Chapter 220: Entering Greatfield Village

Zhou Qing stopped before the cowherd boy and offered a smile.

"Are you simple-minded? Why are you grinning at me? Are you a fool?" The boy looked at Zhou Qing, showing not a hint of fear, and instead spat out an insult.

"Poor child, go back to herding your cattle. Today, your elder brother here shall deliver your entire village from this sea of suffering."

"Haha, a true lunatic. You look well-dressed, so how did your brain get so broken? Sigh, what a pity."

Amidst the shepherd boy’s pitying remarks, Zhou Qing walked into Datian Village with his hands behind his back. Upon entering, he saw the exact same scene at the first house by the village entrance as he had years ago. A woman stood at the threshold holding an infant, observing him, while a mongrel dog beside her barked.

"Big sister, is this Datian Village?" Zhou Qing asked, repeating the exact words he had spoken all those years ago.

"It is Datian Village. Are you just passing through, little brother, or are you here to visit kin?" The woman replied with the identical response from the past.

After this exchange, Zhou Qing fell silent. *Interesting. It seems this formation has not only trapped them within its bounds but forced them to repeat the same events indefinitely. To craft such an exquisite formation, that demon is no simple creature.*

Deep in thought, he navigated the familiar paths toward the well in the center of the village. Arriving at the ancient well, he waved a hand, sending a formless blast of energy into the depths. Moments later, sounds emanated from below, and the demon emerged.

"Who are you?" The creature blinked in surprise upon seeing Zhou Qing.

"Long time no see." Zhou Qing smiled, his tone and expression devoid of the deference he had shown years ago. It was only natural; back then, he had been a fledgling cultivator forced to humble himself, but now he was unafraid and had no need for such subservience.

"Hmph, little cultivator. You know I am practicing here, yet you dare disturb me? Do you think I wouldn't dare kill you?"

"Kill me? If you believe your cultivation is profound enough, feel free to try."

After a brief exchange, the two clashed. Moments later, the demon lay on the ground coughing up blood, while Zhou Qing stood over him, one foot pressed firmly against the creature's back.

"I never imagined you would grow so fast. I have lost. Kill me if you must." The demon sighed and closed his eyes.

"Kill you? I never once said I would. You were the one who struck first; I only acted in self-defense." Zhou Qing kicked the demon several yards away and began pacing with his hands clasped behind his back. The battered creature, gasping for air, felt his despair ease slightly at these words.

"Speak then. What is your purpose in coming here?"

Since Zhou Qing wasn't here to execute him, he must have an objective. Zhou Qing replied, "Firstly, to behold this exquisite formation. Secondly, to release the spirits and ghosts trapped within it so they may descend into the cycle of reincarnation."

The demon stared at him with reluctance for a moment, then sighed, pulled a book from his sleeve, tossed it to him, and turned to leave. Examining the cover, Zhou Qing saw five large characters: *The Eighteen Formations of Suppression*. He flipped through the pages, finding detailed methods for constructing various arrays.

"You are just giving this formation to me?"

"Isn't that why you came? If I didn't give it to you, wouldn't I lose my life? Besides, I have already memorized the contents; gifting it to you is of no consequence."

"Where did you acquire this formation?"

"I found it in the ancient tomb of the First Emperor many years ago."

The demon departed, leaving behind the source of his craft. Zhou Qing did not doubt him—truth or falsehood mattered little. Nor did he scrutinize the book’s authenticity, as his goal had never been the manual itself. Since it had been offered, he accepted it.

Once the demon was gone, Zhou Qing used the knowledge in the book to dismantle the formation. As the barrier shattered, the trapped souls finally drifted away into reincarnation.

Leaving Datian Village, Zhou Qing felt a sense of aimlessness. With his current cultivation at the Spirit Movement stage, resurrecting Lin Yunxi was impossible. He needed a place to cultivate in earnest. His heart was weary from years of wandering, and he longed for a quiet retreat. Eventually, his thoughts turned to the Savage Forest and the Great Demon Peak. He would cultivate there, waiting for the great demon vanguard who had vanished at the summit to reappear, so he could settle his old debt.

Returning to the Savage Forest, he found the local demon factions locked in a dispute. Their war was of no concern to him, so he ignored them and headed straight for the Great Demon Peak. Known to demons and human cultivators alike as the Peak of Ten Thousand Demons, it became his sanctuary. He sat motionless on the summit, as still as a stone.

Time slipped away, and nearly half a year passed. Then, one afternoon, a woman in black appeared on the peak, causing Zhou Qing to open his eyes for the first time in months. He did not recognize her, but she stood at a respectful distance and bowed.

"Why have you come?" Zhou Qing asked in a calm, steady voice.

"The ancestor of our Snake Tribe has sent me to request your assistance."

"Your ancestor?" Zhou Qing asked. "Ling Ji?"

The woman in black nodded silently.