Chapter 0069

Chapter 69: Master and Disciple Reunite

“Honored Guest Elder, please do not frown,” Zhao Wu Tian said smoothly. “This woman’s physique is extraordinary.”

“Yin Yang Dao Physique,” Zhou Tong said in a low voice, cutting him off. Zhao Wu Tian froze for a heartbeat, then nodded.

“As expected of you. Then you must already know her uses,” Zhao Wu Tian said proudly, watching Zhou Tong’s face.

“I will accept this gift. Release her,” Zhou Tong said.

“Of course. But there is one thing I must tell you first,” Zhao Wu Tian said, explaining with a faint smile: “If you plan to dual cultivate with her, it is best to do it within one day after she is unfrozen, or she will wither and die at once.”

“You used a forced-maturation art on her?” Zhou Tong asked, voice low as a blade; a flicker of killing intent flashed in his eyes.

“Nothing escapes you. With that method, all her life force is compressed into a single day, greatly boosting the effect of dual cultivation,” Zhao Wu Tian said. “Within that day, whether she dual cultivates or not, her life will be fully spent. That is why she had to be kept sealed in ice.”

Zhou Tong kept his face blank. To keep his killing intent from leaking out, he slowly closed his eyes.

In an instant, countless thoughts surged through his mind. To keep Zhang Chu Qiao alive, he would need a way to reignite life force, such as the Evergreen Vine of Ages. But that herb was extremely rare and picky about where it grew. The moment it ripened, top experts would fight to seize it. It could extend life, and who would not covet that?

“Honored Guest Elder, I happen to have one Evergreen Vine of Ages,” Zhao Wu Tian said suddenly.

“And what of it?” Zhou Tong asked, opening his eyes.

“I noticed you seem to enjoy collecting beauties, so I dared to guess you might want this Yin Yang Dao Physique to live. Only…” Zhao Wu Tian paused, something sly slipping into his gaze as he said, “the Evergreen Vine of Ages has already entered the auction process. If you want it, I will personally buy it at the auction in a few days and gift it to you. But that will be after the great plan succeeds. How does that sound?”

Zhou Tong grinned, seeing through him at once. Zhao Wu Tian’s so-called great plan was to start the Life Extinguishing Desolation Array and refine all the strong. If he succeeded, his power would soar, and he would hold the advantage in every deal. Zhou Tong thought: [Empty promises. He will not keep his word.] To save Zhang Chu Qiao, he needed another path.

Suddenly, a spark flashed in his mind. He remembered a secret art used by the Heavenly Devil, called the Heaven-Mending Creation Art. It could forcefully transfer one’s own life force into another. No matter how badly wounded the receiver was, they could be pulled back from death. This was one reason the Heavenly Devil was so hard to kill. Zhou Tong frowned for a moment, thinking: [Do I have to capture a Heavenly Devil? Where would I even find one?] Then his lips quirked as he remembered something and thought: [There is a ready one.]

“Guest Elder… Guest Elder…” Zhao Wu Tian called a few times, pulling him back.

“As for my offer, what do you think?” Zhao Wu Tian asked.

“Very well. I accept,” Zhou Tong answered crisply, catching Zhao Wu Tian off guard.

“Here, take this,” Zhou Tong said, tossing a scroll through the air. Zhao Wu Tian caught it and hurried to open it. Joy spread across his face at once. Written there was a method to perfect the Life Extinguishing Desolation Array. For him, it was like treasure dropping into his lap.

“Many thanks, Guest Elder!”

“Then work hard. I will not keep you company,” Zhou Tong said. With a wave, the crystal of Mystic Ice rose up and floated behind him. He stepped forward once and vanished from the underground world.

“Safe travels, Guest Elder,” Zhao Wu Tian murmured, licking his lips, eyes turning vicious. “When it is done, I will reward you… by making you my nourishment.”

Imperial Palace, Guest Elder’s Residence.

The moment Zhou Tong released Zhang Chu Qiao, she erupted with fighting intent and attacked, shouting: “I will kill you scum!”

“What a strong will to fight. Truly a Yin Yang Dao Physique,” Zhou Tong said as he dodged, unable to help but admire her.

She was not insane. It was the carryover of battle will. She had been captured and sealed in the midst of fighting, and that iron will had not faded even after decades. Now, breaking free, she thought she was still on the battlefield and treated everything she saw as the enemy.

“Senior sister, calm down and listen to me,” Zhou Tong said, trying to reason with her.

“Who is your senior sister? I will not spare you today,” Zhang Chu Qiao answered, heroic and cold. Yin and yang swirled around her and shaped into a spirit sword.

With a thunderous boom, the sword force rolled out. She was no weaker than Long Ling Yun and had long since broken through to the Heaven-Slashing Realm. The years had not weakened her at all.

“It seems we cannot talk this out,” Zhou Tong said, his aura sharpening in a breath. “Then I will beat you into yielding.”

He stepped forward, and the Red Dust Sea surged, covering the surrounding world.

“This is…” Zhang Chu Qiao had already launched her strike, but when she saw Zhou Tong’s hair turn pure white, her body trembled hard. It was the Jade Devil Body, a realm even she had never reached.

By then, Zhou Tong had already closed in. A spirit sword flickered with cold light in his hand as he swung without mercy. With one move, steel met steel. Her sword shattered. The outcome was decided.

Zhang Chu Qiao flew back. Zhou Tong flashed up, caught her midair, and sealed her cultivation.

“You… are you truly my junior brother?” she asked in shock.

“Even if I told you, you would not believe me. I will let others tell you,” Zhou Tong said.

He took her straight to the Heaven Prison, opened a cell, and set her inside.

“Eldest senior sister!” came a cry.

“Master!” called another.

“Qiao Qiao!” shouted a third.

Except for Long Ling Yun, the women stared at one another as if dreaming. Then tears overflowed and they rushed into a tight embrace.

“Master, why are you here? What happened?” Zhang Chu Qiao asked.

“You unfilial, foolish girl, you made your teacher wait so long,” Mu Rong Ya choked out. “You came back at all only thanks to your junior brother.”

“Master, senior brother just left again,” Long Ling Yun said, surprised. “He did not say a word. It seemed urgent.”

“What could make that child so anxious?” Mu Rong Ya murmured, frowning as she took Zhang Chu Qiao’s wrist. “Let me check your body.”

A moment later, her face turned extremely grim.