209: The best lightness skill in the world!

Because the strongest in Qinggong (Lightness Skill) in the world were recognized as the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi, whose Phantom Divine Skill was revered as peerless.

But the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi were four people, not one, and their Phantom Divine Skill was a combined effort, so they couldn't be called the number one person in Qinggong!

They were recruited by Wan Sanqian, the richest man under Heaven, for protection.

The title of "Number One in Qinggong" remained vacant.

The steward cautiously said, "Young Master wishes to compete in Qinggong, and Number One Estate Under Heaven naturally welcomes it.

However, Qinggong is different from others; not only must you defeat two Qinggong masters, but you must also earn their complete admiration before the plaque for 'Number One in Qinggong' can be awarded..."

"Then find someone; we'll know after a competition," Lu Jiuyuan's tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable confidence.

Seeing his certainty, the steward dared not delay and quickly said, "Since that is the case, Young Master, please wait a moment; I will go and invite 'Chasing Wind for a Thousand Miles' Old Mr. Cui and 'Crane in the Clouds' Mr. Li now."

Before long, two extraordinary men were invited to a spacious training ground within the estate.

One was about fifty years old, lean, with piercing eyes and light steps; he was precisely "Chasing Wind for a Thousand Miles" Cui Baiquan.

The other was younger, about thirty, with an elegant posture and a proud expression; he was "Crane in the Clouds" Li Yunfei.

Many estate guests had already gathered upon hearing the news, all wanting to see who this Divine Being was, daring to directly challenge the title of "Number One in Qinggong."

Cui Baiquan sized up Lu Jiuyuan, stroked his beard, and said, "This Young Master looks unfamiliar; may I ask your lineage?

In the Dao of Qinggong, I have immersed myself for decades and still dare not claim to be supreme. Young Master is young and impetuous; it's better to be cautious."

Li Yunfei scoffed, "Old Cui, why bother with so many words? Since someone is unconvinced, let's compete. Let's see how fast he can be?"

Lu Jiuyuan seemed not to hear their words, merely asking the steward, "How do we compete?"

The steward quickly replied, "Starting from here, go around 'Listening Rain Lake' outside the estate once. The entire journey is about ten li. The first to return here wins.

There are visible and hidden sentries around the lake, all of whom can bear witness, so there's no possibility of cheating."

"Agreed," Lu Jiuyuan nodded.

Cui and Li, seeing their opponent's arrogance, felt a surge of anger. The three stood side by side at the starting line.

As the steward's flag waved down!

"Start!"

Before the words finished, Cui Baiquan and Li Yunfei had already shot out like arrows from a bowstring, instantly covering several zhang. Their speed drew cheers from the onlookers.

However, their cheers caught in their throats, turning into gasps of disbelief!

Because at the exact moment they started, Lu Jiuyuan's figure... vanished!

He didn't truly vanish; rather, his speed was so immense that he left behind a nearly solid afterimage, while his true self had already appeared ten zhang away!

With the two-speed Golden Finger boost, coupled with his already Transcendent Qinggong mastery and profound Internal Energy, his speed instantly erupted to an unimaginable Realm!

Everyone felt a blur before their eyes as a sky-blue streak of light tore through the air, darting forward in an almost flickering manner, bringing forth a low rumble of wind and thunder wherever it passed!

Cui Baiquan and Li Yunfei only felt a gust of wind blow past them; they didn't even catch a clear glimpse of the opponent's figure before being left far behind!

Their hearts filled with utter horror, they desperately urged their Internal Energy, pushing their Qinggong to its limit, yet they couldn't even glimpse the opponent's back!

Lu Jiuyuan moved through the lake and mountain scenery as if strolling in a garden, covering thirty to fifty zhang in a single bound. Occasionally, his toes would lightly tap a lotus leaf on the lake or a willow branch, and his body would accelerate again, his posture both graceful and incredibly swift.

The visible and hidden sentries along the way only felt a strong gust of wind. Rubbing their eyes, they could only see that cyan phantom, like a shooting star.

In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn!

Just as Cui Baiquan and Li Yunfei, pushing themselves to their limits, had covered less than half the distance, a sky-blue figure had already silently returned to the starting point, standing with hands behind his back, his breathing steady, as if he had merely taken a walk.

The steward and everyone around them were all dumbfounded, frozen in place like clay and wooden figures.

After a long while, Cui Baiquan and Li Yunfei, panting and drenched in sweat, finally returned one after another.

Seeing Lu Jiuyuan, who had been waiting there, spotless, they almost couldn't face him. From the moment Lu Jiuyuan surpassed them,

the two of them chased desperately, but the gap only widened. The despair of such a vast difference was truly inexpressible.

Cui Baiquan sighed deeply and, convinced, cupped his hands: "Young Master's Qinggong has reached an astonishing and unimaginable Realm!

You are truly a Divine Being in the wind. Even the Four Ghosts of Xiangxi would probably not keep up with Young Master's pace.

I... am completely convinced of my defeat! The title of 'Number One in Qinggong' belongs to no one but Young Master!"

Li Yunfei cupped his hands: "Me too!"

The steward then recovered, his voice trembling with excitement: "Young Master is truly a Divine Being!

I will register you now and report to the Estate Master to bestow upon you the 'Number One in Qinggong' plaque and seal!"

The steward led Lu Jiuyuan through several courtyards to a more elegant and secluded hall.

"Young Master, please wait here; the Estate Master will arrive shortly," the steward respectfully said, then bowed and withdrew.

Lu Jiuyuan stood with his hands behind his back, casually observing the hall's decor.

The furnishings were elegant, the calligraphy and paintings were all extraordinary, and a faint scent of sandalwood permeated the air, revealing the owner's refined taste.

A moment later, a light yet steady sound of footsteps was heard.

Lu Jiuyuan turned to look, and saw a person dressed in a white scholar's robe, holding a folding fan, slowly entering.

This person had a handsome face, eyes like bright stars, and an inherent heroic spirit and wisdom in her brows. Although dressed in men's clothing,

with Lu Jiuyuan's discerning eye, he naturally recognized at a glance that she was a woman. She was Shangguan Haitang, the Estate Master of Number One Estate Under Heaven, and also the Dragon Guard Manor's Xuan-character Number One secret agent.

Shangguan Haitang was also observing Lu Jiuyuan.

She had already learned the astonishing results of the competition from the steward and, now seeing him in person, secretly praised him even more.

The opponent's figure was tall and straight, his face extraordinarily handsome, and what was even rarer was his Transcendent and detached demeanor,

and those deep, calm eyes that seemed to see through everything, which made even her, an Estate Master accustomed to seeing all kinds of extraordinary people in the Jianghu, feel a hint of surprise and pressure.

"I am Shangguan Haitang, humbly serving as the Estate Master of Number One Estate Under Heaven."

Shangguan Haitang cupped her hands in a bow, her voice clear and melodious. Although intentionally neutral, it could not hide the inherent softness of her voice: "I heard that Young Master's Qinggong is peerless, and you have instantly convinced the two masters, Cui and Li. It is truly astonishing.

May I ask Young Master's esteemed name?"

"Lu Jiuyuan," Lu Jiuyuan responded indifferently, his gaze calmly falling on Shangguan Haitang, "Estate Master Shangguan, a pleasure to meet you."

"Young Master Lu."

Shangguan Haitang smiled slightly, closing her folding fan, "Young Master's Qinggong and movement techniques have both reached the Transcendent Realm, as fast as lightning, and resembling flowing clouds. May I ask your lineage?

It seems your esteemed name has never been heard of in the Jianghu."

Although her words were polite, her intent to probe was clear.