https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-197-First-Battle-Against-Xian-Tian-Full-Sword-Intent-/13688373/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-199-Power-Assessment-First-Arrival-at-Zhou-Fu-Cheng/13688375/
Chapter 198: Slightly at a Disadvantage
Inside Nameless Valley, Lu Qing and Wei Shanhai clashed with fierce intensity, their battle so evenly matched it seemed neither could gain a decisive edge. Shards of blade energy and force surged through the air, carving deep fissures into the muddy riverbank—truly a sight to behold.
Above on the slope, Ma Gu and Wei Zian stood frozen in shock, eyes wide with disbelief at the spectacle unfolding before them. Even Wei Shanhai, battle-hardened as he was, felt a wave of astonishment ripple through him.
He hadn’t expected this. Despite having already unleashed his Xian Tian Qi, he still couldn’t defeat Lu Qing swiftly—only manage to barely suppress him, holding a slight advantage. And even that advantage felt precarious. Lu Qing’s resilience was extraordinary; even under pressure, his swordsmanship remained sharp and relentless. One moment of carelessness could easily result in a sudden reversal.
Moreover, Wei Shanhai was stunned by Lu Qing’s endurance. According to all logic, a martial artist using an Explosive Secret Technique should exhaust their energy rapidly, their power fading quickly after the initial burst. Yet here was Lu Qing, fighting him for so long, showing no signs of fatigue—his breathing steady, his composure unshaken. It was unnervingly calm.
What kind of explosive technique was Lu Qing using? It wasn’t just the sheer power—far surpassing that of a typical Hou Tian Jing warrior, nearly matching the strength of a Xian Tian Initial Stage cultivator. The ability to sustain it for so long defied all reason.
“Should I… use my Secret Technique?” Wei Shanhai suddenly thought, his mind wavering after so long a stalemate.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. Ridiculous. As a Xian Tian Jing cultivator, he was sparring with a junior of the Hou Tian Jing realm. Failing to subdue him quickly was already embarrassing enough—using a Secret Technique would be utterly shameful.
As his thoughts raced, the two clashed again.
Crack!
A sharp, thunderous sound split the air.
Yet it wasn’t Wei Shanhai’s blade energy that shattered—this time, it was Lu Qing’s War Blade that exploded apart under the overwhelming pressure.
Lu Qing shifted slightly, evading the flying fragments with a light step, then retreated a few paces.
He glanced at the broken hilt in his hand, then at Wei Shanhai’s blade—still intact, unblemished. A silent sigh escaped him.
The blood energy of a Hou Tian Jing cultivator could never truly match the power of Heaven and Earth Qi cultivated through Xian Tian Qi. Though he had done his best to protect the blade with his inner force, the relentless impacts had finally shattered it.
In contrast, Wei Shanhai’s War Blade, imbued with Xian Tian Qi, had suffered barely a scratch.
“Lu Xiao Langjun,” Wei Shanhai said, with genuine regret in his voice, “shall we continue? I recall you once forged a divine weapon of your own. Would you care to bring it forth?”
He wasn’t just being polite. He was genuinely enjoying the fight. Lu Qing’s Sword Intent was deeper, broader, more profound than his own. In the exchange, Wei Shanhai had even sensed a subtle improvement in his own cultivation—like a faint light flickering at the edge of understanding. To cut it short now felt like a loss.
“No need,” Lu Qing shook his head. “This battle has already given me much. I’ve gained clarity on matters that once puzzled me. Thank you, Wei Lao Qian Bei, for your generosity.”
“Oh? You’ve found insight?” Wei Shanhai’s eyes lit up with surprise. “Have you glimpsed the path ahead? Do you feel the moment to step into Xian Tian Jing drawing near?”
Having learned that Lu Qing had already reached Hou Tian Jing Wan Man, Wei Shanhai had assumed the “plateau” Lu Qing spoke of was the barrier between Hou Tian and Xian Tian.
“Partially,” Lu Qing nodded. “The path to Xian Tian Jing is now clear to me. Once I’ve gathered more strength, breaking through should be no great challenge.”
“Excellent!” Wei Shanhai smiled, relieved. It was rewarding to see Lu Qing benefit from the spar—his effort hadn’t been in vain.
“Wei Lao Qian Bei,” Lu Qing asked, his tone now serious, “during our fight, how much of your strength did you truly use?”
“Honestly?” Wei Shanhai replied. “I’ve already pushed myself to my limit with normal power. If we kept going, I’d have no choice but to resort to my Secret Technique to win.”
His words were not empty flattery. He truly had poured every ounce of his Xian Tian Qi into the battle—only holding back the use of his Secret Technique. Normally, a Xian Tian Jing cultivator should effortlessly overpower any Inner Force Stage Wan Man martial artist with sheer Qi dominance. Yet here was Lu Qing, using an Explosive Secret Technique, matching him blow for blow, and even outmaneuvering him with superior technique.
The realization struck him deeply. He had never imagined someone of Hou Tian Jing could stand so firm against a Xian Tian Jing cultivator—especially one wielding such a refined, disciplined sword style.
Staring at Lu Qing, whose breath remained steady and unshaken, Wei Shanhai could no longer hold back.
“Lu Xiao Langjun,” he asked, voice laced with awe, “what Secret Technique did you use just now? How could it produce power nearly equal to a Xian Tian Initial Stage cultivator?”
“It’s a heritage I stumbled upon by chance,” Lu Qing replied vaguely. “I’ve trained it for a long time—only recently perfected it.”
Perfect Burst—a technique he had forged himself, its foundation rooted in his uniquely powerful Spirit Soul Power. Shen Hun Fu Lu was one of Lu Qing’s greatest secrets. Even his Master had not been told. He certainly wouldn’t reveal it now.
“I see,” Wei Shanhai said, understanding immediately. Lu Qing wasn’t going to elaborate, and he respected that.
"Ancestor, Doctor Lu Qing!"
At that moment, Wei Zian and Ma Gu descended from the slope, their faces still etched with shock. Wei Zian, in particular, was trembling with excitement.
His gaze on Lu Qing burned with reverence. “Doctor Lu Qing! You’re incredible! To fight Ancestor to a standstill—this is beyond belief!”
“Don’t call it a draw,” Lu Qing chuckled. “You saw my blade shattered. If we kept going, I’d be defenseless—no match for Wei Lao Qian Bei in a single strike.”
“Nonsense,” Wei Shanhai countered. “I only had the advantage of Xian Tian Qi. If you’d brought forth your divine weapon, the outcome would’ve been uncertain.”
The group exchanged light banter, their mutual respect evident, as they slowly left the valley.
Emerging from the Deep Mountains, after parting ways with Wei Shanhai and the others, Lu Qing returned home. He rested, meditated, and restored his energy before sitting in quiet reflection, pondering the lessons of their clash.
There was one thing Lu Qing had not told Wei Shanhai.
He hadn’t invited the spar because he was stuck in his cultivation.
With his innate Abilities, he possessed a near-guaranteed breakthrough mechanism. There were virtually no Combat Techniques he couldn’t master or understand. The boundary between Hou Tian and Xian Tian was crystal clear in his mind—no confusion, no doubt. He could cross it at any time.
But some unseen instinct had held him back.
His true purpose in challenging Wei Shanhai was not to break through a cultivation barrier—but to experience Xian Tian Jing power firsthand, to feel its true strength, and to understand what made it so formidable.
Only then could he prepare for what lay ahead.
(End of Chapter)
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