Feeling the immense power within his body, Zhou Qing couldn't help but feel overjoyed.
Taking advantage of the remaining half day, he hurried to solidify his progress.
However, not long after, the liquid in the blood pool began to drop at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Zhou Qing was taken aback, and before he could react, the entire mountain cave started to tremble violently.
Simultaneously, a massive and formidable pressure descended from the sky like a canopy.
"Damn thief, where can you escape!" The angry roar of the Supreme Elder echoed like thunder, as a fierce and unmatched sword qi shattered the void in an instant.
As Zhou Qing hastily put on his clothes and rushed out of the cave, he saw a dazzling golden light in the sky that condensed into a colossal seal, seemingly capable of suppressing eternity, crashing down with apocalyptic force.
High in the sky, several Supreme Elders moved like phantoms, fighting fiercely with the enemy.
"Could it be that a peerless enemy has invaded?" Zhou Qing thought in shock, quickly retreating back into the cave. He cautiously peeked out, fearful of being caught in the stunning battle.
The mountains ahead resounded with deafening roars, while in the sky, brilliant spherical lightning flashed like divine wrath.
A magnificent star chart, like a pouring Milky Way, shot out countless rays of starlight like sharp swords.
Various afterimages continuously wove complex runes that outlined a mysterious array, from which emanated endless killing intent.
Golden Dao lotuses and purple gourds, the spectacular sights emitted by these treasures reflected the heavens and the earth, leaving Zhou Qing utterly astounded.
"Just absorbing a bit of medicinal power, look at how stingy you all are. Hmph, can't provoke you, but I can hide from you. I'm outta here!"
A voice drifted faintly, followed by the sounds of battle gradually fading away.
Zhou Qing's face instantly turned pale, murmuring, "Second Uncle!"
......
At the foot of Divine Peak, Zhou Qing anxiously paced back and forth.
After a while, a light descended from the sky.
"Master, how did it go?" Zhou Qing asked, somewhat guilt-ridden.
Mo Xingjian said, "The thief acted extremely swiftly and seems quite familiar with the Taiqing Sect. He must have scouted in advance. Now, all the peaks are on full alert and searching."
Hearing this, Zhou Qing secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
"Could you see his face clearly?" Zhou Qing continued to ask.
Mo Xingjian looked at Zhou Qing suspiciously, "Why do you seem more concerned than us?"
Zhou Qing's heart skipped a beat, but he then indignantly replied, "That vile thief absorbed all the medicinal liquid that rightfully belonged to me. How could I not be angry? This was a chance I risked my life to obtain!"
Mo Xingjian understood after hearing this.
"According to the Supreme Elder, the thief was dressed all in black, clearly well-prepared. Never mind, don't dwell on this. You should go back early and stay with Lao San. Don't wander around; a thorough search will likely ensue!" Mo Xingjian advised.
Zhou Qing quietly sighed in relief and then nodded.
Watching his master leave, he scratched his head.
"Even if they discover it's Second Uncle, what can they do? Master and the others already know he's still alive. What does it matter to me if he leaves or not? If he's caught and implicates me, I'll just play dumb, saying I was completely out of it at the time. I didn't see any top-grade spirit stones!"
Soon, Zhou Qing came up with a plan—deny everything no matter what.
Upon returning to Little Spirit Peak, Zhou Qing activated his interface.
[Name: Zhou Qing]
[Age: Nineteen]
[Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm, Mid-stage]
[Cultivation Technique: Taiqing Profound Qi Skills]
[Talent Skills: Heart Mirror Vision—LV1 (64/100),
Lowering Presence—LV2 (51/100)]
[Skill Fragment: 1/3 (Unavailable)]
Seeing that both talent skill progress bars were more than halfway full, Zhou Qing was delighted.
Now, in the Foundation Establishment Realm, there's a fifty percent chance he could be ignored. If Heart Mirror Vision reaches level two, he could bind more people and should start scouting for suitable candidates in advance.
With nothing else to do, Zhou Qing took out the Supreme Elder's insights into cultivating Silver Dragon Hand and began studying them.
In the following days, the various peaks were turned upside down, chaotic and disorderly, yet nothing came of the search.
The conclusion was drawn that the thief had likely already escaped the sect or used some advanced secret technique to conceal himself, as even several Supreme Elders were deceived at the time.
The sect issued a directive, demanding all disciples to be vigilant and not to take the situation lightly.
If any suspicious individuals were found, they were to be reported immediately.
If the situation was confirmed and the thief captured, the reward would be no less than what Zhou Qing had gained from the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.
This order sparked fervent enthusiasm, with everyone eyeing those around them, as if everyone could be traded for rewards.
[Heart Mirror Points +3]
As Zhou Qing continued to practice Silver Dragon Hand, a notification sounded suddenly, followed by a voice outside.
"Fourth junior brother, are you there?"
Zhou Qing smiled slightly and then opened the courtyard door.
Sure enough, Yan Xiaohu's head, originally labeled [Heartbroken Junior Brother], had turned into [Unlucky Junior Brother].
Zhou Qing was speechless, "Brother, it's been ten days, and you're just now feeling sorry for me. Your reaction time is quite slow."
"Third senior brother, what's up?" Zhou Qing asked.
Yan Xiaohu looked Zhou Qing up and down, finally sighing in relief upon seeing his rosy complexion.
"Why didn't you tell me that thief also robbed you of your opportunity!" Yan Xiaohu said, full of concern.
Nobody paid attention during lectures, then encountered danger in the Pocket World, finally got an opportunity, only to have it snatched away.
Seriously, isn't it infuriating?
[Heart Mirror Points +4]
[Heart Mirror Points +6]
Before Zhou Qing could speak, two more notifications sounded, leaving him bewildered.
He checked the notes above third senior brother's head, finding no further changes.
"Did you guys just get the news?"
During the conversation, Zhou Qing learned that everyone only knew the thief had been first detected by the Supreme Elders. They didn't realize it was due to the thief absorbing all the medicinal power from the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.
What could Zhou Qing say? Strictly speaking, he had already benefited. The last half-day was an extra gift.
Moreover, with the help of the Flame Spirit Blood Pool, he had successfully broken through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment.
"Everyone has their fate, heaven decides. I'm fine. By the way, senior brother, you should look at this Silver Dragon Hand. It could be very beneficial to you!"
Zhou Qing took out a jade slip and handbook, only for Yan Xiaohu to refuse.
"I already have a divine technique suitable for me. More doesn't mean better. You keep it for your cultivation. I heard from Master that the Silver Dragon Hand is Elder Duanmu Shu's famous divine technique, excellent in both offense and defense." Yan Xiaohu said seriously.
Zhou Qing agreed, having read the technique's notes and found it overly complex and headache-inducing.
Seeing Zhou Qing was okay, Yan Xiaohu didn't want to dwell on the topic, so as not to make his junior brother uncomfortable.
Soon, he seemed to remember something and excitedly said, "By the way, the Five Sects Treasure Exchange Gathering will be held at the foot of our Taiqing Sect's mountain. We can enjoy a thorough visit then."
"Five Sects Treasure Exchange Gathering?" Zhou Qing looked puzzled.
Yan Xiaohu explained, "The Five Sects Treasure Exchange Gathering, as the name implies, is an event where disciples from the five major sects exchange items and set up stalls to trade. It's held only once every twenty years. Don't worry, I've participated several times. I'll take you to have a good look."
"By the way, do you have any items to trade? We could set up a stall and maybe earn some… I mean, gain some profit."
Zhou Qing finally understood, feeling quite curious.
But unfortunately, he didn't have anything worth trading.
Yan Xiaohu could only say, "No items? No problem, just bring some money. It's common to find valuable items at low prices at the stalls. The quality varies greatly, and the stall owners give random prices. It all depends on your judgment."
"When is it?" Zhou Qing asked.
Yan Xiaohu chuckled, "In seven days!"