Chapter 136: Identity Exposed, The Entire City Stunned

Dawn broke, the sun rising gently over the horizon.

"Woah, it’s so beautiful!" Xiao Yan exclaimed from the ox cart, her eyes wide with wonder.

At this moment, Lu Qing and the others had already left the forest behind, now traveling across a vast plain.

Surrounding them were endless stretches of golden fields, dotted with modest farmhouses.

Lu Qing’s group moved along a broad Imperial Road, cutting straight through the center of the farmland.

It was late autumn—the fields were a sea of rippling gold, a sight so breathtaking it was no surprise Xiao Yan was mesmerized.

Compared to the scattered, haphazard rice paddies back in Jiu Li Village, this unified expanse was truly awe-inspiring.

“Lu Qing, just a bit further ahead, and we’ll reach the County Town,” Ma Gu said, pointing toward the distant, towering City Wall.

Lu Qing stared at the distant fortress, stunned.

He’d assumed the County Town wouldn’t be much more than a modest settlement—but he was wrong.

Judging by the sheer height of the wall alone, this place was far larger than any ancient city he’d visited in his previous life.

No wonder Master had once said the city was another world.

From what he could see, the County Town was undeniably far more prosperous than the countryside they’d come from.

“Master, we’re almost there. What should we do once we get inside?”

The day before, they’d set off from Jiu Li Village. The slow pace of the ox cart made the hundred-mile journey no small feat.

By midday, the sun had already dipped below the horizon.

Night travel was treacherous, and the County Town locked its gates after dark.

So, after dusk fell, Lu Qing and the others had taken shelter in an abandoned kiln on the outskirts, sleeping under the open sky.

Only when the first light of dawn painted the horizon did they resume their journey.

“Just go in as normal,” Old Doctor said calmly. “As long as we’re inside the city walls, we’ll be safe.”

Lu Qing nodded.

Master was a Xian Tian Jing cultivator—once inside the city, even if Wang Cangyi sensed them, he couldn’t do anything without risking open warfare within the walls.

So they concealed their auras, stowed their swords and blades beneath the cart, and tried their best to look like ordinary farmers heading into town for the morning market.

Wei Fu Ren and Wei Zian, their pale faces smeared with dust, looked like common peasant women and boys.

Old Doctor even wore a bamboo hat, hiding his features.

Following the flow of other early-morning travelers, the cart slowly advanced.

As they drew closer to the County Town, tension began to rise among the group.

Wei Fu Ren, in particular, felt her heart pounding.

She clutched Xiao Yan tightly, trying to calm her racing thoughts, determined not to give herself away.

Lu Qing stared at the towering City Wall ahead—over thirty meters high, perfectly stacked and smooth.

He finally understood why Ma Gu had never suggested sneaking in at night.

Even a Jin Gu Jing cultivator would struggle to scale such a slick, towering wall without alerting the guards.

And they were carrying Wei Fu Ren and her son—no chance of a silent infiltration.

The wall drew nearer. The cart crossed the open buffer zone beyond the city’s outer edge.

But just over a hundred meters from the gate, Old Doctor suddenly pulled the cart to a halt.

At the same moment, a faint stir came from Lu Qing’s back basket.

“Master?” Lu Qing startled.

“Ah… we couldn’t hide it forever,” Old Doctor sighed, his voice heavy with resignation.

Ma Gu and the others exchanged shocked glances, about to ask what was happening—when a deep, echoing laugh rang out from above.

A figure suddenly appeared atop the City Wall, standing tall and imposing.

At the same time, a large force of soldiers poured out from the city, driving back the crowd and sealing off the gate.

The people who had been trying to enter scattered in panic. Those who moved too slowly were beaten senseless, their goods scattered across the ground.

But fortunately, the guards still held some restraint—this was a County Town, not a battlefield. No one was killed.

Lu Qing watched the chaos unfold, his eyes slowly hardening with cold.

“This is outrageous! Where is the County Magistrate’s Residence? Are they just letting this happen?”

Even Ma Gu, usually reserved, was furious.

Wei Fu Ren and her son, however, felt a deep, aching sorrow.

They couldn’t imagine what their home had endured these past days—now seeing this, their hearts sank.

Soon, the crowd was completely cleared away.

Only Lu Qing’s cart remained, standing alone in the open space.

“Which Xian Tian Jing peer is so kind as to deliver Wang Cangyi such a precious gift?” the figure on the wall called out, voice ringing clear.

“Bringing Wei Xinghe’s wife and son right to my doorstep? I am truly grateful.”

His words sent shockwaves through the entire city.

The Tian Cang Sect’s dramatic blockade of the gate had already drawn attention from all major factions.

Now, with Wang Cangyi’s announcement—Wei Family’s matriarch and her young heir had returned?

And this was no ordinary arrival—there was another Xian Tian Jing involved?

Instantly, every power in the city stirred.

Scouts and elite cultivators rushed toward the gate, eager to witness the event.

“Another Xian Tian Jing?”

In the County Magistrate’s Residence, the man playing chess paused.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

When had his quiet little county become such a hotspot?

Where had all these elusive Xian Tian Jing masters come from?

“Let’s go see for ourselves,” said the Cloth-Clothed Youth, rising calmly from his seat.

“Zhi Rui… do you know something?” the County Magistrate asked, noticing his friend’s unusual expression.

He remembered Zhi Rui had vanished for a while yesterday.

But the youth didn’t answer. He simply walked toward the door.

“Wait! Zhi Rui, come back!” the Magistrate called after him, hurrying to keep up.

This was too good a spectacle to miss.

At Wei Family Residence, in a quiet courtyard, Wei Xinghe froze at the sound of the city-wide announcement.

His first reaction was joy—then horror.

“Another Xian Tian Jing? Who is it? How did they get hold of Ningyan and An Er?”

“Master, what should we do? The Ancestor hasn’t awakened yet! Should we send word to him?” Wei Da Zong Guan pleaded.

“No need,” came a voice.

Wei Shanhai stepped into the courtyard, his presence silent but heavy.

“Ancestor!” Wei Xinghe and Wei Da Zong Guan breathed in relief.

“Have you recovered from your injuries?”

“No,” Wei Shanhai shook his head, delivering a blow to their hope.

“I’ve meditated for days. Still no progress.”

But Wei Xinghe quickly rallied.

“Ancestor, Wang Cangyi said Ningyan and An Er have returned—being held by another Xian Tian Jing. Is that true?”

“Their life force is weak, and they’re too far away for me to confirm,” Wei Shanhai said, his face grim.

“But yes… there is another unfamiliar Xian Tian Jing aura outside the city.”

He couldn’t fathom how a backwater county like Cang County had attracted a third Xian Tian Jing.

Was this a hostile force? A mere passerby? Or a direct ally of Wang Cangyi?

Even Wei Shanhai, renowned for his calm, felt unsettled.

But one thing was certain—he had to go out and face the truth.

Meanwhile, the entire city was in turmoil.

And outside the gate, Lu Qing stared up at the figure on the wall.

In his vision, the man glowed faintly with golden aura.

[Wang Cangyi: Second Elder of the Northern Frontier Tian Cang Sect. Deceitful and suspicious by nature, skilled at deception, fiercely protective of his own.]

[Cultivation: Xian Tian Early Stage Peak, Gold Attribute Qi.]

[Master of multiple Xian Tian Secret Techniques, especially adept in swordsmanship.]

[Once a close friend of Wei Shanhai, but later fell out over unequal division of treasure. Now bitter enemies.]

Seeing this information, Lu Qing exhaled in relief.

At least Wang Cangyi was only Xian Tian Early Stage Peak—barely stronger than Master.

They weren’t completely outmatched.

But he was surprised to learn Wang Cangyi and Wei Shanhai had once been friends.

That explained why the distant Tian Cang Sect knew about the Wei Family’s hidden treasure—and why they’d traveled so far to claim it.

“Master,” Lu Qing whispered, “how did he find us?”

“Bad luck,” Old Doctor muttered, face grim.

“The other Xian Tian Jing was already waiting near the gate. As soon as we approached, he sensed my Xian Tian Qi.”

“More likely,” Lu Qing said coldly, “he never left. He’s been guarding this spot, waiting for any Wei Family member to come out.”

From the information revealed by his Abilities Probe, Wang Cangyi was clearly the type to never give up until he got what he wanted.

“Master, can you beat him?” Lu Qing asked quietly.

“Probably not,” Old Doctor shook his head.

“That man’s Qi is strong. And I’m no fighter—fighting him would be suicide.”

“Wouldn’t Li Ye’s Combat Technique help?”

“Even less likely. I’m not talented. I’ve only mastered two of Li Ye’s techniques—and even those, I’ve only grasped three or four out of ten. How could I possibly match a true Xian Tian Jing?”

Lu Qing frowned.

“Then we’ll just have to stall… until the Wei Family’s Ancestor arrives.”

He didn’t like the situation—but he believed Wang Cangyi wouldn’t act rashly.

After all, he didn’t know Old Doctor was useless in combat.

With the Ancestor still hidden in the city, Wang Cangyi would think twice before provoking another Xian Tian Jing.

Ma Gu and the others, listening to the exchange, were utterly dumbfounded.

“Old Doctor… you’re… you’re a Xian Tian Jing master?” Ma Gu stammered, eyes wide.

“Just lucky to have broken through,” Old Doctor waved it off. “I’m no true master.”

Ma Gu’s jaw dropped.

He never expected the gentle, kind-hearted old man who’d been driving their cart to be a Xian Tian Jing cultivator.

Even Wei Fu Ren and her son stared in disbelief.

The man who’d cared for them—was this powerful?

Just as Ma Gu was still reeling, Wang Cangyi on the wall grew annoyed.

He’d offered a friendly gesture—and yet, not even a word in return.

It was an insult.

But remembering Wei Shanhai’s presence within the city, he forced down his anger.

“Sir,” Wang Cangyi called out, “I offered a fair deal. If you hand over the Wei family’s mother and son, my sect will reward you handsomely.”

This was the first time he openly revealed his sect.

Clearly, facing a mysterious Xian Tian Jing, he still feared the unknown.

He wanted to use the authority of his sect to pressure the stranger.

But Old Doctor didn’t know who the Tian Cang Sect was.

He simply shook his head.

“Sorry, old man can’t comply. I sense killing intent in you. If those two children fall into your hands, they won’t survive.”

“So you’re refusing to help the Wei Family?” Wang Cangyi’s voice turned icy.

His aura began to rise, cold and oppressive.

It was confirmed—Old Doctor and his companions were aiding the Wei Family.

He thought of his three disciples—dead.

His eyes darkened further.

“Old man,” he snapped, “did you kill my disciples?”

The moment Wang Cangyi’s aura surged, Lu Qing’s heart jolted.

He stepped forward and shouted, “You dare defy the Sheng Shan Jin Ling? You think you can attack us?”

“Ridiculous!” Wang Cangyi sneered.

A Jin Gu Jing cultivator daring to speak to him like that?

His aura exploded, a crushing force aimed straight at Lu Qing.

The wave swept over the cart, enveloping everyone.

The power of a Xian Tian Jing was overwhelming—even those not the target felt the edge of it.

Wei Fu Ren and the others gasped, their faces pale, nearly collapsing.

Only Old Doctor reacted instantly.

He raised a hand, and a gentle yet firm aura bloomed around them, shielding them from the onslaught.

Even so, Wei Fu Ren and the others coughed violently.

Even Ma Gu, who had achieved the small bones stage, turned red-faced and wide-eyed.

This was his first real taste of Xian Tian Jing power—and it was terrifying.

“Yiyi… are you okay?” Xiao Yan, held tightly in Wei Fu Ren’s arms, looked up with concern, patting her back gently.

“I’m fine… I’m fine,” Wei Fu Ren whispered, then paused.

“Xiao Yan… aren’t you feeling anything?”

Xiao Yan shook her head, her brow furrowed.

“I’m not hurt. But that man… he’s scary. I don’t like him.”

Wei Fu Ren stared, stunned.

Wang Cangyi, watching from above, felt his heart skip.

His Xian Tian aura—so terrifying, so absolute—had been deflected with ease.

And the one standing in front, absorbing the full force without flinching…

He looked utterly calm, as if the storm had been a gentle breeze.

“Impossible!”

Every cultivator present gasped in shock.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end