Chapter 1305: Leaving the Star Ring, Looking Back at the Ancient Past

Chapter 1310: Leaving the Star Ring, Looking Back at Wang Gu

Xu Qing and Master Bai journeyed onward, walking through the starry sky and across time. Their forms were imperceptible to ordinary cultivators; only Summer Immortals could vaguely sense their presence. Along the way, they conversed extensively, discussing past events, current stories, and future aspirations.

Finally, upon reaching the edge of the Fourth Star Ring, Master Bai took his leave. Before departing, Xu Qing's first teacher presented him with two gifts.

The first item was a seed. "Xu Qing," Master Bai instructed, "after you return to Wang Gu, if Chen Feiyuan and Tingyu are still alive, ask them if they wish to come to me. If they do, help them plant this seed; when it blossoms, they can follow its fragrance to my presence." "What if they have passed away?" Xu Qing asked softly. Master Bai's voice was hoarse as he replied, "If they have passed away, plant this seed before their gravestones."

The second item he bestowed upon Xu Qing was a lantern. Its frame was crafted from a special, fired clay, subtly adorned with strange patterns that appeared naturally formed, yet also seemed to contain ancient runes, radiating a mysterious power. The material bore a striking resemblance to Master Bai's medicine pot. The lampshade, woven from mysterious spirit silk, emitted a faint, seven-colored halo.

As the light flowed, it appeared dreamlike and illusory, as if all the dazzling colors of the myriad worlds had converged within it. The spirit silk was interwoven with exquisite craftsmanship, forming shimmering, mysterious depictions. At times, they revealed cloud-shrouded immortal mountains and picturesque landscapes; at others, vast star rivers twinkling with countless stars. It was as if the lampshade itself was a collection of miniature universes, each harboring endless secrets.

The most peculiar feature, however, was the lantern's wick: an eyeball. Despite undergoing a refining process, it still retained its divine essence, exuding an intimidating majesty and mystery that one dared not look at directly. The bloodshot veins on the eyeball emanated an infinite sense of terror; it seemed a mere glance could cause everything in the world to tremble.

According to Master Bai, the eyeball inside the lantern belonged to the Divine Venerable from the Fifth Star Ring. Master Bai had refined the lantern using his unique plant-based methods, allowing it to retain a wisp of that Divine Venerable's divine authority.

"The Divine Venerable of the Fifth Star Ring," Master Bai explained, "possessed divine authority over Entropy. Entropy, in essence, is the process by which all things transition from order to chaos. At the peak of their power, they could alter all aspects of matter through augmentation or reduction. This lantern's refining method is an application of my path of flora. As my disciple, I impart this technique to you as well. I hope that with further exploration, you will also be able to refine such an item."

Master Bai departed. He had waited for Xu Qing for seven years outside the fissure where the ancient Divine Venerable once resided, and now his purpose was fulfilled. In the starry sky, Xu Qing stood at the edge of the Fourth Star Ring, watching Master Bai's departing figure, and bowed respectfully. After a long moment, he turned his gaze to the lantern floating before him.

The lantern floated in the starry sky, swaying gently and drawing forth gusts of ethereal wind. This wind subtly carried an ethereal immortal melody, enchanting anyone who heard it. Yet, after listening for a while, one would discern divine whispers intertwined within the melody. After a moment of listening to the whispers, Xu Qing put away the lantern and turned to face the entirety of the Fourth Star Ring.

A faint smile slowly spread across his face. Accompanying his smile, a hearty laugh echoed from the Fourth Star Ring. This laughter, resonating through the void, formed an arc of light that coalesced into an illusory, shimmering mirror. From within this mirror, the figures of Immortal Lord Mimi and his Dao Companion materialized.

"Little brother, I know you are returning home," Immortal Lord Mimi said. "I dare not venture into the Ninth Star Ring where you reside. Frankly, apart from the native Divine Venerables of your Ninth Star Ring, no other Immortal Lords or Divine Venerables from other star rings dare to go there—especially since the Supreme Wilderness recently awakened. Therefore, I cannot personally assist you on this journey."

Xu Qing nodded. He had gradually come to understand this over the years, especially now that he was a Summer Immortal, his perception of it was even deeper. He knew that even an Immortal Venerable had only dared to appear in the outer sea, and even then, they remained within a fish's belly, utilizing the Golden Rat's power. Despite these precautions, they dared not linger for long, choosing to depart after only a brief time.

"However, although I cannot go," Mimi said with a smile, "I have prepared a gift for you!" He waved his hand, and the mirror he was in instantly shrank, transforming into a shard that flew directly towards Xu Qing. "This is my Constitution! You once assumed my identity back then, and although my Constitution was sealed at the time, you could still perceive my true Mirror Constitution. So, lending it to you should be harmless. Furthermore, I am still not at ease with you returning alone, so I have brought all your subordinates."

As he spoke, Mimi raised his hand once more. The starry sky immediately distorted, and in the next instant, the figures of Star Ring Son, Zhou Zhengli, Evil Spirit Son, Li Mengtu, Yuanshan Su, and others materialized. Qianjun Piying, looking mournful, was also among them. There were eleven individuals in total.

The moment they appeared, Mimi's voice resonated in their minds like a divine decree. "I command you to follow True Monarch Ji Qing for three thousand years, protecting him with your lives! Upon your return in three millennia, you shall be ranked among the Immortals!"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhengli and Star Ring Son remained relatively composed. One cared little for becoming an Immortal, believing that following Xu Qing would yield greater gains in the future, while the other was confident in their own ability to ascend. So, despite their differing reasons, their demeanors were similar. The others, however, were visibly moved. Being "ranked among the Immortals" signified a profound opportunity to become a Summer Immortal—a great fortune for them, as not everyone could successfully achieve the Summer Immortal realm like Xu Qing. Thus, in the next instant, they all bowed.

"We obey the Immortal Lord's decree!" they chorused. Afterwards, Xu Qing's former subordinates instinctively turned their gaze to him. Sensing his cultivation and vast aura, they immediately understood that Xu Qing had indeed become a Summer Immortal. Moreover, comparing him to other Summer Immortals they had encountered, they perceived a distinct difference. "Xu Qing... he possesses the might of an Immortal Lord!" Star Ring Son's heart trembled. At that moment, Mimi's gaze, too, settled on Xu Qing, a smile on his face, and he spoke no further.

A warmth swelled in Xu Qing's heart as he looked at the mirror shard before him, recalling all the moments since his arrival. Finally, he bowed deeply to Mimi. Mimi's smile softened further, and beside him, Immortal Fairy Linghuang softly spoke, "Xu Qing, we wish you well." Amidst their smiles and blessings, the two figures vanished.

The moment they vanished, a streak of light shot from the void, flung by Mimi, its lingering voice echoing with a hint of playful teasing. "Oh, by the way, the three Divine Maidens I promised you? They're all in here." It was a bead, and within it, three sleeping Divine Maidens could be seen. Xu Qing's expression was peculiar as he raised his hand to collect it.

This scene did not go unnoticed by Star Ring Son and the others nearby. While most seemed unaffected, Zhou Zhengli became thoughtful, murmuring inwardly, "Does Young Master have a preference for this?" Before Zhou Zhengli could ponder further, Xu Qing had already raised his hand and gestured towards the Fifth Star Ring.

In an instant, his Constitution surged, and amidst the churning starry sky, a bronze tower materialized. It was the same tower he had previously used to traverse the Primeval Sea. The Divine Vine of Saint Heaven was still entwined around it, now long awakened, moving about outside the tower and radiating waves of intimacy towards Xu Qing.

"Going home..." Xu Qing was about to step onto the tower when, in the next instant, he paused. A gigantic bubble had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, in this starry sky, enveloping the universe and isolating everything within it. Unnoticed by Star Ring Son and the others, an old man wearing straw sandals walked out from the distant reaches of the starry sky. He was simply dressed in a coarse linen robe, and a golden rat perched on his shoulder.

Gazing at the newcomer, Xu Qing calmly spoke, "Greetings, Immortal Venerable." The person who arrived was indeed the Immortal Venerable of the Fifth Star Ring. He stepped before Xu Qing, appraised him from head to toe, and then coughed. "Young man, long time no see." Xu Qing remained silent. The Immortal Venerable had systematically used him as a pawn, and while Xu Qing had gained benefits in the process, it had ultimately been a transaction. There was no need for pleasantries.

The Immortal Venerable understood this. After a faint smile, he raised his hand and produced a small bronze cauldron. "This item contains the power of one of my strikes; I offer it to you for protection. Lastly, before you depart, I have a piece of news for you. The Ninth Star Ring, due to the Supreme Wilderness's awakening seven years ago, has caused the fate trajectory of the Wang Gu Continent to deviate. Therefore, you had best return quickly."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. Without a moment's hesitation, his body flickered, instantly appearing before the bronze tower. With a sweeping motion of his sleeve, he pulled Star Ring Son and the others towards him, stepping into the tower. Then, the bronze tower shuddered violently. As the void beneath it twisted, a colossal vortex materialized, from which waves of Primeval Sea aura emanated, spreading in all directions.

Each Star Ring possessed its own Primeval Sea, and among the thirty-six upper Star Rings, the Primeval Sea served as the most direct connecting pathway. At this moment, as the Primeval Sea appeared, the bronze tower shone brilliantly, unleashing a tremendous power from within—the power of Xu Qing's Constitution. Under the influence of his dimensional law, the bronze tower suddenly plunged downward, entering the Primeval Sea and vanishing within the vortex of its waves.

Immediately after, the Primeval Sea dispersed, and everything returned to its former state, as if the sea had never existed. Only faint, lingering traces of its aura diffused through the starry sky, growing ever weaker.

In the starry sky, the Immortal Venerable watched the departure, then finally raised his head to gaze in the direction of the Ninth Star Ring. After a long moment, he murmured softly, "I still don't understand why the Supreme Wilderness chooses to remain in the Ninth Star Ring, on that small continent once called Huang Tian, now named Wang Gu. Is It searching? Or is It waiting? Is It heading towards death, or... embracing new life?"

The Immortal Venerable shook his head, took a step, and his figure dissipated. Only his thoughts continued to ripple. "Is the Divine Umbilical Cord truly the sole path to transcendence? And if so, throughout history, has any deity ever truly succeeded via the Divine Umbilical Cord? Beyond that... what awaits us?"