Chapter 1337: Destiny Clash, The Beginning of an Old Battle

The doors of the Phoenix Temple slowly opened.

Outside, there was no wind, yet time flowed in silently through the open doors. At that moment, the entire Phoenix Temple seemed to transform into a long river of time and space.

As the figure outside the doors took a step, ripples of time and space surged forth. The first ripple, as it unfurled, brought forth a scene from time that permeated the temple hall.

In the scene, shimmering light reflected the Seven Sects Alliance territory of yesteryear. It was a place of birdsong and fragrant flowers, filled with tranquility. In the distance, disciples of the Seven Blood Eyes Sect could be seen constructing their own sect, while closer by, under the glittering starlight, two figures stealthily lurked outside the Xuanxiao Sect's mountain gate, like petty thieves.

This was from the early days when the Seven Blood Eyes Sect had just joined the Seven Sects Alliance, a memory of Er Niu inviting Xu Qing to accompany him to trade fingers with Huang Yikun.

In the scene, a woman stood smiling in the sky. She was full of charm, her long black hair flowing down her back, gently tied with a pink ribbon. She wore a shimmering purple star-patterned dress, radiating light, and was enveloped by a faint mist, making her appear like a celestial being, not of this mortal world.

Her gaze rested upon Xu Qing below, and with a soft chuckle, she took a step forward. To the astonishment of Er Niu and Xu Qing in the scene, the woman approached Xu Qing, lifted a finger, and gently tilted his chin, her breath as sweet as orchids.

"Little one, we meet again. Did you get lost coming to the Xuanxiao Sect so late?"

This was Xu Qing and Zi Xuan's true first encounter.

As the ripples spread, Xu Qing, standing outside the temporal scene, smiled. Then, the Xu Qing within the scene raised his head, gazed at the woman who had just tilted his chin, and spoke softly.

"I didn't get lost. I followed an invisible thread in my heart, and it led me here."

At his words, the woman in the scene paused. As the temporal waves ebbed, the first ripple faded.

The Xu Qing from outside took his second step, and a second ripple unfurled within the Phoenix Temple. The River of Ancient Immortality appeared within this ripple, spreading throughout the world inside the temple.

It was dusk, with the sun setting. On the river, a giant boat sailed silently. By the boat's railing, Zi Xuan leaned gently, her figure seeming to merge with the boundless evening glow. At that time, Xu Qing sat not far away, a hint of restraint in his expression.

"Xu Qing, play that melody. I want to hear it."

A soft voice emerged, and gradually, a gentle flute melody began. Though it still carried a worldly charm, it no longer spoke of a lifetime of sorrows and joys, nor did it reveal loneliness. As the flute's notes drifted, they carried a hint of hope and a blessing.

Zi Xuan in the scene trembled slightly and looked at Xu Qing. Xu Qing, sitting there, now raised his head and said softly.

"This melody, once called 'Sorrow of Separation,' is now named 'Reunion.'"

Scene after scene unfolded within the Phoenix Temple, rising and falling with the temporal ripples. Xu Qing walked step by step towards Zi Xuan, and with each footfall, a moment from the past reappeared.

Within those ripples, the figures of the two sitting on the giant serpent statue could be seen, their heartfelt conversations from those days echoing in memory. Faintly, there was also the scene in the sealed sea county, where Zi Xuan drew protective symbols on Xu Qing's body in a secret room. And the silhouette of him obtaining the Zi Xuan Shangqing Lamp for Zi Xuan in the Human Emperor's Capital.

All these moments intertwined, forming a temporal roar that surged in waves within the Phoenix Temple.

Finally, in the Phoenix Temple, Xu Qing stepped on the ripples and arrived before the cross-legged Zi Xuan. He extended his hand towards Zi Xuan. The starlight in Zi Xuan's eyes, upon opening moments before, had illuminated the world. Xu Qing's arrival seemed to infuse this illuminated world with color.

Without hesitation, Zi Xuan took Xu Qing's hand. Xu Qing, with a gentle expression, helped Zi Xuan to her feet and softly said.

"I'm back."

The next instant, the entire Phoenix Temple silently blurred and vanished from beneath the Sealed Sea County. When it reappeared, it was no longer in Sealed Sea County City, but on the Mount Zhaoxia of yesteryear.

There, stood two graves. That place was also the home Xu Qing had chosen for himself long ago. For here lay his parents, whose faces had naturally blurred in his memory. Sacrificed to the Upper Desolation, Xu Qing could not seek them through time and space; these two graves were the only remaining proof of their existence.

Thus, he and Zi Xuan settled down on Mount Zhaoxia. They resided there for half a cycle (30 years).

During these three decades, the prosperous era of the Wanggu Continent was unfolding. Zhou Zhengli and the others had fully adapted to Wanggu, dispersing to pursue their own paths; some entered secluded cultivation, while others opened mountain gates to spread their teachings. Each cultivated in their own distinct way. As for the Upper Desolation in the sky, it had not opened its eyes.

However, two swords were drawn on Mount Zhaoxia. The first sword, twenty-seven years ago, was drawn when a deity trespassed into the starry sky beyond the Wanggu Continent. That sword soared from Mount Zhaoxia, straight into the sky, then descended into the stars, slaying the trespassing deity! Divine blood splattered. This drew the gaze of all beings in Wanggu.

The second sword, five years ago, did not fall into the starry sky, but into the outer sea! There, deities from other star rings attempted to enter Wanggu via the Primeval Sea. They were slain with a single sword stroke!

These two swords shook the deities outside Wanggu who had been coveting the place. And in Wanggu, a true holy land had emerged. Consequently, many came to Mount Zhaoxia, yet few could truly ascend it. For Mount Zhaoxia existed both within and outside of time and space.

However, one person could have ascended the mountain, but after gazing at it for a long time from outside, she ultimately chose to depart. This person was Ling'er. In this world, many things cannot be forced, especially matters of the heart. Like Zhao Zhongheng, who suffered for half a lifetime, yet remained unrequited in love. Decades ago, when Xu Qing traveled to the Moon Sacrificial Grand Domain, though nothing was explicitly said in the pharmacy, Ling'er had understood during their few days together.

Another ten years passed.

One day, as the twilight glow spread across the land, it illuminated Mount Zhaoxia, reflecting a brilliant radiance. Amidst that hazy glow, a figure descended from the mountain. This figure wore a black robe, with purple hair flowing over their shoulders. Their body was slender, and as they walked, they resembled a mysterious, ethereal light born from the setting sun's afterglow.

It was Xu Qing.

Behind him was Zi Xuan, dressed in a woman's attire. Despite her simple clothes, Zi Xuan's beauty remained undimmed. However, at this moment, her expression held a trace of worry; she looked at Xu Qing, wanting to speak but hesitating. Behind her stood the Vajra Sect Ancestor, whose body had solidified and was no longer a soul entity. Over the years, the Vajra Sect Ancestor had naturally gained considerable fortune and had completely become the old steward of Mount Zhaoxia, capable of flaunting his power anywhere in the outside world. In his leisure time, he had even begun writing stories... Only Little Shadow could contend with him for this position.

However, his usual swagger had completely vanished today; what appeared on his face was a worry mirroring that of his mistress. But he understood that now was not the time to speak, much less to disturb Xu Qing and Zi Xuan's parting, so he quietly stepped back a little.

Ignoring the Vajra Sect Ancestor, Zi Xuan walked up to Xu Qing, tidied his clothes, and then murmured.

"Must you go?"

Xu Qing remained silent. After a moment, he turned his head towards the direction of the Devouring Heaven Grand Domain and spoke softly.

"It must be concluded eventually. He has waited for me for many years."