He was invincible from the beginning of the Heaven-Covering Era.

With a splash, they flew out of the water and onto the shore.

Zhou Qing looked at the ancient dragon's lair on the other side, then looked down at the little green lotus, and gradually made a decision in his heart.

Chapter 283 The True Target of the Azure Emperor's Killing Intent

Zhou Qing couldn't fully know what the Azure Emperor truly thought of the Cai family's ancestors.

Although he knew that this murderous intent was meant to eliminate the Cai family's ancestors, there was one point of doubt that Zhou Qing could not understand.

Since this murderous intent has already found its way to the Immortal Transformation Pool, it means that the Azure Emperor is absolutely certain that the red-haired monster that the Cai family's ancestor transformed into is in the Ancient Dragon's Lair opposite.

Since the Azure Emperor knew that the Cai family's ancestors were in the Ancient Dragon's Lair, why didn't he take action immediately at that time?

If the Azure Emperor was afraid of the Ancient Dragon's Lair and dared not enter, that would be a joke. But there must be a reason why the Azure Emperor did not immediately act out of murderous intent, but instead silently took root in the Immortal Transformation Pool next to the Ancient Dragon's Lair, waiting for something.

Furthermore, there is another point of doubt. This murderous intent was supposedly directed at the Cai family ancestor. Logically, this murderous intent should have acted immediately upon the birth of the Cai family ancestor, but that is not the case.

In the original timeline, the Cai family ancestors emerged from the ancient dragon's lair and slaughtered all sorts of powerful figures, but the Azure Emperor's murderous intent, rooted in the Immortal Transformation Pool, remained completely still, as if waiting for something.

It wasn't until the Holy Spirit, who was about to reach the Great Perfection, let out a cold snort, intending to use the Great Fortune of the Central Plains, represented by the Qinling Great Dragon, to fight against the Supreme Emperor Weapon, that the situation was about to completely spiral out of control, and the Azure Emperor's killing intent slowly emerged and manifested.

What exactly was that murderous intent thinking? Zhou Qing could never figure it out.

All these actions gave Zhou Qing the feeling that the Azure Emperor's intent to kill the Cai family ancestors was not so resolute.

This made Zhou Qing wonder if the Azure Emperor's murderous intent, which was rumored to have originated from the ancestors of the Cai family, was truly meant to kill the ancestors of the Cai family.

In fact, the true story circulating among the people is that before the Azure Emperor passed away, he used the boundless divine power of the Demon Emperor to unleash a slash that struck the Qinling Mountains.

But what was the purpose of this murderous intent? No one had ever truly heard the Azure Emperor say it. The rumors that it was for the purpose of killing the Cai family's ancestor were, from beginning to end, just speculation by the world.

Zhou Qing suspected that this murderous intent might not be directed at the Cai family ancestors, or rather, it might not be solely directed at the Cai family ancestors.

For years, the Azure Emperor's murderous intent had resided in the Immortal Transformation Pool, which was extremely close to the Ancient Dragon's Lair. The two peaks were practically touching, yet he had never made a move.

In Zhou Qing's view, the Azure Emperor's killing intent was like observing something.

What did the Cai family's ancestors possess that would warrant the Azure Emperor's murderous intent to investigate? A mortal elixir? The Azure Emperor's murderous intent completely disregarded that elixir, so it couldn't possibly be that elixir.

Besides that elixir, there was something else on Cai's ancestor that, in Zhou Qing's view, might be the real reason why the Azure Emperor unleashed his killing intent.

That was the curse of Master Yuan.

To merely kill a Source Master who has turned into a monster? That's a gross underestimation of the Azure Emperor's ambition.

Zhou Qing speculated that the true target of the Azure Emperor's murderous intent might not be the Cai family's ancestors, but rather the mastermind behind turning the Cai family's ancestors into red-haired monsters, namely the Source God and Source Ghost who issued the curse.

The Azure Emperor's true goal was to follow the clues, trace the curse's connection, and find the source gods and demons who released it, thus completely resolving the issue.

A group of dark forces hiding in the shadows of the universe!

Perhaps it was for this reason that the Azure Emperor's murderous intent remained hidden in the Immortal Transformation Pool beside the Ancient Dragon's Lair.

His target was not the Cai family ancestors in the ancient dragon's lair, but the Origin God, Origin Ghost and others who might appear here at some point. That was the real target that the Azure Emperor's killing intent wanted to kill!

Unfortunately, in the original timeline, this Azure Emperor's killing intent waited for countless years but never met those two people, and its hope grew increasingly slim. In addition, the great fortune of the Central Plains was about to collide with the ultimate imperial weapon, so this killing intent finally chose to make its move.

Zhou Qing wasn't sure how credible his speculation was, but he knew that he had to get straight to the point and talk to Qing Di Sha Nian.

He couldn't know whether, if he brought Little Green Lotus to the Ancient Dragon's Lair and met the Cai family's ancestors, the Azure Emperor's killing intent would still pretend not to see it or would directly attack. He couldn't make a judgment.

However, one of Zhou Qing's goals in coming to the Ancient Dragon's Lair was related to the Cai family's ancestors. He needed a living Cai family ancestor. If the Azure Emperor's murderous intent killed the Cai family ancestor, it would be a huge loss for him.

Zhou Qing lowered his head, looked at Xiao Qinglian, and said in a low voice, "Azure Emperor, may we have a chat?"

The small blue lotus swayed gently, its blue essence flowing freely. It looked nothing special; even with Zhou Qing's Heavenly Eye, it would appear to be just an ordinary blue lotus.

Zhou Qing was very patient and was not fooled by this appearance. Instead, he kept looking at Xiao Qinglian and waited for the Azure Emperor's response.

He believed the Azure Emperor would respond, because the little blue lotus's actions were also quite illogical.

In the original timeline, this little green lotus was once caught by a young man, but in no time, the little green lotus, along with the green copper, broke free from that man's grasp and returned to the Immortal Transformation Pool. Even Duan De's activation of the Devouring Demon Jar couldn't stop it.

Now, after the Zhou family patriarch took out this little green lotus, it flew directly into his hand and even helped him resist the aura of a quasi-emperor deep in the Immortal Transformation Pool.

Although he didn't know why the Azure Emperor's killing intent was doing this, he could at least tell that he had a special connection with the Azure Emperor's killing intent.

Sure enough, a voice rang in Zhou Qing's ear: "What do you want to talk about?"

Zhou Qing's heart suddenly raced. Although he had expected it, he still couldn't help but feel nervous after the Azure Emperor's killing intent actually responded to him.

Zhou Qing recounted the story of the Cai family's ancestors, including the attempts he would make with them.

The Azure Emperor remained silent for a moment, then said, "I see. You want to try to free the Cai family ancestor from the control of the person behind him?"

Zhou Qing nodded and said, "Could you let me try it first? If it fails, then you can step in."

However, all Zhou Qing heard was a soft sigh: "I've tried this several times, but I've failed every time."

Then, the Azure Emperor's murderous intent recounted a past event to Zhou Qing.

It turns out that ten thousand years ago, after the Cai family ancestor emerged from the ancient dragon's lair, he not only killed half of the Cai clan and turned the other half into monsters, but also wreaked havoc on the entire Qinling Mountains. This caused many dragon hunters in the Qinling Mountains to turn into red-haired monsters and wreak havoc in the Qinling Mountains.

The Azure Emperor at that time also captured these red-haired monsters and used his methods to make them...

They broke free from control, which was very easy for the Azure Emperor, but it didn't save those people.

The moment those people broke free of control, all that remained were their corpses, or they scattered with the wind; none of them survived.

In other words, from the moment those people were completely corrupted by the curse, they were already dead. Perhaps when they were cursed, their will had not been completely extinguished, and there was a possibility that they would regain consciousness.

But once they truly come to their senses, death is the only path they face.

Therefore, after listening to Zhou Qing's words, the Azure Emperor was not very optimistic about Zhou Qing's attempt, because no matter what, the Cai family's ancestors all had the word "death," and every cursed Source Master was like that.

Then the Azure Emperor continued, saying that during his research, he also discovered that behind the so-called Source Master in his later years, there was actually a huge dark force that had cursed all those who cultivated Source Arts.

"As expected." Zhou Qing nodded as he listened.

As the Azure Emperor continued his narration, Zhou Qing realized that although his previous speculations had some minor discrepancies, they were generally correct.

The Azure Emperor's murderous intent had clearly found the Cai family's ancestors, but he did not rush to make a move. This was indeed because the Azure Emperor had much grander ambitions than simply killing the Cai family's ancestors.

Because the Azure Emperor discovered that the curse of the Source Celestial Master seemed to be related to the ancient power of the Underworld. When the Azure Emperor was young, he had seen the Yin soldiers passing through and saw red-haired monsters guarding the Yin soldiers.

Therefore, the Azure Emperor believed that the Cai family ancestors would eventually be summoned by the dark hand behind the scenes. At that time, he might be able to follow the Cai family ancestors to find the location of the dark hand and use this killing intent to directly kill the dark hand and solve the problem at its root.

Zhou Qing understood Qingdi's skepticism. Although the third-generation Yuan Tianshi was not truly dead when he turned into a monster, he was still alive.

However, 70,000 years have passed. How could the third-generation Source Master possibly live that long? His life force has long since ended. Once the curse is removed, the third-generation Source Master will immediately become a corpse.

This applies not only to the third-generation Source Masters, but also to the most recent fifth-generation Source Master, Zhang Lin. Once they break free from the control of the Source God and Source Ghost, death becomes their inevitable fate, with no possibility of defying fate.

Even if you give them the elixir of immortality, it won't work. No matter how miraculous the elixir of immortality is, it has a prerequisite: the user must be alive. If the user is dead, the elixir of immortality cannot bring the dead back to life.

Zhou Qing was well aware of these things, but he wasn't overestimating himself; he genuinely believed he had the potential to do it. Perhaps he couldn't bring the third-generation Source Master back to life, but he might be able to turn the third-generation Source Master into a "conscious dead man."

“You misunderstood me. What I’m trying to do is not simply to free the Third Generation from control. The methods I’m going to use are unconventional. It’s not about lifting the curse, but about making the curse ‘controllable’ and putting the Third Generation in a state that’s neither alive nor dead.” Zhou Qing explained in more detail this time.

"brush"

With a flash of light and shadow, the little green lotus transformed into a handsome man dressed in green robes.

Deep within his eyes lay a scene of creation, of the universe's first birth, a scene of unparalleled profundity.

As Zhou Qing went deeper into his explanation, the Azure Emperor's expression gradually became serious. When Zhou Qing finished speaking, the Azure Emperor suddenly said, "Since that's the case, why don't you give it a try and let me see your methods?"

A smile appeared on Zhou Qing's face, knowing that he didn't need to worry about the Azure Emperor killing the Cai family's ancestor as soon as they met.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the Zhou family patriarch's eyes widened in astonishment.

"The Azure Emperor! The Azure Emperor is not dead, he is still alive?" the Zhou family patriarch exclaimed, his face paling with shock.

After getting ashore, he saw Zhou Qing standing still, staring at the small green lotus in his hand, and assumed that Zhou Qing had discovered some secret and was investigating it.

Unexpectedly, not long after that, the little green lotus transformed into a handsome man.

The Azure Emperor passed away less than ten thousand years ago. Yet, in the hands of an immortal power, there is a scroll depicting him. This heroic man is undoubtedly the Azure Emperor; there is no doubt about it.

The Azure Emperor turned around with murderous intent, glanced at the Zhou family patriarch, and his body involuntarily trembled.

Before the Little Green Lotus took human form, even a quasi-emperor holding it in his hand could not see through it. But after the Little Green Lotus took human form, the higher one's cultivation level, the more terrifying this figure could be.

This killing intent was no ordinary killing intent; legend has it that it was a strike unleashed by the Azure Emperor with boundless divine power.

Zhou Qing had previously memorized the complete Ancient Scripture of the Demon Emperor from Pang Bo, and he knew all the Demon Emperor's divine abilities. After verifying them one by one, he naturally knew which divine ability had unleashed this killing intent.

This is the Killing Intent Slash from the Nine Slashes of the Demon Emperor. The killing intent unleashed possesses all of its own combat power, and has the same effect as One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones, only with some subtle differences.

First of all, this killing intent slash can only unleash one killing intent, unlike the One Qi Transforms into Three Pure Ones which can split into three Dao bodies.

Secondly, this killing intent can automatically absorb the essence of heaven and earth to replenish its killing power. As long as it is not truly unleashed, this killing intent will last forever. However, the Pure Qi Dao Body has a time limit; once the time is up, it will automatically dissipate and cannot last.

In other words, the combat power possessed by this Azure Emperor's killing intent is the complete peak combat power of an Azure Emperor.

Otherwise, why would the Holy Spirit in the Ancient Dragon's Lair, despite using two Imperial Weapons, be easily killed by this killing intent? Otherwise, why would the Azure Emperor dare to wait for the rabbit to run into the tree stump and follow the clues to hunt down the Source God and Source Ghost? Because this is his peak combat power!

Although his every move is now so natural, without any oppressive pressure or chilling aura, he is like an eternal immortal body.

But the difference in their levels of life was undeniable. Even without the Azure Emperor's deliberate intention, the Zhou family patriarch still felt compelled to kowtow, as if facing a deity, and to prostrate himself in worship.

On the contrary, Zhou Qing, despite being very close to the Azure Emperor, showed no desire to worship him, as if he were shielded from the difference in their life levels.

"You are indeed extraordinary." After glancing at the Zhou family patriarch, the Azure Emperor felt bored and turned back to look at Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing smiled but didn't say anything. He knew why. If the Azure Emperor released his imperial aura, he would still be affected, because it was no longer just a kind of pressure, but also had terrifying destructive power.

However, if the Azure Emperor does not release the aura of a Great Emperor, but only has a natural suppression of the life level, Zhou Qing will feel somewhat uncomfortable, but he will never have a worshipful faith in his heart.

Since severing his Dao in the Ziwei Star Domain, he obtained the Dao Child Mark. This is the most basic ability of the Dao Child Mark. No matter how far an existence in the Human Dao Realm goes, it is not enough to make him have a worshipful faith in his heart.

"Azure Emperor, I will now go to the Dragon's Lair to bring back the Third Ancestor," Zhou Qing said.

The Azure Emperor nodded. Just as Zhou Qing turned to fly into the Ancient Dragon's Lair, the Azure Emperor suddenly spoke up: "Actually, this isn't the first time I've seen you."

Zhou Qing stopped in her tracks, slowly turned around, and looked somewhat surprised.

Chapter 284 The Azure Emperor's Speculation on Zhou Qing's Origins

"This isn't the first time you've seen me? What does that mean?" Zhou Qing looked puzzled.

Many questions arose in his mind, and he began to search for answers in his past memories, but he still couldn't figure out when the Azure Emperor had met him.

Zhou Qing temporarily put aside his plans to go into the dragon's lair and turned to ask the Azure Emperor about his doubts.