Chapter 204

Chapter 204: A Great Harvest! And Senior Sister Kong, Long Time No See!

The sky quickly returned to its azure blue.

Hua Ciyan stood in mid-air.

A blood-red long sword in her hand slowly disappeared, merging into her palm.

The powerful aura around her was also gradually dissipating.

It eventually returned to the first level of the Life and Death Realm.

Whoosh.

Hua Ciyan returned to the cloud ship.

Everyone’s gazes were instantly filled with awe.

If we hadn’t misheard just now, those two people should be the legendary Marquises!

Incredibly powerful beings!

Yet they both perished at the hands of this Elder Hua!

That means...

Elder Hua is a Marquis!

Their own sect actually has a Marquis-level warrior!

The more they thought about it, the more shocking it became!

Whoosh!

Meng Changqing’s figure also appeared.

“Remember, today’s events must not be spread,” the Grand Elder said, lowering his sleeve and speaking solemnly.

“Understood,” everyone quickly nodded.

“Senior Sister is indeed a Marquis-level warrior,” Meng Changqing said with a smile.

“Looks like you had already guessed,” Hua Ciyan also smiled.

“I’ve seen Senior Brother Sect Master in action before. When he returned, he even helped fortify my heart, which shows how deep the sect’s foundation is,” Meng Changqing said.

“Fortify the heart, huh?” Hua Ciyan nodded slightly.

Senior Brother Sect Master probably revealed some details.

“Senior Sister’s strength must be among the top within the Marquis realm, otherwise, it wouldn’t be possible to instantly kill two warriors of the same level,” Meng Changqing said, clearly curious.

“You could say that,” Hua Ciyan chuckled. “But mainly because those two were too weak, just newly ascended to Marquis with shallow foundations in martial arts.

“When you step into the Marquis Realm, even just entering it, people of their caliber will be as easy to slay as one stroke per person.”

Stepping into the Marquis realm...

Meng Changqing’s hands tightened under his sleeves.

Hua Ciyan’s actions just now had left a deep impression on him.

Even the sky above seemed to shatter, with countless peach blossoms swirling, containing powers he had never seen before!

Strange and powerful!

Not something that True Essence or Soul Power could compare to!

It must be unique to the Marquis Realm!

“Not far now,” Meng Changqing released his hands.

He had already reached the fourth level of the Life and Death Realm. With the help of high-level resources from the Genius Battle, it wouldn’t be long before he could finish the path ahead.

Reaching the peak of the Life and Death Realm.

Then wait a while longer for the Wild Sea to open.

Once he find the divine artifact, he could step into the Marquis realm!

Marquis!

For countless people, it’s a legendary realm, and also the beginning of the great path!

“There’s always a higher mountain.

“From now on, I’ll be facing not just my peers, but also famous seniors and older generation strongmen.”

Meng Changqing’s thoughts wandered.

There would be more events like today’s.

So, he must continue to grow stronger!

“Who were those two today?” the Grand Elder asked.

“One was from the Blood God Demon Sect, the other from the ancient Yu family,” Hua Ciyan replied.

“Hmph, the Blood God Demon Sect and the Yu family,” the Grand Elder snorted coldly.

Then he took out a notebook from his chest.

He wrote down the names.

Everyone was momentarily stunned.

They didn’t expect the Grand Elder to be so vengeful.

Meng Changqing’s eyes flickered.

The Blood God Demon Sect was one of the ten major demon sects. Half a year ago, while practicing the “Holy Spirit Slaughter Sword Technique,” he had encountered them in the dungeon of the Punishment Peak.

The overall strength of this sect was quite strong.

Ranked fifth.

They usually operated in regions like Tianxuan, Tianling, and Tianji Prefectures.

This also showed that...

They were far superior to the Yellow Spring Demon Sect.

Because the Yellow Spring Demon Sect usually operated in the more remote regions.

As for the ancient Yu family...

He had encountered this ancient family during the Genius Battle.

It was during the semi-finals.

Their strength was decent, but luck played a big part in reaching the semi-finals.

At least they were not as good as the Tianxuan Five Sects.

So in the fight for third place, they lost to the Purple Sun Palace.

“The reputation of the ancient Yu family had always been mediocre. There were many bad rumors before, but unfortunately, there was no evidence, so most of them were left unresolved in the end,” Hua Ciyan’s eyes grew cold. “This time, they dared to attack our Tai Xuan Sect. They’re simply tired of living.”

“Indeed, once the time is right, we must visit them,” the Grand Elder said, with the same expression.

Everyone exchanged glances.

Why were the ancient clans, so powerful in the eyes of the world, regarded as so insignificant by the Grand Elder and Elder Hua?

To this, Meng Changqing smiled faintly.

Judging by what the Senior Brother Sect Master said before, the ancient clans of the Southern Region may really be insignificant in the eyes of their sect.

At the same time, his heart grew cold.

If it weren’t for Senior Sister Hua today, the situation would have been dire. After all, no matter how strong he was, he couldn’t possibly be a match for a Marquis!

The further one progressed in cultivation, the greater the gap between major realms.

It’s very hard to cross!

Unlike before, in the Sea Cleaving Realm, he could still rely on the “Linglong Daluo Tian” technique to leapfrog and slay Dao Creation Realm warriors!

So in the future, if he encountered people from these two forces, he must definitely get some ‘interest’ back!

—

A little over a month later, they finally returned to the Taixuan Sect.

And the news of Meng Changqing’s sweeping through many great sects and leading the Tai Xuan Sect to first place had already spread throughout the entire Tianling Prefecture!

The sect was fully prepared to welcome them back!

Various splendid fireworks bloomed in the sky!

All disciples, elders, and high-ranking officials, including the Sect Master, gathered at the mountain gate, waiting for them!

When the cloud ship appeared and approached, the sound was like a tidal wave!

“Welcome back to the Sect, Young Lord!”

Meng Changqing stood at the front of the cloud ship.

He smiled slightly and returned the greeting. “Thank you all.”

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Figures appeared on the cloud ship. It was Xi Yingqing, Mo Shukuang, Shangguan Zhi, and others.

“Good lad!

“As expected of our sect’s future Sect Master!

“Hahaha, once again sweeping the younger generation of the southern region!

“Too bad I wasn’t there, or I would have mocked those old folks. Not good back then, even worse now!”

Shangguan Zhi laughed heartily.

As a practitioner of the blade, he was always straightforward and said whatever was on his mind.

“Indeed, already possessing tenfold sword intent,” Mo Shukuang walked over, patting Meng Changqing on the shoulder.

His eyes were filled with shock and admiration.

It was clear that even with his extensive experience, he had never seen someone so young step into tenfold true intent.

It was truly terrifying.

“Senior Brother, Senior Sister,” Meng Changqing greeted with a smile.

“I had already evaluated you highly, but now I see I still underestimated you,” Xi Yingqing said with a smile.

His left arm was empty, with only his sleeve gently fluttering.

“Senior Brother overpraises me,” Meng Changqing said, slightly embarrassed under so much attention and praise, even with his thick skin.

Ding!

【Xi Yingqing’s favorability has increased to three stars!】

【Attribute to be selected!】

【Triggered extra reward: Attribute Selection Card *3!】

Ding!

【Mo Shukuang’s favorability has increased to two stars!】

【Attribute to be selected!】

Suddenly, a series of notifications rang in his mind!

Meng Changqing was momentarily stunned, then he was filled with joy.

Goodness!

This was truly unexpected.

Their favorability suddenly increased!

And it wasn’t just one person.

It was a lot of them!

All the Senior Brothers and Sisters who were friends with him instantly increased their favorability!

But after thinking carefully, it was understandable.

After all, he led the sect to win the first place in the Southern Genius Battle, recreating the glory of nearly two hundred years ago!

With such a performance, who wouldn’t have their favorability increased?

“It’s truly a great harvest!” Meng Changqing was excited!

But now was not the time to sort it out. He would do so later.

“Changqing is much more dazzling than you were back then. In a while, you should step down,” the Grand Elder said, approaching.

His eyes were still filled with dissatisfaction.

All along, the Grand Elder had been quite displeased with the Sect Master and often mentioned the idea of stepping down, especially after Meng Changqing appeared.

Even more so, upon hearing this, Xi Yingqing couldn’t help but chuckle.

“At least wait until Little Junior Brother steps into the Marquis Realm.”

“Hmph, then I’ll let you stay a bit longer,” the Grand Elder said, finding it reasonable.

The others exchanged smiles.

Over the years, the Second Senior Brother had always been like this, and they were used to it.

“Alright, let’s head inside. I haven’t been back in ages. You wouldn’t leave your junior sister standing at the door, would you?” Hua Ciyan spoke up.

In the Tai Xuan Eighteen Disciples, she ranked thirteenth, Ku Fengchun was sixteenth, and Meng Changqing was nineteenth.

So, referring to herself as a junior sister in front of them was perfectly appropriate.

“Thirteenth junior sister, you’re still as naturally beautiful as ever. After all these years, you still look as radiant as before.”

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Zhi immediately turned his gaze over and smiled as he spoke.

“What do you mean by that? Are you implying that I’m old and haggard?” Luo Qingtai from Medicine King Peak immediately expressed her displeasure.

“Ahem, I didn’t say that.” Shangguan Zhi quickly turned sideways.

“Alright, let’s head inside. We should give our junior brother and the other disciples a proper welcome.” Xi Yingqing chuckled softly.

The cloud ship then sailed toward the sect.

The disciples below were still staring, only looking away when the cloud boat vanished from their sight.

“Is that the young lord? He’s so handsome!”

“If I could become the young lord’s dao companion, even if it means enjoying the best food, living on Spirit Peak every day, and using the finest elixirs, I’d be willing!”

“Damn! You really dare to dream big, not willing to lose out on anything!”

“Even becoming a maid would be a huge blessing! The young lord is now the number one in the Southern Region! The top genius!”

Many female disciples began to fantasize.

The male disciples were the same, but what they desired was to follow him!

In the distance stood a slender figure. She kept her distance from the crowd. She looked somewhat forlorn.

It was Kong Linxue.

Since the Martial Arts Competition, she hadn’t seen Meng Changqing again.

The distance between them seemed to be ever-growing, no matter how hard she tried to catch up, she could never reach him, until even his silhouette was out of sight.

And the feelings in her heart, perhaps they should be let go.

From their first meeting at Pupper Valley, to knowing each other, to becoming close, she once thought that they would eventually be together. But now it seemed like it was all just an illusion.

The current Junior Brother Meng was so dazzling.

Standing above the heavens, he was like a figure from legend.

“Junior Brother Meng, the path you’ll take in the future will surely be filled with clamor, with flowers in full bloom, and with boundless martial fortune.

“I sincerely wish you well.”

A stunning smile appeared on Kong Linxue’s face.

She then turned her back to the crowd and left the lively scene.

However, as she walked around a corner, she suddenly stopped. Her gaze froze.

Because not far away, there was a lush, towering tree, and leaning against the tree was a young man.

A gentle breeze blew.

Blades of grass fluttered, and the young man’s hair also swayed lightly.

“Senior Sister Kong, it’s been a long time.” The young man smiled as he spoke.