Chapter 271: Hu Zezhi's Plea at Sacred Heart Cliff

Chapter 271: Hu Zezhi's Plea at Sacred Heart Cliff

Hu Zezhi was perplexed as she listened to the conversation between Lin Zhirui and the elderly physician. She didn't understand what they meant when they said that she had a dark aura and would face a major disaster.

Could it be that she would face a life-or-death crisis in the near future?

She couldn't help but ask, but when she did, both Lin Zhirui and the old physician looked at her with pity in their eyes, which only made her more anxious.

"Miss Hu," Lu Qing said, deciding to explain the situation to her. He gave her a general idea of what was going on, as he felt she had a right to know. However, he didn't tell her that she had the aura of certain death but instead said that she might encounter a calamity soon.

Even so, Hu Zezhi still felt flustered. After all, the people sitting in front of her were influential figures she could never have imagined meeting. If even they found the situation challenging, how could she possibly overcome the calamity on her own?

Sensing the young girl's anxiety, the old physician turned to Lin Zhirui and asked, "Is there any way to resolve this? Are we just going to stand by and let the calamity unfold?"

Hu Zezhi looked at Lin Zhirui with hopeful eyes.

Lin Zhirui pondered for a moment before replying, "The mysteries of fate are ever-changing and unpredictable. No one's destiny is set in stone, and the future is uncertain. The art of divination merely calculates the various possibilities in a person's life and predicts the path with the highest probability of occurring. But fate is full of infinite possibilities, and a sudden thought can change the course of a person's life, disrupting the predicted future entirely.

So, Miss Hu, you don't need to worry too much. The dark aura on your brow only foretells that you will soon encounter immense danger. But it does not mean that you are destined to perish. As long as you are cautious in the coming days, avoid taking reckless risks, and surround yourself with fortunate individuals, you may find that the calamity dissipates on its own at some point."

Hearing Lin Zhirui's words, Hu Zezhi felt somewhat relieved, even though she didn't get the assurance she had hoped for. However, when he mentioned surrounding herself with fortunate individuals, her thoughts turned to Lu Qing and the others, and she couldn't help but look at them.

In her eyes, they were her saviors who had rescued her from the clutches of those heartless men at Qinglong Pass. If there were fortunate individuals in her life, they were undoubtedly her lucky stars.

Sensing Hu Zezhi's gaze, Lu Qing smiled gently. "Rest assured, Miss Hu. Since we are friends, we wouldn't stand idly by regarding your well-being."

Lu Qing was also curious about the extent of the murderous intent that could cause someone carrying a grand fortune to exhibit signs of impending doom. Was it a person or some unknown natural calamity? Logically, someone like Hu Zezhi, who carried a grand fortune, should be protected by her luck, turning every dangerous situation into a fortunate outcome.

Could this calamity be powerful enough to disrupt the path of someone with a grand fortune?

Hearing Lu Qing's reassurance, Hu Zezhi felt even more at ease. She thought about how her life had been saved by Lu Qing and the others. Without their intervention that day, she would likely have been violated and killed, her body left to rot at the bottom of a cliff. In a sense, she was already living on borrowed time.

With this perspective, she had nothing to fear. How could any calamity be worse than what she had already faced?

As these thoughts crossed her mind, Hu Zezhi's expression became resolute. She stood up and bowed gracefully to Lu Qing. "Thank you, Lord Lu. I have one more request, and I hope you will grant it."

"Please, go ahead."

"Before Qinglong Pass, I was coerced by evil men and nearly lost my life in the wilderness. It was only because of your intervention, Lord Lu, that I escaped their clutches and avoided a fate worse than death. Your kindness weighs heavily on my heart, and I am forever grateful. The only way I can think of to repay you is to make a humble request."

Hu Zezhi paused for a moment before continuing with determination, "As Minister Lin has said, the future is unpredictable. If heaven has decreed that I must face a calamity, I will accept my fate. I know that you, Lord Lu, value righteousness, but my request is this: if the calamity is truly unavoidable and endangers your life, please do not put yourself at risk. Let me bear the consequences of my destiny alone."

"Otherwise, if you value the young master's safety over Miss Hu's life, even if she survives by chance, she will surely live with a troubled heart for the rest of her life. In that case, it would be better to let Miss Hu accept her fate."

The courtyard fell silent.

Everyone stared at Hu Zezhi, surprised by the nature of her request.

Lu Qing observed the resoluteness on Hu Zezhi's face, a slight smile curving his lips. "Miss Hu, rest assured. While I do possess a certain degree of strength, I am by no means rash. If the situation truly becomes impossible, I will not act recklessly."

"Then Zezhi can be at ease," she replied.

Lin Zhirui watched the exchange, shaking his head inwardly.

He could tell that Hu Zezhi's words came from the heart. She genuinely didn't want Lu Qing and the others to endanger themselves because of her.

However, he also understood their nature. Neither Lu Qing nor the old physician would stand idly by and let a young girl like her perish. Especially since she was someone they knew.

If there was a glimmer of hope for this girl, it would likely lie with Lu Qing and the others. After all, they were individuals even he couldn't see through, and the old physician exuded an extraordinary aura of virtue, indicating that he was truly a blessed person.

Speaking of the old physician, Lin Zhirui noticed that the aura of virtue surrounding him had become even more intense than it had been two years ago. He wondered what virtuous deeds the old man had performed during that time.

After Hu Zezhi's emotions had stabilized, Lu Qing turned to Lin Zhirui to inquire about other matters. "Your Excellency Lin, we've encountered quite a few incidents on our journey here, and we also paid our respects to Master Xuanjizi in Qinglong City. I have some questions that I'd like to ask you about."

"You've met Master Xuanjizi?" Lin Zhirui asked, surprised.

"Yes, Master Xuanjizi mentioned that not long ago, the sound of the heavenly dao reverberated through the world, spiritual energy revived, and undercurrents stirred in Zhongzhou. There were also conflicts between major sects, which were eventually settled by the three Holy Masters," Lu Qing explained. "May I ask, Your Excellency Lin, what is the current situation in Zhongzhou, and what is the state of affairs in the Holy City and on Holy Mountain?"

Lu Qing didn't beat around the bush; he knew that honesty was the best approach when dealing with an intelligent person like Lin Zhirui.

As expected, Lin Zhirui didn't take offense at Lu Qing's directness. Instead, he fell silent, deep in thought.

After a while, he spoke, "The situation in Zhongzhou is not looking good."

"Oh? How so?" Lu Qing asked.

"Since you've already met Master Xuanjizi, you should know why those two major sects clashed and fought so fiercely," Lin Zhirui said.

Lu Qing nodded. "Master Xuanjizi mentioned that the two sects have been enemies for generations, and they were willing to put aside their rules and engage in a life-or-death battle because of an ancient cultivation method that could refine spiritual energy for their own use."

"Indeed, those two sects have a deep-rooted feud. But what truly drove them to disregard the rules and fight so desperately was the ancient cultivation method that could refine spiritual energy," Lin Zhirui confirmed.

"But didn't Master Xuanjizi say that the three Holy Masters eventually stepped in and offered several ancient cultivation methods to stop the conflict?" Lu Qing asked.

"The three Holy Masters did indeed offer three ancient cultivation methods," Lin Zhirui replied. "However, they didn't give the cultivation methods directly to the sects. Instead, they inscribed them on the Sacred Heart Cliff in the Holy Mountain, making them available to all martial artists in the world."

Lin Zhirui revealed something that surprised Lu Qing.

"Inscribed on the Sacred Heart Cliff?" Even the old physician was taken aback.

"Yes, the three cultivation methods are now inscribed on the Sacred Heart Cliff in the Holy Mountain," Lin Zhirui explained. "The three Holy Masters declared that any martial artist, regardless of their background, who can reach the Sacred Heart Cliff will be able to comprehend the cultivation methods. The depth of their comprehension will depend on their own enlightenment and opportunities."

"I see. The breadth of the Holy Masters' minds is truly admirable," Lu Qing said sincerely. He knew that he wouldn't have the courage to selflessly offer his own precious cultivation methods to the world.

"The magnanimity of the Holy Masters is beyond our reach," Lin Zhirui agreed. "Similarly, after the Holy Masters' decision was made public, it caused quite a stir in Zhongzhou. Powerful martial artists from all over Zhongzhou who received the news rushed to the Holy Mountain, hoping to be among the first to ascend the mountain and comprehend the supreme cultivation methods."

Rumors have it that news of the ancient cultivation methods has gradually spread beyond Zhongzhou, drawing countless martial artists to the Holy City. No one knows how many of them are lurking within its walls.

Among them are those with deep-seated grudges, and when enemies meet, sparks are sure to fly. In recent days, there have been frequent clashes in the Holy City, with lives lost.

An air of unease now hangs over the Holy City, and it's only a matter of time before something major happens."

"Why is that?" Lu Qing asked, puzzled. "I thought the most important thing for them was to study the cultivation methods. Why are they engaging in battles?"

"That's because, although the Holy Masters have allowed any martial artist to study the methods inscribed on Sacred Heart Cliff, not everyone is qualified to climb it."

Lu Qing's interest was piqued. "Minister Lin, is there some hidden mystery to this Sacred Heart Cliff?"

"Indeed, Lu Qing. You may have heard that climbing the Holy Mountain is forbidden to ordinary people, haven't you?"

"I have heard something along those lines."

"The Holy Masters issued this prohibition because the Holy Mountain is enveloped by a strange power. This power not only makes one's body feel incredibly heavy but also suppresses one's spirit and will. Ordinary people, let alone martial artists, would find it difficult to take even a few steps. Moreover, the closer one gets to the summit, the stronger this power becomes. There are places where even a Precelestial Realm master would be unable to venture. Sacred Heart Cliff is located on the mountainside, where the power is already quite dense, and its suppressive effect would be difficult for even a typical Precelestial Realm martial artist to withstand for long."

Lu Qing fell silent, but he could guess the intention behind the Holy Masters' decision.

An ancient cultivation method capable of refining spiritual energy must be extraordinary, and the requirements for practicing it would be exceptionally high.

Ordinary martial artists, even if they obtained it, would likely be unable to comprehend it.

Perhaps only those with exceptional talent and willpower, or Precelestial Realm masters with open acupoints and meridians, would have the qualifications to cultivate it.

"Minister Lin, have you ever gone to Sacred Heart Cliff to study the cultivation methods?"

Wei Zian, who had been listening quietly, suddenly asked out of curiosity.

"No, I haven't," Lin Zhirui replied with a shake of his head. "When the Holy Masters first unveiled the cultivation methods, I intended to go and take a look. But my master told me that my breakthrough was recent and my foundation was not yet stable. Attempting to comprehend an even more profound method at this stage could be detrimental and easily disrupt my mental state, which would be counterproductive to my martial arts journey. So, he advised me to take time to solidify my foundation before going to Sacred Heart Cliff."

"It seems that the cultivation methods the Holy Masters have presented are incredibly profound, capable of disrupting the mental state of Precelestial Realm masters just by studying them," Lu Qing said in amazement.

"Indeed," Lin Zhirui agreed. "It's been quite some time since the Holy Masters made the cultivation methods public, and although the grand elders and powerful Precelestial Realm masters of the major sects have made some progress, none of them have been able to break through the barriers and enter a higher, unimaginable realm. This goes to show how difficult it is to comprehend those three methods. By the way, Elder Chen, with your deep blessings and advanced realm, why don't you give it a try? You might gain some insights."

Lin Zhirui suddenly turned to the old physician, making a suggestion.

"Hehe, if so many grand elders from the major sects haven't been able to figure it out, then this old man's dull wit won't be of much use either." The old physician chuckled.

"Elder Chen, you're too humble. If you call yourself dull-witted, then we must be as stupid as pigs."

Lin Zhirui laughed, impressed by the old physician's humility.

He knew that the old physician was not only blessed with the light of virtue but also possessed exceptional martial arts talent.

He still remembered the impact the old physician had on him when he displayed a hint of the Precelestial Realm's domain intent while stopping Yan Canghai outside Cangyuan City's gates more than two years ago.

At that thought, Lin Zhirui's eyes lit up as he recalled something. "By the way, Elder Chen, now that you're in the Holy City, there's someone you should keep an eye out for."

"Who?"

"Wang Cangyi. Not long ago, several grand elders from the Tiancang Sect in the North Border also came to the Holy City, including Yan Canghai, with whom you had a conflict."

"It's him!"

Upon hearing the name Wang Cangyi, not only the old physician and Lu Qing but also Wei Zian and Ma Gu were taken aback.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end