Chapter 302: Win or Lose, Searching the Corpse, the Shadow of the Demon

"Has the outcome been decided?"

"Who won?"

Seeing the figure fly out and crash through a house, everyone gasped in shock.

But the dust cloud was thick, and for a moment, no one could tell who had been thrown back.

When the smoke finally cleared, revealing the scene within, all eyes widened in disbelief.

There stood Lu Qing, calm and composed at the center, while the Third Holy Lord stood amidst the ruins of a collapsed building, his chest marked by a glaring wound that pulsed faintly with silver light.

Whatever armor he wore must be extraordinary.

"The Third Holy Lord... lost?"

Staring at the wound on the Holy Lord’s chest, everyone’s jaws dropped.

No one had expected this result.

Lu Qing and the Third Holy Lord stood facing each other, neither speaking.

After a long silence, the Third Holy Lord finally spoke, his voice laced with disbelief:

"Why has your strength grown so greatly?"

He truly couldn’t comprehend it. Lu Qing was only at the initial stage of Xian Tian, yet his power had kept surging—seemingly without limit. Even if he was an anomaly capable of triggering Jie Yun, this defied all reason.

After all, he was still just a novice in Xian Tian.

Even after surviving the Heavenly Tribulation, he shouldn’t have become this powerful.

Yet, in their battle, Lu Qing’s strength had been overwhelming—especially in physical might.

Even his puppet body, forged from countless rare and precious materials, had been utterly dominated in raw strength.

"Just a secret cultivation technique I’ve been practicing," Lu Qing said coolly. "A little mysterious, that’s all. Forgive the Holy Lord’s amusement."

"Shall we continue?"

Hearing this, the Third Holy Lord realized Lu Qing wasn’t going to reveal his secrets.

He wasn’t surprised. No one willingly shared their cultivation secrets.

He glanced around, then shook his head.

"No need. Since you’ve wounded me, this battle is yours.

But I must warn you—Xuan Ming’s position within Xuan Kong Shan is not ordinary.

If you truly intend to kill him, be prepared to face the wrath of Xuan Kong Shan."

With that, the Third Holy Lord leapt into the air, light-footed across rooftops, and vanished into the distance—abandoning the remaining members of Xuan Kong Shan without a second glance.

Watching him leave so decisively, Lu Qing raised an eyebrow.

He now had a clearer sense of the man’s character.

As for the warning, he paid it no mind.

By now, the feud between him and Xuan Kong Shan was irreconcilable.

Even if Xuan Ming were the master of Xuan Kong Shan himself, Lu Qing wouldn’t hesitate to cut him down.

Standing still, Lu Qing’s expression remained blank, his thoughts hidden.

But no one dared disturb him.

After a while, Lu Qing turned and slowly walked toward Xuan Ming, still half-buried in the earth.

Xuan Ming had been lucky.

During Lu Qing’s clash with the Third Holy Lord, powerful waves of Sword Qi had erupted—yet most missed Xuan Ming entirely.

Even when a few grazed him, his Red Robe Robe deflected them effortlessly.

But the other Xuan Kong Shan monks weren’t so fortunate.

Most had perished in the aftermath of the battle.

That was one reason the Third Holy Lord had left so quickly—some of the fallen monks had died at his hands.

Now, Xuan Ming’s face was ashen.

When the Third Holy Lord vanished, he knew his fate was sealed.

So when Lu Qing approached, he didn’t beg for mercy.

Instead, he glared with venomous hatred.

"Demons! You won’t get away with this! One day, Xuan Kong Shan will avenge us—and destroy you, you abomination!"

Lu Qing said nothing.

Without expression, he swung his War Blade gently.

The Red Robe Robe flared with red light once more—but it was useless.

The blade cut through it as if it were paper.

In an instant, a head flew into the air.

The great monk Xuan Ming was dead.

After slaying him, Lu Qing stepped down, causing the ground to tremble, and shook Xuan Ming’s corpse free from the soil.

Then, with a flick of the blade, he lifted the Red Robe Robe and began searching the body.

He was openly conducting a corpse search—right in front of dozens of high-level Xian Tian experts.

The surrounding Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe couldn’t help but twitch.

They hadn’t expected Lu Qing to act so shamelessly, even for a master.

Some of the more scheming among them felt disappointment.

They’d been hoping to sneak a chance after Lu Qing left.

But now, seeing him strip the corpse in broad daylight, their hopes were dashed.

Though Lu Qing’s actions were undignified, no one dared speak.

Not even Yang Ming Dao Ren, a master from a secluded sect.

After all, this boy had just defeated the Third Holy Lord.

Regardless of how he’d done it—secret technique or not—his achievement alone placed him among the world’s greatest warriors.

At the very least, every expert present would be no match for his blade.

After thoroughly searching Xuan Ming and several other senior monks, Lu Qing collected a number of items.

Among them, the Red Robe Robe, the Golden Bowl, and a White Jade Bottle radiating an odd, mysterious aura stood out the most.

He wrapped everything in the Red Robe Robe and walked away, utterly silent.

Not a word to anyone.

And no one dared stop him.

After what had just happened, everyone knew this youth was proud and volatile—no one wanted to provoke him.

Lu Qing walked on.

Suddenly, he paused before a wall, staring intently into a dark corner.

The shadow within stiffened.

He saw me? Impossible. My concealment technique is flawless—even Zhu Ji Qi couldn’t detect it. How could a mere Xian Tian rookie sense me?

But as Lu Qing continued to stare, the shadow’s unease grew.

Then, Lu Qing’s face flickered with realization.

"I was wondering—ever since earlier, I’ve felt something watching me. So it’s you."

He really can see me!

The shadow’s heart leapt. He knew he was exposed.

He didn’t have time to wonder how Lu Qing had found him—because a sharp Sword Qi already lashed toward him.

Boom!

Lu Qing’s cultivation was no longer ordinary.

Even a single Sword Qi carried devastating force.

The wall exploded, and a Black Robe Figure burst out into the open.

"What’s going on?!"

"Who is that?!"

"Someone was hiding there the whole time, and we didn’t notice?!"

"A demon sect member!"

The sudden shock sent a ripple of alarm through the Xian Tian masters.

Especially when they saw Lu Qing casually send a Sword Qi from a wall corner, forcing out a sinister black figure.

Only Yang Ming Dao Ren reacted instantly.

After sensing the Black Robe Figure’s aura, his eyes flashed with sharp light.

"Lu Xiao Langjun! That’s a demon! Don’t let him escape!"

He lunged forward in an instant.

Demon sect!

The word sent a chill through everyone.

They turned to watch the fleeing figure—only to gasp again.

How fast!

The Black Robe Figure blurred, leaving behind multiple afterimages.

His speed was astonishing—so swift that even the fastest Xian Tian experts felt they couldn’t keep up.

"Run all you want," Lu Qing muttered.

He recognized the man immediately—the same one who had secretly watched them in the streets days ago.

And the same one tied to Hu Ze Zhi’s fate.

Without hesitation, he unleashed another Sword Qi, slicing toward the fleeing shadow.

Then, with a single step, he shot forward in pursuit.

No matter how fast the Black Robe Figure was, he couldn’t outrun the Sword Qi.

In an instant, the blade caught up.

Feeling the crushing power within, the shadow’s eyes widened with fear.

He knew—once caught, he’d die.

Despite having entered Xian Tian, his Demon Body wasn’t complete.

His true strength was barely that of a common Xian Tian Mastery.

Against someone who had defeated a Holy Lord, he had no chance.

Realizing he had no choice, he gritted his teeth and poured all his Demon Qi into his body.

Snap!

For a split second, his form trembled—then split into three.

Just in time, he dodged the Sword Qi.

"Hmph?"

Lu Qing narrowed his eyes.

That technique… unusual.

Without hesitation, he channeled Sword Light, slashing out dozens of Sword Qi in a sweeping arc.

This time, the attack was massive, covering every inch of space within ten zhang around the shadow.

He wouldn’t let the man escape—no matter how many illusions he created.

"Damn it!"

The Black Robe Figure felt death closing in.

His eyes turned crimson.

He had no choice but to go all in.

Boom!

At the exact moment Lu Qing’s Sword Qi struck, the shadow erupted in a thick cloud of blood mist.

It shattered the incoming Sword Qi and—suddenly—his speed surged tenfold.

In an instant, he broke free and vanished down the street, disappearing from sight.

Only debris and a vengeful voice remained in the air:

"Boy… remember this. I won’t rest until I’ve repaid this debt. I swear, I’ll never stop being a demon!"

"Wha—?"

Even Lu Qing was stunned.

He hadn’t expected the man to possess such a secret technique—able to unleash such sudden speed.

He barely managed to react.

But the cost was clear.

Lu Qing had seen the blood mist—and the arm that had burst open.

This technique must be one that sacrificed the body to gain power.

Still, the speed was terrifying.

Unless he used another divine ability, he couldn’t catch up.

But he’d already used one divine ability today.

A second would strain his body beyond endurance—risking permanent damage to his foundation.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Qing decided not to pursue.

Too bad. I couldn’t probe his identity in time.

The opportunity had been lost.

But from the look of it, the man’s background was far from ordinary.

"Hmm?"

Turning his attention back to the debris left behind, Lu Qing scanned the scattered items.

Suddenly, his eyes flickered.

Among the rubble was a small Ink Jade Bottle—distinct and glowing faintly.

Feeling the strange aura it emitted, Lu Qing gently poked it with his blade’s tip, then slipped it silently into his Qiankun Yiqi Dai.

"Damn it! That demon really is dangerous—knowing the Tenmoxie Ti Da Fa!"

Yang Ming Dao Ren finally arrived, his face dark with fury.

"Tenmoxie Ti Da Fa?"

Lu Qing turned, his expression shifting slightly.

"Little master doesn’t know," Yang Ming Dao Ren said. "This is one of the most advanced evasion techniques in the demon sect. Only those who have cultivated the purest demonic essence can learn it.

That demon must be of the purest bloodline.

Too bad he escaped."

"I apologize," Lu Qing said, bowing slightly. "I should have been more cautious."

"No need to blame yourself," Yang Ming Dao Ren replied, chuckling. "Who could have predicted a demon would know such a technique?

Even if you couldn’t catch him, it’s understandable.

Besides, that technique comes at a terrible cost.

He’s likely drained and wounded. He won’t show his face for years."

Lu Qing silently nodded.

He’d seen the arm explode.

The price had been brutal.

"If I meet him again," he said, "I won’t let him escape."

"Ha! I believe you!" Yang Ming Dao Ren laughed heartily. "You’re the first to survive the Heavenly Tribulation in recorded history. Your future is limitless.

A little demon pup? He’s no match for you!"

Lu Qing merely smiled faintly. "You’re too kind, Elder."

"Kindness? Not at all!" Yang Ming Dao Ren waved it off. "By the way, I’m Yang Ming, from Qing Yang Guan. If you ever have time, visit us.

You’ve just dealt a crushing blow to Xuan Kong Shan. Our Abbot will surely welcome you."

"Thank you, Elder Yang Ming," Lu Qing said, "for your warning earlier. It helped me prepare."

Seeing the elder’s open friendliness, Lu Qing decided to take the chance.

After all, Yang Ming Dao Ren was from Qing Yang Guan—one of the Four Secret Places.

Their depth and influence could be invaluable.

And judging by the man’s tone, he clearly hated Xuan Kong Shan.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

Lu Qing had no objection to building a temporary alliance.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end