Chapter 257
"What decision?" Lu Qing curiously asked.
The old doctor also showed a listening expression.
"The three Holy Lords, with the world in their hearts, decided to release three ancient cultivation methods from the Sacred Mountain to prevent sects without ancient cultivation methods from stirring up disputes and plunging Zhongzhou into chaos," Xuanjizi explained.
"Does the Sacred Mountain really have such courage?" Lu Qing was surprised by this answer. This was indeed unexpected, but after thinking it over, he found it to be a good idea. At least it would prevent the sects of Zhongzhou from being so hostile towards each other. However, this method was not something everyone could use. People are inherently selfish, and it takes great courage to make powerful cultivation methods public.
"Indeed, the three Holy Lords' magnanimity and open-mindedness are truly exemplary for us cultivators," Xuanjizi said with reverence.
At this point, Lu Qing finally understood why there was unrest in other states while Zhongzhou remained peaceful. It turned out that the major sects were busy seeking benefits for themselves.
Presumably, the Precelestial Realm experts in these sects were all focused on comprehending the ancient cultivation methods that could refine spiritual energy, leaving no time to care about the affairs of other states.
This made Lu Qing feel a little relieved. Since Zhongzhou hadn't fallen into chaos, they could still enter.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, Doctor Chen, what brings you to Zhongzhou this time?" Xuanjizi asked.
"Speaking of which, it's not something to laugh at, but my teacher once said that after breaking through to the Precelestial Realm, if he was willing to follow the Sacred Mountain's decree, he could gain an opportunity to enter the Sacred Mountain to comprehend its teachings. I wonder if this promise still holds?" Lu Qing was worried whether the promise would still be valid after the changes in Zhongzhou."Oh, it's about that," Xuanjizi laughed. "Lu Xiaolangjun needn't worry. The Sacred Mountain is still under the control of the three Holy Lords, so the promise naturally remains valid. Recently, a newly advanced Precelestial Realm expert entered the Sacred Mountain to comprehend its teachings, so Doctor Chen will have no problem."
"In that case, we can be at ease," Lu Qing said, feeling slightly relieved.
The three chatted for a while longer, during which Lu Qing took the opportunity to gather a lot of information about the current situation in Zhongzhou. Satisfied, he was about to bid farewell to his master when he suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, Senior Xuanjizi, I have one more thing to ask," Lu Qing said.
"Go ahead," Xuanjizi responded.
After chatting with Lu Qing for a while, Xuanjizi had developed a good impression of him. This young man was eloquent and knowledgeable, especially in martial arts, which had benefited him greatly.
"When we entered the city today, we saw the characters 'Azure Dragon City' engraved on the city gate. They seemed mysterious, but a guard warned us not to easily comprehend the meaning behind them. The guard seemed sincere and not deceitful. Could you explain why?" Lu Qing asked.
"A guard at the city gate?" Xuanjizi pondered for a moment before his expression changed. "Was the guard who warned you a young man?"
"Yes, he was fair-skinned, had an extraordinary demeanor, and didn't look like an ordinary guard," Lu Qing replied.
"That must be it. The one who warned you is probably the third young master of the Ji family in Azure Dragon City. The reason for his warning is quite complicated," Xuanjizi explained.
"Oh? Please tell us more," Lu Qing urged.
"With your martial arts skills, you must have noticed that the characters on the city gate contain a special meaning that can shake one's heart. To be honest, those characters were engraved over a hundred years ago by a peerless expert whose name shook Zhongzhou before his demise. This peerless expert was an extraordinary person who lived a carefree life with no wife, no children, and no disciples.
Over a hundred years ago, knowing his time was near, he decided to leave Zhongzhou and travel the world. Before leaving, he engraved those characters on the city gate as a sudden inspiration. After that, he disappeared without a trace and never returned to Zhongzhou. Some say he died while traveling, and others believe he broke through the mysteries of life and death and ascended to another realm. The truth is unknown, and even our Tianji Tower doesn't know his fate," Xuanjizi explained.
"So, what's the connection between those characters and the third young master of the Ji family?" Lu Qing asked.
"After the peerless expert left Zhongzhou and his fate became a mystery, the characters he left on the city gate attracted countless martial artists. It was rumored that these characters contained his martial arts legacy. Anyone who could comprehend the mystery within would gain his entire legacy and soar to great heights.
This rumor caused a frenzy, with countless martial artists flocking to Azure Dragon City to study the characters, hoping to gain the legacy. Even the Precelestial Realm experts from major sects came to observe. Eventually, it was concluded that the characters indeed contained the expert's martial intent, but only those whose martial path aligned closely with his could comprehend it.
Otherwise, even Precelestial Realm experts could damage their martial foundation by forcefully comprehending it. Initially, many martial artists didn't believe the warnings of the Precelestial experts and continued to flock to the city gate.
However, as time passed, it became clear that no one could fully comprehend the mystery, and many talented martial artists had their foundations damaged by the intent within the characters. Slowly, fewer people came to study the characters, and eventually, they were almost forgotten. Now, only a few self-confident martial artists come each year, and even they are rare," Xuanjizi explained.
"That's quite remarkable," Lu Qing said, understanding why the expert was called a Martial Saint. His martial arts skills must have been extraordinary.
"No wonder the third young master of the Ji family warned us. It seems the characters have a deep history," Lu Qing remarked.
"Indeed, but the reason for his warning might also be related to his elder brother, the eldest young master of the Ji family," Xuanjizi said.
"Oh? Why is that?" Lu Qing asked.
"The eldest young master of the Ji family was a highly talented martial artist who reached the Internal Organs Realm at just twenty years old. His talent was outstanding even in Zhongzhou. The Ji family had high hopes for him, investing many resources in him to become a Precelestial Realm expert and secure the family's status.
However, a few years ago, for some unknown reason, he went to the city gate to study the characters and was disturbed by the martial intent within, almost losing all his cultivation. His mind became erratic, and he was eventually expelled from the family. The third young master admired his elder brother and was devastated by this event. After searching for his brother for two years without success, he returned to Azure Dragon City and took a minor position in the city lord's mansion, living a life of idleness," Xuanjizi explained.
"I see," Lu Qing said, understanding the situation better.
"Unexpectedly, the third young master had such good intentions. I must find an opportunity to thank him properly," Lu Qing said. "Senior Xuanjizi, we've troubled you and my master enough today. We have other companions with us, and we don't want to worry them, so we'll take our leave."
"Are you leaving already?" Xuanjizi was slightly surprised. After trying to persuade them to stay a bit longer, he saw that they were determined to leave and got up to see them off.
After Lu Qing and Doctor Chen disappeared from sight, a middle-aged man holding an abacus quietly appeared behind Xuanjizi.
"Elder, are these the two individuals that Zhirui's true disciple specifically instructed us to pay close attention to two years ago?" the middle-aged man asked.
"Yes, I thought they would come last year, but they were delayed until now," Xuanjizi replied.
"But they seem quite ordinary. Their relationship also seems odd, with Lu Xiaolangjun appearing to be the main figure," the middle-aged man expressed his doubts.
"Ordinary? Not at all. These two are truly unfathomable. Even I might not be their match in a fight," Xuanjizi sighed.
"Elder, how is that possible?" The middle-aged man was shocked. He knew the elder's cultivation level and the various mysterious techniques of Tianji Tower. The elder was not inferior to the elders of major sects, yet he admitted he might not be a match for Lu Qing and his master?
"Anything is possible," Xuanjizi sighed. "With the changing world and the revival of spiritual energy, extraordinary geniuses are destined to emerge. Recently, the main tower reported that a disciple from the Tianling Sect comprehended the ultimate sword path during the sect competition and swept the field. He then challenged and narrowly defeated a Precelestial Realm elder.
Similarly, a disciple from the Xingkui Sect, who was initially average, had a sudden enlightenment and advanced to the Precelestial Realm overnight, shocking the entire sect. Such astonishing geniuses were rare in the past, appearing once in decades or even centuries.
Now, they frequently emerge, indicating that extraordinary geniuses born under the revival of spiritual energy will become more common. Who's to say that Lu Xiaolangjun isn't one of them?"
No, perhaps he is indeed one of them! Xuanjizi recalled what Zhirui had said to him, thinking silently. He hadn't expected Zhirui to say that Lu Xiaolangjun might be a person of great fortune, difficult to see through.
But now, seeing him and his mysterious master, he wondered if this fortune extended to the older generation as well.
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