Chapter 1086: Xu Qing's Destination

The fall of Emperor Zhijian, Master's seclusion, the Empress's cultivation, and Er Niu's departure—all these events were like the slowly turning hand of a giant sundial.

In thirty years, a great change in the heavens would occur.

The ancient immortals from beyond Wanggu had become a sharp blade, hanging over all living beings, transforming into a crisis of life and death. It was conceivable that this sense of crisis would only intensify with the passage of time. After all, thirty years was not an exceedingly long time for mortals, and even less so for cultivators. A single period of seclusion might see thirty years pass by. Thus, the immense crisis became a heavy burden, pressing down on the world.

Every race was making its final preparations. However, the only path seemingly available to them was to seek divine protection. Consequently, some areas became more peaceful than before, while others descended into greater chaos. Turmoil among all beings continually unfolded.

The gods remained aloof, high above, observing it all. To them, it was merely an interesting drama in their long existence. As for the suffering of all beings, life on the Wanggu Continent, beneath this scarred surface, was inherently sorrowful. Previously, this sorrow was mostly confined to mortals, but now, it encompassed everyone.

“This can be considered a form of fairness,” said the Young Master, sitting in Xu Qing’s former small apothecary shop in the great desert of the Moon-Sacrificing Grand Domain, while You Jing boiled water.

Third Grandmother sat beside him, gently shaking her head, her gaze resting on Xu Qing as he poured tea for the Young Master. “Have you made up your mind?” she asked.

Xu Qing set down the teapot, sat opposite them, and nodded.

After leaving the Human Imperial Capital Grand Domain, his first stop had been this Moon-Sacrificing Grand Domain. Before leaving, he had wanted to see Ling'er, as well as the Young Master’s grandfather and others. However, Ling'er’s seclusion had not yet ended, with Ninth Grandfather guarding her. After a brief check, Xu Qing decided not to disturb her, choosing instead to bid farewell to the Young Master’s grandfather here.

“It’s good for a young man to go out and gain some experience,” the Young Master said, setting down his teacup. “However, the Outer Sea is quite chaotic. While your current cultivation and combat power should keep you safe if you’re careful, remember… do not venture too deep.” He then looked at Xu Qing, pondered for a moment, and suddenly raised his right hand. Instantly, Dao Marks circulated, and an imprint materialized before him. “This is formed from my Authority of Perception Alteration. You can use it three times for self-defense.”

Xu Qing hadn't told the Young Master his true destination. Gazing at the imprint, he understood it was a token of the Young Master’s concern, so he quietly accepted it.

Third Grandmother’s gaze was profound as she looked at Xu Qing. After a moment, she sighed softly, then with a wave of her hand, a wisp of a long river materialized, settling into a jade bottle which she handed to Xu Qing. “This is a wisp of Time River water that I’ve refined,” she said.

Xu Qing took it, rose, and bowed deeply to the Young Master and Third Grandmother. “This junior is leaving now. Young Master Grandfather, Third Grandmother, please… take care,” Xu Qing said softly, then turned and walked out, leaving the apothecary, the mountains, and vanishing into the great desert.

Watching his retreating figure, Third Grandmother spoke softly. “The final destination this child is heading for is not the Outer Sea.”

The Young Master fell silent, then sighed after a long moment. “We knew the legends about the Outer Sea back then. The place he’s going is related to those legends. As for thirty years from now… Father is already on his way back. Looking at the timeline, he should arrive around that time. I hope that when he returns, he will still be our father. So, it’s good that this child is leaving now,” the Young Master murmured.

Third Grandmother raised her head, gazing into the distance beyond the heavens, and remained silent.

Meanwhile, on the Moon-Sacrificing Grand Domain, Xu Qing journeyed onward in silence. Before his departure, he still needed to visit Fenghai County to see Zi Xuan. After that, he would sever all ties and embark on the path he had chosen.

“Thirty years from now…” Xu Qing murmured, his figure soaring across the sky. The next instant, the entire firmament suddenly rippled, visibly transforming into a colossal mirror. Within the mirror, a giant mountain covered with temples appeared. From its peak, an old woman descended. Beside her walked a tall old man with a full white beard.

Upon seeing the two, Xu Qing paused, bowing respectfully. “Fifth Grandmother, Eighth Grandfather.”

Fifth Grandmother looked at Xu Qing, her expression kindly. After nodding, she didn’t speak but instead raised her hand, using her Authority to form a flower petal. Once the petal formed, a noticeable aura of decay appeared on Fifth Grandmother. “Take this. As long as you have a breath left, consuming this petal will allow you to recover instantly,” she said. Xu Qing knew that this was Fifth Grandmother’s unique Authority, and each use consumed her life force. He hesitated.

“Take it, just take it!” Eighth Grandfather, standing nearby, glared, then waved his hand, sending forth a Dao Mark formed from his own Authority of Fury as an imprint along with it. “This imprint can greatly boost your combat power, at the cost of a period of weakness afterward,” he explained.

This was a gift from elders, and Xu Qing felt warmth in his heart. He silently accepted them, just about to speak, when in the next instant, a sword light arrived from the earth, instantly approaching. Heaven and earth changed color, wind and clouds surged, and this sword light also transformed into an imprint before Xu Qing. Ninth Grandfather’s voice echoed throughout heaven and earth. “This is my sword intent. When fully unleashed, it can slay a Dominator!”

Xu Qing was moved. After a long moment, he took the imprint, took a deep breath, and bowed deeply to Fifth Grandmother, Eighth Grandfather, and in the direction from which the sword intent had come. Finally, under the gazes of these three elders, he departed from the Moon-Sacrificing Grand Domain.

One day later.

Above Fenghai County, a starlit pagoda materialized within the clouds, and Xu Qing stepped out from within it. The next instant, he appeared in the subterranean cave system beneath Fenghai County. In this former ancient imperial palace, outside the Phoenix Bird Hall where Zi Xuan was in seclusion, Xu Qing stood, gazing at the palace before him. It was empty all around, no sounds came, and there was no trace of human presence. This place had been completely sealed off years ago under Xu Qing’s orders. Furthermore, formations were constantly reinforced to ensure Zi Xuan’s seclusion remained undisturbed.

Only the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, sensing Xu Qing’s arrival, instantly materialized outside the hall and excitedly bowed to him. “Greetings, Master! Master, I’ve missed you dearly! But rest assured, little Youzi has been diligent and has protected this place continuously. No incidents have occurred during this time. Not even a speck of dust dared to settle under my guard!” the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect declared loudly. He wanted to prove his usefulness. Besides, although it was boring here, he was immensely satisfied. Because the outside world was too dangerous, and following Xu Qing was even more perilous; he always had to worry about being used as cannon fodder, especially now that he was sharper than ever, meaning that if he went out, he’d likely be used at least nine out of ten times in combat. For the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, this was extremely dangerous. And according to the stories he had read, guarding the protagonist’s woman was a great merit as long as no mistakes were made. So, at this moment, he was trying his utmost to show how useful he was here.

Xu Qing nodded, his gaze fixed on the Phoenix Bird Hall. Zi Xuan’s current period of enlightenment had lasted longer than Xu Qing had anticipated. After a long moment, Xu Qing retracted his gaze and looked around, pondering for a while. Under the careful observation of the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, he suddenly raised his hand and waved. Instantly, a divine aura erupted before him. It did not spread, remaining confined within ten zhang, causing that ten-zhang area to become blurry and filled with distortion. A figure could be vaguely seen forming within it, then sitting cross-legged and sinking into the deeper layers of the earth.

Witnessing all this, the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, who was unaware of outside affairs, widened his eyes. He seemed to have just seen another Xu Qing, and that Xu Qing gave him a feeling of extreme indifference, yet also of immense terror. “Master, is that…?” The Patriarch of the Vajra Sect’s heart trembled.

“That is my divine clone,” Xu Qing calmly stated.

With the Young Master’s grandfather and others looking after Ling'er, her safety for the next thirty years was assured, so Xu Qing didn't need to worry much. But he couldn't feel at ease about Zi Xuan. Therefore, he chose to leave his divine clone here, partly to comprehend divine Authority, and partly to protect Zi Xuan during her seclusion. He hadn’t intended to take his divine clone with him on this journey, because the place he was going… might not welcome deities. However, because the divine clone remained in Wanggu, Xu Qing’s immortal true body would be unable to use any divine Authority techniques. Powers such as the Authority of Sound, the carving knife transformed by the Authority of Destiny, and the Poison Ban, could only be wielded by the divine clone.

“However, with my current Extreme Immortal cultivation, my combat power hasn’t decreased,” Xu Qing murmured, sensing his chest. The purple crystal was there. After retracting his divine clone, he had transferred the purple crystal, integrating it into his immortal body.

Having done all this, Xu Qing took one last look at the Phoenix Bird Hall, then took a deep breath. Under the loud farewell of the Patriarch of the Vajra Sect, he stepped out, vanishing from the cave system.

When he reappeared, he was outside the starlit pagoda in the sky. The divine vine swayed, the golden mouse poked its head out, and Xu Qing stood there, looking at Fenghai County… A few breaths later, determination filled his eyes as he stepped into the starlit pagoda. The pagoda rumbled, then vanished in an instant. It transformed into a long rainbow, streaking across the sky, heading directly for… the Outer Sea!

“That human elder who appeared in the Outer Sea back then once said that the Outer Sea is also known as the Primeval Sea. And the Primeval Sea is peculiar; wherever it exists, it forms a strategic location and a prosperous place, because the Primeval Sea can connect to all star rings within the universe. So, the Outer Sea is actually a path to other star rings. This particular Primeval Sea in the Ninth Star Ring, where Wanggu is located, is extremely special. It’s currently sealed, with only small fissures allowing passage. And he also said that one needs Xia Immortal cultivation to pass through.”

Xu Qing sat cross-legged inside the towering pagoda. As the pagoda sped towards the Outer Sea, he raised his hand and took out a white scale. This scale was like a token. It was a Primeval Sea passage token that the Xia Immortal Palace had kept, which he had acquired by giving up his own quota when he left the palace. With this token's blessing, he wouldn’t necessarily need to reach Xia Immortal cultivation to pass through to other star rings. However, the danger level would be significantly higher. This token was precious; the Xia Immortal Palace possessed only three of them.

Gazing at the token, Xu Qing looked up after a moment, the old man’s final words from back then surfacing in his mind. “There, it is a world where humanity reigns, and also a world of immortals. That place is the Fifth Star Ring, named… Immortal Capital.”

Xu Qing took a deep breath, put away the token, and closed his eyes in meditation.

Thus, time flowed by.

Two hours later, as the starlit pagoda whistled through the sky above the Forbidden Sea, the boundary between the Outer Sea and the Inner Sea drew increasingly closer.

Just then, from outside the rapidly speeding starlit pagoda, an exquisitely charming laugh suddenly rang out. “Little one, your True Yang has returned again.”