Chapter 277: The World’s Tragedy

Xu Qing felt a slight unease regarding Grandmaster Seven's reply. While he sensed something was amiss, he wasn't entirely clear on the specifics.

As for the Purple Profound Immortal of the Profound Nether Sect, Xu Qing felt it wise to keep his distance, resolving never to approach their mountain gate again.

With that in mind, Xu Qing closed his eyes and began to meditate.

Yet, for some reason, his heart felt restless.

Xu Qing opened his eyes and took out the herb Master Bai had given him.

One must fight and acquire everything for oneself to become a wolf king; otherwise, one risks becoming a domesticated dog. This was evident from how the Captain and Third Senior Brother went to great lengths to obtain cultivation resources.

"Oh, and Sheng Yunzi," the Captain said, looking eagerly at Xu Qing. "If you ever come across another 'treasure person' like him and want to deal with them, just call me! We'll get rich together."

Xu Qing quickly nodded, then helped the Captain out of the canyon and back to the massive ship.

Not long after, the colossal ship rumbled to life, not for teleportation, but for its journey to the Ancient Continent.

En route, just before dawn, the Captain, having apparently eaten too much, began convulsing from indigestion. Grandmaster Seven, accustomed to such occurrences, calmly knocked him unconscious, sent him to rest, and then called Xu Qing to watch the sunrise with him.

Third Senior Brother, who had stayed with the female disciples of Second Peak, never returned. Consequently, only Xu Qing and Grandmaster Seven remained on the Seventh Peak's vessel, besides the ordinary disciples.

At that moment, the sea breeze, thick with humidity, whipped up black spray that splattered onto Grandmaster Seven at the bow, only to be dispersed by an invisible force.

Xu Qing stood beside Grandmaster Seven, both gazing at the distant, dark sky.

"Fourth Brother, do you know much about the Ancient Continent?" Grandmaster Seven asked calmly.

"Not much," Xu Qing replied, shaking his head. He remained somewhat reserved in Grandmaster Seven's presence.

The Ancient Continent was boundless, and Yinghuang State was merely a corner of it. Yet, even this corner was the size of ten Southern Phoenix States.

Grandmaster Seven spoke evenly, describing Yinghuang State to Xu Qing.

"The entirety of Yinghuang State resembles a peninsula, bordered by the sea on three sides. Within it lies the Taikedu Fan Mountain, which stretches from north to south, intersecting with the Kunxian Wangu River, which flows from east to west. The mountains form a vast range with a hundred thousand peaks, all considered 'ominous mountains' teeming with countless sects, foreign races, and strange entities."

"The river, however, is beneficial, imbued with immortal spiritual energy and capable of cleansing impurities, making it a highly contested area. It originates from an outer state, flows into the Taisi Sect — located in the east and occupying thirty percent of Yinghuang State — then continues through the Taisi Du'e Mountain, enters the Lingyin Forbidden Zone, and ultimately empties into the sea at the westernmost point."

"At its intersection with Taisi Du'e Mountain, a tributary once flowed along a riverbed beneath the range, leading into the Seven Sect Alliance. However, many years ago, the Shaosi Sect's dam blocked its source. Recently, that dam collapsed, and the river water once again meandered down, resuming its flow into the Seven Sect Alliance."

"The Seven Sect Alliance is situated in the southern part of the Taisi Du'e Mountain Range, bordering the Forbidden Sea. The Sanling Zhendao Mountain lies on the opposite side of the mountain range."

"The Litu Cult and Nanyue Ghost Mountain are found on either side of the Kunxian Wangu River in the west. After passing through the Lingyin Forbidden Zone, the river water there turns pitch black, transforming entirely from a benevolent river into 'evil water.' This corrupted water is particularly suitable for the Nanyue Ghost Mountain's sinister powers, while the Litu Dao Altar, being inherently peculiar, is indifferent to its nature."

"Finally, there is the Taichu Liyou Pillar, located in the northernmost snowfields, marking the border with other states."

As Grandmaster Seven concluded, the distant horizon ignited, the sky appearing as if consumed by a massive sea of fire. Xu Qing looked up, gradually discerning a red sun, like a colossal fireball, slowly emerging into view.

"Get some good rest," Grandmaster Seven's voice echoed before his figure vanished. "We'll arrive in two days. The moment we disembark, you need to suppress those from the alliance for me. What should be hidden, hide it; what should be revealed, reveal it."

Xu Qing gazed at the red sun, then sat cross-legged and meditated silently.

Time flowed by, and two days quickly passed. As a vast horizon appeared at the edge of the Seven Blood Eyes members' vision, the Captain's stomach finally recovered, and he once again became lively. Third Prince also returned just in time.

The princes from each peak on the other colossal ships all eyed the horizon with sharp glints, eagerly rubbing their hands. Their desire to redeem themselves was palpable.

As the colossal ships drew nearer to the Ancient Continent, a breathtakingly magnificent city gradually came into Xu Qing's view.

The city was so immense that its boundaries were invisible. Compared to it, the Seven Blood Eyes' domain seemed like a mere town. The disparity in scale, population, and opulence was vast.

The architectural style was also distinctly different. To Xu Qing, it felt like a fusion with the Purple Earth's aesthetics, embodying both grandeur and ancient charm, yet not lacking in exquisite detail.

From a distance, Xu Qing observed seven colossal, uniquely shaped mountain peaks standing within the sprawling city, widely spaced apart. It appeared the city was constructed around these mountains, with different parts connected, thus forming this immense and majestic urban expanse.

Each mountain emanated an astonishing aura of power, and statues of diverse forms adorned their peaks: some humanoid, some resembling sea beasts, others towering figures, and one a colossal spear poised to pierce the sky.

The moment the Seven Blood Eyes' seven colossal ships entered the port, the majestic city of the Seven Sect Alliance resounded with twelve bell tolls.

This signified an extremely high level of courtesy; even two Ancestor-level figures — the Elder Statesmen of the Second and Sixth Peaks — were present, along with the Sect Masters of their respective sects.

In addition, disciples of the Seven Sect Alliance stood solemnly along the harbor's edge, ready to greet them, though their eyes betrayed a mix of vigilance and ill will.

The disciples from the Lingyun Sword Sect, in particular, had cold glints in their eyes as they scanned the arriving Seven Blood Eyes members, their gaze ultimately fixating on Xu Qing.

Indeed, it wasn't just them; disciples from other sects also turned their attention to Xu Qing after their initial scan. Most male disciples regarded him with a strange, complex gaze, while the female disciples' expressions subtly shifted, their eyes slowly revealing a sense of awe.

As they observed Xu Qing, the various peak princes from the Seven Blood Eyes' colossal ships began to disembark. Upon appearing, each unleashed their full cultivation, activating their internal Dharma Apertures and entering a Profound Radiance state, while their Life Flames burned fiercely.

While none possessed the true "Four Flames" power, each peak had its unique methods to augment combat strength, enabling them to exert transcendent power.

The Seven Blood Eyes had prepared for years to ascend to the status of a Supreme Sect, and such a grand undertaking naturally encompassed the development of their disciples. Indeed, this generation of disciples represented the most meticulously cultivated outcome from each peak.

The Seven Sect Alliance, too, could achieve such feats. However, with both sides exhibiting comparable power, a one-sided confrontation was no longer possible. The moment they appeared, their imposing aura surged like a rainbow, shaking the surroundings.

Some were wreathed in strange, howling sounds; others were clad head-to-toe in high-grade magical artifacts; some caused array patterns to ripple with every step; while still others appeared unassuming but were covered in fierce beast totems.

Immediately, a strong sense of rivalry emerged between them and the Seven Sect disciples on the shore.

Amidst the clashing auras of both factions, Xu Qing stepped forward. His expression remained calm as he scanned the shore, finding no familiar faces.

None of the various sect prodigies who had previously visited Seven Blood Eyes were present. They had clearly surmised that the princes from Seven Blood Eyes had held back during their previous encounters and were now here to avenge their earlier performances.

Though Xu Qing inwardly preferred not to overly draw attention, his master had instructed him otherwise. Thus, as the disciples from various peaks disembarked and the formidable Seven Sect Alliance disciples on the shore collectively stepped forward, forming an intimidating presence, Xu Qing also took a single step forward.

The moment he stepped forward, the very heavens seemed to shift. An overwhelming aura erupted from Xu Qing, stirring winds and clouds, conjuring storms in all directions, and spreading with a thunderous roar. Even the sunlight, at that instant, seemed to preferentially gather upon him.

In that instant, under the gaze of thousands, Xu Qing stood adorned in a purple robe with gold patterns and the Purple Heaven Wuji Crown. Above him hovered two magnificent canopies: one black, with flames trailing along its edges, forming an imperial cover that exuded breathtaking power; the other a dazzling, eye-catching rainbow of light that lent him an extraordinary nobility. A faint, melodious wind chime resonated, as if from the nine heavens, impossibly sweet to the ear, yet simultaneously stirring winds, swirling clouds, and shaking the very core of one's being.

Behind him, a piercing cry echoed through the clouds, manifesting as a colossal Golden Crow that hovered above Xu Qing, gazing down at the disciples on the shore.

Combined with Xu Qing's unparalleled aura, he appeared in that moment as an imperial prince descending to the mortal realm, peerless through the ages!

This sight caused the Seven Sect Alliance disciples on shore to visibly flinch, their minds reeling as if struck by divine thunder, forcing them to stumble backward.

Xu Qing then strode forward, his Six Flames combat power expanding into a terrifying pressure, unleashing formidable waves that swept all before them. The retreating disciples on shore broke out in cold sweat, their eyes wide with fear, as they stumbled back even further.

A single individual, suppressing an entire shore!

This scene felt like a cyclical recurrence, mirroring the time Sheng Yunzi had first entered Seven Blood Eyes.

Yet, Xu Qing in this moment was far more awe-inspiring than Sheng Yunzi had been then,

more terrifying, and commanded greater attention, for he possessed two canopies!

"Xu Qing!"

"Xu Qing, the foremost prodigy of Seven Blood Eyes!"

"He captured princes from various sects and defeated Sheng Yunzi! Xu Qing's Six Flames combat power is utterly terrifying, and this isn't even his limit!"

"With an imperial-level cultivation technique, the blessing of two Life Lamps, and his own astonishing brilliance, he is a talent beyond compare!"