In the dead of night, Zhou Qing instructed Lu Yaoyao not to wander around, then transformed into a shadow, moving like a specter silently towards the direction of the mine.
Avoiding one checkpoint after another with ease, he seized the right moment to suddenly restrain a Foundation Establishment Realm patrolling disciple who had just relieved himself.
Before the disciple could cry for help, Zhou Qing immediately began a Soul Search on him.
As the Soul Search deepened, Zhou Qing’s expression gradually grew somber.
It turned out that since the base in You Huang City was eradicated last time, and with Song Yuan’s death, the responsible Elder Blood Bone had inevitably suffered severe reprimands and punishments from Sikong Yan.
However, as it was a time when manpower was urgently needed, and given Blood Bone’s experience in setting up bases, he was tasked to establish a new base.
After much consideration, Blood Bone chose Beimang Mine, which had recently suffered heavy losses from an attack by the alliance of the Three Sects.
Logically, there shouldn’t be a second attack.
Furthermore, this place was remote, and close to the main road leading to Lingyun Mansion, making it easier to secretly capture people as puppets without getting noticed.
These cultivators, whether going or returning, had rich contents in their storage bags, making it a guaranteed profitable business.
Now, in mine number nine, where Chaos Profound Gold was discovered, several Golden Core Realm and one Nascent Soul Realm transformed individuals were imprisoned.
Soon, they would be dressed in black robes, disguised as ordinary people, and secretly sent to the Cangyan Daoist Palace.
"Wait a minute, that person is..."
Quickly, Zhou Qing recognized the figure also appearing in the memories of the guard Tian Xiong at the Blood Rock Mine—Sima Demoness.
"So it was her who brought the Spiritual Acupoint Transformation Array needed for the puppets to the new base!" Zhou Qing seemed to understand.
Or rather, it appeared that Sima Demoness had taken over Song Yuan’s duties.
"Since everyone is at a loss with these puppets, if I can fully understand even a fraction of the inheritance left by Master Xuanqing, I might find a way to solve this completely."
After realizing this, Zhou Qing quietly erased the man’s relevant memories to avoid alarming Blood Bone Old Ghost, then silently retreated.
Because he already had a brand new plan.
"Senior Brother Zhou!" Lu Yaoyao’s face was full of joy upon seeing Zhou Qing return safely.
After making a shushing gesture, Zhou Qing took Lu Yaoyao to a farther place and found a cave to use as their retreat.
"I must kill Sima Demoness!" Zhou Qing spoke seriously, his tone firm, his eyes gleaming with a determined killing intent.
Lu Yaoyao’s face slightly changed upon hearing this but then, looking at Zhou Qing, she nodded: "Alright, I will help you!"
"Aren’t you going to ask me why?" Zhou Qing asked curiously.
Lu Yaoyao shook her head, earnestly saying: "No matter what decision you make, I will unconditionally support you."
Hearing this, Zhou Qing felt a warmth in his heart and then recounted what he had seen during the Soul Search.
Upon hearing that there was also such an inhumane base in this place like in the caves of You Huang City, Lu Yaoyao was also furious.
"What is your plan?" Lu Yaoyao quickly calmed down and asked.
Zhou Qing said: "To retreat here and initially learn the Barrier Skills."
"What about the Array Materials?" Lu Yaoyao immediately asked.
They came to Beimang Mine for those materials, but to avoid alarming anyone, they didn’t dare touch the things in the warehouse.
Zhou Qing raised the four storage bags in his hand.
From Li Hong and Chu Yu of Spirit Skull Mountain, Tian Xiong of Blood Rock Mine, and that Phecda Sect member who ambushed Yuan Ya on the way here.
The items carried by these four Nascent Soul Realm cultivators were enough for him to pick and use.
"I might also have what you need," Lu Yaoyao directly took out hundreds of storage bags.
Although these were from mainly Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators, some of them might have stumbled upon good things due to luck.
Zhou Qing nodded in gratitude.
"Increase your cultivation level when you have some free time!" Zhou Qing pulled out a top-grade fire attribute Spirit Stone and handed it to her.
Although it didn’t have much energy, it was still a hard-to-find Five Elements Spirit Stone.
Lu Yaoyao was initially surprised but then shook her head to refuse, before smiling and proudly taking out a top-grade wood attribute Spirit Stone emitting green light to show off.
Zhou Qing laughed at this sight: "Master really dotes on you, doesn’t he?"
"The Barrier Skills are not easy to comprehend, consuming a lot of Heart and Spirit. How about you take it, in case you get tired..."
Before Lu Yaoyao could finish, Zhou Qing smugly took out a box, opening it to reveal three remaining top-grade fire attribute Spirit Stones, and one of each wood and water attribute Spirit Stones.
Lu Yaoyao was stunned: "How do you have so many top-grade Spirit Stones?"
"Found them by luck, so keep your things. Just help guard me from now on!" Zhou Qing closed the box lid and said.
Lu Yaoyao nodded with a smile and then patted her chest in assurance.
Zhou Qing then sat down cross-legged, not attempting restrictions first, but fully absorbing himself into Suanni’s "Thunderstorm Meteor Kill"...
In the following two months, conflicts among the Five Sects escalated continuously. Whenever they met each other, regardless of what they were doing, they would immediately fight!
If they couldn’t win, they would immediately call for reinforcements.