"Don't worry, Zhou!" She took the clothes, pledging confidently.

Zhou Qing nodded: "If we're truly exposed, I have the assurance to safely lead you away."

This wasn't mere empty talk—with his current strength and the intrigue among the Thirteen Sects, he believed that most others would likely sit back and watch the show.

After changing, Zhou Qing donned a silver mask, stuffed the old hen into his arms, and carefully reminded Lu Yaoyao of a few details.

The two exchanged a glance and confidently headed deeper into the Witch Ancestor Mountain Range.

"Buzz—"

As soon as they approached the alert zone, thirteen terrifying Divine Senses pressed upon them like a tide.

Zhou Qing snorted coldly, solidifying his Divine Sense into a tangible barrier in front of him.

"Huh?" A few startled voices emerged from the shadows.

Lu Yaoyao immediately feigned panic and shouted loudly, "Dou Niwan, Direct Disciple of the Mixed Element Sect, ordered by the sect to invite Master Su here!"

Swish!

Jiang Wangchuan's figure appeared instantly before them.

If Lu Yaoyao weren't wearing Mixed Element Sect disciple's attire, he, and presumably others, would have acted long ago and wouldn't have allowed anyone to come this close.

"Master Su?"

Jiang Wangchuan suspiciously scrutinized the masked Zhou Qing, his gaze sharp as a blade.

"Buzz—"

With a thought, Zhou Qing's surroundings suddenly swarmed with dense Spirit Seals, the runes weaving into a complex Array Map emitting mysterious waves.

"It truly is Master Su!" Seeing this, Jiang Wangchuan was both amazed and delighted.

But then he frowned—wasn't it said that it would take at least three more days? How come it's so soon?

Moreover, he didn't bring several disciples like Wu Tiangang?

Zhou Qing seemed to notice his doubts and mimicked Su Lishan's voice, deepened by the mask, said with a muffled voice.

"This old man was injured on a trip to Spirit Skull Mountain, my face is yet to heal, so I won't show my true appearance."

Jiang Wangchuan studied the person before him carefully.

To be honest, he hadn't actually seen the legendary Array Master with his own eyes.

The Eight Prefectures and Seventy-Two Mansions of the Holy Martial Dynasty were vast, and before Lin Daochen's promotion, the entire Dynasty had only two Level Three Array Masters, Su Lishan and Wu Tiangang.

For years, the County Governor, Mansion Master, and various forces competed to invite them, they were like dragons seen only by their heads.

In his years with the Mixed Element Sect, it was his first time successfully inviting this master.

"As rumored, Master Su indeed carries a graceful demeanor." Jiang Wangchuan nodded secretly, and moreover, those dense Spirit Seals couldn't possibly be faked.

"It is truly the fortune of our Mixed Element Sect that Master Su could come!" Jiang Wangchuan excitedly cupped his hands in salute.

The resentment from being ridiculed by Xie Chixiao earlier vanished, now feeling fully vindicated.

Suddenly, he turned to Lu Yaoyao, his gaze electric: "Why are you the only one? Where are the others? How come I've never seen you before?"

Lu Yaoyao immediately acted as rehearsed, her eyes reddening with tears as she bowed, "Please, Patriarch, speak for this disciple!"

She then took out Ma Cheng's Identity Token and respectfully handed it over.

"Disciple is under the Third Elder Ma Cheng; I accompanied Master and several elders to welcome Master Su. Unexpectedly, we were ambushed by a large group on the way back..."

Her voice choked: "To ensure Master Su's safety, Master ordered me to escort the Master first, while he and the other elders stayed behind..."

Hearing this, Jiang Wangchuan was utterly furious, his killing intent directed at a certain direction.

Beneath the mask, Zhou Qing watched this scene quietly, exhaling a sigh of relief, it seemed he had gambled correctly.

After slaying Ma Cheng, the Soul Lamp left at the Mixed Element Sect would surely extinguish.

He was most worried that the person before him would know.

Thus, he was betting that this person had been stationed here for a long time, and the Mixed Element Sect's high-ranking members might not have informed them of the death to avoid affecting the local exploration.

After all, by the timeline, the warfare in the Southwest Two Domains of the Vast Mansion would have started earlier than the Eastern Domain of Lingyun Mansion.

Furthermore, even if the other side had already known, Lu Yaoyao could tell him that Ma Cheng hadn't fallen but was seriously injured.

Most importantly, after being publicly ridiculed by Xie Chixiao, Jiang Wangchuan's primary concern now was how to restore the Western Domain's echelon face in front of the other Twelve Sects.

"Thank you, Master Su, for your hard work in coming to help!" Soon, Jiang Wangchuan calmed his wrath and earnestly saluted.

Zhou Qing nodded slightly, responding in a muffled voice, "Is this the relic site?"

"Indeed." Jiang Wangchuan quickly replied, "Master Wu entered an hour ago."

"Old Wu is here?" Zhou Qing feigned surprise, then chuckled softly, "How interesting."

He pointed to Lu Yaoyao, "In a rush, I didn't bring accompanying disciples. This little girl seems clever enough, let her assist me."

Jiang Wangchuan was overjoyed hearing these words.

The Tribulation Fire Hall had just exchanged eight people inside, yet they only had two, and this girl was still a disciple from his Mixed Element Sect—an unexpected delight. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"The Master is to wait!" He eagerly crushed a special Jade Scroll, and turned to Lu Yaoyao: "What's your name again?"

"Disciple Dou Niwan," Lu Yaoyao courteously bowed, "Patriarch may call me Wan'er."

Jiang Wangchuan waved dismissively.

As Supreme Elder, they no longer cared about mundane matters, sect elders often accepted dozens of disciples, he couldn't remember all junior names.

"Serve Master Su well," he sternly demanded, "If you dare to slack even slightly, this old man won't spare you lightly!"

"Rest assured, Patriarch, this disciple will not disappoint you!" Lu Yaoyao respectfully stored away the Token, a sly glint in her eyes.

Soon, two figures flashed out from the Secret Realm entrance.

They were the two Late Stage Divinity Transformation elders of the Mixed Element Sect, at the moment they also appeared pale, their robes stained with blood that had yet to dry.