Chapter 287: Chapter 145: The Martial Artists’ Chaos, Stopping the Halberd and Promoting Benevolence

The wave of Spiritual Qi overflowing and sweeping across the famous mountains and great rivers in the heart of the Central Plains persisted for two days before it was finally noticed.

Word spread like wildfire, and soon, Martial Artists from all over the Central Plains, near and far from the famous mountains, rushed toward the sources of the emerging Spiritual Qi.

The Martial Artists of Sichuan Province naturally flocked to Qingcheng and Emei Mountains.

They could sense that the closer they got to the two mountains, the denser the Spiritual Qi became. It was obvious the two mountains were the source.

Many Martial Artists also realized that this Spiritual Qi could improve their Meridians and Inner Strength.

If they immediately sat down to meditate and absorb the Spiritual Qi, they would surely benefit.

But people are inherently greedy. They felt there had to be more to it than just this.

Where were these greater benefits to be found?

At the source of the Spiritual Qi, of course.

Over at Qingcheng Mountain, a few people arrived at first, soon followed by dozens more.

The Qingcheng Sword Sect, acting on the principle that anyone with an affinity should be allowed to cultivate, set aside an open area within their Daoist Temple for these people to meditate and practice.

However, as time went on, over a hundred Martial Artists had swarmed the mountain by the third day.

With the crowd came chaos.

Their talents varied, as did their moral character.

Some of the more unscrupulous individuals quickly turned the designated area into a disorderly mess, making it impossible for the many Martial Artists who wished to focus on their Cultivation to practice.

Yu Zhengnan, of course, would not tolerate this. He drove all the unruly individuals out of the sect’s gates.

These people were not about to let it go. Not daring to shout and protest at the sect’s gate, they took to the internet to fabricate lies and slander the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

They claimed that a great treasure must have appeared within the famous sect, and that a single day of Cultivation on the mountain was worth a year of practice outside.

Their posts were not isolated incidents; similar content had already been circulating online.

After all, the disgruntled were not just confined to the Qingcheng region.

As more and more people like this voiced their opinions, it quickly snowballed into a tidal wave of online fervor.

This online furor soon spilled over into the real world.

Nearby Martial Artists had already sensed the overflowing Spiritual Qi.

But now, fanned by the flames of those with ulterior motives, the situation instantly detonated across the entire Martial Arts Realm.

Countless Martial Artists were spurred into action by the news, all rushing toward the mountain gates of the various sects.

Many ordinary netizens, unable to practice the Martial Dao themselves, saw this and didn’t just stand by. Instead, they seized the opportunity to fan the flames, venting their own inner resentment upon the sects.

They goaded the Martial Artists into smashing through the gates, occupying the famous mountains, and launching a massive rebellion to take what they believed was rightfully theirs.

And so, across the Central Plains, the roads leading to the famous mountains and great rivers were instantly choked with vehicles.

The Patrol Office attempted to maintain order and persuade the crowds to turn back, but their efforts were not only futile—their patrol cars were overturned and their Patrols were taken hostage.

The resulting chaos led to even worse traffic congestion, making the roads completely impassable and forward progress impossible.

If these were ordinary people, they might have given up and simply waited it out.

But these were all Martial Artists, each skilled in Martial Arts. Many of them simply abandoned their cars and continued toward their destinations on foot.

One by one, they leaped and bounded, using their Lightweight Skill to race along the mountain roads. From a distance, they resembled an invading swarm of locusts.

With the people gone and the cars left behind, clearing the roads became even more difficult.

In the end, all the Martial Artists abandoned their vehicles, surging toward the famous mountains and great rivers in a mighty torrent.

How could Qingcheng Mountain possibly be spared from this overwhelming tide?

"We want to go up the mountain! What right do you have to stop us? This mountain belongs to the Court! You can’t hoard this opportunity for yourselves!"

"There’s no special opportunity on the mountain. The Spiritual Qi is everywhere now; it’s the same wherever you are. You can just sit down and meditate."

"We’re not falling for that. It’s definitely not that simple."

A massive, swarming crowd of Martial Artists arrived at the foot of Qingcheng Mountain.

Feeling the turbulent waves of Spiritual Qi, they grew incredibly excited and charged up the mountain with all their might.

They completely ignored the explanations from the Daoists.

Qingcheng Mountain’s Guardian Daoists did their utmost to block the path, but how could they possibly hold back such a human tide?

Fortunately, the crowd was wary of the Qingcheng Sword Sect’s reputation and didn’t dare to resort to violence. They relied solely on their Body Techniques to dart up the mountain.

With some taking the lead, a chain reaction naturally followed.

Seeing they couldn’t stop the crowd, the Daoists could only rush up the mountain after them, preparing to make a final stand at the sect’s main gate.

They weren’t afraid of the crowd snatching some opportunity—the Spiritual Qi was there for anyone to absorb.

They were afraid this mob would desecrate and ruin the Qingcheng Sword Sect.

The Martial Artists raced up the mountain. The most skilled among them reached the gates of the Qingcheng Sword Sect in just a few short moments.

"There’s someone up ahead!"

Just as a dozen or so of the fastest Martial Artists reached the main gate and prepared to enter the Daoist Temple, they saw a middle-aged Daoist standing on the narrow mountain path ahead, cradling a longsword.

"Everyone," the middle-aged Daoist announced, his voice ringing out. "The Spiritual Qi inside the Qingcheng Sword Sect is no different from what is outside. There is nothing special. You may meditate and absorb it right here."

"We need to go inside and see for ourselves before we can be at ease."

After speaking in a cold voice, one of them glanced back at the crowd catching up, and without another word, shot forward to get inside.

"By the glorious might of the heavens, I command the thunder! Divine lightning of all Celestial Gods, heed my call! Go!"

The middle-aged man performed the Thunder Prayer Step and formed a seal with his hand for the Thunder-Attracting Sword Technique. Instantly, a bolt of Thunder Power shot from his longsword, carving a long, blackened scar straight across the mountain path.

"An Innate Grandmaster!"

Startled by the sheer force of the Thunder Power, the charging Martial Artists trembled and stopped dead in their tracks.

"Trespassers will share the fate of this stone!" the middle-aged man declared in a cold voice.

"Is this how Qingcheng acts? Bullying people with your power?" one of them demanded indignantly.

"Instead of wasting your time here, you should be meditating and absorbing the Spiritual Qi. Do not squander this heaven-sent opportunity."