Chapter 259

Chapter 259: The body and soul are perfected again, and they come out of retreat

“My physical body and spiritual power have finally reached their limit and reached perfection.”

Lu Qing felt the changes within him, feeling a surge of joy.

He had thought it would take several days for his physical body and spiritual power to reach perfection, but unexpectedly, it had happened several days earlier.

It seemed that last night’s insights had indeed benefited him greatly.

It even sped up the refining of the Earth Spirit Pearl, further enhancing its nourishment.

This had allowed his physical body and spiritual power, which had originally taken several days to reach their limit, to be perfected ahead of time.

He clenched his fist, not even mobilizing his Qi and blood, but purely physical strength. A subtle explosion echoed from Lu Qing’s palm.

“With my current strength, even without utilizing the talisman and Earth Spirit Pearl contained within my brow acupoint, I could defeat Mo Zhen, who has cultivated a blood demon body, with my physical strength alone.

Someone like the old woman from the Zheng family could be killed with a single blow. Furthermore,

my cultivation methods are mutually reinforcing.

Now that my spiritual power has reached its limit, my refining of the Earth Spirit Pearl is also accelerating.

It won’t be long before I can completely refine this earth-based treasure.

Then, my strength will be significantly enhanced once again.”

Lu Qing felt the unimpeded, surging physical power within him, feeling immense satisfaction.

It was worth suppressing his realm for so long, resisting the temptation of innate power.

The rewards were truly abundant.

“Now that both my physical and spiritual strength have reached their acquired limits, it’s time to prepare for a breakthrough.”

Ever since listening to Xuanjizi’s account of the situation in Zhongzhou, Lu Qing had developed a sense of crisis.

Zhongzhou seemed to be under the control of the three from the Holy Mountain, but he knew this was only temporary.

Once someone from the other major sects successfully comprehended the ancient cultivation method and entered a new realm,

the balance would be disrupted, and further turmoil would be inevitable.

Therefore, he decided that after entering Zhongzhou, if he still had no idea about the mysterious opportunity, he would immediately seek a place rich in spiritual energy to retreat and strive for the Xiantian Realm.

Lu Qing believed that his current foundation was, if not unprecedented, at least it was likely that there was no one in the world today who could surpass him.

With his accumulated knowledge, once he entered the Xiantian Realm, his strength would surely undergo an astonishing transformation.

Coupled with the many trump cards he held,

he would not necessarily fear even the most powerful masters who had reached the perfection of the Xiantian Realm.

The early perfection of his physical and spiritual strength put Lu Qing in a very good mood.

So much so that even Ma Gu and the others could see the joy on his face during breakfast.

“Ah Qing, what happened to you? Why are you so happy?” the old doctor asked curiously.

“Nothing, just some new insights into my cultivation.” Lu Qing smiled. “By the way, Master, I was contemplating the meaning of the inscription on the city gate last night and discovered something interesting.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“We’ll talk about it on the way,” Lu Qing didn’t say it immediately.

The old doctor looked around and realized what was happening. It was

true. The inn was crowded and bustling. There were two tables of diners not far from where they were having breakfast.

The inscription on the city gate had a significant history. If they really discussed it here, it would probably attract attention.

“Then, after we finish breakfast, let’s get ready to set off. Ma Gu has already asked the innkeeper. Qinglong Pass only opens once every seven days,

and always at the hour of Chen. Today happens to be the opening day. Now it’s only half an hour away from Chen.”

Hearing that the checkpoint would open at Chen, Lu Qing and the others quickened their pace.

After breakfast, everyone returned to their rooms to pack up.

Soon, after packing up, Ma Gu harnessed the carriage while Lu Qing went to settle the room bill.

“Let’s go.”

Since galloping horses was forbidden within Qinglong City, Ma Gu had no choice but to lead the carriage forward.

The old doctor and his companions also chose to walk, continuing to admire the magnificent scenery of Qinglong City.

The checkpoint leading to Zhongzhou was located west of the city. Lu Qing and his companions stopped and walked, admiring the scenery as they walked. Just before the checkpoint opened, they arrived at the west side of the city.

“Is this Qinglong Pass?”

When Lu Qing and his companions saw the legendary Qinglong Pass, they looked a little dazed.

Qinglong City was built by the river, and the west side of the city was close to the river.

Lu Qing could faintly hear the sound of rushing water.

Standing before them was a massive city gate, over ten feet wide and about thirty to forty feet high.

Above the gate were three huge inscriptions: “Qinglong Pass.”

The three inscribed characters, stained with decay, seemed to have been eroded by wind and rain for thousands of years, imbued with an ancient and profound meaning.

While they lacked any martial spirit, the ancient meaning borne from the baptism of time was even more profound than the three characters carved by the Martial Saint on the East Gate.

“This West City Checkpoint is far more majestic than the East Gate leading into the city,” Lu Qing exclaimed.

“Indeed, by comparison, this one is more like the main city gate,”

Ma Gu and the others nodded in agreement.

“A lot of people are waiting to leave the checkpoint together.”

Wei Zian glanced around. At this moment, there were at least nearly a thousand people gathered at the checkpoint, waiting to leave.

Many were in groups that looked like caravans, with as few as a dozen people and as many as nearly a hundred.

Their carriages, parked here, were quite inconspicuous.

But this was exactly what Lu Qing wanted.

Their carriage, after all, was engraved with a formation. Although he had disabled it, some runes on the carriage’s hull were still visible if one looked closely.

If they encountered anyone knowledgeable, they might attract attention.

While they weren’t afraid, they were about to enter the city, so naturally, less was better; the lower the profile, the better.

“The city gates are about to open!”

As everyone waited, someone suddenly shouted, instantly drawing everyone’s attention.

Lu Qing also turned his gaze toward the city gate.

“Ha!”

A unified roar echoed. On either side of the city gate, over twenty shirtless men, each grasping a massive capstan, their blood boiling and their faces flushed red, struggled to turn it.

Boom, boom!

As the capstans turned, a crack appeared in the center of the city gate, and the two gates slowly retreated to the sides.

“Wow, even the one pulling the door is a martial artist at or above the Great Perfection of the Bones and Muscles Realm. No wonder this Azure Dragon Pass only opens once every seven days.”

Lu Qing raised an eyebrow as he sensed the energies and blood radiating from the men turning the capstans.

Of these dozens of men, not a single one had a martial arts cultivation level lower than the Great Perfection of the Bones and Muscles Realm.

The most powerful had already achieved complete perfection in their energy and blood, and were only a hair’s breadth away from the Internal Organs Realm.

Such a powerful individual could live a comfortable life in any small town in the vast states.

Raising a gang, they could live comfortably.

But here, they were forced to labor to open the city gates.

This checkpoint city truly possessed a profound heritage.

However, the gates were indeed heavy, and one wondered how much manpower and resources had gone into their original construction.

With shouts, the bare-chested men worked diligently to gradually push the gates aside.

At the same time, a stream of steam emanated from outside, and the sound of a mighty torrent of water instantly poured into the city.

“This…”

Lu Qing’s eyes widened slightly at the sensation of this abundant steam.

Within this steam, he sensed a rich spiritual energy.

Another half-minute passed, and thanks to the men’s efforts, the gates were finally fully opened.

By this time, their faces had become fatigued, and they rested, panting.

It was easy to imagine the immense effort it had taken just to open this gate.

“The city gates are open. Those wishing to exit, line up immediately. Pay the fee, and you may enter!”

a resounding voice rang out.

As the voice fell, although there were people waiting, they immediately lined up in an orderly manner.

In front of a big city like Qinglong City, no one dared to make trouble, and everyone was very well-behaved.

Lu Qing and the others also pulled a carriage and lined up at the back of the team.

Because there were so many people entering the customs, they waited for almost an hour before arriving at the checkpoint.

“Sir, we want to enter the customs!”

Ma Gu stepped forward and said with a smile to the mighty man who was sitting at a table and writing something in the account book on the table.

“A total of five people, plus a carriage.” Ma Gu said politely.

The mighty man raised his head, glanced at Lu Qing and the others, paused at Xiaoyan, and looked at the carriage behind them.

Then he continued to lower his head and wrote: “Five taels of customs fee per person, children do not need to pay, one tael for the carriage, a total of twenty-one silver.”

“Yes, sir, this is the fee we pay.”

Ma Gu handed over a purse.

The imposing man took the purse, paused, and weighed it before opening it and pouring out two ingots of silver.

He then fished out another ingot, pinched off a corner, and stuffed the missing piece back into the purse, tossing it back to Magu.

“I have always kept my public and private affairs separate. I never accept unnecessary money. You may keep the remaining silver.”

Magu accepted the purse, a look of embarrassment on his face.

He dared not say anything more, so he bowed respectfully and put the purse away.

Seeing this, Lu Qing’s eyes flickered, and his expressionless gaze lingered on the imposing man for several breaths.

After paying the entry fee, Lu Qing and his companions began to leave the city.

As they crossed the city gate and arrived outside, they were once again stunned by the scene outside.

Beyond the gate lay a massive platform, large enough to accommodate ten thousand people at a time, and beneath it, a mighty river.

A majestic, smooth bridge, several dozen feet wide, connected to the front of the platform, spanning the river for an almost endless distance.   Lu Qing marveled

at the surging, turbulent river beneath his feet, and the massive bridge that stretched across it like a dragon.   It truly was Qinglong Pass, known as the world’s greatest pass.   The miraculous sight alone was enough to make him feel his journey was worthwhile.   The old doctor and his companions were equally awestruck by the spectacle before them.   It took them a while to recover.   ”The world is truly vast, and full of wonders. I, an old man, used to think I was quite experienced, but now I realize I was just a frog in a well,” the old doctor sighed.   Ma Gu and Wei Zi’an were even more thrilled.   If they hadn’t followed Lu Qing and his companions to Zhongzhou, they wouldn’t have been able to witness this breathtaking spectacle.   ”Master, let’s go,”   Lu Qing warned, noting that most of the people ahead had already begun to ascend the bridge.   The old doctor nodded, and the others began to walk forward.   Such a spectacular view was naturally worth taking in.   Lu Qing and the others decided it would be best to walk across the bridge.   So Ma Gu continued pulling the carriage, while Lu Qing held Xiao Yan in his arms as they walked towards the bridge.   As for Xiao Li, who always hated water, he had already snuggled into Lu Qing’s arms.   ”Xiao Lian, when you get to Xuanxin Sect, remember to practice diligently. Becoming a disciple would be a leap to heaven.   It was thanks to the young master of the Ji family that I was able to scrape together enough money to buy you a spot. Don’t waste it.”   ”But Daddy, the Xuanxin Sect’s disciple assessments are notoriously difficult. I’ve only just reached Perfection in the Qi and Blood Realm, so how can I possibly pass?”   ”If you can’t pass, go find your uncle. He’s an outer sect elder of Xuanxin Sect, and he’ll definitely have a solution.”   ”But doesn’t your uncle always hate our family? How could he possibly help?”   ”No matter how much he hates us, you’re still his niece. If it weren’t for him, your mother wouldn’t have died. If he dares not help you, I’ll carry your mother’s spirit tablet to him myself!”   As they were about to board the bridge, Lu Qing suddenly overheard this conversation.   One of the voices sounded vaguely familiar.   Looking back, I saw several people standing not far away. Among them was a middle-aged man, who was giving serious instructions to a beautiful young girl.

And that middle-aged man, with his hair grizzled, was he not the city guard Hu Laosan whom they had met yesterday when they entered the city?

Seeing his daughter still hesitant, Hu Laosan’s face darkened and he said softly, “Anyway, remember this: you must do your best to join the Xuanxin Sect this time. Understand? Otherwise, I will no longer recognize you as my daughter!”

“Daddy, don’t be angry. I promise you that if I fail the assessment, I will go and ask my uncle for help.”

Seeing Hu Laosan’s anger, the girl quickly agreed.

“Just remember that.”

Hu Laosan’s expression finally softened.

Then he smiled at the few people who had been silent beside him and said, “Brother Zheng, Brother Liu, Miss Wang, I entrust Xiaolian’s safety to you.

This little girl is spoiled at home. If she behaves in a spoiled way on the way, please forgive her.”

“Don’t worry, Brother Hu, since it was the third young master of the Ji family who asked, and we are on the way, we will definitely send Miss Hu safely to Xuanxin Sect…”

As they walked further and further away, and the sound of the rushing water under their feet obscured the sound, Lu Qing gradually could not hear the rest of the words.

But he didn’t care much and continued to walk forward with Xiaoyan in his arms. (End of this chapter)