Ascension Day

Xu Ying understood what he meant.

The Nuo Immortals who entered the Hidden Scenery Transformation Land had essentially reached the end of their lifespans. Even if they had seen through the trap and escaped, they likely wouldn't have lived for more than a few years.

"After discovering the trap within the Cultivation Technique, I searched the Five Peaks and Three Mountains and found these Nuo Immortals who had died in their own Hidden Scenery Transformation Lands. Although I was disappointed, it wasn't a complete loss."

Zhou Qiyun walked toward the entrance of the Broken Temple World, continuing the previous topic. "Those who could become Nuo Immortals were no fools. They had all, to some extent, realized the problems with the Nuo Master Cultivation Technique. Some Nuo Immortals had even made significant progress, trying to find a solution in older cultivation systems. Among their belongings, I found some Demon Techniques."

Yuan Qi opened his mouth to speak but held back his theory about the Demon Race's precursor civilization. 'This Zhou is a member of the Human Race, after all,' he thought. 'Even if I expose the humans' plot, it would just be stirring up unnecessary trouble. Better to let sleeping dogs lie.'

Xu Ying said, "The so-called Demon Techniques are actually the Cultivation Techniques of the Ancient Qi Refiners. For some unknown reason, they were lost to history and became the techniques of demons. Did their approach in this area give you a clue, Elder Zhou?"

Zhou Qiyun said leisurely, "They may have failed, but their experience was invaluable."

Xu Ying's eyes flickered as he ventured, "And you came to New Yongzhou this time to find me, so I could help you decipher the Qi Refining Skill and resolve the trap in your own Cultivation Technique?"

Zhou Qiyun burst out laughing and shook his head. "I resolved the trap in my Cultivation Technique long ago. Otherwise, I would not have dared to break through and open the 9th Floor of the Secret Vault one hundred and seventy years ago."

His words were filled with immense conviction and self-assurance. "I came to the New Land this time for three things! The first, and smallest, of these is to kill the Master of the Mud Pill Palace to eliminate any future trouble!"

Xu Ying was profoundly shaken and stared at his back.

Zhou Qiyun was by no means a good person, but for some reason, he was incredibly charismatic.

Zhou Qiyun clasped his hands behind his back and looked up at the sky, his eyes bright. "Though he was once my master, he intended to devour me, and I cannot simply sit by and wait to die. Before, I wasn't confident I could eliminate him, but now I am. The battle on Wuyang Mountain was our first clash. I had to guard against another person, which allowed him to escape. But he will definitely be back."

Calm and composed, he said leisurely, "Next time, I won't give him any chance to escape."

Xu Ying asked, "And the second thing?"

Zhou Qiyun smiled faintly. "The second thing is that I intend to follow the example of Emperor Zhide Da Sheng Ming Xiao and personally take a trip to the Underworld to have a talk with the Yin Court Emperor. I don't want someone stabbing me in the back when I'm giving it my all."

Xu Ying stared at him in disbelief. 'Go to the Yin Court and negotiate with the Yin Court Emperor? Could Zhou Qiyun already possess power on par with the Emperor of Ultimate Dao?'

Zhou Qiyun smiled slightly. "The third matter is the most important of all. The first two are merely to pave the way for the third."

Xu Ying composed himself and asked, "Then, what is the third matter?"

Zhou Qiyun chuckled. "We'll talk about that after I've killed the Master of the Mud Pill Palace. It's still too early now. Xu Ying, you will stay by my side and help me decipher the *Tuo Yu Immortal Book*."

"The *Tuo Yu Immortal Book*?" Xu Ying was puzzled.

"My Zhou Family obtained an Immortal Book from an Ancient Cave Heaven in Duqiao Mountain. It is incredibly profound and difficult to understand. The Cave Heaven Master was named Tuo Yu, hence it is called the *Tuo Yu Immortal Book*."

Zhou Qiyun continued, "The Zhou Family already has many talented individuals working on deciphering the Immortal Book, and they've already uncovered a great deal of useful content. Xu Ying, you have a talent for deciphering Immortal Books, and the Zhou Family will not treat you unfairly."

A muscle in the corner of Xu Ying's eye twitched. "Elder Zhou, your invitation is most generous, and you are my senior. Naturally, I will not refuse. It's just that I have killed Zhou Yang and Zhou Yihang. I'm afraid there might be some... misunderstandings when I arrive at the Zhou Family's residence."

Zhou Qiyun shook his head. "They won't dare to go too far with you."

"You misunderstand me, Elder."

Xu Ying's expression was calm as he said, "What I mean is, I will fight back."

Zhou Qiyun gave him a deep look and then chuckled. "Someone who dares to kill a god is truly lawless. Feel free to fight back."

They walked out of the Broken Temple World and back into the Water Gate Temple, only to find that there were people there. The leader was a handsome youth with delicate features, dressed in white and blue—it was none other than Yuan Weiyang. Behind him was his old servant in green robes, Uncle Xiao.

The two of them had been near the Water Gate Temple all along. They had clashed with Granny Zhou Yu while trying to rescue Xu Ying, but she had managed to escape. They pursued her for a long time but couldn't find either Xu Ying or Granny Zhou Yu.

Just as Zhou Qiyun forcibly tore away the Water Gate Temple's disguise, revealing the Five Peaks Immortal Mountain, the pair had rushed back to the temple, not expecting to run into Xu Ying's group.

Yuan Weiyang's gaze fell on Zhou Qiyun, his brow furrowing slightly, before he glanced at Xu Ying.

Uncle Xiao, following behind him, looked at Zhou Qiyun but failed to recognize him as the Zhou Family's ancestor.

Zhou Qiyun had made his name over two hundred years ago and had lived in seclusion ever since, rarely making public appearances. Thus, Uncle Xiao had never seen him before.

Just as Yuan Weiyang was about to speak, Xu Ying suddenly laughed heartily. "Weiyang, you're here too? Long time no see!"

He walked forward, took Yuan Weiyang's hand, and gave it a discreet squeeze. "Elder Zhou, this is an old friend of mine from Lingling City. Weiyang, this is Elder Zhou of the Zhou Family, one of their most prominent figures."

He squeezed Yuan Weiyang's hand again, wondering inwardly, 'How is his hand so soft? His skin is much smoother than mine, too. So silky. City boys really take good care of themselves, not like us rough country folk.'

Uncle Xiao stared at his hand, fire nearly erupting from his eyes.

Xu Ying squeezed it again, confirming it was very smooth.

Yuan Weiyang impassively pulled his hand away and said softly, "Since this is an inconvenient time for you, I will take my leave."

He turned to leave. Uncle Xiao shot Xu Ying a vicious glare before hurriedly following him.

Just then, Zhou Qiyun's voice rang out, "Your surname is Yuan? Your Yuan Family's Yuan Wuji is quite skilled. I fought him once. He lost to me by a single move."

Yuan Weiyang stopped in his tracks. Uncle Xiao's expression changed instantly, finally realizing that Xu Ying's earlier actions had been well-intentioned.

Yuan Wuji was the great ancestor of the Yuan Family. His cultivation was heaven-shaking and unfathomably deep; he had long since become a myth within the Yuan Family!

Yet this white-browed youth claimed that Yuan Wuji had lost to him. In that case, this person could only be the great ancestor of the Zhou Family!

Zhou Qiyun's tone left no room for argument. "Deciphering the *Tuo Yu Immortal Book* requires people of exceptional talent. The people of your Yuan Family are all very talented. You will stay."

Uncle Xiao was about to erupt in anger, but Yuan Weiyang stopped him with a raised hand. Yuan Weiyang bowed and said, "How could I dare to refuse?"

He walked over to Xu Ying's side and stood there silently, not saying a word, as if what was happening to him had nothing to do with him at all.

Yuan Qi suddenly noticed that Xu Ying was repeatedly sniffing his own right hand with a strange expression. He quickly whispered, "Ying, what's wrong with your hand?"

Xu Ying sniffed his fingertips again and said in a low voice, "It's weird. I squeezed Brother Yuan's hand just now, and now my hand has a fragrant scent on it. Here, smell!"

Yuan Qi took a sniff and said disdainfully, "This guy is so effeminate. Why is his hand so fragrant!"