Chapter 567

Chapter 567

I Can See Through Everything

“Fellow Daoist up ahead, please wait.”

Hearing yet another voice transmission, Lu Qing finally stopped and calmly looked back.

He had, of course, long since sensed that someone was tailing him.

But ever since entering Tianshu Continent, the area had grown far more bustling.

From time to time, he would run into other cultivators on the road.

Still, most people remained wary of strangers and rarely exchanged words with unfamiliar cultivators.

This was the first time someone had called out to him.

Lu Qing looked behind him and saw a slightly chubby young Daoist with a round face, wearing traditional Daoist robes.

The man was standing atop a large yellow gourd, flying rapidly toward Lu Qing.

As he drew near, he slowed down and eventually came to a stop.

“Fellow Daoist, your flight light is truly swift. I almost couldn’t catch up,” the chubby Daoist said, panting slightly, his expression filled with admiration.

Flight light? Fast?

Lu Qing blinked in slight surprise.

He had merely turned himself into a streak of light using the most basic Flight Light technique available to Golden Core cultivators—he hadn’t used any artifacts at all. How could that be considered fast?

Still, he didn’t show it. Keeping a straight face, he replied, “You flatter me, fellow Daoist. Might I ask why you called me?”

At the same time, he discreetly activated his spiritual powers to peer into the chubby Daoist.

“My apologies for being forward,” the chubby Daoist said with an embarrassed grin. “I’m from Qingniu Continent. My Daoist title is Wubao. I’m headed for the Tianshu Sacred Mountain.

Seeing that you’re also traveling alone, I thought—why not join forces for the journey?”

“Travel together?”

Lu Qing looked at the Daoist’s honest expression, his gaze briefly lingering on the small red gourd hanging at the man’s waist.

Then he shook his head. “I’m sorry. I’ve always preferred to travel alone and don’t make a habit of joining others.”

At that moment, a string of floating text began appearing in Lu Qing’s field of vision as he observed the Daoist. Silently, he read through the information.

And then, a strange feeling slowly began to well up inside him.

Upon hearing Lu Qing’s refusal, the chubby Daoist looked surprised.

“What? You mean you’re not headed for Tianshu Sacred Mountain to compete for the opportunities in the new secret realm that’s about to emerge?”

Lu Qing raised an eyebrow. “A new secret realm?”

“Ah, so you really don’t know,” the Daoist said, studying Lu Qing’s reaction and realizing his assumption had been mistaken.

Lu Qing shook his head. “I’ve been wandering aimlessly. This trip to Tianshu Sacred Mountain is simply out of long-standing admiration. I wanted to explore the mountain for myself.

As for this secret realm you mentioned, I truly haven’t heard a thing.”

The chubby Daoist’s eyes lit up. “In that case, you should definitely travel with me. It would be such a pity to miss out on a grand opportunity like this.”

“Why are you so insistent on traveling with me?” Lu Qing asked with a hint of amusement.

“To be honest, I cultivate a secret technique that lets me divine fortune and misfortune.

The moment I saw you just now, I had a strong feeling—so I performed a quick divination. The result? A great fortune sign.

As long as I stick with you, I’ll surely avoid disaster and encounter good fortune again and again,” said the Daoist, his expression animated.

“You’re quite honest,” Lu Qing said with a laugh.

Recalling the text that had just drifted out from the chubby Daoist’s body, he could tell the man wasn’t lying.

“So, fellow Daoist,” the chubby Daoist said expectantly, “how about letting me tag along with you to Tianshu Sacred Mountain?”

“And what benefits do I get from this arrangement?” Lu Qing asked.

“That’s easy! If we really do gain some opportunities in the mountain, we split it seventy-thirty.

You get seventy percent, I’ll take thirty. How about it?” the chubby Daoist replied, momentarily stunned, but then quickly pounding his chest in assurance.

“We’ll see,” Lu Qing said noncommittally. “Why don’t you first explain what this secret realm business is all about?”

“Gladly!”

The Daoist’s eyes sparkled with joy.

He knew Lu Qing had basically agreed for the time being.

“Fellow Daoist, there’s still a long way to the sacred mountain. Why don’t we talk as we walk?”

“Alright,” Lu Qing nodded.

So the two set off again.

This time, instead of turning into a streak of light, Lu Qing conjured a cloud and sat upon it, flying forward at a steady pace.

The chubby Daoist flew alongside him on his gourd artifact.

After brief introductions, the chubby Daoist—now properly known as Daoist Wubao—began explaining the news regarding the new secret realm at Tianshu Sacred Mountain.

As the Daoist spoke in detail, Lu Qing finally understood the situation.

It turned out that about a month ago, a cave suddenly appeared midway up Tianshu Sacred Mountain.

From within the cave, flickers of primordial light had begun to emerge.

Such a phenomenon instantly caused a stir among the cultivators who had long been exploring the mountain.

After all, such a sign was unmistakable to them.

It heralded the imminent emergence of a large secret realm.

This was one of Tianshu Sacred Mountain’s defining features.

The mountain itself was vast and majestic, filled with mysteries and treasures.

From time to time, it would also give birth to powerful secret realms.

These realms were enormous—some even larger than mid-sized worlds.

And naturally, such immense secret realms were brimming with opportunities.

Some of those opportunities were enough to drive even Nascent Soul cultivators into a frenzy.

Thus, every time Tianshu Sacred Mountain birthed a new secret realm, it sparked a frenzy.

Major sects, aristocratic clans, and even powerful lone cultivators would send their elites to compete for fortune.

This time was no different.

The phenomenon could not be hidden.

In a short span, the news of the secret realm’s emergence had spread throughout most of the Tianyuan Great World.

No one knew how many powerful cultivators and factions were already on their way.

“No wonder I saw so many high-level cultivators rushing along the road. Turns out they’re all headed for the mountain in search of fortune,” Lu Qing said with sudden realization after hearing the Daoist’s explanation.

“Exactly. With the emergence of this new secret realm, countless strong cultivators will gather at the mountain. Other than those too far away, the elites of nearby continents are likely all heading there.”

“But with so many elites gathering, do you really think we stand a chance at claiming anything with our level of cultivation?” Lu Qing asked skeptically.

It wasn’t that he lacked confidence.

But according to the Daoist’s account, even top-tier sects and noble clans were sending their elites to vie for opportunities.

Surely, many among them were Nascent Soul cultivators.

While Lu Qing was confident in his standing among Golden Core cultivators, he wasn’t arrogant enough to look down on Nascent Soul powerhouses.

Which made him question Daoist Wubao’s optimism.

“It seems you truly don’t know much about Tianshu Sacred Mountain,” Daoist Wubao sighed.

“So you’re saying there’s more to this than meets the eye?” Lu Qing asked humbly. “Please, I’d like to hear more.”

“It’s no secret, really,” Daoist Wubao replied. “Anyone who’s spent time around Tianshu Sacred Mountain should already know.

Tianshu Sacred Mountain is one of the most mysterious and extraordinary sacred peaks in the entire Tianyuan Great World.

The mountain itself is colossal—its sheer size surpasses that of some small worlds.

Within it lie countless strange caverns, each one concealing its own miniature world.

Layer upon layer of spatial cavities, not only hiding opportunities and secrets, but also leading to unknown destinations.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators of the highest level haven’t been able to fully uncover all the mountain’s mysteries.

Because of that, some have speculated that Tianshu Sacred Mountain might actually be a relic left behind by ancient Immortals.

Of course, Immortals are just legends—no one knows if they truly existed.”

As Lu Qing listened to the Daoist’s explanation, he finally began to understand just how extraordinary this mountain truly was.

However…

“And what does that have to do with my earlier concern?” Lu Qing asked.

“Patience, fellow Daoist,” Wubao chuckled. “I was just getting to the point.”

“You were worried that when the secret realm emerges, powerful sects and aristocratic clans will send Nascent Soul cultivators, and that people like us at the Golden Core stage won’t stand a chance of claiming any opportunities.

But that is the one thing you shouldn’t worry about.”

“Oh?” Lu Qing was intrigued. “Why not?”

“Because, according to long-standing precedent, secret realms born from Tianshu Sacred Mountain typically have cultivation restrictions.

Nascent Soul cultivators and above cannot enter.

Only those below the Nascent Soul realm may enter to seek fortune.”

“Is that so?” Lu Qing was genuinely surprised.

“Strange, isn’t it? But that’s just how the rules of the mountain work,” Wubao said with a grin. “The old spatial caverns that have existed on the mountain for years—those don’t have any such restriction.

Anyone can enter them, from mere Qi Refinement novices to Nascent Soul masters.

But for newly born secret realms on the mountain, only cultivators below the Nascent Soul realm can go in.

This rule has held firm for countless generations. Our predecessors concluded it through repeated observation over the ages.

It has never once been broken.

Because of this peculiar rule, some believe the mountain is truly a legacy of ancient Immortals.

After all, it’s hard to imagine such specifically targeted laws emerging from a naturally formed mountain.”

Lu Qing nodded slowly in agreement.

Indeed, such a precisely targeted rule didn’t feel like a natural occurrence at all. It felt designed.

But who could possess such unfathomable power as to shape a vast mountain like this?

It was no wonder people connected it to the ancient Immortals.

Still, Immortals remained a nebulous myth—no one could say for sure if they had ever truly existed.

“So the new secret realm only allows cultivators below the Nascent Soul level…”

Lu Qing muttered, then frowned.

“But even then, trying to snatch opportunities from the hands of major sects and aristocratic clans won’t be easy.

They’re bound to have numerous prodigies in their ranks.

Even sending just one or two top-tier Golden Core cultivators might be enough to sweep through all the competition.

Someone like me wouldn’t stand a chance.

One look from those prodigies and I’d probably be half-dead.”

“You flatter me, fellow Daoist,” Wubao chuckled. “I wouldn’t dare go head-to-head with those golden sons of powerful sects either.

My plan is this: once we reach the sacred mountain and the secret realm opens, we head into the outskirts.

We don’t venture deep.

The sect elites and noble heirs will undoubtedly aim for the core regions of the realm where the most precious treasures lie.

But if we stay on the edges, there shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

At last, Daoist Wubao revealed his plan.

Even so, Lu Qing didn’t immediately agree.

“This whole venture sounds too risky,” he said. “I’ll wait until I’ve seen the secret realm with my own eyes at Tianshu Sacred Mountain before deciding.”

“That’s fair,” the Daoist said with a nod. “We haven’t even glimpsed the realm yet—it’s a bit premature to make promises. I was being too hasty.”

He wasn’t annoyed at Lu Qing’s caution. In fact, it made him reflect on his own attitude.

Ever since he encountered Lu Qing and divined a sign of great fortune, he’d become overly optimistic.

But the future was filled with uncertainties. No divination was set in stone.

Too much joy could lead to sorrow—that was one of the most common shifts in fortune.

“This chubby Daoist has a good temperament,” Lu Qing thought to himself with approval.

He’d half-expected the man to grow irritated after being repeatedly declined.

Clearly, he’d overthought it.

Still, Lu Qing’s mind was already turning.

When the Daoist first mentioned the secret realm, something within Lu Qing had stirred—an inexplicable tug, as if something in the realm was intimately connected to his cultivation.

At his level, such premonitions were no coincidence.

It was a kind of spiritual resonance that cultivators sometimes experienced when something vital to their path appeared.

Clearly, something within that realm was calling to him.

That was the real reason he hadn’t refused the Daoist outright.

He could sense that this little fat fellow was quite unusual.

And the floating message from his spiritual power confirmed it—the Daoist had a background that wasn’t simple.

He also seemed to be quite familiar with Tianshu Sacred Mountain.

All things considered, a temporary partnership might actually yield worthwhile results.

Even so, Lu Qing kept that thought to himself.

As he had just said—they hadn’t even laid eyes on the secret realm yet.

Until he reached Tianshu Sacred Mountain and used his spiritual powers to probe the emerging realm for himself, any decision would be premature.