Chapter 1029: Little A Qing, Do You Think I'm Beautiful?

Xu Qing's eyes flashed fiercely as his raised right index finger pressed once more onto Long Jiu's glabella. The moment his finger landed, his entire divine power erupted, surging into Long Jiu's body and forming a rumbling vortex.

The vortex's suction was used to draw out the divine authority that was continuously consuming Long Jiu from within his body. This divine authority was deeply entrenched, firmly parasitizing Long Jiu's body like a parasitic worm, intricately entangled with his flesh and soul.

"Extracting it would be no easy task! Long Jiu himself was rapidly weakening; he would likely perish completely within minutes. So, Xu Qing's primary task was to keep Long Jiu alive."

Forming hand seals with his left hand, he produced a large quantity of elixirs, which, when scattered, turned into dust. This dust fell onto Long Jiu's body, penetrating within and nourishing his life force. Simultaneously, he released his own life flame, enveloping the surroundings to mobilize Long Jiu's inherent life force and keep his flickering, almost extinguished soul flame burning.

But even this was barely enough. The divine authority's consumption was too overbearing, as if it aimed to completely extinguish him. The crucial factor that ultimately allowed Long Jiu's life force to persist was a flesh-and-blood elixir Xu Qing had refined with Bai Feng back in the Sacrificial Moon Grand Domain. This elixir had an incredible effect on life force, capable of causing flesh and blood to surge. Although chaotic, it was also a tremendous tonic for life force to a certain extent. At any other time, this elixir would have been entirely harmful, but in the current situation, everything was reversed.

And so, with Xu Qing's efforts, time passed.

Five days flew by. Long Jiu's life was painstakingly prolonged by Xu Qing. Although he narrowly escaped death multiple times during this period, Long Jiu ultimately managed to survive. This gave Xu Qing enough time to slowly draw that wisp of lucky divine authority into his own divine power vortex.

At the final moment, the Emperor's Scissors appeared above Xu Qing's head. The moment these scissors appeared, the atmosphere shifted. As they ruthlessly snipped, a snapping sound echoed in all directions. The scissors trembled, and the traces of decay on them deepened; it couldn't be done in a single attempt. After all, this divine authority came from a True God; from the perspective of divine rank, if the divine authority were complete, the Emperor's Scissors would inherently be unable to shake it. Fortunately, however, this was merely a wisp split from the complete lucky divine authority.

So, with Xu Qing gritting his teeth and paying the price of increased decay, amidst the repeated echoing snapping sounds, the thread formed by this divine authority, which connected to the starry sky, was continuously severed, time after time. After nine attempts, and with the Emperor's Scissors erupting, that return thread formed by the wisp of divine authority was finally completely severed.

The moment it broke, Xu Qing's divine power abruptly retracted, completely enveloping this wisp of lucky divine authority, then fiercely pulling it out and bringing it back to himself.

The next instant, Xu Qing sat cross-legged, eyes closed and motionless. Long Jiu, lying nearby, trembled all over. A large amount of blood overflowed from the corner of his mouth even as he lay unconscious, but the continuous consumption of his life force had finally been curbed. Though his aura was weak at this moment, it had become much more stable because it was no longer diminishing.

A day later, Xu Qing opened his eyes. His eyes were bloodshot, and his soul felt weary, but his spirit was invigorated. That wisp of lucky divine authority, after transforming into Wuhuan Willow Fluff, was finally refined by him into the Ruined Earth, becoming a divine authority seed.

"However, a karmic connection has also been formed with that returning True God… But the karma between me and the Withered Face means I no longer fear other karmic connections. Moreover, according to this god's plan, his return will take more than several millennia! Thousands of years from now, if I am still alive, I will not fear this god at all!"

Xu Qing's eyes gleamed with a faint light as he looked at Long Jiu beside him. Although Long Jiu was still unconscious, his aura became increasingly stable, and his complexion had recovered significantly. There had been little connection between Xu Qing and Long Jiu before this. One could almost say they were strangers. Moreover, previously under the influence of this divine authority, Long Jiu was already on his last breath. If not for Xu Qing's intervention, his soul would have long dispersed, and his entire being would have been completely sacrificed to complete the return thread of that unknown True God. While Xu Qing's decision and actions were primarily to take that wisp of divine authority, it must be said that for Long Jiu, who was destined to die, it was fortunate. Because Xu Qing took this divine authority, Long Jiu survived this certain-death situation.

"This divine authority is indeed peculiar, because to some extent, my appearance and rescue can also be seen as this divine authority still exerting its effect at the very last moment!"

"Every time there's danger, a benefactor must appear!"

Xu Qing was thoughtful, gaining a deeper understanding of the divine authority unique to deities.

"It's completely different from a cultivator's origin!"

"Divine authority is a more ancient power!"

Xu Qing felt the divine authority seed within his body. A moment later, he took a deep breath and stood up. He was ready to leave this place. However, before leaving, he took one last look at the unconscious Long Jiu.

"I obtained this divine authority from you, and I saved you from a destined death. From now on, our karma is severed!"

Xu Qing raised his hand and waved, sending a surge of life force into Long Jiu's body, then took a step towards the horizon and vanished into the distance.

A moment later, as the cold wind howled through the area, the unconscious Long Jiu's body trembled, and he slowly opened his eyes. His eyes were initially bewildered, but soon they widened. He quickly stood up, looking around and examining himself at the same time. When he found everything about himself was normal, suspicion appeared in his eyes.

"How do I remember something appearing inside me before I lost consciousness, something that was devouring everything about me… And now, there's nothing unusual. Instead, there's an unprecedented clarity, as if I've been purified."

Long Jiu was bewildered, but his past experiences allowed him to adapt quickly.

"Most likely, after I fainted, I encountered another benefactor!"

Thinking of this, Long Jiu felt a surge of excitement. Now that all his tokens had been sent out, according to his plan, the next step was to wait for those benefactors to come to the Northern Life Royal Clan to find him.

"In the Northern Life Royal Clan, I will definitely rise."

Long Jiu took a deep breath, about to leave, but after taking a step, he pulled it back. He bowed respectfully to the surroundings and spoke loudly.

"Many thanks, Benefactor! This humble one is Long Jiu of the Benming Royal Clan! This humble one has nothing to repay Benefactor's life-saving grace. Should Benefactor ever come to the Northern Life Royal Clan in the future, if you have any commands for me, I will surely give my all to repay this kindness!"

After speaking, Long Jiu bowed once more, then soared into the sky amidst the cold wind, heading straight for the distance.

The sky, made dim by the spreading wind and swirling snow, resembled a starry sky. As the clouds and mist churned, they resembled nebulae. Sometimes clear, sometimes blurry. Nebulae churned.

In the distant, dim void of the starry sky beyond the Wanggu world, a white speck of light appeared. This speck of light grew larger and larger, eventually transforming into a colossal ball of light. It continuously expanded and collapsed, and within it, indistinct murmurs continuously echoed.

"Star ring for eternity, beings of all realms! My name is Starfall, holding authority since ancient times! Recite my name, be granted luck! Worship my form, exist eternally!"

The murmurs emanated from this ball of light, drifting throughout this star ring like seeds, falling into various places. The majority went to Wanggu. Threads, one by one, connected to it, guiding their direction and continuously moving forward. Until one such thread, after flashing and connecting to it, rapidly dimmed and extinguished, finally snapping with a *crack*. The ball of light trembled, and the light within it suddenly spread. But that was all. Within the unconscious ball of light, there were only instinctive murmurs.

Xu Qing raised his head, and the Emperor's Scissors snipped again, severing the murmurs that had suddenly appeared beside his ear. On the way to Er Niu's location, this was already the seventh time this murmuring sound had suddenly appeared by his ear. Xu Qing was not surprised. Every time it appeared, he simply snipped it, and with each successive snip, the sound became increasingly faint. The last one was almost imperceptible.

"After all, it had fallen before; only the god of its true name remained!"

Xu Qing looked up at the sky, then withdrew his gaze. His body vanished into the wind and snow, and following the sound of the wind and the myriad sounds of creation, he traveled through the void.

Finally, Xu Qing returned before the date he had agreed upon with Er Niu. Er Niu hadn't finished his work yet.

After several more days passed, Xu Qing, sitting cross-legged on the ice plain, opened his eyes. The ice beneath him collapsed with a roar. As the shadow rapidly returned, a graceful figure shot up from beneath the glacier, walked gracefully, and arrived before Xu Qing.

This was a woman. Her appearance was like a spring breeze arising in a world of ice and cold, bringing a unique touch of color to this dim realm. Her face was like an exquisite painting, delicate and vivid. Her eyebrows were like a new moon, resembling a clear spring flowing through the mountains—fresh and natural. Her eyes were deep as a lake, sparkling with wisdom, as if they could see through everything in the world. A slight upturn at the corners of her lips revealed a calm confidence, as if she could handle any situation with ease. Especially an elegant long dress, which perfectly outlined her figure. The hem of her skirt swayed gently with her steps, like a light butterfly dancing among flowers. Her aura was even more unique and captivating, possessing both feminine gentleness and tenderness, yet also independence and strength.

As she approached now, she revealed a brilliant smile.

"Little Qing, don't you think I'm beautiful?"

Xu Qing was silent.

But the woman wasn't finished. At this moment, she raised her delicate hand, tucked her hair behind her ear, and with tenderness in her eyes, chuckled softly.

"Who is more beautiful, me or Ling'er?"

Veins bulged on Xu Qing's forehead.

"Who is more beautiful, me or that seductive fox?"

The shining authority in Xu Qing's right eye flickered.

"Who is more beautiful, me or Zixuan?"

The woman preened and struck a pose, wearing a mischievous smirk.

The divine authority within Xu Qing's body erupted. He looked at the person before him, took a deep breath, then took out a recording jade slip and spoke calmly.

"Senior Brother, what did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly. Please say it again!"

The woman's expression immediately turned serious. She coughed and spoke lightly.

"Little A'Qing, stop playing. It's time for serious business."