Chapter 372

Words : 2066 Updated : Oct 9th, 2025

Chapter 372"Alright, regardless of the true identity of this ghost-faced person, since they insist on standing against our Xuankong Mountain, we cannot simply do nothing. Otherwise, the authority of Xuankong Mountain will be completely lost, and taking control of Western State in the future will become even more challenging." As several divine soul waves within the jade talisman continued to debate endlessly, the first speaker finally spoke up. With these words, the other soul waves fell silent. They all understood that the Abbot was right. Endlessly arguing about the ghost-faced person’s identity was meaningless. Since this person had already provoked Xuankong Mountain to this extent, the immediate task was to capture him and execute him in public. Otherwise, if he continued to flaunt his power across Western State, it would be a fatal blow to Xuankong Mountain's authority. In the future, even aiming to dominate the world, let alone ruling Western State, would be difficult. "The Abbot is correct. It doesn't matter who this person is; as long as we capture him, everything will become clear." "Indeed. This person is arrogant and clearly doesn't regard Xuankong Mountain in the slightest. Setting an ambush to capture him shouldn’t be difficult." "Once he's captured, we can’t let him die easily. His divine soul must be extracted and refined into a lamp, so he suffers day and night—that’s the only way to appease the spirits of Elder Kurong in the heavens!" ... As the powerful soul waves plotted and schemed within the jade talisman... Numerous powers across the land also received news about events in Western State. The emergence of the Four Great Secret Realms was already an event of great significance, drawing widespread attention. Powerful factions from all over had already dispatched scouts, constantly monitoring the movements of these realms. Even the Great Secret Realms themselves sent scouts to one another, aiming to understand their rivals' actions fully. Given the scale of the commotion stirred up by Lu Qing in Western State, no one could keep it hidden. On that very day, as carrier pigeons, message eagles, and communication talismans flew across the sky, nearly every top faction in the world learned of the events in Western State. On a green and picturesque mountain peak in Eastern State, an elderly Daoist sat cross-legged on a green stone, lecturing in front of a Daoist temple. Before him, a dozen disciples sat attentively, listening with rapt expressions. Suddenly, the elder's expression shifted as he looked up into the sky and caught a streak of light descending from above. As the light dissipated, it revealed a small white jade talisman. The elder probed the talisman with his divine soul and quickly scanned its contents, a look of surprise spreading across his face. "Master, what has happened?" A middle-aged Daoist among the listeners asked. If Lu Qing were present, he would recognize this man as Yangming, the Daoist with whom he had shared a lively conversation in Sacred City. "There's trouble in Western State," the elder replied without hesitation. "Trouble in Western State? What mischief have those bald-headed monks stirred up now?" Yangming asked with a lack of surprise on his face, as though expecting trouble from those monks was only natural. "It’s not those monks causing trouble this time. It's someone else stirring up trouble in Western State, and judging by the information, this person appears to be specifically targeting Xuankong Mountain. S A mysterious figure has emerged in Western State, driving a flying artifact and wreaking havoc on the various temples and statues Xuankong Mountain is building, as well as slaughtering their disciples who are out on missions..." The elder shared a general summary of what he read from the communication talisman. The other Daoists were left wide-eyed and speechless, stunned by the news. "To think someone would dare to act so boldly... Who would be reckless enough to provoke Xuankong Mountain in such a way? Do they think those mad monk maniacs are harmless vegetarians?" Yangming's face mirrored the disbelief of those around him. He found it hard to believe that there could be someone so audacious as to provoke those fanatical monks. Even though their own Qingyang Temple had longstanding grievances with Xuankong Mountain, they still would not dare to provoke them so openly. "We don’t know yet," the elder said, shaking his head. "The person wears a ghost face mask, concealing their true identity, and no one knows where they came from." "Master, could it be someone from the other two secret realms?" Yangming wondered aloud. "It’s hard to say, but it seems unlikely. Yunshui Secret Realm and Cold Water Palace have no major grudge with Xuankong Mountain, so they have no reason to stir up trouble with the monks at this moment," the elder replied. Yangming nodded in agreement; it was true that of the Four Great Secret Realms, Qingyang Temple and Xuankong Mountain had the deepest grudges against each other. The other two realms might not favor Xuankong Mountain, but there was no reason for them to go out of their way to cause trouble. "In that case, it must be another mysterious power who has taken a dislike to Xuankong Mountain. To provoke those bald monks in this way, this person must possess extraordinary strength. And their grudge with Xuankong Mountain must also run deep." Yangming speculated further. For some reason, Lu Qing's face suddenly floated into his mind. If there was anyone among the world's powerful figures with a deep-seated grudge against Xuankong Mountain, the first person who came to his mind was that young man. From what he saw of Lu Qing's fearless personality in Sacred City, that daring youth might indeed be capable of such a shocking act. But could it really be him? Yangming was unsure. After all, the Master had just mentioned that the mysterious figure wreaking havoc in Western State was using a golden flying artifact. Only those who had stepped onto the path of cultivation, with profound levels of spiritual power, could operate such artifacts. While Lu Qing was undoubtedly powerful, at the time in Sacred City, he had only just transcended his heavenly tribulation and entered the Precelestial Realm. Yangming also clearly remembered that Lu Qing was following the martial path, cultivating inner strength rather than spiritual power. It didn’t exactly align with what the Master had described. "Yangming, what are you thinking about?" Seeing Yangming deep in thought, the elder asked. "Oh, nothing," Yangming snapped back to attention. "Master, since such a major event has occurred in Western State, I’d like to go over there and take a look." The elder pondered briefly and nodded, "That would be wise. Xuankong Mountain will certainly respond to such a provocation. You might be able to observe some of their hidden power by going. However, you must remember to be careful on this journey and avoid drawing attention to yourself or revealing your identity. Those monks are fuming with rage right now and may think that the mysterious figure is from our Qingyang Temple. If you cause any trouble and they take it out on you, it will be beyond our reach to protect you." Yangming felt a chill run down his spine and replied respectfully, "Yes, I understand, Master." The elder took an object from his robe and handed it to Yangming. "Take this with you. If you encounter trouble, it may offer you some protection. Additionally, select two artifacts from the temple to carry along with you. Above all, prioritize your safety." "Thank you, Master," Yangming said, taking the object with a respectful expression. Half an hour later, a streak of light shot out from the mountain peak, heading straight for Western State. Similar scenes were taking place within other two major secret realms as well. In Yunshui Secret Realm, a few enormous birds took to the skies. In Northern State, other streams of light ascended. All were bound for Western State. Even other top factions from across the world sent disciples or scouts to investigate. This incident was simply too significant. Xuankong Mountain, one of the Four Great Secret Realms, had only recently re-emerged, yet someone dared to trample on their pride so openly. Everyone was eager to see how Xuankong Mountain would respond. More importantly, they wanted to see if this ancient realm, with a legacy spanning tens of thousands of years, truly held the unfathomable strength the legends claimed it had. In no time, Western State, which was already under close scrutiny, became the focus of the entire world. Countless factions sent people to infiltrate it. Xuankong Mountain was well aware of this but could do nothing. Because of the rampant slaughter unleashed by that mysterious ghost-faced person, all the disciples they had sent out hastily returned to the Ling Mountain Range upon hearing the news. No one wanted to risk their life, especially with a powerful menace actively hunting Xuankong Mountain's disciples. No one dared to linger outside. This situation left Xuankong Mountain with no choice but to let all these forces’ scouts enter Western State unimpeded. What vexed Xuankong Mountain the most was that after the ghost-faced person had rampaged on the first day, he suddenly vanished. For several days, there was no sign of him, as if he had already left Western State. This left Xuankong Mountain’s plans to ambush him in vain. ... Inside a concealed mountain cave, Yan appeared, seated across from Lu Qing. Lu Qing sat cross-legged, with Xiao Li curled up in his lap, sound asleep. A board was set between them, and they were engrossed in a game. "Young Master, how much longer do we need to stay here?" "No rush. Another day or two won’t hurt." Lu Qing picked up a black stone and placed it on the board. "It’s not like I’m the one anxious. I’m sure those monks are scouring the world right now to track me down." "Young Master, you’ve killed so many of their elders and disciples and destroyed so many of their temples and statues. You’ve essentially stepped on Xuankong Mountain’s head, so of course, they’re anxious." Yan picked up a white stone, placing it on the board with a laugh, "But I’m curious, Young Master. You clearly had a chance to kill all their disciples outside. Why let some escape back to the Ling Mountain Range?" "Slaughtering ordinary disciples is easy," Lu Qing replied, placing another stone. "But my intuition tells me Xuankong Mountain’s movements seem... off. So, to play it safe, I decided to observe for a few more days. Those ordinary disciples’ lives or deaths don’t affect the bigger picture." "I see." Yan looked thoughtful. He had wondered why Lu Qing had suddenly chosen to go into hiding at the height of his assault. It turned out that his intuition had sensed a warning. Yan couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Indeed, as someone blessed by the Light of Merit, a child of great fortune, even the Heavenly Dao seemed to be aiding him. Whenever danger arose, a premonition appeared immediately. Xuankong Mountain had truly stepped into a nightmare by making such an enemy. "But, Young Master, if Xuankong Mountain continues to hunker down in the Ling Mountain Range, wouldn’t you be unable to do anything about them?" "Then so be it," Lu Qing said nonchalantly. "I didn’t come here with the goal of destroying Xuankong Mountain entirely. I lack the power to do that. All I want is to disrupt their plans to control Western State so that they can’t head to Cangzhou to trouble Jiuli Village. That alone will suffice." Lu Qing was fully aware that with Xuankong Mountain’s hidden realm as their refuge, it was unrealistic to eliminate them completely. Only if he gained the power to invade their hidden realm and annihilate them could that goal be achieved. For now, Lu Qing was satisfied to see Xuankong Mountain cowering within the Ling Mountain Range. After the commotion he caused over the last few days, the rest of the world should be well aware of the situation in Western State. With the eyes of the world upon them, Lu Qing was curious to see how Xuankong Mountain would respond. Would they remain in hiding, or would they take other actions? A strange light flickered in Lu Qing's eyes.

Chapter 372

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