Chapter Seventy-Two: The Realm Is Not High Enough

The Forbidden Flight Array was the very formation the old crone had used earlier to prevent him from utilizing the Earth-Breaking Talisman. Once activated, this array cut off all spatial movement for Earth-Breaking Talismans and lower-grade teleportation formations, making it a powerful weapon for ambush and murder. However, it was ineffective against short-range instantaneous movement techniques, so it was only useful against cultivators below the Nascent Soul stage. Nascent Soul cultivators could teleport out of the array’s range and then use their own talismans or formations. Against them, the Forbidden Flight Array was powerless. Still, it was a valuable tool; as long as his cultivation didn’t reach that stage, he’d best avoid provoking Nascent Soul cultivators.

He had been within the Huangu Royal Family’s domain for several years now, yet there was no sign of pursuit or wanted posters from the Heavenly Dao Sect. Had they given up? Or was it that they didn’t want the news of the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary to reach the other major sects? The latter seemed more likely.

Zhou Qi had guessed correctly. The Heavenly Dao Sect hadn’t abandoned their pursuit of the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary; rather, Zhou Qi’s unknown teleportation destination that day made it impossible for a large-scale hunt. If they launched a massive search, the other sects would inevitably learn of the Sanctuary, making it even harder to seize should it fall into their hands. Nascent Soul and Soul Formation cultivators couldn’t join the pursuit themselves—such high-level cultivators entering another sect’s territory would immediately become the focus of surveillance.

Therefore, the Heavenly Dao Sect only dispatched a few low-level Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators, hoping to find Zhou Qi’s whereabouts within other territories.

The Protective Formation, which the old crone had used to block the Immortal-Slaying Sword, created a shield around the user. Anything below a mid-grade spirit artifact couldn't penetrate it. If Zhou Qi could expand this formation, and force his enemies to rely solely on physical attacks, he would have a significant advantage. Moreover, placing this array outside his cave residence would greatly enhance its safety. Otherwise, if he were ambushed during seclusion, he might not even know how he died. This formation was worth thorough study.

The formation techniques of the True Lord of Profound Heaven were too advanced for him to learn at present, but the old crone's notes filled in his gaps at the beginner level.

Now was not the time to study formations. Zhou Qi took out the message jade left by Huangfu Xiu and attempted to send a message. There was no reply—he had no idea what had become of Huangfu Xiu.

Though they'd only met twice, Huangfu Xiu had left a strong impression on Zhou Qi. Though of noble birth, he did not bully the weak. He loved beautiful women, yet had his own principles, and had helped Zhou Qi greatly. Without him, Zhou Qi would never have gained what he did at the auction.

Huangfu Xiu was in trouble, and Zhou Qi could not stand idly by. He was considering ways to gather information.

“Be careful!” Jiu’er cried out, rushing in front of Zhou Qi. A flying sword was lodged in her back.

Startled, Zhou Qi scooped her up and instantly teleported backward. He hadn’t expected that in a moment of danger, Jiu’er would throw herself before him without hesitation.

In the distance appeared a sallow-faced man. “This beast is truly loyal. I meant to kill you with a single sword, but she took the blow instead. Such a beauty—what a pity if she were to die.” As he spoke, the long sword flew back to his hand, trailing a shower of blood.

Zhou Qi quickly took out a Restoration Pill and gave it to Jiu’er. Her breathing soon stabilized, and the wound visibly healed, restoring her to her usual self in an instant.

The man laughed delightedly. “That’s the Restoration Pill, is it? Quite effective. I didn’t expect you to have any left.”

“Who are you? Why did you ambush me?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter. Hand over the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary and that demon fox, and I’ll give you a dignified death,” the man replied blandly.

“You’re from the Heavenly Dao Sect?” Zhou Qi’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected them to arrive so quickly—who knew how many more there might be?

“So what if I am? Zhou Qi, you’d best surrender. I saw everything when you fought the old crone and the others. If I don’t enter your formation, what can you do to me? You’re only at the second layer of Foundation Establishment—I have plenty of ways to kill you from afar. If you know what’s good for you, tell me where the Sanctuary is and where the inheritance is hidden.” The man’s words made it clear he’d been following Zhou Qi for some time, only acting now after careful observation.

“He’s at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment. You have no chance of victory,” the True Lord of Profound Heaven warned.

“When did you start following me? After I left the city, or during my fight with the old crone and the others?” Zhou Qi asked, trying to gauge whether the man knew about his Earth-Breaking Talisman. If he was to use it, it would have to be when the man least expected it.

“After you left the city? So you’ve been hiding in the Huangu family’s territory—that explains why we couldn’t find you. But your luck’s run out, meeting me here. Once I seize the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary and its inheritance, I’ll burn a few sticks of good incense for you,” the man said with a smile, making no move to approach, wary of Zhou Qi’s formations.

Zhou Qi was secretly pleased. This man sought to keep the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary for himself. If Zhou Qi disappeared, no one else might know.

“I have a condition. I can give you the Sanctuary and the inheritance, but you must let the two of us go. Otherwise, I’ll end my own life and you’ll get nothing,” Zhou Qi declared.

“That can be arranged. As long as you cooperate, sparing your lives is possible,” the man replied, eager to kill Zhou Qi only after obtaining his prize to cover up his own greed.

“The Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary is right…” Zhou Qi began, only to abruptly unleash his paper fan. Twelve enchanting women charged at the sallow-faced man.

“Like ants trying to shake a tree—how laughable.” The man sneered, his flying sword slicing through the twelve women, dissipating them instantly. When he looked up, Zhou Qi and Jiu’er had vanished.

“Damn it!” the man cursed, stamping his foot in frustration.

Zhou Qi and Jiu’er reappeared in a mountain forest, fortunately deserted. He carried her to a cave, scattered out the old crone’s array disks, and finally allowed himself to relax. It was terrifying—at any moment, a flying sword could come out of nowhere.

Examining Jiu’er’s wound, he found she was fully recovered, though her clothing was torn, revealing a large hole.

Zhou Qi lowered his head in thought. It seemed he would have to change his appearance again. He wondered if, after reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, the flaw in his Transformation Technique would lessen.

When he looked up, his nose suddenly began to bleed profusely. Jiu’er’s upper body was bare, and she was slowly taking off her skirt. The sight before him was far from suitable for children. Zhou Qi felt a rush of blood to his head and quickly averted his gaze.

“Jiu’er, what are you doing? Hurry up and put your clothes back on!” Zhou Qi snapped. Now was hardly the time for this sort of thing; besides, how could a human and a demon possibly…

“What’s wrong, brother? My skirt is torn—I need to change!” Jiu’er said, puzzled.

“Why are you changing in front of me? What are you thinking?” Zhou Qi stammered.

“You’re not a stranger, brother—our lives are bound together. Why can’t I change in front of you? But if you don’t like it, I won’t do it again…” Jiu’er said, aggrieved.

She really didn’t consider him an outsider at all. Zhou Qi glanced up furtively. “It’s not that I mind. Oh, do as you please,” he sighed. Was it his thoughts that were impure, or was his state of mind simply not high enough?

Seeing that Zhou Qi was no longer angry, Jiu’er beamed. “Brother, come check the wound on my back!”

…