Chapter 1174 The Holy Land

Because of the special relationship between Zhou Yiqiao and Chu Tianxing, even though they are thousands of miles apart, they can still understand each other's thoughts and know each other's situation.

Ever since Zhou Yiqiao left the Netherworld Demon Realm, the Sword Washing Pool had to be managed by Chu Tianxing. His originally cold temperament had to change a lot because of Zhou Yiqiao's instructions.

Perhaps too many mundane affairs constrained Chu Tianxing's practice, resulting in the incarnation that inherited Chu Tianxing's spiritual roots making slow progress in practice.

For all these reasons, Zhou Yiqiao considered carefully and finally decided to give the last precious pill to Chu Tianxing.

"Master, don't worry, I will set off immediately and personally deliver the Hidden Dragon Transformation Pill to Chu Tianxing safely."

Qi Jian carefully put away the elixir and promised solemnly.

Zhou Yiqiao raised his hand and spoke out to stop him.

"No hurry. Now I need you to go out and buy some spiritual materials for my retreat. You will also need to take care of the trivial matters here for me. You can do this after I come out of retreat."

"Yes."

Qi Jian did not refute, but nodded in agreement. Then, he went out to purchase spiritual objects as Zhou Yiqiao instructed and left his residence.

After the seven swords left, the huge house suddenly became empty and quiet. Zhou Yiqiao stood in front of the window, looking at the misty mountains in the distance, and let out a long sigh.

"After years of running around, I can finally take a break."

After being absent-minded for a long time, Zhou Yiqiao turned back to the table and began to deal with various matters.

Five days passed in a flash.

In the past few days, Zhou Yiqiao hardly stepped out of his room. Apart from occasionally going for a stroll around the nearby market, he stayed in seclusion in his room and occasionally went out to relax.

During these five days, Zhou Yiqiao didn't think about anything except practicing, which was like giving himself a vacation.

Five days later, the Seven Swords returned to the villa with the spiritual objects that Zhou Yiqiao needed. Zhou Yiqiao took the materials and immediately went into seclusion.

Now that he has made tremendous achievements in Qinjian Villa, it would be easy for him to choose a most quiet place with the most spiritual energy to practice in seclusion.

Following Biyao's suggestion, Zhou Yiqiao chose a secret valley on Luojia Mountain in Qinjian Villa.

This valley is filled with towering ancient trees, gurgling streams, and spring-like weather all year round. It is like a paradise on earth and is indeed a perfect place for retreat and practice.

Zhou Yiqiao did not hesitate at all, and stepped into the quiet valley carrying the newly purchased spiritual materials and Hidden Dragon Spirit Pill.

He chose a cave illuminated by dappled sunlight as his place of retreat. The cave had already been arranged by Bi Yao in advance. The spiritual energy was so rich that it almost turned into substance. It was the most suitable place for retreat in the valley.

During the days of seclusion, time seemed to be stretched.

In the morning, Zhou Yiqiao recited various experiences of his predecessors and alchemy books to improve his understanding of the realm of refining emptiness and his attainments in the art of alchemy.

At the zenith of the sun, he devoted himself to the path of cultivation, absorbing the most refined spiritual energy between heaven and earth, while carefully digesting the remaining magical power of the Hidden Dragon Zhuanling Pill.

This action not only enabled Zhou Yiqiao's cultivation to rise steadily, but also filled and consolidated the Dantian Qi Sea, which had become slightly weak due to the refining of elixirs.

As for after sunset, it is the time for Zhou Yiqiao to refine pills, nourish magic weapons, and comprehend some sword intent.

This goes on day after day, year after year, tirelessly.

......

Five years later.

In Qinjian Villa, a majestic and magnificent palace stands.

Qing Jimeng, his father Qing Lietian, and several elders of Qinjian Villa sat around the conference table in the center of the hall. The atmosphere was heavy and solemn.

Outside the main hall, sunlight shines through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows, but it seems unable to dispel the heaviness of the room.

"Everyone, I have called you all here today because there is an important matter concerning the future of my Qinjian Villa that needs to be discussed."

Qing Lietian spoke slowly, his voice steady and powerful. His eyes swept over everyone present and finally stopped on Qing Jimeng.

“The Daozi of Lingxiao Palace, on the grounds of the great elder’s past kindness, begs us to severely punish the criminal and escort him to Lingxiao Palace so that the Daozi can repay the favor.”

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became tense. Upon hearing this, the faces of the elders turned ashen, unable to conceal their anger.

They were whispering to each other and talking all over the place, obviously feeling extremely dissatisfied and indignant about Lingxiao Palace's request.

"Lingxiao Palace is going too far!"

"Everyone present here knows that the old man relied on the tacit approval of the High Heaven Palace to form cliques and factions in my villa and cause trouble for the sect."

"The villa spent such a huge price to solve the source of the disaster, and he, the Lingxiao Palace, wants to rescue people with just a Taoist priest!?"

A white-haired elder slammed the table and stood up.

"Yeah, what a bullshit."

"There are as many as eight Daozi in the Lingxiao Palace. Who knows if this is another newly promoted young master who wants to show off his power in Qinjian Villa by relying on the influence of his father?"

"Our Qinjian Villa is not a place he can manipulate at will!"

Another elder in a blue shirt with a stern face also said dissatisfiedly.

Qing Jimeng sat quietly aside, his face solemn, his hands unconsciously clenched into fists, his fingertips slightly white.

She knew very well that Lingxiao Palace was a giant in the world of cultivation. If Daozi asked, there was no way his Qinjian Villa, even if it was the Holy Sect of Zhongzhou, would refuse.

But she also understood that if the criminal was allowed to leave peacefully, it would not only bring shame to Qinjian Villa, but would also likely sow the seeds of greater disaster for the villa's future.

"Father, we can't just sit there and wait for death."

Qing Jimeng finally spoke.

"The story of the Great Elder has long been spread in the Central Continent Immortal Cultivation World. If we hand over the Great Elder just because of a word from the High Heaven Palace, not to mention the impact on us in the future, the damage to the reputation of the villa in the near future is something we cannot afford."

"What's more, the crimes committed by that criminal are too numerous to list. If we let him go easily, how can we explain to the people in the villa, and how can we face the disciples and families who were harmed by him?"

Qing Lietian sighed, and rubbed his brows helplessly as he lacked the majestic aura of the leader of the Central Continent Holy Sect.

"Then Meng'er, what do you think we should do?"

"After all, it is one of the four holy places. It is a terrifying force that has existed since the birth of Tianchen Realm. How can we fight against such a giant?"

Qing Jimeng hesitated for a long time, and then spoke amid the comments of many senior executives of Qinjian Villa.

“With the strength of Qinjian Villa, it is indeed a fantasy to defy Lingxiao Palace, but what if we borrow the power of the Four Sacred Grounds to deal with them?”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone in the hall's eyes lit up, as if they had seen a solution to the problem.