Saying this, he lightly flicked his wide sleeves, and the surroundings rippled like reflections in water.

When Zhou Qing came to his senses, he had already returned to the tea house.

The tea on the table was still warm; he glanced sideways and saw that Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling seemed completely unaware.

This body-shifting technique was so astonishing that he was once again awed by the remarkable abilities of the Spirit Severing Realm.

"There's another way, how about I use my Paperman Avatar to exchange at the Duobao Trading House?" Luo Lingling suggested through a sound transmission.

Ghost Mastiff immediately shook his head: "No, it's not about who goes right now. As soon as anyone contacts the Trading House, they'll be watched. Even if the paperman can escape, the Spirit Stones they exchange for won't be secure."

"But..." Luo Lingling still wanted to say something, but Zhou Qing suddenly interrupted: "No need to go, I've already exchanged them."

"Huh?" Both turned their heads, looking confused.

Zhou Qing was about to explain when his expression suddenly changed.

A masked figure leisurely seated himself beside them, resting his chin in one hand, and studied the three with keen interest.

Zhou Qing's pupils slightly contracted, for above the person's head floated a golden label remarking—[Evil Spirit Level Fish].

"Friend, did you sit in the wrong place?" Ghost Mastiff's muscles were tense, and his voice carried vigilance.

The person gently shook his head: "No, I'm right. You must be Ghost Mastiff, aren't you?"

Upon hearing this, Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling's expressions changed drastically, and Zhou Qing squinted his eyes.

Without waiting for them to deny it, the figure casually continued: "Coincidentally, I know a youth also called Ghost Mastiff. The portrait on the wanted list from Nangong Family is a spitting image of the one I'm acquainted with."

"He hails from the Lingyun Mansion in the Eastern Domain of Taiqing Sect within Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Mansions. Are you also from there?"

Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling's faces instantly turned as dark as water.

The masked man then turned his gaze to the old hen in Luo Lingling's arms and suddenly chuckled softly: "I also know an old acquaintance who loves taking such hens around. However..."

He paused meaningfully, "I'm not talking about you, young lady."

Finally, his vision fell upon Zhou Qing: "I have something that requires the assistance of an Array Master. Although I've made arrangements with someone, I heard 'Mr. Ji' has gathered eight thousand Spirit Seals, and if he lends a hand, the odds would be better."

"Thus, like others, I waited here, hoping for a chance to cooperate with him."

"I was about to give up after waiting so long, but unexpectedly sensed the Spirit Severing Realm's aura—for accuracy, it was the technique the Duobao Trading House President just used on you."

Saying this, he suddenly turned to the air beside Zhou Qing: "President Mo needn't be nervous; I have no malice. You can ask him if you doubt."

Zhou Qing stared blankly at Sikong Yan and suddenly laughed.

Since the day he witnessed him slay Gao Xianzhong on the street, he foresaw that his senior brother's matter couldn't be hidden from him.

After all, the incident stirred up a storm throughout the city, not to mention the upheaval in Cyan Wood City, where Ghost Mastiff had a direct confrontation with Zhao Hanyue and others.

But he hadn't expected this day to come so swiftly.

Sikong Yan was indeed still the enigmatic and deeply intimidating figure.

Feeling the covert attention of Mo Tianheng, Zhou Qing spoke: "Senior Mo needn't worry, we're old acquaintances."

"He was the Spirit Severer who killed Gao Xianzhong half a year ago on the street!" Mo Tianheng's voice echoed in his head.

Zhou Qing nodded, "I know!"

Then, Sikong Yan chuckled lightly: "There's no need to let outsiders know our affairs, but..."

He glanced into the void, "The esteemed President might not agree with me taking you away, how about discussing it here while we have the chance?"

As he spoke, a crystal-clear jade bead slipped from his sleeve.

In an instant, invisible ripples spread, enveloping the four in absolute silence.

Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling exchanged gazes, seeing unprecedented seriousness in each other's eyes.

"Now then..." Sikong Yan suddenly leaned forward, a mischievous light flickering in his eyes beneath the mask, "Should I call you Mr. Ji, or... Zhou Qing?"

Zhou Qing nonchalantly poured himself some tea: "I've been meaning to ask, should I call you Lin Jin, or... Palace Master Sikong?"

Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling, hearing this, finally responded, looking incredulously at each other.

So it was him!

Sikong Yan burst into laughter: "Interesting! I thought I'd hidden well, only for you to uncover it; you truly deserve to be the Junior Sect Leader of Taiqing Sect."

He waved his hand casually, "Let's stick with Sikong Yan, I like this name. Honestly, I didn't expect you'd really come for the appointment."

"I didn't necessarily come for the appointment..." Zhou Qing sipped tea calmly.

Sikong Yan glanced at the masked Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling, shrugged: "Alright, seems I was being presumptuous."

Zhou Qing set down his tea and curiously said: "I didn't expect you to be so late, let alone step into the Spirit Severing Realm."

"What?!"

At that moment, Ghost Mastiff and Luo Lingling were utterly shocked.

Wasn't he at Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection? How could he have ascended to the lofty Spirit Severing Realm?

Upon hearing this, Sikong Yan lazily rested his chin: "Well, I might have set off earlier than you, but the scenery en route was too enticing to resist lingering, right?"

"If my guess is correct..." Zhou Qing also leaned slightly forward, "You entrusted Nannan to Wu Sha to be taken to Elder Gao Xuan, haven't made the breakthrough yet, and progressed along the way?"

"Snap!"

Sikong Yan suddenly snapped his fingers crisply, a flicker of admiration in his eyes: "Remarkable, it seems your understanding of the Spirit Slash is deeper than I imagined!"

Zhou Qing leisurely poured himself more tea: "I have one more question—did Lin Jin really die?"