In the Kunwu Mountain Range, Lu Qinghe was swiftly making his way forward.
At this moment, he had been away from the cave of the Eastern Sword Sect for thirteen days.
During these thirteen days, Lu Qinghe had been slowly traveling towards the outskirts of the Kunwu Mountain Range.
At the moment, he had just arrived at the outskirts of the Kunwu Mountain Range.
The reason why it took thirteen days for him to leave the Kunwu Mountain Range was mainly because Lu Qinghe needed time to properly process and assimilate all that he had learned.
During the four months in the cave of the Eastern Sword Sect, his gains had been tremendous.
These four months had marked a great transformation in his life.
Previously, he had been at the peak of the Refining True Sixth Layer, possessing a cultivation base that could contend with an eighth-layer Refining True expert, which was considered good. Among the Inner Three Peaks, he was considered to be at a middle level - not low, but certainly not high either.
But at this moment...
The top ten figures of the third peak are held in high regard among the inner disciples, even figures like Gu Shenxu, Tai'a, and Beichangtian are no exception.
The third peak? But are there still opponents?
"I don't know. I asked about the top ten princes of the Qiankuo Kingdom in Xianzong, whether they have a place." Lu Qinghe muttered to himself as he looked at the increasingly sparse trees around him.
Now, only the strong at that level can truly be considered opponents. This has been his transformation over the past four months.
Opportunity! It's truly indescribable.
Lu Qingyun, a normal disciple of Xianzong, has become a formidable presence in the top ten of the third peak, all thanks to an opportunity.
Likewise, the transformative journey of Lu Qinghe over the past four months has also been guided by such an opportunity.
"It seems that my previous idea of finding a quiet sect to practice and seek the truth is not necessarily correct," reflected Lu Qinghe.
At this moment, some faint voices came from one side.
Lu Qinghe’s hearing and vision at this moment far exceeded that of ordinary people. A glance revealed three figures peeking through the cracks between the trees and leaves.
These three individuals are outer disciples of Xianzong.
"There's someone!"
"Huh, it's Brother Lu!"
Lu Qinghe didn't deliberately avoid these outer disciples. Before long, the three outer disciples had already seen where Lu Qinghe was.
"Brother Lu, great, we finally found you."
One of them, around twenty years old with a cultivation of the sixth level of Refining Reality, hurried forward in greeting.
"Looking for me?" Lu Qinghe was a bit puzzled.
Another person quickly stepped forward and saluted: "We, the outer disciples Yue Quan, Yue Li, and Liu Pingjiang, greet Brother Lu. Brother Lu, we have been searching for your whereabouts for a month at the behest of Brother Han Zhen."
"Han Zhen?" Lu Qinghe nodded.
Han Ya believes that Han Zhen is the reason why she can thrive on the third peak. Han Zhen would let people look for him, which seems to be mainly related to Han Ya's interests.
"You guys...here..." lu Qinghe looked around and saw the sparse trees. This place seemed to be the outermost part of Kunwu Mountain Range.
Bringing up this matter, Yue Quan, the leader, couldn't help but feel embarrassed: "It's because the people from the Tianlong Palace are lurking around here, so..."
"Tianlong Palace!"
The Tianlong Palace is the ancestral temple of the Qiankuo Kingdom and the birthplace of Lu Qiankun.
"Lu Qiankun?"
"Not Lu Qiankun. The battle of the Qiankuo Kingdom is about to begin, and Lu Qiankun must be fully prepared. It's just that some of the elite disciples of the Tianlong Palace, among those elite disciples, there are still many experts..."
Obviously, due to the elite disciples of the Tianlong Palace, these disciples who were following Han Zhen's orders were not at all close to the area where the Dongjian Sect's cave mansion was located.
However...would Lu Qiankun really let the disciples of the Tianlong Palace be outside?
Sending them to their deaths?
After all, he had fought Lu Qiankun before, and Lu Qiankun should know that ordinary Refining Reality 9th level practitioners were no longer his opponents.
"Thank you."
"Brother Lu, since you are safe and sound now, let's go back."
Lu Qinghe nodded. Led by Yue Quan, the four of them quickly headed towards the outermost part of Kunwu Mountain Range. In less than half a day, a camp appeared in his sight.
In the camp, it seemed that Han Ya and Han Zhen had already received the news and came out to greet them in advance.
Seeing Lu Qinghe unscathed, Han Ya showed a look of surprise on her face: "Brother Lu..."
Lu Qinghe nodded, indicating that he was fine.
"Right, Brother Lu, let me introduce you." Han Ya hurriedly stepped aside and brought out a man who looked less than thirty and was quite elegant, "This is Brother Han Zhen."
When the name "Han Zhen" was mentioned, not only Han Ya, but also the other dozen or so people in the camp, without exception, showed a look of awe in their eyes.
The ninth position in the ranking of the third peak represents not just a place in the top ten, but also signifies the ability to enter the top one hundred among both the inner and outer gates.
"Han Zhen, I have long heard of your great name, it is as famous as thunder."
"Hehe, I have heard your name, Lu Qinghe, no less than a hundred times these past few days."
With a hint of apology, Han Zhen said, "I apologize for the delay caused by the Sword Duel of the Ascended Immortal, it was not until half a month ago that I set foot in the Kunwu Mountain Range. Fortunately, you, Lu Qinghe, are safe and sound. Otherwise, it would have been my fault."
"Han Zhen, you are thoughtful."
"Brother Lu, I have yet to congratulate you."
At this time, Han Ya interrupted with a smile.
"Congratulations?"
Lu Qinghe was puzzled.
Han Ya nodded, "Your sister, Lu Qingyun, has made it to the third round! You should know that only thirty-two people are selected for the third round, all of whom are the elite of the inner nine peaks, and most of them are even extraordinary individuals of the first peak. The fact that Sister Lu Qingyun can be compared to them, and her strong cultivation, can be easily imagined. Many disciples even speculate that she has the potential to enter the top ten in the final competition!"
"Top one hundred among the inner gate."
With Lu Qingyun's original cultivation, it would be difficult for her to achieve such a result, so…
"Has she broken through to the tenth level of True Refinement?"
Han Ya nodded vigorously, "The tenth level of True Refinement!"
Han Zhen, beside them, with some admiration, said, "As a woman, Sister Lu Qingyun has the courage and determination to break through to the tenth level of True Refinement and challenge the inheritance boundary. Compared to her...I am ashamed, ashamed..."
"Everyone has different pursuits."
"Brother Lu, have you encountered Lv Qiankun when you went to the ancient royal family sanctuary?"
"I just missed him."
Naturally, Lu Qinghe could not say that he had clashed with Lv Qiankun twice, as it would be too shocking.
Seeing this, Han Zhen, gestured to Han Ya, who seemed to understand something and opened her mouth to inquire, but the questioning words remained unspoken...
Lu Qinghe understood what Han Ya wanted to ask.
But...
He wouldn't answer.
Finally, Han Ya, who couldn't ask the question, changed the topic to return matters, "Let's go back now, the final battle of the Sword Duel of the Ascended Immortal will take place in four days. If we hurry, we can still make it."
Lu Qinghe nodded, he was curious about Lu Qingyun's current cultivation level.
"Let's go."
Not achieving his goal, Han Zhen might have been dissatisfied in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face.
A group of more than ten people left the Kunwu Mountain Range and, in Kunwu Town outside the mountain range, mounted the snow sculptures waiting outside and flew into the air, heading straight for Longmen City.
As for Han Zhen's guards, they were not treated in the same way.
The snow sculptures were not as fast as phoenixes, but they also flew at an amazing speed. In less than half a day, the group landed safely at the beast station in Longmen City.
Longmen City was not far from the Asking Immortal Sect, and they could arrive within a day.
"It's getting late today, let's rest for a day and set off tomorrow morning."
Han Zhen looked up at the setting sun about to descend the mountain and suggested.
Naturally, Lu Qinghe and Han Ya did not refuse.
As one of the top ten figures in the third peak, Han Zhen's influence was extraordinary. There was no need to give orders; the people at the beast station had already arranged the best rooms for them.
It wouldn't be long before City Lord Li Fengbei and Deputy City Lord Shi Luoren received the news and came to pay their respects in person.
After entering their own rooms, Lu Qinghe began practicing and quietly contemplating the First Sword of the Defeating Sword Art - the Sword of Beginning.
This sword technique consisted of only four swords.
Each sword possessed terrifying power.
Even with Lu Qinghe's comprehension, he only grasped the basics of the Sword of Beginning.
Despite this, he was still shocked by the power of this sword.
If…
He could completely master this sword, not to become perfect, but just to understand its levels, even Lü Qiankun, a True Refinement expert, would meet his doom under his sword.
…
While Lu Qinghe was fully immersed in his contemplation of the sword art, Han Zhen's expression in the room was rather unpleasant, and the look in his eyes towards Han Ya was cold and stern.
"You had a chance just now, why didn’t you ask?"
"Qinghe saved my life. If it weren’t for him, I would have died in the Kunwu Mountain Range. Everything in the ancient royal family sanctuary is what he deserves. If we ask him again..."
"Hmph, that's how you think, but others may not think the same way."
Han Zhen's complexion softened slightly, but he still looked quite heavy, "I think you understand what a perfect inheritance means. Even a little information from such an inheritance will be of immeasurable help to my cultivation, and even..."
There was a faint gleam in Han Zhen's eyes, "Even the things in this heirloom are very precious. I can completely rely on this to step into the tenth level of True Refinement, open the inheritance boundary in the tenth level of True Refinement, and make a name for myself in history!"
"I..."
"Go and ask! No matter what method you use, you must extract from him what he obtained in the ancient imperial family's holy land."
Han Zhen's tone was resolute, not allowing anyone to question it.
This was not a discussion.
It was a command.
"Yes..."
Han Ya nodded helplessly, and could only comply.
At that moment, a voice suddenly came from outside the inn where Han Zhen and the others were staying: "Haha, I heard that Brother Han Zhen has just returned from the Kunwu Mountains and is now resting at this inn. I, Huang Tianfeng, have come uninvited to visit. I hope I'm not disturbing Brother Han Zhen."