Chapter 307: The Invitation of the Holy Lord, Departure

In the early morning light, Lu Qing sat in the courtyard, his left hand holding a Jade Token, the right one gripping a chisel as he meticulously carved.

After a while, Hu Ze Zhi emerged from her room, still half-asleep. Upon seeing Lu Qing in the courtyard, she instantly snapped awake. With quiet grace, she adjusted her posture before approaching him.

"Master Lu," she asked, "you’re up so early?"

"Early," Lu Qing replied with a smile, his hands never pausing. "What are you carving?"

"A jade talisman," Lu Qing said, completing the final strokes. The Jade Token flared with a sudden burst of white light, then gradually faded.

"Perfect timing," he said. "You can test it—see if it works."

He handed the token to her.

"Let me test it?" Hu Ze Zhi blinked, taking it with mild confusion. "How?"

"Just drip a drop of blood onto it," Lu Qing said, pulling out a slender Yin Zhen needle. "I’ll help you. Don’t worry—it won’t hurt."

"Oh." Trusting him completely, Hu Ze Zhi obediently extended her palm. Lu Qing gently pricked her fingertip, squeezing out a single drop of blood. The moment it touched the jade, it vanished like a stone sinking into the sea.

A faint red aura began to glow across the surface of the token. Even more astonishing, Hu Ze Zhi felt a strange, invisible connection form between herself and the talisman.

"Feel it?" Lu Qing asked, watching her expression. "Now, focus your spirit. Try to sense it. This talisman can conceal your presence. Once activated, it will suppress your aura completely—no one will detect you."

Hu Ze Zhi followed the subtle thread in her mind, and instantly, she felt a strange energy wrap around her. Her entire presence seemed to vanish, her aura sealed away.

"Master Lu… what is this?" she asked, eyes wide.

"This is a talisman I carved for you and Xiao Yan," he explained. "Both of you have received a Benyuan Qi, but at your current cultivation level, you can’t yet consciously refine it. It must gradually integrate into your body over time. But during that process, the Qi still emits faint fluctuations—enough to attract unwanted attention."

He paused. "This talisman masks that trace. It’s a safeguard."

Hu Ze Zhi finally understood. This wasn’t just any talisman—it was made specifically for her. She stood up at once and bowed deeply.

"Thank you, Master Lu."

"Nothing much," he said casually. "Just a small task. But remember—don’t remove it. I’ve embedded a defensive spell inside. If danger comes, it might just save your life."

Her grip tightened on the Jade Token. The weight of gratitude swelled within her.

While Hu Ze Zhi admired the talisman in wonder, Lu Qing picked up a second Jade Token and began carving again. Since entering the Xian Tian Jing realm, his Spirit Soul Power had surged—and transformed. Where once he had to concentrate with utmost care, now the process came naturally, effortlessly.

Soon, the second talisman was complete—slightly smaller than the first, perfect for Xiao Yan.

Just then, Old Doctor and the others stirred awake. Lu Qing entered the room, roused Xiao Yan, and helped her affix the talisman.

After a brief flurry of activity, the group gathered for breakfast.

"Master," Lu Qing said, taking a bite of vegetable, "now that we’ve secured the opportunity, shouldn’t we head back?"

Old Doctor nodded slowly. "Indeed. We’ve accomplished our purpose. We know the state of the world. It’s time to return."

"Master Lu, you’re leaving?" Hu Ze Zhi exclaimed.

"Yes," Lu Qing replied. "All our business in Zhong Zhou is settled. There’s no reason to stay. Hu Gu Niang—what are your plans? Will you return with us, or remain in Sheng Cheng?"

"I’m coming with you!" she said without hesitation.

Sheng Cheng was a place of hidden strength—countless cultivators, many far stronger than she. As a Qi Xue Jing cultivator carrying the rare Benyuan Qi, she’d be a target. If she stayed behind, she might be murdered the moment they left.

Lu Qing nodded, unsurprised. "Then after breakfast, we’ll say our farewells to the Elder and Zhi Rui Ge Xia."

When Lin Zhi Rui arrived upon hearing of their departure, Lu Qing and the others were already packing.

"Chen Lao Qian Bei, Lu Xiao Langjun—so soon to leave?" he asked.

"Yes," Lu Qing said. "Our original goal was only for Master to study Sheng Chi. But things took an unexpected turn. Now we’ve angered Xuan Kong Shan. We don’t know when they’ll strike. Best to leave quickly."

Lin Zhi Rui paused. He couldn’t argue. Lu Qing had killed Xuan Ming and his disciples, stolen their treasures and opportunities. Xuan Kong Shan—one of the Four Secret Places, a force that had endured for countless eons—would be furious.

No one knew their true depth. If they chose to retaliate, it would be an unstoppable storm.

And in the shadows, danger was far harder to dodge than in the open.

He swallowed his words. He understood.

But then he remembered his purpose. "However… last night, my master received a Holy Decree from Sheng Shan. The Three Holy Lords have invited you and Chen Laodaifu to a feast on the mountain."

"The Three Holy Lords… want to invite me and Master?" Lu Qing frowned.

"Yes. The decree arrived last night, but Master decided to wait until today to personally invite you."

He hadn’t expected this. And yet, here he was, about to leave.

Lu Qing thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Zhi Rui Ge Xia, forgive me for my blunt words, but I’m afraid I must decline the Holy Lords’ generous invitation."

"You’re refusing?" Lin Zhi Rui blinked.

"I’ve no ill will," Lu Qing said. "But you saw yesterday—there was a clash with the Third Holy Lord. I offended him. Now they invite me to their mountain home? Honestly, I can’t accept."

Lin Zhi Rui hesitated. "The Three Holy Lords are known for their magnanimity. They’ll surely overlook yesterday’s incident."

Then he saw Lu Qing’s faint, knowing smile.

His face flushed. He realized how naive he’d sounded.

"Whether they’ll hold it against me, I don’t know," Lu Qing said calmly. "But I never place my life in the hands of another’s mercy. So, Zhi Rui Ge Xia, please convey this to your master—Master and I cannot attend."

Lin Zhi Rui opened his mouth, but no words came.

He couldn’t argue. If it were him, he wouldn’t trust his fate to someone else’s forgiveness.

Finally, he said, "Then I’ll go inform my master. Let him decide."

Watching Lin Zhi Rui leave, Lu Qing sighed once more.

He had uncovered a secret during his battle with the Third Holy Lord: the Three Holy Lords of Sheng Shan had been recognized by Sheng Shan Yi Zhi. Their current cultivation levels surpassed Zhu Ji peak—far beyond his own.

They were bound by restriction, unable to leave Sheng Shan in their true forms. That was why they used puppet bodies.

If he and Master went to the mountain, their lives would be in the hands of those beings—whose power, amplified by Sheng Shan Yi Zhi, would make even the Qiankun Yiqi Dai useless.

At best, he could only unleash a sliver of his Spirit Artifact’s power. In the heart of Sheng Shan, that sliver would mean nothing.

The risk was too great. He wouldn’t gamble his life on someone else’s mercy.

And the truth was: as long as he didn’t go up the mountain, they couldn’t harm him. The puppet bodies were limited.

So, staying away—was the safest choice.

When Lu Qing and the others finished packing, Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou arrived at the small courtyard.

He brought their carriage with him.

He said nothing about the Holy Lord’s invitation. Instead, he apologized—saying the past days’ hospitality had fallen short.

Lu Qing understood at once. The elder had seen his decision and chose not to press.

That eased his mind.

Two Dragon Blood Stallions snorted joyfully at the sight of them. Their coats glistened, their bodies slightly plump.

"You two have been eating well," Lu Qing said, chuckling at their glossy fur.

Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou looked slightly embarrassed. "They’re rare breeds—remarkably intelligent and affectionate. The disciple assigned to care for them grew fond and couldn’t resist giving them extra feed."

"Master, horses must stay lean for speed," Lu Qing said. "But these two have always been greedy since their bloodline changed. Left unchecked, they’d eat nonstop. Your disciple just wanted to keep them fed. No harm done. They’ll burn off the weight on the road."

He wasn’t concerned. The stallions had grown fat, but their endurance had increased too. Their speed would soon outpace the extra weight.

"Master," Lu Qing added, handing him a small Jade Bottle. "This is a small token of gratitude for your kindness these past days. And… I regret the damage we caused yesterday."

Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou hesitated. "My dear lad, you and Chen Ye were our honored guests. How could we accept gifts?"

"Please, take it," Lu Qing insisted. "We’ve been well cared for—and we caused damage. If you don’t accept this, I’ll never feel at peace."

Seeing his sincerity, Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou finally nodded. "Then… I’ll accept it with gratitude."

Lu Qing smiled.

Then he turned to Lin Zhi Rui, handing him a cloth-wrapped bundle. "Zhi Rui Ge Xia—this is some Plum Blossom Tea. Master sent it for you."

Lin Zhi Rui’s eyes lit up. He took it, bowed to Old Doctor. "Thank you, Chen Lao Qian Bei. I thought I’d never taste this tea again."

Old Doctor chuckled. "When you run out, come to my place. I’ll let you pick more."

"Thank you!" Lin Zhi Rui said, thrilled. The tension in Sheng Cheng was growing. A chance to step away? A welcome relief.

With farewells exchanged, they loaded the carriage. Once everything was secured and all had taken their seats, Lu Qing bowed to Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou and Lin Zhi Rui.

"Traveling thousands of miles, we must part. No need to see us off, Elder. Mountain remains green, river flows forever. If fate brings us together again, we’ll meet once more."

"Safe journey," Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou said.

Ma Gu cracked his whip. The carriage began to roll forward, slowly leaving the courtyard behind.

Lin Zhi Rui watched it vanish into the distance, then sighed.

"Master… what should we tell the Three Holy Lords?"

"Tell them the truth," Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou said calmly. "Lu Xiao Langjun won’t go. And who can force him? The Holy Lords will understand."

Lin Zhi Rui nodded. Lu Qing’s strength was no joke. Even the Third Holy Lord had fallen to him. Without the other two Holy Lords stepping in, no one could stop him.

Tian Ji Lou Zhu Lou gazed at the Jade Bottle in his hand.

He had his own doubts about the invitation. And now, Lu Qing’s departure was exactly what he wanted.

Deep in his heart, he feared what might happen if Lu Qing and the Three Holy Lords clashed.

He didn’t want to see that day come.

So, for now, the best outcome was that Lu Qing simply left.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end