Chapter 260: The Crack from Ten Thousand Years Ago, Rule Suppression, A Fateful Encounter

"Truly, the waves are magnificent—truly a wonder of the world," Ma Gu murmured, gazing at the breathtaking scenery as they walked across the Great Bridge.

They had already traveled a considerable distance along the bridge. Beneath their feet, the Great River surged with mighty, roaring waves. On either side, mist curled through the air, bathed in the golden-orange glow of the rising sun on the distant horizon—such a sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring.

"Legend says this Great River stretches endlessly, flowing all the way to the Southern Sea Region. I wonder if it’s true," Wei Zian said.

"It is," Old Doctor confirmed with a nod.

Lu Qing, meanwhile, quietly sensed the flow of Qi in the surrounding space. He could feel it—gradually, the Qi grew denser the farther they advanced. This only deepened his anticipation for what awaited them beyond the gate, once they finally stepped into Zhong Zhou.

The Great River at Qinglong Pass was indeed vast. After walking for quite some time, they finally reached its end. Lu Qing estimated the bridge’s length to exceed a thousand zhang—meaning the river’s width surpassed three thousand meters.

No wonder Qinglong Pass was known as the number one gateway under heaven. With such a natural barrier, only those who could walk upon water—true Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe—could cross. Even Wu Dao Zong Shi, masters of the martial path, would find it nearly impossible. The river was too wide, the current too fierce. Who could say what dangers lurked beneath its surface?

Though Wu Dao Zong Shi could endure long breath-holds underwater, they still couldn’t guarantee safe passage.

Stepping down from the bridge, Lu Qing and the others beheld a completely different scene. Before them rose a cliff so towering it pierced the clouds, stretching across the earth like a wall between heaven and earth—an endless barrier, impossibly high, stretching beyond sight.

Standing on the ground, one felt like an ant, insignificant beneath its colossal shadow.

And upon the cliff’s face, a straight, deep crack ran from top to bottom, cleaving the rock as if split by a force of unimaginable power.

This was the path they were about to take.

"Could this crack have been carved by someone?" Wei Zian asked, stunned, unable to suppress his awe.

"Ridiculous," Ma Gu scoffed. "That cliff is impossibly high—no one could have carved it. If they could, they’d be a true immortal!"

But as he spoke, his voice trailed off. His eyes widened, and he turned toward Lu Qing. He remembered—Lu Qing had once spoken of immortals from the ancient times.

"Ma Ye, don’t look at me like that," Lu Qing chuckled. "This crack has existed for who knows how many thousands of years. I can’t possibly know its origin. Perhaps when we return, we should ask someone in Qinglong City. They’d know better."

Ma Gu nodded.

True, Lu Qing might be knowledgeable, but even he couldn’t know everything.

"Come on," Lu Qing said. "Once we pass through this valley, we’ll officially enter Zhong Zhou."

They had lingered too long admiring the bridge, and by the time they descended, they were the last to go. Even the group behind them—Hu Lao San’s daughter and her escorts—had overtaken them halfway.

Now, the area around them was empty. Everyone else had already entered the valley.

The group began walking toward the crack.

Lu Qing slowly lowered his gaze, suppressing the flicker of awe in his eyes.

And in his vision, several faint words slowly faded:

【Qinglong Yixiantian: A valley fissure carved by an ancient immortal, forged with supreme divine power in the primordial age.】

【This valley is older than ten thousand years.】

【Pass through it, and you shall enter Zhongzhou Jiuyu.】

...

Lu Qing had not told the truth earlier. He had already used his abilities to probe the origin of this crack. But the truth he uncovered—something too immense to share—had to remain hidden.

The crack’s age was beyond comprehension. It dated back to a time before the current cultivation era, a remnant of the Ten Thousand Years Ago, a time spanning two ancient cultivation ages.

No one alive today could possibly know its true origin.

And yet, despite the crack’s age, Lu Qing found no trace of any special aura—no Heritage, no lingering spiritual resonance.

Stepping into the fissure, they were once again struck by wonder.

From afar, the crack appeared narrow, but upon entering, they realized it was far wider than expected. The cliff walls stood at least twenty zhang apart—far from a crack, it was more like a broad, open valley.

The valley stretched endlessly. As they walked deeper, Lu Qing’s heart pounded with growing awe.

By the time they emerged on the other side, he was utterly speechless.

He estimated the valley’s length was over a thousand zhang.

He could scarcely imagine the power required to deliver such a blow—something only a true immortal could wield.

"Finally out," Ma Gu exhaled, visibly relieved.

Inside the valley, he had felt an oppressive, solemn atmosphere, as if the very air carried a weight of ancient authority. He hadn’t dared breathe too deeply.

Now he understood why the others had rushed through—no one could endure the valley’s silent pressure for long. Prolonged exposure might even shatter one’s spirit.

Lu Qing also let out a breath. Even with his strong spirit, he had felt the strain.

Was it the lingering Dao Resonance of the ancient immortal who carved the crack? Or was it the mountain’s innate pressure?

Regardless, even with his abilities, he could find no explanation.

"Is this Zhong Zhou?"

Standing at the valley’s exit, Lu Qing and the others finally allowed themselves to breathe.

Before them lay a vast, open plain, stretching endlessly. They stood on a mountain’s mid-slope, with a ten-thousand-zhang abyss yawning beneath their feet, clouds drifting, birds soaring through the sky.

The view was breathtaking—so vast, so serene, it expanded the soul.

"The Qi here…" Lu Qing inhaled, eyes widening.

The surrounding Qi was denser than ever—more than twice as rich as in Qinglong City.

But as he sensed it, another concern arose.

His Spirit Soul Sensing range had been drastically reduced.

Where once he could detect movement miles away, now he could only sense things within half a li.

"Is it interference from the dense Qi? Or is Zhong Zhou itself imposing a natural suppression?" Lu Qing pondered, a flicker of unease in his heart.

Just this morning, his Spirit Soul Power had reached its peak again, expanding his sensing range.

Now, barely inside Zhong Zhou, it was being suppressed—something far from ideal.

"Truly the heart of the world," Old Doctor murmured, feeling the surge of Qi. "A land blessed by heaven, steeped in divine vitality."

Even after standing here a moment, he felt a subtle improvement in his Spirit Force.

"Master," Lu Qing asked, "did you feel it? Our Spirit Soul Sensing—has it been greatly suppressed?"

"Yes," Old Doctor replied. "I can now only sense movements within a hundred meters."

"Could this suppression affect everyone, or only outsiders like us?" Lu Qing asked, worried.

"Probably not just us," Old Doctor mused. "I sense that the Heaven and Earth Rules here evolve faster than elsewhere. It’s the rules themselves that are suppressing us—not some targeted attack."

"That’s good," Lu Qing sighed inwardly.

Though his power was strong, he hadn’t yet reached Xian Tian Jing. His perception of the rules was still less refined than his Master’s.

"Master, what’s next? Should we head straight for Sheng Shan?"

"Yes," Old Doctor said. "Since arriving here, I’ve sensed a faint pull from afar. Judging by direction, it must be Sheng Shan."

"You feel it too?" Lu Qing blinked in surprise.

Just then, he too had felt it—a subtle, invisible tugging at his heart.

A sudden realization struck him: Could this be the great destiny he’d been sensing all along?

"Master, let’s board the carriage. Sheng Shan is still far away, even by the map from Xuan Ji Zi’s predecessor."

"Very well."

They had seen enough of Zhong Zhou’s beauty. It was time to move on.

The large platform they stood on was halfway up the mountain. To the left, a wide road descended into the valley below.

Ma Gu cracked his whip, and the carriage began to roll forward.

But Lu Qing did not activate the carriage’s Array.

Zhong Zhou was a land of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. The Array would draw too much attention—especially now, when they were still newcomers.

The carriage picked up speed, gliding down the slope—

Then, abruptly, it lurched violently.

A curse from Ma Gu. A horse’s scream. The carriage came to a sudden halt.

The sudden jolt sent Xiao Yan and Wei Zian stumbling forward.

In an instant, Lu Qing caught Xiao Yan and grabbed Wei Zian’s arm, preventing them from crashing into the carriage wall.

Xiao Li and Old Doctor, however, were agile enough—no help needed.

"Ma Ye, what happened?" Lu Qing asked, holding Xiao Yan as she trembled.

Before Ma Gu could answer, a voice rang out from ahead:

"Little slut! Where do you think you’re running to?"

"Uncle! Help me!"

What in the world?

Lu Qing soothed Xiao Yan, then stepped down from the carriage.

When he saw the scene, he froze.

A young girl lay on the ground, hair disheveled, clothes torn. Blood stained her leg—she had been wounded.

Ahead, three figures approached slowly, weapons drawn.

Lu Qing wasn’t frightened.

He was stunned—because he recognized them.

The girl was Hu Lao San’s daughter.

And the three men—her supposed protectors, the friends Hu Lao San had entrusted to guide her to Xuan Xin Zong.

But clearly, Hu Lao San had placed his trust in the wrong hands.

Now, the three were closing in on her.

"Give me the item," the red-clothed woman hissed, her voice cold. "Or I’ll strip you bare, cut you into eight pieces, and feed you to the wolves below the ten-thousand-zhang abyss."

"Besides," the gray-clothed giant grinned, "why just strip her? We should enjoy her first."

The lean man beside him snickered, "She’s too beautiful to waste!"

They spoke as if Lu Qing and his companions didn’t exist.

"Fine," the red-clothed woman sneered. "Just make sure the item isn’t lost."

"No!" The girl screamed, crawling desperately toward the carriage. "Uncle, please! These men want to kill me!"

"Ma Ye?" Lu Qing turned to the driver.

"I was driving, when a sharp turn—nearly hit her. Had to stop," Ma Gu explained.

"Sir…" The girl looked at Lu Qing, her eyes filled with desperation.

"Boy," the gray-clothed giant sneered, eyeing Lu Qing with amusement. "You want to get involved?"

He recognized Lu Qing and Ma Gu—the same travelers they’d passed on the Great Bridge.

Back then, they’d seemed like a group of weak, old, and sickly people—only the driver had any strength.

Now, he saw no threat.

The red-clothed woman and the lean man watched coldly.

Lu Qing ignored them, focusing on the girl.

Then, a flicker passed through his eyes.

"Who is Hu Lao San to you?"

She froze—then her face lit up with hope. "My father! My father! You know him?"

"We’ve met once," Lu Qing said calmly. "But these men—weren’t they your father’s friends? Why are they attacking you?"

"Because—watch out!"

Before she could finish, a gust of wind roared.

The gray-clothed giant vanished—then reappeared instantly before Lu Qing, his huge blade raised high.

"Die, boy. Let me show you why you shouldn’t interfere!"

The blade descended with terrifying force.

The girl screamed, clamping her eyes shut—sure Lu Qing would be split in two.

But then—

A scream echoed.

Not from Lu Qing.

She opened her eyes.

And her face went pale.

Lu Qing stood unharmed—completely untouched.

But the giant lay on the ground, writhing in agony.

His sword had fallen. His limbs were twisted at unnatural angles.

What had happened?

Her eyes widened, mouth agape—utterly bewildered.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end