"Where is everyone?"

...

Two months later, in the territory of the Flood Dragon Emperor, Xuan Qiu.

Since the Spider Emperor, Ye Luo, perished here, this area has been shrouded in a thick aura of obsession.

The withdrawal of border warriors, coupled with the fact that low-level demon beasts dare not approach, has instead made this place an excellent healing spot.

Deep in the mountains, Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, spiritual power surging around him like a tide.

He exhaled a long breath, a satisfied smile curling at his lips, "Finally, fully recovered!"

After getting up and stretching his limbs, he took out Nangong Xiongba’s corpse for a careful examination.

"Considering the timing, since Xuanyuan Hao witnessed that scene with his own eyes, he must have notified his uncle, Xuanyuan Shuo, to come investigate..."

Zhou Qing’s eyes darkened slightly, "Nangong Xiongba once said that Xuanyuan Shuo had planted a mark in his body under the guise of healing..."

He gently stroked the corpse, deep in thought, "The mark must be planted in this body. Otherwise, even if I successfully seize him, I would be hard-pressed to escape control..."

Thinking of this, Zhou Qing did not hesitate any longer.

His hands swiftly formed a sealing, and a pair of blood-colored illusions suddenly unfolded behind him—shaped like a phoenix spreading its wings, yet exuding a somewhat sinister aura.

"Refine!"

Zhou Qing shouted, and the blood wing illusion behind him suddenly expanded, transforming into a towering blood curtain that completely enveloped Nangong Xiongba’s corpse.

Within the blood-colored light curtain, countless runes writhed like living creatures, emitting a nerve-wracking screech.

He performed a spell with his hands, his spiritual power pouring out frantically, soon causing his forehead to be covered in fine beads of sweat.

Unlike when refining Yan Sen, who had been devastated by a Misfortune Sticker, retaining only a tenth of his Blood Qi.

At this moment, this Spirit Severing Realm body was brimming with Blood Qi, each inch of flesh containing incredible energy.

"Puff—"

The light curtain vibrated violently, a trace of blood appeared at Zhou Qing’s mouth, yet he persisted through gritted teeth.

After half an hour, the blood-colored light curtain gradually dissipated, condensing once more into a blood wing illusion behind him.

Three egg-sized crimson tribulation crystals floated in the air, exuding a suffocating Blood Qi aura—these were Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystals of a quality far surpassing any before!

"Such pure Blood Qi!" Zhou Qing reached out to catch the crystals, a sharp light flaring in his eyes.

Compared to the blood crystals obtained when refining Yan Sen, the energy contained in these three tribulation crystals was worlds apart.

He then gazed blankly at the three crimson tribulation crystals in his palm, an uncontrollable surge of excitement swelling within him.

He now possessed a large amount of Five Elements Spirit Stones, two thousand top-grade spirit stones, the Demon-Suppressing Golden Bone secret technique, the Enlightenment Ancient Tea Tree, and a Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown Tao Foundation.

Moreover, with the assistance of the Lu family sisters, the nine Spirit Severing insights of Bibo Celestial Lake, and Nangong Xiongba’s Spirit Severing insights...

Adding these three Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystals filled with Blood Qi, the success rate for breaking through Spirit Severing was at least seventy percent.

But he quickly forced himself to calm down, "No, it’s not enough yet."

Back then, he risked everything to gather ten thousand Spirit Seals to become a fourth-level Array Master, all to set up the Nine-Turn Condensing Array from Master Xuanqing’s memory, greatly beneficial for Spirit Severing.

This array could stabilize the Primordial Spirit and harmonize Yin and Yang.

If he could have this array’s support, his chances of breakthrough could increase to over ninety percent.

"Duobao Trading House..." A glint flickered in Zhou Qing’s eyes.

Those rare materials, I’m afraid only the Duobao Trading House in the Imperial City could gather them in a short time.

By then, using the Hidden Dragon Path to directly return to the Taiqing Sect, he could both seclude himself to sever spirit and pay a visit to his old rooster.

As for the promise made to Sikong Yan... it wouldn’t matter to delay for a moment.

Having made up his mind, Zhou Qing put away the Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystals and left the Flood Dragon Emperor’s domain.

He took out the azure token and carefully sensed the space node from when he first came to the border.

"Found it!"

As the Space Jade Talisman given by Elder Mo was activated, a brilliant space rift slowly unfolded before him.

Zhou Qing took a deep breath and stepped into it without hesitation...

...

More than three months later, in the Inner City of the Imperial City.

Zhou Qing’s figure quietly appeared on the bustling street.

He didn’t rush to take action but first contacted his senior brother and second senior sister.

"What? Shen Yunzhou’s sister hasn’t returned yet?" Upon receiving the reply, Zhou Qing frowned deeply.

According to the timeline, Xuanyuan Shuo should have made two round trips to the border, and with Shen Hanyi’s late-stage Spirit Severing Realm cultivation, coupled with her incredibly fast flying ship, she should have reached the Imperial City by now.

"Could something have happened?" Zhou Qing felt a vague sense of unease.

He took out the Jade Talisman of the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace to check, finding only the fourth green orb and the fifth azure orb online.

Perhaps something had delayed them.

"Forget it, let’s take care of business first." Zhou Qing put away the token and turned, hastening towards the Duobao Trading House...