Chapter 1214: Really exists?

The enormous rift in the starry sky tore open, unleashing a storm that swept across the surroundings.

It was like an invisible giant hand, stirring up a massive commotion.

Even the void where the Hun Tian Imperial Palace was located began to tremble violently.

Each of the arriving cultivators exuded a palpable murderous aura, their source essence overflowing to varying degrees.

Clearly, during this period, not only had Xu Qing gained significantly, but other cultivators had also been enriched.

Their cultivation levels had advanced somewhat compared to when they first arrived.

Their overall combat strength had also improved accordingly.

In particular, Xie Lingzi and Zhou Zhengli, who were already at the peak of the Dominator realm, were now just a breath away from a breakthrough.

Although Li Mengtu was not quite at their level, he was significantly more powerful than before.

As for Qian Junpiyi, both brothers were also revitalized.

However, the one whose cultivation improved the most was Yuan Shansu.

It was unknown where this woman had been, but the Immortal Embryo within her was now noticeably much denser.

All of this granted the arriving cultivators the power to stir up trouble.

Moreover, as ascendants of this realm, each of them had fought their way through countless competitions. Individually, they were like wolves, each possessing formidable methods.

Upon their arrival, their auras surged, and a ruthless glint was clear in their eyes.

No one dared to underestimate them.

They all collectively turned their gaze towards the Hun Tian clansmen and that middle-aged cultivator at the peak of the Quasi-Immortal realm.

This scene caused the hearts of all Hun Tian clansmen to pound; they became agitated, and a strong sense of unease continuously rose within them.

Even the Hun Tian Emperor's expression was grim; this was the situation he least wanted to encounter.

Generally speaking, the probability of encountering such a situation was very small, almost non-existent.

Indeed, for the Hun Tian Imperial Clan, who possessed an exemption token, they didn't worry about the arrival of tribute collectors.

At most, they would only search the outside, without affecting their own clan.

This was precisely why the Hun Tian Emperor had been so confident earlier.

Yet, despite all his calculations, he still couldn't have foreseen that Xu Qing had an Immortal Lord's mission!

This was the crucial point.

Moreover, their combat strength was astonishing; even with the Upper Envoy present, they showed no concern!

In fact, just moments ago, there was even a near counter-kill!

"Furthermore," he thought, "every single one of these arrivals, judging by their aura and the impression they give me, is like a prodigy. These tribute collectors are by no means ordinary individuals!"

This thought weighed heavily on the Hun Tian Emperor's mind.

Meanwhile, the middle-aged cultivator at the peak of the Quasi-Immortal realm sighed inwardly.

The moment he recognized Xu Qing, he understood their origin.

His different status also meant he had access to more real-time information about the outside world than the Hun Tian Emperor.

Therefore, he understood that not all ascendants were tribute collectors.

In the Outer Heavens, there were also human cultivators who originally resided there, and their numbers were actually far greater, forming the bulk of the lower-level personnel in most departments.

Therefore, generally speaking, ascendants would at most make up only ten percent of such a team, and that would be due to replenishment after several eliminations.

After all, ascendants were unique.

In previous terms, ascendants were mostly dispersed and assigned to various departments with different responsibilities.

It was rare for an entire cohort to be assigned to the same location.

Consequently, Xu Qing's team was actually the only one in the entire Tribute Collection Department composed entirely of ascendants from the same cohort.

Observing these arrivals, the middle-aged cultivator sighed inwardly.

This was also why he had to act immediately before and then forcibly demand Hun Tian's assistance.

He knew there could be no delay, and a swift resolution was best.

Because although he had connections, who among the ascendants didn't? Even if they hadn't possessed them before, after entering the Outer Heavens, they naturally acquired their own opportunities.

So with this group, even though he was a Quasi-Immortal and his master a Lower Immortal, he knew very well that he could provoke a few, or even try to kill a few for the sake of the Dao, but if it were all of them...

Even his master wouldn't be able to protect him!

So at this moment, he abruptly retreated, instantly moving outside the Imperial Palace. With one step, he intended to use the teleportation array to leave the area.

He could not handle the situation here.

As for the Dao contention, he sighed inwardly, knowing he couldn't pursue it in the short term.

Furthermore, another key reason for his immediate departure was his self-assessment that the situation was extremely unfavorable, and he wasn't confident he could suppress them by force.

Even a slight misstep carried the risk of death!

Therefore, he immediately retreated with haste.

Xu Qing was not surprised by this person's actions.

Unless he was a fool, facing the appearance of these people, he would inevitably choose to retreat.

Especially since he had just experienced a life-or-death situation.

"But, is he just going to leave like that?"

A cold glint flashed in Xu Qing's eyes as he raised his right hand and pointed.

"Give him a push!"

Zhou Zhengli's aura immediately erupted, and he let out a sharp cry.

"As commanded!"

The next instant, Li Mengtu also attacked without hesitation.

Xie Lingzi blinked. Knowing Xu Qing's methods and that his own life wasn't at stake, he also chose to act.

As for Yuan Shansu, she didn't hesitate and unleashed her combat power.

And Xing Huanzi, since this whole thing started because of him, naturally attacked with all his might.

Seeing this, Qian Junpiyi, out of gratitude to Xing Huanzi and reverence for Xu Qing, also immediately unleashed their power.

In this way, the other arrivals, regardless of their individual thoughts, now surrounded by such a large group, unleashed their cultivation with a roar, forming their respective killing blows.

Consequently, each of the nearly one hundred ascendants launched a killing blow like a meteor. Converging, they formed a torrent that shook the universe.

The torrent surged towards the Hun Tian Imperial Palace like an overwhelming tide.

Demolishing everything in its path, the Imperial Palace, no matter how fine its materials, ultimately could not resist. In an instant, it collapsed and shattered.

It turned into countless swirling ashes.

This revealed the entrance within to the Hun Tian clan's territory, and also the middle-aged cultivator in front of it, whose body was already blurring and scattering during teleportation.

His blurry face seemed to change dramatically, blood spurted out, and his body was disrupted from its normal teleportation decomposition, twisting unnaturally.

He could only risk injury, relying on his master's imprint to forcefully teleport.

Instantly, he vanished without a trace.

Xu Qing watched all of this coldly, without any regret in his heart.

If he was gone, he was gone.

After all, he was a Quasi-Immortal at the peak.

"Next time we meet," he mused, "I'll just kill him."

Xu Qing's gaze swept across and landed on the Hun Tian Emperor.

Following his lead, the other tribute collectors also looked over.

Stared at by these individuals, the Hun Tian Emperor's heart trembled. Without hesitation, he dropped all pretense and directly knelt before Xu Qing.

He raised both hands, holding high the Fourth True Monarch's relic, and spoke loudly.

"This humble clan is guilty," he proclaimed, "and is willing to offer this item to appease the anger of the upper clan."

The Hun Tian Emperor was anxious and helpless. Just as he was about to continue speaking, Xu Qing had already raised his hand.

Immediately, the yellowish earth held high by the Hun Tian Emperor flew into Xu Qing's palm.

After examining it, Xu Qing split it in half, sending one portion to Xing Huanzi, then spoke calmly.

"Thank you all for your help," he said. "I have an Immortal Lord's mission to find nine-colored ice that can extinguish the Divine Lord's fire. After arriving at this clan, I suspect they possess it."

"So I trouble you all," he added, "to investigate on my behalf."

As soon as Xu Qing spoke, everyone's eyes immediately lit up.

Naturally understanding the implication, they were all instantly excited. They responded in unison, rushing directly towards the Hun Tian Imperial Clan's entrance.

Xu Qing remained outside, not entering, and continued to examine the half portion of Tianli Dust in his hand.

Beside him, the Hun Tian Emperor's expression fluctuated between green and red, clearly indicating even greater anxiety.

However, with the situation as it was, he was powerless to reverse it.

Soon, a scene that made his expression change once more unfolded.

Xing Huanzi walked out from the Hun Tian Imperial Clan's entrance, looking at Xu Qing with a strange expression.

"There are some special items inside," he said. "It seems to really be nine-colored—"

"So, do you want to come and take a look?"

Hearing this, Xu Qing was also stunned.

"It's really there?"

Xing Huanzi hesitated, then spoke in a low voice.

"I don't know if it is," he said, "but it's related to the Aurora Immortal Palace."