The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

Chapter 1245 - 372: One Lu Yaoyao, Three Zhou Qing, Three Shen Hanyi (6k)_3

Shen Yunzhou: "..."...

Next, rumors rapidly spread from the street corners and tea houses of the Imperial City.

"Have you heard? That young man with the Black Blade from Wuxiang Mountain actually fought the Old Emperor to a draw with a Spirit Slash!"

"Truly enviable, he’s still so young. Perhaps in a few years when he returns to challenge the Old Emperor, he might completely overwhelm him!"

"I think this person should be from the Jiuli Dynasty. It’s a pity that people like you and me will never have the chance to see a Foreign Country."

...

People whispered among themselves, as the newly promoted Fourth-level Cultivation Country, the Holy Martial Dynasty is bordered by the Eastern Sea to the east and a Third-level Cultivation Country to the west.

It is bordered by the long-standing rival Jiuli Dynasty to the north, and the Endless Beast Mountain near the frontier to the south.

This person is most likely from that hostile neighbor to the north.

But shortly thereafter, new information was released by the Royal Family.

The Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen had died at the border, but the identity of his killer remains unknown.

There is no greater sorrow on earth than a white-haired elder sending off black-haired descendants.

It is said that Emperor Xuanyuan Hao has lost six princes consecutively over the years.

A few years ago, the Fifth Prince Xuanyuan Fengtai was killed at Lingyun Mansion, and now comes the news of the Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen dying at the border.

Since the fall of the First Prince, the Imperial Family seems plagued by misfortune, with its offspring withering one by one.

It is remembered that the Thirteenth Prince was harmed by Tu Qianyue, the Big Leader of the Jieyun Thief, and later Mr. Ji Zhou Qing followed the merchant ship from Duobao Trading House to the Imperial City.

They were robbed when passing through Wuguang Sea, but Zhou Qing’s retaliatory strike wiped them out entirely, marking the beginning of Zhou Qing’s rise to fame.

The Nangong Family then developed a rift with Zhou Qing, and the Royal Family immediately made its position clear.

Now, with the Seventh Prince murdered, anyone who can uncover the culprit will surely receive a generous reward from the Royal Family.

While everyone was debating, another piece of news shocked everyone.

The Spirit Severing Realm expert Nangong Xiongba was slain by Prince Xuanyuan Shuo’s own hands at the border.

They say the most dangerous place is often the safest. That day, after being gravely injured by the three Spirit Severing Realm cultivators from the Taiqing Sect, Nangong Xiongba fled to the border.

No wonder his whereabouts remained concealed.

But it’s evident to those with keen eyes that this is a pledge from the Xuanyuan Family to the Fourth-level Array Master Zhou Qing.

Judging by this act alone, one can tell the esteemed "Mr. Ji" now holds a remarkable status in the Dynasty.

A once-unreachable Spirit Slash Realm was killed just like that?

Moreover, many witnessed Zhou Qing at the Wuxiang Mountain battle, watching on as the events unfolded.

Now still lingering in the Imperial City, how will he respond to the Royal Family’s obvious goodwill?

For a moment, various forces are stirring impatiently.

Many cultivators have already set out for Yaoguang Mansion, hoping to seize a share of the pie while the Nangong Family is leaderless.

Once more the center of attention, Zhou Qing, however, remains indifferent to all the commotion.

He is currently in his quiet chamber, sorting through the Storage Bags of Nangong Xiongba and Xuanyuan Yichen.

After a brief inspection, his brow furrows.

Nangong Xiongba’s Storage Bag is unexpectedly sparse, containing only a few Top-Grade Spirit Stones and virtually no valuable items.

But this is expected—after all, he and Sikong Yan had already emptied the Nangong Family’s treasure vault.

However, Xuanyuan Yichen’s Storage Bag leaves him quite surprised.

The forbidden items from the Fifth-level Cultivation Country have all vanished without a trace.

It’s unknown where the Seventh Prince has hidden these things.

Upon further reflection, he quickly becomes relieved.

Those sinister objects likely stem from that six-armed monster, mostly incomplete and harboring the risk of backlash.

Should one rashly come into contact with them, they might end up possessed by some "old grandpa" like Xuanyuan Yichen.

"Forget it..." Zhou Qing casually burns the two Storage Bags to ashes, a hint of caution flickering in his eyes.

It’s wiser to stay away from those things.

Once tidied up, Zhou Qing pushes open the door, planning to check if Sikong Yan has escaped from Jintian Palace.

He cured Nannan, resolving Senior Gao Xuan’s longstanding concerns.

He also assisted by opening the Ancestral Land Restriction, but to no avail, as Sikong Yan gained nothing in the end.

Standing in the inn corridor and hesitating for a moment, Zhou Qing decides to call Lu Yaoyao to go out with him.

Since they will return to the sect after two years, the Senior Brother and Second Senior Sister are busy buying gifts.

After all, with so many relatives in the Taiqing Sect, it’s rare to visit the Imperial City, so it’s essential to bring some specialties back.

Not to mention, they previously caused some trouble that almost implicated the sect, and apology gifts are indispensable.

Lu has been rather preoccupied lately, always appearing troubled, so taking her out for some fresh air might help.

"It’s all your fault!"

Just as Zhou Qing raises his hand to knock on the door, a familiar female voice suddenly comes from inside, causing his hand to halt mid-air.

His pupils constrict, the distance between his fingers and the door less than an inch, yet he freezes his motion.

This voice... is it Shen Hanyi?

When did she return?

Why was there no sign or rumor?

Zhou Qing instinctively glances around, realizing it’s no wonder Shen Yunzhou has been absent lately, most likely hiding, frightened knowing his sister has returned.

But the next moment, Zhou Qing senses something wrong.

Though the voice sounds exactly like Shen Hanyi’s, it’s missing the usual chilly aloofness, instead carrying an anger and playfulness he has never heard.

Just like... like lovers bickering.

"Aren’t you being unreasonable, why blame me?"

As Zhou Qing prepares to knock again, his own voice suddenly emanates from inside, tinged with obvious discontent and grievance.