"So, Ningyan and Zi'an's fate is still unknown?"
Wei Shanhai frowned.
Just now, Wei Xinghe recounted everything that had happened during this period.
This includes the incident where someone tried to secretly send his wife and children away, but was discovered.
“But the madam and the young master should be alright, otherwise they would have used them to threaten us long ago,” Chief Steward Wei analyzed. “The only question is where they are now, whether they have already arrived at the prefecture or are hiding somewhere.”
"No matter what, we need to confirm their safety first," Wei Shanhai said. "Xiaohai, go and arrange for someone to go to the prefectural capital to take a look, and then send others to scout outside the city."
"Yes, Ancestor, I'll make the arrangements right away," Chief Steward Wei replied.
In fact, they had wanted to do this for a long time, but the people from the Tiancang Sect had been eyeing them covetously, which made them dare not send out their people at will.
Now that their ancestor has returned, they have a pillar of support, and they can do many things with peace of mind.
After Chief Steward Wei went out to arrange the manpower, Wei Xinghe looked at the Ancestor.
"Ancestor, are you alright? When will you be able to recover?"
"I'm afraid my injuries won't heal."
At this moment, Wei Shanhai's face suddenly showed signs of fatigue, his breath quickly weakened, and he looked several years older as he slumped into a chair.
"Ancestor!"
Wei Xinghe was shocked and quickly shouted.
"Don't make a fuss." Wei Shanhai waved his hand and sighed, "Wang Cangyi's innate sword energy is indeed powerful. I took a sword strike from him. Although I avoided most of the damage, my heart meridian was still invaded by his sword energy, and I was seriously injured."
"Even with your strength, Ancestor, you couldn't dispel that sword energy?"
"It's very difficult on my own." Wei Shanhai shook his head. "Wang Cangyi's innate sword energy is extremely insidious, like a bone-corroding poison, entangled in my heart meridian."
Given that our cultivation levels are similar, I wasn't confident I could completely dispel the sword energy without damaging my own heart meridian. I could only temporarily suppress it with my true energy to prevent it from erupting.
Upon hearing this, Wei Xinghe became anxious: "Isn't there any other way?"
"Unless I have the help of another innate realm expert, who can work with me from the inside and outside to protect my heart meridian with gentle true energy, I will not be able to fully exert my power to completely eliminate the sword energy."
Upon hearing this, Wei Xinghe felt utterly hopeless.
Not to mention the experts at the Innate Realm, who are usually elusive and rarely appear in front of ordinary people.
In such a remote place, where could they find a Xiantian Realm expert in such a short time?
Not to mention, even if it were such a coincidence that a person at the Innate Realm appeared.
However, allowing the true energy of other innate realm cultivators to enter the heart meridian is far too risky.
The human heart is unpredictable. If someone harbors evil intentions, they can destroy the very essence of our ancestors in an instant.
At that point, even a god descending to earth wouldn't be able to save it.
Wei Shanhai also knew how difficult this matter was.
However, he was determined and, seeing Wei Xinghe's expression, he comforted him instead: "There's no need to be so discouraged. Things haven't reached the final stage yet. As long as I'm alive, I can still protect our Wei family."
"Ancestor, what will happen if the sword energy is not eliminated?"
Wei Shanhai paused for a moment before saying, "Suppressing the sword energy all the time is putting a heavy burden on my heart meridian. I think, at most a year from now, my heart meridian will not be able to withstand it and I will die from exhaustion."
Wei Xinghe fell silent.
I thought everything would be alright once our ancestor returned.
I never imagined that my ancestor's injuries would have such a serious hidden danger.
His previous joy vanished instantly.
After thinking for a while, Wei Xinghe asked again, unwillingly, "Ancestor, if we use that treasure, can it heal your injuries?"
“It’s very difficult.” Wei Shanhai shook his head. “That treasure is extremely profound and is no ordinary object. Back then, I was able to comprehend the Silver Moon Battle Formation and the cultivation technique I am currently practicing from it, and advance to the Innate Realm. That was already a stroke of luck. In the past few decades, I have been unable to comprehend anything more from it. There is no need to waste the foundation I have accumulated over the years.”
Otherwise, his cultivation level wouldn't have remained stuck at the peak of the initial stage of the Innate Realm for so many years.
"But this is still one way, isn't it?" Wei Shanhai quickly said, "What if, Ancestor, you experience life and death this time and gain a higher understanding from it?"
"You... well, fine, I'll give it a try then."
Seeing his insistence, Wei Shanhai sighed and agreed.
Just when the Wei family had temporarily averted a life-or-death crisis thanks to Wei Shanhai's return.
Meanwhile, in the county town, discussions about the great battle between the Tiancang Sect and the Wei family were gradually rising.
There was no other way, even though both sides in the battle were far superior to other forces in the county.
Logically, when two major powers clash like this, other smaller powers should stay far away and not even dare to glance at it.
But there is never a shortage of people in this world who are not afraid of death.
Each faction also has its own secretly trained assassins and spies.
Therefore, some inside information about this battle was eventually leaked.
In particular, the conversation between the young man in plain clothes and the two innate realm experts was completely undisguised and resounded throughout the city.
Thus, everyone realized that there was actually such a prohibition regarding the mysterious and unpredictable Innate Realm.
"I never expected that there would be such a prohibition in the Innate Realm, that one cannot casually use force against those below the Innate Realm."
"I wonder what kind of power this Holy Mountain is, that it can impose such restrictions on the incomparably powerful Innate Realm cultivators!"
"It's fortunate that such a ban exists, otherwise we would probably all be dead. That aura earlier was truly terrifying."
"Yeah, my heart was pounding so hard just now. If those two had really started fighting, I'm afraid half the county would have been destroyed."
"And what about the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion? Which faction does it belong to?"
...
Due to the influence of the Tiancang Sect, they have not completely withdrawn from the county town, and the residents dare not speak loudly.
However, it's impossible to completely eliminate private discussions.
Therefore, it wasn't long before the whole county was abuzz with talk of this great battle.
At the same time, everyone couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
There was no way around it; the power of the clash between the two Innate Realm experts was simply too terrifying.
The entire city was terrified and no one dared to utter a sound.
Nobody wants those two to actually fight, otherwise, who knows if they'll even survive after they finish fighting.
Now that everyone knows that those at the Innate Realm cannot start battles in the city at will, everyone feels genuinely relieved.
As one person listened to these discussions, a look of joy involuntarily appeared on his face.
However, he quickly suppressed his joy, pretended to be nonchalant, and joined the others in the discussion.
The next morning, after further disguising himself, he followed the crowd and quietly slipped out of the city.
After leaving the city, he changed his route several times, and even stayed overnight at his brother-in-law's house in the countryside. Only after confirming that no one was following him did he head towards Jiuli Village.
Upon arriving at Jiuli Village, he went straight to Lu Qing's house and happened to see Lu Qing practicing boxing in the yard.
"Young Master Lu!"
"Brother Xiaotian?"
Lu Qing looked up and was somewhat surprised.
According to Magu's original instructions, shouldn't Xiaotian and the others have scattered and hidden in different places after dealing with the corpses of the Black Wolf Gang? How did they end up here?
"Brother Xiaotian, what are you doing here?"
Lu Qing felt a chill run down her spine. Had something happened?
"Young Master Lu, something big has happened in the city these past two days, and I came here specifically to tell you," Xiao Tian said excitedly.
really!
Lu Qing's expression turned serious: "Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Upon entering the house, Xiaoyan was still in bed, and a freshly prepared breakfast was laid out on the table.
The steaming aroma made Xiao Tian swallow unconsciously.
He got up very early in the morning and rushed over before he even had a chance to eat at his brother-in-law's.
"Brother Xiaotian, have you had breakfast yet? Why don't you eat something here?"
Lu Qing noticed his movements and asked.
"No need, let me tell you first," Xiao Tian shook his head and insisted.
"Okay, then you can go ahead and say it."
Lu Qing didn't force him. Seeing how serious Xiao Tian was, it was clear that something very important had happened in the city.
Could it be that the Tiancang Sect and the Wei family finally started fighting?
Just as this thought flashed through Lu Qing's mind, he heard Xiao Tian speak.
"Just the day before yesterday, those outside martial artists in the city finally officially declared war on the Wei family. They gathered a large number of martial artists and launched a direct attack on the Wei residence..."
Xiao Tian's first words sent a jolt through Lu Qing's heart.
However, as Xiaotian continued his story, his expression gradually became one of astonishment.
"And so, the two innate masters ultimately failed to fight, allowing us to escape this calamity. I took the opportunity to sneak out of the city and come to tell you about this."
After listening to Xiaotian's story, Lu Qing fell into a long silence.
There was no other way; Xiaotian's words contained too much information, and he needed to sort them out first.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Xiao Tian didn't disturb him and waited quietly.
He knew that Young Master Lu was no ordinary person; he knew far more than he did.
He doesn't need to say anything more; we just need to wait for him to think it over.
However, while waiting, Xiao Tian smelled the aroma of the food on the table and felt increasingly hungry.
Finally, my stomach started growling uncontrollably.
This sound also startled Lu Qing from his thoughts.
He looked at Xiao Tian, who seemed a little embarrassed, and said with a smile, "Brother Xiao Tian, don't be shy, have something to eat first."
"Yes, young master."
This time, Xiao Tian didn't stand on ceremony and picked up a steamed bun to eat.
After he finished eating two steamed buns and drinking a bowl of porridge, Lu Qing asked, "Brother Xiao Tian, you said that those at the Innate Realm cannot arbitrarily fight against those below the Innate Realm, and cannot fight in the city. Is that true?"
“Confirmed!” Xiao Tian nodded seriously. “This is what the master of Tianji Tower said when he broke into the Wei residence just as the two masters of the Innate Realm were about to fight. He said it was some kind of sacred mountain decree, and everyone in the city heard it.”
And those two Innate Realm experts ultimately didn't fight; the outsider, however, left in a huff.
Lu Qing's fingers tapped lightly on the table.
He hadn't expected that there would be such a prohibition against those at the Innate Realm.
Holy Mountain, what kind of place is this?
It can actually restrain all innate realm cultivators in the world, and it seems that those innate realm cultivators do not dare to openly disobey.
What kind of terrifying force must it be to have such a deterrent effect?
It seems that this world is indeed full of secrets and has many unknown and terrifying forces.
Even becoming a powerful expert in the Innate Realm doesn't guarantee a carefree life.
However, this ban is actually a good thing for Lu Qing now.
At least it gave him more confidence in dealing with Wang Cangyi.
Of course, this doesn't mean that Lu Qing is not wary of Wang Cangyi.
Even a cornered dog will jump over a wall. People in the Innate Realm aren't made of clay. Those who can cultivate to that level are all proud, arrogant, and independent.
Once you truly anger the other party and they harbor murderous intent, all prohibitions become meaningless.
If someone really wants to kill someone, it's just a matter of a single thought.
Could it be that some holy mountain can resurrect the dead?
Therefore, we should still have the proper respect for those at the Innate Realm.
"Young Master Lu, now that the Wei family's patriarch has returned, the Wei family's crisis can be considered resolved. When can my Master Ma return?"
Xiao Tian is a quick-witted person.
Although he did not personally see Madam Wei and her son when he was in the mansion in Daji.
But from some clues and what happened afterward, he still managed to guess some things.
Knowing that the disappearance of their master was likely related to the mistress of the Wei family and the young master, they realized that it was probably connected to the disappearance of their master.
“There’s no rush. As you just said, that mysterious innate realm expert said before he left that he wouldn’t let it go. Obviously, the situation in the county is still very tense. Under these circumstances, it’s not advisable for Master Ma to show up. Anyway, where he is now is perfectly safe,” Lu Qing said.
Xiao Tian thought it made sense, so he stopped asking.
All he needs to know is that Master Ma is doing well.
After finishing his meal, Xiao Tian said goodbye and left.
He wanted to go back to the county town to continue gathering information.
Lu Qing couldn't persuade him to stay, so he could only tell him to be careful.
After Xiao Tian left, Lu Qing dug Xiao Yan out of bed and woke her up. After she washed up and ate breakfast, he took her and Xiao Li to the small courtyard halfway up the mountain.
The news Xiaotian brought was very important.
He especially needed to tell his master about the prohibition against those in the Innate Realm.
When we arrived at the small courtyard halfway up the mountain, my master was drying medicinal herbs.
After Lu Qing recounted the news Xiao Tian had brought to his master, he...
Then he asked, "Master, you have traveled for many years, have you heard of this prohibition? What kind of forces are the Holy Mountain and the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion?"
The old doctor was also quite surprised after hearing Lu Qing's words.
Hearing his question, I was even more bewildered.
He shook his head and said, "I have never heard of these two names, let alone such a prohibition."
