"Hmm?"
Zi Linling's expression turned cold, her aura instantly sharpening.
She gave Cao Shaoqing a chilling look and said, "Speak!"
A bead of cold sweat trickled down Cao Shaoqing's forehead.
He didn't know if it was because Zi Linling had planted a soul imprint on him, or if his mindset had a slight crack after his earlier kneeling and pleading, but he felt an immense pressure from her.
Even with just three words, he was left with lingering fear.
Cao Shaoqing took a deep breath and said, "The Cao family's Divine Lord realm expert is the current family head Cao Youwei's grandfather. He is currently in the Cao family's Mirror Flower Secret Realm, searching for an opportunity to break through to that legendary realm.
"That legendary realm? Are you referring to the Creation Realm?" Zi Linling asked with a hint of shock.
"Creation Realm! So that realm is called the Creation Realm!"
Cao Shaoqing mumbled to himself, then replied loudly, "If by the Creation Realm you mean the realm that only Ancestral Gods have reached, then yes, that is correct!"
"Mm."
Zi Linling nodded. "Where is the Mirror Flower Secret Realm located?"
Cao Shaoqing said, "Please wait a moment, my Mistress. After I've settled Shao Chen, I will take you to the entrance of the Mirror Flower Secret Realm!"
Zi Linling nodded. "Go, be quick!"
"Yes, Mistress!"
Cao Shaoqing responded loudly, then picked up Cao Shao Chen, who was still unconscious but breathing steadily, and walked towards the Cao family's main gate.
He did not enter the Cao family himself but handed the unconscious Cao Shao Chen to Cao Youcheng inside, instructing, "Take good care of him until I return!"
Cao Youcheng took the unconscious Cao Shao Chen and said solemnly, "Supreme Elder, rest assured, we will take good care of Supreme Elder Shao Chen."
Cao Shaoqing nodded and added, "Right, since you have pledged allegiance to Miss Zi, do not harbor any disloyalty. Furthermore, do not harbor any ill feelings in your hearts. The Great Tribulation of Azure Star is imminent, and the Cao family may not be able to protect you. Only by following her, the Chosen One, is there a possibility of witnessing miracles!"
"Is there really a Great Tribulation of Azure Star?" Cao Youcheng asked in shock.
Cao Shaoqing nodded again. "I will explain the specifics when I return! You must placate Family Head Youwei and Zheng Ben, and absolutely ensure they do not clash with Miss Zi's people!"
"I will ask Miss Zi to withdraw the God Punishing Array of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations shortly. You all will stay put in the Cao family and await orders!"
"Yes, Supreme Elder!" Cao Youcheng replied respectfully.
"Mm."
Cao Shaoqing responded faintly and turned back to Zi Linling, saying, "Mistress, please withdraw the God Punishing Array of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations first!"
Zi Linling did not speak but directly released a "Five Spirit Burst" above the Cao family.
As the "Five Spirit Burst" detonated, Xuan Yuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing, along with the Four Sacred Beasts, immediately understood Zi Linling's intent and retracted the God Punishing Array of the Four Seas and Eight Desolations.
Above the Cao family, the oppressive aura carrying the will of the Heavenly Dao vanished without a trace.
The Cao family members breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had returned from the gates of hell to the mortal world.
"Can you lead the way now?" Zi Linling asked coldly.
Cao Shaoqing quickly nodded. "Mistress, please follow me!"
He then led Zi Linling towards the depths of the Cao family.
Moments later, Cao Shaoqing brought Zi Linling to a secluded spot.
Then, a long sword appeared in Cao Shaoqing's hand.
He wielded the sword, performing a series of rhythmic movements in the air, which opened a spatial node.
"Mistress, please!" Cao Shaoqing made a respectful gesture.
Zi Linling nodded and leaped into the spatial node.
Cao Shaoqing did not hesitate and followed closely behind.
Soon, a secret passage appeared before them.
The passage wound its way downwards, leading underground.
Without waiting for Zi Linling's instruction, Cao Shaoqing stepped forward, leading the way. He did not want Zi Linling to suspect any hidden traps.
The two descended along the winding secret passage and soon reached the place three zhang underground where the concealing array formation was located, which Zi Linling had sensed earlier, and where Cao Shaoqing and Cao Shao Chen had previously cultivated.
Cao Shaoqing took out a token and placed it on a barrier.
Immediately, a portal, just wide enough for one person to pass through, appeared on the barrier before them.
"Mistress, you first!"
Cao Shaoqing did not put away the token but said anxiously to Zi Linling.
Zi Linling nodded and went straight through.
As the saying goes, skill breeds courage!
She was not worried about any ambush behind the barrier.
No matter who it was, anyone who wanted to play tricks with formations in front of her, a Royal level Array Master, would have to weigh their capabilities carefully.
Cao Shaoqing watched Zi Linling enter, then quickly retrieved his token and, just as the portal was about to close, narrowly slipped through.
"Mistress, this is where Shao Chen and I used to cultivate, and it is also the entrance to the Mirror Flower Secret Realm!"
"However, the token in my hand can only get me this far; I cannot enter the Mirror Flower Secret Realm!"
Zi Linling chuckled and said, "You two weren't just responsible for opening the door here, were you?"
Cao Shaoqing felt a bit embarrassed. "That is indeed the case!"
Zi Linling remarked, "Two half-step Divine Lord realm experts guarding the entrance, this Mirror Flower Secret Realm is truly extraordinary!"
"Never mind, stand aside and let me study the formation at this secret realm entrance!"
"Yes, Mistress!"
Cao Shaoqing responded and quietly retreated to a corner.
Zi Linling observed carefully for a moment, then took out paper and brush and began to calculate.
Watching her scribbles on the paper, Cao Shaoqing was once again awestruck.
He finally understood that this Chosen One was truly a favorite of heaven. No matter how difficult something was, it became effortless in the hands of the Chosen One.
He also finally realized that Zi Linling must possess extraordinary capabilities to have reached her current status.
At this moment, Cao Shaoqing's admiration for Zi Linling reached its peak.
Whether it was her cultivation talent, her innate pride, or her calm and composed demeanor in the face of adversity, all these made Zi Linling a seemingly ordinary person who was, in reality, a complete enigma.
Originally, he thought it was already incredibly monstrous for Zi Linling to have cultivated her body-refining techniques, spiritual energy, and law power to an unattainable level at such a young age.
Now, he discovered that Zi Linling also knew formations, which truly astounded him.
Cao Shaoqing dared not disturb her, and could only stand by and watch her deduce and calculate.
He didn't know when it started, but he felt an urge to prostrate himself before Zi Linling.
Time ticked by, and Zi Linling finally deduced the crucial element of the Mirror Flower Secret Realm's formation.