Zhou Qing nodded: "I remember. I happened to come across an ancient cave mansion and, in desperation, tried to treat a dead horse as if it were alive. I took a risk and swallowed a pill. By luck, it managed to repair my damaged Golden Core, and I even broke through two stages, reaching the late stage of the Golden Core Realm."
Mo Xingjian nodded: "That’s good. I wonder how the situation has developed these two months. Wandering outside endlessly isn’t a solution."
Seeing Mo Xingjian getting up to leave, Yan Xiaohu touched his stomach and said, "Master, the fish—"
"What fish? Don’t forget you’re already in the Nascent Soul Realm. You’ve been fasting for a while now; skipping a meal won’t starve you. You talk about it every day!" Mo Xingjian reprimanded.
Still have the nerve to eat?
Just now, in the Cangyan Daoist Palace, Zhou Qing killed three of the five Nascent Soul cultivators on his own, including the strongest one from the late Nascent Soul stage. You, on the other hand, were merely accompanying the Prince in his studies.
Don’t forget, you’re the senior disciple!
Yan Xiaohu immediately turned around, mumbling something to himself as he drew circles on the ground.
Five days later, the three of them finally returned to the Taiqing Sect.
Everyone could keenly sense that, compared to the past, the number of people in the Taiqing Sect had noticeably decreased.
The once bustling scene of disciples coming and going was replaced by a somewhat desolate and solemn atmosphere.
The surviving disciples who returned seemed to have undergone a transformation. A cold and stern aura naturally emanated from them, and even their gazes became as sharp as those of a hawk.
At the same time, some people became more silent and suspicious.
They had grown accustomed to speaking through actions, often sitting alone in a corner, silently polishing their magical treasures.
This atmosphere brought a mixed array of emotions.
When Mo Xingjian announced to everyone that Zhou Qing had been healed, they were all stunned at first, and then genuinely happy for him.
"I’ve always said, Zhou will be fine. Heaven helps the good, and he will have good fortune after surviving great peril!"
"Indeed, who would dare to casually swallow an unknown ancient pill? Fortunately, he made the right bet."
Many core disciples gathered around, offering their heartfelt congratulations, and Zhou Qing thanked them repeatedly.
[Heart Mirror Points +9]
As the notification sounded, Zhou Qing looked around and quickly saw Gao Xuan staring at him warmly.
The original remark above his head, "a child good at acting," had now changed to "deep blessings."
Facing Gao Xuan’s gaze, Zhou Qing could only smile and bow.
"Since the heavens have given you another chance, make sure to grasp it well and don’t easily take risks anymore!" Cao Zhengyang also said happily.
Zhou Qing nodded repeatedly.
But Cao Zhengyang’s next sentence made his smile freeze immediately.
"The Supreme Elders have been worrying about not being able to enter the Pocket World. Now that you’ve had the fortune to step back onto the path of cultivation, if you have time, help out. The usual payment for your efforts remains the same!"
Zhou Qing’s face turned awkward.
You just told me not to take risks easily. Last time, in the simulation of the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace, those Wandering Souls in the second wave tore me to pieces.
"Mo, you returned just in time. There’s something you need to look at!"
Soon, Cao Zhengyang seemed to think of something and took out three paintings, handing them over.
"These were secretly sent by Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen’s people, supposedly for the Ghost Mastiff. Oddly, they were given directly to me to pass on." Cao Zhengyang said.
Mo Xingjian unfolded them with puzzlement, while Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu quickly gathered to look.
The first painting depicted a tranquil pond, with flourishing grass around it, exuding a sense of serenity.
The second painting was similar to the first, but in one corner was a pair of hands.
The hands threw a stone into the pond, breaking the calm waters. Ripples spread, with five fish seemingly frightened and swimming away.
The third painting was completely blank.
Looking at the three paintings, Mo Xingjian furrowed his brows in confusion and asked, "What does this mean?"
Cao Zhengyang shook his head, "I don’t know. The one who delivered it was a Guardian who’s always beside the Seventh Prince. He said nothing and just left."
"When did this happen?" Mo Xingjian asked again.
Peak Master Tong Min of Yuqing Peak responded, "Yesterday afternoon. I encountered the delivery person as soon as I returned to the mountain gate. He handed me the paintings and then left."
Mo Xingjian pondered for a moment, then handed the third blank painting to Zhou Qing, "Smell it and see if anything is hidden."
He could only focus on the blank paper before him and examine it.
[White paper: This is just an ordinary piece of white paper, of no particular value.]
The others immediately turned to Zhou Qing, knowing that he had a keen sense of smell. After all, they had studied it for a whole day without finding any useful clues.
What on earth was the Seventh Prince trying to tell them?
Couldn’t he just say it directly instead of playing riddles?
Zhou Qing pretended to sniff the white paper and then shook his head, "Nothing, it’s just an ordinary piece of paper."
Cao Zhengyang said, "I think the Seventh Prince, out of consideration for the Ghost Mastiff, came to warn us but couldn’t say it outright."
Mo Xingjian remained silent, continuously comparing the first two paintings.
He especially focused on the five fish that were startled and leapt out of the water.