Chapter 376: Reactions from All Sides, Shaking the World

Chapter 376: Reactions from All Sides, Shaking the World

Lu Qing rode the golden gondola, swiftly flying through the skies.

At the same time, he remained vigilant, keeping an eye on his surroundings.

However, even after flying far away from the Spirit Mountain Range, he didn't detect anyone pursuing him.

Instantly, he realized that the other party was hesitant and didn't dare to chase after him.

Lu Qing sought out a remote mountain forest where few people ventured and landed, hiding himself.

He then set up a simple formation to conceal his aura.

After completing all this, Lu Qing finally relaxed his mind.

This time, his surprise attack on Floating Mountain had a certain element of risk.

Although the Flame Cauldron's might was unparalleled, and it was almost entirely controlled by "Flame,"

Lu Qing's preparation for that strike still consumed a considerable amount of spiritual energy.

If Floating Mountain had been prepared, he might not have escaped so easily.

Lu Qing didn't believe that with his current cultivation level, the Flame Cauldron he activated could truly destroy Floating Mountain.

Seeing the crimson-faced elder was enough to understand that high-level Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators had incredibly strong life-preserving abilities and were not so easily slain.

Fortunately, Floating Mountain seemed to not anticipate that someone would be so audacious as to directly attack their headquarters.

"This time, Floating Mountain will likely be occupied for a while, unable to spare any attention elsewhere."

Lu Qing muttered to himself.

He didn't feel regretful for not slaying the crimson-faced elder earlier.

The elder had been severely injured by him, and it would take several years of recovery for him to heal.

Even if he could recover, given his age and the severe damage to his essence energy, his foundation had been compromised, making it almost impossible for him to break through to the Golden Core Realm in the future.

After all, the might of spirit tools was no laughing matter.

An attack from a Spirit Flame containing a trace of lawful power was enough to severely damage one's foundation.

Therefore, Lu Qing didn't care much about whether the crimson-faced elder had survived or not.

This time, he had annihilated numerous elite disciples of Floating Mountain in one strike, which was enough to cause them significant pain.

At the very least, for a while, Floating Mountain would likely focus on self-preservation and wouldn't have the energy to engage in other matters.

This indirectly alleviated the crisis for Nine Li Village and the Wei family.

"Ah Qing, you're so amazing!"

Xiao Li crawled out of Lu Qing's embrace, her eyes filled with admiration as she looked at him with sparkling eyes.

The little one had been genuinely stunned earlier.

She never expected that the large cauldron Lu Qing usually used for refining things would be so formidable.

With a single strike, it blasted a huge hole in a mountain peak, and its terrifying might even made her tremble in awe.

"It's just a powerful treasure." Lu Qing ruffled the little one's head, "You guard me while I seclude myself to recover."

Although "Flame" was in control of the Phoenix Fire Cauldron, Lu Qing's consumption of spiritual energy was still significant.

It was only because he cultivated the Five Elements Body Cultivation Art that his spiritual energy was several times thicker than that of cultivators of the same level, and due to the Five Elements Gourd, his spiritual energy was as pure as that of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

If it had been any other Qi Condensation Realm cultivator, they might have been drained dry just by activating the Flame Cauldron, making it impossible for them to use it.

"Okay~" Xiao Li obediently agreed.

As Lu Qing secluded himself for cultivation, news of the attack on Floating Mountain began to spread outside.

The commotion in the Spirit Mountain Range was too big to hide from those who were paying attention.

During this period, major powers from all over the world had sent people to the Western Province to investigate.

No one knew how many people were keeping an eye on the Spirit Mountain Range.

Moreover, before Lu Qing's attack, he didn't even try to hide his tracks.

The scene of golden light tearing through the sky had been witnessed by numerous spies.

Even Lu Qing's ride on the Flame Cauldron and his attack on the Spirit Mountain were seen by many spies who were originally hiding around the Spirit Mountain's periphery.

Not long after Lu Qing left, the news of the attack on the Spirit Mountain Range and the heavy losses suffered by Floating Mountain was spread, and within a few days, it had reached every corner of the Western Province.

Instantly, the entire Western Province was in an uproar.

"Is it true that the mysterious powerhouse dared to attack Floating Mountain alone?"

"There's no doubt about it. Countless people witnessed it, and the fire in the Spirit Mountain Range hasn't been extinguished yet!"

"Is it true that Floating Mountain suffered heavy losses, and many elite disciples and elders died?"

"Absolutely true. You didn't see it, but the mysterious powerhouse's earth-shattering strike was terrifying beyond imagination. According to rumors, the mysterious powerhouse used a legendary immortal treasure. With a single strike, the earth shook, and Floating Mountain's disciples didn't even have time to escape before they were all buried in the sea of flames!"

"An immortal treasure! Is the mysterious powerhouse a legendary immortal cultivator?!"

"It seems so. No wonder the mysterious powerhouse dared to challenge Floating Mountain. It turns out he is a legendary immortal being. I wonder how Floating Mountain offended such a terrifying existence."

"This is for the best. The Xuan Kong Mountain Secret Realm has been hidden for tens of thousands of years, and now that its spiritual energy has revived, it's just emerged and wants to dominate the entire Western Province. It's forcing us to submit to its will."

"With this Mysterious Powerhouse around, let's see how they can continue their arrogant and domineering ways!"

"Exactly. Those bald donkeys are so greedy. They not only forced us to submit but also demanded more than half of our sect's wealth. They even require monthly tributes. This Mysterious Powerhouse is truly a heavenly enforcer!"

"Well said. The heavy losses suffered by Xuan Kong Mountain prove that the four Secret Realms are not invincible. This might be an opportunity for us!"

...

The attack on Xuan Kong Mountain and its devastating losses caused a huge sensation and attracted the attention of the entire Western Province.

However, most people, besides being shocked, felt more schadenfreude and satisfaction.

Not a single person felt sorry or mourned for Xuan Kong Mountain.

After all, as soon as Xuan Kong Mountain emerged, it wanted to control the Western Province and force numerous sect powers to submit, with an extremely domineering attitude that tolerated no resistance or refusal.

The sect powers in the Western Province were already extremely dissatisfied with this, but they had no choice but to temporarily submit due to the circumstances and the vast power gap.

Now, seeing Xuan Kong Mountain in trouble, they couldn't help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.

Moreover, it was clear that the Mysterious Powerhouse was only targeting Xuan Kong Mountain and didn't bother with the recently subjugated affiliated forces.

For a while, the sect powers in the Western Province began to have wavering thoughts again.

This was exactly the result Lu Qing wanted to see.

As long as Xuan Kong Mountain couldn't control the Western Province, it would be difficult for them to spare any manpower to cross several large provinces and cause trouble for Nine Li Village in Cangzhou.

"This Spirit Flame is truly terrifying. Who is this Mysterious Powerhouse who attacked Xuan Kong Mountain?"

In the Spirit Mountain Range, several giant flying birds hovered in the air, looking down at the mountain forest below, where the flames had not yet completely extinguished, their faces filled with shock.

Especially when they saw the huge crater on the majestic mountain, their souls trembled in awe.

They couldn't imagine what kind of terrifying power could create such a shocking scene.

"Regardless of who it is, to be able to wield such power, that Mysterious Powerhouse's Cultivation Level is unfathomable!"

The youth at the forefront of the giant flying birds spoke with a solemn expression.

"Isn't it rumored that the person used a treasure to create such a terrifying attack?"

"Treasures also require a certain cultivation realm to activate. Judging from the situation below, the one who used it must have been a treasure of at least the Spirit Tool grade or above.

To activate such a treasure requires an enormous amount of spiritual energy, which indicates the depth of that person's cultivation.

I speculate that they are at least a Grandmaster-level powerhouse.

It's just unclear how Xuan Kong Mountain offended such a powerful person that they would lower themselves to attack these ordinary Xuan Kong Mountain disciples."

The youth analyzed with a serious expression.

"A Grandmaster-level powerhouse..."

The others who heard this were even more shocked.

In their hearts, a Grandmaster was almost invincible, so how powerful would someone on the same level be?

"Master, should we still visit Xuan Kong Mountain?"

A young girl looked down at the grim situation below and asked hesitantly.

According to her senses, the mountain range below seemed to be empty, with no one inside.

"There's no need. I was planning to visit and inquire about the Mysterious Powerhouse.

But from what I can see now, the people of Xuan Kong Mountain have probably retreated into the Secret Realm.

After such a loss, they are probably like a frightened bird, afraid of any disturbance.

It's not appropriate for us to visit again, let's go back."

The youth shook his head.

With so many elders and disciples of Xuan Kong Mountain dead, who knew what their mood was like now.

If they visited and happened to stir up their anger, given Xuan Kong Mountain's previous domineering attitude, no one could predict what might happen.

So, in the end, the youth decided to return to their sect.

After all, they had already gained a lot of information from this trip.

As the Grand Elder of the Cloud Water Secret Realm disciples, no one opposed his decision.

Immediately, the group turned their giant flying birds and left.

"The people from Cloud Water Secret Realm have left."

As the giant flying birds passed by a small city, a figure looked up and said softly.

"Xuan Kong Mountain has retreated into the Secret Realm and closed its doors. They can't gather any useful information, so it's natural for them to leave," said another figure.

"I never thought that Xuan Kong Mountain would be forced into such a desperate situation, unable to even step out of their doors. What is the origin of this Mysterious Powerhouse?"

Controlling a Spirit Tool, this is something that none of us from the four great Secret Realms can achieve.

Could it be that in this world, besides our four Secret Realms, there is some mysterious power hiding within?"

"In the late stages of the ancient cultivation era, numerous immortal sects fought openly and secretly, slaughtering each other to compete for a spot on the Boundary-Breaking Vessel.

Not to mention the scattered cultivators with powerful Nascent Souls, who were also in contention.

Many cultivation sects were destroyed as a result, so it's normal for some Spirit Tools to have fallen into the outside world.

This mysterious powerhouse must have obtained Fortune and acquired the ancient Spirit Tools or inheritances left behind."

"It seems that after this heavenly change and the revival of spiritual energy, the external changes will surpass our imagination.

The transformations in the Fortune Path alone are profound and unpredictable.

No wonder the Palace Master wants us to enter the world. After hiding in the Secret Realm for tens of thousands of years, although we are spared the pain of the outside world's spiritual energy depletion, we also miss out on the Fortune of the world.

If we don't go out and accumulate Fortune, I'm afraid that many opportunities will no longer come our way in the future."

"Indeed, just like that trip to the Holy Mountain, the greatest opportunity fell upon that young man.

Now, another mysterious powerhouse has emerged, controlling a Spirit Tool.

If we continue to hide in the Secret Realm, I fear that our advantage accumulated over tens of thousands of years will soon be gone."

Several powerful auras deeply felt that this heavenly change and the revival of spiritual energy were far beyond their predictions.

"But speaking of which, after Floating Mountain suffered such a major setback, they can only cower in the Secret Realm, afraid to come out.

Perhaps, this time, they will lag behind our other three Secret Realms."

One figure spoke with a hint of schadenfreude.

"Don't be careless. Although Floating Mountain has lost some elders and disciples, its foundation has never relied on these disciples.

The Grand Elders in seclusion within the Secret Realm are their true backbone.

With the heavenly rules still evolving, it's not yet convenient for them to enter the world.

But once the heavenly sound resonates a few more times and the rules become more refined, and if the Grand Elders of Floating Mountain break through in their cultivation again, even with the control of a Spirit Tool, that mysterious powerhouse will find it difficult to threaten Floating Mountain."

The first figure spoke solemnly.

"Master Brother's words are wise."

Hearing this, the others dared not joke around anymore.

They knew that Master Brother Wang was right.

The Grand Elders of Floating Mountain were on the same level as the Palace Master, powerful cultivators who had achieved Great Success, or even Perfection, in Foundation Establishment.

If they break through again, they would reach the legendary Golden Core Realm.

This was an impossible realm to attain within the Secret Realm.

Even in their four Secret Realms, after the depletion of spiritual energy, no one had entered that realm in tens of thousands of years.

No one knew just how powerful Golden Core cultivators were.

They could only catch a glimpse of the might of Golden Core cultivators from the ancient scriptures left by their ancestors.

Even the descriptions in the scriptures were enough to captivate their hearts and minds.

It was foreseeable that if the Grand Elders of Floating Mountain broke through, the current difficulties they faced would surely be resolved.

At that time, it would be hard to say which of the four Secret Realms would be the strongest.

"Alright, since the spectacle is over, we should leave too," said the leading figure.

"But Master Brother, didn't we come here to investigate the identity of that mysterious powerhouse?" someone asked.

"There's no need for further investigation. A powerful being capable of controlling a Spirit Tool is beyond our ability to probe.

If we forcefully investigate and anger him, what if he comes to the North State and deals with us like he did to them? Do you think we can withstand it?"

The other figures shuddered as they recalled the devastation they witnessed in the Spirit Mountain Range.

Indeed, Floating Mountain couldn't withstand the attack of the mysterious powerhouse, but could Coldwater Palace?

The might of a Spirit Tool was such that even Foundation Establishment cultivators had to avoid its edge and dared not confront it.

Immediately, they replied, "Master Brother is right, let's return then."

And so, several days passed. The raging fire in the Spirit Mountain Range gradually extinguished.

The disciples of Floating Mountain seemed to have vanished, never to be seen again.

News of Floating Mountain's devastating attack and heavy losses spread beyond the Western Province, reaching the other states.

Eventually, the entire world was shaken.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end