Chapter 1038: I Make a Wish...

Outside of Time!

The First Star Ring was roughly triangular, its interior shrouded in a haze, seemingly covered by a supreme power that made it impossible to discern.

The Second Star Ring was much clearer, also containing markings, though only in outline.

The Third and Fourth Star Rings were similar.

However, the Fifth Star Ring was different; the mark of an old man sitting cross-legged at its center was significantly clearer.

Looking at the other Star Rings, each had terrifying markings, some clear, some just outlines, varying in size and shape.

As Xu Qing gazed at them, his mind intensely thrummed.

After his rebirth using the flesh and blood of the Upper Desolation, some vague understandings had emerged in his consciousness, such as the Thirty-Six Star Rings.

It wasn't until he followed Yu Liuchen to the outer sea and was swallowed by the giant whale that he encountered the old man who claimed to be from Xiandu, located in the Fifth Star Ring.

His conversation with the old man broadened Xu Qing's perspective, confirming that the universe he inhabited was one of the Thirty-Six Star Rings.

Yet, that was the extent of his knowledge; he had the information but no concrete imagery and didn't know which Star Ring he belonged to.

Therefore, when the star map of the Thirty-Six Star Rings appeared before him, the roar within his heart was deafening, and the turbulence was enough to churn his sea of consciousness.

He finally knew which Star Ring he was in.

The Ninth Star Ring.

Within this Ninth Star Ring, numerous forces existed, with terrifying markings in the east, west, south, and north.

However, Xu Qing wondered if it was an illusion, but whether it was the giant beast, the golden river, the black tower, or the paper man, all seemed to subtly point towards the direction of the Ruined Face.

They appeared to be drawn and influenced by it.

And in terms of clarity, the Ruined Face was the clearest marking within the Thirty-Six Star Rings.

There was no other like it.

As for the other markings in the Ninth Star Ring, including the old man's mark in the Fifth Star Ring, and even all visible markings across the entire Thirty-Six Star Rings, they were comparatively less clear. Only the First Star Ring, being entirely blurred, remained indistinct, making it impossible to tell if a terrifying entity like the Ruined Face also existed within it.

Nevertheless, the star map before him reshaped Xu Qing's worldview as if it were the creation of heaven and earth, instantly expanding it.

The world was right before his eyes.

The starry sky was within his sight.

The Star Rings stretched out, boundless and vast.

Compared to this, the Wanggu Continent was like a mere grain of sand on a beach, insignificant. Yet, due to the existence of the Upper Desolation, this grain of sand shone with unparalleled brilliance.

It was a while before Xu Qing took a deep breath, barely managing to calm his turbulent heart.

"The Ruined Face's level is that of a Half-Step God... so its brilliance surpasses all others!"

"So, what level of power do the markings in the four directions of the Ninth Star Ring represent? God Lord? God Venerable?"

"Most likely the latter!"

"Was the Ruined Face originally in the Ninth Star Ring, or did it come from another Star Ring?"

"The four cardinal directions are all subtly influenced by the Ruined Face."

Xu Qing mused. He was unfamiliar with the giant beast, and had never seen anything resembling the golden river. However, he had encountered something similar to the black tower!

The remnant tower from beneath the Forbidden Sea, which he had integrated into his great wings to form the Sacred Heavenly Pagoda, might be related to this black tower.

"As for the final one, the paper man?"

A glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes. He thought of Derozi, who had appeared during the battle where the Sword-Wielding Great Emperor fell.

"Derozi's methods were related to paper. Is there a connection with this paper man?"

After a long time, Xu Qing suppressed the multitude of thoughts constantly erupting in his mind.

What he had seen today was too shocking; he needed time to process it.

And this was clearly not the right place.

So Xu Qing scanned his surroundings, his divine sense spreading out. A moment later, he raised his head, gazing into the more distant void.

He did not find the fleeing face here.

However, the preciousness of this star map was, in a sense, astonishing.

Thus, Xu Qing imprinted it into his mind, firmly committing it to memory, then his body flickered, and he began a wider search.

Yet, instinctively, he avoided approaching the vast star map.

Even the candlelight on the first layer of this jade slip possessed terrifying assimilative power. Therefore, on this second layer, Xu Qing knew he had to be cautious.

It was highly probable that similar assimilation existed here as well.

And so, an hour passed.

As Xu Qing continued his search, an inexplicable sense of crisis gradually arose in his heart.

It grew increasingly intense.

By now, it had reached a heart-pounding level.

This only confirmed Xu Qing's earlier suspicion: "I cannot stay here long!"

Although it was regrettable that he hadn't found the face on this trip, and it was likely he wouldn't find it even after returning to the area of the lingering image where the candlelight resided, meaning some of Xu Qing's objectives remained unfulfilled.

However, Xu Qing understood another point clearly: sometimes, fate worked this way.

He had seen it twice, searched twice, and both attempts had failed.

This indicated that... perhaps the face possessed its own will, and it simply did not wish to be found.

"What a pity!"

Xu Qing sighed softly, touching the jade bottle within his storage pouch.

"I hope the white dust inside is enough for my research and use!"

With this thought, Xu Qing no longer hesitated. His resolve firm, his body flickered as he headed directly for the spatial rift through which he had entered this place.

"I've lingered too long in this Realm Origin Secret Realm. It's better to leave, just in case!"

Xu Qing moved with extreme speed, streaking through the void like a rainbow, and quickly returned to the entrance rift.

He had left a trace of his divine sense here earlier. After confirming there was no danger, he stepped forward, nearing the rift, ready to return to the previous layer, the world of candlelight.

However, just as Xu Qing's figure was about to pass through the rift, a series of strange yet familiar auras suddenly emanated from the void behind him.

Upon sensing them, Xu Qing's body trembled. His cultivation surged, his two-faced authority shining, and he sharply turned, staring intently into the void.

There, waves of ripples were currently spreading.

Almost the instant Xu Qing looked, an object mysteriously appeared at the very center of these ripples.

It was a mask.

Its appearance was precisely that of the face Xu Qing had twice seen with his own eyes but failed to pursue.

Only now, it had materialized, becoming a mask.

It seemed this was its true form.

Facing Xu Qing, it seemed to be observing him, while also swaying, as if ready to instantly depart at any slight disturbance.

Xu Qing remained vigilant, making no rash moves. He stood before the rift, observing it in turn, a thoughtful expression in his heart.

"When I searched for it, it hid from me. But when I gave up, it appeared on its own!"

Thus, the time it took for an incense stick to burn passed.

Neither side made any move, simply observing each other intently. The mask no longer swayed as much as before, seemingly lowering its guard because Xu Qing hadn't attacked.

Just as Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, contemplating how to instantly capture the mask, it seemed to sense his thoughts, rapidly blurring as if about to dissipate.

Xu Qing frowned, dispelling the thought of acting. Remembering that the object appeared when he wasn't trying to find it, he simply abandoned any intention of trying to capture it.

Almost the instant he let go of that thought, the mask solidified from its blur, gazed at Xu Qing for a moment longer, and then suddenly emitted a fluctuation. Its lips parted slightly, and a numb voice entered Xu Qing's mind.

"What wish do you want to make?"

Xu Qing remained silent, his vigilance intensifying. He didn't know what this mask was, that it could even speak!

However, he had encountered many strange things in his life, so he had his own judgment and understood that some questions should not be answered casually.

Yet, as Xu Qing pondered, the mask, seeing his lack of response, blurred once more, as if about to dissipate again.

Seeing this, Xu Qing's eyes flashed, and he suddenly spoke.

"I make a wish."

As soon as these three words were spoken, the mask's blurred state paused, it became clear again, and as it gazed at Xu Qing, he took a step back and directly entered the rift behind him.

Instantly, his figure vanished.

When he reappeared, he was no longer on the star map layer but had emerged in the layer where the red candlelight resided.

Light and heat washed over him.

Xu Qing ignored it, instead quickly looking at the rift to see if the mask would follow.

Soon, ripples appeared at the spatial rift he was watching, and the mask actually flew out with Xu Qing.

The moment it appeared, it gazed intently at Xu Qing.

It seemed to be waiting for Xu Qing to state his wish.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, his body flickering as he sped away, simultaneously keeping an eye on the mask.

The mask showed a hint of hesitation, but quickly chose to follow, flying after Xu Qing.

It seemed Xu Qing's previous statement had established some sort of cause.

But since Xu Qing had not yet stated his wish, this cause remained without effect.

Thus, the mask did not leave but continued to follow behind Xu Qing.

And so, after flying for about half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xu Qing suddenly moved backward, instantly appearing near the mask behind him, and reached out to grasp it.

This time, the mask did not blur and vanish as it had before; instead, it allowed Xu Qing to seize it.

In his hand, the mask looked at Xu Qing, seemingly still waiting for him to articulate his wish.

Xu Qing's face remained expressionless as he casually placed the mask into his sleeve.

Xu Qing wasn't comfortable putting this object in his storage pouch; after all, it was a living entity.

And methods like sealing might disrupt their current mutual state due to malicious intent.

Especially after his previous tests, Xu Qing judged that the object would likely continue to follow him until he stated his wish.

Therefore, his sleeve was a suitable place.

As for the specifics of the mask, the karma of making a wish, and the matter of the white dust, Xu Qing intended to study them thoroughly once he left this Realm Origin Secret Realm.

Since his purpose for coming here was now accomplished, and prolonged stay carried a risk of assimilation, Xu Qing didn't hesitate. He immediately took out the Realm Origin Secret Realm token and, with a squeeze, was about to choose to leave.

However, the moment he squeezed it, the distant red candlelight suddenly flared up, engulfing everything and illuminating Xu Qing within its glow.

Whether it was due to this flare or not, the token became unresponsive.

Xu Qing looked up at the red candle.

"Is it because the mask is on me, so this red candle won't let me leave?"

"Or is there another reason that caused this red candle to suddenly flare so brightly?"

"Or perhaps it's just a coincidence!"

Xu Qing pondered, then squeezed the token again. The red candlelight flashed once more, rendering the token ineffective.

The malice emanating from this scene caused Xu Qing's expression to darken.