Chapter 374 - Qing Yuechu

Chapter 374: Chapter 129 Qing YuechuBai Ling was suppressed, which was good news for the alliance, and at the same time, Lu Hong’s fame had reached an unprecedented peak.

This masked champion marched on the bustling streets of the Seventh Floating World, attracting countless onlookers.

Lu Hong paid no heed and walked straight to a table, which was located at a small dessert station on the street, offering some exquisite sweets and afternoon tea.

"Champion," the shop owner pushed aside the waiter and personally served Lu Hong, "may I ask what you would like to order?"

"Just bring me the same as the lady opposite." Lu Hong smiled slightly and teased the beauty across from him, "I always thought you were an iron lady; I didn’t expect you to show such a girlish side."

The woman, disturbed during her afternoon tea, pouted in dissatisfaction and ignored Lu Hong, focusing on devouring the delicious desserts in front of her.

Lu Hong was not in a hurry, took the food offered by the owner, tasted it, and found it quite good.

When the woman finished, wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth, she then asked Lu Hong, "What brings you here to find me?"

"Nothing much, just wanted to get to know you," Lu Hong said while eating, "In that final match, to be precise, you should have won."

"Victory or defeat is not just a matter of the arena." Qing Yuechu, having undergone such changes, had become much more composed, seemingly purified, and had hidden her sharp edges.

"I actually haven’t used my full strength," Lu Hong paused to explain, "I hope we have another chance to compete next time."

"No need."

Qing Yuechu’s reply stunned Lu Hong.

Seeing his confusion, Qing Yuechu then answered, "With your ability to deploy the lost grand array of the Holy Court, the Sun Demonic Seal, to suppress the old demon, I, Qing Yuechu, am far inferior and not worthy to be the opponent of a hero like you who saves people from fire and water."

"Qing Yuechu, are you brushing me off?" Lu Hong was quite dissatisfied with her bureaucratic tone. Although they had only fought once, Lu Hong could tell that this strange alliance woman was strong-willed and belligerent. Such words sounded strange.

Qing Yuechu slightly furrowed her brows, clearly dissatisfied with Lu Hong’s manners as he talked while eating. She was raised with noble education, "I’m speaking the truth, believe it or not."

At that, Qing Yuechu stood up to leave.

Lu Hong quickly grabbed her wrist, "Wait!"

Qing Yuechu turned and asked, "What else does Earl Fan Ping wish to instruct me on?"

Lu Hong spoke gravely, "I mean no offense; I specifically came to find you just hoping you can overcome this low point; you shouldn’t sink into despair."

Qing Yuechu was silent for a while, staring intently at Lu Hong. Ever since her biological father betrayed her, she was rescued, but the poison indeed damaged her fundamentally. Although timely treatment saved her, returning to her peak was impossible. Unless a significant opportunity arose, her abilities would stop advancing beyond the late stage of the Third Transition.

This fall was too hard. Qing Yuechu had grown but also sunk into depression. She no longer trained, and like a noble lady, she wandered the streets of the Seventh Floating World every day in fancy dresses, idly eating and drinking. Lu Hong had seen her many times and had specifically come after her, unable to watch her continue to deteriorate.

"Isn’t this fine? My father wants me to be a lady, and my family wants me to obediently follow; this time, they should all be satisfied," Qing Yuechu’s face was cold, her indignation and discontent roared silently in the depth of her eyes.

"This isn’t you; you shouldn’t let these minor issues deter your steps." Lu Hong tossed a Gold Coin to the dessert shop owner, then pulled out a Teleportation Scroll and took Qing Yuechu away with him.

Upon landing, Qing Yuechu looked around; this place was filled with the suffocating brilliance of stars and fragmented continents.

"Where is this?" Qing Yuechu asked.

"The place where I fought Zun Long, and also where Duke Xinlei hid the Lion Blood group."

"Zun Long?!" Qing Yuechu was stunned and immediately connected this to the event where Red Light dazzled the Seventh Floating World, "You fought him, and he shattered this small plane?"

"To be precise, I did it."

Hearing Lu Hong’s answer, Qing Yuechu’s eyes showed a hint of disdain, and the corners of her mouth formed a mocking smile, "What? Are you trying to prove to me how strong you are, and that losing to me on the arena was just an accident?"

Stumped by Qing Yuechu’s words, this woman was highly defensive.

"That’s not what I mean." Lu Hong hurriedly explained, "I believe you should be aware of my identity."

"Emperial Baron, I know, my teacher has told me," Qing Yuechu didn’t know what he was up to, but since she was here, she wasn’t in a hurry to leave.

Lu Hong continued to speak, beginning from his entry into Jinrui City and the first great battle against the Water Marsh Beast, experiencing the hellish journey at Yuenua, up to the inhuman torture he had gone through while imprisoned in the Vanloth Prison, speaking late into the night.

Qing Yuechu was thoroughly engrossed and took a while to come back to her senses after Lu Hong finished his story, and her gaze toward Lu Hong gradually changed.

Considering all that Lu Hong had endured, one could say it was filled with tragic heroism. Although he had gained high prestige in the Sacred Empire, others would have found such experiences unbearable, especially the miserable past after being crippled. Of course, regarding the matter of Lei Tong and his being a transmigrator, he omitted some parts to avoid unnecessary trouble.

"Thank you..." Qing Yuechu understood the meaning behind Lu Hong’s words and realized he genuinely did not want to see her despondent. She was touched that someone other than her mentor truly cared about her, "I apologize for my rudeness before."

While speaking, Qing Yuechu bowed formally, and Lu Hong quickly helped her up, laughing, "I mean nothing else; I just hope you can pull yourself together again, find yourself, and not be defeated by the setbacks you face."

"I understand." Qing Yuechu nodded. If he, who had been through even worse, could still face life with a smile, what reason did she have to not overcome this challenge?

As her thoughts shifted, a heroic aura slowly rose from her brows; the once haughty Earl Moonglow seemed to have returned.

"Brother Lu, may I challenge you to a battle?" The first thing Qing Yuechu wanted to do upon recovering was to fight Lu Hong again, earnestly saying, "I hope you will go all out and not hold back."

Lu Hong smiled slightly, "Of course, but be prepared. I’ve even fought Zun Long to a draw; don’t come crying later."

"Hahaha." Qing Yuechu laughed, "I’ve lost before." Saying this, her fingers slid, and a long spear fell into her palm.

Three months had passed since Bai Ling was sealed, and Lu Hong’s ’Heavenly God Descension’ could now be fully performed. He didn’t hold back, Holy Light burst forth, and an aura born from the depths of his soul spread over Qing Yuechu’s heart.

She had just advanced to the Third Transition and hadn’t started cultivating the Power of Soul yet, so she was quite afraid of this almost tangible divine aura.

Fortunately for her, she set aside her fears, her eyes filled with combativeness.

Lu Hong summoned the Blood Holy Sword, which split into two, gripping both in his hands, the "Blood River" raged mightily as if he were a demon god set to destroy the world.

Qing Yuechu stimulated the power of Holy Light, radiating brilliant light beneath the endless "Blood River," a scene akin to a hero fighting a demon unfolded, only, there were no spectators.

"Watch out, I’m attacking now!" As Lu Hong’s voice fell, the bloody sword slashed through the air, and a thousand-yard "Blood Refining" with tremendous force crashed down.

Qing Yuechu didn’t retreat but advanced, holding her long spear going forth, the Holy Light’s power driven to its peak, her being and the spear as one, transforming into a lance of light, piercing fiercely into the "Blood River."

Lu Hong didn’t hold back; treating Qing Yuechu, a battle maniac, with full force was the greatest respect.

"Explode!" A low shout followed, the "Blood River" surged, and then transformed into a grand plume of red fireworks. The poor small plane once again endured Lu Hong’s onslaught, leaving even less space to stand. Another such strike would probably utterly erase it from the Star Sea.

On the night of the Septuple Floating World, a red gleam appeared again in the sky, but this time, rumors were quashed by Duke Fallenhill, classifying the event as military research targeting the old demon Bai Ling, thus dispelling the public’s doubts.

Reversing the ’Heavenly God Descension’ and retracting his vital force, Lu Hong descended back to the ground, Qing Yuechu full of injuries, yet her lips bore an uncontrollable smile.

"Are you alright?" Lu Hong asked tentatively.

"Thank you, I am very good." Qing Yuechu smiled even wider, then stood up with Lu Hong’s support, "You are really strong. If it weren’t for concealing my identity in the arena, I definitely wouldn’t be your match. You truly deserve the champion title!"

"Not at all, you are also very powerful, and you will surely surpass me in the future."

"Yes," Qing Yuechu nodded solemnly, "I definitely will!"

After putting away her weapon, she looked down, noticing that due to the recent explosion, her fragile ornate clothes were now tattered, revealing a large expanse of snowy white at her chest.

"Uh..." He hadn’t noticed before, but following Qing Yuechu’s gaze, Lu Hong saw everything, "Well... we are all fighters of the rivers and lakes, so let’s not fuss over these little things, right?"

Qing Yuechu’s face suddenly blushed red, shouting loudly, "Pervert!"

With that, she slapped him.

A loud smack sounded, reddening half of Lu Hong’s face.

Qing Yuechu didn’t wait for Lu Hong’s explanation, retrieving a Space Scroll from her Space Ring, she used it to escape back home.

Seeing Lu Hong did not pursue, Qing Yuechu breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt a tinge of loss.

"Lu Hong? Tukullu? Baron Yitian? Marquis of the Champions?" Chewing these names, Qing Yuechu’s face brightened with a radiant smile again: "Knowing you... really wonderful!"