Chapter 220

Chapter 220: Missed, the world changes, spiritual energy appears

“Why can’t I calculate it?”

The figure with disheveled hair looked at the stones scattered on a strange formation in front of him, his eyes gleaming with madness.

“Why can’t my method of calculation determine the location of Lu Qing and his group?

Even though the laws of heaven and earth are changing, they haven’t completely changed yet. At most, they can only confuse the senses of mortal fortune tellers. Logically, they shouldn’t be able to hinder my inner demonic deduction.”

The figure with disheveled hair was puzzled. He looked at the still-poured rain outside the cave, and a sudden realization struck him.

“Is it because this icy rain has completely obscured their presence?”

“As expected of a child of destiny, you can even cause the heavens and earth to actively shield you from the secrets and conceal your presence. Lu Qing, your destiny is truly enviable!”

“But the more so, the greater your value. I truly can’t wait to devour you.”

A terrifying glint shone in the figure’s eyes.

He had a hunch that if he could devour the boy named Lu Qing and strip him of his luck, it

would be even more effective than devouring a hundred young geniuses. He would then become the most fortunate individual at the dawn of the spiritual energy resurgence!

“Just wait, Lu Qing! You can’t escape my grasp. Since I can’t find any trace of you, I’ll go straight to Zhongzhou and wait for you.

I don’t believe the fate of heaven and earth can protect you constantly. You’re just a child of luck. I’ve killed them before!”

A dark and ruthless voice echoed from within the cave. The next moment, a figure with disheveled hair had vanished.

It was unknown when this icy rain would end, but he no longer had the patience to wait.

What if Lu Qing arrived in Zhongzhou before him? Who knew how much effort it would take to find him?

The figure with disheveled hair rushed swiftly through the rain.

A strange aura permeated him, shielding him from the inexplicable chill of the rain.

While the cold evil energy was formidable, the world was only just beginning to transform, and both the spiritual and evil energies were still very weak, unable to harm a formidable being like him.

The figure, his hair disheveled, sped towards Zhongzhou.

Encountering small towns along the way, he didn’t stop, simply continuing on.

Soon, he passed through a forested area, oblivious to the sight, continuing onward.

“Hmm?”

Lu Qing, refining the Earth Spirit Pearl, suddenly opened his eyes.

At the same time, the old doctor, reading a medical book, raised his head.

Xiao Li’s ears twitched,

but he glanced at Lu Qing and, seeing he didn’t move, ignored him, continuing his game of chess with Xiao Yan.

The soul talisman in Lu Qing’s brow acupoint trembled slightly, and the range of his soul’s induction suddenly expanded, extending outward.

But

he found nothing. A hint of confusion crossed his eyes.

Just now, while he was immersed in refining the Earth Spirit Pearl, he had suddenly sensed a deeply sinister aura, fleeting past the edge of his soul’s perception.

But when he carefully sensed it, the aura had vanished again.

He glanced at his master’s expression and knew he was probably similarly unsuccessful, unable to pinpoint the cause of the aura’s appearance.

After a moment’s reflection, he found no clue, and the aura hadn’t reappeared, so Lu Qing decided to ignore it for now.

However, a subtle sense of alarm welled up within him.

Though the aura hadn’t been powerful, its level of malevolence was unprecedented.

He recalled what Master Zhirui of the Tianji Tower had said: the world was undergoing a dramatic transformation, with demons and evil spirits everywhere. Could that aura have been one of them?

Unfortunately, he’d been so focused on refining the Earth Spirit Pearl that he hadn’t immediately detected the aura. Otherwise, he would have gone out to investigate.

The rain continued for three days before finally stopping.

During those three days, no one had come to the Taoist temple, giving Fang Tao and the others a sense of relief.

They knew the Flowing Cloud Sect’s followers had likely been deterred by the downpour, temporarily losing track of them.

On the morning of the fourth day, sunlight streamed in, much to Lu Qing’s delight.

The rain had stopped, meaning they were finally freed from being trapped in the Taoist temple and could set off.

“Old Doctor Chen, Young Master Lu, the rain has finally stopped. I think it’s time for us to say goodbye.”

Fang Tao approached with his daughter and disciples.

“Thank you so much, Old Doctor and Young Master Lu, for your care. I have no way to repay you, but I will remember it in my heart and repay you another day.”

Fang Rou bowed to the Old Doctor and Lu Qing.

Over the past three days, thanks to the Old Doctor’s acupuncture and Lu Qing’s herbal diet, Fang Rou’s health had improved rapidly. Not only had her injuries largely healed, she was even able to get out of bed and walk. Despite some weakness, she was no longer seriously injured.

“No need to be so polite,” the old doctor helped her to her feet. “You’ve recovered so quickly because of your good health. Otherwise, even the best medicine wouldn’t have taken effect so quickly.

But remember, for the next few days, you shouldn’t resort to v*olence. You’ll need some time to recuperate before you can fully recover.”

“Yes, Xiaorou, I’ll remember that,” Fang Rou replied docilely.

“Old Doctor Chen, we’re in trouble after all, so let’s say goodbye here. I’ve been so grateful for your help these past few days, and I’ll never forget your kindness. If I have the chance, I’ll repay you generously.”

Fang Tao bowed.

Although the Flowing Cloud Sect hadn’t pursued him in the past few days, he didn’t let his guard down.

Now that the rain had stopped, they could take advantage of the opportunity to continue their journey. Only once they reached Qingzhou could they truly breathe a sigh of relief.

“Master Fang, take care.” The old doctor also nodded.

“Goodbye, Sister Fang~”

Xiaoyan saw Fang Rou and the others were about to leave and came over to say goodbye.

These days, she would occasionally go to play with this sister, and they had developed some friendship.

“Goodbye, Xiaoyan.”

Amidst the reluctant farewells, the figures of Fang Tao and the others gradually disappeared.

“Master, should we set off too?” Lu Qing said at this time.

“Well, we have been delayed here for a few days, and it is time to go.” The old doctor nodded.

“I’ll go and prepare.” Ma Gu walked out.

After Ma Gu had harnessed the carriage, Lu Qing and the others also packed up their things.

“Huh?”

Walking out of the hall and standing outside, Lu Qing’s expression changed and he looked at the master.

“Master, the world seems to have become a little different.”

“It is different.” The old doctor also nodded in surprise.

“Yes, old doctor, I don’t know if it’s because it just rained, but the air today seems to be particularly fresh and pleasant.” Ma Gu also said.

“Okay, let’s get in the carriage first.” The old doctor carried his things and stepped onto the carriage.

“Go!”

After Lu Qing and the others got on, Ma Gu shouted, cracked the whip, and the carriage started gently and drove down the mountain.

Lu Qing sat cross-legged in the carriage, his spiritual power quietly reaching out, sensing the surrounding space.

Then he felt that there was indeed an inexplicable meaning between heaven and earth, and it became more full of vitality and energy.

“Is this spiritual energy?”

Lu Qing’s spiritual power sensed the imbued aura, and a sudden realization emerged within him.

However, this aura was still very weak, its impact on the world insignificant.

Weaker warriors would be unable to detect these changes.

Only powerful cultivators like Lu Qing and the old doctor, whose spiritual power had reached a certain level of strength, could perceive the profound implications.

However, they could only sense the changes; they were unable to absorb and refine this aura.

Lu Qing’s Qi orifices were not yet open, preventing him from drawing Qi into his body.

As for the old doctor, lacking the cultivation techniques, he did not know how to refine this mysterious aura.

“Now that spiritual energy has truly begun to revive, perhaps I should find an opportunity to teach my master a method of Qi cultivation,” Lu Qing thought to himself.

His master was a powerful Xiantian realm cultivator, his Qi orifices already awakened.

In the path of cultivation, one step ahead leads to another.

If he could master the method of refining spiritual energy, perhaps his cultivation would achieve a qualitative leap.

Just as Lu Qing was mulling over this, he suddenly felt a strange movement in his mind.

He sensed it and realized it was coming from the Qiankun Qi Bag at his waist.

“You want to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth?”

Lu Qing felt the vibrations from the Qiankun Qi Bag, surprised.

But he quickly realized.

His Qi orifices were not yet open, temporarily preventing him from absorbing and refining spiritual energy.

But the Qiankun Qi Bag, a spiritual artifact, presented no such obstacle.

Immediately, Lu Qing’s mind shifted slightly, activating the Qiankun Qi Bag’s restrictions.

Instantly, an invisible suction force emerged from the Qiankun Qi Bag, drawing in wisps of mystical aura from the surrounding heaven and earth, drawing them in and sinking into the bag.

In the carriage, the old doctor, also sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, contemplating the changes in the world, noticed the change and opened his eyes.

However, upon realizing the change was coming from Lu Qing, he simply smiled and ignored it, continuing to close his eyes and contemplate.

He had long been accustomed to Lu Qing’s frequent miraculous manifestations.

He never questioned them, not even asking unless Lu Qing offered to explain.

As Lu Qing and the old doctor were absorbed in their spiritual cultivation, the carriage slowly advanced in silence.

The heavy rain of several days hadn’t made the roads muddy.

Instead, the water had washed the roads clear.

Aside from a few soft patches of muddy road, there weren’t many other issues.

The carriage Lu Qing and his companions were riding in had been custom-built at great expense by the Wei family, so even these road conditions weren’t a problem.

As the carriage continued along the official road, people began to appear.

“Old doctor, I just asked. Qingfeng Town is just ahead. Should we go in?” Ma Gu asked.

The old doctor paused for a moment, then said, “Let’s go in. We’ve been using quite a lot of supplies lately and need to replenish them.”

At the Taoist temple, Fang Tao and his companions’ luggage had been lost, and Lu Qing and his companions had shared their food and drink. As a result, the daily necessities in the carriage were rapidly depleting.

If we don’t replenish it, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold out for a few days.

“Yes.”

Magu responded and drove the carriage towards the town.

Amid the clattering of horse hooves, it wasn’t long before Magu saw a town appear in front of him.

Just as he wanted to whip the whip and urge the carriage to hurry forward, he saw several people in front of him with panicked expressions, looking back and stumbling towards him.

“Whoa!”

Seeing that the carriage was about to hit someone, Magu hurriedly tightened the reins and stopped the carriage.

Then he shouted at the few people who were frightened and fell to the ground: “Are you guys going to die? Don’t you see there is a carriage here!”

“Master, what’s the matter?” Wei Zian poked his head out.

“Nothing, just a few reckless guys who didn’t look at the road and almost hit the horses.” Magu said unhappily.

“Are they okay?” asked the old doctor.

“No, I pulled the reins in time and didn’t touch them.”

The old doctor looked at the people lying on the ground and found that they were panting, sweating profusely, and looked panicked. He thought they were scared.

He got out of the car to check, but saw those people jumping up from the ground again and running in the direction they came from.

One of them shouted as he ran: “Old man, you should run away quickly too. There is a group of evil people in the town who are killing and hacking people indiscriminately. If you don’t run away, I’m afraid you will suffer too!”

“Someone is killing people indiscriminately in the town?”

The old doctor’s expression changed, and he hurriedly looked in the direction of the town.

Before he could get a clear look, a cold voice rang out, “Little bitch, I wonder where you can run to. Your master, brothers, and sisters have all been captured. Do you think you can escape on your own? If you kneel down and beg for mercy right here and now, perhaps I’ll consider sparing you some torture!”

At the same moment, a figure staggered towards them. Its form looked familiar to Lu Qing and the others.

“It’s Sister Zhao!”

Xiaoyan, with her sharp eyes, immediately recognized the figure and shouted.

Lu Qing and the others had already recognized it. It was Zhao Qianlin, one of Fang Tao’s disciples, who had spent several days with them at the Taoist temple.

However, after just over an hour, Zhao Qianlin looked drastically different. Her hair was disheveled, her body covered in bloodstains, and her weapon was gone. She could only clutch her shoulder as she ran unsteadily.

More than a dozen figures were chasing her.

The cold voice came from a middle-aged man in gray, leading the group.

Zhao Qianlin looked up at Xiaoyan’s childish voice, feeling delighted at first. But then, remembering her master’s instructions, her expression changed. She gritted her teeth and headed for the woods beside the road.

“You little bitch, you’re so shameless!”

The gray-clad man had been enjoying Zhao Qianlin’s desperate escape, playing cat and mouse.

But now, seeing that she not only ignored his words but even attempted to escape through the nearby woods,

his expression darkened. He pulled a bow from the back of a nearby man, drew his bow, and unleashed a sharp arrow, aiming directly at Zhao Qianlin’s knee.

The arrow struck with such force that Zhao Qianlin, despite hearing the wind, was nearly exhausted and unable to dodge.

As the arrow threatened to pierce her knee, despair crossed her eyes.

Ding!

But then, a crisp sound echoed.

The sharp arrow that was about to pierce Zhao Qianlin’s knee was suddenly hit by something, deflecting its trajectory and narrowly grazing Zhao Qianlin’s leg before piercing the ground nearby.

“Who is it?!”

The gray-clothed man saw that his arrow, which was supposed to hit the target, was blocked by someone.

His face suddenly darkened and he fixed his gaze on the carriage in front of him.

(End of this chapter)