The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

Chapter 1280: Chapter 381: So, I Still Get Nervous! (6k)_2

"Elder Mo, you’re too kind," Zhou Qing returned the courtesy.

"I eagerly await your great news. With your talent, you are bound to succeed!"

"Thank you for your kind words."

...

Returning to his residence, Zhou Qing informed Shen Hanyi about the materials.

After all, after guarding him, she had even more significant matters to attend to.

"With the remaining materials, it will take us three months to complete if we work together," Shen Hanyi nodded slightly. "Where do you plan to seclude for cultivation next?"

Zhou Qing hesitated.

Originally, the plan was to return to the Taiqing Sect, to calm his mind and first refine the Four-Color Array "Nine Turns Spirit Condensing Array".

To avoid implicating the sect, he intended to find another place for seclusion after completing the array.

However, the news Elder Mo brought put him in a dilemma—the Spirit Severing Realm experts at Bibo Celestial Lake had set off for Vast Mansion.

Vast Mansion borders Lingyun Mansion, and with the original five Spirit Severing experts attacking Taichu Dojo, the situation has become complex.

If by any chance something happens that even Shen Hanyi can’t control, wouldn’t it be exposed?

After all, looking at it from her perspective, with the insights of a fifth-level cultivation country, she had reminded him not to reveal the Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

Yet in Zhou Qing’s heart, there was still reluctance.

Having been away from the sect for a long time, he longed to see his masters again, to restore peace of mind before another breakthrough.

The meticulously prepared gifts from his seniors and the pressure Lu Yaoyao had been bearing recently urged him to hurry back.

"Actually, there’s no need to struggle," Shen Hanyi broke his silence with her words, "The Holy Martial Dynasty territory is vast, with many places to choose from."

Zhou Qing’s eyes flickered.

"Just avoid places where Spirit Severing experts gather," she continued, "Especially the Imperial City and the area around Vast Mansion."

Zhou Qing pondered for a moment and finally nodded, "But before going into seclusion, I still want to visit the sect once."

"That is indeed proper," Shen Hanyi understood, "Otherwise, during Spirit Severing, the heart may remain distracted."

She took out a glowing jade scroll, "These are my insights from my spirit severing days, they might be of use."

"Thank you so much!" Zhou Qing beamed with joy, receiving it with both hands.

Shen Hanyi stood up and said, "Since everything is prepared, why not depart earlier?"

"Alright." Zhou Qing nodded solemnly.

...

At dawn the next day, the group quietly left the Inner City.

Ghost Mastiff and the others could hardly contain their excitement, eager to see their master.

"Let me show you something good." Zhou Qing stopped at a hidden node, waving the green token in his hand.

Upon learning they could use the exclusive Hidden Dragon Path teleportation array of the Royal Family, everyone’s eyes lit up—it would save significant travel time.

Even Shen Hanyi was a bit surprised, quickly discerning its mystery.

With a wave of her delicate hand, she tore open space, taking everyone through it, then deploying her flying ship.

Within the stable spatial channel, the flying ship sped towards Lingyun Mansion...

...

Thus, three months later, a spatial rift suddenly tore open among the vast mountains, and a white jade flying ship soared through it.

"Since we left midway and followed only a general direction, it’s still about two months from the Taiqing Sect!"

Zhou Qing said while comparing a jade scroll map.

Ghost Mastiff took a deep breath, "I can already smell home, it’s so sweet."

Luo Lingling laughed, "It’s already fast. Remember when we went to the Imperial City, we traveled day and night for more than two years. Now, not even half a year and we’re almost back."

Zhou Qing smiled knowingly, glancing at Shen Hanyi by his side.

Along the way, the two had successfully refined all subsequent array discs of the "Nine Turns Spirit Condensing Array".

Now, everything was in place, just awaiting the right moment.

"Let’s go," Shen Hanyi said calmly, as the flying ship started up again, speeding towards Taiqing Sect...

...

Since Nangong Xiongba caused havoc at Taiqing Sect and was severely wounded by three Spirit Severing experts allied together, Taiqing Sect has undeniably become the overlord of the Eastern Domain.

Looking across the entire Holy Martial Dynasty, which family besides the Royal Family could boast so many Spirit Severing experts?

And they were all self-cultivated, their battle prowess far exceeding those relying on elixirs by countless times.

Surprisingly, after accepting Cangyan Daoist Palace’s surrender, Taiqing Sect became even more discreet in their actions.

Even when five Spirit Severing experts from Vast Mansion came to visit, they were politely declined, everything remained usual.

This kind of demeanor commands respect.

With Taiqing Sect’s current strength, they could easily annex all sects large and small in the Eastern Domain at a whim.

This level of restraint slowly eased the wariness of various forces, leading mostly to a sense of loss.

However, tranquility didn’t last long.

When the news broke that "Mr. Ji" Zhou Qing had advanced to a four-level array master, and the nine Spirit Severing experts showed goodwill consecutively, the entire Eastern Domain was ablaze again.

The entire Taiqing Sect was filled with excitement and joy.

Leaders of the Thirteen Peaks were moved to tears, setting off a month-long series of fireworks in front of the ancestral shrine, thanking the ancestors’ protection across generations.

The smoke from the fireworks covered the entire Taiqing Sect, forcing Elder Wuzhu to activate the three-color Sect Protection Array Zhou Qing had crafted to disperse the smoke.

Over the following months, the County Governors and Mansion Masters of the Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Mansions of the Holy Martial Dynasty came bearing gifts to offer their congratulations.

Cao Zhengyang, though polite in his reception, declined all gifts.

—After all, this was a Taiqing Sect disciple’s advancement to a four-level array master, not a dynasty official.

Some positions must be clearly stated.

After that, even Lin Daochen, who cracked Taichu Dojo at Vast Mansion, made a special visit.

Cao Zhengyang and Mo Xingjian greeted him warmly, but this array master only stayed for half a month, left a congratulatory gift, and returned to the nearly deserted White Jade Taixu Courtyard to meditate.

As for that Secret Realm dojo?

Whoever wanted to crack it could go ahead; he didn’t want to bother anymore.

...

On this day, the sky was just beginning to brighten, and the morning dew had not yet evaporated.

The mist in the mountains of Little Spirit Peak flowed slowly, rendering the distant peaks vague and indistinct within the mist, like a painting of ink and wash.