Chapter 271: Hu Ze Zhi's Plea

Hearing Lin Zhi Rui and Old Doctor’s earlier conversation, Hu Ze Zhi was utterly bewildered. What did it mean—her face bearing Hei Qi, foretelling a great calamity? Did this mean she would soon face a life-or-death peril?

Unable to contain her curiosity, she asked aloud.

But when she did, both Lin Zhi Rui and Old Doctor turned to her, their eyes filled with a quiet, almost sorrowful pity.

That gaze sent a chill through Hu Ze Zhi’s heart, making her even more anxious.

“Hu Gu Niang,” Lu Qing finally spoke, explaining the situation in brief. “It’s best you know the truth. Though I’ve left out the worst part—your fate isn’t sealed. Still, you may soon face great danger.”

Even so, the words struck deep. Before her sat figures she had once only dared dream of—men and women of unmatched stature. If even they were troubled, how could she possibly survive?

Feeling the girl’s rising panic, Old Doctor asked again, “Zhi Rui, is there truly no way to avert this? Are we to just stand by and watch fate unfold?”

Hu Ze Zhi looked up at Lin Zhi Rui, hope flickering in her eyes.

Lin Zhi Rui paused, then said, “Destiny is ever-changing, mysterious and unpredictable. No one’s fate is fixed. The future remains uncertain. Divination merely reveals the most likely path among countless possibilities. But destiny is full of variables—sometimes, a single fleeting thought can alter a life’s course entirely, shattering what was once foretold.”

He turned to Hu Ze Zhi. “Your Hei Qi is merely a warning sign—foreshadowing a grave peril ahead. But it doesn’t mean you must die. If you remain cautious, avoid reckless risks, and spend time with those blessed by fortune, the calamity may simply vanish on its own.”

Though Hu Ze Zhi didn’t receive the answer she truly wanted, her heart eased slightly.

But when she heard the words “spend time with those blessed by fortune,” her gaze instinctively drifted toward Lu Qing and the others.

To her, they were her saviors. She had nearly died in the wilderness, betrayed and left to perish by cruel men. It was Lu Qing and the others who pulled her from the brink. If anyone could be called her true fortune, it was them.

Lu Qing felt her eyes on him and smiled gently. “Don’t worry, Hu Gu Niang. Since we’re friends, we won’t stand idly by.”

Inside, Lu Qing was also curious. What kind of deadly threat could possibly trigger the Hei Qi of a cultivator with such profound Qi Yun? Was it a man? Or some unknown natural disaster?

Logically, someone blessed with Qi Yun should be protected from harm—should always find a way out of peril. How could a calamity truly disrupt such a fate?

But then again… perhaps even Qi Yun had its limits.

Hearing Lu Qing’s reassurance, Hu Ze Zhi felt a bit more at peace.

She thought back—her life had already been a miracle. If not for Lu Qing’s timely intervention, she would now be nothing more than a rotting corpse at the bottom of a cliff, violated and forgotten.

To be alive at all was already a gift.

So why fear the future? What worse fate could there be than what she had already endured?

With that thought, her expression grew calm, resolute.

She stood, bowing deeply to Lu Qing. “Thank you, Lu Gongzi. But Hu Ze Zhi has one final request—please, I beg you to grant it.”

“Speak,” Lu Qing said. “No need to hesitate.”

“In Qinglong Pass, I was forced by evil men, nearly slain in the wilderness. Only thanks to your intervention did I escape humiliation and a wrongful death. Your kindness is heavier than mountains. I shall remember it forever. The only way I can repay you is to ask one thing.”

She paused, then continued with quiet firmness, “As Zhi Rui Ge Xia said, the future is uncertain. If fate truly demands my death, I will accept it with grace. I know you are honorable, Lu Gongzi—but if the calamity comes and your safety is at risk… I beg you: do not risk yourself for me. Let me face my fate alone. If you sacrifice yourself to save me, even if I live, my heart will never be at peace. Better that I meet my destiny than burden you with it.”

Silence fell over the courtyard.

Everyone stared at Hu Ze Zhi, stunned by her words.

Lu Qing studied her face—her unwavering resolve.

Then, a faint smile touched his lips. “Fear not, Hu Gu Niang. Though I have my strengths, I am no fool. If the danger is beyond my reach, I won’t recklessly throw myself into it.”

“Then I am at ease,” Hu Ze Zhi said, bowing once more.

Lin Zhi Rui watched, shaking his head slightly in thought.

He knew her plea was genuine. She truly didn’t want them to risk their lives for her.

But he also knew Lu Qing and Old Doctor. They would never let a young woman—especially one they knew—die without fighting for her.

Still, he couldn’t deny: if there was any chance of salvation, it might only lie with them.

After all, these two were figures even he could not fully fathom. And Old Doctor—his presence radiated a faint, golden light, a Merit Light of extraordinary power. Truly, a man of great fortune.

But… why had that light grown so much stronger in just two years?

Lin Zhi Rui couldn’t help but gaze at Old Doctor’s serene form, the shimmering gold barely visible to the naked eye. It was far denser now than before.

Had Old Doctor done something extraordinary in these past two years? Done some great act of kindness?

Once Hu Ze Zhi had calmed, Lu Qing turned to Lin Zhi Rui. “Zhi Rui Ge Xia, we’ve encountered many events on our journey. We even met Xuan Ji Zi Elder in Qinglong City. There are still some matters I’d like to ask you.”

“You met Xuan Ji Zi Elder?” Lin Zhi Rui was surprised.

“Yes. He said that recently, the Heavenly and Earthly Dao Yin shook the heavens. Qi surged, and beneath Zhong Zhou, dark currents stirred. Major sects clashed violently. Eventually, the Three Holy Lords intervened and quelled the conflict. May I ask—what is the current state of Zhong Zhou? And what of Sheng Cheng and Sheng Shan?”

Lu Qing didn’t beat around the bush. He knew honesty was the best path with a man as perceptive as Lin Zhi Rui.

And indeed, Lin Zhi Rui didn’t seem offended—he simply fell into deep thought.

After a moment, he said, “Zhong Zhou’s situation… is not good.”

“Why so?” Lu Qing asked.

“Since you’ve met my Xuan Ji Zi Elder, you must know why those two sects fought so fiercely.”

“Yes,” Lu Qing replied. “He said they’ve been enemies for generations, and the conflict erupted over an Ancient Cultivation Method.”

“True. But the real reason they broke all rules to fight so brutally was not just rivalry—it was that Ancient Cultivation Method, one capable of transforming Qi into personal power.”

“But didn’t Xuan Ji Zi Elder say the Three Holy Lords stepped in, retrieved several such methods, and offered them to all sects, ending the war?”

“The Three Holy Lords did retrieve three Ancient Cultivation Methods,” Lin Zhi Rui confirmed. “But they didn’t hand them out directly. Instead, they were engraved onto Sheng Shan.”

“Engraved onto Sheng Shan?” Old Doctor echoed, surprised.

“Yes. The three methods now reside on Sheng Xin Ya. The Holy Lords declared: All martial cultivators, no matter their origin, may climb Sheng Shan and attempt to decipher the techniques. How much they gain depends on their insight and fortune.”

“Remarkable,” Lu Qing breathed. “The breadth of their vision is truly awe-inspiring.”

If he had been in their place, he wouldn’t have had the courage to share such treasures so freely.

“The Holy Lords’ hearts are beyond our comprehension,” Lin Zhi Rui said.

“Indeed. Their decision sent shockwaves across Zhong Zhou. Immediately, powerful martial artists from all over rushed here. Everyone wanted to be the first to reach Sheng Xin Ya and grasp the supreme techniques. Rumor has it the news has spread even beyond the provinces. Who knows how many more will come.”

He paused. “Now, Sheng Cheng is swarming with martial masters—many of them sworn enemies. When rivals meet, it’s like oil on fire. Daily, bodies fall from battles. Sheng Cheng is now tense, unstable—something terrible could happen at any moment.”

“But why?” Lu Qing frowned. “They’ve come to study the techniques. Why fight?”

“Because,” Lin Zhi Rui said, “though the Holy Lords allow anyone to attempt to learn, Sheng Xin Ya is not open to all.”

Lu Qing’s eyes narrowed. “So… there’s a secret to climbing Sheng Xin Ya?”

“Of course,” Lin Zhi Rui said. “You’ve likely heard: ordinary people are forbidden from ascending Sheng Shan.”

“Yes, I’ve heard.”

“The reason is that Sheng Shan is surrounded by a mysterious force. It weighs down the body and crushes the spirit. Even ordinary martial artists find it nearly impossible to climb. Most can’t take more than a few steps. And the higher you go, the stronger the force becomes. Some places are so powerful, even Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe cannot enter.”

He pointed toward the cliff. “That is Sheng Xin Ya—the Holy Heart Cliff. It lies halfway up the mountain. The pressure there is already immense. Even average Xian Tian Jing cultivators can’t endure long. How then could those beneath Xian Tian possibly reach it?”

Lu Qing fell silent, but a vague understanding formed in his mind.

The Three Holy Lords’ logic was clear: only those with exceptional talent and unyielding will—those with open Qi Cavities and true Xian Tian strength—could possibly grasp such techniques.

“Zhi Rui Ge Xia,” Wei Zian asked suddenly, “have you ever tried to ascend Sheng Xin Ya?”

“No,” Lin Zhi Rui replied. “I did intend to go when the methods were first inscribed. But my master warned me—my foundation is still unstable after my breakthrough. Attempting to meditate on such profound techniques would harm me, even fracture my mind. He told me to settle, to solidify my roots before attempting anything higher.”

Lu Qing’s eyes widened. “So the techniques are so powerful, even Xian Tian Jing masters can’t resist their influence?”

“Naturally,” Lin Zhi Rui said. “Even after all this time, the great elders of major sects—Tai Shang Elders, elite Xian Tian Jing warriors—have gained some understanding, but not a single one has broken through to the next realm. You can imagine how difficult they are.”

He turned to Old Doctor. “Pardon me, Chen Laodaifu. You are blessed with immense fortune and profound cultivation. Why not go yourself? You might achieve something.”

Old Doctor chuckled. “The strongest masters in all the sects haven’t succeeded. Old me, with my modest talent—why would I embarrass myself?”

“Chen Laodaifu jests,” Lin Zhi Rui smiled. “If you’re not gifted, then we’re all fools.”

He remembered clearly—the awe he felt two years ago when Old Doctor blocked Yan Canghai at the gate of Cang County, revealing that flicker of Xian Tian Ling Yu Insight. He still felt the impact of that moment.

Then, a thought struck him.

“Ah—before you go, one more thing: be cautious. There’s someone you must watch for.”

“Who?” Old Doctor asked.

“Wang Cangyi. Recently, several Tai Shang Elders from the Northern Frontier’s Tian Cang Sect arrived in Sheng Cheng. Among them… is Yan Canghai.”

“Him?” Old Doctor and Lu Qing both stiffened.

Even Wei Zian and Ma Gu blinked in surprise.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end