Chapter 316: Terrifying Sword Light – Overwhelming Presence!

"That aura… it’s coming from City South. Could it be…?"

The Qinglong City Lord recalled Zuo Cheng Shou’s earlier words—the group had gone to City South. Though he wasn’t certain whether Qi Jia Lao Wu’s sudden surge of power was connected to that mysterious figure, a cold unease gripped him.

Without hesitation, he surged forward, his body vanishing from the courtyard in a ripple of spiritual energy, racing toward City South.

Zuo Cheng Shou, a Xian Tian Initial Stage cultivator, had also sensed Qi Jia Lao Wu’s overwhelming presence. Seeing the City Lord’s shocked expression, he instantly understood. He immediately activated his movement technique and followed close behind.

But his cultivation fell far short of the City Lord’s. By the time he exited Cheng Zhu Fu, the City Lord was already a distant blur. All he could do was follow the trail of Qi Jia Lao Wu’s aura, hurrying toward City South.

Along the way, Zuo Cheng Shou sensed something alarming—the city’s many powerful auras were converging on City South as well.

"Looks like a major storm is brewing," he muttered, heart pounding. His speed increased instinctively.

But just as he reached the halfway point, a sudden, bone-chilling Sword Light tore through the sky, shooting straight upward.

Instantly, Qi Jia Lao Wu’s overwhelming aura—once so fierce it could crush mountains—crumbled like snow under the sun. In mere breaths, it dwindled to a flickering wick, on the verge of extinction.

"What?!"

Every Xian Tian Jing Qiang Zhe who felt it froze in shock.

From the aura, Qi Jia Lao Wu seemed on the brink of death. Yet only a few breaths had passed since he’d unleashed his power—how could he have fallen so fast?

Who had wielded that terrifying Sword Qi?

Shocked and stunned, the gathered Xian Tian cultivators abandoned all pretense. They unleashed their full auras and surged toward Qi Jia Lao Wu’s location at maximum speed.

"Damn it!"

The Qinglong City Lord, racing through the streets, saw the Sword Light and remembered the report from Sheng Cheng. His worst fear had come true.

"Qi Jia Lao Wu—what foolery did you get yourself into?"

His face turned ashen. Cold energy surged from his body, and his speed skyrocketed as he charged forward.

"Old Five!"

The few figures who had just emerged from Qi Fu were seething with fury. They no longer cared about the truce. With every ounce of strength, they lunged ahead.

The combined auras of so many Xian Tian Jing cultivators created a crushing pressure, shaking the very foundation of Qinglong City. For a moment, chaos reigned.

"What’s going on? Why are all the Xian Tian Jing masters suddenly releasing their auras?"

"Is a full-scale clash about to break out?"

"Run! Hide! This kind of battle will inevitably spill over—anyone caught in the crossfire is dead!"

Meanwhile, in Hu Ze Zhi’s courtyard, Qi Wen Zheng stood frozen, eyes wide with disbelief.

He stared at his once-invincible uncle—now lying broken on the ground—his body trembling with terror.

Just moments ago, he had watched, horrified, as his uncle—no, a Xian Tian Jing master—had been sliced down from the roof by a single strike.

He couldn’t fathom what kind of monstrous being he had unknowingly provoked.

"Cough… cough…"

Qi Jia Lao Wu hadn’t died. He struggled to rise, blood seeping from his lips. His left arm was gone. His spiritual aura flickered weakly, as if it might vanish at any moment. His meridians and dantian were shattered by the lingering threads of Sword Qi.

But he didn’t care. Kneeling on one knee, he stared at Lu Qing with pure terror.

That Sword Qi… it had been unimaginably terrifying. He hadn’t even had time to react—his arm was severed in an instant. Only because the blade had veered slightly at the last moment had he survived. If not, he would’ve been split in two.

"Who are you?"

Qi Jia Lao Wu fixed his gaze on Lu Qing, his voice hoarse.

He didn’t know whether the slight deviation had been intentional or sheer luck. But one thing was certain: the boy before him was a monster.

With a single Sword Qi, he had crippled a Xian Tian Jing cultivator in the early stage. His cultivation was beyond comprehension.

Yet, he couldn’t understand—when had such a terrifying youth appeared in the world? Why had Qi Jia received no warning?

Just as Lu Qing opened his mouth to speak, his brows twitched. He glanced upward, then slowly withdrew his spiritual pressure.

The moment the pressure vanished, Qi Wen Zheng and the others gasped for air, scrambling to the corner in terror.

Then, a powerful presence appeared atop the roof.

One by one, more formidable auras descended, gathering around the courtyard, landing on rooftops of surrounding homes.

Several figures even stepped directly into the yard, positioning themselves in front of Qi Jia Lao Wu.

The air froze. The sheer number of Xian Tian Jing masters gathered in one place created an oppressive silence.

Even ordinary fighters like Hu Lao San trembled, their legs weak with fear.

When had their humble courtyard become a battlefield for such titans?

If not for his daughter’s support, he would’ve collapsed.

"Old Five!"

One of the newcomers—a man with a face eerily similar to Qi Jia Lao Wu—saw the state of his brother and erupted in fury.

"Who did this to you?"

The other Xian Tian Jing cultivators now saw the scene clearly. Qi Jia Lao Wu had lost an arm, and his internal condition was catastrophic.

All eyes turned to the other side, searching for the identity of the one who had struck such a devastating blow in such a short time.

But before anyone could react, Lu Qing spoke—calm, quiet, and utterly chilling.

"It was me."

Every head snapped toward him.

Shock. Doubt. Disbelief.

No one could believe it. A boy—so young—had bested a Xian Tian Jing master?

Only one person, upon seeing Lu Qing, flinched, his entire body trembling with astonishment.

Then a shrill voice cut through the silence.

"Uncle, Second Uncle—this is the one! It’s him! He cut off my leg! You must not let him live!"

"Qinglong City Lord,"

Qi Jia Lao Da and Lao Er turned toward Qi Wen Zheng, who stood trembling in the corner, flanked by household guards.

Hearing his words, every eye locked onto Lu Qing again.

It really was this boy?

Qi Jia Lao Da was shaken, but he forced calm into his voice.

"Who are you? Why did you attack my brother? Even if he offended you, was such cruelty necessary?"

"Too harsh? I already spared his life," Lu Qing shook his head. "You should be grateful he didn’t attempt to kill me. Cutting off one arm was merely a warning. If he had, he’d be dead now."

"Big words!"

Qi Jia Lao Er, impatient and hot-headed, was about to retort—when Qi Jia Lao Wu’s weak voice interrupted.

"Brother… Second Brother… he’s telling the truth. He held back. If not, I wouldn’t be standing here."

"Old Five?"

Qi Jia Lao Er whirled around, stunned.

But Qi Jia Lao Wu wasn’t looking at him. His eyes remained locked on Lu Qing.

Now he understood—the Sword Qi hadn’t veered by accident. It had been deliberate.

"Thank you… for sparing me," Qi Jia Lao Wu said, despite the agony of his wound. With a single hand, he bowed deeply to Lu Qing. "I apologize. I was in the wrong."

The crowd was stunned.

Qi Jia Lao Wu—once a man of ruthless pride—had just bowed to his enemy.

When had Qi Jia become so… humble?

Even Lu Qing was surprised. A flicker of respect crossed his eyes.

But not everyone was willing to accept it.

Qi Wen Zheng, seeing his uncle kneel to an enemy, screamed in fury.

"Uncle! What are you doing?! The elders are here—what are you afraid of? This boy cut off our limbs! He’s insulted Qi Jia’s honor! We can’t let this go! I’ll cut off his limbs and torture him for ten days and ten nights—only then will I be satisfied!"

"Silence!"

Qi Jia Lao Wu roared, his voice cracking with rage. He nearly collapsed from the strain.

If he weren’t so weakened, he would’ve killed that fool on the spot.

Didn’t he see? This boy was not someone Qi Jia could ever challenge!

But worse still—his Second Brother, the one he’d always thought was dim-witted, actually nodded in agreement.

"Qinglong City Lord, you’re right. This boy hurt you—so he’s declaring war on Qi Jia. In Qinglong City, no one dares defy us and walks away alive. A mere Xian Tian Initial Stage brat? I’ll teach him a lesson right now!"

He summoned his aura, and his battle axe glowed faintly with red spiritual energy.

"Second Brother, wait!"

Qi Jia Lao Wu cried out in panic—but he was powerless. He couldn’t even move.

All he could do was watch helplessly as his Second Brother charged forward, axe raised.

"Filthy hypocrisy," Lu Qing murmured, not even moving.

A faint glow passed over him.

Then, in a heartbeat, the surrounding Heavenly and Earthly Qi surged violently, swirling around Lu Qing like a storm.

In an instant, a colossal Sword Qi formed before him—born entirely of raw spiritual energy—slamming down upon Qi Jia Lao Er.

"No way!"

Qi Jia Lao Er’s eyes widened in terror. He barely had time to react before he raised his axe to block.

Boom!

The Sword Qi struck the axe. A shockwave exploded outward, tearing through the ground. Qi Jia Lao Er was thrown back, spitting blood, his body driven backward by the sheer force of the attack.

He tried to resist, his Zhen Qi surging, muscles straining—but it was useless.

The Sword Qi pushed him through the wall, smashing into the next house, sending up a massive cloud of dust.

Silence.

Utter silence.

Everyone stared at the long, jagged gash that stretched from the courtyard all the way to the neighboring house—the mark left by Qi Jia Lao Er’s desperate, final attempt to hold back the tide.

"Second Brother!"

"Qi Jia Lao Er!"

After several breaths, the cries finally came.

Qi Jia Lao Da leapt forward, dashing into the ruined house.

But when he saw his brother—collapsed in the rubble, limbs torn, body a bloody mess—his heart sank.

He pressed his fingers to his brother’s pulse. The cold dread that followed was worse than any wound.

His brother’s meridians were shattered. His internal organs reduced to pulp. Even if he lived, he would be a broken man for life.

He shoved a healing pill into his brother’s mouth, then turned and returned to the courtyard, face grim.

"Brother… Second Brother…" Qi Jia Lao Wu whispered, trembling.

"Is he…?"

Qi Jia Lao Da’s voice was heavy with sorrow.

"His meridians are destroyed. His organs are crushed. Even if he recovers, he’ll be useless for the rest of his life."

"No…"

Qi Jia Lao Wu’s body went rigid. His eyes glazed over, as if his mind refused to accept the truth.

The others stood frozen, stunned. No one had expected such a devastating outcome.

And yet, they were also awed—terrified—by Lu Qing’s power.

That Sword Light… it wasn’t something a Xian Tian Jing cultivator should be able to produce. How had he done it?

"Shen Rong Tian Di! This man truly has reached that realm!"

Only the Qinglong City Lord, perched atop the roof, understood the truth.

But even he was shaken.

In his entire life, he had seen only three others reach that level—those three Holy Lords from Sheng Shan.

Now, Lu Qing was the fourth.

And the most terrifying part? He was so young.

"No wonder he could defeat the Third Holy Lord. His cultivation is beyond my comprehension."

The City Lord trembled inwardly.

He hesitated. The thought of stepping forward vanished.

He saw now—Lu Qing had been ruthless, but not merciless. He had spared two lives. Two times.

But three times… would be different.

Now it was up to Qi Jia.

Based on Sheng Cheng’s report, this man had limits to his patience.

If Qi Jia didn’t back down, they would truly provoke him.

And then… the consequences might be irreversible.

He didn’t want to see that happen.

But more than that—he didn’t want to be the one who drew the wrath of a being like this.

If Lu Qing still had anger left… he might just turn it on him.

That would be a cruel fate.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end