Chapter 1218: Qingtian

The former Aurora Outer Heaven was now in turmoil. The scene unfolding here instantly drew the attention of higher echelons. Undetectable by lower-tier cultivators, wisps of divine sense emanated from various Outer Heavens, converging on this realm that had been masterless for many years.

At the heart of this turmoil, as Zhou Zhengli's words resonated, the ascended ones—including Xing Huanzi, Yuanshan Su, and Xie Lingzi—all felt a profound shock. Moreover, they were all prodigies, especially Xing Huanzi, whose combat prowess and insight were at the pinnacle among his peers. He immediately discerned the logic and correctness of Zhou Zhengli's words. Only this explanation could account for why Xu Qing's advancement had caused such a phenomenon. It was this Outer Heaven cheering; it was this Outer Heaven bestowing its blessings! Only then could such an astonishing scene unfold during a Master's breakthrough to quasi-immortal status. The ninefold expansion of the Immortal Embryo was like galaxies! And if the ninefold expansion was so grand, then what about the subsequent Immortal Foundation...?

At this thought, Xing Huanzi's eyes gleamed with a strange light. Others also seemed to have similar conjectures, especially Zhou Zhengli, whose expression was filled with anticipation. Few outsiders knew about his Dharma. Even those who believed they did only knew what he had deliberately revealed. Only Xie Lingzi had some understanding of his Dharma. This was because of the very essence of Zhou Zhengli's Dharma, which, to some extent, even bore similarities to that of the Nine Shores Immortal Lord. Both contained profound secrets! But their directions differed. His Dharma leaned more towards prognostication!

"In the historical visions of the Aurora Immortal Palace, I foresaw everyone except... Xu Qing. It was as if he wasn't within my sphere of prognostication."

"Because my Dharma is unique, even with Immortals... though I might struggle and be unable to alter their fate, I can still discern some faint traces with all my effort. I simply dare not interfere with them."

"But this Xu Qing... he is even more special!"

"He leaves no traces and is outside my prognostication."

"Eventually, I left the Aurora Immortal Palace and deliberately waited there, wanting to observe Xu Qing once more..."

Zhou Zhengli murmured to himself, recalling the glance he took on the Immortal Meteor Plain after Xu Qing had left the Immortal Palace. Outwardly, he remained composed during that glance, but inwardly, his shock was immense, like a tidal wave. He still couldn't discern anything from Xu Qing; the sense of emptiness made his heart palpitate. But... that time, as he was about to withdraw his gaze, he heard a faint voice from his prognostication!

"He got it."

"Such immense benevolence... how could one Immortal Palace suffice? I gifted him that Outer Heaven as well."

These two sentences struck him like thunder, shaking his very soul. He knew the speaker had deliberately allowed him to hear them. These two sentences instantly severed all other thoughts in Zhou Zhengli's mind. What remained was only his unwavering resolve and the strong desire to seize this unique opportunity, unknown to outsiders. This was also one of the reasons he chose to continue addressing him as Young Master, why he later made his foremost offering, and why he had remained humble, even upon reaching the Nine Shores Outer Heaven and to this very moment.

"Next... is the moment of witnessing!"

Zhou Zhengli looked up and stared intently. Everyone was waiting!

Where all eyes converged, Xu Qing, meditating cross-legged on the meteorite, slowly opened his eyes at this moment. His eyes held both clarity and enlightenment.

"So, this is how it is..."

Xu Qing murmured to himself. The moment he projected his consciousness outwards, he understood that the Aurora Young Master had gifted him not just an Immortal Palace, but this entire Outer Heaven. At this moment, he could clearly perceive the surging of this Outer Heaven and its profound resonance with him. It was waiting for him.

Xu Qing slowly raised his head, gazing at the starry sky. For his Immortal Foundation, he had originally prepared the Time-Space Hourglass. After acquiring the Nine-Colored Ice Coffin, he considered using it instead, as it was inherently mysterious and extraordinary. However, overall, the Time-Space Hourglass was clearly more suitable. It was, after all, a supreme treasure of time and space.

As for the purple crystal, Xu Qing did not consider it. Over the years, his experiences had given him some understanding of it, so he knew very well that this object was not something he could condense at his current stage.

"At least, one must reach the Immortal level to condense the crystal."

So at this moment... Xu Qing knew that compared to the starry sky before him, other items were no longer suitable. A moment later, determination gleamed in Xu Qing's eyes. He slowly stood up, gazing at the starry sky and this Outer Heaven. He spread his arms as if embracing it, and his divine sense also unfurled, expanding majestically in all directions. After enveloping the entire galaxy he was in, taking it as a focal point, he began... to call upon this starry sky, to respond to this void, to receive this... Outer Heaven!

The entire Outer Heaven—its countless universes, galaxies, and stars—trembled in unison. Countless races within it, including even the Hun Tian Imperial Clan, felt an inexplicable pressure rise within them. Their hearts skipped a beat, and their minds were filled with awe. It was as if the lost heaven... was returning! The lost master... was ascending to the throne!

Thus, the starry sky surged. A cosmic tide rose from the edges of the Aurora Outer Heaven, swiftly converging on Xu Qing's location. The sheer immensity of this tide made the Outer Heaven roar. Furthermore, amidst this deafening roar, the shock of myriad races, and the inner turmoil of Xing Huanzi and the others... above Xu Qing, the starry sky was obscured!

A magnificent Immortal Palace, shining with splendor and radiating world-shaking pressure, descended, replacing the starry sky above. This Immortal Palace was entirely made of immortal jade, with intricately carved railings and jade-inlaid structures. Countless buildings within exuded an ancient aura, though they bore signs of age, damage, and the passage of time. Yet its status and existence within this Outer Heaven were unique, central, and supreme! It was... the true body of the former Aurora Immortal Palace! And it represented the will of this Outer Heaven! It was vast, lavish, and world-shaking!

The moment it appeared, everyone present felt their hearts race and their minds go blank, as a continuous sense of overwhelming shock surged within them. As for Zhou Zhengli, his eyes revealed ecstatic joy. He knew he had gambled correctly! He immediately bowed his head, performing a deep, prolonged bow towards Xu Qing!

The next instant, amidst the cheers of the Aurora Outer Heaven and the intense turbulence of the starry sky, the vast Aurora Immortal Palace transformed into a peerless immortal light. It shot straight towards Xu Qing. It merged into his head, then into his body, and finally into his Immortal Embryo! The light, like a rainbow, shone brilliantly across the starry sky.

At this moment, a faint, ethereal voice echoed in the minds of countless beings across the myriad star seas of this Outer Heaven.

The Immortal Palace has a master! Becoming Xu Qing's Immortal Foundation! With this Immortal Foundation, he will command... the Outer Heaven! Becoming a quasi-immortal unlike any before!

"Decree!"

Xu Qing's eyes opened and closed as a deep voice, like a celestial pronouncement, rippled through this Outer Heaven. Thereafter, this Heaven bore a new name: Qing Heaven!