Chapter 310: Come Face the Ghost King!

The moon shone brightly, and the bamboo groves rippled in waves.

At the Moon-Watching Terrace on Xiao Zhu Peak of Mount Qingyun, Lu Xueqi felt the Tianya sword stir, whirled around, and saw Gu Qing emerge from the shadows of bamboo and pine, the mountain wind brushing them both into silence.

"You… how did you come here?"

Lu Xueqi opened her lips slightly, afraid of startling anyone.

"I heard Senior Su Ru say you were ordered to reflect on your actions."

Gu Qing stood within the shadows, not stepping forward.

Lu Xueqi spoke softly, giving a quiet hum—she had rushed to Longshou Peak, taken Gu Qing away, an act that shocked Master Shuiyue; upon returning to Xiao Zhu Peak, she was placed under house arrest.

"Your master is furious with you."

Lu Xueqi's expression was complex as she whispered; she felt no romantic feelings toward Gu Qing, but sudden rumors left her flustered and at a loss.

"I heard from Senior Su Ru—she even warned me not to come to Xiao Zhu Peak."

Gu Qing actually smiled.

Lu Xueqi lowered her gaze in silence.

The Moon-Watching Terrace is one of the Six Scenic Spots of Mount Qingyun, suspended halfway up the mountain, its stacked rocks bathed in moonlight, both above and below, creating a surreal spectacle; here, Lu Xueqi stood beneath the moon, while Gu Qing stood within the shadow of the bamboo waves, both motionless, only the night breeze whispering between them.

"The Blood-Sucking Pearl has been sealed."

Gu Qing spoke suddenly; Lu Xueqi turned her gaze to him, watching as he drew forth a black rod—plain, unremarkable, its malevolent aura contained—then added: "And as for the rumors, don't worry—I'll explain clearly to your master… though of course, that matter remains a secret."

Lu Xueqi knew he was referring to the Great Fan Borena.

Another silence fell between them, then Lu Xueqi suddenly lifted her eyes—Gu Qing was gone from within the bamboo waves.

As dawn neared, Master Shuiyue arrived suddenly, holding a silk scroll; seeing Lu Xueqi, she smiled warmly.

"Master."

Lu Xueqi bowed respectfully.

Master Shuiyue, clad in a moon-white Daoist robe, full-figured and graceful, stepped beside Lu Xueqi, took her arm in her hand, and smiled gently: "Xueqi, Gu Qing has already explained everything."

Lu Xueqi looked up in surprise, astonished by Gu Qing's speed; she saw Master Shuiyue unfurl the scroll—its delicate lines depicted the Beyond Sword Art.

"The current Master of the Zhanlong Sword is exceptionally gifted and generous with assistance…"

Master Shuiyue murmured softly; in Gu Qing, she saw the shadow of an old friend.

Long ago, Wan Jianyi was extraordinarily talented; his journeys to the Wilds earned great merit, and under his guidance, Cang Song, Tian Budi, Master Shuiyue, and others made tremendous progress in cultivation; Shang Zhengliang and Ceng Shuchang owed him their lives. Among all the peaks of Mount Qingyun, only Tianyun Daoist of Luoxia Peak kept his distance from Wan Jianyi. This popularity, channeled through the Zhanlong Sword, now bolstered Gu Qing—so long as he performed well, he would be favored.

Lu Xueqi stared at the Beyond Sword Art drawn by Gu Qing, saying nothing.

Master Shuiyue studied Lu Xueqi, about to speak, when she suddenly received news, whispered briefly to an elder, and hurried away, leaving Lu Xueqi pale, one voice echoing in her mind: The Divine Monk of Tianyin Temple has arrived!

On Mount Qingyun, sword shadows drifted; Gu Qing bid farewell to Cang Song, mounted his sword, and flew toward Kong Sang Mountain.

The Zhuxian World holds Five Heavenly Books; the first, located within the Ten Thousand Bats Cave on Kong Sang Mountain, is called the General Outline, containing the fundamental unity of Buddhist and Daoist principles—the very core of demonic cultivation, a supreme scripture encompassing all.

This Heavenly Book held great significance for Gu Qing; upon entering the Zhuxian World, he found its immortal qi, sword arts, and cultivation techniques vastly different from those of the martial world. His accumulated martial knowledge could not be easily adapted, but after viewing the Heavenly Book, he was confident he could transform his martial world principles into the immortal realm through its foundational truths.

Though the Zhuxian World is an immortal realm and Mount Qingyun a great cultivation sect, Gu Qing's observations revealed its sword techniques and combat philosophies were crude. Take the simplest example: Zhang Xiaofan, at the fourth layer of Taiji Xuanqing Dao, wielded the blood-refined demonic weapon Soul-Sucking Rod with casual gestures, and despite having no combat experience, forced Lu Xueqi—ninth layer of Taiji Xuanqing Dao—to use the Divine Sword Summoning Thunder Art.

With the Beyond Sword Art, Lu Xueqi could now avoid such situations entirely, projecting sword qi through refined sword techniques.

If Gu Qing could transform his martial world techniques into this realm, his strength would undergo a cataclysmic transformation.

Ahead lay a city; Gu Qing descended his sword, listened to the townsfolk's chatter, and learned this place was called Zhushan City, situated on a major north-south route, bustling with life, housing both Daoist temples and Buddhist monasteries. He sheathed his flying sword and entered a tavern, ordering food directly.

For this descent, Gu Qing had reported to Cang Song, who, fearing Gu Qing might be mistreated, gave him ample silver.

"The Liu girl from the east of town turned down a good scholar and married a beggar."

"They say the Liu girl is fiery—called the scholar the stupidest man alive, worse than pigs and dogs, and would rather marry a beggar than him…"

"The mountain goblin on Zhushan has come down again to harm people…"

In the tavern, voices buzzed with gossip; Gu Qing, sharp-eared and keen-eyed, ate while listening. When he rose to settle his bill, a man suddenly appeared before his table, bowed, paid his tab, and invited him to sit again.

"I am Wan Renwang."

The man bowed politely, introducing himself.

Gu Qing's gaze seemed puzzled, but his mind grew wary; the man had slender brows, a square face, piercing eyes, a jade pendant at his waist, and an air of quiet authority in every gesture—he already knew who this was.

The Ghost King.

The true final boss of the Zhuxian World, and Biyao's father.

"What do you want?"

Gu Qing was curious, yet utterly speechless inside—what was this?

You've learned Taiji Xuanqing Dao? Go face the Ghost King!

"To be honest…"

Wan Renwang looked at Gu Qing earnestly: "I detect your accent is from the Central Plains, and you show no travel dust, carry a fine sword—I guessed you're a cultivator. Outside Zhushan City, mountain goblins harm people. Seeing a sword immortal like you, I dared to come and beg your aid."

Gu Qing remained silent; he had never sought fame in the Zhuxian World, and the Ghost King would never notice him—his invitation must have another purpose.

"Mount Qingyun's lineage is ancient."

Wan Renwang said: "Its members are righteous heroes, admired by all…"

"The mountain goblin, then."

Gu Qing, seemingly unimpressed by flattery, slammed his fist on the table: "A simple matter!"

Wan Renwang beamed with joy.

(End of Chapter)