https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-275-Clues-of-the-Demon-s-Trail-Hu-Ze-Zhi-s-Premonition/13688520/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-277-Old-Doctor-s-Peril-Lu-Qing-s-Fury/13688522/
Chapter 276: Ma Gu Breaks Through
"Can you feel something in Sheng Shan calling to you?" Lu Qing said, surprised.
Old Doctor, standing beside him, also turned to look.
"Yes... and the call is strange. I can sense it’s within Sheng Shan, yet I can’t pinpoint its exact location," Hu Ze Zhi said hesitantly.
Lu Qing exchanged a glance with Old Doctor. Indeed, no ordinary Qi Yun cultivator would sense such a thing—especially one whose cultivation level was only Qi Xue Jing. Yet here was Hu Ze Zhi, clearly attuned to the hidden opportunity within Sheng Shan.
"Who would’ve thought you’d sense the anomaly in Sheng Shan too, Hu Gu Niang," Lu Qing said with a smile. "But don’t worry—whatever it is, it hasn’t reached the moment of emergence yet."
"Lu Gongzi, you both can feel it as well? Just what is it?" Hu Ze Zhi asked.
"I don’t know," Lu Qing shook his head. "Perhaps only when the time comes will we know. But Hu Gu Niang, this is likely a good omen. Just wait patiently."
Hearing this, Hu Ze Zhi finally relaxed. Otherwise, the strange, inexplicable sensations she’d been feeling lately would’ve left her utterly unsettled.
From then on, Lu Qing and the others settled into the courtyard beside Lin Zhi Rui, keeping a low profile and rarely venturing out.
Two days later, early in the morning, Lin Zhi Rui came by for tea and brought news.
One piece of it confirmed Lu Qing’s guess: just as he’d anticipated, after the people from Yun Shui Mi Jing arrived, the next day, representatives from the other three secret sanctuaries also appeared.
Yet like the first group, they didn’t linger in Sheng Cheng—they went straight to Sheng Shan.
Thus, only a few people in Sheng Cheng knew of this development.
The second piece of news concerned Old Doctor’s planned cultivation in Sheng Chi.
Coincidentally, there had been no new Xian Tian Jing cultivators recently requiring Sheng Chi, so when Lin Zhi Rui submitted the request, approval came swiftly—Old Doctor could enter Sheng Chi for cultivation at any time.
"Master," Lu Qing asked, "when would you like to begin?"
Old Doctor paused, then said, "Today. The number of martial artists gathering in Sheng Cheng keeps growing. Who knows what may happen next. The sooner I complete my cultivation in Sheng Chi, the more complete our mission becomes."
Lin Zhi Rui nodded immediately. "Then I’ll arrange everything for Chen Lao Qian Bei right away."
That afternoon, Old Doctor departed with Lin Zhi Rui for Sheng Cheng.
As for Lu Qing, with nothing pressing to do, he noticed Ma Gu and Wei Zian practicing in the courtyard. Impulsively, he decided to offer them some guidance.
"Lu Qing Brother, you want to check our progress?" Ma Gu said, his eyes lighting up.
"Indeed," Lu Qing replied. "I can see you, Ma Ye, are full of vitality, your Dao technique smooth and fluid—like a single, unbroken flow. And Zi An, your staff techniques already carry a hint of completeness. We’ve been rushing all the way, so now let me see just how far you’ve come."
"Then let’s perform it again for you!" Ma Gu and Wei Zian were eager—after all, Lu Qing’s cultivation level was now beyond comprehension. Even ordinary Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe couldn’t match him. To have him personally guide them? That was a rare honor.
Lu Qing watched Ma Gu’s performance of Shan Hai Dao, then paused, slightly surprised.
"Your skill has improved significantly. Not only is your technique sharper, but your cultivation has advanced too. Your bones and sinews are now perfectly refined—nearly at Jin Gu Jing Wan Man. You’re just a hair’s breadth from stepping into Nei Fu Jing."
Indeed, when they’d left Jiu Li Village, Ma Gu had only just reached the Great Achievement stage of Jin Gu Jing.
"I don’t know why," Ma Gu scratched his head. "I just... kept driving the carriage. Without realizing it, I’d broken through."
Lu Qing nodded. He understood.
Ever since he’d inscribed the Fa Zhen onto the carriage, its speed had increased dramatically. And once the two horses transformed into Dragon Blood Stallions, the speed had undergone a quantum leap.
To control such a vehicle, especially at those speeds, required absolute focus. One mistake, one moment of distraction, and the carriage could veer off course and crash into a ditch.
For days on end, they’d been pushing forward without pause—nonstop travel, relentless effort.
That constant, intense mental strain had forged Ma Gu’s spirit, sharpened his concentration, and refined his soul.
Now, after absorbing all that experience, breaking through to Nei Fu Jing was inevitable.
With further cultivation and refinement, even attaining the status of Wu Dao Zong Shi wouldn’t be impossible.
Lu Qing explained all this to Ma Gu, who stared in disbelief.
"Lu Qing Brother... you’re saying I might one day become a Wu Dao Zong Shi?"
"That depends on you, Ma Ye," Lu Qing said. "But your spirit is already remarkably strong—no weaker than many Nei Fu Jing Wan Man cultivators. If you keep training, refining, and cultivating, it’s not impossible."
Ma Gu stood frozen, his mind blank, overwhelmed by the sudden revelation.
Lu Qing didn’t interrupt. He let the moment settle, letting Ma Gu absorb the news.
After a long silence, Ma Gu finally snapped back to reality and looked up at Lu Qing.
"Lu Qing Brother... what should I do now?"
"Simple," Lu Qing smiled. "First, break through to Nei Fu Jing. Your foundation is already complete—what you need is just that final push."
With that, he extended a single finger and gently touched Ma Gu’s body.
"Resist nothing. Focus your mind. Feel the changes in the force I apply."
Ma Gu closed his eyes immediately, centering his entire spirit.
Lu Qing nodded slightly. This was the result of Ma Gu’s recent trials—his mind had become so sharp and focused, he could now concentrate effortlessly.
Without further delay, Lu Qing began tapping Ma Gu’s body with his finger.
Each tap released a strange, unique force that scattered Ma Gu’s blood and qi, guiding them deep into his internal organs.
Ma Gu concentrated entirely, feeling every shift in his inner energy. As Lu Qing’s force vibrated through his organs, a sudden insight bloomed within him.
In an instant, his blood and qi began to respond—moving in harmony with the rhythm of Lu Qing’s technique, gently pulsing and vibrating.
"Learning quickly," Lu Qing murmured, withdrawing his finger.
But Ma Gu’s body didn’t stop. The vibrations continued, spreading deeper into his core, resonating at a strange frequency.
Then—suddenly—Ma Gu’s entire body trembled.
A powerful aura erupted from him.
His eyes snapped open, filled with astonishment.
(End of Chapter)
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