https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-193-A-Strategy-to-Pierce-the-Heart/13688367/
Chapter 194: The Hidden Miracle
Dawn broke as Lu Qing arrived at Half Mountain Small Courtyard with Xiao Yan and Xiao Li. Just as they stepped in, they found the Wei Family Ancestor already there, while Old Doctor was brewing tea beneath the plum tree.
"Respectfully, I greet Wei Lao Qian Bei," Lu Qing bowed.
"Grandfather Wei, good morning!" Xiao Yan greeted politely.
"Good, all good," Wei Shanhai smiled warmly. "By the way, Lu Xiao Langjun, the materials you asked me to gather the other day have been collected. I’ve placed them inside the room—feel free to check them later. Let me know if anything’s missing."
"All the materials… are already gathered?" Lu Qing was pleasantly surprised.
He entered the room and confirmed that indeed, every item had been collected. Quickly stepping back out, he said, "Thank you, Wei Lao Qian Bei. Please let me know the cost—I’ll make up for it."
"Ah, young master, you’re truly humbling me," Wei Shanhai chuckled. "A few simple materials? Hardly worth mentioning. The debt we owe you and your family far exceeds anything these could repay."
Lu Qing tried to insist, but seeing Wei Shanhai’s firm refusal, he eventually relented. "Then I’ll accept them with gratitude."
"Much better. But I must admit, I’m quite curious, Lu Xiao Langjun. These materials you requested are rather unusual. What exactly are you planning to use them for?"
"I'm conducting an experiment," Lu Qing replied with a hint of mystery. "The specifics are still under wraps—for now. Once I've succeeded, I'll be honored to have your guidance, Senior Wei."
"Haha, then I shall await your results with great anticipation."
Seeing that Lu Qing wasn’t ready to reveal more, Wei Shanhai didn’t press. Instead, his curiosity only deepened.
Earlier, Lu Qing had asked them to find rare materials, and through those, he’d crafted a miraculous fire liquid—one that had enabled him to forge a weapon so extraordinary it was unmatched in the world.
Now, the materials were even stranger. If the experiment was anything like the last, the results could be nothing short of extraordinary.
"Come, Wei Lao Zhang, have some tea," Old Doctor said, as his tea finished brewing.
Xiao Yan quietly took Xiao Li by the hand and headed to the study to read.
Lu Qing sat down beside the two elders and joined their conversation.
"Excellent tea!" Wei Shanhai took a sip and sighed in delight. "Chen Laodaifu, every time I drink your Plum Blossom Tea, it’s a different experience. Your skill in brewing is truly unmatched."
"It’s merely the uniqueness of the plum blossoms," Old Doctor smiled modestly. "My tea-making skills are nothing special."
Wei Shanhai knew it was a humble gesture, yet he still nodded in appreciation. His gaze drifted to the plum tree behind Old Doctor—a rare treasure, nurtured by Heavenly and Earthly Qi Liquid. It had long since undergone a transformation, becoming a true spiritual tree.
He felt a pang of regret. When he’d first reached Xian Tian Jing, why hadn’t he thought of this? If he’d taken the time then to cultivate a prized tea tree for breakthrough, he might have had his own spiritual tea tree too.
But he knew it was useless to dwell on it. At the time, the moment of enlightenment had filled him with ecstasy. He’d been consumed by the desire to break through—so lost in the rush that he’d never thought beyond the immediate.
After a few more cups, the conversation warmed.
"By the way, Lu Xiao Langjun," Wei Shanhai continued, "a good portion of the materials you needed came from Zhou Fu. Yesterday, the steward who delivered them also brought word of some recent events across the realm."
"Oh? What’s the news?" Lu Qing asked, genuinely intrigued.
With the world on the brink of change, he was deeply attentive to any shifts in the balance of power.
"First, in Ji Zhou, over the past few months, a terrifying Demon Person has emerged—one who hunts down accomplished martial artists. No one knows what demonic cultivation technique he uses, but he can drain a person’s blood, qi, and marrow. The victims are left drained, their bodies as withered as dried corpses—horrible to behold. Worse still, he seems to target young prodigies, those with exceptional talent. So far, dozens of young martial artists have fallen to him, including several Nei Fu Jing masters from Ji Zhou’s sects. The incident has caused a frenzy across Ji Zhou. All major sects have sent their top cultivators to hunt him down and avenge their fallen disciples."
"Such a thing?" Old Doctor and Lu Qing both reacted with shock.
Especially Lu Qing. The description of the victims’ fates stirred uneasy memories.
"This is no exaggeration," Wei Shanhai said gravely. "Ji Zhou is now filled with fear. Many young cultivators dare not travel alone, terrified of becoming his next victim."
Lu Qing’s mind raced. "Wei Lao Qian Bei, your eldest son, isn’t he studying in Ji Zhou?"
"Not to worry," Wei Shanhai replied, visibly relieved. "Hao Er left half a year ago with a few fellow disciples and traveled to Zhong Zhou for training. He’s no longer in Ji Zhou."
He sighed inwardly. Had Hao Er still been there, the Demon Person’s cruelty might have claimed him. The thought chilled him.
Old Doctor paused, then asked, "Draining blood and marrow… Could this Demon Person be a Xian Tian Jing-level dark cultivator?"
"I can’t say for certain," Wei Shanhai shook his head. "But I doubt it. In the past thousand years, since Sheng Shan’s founding, the dark path has declined. There haven’t been any Xian Tian Jing-level demons in living memory. If this were one, Sheng Shan would have already acted."
"Not a Xian Tian Jing demon… and Sheng Shan won’t intervene?" Lu Qing asked.
"Exactly. Sheng Shan holds supreme authority, but it doesn’t meddle in every conflict. It only steps in for matters of principle. Beyond that, disputes among cultivators below Xian Tian Jing are left to resolve themselves. Even large-scale wars that claim tens of thousands are met with silence. If this Demon Person hasn’t reached Xian Tian Jing, Sheng Shan will likely remain indifferent. After all, while the loss of dozens of young martial artists is tragic in Ji Zhou, across the entire world, it’s just a ripple."
Lu Qing listened carefully, gaining a deeper understanding of Sheng Shan’s detached stance.
"But if this Demon Person is only causing chaos in Ji Zhou, that’s manageable," Wei Shanhai added. "My concern is this: now that all the major sects are hunting him, he might flee if cornered. If he escapes to Cang Zhou… trouble will follow."
He turned to Lu Qing. "You must be extra cautious, young master. He preys on young prodigies—someone like you could easily become his target. Dark cultivators use techniques that are utterly alien to our martial path. Be on your guard."
Old Doctor nodded seriously. "Indeed, A Qing. Keep your eyes open."
Lu Qing was no stranger to fame. His name was known across Qian Long Bang. He was a true genius. If the Demon Person fled to Cang Zhou, Wei Shanhai’s warning wasn’t unfounded.
"Yes, I’ll be careful," Lu Qing said firmly.
He wasn’t arrogant. He knew there were forces in this world that could still challenge him.
If the Demon Person truly practiced the kind of cultivation technique he suspected… then he’d be in real danger.
"Besides Ji Zhou," Wei Shanhai continued, "there’s another matter—this one happened right here in Cang Zhou. And only within the last two days."
(End of Chapter)
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