Eternal Life: Talent Grows with Age-Chapter 186 - 135: One Dead, One Escaped!

"We’ll be relying entirely on Scholar Lu for this matter."

Shi Cong showed no sign of panic.

Even though Lu Chang’sheng never admitted it, he was over ninety percent certain that Meng Ping had died at Scholar Lu’s hands.

Recalling the Immortal’s methods, only to have met his end at Scholar Lu’s hands, Shi Cong felt a shock, but it also gave him a sense of security.

At this moment, the large courtyard had already been set up like a net of heaven and earth.

Even someone like Lu Chang’sheng would find it hard to come and go freely here, unless he’d been tipped off in advance.

That’s why, even after attaining the Innate Martial Artist level, he continued to hold some respect for the mundane world—this was the reason.

The evil cultivator surnamed Mo had slaughtered five people in succession; the killing had clearly stoked his fury. He leapt toward another courtyard, but as soon as he landed, the ground gave way and he plunged downward.

The bottom of the trap was lined with blades, but they couldn’t pierce his body at all.

But many of the True Qi Realm martial artists brightened up at the sight, using the traps nearby to maneuver around the enemy. The rate of deaths dropped dramatically.

At the same time, a group of True Qi Realm martial artists, full of panic and fear, fled toward the central courtyard as per their pre-arranged plan.

The traps all around gave them much needed breathing room, so they quickly entered the courtyard where Lu Chang’sheng was stationed.

The evil cultivator surnamed Mo didn’t care. In his Spiritual Sense, there may have been over twenty True Qi Realm martial artists inside, along with one Innate Martial Artist, but these mortals weren’t even worth considering for a cultivator like him.

With a single vault, he crossed over the courtyard wall and landed like a falling bell.

The crowd of True Qi Realm martial artists looked like lambs cornered in a pen, shivering—all of which delighted him greatly.

At this moment, a tremulous voice rang out.

"Everyone, let’s fight!"

The evil cultivator instantly glanced toward Shi Cong in the crowd, noting his distinguished air, and guessing this must be the master of Black Mountain Prefecture.

For officials who could summon the entire military of a prefecture, the evil cultivator still felt some need for caution. In a flash, he leapt up, as a wild bear pouncing on a rabbit.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

A string of collisions erupted. He opened his mouth and roared—a wave of force blasted out, scattering the True Qi Realm martial artists clustered around Shi Cong. With a massive palm, he went to seize Shi Cong, when suddenly, a thrill of foreboding struck. Then he saw an utterly ordinary-looking martial artist surge against the flow—a spear like a blue dragon bursting from the sea, stabbing into his body.

The body he prided himself on couldn’t stop it for even a moment. The spear drove several inches deep before being halted by bone.

Lu Chang’sheng let out a quiet sigh in his heart.

Originally, that thrust should’ve pierced his opponent’s heart, but the other really was worthy of being called an Immortal. Even in such a critical moment, he could still maneuver, making the spear only stab his shoulder.

Lu Chang’sheng leapt away, not giving his opponent a chance to go berserk and strike back.

The surrounding True Qi Realm martial artists threw out prepared nets, restraining the enemy’s movements.

The furious evil cultivator tore one of the nets to shreds.

Just about to resume his rampage, he felt a cold chill surge up within him.

How could he not realize he’d been poisoned?

A portion of his magical power drained away, even his reactions slowed by half a beat.

Lu Chang’sheng seized the chance to dart forward, his body swelling till he was nearly as tall as the evil cultivator, making the surrounding True Qi Realm martial artists stare in astonishment.

At this very moment, they all felt a strange illusion: it was two Immortals battling in the field, not a martial artist and an Immortal.

Could it be that Scholar Lu had become an Immortal too?

The situation in the yard changed with every breath. The other True Qi Realm martial artists didn’t know Lu Chang’sheng’s spear was laced with poison, but as the two fought for several minutes, that so-called Immortal was staggering, getting dragged about by the nets thrown by the martial artists—making Lu Chang’sheng’s spear even more effective.

Five minutes later, a puff of clear energy escaped from the evil cultivator. His body shrank back to normal as Lu Chang’sheng’s spear pierced right through him.

This time, he could no longer rely on his tough bones to block it.

Lu Chang’sheng stepped out warily, only to see a shadow leaping over the courtyard wall in the distance, disappearing from sight in a flash.

The other evil cultivator had actually run off.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t dare tarry, charging after him at speed, but the distance only grew and grew. He could only give up in frustration.

"One got away. In the days to come, peace will be hard to come by."

This was what worried Lu Chang’sheng the most.

Fortunately, with his current strength and a body full of poison, even if he ran into the other, it would likely be a toss-up.

However, as for the others, should they cross paths, there’d be no hope for survival.

Lu Chang’sheng didn’t make this plain to everyone, but any martial artist able to reach the peak of True Qi Realm must have some smarts—many quickly figured this out, and regarded Lu Chang’sheng with even more importance.

That night, people came by with gifts in a steady stream.

By midnight, Lu Chang’sheng’s desk was piled with over twenty exotic items.

"I’ll be counting on Scholar Lu to look out for us from now on."

Lu Chang’sheng gazed at the more than a dozen exotic objects on the desk and said with a smile, "Of course. We’re all citizens of Great Yuan. It’s only right that we look out for one another."

Qiu Yun knew these were just polite words. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be here delivering gifts.

The dozen plus exotic objects were protection fees from a few brothers, hoping they could stick close by Lu Chang’sheng for a while.

"If there’s nothing else, Scholar Lu, we’ll take our leave now."

"Please."

Qiu Yun and his companions bowed and left. In the distance, they spotted Hong Yuan and Daoist Nun Ruyi, and a deep look of envy crossed their faces.

"As for the areas all around, it’s up to you to work it out yourselves."

Hong Yuan strode over, his gaze sweeping over each of them.