Chapter 134: Sheng Shan Jin Ling, Merit and Opportunity, Old Doctor's Decision

“Master Zhi Rui, please.” Lu Qing handed the cloth-wrapped cup of plum blossom tea to the plain-clothed youth.

“Thank you.” The youth took the cup, sipped gently, and his eyes immediately narrowed in delight. He closed them, savoring the aroma for a moment, then opened them, filled with admiration. “Excellent tea—refreshing and fragrant, truly a masterpiece born from the nourishment of Heavenly and Earthly Qi!”

“If you like it, take some back with you when you leave,” Old Doctor said with a smile. He, too, was a connoisseur of fine tea, and seeing the youth’s praise warmed his heart.

“Then I thank you, Chen Ye,” the youth replied, genuinely pleased.

Lu Qing returned to the house and brought out a small wrapped bundle of the tea.

After finishing the cup, the youth set it down and suddenly grew solemn.

“I imagine you’re wondering how I came to know you’ve ascended to the Xian Tian Jing realm.”

“Indeed,” Old Doctor admitted. “I sensed no one nearby during my breakthrough, and I’ve never revealed my cultivation in public. I’m truly at a loss—how did you learn of it?”

“Please don’t be troubled,” the youth said calmly. “It was mere coincidence, not intentional spying. At the time of your breakthrough, I was in the county town, and I carried a Sect’s Unique Treasure. It reacted to the sudden shift in the local celestial qi—enough to tell me that a Hou Tian Martial Master was cultivating Heavenly and Earthly Qi, achieving the Xian Tian state, over a hundred li away.”

“However, the situation in the county has been tense lately. I couldn’t leave immediately. It’s only now, after all this time, that I’ve found the chance to visit you.”

The youth explained.

Of course, the real reason was likely deeper—investigating Old Doctor’s background. Lu Qing thought to himself.

But now, he understood why the youth knew so much. Old Doctor frequently traveled to the county, had even met the county magistrate, and his residence was well-known among the local elite. With the youth’s status, gathering such information would be no trouble.

Still, the fact that his Unique Treasure could detect a shift in the celestial qi from a hundred li away was nothing short of terrifying.

“Indeed,” Old Doctor mused. “I never imagined such a miraculous treasure existed. Old man’s knowledge is clearly limited.”

“This is my Sect’s Unique Treasure,” the youth said with a smile. “Few know of it. You, Chen Ye, are a kind-hearted man, devoted solely to healing. It’s understandable you’ve never heard of it.”

“Kind-hearted? Please, I’m just a wandering doctor. Healing is merely my duty—such praise is too much.”

Old Doctor waved it off, but the youth only smiled. If one who bore the Merit Light wasn’t considered a truly good man, then there was no good person left in the world.

To be honest, the youth was still shaken. That was Merit Light—the kind that only formed after countless good deeds, accumulated over lifetimes. Even though the light around Old Doctor was faint, it was unmistakable. It wasn’t something easily forged.

Even in the legendary floating temples of the most secluded realms, few possessed such a radiant aura.

And yet here it was—on a man of no fame, a humble wandering healer.

How many lives must he have saved? How many illnesses cured?

“To be honest, Chen Ye,” the youth continued, “I didn’t come just for tea. There’s another matter I’d like to discuss with you.”

“Please speak freely,” Old Doctor said.

Lu Qing tensed. At last, the real reason had come.

“Have you heard of Sheng Shan?”

Old Doctor shook his head. “My knowledge is shallow. Never heard of it.”

“Sheng Shan,” the youth said, “is a mysterious and great realm. It maintains order across this entire continent. Even the Floating Temple, Coldwater Palace, and Green Sheep Grove acknowledge its authority. All major clans and sects hold it in reverence.”

As the youth spoke, Old Doctor and Lu Qing began to grasp the nature of Sheng Shan.

It was unlike any ordinary sect. Millennia ago, it had been formed by a coalition of the most powerful hidden realms and countless sects and families. It served as a council, a guardian of balance and justice.

To Lu Qing, it was like the United Nations of his former world—but far more powerful. Unlike that bureaucratic body, Sheng Shan wielded immense martial might. Its strength surpassed even the great hidden realms, and no major sect could match it.

Sheng Shan remained neutral in all conflicts. Even when nations went to war, it stood by, observing—never intervening.

Its role was to uphold the fundamental order of humanity: the balance between Xian Tian Jing cultivators and ordinary martial artists, and between martial artists and common people.

Xian Tian Jing cultivators were immensely powerful. Once they could absorb Heavenly and Earthly Qi, their strength surged beyond imagination. A Hou Tian martial artist stood no chance—like a civilian against a storm.

Their combat was no longer limited to fists and swords. A single slash of sword qi could cut down dozens, even hundreds, in an instant. A true Xian Tian master could, in a single day, slaughter an entire city.

Such power, left unchecked, would bring catastrophe.

History recorded too many tragedies—Xian Tian masters, quarreling over petty matters, destroying entire towns in their battle. When they finally stopped, the cities were ruins, and the people were dead.

Over time, the great clans realized this could not continue. The Xian Tian were powerful, but ordinary people were still the foundation of the human race. They could not be slaughtered without reason.

So, after much deliberation, Sheng Shan issued a binding decree:

Xian Tian Jing cultivators may not attack those below the Xian Tian level, nor may they engage in Xian Tian-level battles within cities. Violators will be imprisoned for reflection—or, in the worst case, executed without mercy.

“Chen Ye,” the youth said, “I know you’ve always avoided conflict. But now that you’ve reached Xian Tian, this law applies to you as well. That’s why I’ve come—to inform you.”

Old Doctor stroked his beard. “I didn’t expect such a rule. But it’s a wise and noble one. I’ll abide by it.”

Seeing the old man’s acceptance, the youth smiled. “Of course, the rule says no attack on those below Xian Tian. But if a Xian Tian cultivator is insulted or provoked in a deliberate, malicious way, then even if they kill the offender, they won’t be punished.”

Lu Qing nodded. That made sense. In this world, strength was paramount. A Xian Tian master wasn’t going to cower before someone far weaker. If they couldn’t defend themselves, what was the point of cultivation?

Such a rule would never have been accepted if it made the strong powerless.

“And,” the youth added, “Sheng Shan doesn’t let Xian Tian cultivators follow this rule without reward.”

“Every new Xian Tian cultivator who agrees to abide by this law is granted one lifelong opportunity: to visit Sheng Shan’s Sheng Chi and train there for three days.”

“Chen Ye,” he said, “this is a rare chance.”

“Pardon?” Old Doctor asked. “What exactly is so special about this Sheng Chi?”

“Sheng Shan is a realm of mystery and wonder,” the youth said. “Within it lie countless blessings and extraordinary trials. The greatest among them is the Sheng Chi at the summit of Sheng Shan.”

“It is profoundly mysterious, possessing incredible power. It can aid in breakthroughs, shatter cultivation bottlenecks, and accelerate progress beyond belief. Even the most slow-witted cultivator, if trained within it, could advance by leaps and bounds—truly miraculous.”

Old Doctor’s eyes widened. Even he felt a stirring of awe.

“The world is far vaster than I imagined. All this—these wonders—I’ve never heard of, never seen. Truly, I’ve learned something new today,” he said, deeply impressed.

“This jade token,” the youth said, handing a small jade disc to Old Doctor, “is proof of your recognition by Sheng Shan. I’ll send your information to the Sect. When you reach the Central Continent, you can use this token to contact Tian Ji Lou, and we’ll guide you to Sheng Shan.”

Old Doctor took the token. His fingers brushed the jade, and he felt a familiar resonance—just like the Heritage Jade Scroll Lu Qing had given him earlier.

After handing over the token, the youth stood. “My mission here is complete. I’ve delivered the message. I should be on my way.”

“Zhi Rui, so soon? Won’t you stay for a meal?” Old Doctor asked, trying to detain him.

“No, the situation in the county remains unstable. I cannot stay away too long. I must return,” the youth declined.

“Speaking of which,” Old Doctor asked, “I’ve heard rumors about the Wei Family Residence. When will the crisis be resolved?”

The youth shook his head. “I fear it may not be resolved at all.”

Old Doctor was stunned. “What do you mean?”

“The Wei Family Ancestor has returned, yes—but he was wounded by Wang Cangyi’s sword qi, which damaged his Heart Meridian. The qi remains trapped, unable to be expelled. With his current cultivation, he may not survive another year.”

“If Wang Cangyi waits patiently, another year… when the Ancestor dies, the Wei Family will be wiped out.”

“Can’t you stop it?” Old Doctor asked urgently.

The youth shook his head. “My Tian Ji Lou follows strict neutrality. We do not interfere in factional conflicts—unless Wang Cangyi himself acts. Otherwise, I have no reason to intervene.”

Old Doctor fell silent, his face heavy.

Seeing his hesitation, the youth added, “The fate of the Wei Family rests entirely on the Ancestor’s recovery. If he heals, they survive. If he dies… they are lost.”

Old Doctor’s mind raced. He understood.

The youth had not just delivered a message. He had planted a seed.

The moment the youth realized Old Doctor would not ignore this, he smiled faintly, gave Lu Qing a slight nod, took the small bag of plum blossom tea, and vanished from the courtyard, descending the mountain path with effortless grace.

Once the youth was out of sight, Lu Qing turned to Old Doctor. “Master, what now?”

He didn’t need to say more. Old Doctor knew what he meant.

Old Doctor sighed. “It seems I can’t avoid this.”

“You’re thinking of going to the Wei Family Residence to heal the Ancestor?” Lu Qing asked.

“Zhi Rui implied only I can help,” Old Doctor said. “We’ve seen the Wei Family before. They’re not villains. To stand by and watch them slaughtered… I can’t live with that guilt.”

Seeing his master’s sorrowful expression, Lu Qing knew: if Old Doctor didn’t act, he’d regret it for the rest of his life.

He couldn’t lie to himself. If he hadn’t known, it would’ve been one thing. But now he did.

There was no turning back.

“Then go,” Lu Qing said. “I support you. But how will you get there? Sneak in?”

Old Doctor shook his head. “The wound is in the Heart Meridian—the most vital point. How could they trust a stranger, a sudden Xian Tian cultivator, to treat them?”

“Besides, once we reach Xian Tian, we must constantly blend our spirit soul with Heavenly and Earthly Qi, drawing it in, refining it into Xian Tian Qi. Over time, our bodies naturally carry a trace of the celestial essence. It can’t be hidden—Hou Tian cultivators can’t sense it, but fellow Xian Tian masters can.”

“If I sneak in, and the Ancestor mistakes me for a threat… a battle could erupt. Then there’d be no explanation.”

Lu Qing recalled the youth’s warning. A Xian Tian-level fight in a city would be a disaster.

“So,” Lu Qing realized, “only someone the Wei Family trusts can vouch for me—someone who can introduce me.”

“Wei Fu Ren and Wei Xiao Gongzi,” he said suddenly.

“That’s a good idea,” Old Doctor mused. “But it would put them at risk.”

“We’re saving the Wei Family,” Lu Qing said. “Wei Fu Ren will understand. I know her. If she knew the truth, she’d be even more desperate than we are.”

Old Doctor nodded. “Then go fetch them from the mountains. We’ll leave this afternoon.”

Lu Qing took Xiao Li and set off into the forest.

Earlier, after the youth’s arrival, he had instructed Xiao Li to hide—no contact. That Unique Treasure was too powerful, capable of sensing changes in the celestial qi a hundred li away.

He didn’t know if hiding helped, but it was better than risking exposure.

And yet, the youth hadn’t sensed Xiao Li’s Spirit Soul Power.

So the treasure wasn’t all-seeing. Not every secret could be uncovered.

Unfortunately, the youth never showed the treasure, so Lu Qing’s abilities couldn’t reveal what it truly was.

With Xiao Li at his side, Lu Qing sped through the forest, reaching the cave where Ma Gu and the others were hiding.

They were all there.

“Lu Qing, what’s happened?” Ma Gu and the others stared in surprise. No one expected him back so soon.

“Later,” Lu Qing said. “Pack up. We’re leaving the mountain.”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end