Chapter 178

The Hidden Dragon List of the Tianji Tower has always been closely monitored by various forces across the world.

After all, the martial artists who make it to the list represent a high probability of breaking through to the Precelestial Realm.

Precelestial Realm experts are exceptionally powerful. Even in top sects, they are pillars of strength that no force dares to underestimate.

Countless martial artists in the world take pride in making it onto the Hidden Dragon List.

Because that represents true fame and recognition, known throughout the world.

Most martial artists, who practice so hard, are driven by the pursuit of fame and fortune.

Those who make it onto the Hidden Dragon List are considered to have made a name for themselves, stirring the hearts of many.

Thus, every time the biannual Hidden Dragon List is announced, it becomes the busiest time for Tianji Tower. S~eaʀᴄh the nôvel_Fire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

This time was no exception.

Early in the morning, numerous martial artists were already waiting at the branches of Tianji Tower across various states and counties, eager to be the first to see the list.

Among them were scouts sent by various major sects and forces.

When the list was finally posted, everyone was stunned.

Because an incredibly unfamiliar name appeared on it.

"Lu Qing of Cangzhou, who is this? I've never heard of him before."

"Ranked twenty-ninth with just an initial Internal Organs Realm cultivation, ahead of many Martial Grandmasters?"

"A seventeen-year-old martial artist in the Internal Organs Realm! Which core disciple of Cangzhou's sects is he?"

…

Almost everyone was captivated by the name Lu Qing on the list.

The information displayed on the list was simply too astonishing.

A seventeen-year-old martial artist in the initial Internal Organs Realm, making his first appearance on the Hidden Dragon List, and ranking twenty-ninth, ahead of many Martial Grandmasters.

Any one of these facts would be astounding on its own if it were another martial artist.

Now, all these were concentrated on one person, bringing true shock to people.

Some even questioned whether Tianji Tower had made a mistake.

But Tianji Tower quickly responded to the doubts.

The ranking was correct, and the information was accurate. There was no need to worry about errors.

The credibility of Tianji Tower was highly reliable.

Since they said there was no mistake, it must be true.

Therefore, after Tianji Tower's response, the martial artists around the world were truly in an uproar.

There actually existed such a young genius in the world!

A seventeen-year-old making it onto the Hidden Dragon List.

Which sect nurtured such an extraordinary genius?

Numerous sects and forces were deeply intrigued.

As for obtaining more information from Tianji Tower, that was out of the question.

Tianji Tower had been publishing the Hidden Dragon List for over a thousand years. Apart from some basic information, they never disclosed more details about those on the list.

If one wanted to know who this "Lu Qing" really was, they had to investigate on their own.

Soon, countless forces began sending people to Cangzhou to find out.

Of course, not all forces were completely ignorant about Lu Qing.

In Jizhou, Qingyun Sword Sect.

In a small building, several elders sat facing each other.

On the table before them was a copy of the Hidden Dragon List.

"Lu Qing, Cangzhou..."

One of the white-bearded elders looked at the name on the list, deep in thought.

He then asked, "A few days ago, when Ming Jian and the others went out to train, they reported encountering a young genius in Cangzhou, also named Lu Qing?"

"That's right," a short-haired elder nodded, "They said that the young genius had an astonishing martial talent, and it was rumored that he defeated a Martial Grandmaster with a perfect Tendons and Bones Realm cultivation. They even witnessed him capture a top assassin from the Seven Kill Tower, 'Tian Gu,' within a few breaths using only his fists."

"This seemed too unbelievable. When I first received the letter, I thought Ming Jian and the others had been deceived by rumors and was very angry."

"But after carefully questioning the disciple who brought back the letter, I found that it wasn't a rumor, but indeed the truth."

"Coincidentally, the day before yesterday, the Seven Kill Tower issued a Seven Kill Order for someone named Lu Qing."

"This confirms that Ming Jian's account was accurate," the white-bearded elder nodded.

With the same name and all in Cangzhou, all young geniuses—such coincidences were impossible.

The white-bearded elder immediately concluded that the Lu Qing on the Hidden Dragon List was the same person mentioned by their disciples.

However, this realization made him even more astonished.

"A seventeen-year-old in the Internal Organs Realm, defeating a Martial Grandmaster with perfect Tendons and Bones Realm cultivation—there truly exists such an extraordinary genius in the world."

"No wonder Tianji Tower would place him on the Hidden Dragon List. If such a talented individual isn't qualified, then few in the world are."

"Which force could have nurtured such a young genius?"

"According to Ming Jian, this Lu Qing's master is very mysterious, only known to be a mysterious Precelestial expert, but they didn't get to see him at the Wei residence," the short-haired elder added.

"A mysterious Precelestial master, who could it be?" the white-bearded elder pondered.

"It's a pity that Ming Jian and the others haven't returned yet; otherwise, we could ask for more details."

Letters can only convey so much; many details can't be fully described.

Making it difficult for them to obtain more information.

"Since this Lu Qing already has a master, there's no need to probe further to avoid offending him."

The white-bearded elder decided after some thought.

Given that Lu Qing had a Precelestial master, it was clear that his backing was substantial.

If they probed too much and caused offense, they might make an unnecessary enemy, which wouldn't be worth it.

So after a brief discussion, the white-bearded elder set the matter aside.

"I called you here today not just for the Hidden Dragon List but for something more important: the 'Ten Thousand Year Shift.'"



As soon as these words were spoken, the elders' expressions became solemn.

"Patriarch, is the Ten Thousand Year Shift really coming?" a thin elder asked urgently.

"Judging by the movements of various sects over the years, it seems inevitable," the white-bearded elder said gravely, "This matter concerns the future glory of our Sword Sect and must not be taken lightly."

"But we still don't know what the Ten Thousand Year Shift refers to. How should we respond?" another elder asked.

"Only the Four Great Secret Grounds, as well as ancient sects like Tianji Tower and Seven Kill Tower, which have been around for thousands of years, might know the details. Unfortunately, our Sword Sect lacks such deep heritage."

"Even if we don't know the cause, we can't just wait passively. We must take action."

The white-bearded elder said with resignation.

The other elders fell into silence.

Knowing that a great change is coming but not knowing its cause is indeed frustrating.

Suddenly, an elder spoke up, "Why don't we consult with our junior uncle? He has vast experience and might know some of the secrets."

At these words, the expressions of all the elders changed, becoming unnatural.

It seemed the mention of this person brought up someone special, making them all uneasy.

But they knew that consulting him might indeed be a solution.

After all, that individual had dug up the graves of the founding ancestors in pursuit of his answers.

However, considering their junior uncle's temperament, they were hesitant.

Would he really be willing to help, given his deep-seated grudge against the sect?

After a while, the white-bearded elder sighed, "I'll go. Junior uncle was fond of me back then. Perhaps out of old affection, he will share some information. After all, he grew up here too."

Fifteen minutes later, the white-bearded elder, carrying a bamboo basket, appeared on a cliff behind the Sword Sect.

By the cliff's edge was a small, dark cave entrance, its depth unknown.

This place was forbidden within the sect, and only the sect leader and a few grand elders were allowed near.

The white-bearded elder hesitated for a moment at the entrance, then bent down and entered.

After taking a few steps inside, the passage widened, allowing him to walk upright.

Following the passage, the white-bearded elder soon heard the sound of water. Turning a corner, he found himself in a large cavern.

Light filtered down from above, giving the cavern a faint glow.

There was a small pool inside the cave, with water flowing into it from above.

Ignoring the scenery, the white-bearded elder walked straight to the cave wall by the pool.

He respectfully bowed there, "Greetings, junior uncle."

Apart from the sound of water, the cave was silent.

After a while, a hoarse voice spoke, "Oh, it's our sect leader. Why have you come to visit this old man, leaving your Sword Sect unattended?"

A trace of shame flashed across the white-bearded elder's face, "It is my fault, junior uncle. I've been busy managing sect affairs and haven't had time to visit you."

"Visit? That's a nice way to put it," the voice sneered, "Weren't you the one who poisoned me and imprisoned me here?"

"Junior uncle, although I wronged you back then, I do not regret my actions," the white-bearded elder said firmly.

"The disaster you caused back then was too great. If we hadn't given an explanation to the other party, the entire Sword Sect would have been destroyed. As sect leader, I had to prioritize the sect, even if it meant wronging you."

"So, you took advantage of my

trust, poisoned me, destroyed my cultivation, and imprisoned me in this dark place?" the voice said emotionlessly.

"Junior uncle's cultivation was profound. We were no match in a direct confrontation. Poisoning was the only option. I owe you an apology, but I do not regret my decision. You may scold me as you wish," the white-bearded elder said resolutely.

After a moment of silence, the voice sighed, "Enough, enough. Why bring up old matters? I'm just a cripple now. Speak, why are you here?"

"You are perceptive as always, junior uncle."

"That's easy to guess. Ever since imprisoning me, you have avoided me out of guilt. If you're here now, it must be for something important."

"We were indeed too ashamed to face you."

"Cut the nonsense. What's the matter?" the voice demanded impatiently.

"It's like this, junior uncle." The white-bearded elder organized his thoughts before speaking, "In recent years, strange phenomena have occurred frequently across the land. The major sects are acting unusually, seemingly plotting something."

"We have tried everything to investigate but have found no answers.

We only learned by chance that Tianji Tower mentioned that a great change, the 'Ten Thousand Year Shift,' is coming. The world will change, disputes will arise, and chaos will ensue.

But we couldn't find out what this great change entails or what it will bring.

Junior uncle, with your vast knowledge, do you know anything about this?"

"What did you say? The Ten Thousand Year Shift is coming?!"

To his surprise, the voice became instantly agitated upon hearing this.

The sound of chains clanking echoed, and a figure suddenly sat up from the cave wall.

The person had been lying there all along, blending into the dark cave wall.

"Xiao Jianwen, are you serious? The Ten Thousand Year Shift is coming?"

The person was so agitated that their body trembled, causing the chains to rattle again.

This individual was bound by several thick iron chains, anchored to the cave wall.

"This is what I learned from Tianji Tower. It should be accurate."

"Hahaha, finally, the day has come! I have waited over two hundred years for this! The heavens haven't defeated me yet!"

The figure laughed manically, appearing almost crazed.

"Junior uncle, you do know something, don't you?"

Seeing this, the white-bearded elder was overjoyed.

"Of course, I know. How could I not? If it weren't for this secret, I wouldn't be in this state now!"

The figure's voice was still frenzied.

"Junior uncle, since you know the reason, please enlighten us." The white-bearded elder pleaded.



"You want to know what the Ten Thousand Year Shift is?" the figure asked.

"Please, junior uncle, enlighten us."

"Then let's make a deal."

Beneath the disheveled hair, the figure revealed a sinister smile.

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