Starting as the young master of a medicine shop, he practiced swordsmanship for twenty years.

Chapter 379 Exposing the Mastermind!

In an instant, a vast and boundless power of heaven and earth erupted from Lu Xuan's body.

The boundless power of heaven and earth surged endlessly through the eight extraordinary meridians within his body.

The next moment, all the acupoints on Lu Xuan's body lit up with dazzling seven-colored light, as if thousands of galaxies were flowing within his body.

The purest and most refined power of heaven and earth was absorbed by the system panel interface after each cycle through his meridians.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Fourth Incarnation)

Realm: Grandmaster (Beginner)
Technique: Extreme Cold Palm 8/9 (can be deduced)

Score: 100100
Please confirm whether you wish to consume 7000 system points to deduce the Extreme Cold Palm technique.

"Deduction!"

As soon as Lu Xuan confirmed it, the system panel burst forth with dazzling golden light.

The air in the quiet room suddenly froze as Lu Xuan sat cross-legged on the stone platform for practicing martial arts.

The frost flowers grew wildly at a visible speed, like an ice net woven from millions of silver threads, spreading along the stone patterns to the ground.

Wherever the biting cold air passed, the blue bricks emitted a faint, crisp sound, and spiderweb-like ice patterns condensed on their surface.

In the blink of an eye, the entire floor was covered with three feet of solid ice.

"Click——"

The tightly closed sandalwood door suddenly burst open, and ice crystals pierced through the door panel like sharp swords, freezing the gilded door knocker into an ice sculpture.

The tables and chairs inside the room twisted and deformed under the chill, and wood chips and ice crystals mixed together and fell down.

Even the steam from the freshly brewed cloud and mist tea on the table seemed to solidify in mid-air.

The tea leaves turned into tiny ice beads and fell down, causing the tea in the celadon teacup to quickly condense.

Lotus-shaped ice patterns float on the surface, and even the tea stains left on the spout have frozen into amber-like ice crystals.

The entire quiet room seemed to have been dragged into an ancient ice cave, with only Lu Xuan's body constantly emitting dazzling golden light.

In the quiet room, a crack suddenly appeared in the void, and a mysterious golden light tore through the void, disappearing into Lu Xuan's brow like a meteor.

In an instant, thunder roared deep within Lu Xuan's sea of ​​consciousness, and the originally clear space of consciousness suddenly surged like boiling water.

The myriad clouds were kneaded and condensed by an invisible giant hand, eventually transforming into a three-inch-tall golden figure.

The golden phantom figure cast in glass appeared in the world, and every time it raised its hands or feet, it caused the space to ripple and twist like water.

The little man lightly swiped his palms, and mysterious ice patterns appeared in his palms. Wherever he passed, the void cracked inch by inch, and the spider web-like ice crystal patterns spread like living things.

As the trajectory of his fingertips shifted, a giant ice lotus condensed above Lu Xuan's sea of ​​consciousness, each petal opening and closing unleashing a bone-chilling cold.

When the final palm print solidified, the entire sea of ​​consciousness seemed to be frozen in time.

The surging sea of ​​clouds, stretching for billions of miles, was instantly frozen into a crystal-clear layer of ice.

Tens of thousands of icicles hang upside down in the sky, refracting the magnificent aurora.

This space belonging to Lu Xuan's sea of ​​consciousness was completely transformed into a secret realm that was eternally frozen.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and Lu Xuan, who was sitting cross-legged on the futon, finally made a move.

The ice crystals that had frozen on the wall began to release fine water droplets, which then trickled down the cracks in the blue bricks.

The dripping sound of melting ice grew clearer in the silence, and the tables and chairs, which had been frozen into ice sculptures, gradually shed their silvery armor.

The rising steam, carrying the melting chill, enveloped the entire quiet room in a hazy mist.

As the last icicle fell into the celadon teacup, the crisp sound dispersed the swirling steam, and the place quietly returned to its former appearance.

Morning light streamed through the window lattice, and Lu Xuan, sitting cross-legged on the white jade platform, felt his eyelashes flutter slightly, the frost on them quietly turning into water droplets.
As he slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of icy blue light flashed in his pupils, the chill seemingly capable of piercing through the limitations of the void.

Lu Xuan's chest rose and fell slightly, and a breath of stale air was exhaled from his throat, which condensed into a crystal-clear ice crystal three feet away and fell to the ground with a "plop".

Immediately following, the surging, wave-like true essence within Lu Xuan's body...

As he exhaled, the energy receded rapidly into his body, just like the receding tide.

At this moment, Lu Xuan appeared no different from an ordinary person, and no longer exuded any sharp aura.

But when his fingertips casually brushed across the white jade platform, frost instantly spread rapidly along the smooth surface.

Host: Lu Xuan, the Immortal of the Mortal World (Fourth Incarnation)

Realm: Grandmaster (Perfect)
Technique: Extreme Cold Palm 12/9
Score: 21100
The first simulation of the Extreme Cold Palm technique consumed 7000 system points.

Then came the second time at 12000 points, the third time at 20000 points, and the fourth time at 40000 points.

A total of 79000 system points were consumed, leaving 21100 system points remaining.

With a creak, the wooden door to the quiet room was slowly pushed open.

The Twelve Protectors, who had been waiting outside for a long time, suddenly froze on the spot, and they all opened their mouths instinctively.

A bone-chilling cold swept over him, though his adoptive father remained calm.

But the gaze directed at them was three times colder than usual, as if it could freeze their souls.

Since the imperial edict stripping the Embroidered Uniform Guard of its command was issued, the Eastern Depot, once a notorious den of iniquity, has shown signs of decline and desolation.

Furthermore, with his adoptive father, who was the head of the Eastern Depot, suddenly going into seclusion, the once arrogant Twelve Protectors of the Eastern Depot lost their prestige, like autumn grass withered by frost.

Because of the major events that had occurred a few days prior, the twelve of them dared not step out of the door.

He could only stand with his head bowed outside the secluded room of the Eastern Depot's chief supervisor every day.

Over the course of ten days, the shadows cast by the sun on the blue brick ground shifted between slanting and straightening.

Only these twelve straight, pine-like figures remained, guarding the tightly closed carved wooden door, like twelve frozen stone statues.

They dared not slacken their efforts in the slightest, for the one behind the door was the last fang of the Eastern Depot, and also the Eastern Depot's supervisor who could save their lives.

Now, all the officials in the court are waiting to see the Eastern Depot make a fool of itself, and those forces that were once tormented by the Eastern Depot are also beginning to stir and seek revenge.
As the Twelve Protectors of the Eastern Depot, they were naturally the primary targets for revenge.

Lu Xuan stood with his hands behind his back in front of the door of the quiet room, his dark python robe fluttering even without wind.

The biting cold air lingering around their clothes caused fine frost to condense in the surrounding air.

He slightly raised his eyes, his indifferent gaze sweeping over the crowd below.

As far as the eye can see, the bluestone floor tiles are silently covered with a thin layer of ice.

"This is my order..."

Lu Xuan's voice was neither loud nor soft, yet it made Cao Er, who was kneeling at the front, tremble.

Ice crystals instantly formed on the forehead of this second-in-command of the Eastern Depot, but he dared not raise his hand to wipe them away.

"Have you done it?"

The hem of his dark python robe swept across the blue bricks as Lu Xuan slowly walked down the steps with his hands behind his back.

Those cold, gleaming eyes swept over the twelve bodyguards of the Eastern Depot kneeling below, like two icy blades, sending chills down everyone's spines.

The tone was so calm, it was as if asking what one had for breakfast that day.

But everyone present knew that every word their godfather uttered could determine their life or death.

Ten days ago, the order given by their adoptive father while he was in seclusion struck the hearts of everyone in the Eastern Depot with a heavy blow. Lu Xuan naturally ordered the Eastern Depot to cease all arrests and interrogations and to spread all its spies and informants throughout the martial arts world.

There are only two goals.

Search for rare and precious materials in the world that share the same origin as the Seven Treasures Glazed Lotus, or those "ghostly things" that linger on the edge of Yin and Yang and exude an aura of filth.

This strange order left everyone in the Eastern Depot baffled, but no one dared to ask a single question.

After all, in their minds, the Eastern Depot's chief supervisor could unleash freezing icy energy with a mere flick of his wrist, enough to silence any doubters forever.

Cao Er's Adam's apple bobbed violently, and cold sweat soaked through the back of his python robe, yet he still gritted his teeth and crawled forward on his knees.

The solid blue brick floor groaned under his knees, straining under the weight.

With a muffled thud, Cao Er's forehead slammed heavily onto the stone slab, creating a dent the size of a bowl.

Fine stone chips, mixed with streaks of blood, were splattered on the ground around them.

Blood slid down his brow bone, but froze into ice the moment it touched the ground.

"Godfather, your son... deserves to die!"

Cao Er straightened up, trembling, with veins bulging on his neck: "At first, the Eastern Depot spies I sent out were able to send back seven secret letters one after another."

“But starting from the fifth day… all of the more than a thousand Dongchang brothers who left the capital suddenly died mysteriously.”

"Yes, please see the truth, Godfather..."

At this moment, Cao Jin, dragging his empty left sleeve, knelt out of the line. The white cloth wrapped around his severed arm was soaked with blood and fluttered in the cold wind.

Cao Haosheng, standing beside him, still had a hideous scar on his face that was oozing blood. It stretched from his brow bone to the corner of his mouth, like a centipede coiled on his face.

At this moment, a terrifyingly fierce light flashed in Cao Jin's eyes, and his originally sinister face was now twisted like a demon from hell.

The veins on his neck bulged, and his knuckles clenched so tightly they almost crushed the bricks: "A few days ago, I was suddenly ambushed and killed by three masters at the Lesser Master level in Black Wind Gorge on the outskirts of Liangzhou City!"

"They moved with incredible agility, their palm strikes carrying an unparalleled and fierce power, clearly aimed at the child."

"Finally, I had no choice but to cut off my own arm and use the rugged mountain path to barely escape!"

At this moment, Cao Jin's bloodshot eyes were surging with overwhelming hatred.

Where was even a trace of the majesty of the Eastern Depot's eunuch? He was clearly a vengeful ghost crawling out of a battlefield of carnage.

We, the Eastern Depot, have always been the ones assassinating others; we've never been the ones being hunted down, looking as pathetic and helpless as stray dogs.

Cao Haosheng, who was standing to the side, swallowed hard, and his lips, which were covered in blood scabs, twitched twice.

He spoke with a trembling voice, as if he had survived a close call: "If it weren't for Brother Jin risking his life to send a message to warn me, I'm afraid I would have lost my life in Liangzhou!"

As he spoke, Cao Haosheng suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot and almost bursting through the whites.

"Godfather! Our Eastern Depot's routes, codes, and contact points have been thoroughly investigated. There must be someone colluding with the enemy!"

He suddenly lowered his voice, his gaze as cold as a venomous snake: "Now the Embroidered Uniform Guard has lost the control of our Eastern Depot."

"These bastards hate our Eastern Depot to the bone. It's hard to guarantee they won't collaborate with that traitor in an attempt to completely annihilate our Eastern Depot's power!"

At this point, Cao Haosheng suddenly shuddered, his bloodshot eyes widening as if struck by a thunderbolt.

"Godfather, those people specifically target our Eastern Depot members. They use various techniques, clearly intending to wipe out our Eastern Depot."

“I once risked sending people to smuggle back a few corpses. Although they tried to cover it up, there were still clues to be found.”

He paused, his eyes growing increasingly cold, "The Qingfeng Palm of the Qingfeng Sect, the Five Mountains Broken Gate Saber of the Broken Sword Manor, and the Nine Heavens Killing Sword Technique of the Black and White Impermanence Life-Taking Organization..."

"To be able to command these irreconcilable forces to unite, and even make them willingly risk their lives for him..."

Cao Haosheng lowered his voice, his tone full of apprehension, "The extent of the forces involved behind this is unimaginable."

"And the person who can bring them together probably has the power to turn the world upside down and reach the heavens."

Lu Xuan's brows furrowed suddenly, and the murderous intent surging in his eyes was almost tangible.

The icy aura emanating from his body uncontrollably caused the temperature around the flat ground to drop sharply.

On the bluestone ground, spiderweb-like ice cracks formed around Lu Xuan.

All those who attempt to prevent him from seeing through life and death and transcending this mortal world.

Whoever is behind it all, they must die!
"Where is the closest power to the capital...?"

Lu Xuan's sudden, chilling question sent a chill down the spines of everyone present.

The Twelve Bodyguards exchanged bewildered glances. After a brief silence, Cao Er suddenly realized what was happening and took a half-step forward heavily on his knees: "Father, it's the Qingfeng Sect!"

"It's located on Qingfeng Mountain, about thirty miles west of the city."

As soon as Cao Er finished speaking, the surrounding temperature plummeted to its lowest point, and even the window frames of the quiet room were instantly covered with white frost flowers.

At the summit of Qingfeng Mountain stands a magnificent architectural complex, built along the mountainside, with its red eaves and green tiles appearing and disappearing in the clouds and mist.

The three gilded characters "Qingfeng Sect" at the mountain gate shine brightly in the sunlight, and the thirty-six jade steps in front of the gate are so smooth they reflect light like a mirror.

The disciples of the sect were all dressed in close-fitting blue and white outfits, their robes fluttering like flowing blue clouds.

Only five purple-robed elders sat upright in the main hall, their gilded black iron tokens hanging from their waists, signifying their noble status.

Inside the lobby, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

The four walls are adorned with landscape paintings by successive sect leaders, and in the center hangs a plaque inscribed with the powerful strokes of "A Gentle Breeze Comes."

The crimson figure on the main seat was particularly eye-catching.

Xiao Fenghe, the leader of the Qingfeng Sect, wore a crimson robe with nine golden patterns embroidered on the chest.

The world-renowned grandmaster was resting with his eyes closed, his knuckles rhythmically tapping the armrest.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes, and two beams of piercing light shot out: "Such a heavy killing intent..."

Outside the hall, the lush bamboo forest suddenly began to move without any wind, the bamboo leaves rustling as if thousands of sharp blades were being drawn simultaneously.

"Report——!"

A disciple covered in blood staggered into the main hall and fell heavily to the floor.

The wound on his chest was shocking, and blood kept seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"This is terrible! The sect leader... the elder... is a member of the Eastern Depot..."

Before he could finish speaking, the five purple figures exploded like thunder.

Xiao Fenghe, seated at the head of the table, transformed into a bolt of purple lightning, causing the jade floor tiles to crack wherever he passed!

In the square, blood had stained the bluestone red.

Dozens of disciples in green robes were frozen into ice sculptures, remaining in the posture of drawing their swords.

Twelve silver-white figures darted through the crowd like ghosts, leaving behind wails and sprays of blood wherever they went!
"What a courage!"

"You damned lackeys of the imperial court, how dare you run wild on the territory of my Qingfeng Sect."

Xiao Fenghe's roar shattered the countless ice crystals in the sky. His purple robe billowed, and his body radiated a dazzling azure light.

This grandmaster has finally become truly enraged!
(End of this chapter)