Chapter 130: Rising Mountains

In the chaotic apocalyptic era that followed the arrival of the divine remnant, most cultivators were miscellaneous Qi Condensation practitioners. Few managed to reach Foundation Establishment, so they were rarely seen in external cities.

Only in major sects like the Seven Blood Eyes would a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators gather.

Thus, Xu Qing's appearance naturally caused a stir. Even amidst the respectful guards, before Xu Qing had even reached the teleportation array, he felt a ripple of energy emanating from the distant city lord's manor.

Xu Qing frowned, his guard up, and coldly looked over. In mid-air, a long streak of light whistled closer, stopping three zhang away from Xu Qing and revealing a middle-aged man in luxurious robes.

The middle-aged man had an ordinary appearance, and his Foundation Establishment cultivation base was currently released as he assessed Xu Qing.

Xu Qing, too, was looking at his neck, mentally evaluating how many Dharma Apertures the other party had opened.

"Friend, may I ask the purpose of your visit? I am Zhou Hengli, a member of the Zhou family from Purple Earth, appointed as the city lord. This city is jointly managed by Purple Earth, the Seven Blood Eyes, and the Litu Sect."

"Passing through, teleporting," Xu Qing replied indifferently, vaguely sensing that the other party didn't have many Dharma Apertures, not enough to form a Life Fire.

The middle-aged cultivator, Zhou Hengli, maintained a normal expression in mid-air, but inwardly he was extremely wary. He felt an intense murderous aura emanating from the pale-faced cultivator before him. Clearly, this person was a seasoned killer, and his attire offered no clues about his origin, making Zhou Hengli highly vigilant. Especially when the other party's gaze seemed to fix on his neck, his hairs instinctively stood on end.

What truly unnerved him was that he couldn't discern the cultivation level of the person in front of him. He worried he might have encountered someone with a Life Fire.

"Please!" Zhou Hengli's heart pounded, but his expression remained impassive. He spoke in a low voice and immediately issued instructions.

Instantly, all pedestrians in front of Xu Qing were dispersed. The surroundings cleared, and a path leading directly to the teleportation array was opened.

Xu Qing remained calm, understanding that this was a gesture of unwelcomeness, clearly hoping he would leave quickly. He also sensed wisps of energy emanating throughout the city.

These weren't from cultivators; rather, they seemed to be signs of various array formations being activated.

Xu Qing considered this caution normal. After all, for a city in the wilderness, the arrival of an external Foundation Establishment cultivator naturally warranted high vigilance.

Xu Qing nodded, deciding against walking further. His speed erupted, and he shot directly into the air, soaring towards the teleportation array ahead. His swift movement stirred up a strong wind, kicking up dust all around.

Zhou Hengli's eyes narrowed even further, and he immediately followed.

As he flew, Xu Qing quickly arrived at the teleportation area, which had already been cleared. There were no idle individuals around, only a few guards maintaining the array's operation, who respectfully bowed to Xu Qing, trembling with awe.

"Greetings, senior. The array has been adjusted. Where would you like to go?"

Xu Qing looked at them, then glanced at the city lord, who followed from a distance, seemingly normal but in fact extremely wary. He profoundly understood the status of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

So he stepped towards the teleportation array and calmly stated, "Seven Blood Eyes main city."

As soon as he spoke, the guards maintaining the array promptly acknowledged him and began adjusting the formation. Only after triple-checking that everything was in order did they respectfully retreat more than ten zhang away.

Xu Qing's gaze swept over the teleportation array. He didn't understand array formations, but having used them many times, he could discern some principles. After a quick scan, he stepped in. As the teleportation array glowed, his figure instantly vanished within it.

It wasn't until Xu Qing's figure vanished from the teleportation array that Zhou Hengli, from a distance, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he genuinely wished to avoid provoking someone with such a murderous aura.

"Given that the Seven Blood Eyes discourages external Foundation Establishment cultivators, his willingness to go there indicates he's likely not a wanted criminal. Could he be a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Seven Blood Eyes themselves?"

Zhou Hengli touched his neck and shook his head, ceasing to ponder the matter. To him, all external Foundation Establishment cultivators were extremely dangerous. If any possessed a Life Fire, his own life could be instantly forfeit under their profound radiance. Therefore, sending them away as quickly as possible was the optimal choice.

Otherwise, if a conflict truly arose in this wilderness city far from his family, his death would simply be his death. His family, even if they learned of it, would find it difficult to trace any meaningful results.

At this moment, in the eastern part of the Southern Phoenix Continent, where the Mountains of Truth met the sea, under the gaze of seven colossal blood-red pupils, within the teleportation array at the center of the immensely prosperous main city, Xu Qing's figure suddenly appeared amidst a flash of light.

The moment he appeared, before he could even survey his surroundings, he sharply raised his head, his expression subtly changing.

He felt a powerful ripple of energy, invisibly arriving from all directions within the main city at that instant, enveloping him. Although there was no overt action, this encirclement felt like surveillance.

Xu Qing was no stranger to this fluctuation; it was precisely the power of the Seven Blood Eyes' array formations.

Previously, whenever Xu Qing returned, he had never felt anything like this.

But now that he had advanced to Foundation Establishment, his return immediately made him understand why external Foundation Establishment cultivators dared not easily come to the Seven Blood Eyes.

Clearly, for the array formations, the status of a Foundation Establishment cultivator took precedence over that of a mere disciple. Thus, even though Xu Qing's identity token glowed at that moment, he couldn't dispel this sense of surveillance because he hadn't ascended the mountain to register his new cultivation.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, withdrew his gaze, and calmly stepped off the teleportation array.

The invisible embrace of the array formations did not attract the notice of any cultivators or commoners in the area. After leaving, Xu Qing changed into the Daoist robe he had prepared.

His trip to Sea Lizard Island had taught Xu Qing some valuable lessons, so he kept several sets of Daoist robes prepared in his pockets.

Now wearing the grey Daoist robe of a Seven Blood Eyes disciple, Xu Qing walked through the streets, continuously attempting to internalize and conceal his cultivation, observing whether the array's invisible lock would change.

Even when he concealed his cultivation to the extreme, making it undetectable to passing cultivators, the array's lock and surveillance persisted. This gave Xu Qing a deeper understanding of the Seven Blood Eyes' formations.

"I wonder if using the shadow to cover myself would bypass the array's lock." Xu Qing pondered this thought but didn't attempt it. He felt it was unnecessary for now, as there was a risk regardless of success or failure.

"Then, I suppose I'll go up the mountain."

Xu Qing murmured inwardly, then looked up towards the distant Seventh Peak and began to walk.

Along the way, he passed by various shops, observing the indifferent and hurried pedestrians, and occasionally glimpsing grey-robed disciples. He couldn't help but recall all his past experiences since coming to Seven Blood Eyes.

He felt a surge of emotion, but more than that, he was filled with anticipation for the future, for the monthly distribution of at least five thousand spirit stones.

Just as his steps quickened, a familiar figure appeared in the distance.

The arrival of this person immediately drew awe from the surrounding commoners, who quickly made way. The Seven Blood Eyes disciples among the crowd were even more respectful, their eyes unable to hide their envy.

The newcomer was a youth dressed in a light purple Daoist robe. As he walked through the crowd, the touch of purple signified his noble status. Combined with his remarkable appearance and powerful cultivation fluctuations, he seemed like a divine child descended to the mortal realm in the eyes of the onlookers. It was Zhao Zhongheng.

Xu Qing saw him, and he, in turn, saw Xu Qing.

Normally, Zhao Zhongheng would likely turn and leave immediately, unwilling to exchange another word with Xu Qing. But upon seeing him today, he snorted and suddenly raised his right hand, pointing towards the sky. Instantly, a Forbidden Sea Dragon Whale materialized in mid-air, roared to the heavens, and then vanished just as quickly.

This scene elicited gasps of astonishment from the surroundings, and many outer disciples curried favor with praises.

Zhao Zhongheng looked smug, gazing at the expressionless Xu Qing, and spoke with pride.

"I've also cultivated the Forbidden Sea Dragon Whale!"

Xu Qing's expression remained unchanged. He couldn't be bothered to pay attention to the other party and continued walking towards the Seventh Peak.

Zhao Zhongheng frowned, displeased at not seeing a surprised expression from Xu Qing. However, the memories of their encounter at sea had left a deep impression on him, so he restrained himself for now, refraining from further showing off, and also walked towards the Seventh Peak. He had descended the mountain this time because he had commissioned a beautiful phoenix hairpin and was now taking it back to present to Senior Sister Ding. As he walked, he noticed fewer and fewer pedestrians, as the southern part of the city only had entrances to the Seven Blood Eyes' seven peaks. A look of surprise appeared on Zhao Zhongheng's face as he watched Xu Qing ahead.

He realized that the other party's destination seemed to be the entrance to the mountain peak.

Although curious, Zhao Zhongheng's pride prevented him from inquiring. However, as time passed and Xu Qing was less than a hundred zhang from the steps leading up the Seventh Peak, Zhao Zhongheng couldn't hold back.

"Xu Qing, where are you going?" Zhao Zhongheng quickly took a few steps, caught up, and asked.

"Up the mountain," Xu Qing replied, frowning slightly.

"Up the mountain? Grey-robed disciples aren't allowed up the mountain unless summoned, and even then, someone must guide them! Only core disciples can ascend the mountain alone!"

Zhao Zhongheng eyed Xu Qing, failing to detect any fluctuations from him or see anyone waiting ahead on the mountain path. He then snorted.

Xu Qing ignored Zhao Zhongheng and continued forward, reaching the mountain steps.

Zhao Zhongheng watched the scene and sneered.

"Outer disciples who step onto the mountain peak without reason will be blasted back by the array the moment they touch the steps, Xu Qing, I'll see what you do next..."

Before Zhao Zhongheng could finish speaking, just as he reached this point, Xu Qing, who was ahead of him, stepped onto the first stair with his usual calm expression.

The moment his right foot landed, the entire set of steps leading up the Seventh Peak suddenly blurred. An invisible force instantly swept towards him, seemingly verifying something.

Xu Qing looked up, gazing at the mountain peak. At that instant, his cultivation within him erupted with a roar, and the aura of Foundation Establishment surged out intensely. Immediately, the peak of the Seventh Peak echoed with the sound of a bell.

Amidst the deep, lingering chimes, Xu Qing ascended the steps, moving forward one step at a time. Behind him, Zhao Zhongheng was struck by the overwhelming Foundation Establishment aura that burst forth from Xu Qing. He stumbled back repeatedly, his body trembling, his face pale, his eyes wide as if they might pop out, and his mind was overwhelmed by a monstrous wave of shock.

"Foun... Foun... Foundation Establishment!"