Chapter 81: Heart Nature Transformation, Qi Xue Fullness Realm
Lu Qing walked slowly through the mountain path, his sword slung across his back. Xiao Li sat quietly on his shoulder.
During the battle between Lu Qing and Zhai Xin Lang, Xiao Li had remained hidden in the shadows all along. It was ready to intervene the moment Lu Qing showed signs of being overwhelmed. But Zhai Xin Lang was no match for Lu Qing, so Xiao Li never had to act. Even when Ma Gu and the others arrived later, it stayed concealed. Thus, from beginning to end, no one knew Lu Qing still held such a secret ace.
Walking silently through the mountain trails, Lu Qing remained silent, lost in an indescribable emotional state. Today, he had killed so many people—how could he not be affected? After all, these were not dozens of ants, but over a hundred human lives. The final cries and desperate pleas of the dying had left a deep mark on his soul.
Yet, rationally, Lu Qing knew he had done nothing wrong. The people of Kuai Hua Village had committed unforgivable atrocities. Even ten deaths would not have been enough.
On one hand, the psychological weight of ending so many lives pressed heavily on his heart.
On the other, his mind insisted on the moral correctness of his actions.
This internal conflict left Lu Qing in a state of profound mental struggle. He knew he had to resolve it. Otherwise, today’s deeds would become a lifelong haunting shadow.
Walking aimlessly along the winding path, his mind swirled with thoughts. Then, without warning, the scene before him opened up.
No trees blocked the view ahead. A full moon hung high in the sky, bright and pure.
He realized, with a start, that he had unknowingly reached a cliffside at the peak of the mountain.
Staring up at the radiant moon, Lu Qing stood motionless for a long time.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face.
He drew his War Blade, assuming a starting stance.
Xiao Li leapt lightly onto a nearby stone, watching silently, not interrupting.
Lu Qing began to practice his sword form—Four Directions Sword.
But unlike his previous performances, where power erupted in all directions and the aura was overwhelming, this time the movements were utterly calm and serene.
Each strike was completely contained, like a deer’s antlers caught in a branch—traceless, seamless.
The War Blade cut through the air without disturbing a single breath of wind. It seemed to merge with the atmosphere, leaving no ripple behind.
Had a martial arts master witnessed this, they would have been stunned.
How could such expansive, forceful movements be executed with such perfect stillness? This demonstrated that Lu Qing had reached an extraordinary level of mastery over his own strength.
His power was no longer leaking outward—it was fully concentrated within the blade.
After several rounds of practice, Lu Qing sheathed his sword and stood tall, gazing up at the moon. His eyes were now clear and peaceful.
"Clear Mind, See Nature. Uphold your true heart."
"The true martial artist always acts according to their inner will, unshackled by rules or restrictions."
"If I believe my actions are right, then even if I were to slaughter the entire world and stand against all men, my heart should remain unwavering."
"Like this moon—no matter how the world changes, how hearts grow corrupt, it remains pure, eternal, unblemished."
"Without such spirit and conviction, how could one ever hope to scale the peak of martial cultivation, break free from the bonds of Hou Tian, and achieve the status of a Xian Tian Zong Shi?"
As he stared at the moon, waves of enlightenment washed through Lu Qing’s mind.
The guilt and turmoil from killing nearly a hundred people vanished completely.
In their place arose a firm, unshakable resolve toward his path of martial cultivation.
"Who would have thought this trip to Kuai Hua Village would bring me such unexpected gains? My control over power has improved greatly. My martial realm has now reached the Qi Xue Fullness Realm."
Indeed, in the moment of self-realization and inner purification, Lu Qing’s cultivation had taken a significant leap.
His insight into the realm had advanced to the peak of Qi Xue Fullness—perfect mastery over his body’s vital energy, seamless and flawless.
Of course, this was only in terms of insight and understanding. He still needed to continue refining and nurturing his vital essence, increasing the actual volume of his Qi and blood, to achieve true Qi Xue Fullness.
Only then could he attempt to break through to the next realm—Jin Gu Jing.
But now that his insight had reached this level, the previous limit—only being able to refine one Blood Nourishing and Qi Invigorating Pill per day—was no longer binding.
From now on, as long as he had enough pills, he could train without restraint. His body could now fully contain and control any amount of vital energy.
"Xiao Li, let’s go. Time to head back."
With that thought, Lu Qing turned and began walking down the mountain. He had been gone far too long. He wondered how worried everyone must be.
Xiao Li shot up instantly, landing back on his shoulder.
"Xiao Li, thank you again. How about I catch you some Strange Fish for dinner in a couple of days?"
"Awooo~"
Standing atop a small hill, Lu Qing gazed at the moonlit Jiu Li Village ahead, his heart stirred with quiet emotion.
After seeing the vile faces of Zhao Lao San, Lai Zi Tou, and the others from neighboring villages, he felt deep gratitude that he had been reborn into Jiu Li Village—a simple, honest place.
Had he been born into a more corrupt village, he and Xiao Yan would have long since perished.
This was also one of the reasons he had insisted on utterly destroying Kuai Hua Village.
He could have fled with Xiao Yan, but that would have left Jiu Li Village exposed to retaliation from Kuai Hua.
Now, with Kuai Hua wiped out, the immediate threat was gone. True, the Black Wolf Gang still lingered as a danger—but their power lay far away in the county seat. With Ma Gu’s intelligence, it would be easy to conceal their identities for now.
Lu Qing believed that with a little more time, even the Black Wolf Gang would no longer be a threat.
As he neared the village entrance, Xiao Li suddenly leapt lightly from his shoulder and vanished into the darkness.
Lu Qing paused, then heard a soft, hesitant voice from ahead:
“A Qing?”
He squinted. Behind the Sign Tree at the village gate, a figure emerged.
Bathed in moonlight, he instantly recognized the person.
“Da An Ge?”
“Really you? A Qing, you’re finally back!”
Wang Da An let out a deep breath, his face lighting up with relief.
“Da An Ge, what are you doing here?”
“You’re kidding. You said you’d be back soon this morning, but we waited all day—no sign of you. The whole village was worried sick. Even Chen Laodaifu came down from the mountain.”
“Everyone’s gathered at the ancestral hall. Grandfather sent me to wait here for you.”
“Sorry for making everyone worry,” Lu Qing said, sincere.
“A Qing, now that you’re back—what about the Black Wolf Gang?” Wang Da An asked cautiously.
“It’s settled. They won’t be bothering our village again.”
“Great! You’re amazing, A Qing! Come on, let’s go—everyone’s waiting!”
Wang Da An, thrilled, reached out to grab Lu Qing’s arm.
“Wait.”
But Lu Qing didn’t move immediately.
Instead, he walked to the Sign Tree, removed the red rope he had tied there that morning, and placed it back beneath the Stone Slab.
Only then did he turn and say, “Let’s go.”
(End of Chapter)
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