Chapter 257: A Gathering of Geniuses, and the Great Qi Practitioners

"What decision?" Lu Qing asked curiously.

The old doctor also leaned forward, eager to hear the answer.

"The three Holy Masters, with their eyes on the world, wanted to ensure that sects without ancient cultivation techniques would no longer stir up trouble and plunge the Central Plains into chaos. In the end, they decided that Holy Mountain would offer three ancient cultivation techniques for practitioners across the land to ponder and learn from."

Xuanjizi explained.

"Holy Mountain has such boldness?" Lu Qing asked, surprised.

This answer was truly beyond his expectations.

However, after thinking about it, he felt that it was indeed a good idea.

At the very least, it could ease the tense relationships between the various sects in the Central Plains.

Not everyone could employ this method, though.

People are inherently selfish, and it takes great courage to make one's powerful cultivation techniques public knowledge.

"Indeed, the three Holy Masters' magnanimity and open-mindedness are truly admirable and a model for all cultivators," Xuanjizi said reverently.

At this point, Lu Qing finally understood why the other states had already fallen into turmoil, while the Central Plains remained calm.

It turned out that the various sects were busy seeking their own benefits.

No doubt, the innate realm experts in those sects were doing their best to ponder and comprehend the ancient cultivation techniques that could refine spiritual energy, leaving them with no time to bother with the affairs of the other states.

This fact also slightly eased Lu Qing's worries.

Since the Central Plains had not yet descended into full-scale chaos, they still had a chance to enter.

"Young Master Lu and Doctor Chen, may I ask what brings you to the Central Plains?" Xuanjizi inquired.

"I fear you might laugh, but Chancellor Zhirui once said that after my master broke through to the innate realm, as long as he abides by the Holy Mountain's edicts, he would be granted an opportunity to visit Holy Mountain and gain insight," Lu Qing said, a little worried that the promise might no longer hold after the recent changes in the Central Plains.

"Oh, so it's about that," Xuanjizi said with a smile. "Young Master Lu, you don't have to worry about that. Holy Mountain is still under the control of the three Holy Masters, so that promise still stands. In fact, not long ago, a newly advanced innate realm cultivator went to Holy Mountain to gain insight. If Doctor Chen wishes to go, there should be no problem."

"That's a relief," Lu Qing said, his heart slightly easing.

The three of them chatted a while longer, and Lu Qing took the opportunity to gather a lot of information about the current state of the Central Plains.

Feeling satisfied, he was just about to bid his master farewell when he suddenly remembered something.

"Right, Senior Xuanjizi, I have one more question if you don't mind."

"Ask away."

Xuanjizi had developed a good impression of Lu Qing after their conversation.

This young man had exceptional eloquence and extensive knowledge, especially when it came to martial arts, and some of his insights had been quite beneficial.

"Today, when we entered the city, we noticed the characters 'Qinglong City' carved above the gate, which seemed to contain a profound mystery. However, one of the guards at the gate sincerely advised us not to try to comprehend the meaning behind the characters. I could tell he was being genuine, but I'm curious as to why he would give us such a warning."

"The guard at the gate?" Xuanjizi pondered for a moment, his expression changing slightly. "The one who warned you was probably a young man, wasn't he?"

"Yes, he had a fair complexion and an extraordinary bearing. He didn't seem like an ordinary guard," Lu Qing replied.

"Then it must be him. The one who advised you was most likely the third young master of the Ji family in Qinglong City. As for why he gave you that warning, the reason is quite complicated."

"Oh? Please elaborate."

"With your martial arts prowess, you must have realized that the characters above the gate contain a special kind of insight that can stir one's soul. To be honest, those characters were inscribed by a once-famous, unparalleled master from the Central Plains over a hundred years ago, just before his time was up."

"That unparalleled master was a unique individual who lived a carefree and unfettered life. He had no wife, no children, and no successor. Over a hundred years ago, knowing that his time was near, he decided to leave the Central Plains and travel the world. As he passed through Qinglong City, he felt a sudden impulse and carved those three large characters above the gate. After that, he left and was never seen in the Central Plains again. Some say he passed away during his travels, dying in a foreign land. Others believe that he attained a profound insight into life and death, breaking through to another supremely wondrous realm and ascending beyond the skies."

"All in all, there are various conflicting accounts, and it's hard to discern the truth. Even our Tianji Tower doesn't know where that senior went or if he's still alive."

With Xuanjizi's explanation, Lu Qing finally understood the origin of the three carved characters.

But he still had a question: "What does this have to do with the advice that young master Ji gave us?"

"After that unparalleled master left the Central Plains and disappeared, there were various speculations about his life and death."

"Similarly, the characters he left behind on Qinglong City also attracted the attention of countless martial artists. People say that those characters contain the legacy technique of that unparalleled master. Whoever can unravel the mystery within will obtain his lifelong legacy and soar to new heights."

"This rumor caused a stir among countless martial artists across the land. During that time, countless martial artists gathered outside Qinglong City daily to ponder the carved characters, hoping to gain the extraordinary legacy."

"Even the innate realm experts from the major sects in the Central Plains were drawn to it. After all, that unparalleled master was incredibly famous in the Central Plains, and his strength was unparalleled. Very few could match him, aside from the three Holy Masters."

"Naturally, everyone was interested in the legacy he might have left behind. In the end, after much contemplation by the experts, they concluded that the carved characters indeed contained the martial will of the unparalleled master. However, not just anyone could comprehend it."

"Only those whose martial arts philosophy and path closely aligned with his would have a chance to understand a thing or two. Otherwise, even an innate realm expert who forcibly tried to understand it might have their minds disturbed by his will, damaging their martial arts foundation."

"At first, when the innate realm experts revealed this, many martial artists still refused to believe it and continued to flock to Qinglong City to decipher the characters. But as time passed and no one could unravel the mystery, the truth became evident."

"On the contrary, several talented martial artists ended up disturbing their own minds by forcibly trying to understand it, ultimately damaging their foundations and never recovering. Only then did everyone realize that the innate realm experts had spoken the truth."

"As this realization set in, the number of people coming to Qinglong City to decipher the characters gradually decreased. Eventually, people even started spreading rumors that there was no legacy within the characters at all."

"They said that the unparalleled master was merely playing a joke on the world. And so, over the years, the characters became less and less of a concern, to the point that after a few decades, almost no one bothered with them anymore."

"Now, over a hundred years have passed, and although there are still some arrogant martial artists who come to decipher the characters, hoping to uncover their secrets, they are an extreme minority. You rarely see one in a year."

"So dramatic," Lu Qing exclaimed. After hearing Xuanjizi's story, he finally understood why the young master Ji had specifically warned them. That martial artist truly deserved to be called a Martial Saint.

"No wonder that young master Ji specially reminded us. I guess his martial arts cultivation had indeed reached a transcendental state."

"Indeed," Xuanjizi agreed. "But the reason young master Ji warned you is probably also related to his older brother, the eldest young master of the Ji family."

"Oh? Why is that?" Lu Qing asked.

"The eldest young master of the Ji family is also a very talented martial arts genius. When he was only twenty years old, he had already reached the Internal Organs realm. Such talent is considered exceptional even in the entire Central Plains."

"The Ji family had high hopes for him and invested all their resources in him, hoping that the family would produce another innate realm expert to solidify their position. Initially, his martial arts path seemed smooth and promising."

"Even if he couldn't reach the innate realm, he would undoubtedly become a martial arts master with extraordinary strength. However, a few years ago, something unknown happened, and the eldest young master of the Ji family suddenly went to the city gate to ponder the carved characters."

"He was affected by the martial intent within, and his Internal Organs realm cultivation, which was almost at the perfection stage, was almost completely ruined. Even his sanity was affected, and he became erratic and reclusive, staring blankly into the distance every day, silent and unresponsive to anyone."

"This incident shocked not only the Ji family but also enraged the head of the Ji family. In a fit of anger, he expelled his eldest son, who had given up on himself and nearly ruined his cultivation, despite everyone's pleas."

"As for the third young master of the Ji family, it is said that he greatly admired his older brother. After learning of this, he was shocked beyond measure."

"He rushed back here without rest after hearing about it while traveling in Zhongzhou," Xuanjizi continued. "However, after being exiled from the Ji family, the eldest young master disappeared without a trace and hasn't been heard from since."

"Because of this incident, the third young master of the Ji family had a huge argument with his father, and the two are still not on good terms."

Lu Qing's heart stirred as he listened, realizing that Tianji Tower's intelligence was indeed exceptional, capturing even these fine details.

However, he was still curious about one thing. "Didn't the third young master of the Ji family go out to search for his older brother?"

"Of course, he searched for two years, but it's not easy to find someone in this vast world. In the end, after searching everywhere, he returned to Qinglong City, dejected and disheartened, and took up a position in the City Lord's mansion, living a mundane life," Xuanjizi explained.

"I see," Lu Qing said, enlightenment dawning on him.

However, he didn't quite agree with Xuanjizi's final comment.

Living a mundane life?

That was unlikely.

Lu Qing recalled the information he had discerned about the third young master of the Ji family earlier, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes.

Of course, these matters had nothing to do with him, so he didn't plan to involve himself.

"I never expected Young Master Ji to be so considerate. It seems I should take the opportunity to express my gratitude to him properly," Lu Qing said. "By the way, Senior Xuanjizi, my master and I have bothered you for quite some time today. We are traveling with others, and to avoid worrying them, we won't trouble you any longer."

"Are you two leaving already?"

Xuanjizi was slightly startled and tried to detain them for a while longer. But seeing that Lu Qing and his master were indeed ready to depart, he stood up to see them off.

After the two figures disappeared from view, the middle-aged man holding the abacus quietly appeared behind Xuanjizi.

"Elder, are these two the ones that Chancellor Zhirui specifically instructed us to pay close attention to two years ago?"

"Yes, I thought they would have come last year, but I didn't expect it to be delayed until now."

"But they seem rather ordinary, not as mysterious as Chancellor Zhirui described. And the relationship between the two seems unusual, with the young master Lu seemingly in the leading role."

The middle-aged man voiced his doubts.

Xuanjizi shook his head. "These two are truly unfathomable. Forget about you; even I might not be their match if it comes to a fight."

"Elder, how is that possible...?"

The middle-aged man was astonished.

He was well aware of their Elder's cultivation level and how formidable it was.

Moreover, with the various mysterious arts of Tianji Tower, their Elder was certainly no weaker than the grand elders of the major sects, despite his low profile.

Yet, he was saying that he might not be a match for Lu Qing and his master?

As a mid-level figure in Tianji Tower, the middle-aged man had access to a lot of intelligence, including that of Lu Qing and his master.

He found it hard to believe that an elder of their tower would be wary of a young master and his disciple, the latter having only entered the Innate Realm two years ago.

"Nothing is impossible," Xuanjizi sighed. "With the changes in the world and the revival of spiritual energy, it's inevitable that some incredible geniuses will be born. Not long ago, we received news from the main tower about a disciple of Tianling Sect who comprehended an ultimate sword path and swept through the sect's competition. Afterward, despite being only in the Internal Organs Realm, he challenged and narrowly defeated an Innate Realm elder. There's also the case of a formerly mediocre inner disciple of Xing Kui Sect who, after a fortuitous encounter, achieved a breakthrough overnight. He rapidly progressed from the initial stages of the Internal Organs Realm to the Innate Realm, astonishing the entire sect.

Such monstrous, world-shaking geniuses used to appear once in a few decades or even a century, and they were already considered rare phenomena. Now, with the changes in the heavens and earth, we can expect more of these geniuses who are born with the favor of the heavens.

Who's to say that Young Master Lu isn't one of them?"

No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he is indeed one of them!

Xuanjizi recalled the words of his junior, Chancellor Zhirui, and his heart stirred.

However, he hadn't expected that Chancellor Zhirui had mentioned that Young Master Lu might be a bearer of great fortune, difficult to fathom.

But after meeting him, Xuanjizi found that his master was equally enigmatic and mysterious.

Could it be that this heavenly fortune doesn't only manifest in the younger generation?

Perhaps even old men like us can gain the favor of the heavens?

A bizarre thought crossed Xuanjizi's mind.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end