Chapter 475 (1)
A plain-clothed youth suddenly appeared, effortlessly dispelling the terrifying Netherworld Ghost Claw, which had sent shockwaves through the entire battlefield.
This scene left all the powerful cultivators present in utter shock.
After all, the Ghostly Aura-infused Netherworld Ghost Claw unleashed by Meng Dian had struck terror even in the hearts of Golden Core True Beings, rendering them unable to resist.
Yet, no one expected that this plain-clothed youth would so casually dissolve it, as though it were nothing more than mist dispersing in the wind.
More bafflingly, no one could even discern how he had accomplished it.
For a moment, the entire battlefield fell into stunned silence as all eyes fixated on the plain-clothed youth.
Some sharp-minded individuals had already begun to speculate about his identity.
But the majority had yet to fully grasp what was happening.
Just then, the three Holy Lords suddenly stepped forward in unison, bowing slightly toward Lu Qing.
"Many thanks, Daoist Lu," they said in gratitude."Holy Lords, it seems you’ve encountered some trouble," Lu Qing said with a faint smile.
"It appears that the three of us alone are insufficient. We have no choice but to trouble you, Daoist Lu."
The First Holy Lord shook his head with a sigh.
After all, they could no longer command the reverence of the righteous sects as they had a thousand years ago.
"Leave it to me," Lu Qing responded without hesitation, nodding slightly.
Hearing this exchange, the surrounding cultivators no longer had any doubts.
This plain-clothed youth was indeed that legendary figure!
At that moment, everyone's hearts were shaken to their core as they fixated on Lu Qing.
His name had echoed throughout the land for years.
But for most, this was the first time they had actually laid eyes on him.
Lu Qing then turned to the airborne Meng Dian, his gaze calm and indifferent.
"Meng Dian of the Guiyuan Sect?" Lu Qing's voice carried an unmistakable authority. "Your Guiyuan Sect seeks to replace Sacred Mountain, to claim the seat of the righteous path’s leader?"
Feeling Lu Qing’s gaze upon him, Meng Dian’s body stiffened.
Even his divine soul and mana felt obstructed, as though they had lost their fluidity.
There was no helping it—before him stood Lu Qing.
Perhaps, to the vast majority of cultivators in the world, his name was unfamiliar.
After all, not everyone was qualified to know of his existence.
But among the top sects, his name was legendary.
He was the sole figure in the world known to have slain Golden Core True Beings.
And just now, he had effortlessly obliterated Meng Dian’s Netherworld Ghost Claw.
That alone demonstrated his unfathomable strength.
Despite his deep apprehension toward Lu Qing, Meng Dian forced himself to maintain composure.
With great effort, he managed a stiff smile. "Daoist Lu, I presume? I am Meng Dian, Grand Elder of Guiyuan Sect. It is an honor to meet you."
However, Lu Qing had no patience for pleasantries.
He simply responded coldly, "You haven’t answered my question."
Meng Dian faltered for a moment. He had not expected Lu Qing to be so direct—completely disregarding decorum in front of so many peers.
Nonetheless, he straightened his posture and spoke in a firm voice. "Daoist Lu, you have seen it yourself. The three Holy Lords are unable to leave Sacred Mountain in their true forms. Given the current state of the world, they are no longer suited to lead the righteous path.
For the sake of all righteous cultivators, they ought to step down and let a more suitable leader take their place.
Otherwise, if even I can defeat their avatars, how can they possibly deter the rampant evils of this world? How can they command the allegiance of the righteous sects?**"
"You believe your Guiyuan Sect is fit to take this seat?" Lu Qing asked, his voice carrying an amused undertone.
"The world is full of talents," Meng Dian replied solemnly. "I do not claim that Guiyuan Sect surpasses all others, but one thing remains true—the Holy Lords are no longer qualified."
"And what if I say that they are qualified?" Lu Qing’s voice was calm yet absolute.
Meng Dian was momentarily speechless.
He stared blankly at Lu Qing, at a loss for words.
But Lu Qing continued, his voice unwavering, "**You seem to revere the principle of ‘might makes right.’ If that is the case, then I declare that I recognize Sacred Mountain’s authority as the rightful leader of the righteous path. Do you dare to oppose me?
Or perhaps, does anyone here wish to challenge this?**"
At that moment, not just Meng Dian, but all the other sect leaders present were utterly stunned.
They stared in disbelief at the plain-clothed youth before them.
No one had expected Lu Qing to support Sacred Mountain in such an uncompromising manner.
"It seems no one wishes to object."
Lu Qing glanced around and, seeing the silence, let out a faint chuckle.
"Daoist Lu, does this mean that you endorse the Holy Lords’ restrictive doctrines?" Meng Dian finally spoke, his voice rising with barely suppressed frustration. "By doing so, do you not fear turning the entire cultivation world against you?"
"Turning the world against me?"
Lu Qing shook his head, his expression indifferent. "**It seems you all have some serious misconceptions about your own strength.
What has led you to believe that you even have the qualifications to stand against me?**"
As he finished speaking, a wisp of aura emanated from Lu Qing.
In the next instant, everyone felt their bodies sink, as though an invisible, immense force was crushing them.
It was an unimaginable suppression, one that bore down not only on their bodies but on their very souls.
And the pressure continued to increase, as though a mountain of unfathomable weight was descending upon them, inch by inch.
"Restrictions?" Lu Qing’s voice remained cold. "**All that has been asked of you is to follow a few simple rules—such as avoiding battle in densely populated areas and refraining from indiscriminate slaughter.
Yet, in your eyes, this is an unbearable shackle?**"
"A bunch of ignorant fools—you've trained your cultivation like beasts!" His tone grew sharper. "**You think that just because you’ve grasped a sliver of power, you can declare yourselves gods, free to slaughter mortals as you please?
Have you forgotten that you were once ordinary people yourselves, before embarking on the path of cultivation?
Do you even understand how many innocent lives have been displaced by the senseless conflicts you and your ilk have incited in recent years?
The Holy Lords, in their mercy, chose to offer you all a chance—to convene this Holy Assembly and create a framework to restore order to the world.
If it were up to me? I would have simply slaughtered the lot of you.
With your deaths, more than half of the world's conflicts would vanish overnight, and the common folk would finally be free from their suffering.**"
Lu Qing’s words carried an undeniable weight, his tone growing colder by the second.
And his aura, in turn, grew increasingly oppressive.
Behind him, a colossal ancient cauldron, glowing a fiery red, slowly materialized.
At this moment, among all the gathered sect leaders and experts—aside from a select few whom he had deliberately spared—
Everyone else, whether Foundation Establishment cultivators, Golden Core True Beings, or even those at the Superior Golden Core stage,
Felt their divine souls and mana completely locked down, unable to move even a fraction.
They could only watch in sheer terror as Lu Qing stood before them, exuding a presence akin to that of a god.
Especially the Golden Core True Beings—they could hardly believe their own predicament.
For in this moment, they realized a horrifying truth:
They had been completely suppressed.
They could not even muster the slightest resistance against Lu Qing.
And worst of all—his words were no mere bluff.
If he truly wished to slaughter them all, none could stop him.
Not a single one.