I Can See Through Everything

"Zhirui, is this where Lu Xiaolangjun has been cultivating in seclusion?"

Outside Jiuli Village, Yan Canghai stared in awe at the ethereal mists swirling before him.

He had no idea that within his jurisdiction lay such a celestial sanctuary.

Beside him, Tian Lao was even more overwhelmed.

He could faintly sense that this seemingly ordinary village was protected by an immensely powerful Formation Barrier.

As for the true extent of the barrier's strength, his Foundation Establishment Realm cultivation was insufficient to discern even a fraction of it.

Realizing this, Tian Lao felt a deep sense of gratitude.

It was fortunate that he had personally made this trip.

Judging by the unusual phenomena surrounding the village and the impenetrable nature of the formation, the one cultivating here must be an unfathomably powerful figure.

"That's right. You'll need to wait here. I'll go inside and pay my respects to Lu Xiaolangjun. Jiuli Village is protected by a formation, so outsiders cannot enter freely," Lin Zhirui explained.

"Thank you, Zhirui," Yan Canghai said respectfully.

Tian Lao quickly added, "Many thanks, Lord Zhirui."

Lin Zhirui was about to step into the village when a calm voice echoed from within, "There's no need for such formality. If you have something to say, speak here."

As the voice fell, the mist ahead dispersed, revealing Lu Qing's figure emerging from within.

On his shoulder perched Xiao Li, while the Five Elements Winged Serpent trailed closely behind him.

"Lu Xiaolangjun," Lin Zhirui called out, quickly stepping forward.

He was not surprised that Lu Qing had detected their arrival. With Lu Qing's abilities, it was unlikely that anything within several dozen miles could escape his perception.

What did surprise him, however, was that Lu Qing had chosen to step out of the village personally.

"Thank you, Brother Zhirui, for bringing them here," Lu Qing said, nodding slightly and turning his gaze toward Yan Canghai and Tian Lao.

Lu Xiaolangjun?

Hearing Lin Zhirui's address, Tian Lao immediately realized that the young man before him was the very person they had come to meet.

He stepped forward to bow, but as soon as Lu Qing's eyes landed on him, his body was overwhelmed with crushing pressure.

It was as if a towering mountain had descended upon him, making it hard to breathe. His entire being felt unbearably heavy, and even speaking became impossible.

What frightened him even more was the sensation that Lu Qing's gaze could penetrate everything, exposing all his secrets without a trace left hidden.

"A Foundation Establishment cultivator? Not bad. In this world, being able to fully convert Precelestial True Qi into Spiritual Energy, break through barriers, and step into the Foundation Establishment Realm reflects decent cultivation talent," Lu Qing said indifferently, withdrawing his gaze.

Tian Lao suddenly felt the pressure lift. Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, he hastily responded, "Your Excellency overpraises me. My meager cultivation is nothing more than a firefly's glow compared to the sun's brilliance."

"Tian Lao…"

Yan Canghai, observing Tian Lao's exceptionally humble demeanor, was utterly shocked.

He had already been surprised when Tian Lao personally escorted the descendants of Li Weitian to Cang County earlier.

Tian Lao's status within the family was unparalleled, even surpassing that of Yan Canghai's father, the king.

That he would personally oversee such a matter was enough to show how seriously the family regarded this situation.

But Yan Canghai had not anticipated that Tian Lao would display such deference when meeting Lu Qing.

Tian Lao, however, saw no issue with his behavior.

On the Path of Cultivation, strength reigned supreme.

Just a single glance from Lu Qing had made it clear that his cultivation was beyond comprehension, completely outside Tian Lao's ability to fathom.

Even the two Spirit Beasts accompanying Lu Qing emanated an aura of deadly threat to Tian Lao.

"Enough. There's no need for such posturing," Lu Qing said, his tone calm yet commanding. "Tell me, did the Yan Family accomplish what I tasked them with?"

"We have carried out Your Excellency's instructions to the letter!" Tian Lao replied hurriedly. "The descendants of Senior Li Weitian have all been safely escorted here.

"As for the Hundred Thousand Mountains, it's no problem at all. It would be our honor. If Your Excellency desires, we are even prepared to offer up the entire Yan Kingdom with both hands!"

"I have no interest in the Yan Kingdom's territory," Lu Qing said with a faint smile. "However, the Hundred Thousand Mountains is my retreat, and I do not wish for anyone else to interfere with it."

"Understood! From this day forth, without Your Excellency's permission, no one from the Yan Kingdom will set foot in the Hundred Thousand Mountains!" Tian Lao declared resolutely.

"Very well. Then I shall return your people to you."

Lu Qing waved his hand, and several figures materialized in midair, collapsing to the ground.

It was the young man in fine clothing and his group of Precelestial Realm guards.

However, their condition was far from ideal.

Even though they had been released, they remained in a dazed state, barely responsive.

The young man, in particular, had a vacant gaze, as though his very soul had been stripped away.

"Seventh Prince!"

Yan Canghai cried out in alarm when he saw the young man's arms were missing.

His shout jolted the young man and his guards out of their stupor. Slowly, they began to recognize their surroundings, and their eyes regained some clarity.

"Fourth Brother… Tian Lao? Have we been released?" the young man muttered in disbelief, fearing it was all a dream.

The guards, too, shared his sentiment, though they soon realized that they had indeed been freed from that nightmarish imprisonment.

"County Magistrate, I've returned your people. If there's nothing else, please take your leave," Lu Qing said coldly.

Hearing his voice, the Seventh Prince and the guards trembled in fear.

Turning to face him, their eyes were filled with terror.

The torment they had endured in that dark prison was an experience they would never forget.

For the Seventh Prince, in particular, the mere sight of Lu Qing struck him as if he were staring at the Devil himself.

Any thoughts of revenge he might have once harbored had been thoroughly extinguished, leaving only the desperate desire to escape as far as possible from this terrifying figure.

Tian Lao, observing their condition, understood that they had undoubtedly suffered greatly during their captivity.

Yet he harbored no complaints.

Instead, he bowed deeply to Lu Qing. "Thank you, Your Excellency, for sparing their lives."