightly, pretending to be angry and said, "Everyone is busy with their own things, no one cares about an old man like me."

The two of them felt embarrassed for a while and quickly took out the gifts they had brought back.

Mo Xingjian smiled happily for a moment, but soon frowned.

"Why does this gift box look so familiar?" Mo Xingjian said to himself.

The two of them couldn't help but feel a sudden shock in their hearts, and a bad premonition came to their minds.

Mo Xingjian turned the bottom box over and saw a line of beautiful small characters in the upper left corner.

The inscription reads: "This is a regional specialty sold by the Taiqing Sect in its Lingyunfu branch. It is made of fine materials and is unique."

Seeing this scene, Mo Xingjian's originally happy expression suddenly stiffened.

As soon as they looked up, the two of them ran away.

"Third Brother, when will you be more reliable?"

"I was careless. I forgot that after Qian Dafu's death, the sect opened three shops there to supervise each other."

"You can't be so unlucky. There are so many shops out there, but you chose ours? We finally sold something, and you bought it back for us."

"Don't say that. If I'm lucky, I can take you to that mine."

……

The master and his men came back very quickly this time. After all, there are two supreme elders in the sect who have taken the Nine Nether Lotus Seeds, and there is no room for any mistakes.

Cao Zhengyang was overjoyed to hear that Zhou Qing had returned.

"How do you feel about Haomiao Mansion?" Cao Zhengyang asked with concern in the hall.

Zhou Qing smiled and said, "Not bad. Master Lin has unique insights into formations and restrictions. I have gained a lot during this period."

After hearing this, Cao Zhengyang nodded with satisfaction.

Zhou Qing also smiled slightly. After discussing with his master about the matter of Lingku Mountain, he decided not to tell his uncle and the others.

It's not that I don't trust you, but it's totally unnecessary.

Just like now, my uncle and the others don’t care at all about where the source of the earthquake is, they are just a little curious.

Moreover, this matter is too serious. It not only involves powerful people like the Soul-Slaying Realm, but also involves the demon clan.

What’s even more terrible is that it is related to the royal prince Xuanyuan Shuo.

No one knows what happened between the two. What if it involves some secret, or a treasure? What do you think Xuanyuan Shuo will think when he finds out that Zhou Qingkeng killed him? What will he do?
At that time, it would be a devastating disaster for both Zhou Qing and the entire Taiqing Sect.

The master had considered this very carefully, and Zhou Qing naturally had no objection.

As the conversation between the two deepened, Zhou Qing couldn't help but turn the topic to the recent developments of several other major sects.

Hearing this, Cao Zhengyang sighed slightly and said slowly, "The situation in the entire Eastern Region is quite chaotic right now, and more and more forces from the other three regions are coming here to take advantage of the situation."

"Many homeless people have no choice but to seek refuge in the five major sects. Generally speaking, it's still the same. Apart from the Cang Yan Dao Palace, our Tai Qing Sect is the most powerful."

Zhou Qing nodded. This was similar to what he saw on his way back.

The battle at Canglan Mountain had a huge impact.

Cao Zhengyang smiled and said, "Don't worry, the general framework will not be shaken. Moreover, those who have been living in the comfortable sect are now growing rapidly after encountering various changes. This can be considered a combination of good and bad."

Zhou Qing hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking, "What about those two supreme elders..."

After all, the second uncle said that it is impossible to break through the Soul-Severing Realm by relying solely on the Nine Nether Lotus Seeds. The old emperor lied and hid some other things.

Cao Zhengyang's expression darkened, and he shook his head helplessly: "The retreat is set up in the cave heaven, and is jointly protected by the six supreme elders. No news has been released yet."

Zhou Qing nodded slightly.

There are a total of eight supreme elders in Taiqing Sect, two of whom are servants and six are protectors, which shows how much importance they attach to it.

I hope you are safe!
"That's right, Master!" Zhou Qing soon thought of something and took out four formation flags.

"These are the same-colored magic arrays refined by my nephew. They are the 'Buddha Array', the 'Thunder and Flame Soul Devouring Array', the 'Eighteen Magnitude Earthquake', and the 'Itch Scratching Array'. I hope they can be of some help."

Zhou Qing said solemnly.

After finally coming back, he should at least give this big family some gifts. He couldn't use these formations at the moment, but if he needed them, he could just refine them.

If a few more epiphany posts are refreshed, maybe I can directly refine the two-color restriction.

Cao Zhengyang stared at the battle flag Zhou Qing handed over, his eyes full of shock.

Then there was a burst of ecstasy.

See? This is the benefit of having a formation master in the sect.

With these precious formation flags, Taiqingmen's defense and combat capabilities will be greatly enhanced.

And these good days have just begun.

……

After saying goodbye to Cao Zhengyang, Zhou Qing looked at the rolling mountains in the distance, with a thousand thoughts in his mind. After thinking it over again and again, he turned and walked towards Jinyang Peak.

"Junior Brother Zhou!"

As Zhou Qinggang went up the mountain, a familiar figure greeted him with a smile on his face.

Zhou Qing was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with joy: "Senior Brother Du!"

The person who came was Du Kui, who had been depressed because of what happened to Senior Sister Luo Xue, but regained his spirits after Zhou Qing killed Sima Yaoji to avenge his senior sister.

It seems that Dukui is in good shape now.

Faintly, a unique charm has appeared on him.

It seems that after breaking down and then building up, Senior Brother Du Kui actually comprehended a certain artistic conception faster than Senior Brother Li Daoxuan.

It’s really gratifying!
"Master predicted that you would come today, so he specially ordered me to welcome you here!" Du Kui walked forward and said with a smile.

Zhou Qing was not surprised by this, but bowed respectfully and said, "Thank you for your help, Senior Brother!"

In this way, the two walked up the mountain side by side.

But for some reason, while the two were chatting, Zhou Qing always felt that Senior Brother Du was full of awe towards him, and he even caught a hint of fear hidden in it.

This made Zhou Qing feel inexplicably lost. As his cultivation level improved, his status in the sect rose, and even the closest relationship gradually developed into a gap.

In the world of cultivation, strength is respected, but he never thought that this gap in strength would become a chasm between him and his fellow disciples.

This was already apparent this morning when I went to Shenyue Peak to see the head teacher and met Senior Sister Shi Zhen on the way to the Mission Hall.

Although the two of them greeted each other with a smile as usual, Senior Sister Shi Zhen's tone became very polite.

Not long after, Zhou Qing and Du Kui arrived at the main hall and saw Uncle Gao Xuan flipping through books in rows of bookshelves with a focused expression.

Seeing this, Zhou Qing immediately stepped forward and saluted respectfully.

Du Kui also tactfully retreated and closed the door gently.

"Sit down!" Gao Xuan pointed to the desk, where the tea had been brewed, steaming hot and emitting a fragrant aroma.

Zhou Qing walked over and sat down slowly.

Gao Xuan was still flipping through the books. After a while, Zhou Qing thought for a moment and said, "Master, I've been keeping an eye on the matter you mentioned to me a few months ago in Yellow Maple Valley, but I haven't found any relevant clues. However, there is one person who is very suspicious."

Then, Zhou Qing spoke in detail about the man in white whose back was only visible.

After hearing this, Gao Xuan closed the book in his hand, stood up and walked over to sit down.

He first picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then fell into deep thought: "Some things, you have to rely on your own judgment, I am just pointing you in a direction."

Zhou Qing nodded to show that he understood.

"You came here today not just to talk about this, right?" Gao Xuan asked in a gentle but slightly meaningful voice.

Zhou Qing smiled calmly and said, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from Master. In fact, after you left the Yellow Maple Valley, I thought that if you came back, I would see if I could figure out some things."

"About me at Cang Yan Dao Palace?" Gao Xuan asked directly.

This question made Zhou Qing stunned.

He had thought that Master Gao Xuan would proceed step by step and slowly guide the topic, but he didn't expect the other party to be so direct and explicit.

It’s really straightforward!

But now that the topic had been brought up, Zhou Qing no longer hid it and said, "I'm just curious. If it's inconvenient to talk about, or if it involves something secretive, then forget it."

Gao Xuan smiled slightly and took another sip of tea.

Then, he said calmly, "There's nothing secretive about this. Your uncle Gao Xuan previously joined the Cang Yan Dao Palace and served as an insider for many years. Later, he became increasingly greedy, wanting more and more things. Sikong Yan really disliked people like him, so he let me take his place. It's that simple!"

Zhou Qing couldn't help but blush as he watched his uncle speaking the truth in a nonchalant tone.

No, are you just going to admit your identity of possessing another person so bluntly?

Although the two had had many obscure conversations before, and Zhou Qing had already guessed it in his heart, when this secret was finally laid out in the open without reservation, he seemed a little overwhelmed.

Gao Xuan looked at Zhou Qing's stunned expression and couldn't help but burst into laughter: "When talking to smart people, I like to be straightforward."

"Then how could you..." Zhou Qing hesitated to speak.

Gao Xuan seemed to understand his thoughts and took the initiative to explain, "Rebellion? Speaking of which, I should be grateful to him for allowing a dying Nascent Soul Realm cultivator to successfully possess the body of a Spiritual Transformation Realm cultivator, extending his lifespan and witnessing the prosperity of the world."

Although Gao Xuan said this, Zhou Qing heard a strong sense of irony.

"Then when did you start to suspect me? After the Five Sects Yibao gathering, that stone stained with the real Gao Xuan's blood? Did you really smell it?"

Gao Xuan's expression suddenly changed and he asked curiously.

"That shouldn't be the case. When Gao Xuan died, you probably weren't even born yet." Seeing Zhou Qing remained silent, Gao Xuan added doubtfully.

Sure enough, what Uncle Gao Xuan knew was far beyond his expectations.

"Forget it. Your master did the same thing, pushing you out as a pathfinder," Gao Xuan shook his head slightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes, as if he was helpless, and also as if he was sighing.

After hearing this, Zhou Qing did not refute anything.

Let Master take the blame for now.

But after thinking about it, he said, "Uncle Master, if there is anything I can do to help you, please just tell me."

If the previous uncle-master was a lesson for Cang Yan Dao Palace, given their style of doing things, how could they not have any means of restraining him after finding a new person to replace him?

Gao Xuan looked at Zhou Qing's serious expression and couldn't help but smile. With a bit of gentleness and expectation in his eyes, he said, "As I said before, practice hard. You are still too weak now."

Zhou Qing lowered his head slightly, hesitated for a moment, and then asked softly, "Is it Nannan?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Gao Xuan, who was originally smiling, suddenly became stern, his eyes narrowed dangerously, and he stared at Zhou Qing like a hawk.

The air in the room seemed to freeze at this moment, and the atmosphere became oppressive.

After a long while, Gao Xuan's expression gradually turned bitter. He sighed softly and said, "It seems that Senior Brother Cao really wants to train you to be the next headmaster. He even told you such a secret matter."

"I didn't say that!" At this moment, Cao Zhengyang's voice came from the door, accompanied by footsteps, and he pushed the door open.

Zhou Qing was about to stand up and greet him, but Cao Zhengyang waved his hand, looked directly at Zhou Qing, and asked, "How did you know?"

Zhou Qing suddenly felt a little embarrassed.

The reason why he thought so actually came from the clues he got when he used [Daily Inspection] to identify the rattle.

Facing the gazes of the two people at this moment, Zhou Qing felt a little flustered.

Helpless, he had to bite the bullet and said, "I guessed it, because I have seen that rattle more than once, including last time in Yellow Maple Valley."

The two were stunned.

【Heart Points + 9】

The next moment, the entry above Gao Xuan's head, which originally read "The Prodigy of Taiqing Sect," instantly changed to "The Bold and Careful Young Master."

Zhou Qing was full of surprise.

It seems that Master Gao Xuan has also acknowledged in his heart that he will be the next headmaster, but he doesn't want to be the one at all.

However, this also confirmed that his previous guess was true. Sikong Yan had indeed kidnapped Master Gao Xuan's daughter and was blackmailing her.

But when I think about it carefully, so many years have passed, and Nannan should have grown up, but Uncle Gao Xuan still holds that rattle and thinks of her. This is really unreasonable.

According to common sense, if Sikong Yan wanted to control Uncle Gao Xuan, he should have sent some of Nannan's personal belongings from time to time.

Could it be that, as he had guessed before, his daughter was no longer alive?

And the person who killed his daughter was Cang Yan Dao Palace?

So, it was only after Master Gao Xuan gradually understood the truth behind the incident that he chose revenge as his goal, and had been hypocritical towards Cang Yan Dao Palace all along?
In an instant, a series of thoughts flashed through his mind.

At this moment, Cao Zhengyang looked at Zhou Qing's pensive expression, his face full of relief.

This child was able to deduce so much key information simply from a rattle. I have to say, he is extremely thoughtful.

Afterwards, Cao Zhengyang said earnestly, "Zhou Qing, these are matters between us adults. Your main task now is to study formations with Master Lin Daochen. If you can gain some benefits from the Second Master along the way, that would be even better."

Gao Xuan didn't say anything else, but nodded slightly, which showed his agreement.

Seeing that the two were obviously unwilling to let him get involved in this matter, although Zhou Qing was unwilling, he also understood the elders' painstaking efforts and had to get up and say goodbye.

Watching Zhou Qing's receding figure, Cao Zhengyang gently stroked his beard and turned to look at Gao Xuan. A subtle hint of expectation flashed in his eyes, and he asked meaningfully, "How is it?"

Gao Xuan's mouth curled up slightly, his eyes full of admiration, and he uttered only four words: "The hidden dragon in the abyss!"

Cao Zhengyang was stunned and couldn't help laughing, but in a flash, his laughter stopped abruptly and his expression suddenly became solemn.

"We just received news that the source of the earthquake has been found. It's in Lingku Mountain, next to the abandoned Blood Rock Mine of the Cangyan Dao Palace."

Seeing Cao Zhengyang's strange expression, Gao Xuan frowned and said, "Is there a problem?"

Cao Zhengyang's expression grew increasingly solemn as he slowly spoke, "Spirit Skull Mountain is gone, replaced by an abyss even larger than the one Old Peng King found on Canglan Mountain. Within a thousand miles of this abyss, everyone who enters is either crying or laughing, and quite a few even go insane."

When Gao Xuan heard this, his pupils shrank sharply, and a trace of shock flashed in his eyes. He seemed to have thought of something in an instant, and blurted out: "You mean, someone in the Soul Slashing Realm fell?"

(End of this chapter)