Chapter 243: The Shift in Human Hearts, the Sacred Edict Now Useless

"Senior Brother!"

Seeing the Hook-nosed Elder’s head severed clean off in a single stroke, the Black Robe Figure’s eyes widened in shock. A violent surge of Spirit Soul Power erupted from him.

At the same time, his heart sank.

If even his senior brother had died, then he certainly wouldn’t survive either.

Lu Qing, too, was slightly taken aback by the Master’s sudden, merciless strike.

It seemed the Master truly had been enraged by the cruelty of these two brothers—so much so that he acted with ruthless decisiveness.

Now that the Hook-nosed Elder was dead, the other one was no longer worth sparing.

Ignoring the desperate, pleading gaze of the Black Robe Figure, Lu Qing flicked out a stone. It pierced the man’s forehead with a sharp thud, extinguishing his Spirit Soul Power completely—ending his life instantly.

With that, the two greatest pillars of Liu Yun Zong—the two Xian Tian Jing Tai Shang Elders—had both fallen to the hands of Lu Qing and his master.

Yet despite eliminating the culprits, Lu Qing felt no joy.

Old Doctor felt even less. After slaying the Hook-nosed Elder, he stood motionless, silent, as if lost in thought.

"Master," Lu Qing noticed the Master’s expression had softened slightly, and gently called out.

"A Qing," the old man suddenly spoke, "I think I finally understand why I had that premonition when the sound of the Heavenly Tunnel first rang out."

Lu Qing blinked, surprised.

"Changes in the world aren’t just in cultivation conditions," Old Doctor continued. "They’re also in people’s hearts. The revival isn’t just of Qi—it’s also of the chaotic, demonic energies that stir the mind.

The shifting rules of heaven and earth have begun to clear the fog shrouding the martial path. There’s now a real possibility for advancement. To break through, some cultivators will resort to any means—breaking taboos, no matter the cost.

I sense... the rules set by Sheng Shan may soon be useless."

Lu Qing fell silent.

He knew the Master was right.

Cultivators are obsessed with strength. With Qi now returning, the path of cultivation has become richer with possibility. Especially among the elite Xian Tian Jing cultivators, those with exceptional talent may soon break through their limits and ascend to higher realms.

If they did so through pure cultivation, through understanding the changes of heaven and earth—then it would be acceptable.

But what worries me is those who refuse the righteous path, seeking shortcuts through forbidden methods—slaughtering living beings, stealing their blood, spirit, and soul to fuel their own power.

Like these two brothers of Liu Yun Zong.

If such people are allowed to flourish, it would be a catastrophe for all living beings across the land.

As for Sheng Shan’s Sacred Edict—

It might have held sway when peace reigned and power was balanced.

But now, with the laws of the world loosening, every faction is scheming for its own advantage. Who would truly care about a distant edict?

Perhaps even Sheng Shan itself is struggling to survive.

Otherwise, why hadn’t they appeared after Liu Yun Zong caused such a commotion in Yun Zhou?

Not even Tian Ji Lou—renowned for its swift response and unmatched intelligence—had sent a single disciple.

That could only mean one thing: something has happened in Zhong Zhou. Sheng Shan is too preoccupied to attend to matters in other regions.

"Master," Lu Qing said, "it seems we must reach Zhong Zhou as soon as possible, to learn the true state of the world."

"Indeed," Old Doctor nodded. "Once this matter is settled, we’ll set out immediately."

Zhong Zhou was the most prosperous region in the world—its single province surpassed the combined strength of all others. Only there could they truly grasp how the world had changed.

"Senior! I’ve come to help!"

Just as Lu Qing and his master spoke, a figure landed before them—none other than the Sword-Wielding Man.

"Senior, are you unharmed?"

The man began to ask, but froze when he saw Old Doctor’s appearance.

Earlier, to break through the Bloodlight Domain, Old Doctor had pushed his spirit, essence, and soul to their peak—his form had reverted to the look of a middle-aged man, just as he had been when first breaking through to Xian Tian Jing.

Seeing that sudden, familiar visage, the Sword-Wielding Man was stunned into silence.

"We’re fine," Old Doctor recovered, quickly suppressing his aura. His beard and hair slowly turned white again, returning to his usual aged look.

The Sword-Wielding Man blinked, then understood—Old Doctor had deliberately maintained his old appearance.

But he didn’t dwell on it. Instead, he was struck dumb by what the old man had just said.

"Senior... you said you’ve slain Mo Hu and his brother?"

The words were barely out when the man froze, his gaze snapping to the two corpses lying on the ground.

His eyes widened in horror.

"Two tyrants, indulging in cruelty and slaughtering innocents at will—such monsters deserve death at the hands of anyone who dares."

Old Doctor dismissed the matter, then asked, "But you—how are your disciples, and the other Yun Zhou cultivators?"

The Sword-Wielding Man snapped back from his shock, his face darkening with sorrow.

"Badly. Half of them have already been killed. The rest were drained of their blood, marrow, and spirit through dark arts. Those with weaker constitutions are on the brink of death. I’ve used my true qi to stabilize them, but even so... I fear some may not survive the day."

That was why he’d lingered so long at the inn.

"Truly that severe?" Old Doctor was alarmed. "Then let’s go see them. I have some medical skills—I may be able to help."

"Medical skills, Senior?" The Sword-Wielding Man’s eyes lit up.

With such a cultivation level, the old man’s medical knowledge must be extraordinary.

"Just a little," Old Doctor said. "No time to waste—let’s go."

"Follow me, Senior!"

The Sword-Wielding Man cast one last glance at the two corpses, then turned and hurried forward.

Lu Qing retrieved his longbow and followed closely behind.

They arrived at the inn quickly. Inside, they were met with a gruesome sight—bodies scattered across the floor, shriveled and dried into mummies.

Lu Qing and Old Doctor both paused in shock.

They knew these were the victims of the Hook-nosed Elder’s dark magic.

But they hadn’t expected such a horrifying end.

"Tai Shang Elder!"

"Senior Yan!"

Seeing them enter, the Silver Moon Sect Master and others—still seated in meditation—were first surprised, then cautious upon recognizing Lu Qing and Old Doctor.

"Let them through," the Sword-Wielding Man said firmly. "This is Chen Ye and his disciple. He’s skilled in medicine. Let him examine the condition of Bai Hua Gong’s disciples."

The Silver Moon Sect elders hesitated, then stepped aside, revealing several pale, unconscious figures lying on the floor.

They were young women in white robes—now pale as death, their eyes closed, their once-black hair dull and brittle, nearly white.

Old Doctor placed two fingers on one of their wrists, then quietly sent a thread of Xian Tian Qi into her body to examine her condition.

His expression grew grave.

As the Sword-Wielding Man had said, the situation was dire.

Their blood and qi were nearly gone. Their pulse weak, their life force on the verge of extinction—on the brink of death.

"Senior," the Liu Fu Gong Zhu of Bai Hua Gong asked timidly, "how are my disciples? Can they be saved?"

She knew even the Silver Moon Sect’s Tai Shang Elder respected Old Doctor—she dared not be disrespectful.

"I’ll do my best," Old Doctor said solemnly. He reached into his robe and pulled out a small pouch. Turning to Lu Qing, he said, "A Qing, bring the medicine chest. I need to use herbs."

"Yes, Master."

Lu Qing had just finished using his Abilities to silently scan everyone in the room, ensuring no hidden threats remained.

Now, at his Master’s command, he nodded and turned, sprinting out of the inn.

With Master’s face so serious, Lu Qing activated the Earth Movement Talisman in his Brow Qi Cavity—just enough to quicken his pace.

He reached their campsite swiftly.

"Master!"

"Brother!"

"Lu Xiao Langjun!"

Seeing him return, Ma Gu and the others burst into joy, rushing toward him.

"Later," Lu Qing cut them off. "No time now. Ma Ye, gather everything and bring the carriage to the town. Master is treating people there, and I need medicine. I’m leaving first. Xiao Yan, stay put—don’t wander off."

He didn’t wait for questions, shouldered the medicine chest, and vanished into the woods again.

Ma Gu and the others stood frozen.

"Ma Ye… look at this…"

The Round Fat Middle-aged Man spoke politely.

"Follow the Master’s orders," Ma Gu said after a moment. "If he told us to go, then the danger must be gone. We’ll leave at once."

"Right, as you say!" The man agreed quickly.

Ma Gu gave him a strange look.

Ever since he’d returned from the treetop, his attitude had changed—more respectful, almost nervous.

What had he seen up there to cause such a shift?

Ma Gu had his suspicions, but he didn’t press. Instead, he called Wei Zian and began packing.

After retrieving the medicine chest, Lu Qing raced back to the inn.

"Master, the chest is here."

He handed it over.

Old Doctor opened it, took out a white jade bottle, uncorked it, and carefully dripped a few drops of liquid into each unconscious Bai Hua Gong disciple’s mouth.

Lu Qing recognized the medicine—precious, rare, a concoction they’d developed together using Dipulse Spiritual Fluid and Century-Old Ginseng as the core ingredients, enhanced with other rare herbs.

It had saved Wei Fu Ren when she was near death, and had also revived Wei Zian after he’d been poisoned.

After the medicine was administered, Old Doctor began acupuncture, using needle energy to stimulate the healing process.

Soon, the disciples’ pale, lifeless faces began to show a faint flush of color.

Their shallow, trembling breaths grew deeper, steadier.

The surviving cultivators—though weakened—were no fools. They could all see the change.

The difference was undeniable.

They were no longer corpses.

"Done," Old Doctor said softly. "Their condition is stable—for now."

The Liu Fu Gong Zhu nearly wept with relief. She bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Senior! This kindness, this debt of life—we of Bai Hua Gong will never forget!"

"No need for such formalities," Old Doctor said gently. "They’re stable now, but still frail. For the next few months, they must avoid all physical exertion. Rest is essential. Remember that."

"Yes, Senior!" she replied respectfully.

After removing the needles, Old Doctor scanned the room. After a pause, he added:

"I see your own qi and blood are not in good shape. If you’re not offended, let me take your pulse. I can suggest ways to restore balance."

The words sparked hope in every eye.

They had all seen what the old man had done—revived the nearly dead in mere moments.

Such skill could be called miraculous.

They had been drained by the Liu Yun Zong Tai Shang Elder’s dark arts. Though they’d survived, their bodies were hollow. Who wouldn’t want such a master to heal them?

"Thank you, Senior!" they chorused, bowing deeply.

Seeing Master already tending to others, Lu Qing began walking through the inn.

He stopped before a corpse.

Unlike the others—mummified, drained of life—this body was still fresh.

A single sword strike had pierced its forehead. On its right shoulder, the bone was twisted oddly—clearly broken, as if the collarbone had been crushed.

"This man was a disciple of Liu Yun Zong," the Sword-Wielding Man explained. "When I entered, he was holding others hostage, threatening me. I cut him down."

Lu Qing nodded.

Then he asked, "And the Sect Master? You didn’t see him?"

"No," the man shook his head. "He fled after Mo Hu warned him. I was tending to the Bai Hua Gong disciples, so I didn’t pursue."

He sighed, regretful.

Mo Zhen was no ordinary foe. He had already forged his own Spirit Soul Power—close to Xian Tian Jing.

If he ever broke through, he’d become a serious threat.

A Xian Tian Jing hidden in the shadows was dangerous.

Lu Qing saw the man’s regret, but said nothing.

He had let the man escape. The consequences were his own to bear.

After a few moments of silence, the Sword-Wielding Man hesitated, then finally asked:

"Little Master... was it you who killed Mo Hu?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end