Deep within the abandoned mine!

The Ghost Mastiff sat cross-legged on a blue stone, surrounded by swirling spiritual power.

Under Luo Lingling’s meticulous care, his injuries had largely healed.

What surprised him more was, through his junior sister’s chatter, he realized that in the few decades since he left the Taiqing Sect, the Eastern Domain had undergone a seismic change.

Cyan Feather Immortal Sect, Phecda Sect, Golden Thunder Sect, Spirit Skull Mountain, Canglan Mountain, Lu family sisters, former Master Canglong Taoist...

What shocked him most was Zhou Qing.

Not only had he reached Divinity Transformation Perfection, but he had also become the most renowned array master of the Holy Martial Dynasty.

Of course, he was aware of the matter regarding his junior brother’s Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown; years ago at Lingyun Mansion, he had accidentally encountered his second junior sister.

She had once detailed the scenario with their master guarding the junior brother in the desert.

However, this advancement speed was too astonishing, even his second junior sister had broken through to mid-stage Divinity Transformation.

As for the Third, he had reached the late stage of Nascent Soul, and the Sect Leader’s newly recruited Xiaoliu had even comprehended the rudiments of a realm, striving towards the Divinity Transformation Realm.

How come all of you are cultivating like you’re climbing a ladder to heaven.

"I can feel it," Luo Lingling gently stroked the feathers of the old hen in her arms, gazing towards Zhou Qing meditating in the temporary cave mansion below.

"The Taiqing Sect will soon have its own Spirit Slash great power."

The Ghost Mastiff stretched his freshly healed muscles, a smile appearing on his scar-riddled face: "They say those of Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown will surely enter Spirit Slash, our junior brother..."

He suddenly shook his head and chuckled, "In the future, it might indeed fulfill the saying ’one person gains the Dao, even the chickens and dogs ascend to heaven’."

"You are quite open-minded." Luo Lingling glanced at him sideways, "Aren’t you envious or jealous?" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

The Ghost Mastiff expressed speechlessly: "The way you put it, if it were others, maybe I’d have some sour words, but since it’s my junior brother, I’m just happy enough."

Then Luo Lingling leaned closer: "What about the five of Zhao Hanyue?"

The Ghost Mastiff’s smile abruptly froze, his gaze lingering on the stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling, falling silent for a moment before heaving a long sigh.

"Don’t mock me, my relations with them... forget it, no need to bring it up, it’s all in the past now."

But soon, his expression darkened, and he said softly: "Actually, I originally planned to return to the sect after attending the auction."

"Years ago, I came to the Imperial City to uncover the truth behind the Five Sects War."

He shook his head, with a tone of self-mockery, "Unfortunately, due to my shallow connections and impulsiveness, I ended up killing Nangong Xiao."

"After creating trouble, I dared not return to the sect for fear of implicating my sect."

Upon hearing this, Luo Lingling sighed gently: "Fortunately, the Five Sects War has finally settled down; the mastermind, the Fifth Prince, was slain by Sikong Yan, along with his maternal family wiped out."

"Old Mo once revealed, the real purpose of the Five Sects War was the Xuanyuan Family’s attempt to establish a fully unified Cultivation Country."

The Ghost Mastiff nodded slightly.

Over the years, he and Zhao Hanyue had speculated about such an intention many times.

The current Emperor’s ambition far exceeded imagination.

In the Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Mansions, countless sects inherited over generations, who would willingly bear an extra shackle over their heads?

If there truly were unification, future sect conflicts and resource contests would be bound by the dynasty’s law, even killing a person or occupying land would face sanction.

"But speaking of which..." The Ghost Mastiff squinted his eyes, "Now that the Holy Martial Dynasty has over a dozen Spirit Severing Realm figures, all placing their direct family members in the Imperial City, doesn’t that imply—"

"The Xuanyuan Family has long been laying down a grand strategy!"

He shook his head, choosing not to ponder further, but instead said solemnly: "Currently, we have thoroughly offended the Nangong Family; there is no place for us in the Imperial City."

"If that Spirit Severing Realm elder were to arrive, we wouldn’t even have the chance to escape."

Luo Lingling frowned slightly: "But the Seventh Prince Xuanyuan Yichen and Ninth Princess Xuanyuan Muqian know your identity, if we leave, what if..."

The Ghost Mastiff sneered: "If they really wanted to leak it out, they would have done so long ago. Since no one has mentioned the Taiqing Sect up till now, it shows they’ve chosen silence."

"Even so, it might still bring trouble to the Lu Family seniors within the sect."

Luo Lingling nodded: "Let’s wait for Xiao Qing to come out before discussing further..."

"I want to stay!"

Before she could finish speaking, Zhou Qing had already walked out from the cave mansion below.

In the past two days, he had refined the Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystal condensed by over twenty Nangong family members. Coupled with his realm comprehension, his cultivation had further improved.

At this moment, his gaze was firm, his tone steady:

"Senior Brother, Second Senior Sister, since the matter began because of us, we should face it calmly, not flee in panic!"

The Ghost Mastiff was silent for a moment before nodding: "I am not afraid of death, just fearful of implicating you. The matter was originally caused by me alone..."

"It’s nothing to do with you!" Zhou Qing interrupted, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Nangong Xiao was narrow-minded, bearing grudges even after a fair auction, he deserved death!"

Luo Lingling nodded slightly, diverting her gaze to the Ghost Mastiff: "Eldest, indeed, it’s not your fault, no need for guilt."

The Ghost Mastiff was momentarily stunned before suddenly laughing heartily: "I didn’t do anything wrong to begin with, why should I feel guilty? Nangong Xiao courted death, I merely acted in self-defense!"

Seeing that the senior brother didn’t take it to heart, Zhou Qing and Luo Lingling exchanged a glance, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.

"Enough!" The Ghost Mastiff waved his big hand, spiritedly saying, "Us three being able to reunite here, it’s fate. In that case, let me, the senior brother, lead the way for a good adventure in the Imperial City!"

The two nodded in agreement.

Zhou Qing’s journey was originally for the top-grade Wood Attribute Spirit Stone, and despite the dangers encountered along the way, it also fueled his fighting spirit and pushed his cultivation forward.

Luo Lingling’s goal was to perfect her own realm, and the Ghost Mastiff also had his own pursuits in cultivation.

Returning to the Eastern Domain with tails between legs would be too humiliating.