Chapter 285: Using Great Care

“Yijing.”

Xu Qing’s eyes showed contemplation as he looked up at the main river, where the Tai Si Immortal Sect’s fleet was gradually disappearing from sight.

This wasn’t the first time Xu Qing had heard this term. Earlier, the princess of the Sea-Corpse Race had mentioned that her father, the Emperor of the Sea-Corpse Race, cultivated a technique also related to it.

“Is it enlightenment?” Xu Qing murmured to himself. As he committed this to memory, he also silently blessed Li Zimei.

The days that followed were smooth, and Xu Qing’s cultivation proceeded as usual. More than a month later, the Security Bureau of Lingxia Valley, part of the Eight Sects Alliance, arrived.

The Captain also returned at this time, looking utterly satisfied. It was clear that his recent travels had been fruitful; especially to Xu Qing, it seemed the Captain’s complexion had improved.

It was as if he had experienced something significant. Moreover, the Captain’s aura was sharper than before.

“It’s over?” Xu Qing glanced at the Captain.

“It’s over!”

“Haha, little Ah Qing, let me tell you, if we fought now, the outcome would be unknown! I’ve unlocked another seal,” the Captain boasted triumphantly.

Xu Qing said nothing in response. Just as the Captain was about to continue speaking, the personnel from the Lingxia Valley Security Bureau arrived.

Knowing Xu Qing disliked socializing, the Captain went to handle the handover. Soon, after the Lingxia Valley disciples had stationed themselves and the Seven Blood Eyes handed over their banner, they boarded their boat and departed downriver.

The return journey was much faster than the outbound one. On one hand, there was no need to inspect the riverbanks as thoroughly as they had on the way there. On the other hand, going with the current made their already swift boats even faster.

After some time, the majestic city of the Eight Sects Alliance came into view for all the Security Bureau disciples, and each of them had excitement in their eyes.

After all, this mission had been lengthy, and they hadn’t returned to the sect in a long time.

However, their gains were considerable. Not only had their cultivation improved, but the foreign substances in their bodies had also significantly decreased. More importantly, they were no longer strangers to the Ancient Continent.

Seeing the familiar Seven Blood Eyes, Xu Qing also felt a sense of relief. Upon returning, his first action was to go back to his berth. There, he continued his cultivation while also checking on the small black insects that had absorbed the Immortal Frost.

They had been dormant until now, finally showing signs of awakening. What excited Xu Qing was that the aura of these small black insects was clearly much stronger and more concealed than before. Meanwhile, Xu Qing was diligently working to open his one hundred and eleventh dharma aperture, and also gathering Soul Pills.

However, once dharma apertures were opened to such an extent, the soul power required to open each subsequent one was immense. Ordinary Soul Pills couldn’t sustain it. As for Ascension Pills, they were priceless and unavailable, and Xu Qing couldn’t find any despite searching.

But the Captain brought him good news.

“Xu Qing, I’ve reached Wu Jianwu. He’s rushing back from Fengjin. From what I know of him, the moment he reaches the sect, he’ll teleport to find us, no matter the cost.

“Also, regarding the Land of Creation in the Profound Nether Sect, I’ve gathered clear information. It truly is as described in the murals, and it’s open to disciples from other sects. However, the price is exorbitant: five million spirit stones for a single entry, and only for three days!”

That place was extremely beneficial for those whose cultivation required soul power. This was especially true for the Profound Nether Sect; generally, only prodigies aiming to break through from three flames to four flames would be willing to go there to achieve their breakthrough.

After the Captain found Xu Qing and quickly spoke to him on his boat, he rubbed his hands, his eyes gleaming.

“Little Ah Qing, do your senior brother a favor. Your senior brother really can’t bear to spend five million spirit stones; it’s too expensive. How about you go find Immortal Zi Xuan and try to charm her? Maybe she’ll be so pleased that she’ll waive the fees for us directly.”

The Captain coaxed.

“Senior Zi Xuan wasn’t interested in me that day, she was interested in you, Senior Brother. You go.” Xu Qing felt an inexplicable nervousness whenever he thought of Immortal Zi Xuan. Hearing the Captain’s words at that moment, he glanced at the Captain.

“Oh, you silly boy, this is ten million spirit stones! Do you think I don’t want to? But I can’t!” The Captain grew anxious and quickly tried to persuade him.

“Little Ah Qing, you have such good conditions, why don’t you use them?!”

“Youth only lasts a few years, why are you so foolish?” The Captain pleaded earnestly, constantly trying to persuade him, but Xu Qing remained silent, with no intention of agreeing.

He also regretted the cost of the spirit stones, but he instinctively recoiled from the Captain’s words.

“This world values cultivation; no one will criticize you for it, little Ah Qing. You don’t need to feel burdened. This is an era where people mock the weak, not the charming!” The Captain slapped his thigh, sighing dramatically, as if to say that if he had Xu Qing’s advantages, he would certainly do it without hesitation.

“Little Ah Qing, why can’t you understand? If I were you, believe it or not, I’d already be a Nascent Soul cultivator, the sect would be full of my descendants, and given a few hundred years, the Seven Sects Alliance would surely be mine. You should learn from Old Third!”

“If you want to go, go yourself,” Xu Qing said, not wanting to bother with the Captain.

The Captain beat his chest and stamped his foot, letting out a long sigh.

“Fine, if you won’t go, then lend me some money—no, pay me back! You still owe me five million spirit stones!”

Xu Qing glanced at the Captain, and after assessing their respective combat strengths, closed his eyes and meditated, completely ignoring him.

The Captain reluctantly tried to persuade him further, but seeing that Xu Qing had entered a meditative state, he could only leave, feeling heartbroken about the five million spirit stones he had to spend.

Just one day after his anguish began, Wu Jianwu, whom both he and Xu Qing were waiting for, arrived even faster than expected.

Since the Seven Blood Eyes relocated, the only prince who hadn’t yet arrived was Wu Jianwu. He had been in the Phoenix Forbidden Zone all this time. If the information from the Captain hadn’t been so astonishing, he wouldn’t have returned now.

His return caused quite a stir within the Seven Blood Eyes. It wasn’t because of the poetry he recited as he exited the teleportation array, nor his silver robe, nor even his Two-Flame cultivation fluctuation.

Instead, two ferocious beast cubs were following him.

They were two bear cubs, about the size of dogs, but instead of black, their fur was golden. The moment they stepped out of the teleportation array, they emitted intense divine fluctuations. Moreover, within these divine fluctuations, they also exuded an aura comparable to a Great Circle of the Condensing Qi realm.

It was important to note that they were still young and their intelligence was clearly not fully developed. Yet, they displayed such presence that it was imaginable they would soon be able to establish their foundations independently.

This matter attracted the sect’s attention. The fact that these two small beasts possessed ancient bloodlines caused an immediate sensation among the Beast Taming lineage of the Fourth Peak as soon as they appeared.

Normally, Wu Jianwu would have undoubtedly seized this opportunity to show off and stand out among the crowd. But now, he had more important matters on his mind.

Therefore, the moment he teleported back, he sent a voice message to the Captain and Xu Qing.

“Where is it? Where is the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor’s ruin you spoke of?”

“And the poem written by the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor, is it real?” In that last sentence, Xu Qing could feel Wu Jianwu’s excitement and exhilaration even through the jade slip.

“Of course it’s real!” the Captain swiftly replied. But Wu Jianwu still seemed somewhat skeptical, as if he instinctively distrusted the Captain.

It wasn’t until Xu Qing also gave an affirmative answer that he believed.

His body began to tremble. There was no need for the Captain to urge him; instead, he urged Xu Qing and the Captain to take him there as soon as possible. Even though he knew it would cost five million spirit stones, he immediately agreed without batting an eyelid.

This made the Captain feel he had quoted too low a price.

Thus, urged by Wu Jianwu, the three of them arrived at the Profound Nether Sect on the very day of his arrival.

Xu Qing came with a heavy heart. He told himself it was all for opening his fourth destiny flame, so his expression remained solemn throughout the journey. They moved quickly, wanting to reach the Land of Creation as soon as possible without attracting any attention.

Only the Captain, pained by the thought of spending spirit stones, dawdled and dragged his feet the whole way. But even at his slow pace, he eventually arrived with Xu Qing and Wu Jianwu at the entrance to the Land of Creation, located behind the Profound Nether Sect mountain.

There was a large rock here, upon which sat an old man, responsible for guarding the place. This old man had six Heavenly Palaces in his cultivation, and as he sat there, his aura was astonishing. When Xu Qing and the other two arrived, he didn’t even open his eyelids, showing no concern.

Seeing that everything had gone smoothly so far, Xu Qing felt relieved. He quickly paid the spirit stones, and Wu Jianwu, beside him, did the same. As for the Captain, he let out a long sigh, gazing wistfully at the sky. Under the stares of Xu Qing and Wu Jianwu, he stepped forward reluctantly, paying the spirit stones with a bleeding heart.

Once all three had paid, the old man finally opened his eyes and waved his hand. Instantly, a colossal vortex rumbled into existence before them.

A dense surge of soul power emanated from within the vortex. Xu Qing and Wu Jianwu were about to step in without hesitation. But at that moment, the old man, who had been sitting by, suddenly rose and bowed towards the sky.

“Greetings, Old Ancestor.”

Xu Qing’s body trembled.

He was about to step into the vortex, but it was too late. An elegant and pleasant voice, laced with laughter, drifted down from the sky. “Little friend, don’t move. Turn around.”

In an instant, Xu Qing’s raised foot could not be put down. He could only grit his teeth and turn around, seeing Immortal Zi Xuan, of peerless grace, descending from the sky step by step.

Today, her attire was different again. She wore a verdant silk dress, a phoenix-winged hairpin in her hair, which cascaded over her shoulders. The scent of a fresh bath wafted from her, and her captivating face held a hint of a blush, making her appear utterly beautiful.

Especially the smile in her eyes seemed capable of melting, embracing, and containing everything.

At this moment, she walked towards Xu Qing, who was stiff all over, just as she had that night, step by step. Wu Jianwu, standing to the side, watched everything with a dazed expression.

As for the Captain, he blinked, thinking to himself, “Why did she only just arrive? Surely she didn’t deliberately wait for us to spend the money before showing up?”

And so, amidst Wu Jianwu’s bewildered expression and the Captain’s suspicion, Immortal Zi Xuan gracefully approached Xu Qing. Her eyes held a profound depth, like bottomless pools, capable of drawing everything into their embrace.

Her beautiful lips were slightly parted, the corners turned slightly upward in a satisfied expression, as she let out a soft laugh.

“Little friend, are you always so good at pleasing women? You even know to give Elder Sister gifts. Elder Sister likes your gift very much.”

Immortal Zi Xuan’s voice was as beautiful and refreshing as a trickling spring, while the magnetism and tenderness it held were like a vortex, drawing one closer to her every moment.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qing’s peripheral vision instantly darted to the Captain.

The Captain blinked, looking left and right, as if the matter had nothing to do with him!