Chapter 257: A Surge of Genius, the Great Qi Yun Masters

“What exactly is the decision?” Lu Qing asked curiously. Old Doctor also wore an expression of attentive listening.

“The Three Holy Lords, with hearts as vast as the world, sought to end the endless conflicts among sects lacking ancient cultivation methods. To prevent Zhong Zhou from descending into chaos and war, they ultimately decided that Sheng Shan would release three ancient cultivation techniques—available for all cultivators across the realm to study and comprehend.”

Xuan Ji Zi explained.

“Sheng Shan truly possesses such boldness?” Lu Qing was genuinely astonished. This answer was far beyond his expectations. Yet after a moment’s thought, he realized it was indeed a wise solution—certainly enough to ease the tense relations between the various sects of Zhong Zhou.

Still, such a move required immense courage. Few would be willing to share their most powerful cultivation secrets so freely. Greed was a universal human flaw.

“Indeed,” Xuan Ji Zi said reverently. “The Three Holy Lords’ magnanimity is truly a model for all cultivators.”

At last, Lu Qing understood why the outer provinces were already in turmoil, while Zhong Zhou remained eerily calm. All the sects were now consumed by their own interests, racing to secure advantages. No doubt, the Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe across Zhong Zhou were now fully absorbed in deciphering the ancient techniques for refining Qi—there was no time or energy left to meddle in affairs beyond their borders.

This thought eased Lu Qing’s mind slightly. As long as Zhong Zhou hadn’t yet fallen into full disarray, they still had a chance to enter.

“Lu Xiao Langjun, Chen Ye,” Xuan Ji Zi asked, “I must ask—what brings you to Zhong Zhou?”

“Not to boast, but Master Zhi Rui once said that once my master reached Xian Tian Jing, he would be granted a chance to enter Sheng Shan for cultivation—provided he agreed to follow the Sheng Shan Jin Ling. I wonder… is that promise still valid?” Lu Qing asked, his voice laced with quiet concern. The recent upheaval had made him wonder if such a pledge had been forgotten.

“Ah, so that’s the reason,” Xuan Ji Zi chuckled. “You needn’t worry, Lu Xiao Langjun. Sheng Shan is still under the control of the Three Holy Lords. The promise remains binding. In fact, just recently, a newly ascended Xian Tian Jing cultivator entered Sheng Shan for training. Chen Ye’s visit will be no different.”

“Then we’re relieved,” Lu Qing exhaled inwardly.

The three chatted further, and during the conversation, Lu Qing gathered a wealth of information about Zhong Zhou’s current state. With satisfaction in his heart, he prepared to take his leave—when suddenly, a thought struck him.

“Ah, Master Xuan Ji Zi, one more thing—I’d like to ask you a question.”

“Speak freely,” Xuan Ji Zi said.

Having spoken with Lu Qing for a while, Xuan Ji Zi had grown fond of the young man. His speech was refined, his knowledge broad, and his insights into martial arts had even proven enlightening to the elder.

“Earlier today, when we entered the city, we noticed the three characters carved above the City Gate—‘Qinglong City.’ There seemed to be something extraordinary about them. Yet the guard stationed there warned us not to attempt to fathom their meaning. His expression was sincere, not feigned. I couldn’t help but wonder—why the warning?”

“Guard at the City Gate?” Xuan Ji Zi pondered, his expression shifting. “Was the guard a young man, not yet middle-aged?”

“Precisely. He looked pale and refined, with an air of nobility. He certainly didn’t appear to be a mere ordinary guard,” Lu Qing replied.

“That must be it. The one who warned you was undoubtedly the Third Young Master of the Ji family—Ji Jia San Gongzi. As for why he gave you that warning… the reason is quite complicated.”

“Oh? I’d be honored to hear.”

“Given your cultivation level, you’ve likely already sensed it—the characters contain a profound spiritual essence capable of shaking one’s soul. To be honest, those three characters were carved by a legendary martial saint over a hundred years ago, just before his final days. This man was a true genius, living a life of absolute freedom—no wife, no children, no disciples. A century ago, as he felt his time drawing near, he decided to leave Zhong Zhou and wander the world. He had just emerged from Qinglong City when, in a sudden inspiration, he carved these three characters into the gate. Then he vanished without a trace. No one has seen him since.”

“Some say he died on the road, his life ended far from home. Others claim he transcended death itself, breaking through the veil of space to enter a higher realm. But no one knows the truth. Even our Tian Ji Lou has no record of his fate.”

As Xuan Ji Zi spoke, Lu Qing finally understood the origin of the three characters.

“But how does this relate to the warning from Ji Jia San Gongzi?” Lu Qing asked.

“After the martial saint disappeared, rumors spread about his fate. And so did the tale of the characters. People claimed that hidden within them was his ultimate martial heritage—anyone who could decipher their secret would inherit his lifetime of cultivation and soar to greatness in an instant. The rumor spread like wildfire. For a time, countless martial artists poured into Qinglong City from all over the world, hoping to unlock the secret. Even the Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe of Zhong Zhou’s great sects came to observe.”

“Why? That man was a true legend. His strength was unmatched—second only to the Three Holy Lords. Naturally, everyone wanted to claim his legacy.”

“After many trials, the strongest cultivators concluded that while the characters did indeed contain his spiritual essence, only those whose martial path and inner beliefs closely matched his could even begin to understand them. For anyone else, attempting to decipher them could shatter their mind, damaging their foundation irreparably—even Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe were not immune.”

“At first, many refused to believe it. They kept coming, driven by hope. But over time, countless attempts yielded nothing. No one succeeded. Worse, several prodigies were driven mad by the essence, their martial foundations shattered, their lives ruined. Only then did people realize the Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe had spoken the truth.”

“After that, the crowds dwindled. Eventually, some even claimed the characters held no heritage at all—that it was merely a joke the martial saint played on the world. For decades, the site was nearly forgotten.”

“Now, over a hundred years later, there are still a few who come, believing they can solve the mystery. But they’re rare—perhaps one every few years.”

Lu Qing was stunned. Now he understood why the man was called a Wu Sheng—his martial realm must have reached a level beyond human comprehension.

“Now I see why Ji Jia San Gongzi specifically warned me. That’s why.”

“Indeed. But I suspect his warning also has to do with his older brother—Ji Jia Da Gongzi.”

“Oh? What connection is there?”

“Ji Jia Da Gongzi was a prodigy himself. At only twenty, he had already reached Nei Fu Jing. Such talent was rare even across Zhong Zhou. The family invested heavily in him, hoping he’d become the next Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe and secure the family’s future. His path seemed destined for greatness—no matter what, he’d become a top-tier Wu Dao Zong Shi.”

“But years ago, for reasons unknown, he suddenly went to the City Gate and began studying the characters. The spiritual essence overwhelmed him. His Nei Fu Jing Da Cheng cultivation was nearly destroyed. His mind became unstable—now he sits motionless, staring blankly at the sky, speaking to no one, caring for nothing.”

“The shock to the Ji family was immense. Ji Jia Zhu was furious. In his rage, he cast out his own son—his eldest—banishing him from the family. No one could persuade him otherwise.”

“Ji Jia San Gongzi, who had always admired his brother, was devastated. He had been traveling across Zhong Zhou when he heard the news. He returned without rest for days, desperate to find his brother. But after being cast out, the elder vanished—no one knows where he went. The two have not reconciled to this day.”

Lu Qing was impressed. Tian Ji Lou’s intelligence network truly was exceptional—such details were not common knowledge.

“But… didn’t Ji Jia San Gongzi go searching for his brother?” he asked.

“He did. He searched for two years. But how could one find a single person in such a vast world? He returned empty-handed, heartbroken. After that, he took a minor post in the Cheng Zhu Fu and has been drifting through life ever since.”

“Ah, now I understand.”

Yet Lu Qing wasn’t entirely convinced. “Drifting through life?” That didn’t sound right.

He recalled the subtle clues he’d sensed earlier when observing Ji Jia San Gongzi—something hidden beneath the surface. A flicker of fire, not extinguished.

But it wasn’t his concern. He had no intention of interfering.

“Then I must find a way to thank the young master properly,” Lu Qing said. “Master Xuan Ji Zi, we’ve already taken up enough of your time. We’re traveling with others—better not keep them waiting.”

“Leaving already?” Xuan Ji Zi looked surprised. After a brief attempt to persuade them to stay, he finally rose and escorted them out.

When Lu Qing and Chen Ye disappeared from sight, a middle-aged man with an abacus quietly appeared behind Xuan Ji Zi.

“Senior, are these the two you were instructed to protect carefully—Zhi Rui Zhen Chuan’s special directive?”

“Correct. I thought they’d arrive last year. Didn’t expect them to wait until now.”

“But they seem ordinary. Nothing like the legends described. And their relationship is strange—the disciple appears to be the leader.”

“Ordinary?” Xuan Ji Zi shook his head, his gaze distant. “These two are deeply hidden. Not just you—I wouldn’t even stand a chance against them in a fight.”

“Senior, what?!” The middle-aged man gasped. He knew his senior’s strength—far beyond most Tai Shang Elders of major sects. With Tian Ji Lou’s secret techniques, he was among the elite. And yet, the elder said he couldn’t defeat them?

The man had access to intelligence on Lu Qing and Chen Ye. He couldn’t believe that a master who’d only just reached Xian Tian Jing two years ago—and his disciple—could threaten someone like Xuan Ji Zi.

“There’s nothing impossible anymore,” Xuan Ji Zi sighed. “The world is changing. Qi is returning. And with it, countless extraordinary geniuses are emerging. Not long ago, the central tower reported that a disciple of Tian Ling Zong had, during the sect’s martial competition, awakened an unparalleled sword path—sweeping through all opponents. Later, he even challenged a Xian Tian Jing elder in Nei Fu Jing Wan Man, barely winning.”

“And then there was Xing Kui Zong—an ordinary inner disciple, once unremarkable, who suddenly awakened one night. From Nei Fu Jing’s first stage, he broke through multiple levels in a single night and achieved Xian Tian—shocking the entire sect.”

“Such prodigies—once a generation or even a century might bring one—now appear with alarming frequency. The world is shifting. The Qi Yun is awakening. And with it, those born under its favor grow stronger.”

“Who can say,” Xuan Ji Zi murmured, “that this Lu Xiao Langjun isn’t one of them?”

No—perhaps he already is one!

Xuan Ji Zi recalled what Zhi Rui had once told him: “That Lu Xiao Langjun is likely a Great Qi Yun master—impossible to see through.”

And now, upon meeting him, he realized the master—Chen Ye—was just as mysterious.

Could it be… that even the old ones, like them, might be favored by the heavens?

A strange thought flickered in Xuan Ji Zi’s heart.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end