Chapter 61: Lu Qingyun, Prepare to Die

Lu Qingyun watched his eager expression, naturally understanding what he was thinking.

The more excited the other man became, the more Lu Qingyun needed to rein in that excitement. By keeping the man's emotions under control, Lu Qingyun would naturally be able to control him.

He had already stated his intentions and revealed his background, laying almost all his cards on the table.

Lu Qingyun slowly began to speak.

"Since you have already offered your conditions and laid out all your thoughts, wouldn't it show a complete lack of upbringing if I were to refuse you?"

"I am not someone devoid of basic decency. Aren't you trying to threaten me right now? You just feel that my current situation is perilous, which is why you want to negotiate terms with me."

Lu Qingyun's objective was crystal clear: if possible, he naturally wanted to secure as much protection as he could.

After all, everything happening right now was entirely beyond his control. To ensure his own safety, Lu Qingyun had to push many things to their absolute limits.

Even if it meant taking a massive risk or potentially losing his life in the process, since Lu Qingyun had already made up his mind, he certainly would not let the matter rest here.

He looked at the man very earnestly, while Ye Xiang seemed to be running out of patience.

Seeing the trace of impatience on Ye Xiang's face, Lu Qingyun had no choice but to speak again.

"You mentioned earlier that you could spare my life, and I believe you. But you also said you couldn't guarantee my safety, or even let me leave after I finished everything."

"Of course I want to trust you, but I have no choice; I have to look out for myself as well. As long as you can ensure I leave safely, I will definitely reveal this secret technique to you!"

This was bound to be an extraordinary transaction, and Ye Xiang was naturally filled with curiosity about it.

He was by no means a simple brute, nor was he completely devoid of brains.

Faced with Lu Qingyun's sudden demand, he did not agree immediately, nor did he flatly refuse.

After pondering carefully for a moment, he slowly began to speak.

"Your proposal is not bad, but I cannot give you my consent right away. You must let me go back and think it over. Even if I promised you now, I might not be able to follow through."

"I hope you can give me some time to think about it seriously. For now, I can keep you alive—just don't forget what I told you..."

This time, Ye Xiang was genuinely tempted. He was well aware of his own state, and despite his lingering doubts, he still desperately wanted to acquire that secret technique.

After all, for any cultivator, obtaining such a secret technique was bound to be an immensely fortunate stroke of destiny.

The dream in every practitioner's heart was to use such a secret technique to elevate their cultivation to the next level.

Lu Qingyun never expected that his blind cat could stumble upon a dead mouse, discovering that such a secret technique actually existed in this world.

Yet it was also possible that the secret technique did not exist at all, since no one could provide any absolute guarantees, especially given that the family in question remained hidden.

Lu Qingyun knew he was fortunate, and naturally wanted to rely on this fortune to preserve his life.

After all, preserving his life was his primary concern right now. As for whether he could actually save it in the end, he had no idea.

A faint smile touched the corner of Lu Qingyun's lips as he slowly said,

"You can take all the time you need to think about it. It doesn't matter how long it takes. Anyway, if I die, you are guaranteed to get nothing."

"The large ship is about to dock, and those people from the Cui family must be waiting for me there. If you ask me, you might as well just kill me right now—at least that way you'd have something to report back with..."

Lu Qingyun did not waste any breath, and to make things safer for himself, he actually urged the fellow before him to kill him.

In this continent, one had to be extremely cautious with everyone they met, considering every single matter comprehensively down to the smallest detail.

Lu Qingyun was well aware of everything he was doing. Even though these actions were fraught with danger, he felt that reaching this point had not been easy at all.

If he had not maintained such vigilance, he would likely have perished long ago.

Upon hearing these words, a look of disgust flashed across Ye Xiang's eyes.

He sneered coldly and said slowly,

"Rest assured, no matter what happens, I will never let you die so easily. To get my hands on that secret technique, I will make sure you stay alive."

With that, Ye Xiang turned and departed, coming and going in utter silence.

Lu Qingyun watched his retreating figure, turning over many calculations in his mind.

A lie was always a lie and would eventually be exposed. The unfolding of many events seemed as though it were predestined by the heavens.

Lu Qingyun had no other choice; otherwise, why would he ever resort to saying such things?

If worst came to worst, he could hand the Caomu Dan in his possession over to Ye Xiang. The spiritual energy contained within it was enough to elevate the man's strength to the next level.

At best, doing so would be a desperate fallback measure for Lu Qingyun, but until they reached Hanhai City, everything else remained mere speculation.

Even though his mind was racing with thoughts, the current situation demanded that he simply wait and watch developments unfold.

Gradually, the sky grew brighter, and Hanhai City finally loomed before everyone's eyes.

From afar, Lu Qingyun could see a massive island. What astonished him most was not merely the sheer scale of the island, but how bizarre Hanhai City appeared.

The entire city did not resemble what one would normally expect from a fantasy world; instead, it seemed to be constructed using materials resembling reinforced concrete.

Many of the designs were remarkably avant-garde, and the crystals adorning the structures flashed with multicolored radiance, much like something belonging to a civilized world.

Before crossing over into this realm, although he had never witnessed a place quite like it, such a sight reminded him of his past.

It evoked memories of the world he had once inhabited. The scene before him dealt a massive shock to his senses, causing his heart to surge with emotion.

Lu Qingyun had never imagined such a scenario, nor did he think he would ever encounter architecture resembling this upon the continent.

The cultivators flying through the sky reminded him of the world he was currently in; otherwise, he might have suspected that he had somehow returned home.

Most terrifying of all was a towering spire piercing the clouds—a structure constructed in a manner identical to the wonders of his former world.

The metal plates on its exterior, the decorations, and even the glowing stones stirred a deep, haunting nostalgia within his soul.

He had once fantasized about traveling to a world like this, yet upon arriving, he found himself yearning for the comfort and beauty of the world he had left behind.

It was not that he was being hypocritical, but compared to this realm, his former world did not subject him to constant mortal danger or inflict such profound trauma.

Though the past was gone, a lingering sense of nostalgia remained.

It was indeed a very unique sentiment, but everything of the past had vanished, and longing for it seemed rather pointless now.

While Lu Qingyun was deep in thought, Fatty Wang and the others walked over.

Noticing his melancholic expression and assuming he was feeling anxious and fearful about their arrival, Fatty Wang offered some earnest words of comfort from the side.

"Didn't you say it yourself? When you reach a place, accept its ways. Having the opportunity to come here is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Haven't we all put in a tremendous amount of effort?"

"The events unfolding now seem to have exceeded our imaginations, but I believe you will be able to resolve everything. Besides, you have all of us by your side."

Pulling his thoughts back, Lu Qingyun smiled gently and replied,

"No, I was just suddenly thinking of something else. Since we've already arrived, I think we shouldn't dwell on it anymore."

"Let's avoid excessive communication before disembarking. After all, many people are watching me right now. If we appear too close and they decide to strike directly, you might all get hurt."

"I have already broken through, and my movement techniques are much more refined than before. As long as you trust me, I will strive to resolve everything..."

Upon hearing his thoughts, everyone nodded solemnly, knowing that everything he said was true.

Meng Li stepped forward, filled with worry, an unsightly expression on her face as she said,

"I know that offering any reminders right now seems to hold little meaning, but we will be waiting for you at the Hongyan Inn in Hanhai City..."

They had previously formulated a detailed plan: Lu Qingyun would face those people alone so as not to implicate his friends.

If he managed to resolve the situation, they would find a place to reunite; if he failed, Lu Qingyun would likely be killed.

Crucial and unfeeling though this approach might seem, since the decision had been made, Lu Qingyun would not back down.

forcing a smile, Lu Qingyun said slowly,

"Everyone, there's no need to look so gloomy. Things haven't even started yet, why make yourselves so miserable? Perhaps this matter can be resolved quite easily."

Everyone knew that Lu Qingyun spoke thus simply to ease their minds, as some truths were better left unsaid.

The companions parted ways there. Meanwhile, Elder Hong stood at the bow of the ship and shouted loudly,

"Dock!"

The voice possessed immense penetrating power, sounding half like an order and half like a warning.

After all, docking a vessel of such massive proportions was bound to stir up immense waves. If too many people crowded the docks, they risked being washed away by the displaced seawater.

Shock was etched across everyone's eyes as they stared ahead, for the process of mooring the ship was far from simple.

First, the sails were furled, and then numerous powerful experts appeared on the shore, releasing their spiritual energy to form a massive repelling force that counteracted the ship's momentum without damaging the vessel itself.

This process lasted for nearly half an hour before the large ship finally steadied and docked. Passengers began to disembark one after another, though unlike usual, they did not immediately disperse into the bustling market.

The voyage of this ship typically took around half a month, sometimes even longer depending on the route.

Consequently, the market at the docks was exceptionally lively every single day, filled with rare and exotic goods.

What provided the greatest peace of mind to everyone was that Hanhai City was far from ordinary.

They maintained a rigorous set of regulations that ensured a high degree of security for all visitors.

Anyone daring to sell counterfeit goods here would be given no second chances; without even the leniency of a lesser punishment, they would be executed on the spot!

Elder Hong did not head straight into the market as he usually did, for they had a handover ceremony to complete here.

They were required to remain behind to guard the port for a month, allowing the guards previously stationed in the market to board the ship for the next voyage.

This was precisely why Hanhai City was viewed as truly exceptional. With such meticulous regulations executed flawlessly by all, it was impossible for this place not to thrive.

Standing on the deck, Lu Qingyun looked down at the crowd below, his gaze icy and intensely focused.

For down in the market beneath the ship, several different factions were already staring fixedly in his direction.

Lu Qingyun could not yet discern their identities, nor could he tell friend from foe.

Most terrifying of all was that the individuals below were exceptionally powerful experts. If Lu Qingyun attempted to run, escape would likely be impossible.

The deadliest part was that he was not permitted to remain on the ship indefinitely. The vessel was scheduled for a ten-day cleaning period, and aside from the designated crew, no one was allowed to stay aboard.

While he had longed to reach a place governed by strict laws and order, the current reality of those rules seemed profoundly disadvantageous to him.

If he could have stayed on the ship, he might have escaped catastrophe for a time.

Yet now, unable to remain aboard, stepping ashore meant plunging into a sea of hidden dangers that would undoubtedly spell disaster for him.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Lu Qingyun had no choice but to bite the bullet and descend from the ship.

With every step downward, a mounting tension gripped his heart.

The watchers below tracked his movements with predatory gazes.

Astonishment rippled through the gathering crowd, everyone tensing for combat like starved tigers poised to pounce at any second.

The moment Lu Qingyun's feet finally touched the ground, the people lying in wait surged forward with blinding speed, various elemental energies intertwining in the air.

Amidst the chaos, an intensely furious voice roared out,

"Lu Qingyun!"

"Hand over your life!"