Chapter 372: The World Watches, the Wolf Hides

"Regardless of the true identity of the Ghost-Faced Man, since he has openly defied us, Xuan Kong Shan, we cannot afford to remain silent. Otherwise, our authority will be utterly shattered, and securing control over Xi Zhou will become even more impossible."

As the murmurs of several powerful spiritual essences clashed within the Jade Token, the first voice spoke. Instantly, the others fell silent.

They knew the speaker was right.

Bickering over the man’s identity served no purpose. The enemy had already struck at the heart of Xuan Kong Shan’s pride. The only urgent task now was to capture him and execute him publicly. If they allowed him to continue wreaking havoc across Xi Zhou with impunity, their reputation would suffer a mortal blow. Not only would their dominance over the region crumble, but their very existence as a power would be called into question.

"Correct. No matter who he is, once we seize him, everything will be clear."

"Indeed. This man is brazen and arrogant—clearly treating us as if we were nothing. Luring him into a trap should not be difficult."

"After we capture him, let him not die easily. We must extract his spirit and use it to fuel a lamp, burning it day and night—only then can we honor the soul of Kun Rong, who rests in the heavens!"

As the spirit essences debated in quiet fury through the Jade Token, news of the chaos in Xi Zhou spread across the world.

The emergence of the Four Secret Places was already a matter of global interest. Every major power had long since deployed spies to monitor the movements of the four sanctuaries. Even the sanctuaries themselves kept watch on one another, eager to anticipate their rivals’ moves.

Lu Qing’s rampage in Xi Zhou had been too massive to conceal.

By that very day, through the fluttering of carrier pigeons, sky-riding raptors, and the swift transmission of Jade Talismans, nearly every top-tier sect and faction across the realm had learned of the unfolding crisis.

In the Eastern Continent, atop a towering, verdant peak, a Daoist temple stood before a cliffside. An old Daoist sat cross-legged on a moss-covered stone, delivering a sermon to over a dozen disciples.

Suddenly, the old man’s expression shifted. He looked up toward the sky and caught a descending beam of radiant light.

The glow faded, revealing a small, white jade talisman.

With his spiritual soul force, he probed the talisman’s contents. His face quickly contorted into surprise.

"Master, what’s happened?" asked one of the middle-aged disciples below.

Had Lu Qing been present, he would have recognized this man—the very Yang Ming Dao Ren he’d spoken with warmly in Sheng Cheng.

"Xi Zhou has fallen into turmoil," the old Daoist said plainly.

"Xi Zhou? Those old monks are at it again?" Yang Ming Dao Ren replied, his tone calm, not surprised at all. To him, such chaos was expected from those wild-eyed ascetics.

"Not the monks," the old man clarified. "It’s someone else—someone who’s deliberately targeted Xuan Kong Shan. A mysterious figure has appeared in Xi Zhou, riding a flying spiritual artifact. He’s systematically destroying the temples and statues Xuan Kong Shan is constructing, and slaughtering their disciples on the move."

He recounted the events from the Jade Talisman.

The disciples stared, stunned.

"No way. Who in their right mind dares provoke Xuan Kong Shan like this? Does he think those mad monks are harmless?"

Yang Ming Dao Ren was visibly shocked. Even he couldn’t believe someone had the audacity to challenge that madhouse of monks.

Even his own Qing Yang Guan, though long at odds with Xuan Kong Shan, had never dared such an open assault.

"Unknown for now," the old man said, shaking his head. "The man wears a Ghost Face Mask. His true identity remains hidden."

"Could it be one of the other two Secret Places?" Yang Ming Dao Ren mused.

"Unlikely," the old man replied. "Yun Shui Mi Jing and Han Shui Gong have no major grudge against Xuan Kong Shan. It would make no sense for them to provoke the monks now."

Yang Ming Dao Ren nodded. Among the Four Secret Places, only Qing Yang Guan and Xuan Kong Shan stood openly opposed. The others might dislike the monks, but not enough to risk war at such a critical moment.

"So someone else—some hidden, powerful figure—has taken issue with Xuan Kong Shan. Only someone of immense strength would dare challenge them. And the hatred must run deep."

Yang Ming Dao Ren mused. For some reason, a certain face flashed in his mind—Lu Qing.

If there was any single person in the world with a grudge against Xuan Kong Shan, he thought, it would be that boy.

And judging by what he’d seen of Lu Qing in Sheng Cheng—wild, fearless, unafraid of anything—such a bold act was entirely within his nature.

But was it him?

Yang Ming Dao Ren hesitated. His master had said the man in Xi Zhou rode a golden flying spiritual artifact—a feat only possible for those who had truly entered the path of cultivation and achieved deep mastery.

Lu Qing was powerful, yes—but when they’d met, he had only just passed through the Heavenly Tribulation, entering the Xian Tian Jing realm. And Yang Ming Dao Ren had clearly seen: Lu Qing walked the martial path, cultivating Xian Tian Qi, not spiritual force.

There was a contradiction.

"Yang Ming, what are you thinking?" the old Daoist asked, sensing the young man’s deep contemplation.

"Nothing, Master," Yang Ming Dao Ren snapped back. "But since such a crisis has erupted in Xi Zhou, I wish to go and observe for myself."

The old Daoist pondered. "Very well. Xuan Kong Shan will undoubtedly respond. Your presence there may reveal much about their true strength. But be cautious. Do not act recklessly. Do not expose your identity. The monks are furious now. If they suspect you, they might lash out at you—far beyond our reach. We cannot protect you then."

Yang Ming Dao Ren felt a chill. He bowed deeply. "Yes, Master. I shall remember."

The old man reached into his robes and withdrew an object, handing it to Yang Ming Dao Ren. "Take this. If danger strikes, you may use it for protection. Also, select two spiritual artifacts from the temple. When you go, your safety comes first."

"Thank you, Ancestor Master," Yang Ming Dao Ren said, his voice trembling with awe as he took the item.

Half a time period later, a beam of radiant light shot from the mountain peak, streaking toward Xi Zhou.

Similar scenes unfolded across the other two Secret Place strongholds.

In the realm of Yun Shui Mi Jing, massive flying birds took flight.

In the northern continent, several more beams of light rose into the sky.

All headed for Xi Zhou.

Even the elite factions of every other province dispatched disciples or spies to investigate. This was too big to ignore.

Xuan Kong Shan was one of the Four Secret Places, newly reborn. And now, someone had dared to stand atop their head and spit.

Everyone wanted to see how Xuan Kong Shan would respond.

More importantly, they wanted to test whether the ancient sanctuary, rumored to possess millennia of hidden power, was truly as invincible as legend claimed.

Suddenly, Xi Zhou—already a place of intense interest—became the center of the entire world’s gaze.

Countless factions sent people into the region. Xuan Kong Shan was aware of it, but powerless to stop it.

Because of the Ghost-Faced Man’s relentless slaughter, every disciple they’d sent out had fled back to the Lingshan Mountains after hearing the news. No one dared risk their life when a powerful demon was hunting them down.

With their forces scattered and their reputation in tatters, Xuan Kong Shan could do nothing but watch as outsiders flooded into Xi Zhou.

Even worse, after destroying their outposts on the first day, the mysterious man vanished without a trace.

For days afterward, no movement. No sign. As if he had simply disappeared.

That made any ambush impossible.

"Little Master," a soft voice echoed from within a hidden cave. "How much longer must we stay here?"

A figure—Yan—materialized before Lu Qing, seated across from him. Xiao Li lay curled in his arms, fast asleep.

Between them, a chessboard rested, its pieces frozen mid-game.

Lu Qing calmly lifted a black stone and placed it on the board.

"Not long. Another day or two will do."

"Still, it’s not me who’s in a rush," he said, smirking. "It’s those monks. I imagine they’re scouring the entire world for my scent by now."

"You’ve killed so many of their elders and disciples, destroyed countless temples. You’ve stomped on their pride. Of course they’re frantic."

Yan picked up a white stone and placed it on the board, smiling. "But I still don’t understand. You had the chance to kill every single disciple they sent out. Why did you let some escape—let them return safely to Lingshan Mountains?"

"Killing ordinary disciples is easy," Lu Qing replied, placing another stone. "But my instincts told me something was off about Xuan Kong Shan’s behavior. For safety, I decided to wait and observe. After all, killing or sparing them won’t change the outcome."

"Ah, I see," Yan said, enlightened. "That’s why you suddenly withdrew when you were at your peak. You sensed danger."

He marveled inwardly.

No wonder the Heavenly Dao had chosen this man. The Great Qi Yun Zhi Zi, blessed by celestial merit, was guided by the heavens themselves. When peril approached, the Dao whispered a warning.

To oppose such a being was to face the wrath of fate itself.

Xuan Kong Shan had invited disaster by crossing paths with him.

"But Little Master," Yan asked, "if Xuan Kong Shan just hides in the Lingshan Mountains, won’t you be helpless against them?"

"Helpless? So be it," Lu Qing shrugged. "My goal here wasn’t to destroy Xuan Kong Shan. I don’t have the strength for that yet. I only needed to disrupt their plans for controlling Xi Zhou—make them too busy defending themselves to spare time for Cang Zhou, or to trouble Jiu Li Village."

He knew the truth: Xuan Kong Shan had a secret realm as a fallback. To utterly annihilate them was impossible—unless he could break through that realm and sweep all before him.

But he wasn’t there yet.

Even if he wiped out every disciple they’d sent out, it would only bruise their pride and drain some of their spiritual energy. Their core would remain intact.

So for now, simply trapping them inside Lingshan Mountains, forcing them to cower, was more than enough.

After his recent actions, the world had already learned of what happened in Xi Zhou.

Now, under the eyes of all, he would see how Xuan Kong Shan would react.

Would they stay hidden—like frightened rabbits?

Or would they finally step out?

A strange light flickered in Lu Qing’s eyes.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end