Hearing his master say that he hadn't heard of these two mysterious forces, Lu Qing wasn't surprised.
Although his master once possessed advanced martial skills in the Internal Organs Realm, the old man had always regarded himself as a healer rather than a warrior. His early life was spent in rural areas, treating the sick and saving lives, uninterested in martial conflicts. Therefore, it wasn't surprising he didn't know about these top-tier forces.
However, since such a ban on the Precelestial Realm existed outside, and his master was now a Precelestial martial artist, this matter couldn't be ignored.
Lu Qing expressed his thoughts, but the old doctor remained unconcerned.
"I have no desire for conflict. A ban is fine by me, it means more peace."
Lu Qing agreed. His master had always been compassionate and gentle. Even when patients were rude, he would calmly comfort them, rarely getting angry. For him to use force would be as difficult as letting someone die without helping.
Thus, this ban might be restrictive for other Precelestial Realm individuals, but for his master, it didn't make a difference.
With this thought, Lu Qing wasn't worried anymore.
"Master, I have another question. Since the Wei family’s Precelestial ancestor has returned, should we escort Mrs. Wei and her son back to the county?"
The old doctor thought for a moment and said, "Let's wait. The situation in the county is still unclear. It's better not to get involved."
"I thought so too. They are currently safe, so there's no rush."
According to Xiao Tian, Wang Cangyi was still eyeing the Wei family’s treasures in the county. If Mrs. Wei and her son returned now, they might fall into Wang Cangyi's hands, becoming burdens rather than helpers.
Still, it was necessary to inform them of this development.
After spending half a morning completing his studies with his master, Lu Qing took Xiao Li and headed into the mountains.
As for Xiao Yan, she had been learning more characters and could now recognize some simple sentences. Knowing that Lu Qing often needed to go into the mountains, the old doctor volunteered to teach her.
Carrying Xiao Li, Lu Qing arrived at the cave where Mago and others were hiding. He found Wei Zian practicing his staff techniques. Observing for a while, he nodded in satisfaction at Wei Zian's progress.
Just as Mago had said, Wei Zian had some talent in martial arts. Lu Qing had taught him a simplified version of a staff technique, and Wei Zian had been diligently practicing.
When Wei Zian finished a set of staff movements, Lu Qing praised him.
"Dr. Lu, you're here!"
Wei Zian turned around, delighted.
Mrs. Wei, resting in another part of the cave, came out upon hearing the commotion.
"Young Master Lu, why have you come so soon this time?" she asked, surprised.
Lu Qing typically visited every three to four days, but only a day had passed since his last visit.
"I have something to discuss. Where is Master Ma?" Lu Qing asked.
"He went out to see if he could find some game to improve our meals," Mrs. Wei replied.
Lu Qing nodded, not saying more.
Over time, everyone realized that the mysterious forces were unlikely to search the mountains again, so Mago and the others were less tense and began to move beyond the cave.
Soon, Mago returned with two wild rabbits, surprised but happy to see Lu Qing. However, he feared something bad had happened.
"Since everyone is here, I have some news to share."
Hearing this, Mago and Mrs. Wei felt uneasy.
"As long as it’s good news, we’re fine," Mrs. Wei said, trying to calm herself.
"Master Ma’s associate Xiao Tian informed me this morning that the Precelestial ancestor of the Wei family has safely returned," Lu Qing explained.
Mrs. Wei and Wei Zian’s eyes widened with joy.
"Your family’s crisis is now resolved. You can rest easy," Lu Qing continued.
"Mother, can we go home now?" Wei Zian asked excitedly.
"Not yet," Mrs. Wei said, though excited, she remained calm.
"Those villains haven’t given up on our treasures. Returning now is too risky," she said.
"Exactly," Lu Qing agreed, impressed by her clear-headedness despite the good news.
"Those mysterious forces won't leave easily. If you return now, you’ll be walking into a trap, causing trouble for your family," he said.
"Then what should we do?" Wei Zian asked, more mature now, understanding the complexity.
"Wait," Mrs. Wei said firmly. "Since the household is safe, we should ensure our safety here. When those people leave, we can return home. Use this time to master the staff technique, impressing your father upon return," she encouraged.
Wei Zian felt his blood boil with determination. "I will practice diligently!"
Seeing this enthusiasm, Lu Qing and Mago found it amusing.
Lu Qing had planned to escort Mrs. Wei and her son back later, but an unexpected visitor disrupted his plans.
The next morning, Lu Qing, Xiao Yan, and Xiao Li arrived at Halfway House. While Xiao Yan studied, Lu Qing helped with the herbs.
Suddenly, a gentle voice came from outside.
"Come in if you need medical help," Lu Qing replied, assuming it was a villager.
But the visitor's first words upon entering were surprising.
"Plum blossoms nourished by elemental mist would make excellent tea. May I have a cup?" the visitor asked.
Lu Qing looked up, startled, at a plain-clothed young man at the door.
Seeing Lu Qing's reaction, the man continued, "Such young age yet already Tendons and Bones Realm. No wonder you're a disciple of a Precelestial grandmaster."
"Who are you?" Lu Qing asked, unable to see through the man's martial realm without using his abilities. The visitor seemed ordinary but had hidden depths.
Activating his abilities, Lu Qing saw an intense red aura with a touch of gold around the man.
[Lin Zhiyue: True disciple of Tianji Tower, calm and intelligent.]
[Cultivation: Internal Organs Realm Perfection.]
[Possesses an unusual treasure that conceals his aura.]
[Proficient in multiple secret techniques, can defend against Precelestial martial artists.]
The young man who had stopped the fight between Wang Cangyi and the Wei family’s Precelestial ancestor!
Not only powerful but also possessing extraordinary abilities.
"I am Zhiyue, a disciple of Tianji Tower. I came to visit the newly ascended Precelestial elder, Doctor Chen Songqing."
Knowing his master’s name and that he had ascended to Precelestial, Lu Qing felt a deep sense of the power of Tianji Tower.
"I will inform my master," Lu Qing said, shaken.
The old doctor had heard the commotion and asked, "Is it the young man you mentioned?"
"Yes, Master, he knows you’ve become Precelestial."
The old doctor, puzzled but calm, decided to meet him.
Leaving Xiao Yan inside, the old doctor and Lu Qing went out.
The young man, appreciating the plum blossoms, turned to them.
"Junior Zhiyue of Tianji Tower, greetings to Senior Chen," he said respectfully.
"No need for formalities, please sit," the old doctor smiled.
"Thank you, Senior," Zhiyue insisted on the old doctor sitting first.
Lu Qing stood aside as a disciple.
"What brings you here?" the old doctor asked directly.
"May I have a cup of plum tea first?" Zhiyue asked, not revealing his purpose immediately.
"Of course, Ah Qing, prepare the tea," the old doctor instructed.
Lu Qing fetched the tea set and plum tea, and as the water boiled, a strange fragrance filled the air.
This plum tree had bloomed when the old doctor broke through to Precelestial. The flowers, nourished by the elemental mist, were fragrant and beneficial.
Lu Qing brewed the tea, and a pleasant aroma spread, surprising visitors.
Having never done anything wrong, the old doctor was confident and welcomed Zhiyue’s visit, ready for whatever came next.