https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-197-First-Battle-Against-Xian-Tian-Full-Sword-Intent-/13688373/
Chapter 196: Conspiracy and Open Strategy, A Challenge for Sparring
“This Zheng Jia Lao Zu allows rumors harmful to her family to spread freely—could she be deliberately provoking me into revealing myself?” Lu Qing mused silently to himself.
When Wei Shanhai had mentioned that the Zheng family denied ever intending to perform a Living Human Sacrifice, yet did nothing to stop the rumors from circulating, Lu Qing had already guessed their intent.
Back when he attacked Yuan Yang Zhai, he had taken meticulous precautions—multiple layers of disguise, augmented by an obscure mystical talisman of Earth Movement. Even if the Master himself had been present, it would have been nearly impossible to uncover his true identity. How much less likely was it that the Zheng family could have done so?
Based on Wei Shanhai’s description of the Zheng Jia Lao Zu’s temperament—someone so vindictive and petty she could rage against an entire clan for no reason—she would certainly harbor deep hatred toward him. After all, he had personally killed her grandson.
The only reason she hadn’t found him yet was because his presence remained perfectly concealed. But Lu Qing knew full well: that hatred would never fade. She would stop at nothing to track him down.
“Did she learn from the guests at the banquet why I killed Zheng Yu, and now plans to use moral outrage as bait to force me out?” Lu Qing tapped his fingers lightly on the table, piecing together the old woman’s mindset.
Back then, he hadn’t killed the guests or the courtesans. Partly because the Abilities Probe revealed they bore no real guilt—especially the women, who were forced into prostitution and were truly victims of circumstance. Though he wasn’t a saint, he still refused to slaughter innocents.
Secondly, he had absolute confidence in his disguise. At the time, no one had even come close to suspecting his identity. So why would he bother with the pointless act of murder?
Now, though, it was clear: no one had seen through him—yet some of his secrets had still leaked out.
“If I were truly a righteous young warrior, I might have actually fallen for it—let my blood boil and step right into the trap.” Lu Qing shook his head, a faint, wry smile tugging at his lips.
But slowly, that smile faded. A strange, unreadable glint flickered in his eyes.
“But even knowing it’s a trap… I still really want to kill you.”
He had to admit—this tactic was masterfully executed. Though he saw through it, the urge to strike down the enemy still burned fiercely within him. It was both a conspiracy and an open strategy—nothing less than a psychological assassination.
“And yet… are you really so certain you can catch me?”
The next day, Lu Qing arrived at the Wei Family’s private estate.
“Lu Xiao Langjun… you’re saying you want to spar with me?” Wei Shanhai stared at the earnest expression on Lu Qing’s face, certain he must have misheard.
Ma Gu and Wei Zian stood beside him, equally stunned. Wei Zian, in particular, looked utterly bewildered. Had he just heard correctly? Lu Qing was challenging the Ancestor—the Xian Tian Jing, the revered Ancestor?
“Indeed,” Lu Qing said solemnly. “I’ve recently hit a plateau in my cultivation. Some concepts remain unclear. I wish to spar with a senior master, hoping to gain insight from the experience. I’d be honored if Wei Lao Qian Bei would grant me your guidance.”
Seeing that Lu Qing wasn’t joking, Wei Shanhai’s expression grew serious.
“Then why not seek guidance from your own master? Chen Laodaifu’s martial prowess far surpasses mine. He would be far better suited to advise you.”
He held Chen Laodaifu in the highest regard—especially his mastery of Water and Fire Harmonization and the Xian Tian Ling Yu Yi realm. Wei Shanhai had asked him countless times, yet never managed to grasp even the basics.
“I don’t need guidance,” Lu Qing shook his head. “I need pressure.”
Wei Shanhai blinked, then nodded slowly. Yes… that made sense.
Old Doctor truly had a peaceful nature—averse to conflict, indifferent to martial glory. Anyone who knew him well would never suspect he was a martial giant. Yet, his cultivation had far outpaced Wei Shanhai’s. It remained a mystery he could never unravel.
But now, he studied Lu Qing closely.
“Only a Xian Tian Jing can give you real pressure, Lu Xiao Langjun. What level have you reached in your cultivation?”
This was a question Wei Shanhai had long wanted answered.
Over a year and a half ago, he had suddenly realized he could no longer sense Lu Qing’s cultivation level. At the time, he had been stunned—how could a Xian Tian Jing fail to read a Hou Tian Jing’s energy?
Lu Qing had explained then that he practiced a unique Secret Technique, capable of concealing his cultivation aura. Now, after so much time had passed, Wei Shanhai was eager to know: how far had Lu Qing advanced?
Upon hearing this, Ma Gu and Wei Zian instantly perked up, eyes fixed on Lu Qing with intense curiosity. They were both far below Lu Qing’s cultivation level, and had long since lost the ability to gauge his strength.
Seeing their reactions, Lu Qing knew he had no choice but to reveal a little of his true power.
He slightly suppressed the full might of his Shen Hun Fu Lu, allowing just a sliver of his true aura to seep out.
Instantly, Ma Gu and Wei Zian felt a crushing, ancient presence—like the breath of a primordial beast—crash over them. They staggered back several steps, eyes wide with shock.
Wei Shanhai’s entire body tensed. His face paled in astonishment.
After a long silence, he exhaled slowly.
“Hou Tian Jing Wan Man, Wu Dao Zong Shi level. Lu Xiao Langjun… you’ve truly reached this realm.”
In truth, when Lu Qing had said only a Xian Tian Jing could challenge him, Wei Shanhai had already suspected it. But now, feeling it firsthand, he was still shaken.
After all, Lu Qing was barely past his nineteenth year.
A Wu Dao Zong Shi at nineteen—such an achievement would stand out even in Zhong Zhou, a land famed for prodigies. And even more astonishing? Lu Qing had only begun cultivating for less than three years. Less than three years from being a complete novice to reaching the peak of the martial world.
That was nothing short of breathtaking.
No wonder he was a true genius, blessed with a great Qi Yun!
Wei Shanhai could only sigh in awe.
Ma Gu and Wei Zian, meanwhile, were completely speechless.
“Lu Qing… you really became a Wu Dao Zong Shi?” Ma Gu blurted, eyes bulging.
“Just recently, I managed to break through,” Lu Qing nodded. “But precisely because of this breakthrough, I’ve hit a wall. That’s why I came to spar with Wei Lao Qian Bei—to see if I can gain any enlightenment.”
“I see,” Wei Shanhai murmured, understanding dawning. “With your current strength, only a Xian Tian Jing could truly challenge you.”
Lu Qing had already defeated a Wu Dao Zong Shi when he was still in the Jin Gu Jing Wan Man realm. Now, having achieved Hou Tian Jing Wan Man, his strength had no doubt multiplied beyond measure.
But ordinary Wu Dao Zong Shi? They would be no match for him at all.
With that thought, Wei Shanhai felt a flicker of anticipation.
He too wanted to see just how powerful Lu Qing truly was now.
“Lu Xiao Langjun… where would you like to spar?”
(End of Chapter)
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