Zhang Wanbao beamed with joy, his eyes squinting into slits: "I'm getting married!"

Zhou Qing was taken aback: "Congratulations, congratulations! Is it with Xiao Cancan?"

"Absolutely~" Zhang Wanbao rubbed his hands excitedly, "Ever since the Fifth Prince fell in the Eastern Domain, and Princess Consort Ying and the Liu Family faced disaster, Uncle Xiao has been wearing a troubled expression, unable to eat or sleep peacefully."

"My own chubby dad has been running back and forth even more, his legs have slimmed down from all the running." He patted his round belly and grinned broadly.

"Fortunately, Taiqing Sect and Cangyan Daoist Palace joined forces to capture those thieves from Golden Thunder Sect, bringing the whole matter to a close."

"After this ordeal, both families have come to terms with many things." Zhang Wanbao chuckled.

"Now, not only have they agreed to our marriage, but that girl Cancan is even adoring me, calling 'Wanbao Brother' all day long!"

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, speaking gently: "To achieve such a good match, cherish the person before you. Has the wedding date been set?"

"On the day I break through to Nascent Soul!" Zhang Wanbao said with confidence, patting the bulging storage bag at his waist.

"With the help of these heavenly materials and earthly treasures, plus the foundation I've built over the years, I will surely succeed in less than thirty years."

Zhou Qing's Divine Sense stirred, sensing that although the other was only at mid-stage Golden Core, his Spiritual Power was solid and potent, showing potential for a short-term breakthrough to Nascent Soul.

He was about to speak but heard Zhang Wanbao hesitantly ask: "Big Brother, when that time comes... will you come to drink the wedding wine?"

"If I have the time, I will definitely come!" Zhou Qing responded warmly.

With thirty years on his side, he estimated he would have returned long ago, and there should be enough time.

The two then discussed the map of the Imperial City, Zhang Wanbao showed surprise but wisely did not ask more questions. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Soon, a lustrous jade scroll was delivered to Zhou Qing's hands.

Sweeping it with his Divine Sense, he marveled at the detailed recording inside.

As they parted ways, Zhang Wanbao suddenly paused: "Would Big Brother really not see Cancan and Tao?"

Zhou Qing smiled and shook his head: "There's someone waiting for me outside, we can gather again on your wedding day!"

Before finishing his sentence, the blue robe fluttered and departed afar.

After passing through several streets and alleys, Zhou Qing found his Second Senior Sister at an inconspicuous inn.

Entering, he saw two sets of new outfits neatly arranged on the table.

"Catch!" Luo Lingling tossed over a set of black combat attire, "When traveling outside, identities are self-given. From now on, you'll be called 'Mr. Ji'."

She playfully glanced at the old hen on Zhou Qing's shoulder, her eyes gleaming with a mischievous light.

Zhou Qing chuckled speechlessly; you really think alike with Yan.

"What about you?" Zhou Qing asked after taking the clothes.

Luo Lingling flipped her wrist, revealing a fierce-looking bronze bull-headed mask in her palm.

She shook the mask with pride, her voice suddenly turning rough and bold: "Bull Strength is here!"

Seeing Zhou Qing's helpless face, she gently caressed her delicate features, blinking to revert back to a charming female voice.

"That's what makes it fun~ Who would think 'Bull Strength' is actually a fair maiden?"

She continued in a low voice, "Even if trouble arises in the future, no one will suspect a girl like me."

Listening to the instantaneous switch to a thick male voice, Zhou Qing couldn't help but smile.

The level of caution was truly impressive.

Then, he brushed his fingers over the inscriptions inside the mask, discovering some hidden restriction that could isolate ordinary Divine Sense detection.

It appeared not to be purchased today but rather a treasured item of the Second Senior Sister.

However, given his current Level 3 Array Master expertise, with some improvements, even a general Spirit Severing Realm cultivator might find it hard to discern their true identities.

"How's your side of things? Did you get what you needed?" Just as Zhou Qing pondered, Luo Lingling suddenly leaned over to ask.

Zhou Qing passed the jade scroll he obtained from Zhang Wanbao.

Luo Lingling focused intently as she read, her elegant brows gradually furrowed: "To cross four counties and twenty-four mansions... Tianqiong, Jiuyou, Chi Yan, Canglan..."

Her fingertips traced the landscape depicted on the jade scroll, sighing lightly: "Even if we travel day and night, with your flying ship, it would take at least two years."

Zhou Qing nodded, sighing: "Indeed, if only we could use the Royal Family's exclusive space channels, it would save so much time. Unfortunately, they're not open to the public."

"By the way, Senior Sister, what's the farthest place you've been?"

Luo Lingling set down the jade scroll, propped her chin, and pondered: "Anyway, I haven't been beyond Longyuan County. I heard from Old Mo that the County Governor of Longyuan is quite familiar with you?"

"We've only met a few times," Zhou Qing explained, "Back when the border array was damaged, Lord Zhong was ordered to invite Master Lin, and I accompanied him."

"Later, during the incident with the Fifth Prince and Princess Consort Ying, I encountered him a few more times, that's all."

Luo Lingling listened and slightly pouted her red lips, "Oh~ so that's how it is."

She suddenly sighed, "Speaking of which, we've cultivated to the Divinity Transformation Realm, yet haven't even traveled all of the Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Mansions of the Holy Martial Dynasty."

"Not to mention our Level 4 Cultivation Country, which is still the weakest among the surrounding forces..."

Zhou Qing took a deep breath and said, "Yes, this world is vast, really vast!"

"I want to see for myself!" Luo Lingling suddenly stood up, with a strange light flickering in her bright eyes.

Zhou Qing met her intense gaze and solemnly nodded, "I feel the same."

"Then let's start our journey from the Holy Martial Dynasty!" Luo Lingling clapped her hands excitedly.

"Old Mo surely had foresight, ventured out early to see the sights."

Zhou Qing laughed and nodded, saying, "When we arrive at the Imperial City, we'll give him a surprise."

"No, I want to give him a scare," Luo Lingling seemed to have thought of something, her face full of excitement.

"By then we'll disguise ourselves and ambush him on the road! You handle the frontal assault, I'll support from the shadows; we'll scare him till he's beside himself!"

The two looked at each other and burst into hearty laughter.

It's estimated that Master wouldn't expect that in just a few years, Second Senior Sister would ascend to Mid-stage Divinity Transformation Realm, while he became the top figure below Spirit Severing Realm.

Just like that, after eating and drinking, Zhou Qing carried a not-so-smart old hen on his shoulder and walked toward the teleportation square with Luo Lingling...

...

Two months later, at dawn, the flying ship sailed amid the vast sea of clouds.

Zhou Qing, who was sitting cross-legged on deck, suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps.

"Xiao Qing! Where did you run off to? Why has it become unmanned again? The flying ship is losing control!" Luo Lingling shouted in panic.

"Senior Sister, you're stepping on my hand!" Zhou Qing replied helplessly.

"Oh my!" The sudden sound startled Luo Lingling, she lowered her head and finally noticed Zhou Qing was right beside her, quickly moving her foot away.

She patted her chest, looking quite startled: "Why are you so ghostly? No wonder you're at Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection; these methods are almost as good as those old monsters in the Spirit Severing Realm!"

Zhou Qing chuckled bitterly to himself.

Since being on the flying ship, this has been his talent skill, Lowering Presence, taking effect in front of Second Sister for the sixth time.

Being naturally cautious, she often found the flying ship unmanned and screamed in fear.

When asked to steer, she complained it was tiring, arguing that with her brother nearby, why should she be burdened?

She'd rather rest in the cabin, enjoy beauty and peace.

Despite feeling strange about it, she always credited it to his Four Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

"Did you need me for something, Senior Sister?" Zhou Qing shook his hand and asked.

Luo Lingling sat down beside him, holding an old hen, her fingers gently combing through the feathers: "I suddenly remembered, you mentioned seeing Old Mo years ago?"

Zhou Qing nodded, "In Cyan Wood City."

"These days the journey is really dull, tell me the details~"

Luo Lingling's eyes lit up, she unconsciously leaned forward, even the old hen in her arms stretched its neck, ready to hear some gossip.

Zhou Qing smiled helplessly, organizing his thoughts: "That day, Li Hanshan from Cangyan Daoist Palace and Yu Ziqi teamed up to set a trap, intending to put me and Master Yan in a difficult situation."

"After I killed Yu Ziqi, Sikong Yan appeared suddenly... At that moment, I possessed a Spirit Severing Realm attack gifted by Senior Shen Hanyi..."

"Who is Shen Hanyi?" Luo Lingling interrupted.

Zhou Qing explained, "The silver-haired woman wearing a veil from Canglan Mountain, whom I was prepared to use against, when Master appeared with five young Divinity Transformation cultivators..."

"Do you still have that Spirit Severing attack treasure?" Luo Lingling interrupted again, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.

"Later, when Sikong Yan laid down the Four-Color Killing Array on Canglan Mountain, I had already given it to Master," Zhou Qing said with a somber tone.

"Thanks to that item, Master and others were able to carve out a path in a desperate situation, preserving the core strength of Taiqing Sect."

Luo Lingling's eyes flickered as she lowered her voice to ask, "Among the five young Divinity Transformation cultivators brought by Master, were there any women?"

"Indeed, two of them," Zhou Qing recalled, "One carried a carved longbow, exuded a cold and ethereal aura; the other held a qin, with a vastly different personality..."

"Alas!" Luo Lingling suddenly slapped her leg and sighed, "Poor Shi Zhen, ever since being saved by Old Mo, she's been fixated on him."

"A few days ago, I even ran into her... Alright, alright, I won't interrupt anymore, you continue..."

Zhou Qing had no choice but to briefly recount the situation from that day.