Chapter 213: Return, Aftermath

"Old Doctor, what was that just now?" Wei Shanhai stared at Chen Laodaifu, his face still stunned.

The two had been sitting beneath the plum tree, sipping tea in quiet companionship—until a sudden, violent surge in the heavens had shaken them both.

Wei Shanhai had no clue what had happened. He could only turn to the Old Doctor, knowing his expertise far surpassed his own. Surely, the man would understand.

Chen Laodaifu remained calm, his expression unreadable as he closed his eyes and quietly sensed the lingering energy in the air. After a long pause, he exhaled deeply.

"It seems... the legendary Heaven and Earth Transformation is beginning."

"You mean... the great cosmic upheaval Tian Ji Lou spoke of? It’s really starting?" Wei Shanhai’s body tensed.

"Likely so," Chen Laodaifu nodded. "That tremor was not merely an atmospheric disturbance—it was the world itself shifting. I can faintly sense subtle changes in the very fabric of existence. Though they’re still imperceptible to most, they’re real."

"So what exactly is changing?" Wei Shanhai asked, still bewildered.

"I don’t know," the Old Doctor admitted, shaking his head. "But now that the signs have appeared, we won’t have to wait long before the transformation becomes undeniable."

In truth, the Old Doctor knew more than he let on.

If the notes Lu Qing had once shown him were accurate, the so-called spiritual energy resurgence might finally be on the verge of becoming real.

But it was only speculation—based on an ancient text. Until proven, the Old Doctor dared not confirm it.

"If the world truly is changing," Wei Shanhai murmured, "then the age of turmoil is truly upon us."

The Old Doctor fell silent, lost in thought.

In that moment, he had sensed something else in the tremor—something faint, almost hidden. But he chose not to speak of it.

"Chen Ye Ye," Xiao Yan called out sleepily, stepping from the house with Xiao Li cradled in her arms. Her eyes were still half-closed, her hair tousled from her nap. "What happened? It sounded so loud outside..."

She and Xiao Li had been napping inside when the disturbance had woken them.

The words sent both Wei Shanhai and Chen Laodaifu into shock.

"Xiao Yan... you heard that?" Wei Shanhai asked, his voice urgent.

"Of course I did!" Xiao Yan blinked, confused. "It was so loud! Did someone start tearing down a house, Wei Ye Ye?"

Wei Shanhai’s mouth dropped open. He stared at her, stunned.

Chen Laodaifu understood the reason for his shock.

That sound hadn’t been ordinary. It was the resonance of shifting celestial laws—something only those with a refined Spirit Soul Power, or true Xian Tian Jing cultivators, could perceive.

Yet here was a child, still asleep, who had clearly heard it.

But Chen Laodaifu knew the truth.

He had seen firsthand the effects of the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid Lu Qing had given Xiao Yan. The elixir’s power was extraordinary—capable of elevating a person’s innate talent, and in rare cases, awakening hidden gifts.

It was clear now: Xiao Yan had been granted a rare ability—she could listen to the voice of the world’s transformation.

"Old Doctor," Wei Shanhai finally said, awe in his voice. "Xiao Yan’s talent is truly extraordinary."

He looked at her now with wonder, as if seeing a rare treasure.

Previously, he had only thought her clever, lively, and endearingly spirited—perhaps more so than other children. But that was expected, given her connection to Lu Qing and the Old Doctor’s favor.

Now, it was obvious: this was no ordinary child.

She had no cultivation at all—yet she had heard the voice of heaven and earth. That could only mean one thing: she possessed a unique, innate talent.

After all, Lu Qing was a once-in-a-thousand-years genius—Qi Yun Zhi Zi. And Xiao Yan, his sister, sharing the same blood, could never be ordinary.

She was simply too young for her gift to have fully revealed itself.

Wei Shanhai’s admiration grew. The more he looked at her, the more he was convinced.

"Old Doctor," he asked, "Xiao Yan is already seven, isn’t she? Why hasn’t she joined your sect to begin martial cultivation?"

Chen Laodaifu knew what he was hinting at.

He remembered Lu Qing’s words from years ago.

"A Qing once told me," he said, shaking his head, "that Xiao Yan’s path is special. It must not be rushed. The time will come when he personally determines her destiny. I cannot interfere."

For two years, Chen Laodaifu had asked Lu Qing whether Xiao Yan should begin training. But the answer had always been the same: not yet.

So far, she had not taken a single step on the cultivation path.

"Ah, so Lu Xiao Langjun has already made his plans," Wei Shanhai sighed, realizing his hopes were dashed.

To him, Lu Qing was even more mysterious than the Old Doctor. If he had already decided, then there was no way Xiao Yan would be taken as a disciple by another.

"Chen Ye Ye," Xiao Yan pouted, her lower lip trembling. "When is my brother coming back? How long will he stay in the mountains? I miss him."

Hearing Lu Qing mentioned, her eyes filled with longing.

"Indeed," Wei Shanhai added, "Old Doctor, how long has Lu Xiao Langjun been in seclusion? This time is unusually long."

After their sparring match, Lu Qing had said he had gained insight and retreated into isolation. Seven days had passed since then.

He rarely stayed away so long. Could he really be on the verge of breaking through to the Xian Tian Jing?

The thought sent a jolt through Wei Shanhai.

If true, this would be nothing short of earth-shattering.

Lu Qing was still just a child. If he truly entered the Xian Tian Jing, the news would send shockwaves across the realm—even the Four Secret Places would tremble.

"I don’t know," Chen Laodaifu admitted, frowning. "A Qing only said he’d be in seclusion for a time. No exact duration."

He knew Lu Qing had gone deep into the mountains—back to the hidden place where he and Xiao Li had once discovered the source of the Dipulse Spiritual Fluid.

But because of Xiao Yan, he rarely stayed away this long.

This time was… unusual.

The problem was, Chen Laodaifu had never been there himself.

And Xiao Li was fiercely protective of Xiao Yan—no one else could command it, not even him.

Otherwise, he would have gone to check.

Whoosh!

Just as the group was lost in thought, Xiao Li—still in Xiao Yan’s arms—suddenly leapt free and bolted toward the front gate.

The others blinked in surprise, then sprang to their feet.

There, standing at the entrance, was a familiar figure—Xiao Li perched on his shoulder, rubbing its head against him like a cat.

It could only be Lu Qing.

"Brother!" Xiao Yan cried, flinging her arms wide and dashing forward. Before she even reached him, she jumped, launching herself toward him.

Lu Qing caught her with one hand, careful not to let her fall.

She buried her face into his chest, nearly on the verge of tears. He smiled, gently ruffling her hair.

"Sorry, little one. I was wrong to stay away so long. I kept you waiting."

But Xiao Yan’s mood changed as quickly as it had come. A moment later, she was giggling again, her face bright with joy.

Once she was calmed, Lu Qing set her down and turned to the Old Doctor and Wei Shanhai.

He first bowed to Wei Shanhai, then to Chen Laodaifu.

"Master, I’m back."

"Good. Welcome home," the Old Doctor replied, nodding.

He didn’t ask about the length of the seclusion—some things were better left unspoken.

But Wei Shanhai couldn’t hold back his curiosity.

"Lu Xiao Langjun," he said, eyes gleaming. "Have you finally entered the Xian Tian Jing?"

Though he hadn’t felt the distinct Essence of the Xian Tian Realm radiating from Lu Qing, he had long since lost the ability to read him.

Even if Lu Qing used a secret technique to mask his aura, Wei Shanhai wouldn’t have been surprised.

"No," Lu Qing said, shaking his head. "This time, I made progress—my foundation is stronger. But I haven’t yet reached the Xian Tian realm."

Wei Shanhai sighed, disappointed, but quickly recovered. "Don’t be discouraged, Lu Xiao Langjun. The Xian Tian Jing is profound, but with your talent, it’s only a matter of time. With more cultivation, the breakthrough will come naturally."

"Thank you, Wei Lao Qian Bei," Lu Qing said, bowing.

"Master, have you eaten lunch yet?" Lu Qing asked after a brief pause.

"Not yet."

"Perfect," Lu Qing smiled. "I’ve been cooped up in seclusion for days. I’m starving. Let me cook something simple."

He hadn’t realized how long it had taken to refine the Soil Spirit Pearl—his cultivation had been so deep, his vitality so strong, that he barely felt the toll.

"Go ahead," Chen Laodaifu said. "You have my permission."

"Please stay and eat with us, Wei Lao Qian Bei," Lu Qing invited.

"Then I won’t refuse," Wei Shanhai chuckled. "Your meals have a unique flavor. Even Ning Yan and Zi An miss them. Today, I’m in for a treat."

Over the past two years, Wei Shanhai had tasted Lu Qing’s cooking. To his surprise, it was unlike anything he’d ever had—rich, balanced, and infused with something almost spiritual.

Even someone with little interest in food found it unforgettable.

Now, hearing Lu Qing was cooking again, he couldn’t help but look forward to it.

"Just simple home-style dishes," Lu Qing said modestly. "Your wife and the others are too kind."

He disappeared into the kitchen, returning half an hour later with a steaming meal.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Li devoured every bite—long since deprived of Lu Qing’s cooking.

The Old Doctor and Wei Shanhai enjoyed it just as much.

As they ate, Lu Qing casually began to ask about Zhou Fu Cheng.

He hadn’t expected his time in the Jade Transformation Cave Chamber to last six or seven days.

He had no idea what had happened in the city since he left.

Wei Shanhai, however, knew exactly what had occurred.

The Wei Family had long transferred most of its assets to Zhou Fu Cheng. Their network of spies was still active and well-informed.

Lu Qing’s actions had been impossible to hide.

The very next day, news reached them: a Xian Tian Early Stage Peak cultivator had been slain in the city. The story spread like wildfire.

And for days after, the Wei Family had kept a close watch.

"Lu Xiao Langjun," Wei Shanhai said, shaking his head, "you don’t know this, but that Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po had been secretly performing Living Human Sacrifice rituals for years—long before her eldest son died."

"Really?"

"Yes. When the City Lord of Zhou Fu Cheng summoned the heads of major factions to open the tomb, they found dozens of clay effigies left behind—molded from sacrificial victims. The horror is unimaginable. No wonder a mysterious cultivator appeared and slaughtered her on the spot."

He paused, then added, "Honestly, if I’d known, I’d have done the same. That old hag was a monster."

"Then you saw the killer?"

"No one did," Wei Shanhai said. "He just… appeared. No records. No origin. But his power was terrifying. He killed Zheng Jia Lao Tai Po in less than ten heartbeats. Even though she was nearing the end of her life, she was still a Xian Tian Early Stage Peak warrior. And yet, she couldn’t last ten breaths."

He sighed. "That’s why many believe he must be a Xian Tian Small Achievement-level master or higher."

Lu Qing: ...

So the rumors were already exaggerating. He hadn’t realized he was already at that level.

"... What happened to the Zheng family after that?" Lu Qing asked after a long silence.

"What else?" Wei Shanhai replied. "Zhou Fu Cheng is a city of gold and ambition. Every plot of land is fought over. With their Xian Tian Jing pillar gone, their head dead, and their crime—sacrilege—exposed, their fate was sealed."

"In the past few days," he continued, "the main branch of the Zheng family has been arrested. The City Lord has locked them all in prison to await trial. The collateral branches were stripped of all property, expelled from the city, and banned from returning for three generations. Anyone who defies the order is executed."

"Zheng Jia is gone," he said. "Completely erased."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end