Chapter 1217: Unprecedented Quasi-Immortal

Their hearts stirred, ready to make a thousand armies yield.

The two brothers exchanged glances, then simultaneously turned their gaze to Star Ring. Upon realizing that Star Ring, though expressionless, had chosen to turn his back to the meteorite where Xu Qing was, effectively acting as his guardian, the two brothers immediately roused themselves.

Sword energy instantly surged skyward. They startlingly transformed into two ancient Immortal Swords, shining brightly in the starry sky, their blades pointing in all directions, appearing to be loyally protecting their master.

This scene made Zhou Zhengli smile, his eyes revealing both envy and warmth. As for Evil Spirit, he coldly snorted internally, muttering to himself that these two swords must have cultivated themselves into imbeciles. He wondered how such individuals could be accepted as disciples by a Lower Immortal, especially when they had reached a similar standing as himself.

Although he snorted internally, seeing Zhou Zhengli look at him, Evil Spirit narrowed his eyes, thought for a moment, and simply closed them.

Seeing this, Zhou Zhengli continued to smile, his gaze sweeping over and landing on Yuanshan Su. He held Yuanshan Su in high regard; although she seemed to have a less prominent presence than Evil Spirit or Star Ring, her combat prowess was, in fact, far from ordinary. Both his previous understanding and her performance in the Aurora Immortal Palace mirror indicated that she was not simple. Furthermore, if one were to deduce the events of the Aurora Immortal Palace, it would be evident that, excluding Xu Qing, she was the one who survived to the very end. What's more... she was a female cultivator. A beautiful female cultivator. In Zhou Zhengli's eyes, it was not impossible for such a person to become a true Luan-Phoenix. Thus, Zhou Zhengli's gaze held a hint of respect.

Yuanshan Su remained silent, choosing to act as a guardian. Only then did Zhou Zhengli withdraw his gaze. The other Procurement Envoys, seeing that the strongest among them had set their stance and that Xu Qing had gained some recognition in their minds after these events, quickly suppressed any lingering alternative intentions they might have had. They all joined in acting as guardians.

And so, time passed.

The fluctuations of immortal energy emanating from Xu Qing's body grew progressively stronger. Eventually, this energy diffused throughout the starry sky, resonating with the cosmic laws it had attracted. Simultaneously, his Immortal Embryo materialized externally, akin to a Dharma Aspect. It reached a full hundred zhang, comparable to a deity. Seated cross-legged on the meteorite, it was truly immense.

A terrifying aura also erupted, shaking everything and forming a stellar storm that rumbled outwards in all directions. This caused the surrounding cultivators to immediately retreat, and while avoiding the storm, they also watched intently.

A Master's promotion to Quasi-Immortal has always been a grand event since ancient times. After all, a Quasi-Immortal... is still an Immortal! The mere presence of the word "Immortal" signifies something extraordinary. Therefore, although most of those present had a sufficient understanding of a Master's promotion, they still watched intently at this moment. Because... by observing a cultivator's promotion to Quasi-Immortal, one can generally assess how far they will go on their future path. While not absolute, it provides at least a general scope.

"The key to promoting to Quasi-Immortal is the 'Nine Releases and One Immortal Foundation!'"

Star Ring perceived Xu Qing's promotion, his expression carrying a hint of scrutiny. He wanted to see how this Xu Qing, who had made him taste defeat for the first time in the Immortal Capital and even killed his previous body, would fare in his promotion to Quasi-Immortal. "Nine releases is the ultimate. How many can he achieve?"

As Star Ring pondered, the same question arose in the minds of everyone present. Especially Zhou Zhengli. He was arguably the one who attached the most importance to this among them all.

Sensing the thoughts of the crowd, Evil Spirit suddenly spoke. "Everyone, why don't we bet on how many releases Xu Qing can achieve? Zhou Zhengli, since you're so optimistic, will you join the wager?"

The others had varying expressions. Evil Spirit blinked and laughed. "Although I haven't been promoted yet, I understand that at the moment a Master breaks through to become a Quasi-Immortal, they need to release their Immortal Embryo outwards. Ordinary Quasi-Immortals can only release it three times; those who reach five times are already rare, and to reach seven times, one must be a true prodigy."

"Those who reach eight times are exceedingly rare, and as for nine times... anyone who achieves that is destined to become a Lower Immortal!"

"Daoist Yuanshan, how many releases did you achieve?" Evil Spirit asked, looking at Yuanshan Su.

"Eight," Yuanshan Su replied calmly.

Evil Spirit smiled upon hearing this, then looked at Star Ring. Star Ring ignored him. Evil Spirit didn't mind, turning to meet Zhou Zhengli's gaze.

"Naturally, it's nine," Zhou Zhengli said with a smile.

"We shall see," Evil Spirit smiled.

Li Mengtu, observing from the side, frowned and was about to speak, but then he looked thoughtful, glanced at Zhou Zhengli, and suddenly spoke. "Compared to the number of releases, the most crucial aspect is actually the Immortal Foundation!"

"Releases determine the robustness of the Immortal Embryo, while the Immortal Foundation determines how far one's immortal path will extend! Every cultivator promoting to Quasi-Immortal requires an Immortal Foundation as the basis for eventually becoming a true Immortal! This foundation must not be illusory; it must be substantial, and thus cannot be molded from one's own inherent essence. Some people prepare for it early, while others harbor greater ambitions... I wonder what Xu Qing's Immortal Foundation will be."

Li Mengtu's words echoed through the starry sky. Hearing this, everyone fell into thought. For them, this final Immortal Foundation was naturally of extreme importance, as it concerned their future.

Even Star Ring, who hadn't participated in these discussions and bets, couldn't help but recall his own promotion as he watched Xu Qing within the distant storm. At that time, he could have originally achieved nine releases, but his conflict with Xu Qing prevented him from completing it in the Fifth Layer World. In the end, with considerable difficulty, he had no choice but to promote externally. He achieved eight releases. Although he eventually achieved the final release through rebirth after death, perfecting his immortal self, the memory still stirred his heart.

"However, the main reason I chose the Fifth Layer back then wasn't entirely to utilize its environment to help me achieve nine releases. My true goal was that final Immortal Foundation."

"What I chose was the path of the Fourth True Lord, so in the Fifth Layer World, I found his remains and integrated them into my own Immortal Foundation."

"What will Xu Qing's Immortal Foundation be?" Star Ring thought of the bell Xu Qing used during their previous battle, and that sharp iron skewer...

Meanwhile, "A Thousand Armies Give Way" (the sword) trembled, quietly retreating a bit, then feeling it wasn't safe enough, it retreated further. They suddenly felt a little scared.

The moment they retreated, Xu Qing, seated cross-legged on the meteorite at the center of the storm surrounded by everyone, suddenly rumbled. A deafening roar echoed in all directions as his hundred-zhang Immortal Embryo, an exact replica of himself, suddenly shone with dazzling light.

"It has begun!" Li Mengtu's heart was filled with anticipation, and everyone gazed intently.

The next moment, the light became blinding. Within Xu Qing's hundred-zhang Immortal Embryo, an overwhelming power seemed to erupt outwards terrifyingly. A thunderous roar shook the heavens. His hundred-zhang Immortal Embryo rapidly expanded tenfold, startlingly reaching a thousand zhang in size. The aura it exuded shook all directions, and its oppressive presence made hearts palpitate.

This was the first release!

It wasn't over. Immediately after, the thousand-zhang Immortal Embryo rumbled again, and with even more terrifying fluctuations, its size once again increased tenfold, reaching ten thousand zhang! Next was the third release, at one hundred thousand zhang! Then, the fourth release, at one million zhang! It continued unabated; its subsequent power, far from diminishing, grew denser and stronger. The next moment, its body reached ten million zhang, enough to instill a sense of colossal dread in many.

"Xu Qing's releases are tenfold!"

"Tenfold... Generally, it's only two or three times. He's actually doing this!"

"And now, it's already the fifth release!"

"Though it's only the fifth release, it... it likely surpasses the ultimate limits of many Quasi-Immortals!"

Thoughts raced through everyone's minds... and the releases were still continuing!

In an instant, the sixth release erupted, forming a body of a hundred million zhang. This clearly showed Xu Qing's profound foundation. Everyone retreated rapidly. Looking on, Xu Qing's Immortal Embryo truly resembled a deity, seated cross-legged in the starry sky, imparting a sacred feeling that caused an involuntary reverberation in their minds.

Until the seventh release erupted with a roar. The eighth release arrived in an instant. A body of ten billion zhang! Though its size was still not comparable to a galaxy, the stars revolving around it were already like mere grains of rice.

As for the ascendants, they had long since retreated to an immense distance, gazing at Xu Qing's Immortal Embryo in the starry sky from afar, their minds intensely fluctuating.

Evil Spirit was already dumbfounded. Zhou Zhengli was agitated, with an intense, unusual light in his eyes. Star Ring's expression was still relatively normal, but his pupils had already contracted. Yuanshan Su fell silent. As for the others, their hearts were also in turmoil.

Just as everyone was shocked to varying degrees, Xu Qing's outward release paused for a moment. But it was only for a moment. Then... a heaven-shattering roar burst through the starry sky, and Xu Qing's already terrifying Immortal Embryo released once more!

The ninth release!

The starry sky darkened. An immense body, comparable in size to a galaxy, stood majestically in the starry sky. The stars around it were no longer like grains of rice but mere specks of dust. Many in the crowd were left dazed.

Until the next moment, this galaxy-sized Immortal Embryo instantly shrunk, its speed so rapid that it left afterimages in the starry sky. Finally, the Immortal Embryo returned to its normal size and merged with Xu Qing's true body, becoming indistinguishable. This was its true form; the "releases" merely represented the range of the Immortal Embryo's power.

In other words, Xu Qing's divine sense at this moment was comparable in size to a galaxy.

"Unprecedented..." Star Ring murmured, his scalp tingling. The others were also stunned.

"No, this isn't right. Normally, this should be impossible. This kind of tenfold release, taken to the extreme, has never been recorded in any ancient texts!"

"Even if Xu Qing's foundation is incredibly profound, he couldn't possibly achieve this!"

"This has already exceeded normal boundaries!"

"There must be other karmic reasons!"

As the former First Star and hailing from the Star Ring Tower, Star Ring's knowledge was extraordinary. After a brief moment of daze, he immediately sensed that something was amiss. He acknowledged a difference but didn't believe the gap could be this immense! The next instant, his mind trembled as a conjecture suddenly formed. This conjecture made him sharply turn his head and look at Zhou Zhengli. Evil Spirit also reacted, and Yuanshan Su and the others felt a surge within their hearts, all looking at Zhou Zhengli in unison.

They remembered the words Zhou Zhengli had spoken earlier! At this moment, Zhou Zhengli was excited.

"That's because this place... is the Aurora Outworld!"

"That's because he shares a profound karmic connection with the Aurora Outworld; someone... once gifted him this entire Outworld!"

"Therefore... it's this unowned Outworld, cheering for him!"

At this very moment, within the Fourth Star Ring, in this place permeated by divine aura, a boat was drifting through the starry sky. The boat was peculiar, capable of blocking divine sense, and the two individuals within were themselves cultivators of astonishing power. Thus, as long as they were careful, they would be safe in this Fourth Star Ring.

"He got it." Inside the boat, a gentle voice sounded.

The speaker was none other than Young Lord Aurora, and the woman beside him was his wife, Immortal Spirit Phoenix. Hearing her husband's words at that moment, Immortal Spirit Phoenix smiled.

"I knew back then that what you gave him wasn't just an Immortal Palace."

Young Lord Aurora looked at his wife beside him, his eyes filled with love. "For such a great favor, how could one Immortal Palace be enough? I also gave him that entire Outworld."