Chapter 252: A Thousand Miles a Day, The Wind-Riding Carriage

"Brother Lu Qing, what now?"

After harnessing the horses to the carriage on a particularly smooth stretch of road, Ma Gu asked.

The old doctor, Wei Zian, and Xiao Yan stood by the roadside.

"Just drive it; I've specially adjusted the array on the carriage, and it will automatically activate the array's power once it starts moving," Lu Qing explained.

Ma Gu had been the usual driver of the carriage, but without spiritual energy, he couldn't activate the array.

So, Lu Qing had set the array on the carriage to activate automatically.

As long as it sensed the carriage starting to move, the array would engage and protect the vehicle.

"How wonderful! Okay, let me try it first."

Ma Gu's heart raced with anticipation at the sound of this.

He gently cracked the whip, and the two tall and sturdy horses, after so long together, almost as if they could understand Ma Gu's thoughts, took off at a light trot forward.

As soon as they started running, Ma Gu immediately felt the difference.

This carriage had been driven almost exclusively by him since leaving Jiuli Village.

One could say that he knew it like the back of his hand and was extremely familiar with it.

But this time, as the carriage started moving, he felt a sense of strangeness.

The entire carriage felt incredibly lightweight, almost as if it were about to float on the road.

A strange power surged forth, enveloping not only the carriage but also the two horses in front.

As soon as the carriage started moving, its speed soared, and with a whoosh, it darted off into the distance.

"So fast!"

The old doctor and the others were startled.

The speed of the carriage was several times faster than when they usually traveled at full speed.

Such rapid velocity even startled Ma Gu, nearly causing him to crash into the trees by the roadside.

Fortunately, Ma Gu was a martial artist close to perfection in the Jin Gu Jing realm, with exceptional control. At the critical moment, he managed to steer the carriage and bring it to a stop without tipping it over.

Even the two horses were startled, frequently looking back as if wondering why the carriage felt so much lighter than usual.

"Are you alright, Ma?"

Lu Qing was also a little startled, although he knew that even if the carriage had flipped over while protected by the array, there wouldn't have been any real danger. Still, he couldn't help but ask.

"I'm fine, I just wasn't ready," Ma Gu waved his hands repeatedly, his face slightly flushed. "Let me try again."

"Then be careful."

Sitting in the carriage, Ma Gu took a deep breath, his expression turning serious.

This time, he couldn't afford to embarrass himself again.

He cracked the whip.

The two horses instinctively lifted their hooves at the sound and started running again.

As the carriage moved, that strange power emerged once more, enveloping the horses and the carriage.

The speed of the carriage surged again.

With prior preparation this time, Ma Gu quickly adapted and steadily controlled the carriage.

In Lu Qing and the others' eyes, they saw Ma Gu driving the carriage, a gentle breeze blowing by, and then it quickly disappeared around a bend in the road ahead.

Not long after, it rushed back from the front and finally stopped steadily in front of them.

Throughout the entire process, apart from the clopping of the horses' hooves, there weren't many other sounds, and even the rumbling of the carriage wheels was barely audible.

"Brother Lu Qing, this carriage has become truly magical after your modifications!"

Ma Gu jumped out of the carriage, his face beaming with excitement.

Even the two horses neighed loudly, as if agreeing with his words.

"Master, how does it feel to drive this carriage with the inscribed array?" Wei Zian asked curiously.

"Wonderful!" Ma Gu exclaimed excitedly, "You won't believe it, but when the carriage starts moving, a very magical force envelops the carriage and the horses, making it incredibly agile and fast.

But despite the speed, the carriage doesn't feel bumpy at all. It feels like I'm riding on the wind—it's incredible!"

"I inscribed three arrays on the carriage—the Qing Ling Array, the Qing Feng Array, and the Gu Hua Array," Lu Qing interjected, explaining, "The lightness and wind-riding sensation you felt should be the effects of the Qing Ling Array and the Qing Feng Array.

As for the Gu Hua Array, it's used to reinforce the strength of the carriage, so you might not feel its effects immediately."

"Qing Ling Array... Qing Feng Array..."

Ma Gu and his apprentice murmured these names softly, their eyes shining with a strange light as they looked at Lu Qing.

Chapter: The Power of Arrays

Ma Gu and his apprentice couldn't have imagined that Lu Qing truly understood such mystical techniques.

The art of arrays, that was something only immortal beings in storybooks could wield; yet, Lu Qing was able to harness its power.

Could it be that Lu Qing was a celestial being incarnate?

This thought involuntarily arose in the minds of the master and his disciple.

Especially considering the myriad of otherworldly abilities Lu Qing had displayed thus far, the two felt that this notion might very well be true.

For a moment, the master and his apprentice looked at Lu Qing with awe in their eyes.

"You two, stop looking at me like that," Lu Qing said, having sensed the change in their gazes and guessing their thoughts, a smile playing at the corners of his lips.

"I'm not some celestial being. I merely possess knowledge of array magic, and with the recent changes in the world, this ancient art has regained its power, allowing me to wield it once more.

As you already know, the Liu Yun Sect utilized arrays, which resulted in the tragic deaths of countless villagers in Liu Yun Town."

"Changes in the world..." Ma Gu murmured these words, then looked up. "Brother Lu Qing, I've been wanting to ask you about something. I often hear you and the old doctor talking about changes in the world. What exactly has changed?"

Wei Zian also looked at Lu Qing, awaiting his explanation.

"I thought you would keep your curiosity at bay, Ma Gu. But very well, it's time I told you both," Lu Qing said with a smile.

"The so-called changes in the world refer to... "

Lu Qing proceeded to explain to Ma Gu and Wei Zian about the revival of spiritual energy, giving them a general idea.

The master and his apprentice were left dumbfounded by his words.

"Brother Lu Qing, are you saying that spiritual energy is gradually reviving, and the legendary immortal beings and their celestial arts actually exist?" Ma Gu asked, finally finding his voice after a long while.

"More or less," Lu Qing replied. "Tens of thousands of years ago, the path of cultivation was indeed real, but as spiritual energy waned, it gradually declined.

Now that spiritual energy is reviving, I believe it won't be long before various cultivation techniques resurface in the world."

The hearts of Ma Gu and his apprentice were stirred once more, their emotions unable to settle for a long time.

Seeing the astonishment on their faces, Lu Qing chose to remain silent, giving them time to process this information.

After all, they had suddenly transitioned from a world of martial arts to one of immortal cultivation.

Anyone would need time to accept such a revelation.

"Doctor Lu Qing, does that mean it's true that you can teach Xiao Yan the art of flight?" Wei Zian suddenly asked, his eyes shining with anticipation.

Xiao Yan immediately looked up at her brother, her eyes wide.

"Indeed," Lu Qing nodded. "As long as Xiao Yan diligently cultivates, it's not impossible for her to learn how to fly in the future."

Wei Zian's eyes lit up even brighter. "Then, Doctor Lu Qing, can I... can I also learn the art of flight?"

Wei Zian nodded vigorously, his eagerness palpable.

Who wouldn't want to soar through the skies and roam the vast firmament?

"It's not impossible," Lu Qing said. "As long as you diligently cultivate and reach the Innate Realm, I can teach you as well."

If Wei Zian could truly attain the Innate Realm, it would prove that his talent was indeed exceptional.

Teaching him some cultivation techniques wouldn't be an issue.

"Okay! Doctor Lu Qing, I'll definitely work hard at my cultivation!" Wei Zian exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with determination.

Ma Gu watched this exchange with a sense of contentment.

As for himself, he didn't harbor such aspirations.

He was well aware of his own limitations and knew that attaining the Innate Realm was already an unattainable dream.

Reaching the Internal Organs Realm and touching upon the level of a martial arts master would be more than enough to satisfy him.

If Wei Zian could become an Innate Realm cultivator in the future, then as his master, Ma Gu would have no regrets.

The old doctor stood by, a smile on his face, letting Lu Qing make his own decisions without interference.

"Master, now that the array is complete, should we turn back or continue through this treacherous state?" Lu Qing asked, turning to the old doctor.

The old doctor pondered for a moment before replying, "Let's turn back. Since the carriage's speed has increased so much, even if we take a longer route, it shouldn't delay our journey.

This place is simply too dangerous for the carriage to traverse."

Before witnessing it first-hand, even the old doctor hadn't anticipated just how treacherous the terrain in this state would be.

Looking at the narrow mountain paths, he doubted that even with Lu Qing's array enhancement, the carriage would be able to pass through without difficulty.

"The depths of the mountains are treacherous, often giving birth to poisonous miasma and insects, adding to the danger."

"If it were any other time, I'd be interested in exploring," the old doctor said.

"But for now, the most important thing is to get to Zhongzhou as soon as possible. We can't afford any detours."

"Alright, then we'll do as you say, Master," Lu Qing nodded.

In fact, he too was more inclined to turn back.

Once the decision was made, everyone immediately started packing up their things in preparation for their departure.

When they were all seated in the carriage, everyone except Lu Qing had expectant looks on their faces.

"Make sure you're all buckled in, everyone!" Ma Gu called out from the front of the carriage, and with a crack of his whip, the two tall and sturdy horses neighed excitedly before galloping forward.

As the carriage started moving, a strange power emerged from the array inscribed on the carriage, enveloping the horses and the entire vehicle. The speed of the carriage suddenly increased, and it quickly sped forward.

The sudden surge in speed caused everyone in the carriage to feel a powerful backward pulling force.

However, Lu Qing and the old doctor, with their cultivation, remained unmoved, sitting steadily in their seats.

On the other hand, Xiao Yan and Wei Zian were not as skilled. They were about to be thrown to the back of the carriage when a gentle current of air suddenly appeared out of thin air, gently supporting their bodies and holding them in place.

"Doctor Lu Qing, what is this?" Wei Zian asked in surprise as he felt the invisible airflow supporting him.

"This is the effect of the Qing Feng Array," Lu Qing explained with a smile. "As its name suggests, the Qing Feng Array can manipulate the power of the wind to not only increase the speed of our carriage but also protect all of you inside from sudden bumps and collisions."

"So that's how it is! This array is truly magical beyond belief!" Wei Zian exclaimed.

Having personally experienced the power of the array, his determination to cultivate harder was further strengthened. If he could reach the Innate Realm, he too would be able to master such incredible abilities!

Lu Qing smiled at Wei Zian's exclamation.

If an ordinary cultivator had inscribed the Qing Feng Array, it wouldn't have had so many additional effects.

After all, the Qing Feng Array was, at its core, a basic-level array.

However, the Qing Feng Array that Lu Qing had inscribed, after his careful calculations and adjustments, was different.

Or rather, the three basic-level arrays that he had personally inscribed on the carriage had all undergone significant changes, subtly surpassing the scope of basic-level arrays.

All of this was thanks to the divine soul talisman hidden within his brow chakra point.

Lu Qing had discovered that with the enhancement of the divine soul talisman, the arrays he inscribed were not only incredibly precise but also imbued with a subtle essence, making them significantly more powerful.

It was as if the arrays had gained a hint of sentience, no longer rigid but instead, vibrant and flexible.

"So this is the true strength of the Divine Talisman Sect's legacy? Once the divine soul talisman is formed, whether it's in the art of arrays or the refinement of talismans, the power is far superior to that of ordinary cultivators." Lu Qing mused to himself.

Previously, he had been puzzled by the Divine Talisman Sect's talismanic path of cultivation, which was incredibly difficult to master. Just the entrance requirements were exponentially more challenging than those of ordinary cultivation methods.

However, at the same time, other cultivators could also set up arrays, draw talismans, and utilize the power of talismans.

This had led Lu Qing to question if the Divine Talisman Sect's method of cultivation was truly necessary.

Now, he understood. The true brilliance of the Divine Talisman Sect's legacy lay in the formation of the divine soul talisman.

Those who possessed the divine soul talisman were the true talisman practitioners.

The power of the talismans they could wield was far greater than that of ordinary cultivators.

With the array's power boosting their speed, the carriage swiftly moved forward under Ma Gu's guidance.

If anyone had been watching from the outside, they would have been astonished to see Lu Qing's carriage enveloped in a green aura as it sped along, an unusual sight.

Before long, they returned to Yunzhou and reached the outskirts of the small village where they had stayed the previous day.

However, this time, they did not stop. Instead, they quickly identified their direction and chose a different path, swiftly leaving the area.

The carriage continued on its journey, and by the time the sky darkened, they had already left Yunzhou and entered another large state.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end