Lu Yaoyao didn’t have a single objection and nodded obediently.
Just like that, they waited until dusk when a constant rumbling suddenly erupted from the mountaintop, accompanied by the unique croak and angry roar of the Thunderous Golden Toad.
However, Zhou Qing remained unmoved, continuing to lie in wait within the mist on the mountainside.
It wasn’t until powerful self-immolation sounds echoed one after another from above, causing the originally calm mist on the mountainside to churn violently, that Zhou Qing brought Lu Yaoyao along and hurried toward the mountaintop.
As the two gradually approached the peak, they were left in shock by the scene before their eyes.
The ground ahead was strewn with corpse fragments, haphazardly hanging on myriad white bones, a scene so horrifying that it could make one’s hair stand on end.
The Golden Core Realm disciples who had followed Chu Yu and the others up the mountain were all now lifeless.
Even the two Nascent Soul Realm humanoid puppets weren’t spared, broken into several parts and lying on the ground.
As for Chu Yu, like Li Hong, he was now only a Nascent Soul, looking terrified at the Thunderous Golden Toad opposite him.
Of course, the Thunderous Golden Toad was not in much better condition, with only half its body left, twitching continuously as if in its final throes until it finally perished with eyes full of unwillingness.
"Li Hong, damn it, it’s all your fault! I’ve lost my physical body just like that!"
Chu Yu roared in anger and pounced on Li Hong, the two engaging in a fierce scuffle.
The sight of the two mini Nascent Souls tearing at each other seemed somewhat ludicrous and even a bit endearing despite the bloody and tragic surroundings.
"How can you blame me? If you weren’t so greedy, would you end up here? Keep mocking me if you’ve got the guts!"
"Damn it, I’ll tear your mouth off!"
"Come on, just because you call me senior brother, don’t think you’re any stronger than me."
Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao watched the two bickering and couldn’t help but laugh.
But Lu Yaoyao didn’t dare to act rashly, knowing that even though they had lost their physical bodies, they were still Nascent Soul Realm cultivators.
Their sheer spiritual power could easily crush them.
Zhou Qing, however, seemed completely unconcerned, casting his gaze on the fallen Thunderous Golden Toad and immediately appraising it.
Compared to these two brainless idiots, he was more worried about this demon beast.
[Deceased demon beast: This is the recently deceased Nascent Soul Realm Thunderous Golden Toad. Unfortunately, its luck ran out. If it had held out for two more hours until the full moon night, it could have used the power of thunder to sense the bones of the Suanni it sought.]
Seeing the information come through, Zhou Qing let out a sigh of relief, confirming that it was truly dead and left no hidden threats behind.
Then, he glanced at the evening scene and sighed softly.
If it weren’t for these two nuisances, it might have survived a bit longer and perhaps made it to a second life.
At this moment, Zhou Qing’s divine sense quietly spread out, confirming there were no other life signs before gently patting Lu Yaoyao’s back and slowly rising.
Lu Yaoyao was startled, wanting to stop him but it was already too late.
They were dealing with two Nascent Soul cultivators, after all. They could handle them easily, but with Zhou Qing already stepping out, she had no choice but to quickly grab her weapon and jog to catch up.
The two Nascent Souls who were fighting halted immediately at the sound of approaching footsteps, turning to face Zhou Qing and Lu Yaoyao with vigilant expressions, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"Damn it, we’ve been outsmarted!" cursed Chu Yu.
"I knew something felt off this whole time!" Li Hong spat.
But the good news was, the opponents seemed to be at the Golden Core Realm, overestimating themselves.
No, wait, why does that man look so familiar?
"Zhou Qing from Taiqing Sect?" Li Hong was soon taken aback as if recalling something.
Chu Yu was momentarily stunned.
The one who ranked tenth on the hit list, killing our sect’s top talents Meng Xing and Song Yuan?
Yet Zhou Qing had no words to spare, flicking his fingers to release two golden flames, which whooshed out with violent heat waves, instantly engulfing the two Nascent Souls.
"Well now, you even mastered fire techniques. Seems you admire our Cangyan Daoist Palace. Why not defect early and we might treat you more leniently."
"Yes, though we’ve lost our physical bodies, do you think a tiny Golden Core like you can trap us with mere fire? Truly flaunting your skills before an expert."
The two, instead of showing any fear, responded with mocking and ridicule, their eyes full of disdain.
Zhou Qing merely shook his head.
"Here’s a piece of advice: never underestimate anyone, no matter how small. Arrogance can lead to utter doom!"
As he said this, he couldn’t help but glance at Lu Yaoyao, who was prepared for battle.
Lu Yaoyao was taken aback, then nodded repeatedly, showing that she understood.
Zhou Qing then slowly clenched his fist, causing the flames to shrink, making the two trapped inside let out piercing screams, accompanied by sizzling sounds.
It was only now that they realized in horror that this flame was so advanced and terrifying, attempting to escape but finding it too late.
"Impossible, this is impossible!" They despaired and struggled desperately, but to no avail.