Chapter 1034: Emperor, I Need a Secret Realm Qualification

East Mohism Feather originally possessed nine Sovereign Mountains. After Lu Lingzi, the tenth disciple of Emperor Ming Yan, returned, the Lan family's power waned, and the numerous resources within their sphere of influence were naturally taken over by Lu Lingzi. Furthermore, not far from the Lan family's ancestral land, a tenth Sovereign Mountain was erected.

This mountain soared to the clouds. Seen from afar, its form was majestic, exuding a magnificent aura, while waves of sovereign pressure enveloped all directions, dominating this realm. Consequently, a colossal vortex formed in the sky here, which had been continuously rotating for months, emitting a thunderous sound. It drew countless lightning bolts that coursed within, creating a grand and imposing spectacle!

As for the area around this mountain, the three-mile radius was like a forbidden zone, completely empty. Beyond the three-mile radius, tens of thousands of cultivators from the Mohism Feather race had gathered, each meditating, centering themselves around the mountain. From the sky, they appeared densely packed, encircling the base of the mountain. Among them were rogue cultivators and forces that once belonged to the Lan family. Their purpose in coming here was to pledge allegiance to the Tenth Sovereign.

In the Mohism Feather Holy Land, whenever a new Sovereign emerged and established their own Sovereign Mountain, similar events would occur. Newly appointed Sovereigns, in addition to their existing forces, would expand their influence due to their cultivation advancement, thereby recruiting a large number of followers. Therefore, at the base of this Tenth Sovereign Mountain, cultivators arrived daily from distant places, and after gathering for several months, they had grown to their present size. After all, becoming a Sovereign's subordinate would drastically change one's status and position, and during the current period of war, the protection of a Sovereign would ultimately offer much greater safety.

However, as of yet, the newly appointed Sovereign Lu Lingzi had not summoned anyone to the mountain. Even his former subordinates had not been called upon. Thus, this colossal mountain, around which everyone had gathered, was currently occupied by Lu Lingzi alone. As for the area below the mountain, due to the large number of cultivators, a spontaneous marketplace had formed where they traded goods and exchanged information, all awaiting acceptance into the Sovereign's ranks. Over time, it gradually became bustling. However, all the cultivators who came here voluntarily refrained from entering the three-mile radius of the mountain, keeping all clamor and activity beyond it.

When Xu Qing arrived here, he witnessed this vibrant scene outside the three-mile radius of the Sovereign Mountain. Observing the formed marketplace and the various cultivators from the Holy Land within it, Xu Qing, disguised as Blood Dust, did not stop, but flew past, straight towards the uninhabited three-mile forbidden zone.

Initially, few people paid attention to Xu Qing's appearance. Even as Xu Qing sped through the marketplace and entered the empty three-mile radius, only then did he draw some gazes. But it was merely a glance. Over the past two months, quite a few cultivators like Xu Qing had flown in. They all approached the mountain to seek an audience with the Sovereign, but ultimately waited for a long time without any response, and were forced to leave the three-mile zone and wait in the vicinity. Therefore, those who witnessed Xu Qing's actions only casually observed him.

Xu Qing paid no attention to those gazes. He was expressionless at the moment. Upon nearing the Sovereign Mountain, he stood suspended in mid-air, looking up at the colossal mountain before him. His eyes were deep, and he was lost in thought. After a while, Xu Qing took a deep breath, a resolute look in his eyes, and bowed deeply, and his voice, low and resonant, echoed forth.

“Blood Dust requests an audience with the Sovereign.”

His voice, like muffled thunder, resonated in all directions, attracting more attention. This was Xu Qing's test. If an audience was granted, all matters could be discussed. If not, Xu Qing had alternative plans.

However, as time passed, after the duration of an incense stick, the majestic Sovereign Mountain remained silent, offering no response. Consequently, most of the gazes fixed on Xu Qing withdrew, and everyone sighed inwardly, transmitting messages to each other.

“Another one who refuses to accept reality!”“Isn't that Blood Dust? Does he think the Sovereign will make an exception for him with his cultivation and military merits?!”“He clearly saw us all waiting here, yet he still insisted on seeking an audience so loudly... If I were the Sovereign, I would certainly dislike being disturbed in such a way!”“To be accepted by the Sovereign, one must show sincerity. Thus, the best approach is to wait in the vicinity; eventually, the Sovereign will recognize our sincerity!”

The people present all shook their heads and then paid him no further mind. In their judgment, it wouldn't be long before Blood Dust would slink away in embarrassment.

Xu Qing paid no heed to the discussions. He maintained a calm expression, still standing in mid-air, maintaining his bowing posture, and continued to wait. Just like that, another period equivalent to an incense stick's burning passed. Almost all the attention from the surrounding crowd shifted away, everything returned to normal, and the marketplace became lively once again.

But just then... Xu Qing spoke again!

“Blood Dust requests an audience with the Sovereign.”

The same words echoed once more, drawing the attention of the surrounding crowd. Numerous gazes turned back towards him, some of them tinged with displeasure. Whispers of discussion also began to spread.

But the next instant, a scene unfolded that silenced all cultivators present, and drastically changed their expressions! The Sovereign Mountain suddenly began to roar! The mountain body swayed. Moreover, amidst this roaring, within the massive vortex above it, lightning surged, spreading outwards like a torrent, generating an even more tremendous display! The deafening rumbling sound seemed amplified, resounding deafeningly throughout the entire area.

Then, within that vortex, a pair of gigantic eyes appeared! These eyes were silver, radiating coldness, like the eyes of heaven, gazing down upon the earth! Anyone caught in their gaze was startled, and instinctively bowed their heads in reverence! A vast aura suddenly surged, and a terrifying pressure made the earth tremble. As countless cultivators gasped for breath and their minds were greatly stirred, Lu Lingzi's voice, cold and detached, emanated from within the Sovereign Mountain!

“Come up!”

These three words, more potent than celestial thunder, erupted! Creating countless echoes that cascaded upon the people present, roaring within their souls! As everyone's minds reeled, Xu Qing took a deep breath and stepped forward! Under the gaze of tens of thousands, he flew directly towards the Sovereign Mountain! Soon, he vanished inside the mountain!

The cultivators who had been waiting around until now, upon seeing this scene, stood stunned, their eyes burning with excitement as mixed emotions welled up. Blood Dust being summoned surprised them immensely, but what followed was exhilaration! Because summoning the first meant there could be a second, indicating that their long wait was nearing its end, a glimmer of hope appearing. In contrast to the exhilarated mood of the crowd outside, thoughts arose within Xu Qing; his first probe had yielded a preliminary answer.

At this moment, he flew into the mountain, rushing rapidly within, straight towards the peak! Soon, a grand hall, not luxurious but seemingly very simple, appeared before his eyes. This hall was situated atop the mountain, its doors wide open! As he approached, he could see a figure seated cross-legged at the head of the hall, meditating with closed eyes! It was Lu Lingzi!

The moment he saw the figure, Xu Qing quickly took a few steps with his head bowed, and at the hall entrance, he did not step inside, but instead bowed deeply! He said nothing!

After a while, Lu Lingzi, inside the hall, opened his eyes! There was no ripple in his eyes, nor any discernible emotional fluctuation. He spoke calmly: “What is it?”

His voice contained rules, like words becoming law, causing waves to ripple through the emptiness. Without hesitation, Xu Qing responded with a low voice: “Sovereign, I request a qualification to enter the World Source Secret Realm.”

Lu Lingzi's expression remained unchanged. He simply glanced at Xu Qing and spoke slowly: “Present your military merits!”

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing shook his head, stating frankly: “I have no military merits!”

He truly didn't. When Xu Qing had previously examined the mission jade slip, he found that the missions within were numerous and varied, but most were war-related. Many even required engaging with humans and slaying powerful figures. As for those unrelated to war, the cost to complete them was very high, and they yielded little merit, taking too much time. Furthermore, the military merits required to exchange for a qualification to the World Source Secret Realm were substantial. If he were to actually complete missions, it would take several months to accumulate enough.

Given this, Xu Qing felt that he might as well not pursue the mission route, and that directly asking Lu Lingzi for one would be simpler. After all, in his and Er Niu's analysis, there were anomalies regarding Lu Lingzi's identity. If the other party was truly Lu Lingzi, then even if he had become a Sovereign by virtue of his status, it was highly probable he wouldn't recognize the karmic grafting that Xu Qing had performed. Thus, the possibility of being summoned when he came to seek an audience was very low. But if the other party was not the real Lu Lingzi, then their identity... could only be the Empress, and no one else. Therefore, Xu Qing felt that it was feasible for him to come and request a secret realm qualification. This was why he had come.

Now, after meeting him, Xu Qing still wasn't entirely sure if this Lu Lingzi before him was truly the one he had seen before, or perhaps, the Empress... Therefore, he had been observing in secret.

At this moment, upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Lu Lingzi slowly spoke after a moment: “To demand a secret realm qualification without military merits is one thing, but to do so with such righteous conviction... Xu Qing, you have immense nerve, even more than your senior brother.”

A sense of immense pressure, released with his words, spread out, enveloping the entire Sovereign Mountain! Making the sky vortex roar even more, the entire mountain trembled slightly, forming an isolating seal!

His identity revealed in a single phrase, Xu Qing blinked. He naturally understood that the other party's comment about his nerve was meaningful, so he looked up and met Lu Lingzi's gaze.

“Your Majesty…”

After only these two words, Xu Qing fell silent.

After a while, amidst the pervasive pressure, Lu Lingzi's voice emanated from within the hall: “Where is your senior brother?”

Xu Qing blinked and answered truthfully: “He went to the Immortal Arts Hall!”

Lu Lingzi fell silent, then a moment later, he let out a cold snort, and a token flew from his raised hand, straight towards Xu Qing! Xu Qing caught it! This token was precisely the qualification for the World Source Secret Realm!

“Thank you, Sovereign.” Xu Qing bowed, then turned to leave!

“Don't cause too much trouble.” From behind him, Lu Lingzi's voice came.

Xu Qing paused, nodded, and then departed in a flash!

After Xu Qing had gone far, inside the grand hall, Lu Lingzi, seated cross-legged, rubbed his furrowed brows! “Xu Qing is fine, he knows his limits. But his senior brother... he's a handful!”