Chapter 656: The Return of Du Cang

Compared to the actual practical effect of this talisman, its symbolic meaning was far more important.

It represented Liu Puzhong's high regard for He Qingling, and his hope that she would one day be able to carry the banner of Xuan Sheng Sect, leading it to even greater heights.

Even though, when He Qingling had been younger, she had once been set on "defecting" to Kongshan Sect.

It was precisely because of this talisman's exorbitant cost and generally mediocre practical effect that the vast majority of young cultivators on Chenping Continent would never choose talismans as a means of self-defense.

However, tens of thousands of years ago, a certain former steward of Heavenly Summit Mountain who had once studied talismans had said that the potential of talismans might be far greater than anyone could have imagined.

It was just that the cultivators of Chenping Continent had simply taken the wrong path.

But now, the talisman Liu Puzhong had given He Qingling had genuinely saved her life.

Though it could save her once, it would not be able to save her a second time.

The shifty-eyed middle-aged man stepped forward, first picking up the sword that had been knocked away by the talisman moments ago.

Then, looking quite cautious, he sized up He Qingling from a distance.

As if worried that He Qingling might still have some other trick up her sleeve.

This shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator used his spiritual sense to verify that He Qingling had no remaining trump cards, and only then did he finally walk toward her, sword in hand.

"Tsk, these disciples from the great sects sure carry a lot of tricks on them."

With such a remark, he raised the sword in his hand and slashed toward He Qingling—

Clang!

The sound of metal colliding rang out.

A middle-aged man in light gray daoist robes with graying temples appeared, standing between the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator and He Qingling.

With just two fingers, he clamped down on the sword being swung by the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator.

"...Senior, I apologize for the trouble."

From behind the middle-aged man in light gray daoist robes, He Qingling spoke.

"Stay still."

He merely responded with these words.

The shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator's pupils contracted slightly, because he was well aware of the gap in strength between himself and the man in light gray daoist robes before him.

The other party was simply too fast.

The footwork speed he had just displayed was so swift that even his spiritual sense hadn't detected it.

It was as if the man had simply materialized out of thin air before him.

No good... If it came to a direct confrontation, he was definitely no match for this opponent.

Instinctively, the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator wanted to flee.

With a flicker of his form, the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator retreated to a position more than a dozen feet away in an instant.

The middle-aged man in light gray daoist robes first confirmed that He Qingling was safe behind him, then decided to make his move.

He naturally wouldn't give chase personally.

He merely raised his right hand and lightly pointed at the back of the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator—

Kongshan Finger!

A lethal technique perfectly suited to the Kongshan Art, operable by Qi Circulation Realm cultivators.

Simple, swift, concealed.

Possessing numerous advantages in one, it was one of Kongshan Sect's signature techniques. Especially when higher-realm cultivators dealt with lower-realm cultivators, the efficiency of the Kongshan Finger truly shone through.

A single thread of true qi streaked through the air, rapidly catching up to the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator, tearing through his Protective True Qi, and piercing straight through his chest.

Then his entire body lurched into the air before toppling forward to the ground.

After all of this concluded, He Qingling's gaze first swept toward the other corpse lying on the ground nearby—the younger-looking Passable God Realm cultivator who had already died.

Then, her gaze fell upon the corpse of the shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator who had just been pierced through—

Gone.

Yes, that's right, gone.

Suddenly realizing something, He Qingling's breath caught for half a beat, and she shouted at the top of her lungs:

"Li Haowen, watch out!"

The shifty-eyed Passable God Realm cultivator suddenly materialized from the side, launching a ferocious attack toward Li Haowen with tremendous momentum.

This was the full-power strike of a Passable God Realm cultivator, causing the air within dozens of feet to become incredibly tense and oppressive.

Of course, compared to He Qingling's reaction, Li Haowen's spiritual sense perception was clearly more accurate and faster.

He drew the Xiaohua Sword from his waist, its entire body gleaming jade-white.

The temperature in the air instantly rose by a great margin, even becoming scorching to the senses.

Then, Li Haowen merely gave the sword a light swing.

The shifty-eyed cultivator instantly transformed into a fireball, tumbling to the ground, and after a burst of anguished screams, fell completely silent.

This was not a contest between two Passable God Realm cultivators.

It was a complete and utter crushing of a lower-realm cultivator by a higher-realm one.

Li Haowen's eyes lowered gently, resting on the Xiaohua Sword in his hand, as if recalling something, before returning the sword to its scabbard.

Click!

After the soft sound of the blade sliding into the scabbard, Li Haowen turned his gaze toward He Qingling behind him.

"When did you know that I was Li Haowen?"

He asked calmly.

He Qingling sat on the ground, looking up directly into Li Haowen's eyes:

"From the very beginning."

...

Du Cang Mountain.

A young figure in plain white daoist robes descended slowly from the heights, finally landing on the Yunxian Jade path leading to Du Cang Hall.

"Junior pays respects to Realman Du Cang!"

"Paying respects to Realman Du Cang!"

Standing on either side of the path were two young cultivators clad in the deep purple daoist robes of Star Heaven Sect.

Upon seeing the current steward of Chenping Continent, Realman Du Cang, Chen Yan, appear before them, they hurriedly began bowing with utmost reverence.

Chen Yan merely gave a slight nod before beginning to walk toward Du Cang Hall.

He had to quickly inform Mr. You of the intelligence he had obtained from Zuo He, the Ultimate Sage of Heaven's Extremity.

Things like the Mystic Maiden, the Three Thousand Worlds, and Lord Qingluo.

Stepping through the main entrance of Du Cang Hall and passing the twelve coiling-dragon jade pillars within, Chen Yan stood before his white jade seat at the far end of the hall.

"Master, I have returned."

He said to the young cultivator seated on the white jade throne.

Mr. You, who was lounging somewhat lazily on the white jade seat, let his gaze fall upon Chen Yan and broke into a smile:

"Not bad. You're the first person to ever return from the Endless Sea."

"I hadn't expected to be able to come back myself, either."

Chen Yan replied.

Mr. You straightened up in the white jade seat within Du Cang Hall, lightly tapping the armrest with his fingers, and chuckled:

"Now that you're the steward of Chenping Continent, why don't you get yourself a more comfortable chair to sit on?"