Early in the morning, Lu Qing sat in the courtyard.
Holding a jade plaque in his left hand and a carving knife in his right, he was carefully carving.
After a while, Hu Zezhi walked out of the room, still looking a little sleepy.
Upon seeing Lu Qing in the courtyard, he immediately came to his senses.
After quietly tidying herself up, she approached Lu Qing.
"Young Master Lu, you're up so early?"
"Good morning," Lu Qing said with a smile as he looked up.
The movements of his hands did not stop.
"Young Master Lu, what are you carving?" Hu Zezhi asked curiously.
"Jade Talisman".
After Lu Qing finished outlining the last few strokes, the jade tablet in his hand suddenly emitted a white light, which then slowly subsided.
"Perfect, you can try it and see if it works."
Lu Qing handed the jade pendant to Hu Zezhi.
"Let me try?" Hu Zezhi took the jade pendant with a puzzled look. "How do I try it?"
"Just drip a drop of blood on it." Lu Qing took out a silver needle. "I'll prick it for you. Don't worry, it won't hurt."
"oh."
Hu Zezhi naturally trusted Lu Qing and obediently extended her palm.
Lu Qing gently pricked his index finger and squeezed out a drop of blood onto the jade pendant.
Strangely enough, the blood droplets that fell onto the jade tablet were absorbed immediately, as if they were mud oxen entering the sea.
A hint of red quickly appeared on the entire jade pendant.
What surprised Hu Zezhi even more was that she felt her jade pendant had gained a mysterious connection.
"You felt it?" Lu Qing smiled when he saw her expression. "Try to use your mind to sense it."
This jade talisman has the function of concealing one's aura. As long as you focus your mind, it can perfectly hide your aura so that outsiders cannot detect it.
Upon hearing this, Hu Zezhi tried to sense the jade tablet by following the mysterious connection.
Soon, she felt a strange power attach to her body, suppressing all her aura.
“Young Master Lu, this is...” Hu Zezhi looked at Lu Qing.
"This is the jade talisman I carved for you and Xiaoyan."
You and Xiaoyan both obtained a wisp of primordial energy, but with your current cultivation levels, you are not yet able to actively refine it.
Only time can allow the primordial energy to slowly integrate into your bodies.
However, during this process, the primordial energy will still fluctuate, easily attracting the covetousness of others.
This jade talisman can help you conceal that aura.
Lu Qing explained.
Hu Zezhi then realized that Lu Qing had carved this jade talisman specifically for her.
She immediately stood up and bowed to Lu Qing, saying, "Thank you, Young Master Lu."
"It's alright, it's just a small thing. Just remember, don't take off this jade talisman during this period."
"I've also inscribed a defensive spell within the jade talisman. If you encounter danger in the future, it should be able to protect you from some harm in a critical moment."
Upon hearing this, Hu Zezhi realized even more how precious the jade pendant in her hand was.
She gripped the jade pendant tightly, her gratitude towards Lu Qing growing ever stronger.
While Hu Zezhi was admiring the jade talisman with great delight, Lu Qing picked up the second jade plaque and began to carve it.
After entering the Innate Realm, his spiritual power not only increased greatly, but also underwent a qualitative change.
In the past, engraving formations required great care and complete concentration.
Now, however, he can do it effortlessly and at will.
Before long, the second jade talisman was also engraved.
Moreover, the second jade talisman was even smaller than Hu Zezhi's.
It fits Xiaoyan perfectly.
Just as the jade talisman was finished being engraved, the old doctor and the others also got up.
Lu Qing went into the room, woke Xiao Yan up, and helped her put on the jade talisman.
After a flurry of activity, everyone began to eat breakfast.
"Master, now that we've obtained the opportunity, shouldn't we head back?"
Lu Qing picked up a side dish with his chopsticks, ate it slowly, and asked.
The old doctor pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "That's right. Now that the matter is settled and we know the general situation of the world, it's time to go back."
"Young Master Lu, are you going back?" Hu Zezhi asked in surprise.
"Well, we've finished dealing with everything we needed to do in Zhongzhou, so there's no need for us to stay any longer."
"Miss Hu, what are your plans? Will you return with us, or will you remain in the Holy City?"
“I’ll go back with you!” Hu Zezhi said immediately.
Within the Holy City, hidden talents abound, and countless powerful individuals reside.
She was only at the Qi and Blood Realm, yet she possessed the extraordinary opportunity of having Origin Qi.
If I were left here alone, I might be disemboweled and have my opportunity stolen the moment Lu Qing and the others left.
Lu Qing nodded, not surprised: "Then after we finish eating, let's say goodbye to Senior Master and Lord Zhi Rui."
When Lin Zhirui received the news that Lu Qing and the others were leaving and rushed over, Lu Qing and the others were already packing their luggage.
"Senior Chen, Young Master Lu, are you leaving so soon?"
"That's right, Your Excellency Zhi Rui. Our original purpose in coming to Zhongzhou was simply to let our master comprehend the Sacred Pool."
But I never expected so many things to happen in the meantime.
Now that we've offended the Hanging Mountain, we don't know when they'll retaliate.
Therefore, it's best to leave as soon as possible.
Lin Zhirui hesitated for a moment, but couldn't say anything to persuade him to stay.
Because Lu Qing was right, he killed Xuan Ming and his group, and also took away their opportunities and magical treasures.
It's obvious that Suspended Mountain will be furious.
As one of the four secret realms, it is a terrifying force that has existed for countless millennia.
No one knows how deep its foundation truly is.
If such a behemoth were determined to retaliate, it would surely unleash an unimaginable, thunderous strike.
Moreover, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open, but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark.
Although Lu Qing and the old doctor are powerful, it's hard to say whether they can withstand such an attack.
Thinking of all this, Lin Zhirui swallowed the words of urging him to stay.
However, he quickly remembered why he had come.
He quickly added, "But just last night, my master received a decree from the Holy Mountain, saying that the three Holy Lords have prepared a banquet and would like to invite you two, Young Master Lu and Doctor Chen, to the mountain for a gathering."
"The three Holy Lords want to invite my master and me up the mountain?" Lu Qing was taken aback.
"That's right. We received the imperial decree last night, but it was already late, so our master planned to come and invite you today."
Unexpectedly, early in the morning, they heard the news that Lu Qing and the others were leaving.
Lu Qing thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Your Excellency Zhi Rui, please forgive my rudeness, but I am afraid I am not worthy of the Holy Lord's and the others' kindness."
"Young Master Lu, are you planning to refuse the Holy Lord's invitation?" Lin Zhirui was taken aback.
"Indeed, let's not beat around the bush. As Your Excellency Zhi Rui has seen, I had a conflict with the Third Holy Lord yesterday and offended him."
Now the Holy Lords are inviting my master and me to a banquet. To be honest, I really don't dare to go.
Lin Zhirui didn't expect Lu Qing to be so frank.
He hesitated for a moment, then said, "The three holy lords have always been magnanimous and I don't think they will hold yesterday's events against them."
Then Lin Zhirui saw Lu Qing looking at him with a half-smile.
He blushed, realizing that what he had said was too naive.
"Whether the three holy lords will blame me for yesterday's events, I do not know."
However, I would never place my own safety above the magnanimity of others.
Therefore, Your Excellency Zhi Rui, please help to convey this message to the original poster.
"I'm afraid neither my master nor I will be able to attend this banquet hosted by the Holy Lords."
Lin Zhirui opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.
Because if it were him, he wouldn't want to entrust his safety to someone else's decision either.
So in the end, he could only say, "Then I will go and report to my master first, and see what he has to say."
Watching Lin Zhirui leave, Lu Qing shook his head again.
During his previous battle with the Third Holy Lord, he discovered a great secret from him.
The three holy lords on the holy mountain have gained the approval of the holy mountain's will.
They are now all at the peak of Foundation Establishment or above, which is much stronger than he is now.
It's just that he's restricted and his true body can't leave the Holy Mountain, so he can only travel outside as a puppet.
If he and his master were to go to the holy mountain, then life and death would truly be in the hands of the other's single thought.
Given the opponent's cultivation level, coupled with the blessing of the Holy Mountain's will, he probably wouldn't stand a chance even if he used the Qiankun Qi Bag.
After all, although he has now advanced to the Innate Realm, the power of the spiritual artifacts he can use is still only a trace.
No one can say for sure how useful a trace of spiritual artifact power can be within the Holy Mountain.
Faced with such unpredictable danger, how could Lu Qing possibly agree?
In any case, the true bodies of the three Holy Lords cannot leave the Holy Mountain. As long as they do not go up the mountain, their puppet bodies alone cannot do anything to him in his current state.
Therefore, not going up the mountain is the safest option.
After Lu Qing and the others finished packing their things, the Master of Tianji Pavilion also arrived at the courtyard.
They also brought Lu Qing's carriage with them.
Upon meeting Lu Qing and the others, the Master of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion made no mention of the Holy Lord's invitation.
Instead, he expressed his shame, saying that he had not been hospitable to Lu Qing and the others these past few days.
Upon seeing this, Lu Qing understood the attitude of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master.
It seems that this wise man, having realized his own stance, did not intend to force the issue.
This put his mind at ease.
He didn't want to have any conflict with the elder if he could.
The two dragon-blooded horses snorted happily as soon as they saw Lu Qing and his companions.
"You two have been eating and drinking well lately."
Looking at the two silly creatures' glossy fur and even slightly plump appearance, Lu Qing knew that Tianji Tower had taken very good care of them.
"These two precious horses are of a different breed. Not only are they incredibly swift, but they are also very intelligent. The disciple in charge of taking care of them is very fond of them and couldn't help but feed them extra hay."
Seeing this, the Master of Tianji Tower felt a little embarrassed and quickly explained.
Horses, because they need to run, cannot be too fat, otherwise they won't be able to pick up speed.
Not long after, the two horses had noticeably gained weight, which shows just how much the disciple in charge of taking care of them had fed them.
"Senior, there's no need for that. These two idiots are naturally very greedy. If we don't deliberately control them, they can keep eating forever."
Your disciples don't understand these two simpletons; they're probably just worried they'll go hungry.
"It's alright, they'll recover after running around a bit on the way back."
Lu Qing said indifferently.
These two silly animals have become much gluttonous since their bloodline changed.
However, they eat a lot and run for a long time.
At their rate of growth, the extra weight they've gained will be quickly burned off.
"By the way, senior, thank you for the care and support your sect has provided these past few days."
Inside this jade bottle is a small gift; consider it a token of our gratitude from the younger generation.
Lu Qing took out a small jade bottle and handed it to the Master of Tianji Tower.
The Master of Tianji Tower was taken aback at first, then waved his hand and said, "What are you saying, young master? It is an honor for Tianji Tower for you and Doctor Chen to stay here."
How could one accept gifts for this reason?
"Please accept this, senior. We have received much care from your sect this time. Yesterday, because of me, we damaged many places in your sect."
I would feel truly uneasy if you didn't accept this gift.
Seeing that Lu Qing spoke sincerely and with a firm attitude.
After hesitating for a moment, the Master of Tianji Pavilion finally said, "Since that's the case, then I'll shamelessly accept it."
Seeing that the Lord of Tianji Pavilion had accepted the jade bottle, Lu Qing smiled.
He then looked at Lin Zhirui and took out a cloth bag: "Your Excellency Zhirui, there is some plum blossom tea in here. It was given to you by your master. Please accept it."
Lin Zhirui's eyes lit up. He took the cloth bag, bowed to the old doctor, and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Senior Chen. I thought I would never be able to drink this plum tea again."
The old doctor chuckled and said, "If Rui still craves tea after we finish these teas, he can come to my place to pick more."
"Then I will thank you in advance."
Lin Zhirui was overjoyed and immediately agreed.
Anyway, he could feel that the atmosphere in the Holy City was becoming increasingly tense.
If you have the chance, going out to avoid the limelight would be a good option.
After saying goodbye, Lu Qing and the others began to put their luggage on the carriage.
After everything was put away and everyone was seated in the carriage.
Lu Qing cupped his hands to the Lord of Tianji Tower and Lin Zhirui and said, "Even after a thousand miles of seeing you off, we must eventually part ways. Senior Lord, Lord Zhirui, I will not trouble you to see me off."
The green hills remain unchanged, the clear waters flow on; if fate allows, we shall meet again.
"Take care on your journey, everyone," said the Master of Tianji Pavilion.
Ma Gu cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly started moving, heading outwards.
Lin Zhirui watched the carriage gradually disappear into the distance, and finally said with concern:
"Master, Young Master Lu and the others are unwilling to go to the Holy Mountain. How should we report this to the three Holy Lords?"
"What else can we do but report the truth?" The Master of Tianji Tower said calmly. "With Young Master Lu's strength, if he refuses, who can force him?"
I imagine the holy rulers will understand this matter as well.
Lin Zhirui nodded.
Indeed, Lu Qing's current strength is unfathomable; even the Third Holy Lord was defeated by him.
He was unwilling to go up the mountain, and unless the other two Holy Lords intervened, no one could do anything to him.
The Lord of Tianji Pavilion had a leisurely gaze, but in fact, he also had some doubts about the three Holy Lords inviting Lu Qing to the mountain.
Lu Qing's reluctance to go up the mountain is exactly what he wants.
Deep down, the Lord of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion did not want Lu Qing to clash with the three Holy Lords again.
Otherwise, he always felt that something extremely terrifying might happen at that time.
Therefore, Lu Qing leaving like this is the best choice.
Thinking of this, the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion Master's gaze fell on the jade bottle in his hand.
