https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-200-Sacrifice-Brings-Reward-Desire-to-Enjoy-the-Blessings-of-Ten-Thousand-People/13688376/
Chapter 199: Power Assessment, First Arrival at Zhou Fu Cheng
"The conventional strength of a Xian Tian Early Stage Peak cultivator is now roughly clear to me."
"The one thing I still can't accurately gauge is the true power of a Xian Tian-level Secret Technique."
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Lu Qing fell into deep thought.
Wei Shanhai was a long-standing veteran at the Xian Tian Jing realm, his cultivation having already reached the peak of the Xian Tian Early Stage. Yet, his Sword Intent had never broken through, which was why he had remained stuck at this level without advancing to the Xian Tian Initial Mastery stage.
This sparring session, if Wei Shanhai hadn’t been holding back, allowed Lu Qing to roughly estimate the strength of a Xian Tian Novice cultivator who had grasped the [Yi] Realm—provided no Secret Technique was used.
At the same time, it gave Lu Qing a clearer sense of his own power.
The conclusion: after activating Perfect Burst, he could now face off directly against a Xian Tian Early Stage Peak cultivator.
This result wasn’t entirely surprising to Lu Qing.
Xian Tian cultivators were undeniably formidable. After undergoing the baptism of heavenly laws and being nourished by their own Xian Tian Qi, their physical bodies were already dozens of times stronger than those of ordinary Nei Fu Man Yuan Wu Dao Zong Shi.
Add in the supernatural nature of Xian Tian Qi, and even a casual strike from a Xian Tian cultivator would far surpass a Wu Dao Zong Shi’s full-powered Secret Technique explosion.
But that was only when compared to ordinary Wu Dao Zong Shi.
Lu Qing was different.
Having consumed the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid, his innate talent had already been pushed to its absolute limit.
Though both he and a typical Wu Dao Zong Shi were at the same Nei Fu Jing Wan Man level, Lu Qing’s physical constitution was incomparably superior.
With the additional boost from Perfect Burst and his Sword Intent-level sword technique, all these advantages combined meant he truly had no reason to fear a Xian Tian Novice.
This sparring session had confirmed his expectations.
"Someone like Wei Lao Qian Bei—without a powerful ancestral heritage, merely an average Xian Tian Early Stage Peak cultivator—can no longer pose a serious threat to me, even without using a Secret Technique," Lu Qing mused inwardly.
"As for using a Secret Technique…"
A flicker of something unreadable flashed in his eyes.
Xian Tian cultivators had Secret Techniques—did he not have any secrets of his own?
This bout had seen Wei Shanhai rely only on his standard Xian Tian Jing power.
But Lu Qing had hardly shown his full strength either.
The most potent of his hidden cards had remained entirely concealed.
"According to Wei Lao Qian Bei, Zheng Jia Lao Zu is only at the Xian Tian Early Stage Peak level—moreover, he once suffered grave injuries in his youth, his vital energy severely damaged. His current strength is far from its peak.
But rumors are just rumors. I’ll need to see it with my own eyes before I believe it."
Though Wei Shanhai had spoken with absolute certainty, Lu Qing wasn’t one to blindly accept hearsay.
To confirm Zheng Jia Lao Zu’s true strength, he’d have to see for himself.
"Old Woman," he thought, eyes glinting faintly, "you wanted to draw me out, didn’t you? Then let’s see—when I finally stand before you, can you even sense me?"
The memory of that woman, so intent on devouring him, stirred a cold, killing intent within him.
No delay.
Lu Qing first asked Master for a two-day leave, claiming he needed to go into the mountains.
That same night, after fully resting and bringing his body and spirit to peak condition, he slipped out quietly.
Beyond the village, he activated the Earth Movement Talisman within his Brow Qi Cavity Space with a subtle mental command. A familiar, weightless sensation returned. With a single step, Lu Qing shot forward like the wind, racing toward Zhou Fu Cheng.
It was night, and the wildlands were deserted. He encountered no unexpected obstacles, and after half a night of nonstop travel, he finally reached the outskirts of the city.
"Indeed, Zhou Fu is no ordinary city—the city walls are far more imposing than any County Town."
Gazing at the massive fortress ahead, silhouetted against the dark sky like a primordial beast sprawled across the earth, Lu Qing couldn’t help but be impressed.
He didn’t enter immediately. Instead, he found a secluded spot, took a moment to recover and calm his breath, then began re-creating the Earth Movement Talisman.
Zhou Fu Cheng was nearly a thousand li from Jiu Li Village. The long-distance sprint had already drained the talisman’s energy in his Brow Qi Cavity, leaving it completely gone.
He needed to replenish it.
After just a quarter of an hour, the talisman was successfully reformed.
Yet Lu Qing still didn’t rush into the city.
In this world, city gates were typically locked at night, barring entry and exit. He knew nothing of Zhou Fu’s current state, so sneaking in under cover of darkness would be reckless.
So he decided to wait until dawn—then enter openly and freely.
After all, no one in the city knew him. Even if he walked through the gates, no one would recognize him.
Finding a massive tree, Lu Qing leapt up onto its broad branches, stretched out comfortably, closed his eyes, and let himself rest, waiting patiently for the sun to rise.
When the sky began to lighten and the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon, Lu Qing slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the eastern sky with a small smile.
"Today’s truly a fine day."
From his Qiankun Yiqi Dai, he took out dry rations and fresh water, ate a hearty meal, and felt refreshed and alert.
Then, with a subtle shift of his mind, his muscles and bones began to shift and twist.
In just a few seconds, his appearance had changed dramatically.
His frame had become much slimmer, and his face transformed into that of an ordinary country boy.
At the same time, the Shen Hun Fu Lu within his Brow Qi Cavity trembled faintly.
In an instant, Lu Qing’s aura vanished completely, replaced by a simple, unassuming presence.
"With the help of Shen Hun Fu Lu, my Yi Jin Bian Gu Shu technique has reached true mastery. I can not only alter my appearance, but also perfectly mimic any aura I choose. Right now, even Master wouldn’t recognize me."
Lu Qing smiled inwardly.
Shen Hun Fu Lu—the foundational cultivation method of the Divine Seal Sect—had countless applications. Changing one’s appearance and mimicking a person’s aura was child’s play.
"Zhou Fu Cheng… I hope you can offer me something worth the journey."
After completing the transformation, Lu Qing looked toward the distant city, his eyes gleaming with quiet anticipation.
Then, he jumped down from the tree and began sprinting toward the city.
Not long after, he arrived at the city gate.
He saw farmers in plain clothes, some carrying baskets, likely heading to the market. Lu Qing blended in naturally with the crowd.
At the gate, he noticed something surprising: outsiders could enter freely—no inspection, no fee. The soldiers guarding the gate stood on either side, utterly indifferent to who passed through.
Clearly, they were confident that such a grand city would never be threatened.
"Truly a provincial capital," Lu Qing thought, inwardly pleased. "No identity checks? Even better."
With a relaxed stride, he walked into the city.
As soon as he stepped inside, the sight of bustling prosperity immediately caught his eye.
(End of Chapter)
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