Chapter 1054: 悲惨的牛牛

Regarding Senior Brother's safety, Xu Qing felt there was no need to worry. All along this journey, he had rarely seen Senior Brother suffer any losses; basically, it was always others who suffered. Among these victims were divine beings from the Forbidden Sea, the three souls of heaven, earth, and humanity, and as for the powerful ones... there was the Scarlet Mother, and even several remnants of the Desolate Face were ensnared by Er Niu!

Therefore, in Xu Qing's view, it was impossible for such a wild Senior Brother to encounter any mishaps in the Immortal Arts Hall of the Demon Feather Holy Land. After all, this time Senior Brother had proactively gone to the Immortal Arts Hall, and he had been full of confidence before leaving.

Thus, for Xu Qing, his arrival this time, representing the Tenth Dominion Lord, was partly to bear witness, but mostly to watch the spectacle. It was worth noting that in the past, he had always acted alongside Senior Brother, and this was his first experience of witnessing his performance from a higher vantage point.

"However, I must also try my best to control the situation!"

Since the Empress had requested it, Xu Qing felt it was necessary to prevent Senior Brother from causing too much trouble. However, considering Senior Brother's troublesome nature, Xu Qing wasn't very confident about it.

"I'll try to persuade him!"

With that thought, Xu Qing felt at ease and accelerated through the sky.

He journeyed swiftly!

Two hours later, from high in the sky, he saw the city where he had parted ways with Senior Brother in the distance. The location of the Eastern Demon Feather Immortal Arts Hall was a thousand *li* north of this city.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over the city, and without a moment's hesitation, he soared past it. Soon, he had crossed a thousand *li* and saw a white lake. Like the Western Demon Feather Immortal Arts Hall, it was built on a lake. The difference was that the lake of the Eastern Demon Feather Immortal Arts Hall was black, while the one in the Western Demon Feather Immortal Arts Hall was white. Its name was Lake of Delusional Life.

In the center of the lake stood a temple-like palace, entirely black, as if crafted from black jade. It stood in stark contrast to the white lake.

As for the lake itself, unlike what Xu Qing had seen at the Western Demon Feather, where it was filled with cultivating immortal masters, this one was empty, with no immortal masters meditating. Perhaps this was due to the desolate conditions, or perhaps because of today's ceremony. Even the black Immortal Arts Hall bore traces of damage, suggesting it hadn't been there for long, but rather had been recently affected by immortal arts.

Observing this, Xu Qing pondered. His figure crossed the lake, and when he appeared in mid-air above the Immortal Arts Hall, he paused, hands behind his back, and spoke calmly.

"The immortal master in charge here, come out and see me!"

These words, like thunder, exploded in all directions, distorting the void, causing ripples on the lake below, and stirring up waves. Seven or eight figures immediately flew out from inside the Immortal Arts Hall, heading straight for Xu Qing.

The leader was a middle-aged immortal master. Upon seeing Xu Qing clearly, his eyes narrowed, and his expression became even more respectful than before. He quickly approached, clasped his fists a few *zhang* away, and bowed deeply.

"Greetings, Daoist Blood Dust! Welcome, Daoist! We were just receiving earlier guests; please forgive any oversight or delay!"

The middle-aged immortal master's expression was sincere, and the immortal masters behind him also looked solemn, bowing in greeting. The reason for this was that recently, Blood Dust's reputation had risen throughout the Demon Feather Holy Land. His challenges in the Western Demon Feather, and his final battle with the Western Demon Child, were well-known to everyone. This made his name even more prominent in the Eastern Demon Feather. Coupled with the Tenth Dominion Lord behind him, it meant the currently declining Immortal Arts Hall dared not show the slightest disrespect.

Xu Qing nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.

"Daoist Blood Dust, please come in!"

Seeing that Xu Qing didn't seem to mind, the middle-aged immortal master secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had heard that Blood Dust had a violent temperament, possessed blood-colored divine abilities, and particularly enjoyed killing. Exercising extreme caution, he was about to guide Xu Qing inside.

But just then, Xu Qing, still in mid-air, turned his head to look at the horizon. The middle-aged immortal master paused, then looked as well. Laughter was already drifting over from the horizon.

"Is that Daoist Blood Dust ahead?"

As the laughter echoed, a burly man approached from the horizon. He was dressed in a blue robe, his eyes flashed like lightning, full of vigor. As he strode through the air, his cultivation of the ninth realm of Soul Nourishment created an immense oppressive aura that influenced heaven and earth.

The middle-aged immortal master hastily bowed in greeting. "Greetings, World Venerable."

Xu Qing's expression remained as usual. In Blood Dust's memories, this figure appeared; he knew that this was the eldest son of the Fifth Dominion Lord, named Lin Kun. However, they were not acquainted. In fact, it could be said that before Xu Qing's arrival, Lin Kun's memories of Blood Dust were likely vague and he probably didn't consider him noteworthy. But now, it was clearly different.

Xu Qing merely clasped his fists slightly, and Lin Kun, who had descended from the sky, burst into even heartier laughter.

"Daoist Blood Dust, there's no need for such formality. We don't need to be so particular. I've truly admired your grand achievements in the Western Demon Feather and applauded them many times!"

Lin Kun chuckled, the sincerity in his eyes indiscernible. His expression and words conveyed a sense of closeness. "Meeting you today, you truly are a hero!"

However, human nature dictates that one cannot judge good and evil merely by appearance. Thus, Xu Qing naturally wouldn't develop a good impression from just a few words, so he shook his head.

"It was merely the protection of the Dominion Lord's might. I only followed by the Dominion Lord's side and was fortunate enough to gain some renown on this trip. If Daoist Lin were to go, you would surely raise the name of our Eastern Demon Feather even higher!"

Seeing Xu Qing speak so earnestly, Lin Kun's smile grew wider. He exchanged a few more pleasantries, subtly weaving in some probing remarks. Having undergone so many trials, Xu Qing handled this kind of conversation with ease. Not only was he impenetrable, but he also cleverly elevated the other party. Therefore, on the surface, both parties appeared to get along very well. They walked towards the Immortal Arts Hall together, guided by the middle-aged immortal master.

Along the way, Lin Kun smiled as he looked at Xu Qing, observing the traces of immortal arts within the Immortal Arts Hall.

"Brother Blood Dust, several major events have occurred in this Hall during your time in the Western Demon Feather! Huan Dong, the disciple of the former Grand Immortal Master, returned, seeking to contend for the position of Grand Immortal Master. He was obstructed by many elders of the Immortal Arts Hall, leading to numerous clashes. Huan Dong possessed both means and charisma. He not only garnered support from some immortal masters but also, at a critical moment, introduced external aid: he brought in the Yun family's eldest grandson, who then killed several elders for him!

"Originally, the situation was expected to result in Huan Dong's victory and his eventual promotion to Grand Immortal Master. However, unexpectedly, at the last moment, the Immortal Arts Hall's Grand Elder, who had been in seclusion for many years, emerged. He acted decisively, suppressed all opposition, captured Huan Dong alive, and stabilized the situation!"

Lin Kun spoke as he walked, simultaneously observing Xu Qing's expression.

Upon hearing Huan Dong's name, a cold glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes.

Lin Kun chuckled softly. "I also heard about the animosity between you, Brother Blood Dust, and Huan Dong. Although you didn't personally act this time, being able to witness his demise with your own eyes should still bring you some satisfaction!"

Xu Qing shook his head. "I actually hoped Huan Dong would win. That way, I would have the chance to personally slay him in the future. Relying on others' strength ultimately doesn't sit right with me!"

Lin Kun nodded, understanding Xu Qing's words. He admitted that if he were in the same situation, he would think the same way. For such an enemy, if one lacked the power to seek revenge, then so be it. But if one possessed the strength for vengeance, personally slaying them was naturally far more satisfying!

As they spoke, led by the middle-aged immortal master, they traversed a long corridor within the Immortal Arts Hall and emerged into a vast circular plaza. The plaza was built with magnificent grandeur. Its surroundings were carved with countless ancient exotic beasts, and there were also paintings depicting heroes from various races who had achieved merit through immortal arts during the era of the Ancient Dark Emperor.

In the center of the plaza, a woman was suspended in mid-air. She was disheveled and motionless, covered in blood, utterly wretched. From her appearance, it seemed as though all her blood had nearly drained away. Her aura was faint, barely discernible.

Surrounding the plaza, ten massive seats floated. Each seat was crafted from immortal jade, imbued with spiritual treasure, shining with brilliant light like ten suns—exceedingly lavish! Currently, six of them were occupied by cultivators. Among them were men and women, each possessing the formidable cultivation of the ninth realm of Soul Nourishment. All of them represented different Dominion Lord mountains.

When Xu Qing and Lin Kun appeared, the gazes of these six instantly converged, focusing primarily on Xu Qing. Only they themselves knew their true intentions. As for what they revealed outwardly, unless it was deliberately shown for some purpose, it was either neutral or a nod of acknowledgment.

Xu Qing was no different. After exchanging glances with the six, he flew up with Lin Kun and settled into a seat. Xu Qing's seat was the tenth.

The moment he sat down, his gaze fell upon Huan Dong, who was suspended in mid-air. With just a glance, Xu Qing knew that Er Niu was fine. Because in his impression, Er Niu's blood was inexhaustible. How could he possibly look as if all his blood was about to drain away now!

"Is Senior Brother feigning weakness and doing this intentionally? Or is he trying to leverage this situation? Regardless, in this situation, his goal must be to achieve a reversal at the most critical moment! The prerequisite for this is to make the Grand Elder of the Immortal Arts Hall fully believe his own judgment, that Senior Brother has no possibility of turning the tables! Unfortunately, I don't know the details, or how Senior Brother managed to achieve this."

As Xu Qing pondered, Huan Dong's body trembled slightly, as if sensing something, trying to awaken from her stupor. But clearly, her injuries were so severe that she lacked even the strength to open her eyes.

As time slowly passed, and the representatives of the last two Dominion Lords arrived and took their seats, the true master of the ceremony gradually emerged from the void above the plaza. This was an old man dressed in a black robe, with a full head of white hair and a withered, skeletal body, appearing like a walking skeleton. Strangely, multiple ethereal figures hovered behind him: his past selves as a middle-aged man, a youth, and a boy. As for his main body, he held a massive staff, and his entire being exuded an astonishing aura, making Xu Qing feel as though he faced a boundless sea. Unlike any other Soul Nourishment cultivator he had encountered, this old man radiated dense immortal arts fluctuations.

His arrival instantly silenced the hall. All parties present, including Xu Qing, looked up and gazed intently.

Following an ancient agreement, the emergence of every generation's Grand Immortal Master in the Immortal Arts Hall had to be witnessed by all Dominion Lord mountains. Hence, today's invitation.

The black-robed elder spoke in a hoarse voice. After speaking, he waved the staff in his hand, pointing it at Huan Dong, who was suspended in mid-air.

"Huan Dong, you have betrayed the Way of Immortal Arts. This old man has invited all parties here not only to witness the emergence of the Grand Immortal Master but also to collectively observe the forging of her Six Thieves Immortal Seal! I ask all Dominion Lord mountains to produce your tokens and grant my Immortal Arts Hall permission to begin the Immortal Forging Ceremony!"