224: Deadline

Seeing that both her father and Uncle Gu's expressions had become solemn, Zhou Xiutong's face showed confusion, and a hint of nervousness rose in her heart, but she did not ask any questions.

Outside Suqing Peak, as the three figures appeared, the clouds on Suqing Peak churned, and the Great Formation guarding the peak opened.

Zhou Leren, along with Zhou Xiutong and Immortal Master Gu Li, flew into Suqing Peak.

On the peak, the two ancient stone doors of the Immortal Cave were wide open, revealing a figure sitting cross-legged on a futon inside.

"Grand Elder."

"True Lord."

Immortal Master Gu Li and Zhou Leren bowed in salute.

"No need for formalities."

True Lord Herun nodded, waved his sleeve, and lifted the three of them up.

"Come before me."

True Lord Herun beckoned to the somewhat nervous Zhou Xiutong.

Zhou Xiutong looked at Zhou Leren, and seeing Zhou Leren nod, she slowly walked to True Lord Herun's side.

Seeing the scale wrapped in a gem hanging around Zhou Xiutong's neck, True Lord Herun smiled.

Then, he reached out and touched Zhou Xiutong's forehead, and spiritual power surged out, examining Zhou Xiutong's Physique.

A moment later, True Lord Herun withdrew his hand.

He looked at Zhou Xiutong before him and asked in a deep voice, "Are you willing to take this old man as your Master?"

Zhou Xiutong was startled.

Immortal Master Gu Li and Zhou Leren were shocked in their hearts.

True Lord Herun had not taken a Disciple for a long time.

Zhou Xiutong's heart stirred, thinking of her father's solemn expression just now.

She quickly knelt down.

After three bows, "Zhou Xiutong respectfully greets Master."

Zhou Xiutong's small face was full of seriousness.

"Rise."

True Lord Herun's expression was gentle, and he helped Zhou Xiutong up.

After rising, Zhou Xiutong stood behind True Lord Herun.

After a long while, Zhou Leren gave Zhou Xiutong a few instructions and flew out of Suqing Peak.

Accompanied by Immortal Master Gu Li, he left Xuanqing Sect.

After this day, construction began on Suqing Peak, and a fully functional pavilion was built below True Lord Herun's Immortal Cave to serve as Zhou Xiutong's residence.

In addition, Suqing Peak, which had only True Lord Herun for many years, began to recruit Utility Disciples to take care of Zhou Xiutong's daily life.

The news of True Lord Herun taking a Disciple thus spread throughout the entire Xuanqing Sect.

Utility, Outer, Inner, and True Disciples all reacted differently.

But one thing they all agreed on was that from now on, when they saw this young Senior Sister, they would probably have to bow in greeting.

After Zhou Leren returned from Xuanqing Sect, he first went to see Mo Xuan and relayed True Lord Herun's message to him.

Then, he returned home and informed Jing Ya and the rest of the Zhou Family of the news.

When the news of True Lord Herun taking a Disciple gradually spread, Zhou Dingyang and Zhou Dingze had already learned of Zhou Xiutong's apprenticeship into Xuanqing Sect.

The two brothers couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, they were often roped in by Zhou Xiutong, and yet they couldn't refuse.

Zhou Xiutong's ideas often changed, and the two of them were often scolded because of it.

Now, they could finally have some peace and quiet.

Time flowed by.

Two years later, in Xuanqing Sect, Suqing Peak.

Inside Yinxin Pavilion, a seven or eight-year-old girl with two bun hairstyles and a delicate, cute face sat cross-legged on a bed, her expression solemn, her hand gestures constantly changing, slowly circulating her Cultivation Technique, with subtle electric sparks constantly flashing around her body.

Not long after, the girl's aura calmed down, and there was no longer any trace of electric sparks.

Opening her eyes, Zhou Xiutong's pretty little face nodded in satisfaction.

Then she jumped off the bed.

In two years, Zhou Xiutong had already Broken through to the Second Layer of Qi Refining.

"Little Senior Sister, you have a letter."

Just as Zhou Xiutong was about to go and visit her Master, True Lord Herun, a female voice sounded from outside the pavilion.

"Oh?"

"Come in quickly."

Zhou Xiutong's face lit up with joy, and she opened the Formation within the pavilion.

A young girl, not very old, entered from outside the pavilion; there were traces of Spiritual Qi washing over her body, but she had not yet stepped into the Qi Refining First Layer.

Zhou Xiutong greeted her and quickly took the Jade Slip the girl handed her.

After Zhou Xiutong took it, the girl exited the pavilion.

Zhou Xiutong held the Jade Slip and immersed her mind in it.

A moment later, Zhou Xiutong hastily left.

She arrived at the top of Suqing Peak.

"Master, Xiutong requests an audience."

Outside the Immortal Cave, although Zhou Xiutong's face was anxious, she did not forget her manners.

The Immortal Cave opened, and Zhou Xiutong entered.

Some time later, a Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Elder came to Suqing Peak and, taking Zhou Xiutong with him, traveled from Suqing Peak to Cloud Dream Marsh in Yingyang Commandery.

Cloud Dream Marsh.

Jade Moon Peak and Yaori Peak were largely clad in white mourning attire.

Yang Linxi's lifespan had reached its limit, and she passed away peacefully.

By the time Zhou Xiutong arrived, the memorial ceremony was already nearing its end.

Although she was still young, the members of the Zhou Family had been exceptionally kind to her.

Even after she went to Xuanqing Sect, Elders often came to visit her.

Even Zhou Licheng and his wife, who had long since retired, had given her a pair of concentric jade pendants.

She just hadn't expected to experience such an event in such a short time.

Several days later, Zhou Xiutong and the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Elder returned to Xuanqing Sect.

The eight-year-old Zhou Xiutong seemed to have matured a lot after this incident.

She increasingly showed the demeanor of a little Senior Sister within Xuanqing Sect.

Yang Linxi passed away.

Zhou Licheng returned to Xian Shui Pavilion, accompanied by mountains, rivers, brushes, and ink.

He increasingly ignored all worldly affairs.

So much so that later generations of the Zhou Family only knew Zhou Licheng's name but had never seen him.

One year later, in Xuanming Realm, Zhou Xiuyuan and Shen Xuanzhao both successively Broke through to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

Qingyang Sword Hall's strength greatly increased.

Due to the need for illusionary void crystal, Zhou Xiuyuan and Shen Xuanzhao discussed for a long time before making a decision.

Qingyang Sword Hall began to bare its fangs and expand outwards.

In less than three years, it subjugated more than a dozen large and small forces around Qingyang City.

Among them was also the Mingri Chamber of Commerce, which had two Early Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators presiding over it.

The Qingyang Alliance, led by Sword Hall, was established after Sword Hall officially subdued the Mingri Chamber of Commerce.

There were many large and small forces within the alliance.

Sword Hall's actions aroused the vigilance of the other major cities in the surrounding area.

Each family jointly sent a letter to Xuanhua Prefecture, informing them of this matter.

Fortunately, Shen Xuanzhao had already anticipated this and made arrangements in advance.

With the supplies from the Qingyang Alliance, Yun Qingsi's Formation cultivation progressed very smoothly.

Two years later, Zhou Xiutong was fourteen years old and entered the Eighth Level of Qi Refining.

With a cultivation speed of one major Realm per year, Zhou Xiutong had long since earned the admiration of everyone in Xuanqing Sect.

Such talent was enough to match the status of a True Lord's Personal Disciple.

Just as Zhou Xiutong Broke through to the Eighth Level of Qi Refining, in Yingyang Commandery, Cloud Dream Marsh, at the bottom of the boundless water marsh, the Black Giant Serpent, which had been dormant for over ten years, slowly opened its eyes.

Mo Xuan's mind stirred.

"Ding~"

【Name: Mo Xuan;

Species: Black Water Profound Serpent;

Bloodline: Spirit Beast;

Lifespan: 173 / 3600 years (+);

Talents: Water Control, Wind Control, Cloud Gathering;

Innate Divine Abilities: Summon Wind and Call Rain, Realm of Clouds and Mist;

Companion Magic Treasure: wind and rain pearl;

Divine Abilities: Water Form: Myriad Transformations, Wind Form - Traceless, Cloud Form: Mist Concealment, Size As Desired Transformation Divine Ability, Breath Concealment Divine Ability, Four Transformations of the Demonic Body, Riding Clouds and Driving Mist, Dividing Spirit and Transforming Thought, Summoning: Descent of Spirit (+);

Realm: Early Nascent Soul Stage (+);

clan protecting system bound: Zhou Family, Patriarch — Zhou Leyi.

Clan Fortune Points: 480】

Looking at the '+' sign in the Realm column, the Black Giant Serpent looked up at the azure blue pearl floating above its head, its heart stirring slightly.

Its mind penetrated into it.

The Clan Fortune Points rapidly decreased.

The Black Giant Serpent closed its snake eyes again, falling into a deep sleep.

Only this time, something extraordinary was brewing.

The azure blue pearl emitted a faint glow, illuminating the surroundings.