The Sect Leader Has Taken in a New Female Disciple

A hint of shadow immediately flickered in Liu Rushuang’s eyes.

Zhou Qing and Second Uncle looked towards the sound, only to see the main door restriction ripple again as a woman in a moon-white flowing cloud brocade skirt emerged gracefully.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, and a golden phoenix hairpin with dangling pearls jingled softly with her lotus steps.

On her delicate oval face, a pair of luminous peach blossom eyes made people unable to resist taking more than a few glances.

"What a seductive fox!" Second Uncle’s voice echoed in Zhou Qing’s mind.

Zhou Qing remained composed, his gaze calmly fixed on the newcomer.

"Second sister-in-law." The smile at the corner of Liu Rushuang’s lips faded a little, and she sighed inwardly, realizing she was a step too late.

Su Yurou gently waved her round fan, her gaze lingering on Zhou Qing.

Her voice was soft enough to melt ice: "Is this Master Qingzhou? I heard from the servants that a remarkable Array Master has arrived, so I specially dressed up to come and greet you."

A hint of amusement flickered in Zhou Qing’s eyes.

Interesting.

It seems that the undercurrents within the Shen Family are even more turbulent than he anticipated.

And before officially pledging allegiance, he’s already become a coveted target.

He had earlier heard Shen Huangmao say that the various houses within the family seem harmonious on the surface, but clashed fiercely in secret.

Now witnessing it firsthand, it indeed isn’t false.

What surprised him even more was that this second wife was also a cultivator in the Spirit Severing Realm.

Though like Liu Rushuang, she was in the early stage, having two wives with such cultivation in one family shows the Shen Family’s deep foundations.

"I am Qingzhou, greetings to Second Madam." Zhou Qing saluted, maintaining an appropriate posture.

Su Yurou quickly stepped forward to offer a virtual hand: "Ah, no need for such courtesy, Master."

She teased, her eyes flowing with charm, "Our second house is most casual, never emphasizes these formalities."

Zhou Qing’s lips slightly curled as he straightened up: "Since both madams are here, I shall speak openly."

As his words were not yet complete, his heart and spirit slightly stirred, and thirty thousand Spirit Seals appeared again.

In an instant, dazzling spiritual light wove into a net in the void, dense runes flowed continuously, causing the surrounding Spiritual Qi to tremble.

Su Yurou’s round fan snapped shut with a "snap," her beautiful eyes staring intensely at the myriad Spirit Seals, her breathing growing more rapid.

Though Liu Rushuang’s appearance remained calm, her fingers within her sleeve clenched tightly.

Thirty thousand Spirit Seals, rare not just in Nanhuang State but across the thirty-plus provinces in the Celestial Fate Sacred Dynasty.

"Exactly thirty thousand!" Su Yurou’s red lips parted slightly, her eyes sparkling.

Afterwards, Zhou Qing put away the Spirit Seals, considered as "verifying his identity," then with a calm demeanor, clasped his fists and spoke up.

"I have a straightforward nature. Over these years, I’ve been absorbed in the path of arrays, neglecting my cultivation. I’m now merely at the late stage of Divinity Transformation and have often found myself in dangerous situations while traveling—truly wretched."

His sincere gaze wandered between the two madams: "This time traveling to the Fifth Tail region, hearing of the Shen Family’s renown, I’ve come seeking refuge."

"Should both madams lend their aid, helping me break through to the Spirit Severing Realm, during this time, I will accept any command and face any danger without hesitation."

Having said that, he gave a solemn salute, his demeanor upright and magnanimous.

Zhou Qing’s words seemed simple, yet they contained hidden meanings—expressing a desire for a transaction to lower their guard, while hinting his origins remain untraceable.

Most importantly, it subtly placed the choice in their hands.

"Master Qingzhou—" Su Yurou’s alluring voice had just started when Liu Rushuang preemptively interrupted.

"Master, no need for formalities." Liu Rushuang smiled, but her eyes carried an unmistakable sharpness.

"Although our Shen Family’s three houses dare not boast otherwise, assisting the master to reach Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection is indeed easy."

Su Yurou’s eyes flashed with coldness, her slender jade fingers lightly tapping her waist’s storage bag.

Three flashes of spiritual light passed, and three jade scrolls, entirely translucent and radiant, floated before Zhou Qing.

"Please take a look, Master," her voice was soft, "our Shen Family’s second house not only can assist in improving the master’s cultivation but also possesses comprehensive insights and experiences on the Spirit Severing Realm."

"These three Level 4 Array Jade Scrolls are a token of our meeting, I hope Master will accept them happily."

Zhou Qing’s gaze fell on the jade scrolls, revealing a fitting amount of eagerness.

The three jade scrolls were reserved in spiritual light, their surfaces flowing with runes, clearly rare treasures.

The second house was truly more generous than the third house.

However, it was precisely this seemingly gentle Liu Rushuang who years ago spared no expense in hiring top assassins from the Blood Contract Pavilion to harm her niece Shen Hanyi.

The deadly poison of the Heart-Burning Bone-Eroding Flame nearly claimed Shen Hanyi’s life.

If not for using his Inscription-level Divine Techniques to save her, she would have perished long ago.

And it was precisely that healing that led to an intricate entanglement between them...

Later, Shen Hanyi became his guardian as he broke through the Spirit Severing Realm and boldly returned to Nanhuang State, vowing to personally resolve the enmity.

Yet who could have imagined, a hundred and sixty years later, this venomous woman remained unscathed, instead solidifying her status within the Shen Family.

The depth of her schemes and methods made Zhou Qing secretly astonished.

Therefore, from the moment Liu Rushuang appeared, he decided to join the third house, taking the opportunity to delve deeply into the Shen Family’s matters.

As for those array jade scrolls—the rare legacy left by Master Xuanqing is already enough to keep him occupied, why would he covet such ordinary items?

But as an Array Master, showing indifference to such treasures would actually seem suspicious.

To solidify his identity as an outsider and indicate no knowledge of Shen Family’s affairs, Zhou Qing looked up awkwardly at the two madams.

Then he clasped his hands and said: "I just seek a place to settle, such hospitality from both madams..."

He intentionally paused mid-sentence, perfectly portraying a Loose Cultivator’s bewilderment when faced with noble family intrigue.