Chapter Eighty-six: Sunset City

  Three guardians rushed back to Luojing City, and what surprised Lu Qing was that all three of them had the cultivation of a sword master, and they left by riding the wind.

  And then Xuanming's performance made Lu Qing and others extremely surprised, abandoning his identity as the master of Luoshan Peak, one of the five great elders of the sect. Xuanming very politely received the villagers who were still lingering at the village entrance, and sent an elderly man over 80 years old back home. Such a kind and amiable appearance made many villagers grateful and tearful. However, Lu Qing, sitting by the bonfire, frowned slightly, he always felt that there was something hidden in this Master Xuanming.

  On that side, Xuan Ming was comforting the villagers with all his heart. On this side, Duan Qingyun had regained her smile after returning from Lu Qing, and she was unreservedly teasing the meat wolf that was still hanging over the bonfire. Some unbelievable leaves found in the nearby bushes were crushed and evenly applied to it. Before long, a tempting aroma of meat wafted out.

  Everyone couldn't help but brighten up at the sight, originally they were all slightly frowning at only being able to eat coarse wolf meat. As the village was attacked by a pack of wolves and all their livestock were taken away, these dead wolf corpses became the villagers' only food this winter.

  Then, the distribution of meat began. The order this time did not change much, but Lu Qing became the second person to receive meat. The first was Luo Xin Yu, because he not only held the number one position on the Dragon and Phoenix List, but also rose to the 40th position on the Cloud List. Moreover, he was still the youngest Guardian of the Purple Mist Sect, at least before Lu Qing took over.

  The change in status also has obvious advantages when it comes to distribution. Although Lu Qing doesn't care about these things, so many people still need to pay attention. When everyone was savoring the wolf meat, Ming Xue'er was clearly pouting with a small mouth, apparently still feeling angry that Ming Xi Yue had ignored her just now. However, everyone knew she had a fleeting temper and didn't take it too seriously.

  While eating, in response to Yi Ruoyu and Duan Qingyun's inquiries, Lu Qing briefly recounted his experiences in that mysterious place, just like he had previously told a few people on the Falling Thousand Peaks, but did not mention the subsequent tests, as that would have been boastful, meaningless, and likely to arouse jealousy.

  But even so, Lu Qing's good fortune still caused everyone's face to reveal a look of astonishment, but no one envied him, because that was an encounter between life and death, and no one wanted to try it.

  After comforting the villagers, Xuán Míng transformed into a golden red sword light and shot towards the direction of Luò Rì City. Looking at the direction Xuán Míng left in, Lù Qīng and others couldn't help but reveal a deep sense of longing in their eyes. Indeed, having reached the realm of Sword Soul Boundary, a great master of the sword path is already an extraordinary being who can go without food, drink sweet dew in the morning, and swallow the primordial energy at night. Such a being can fly through the air and travel thousands of miles without falling, and can reach Luò Rì City, which is not far from here, in just the time it takes to burn an incense stick.

  But envy is just envy, some things can't be envied. That night, Lu Qing and the others lived in several empty stone houses, and the owners of these stone houses were among the corpses that were cremated at night, leaving nothing behind.

  The next morning, the sky finally cleared up. After experiencing the massacre and strange encounters of yesterday, Lu Qing felt that the sunshine was so warm.

  "What's wrong, Lu Xiaozi? You're already feeling sentimental." Ye Lao's voice echoed in his mind. "If you want to achieve something on the path of swordsmanship, or even pursue that incomprehensible ultimate realm of swordsmanship, you must treat life and death as a game, because you will often experience it from now on."

  Lu Qing was taken aback for a moment, then said in his mind in a low voice: "Thank you, Old Ye, for pointing that out. Lu Qing understands now."

  "What's wrong with you?"

  Lu Qing turned his head to look, and didn't know when Zhao Qianye had appeared behind him. His face was calm as he spoke, but from his eyes, Lu Qing seemed to see a hint of relief.

  "The fusion of the two energies, Wind and Thunder, is complete, I can feel it." Without waiting for Lu Qing's response, Zhao Qianye continued, "The changes in you over the past half year have really surprised me. I look forward to your future growth. When we return to the peak, let's engage in a friendly competition."

  "Indeed, how can I be left out of this tempering?" Nie Qingtian also walked out of the stone house at this moment, and threw two jars of strong wine sent by the villagers to Zhao Qianye and Lu Qing respectively. After a mouthful of spicy liquor, Lu Qing felt that his whole body was hot, looking at the sincere gaze of Zhao Qianye and Nie Qingtian, all the blood in his body seemed to be boiling, and he shouted loudly: "Good!"

  At this moment, Yi Ruoyu and others who had rested for a night came out one after another. They saw Lu Qing and three people drinking in the snow, and their faces all showed a strange expression. Lakexin Yu and Lie Feng also came out. Lakexin Yu was fine, his face didn't show any changes, but he was very polite to greet everyone, showing good family manners. On the other hand, Lie Feng was expressionless, as cold as a withered wood.

  This is the change that has occurred since Lu Qing returned yesterday, and everyone has roughly guessed the reason, but no one has said it out loud. Duan Qingyun, including Zhao Qianye, four people, do not look at Lie Feng with a straight face, nor do they talk to him. The group of people is clearly divided into three factions: Lu Qing's five-person team, Luo Xin and Yu'er, and the two groups are harmonious with each other as intermediaries. If it weren't for them, Lu Qing's five-person team would probably have parted ways with Luo Xin and Yu'er long ago.

  To put it in the words of Duan Qingyun, they five are united by their hearts, while Luoxing Yu and the other two are at odds with each other due to their conflicting interests.

  A group of people set off on their journey, seeing off by the villagers once again, while that team of swordsmen remained behind, just in case they had to wait until after the beast tide's violent activity subsided before returning to Luoshen City to report for duty.

  Walking on the snow that was gradually softening in the sunlight, a group of people headed towards Luoshen City. Yesterday, Xuanyuan had invited them to gather at the Lord's Manor before he left, and as juniors, they couldn't refuse. They could also take this opportunity to enter the city and take a look around.

  Because Luoshen City is always facing the threat of Beast Ruins, it can be said that there are the most swordsmen among the five major cities. Correspondingly, the business in the city's market is also the best, with many good things available. Even decades ago, an unowned Qingfan-level divine sword was auctioned off, causing a huge sensation at the time. In the end, it was bought by a powerful Sword Master who was in hiding for 2 million Purple Jade Coins, a sky-high price that still circulates throughout the Zixia Sect region to this day, and has become a legendary tale.

  Setting out from dawn, the crowd crossed over two small hills and finally arrived at Sunset City in the early evening. Unlike the solemnity of Chao Yang City that Lu Qing had felt before, Sunset City was filled with a faint bloody aura throughout. The entire hundred-zhang-high city wall was almost twice as high as Chao Yang City's, and the white solid stone walls were covered with dark red bloodstains, even with dark red handprints that seemed to have been left not long ago.

  The city gate was entirely cast in brass, with many sword marks on it. The grooves of these sword marks were all dark red, and the entire tens of meters high gate seemed to be covered with fine blood vessels, looking eerie and bloody.

  Ming Xue'er shrank back slightly, clearly not used to the atmosphere of Luoshen City. A hint of fear flickered in her eyes, which made Duan Qingyun feel a little relieved. In his opinion, this little demon who liked to torment people was still afraid of something, at least bloodshed made her very apprehensive.

  "What people!" The gatekeepers were two rows of four swordsmen wearing black iron armor, each carrying a four-foot-long sharp black iron greatsword on their backs. Such a large sword was indeed suitable for slaughter in Lu Qing's opinion, especially when it came to group damage. Facing the threat of this beast tomb, it was very useful.

  Without saying anything more, Luoxin Yu walked forward and pulled out a silver-colored small sword from his bosom, extending it to the face of the guard in front.

  "Hufa Xianyin!" -> "Dharma Sword Seal!"

  The guardian of the sword was shocked, in the Zixia Sect's sword imprint is divided into three levels, the lowest is the bronze sword imprint of the executive, to the silver sword imprint of the protector, and the gold sword imprint of the outer peak master and the five major city masters. The status of the protector with a silver sword imprint is already no lower than that of a general guardian, although it can't compare to the city master and the outer peak master, but even if the master of the five major families sees him, he must bow his head and pay respects, in the entire Zixia Sect region, it has become an absolute high-ranking position.

  Lu Qing and others also took out their own identity cards one after another, the guards saw this and didn't dare to say much, hurriedly opened the door and let Lu Qing's group pass through, then continued to check the identities of the people behind them, this is the difference in social status.

  As they entered the City of Sunset, Lu Qing and the others couldn't help but be dazzled by the sight before them. Although it wasn't yet completely dark, the City of Sunset was already ablaze with lights, countless lanterns and lampshades lit up along the roads, and the crowds flowed endlessly, with almost every few feet having someone, and most of these people were swordsmen carrying long swords on their backs, wearing martial attire or leather armor, and most of the martial attire was gray.

  This is the rule set by Jian Shen Temple, different cultivation matches different martial attire. Like this gray one, it means they are the cultivation of sword attendants. The cyan-gray martial attire that Lu Qing is wearing now belongs to the sword guest, while Nie Qingtian and Luo Xinfeng's are eye-catching white, which means they all have at least the cultivation of a sword master.

  Of course, for a beautiful woman like Yi Ruoyu, she would still choose some slightly more elegant martial attire, as long as it didn't clash with the colors set by the Sword God Temple. And apparently, Lu Qing and his group suddenly arriving in this bustling city was quite eye-catching, with most people's gazes falling upon them.

  PS: Recommendation tickets, recommendation tickets, everyone please cast your recommendation tickets for Ten Steps, this week there are no recommendations again, Ten Steps urgently needs everyone's recommendation ticket support, hoping that friends who like Ten Steps' book can help out, thank you!