"Zhiyue, please."
Lu Qing brought a cup of plum tea to the young man in plain clothes.
"Thank you."
The young man took the tea, sipped it lightly, and his eyes immediately narrowed in pleasure.
He quietly savored it for a while before opening his eyes, which were full of admiration: "What a wonderful tea! It’s truly unique, nurtured by the Elemental Mist."
"If you like it, take some back with you when you leave."
The old doctor, also a tea enthusiast, was pleased with the young man’s high praise for his meticulously prepared tea.
"Thank you, Senior Chen." The young man happily accepted.
Lu Qing went back inside and packed a small bag of plum tea.
After finishing the cup of tea, the young man set down the cup and his expression turned serious."I believe Senior Chen is curious about how I knew you had broken through to the Precelestial realm."
"Indeed, I am quite puzzled," the old doctor admitted.
When he broke through, he hadn't sensed anyone nearby, and he had never shown his Precelestial skills in front of others.
He truly couldn't understand how the young man had learned of his breakthrough.
"Senior Chen need not worry. I learned of your breakthrough by pure coincidence, not through any deliberate spying."
"It happened that I was in the county when you broke through. I had a sect treasure with me that detected the changes in the Elemental Mist, which is how I knew a Postnatal martial arts master had comprehended the Elemental Mist, drawn it into their body, and achieved the Precelestial state."
"However, the situation in the county has been tense lately, and I couldn't leave immediately. It took until today to come and visit you, Senior Chen."
The young man explained.
Besides being unable to leave, he was probably also investigating his master’s background, Lu Qing thought.
However, this explained why the young man knew so much about his master.
His master frequently traveled to the county, even the County Magistrate had seen him. His identity and residence were no secret among the city’s elite.
With the young man's status, it wouldn’t be difficult to find out the details.
But the fact that his treasure could sense changes in the Elemental Mist from a hundred miles away was quite terrifying.
"No wonder. I didn’t realize such miraculous treasures existed. I’ve been quite ignorant," the old doctor sighed.
"It’s a rare sect treasure, not widely known. Senior Chen, you are a kind-hearted healer dedicated to saving lives; it’s normal that you haven't heard of it," the young man smiled.
"I’m just a wandering doctor doing my duty, not deserving of such high praise," the old doctor quickly responded.
The young man smiled but didn’t argue further.
If someone with the light of merit couldn’t be called kind-hearted, then there were no good people in the world.
To be honest, the young man was still quite shocked.
The light of merit was something only accumulated by doing countless good deeds.
Even though the old doctor’s merit light was faint, it was still merit light, not easily gathered.
Even in the Hanging Temple, not many could possess such light.
Unexpectedly, he found it on an unassuming wandering doctor.
How many people had he saved to accumulate such merit?
"Senior Chen, besides enjoying your tea, I have another matter to discuss with you."
"Please, go ahead," the old doctor indicated.
Lu Qing’s heart tightened, knowing they were finally getting to the main point.
"Senior Chen, have you heard of Sacred Mountain?" the young man asked.
"No, I haven't," the old doctor shook his head.
"Sacred Mountain is a mysterious and great place, responsible for maintaining order in this continent. Even the Hanging Temple, Cold Water Palace, and Qingyang Temple acknowledge its status."
"All major families and sects in the world respect it greatly..."
As the young man explained, the old doctor and Lu Qing gradually understood the concept of Sacred Mountain.
Sacred Mountain is a very special force.
Unlike ordinary sects, it was formed a thousand years ago by the collaboration of several mysterious places and numerous sects and families to maintain order in this continent.
In Lu Qing’s understanding, it was similar to a united organization from his past world.
However, unlike that organization which could only argue, Sacred Mountain had formidable martial power.
Its power was unrivaled except by a few mysterious places and some large sects.
Sacred Mountain had a transcendent status and did not involve itself in factional conflicts.
Even if countries went to war, it remained neutral.
Sacred Mountain maintained order that could affect the human race's overall situation.
For example, the order between Precelestial and Postnatal martial artists, and ordinary people.
Precelestial beings were extremely powerful. Once a martial artist reached the Precelestial stage and could refine the Elemental Mist, their strength increased rapidly.
Ordinary Postnatal martial artists were no match for them, akin to ordinary people.
Precelestial combat was no longer limited to physical fights. A simple sword qi or blade light could kill dozens or hundreds of people.
A powerful Precelestial could massacre an entire city in a short time.
Such power, if unchecked, could lead to unimaginable consequences.
History recorded several instances of Precelestial conflicts destroying cities.
Such incidents made various families and sects realize that it couldn’t continue.
Precelestial powerhouses were lofty, but ordinary people were the foundation of the human race and shouldn't be slaughtered wantonly.
So, after discussions, Sacred Mountain issued a decree.
Precelestial martial artists were forbidden from attacking those below Precelestial without good reason, especially in cities.
Violators would be imprisoned in Sacred Mountain, or even killed.
"Senior Chen, I know you dislike conflict, but now that you’re a Precelestial martial artist, this decree applies to you too," the young man said. "I came to inform you of this."
"I didn’t know such a decree existed. Rest assured, it’s a great deed and I will abide by it," the old doctor readily agreed.
Seeing the old doctor agree, the young man smiled.
"Of course, the decree states that Precelestial martial artists must not attack those below Precelestial without reason. However, a Grandmaster cannot be humiliated. If someone provokes or offends them, they won't be punished for defending themselves."
Lu Qing nodded.
This was only right; the world ultimately respected the strong.
How could a Precelestial martial artist, who had trained so hard, endure insults from the weak?
If they couldn’t fight back when provoked, what was the point of being strong?
Such a decree would never be accepted by the various powers.
"And Sacred Mountain won’t make Precelestial martial artists abide by this decree for nothing," the young man continued.
"Every newly ascended Precelestial who agrees to the decree can get an opportunity to train in the Sacred Mountain’s holy pool for three days. This opportunity is valid for life."
"Senior Chen, this is a great opportunity for you."
"Oh, how so?" the old doctor asked.
"Sacred Mountain is a mysterious and great place, filled with opportunities. One of the greatest is the holy pool at the peak."
"The holy pool is mysterious and miraculous, helping people attain enlightenment, break through bottlenecks, incredibly magical."
"Even the dullest martial artist can make rapid progress in it, advancing by leaps and bounds."
Hearing this, even the old doctor couldn’t help but be intrigued.
"The world is indeed vast and full of wonders. What Zhiyue said, I have never heard or seen before. I have learned a lot today," the old doctor sighed.
"Senior Chen, this jade token is Sacred Mountain's recognition. I will inform my sect and relay it to Sacred Mountain. When you reach the Central Plains, you can inquire about Sacred Mountain at Tianji Tower with this token."
The young man handed a small jade token to the old doctor.
The old doctor took the token, feeling a slight thrill.
The jade quality was similar to the heritage jade slip Lu Qing had given him before.
After handing over the token, the young man stood up: "Senior Chen, my main purpose was to inform you about the decree. Now that it’s done, I should take my leave."
"Leaving so soon? Won’t you stay for a meal?" the old doctor asked.
"No, the situation in the city hasn’t completely calmed, and I shouldn’t be away for too long," the young man declined.
"Speaking of which, I’ve heard about the situation in the county. Can you tell me when the Wei family’s crisis will be resolved?" the old doctor asked.
The young man shook his head: "I’m afraid the Wei family’s crisis is hard to resolve."
The old doctor was surprised: "Why do you say that?"
"Although the Wei family’s ancestor has returned, he was wounded by Elder Wang Cangyi of Tian Cang Sect. The sword qi in his heart is difficult to remove. If it remains, he may not survive a year."
"If Wang Cangyi is patient, waiting a year for the Wei family’s ancestor to die naturally, it could be the end of the Wei family."
"Can’t you stop this?" the old doctor asked urgently.
The young man shook his head: "Tianji Tower has its principles. We don’t get involved in factional conflicts unless Wang Cangyi himself intervenes, I have no reason to interfere."
The old doctor was silent for a long time.
Seeing the old doctor’s silence, the young man hinted:
"The Wei family’s survival depends on their ancestor’s recovery. If he recovers, the Wei family will be safe. If he dies, the Wei family is doomed."
The old doctor pondered deeply.
Seeing the old doctor understood, the young man smiled
.
He nodded to Lu Qing, picked up the small bag of plum tea, and left the courtyard, heading down the mountain.
After confirming the young man had left, Lu Qing asked, "Master, what should we do now?"
Though not explicitly stated, the old doctor knew Lu Qing referred to the Wei family.
The old doctor sighed: "It seems I cannot avoid this."
"Are you planning to go to the Wei family to treat their ancestor?"
"According to Zhiyue, only I can treat his injury. We have met the Wei family before; they aren’t bad people. I can’t stand by and watch them get slaughtered."
Seeing his master’s heavy expression, Lu Qing knew that if his master didn’t go, and the Wei family was exterminated, he would be tormented by guilt forever.
Now that he knew about the Wei family ancestor’s injury, he couldn’t lie to himself.
No way around it, his master was just too kind-hearted.
Now it seemed the young man had calculated his master’s nature and intentionally said those words before leaving.
"If you want to go, then go. I support you," Lu Qing said. "But how will you get there, sneak into the Wei family?"
"I’m afraid that won’t work," the old doctor shook his head. "The Wei family ancestor’s injury is in his heart. How could they trust a stranger to treat such a vital area?"
"Moreover, now that I’ve reached the Precelestial stage, I need to use my soul force to merge with the Elemental Mist, draw it into my body, and refine it into Precelestial qi."
"Over time, this leaves a trace of the Elemental Mist on us, which is hard to hide. Postnatal martial artists can’t sense it, but Precelestial ones can."
"If I sneak into the Wei family and get mistaken, it could lead to conflict and a serious misunderstanding."
He understood difficult patients too well.
Lu Qing recalled the young man’s words. If a Precelestial fight broke out in the city, it would be a big problem.
"So, only a trusted person from the Wei family can introduce you to avoid unnecessary conflict." Lu Qing had a flash of inspiration. "Mrs. Wei and Young Master Wei!"
"That’s a good idea, but it might put them at some risk," the old doctor said.
"We’re saving the Wei family; Mrs. Wei will understand," Lu Qing said.
Knowing Mrs. Wei, she would be even more anxious once she knew the reason.
"Alright, go fetch them from the mountains. We’ll head to the county this afternoon," the old doctor nodded.
Lu Qing then took Xiao Li and hurried to the mountains.
When the young man came, he had Xiao Li hide, not wanting them to meet.
The young man’s treasure was too magical; it could detect changes in the Elemental Mist from a hundred miles away.
Though unsure if hiding Xiao Li helped, it was better not to meet.
However, the young man didn’t seem to notice he had cultivated soul force.
Thus, the treasure wasn’t omnipotent.
At least not all information could be detected.
Unfortunately, the young man didn’t show the treasure, so Lu Qing’s ability couldn’t probe it.
With Xiao Li, Lu Qing quickly reached Mago and the others’ hideout.
Coincidentally, all three were there.
"Brother Lu Qing, what happened?"
Seeing Lu Qing, Mago and the others were surprised.
No one expected Lu Qing, who had just left yesterday, to return so soon.
"We’ll talk on the way. Pack up, we’re leaving the mountain."
Table of content
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter