Facing Zhou Qing's question, Mo Xingjian turned around, his expression serious as he said, "The secret concerns the supreme secret of our Taiqing Sect. Let me put it this way, it was because of discovering that place that the Taiqing Sect exists today."
The two were even more startled upon hearing this.
That is to say, the Taiqing Sect was established on the foundation of that place and has grown and flourished because of it.
It turns out those things didn't belong to the Taiqing Sect, no wonder they could trap such figures to this day.
Zhou Qing suddenly understood.
Mo Xingjian continued, "The Supreme Elder's breakthrough in cultivation this time was to try to see if he could retrieve something from inside. Fortunately, you didn't go in; of course, even if you wanted to, you couldn't. Otherwise, even if they didn't kill you, they would have to erase the relevant memories."
Zhou Qing felt a sudden shock in his heart.
Luckily, after much deliberation before, he had concealed some information.
He only reported to the Supreme Elders that the broken bowl exclaimed "Second Uncle" and then drilled out through the thief tunnel, without mentioning that the other party would stay at the Taiqing Sect for some time.
If everyone went all out to search and later found out that he brought it out, what would he do?
Moreover, the other party said "stay for a while", meaning it wouldn't be long before they left.
After all, all the secrets the sect should have, he had experienced. He almost became the sect leader of today's Taiqing Sect back then. They probably wouldn't think about it anymore.
"By the way, regarding the matters of the Pocket World, remember not to spread them around. Let's not talk about inside the sect; there are not a few people outside who covet it. If they hear anything, it would be a great disaster for you!" Mo Xingjian solemnly warned again.
Zhou Qing nodded repeatedly.
Yan Xiaohu, however, muttered in a low voice, "You've been talking for so long, but you haven't clarified what the secret of the Pocket World is. I've ended up with an extra danger for no reason."
Mo Xingjian, too lazy to explain further, got up and left, reminding Zhou Qing to rest well before he left.
After the two had left, Zhou Qing took out that top-grade water attribute spirit stone and gazed at it lovingly.
"I better absorb it tomorrow when I soak in the third Flame Spirit Blood Pool. That way, the effect will be even better!"
After putting away the spirit stone, he took out the secret technique "Silver Dragon Hand" rewarded by the Supreme Elders this time and started reading it carefully.
Early the next morning, Zhou Qing set off alone towards Divine Peak. Originally, he wanted his third senior brother to accompany him, but that guy absolutely refused.
"Senior Brother Zhou!"
Just after ascending the mountain, a lovely figure ran over. Who else could it be but Lu Yaoyao?
When he saw Li Daoxuan also approaching from not far away, with a face that looked as if someone owed him money, Zhou Qing felt a headache.
"Are you two waiting here specifically for me?" Zhou Qing asked after saluting Li Daoxuan.
Lu Yaoyao nodded, then smiled and said, "Yesterday I wanted to congratulate you on winning first place this time, but several Supreme Elders kept asking you questions, and I didn't get a chance."
Zhou Qing said, "Thank you."
[Heart Mirror Points +4]
Soon, the note above Lu Yaoyao's head, which originally read "So kind", changed to "So powerful" in an instant.
Zhou Qing sighed softly, thinking, don't you have a few more adjectives?
At this moment, Li Daoxuan also walked over, his face still stern as he said, "I heard that in the Gravity Zone this time, you gave your Yang Fire Talisman to the junior sister, causing you to fall into a dangerous situation. Thank you!"
After saying that, Li Daoxuan directly gave a respectful salute.
Zhou Qing was flattered.
"Senior Brother Li, this really humbles me. As senior brothers, we should help the junior sister, who is new here, whenever we can!" Zhou Qing hastily said.
Li Daoxuan stood up, full of gratitude in his heart.
[Heart Mirror Points +5]
Soon, under Zhou Qing's gaze, the note above the other man's head, which originally read "somewhat tactful scamp," swiftly changed to "a slightly pleasing scamp."
Zhou Qing opened his mouth, but forcibly swallowed back the curse words that had been about to escape his lips.
Then he stepped back and said, "Alright then, the Supreme Elders are still waiting for me, so I'll take my leave first."
After speaking, he hurriedly left.
Afterward, he skillfully made his way to a certain spot in the back mountain. This was the secluded residence of several Supreme Elders who did not concern themselves with worldly affairs, and the Flame Spirit Blood Pool was located within one of the peaks.
"You've come?"
Just as Zhou Qing was looking around, a voice suddenly came from behind him.
Zhou Qing was startled, and quickly turned to bow and greet, "Greetings, Supreme Elder."
The old woman nodded slightly without saying much and led Zhou Qing straight to the third pool.
Soon after, he saw the true Flame Spirit Blood Pool.
The entire pool emitted an eerie and scorching light, and the liquid inside was a strange dark red, as if refined by endless flames.
The air was filled with an exhilarating fragrance of medicine.
It should be known that this was only a diluted sub-pool, so one can imagine how potent the medicinal power of the main pool would be.
"Well, this is the third blood pool. You did well this time. The original reward was for one day, but this time I'll extend it for another half day. By the way, this is my old insights from practicing the 'Silver Dragon Hand'. You can refer to it!"
After speaking, the old woman handed over a manual.
Zhou Qing was overjoyed.
"Thank you, Supreme Elder!"
The old woman nodded before leaving.
Zhou Qing hurriedly tucked the manual away. After confirming there was no one else around, he undressed and slowly stepped into the Flame Spirit Blood Pool.
As soon as he touched the boiling liquid, he felt a wave of violent heat rush into his body through his pores.
Zhou Qing couldn't help but gasp, but it was still within tolerable limits. Bearing the pain that almost burned him, he slowly immersed his entire body into the blood pool.
As he immersed himself, the spiritual energy in the pool surged toward him like a torrent.
The liquid was filled with intense fire essence, scorching and domineering.
Zhou Qing quickly operated the "Taiqing Profound Qi Skills", guiding the medicinal power to flow within his body. To mitigate the pain, he even took out the top-grade water attribute spirit stone to absorb it.
Time slowly passed. The originally tightly shut eyes of Zhou Qing, with veins bulging on his forehead, gradually showed a hint of enjoyment.
"It truly is good stuff!"
Zhou Qing could clearly feel each strand of medicinal power flowing through his meridians, like countless hot knives scraping against the inner walls of his meridians. Though extremely painful, his meridians became tougher and wider under this stimulation.
Even the Foundation Establishment Spirit Core in his Dantian grew stronger. Not only that, but a faint red glow also began to cover the surface of his physical body, as if it had been forged by flame, emitting a formidable aura.
The night quickly passed. Suddenly, a strong light burst from Zhou Qing's Dantian.
The spirit core, which was originally the size of a pigeon egg, began to expand slowly. It seemed like a greedy child, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy around it.
The surface of the spirit core flickered with dazzling firelight. Each flame was like a lively fire serpent sinuously moving on the spirit core.
Zhou Qing was ecstatic and increased the rate at which he absorbed the top-grade spirit stone. The liquid in the blood pool began to whirl madly around him.
The surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be drawn by a great force, forming a massive vortex, continuously flowing into Zhou Qing's Dantian.
Not long after, the spirit core finally stopped growing, settling firmly in his Dantian. Compared to before, it had easily doubled in size.
When Zhou Qing slowly opened his eyes, it seemed as if two fires were burning fiercely in his pupils.
"Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!"