Chapter 367: Three Million Sword Cultivators Bow Before Me

Qingzhu Mountain and Bihu Mountain were draped in white, attracting the attention of many young cultivators who were curious about why the passing of a mere Qi Refining cultivator warranted such a grand ceremony.

They soon learned that this elder was a senior of the Bihu Mountain Lord and his wife.

The current mighty Bihu Mountain Lord, Lu Changsheng, was merely a son-in-law on Qingzhu Mountain over forty years ago. This realization left many deeply moved, seeing Lu Changsheng as a symbol of hard work and determination.

Many began to fantasize about rising to prominence like Lu Changsheng.

After all, Lu Changsheng’s journey of growth was both inspiring and enviable for countless low-level cultivators.

Meanwhile, White Tiger Mountain continued its usual operations, unaffected by the Fourth Elder’s funeral.

With the relocation of Bihu Mountain’s puppet workshop, White Tiger Mountain had effectively become the industrial park under Bihu Mountain.

Not only was the puppet workshop expanding, but the Artifact refining workshop was also being systematically expanded under Lu Changsheng’s guidance, combining the refining of Artifacts and puppets.

That night.

Outside White Tiger Mountain.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

A surge of overwhelming Spiritual Energy began to approach White Tiger Mountain.

The patrolling cultivators of White Tiger Mountain immediately sent out a warning.

Soon, a young man with a heroic and resolute appearance, around twenty-eight or twenty-nine years old, arrived.

“What’s going on?”

Lu Qingsong, who had been in charge of White Tiger Mountain’s affairs for years, served as the mountain lord. To appear more authoritative, he no longer maintained his youthful appearance and had even grown two thick, ink-like mustaches.

“Mountain Lord, it seems like two Foundation Establishment cultivators are dueling.”

A stationed cultivator immediately reported.

“Foundation Establishment cultivators dueling?”

Hearing this, Lu Qingsong frowned and looked towards the distant fluctuations of Spiritual Energy.

To duel so close to our mountain gate is extremely inappropriate.

Not only does it damage our trees and mineral veins, but it could also cause unnecessary trouble.

“Friends of White Tiger Mountain, my name is Shi, and I am the head of the Tianwei Escort Agency. I was ambushed by bandits on my journey. Please lend me a hand, and I will repay you generously!”

In no time, Lu Qingsong saw a tall Foundation Establishment cultivator being chased by two others, both of whom wore conical hats.

The tall cultivator was in a miserable state, barely able to defend himself against the two pursuers, and he loudly called out to White Tiger Mountain for help.

“Tianwei Escort Agency?”

Lu Qingsong narrowed his eyes.

This is a well-established escort agency with a wide-reaching business.

Any ordinary cultivator with a clean background and sufficient strength can register as a guard at the Tianwei Escort Agency and take on escort missions.

Due to business needs, Bihu Mountain and White Tiger Mountain have had many dealings with the Tianwei Escort Agency.

“Hmph, this has nothing to do with you, White Tiger Mountain. Don’t bring trouble upon yourselves!”

One of the Foundation Establishment cultivators wearing a conical hat sneered coldly.

“Please, help me! I have a commission to fulfill. If you assist me, the Tianwei Escort Agency will reward you handsomely!”

The tall cultivator, who was being chased, continued to shout, his voice urgent and desperate, tinged with a hint of pleading.

“I don’t care who you are or where you’re from. This is White Tiger Mountain territory. You must leave immediately, or bear the consequences!”

Lu Qingsong surveyed the situation, his expression cold and stern as he spoke in a deep voice.

Perhaps aware that he was just a Qi Refining cultivator, his words alone might not be enough to intimidate them.

In an instant, the entire White Tiger Mountain formation was fully activated. Above, a fierce tiger seemed to prowl the skies, roaring menacingly at the three, its presence overwhelming.

“We, the Tianwei Escort Agency, have had numerous dealings with White Tiger Mountain and Bihu Mountain. Are you really going to stand by and watch while bandits run amok?”

The tall Foundation Establishment cultivator, upon hearing these words, shouted in despair and anger.

However, Lu Qingsong remained unmoved by these words, his expression still cold as he said, “I’ll say it one more time: leave White Tiger Mountain immediately, or face the consequences!”

As he spoke, a dark light emerged from the depths of White Tiger Mountain, roaring skyward.

It was the Nine Abyss Mastiff guarding White Tiger Mountain.

Over the years, whenever White Tiger Mountain was troubled by petty criminals, it was Lu Qingsong and the Nine Abyss Mastiff who resolved the issues.

Thus, the nearby families were well aware that White Tiger Mountain was guarded by a second-rank spirit beast.

Seeing this, the tall Foundation Establishment cultivator, who was being chased, could only grimly maneuver his Artifact and flee along the edge of White Tiger Mountain, heading towards the mountain range.

Moments later, as Lu Qingsong watched the three leave, he instructed the patrolling cultivators, “Be extra vigilant during this time. If there’s any disturbance, activate the formation immediately.”

Years ago, during the demon extermination order, Lu Qingsong had heard many stories about family forces that were infiltrated and attacked by bandits disguised as cultivators.

After all, with a protective formation in place, a cultivation family couldn’t be easily overrun unless there was an internal issue.

Bandits prefer quick and decisive action and usually avoid prolonged confrontations with other family forces.

If they can’t break through the formation, they will retreat immediately.

“Understood.”

The patrolling cultivators all nodded in agreement.

They were all aware of the instability in the cultivation world in recent years.

Meanwhile.

The three Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been fighting earlier stopped once they entered a forest.

“It seems White Tiger Mountain is still only guarded by a second-rank beast.”

“Indeed, despite our probing, no Foundation Establishment cultivator appeared, which means the situation is the same as before.”

“Shall we proceed with the next step?”

The three exchanged glances and nodded in agreement.

Their earlier actions were, of course, a test of White Tiger Mountain’s defenses.

They wanted to see if the information they had gathered was accurate—that only a second-rank spirit beast guarded White Tiger Mountain.

If it was true that only a second-rank beast guarded the mountain, they wouldn’t hesitate to strike.

Moreover, if they could manage to sneak a Foundation Establishment cultivator into White Tiger Mountain, they could easily break the protective formation from within.

Lu Qingsong returned to White Tiger Peak.

A young man with a stern and robust appearance, standing tall and strong, approached him and asked, “Qingsong, what happened?”

“Big Brother.”

Upon seeing the young man, Lu Qingsong greeted him and then replied, “It seems they were just passing Foundation Establishment cultivators, but we can’t rule out the possibility that they were disguised bandits.”

“Alright, inform me immediately if anything happens.”

Lu Ping’an nodded in agreement.

With the Nine Abyss Mastiff guarding White Tiger Mountain, any issues were usually resolved by Lu Qingsong and the mastiff, so no one knew Lu Ping’an’s true strength.

Just now, seeing that Lu Qingsong could handle the situation, Lu Ping’an merely observed from a distance without intervening.

“Don’t worry, Big Brother.”

Lu Qingsong smiled, knowing that his elder brother was broad-minded.

Over the years, Lu Ping’an had focused solely on cultivation at White Tiger Mountain, never involving himself in its affairs.

However, whenever there was trouble, he would immediately check in to see if Lu Qingsong needed help.

“Rumble!”

The two had only chatted briefly and were about to head back to rest when a sudden, thunderous noise erupted.

The light of White Tiger Mountain’s second-rank formation flickered in the night sky, fluctuating between bright and dim.

“Hmm? This Spiritual Energy… it’s those three from earlier!”

Lu Ping’an looked towards the mountain gate, sensing that the Spiritual Energy was indeed coming from the three they had just encountered.

“It seems there’s no doubt those three are bandits!”

Lu Qingsong’s expression turned cold as he spoke, guessing what was happening.

The three had likely staged their earlier act in an attempt to infiltrate White Tiger Mountain or test its defenses.

After confirming that only a second-rank spirit beast guarded the mountain, they were now taking direct action.

After all, while a second-rank spirit beast is powerful, it cannot control the formation.

Without a Foundation Establishment cultivator to control the second-rank formation, its offensive and defensive capabilities are significantly weaker.

Over the years, the reason no other family forces had targeted White Tiger Mountain was not just because of the Nine Abyss Mastiff but also because of the protection from the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain.

If White Tiger Mountain were in danger, not only would the Lu Family of Bihu Mountain come to their aid, but the Mo Family of Tiemulin and the Ning Family of Xishan would also respond immediately.

The two brothers immediately rushed towards the mountain gate.

They saw the three bandits attacking White Tiger Mountain’s formation.

The three were clearly prepared.

They had not only brought a mountain-sized Artifact to break the formation but had also prepared barrier-breaking talismans.

Under this relentless assault, the formation’s mist dissipated, and its light dimmed.

“Big Brother, it looks like we’ll need your help this time.”

Seeing this, Lu Qingsong’s expression grew solemn. He realized that the attackers were well-prepared and that it wouldn’t be easy to repel them.

He decided to have Lu Ping’an assist the Nine Abyss Mastiff in counterattacking.

“Alright, leave it to me.”

Lu Ping’an responded in a deep voice, his blood and qi beginning to stir.

“Big Brother, be careful. I’ll support you with the formation.”

Lu Qingsong continued, knowing that his elder brother had already broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, he was unsure of his brother’s exact combat strength.

So, he planned to have his brother lead the Nine Abyss Mastiff while he controlled the formation, making the three bandits retreat.

“No need.”

Lu Ping’an shook his head and quickly walked to a courtyard, where a dark-gold bow appeared in his hand.

He then fixed his gaze on the Foundation Establishment cultivator outside the formation, who was wielding the mountain-sized Artifact, and drew his bowstring.

“Big Brother?”

Lu Qingsong was puzzled, unsure of what his brother was planning.

Was he really going to shoot down a Foundation Establishment cultivator here?

How could that be possible?

But in the next moment, he was stunned by the spiritual pressure and aura emanating from his brother.

He watched as Lu Ping’an seemed to merge with the dark-gold bow, becoming one with it.

His heart pounded like a war drum, releasing boundless energy and forming a golden arrow of wind and thunder on the undrawn bowstring.

“Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!!!”

As the golden arrow formed, Lu Ping’an’s right arm crackled with lightning, resonating with wind and thunder.

“Qingsong, aim the formation at sixty-three degrees southeast. Leave a small gap.”

Holding the dark-gold bow, Lu Ping’an radiated like a blazing sun as he spoke in a deep voice.

“Got it.”

Lu Qingsong, swallowing nervously, summoned the formation disc and replied, “Big Brother, I’m ready!”

“Open!”

“Buzz!”

In an instant, the wind and thunder surged, and a golden lightning bolt shot forward, piercing through the void at incredible speed.

“What? No!”

“Watch out!”

Outside the mountain gate, the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, who were attacking the formation, suddenly saw the golden arrow coming from White Tiger Mountain. They were all shocked, sensing a foreboding aura.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

The Foundation Establishment cultivator controlling the mountain-sized Artifact screamed in terror as the golden arrow of wind and thunder shot towards him. He tried to retreat, forming layers of protective shields around himself.

But the layers of protective shields shattered instantly, and his entire head exploded like a watermelon under the force of the golden wind and thunder arrow.

“This!?”

Lu Qingsong was dumbfounded, his expression blank.

He had really shot down a Foundation Establishment cultivator!?

And with just one arrow.

Wasn’t his elder brother a recent Foundation Establishment breakthrough?

How could he possess such strength?

He was utterly confused, feeling as if he were dreaming.

Not only him, but the patrolling cultivators of White Tiger Mountain and the two bandits outside the mountain gate were also stunned, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.

How could a golden arrow suddenly appear and kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator in one shot?

Was it a talisman? A treasure? Or some other kind of magical item?

“Second Brother!”

“That’s Spiritual Energy! White Tiger Mountain must have a late Foundation Establishment cultivator! Let’s go, quickly!”

The remaining two Foundation Establishment cultivators didn’t hesitate. They quickly transformed into beams of light and fled, fearing another golden arrow might come their way.

Although they had a purpose for being here.

Their primary goal was wealth, not to lose their lives.

Seeing the two flee in panic, Lu Ping’an exhaled deeply and put away the dark-gold bow.

That arrow he had just released was a technique he had mastered from the Xu Family Elder’s ‘Wind Thunder Ring’.

It allowed his attacks to carry the power of wind and thunder!

This was the first time he had used it in actual combat, and the results were satisfactory.

Not only could it repel enemies, but it also allowed him to keep his true strength hidden.

“Big Brother?”

Lu Qingsong still looked at his elder brother in disbelief.

From within White Tiger Mountain, across such a distance, he had managed to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator with one arrow!

This kind of strength was beyond his comprehension.

“Before I broke through to Foundation Establishment, I had some fortuitous encounters. My body refinement has already reached the second rank, so I’m a bit stronger than the average Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Lu Ping’an smiled warmly at his younger brother and explained.

“Second-rank body refinement?”

“Stronger than the average Foundation Establishment cultivator?”

Lu Qingsong was at a loss for words.

He could understand second-rank body refinement.

But being able to kill a Foundation Establishment cultivator with one arrow was beyond his comprehension.

After all, even if one was slightly stronger than others, it was still incredibly difficult to kill someone, let alone in an instant.

Although his elder brother’s arrow had an element of surprise, such strength couldn’t be explained by merely being a bit stronger.

Lu Qingsong didn’t press further about Lu Ping’an’s situation. He took a deep breath, nodded, and said, “Alright, with you guarding White Tiger Mountain, I can finally rest easy.”

At that moment, he understood why their father had assigned his elder brother to guard White Tiger Mountain.

Their father had long known Lu Ping’an’s strength. With him guarding White Tiger Mountain, they could indeed rest easy!

“Big Brother, I’ll go handle the situation.”

Lu Qingsong said as he quickly went to the mountain gate to manage the situation.

He didn’t explain what had just happened or who had intervened.

The unknown is often more intimidating.

Many times, it’s the unseen methods that cause the most fear.

He had the Nine Abyss Mastiff retrieve the Foundation Establishment cultivator’s corpse and confiscate the Artifact and storage bag, his expression cold and stern as he ordered, “Hang this corpse outside the mountain gate. Let it serve as a warning. If any bandits dare to attack White Tiger Mountain, this will be their fate!”

“Yes, Mountain Lord!”

White Tiger Mountain was home to not only cultivators from the Zhao Family but also those from the Mo Family of Tiemulin and the Ning Family of Xishan.

The recent events had left them all deeply fearful.

The two remaining Foundation Establishment bandits had sensed the presence of Foundation Establishment Spiritual Energy through the arrow.

But these cultivators were only at the Qi Refining stage.

They couldn’t determine whether it was a person or a treasure that had intervened.

And since White Tiger Mountain didn’t have a Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed there, and Lu Qingsong, the Mountain Lord, had vanished from sight, they speculated that Lu Qingsong might possess some kind of extraordinary treasure.

After all, Lu Qingsong’s father, Lu Changsheng, was a legendary figure.

If he dared to leave a Qi Refining son in charge of White Tiger Mountain, he surely provided him with some powerful means!

The events at White Tiger Mountain quickly spread to the surrounding family forces the next day.

Everyone was shocked upon hearing the news.

After all, killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator with one arrow was terrifying!

Who wouldn’t be intimidated by such a display of power?

Several family cultivators who were friendly with Bihu Mountain and White Tiger Mountain even sent people to visit White Tiger Mountain under the pretext of paying a visit to see what had happened.

When they saw the headless corpse hanging outside the mountain gate and confirmed it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, they were horrified.

They all speculated about what secret methods Lu Changsheng might have hidden at White Tiger Mountain.

Meanwhile, at the Jin Family of Jinlong Ridge.

“White Tiger Mountain… Lu Changsheng, you’ve hidden your cards well!”

The Jin Family Patriarch looked at the information in his hand, his expression serious.

The three bandits who appeared at White Tiger Mountain last night were not there by chance.

He had arranged for someone to issue a bounty to test Bihu Mountain, providing them with barrier-breaking talismans and a formation-breaking Artifact, which had led the three bandits to target White Tiger Mountain.

Otherwise, under normal circumstances, bandits wouldn’t spend so much to attack a family force.

Unless that family had some sort of treasure and no Foundation Establishment cultivator stationed there.

The Jin Family Patriarch didn’t hesitate and immediately went to report this information to their elder.

At Bihu Mountain.

“Three bandits… and a single arrow?”

Lu Changsheng looked at the information from White Tiger Mountain and chuckled.

Others might not know the details, but as a father, he was well aware.

After all, the techniques Lu Ping’an used were given to him by his father.

“With Ping’an guarding White Tiger Mountain, there will be no danger unless a False Core cultivator intervenes.”

Lu Changsheng exhaled slowly.

But even though he said that, given the recent events at White Tiger Mountain, he decided to visit and check on the situation.

Moreover, the sudden bandit attack made him suspect that other forces might be involved.

After all, with the demon extermination order just concluded, no bandits should be daring enough to cause trouble at this time.

In the Yue Kingdom, at the Golden Sun Sect.

“Qingshan, how confident are you about challenging the Heavenly Sword Sect?”

Immortal Tian Yuan, dressed in a luxurious red robe, her figure voluptuous and graceful, took a sip from her wine Gourd, her face slightly flushed, and asked lazily.

After the Purple Secrets Realm incident, Lu Qingshan had promised Jade Sword Zhenren of the Heavenly Sword Sect that he would challenge them within ten years.

Now, with only a year left, she was preparing to send Lu Qingshan to the Heavenly Sword Sect to fulfill his promise.

Lu Qingshan, with his handsome face and starry eyes, looked at his master calmly and said, “There are three million sword cultivators under the heavens, but even they must bow before me.”

“…”

Immortal Tian Yuan was speechless at her disciple’s words.

After a long pause, she finally said, “It’s fine to boast in front of me, but don’t go spouting such things at the Heavenly Sword Sect. Even I won’t be able to protect you there.”

“Haha, I’m just showing my confidence.”

Lu Qingshan grinned and replied.

“Although it’s a challenge, Jade Sword Zhenren intends to use you to temper the sect’s disciples. When you arrive at the Heavenly Sword Sect, remember that while the challenge is important, you must tread carefully.”

Immortal Tian Yuan’s expression turned serious as she instructed her disciple.

This journey to the Heavenly Sword Sect was an excellent opportunity for her disciple to gain experience.

But she knew her disciple’s personality well—he was extremely arrogant.

And the sword cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Sect were no less proud.

If her disciple challenged them without regard for their pride, it would cause trouble.

“Don’t worry, Master. I understand. Friendship comes first, and the challenge comes second.”

Lu Qingshan, though proud, was not foolish. He understood the importance of maintaining good relations.

His visit to the Heavenly Sword Sect was primarily for sparring and exchange, so he had to respect the host.

If the sparring turned into a provocation, it would be like slapping the Heavenly Sword Sect in the face, making it difficult to resolve afterward.

Even if the Heavenly Sword Sect didn’t say anything openly, it would still amount to creating a powerful enemy.

“Since you understand, I won’t say more.”

Immortal Tian Yuan nodded and instructed Lu Qingshan to bid farewell to his sister, Lu Qingzhu, before heading to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

However, Lu Qingshan suggested that since his sister would be bored staying alone at the sect, she should accompany him to broaden her horizons.

Upon hearing this, Immortal Tian Yuan agreed, stating that if Lu Qingzhu was willing to go, she had no objections. She then took the siblings to the Heavenly Sword Sect.

The previous chapter had an error in Lu Chensha’s age, so it has been corrected.