Chapter 423: The First Person of the Younger Generation

"This is information I only learned after extensive verification," Qiu Jin'an told everyone. "The power of national destiny involves very high levels, and it's not something you should know about yet. You only need to understand that it can eliminate karmic backlash!" He cautioned them that their cultivation was too low to be privy to such secrets.

This knowledge is typically reserved for those in the Tribulation Crossing stage. Had he not been the sect master of an Immortal Sect, he wouldn't even be aware of the power of national destiny.

Lu Yang nodded in profound agreement. "Indeed, the power of national destiny is held by the immortals of the imperial court. It's related to Dao Fruits and is one of their techniques. Those protected by national destiny are immune to all poisons and illnesses, can instantly unleash powerful combat abilities, and it even possesses a forgetting characteristic. Even the Imperial Advisor of the Great Yu Dynasty is extremely wary of it and dares not openly challenge it!"

Qiu Jin'an paused, wondering how Lu Yang seemed to know even more than him.

Was this the typical knowledge a Golden Core cultivator possessed?

He recalled that during his own Golden Core stage, he had only just learned that an ancient, nameless entity had refined the Star Continent. Concepts like immortals and Dao Fruits were entirely foreign to him then. He occasionally ventured into secret realms accessible only to Golden Core cultivators, which were remnants left behind by Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation cultivators.

Furthermore, the power of national destiny has a forgetting characteristic. He himself was unaffected only because of a treasure gifted by the imperial court. So how had this kid, Lu Yang, not forgotten?

Qiu Jin'an pondered for a moment but decided not to delve deeper. There were already far too many inexplicable things about the Wen Dao Sect, and Lu Yang's case was just another addition to the list.

For instance, he had never understood how, in a cultivation world so vast, those nine scourges, the Wen Dao Sect's Nine Sons, had managed to gather in one place.

Perhaps it could only be explained by the saying, "birds of a feather flock together."

"After I received this news, I went to the Wen Dao Sect to find you. Those old rascals there told me you had gone to the Corpse Herding Sect in Barren State, so I rushed here without delay to inform you. It just so happened that I encountered a Great Yu Integration stage cultivator attacking you."

Qiu Jin'an wore an expression as if to say, "Luckily, I arrived just in time."

Lu Yang eyed Qiu Jin'an askance. "What 'luckily arrived'?" he thought. The Immortal Fairy had already informed him that the old man had been tracking them the entire way, simply watching the spectacle unfold.

The battle between Qiu Jin'an and True Lord Meng Tian caused a significant commotion, and the constables from Hanshui City quickly arrived.

Based on the commotion, the Hanshui City officials deduced that the cultivators involved were not of low cultivation. The highest-ranking official who rushed out from the city was also in the Integration stage.

"So it's Fellow Daoist Qiu," the Hanshui City official said, clearly recognizing Qiu Jin'an. He bowed respectfully, cupping his hands.

As an imperial official, recognizing the five sect masters of the Immortal Sects was a fundamental expectation.

After all, the five sect masters wield both supervisory and enforcement powers, serving as a sharp blade of the imperial court.

There was even a past incident where Daoist Silent openly broke the law. An official, seeing Daoist Silent's prominent background, attempted to bend the rules for personal gain. Unexpectedly, Daoist Silent was displeased and reported the matter directly to Emperor Xia, resulting in that official's punishment.

Daoist Silent himself was also imprisoned for his crime.

After this incident, both the court and the populace were shocked. No official dared to pervert justice again, at least not openly in the presence of the five great Immortal Sects.

After all, Daoist Silent was a ruthless individual who had, in effect, sent himself to prison.

"You are..." Qiu Jin'an said, not recognizing the newcomer.

"I am An Ping, Sima of Barren State."

"Ah, so it's Lord An," Qiu Jin'an responded, feigning an expression of sudden recognition, though he had never met the man before.

"I saw towering flames and a great sun hanging in the sky from the city," Lord An stated. "I'm unsure what happened here. Would Fellow Daoist Qiu be willing to provide some information?"

"Just now, I encountered an Integration stage cultivator from Great Yu," Qiu Jin'an replied. "I engaged him in battle, and he was defeated in two moves, fleeing in a panic."

"Based on the information he revealed, the current ghost plague in the city was his doing. We just don't know if he has any accomplices."

Lord An's expression turned serious. This was no small matter; the ghost plague was currently a top priority. They had always suspected the Nine Nether Sect was behind it, but now it appeared to be the work of a Great Yu cultivator!

"Fellow Daoist Qiu, would you be able to discuss this in detail with the State Governor?"

Qiu Jin'an smiled. "I happen to have something I need to discuss with the State Governor."

"That's excellent," Lord An replied. "And who are these individuals?"

"These three are disciples of the Wen Dao Sect," Qiu Jin'an explained. "The one leading them is the youngest disciple of that old scoundrel, Daoist Silent."

Upon hearing Lu Yang's identity, Lord An was filled with a sense of reverence.

He was a rising star, born after Daoist Silent's active period, so he had grown up listening to the legends surrounding Daoist Silent. He knew how truly unfortunate it was to become Daoist Silent's disciple.

"This one is a disciple from the Corpse Herding Sect," Qiu Jin'an continued, indicating someone. "This drowned ghost and the unconscious mortal woman are involved in insurance fraud. They are about to be handed over to you for processing. They also have an accomplice, Liu San from Baishui Village."

Without Lord An needing to say a word, his subordinates immediately apprehended the drowned ghost and the unconscious Huang Zaor. Others quickly rushed to Baishui Village to arrest Liu San.

Lu Yang and the others would not need to get involved in the subsequent matters.

"Wait for me a moment," Lu Yang said before leaving, then, under everyone's bewildered gaze, he reached his hand into the dried-up cold pool. An endless stream of saltwater gushed from his sleeve, completely refilling the pool.

The water he had drained from the cold pool earlier had been stored in the village within his palm.

Lord An was astonished. How old was Lu Yang to have already mastered the "Universe in the Sleeve" technique?

Seeing Lord An's expression, Qiu Jin'an clapped his hands and laughed heartily. "Didn't expect that, did you?" he said. "Just now, Lu Yang fought against an Integration stage cultivator from Great Yu who had dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated, and he won effortlessly. His combat prowess is enough to call him the number one of the younger generation."

Although his own disciple could also defeat that Integration stage cultivator who had dispersed his cultivation and re-cultivated, they certainly couldn't do it as effortlessly as Lu Yang.

While Lu Yang was fighting, Qiu Jin'an had been observing from the side. He noticed that Lu Yang hadn't used his Golden Core at all throughout the entire battle. He even suspected Lu Yang had even more powerful techniques he hadn't yet displayed.

At Lu Yang's age, he himself certainly couldn't have defeated Lu Yang.

Truly a disciple taught by Yun Zhi.

"That strong?!" Lord An was shocked once more, not expecting Qiu Jin'an to offer such a high evaluation.

Given Qiu Jin'an's experience and insight, such a judgment wouldn't be wrong, nor did he have any reason to exaggerate. After all, Lu Yang was a disciple of the Wen Dao Sect, not the Five Elements Sect.

The Wen Dao Sect, as always, continued to produce exceptional talents.

Zhao Poxin thought, "Just as I suspected." He had witnessed Lu Yang's fierce demeanor in battle and had a faint feeling that Lu Yang was indeed the foremost among the younger generation, but his limited experience prevented him from drawing a hasty conclusion.

"Did you hear that? I'm the number one of the younger generation!" Lu Yang exclaimed, preening like a triumphant peacock as he showed off in front of Meng Jingzhou and Mang Gu.

"Brother Lu is amazing!" Mang Gu clapped sincerely.

Meng Jingzhou pouted. "Lu Yang, your tail is practically pointing to the sky," he muttered. "What 'number one of the younger generation'? Senior Sister is the one."

Lu Yang chuckled. "You're just jealous of me," he said. "Senior Sister isn't of the younger generation..."

Catching Meng Jingzhou's playful yet dangerous gaze, Lu Yang suddenly realized his words were problematic. He stopped himself in time and glared angrily at Meng Jingzhou.

Meng Jingzhou looked left and right, pretending he hadn't been the one to dig that pit.

Led by Lord An, the group proceeded to meet the newly appointed State Governor of Barren State without any further incident.