Water Ink Panel: Starting with Bow Technique to Hunt the Sun and Patrol the Skies
Chapter 100 - 24 Above the Qi Cultivation Realm

Shen Qing smiled at the woman and said, "You should go ahead. I'll guide from behind."

"..."

Leaving his back to a stranger, Shen Qing would never do such a foolish thing.

Shen Qing said, "Is that okay?"

The woman from the Zhou Family took a deep breath and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

Shen Qing signaled with his eyes, "Let's go."

The Zhou Family woman nodded, her hands folded inside her sleeves, and walked out beside Shen Qing.

Shen Qing turned back to Tian Xiaohu and said, "I'll leave the rest to you."

"Mm, don't worry," Tian Xiaohu stepped forward and whispered, "Qingzi, I feel that woman is hiding something from you."

"You feel that way too? Seems I'm not overthinking." Shen Qing glanced at Tian Xiaohu and said, "Alright, I get it."

"Mm."

Finishing the conversation, Shen Qing turned and caught up with the woman from the Zhou Family.

"Turn left at the alley ahead, then turn right and walk straight," Shen Qing reminded as they exited the courtyard.

The Zhou Family woman, hearing his words, lowered her head and walked in the direction Shen Qing pointed.

Standing behind, Shen Qing tilted his head and glanced at the pile of bodies in the corner of the wall, then looked again at the Zhou Family woman. His eyes narrowed into a long line.

He increasingly felt this woman was not ordinary.

Ordinarily, a woman who saw such a scene full of corpses and blood would have collapsed, unable to walk.

But this woman acted as if nothing had happened.

This meant either she was unusually brave,

Or she was often exposed to such scenes and had grown accustomed.

Otherwise, it couldn't be explained.

What's more frightening was that this woman, being a member of the Zhou Family, had experienced such a drastic change and yet hadn't emotionally collapsed, acting like it was nothing.

Such behavior was too conspicuous.

Shen Qing silently widened the distance from her a bit.

The two walked in silence, the clear sound of footsteps echoing between them.

After a while, the Zhou Family woman in front seemed unable to bear the cold atmosphere and asked, "Hero, what is your name?"

"Li Feiyu."

"And Qingzi is?"

"My nickname." Shen Qing deflected the topic, "And you? What's your name?"

The Zhou Family woman spoke up, "Zhou Qiaoji."

Seeing the conversation was opened, Shen Qing directly asked, "I heard the Zhou Family Boss started with the shoe and silk business and came from the county town. Can you tell me about your family?"

Zhou Qiaoji did not evade and said with a slight smile, "Which aspect do you want to hear about?"

"How many people are in the Zhou Family, and who is the most powerful in cultivation?"

These were not secrets and held no value in being concealed. Zhou Qiaoji began, "Definitely over a hundred, but I haven't counted exactly. The direct line of the Zhou Family alone consists of nine people, including two sons and three grandsons. The eldest young master married the legitimate daughter of the County Magistrate, and the second young master married Miss Li. Recently, it's been rumored that the eldest young master might manage the Zhou Family's enterprises in the future."

"As for cultivation, the most powerful is, of course, Old Master Zhou, who achieved the Qi Hai Realm ten years ago. Next is the second young master, who broke through the Qi Cultivation Realm last year. Other than this, in the Zhou Family Mansion, there's also a martial master slightly above the second young master in the Qi Cultivation Realm, but he's a practitioner invited by the master, not a Zhou."

After listening, Shen Qing asked, "Is there a realm above the Qi Cultivation Realm?"

"Yes, afterward, there are the Yu Luo Realm, Dan Realm, and Innate Realm, several realms in total. However, in our small county, these significant figures wouldn't come here. Masters like ours already reach the sky."

Zhou Qiaoji's words suddenly broadened Shen Qing's vision, making his heart race.

Shen Qing asked, "I heard the martial masters in the Martial Arts Hall say they all aim for the Qi Cultivation Realm, and no one ever thinks of reaching higher. Why is that?"

"Because the chasm between the Qi Cultivation Realm and the Qi Hai Realm requires the court's means to cross," Zhou Qiaoji said leisurely, "Despite the similarity in names, Qi Cultivation Realm and Qi Hai Realm have a vast difference. Crossing it involves mastery as a cultivator, whereas failing to do so leaves one as an ordinary martial master."

As she spoke, Zhou Qiaoji paused in her steps and turned her head, "Our Zhou Family has been operating here for years and naturally has ways to acquire breakthroughs from the court. As for you heroes... reaching the Qi Cultivation Realm makes you someone, and those Martial Arts Hall masters understand that."

Zhou Qiaoji's words carried an air of condescension, making Shen Qing slightly uncomfortable.

But he also knew that what Zhou Qiaoji said was the truth.

From this, it seemed like those who weren't integrated into the Great Zhou's system, no matter how hard people like them from the lower tier worked, breaking their social class would be incredibly difficult.

At the very least, it would require three generations of effort.

One generation to accumulate wealth, the second to enhance their strength through martial arts, and the third to attain positions of influence.

Throughout this process, there couldn't be any squanderers; each step needed to be methodical.

"Wondering if I use the Water Ink Panel, can I cross the chasm she mentioned?"

Shen Qing considered silently.

Through his ongoing practice, the Water Ink Panel could continuously increase skill mastery and cultivate various techniques.

With repeated training, skills would become almost like art, and with further discipline, art could become nearly like the Dao.

He could try it in the future.

Shen Qing put away these thoughts and continued to ask, "And what about the other bosses?"

"You mean the Wang Family, Song Family, and Li Family?"

"Mm."

"They're all more or less the same. Among the four families, the Wang Family is the most low-key, the Li Family is the strongest, and the Song Family is the weakest and most anxious."

"In what way?"

Zhou Qiaoji resumed walking and continued, "You all heard recently how the Song Family has been looking everywhere for rare mountain treasures to lay a foundation for their third young master and young master, didn't you?"

Hearing this, Shen Qing's face suddenly showed an amused expression.

Who couldn't have heard?

The three pieces of rare mountain treasure were in his hands as of now.

"Yes, there was such a thing," Shen Qing repressed his humor and spoke in a flat tone.

"They're so anxious purely because their old ancestor died and they have no Qi Hai Realm status to maintain," Zhou Qiaoji said indifferently.

Hearing this, Shen Qing suddenly had a realization.

"No wonder."

The two continued chatting sporadically.

In no time, they found themselves on the main road, passed through the city gates, and entered the Inner City.

After walking in the Inner City for a while, spending nearly an hour, Zhou Qiaoji led Shen Qing near the Zhou Family Mansion.

From a distance, the grand main entrance to the Zhou Family came into view, majestic and imposing.

On the lintel hung a golden plaque with the words "Zhou Family," written with vigorous and powerful strokes, exuding extraordinary momentum.

On either side of the door, two exquisitely intricate stone lions were placed, looking even more impressive than the many Shen Qing had seen.

The Zhou Family Mansion covered extensive ground, with deep courtyards and numerous buildings within.

For the first-timer Shen Qing, it felt somewhat novel.

Zhou Qiaoji said, "The fifth house is in the West Entrance Courtyard. We need to take this street and loop to another street."

Shen Qing, unfamiliar with the area, said, "Since you recognize it, you lead the way. When I send you in, just fulfill your promise."

Zhou Qiaoji replied, "Rest assured, our Zhou Family is most committed to promises and will not go back on our word. Let's go."

Saying this, Zhou Qiaoji headed toward the other side of the Zhou Family Mansion.

Shen Qing lagged a few steps behind, following her.

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