Chapter 241: Standing in the World

A single strike extinguished three fires. Any Chosen of the Seven Sects would be capable of such combat power.

However, the gap in combat power between a three-fire and a four-fire cultivation base is immense. In essence, a four-fire cultivation base in the Foundation Establishment realm truly belongs to a different major cultivation stage. Without emperor-grade cultivation techniques, a soul lamp, or external artifacts capable of threatening a breakthrough, the difference between the two is like heaven and earth. Neither speed nor explosive power is on the same level. Nevertheless, Xu Qing's move still sent ripples through the minds of all the Seven Sects Alliance disciples who witnessed it.

On one hand, their perception of Xu Qing had evolved from initial indifference to today's immense respect, even apprehension. This was largely due to Sima Ru's disappearance. Thus, in their eyes, Xu Qing's actions carried an inherent authority.

Even if they were unwilling to admit it, they clearly understood that if they were to fight Xu Qing, they would undoubtedly be defeated. Subtly, they had already classified Xu Qing as an exceptional cultivator, second only to Sheng Yunzi.

On the other hand, after witnessing that sword strike, their hearts were filled with complex thoughts about Xu Qing's hidden abilities. This was the Grand Azure Blade. Although this blade technique is only considered an emperor-grade cultivation method after comprehending more than seven strikes, one could never know if Xu Qing truly possessed only the power of a single strike. Even if it was just one strike, it was still startling.

After all, comprehension of the Grand Azure Blade is difficult to augment with external forces; it relies entirely on one's own innate understanding. This holds true for any sect. In fact, on the Wanggu Continent, some sects specializing in blade arts use the number of Grand Azure Blade strikes one comprehends to judge a person's aptitude. Therefore, to some extent, the Grand Azure Blade can also be considered a niche standard for evaluating chosen talents. By this standard, everyone in the Seven Sects Alliance, except Sheng Yunzi, had failed. They had all attempted to comprehend it more than once, but without success.

Thus, upon seeing Xu Qing's Grand Azure Blade descend from the sky to slay the black-clad, three-fire Night Dove, their hearts were conflicted. Furthermore, both they and their allied sects recognized another terrifying aspect of Xu Qing from this single strike: his decisiveness and intelligence.

For Night Dove to have persisted in Seven Blood Eyes for so many years, like an unquenchable wildfire, rising anew with every spring breeze, and to have gathered such a significant force this time, requiring the Felony Division nearly two months to clear them out—there was naturally something problematic here. And this problem would not be minor.

Someone within Seven Blood Eyes must have provided a certain degree of protection. The interests involved were too vast, making it hard to say how many Seven Blood Eyes members were secretly participating in the illicit gains. Therefore, handling Night Dove required a delicate balance.

These foreign cultivators had already seen this clearly; in fact, they were observing to see if the Felony Division's crackdown on Night Dove would lead to internal chaos within Seven Blood Eyes itself, making it difficult for them to conclude the matter smoothly.

However, Xu Qing's approach was decisive. He clearly sensed the identity of that three-fire Night Dove but made no attempt to dig deeper. Instead, he executed a clean, swift kill, leaving the opponent no chance to speak, shattering them to pieces, their body reduced to minced flesh, with no discernible identity on the surface.

Such a strike severed not only the individual but also all connections behind them related to Night Dove, cutting them off with one blow. With this strike, he implicitly told all hidden individuals behind the scenes that the Felony Division would not pursue this matter further.

While such an action might be inappropriate in a prosperous era, in times of chaos, it was the smartest and least disruptive choice. He eliminated Night Dove while subtly granting a favor, forcing all hidden individuals to admit that Xu Qing had handled the matter skillfully, leaving them no easy opportunity to pursue it later.

Even Patriarch Blood Refiner expressed increasing admiration after witnessing it.

He paid no mind to the unsavory affairs within the sect, for he deeply understood that for everything with light, there is shadow; even under the brightest sun, shadows persist. Many matters are not simply black and white; there are shades of gray.

Xu Qing had once been ignorant of this principle. After arriving at Seven Blood Eyes, he witnessed too much hidden malice and encountered too many unfathomable individuals. This caused him to learn and grow rapidly, like a sponge, until he fully grasped it.

Therefore, after this battle, Xu Qing's name was deeply ingrained in the minds of all foreign cultivators, and their apprehension towards him grew intense. However, they would not easily reveal their likes or dislikes.

It became clear that Xu Qing possessed both combat power and ruthlessness. Not only was he adept at concealing his abilities, but he was also intelligent. Such a person, unless swiftly suppressed and killed by a thunderous strike, would surely retaliate if an attempt failed.

Thus, without an irreconcilable struggle for interests or deep-seated hatred, no one was willing to risk making a move; rather, many began to entertain thoughts of forming alliances with him. This was simply one facet of complex human nature.

It was precisely because Xu Qing handled this matter in a way that impressed both the sect and the foreign factions that, following the Felony Division's overnight sweep and the capture of almost all Night Dove members, when Xu Qing obtained a list, his inquiry to the sect received a definite affirmative reply. This list was the ledger of those who purchased "treasure nurturers."

Even though ledgers often play a crucial role in uncovering wrongdoing, their purpose is frequently not just to record, but also to serve as a means of checks and balances. They can also be intentionally left behind.

This is because, to some extent, it functions like a "forbidden artifact." This ledger, most likely intentionally left behind, primarily recorded the names and purchase quantities of buyers from the Seven Sects Alliance. To Xu Qing's surprise, not every sect in the Alliance had made purchases.

Among them, the superior sects of the Second Peak, Lingxia Valley; the Sixth Peak, Heavenly Mirror Treasure Sect; the Seventh Peak, Mysterious Nether Sect; and the Fifth Peak, Heavenly Mandate Pavilion, had not made any purchases.

Those who bought the most were Lingyun Sword Sect, Hunt Anomaly Gate, and the superior sect of the Fourth Peak, Grand Evolution Dao Palace.

The Chosen from the first two sects who were stationed in Seven Blood Eyes were now imprisoned. The only one not yet apprehended was the cultivator from Grand Evolution Dao Palace.

Recalling the abundant resources in Sima Ling's storage ring, Xu Qing was eager to apprehend this Chosen from Grand Evolution Dao Palace. However, he would not act rashly. Therefore, his inquiry to the sect was whether this person could be arrested and brought to justice. Unless the benefit was immense, he rarely overtly overstepped his authority.

Given that the other party's interests were unknown and involved the Seven Sects Alliance, Xu Qing felt that operating under the sect's authority, as an enforcer of orders, would naturally be the safest approach. And the sect gave an affirmative reply, with just one word: "Arrest."

Upon seeing the sect's reply, Xu Qing left the Felony Division. On the morning of the next day, he walked through the streets of Seven Blood Eyes.

The Felony Division's overnight purge, while yielding significant results, also swept through the main city like a tempest, causing all manner of unsavory characters to disappear during this period.

Furthermore, Seven Blood Eyes' rules provided strong protection for mortals, so the Felony Division's actions had no adverse effect on them; instead, it made them feel even more secure.

Thus, Xu Qing, walking down the street, arrived at his usual breakfast stall. There, he had a bowl of hot soup and a few steamed buns. Amidst the proprietor's warm hospitality, he ate three eggs, politely left a few spirit coins, and took his leave.

This particular breakfast stall, initially not very well-known, was just one of many in the main city. However, over the past year or so, it had changed, becoming a must-visit spot for Felony Division night patrols, leading to a significant increase in business.

Moreover, no one ever dared to cause trouble here. The reason for all of this was naturally known to the breakfast stall owner. So, at that moment, as he cleared tables, he watched Xu Qing depart, a sigh of emotion welling up in his heart.

He still remembered the first time the young man had come three years ago, his expression cautious, his face wary, and then the look of contentment that appeared after he took a sip of soup. Five years had passed. Unbeknownst to him, this youth had grown so much and become a prominent figure.

As he mused, the breakfast stall owner noticed the customers around him, most of whom had a strong smell of blood about them, looking with fervent admiration and reverence at the departing youth's back. He shook his head with a smile.

Xu Qing walked calmly down the street. Even though his cultivation was now impressive and he wielded great power within the sect, he still habitually preferred to walk along one side of the road.

About an incense stick's time later, as the morning sky grew brighter and pedestrians became more numerous, Xu Qing arrived before a residence. This was the official residence for Grand Evolution Dao Palace disciples in Seven Blood Eyes.

All foreign sects visiting Seven Blood Eyes were assigned fixed residences, such as this Grand Evolution Dao Palace compound, which was a large two-story courtyard. The compound was permeated with formation power. Xu Qing, standing at the entrance, quietly sensed it, then calmly spoke: "Please activate the sect's formation to suppress this area."

This time, Xu Qing was acting on orders to enforce the law. The sect's grand formation instantly erupted, creating a surging oppressive force that descended upon the location with a rumble, immediately suppressing all formations within the Grand Evolution Dao Palace's residence. Startled cries also emanated from within.

Xu Qing's expression remained calm. He pushed open the residence door and saw dozens of people rushing out, each with a different look on their face. Among these dozens, the leading three were two men and one woman.

The woman wore a white long dress, styled like a palace gown, but without complex patterns, only adorned with a red cloud-like dye at the hem. Her cuffs were embroidered with cloud patterns, and she exuded a faint medicinal fragrance. Her appearance was elegant and endearing.

At this moment, her eyes gleamed with an unusual light. Although she emerged with the others, her gaze was exceptionally clear, showing no trace of panic from within or without.

Beside her stood a young man in a yellow shirt. He had an ordinary appearance with some freckles on his face, but his eyes were remarkably bright, fixed intently on Xu Qing.

On the other side, another young man stood, dressed in a cloud-mist azure Daoist robe. The cloud-mist patterns on it were unusual, seemingly flowing and changing on their own, subtly emanating the essence of a formation. His face was the palest, and his eyes clearly showed panic. After seeing Xu Qing, his breathing quickened.

Behind the three, most of those following were also Grand Evolution Dao Palace disciples, all equally tense. Further away, Xu Qing saw three middle-aged cultivators. These three were spread out, silent, but the Golden Core fluctuations from their bodies were emanating outwards.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over them, then settled on the young man in the cloud-mist azure robe. He spoke calmly: "Zhou Qifan of Grand Evolution Dao Palace."