Chapter 625

Chapter 625

I Can See Through Everything

A single shout rang out, shaking the soul.

The one who barked the question was a Nascent Soul Realm Supreme Elder of the Lanhai Sect—a tall old man clad in a sea-blue Daoist robe.

Everyone’s gaze fell on Lu Qing, waiting to see how he would respond.

This was especially true for the other Nascent Soul experts. They had already heard from their disciples what Lu Qing had done in the secret realm.

And just now, he had even dared to repel their Nascent Soul might.

For a moment, all the Nascent Soul experts grew quite intrigued by him.

"So I’ve really become the target of all."

"This is what you meant, isn’t it, senior? That to become a worthy witch, one must weather the storm? Only… this storm is a little too fierce."

Despite the pressure weighing down on him, Lu Qing’s expression remained unchanged. But inwardly, he sighed.

That mysterious figure from the secret realm—was it deliberate or unintentional? They had actually sent him straight into the middle of all these Nascent Soul cultivators.

His original plan of disguising himself and slipping away among the rogue cultivators was now in ruins.

Given everything he did in the secret realm, Lu Qing didn’t need to think hard to know what was coming next.

Fortunately...

Lu Qing extended his divine soul into the Heaven and Earth One Qi Bag to check the stone token he had just acquired. Finding that it could be activated, he immediately felt a surge of relief.

With that trump card in hand, the situation before him became far more manageable.

If worse came to worst, he could always return to the secret realm.

It would be humiliating to leave and go right back in, but compared to his life, what did face matter?

"Xiaoli, hide inside the Heaven and Earth One Qi Bag for now."

Lu Qing didn’t respond to the Nascent Soul cultivator’s question. Instead, he sent a mental transmission to Xiaoli and tucked it away in the Heaven and Earth One Qi Bag.

Seeing this, many of the Golden Core Realm cultivators who had also ventured into the secret realm reacted.

They had been so focused on Lu Qing that they had forgotten about the little spirit beast. Now, remembering its astonishing performance atop Bone Mountain, they quickly sent messages to their elders.

When word spread that the little beast likely carried ancient bloodlines and was a rare variant, the eyes of several Nascent Soul cultivators lit up.

The elder from the Lanhai Sect who had spoken earlier also showed new interest.

And when he saw Lu Qing completely ignore his questioning—offering no response at all—his gaze grew cold.

"You impudent brat! You dare show such disregard! Looks like I’ll have to teach you a lesson, or the world will think Lanhai Sect has no one worth fearing!"

As soon as the words fell, a massive hand of spiritual power condensed and lunged at Lu Qing.

A Nascent Soul expert’s move was no trivial matter.

The massive spiritual hand suppressed the surrounding space. The aura it gave off caused all cultivators below the Nascent Soul Realm to turn pale.

Qin Zheng, Ye Qingzhu, and the others tensed up, deeply worried for Lu Qing.

"So it’s come to this—facing a Nascent Soul Realm opponent."

Despite the overwhelming pressure, Lu Qing didn’t panic. Instead, a surge of battle intent rose within him.

"Hold!"

Just as Lu Qing prepared to explode with power and test the true might of a Nascent Soul cultivator...

Suddenly, another massive spiritual hand appeared from the side and blocked the attack from the Lanhai Sect elder.

Boom!

The two spiritual hands collided, sending wild spiritual energy surging outward and violently shaking the nearby space.

The raging currents of energy caused Lu Qing’s robes to flutter, but they couldn’t move him even a hair.

"Hmm?"

Lu Qing's expression shifted as he turned toward the person who had intervened.

"Ba Chunqiu, what’s the meaning of this?"

The Lanhai Sect elder was first surprised, but then narrowed his eyes in wariness when he recognized the attacker.

The one who had stepped in was Ba Chunqiu, a Nascent Soul elder of the Overlord Clan.

The other Nascent Soul cultivators were briefly stunned, then wore amused expressions.

Qin Zheng, Ye Qingzhu, and the others were visibly excited.

No one had expected that the Overlord Clan would step in to help Lu Qing.

Even Lu Qing himself was surprised.

He looked toward the Overlord Clan’s position and saw Batian smiling at him. When their eyes met, Batian even gave a slight nod.

Clearly, it had been Batian who asked his elder to intervene.

"No particular reason," Ba Chunqiu said flatly. "I just can’t stand someone throwing their weight around, using their cultivation level to bully a Golden Core junior."

"You heard it too, didn’t you?" the Lanhai elder growled, barely containing his fury. "This brat robbed our disciples in the secret realm and nearly killed them! If I don’t punish such a villain, where is our sect’s face?"

"Really? That’s odd. What I heard was quite different."

Ba Chunqiu’s tone remained calm, but his words caused the Lanhai disciples’ expressions to shift.

"You lot from Lanhai joined forces with Xuanyuan Sect and two other sects. Dozens of you tried to corner and interrogate one person about a so-called ‘fortune’... only to be crushed and forced to beg for mercy.

If you want to talk about face, I’d say your disciples already threw it all away.

And now you’ve got the gall to bully the weak? Is your shame not already enough?"

The faces of the Lanhai disciples turned red.

They had thought to suppress Lu Qing quickly and cover up the disgrace. But now it had been aired for all to hear.

The Lanhai elder’s expression darkened.

"So the Overlord Clan is determined to protect this brat?"

"That’s right," Ba Chunqiu said plainly. "He and Batian had a good chat in the secret realm and hit it off. Since he’s a friend of our Overlord Clan, we’ll naturally look after him."

A powerful aura radiated from Ba Chunqiu, making the surrounding energy freeze up.

His stance was nothing short of domineering.

But his reasoning made some Golden Core cultivators wear odd expressions.

After all, many had heard the exchange between Lu Qing and Batian in the ancient tower. It wasn’t exactly “hitting it off.”

Some quick thinkers instantly understood—Ba Chunqiu’s noble talk likely masked another motive.

"Nice words," the Lanhai elder sneered. "But your clan just wants what's on him and that strange beast.

If you take him, you’ll strip him clean—leave nothing behind!"

"Are you slandering the Overlord Clan?"

Ba Chunqiu’s gaze turned icy.

"You know full well what I mean. This boy has secrets—maybe even obtained the greatest fortune in the secret realm—and that beast of his is an exotic variant. Don’t tell me you Overlord people aren’t tempted."

Although the Overlord Clan was stronger, the Lanhai Sect’s territory was far away from theirs, with many powerful factions in between.

So the elder didn’t fear Ba Chunqiu, not to the point of submission.

His words made the other Nascent Soul cultivators shift their expressions.

Their disciples had already reported back with details of the secret realm—and of Lu Qing’s performance.

It wasn’t just the beast. The fortune he’d obtained might have been left behind by an unimaginable existence.

So Ba Chunqiu’s sudden appearance made his intentions very clear.

Now, many Nascent Soul experts began eyeing him strangely.

Ba Chunqiu could sense those stares and let out a cold laugh.

"Very well, it seems the Overlord Clan has lain low too long, and now any mangy dog dares to bare its teeth.

Batian, go and bring that young man here. I’d like to see—who dares touch someone under our protection!

And as for you, old man Qiu—your potential is exhausted, yet you still dare mock my clan?

Then I’ll start by using your blood to whet my blade!"

With that, Ba Chunqiu slashed out a blade light that soared into the sky and cleaved toward the Lanhai elder.

The elder hadn’t expected him to act so decisively, but he was ready. A water-blue shield artifact flew out to guard him and his disciples.

The shield projected layers of swirling water screens, each shifting and overlapping.

Though Ba Chunqiu’s blade energy was fierce, it was gradually worn down by the endlessly flowing water and eventually dissolved.

"What? Mad because I exposed you? Trying to kill me to silence the witnesses? But with so many Daoists here, can you silence them all?"

The Lanhai elder’s confidence rose after blocking the attack. He even began taunting.

His disciples behind him looked thrilled—their elder had dared to clash head-on with an Overlord Clan expert!

"Stormshield? You even brought your sect’s guardian treasure?

No wonder you dared run your mouth. Fine, I’ll smash that turtle shell of yours, cripple your body, then pay your Lanhai Sect a visit and raze it to the ground!"

A terrifying aura surged from Ba Chunqiu. A domineering blade artifact appeared in his hand.

The Lanhai elder’s face turned grim.

There was no backing down now. He had to fully activate his artifact. The water screens whirled even faster.

The clash of their auras stirred the entire world, shaking even the laws of heaven and earth.

"Hold, both of you."

Just as the battle was about to break out, a figure stepped between them, smiling.

Both Ba Chunqiu and the Lanhai elder paused, recognizing the newcomer.

"Xuanjian, what’s this supposed to mean?" Ba Chunqiu narrowed his eyes. "Is the Heavenly Sword Sect planning to interfere as well? Very well—come, all of you!"

The interrupter was Elder Xuanjian of the Heavenly Sword Sect.

Seeing him, the other Nascent Soul experts looked intrigued.

Top-tier factions often had complicated relationships.

Though Batian and Shen Zangfeng were close, Ba Chunqiu and Elder Xuanjian had long-standing grudges—rumored to be over a female cultivator from a major sect in their youth.

Though not sworn enemies, they had since gone their separate ways.

Now, seeing Elder Xuanjian take the stage, Ba Chunqiu was immediately on guard.

"Not at all," Xuanjian said. "I merely wish to prevent needless conflict. Both of you are pillars of the human race.

If you clash and one falls, it will only benefit the demons."

"Hah! Since when did you start thinking about the bigger picture?

Someone like you must be plotting something."

Unsurprisingly, Ba Chunqiu didn’t buy his words.

"Let’s be honest," Xuanjian continued, still smiling. "This dispute is all about the fortune this young man acquired.

So why not sit down and talk?"

"Nothing to talk about. I’m protecting him. Anyone who touches him will face the wrath of the Overlord Clan!"

"Ba Chunqiu, that’s not the way to put it."

Xuanjian’s smile faded slightly.

"Everyone knows what you’re after. You think you can hoard the fortune for yourself?

Do you think the rest of us will allow that?"

"That’s right! This man attacked our Xuanyuan Sect disciples too. He must be held accountable!"

Another Nascent Soul elder stepped forward.

"Our disciples were also victims! We demand answers!"

More Nascent Soul cultivators joined in.

"Senior Ba, even I think this matter must be handled carefully."

This time, it was Gongshu Zheng of the Gongshu Clan.

As more voices joined the chorus, Ba Chunqiu’s face grew dark.

He might be confident, but even he couldn’t face so many alone.

Yet if he backed down now, everything he’d just said would become a joke.

He could only stand in silence, glowering.

"You see?" Qian Lingxiao’s voice rang in the minds of the Qiankun Sect disciples. "This youth caused too much of a stir. He’s provoked everyone.

Even the Overlord Clan can’t shield him. If we step in, we’ll only bring disaster upon ourselves."

Qin Zheng and Ye Qingzhu fell silent.

They knew their senior brother was right. But it still felt stifling.

Their benefactor stood alone, and they could do nothing.

"Brother Lingxiao, what do you think?"

Gongshu Zheng called out.

Most Nascent Soul experts had now spoken—only a few remained silent, including Qian Lingxiao.

Qin Zheng and Ye Qingzhu turned to him.

"I am of little consequence," Qian Lingxiao said with a faint smile. "But I agree with the esteemed seniors. If this young man has done wrong, he must be punished."

"Ba Chunqiu, you've heard it yourself. The consensus is clear. Will you still defy us all?"

"Hmph!" Ba Chunqiu snorted. "So you’ve all conspired ahead of time. What more is there to say?"

"Then you admit defeat?"

Ba Chunqiu didn’t reply.

But his expression said it all.

At last, Elder Xuanjian turned to Lu Qing, smiling.

"You heard all that, didn’t you?"

"I did," Lu Qing said calmly.

It was his first time speaking since arriving.

His unruffled demeanor caused several Nascent Soul experts to shift slightly.

If they had doubted their disciples before, now they understood.

To remain calm under the gaze of so many Nascent Soul experts—his mental fortitude far exceeded their own disciples’.

"In that case, do you have anything to say?"

"What do you think I should do, senior?" Lu Qing countered.

"Brat, hand over everything you obtained in the secret realm," the Lanhai elder snapped. "And give up your spirit beast.

If we’re satisfied, maybe we’ll let you live."

"Is that what all of you want?" Lu Qing asked, glancing around.

No one spoke.

But their silence said it all.

Among the Golden Core cultivators, expressions varied.

Some were cold, others excited or curious. But most wore schadenfreude.

To them, Lu Qing was now fish on the chopping block—ready to be butchered.

Only Qin Zheng, Ye Qingzhu, and a few like Daoist Wubao looked worried.

Lu Qing saw it all.

Then, he laughed softly.

"What are you laughing at, brat?"

The Lanhai elder frowned.

"What am I laughing at?" Lu Qing straightened, a mocking smile on his lips.

"Why, I’m laughing at you old hypocrites.

If you want to rob me, say it outright. Why play these games?

Righteous path? Righteous cultivators?

Disgusting."

"Impudent!"

"Arrogant fool!"

"Courting death!"

For a moment, the Nascent Soul experts froze.

Then they erupted in fury.

But the next moment, something happened that shocked them all.

Lu Qing vanished.

When he reappeared, he was already in front of the Lanhai elder.

Right fist clenched, his stance snapped into place—then, without hesitation, he struck toward the elder’s face