Chapter 110: Slain! The Body Snatching Begins

In an instant, his hands were shattered.

The middle-aged warrior writhed in agony, drenched in cold sweat, his mind frozen in terror. He never imagined he’d encounter such a bizarre ordeal. To this day, he had no idea what had struck him down.

That tiny white paw—adorable in appearance—had a killing power beyond comprehension. Steel, or even his body forged through countless trials, offered no resistance. It was severed as easily as tofu.

Worst of all, he couldn’t even discern how the creature had appeared. Its sudden, ghostlike emergence defied all capture. He couldn’t track its movements, let alone retaliate. How could one fight an enemy that never showed itself?

Was this the guardian sent by some mysterious sect to test its disciples—a phantom-like horror?

A chill ran through the man’s heart.

Beside him, Ma Gu stared, utterly stunned. His eyes nearly popped out of his head. What kind of being could so effortlessly cripple a Nei Fu Jing cultivator?

Even more shocking was the man’s next words:

“Esteemed young master, I was in the wrong earlier. Might I beg for mercy this time?”

The icy dread still lingering in his chest made him act quickly. He saw clearly that the terrifying creature obeyed Lu Qing’s will. He pleaded, desperate to survive. With his hands destroyed, he had no defense left. If that thing struck again, he’d be finished.

But Lu Qing gave no reply. Only a flicker of mockery danced in his eyes.

So this is what a so-called Nei Fu Jing master is like.

Powerful, they bully the weak with arrogance. But when their own lives are threatened, they drop to their knees, whimpering like common men.

If not for Xiao Li, Lu Qing and Ma Gu would have been tortured to death.

How could he feel pity for such a man?

“You don’t have to push me too far,” the man growled, his voice thick with rage. “If you want me dead, then I’ll kill you first!”

Seeing the cold indifference in Lu Qing’s eyes, he knew begging was useless. Despair surged through him, and with it, a surge of murderous intent.

With a thunderous roar, he unleashed a terrifying aura—his body pulsing with raw energy. He had activated a secret technique of his sect, using his blood and qi to forcibly stimulate every major meridian, instantly doubling his strength.

But even as he did so, regret washed over him.

Why did I underestimate him so much?

If only he had used this power from the start, he could’ve overwhelmed Lu Qing in a single strike. A swift capture or kill, and he wouldn’t be in this pitiful state now.

But there was no going back.

Now, with his hands shattered, even this secret technique couldn’t stop the ghostly beast.

All he could do was throw himself into a final, desperate fight—die, but take Lu Qing with him.

With a mighty stamp of his feet, the earth cracked beneath him, the riverbed trembling slightly. In a flash, he vanished from his spot—reappearing mere feet from Lu Qing.

Fast!

Lu Qing had already retreated the moment the man’s aura flared—but even so, he was caught in an instant.

Nei Fu Jing cultivators were truly formidable. Even without hands, their explosive speed remained terrifying.

Lu Qing silently admired the man’s speed.

But…

Who in this world could match Xiao Li’s speed?

Faced with the man’s bloodshot eyes and murderous intent, Lu Qing remained calm. Because Xiao Li was already perched upon his shoulder.

The middle-aged warrior, fueled by his secret technique, lunged forward—his body lowering, shoulders thrusting like a spear. He charged head-on, driven by the will to kill.

The air in front of him compressed violently. Even before impact, the shockwave was enough to destabilize Lu Qing’s stance.

“Xiao Li!”

Lu Qing’s voice sharpened, his body darting backward at lightning speed.

“Run? You won’t escape!”

The man’s eyes burned red, his technique pushed to its limit. He was determined to crush Lu Qing into dust.

But just as his shoulder was about to make contact—his heart exploded with pain.

All strength drained away like a breached dam.

His speed collapsed instantly. He could only watch, helpless, as Lu Qing receded into the distance.

His legs wobbled. He staggered, barely able to stand.

With the last remnants of his warrior’s pride, he refused to fall.

He forced himself upright, then looked down at his chest.

A massive hole had torn through his torso—piercing clean through his back. His heart was gone.

He let out a bitter laugh.

He was already dead.

The heart ruled all five organs. For any cultivator, it was the core of life and qi. Even a Xian Tian cultivator would die instantly without it.

He was merely Nei Fu Jing—losing his heart meant certain death.

He still lived only because his cultivation level was high enough to barely control his remaining qi.

He couldn’t believe it. He’d survived battles with the Yin Yue Wei, unscathed—yet now, in this tiny valley, he would die.

A strange sense of absurdity washed over him.

He looked at Lu Qing.

“You won… but before I die, can you answer me a few questions?”

Lu Qing said nothing. No nod, no shake.

He didn’t move closer, maintaining a safe distance.

The man took that silence as consent.

“Are you… truly one of those mysterious sect disciples?”

Lu Qing’s mind stirred. The man’s sudden shift in attitude made sense now—he must have mistaken him for a disciple from one of those hidden sects.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Qing shook his head.

“No.”

Ma Gu stood nearby, fully aware of Lu Qing’s origins. There was no reason to lie.

“Not really?” The man’s eyes narrowed. He believed Lu Qing wouldn’t deceive a dying man.

If he said no, then it was true.

The realization made him laugh bitterly.

All my fears… all my speculation… just foolishness.

He took a breath, then asked, “That creature… what is it? Can I see it?”

Lu Qing didn’t hesitate. He shook his head.

Xiao Li was his greatest secret weapon. Keeping it hidden was the best strategy.

He wouldn’t let even a dying enemy see its true form.

“Wang Qing Shan, who’s roamed the land for half my life… now, I die without even seeing my opponent’s face.”

The man’s eyes dimmed with disappointment. But he knew—he was the prey, and Lu Qing was the butcher.

There was nothing he could do.

He let go of the thought, his gaze drifting to the corpse of the Leather Armor Youth nearby.

“Brother… I never thought we’d both fall here, in this small valley. But at least… we keep our oath.”

With that, he released the last grip on his qi.

The blood and life force he’d been holding back burst from his wounds—spilling from his chest, his arms. His eyes glazed over.

And then, with a soft thud, he collapsed, his body staining the ground red with blood.

Lu Qing didn’t relax. He activated his Abilities.

A flash of white light. A few lines of text appeared.

【Wang Qing Shan: Disciple of the Northern Frontier Tian Cang Sect. Adopted son of Xian Tian cultivator Wang Cangyi. Temperament: domineering, protective, cruel, bloodthirsty.】

【Cultivation Level: Early Post-Natal Internal Organs Stage. Possesses a burst-type secret technique, doubling combat strength temporarily.】

【Due to constant flattery from Tong Cang Lang, Wang Qing Shan held him in high regard—treated him as a brother.】

【Cause of Death: Heart destroyed, blood and qi collapsed, willpower extinguished.】

Seeing the final line, Lu Qing finally exhaled.

He’d been so afraid the man was faking death—alive, still conscious, waiting to strike.

Now, confirmed by his Abilities, he knew: the man was truly dead.

He couldn’t help but marvel.

Even after his heart was torn out, the man had remained alive, aware, and able to speak. His endurance was extraordinary.

No wonder he was a Nei Fu Jing cultivator. Such vitality… truly formidable.

“Lu Qing… is he really dead?” Ma Gu asked nervously, watching as Lu Qing approached the corpse.

“Yes.” Lu Qing nodded.

“Whew…” Ma Gu collapsed onto the ground, trembling with relief.

The aura the man had unleashed had been terrifying—even if it wasn’t aimed at him, the pressure had nearly broken his spirit.

Now that the threat was gone, he finally let go of the tension.

After a moment, his gaze turned back to Lu Qing—filled with awe.

He never thought he’d see Lu Qing again, and yet… he was now a Jin Gu Jing master.

Not just any Jin Gu Jing—someone who could effortlessly cut down peers, and even force back a Nei Fu Jing warrior.

The way Lu Qing had wielded his sword… Ma Gu still felt mesmerized.

He didn’t understand the concept of “Balanced Strength and Gentleness, Exquisite Precision” the warriors had spoken of. But he did see—Lu Qing’s sword skill had reached a level beyond imagination.

And that creature—its white paw, its ghostly movements, its obedience to Lu Qing…

Ma Gu had watched the entire battle. Yet he hadn’t seen how it struck, or what it was.

And worst of all—how could Lu Qing command such a being?

He looked at Lu Qing again, feeling a strange distance. The man now seemed shrouded in mystery.

He remembered the man’s words earlier.

Could Lu Qing really be a disciple from a hidden sect?

No.

The thought vanished instantly.

He knew Lu Qing’s past. He’d investigated thoroughly.

Lu Qing was just a country boy from Jiu Li Village.

If he were truly a secret sect’s heir, his parents wouldn’t have been killed by a small village like Kuai Hua.

And which hidden sect sends its heir to starve on the streets?

Ma Gu remembered clearly—the first time he saw Lu Qing. The boy was skin and bone.

So Lu Qing’s origin was certain.

His strength came from self-cultivation.

But that made it even more terrifying.

Self-cultivation… and in just months… he’s reached a level that can slaughter Jin Gu Jing masters?

What kind of talent did Lu Qing possess?

Lu Qing had no idea Ma Gu was lost in thought.

After confirming the man’s death, he began searching the body. Then he moved to the Leather Armor Youth’s corpse.

Soon, he found something.

He retrieved a basket from beneath a large rock by the waterfall, stuffed the gathered items inside, then walked toward Ma Gu.

“Ma Ye, this place is too dangerous. We should leave.”

“Right! We go now!” Ma Gu snapped back to reality.

The commotion had been loud. Who knew what else might come?

He remembered—many warriors had been chasing Wei Fu Ren and the others.

They didn’t waste time burying the bodies. In these deep mountains, with beasts everywhere, the corpses would vanish within days.

They were enemies. Lu Qing wouldn’t risk his life for two dead foes.

Both were familiar with the forest. Especially Lu Qing—he’d been training and gathering herbs here often, so he knew every path.

Soon, they reached a hidden cave.

“Ma Ye, you’re hurt. Let me treat you.”

Inside the cave, Lu Qing pulled out a box and took out a needle pouch.

“Thank you, Lu Qing brother.” Ma Gu winced, the pain in his shoulder unbearable. The Leather Armor Youth had pierced it with a hidden arrow.

But Lu Qing was Chen Laodaifu’s disciple. Ma Gu trusted his medical skills.

Lu Qing first used silver needles to numb the pain, then cleaned the wound thoroughly before applying Golden Wound Medicine.

Once Ma Gu was healed, they finally had time to talk.

“Lu Qing brother… how did you end up here?”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end