Chapter 248: I Strike First

Xu Qing, who was currently entering the ruins, was unaware of the events unfolding on Wanggu Continent. However, he vaguely sensed a faint reddish tint in the afternoon sky. Aside from that, there was nothing unusual.

The added redness was very subtle, barely noticeable, and didn't evoke any particular associations.

So, he simply glanced up before looking away, continuing to examine the dilapidated walls and ruins.

This ruined city differed somewhat in style from the one Xu Qing had previously visited. Here, the roof structures primarily used a grid-like pattern, varying in size and height, which, while appearing very neat, also hinted at a certain order or rule.

Despite centuries of erosion, the entire city still exuded luxury and exquisite craftsmanship.

Every floor tile was patterned, every house contained spirit stones, every long street was paved with white jade, and every waterway was lined with gold leaf.

However, now, these opulent features had lost their luster due to the erosion of anomalous matter, and severe weathering had rendered them worthless. Only by observing them could one imagine the city's past glory and wealth.

But after the imagination faded, what met the eye was a ground covered in various bird and beast droppings, vast amounts of sludge, long worms occasionally crawling through the muddy earth, and countless serrated weeds growing everywhere.

All of this thoroughly highlighted the city's decay in every detail. Notably, Xu Qing also spotted the words "Ziqing" on a broken tablet.

"According to the map inside the Immortal Washing Pool, this is the Crown Prince's Residence of the Ziqing Imperial Kingdom, where the Crown Prince once lived."

Xu Qing walked along the street, stepping on the sludge, observing the messy footprints on the ground. He looked up and noticed figures of cultivators moving within some of the buildings. There weren't many cultivators here, but it seemed to be consistently inhabited.

From the partial information about these ruins he had reviewed within the sect, Xu Qing knew that cultivators had always been present here. They came from various parts of Nanhuang Continent.

Some were sect disciples, others were rogue cultivators. Due to the vastness and abundant resources of the Phoenix Restricted Zone, it had become a place for many cultivators to acquire resources, despite the dangers.

After all, living in troubled times, everything had to be fought for, especially by smaller sects, minor powers, and rogue cultivators. Most of their cultivation advancements and combat strength improvements came through bloodshed and repeated escapes from death.

Cultivators from larger sects also experienced such hardships, though at different levels and often with relatively higher risks.

The fact that these ruins had persisted for many years indicated a degree of safety, making it a resting place for cultivators who came to the Phoenix Restricted Zone for resources.

Xu Qing's arrival drew the attention of many, but they quickly looked away after a glance. Most people here were cautious, especially vigilant towards outsiders.

Xu Qing shared a similar cautious nature.

As he proceeded, his gaze swept across both sides, wary of potential dangers and malice. He maintained his speed, quickening his pace as he rushed towards the center of the ruined city.

Before long, a familiar-looking temple appeared in his line of sight. Unlike other buildings in the ruined city, the Grand Azure Dao Temple had a circular roof.

From a high-altitude view, one could see that this was the only circular building in the entire ruins, centrally located.

Such an arrangement suggested that when this place flourished, the temple's status must have been extremely exalted. Xu Qing gazed silently, then lifted his foot and approached.

From afar, he saw dozens of cultivators, male and female, scattered around the temple entrance, dressed in various attires.

Some were in groups of two or three, others alone, all positioned where they could see the temple entrance. Although they were meditating cross-legged, they occasionally looked up towards the inside of the temple.

Most of them were at the Great Perfection of Qi Condensation stage, with occasional Foundation Establishment cultivators who hadn't yet ignited their Life Flames. Only two elderly men with white hair and wrinkled faces had reached the One-Flame stage.

These two One-Flame Foundation Establishment elders, along with three to five Foundation Establishment cultivators who hadn't ignited their Life Flames, were reasonably present here. After all, it wasn't impossible for them to successfully comprehend the "Grand Azure Blade" technique; if they did, it would be a meteoric rise for them.

However, the presence of other Great Perfection Qi Condensation cultivators here seemed somewhat strange at first glance. But after Xu Qing swept his gaze over them, he vaguely had an answer in his heart.

Because as he approached, he sensed faint wisps of greedy malice emanating from the crowd. Then, upon realizing his aura, they quickly retracted, like startled birds.

At the same time, unattended, decayed bones lay scattered in the surrounding grass. This was the Grand Azure Dao Temple, the place for comprehending the "Grand Azure Blade."

However, it was also a place within the Phoenix Restricted Zone where cultivators preyed on the weak and acted with extreme malevolence.

Leveraging the fame of the Grand Azure Dao Temple, cultivators occasionally came seeking it out. Strong cultivators were naturally unharmed, but those lacking sufficient cultivation were certain to die tragically here, losing everything.

In Xu Qing's judgment, the dozens of people outside the temple, even though they intentionally formed groups of two or three, could not change the fact that they were a gang.

Seeing this, Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then walked over step by step.

The dozens of people outside the temple exchanged subtle glances among themselves but ultimately dared not make a move against Xu Qing. Their presence here implied they had good judgment, and they vaguely sensed that Xu Qing was not someone to be trifled with.

As Xu Qing approached the temple, he saw a statue within that was both familiar and somewhat strange, and he also saw Sheng Yunzi meditating cross-legged beneath the idol.

The dazzling radiance emanating from his golden robe was very striking, and the radiant canopy above his head flowed with light like water in all directions, making him very conspicuous.

His eyes were currently closed, and his entire being exuded coldness, as if all emotional fluctuations were superfluous to him.

Xu Qing paused, a sense of vigilance rising within him. He hadn't paid much attention to Sheng Yunzi in the sect, so he was surprised to find him here meditating.

Although Xu Qing's cultivation was considerable now, he preferred to suppress opponents with absolute strength, and unless absolutely necessary, he was unwilling to engage in battles at his limit.

So, after pondering, though tempted by the opponent's Life Lamp, Xu Qing decided there was no need to senselessly plunder or provoke conflict. He did not enter the temple, instead planning to find a spot outside where he could see the idol and attempt to comprehend. However, "the tree desires calm, but the wind will not subside."

Just then, Sheng Yunzi, seemingly sensing something, slowly opened his slender eyes. His cold gaze, devoid of any emotion, fell like two sharp blades directly upon Xu Qing outside the temple.

The moment he saw him, he said nothing, merely raised his right hand and waved it outwards.

Immediately, the void before him twisted, and fluctuations appeared out of thin air from all directions, swirling up dust from the ground. In an instant, they converged, forming a stone sword.

As soon as this sword appeared, its aura was astonishing. Streaks of sword qi landed on the ground, emitting sizzling sounds and carving grooves into the earth.

The two One-Flame Foundation Establishment elders outside the temple saw this and their expressions changed drastically, retreating rapidly.

They knew in their hearts that with their own strength, facing this casually formed greatsword, even a mere graze would be fatal.

The remaining cultivators likewise retreated swiftly.

The moment they retreated, the sword inside the temple rotated its tip, pointing at Xu Qing. With a fierce surge, it whistled directly towards Xu Qing.

Its speed was immense, creating a tearing sound in the air and stirring up a series of ripples. In an instant, it passed through the temple gate, reaching Xu Qing and thrusting towards his glabella.

Xu Qing's expression darkened. He raised his right hand and flicked the approaching stone sword. There was a loud bang.

The stone sword shattered into countless pieces. As it collapsed before Xu Qing, a storm swept outwards, tearing up weeds from their roots and kicking up dust like a dust storm.

Fortunately, the dozens of cultivators retreated quickly; otherwise, caught in the blast, there would have been no chance of survival.

Within the dust storm, Xu Qing's face was grim. He looked up, casting a cold gaze at the temple and Sheng Yunzi within it, their eyes meeting in mid-air.

"What is your intention?" Xu Qing asked slowly.

Sheng Yunzi's expression remained unchanged. For him, actions were solely based on his preferences: if he wanted to act, he acted; if he wanted to kill, he killed. Especially in his heart, the human race of Nanhuang Continent was insignificant.

As for Xu Qing before him, he didn't originally know him. Although he had noted Xu Qing after he suppressed Sima Ling, he had never seen his appearance and merely intended to let him grow a bit more to serve as nourishment.

It was only during his recent meditations here that he learned about Xu Qing through the transmissions from Lingyun Sword Sect disciples, and he had also seen Xu Qing's image.

His previous strike was just a casual move, yet the opponent was completely unharmed. This caused a strange glint to appear in his eyes, and the thought of devouring Xu Qing immediately arose.

However, after thinking it over, he still felt that devouring him right now would result in a slightly inferior taste. So, he spoke indifferently, "Was it you who captured my junior brother while I was away?"

"After you return, immediately send him back with three bows. Xu Qing, remember this: for every strand of hair he loses, I will sever one of your fingers. There will be no exceptions."

Sheng Yunzi calmly issued his command-like words, then ignored Xu Qing and closed his eyes to meditate.

The people outside the Dao Temple held their breath, their expressions varied, as they observed Xu Qing and Sheng Yunzi.

They had already investigated Sheng Yunzi's identity during this period and experienced his domineering nature, and now they could clearly see the power of his strike.

At the same time, through the conversation, they also learned Xu Qing's identity. "Xu Qing, the Seventh Blood Eyes sequence?"

"This is a prodigy from the Seventh Blood Eyes!"

"So what? When facing someone from Wanggu Continent, one still has to bow their head."

Xu Qing stood at the entrance, his gaze sweeping over Sheng Yunzi's neck, then looking at the radiant canopy of his Life Lamp above his head. A cold glint flashed in his eyes, and his killing intent intensified.

Inside the black iron stick, the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, witnessing this scene, gasped repeatedly. He dared not reveal himself easily, fearing detection by the true dragon of another story, but his heart was filled with intense emotion.

"In the stories I've read, enemies often bully the protagonist, who is then forced, unable to bear it any longer, to retaliate and kill them. It's satisfying, but it gets a bit tiresome after a while."

"But it's different with Devil Xu. With his personality, if an enemy even hints at killing intent, making him feel his life is threatened, he doesn't need the enemy to act; his own killing intent will already fill the air."

Xu Qing was unaware of the Vajra Sect Patriarch's thoughts, but he knew there was a power gap between himself and Sheng Yunzi. Therefore, he did not act rashly at this moment. Instead, he turned, found a spot downwind, sat down cross-legged, and discreetly began releasing poison.

He wanted to kill Sheng Yunzi.

Because the Lingyun Sword Sect disciple he had captured at the Night Crow headquarters hadn't just lost hair when Xu Qing suppressed him; when Xu Qing had swung him and slammed him onto the ground, multiple bones in his body had shattered.

According to Sheng Yunzi's statement, one strand of hair equals one finger. If so many bones were shattered, it meant killing.

"Then I'll kill you first!" Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, concealing his killing intent so that not a trace was visible. While continuing to release poison, he also observed his surroundings, searching for the opponent's Dao Protector.

Witnessing this scene, the Vajra Sect Patriarch mused internally.

"Devil Xu is releasing poison; he's about to make the first move! This is a battle between two narratives, a battle of true dragons!"