I Can See Through Everything

"Zhi Yue, what is making you so happy?"

A white-bearded, sage-like old man sitting opposite Lin Zhirui asked.

"Friends from afar have arrived, naturally, I am delighted."

Lin Zhirui put away a jade compass and smiled.

"Oh, who might this young talent be?"

Seeing the smile on his face, the sage-like old man grew curious. This disciple of his always appeared calm and treated everyone with kindness, but in truth, he had high standards. Ordinary people rarely caught his attention. Hence, he was quite curious about the person who could make his most outstanding disciple so joyful.

"Master, you should know this person as well. He is the one I mentioned to you before, the elder from Cangzhou, Chen Songqing, Elder Chen."

"Oh, the Precelestial Realm expert you spoke of, who possesses the Light of Merit?"

The sage-like old man immediately became interested.

"Indeed. Over two years ago, I gave Elder Chen a jade token, thinking he would come to Zhongzhou within a year or two. I didn't expect him to arrive only now."

"He must have sensed the changes in the world, which prompted him to come to Zhongzhou," the sage-like old man speculated.

After the changes in the world, spiritual energy revived, with the most significant transformations occurring in Zhongzhou. Any Precelestial expert with some insight wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity.

"Perhaps. I wonder if his disciple, the young friend Lu Qing, came along," Lin Zhirui said.

"Is he the young man who defeated the Martial Grandmaster of the Tian Cang Sect while still in the Tendons and Bones Realm?"

"Exactly. That young man is extraordinarily talented in the Martial Path. I wonder if he has reached the Precelestial Realm after these two years."

Lin Zhirui recalled Lu Qing's calm face. That young man was one of the most mysterious people he had ever met, and the only person he couldn't see through, even with the sect's treasure in his possession.

"Master, Elder Chen should be nearby by now. I need to go and welcome him, so I may not be able to finish this game with you."

"Go ahead. The situation in the city is tense now. Having a strong, benevolent person around would be a blessing," the sage-like old man said.

Lin Zhirui thought of the recent events in the Holy City, feeling a slight unease. He decided that he must inform the old doctor about the city's situation later to prevent him from getting caught in any trouble unawares.

"Master, this should be the place."

Lu Qing looked at the towering building before him, with a symbol identical to the one on the Tianji Tower in Azure Dragon City, and said.

"Yes, I can feel the fluctuation from the jade token coming from this place," the old doctor nodded.

Mago asked, "How should we enter? Should I present a greeting card?"

"No need," Lu Qing's expression suddenly changed as he smiled. "An old friend is coming to meet us."

As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in plain clothes emerged from the tower. Who else could it be but Lin Zhirui, whom they hadn't seen in over two years?

"A friend from afar—what joy it brings."

Lin Zhirui's demeanor had become even more gentle than two years ago. He approached with a smile.

"Elder Chen, young friend Lu Qing, it's been more than two years. I hope you've been well?"

"It's been a long time, Zhirui," the old doctor smiled.

"Thanks to you, Lord Zhirui, everything is well," Lu Qing said with a bow.

"Greetings, Lord Zhirui."

Mago and Wei Zian also bowed, with Wei Zian being particularly respectful. He knew that if not for Lord Zhirui's intervention back then, his Wei family might no longer exist.

"Young Master Wei is here too?" Lin Zhirui was a little surprised to see Wei Zian. "How is Elder Wei Shanhai?"

"The ancestor is still in good health. He instructed me to send his regards to you, Lord Zhirui," Wei Zian said respectfully.

"Elder Wei Shanhai is too courteous."

Lin Zhirui quietly observed Lu Qing and the old doctor. After more than two years, Lu Qing had grown taller and much more handsome, while the old doctor remained unchanged, still looking like an elderly man. However, what shocked Lin Zhirui was that he could not discern the cultivation levels of Lu Qing and the old doctor. Even when he secretly used the power of his sect's treasure, he found nothing.

This shock was extraordinary, making Lin Zhirui somewhat disbelieving. After all, he was now in the Precelestial Realm, and after a period of closed-door cultivation, he had reached the peak of the initial stage of the Precelestial Realm, just a step away from the Minor Achievement stage. Moreover, after years of day and night refinement, he had fully refined and controlled the treasure bestowed by the sect. Yet, even with all this, he could not see through the cultivation levels of Lu Qing and his master. Could it be that their cultivation levels had reached a height beyond his reach, or did they possess treasures that completely blocked his calculations and probing?

Lin Zhirui's heart surged with waves, but his face remained calm as he continued chatting with Lu Qing and the others.

After some small talk, Lin Zhirui suddenly slapped his forehead, "Look at me, I got so excited that I forgot my manners. Please, come inside."

He then started to lead Lu Qing and the others into the tower.

"Lord Zhirui, what about our carriage?" Mago asked.

"Don't worry about it."

Just as Lin Zhirui was about to make arrangements, he suddenly noticed the carriage and was taken aback.

"Elder Chen, about this carriage of yours..."

"On our way here, a few nights ago, there was a strange phenomenon in the sky. Numerous beams of moonlight descended, and these two beasts were fortunate enough to absorb two of them, which is why they've changed," Lu Qing said, half-jokingly.

"Young friend Lu Qing, are you referring to the celestial phenomenon from a few nights ago?" Lin Zhirui's eyes flashed.

"Yes, these two horses absorbed two beams of moonlight that night, and somehow, they transformed the next day. Fortunately, although their appearance changed, their temperament did not. Instead, their strength increased significantly, allowing us to travel faster and save quite a bit of time."

"These two horses have indeed received a good fortune," Lin Zhirui praised, regaining his composure. "Don't worry, I'll have the disciples from the sect take good care of these divine horses."

As Lin Zhirui gave his orders, a disciple from the Tianji Tower came forward to help with the horses.

"Wait, there's an injured person in the carriage," Lu Qing said, walking to the carriage and knocking on the door. "Xiao Yan, help Sister Hu out of the carriage."

"Xiao Yan is here too?"

Lin Zhirui was even more surprised.

However, when he saw Hu Zezhi stepping out of the carriage, his expression changed drastically.

"Young friend Lu Qing, this young lady..."

"Lord Zhirui, did you notice?" Lu Qing asked solemnly.

Lin Zhirui first focused on Hu Zezhi's brows, then gave Lu Qing a deep look. But instead of speaking out, his expression grew serious. "Please, everyone, follow me inside."

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhirui into the Tianji Tower. However, they didn't notice a figure in a black robe hiding behind a corner about a hundred meters away, watching them.

Those eyes, with two pupils, emitted an eerie light.

"People with great fortune! A Xuanyin physique! And what is that, the Light of Merit?

In this small carriage, there are so many people with extraordinary talents!

Could it be that the heavens are truly helping me?"

A look of fanaticism appeared in the eyes of the black-robed figure. If he could devour those people in front of him, his demonic body would undergo an unimaginable transformation. Then, not only would the formations in this ruined city be unable to suppress him, but even those old monsters on the Sacred Mountain would no longer frighten him!

"This matter requires careful planning. As long as I devour these people, my supreme demonic foundation will take its first step!"

The black-robed figure's eyes revealed madness, but his mind remained exceptionally calm.

Although he scorned the Holy City, he had to admit that he didn't have the strength to do as he pleased in the city just yet. The few old men in the Tianji Tower alone might be more than a match for him, not to mention the old monsters on the Sacred Mountain.

So, everything must be done in secret, step by step.

The black-robed figure took a long look at the Tianji Tower before his form slowly faded away.

...

Lu Qing and the others followed Lin Zhirui into the tall tower, but instead of heading upward, they passed through the tower and arrived at a large complex of buildings behind it, finally stopping at a quiet courtyard.

"Elder Chen, this is where I reside. It's a bit simple; please don't mind it," Lin Zhirui said with an apologetic smile.

"If you call this simple, then my place could only be described as a shack," the old doctor laughed.

"There's no comparison. The mere presence of that Plum Spirit Tree in your residence makes it far superior to countless luxurious mansions," Lin Zhirui shook his head slightly.

"So, Zhirui, you're missing the plum blossom tea. Fortunately, I brought plenty with me this time

, so we can have a good brew."

The old doctor took out a bag of plum blossom tea he had prepared in advance.

"You know me well, Elder Chen."

Having entered the Precelestial Realm and refined his body, Lin Zhirui smiled as he caught the faint scent of the plum blossom tea.

He immediately went to prepare the tea set.

Once the tea set was ready, Lu Qing took over the familiar task of brewing tea. He expertly boiled the water and brewed the tea leaves, quickly producing a pot of perfect plum blossom tea.

Lin Zhirui picked up a cup, took a sip, and slowly savored it, a look of contentment on his face.

After a long while, he sighed, "I've traveled the world these past few years and tasted countless famous teas, but nothing compares to your plum blossom tea, Elder Chen."

"Lord Zhirui, didn't you say you would cultivate a plum blossom tea tree when you broke through to the Precelestial Realm? Did you not succeed?" Lu Qing asked curiously.

The Plum Spirit Tree at the Halfway House was accidentally cultivated by the old doctor when he entered the Precelestial Realm by drawing on the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Lin Zhirui, upon learning of its origin, had expressed a desire to try the same when he entered the Precelestial Realm.

Seeing that Lin Zhirui had already reached the Precelestial Realm, Lu Qing couldn't help but ask.

Lin Zhirui looked embarrassed. "When I broke through, I was traveling and felt a sudden inspiration. I broke through without having time to find a plum tree."

For most martial artists, the opportunity to break through to the Precelestial Realm is something that can only be encountered by chance. The inspiration is fleeting, and once caught, few would be willing to let it go. Lin Zhirui was no exception. When he felt the breakthrough coming, he acted immediately, without hesitation. It was only afterward that he remembered the plum blossom tree, but by then, it was too late.

"That's a pity," Lu Qing said regretfully. He knew how much Lin Zhirui loved tea.

"Everything is a matter of fate; there's nothing to regret," Lin Zhirui shook his head. "It just means I wasn't destined for it."

"Zhirui's words are quite insightful," the old doctor nodded approvingly.

He had always admired Lin Zhirui's calm and serene nature.

"Elder Chen, you're too kind. Speaking of which, why did you come to Zhongzhou only now? I thought you would have come a year or two ago."

"To be honest, it's because I'm too old and lazy. After spending so much time in the countryside, I just couldn't muster the energy to travel, which is why I delayed until now," the old doctor replied.

"You're too modest, Elder Chen. I think the real reason is that you never cared much for that so-called opportunity.

If I'm not mistaken, the reason you've come to Zhongzhou now isn't entirely for the Sacred Mountain's opportunity, is it?"

Lin Zhirui had spent little time with the old doctor but knew him to be a kind-hearted and righteous person. If he hadn't come to the Sacred Mountain earlier, it showed that he didn't value that opportunity much. His sudden arrival now must have had another reason. Unfortunately, Lin Zhirui had previously tried to calculate this and found nothing.

"Well, I'm not that detached," the old doctor smiled. "But besides the opportunity on the Sacred Mountain, there are indeed some other matters I want to clear up."

"Is it related to this young lady?" Lin Zhirui looked at Hu Zezhi.

The beautiful young girl, who had been listening with interest, was taken aback, not understanding why the conversation had suddenly turned to her.

"This is just one of the reasons, but it is the most pressing matter right now. Zhirui, you should be able to see the problem with Miss Hu, right?" the old doctor asked.

"This young lady has an invisible black aura lingering between her brows that is difficult to disperse. It's a sign of impending great danger, indicating that in the near future, she will face something more terrifying than death," Lin Zhirui said gravely.

"Indeed. Ah Qing and I have also sensed the calamity surrounding Miss Hu, but we can't figure out where it originates. Do you have a way to calculate it, Zhirui?" the old doctor asked.

The Tianji Tower lineage was renowned for its skill in calculations. If anyone could deduce something, it would be Lin Zhirui.

However, to the old doctor's surprise, Lin Zhirui immediately shook his head.

"Nothing. To be honest, I tried to calculate it when I first saw this young lady, but all I got was a gray haze, unable to see anything."

"If even you can't calculate it, that's troubling," the old doctor frowned.

"Elder Chen, Lord Zhirui, what are you talking about? I don't understand," Hu Zezhi finally couldn't help but ask.

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