Chapter 30

"Back then, when I was outside the alley of Dade Pharmacy, almost caught by you, I knew that you were very sensitive to the outside world."

"Later, when you used a branch to break the small thug's fist, I realized you had skills."

"Looking at your appearance, there was no fierce expression, no murderous intent, and no signs of rigorous training on your body. Your steps were ordinary, and it was truly impossible to see any trace of a martial artist. But just now, when I tested you, your cultivation was already on par with mine."

After saying this quietly, Lu Qing fell silent, just looking at Qin Xianyu.

Qin Xianyu smiled faintly.

Martial artists first learn techniques, practice, stand in stances, use secret medicines to nourish their bodies, and use golden needles to stimulate acupoints. Finally, they enter the realm of moving qi and blood, then internal strength, and the highest level is the grandmaster of martial arts who can release internal strength externally.

Martial artists practicing will inevitably leave traces, such as their gait, calluses on their hands and body, and the fiery eyes and protruding temples of Lu Qing, which are all methods of identification.

But Qin Xianyu had never practiced martial arts, even his true qi was transmitted by the Daoist Guanxu.

Daoist Guanxu practiced meditation, using his mind to change his body, allowing him to generate true qi. But Qin Xianyu's body was still that of an ordinary person, though improved by spiritual water, it remained ordinary.

However, with true qi in his body, it would gradually change his internal condition, making his body and true qi compatible.

Now, with six inches of true qi, improving his body was no longer difficult.

But for Lu Qing, it was still extremely surprising.

A young, tender-skinned boy, showing no signs of martial arts practice, could actually compete with him, a martial arts expert with two inches of internal strength, and even gain the upper hand?

Qin Xianyu said softly, "I am a cultivator."

Lu Qing showed no surprise, he just nodded and then smiled, "Precisely because you are a cultivator, I can bring you to the capital. After all, the item we are escorting this time must be delivered to the national treasury, and there can be no mistakes."

Qin Xianyu took a deep breath, a hint of seriousness appearing in his eyes.

After a long silence, the young Daoist slowly said, "How much do you know about cultivators, Sir Lu?"

"Not much," Lu Qing shook his head and said, "It is said that the Astronomical Bureau manages the order, and the affairs of cultivators are isolated from the world, not to be revealed to the public. Even grandmasters of martial arts may not be clear about these matters. I was once a commander of the capital's guard, and I accidentally saw the divine techniques of cultivators, which made me realize the extraordinary nature of the world."

"Divine techniques of cultivators?"

Qin Xianyu held his breath slightly. After obtaining the true understanding of swordsmanship, he and Daoist Guanxu knew that beyond the release of true qi, there were indeed extraordinary realms. But he never imagined that Lu Qing had actually seen divine techniques.

He suddenly remembered that before this journey, Lu Qing had reminded him to bring a magical tool.

This showed that Lu Qing knew a lot about the affairs of cultivators.

But in the world, there were only legends of cultivation and immortality, vague and intangible. People considered them myths, even the outstanding young heroes of the martial world regarded these matters as myths, and some even went deep into Yinghuang Mountain to explore.

All this was because the Astronomical Bureau, which managed the order of heaven and earth, isolated the two worlds?

What kind of immense power did the Astronomical Bureau, which observed celestial phenomena to predict the fate of the nation and measured the terrain to avoid disasters, have? How could it isolate cultivators from the world and prevent them from revealing their techniques to the public? How could it divide cultivators and ordinary people into two completely different worlds?

Living under the same sky, they were in different worlds.

Qin Xianyu took a deep breath, feeling extremely incredulous.

"Something's not right."

"This Sir Lu is just a martial artist, yet he knows about cultivation. Why does Daoist Guanxu know nothing?"

"Even though Lu Qing only learned by chance, Daoist Guanxu, who has traveled for a hundred years, has gained nothing? I have only had six inches of true qi for a short time, yet I can learn such things from Lu Qing. Daoist Guanxu, who has dedicated his life to seeking the Dao and traveled for nearly a hundred years, has found nothing?"

In an instant, countless thoughts flashed through the young Daoist's mind, a chill rising in his heart.

The chill slowly grew, spreading from his heart.

A trace of shock flashed in his eyes.

What kind of immense power could make a Daoist with true qi, who has traveled for a hundred years, still unable to touch the matters of cultivation, just like ordinary people?

Was it the means of the Astronomical Bureau, or the plot of some person?

"Master Qin? Master Qin?"

Lu Qing called out several times before Qin Xianyu came back to his senses.

Qin Xianyu said softly, "I was lost in thought, my apologies."

The two continued to chat for a long time.

Qin Xianyu probed indirectly and learned many things from Lu Qing.

Lu Qing might have known he was trying to get information, but he didn't mind much. Originally, with the Astronomical Bureau controlling the Dade Holy Dynasty, such matters should not be spread casually. But since Qin Xianyu was a cultivator, many things did not need to be hidden, and he told him everything.

In fact, Lu Qing knew little about cultivation. He only saw the techniques of cultivators by chance during a mission and was later summoned by the Astronomical Bureau, not allowed to spread the news.

Through this conversation, Qin Xianyu learned many things.

At least, cultivators, though rare, were not few in the world. Beyond the release of true qi, there were indeed divine techniques.

Cultivators were not allowed to reveal their techniques to the secular world.

According to the legends, the Astronomical Bureau, which could observe celestial phenomena and measure terrain, was actually profound and mysterious, controlling the order of the Dade Holy Dynasty, preventing cultivators from acting arbitrarily, using their techniques casually, or revealing them easily.

But the most important point was about Daoist Guanxu.

Daoist Guanxu spent his life seeking the Dao but achieved nothing, hinting at a mysterious aura.

If Daoist Guanxu was like this, what about Qin Xianyu, who had inherited his legacy?

"Daoist Guanxu asked me to hide my identity as a disciple of Baiyun Temple, sensing the strangeness of the situation. His words before leaving were not just guesses."

Qin Xianyu rubbed his forehead, deciding to put this matter aside for now and focus on stabilizing his true qi, improving his body, and making it compatible with his true qi.

Moreover, the mysteries of the jade pill, the cultivation of the true understanding of swordsmanship, and the mysterious small tripod were all enigmatic.

And the parasitic worm in his body was a hidden danger that needed to be resolved.

"Before, I was very idle, but now, with this opportunity, there are quite a few things to deal with."

Qin Xianyu felt quite troubled.

After half a day of driving, it was already afternoon, nearly evening. Returning to Feng County would be too late.

Lu Qing invited him to stay overnight and return to Feng County the next morning. Qin Xianyu was happy to do so, as this city was the most prosperous place in Fengxing Prefecture, and it would be good to see the world.

Moreover, Qin Xianyu was thinking of returning to Feng County, tidying up the belongings in the temple, and then coming back here to learn some martial arts techniques from Lu Qing, such as sword techniques and body movements.

After resting for an hour, Qin Xianyu wanted to go out for a walk.