Chapter 446 (2)
The Tower Master of Tianji Tower remained silent.
Some matters did not need to be stated explicitly.
However, an ancient secret realm, one that had endured for tens of thousands of years, had vanished without a trace.
Such a terrifying event was beyond the capabilities of any faction under heaven.
If one were to speculate, apart from Lu Qing, there was no one else with such extraordinary abilities.
After all, this was the very man who had effortlessly slain two immensely powerful Golden Core Realm extraterrestrial intruders.
Even more crucially, Lu Qing bore an irreconcilable enmity with Xuankong Mountain.
Given all the evidence, although it was hard to believe...
The Tower Master of Tianji Tower thought that if the disappearance of the Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm was indeed caused by human actions...
Seeing the expression in the Tower Master's eyes, Lu Qing smiled faintly. "Since the esteemed Tower Master already has an answer in mind, why bother asking me?"
The Tower Master's heart trembled. "Does this mean it really was…"
"Other matters, I do not know. But I can tell you, senior...
Yes, the Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm has completely disappeared.
From now on, the world will have only three great secret realms.
Xuankong Mountain has become history."
The Tower Master and Lin Zhirui were stunned where they stood.
Although they had speculated before coming here...
It had been just that—speculation. Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm might not necessarily have been destroyed.
Perhaps some secret technique had been employed to seal the realm instead.
After all, as an ancient faction from a previous cultivation era, it was not too far-fetched to imagine them possessing powerful formations or techniques.
But now, hearing Lu Qing confirm that Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm had vanished completely, becoming history...
Master and disciple were utterly shocked.
In contrast, the old doctor at the side remained composed.
Lu Qing had informed him of Xuankong Mountain's demise a year ago.
"Lu Xiaolangjun, this… this really is…"
After a long pause, the Tower Master regained his composure, but for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
"It's merely the destruction of a secret realm. Why should you, senior, be so troubled?
Besides, can you guess what else I saw in the Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm besides the monks of Xuankong Mountain?"
The Tower Master froze but, being sharp-minded, suddenly thought of something.
"Could it be…"
"That's right. The remnants of the Wujian Tower Assassins, once hunted down by all the major sects under heaven, were alive and well within Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm.
But rest assured, senior, they, too, perished along with the secret realm."
"So it's true…" the Tower Master muttered.
In fact, when the remnants of Wujian Tower first resurfaced, he had already suspected as much.
It was only now, hearing it from Lu Qing, that it was confirmed.
"I understand the purpose of your visit, senior. You can inform those who entrusted you...
I have always been clear about my grudges and gratitude. I don't kill indiscriminately.
As long as I am not provoked, I have no interest in creating enmities."
Lu Qing knew well that the disappearance of Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm must have caused alarm among the other three great secret realms.
After all, a faction with a heritage spanning tens of thousands of years, backed by a hidden realm, had disappeared just like that.
If this matter wasn't clarified, the people of the other three secret realms wouldn't be able to sleep soundly.
Thus, he made his stance clear to the Tower Master.
As long as they didn't provoke him, everything could be resolved peacefully.
But if anyone proved ignorant of their limits, he wouldn't mind letting the events at Xuankong Mountain's Hidden Realm repeat themselves.
The Tower Master naturally understood the underlying message in Lu Qing's words.
He immediately responded, "Lu Xiaolangjun, rest assured. I will relay your words to the other three great secret realms."
"Alright, now that the serious matters are settled, let's all sit down and enjoy some tea."
At that moment, the old doctor spoke up, dispelling the heavy atmosphere.
Coincidentally, the spring water boiling in front of him had just started to bubble.
The Tower Master took a seat.
The old doctor began brewing plum tea.
As the boiling spring water poured over the tea leaves, a peculiar, refreshing fragrance quickly filled the courtyard.
The Tower Master inhaled deeply, feeling an instant sense of clarity and refreshment, as if the spiritual energy within him was faintly stirred.
He looked at the cup of plum tea that the old doctor had poured for him and couldn't help but exclaim, "What excellent tea!"
Lin Zhirui smiled and said, "Master, you must savor this carefully. The plum tea brewed by Elder Chen is unique in this world. It's no exaggeration to call it the best tea under heaven!"
"Zhirui flatters me," the old doctor said with a shake of his head. "It's just that the flowers from this plum tree are somewhat special. How could it deserve the title of the best tea under heaven?"
He handed the first cup of tea to the Tower Master. "Please, Tower Master."
The Tower Master did not decline. He accepted the cup and saw that the tea was crystal clear, its fragrance intense.
Unable to resist, he took a small sip.
As the tea entered his mouth, he felt his entire body invigorated. The spiritual energy within him began circulating on its own, becoming noticeably livelier.
The Tower Master's eyes widened. "This plum tea…"
"Haha! Master, do you feel the miraculous properties of this tea?" Lin Zhirui said with delight. "This plum tea is no ordinary beverage.
It contains spiritual essence, capable of invigorating spiritual energy and even enhancing cultivation.
It's practically a spiritual medicine—a genuine spiritual tea.
That's why I claim it's the best tea under heaven."
"The best tea under heaven, indeed. This plum tea lives up to its name."
The Tower Master marveled at the changes within his body, unable to contain his admiration.
At the same time, he couldn't help but be astonished.
This visit had brought him far too many shocks.
Though he had previously heard his disciple mention the peculiarities of Jiuli Village, seeing it with his own eyes was another matter entirely.
This remote mountain village had spiritual energy rivaling that of Zhongzhou.
The formation protecting the village was so profound that even he couldn't discern its intricacies.
Now, he had tasted a tea capable of enhancing cultivation.
No wonder Lin Zhirui, once he came here, never wanted to return to Zhongzhou.
This place was indeed a superb location for cultivation.
Listening to the Tower Master's praises, Lu Qing remained silent. He simply picked up his own cup of tea and took a sip.
Since he had set up the formation to gather the earth's spiritual energy into the village, the plum tree in this courtyard had become increasingly extraordinary.
By now, it possessed a significant spiritual essence, qualifying it as a true spiritual tree.
The plum blossoms it bore provided considerable benefits to lower-level cultivators like the Tower Master and Lin Zhirui.
Of course, to him, it was merely a particularly delicious tea.
Given his current cultivation level, only spiritual stones or high-grade spiritual medicines could aid him—ordinary items held no effect.
Reflecting on the progress of his cultivation, Lu Qing couldn't help but feel a slight headache.