After taking a deep breath, looking at the even darker passage in front of him, Zhou Qing gripped the broken sword and stepped into it.
He treaded cautiously for less than half a meter, when suddenly the side of the corridor indented, and a jet-black bone spike shot out like a black lightning bolt. Zhou Qing had no time to react and was pierced straight through the heart.
He cursed loudly as he turned into a ball of light and entered again.
This time, as the bone spike shot out, Zhou Qing, who was well-prepared, narrowed his eyes, raised the broken sword in his hand, and accurately blocked the jet-black bone spike.
The sound of metal clashing echoed in the corridor, resulting in a burst of sparks.
Feeling the immense force from the bone spike, Zhou Qing let out a muffled grunt. His arm trembled slightly, but with a twist of his wrist and the circulation of spiritual power within his body, he deflected it directly.
The bone spike clattered to the ground but soon floated up again.
As if triggering a chain reaction, countless bone spikes appeared throughout the passage, all targeting Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing gulped nervously.
"This is the end for me!"
Before he could even use the Silver Dragon Step, countless bone spikes shot toward him, piercing him in a chilling barrage.
"I refuse to believe this!" For the third time, Zhou Qing returned to the same spot.
However, this time he did not act rashly but observed carefully.
Each bone spike carried the force of a Golden Core Realm strike. There were so many of them that even a Nascent Soul master could not withstand them.
Yet the Supreme Elder could pass safely every time. Zhou Qing did not believe that she relied on brute force to get through.
If that were the case, the consumption would be too great, and after a few attempts, this place would be undefended.
"Of course, the Daily Reflection!"
Zhou Qing smacked his forehead, realizing he had forgotten this.
He then used the identification technique on the passage in front of him.
[Passage Filled with Killers: This is a peril-filled passage, filled with traps from top to bottom. At the deepest point, there are three layers of illusion arrays. To pass through, simply place the grinding disc at the entrance.]
Seeing the feedback, Zhou Qing was overjoyed.
"I knew there was a way!"
Using his brain was always preferable to using brute force.
He quickly turned around and rolled the grinding disc from a short distance away towards the entrance. Suddenly, he remembered something.
The first time he was sent in by the Supreme Elder, he never found the grinding disc key. Then, he saw the thief tunnel and the grinding disc outside the passage.
He had excitedly jumped onto the grinding disc back then and was taken inside by Elders.
"It seems that this is how the Elder passed through the passage!" Zhou Qing felt foolish for not figuring it out earlier.
He rolled the grinding disc into place.
A sound seemed to come from deep within the passage, then everything fell silent.
Zhou Qing took a deep breath and stepped in.
Sure enough, this time the bone spikes did not appear, nor did any others.
Even the dark passage began to glow faintly.
Zhou Qing stepped forward.
Soon after, his eyes lit up and he quickened his pace.
In the corner of the passage, there were unexpectedly more than a dozen mushrooms growing.
These mushrooms were crystal-clear and emitted a faint glow. The caps were slightly red, and the stems were as white and smooth as jade, giving an impression of purity.
As he approached, he felt a gentle wave of spiritual power and smelled a faint fragrance.
"It’s the Spirit Mushroom, an ingredient for making the Acupoint Opening Pill!"
For someone at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment Realm, successfully reaching the Golden Core Realm and condensing their own Golden Core was exceedingly difficult. At this time, an Acupoint Opening Pill could greatly increase their success rate.
Similar to the Foundation Establishment Pill, but even more precious.
One Acupoint Opening Pill was worth at least thirty mid-grade spirit stones, or three thousand low-grade spirit stones.
Three thousand spirit stones would be a significant fortune for an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator to amass.
As a core disciple, Zhou Qing had only over three hundred spirit stones before, earning some through using the Daily Reflection and occasional trades with the Elders.
One Spirit Mushroom, together with other rare herbs, could make only three Acupoint Opening Pills. Who knew how much these mushrooms could sell for?
Zhou Qing touched them; they felt so real. Unfortunately, they were just a simulation. He could only take them out once he reached the actual Grotto Heaven.
"On Danhua Peak, there are exclusive herb fields. It’s impossible to grow them here, as this is the Taiqing Sect’s most guarded secret. The only possibility is that these Spirit Mushrooms grew naturally. They may soon be fully mature!"
Zhou Qing felt itchy with anticipation.
The Supreme Elder, being a Divinity Transformation Realm expert, passed by multiple times without picking them, obviously not valuing them.
But to Zhou Qing, now at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, they were of tremendous help.
After all, his Golden Core condensation was different from others; it required two cores, consuming much more energy.
Even if there were leftovers, he could sell them, then exchange for mid-grade spirit stones to wander in the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace.
"I wonder when the Supreme Elder will next enter the Grotto Heaven?"
Zhou Qing muttered, memorized the location, and reluctantly left, continuing deeper.
After passing through the passage, he finally saw the scene before him again.
Red River, Dead Crow, Giant Tree, Heart, Coffin...