Chapter 278: Brutal Array Break — Crush Them Instantly!

Not only were the crowds at the foot of the mountain utterly stunned, but the several beauties currently engaged in a contest atop Tian Ti were equally bewildered.

"Li Xian Zi, did you see that man just now?"

"He looks like a youth."

"A youth? How could he ascend Tian Ti so effortlessly? That’s impossible!"

"Maybe he’s some old monster pretending to be young?"

"Even if he were an old monster, he shouldn’t treat Tian Ti like it’s nothing!"

"Could he be a genius from some hidden realm?"

As everyone speculated about Lu Qing’s identity, he had already descended from Tian Ti and arrived at the opposite side of Sheng Shan.

Lin Zhi Rui had once given him a general idea of where Sheng Chi might be.

According to the Tian Ji Lou Master, the Master had only just left Sheng Chi when he was ambushed by the Xuan Kong Shan sect—so the location couldn’t be far.

"Xuan Kong Shan’s bald monks... If anything happens to the Master, I’ll make sure your entire secret realm is buried with you!"

Lu Qing’s eyes burned with cold fury. A faint golden aura shimmered around him as he raced across Sheng Shan, his movements swift and fluid. The oppressive pressure that usually weighed upon the mountain seemed to mean nothing to him.

"I wasn’t wrong—this so-called pressure atop Sheng Shan is nothing but Earth Vein Yuan Ci Li. To others, it’s a burden. But to me, the one who possesses the Soil Spirit Pearl, it’s actually a boost!"

Back when Lin Zhi Rui had described Sheng Shan, Lu Qing had already suspected this. Now, after personally ascending the mountain, his suspicions were confirmed. This gave him even greater confidence in rescuing the Master.

"Hmm?"

Just as Lu Qing was lost in thought, a sudden ripple of energy ahead caught his attention. Even more importantly, he sensed the Master’s presence.

At that moment, a frantic voice rang out.

"Great Masters, please hold back! This Chen Lao Qian Bei is a valued guest of Tian Ji Lou—no need to be so harsh!"

"That’s Zhi Rui Ge Xia’s voice!" Lu Qing’s gaze sharpened. He had finally arrived.

Without hesitation, he surged forward, his speed increasing once more. He shot through a grove of trees and emerged onto a wide open clearing.

The clearing was paved with stone. In its center stood seven robed monks, bald-headed and clad in red saffron robes, arranged in a peculiar formation, seated in meditation. Around them, a crowd of onlookers gathered. Among them were several figures with strong auras—some of whom Lu Qing had seen just two days prior: disciples of Yun Shui Mi Jing.

At the heart of the formation hovered a golden bowl, glowing with a yellow light. Beneath it, a figure in simple cloth robes sat, wrapped in its radiance, eyes shut, face flushed, trembling uncontrollably—none other than Old Doctor.

"Master!"

The sight ignited a storm of rage within Lu Qing. It was obvious to him—Master was nearing his breaking point.

Furious, Lu Qing didn’t even pause to use his Abilities to gather intel. Without a second thought, he drew a bow from the Qiankun Yiqi Dai, pulled it back like a full moon.

A sharp, piercing whistle split the air as seven arrows shot forth in a single motion—each aimed at the head of one of the seven monks.

Using the Seven-Star Linked珠 technique, Lu Qing released the arrows and immediately withdrew the bow. In the next instant, a long blade appeared in his hand, and he charged forward with lightning speed.

Clang, clang, clang...

All of it happened in a blink.

The arrows, fired by Lu Qing’s Treasure Bow, moved at terrifying speed. Within an instant, they were upon the monks’ heads.

Just as the first arrow pierced the air toward a monk’s skull, a golden barrier flickered into existence—shining like molten metal—blocking the attack.

Lu Qing’s seven arrows struck the barrier with a force like steel hitting steel. Though the golden light rippled violently, the arrows were held fast, unable to advance a single inch.

"Who dares?!"

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone present. The monks guarding the perimeter were shocked—no one had expected an attack on their elders.

It was then that they finally saw Lu Qing.

There was no way to miss him. The aura he radiated was overwhelming—so intense that even a blind man could feel the terror of it.

"Lu Xiao Langjun?!"

Lin Zhi Rui, recognizing the figure, gasped in disbelief.

"Stop right there!"

As soon as Lu Qing was seen, several young monks leapt forward, blocking his path.

"Anyone who stands in my way dies!"

Enraged by the defiance—especially from fellow monks—Lu Qing swung his long blade, cleaving through the air with a roar.

This was no ordinary strike. It was a furious slash born of rage. The moment the blade moved, a torrent of murderous intent exploded outward, freezing the hearts of everyone within range. Even Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe felt their minds freeze. The young monks, still in Hou Tian Jing, were utterly paralyzed, their thoughts blank.

Lu Qing’s eyes were cold. Without pause, he swung his blade in a sweeping arc—aiming to cut down all seven monks at once.

"Amitabha, good sir, please show mercy."

Just as the blade descended, a deep, thunderous chant echoed through the air. The golden barrier surrounding the seven elders flared, expanding to shield the young monks.

Clang!

Lu Qing’s blade struck the barrier with full force. The power behind this blow far exceeded the earlier arrow attack. Though the barrier was strong, it trembled under the onslaught—cracks forming, edges fraying, clearly on the verge of breaking.

"Hmph?"

The senior monk overseeing the formation narrowed his eyes at the sight of the barrier weakening. Instantly, he poured his spiritual strength into the golden bowl.

The barrier, on the brink of collapse, stabilized once more—its glow flaring back to life.

"Want to stabilize the Array? Ask me first!"

Lu Qing sheathed his sword into the grass and reached into his robes. When his hand emerged, it was clad in a pair of steel gauntlets.

Roar!

A deafening bellow erupted from Lu Qing—like a primordial beast awakening from deep within his body.

With a twist of his waist, he launched a punch—fueled by overwhelming force. The blow struck the golden barrier with a thunderous impact.

The air around him detonated. Waves of White Mist exploded outward. The barrier, already strained, finally shattered under the force—cracking apart in a storm of light.

"Impossible!"

The seven senior monks, shocked beyond words, recoiled. They had never imagined someone could destroy the Jin Gang Fu Mo Array’s barrier with bare hands.

They desperately poured more spiritual energy into the golden bowl—but it was too late.

With the barrier gone, the monk at the center—Old Doctor—suddenly opened his eyes. His expression cleared. His face, once contorted in pain, was now calm.

"Retreat!"

The moment Old Doctor’s eyes opened, a chill ran through the monks’ hearts. Without hesitation, they abandoned the golden bowl and leapt back, fleeing.

In the next instant, a storm of Sword Qi erupted around Old Doctor—spinning, swirling, tearing through the air like a cyclone. It swept outward in a devastating wave, instantly consuming the very spots where the seven monks had been seated.

The Sword Qi raged for over ten heartbeats before finally subsiding.

When the storm faded, Old Doctor stood alone in the center—his surroundings a ruin.

For several zhang around him, the ground was utterly destroyed. Every inch of earth had been carved into jagged, fragmented patterns, covered in a thick layer of fine stone powder.

It was clear—had the monks not retreated, they would have been torn to shreds, their bodies reduced to dust.

"Sword Qi Domain... Could it really be possible for someone to cultivate such a Xian Tian Ling Yu?"

A few experienced onlookers whispered in awe.

"Master, are you alright?"

Lu Qing stood at a safe distance, untouched by the Sword Qi. Seeing that the Master still had such power, he exhaled in relief.

The crowd turned to look—then froze.

There, in Lu Qing’s hand, was the neck of a young monk—clenched tightly.

While the seven elders had been distracted by the Sword Qi storm, Lu Qing had acted first, seizing one of the younger monks.

"Hui Xin!"

The elders cried out in horror.

"Reckless youth! Release Hui Xin at once!"

One elder, seeing the young monk’s face turn red, his breath choked, roared in fury—ready to strike.

But before he could move, a sharp streak of Sword Qi sliced through the air before him, forcing him to halt.

He turned—only to see Old Doctor, now fully awake, his eyes clear and sharp.

"Great Masters," Old Doctor said coldly, "this is hardly the conduct of a respectable sect. You claimed to be discussing Medical Skills, yet you secretly used a Unique Treasure to steal my soul. What explanation do you have for this?"

The memory still sent chills down his spine.

For a moment, he had been trapped in a golden realm, filled with chanting hymns—hypnotic, persuasive, urging him to surrender, to renounce his identity. Only his iron will and unshakable spirit had saved him.

Had he failed, he would have become someone else—someone hollow, lost.

And now, he was furious.

A doctor by trade, he knew only too well the horror of losing one’s mind. He’d treated patients with severe delusions—tragic, pitiful souls, broken beyond repair.

The thought of nearly becoming one of them made him burn with rage.

"Master," Lu Qing said, his eyes scanning the seven monks, silently reading the floating text data that appeared before him. "Why bother talking? Just kill them all."

The more he read, the more his blood boiled. These monks weren’t just arrogant—they were vicious, their cruelty exceeding even his worst expectations.

"Master, help me!"

The young monk in Lu Qing’s grip gasped, barely able to speak.

"Amitabha, good sir, show compassion. Release Hui Xin!"

The lead elder clasped his hands together, pleading.

"Young man," another elder snarled, "let go of him now—or I’ll send you straight to the afterlife!"

"Is that so?"

Lu Qing smirked. Then, with a gentle twist of his wrist—crack—the young monk’s neck snapped at a grotesque angle. His body twitched once, then went still. His life force faded away.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end