Chapter 1028: Seizing the True God's Authority

Erniu's remark about "an unstable Dao heart" clearly showed how determined he was to visit the Devilfeather Holy Land. After all, Xu Qing knew his Senior Brother's Dao heart was simply an ardent desire for treasures and fortuitous encounters. And Senior Brother was right about one thing: Xu Qing recalled their past experiences, and indeed, it had been several years since their last major undertaking. Most importantly, Xu Qing was quite tempted by the opportunity to advance his cultivation within the Great Emperor's secluded cultivation grounds.

Xu Qing understood that with his current cultivation, breaking through the Gui Xu realm to reach Yun Shen would be extremely difficult if he proceeded incrementally. This was because he possessed too many divine authorities, requiring hundreds to be fully comprehended. While this granted him formidable combat power, it also became a terrifying restriction. Only by fully comprehending all his divine authorities could he break through the Gui Xu realm and become a Yun Shen expert. Although this Yun Shen state would be unprecedented, surpassing all peers and even approaching divinity to some extent, the time required would undoubtedly be incredibly lengthy.

During peacetime, this would be manageable. However, with Holy Lands frequently descending and war erupting between them and Wanggu, the future's trajectory was uncertain. At this moment, improving his cultivation and becoming stronger was paramount for Xu Qing.

After pondering, Xu Qing glanced at Feng Lintao and Yuedong. Feng Lintao's heart instantly quivered, and he quickly adopted a fawning expression. Yuedong, under Xiaoying's control, also respectfully lowered her head.

After a moment of thought, Xu Qing finally met Erniu's gaze and spoke in a low voice. "Senior Brother, to scheme for such a fortuitous opportunity in the Devilfeather Holy Land, we'll require a suitable identity."

Hearing no refusal in Xu Qing's tone, Erniu became even more excited. After his gaze swiftly swept over Yuedong and Feng Lintao, he let out a chuckle. "Aren't these ready-made identities right here?"

Feng Lintao's mind reeled in panic, while Yuedong's eyes revealed despair, tinged with intense resentment. For Yuedong, although her body was controlled, she could still see and hear. Watching these two plot to seize her arrangements, and seemingly intending to use her own identity to do so, her heart was tearing and bleeding.

However, neither Xu Qing nor Erniu paid any mind to Yuedong's feelings. Erniu, licking his lips, continued to speak. "Little A'Qing, do you remember when we went to the Black Heaven clan? Back then, we transformed into their members using the Yi clan's special pill, the Profound Heaven Demonic Moon Pill. I have an excellent relationship with the Yi clan. When I stayed there previously, they gave me many valuable items, including those pills – and even some blank, un-imprinted ones! So... you can transform into Yuedong, and I'll become Little Fengzi. With these identities, wouldn't our visit to the Devilfeather Holy Land be seamless?"

Erniu's eyes gleamed brighter. The thought of Xu Qing transforming into Yuedong filled him with eager anticipation.

As these words reached Xu Qing's ears, he immediately understood his Senior Brother's mischievous idea. He glanced at him and shook his head. "Senior Brother, didn't you say you liked Yuedong? Her plan is so wild, it suits you perfectly. It would be most natural for *you* to transform into Yuedong! Besides, you have experience transforming into female cultivators. Your transformation into that Sea Corpse Princess back then was utterly lifelike, flawless!"

Erniu's eyes widened upon hearing this. "I am your Senior Brother, Little A'Qing. What you're saying is truly hurtful. I'm saddened by it..."

Xu Qing remained unmoved. Gazing at Erniu, he offered a suggestion. "Or, the old arrangement?"

Erniu gritted his teeth, a sense of vexation rising in his heart. He knew Xu Qing's "old arrangement" actually meant a spar. In the past, he might have had some confidence, but now Xu Qing's physical body was incredibly formidable. Fighting him... Erniu felt that even if he exhausted himself to death, it would be futile. Unless he unlocked more of his own seals. But... that was a desperate, life-or-death measure. Unlocking them now would have severe consequences. However, transforming into Yuedong himself meant his mischievous desire to see Xu Qing in female attire would remain unfulfilled, which left him internally conflicted.

Seeing Erniu's hesitation, Xu Qing spoke softly. "Moreover, Senior Brother, only someone as worldly-wise, incredibly adept in handling affairs, meticulously thorough, impeccable in speech, and supremely perceptive as you could truly transform into Yuedong without being detected by outsiders! This isn't something ordinary people can achieve. I know that no matter how hard I try, I'll never be as capable as you, Senior Brother. This time, I truly wish to learn from you."

These two sentences significantly mollified Erniu. He lifted his chin. "'You're not wrong,' he conceded. Then, remembering the fortuitous opportunity within Devilfeather, Erniu cleared his throat. 'Alright, alright. You're my junior brother, and as your Senior Brother, I suppose I can humor you a little! I'll become Yuedong. It's not as if this is my first time in female attire, anyway! As for you, Little A'Qing, you'll be my puppet. Just pay close attention and learn.'"

Erniu shot a glare at Xu Qing. Knowing when to yield, Xu Qing quickly nodded, a look of genuine gratitude on his face, and bowed deeply to Erniu with cupped fists. "Thank you, Senior Brother. Your junior brother will remember this for life and will certainly strive to learn diligently."

Seeing Xu Qing's deferential attitude, Erniu, though still inwardly grumbling a bit, felt most of his vexation dissipate. He raised his chin and waved his hand dismissively. "You wait aside for now. For the Yi clan's Profound Heaven Demonic Moon Pill to achieve its perfect effect, it first needs to merge with the target, covering and enveloping them, transforming into a garment! Once we wear it, as long as we carefully avoid the other Great Emperor, we'll be completely foolproof! This will take some time, approximately... a month!"

Xu Qing nodded upon hearing this. Remembering Long Jiu, he spoke softly. "Senior Brother, since this will take a month, I have some matters to attend to. We'll meet back here in a month!"

Erniu was always diligent and enthusiastic about grand undertakings. After hearing Xu Qing's words, he waved his hand. "Go on, then!"

With that, he took a step towards Yuedong and Feng Lintao. Grabbing them, he ascended slightly higher and began the transformation process.

Xu Qing, with a flicker, went straight outside, swiftly breaking through the ice and appearing in the open air. Cold wind howled, and snowflakes danced in all directions.

Amidst the wind and snow, Xu Qing closed his eyes and focused his senses. When Long Jiu left that day, Xu Qing had secretly left a mark on him. Now, sensing it, he locked onto a direction, his body flickered forward, and he vanished in an instant. He used Sound Evasion to depart.

Seven days later, on the ice plain, Long Jiu stood in a desolate, broken area. His face was pale, but his expression was neither servile nor arrogant. He cupped his fists and bowed to an elder of the Yun Shen realm before him. "Junior Long Jiu, a disciple of the Northern Fate Royal Clan, thanks Senior for saving my life! Your junior will remember this kindness forever. Should benefactor ever visit my Royal Clan, you may use this token to find me. Long Jiu will spare no effort to fulfill any request!"

With that, he left a token, stepped back a few paces, and again bowed, then calmly departed.

The Yun Shen elder looked at the token, revealing the same expression Erniu once had. High above, Xu Qing, with concealed aura, watched this scene unfold. He had found Long Jiu on the very first day. In the days since, Xu Qing had followed him, witnessing Long Jiu's extraordinary experiences firsthand. Long Jiu had encountered three dangers, all life-threatening. A slight oversight could have led to his demise. But each time, he encountered a rescuer. And the entire process showed no signs of being arranged; everything appeared to be mere coincidence. Each time he was saved, Long Jiu would offer a token.

"The divine authority fluctuations emanating from this person are growing stronger with each token he gives out, soon to reach maturity!" Xu Qing gazed at Long Jiu's figure, pondering as he continued to follow. With these days of observation, he had discerned further information. Why would such a luck-related divine authority appear within a cultivator who possessed no divinity?

"And it's clear, this divine authority is incomplete, not whole. It's as if some being split the true divine authority of luck into countless fragments, placing one within Long Jiu's body!" A faint, profound light flickered in Xu Qing's eyes. "The truth should be revealed the moment the divine authority within him matures."

Xu Qing took a step and vanished without a trace.

Thus, under his hidden surveillance, another half-month passed. Long Jiu's extraordinary experiences occurred several more times, until only the last token remained in his hand. Under Xu Qing's watchful eye, he once again encountered a benefactor. With his thanks and the handing over of the token, the departing Long Jiu, shortly after, experienced a sudden, roaring eruption of divine authority fluctuations from his body. The scope of this eruption was small, yet it caused ripples in the sky. An aura of return actually rose from Long Jiu at that instant, pointing beyond the heavens.

Long Jiu himself was unaware of any of this, still moving forward. Only his physical body noticeably thinned, his essence, energy, and spirit dimmed in an instant, as if his soul, his body, his very being, had become nourishment at that moment, transforming into a thread connecting to the starry sky. But he himself still perceived nothing at all, as if his perception had been blinded. Eventually, he even lost the strength to move forward, fainting completely, his expression still showing contentment.

This bizarre scene made Xu Qing's mind heavy. He took a step, appearing beside Long Jiu, and pressed his right hand onto his forehead. The next instant, Xu Qing felt a massive ball of light in the distant starry sky, constantly expanding and collapsing. From this light ball emanated an aura that even Xu Qing found terrifying: it was a true god. Thousands of threads rose from within Wanggu, varying in length. Each one was a divine authority of luck. About 30% of them had already stretched into the starry sky, connecting to that light ball.

Xu Qing's body trembled. Since the other party was unconscious and too far away, his physical body could withstand the connection. Now, he lifted his right hand from Long Jiu's forehead, a faint, profound light in his eyes, gazing at the sky.

"Senior Yu Liuchen once said that true gods never truly perish. As long as their true name exists, even in death, they will return from the void... This is a true god, currently in the process of returning! Their method of return involves splitting their divine authority into thousands of fragments and parasitizing them within living beings. However, it's still too early for their complete return. The thousands of incomplete divine authority threads of luck must all mature before the conditions for their return are met. And the maturation of each thread of divine authority exacts the complete sacrifice of the host, just like this dying Long Jiu."

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, looked at the withering Long Jiu, and sensed the divine authority of luck within him. His eyes quickly revealed a decisive and wild glint. "If that's the case... what's the harm in taking it? It would also count as saving this person's life."