Chapter 566: The Qongqi Clan Tomb

Third Senior Sister's invisibility talisman was of extremely high quality and had no level restrictions for the user. Lu Yang burned the talisman, turning invisible, and moved freely through the Qiongqi side tribe as if no one were there.

While called a side tribe, this was in comparison to the main Qiongqi clan. In the outside world, these side tribes were revered by the demon race. After walking just a short distance, Lu Yang encountered a patrol.

The patrol captain was a formidable cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, and all the team members were powerful cultivators at the eighth or ninth level of Qi Condensation.

This was just a junior captain. A middle captain would likely be at least a half-step Golden Core ancestor, if not a full Golden Core ancestor.

“The leader of this tribe is at the early Body Integration stage,” Third Senior Sister reminded them, “a cultivation level that would earn him a place in the Qiongqi clan's Elder Council. He was injured years ago, so he cannot easily make a move. This tribe has the strength of a first-grade sect, albeit the weakest kind, but we still shouldn't let our guard down.”

Both nodded in unison, reassuring Third Senior Sister. While they might not have many other virtues, being cautious and careful was certainly one of them.

Lu Yang also saw a young, mixed-blood Qiongqi diligently practicing. It jumped around in a small courtyard, its fur soaked with sweat, yet it continued without stopping.

“I must evolve my bloodline into that of a pure-blood Qiongqi and bring glory to my family!”

The young, mixed-blood Qiongqi's eyes sparkled with hope.

The demon race had unique cultivation methods that could purify bloodlines, allowing for the possibility of a "carp leaping over the dragon gate" (a metaphor for significant advancement). However, very few managed to achieve this.

“So, the bloodline evolution method has been passed down to this day,” Immortal Fairy mused. Having long dealt with demon beasts, she instantly recognized the origin of the young, mixed-blood Qiongqi's movements. It was a set of bloodline evolution techniques compiled by the Qilin Immortal.

Before the Qilin Immortal, bloodline evolution methods existed, but their efficiency was too low.

“Fairy, can he evolve into a pure-blood Qiongqi?”

“This little tiger's bloodline is quite mixed; his ancestors include six or seven different demon beasts. His talent would be considered genius-level in a side tribe. If he cultivates like this, he can indeed elevate to a pure bloodline, but that's as far as it goes. Once he achieves pure bloodline and enters the Qiongqi clan, he'll find a great many geniuses just like him, and he won't be able to stand out.”

“That's so harsh?”

“It's not harsh; it's reality. The talent gap is evident. If this little tiger were in Great Xia, he wouldn't even qualify for the finals; he wouldn't be able to compete.”

“The Qiongqi clan has many geniuses just like him, and they work just as hard. These geniuses also had access to better resources from the start, so how could he possibly stand out?”

“To become the strongest, talent and resources are both indispensable. Your talent is strong enough, right? Let alone placing you in a second or third-grade sect, even in a first-grade sect, could they fully utilize your talent? No, they couldn't.”

Lu Yang nodded; this was not boasting. His talent definitely could not be fully utilized in a first-grade sect. Even in the Five Elements Sect, it might not be fully unleashed.

“So, yes, effort does lead to success. But no matter how hard you work, you can't surpass someone who works just as hard and is more talented than you.”

“Fairy, are you telling me all this to encourage me to cultivate diligently?”

“No,” Immortal Fairy replied, “my point is that Yun girl has excellent talent, is willing to endure hardships, and has cultivated for several hundred years longer than you. You probably won't be able to catch up to her. When our Immortal lineage fights her, I'll be the main force, and you can assist.”

Lu Yang: “…”

The three passed through the side tribe without incident and arrived at the main Qiongqi clan territory. Five Qiongqi formed a team, patrolling both in the sky and on the ground. Every ten minutes, another small team would arrive.

“Strange, why is the Qiongqi clan's security so tight?” Third Senior Sister muttered. “Are they about to fight the Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf clan?”

“Should we change our location?”

“No need, it's not aimed at us anyway.”

“How do you know, Senior Sister?” Meng Jingzhou asked curiously.

“If it were aimed at us, Qiongqi clan elders would be out patrolling. What use are these small fry? Such tight security is probably just for show.”

“…You have a point.”

“Every noon, the clan protection array has a three-breath gap; we need to use that opportunity to enter.” Third Senior Sister was very familiar with the Qiongqi clan's formations, clearly having been there many times.

A quarter of an hour later, Third Senior Sister gave a signal. The three seized the precise moment and successfully entered the Qiongqi clan territory.

Qiongqi typically lived in jungles and caves. Therefore, throughout the Qiongqi clan's territory, empty tree hollows and mountains hollowed out from within were common sights.

While moving through the tribe, they occasionally encountered a few Qiongqi gathered, communicating. Lu Yang vaguely heard phrases like “envoys visiting,” which inevitably sparked his curiosity.

Was this the reason for the Qiongqi clan's heightened security?

Envoys were visiting?

What level of envoys would warrant such a grand display from the Qiongqi clan?

Lu Yang discreetly asked Third Senior Sister.

“Envoys? A visit from a race of similar standing wouldn't cause such a commotion. It's likely a race more powerful than the Qiongqi, probably of the dragon or phoenix level.”

“Third Senior Sister, where are we going?”

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou followed Third Senior Sister. They ventured into increasingly remote areas, seeing no Qiongqi for a long time, and the atmosphere felt eerie.

“This is the Qiongqi clan's graveyard. To conduct archaeological research and uncover hidden historical secrets, one must come to such places. Both the murals and burial artifacts are valuable relics for study.”

“Didn't I ask First Senior Sister to send someone knowledgeable about ancient history? It's here in the Qiongqi graveyard that I found something strange.”

“Something strange?”

“It's hard to explain in a few words; you'll understand when you see it.”

The Qiongqi clan held their graveyard in high regard. They had assigned a Body Integration stage Qiongqi as the tomb guardian. Unfortunately, this guardian was effectively useless against Third Senior Sister, who even had enough spare energy to bring two youngsters inside.

Upon seeing the Qiongqi clan's graveyard, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were utterly astonished.

It was an enormous Qiongqi statue, large enough to fill their entire vision. It had been carved from three mountains and pieced together with immense magical power.

The Qiongqi statue was incredibly lifelike. It depicted a fierce tiger with wings, its eyes majestic, poised as if ready to spread its wings and soar at any moment.

Just looking at the statue was incredibly imposing.

The Qiongqi clan's graveyard was located beneath this massive statue.

“It is said that this graveyard was built in ancient times,” Third Senior Sister explained, signaling for them not to be overly surprised, “and this style of demon race graveyard was very popular during the ancient era.”

Suddenly, Meng Jingzhou paused. He pointed at the Qiongqi statue above them, unable to look up.

“Why do I feel like this statue is alive and constantly watching us? Is it just my imagination?”

Lu Yang was startled and felt a chill. He actually had the same feeling. If two people had this feeling, it was likely not an illusion.

Third Senior Sister sent a telepathic message to both of them, revealing a secret: “I also feel like we're being watched.”

“There's a legend within the Qiongqi clan that has persisted,” she continued, “claiming that the one above isn't a statue, but an ancient Qiongqi that petrified, has been sleeping until now, accumulating power, and could awaken at any moment!”

Both became even more nervous, swallowing hard, their hearts pounding. It was as if the ancient Qiongqi above had already awakened, opening its gaping maw at the three intruders, saliva dripping...

Immortal Fairy, being well-informed, offered an explanation: “You said you feel like someone is watching you? This is a formation, researched by Ying Tianxian. He advocated for everyone to set up such formations when building their own tombs; they're good for scaring people and make for a decent legend.”