CHAPTER 426

I Can See Through Everything

"No need for a Soul Oath," Lu Qing said with a faint smile.

It was clear to him that the gray-robed man’s words were half-truths at best.

However, Lu Qing didn’t mind. As long as it was confirmed that the man hadn’t come with prior knowledge of this world’s impending spiritual revival to stage an invasion, it was sufficient.

With a casual flick of his fingers, a wave of energy shot into the gray-robed man's Brow Acupoint.

"Let me verify your words myself," Lu Qing said.

"Wait—"

Sensing the familiar and terrifying energy, the gray-robed man’s heart filled with dread, and he shouted hastily.

But before he could finish, illusions surged before his eyes. The next moment, he sank once more into the endless phantasm.

A dozen breaths later, Lu Qing withdrew his Divine Ability. The gray-robed man awoke slowly, his eyes weary.

This time, fear filled his gaze as he looked at Lu Qing.

"It seems you weren’t entirely honest," Lu Qing remarked calmly. "So, what exactly is the Lotus of Tranquility?"

The gray-robed man was alarmed, his deepest secret exposed. His composure broke entirely.

With a thought, he tried to connect to his storage artifact and destroy it.

To his shock, he realized that his storage pouch was missing.

Looking up sharply, he saw Lu Qing holding a small, intricately patterned pouch.

"Is this what you’re looking for?" Lu Qing asked with a half-smile.

The gray-robed man recognized his storage pouch instantly, and despair washed over him.

He understood that even his final bargaining chip was gone. Trapped in a spatial prison with his Soul Force sealed, he couldn’t destroy the storage pouch.

"Senior, your vigilance is impressive. This junior is in awe," the gray-robed man said dejectedly.

"It’s just caution, nothing impressive," Lu Qing replied lightly.

The storage pouch had been hanging conspicuously at the man’s waist. How could Lu Qing not notice? But the pouch was protected by a restriction, preventing him from opening it for now.

"Senior, you wish to know about the Lotus of Tranquility? I dare propose a trade. If you swear to spare me, I will not only present the Lotus of Tranquility but also teach you how to use it. What do you think?" the gray-robed man asked cautiously.

"Negotiate with me?" Lu Qing gave him a cold glance. "Judging from your reaction earlier, the Lotus of Tranquility must already be in this storage pouch. If that’s the case, why should I negotiate with you when I already have it?"

"The Lotus of Tranquility is indeed in the storage pouch," the gray-robed man admitted. "But it’s sealed within a treasure box with a restriction. If I die, the Soul Imprint within the box will dissipate, and the box will self-destruct, taking the lotus with it."

"You may not understand its value, Senior. The Lotus of Tranquility is a supreme spiritual medicine that enhances comprehension, improves cultivation, and purifies Golden Cores. Even Nascent Soul cultivators would go mad for it! Surely you wouldn’t want such a treasure to be destroyed?"

The gray-robed man stared intently at Lu Qing, speaking each word deliberately.

"Are you threatening me?" Lu Qing’s gaze turned icy. "If that’s the case, you can go die."

As he spoke, a wisp of azure spirit fire ignited in the spatial prison, rapidly expanding.

"Ahh!"

With Lu Qing’s current strength and the power of the Li Huo Cauldron, the spirit fire was utterly terrifying. The injured gray-robed man couldn’t resist at all. Ｒ𝖆ŊꝋＢЕŠ

In mere moments, his body began to melt. Even when he activated his protective silver light, it only delayed the inevitable slightly.

"Spare me, Senior! Please spare me!"

The gray-robed man’s eyes were filled with terror.

He had revealed the lotus's value, yet Lu Qing showed no hesitation in acting. Did he truly not care if the Lotus of Tranquility was destroyed?

Feeling his body disintegrate under the fire’s unbearable heat and his protective techniques failing, the gray-robed man abandoned all pretense of dignity and begged for mercy.

Lu Qing, however, remained unmoved, his face cold.

He formed a hand seal, and the fire’s power doubled.

The once azure flames turned nearly transparent as their intensity increased.

The gray-robed man’s body melted even faster. The fire didn’t just refine his body—it also scorched his soul. The pain was so excruciating that he could no longer even beg.

Trapped in agony and terror, he could only watch helplessly as his body and soul were burned to nothingness.

Under the immense spatial suppression, he couldn’t even self-destruct his Golden Core.

Within a dozen breaths, his body had melted into a small puddle of blood and flesh that continued to shrink.

At last, the gray-robed man realized escape was impossible.

In utter despair, he let out one final, soul-wrenching scream:

"Devil! You will die a horrible death! My sect will avenge me!"

Then, silence.

When Lu Qing extinguished the flames, the spatial prison held only a few dim light clusters—some faint treasures—and a small, golden bead the size of a baby’s fist.

The gray-robed man’s body had been entirely incinerated.

"Young Master, I thought you might spare him," said Yan in surprise.

Even it had been tempted by the gray-robed man’s offer. If the Lotus of Tranquility was as precious as described, it seemed worth sparing a life.

Yet Lu Qing had decisively burned him to death.

"This man’s schemes run deep. If left alive, he would pose a future threat. A single spiritual medicine isn’t worth the risk," Lu Qing replied calmly.

The gray-robed man likely had a powerful sect backing him. Allowing him to return would inevitably lead to plots and retaliation.

Though Lu Qing was confident, he wouldn’t underestimate the might of an immortal sect from a vast world.

With that, Lu Qing focused his mind on the storage pouch.

The Soul Imprint within had vanished, leaving the pouch unclaimed. This confirmed the gray-robed man’s complete demise.

With a thought, Lu Qing refined the pouch’s restrictions and planted his own Soul Imprint, claiming it as his.

He extended his spiritual sense into the pouch and quickly retrieved a jade box.

After inspecting it with his abilities, he opened it.

Inside was a crystal-like spiritual medicine radiating a rich spiritual energy. A smile appeared on Lu Qing’s face.

"It seems even a Golden Core cultivator will say any lie to save their life."