Chapter 346: The Primordial Separation from the Ghost City

The captain’s words carried a warning.

Anyone unfamiliar with the captain might have thought he was worried Xu Qing would be unable to resist seizing the opponent's "life lamp," thus causing immense trouble.

However, when Xu Qing heard these words, he clearly understood their true meaning. The captain was telling him that attacking was fine, but he absolutely had to leave no survivors and ensure a meticulous plan. Also, he shouldn’t forget to call the captain to join in.

But Xu Qing had no intention of plundering. This wasn't due to the opponent's significant background, but rather because they had no prior interaction or any reason that necessitated killing them. So Xu Qing shook his head.

"I can't beat him." The captain raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips.

"Still hiding from me? Little Ah Qing, your current combat strength should be comparable to someone with five palaces, right?"

Xu Qing remained silent, gazing toward the distant horizon, specifically the northernmost reach where the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment stood, which was also the direction to leave Yinghuang State. "Senior Brother, do you know where Mount Zhaoxia is?" Xu Qing asked softly.

"Mount Zhaoxia? Let me think..." The captain paused, pondering.

"I think I once saw it on a map of Fenghai County. Mount Zhaoxia isn't very far from Fenghai County; legend says it was once a sleeping palace of an ancient sun." Xu Qing nodded, saying nothing more.

Time passed again, and the rest of the journey was smooth. Along the way, they encountered various uniquely shaped flying boats, all heading in the same direction, bearing different sectarian totems or flags.

The cultivators aboard were generally young and possessed impressive cultivation levels. The Sword Holders’ conscription trial was a major event for all human forces in Yinghuang State, and prodigies from sects big and small were converging here to participate. After all, becoming a Sword Holder conferred a different status both within and outside one's sect, offering a more promising future and opportunities.

Thus, a month quickly went by.

From a distance, standing on the deck, Xu Qing finally saw the colossal, world-shaking pillar.

The Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment, a thousand zhang thick, was entirely black, inscribed with countless runes and totems, emanating an indescribably vast power. Upon closer inspection, each rune contained the essence of the Great Dao, appearing as if formed spontaneously by heaven and earth.

The totems were similar, depicting numerous exotic beasts and figures, each exuding terrifying pressure. All of this was enough to make anyone who saw it feel involuntarily minuscule and compelled to worship.

Looking up, the towering pillar pierced the clouds, its summit invisible. Only vaguely, amidst the mists, could one discern a palace-like structure seemingly standing in the sky, suppressing the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment and everything else.

Yet, this suppressive force could not halt the immense battle intent radiating from the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment, as if it were once a world-shaking weapon of destruction, having slain so many beings from myriad races that it now contained terrifying resentment. However, this resentment, intimidated by the battle intent, could not escape, transforming instead into silent wails echoing in the minds of all who gazed upon the pillar.

Xu Qing’s mind trembled, and what deepened his gaze even more was the slight shaking of his Ghost Emperor Mountain in his sea of consciousness. It seemed drawn by the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment. Simultaneously, the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment itself subtly vibrated.

Xu Qing took a deep breath. He wasn't surprised; the Ghost Emperor's figure had reacted similarly at the Three Spirits Dao Mountain, but now it seemed even stronger. Beside Xu Qing, the captain spoke with emotion.

"Later generations analyzing the Ghost Emperor speculated that this formidable weapon must have been his most important one, accompanying him in battles across the world, slaying foes alongside him. The Ghost Emperor's origins are extremely mysterious; no one knows which race he belonged to. It is only known that he was born at an ill-fated time, achieving enlightenment after the arrival of the Divine Remnant Face."

"No one knows who his enemy was, only that at the end of his life, he fled here, casting aside his weapon, which fell into the ice plains. He then closed his eyes by the sea, choosing to enter nirvana. Some say his place of nirvana faced south, gazing at the sea, as if awaiting something."

The captain's voice grew softer and softer.

Xu Qing felt the Ghost Emperor Mountain in his sea of consciousness, observing the still somewhat blurry face that was increasingly resembling his own, and remained silent.

His eyes shifted to the land around the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment. The land was blanketed in white snow, with countless dome-shaped tents encircling the pillar in layers. Their number easily reached hundreds of thousands, covering a vast area like a unique city.

There were no mortals here, only cultivators from all directions, predominantly rogue cultivators, and all of them were human. No other races were present. The reason for this was that the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment had no requirements for arrivals; whether for residence or cultivation, one could stay here indefinitely, with the sole condition of being human.

Furthermore, the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment was inherently peculiar. Its radiating battle intent, when comprehended over a long period, would form a spiritual seal in one's sea of consciousness, providing some beneficial boost to cultivation. Additionally, the pillar itself contained some inheritances; any human could climb it, and if destiny favored them, they could gain insights from within.

This was why human rogue cultivators increasingly gathered here, and the land was bustling with activity. Many sects that had already arrived demarcated areas of tents, raising their respective sectarian flags. The major powers within Yinghuang State were particularly prominent here.

Among them was the Eight Sects Alliance's encampment. Looking around, the entire city was lined with markets, bustling with crowds.

At the base of the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment, the crowd was densest, numbering at least several thousand, most of them looking up and discussing. Xu Qing noticed this scene and also saw figures on the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment itself.

Roughly a hundred people were scattered at different heights. Some were climbing, while others were meditating on protruding runes and totems. The highest among them was a young man wearing a Taishi Immortal Sect's Daoist robe. This person was not the Taishi Immortal Sect's Dao Child, but one of the prodigies beneath him.

Xu Qing vaguely recognized him as someone he had seen on the Taishi Immortal Sect's flying boat a month ago. At present, this individual was at a height of over five hundred zhang, seemingly his limit, unable to persevere. Eventually, he let go, and his body fell.

As he fell, a blue light emanated from the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment, shooting directly towards his falling body. In the Taishi Immortal Sect prodigy's ecstasy, he seized it, and the next moment, the blue light transformed into a ball of blue mist.

Xu Qing didn't know what it was, but this sight elicited gasps from the crowd below the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment.

"He was actually granted the essence of Jiameng! This essence is a great tonic for vitality!"

"The higher you climb, the greater the chance of being granted something!"

"Although it's not a cultivation inheritance, the bestowal of Jiameng essence is still excellent."

Amidst the discussions, Xu Qing's eyes gleamed as he watched the blue mist in the Taishi Immortal Sect's prodigy's hand, finding it quite strange.

"That's how the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment works; the higher you climb, the greater your chances of gaining benefits," the captain said, his eyes showing anticipation.

"According to the Alliance's intelligence, over the years, the blessings emanating from this Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment have included both inheritances and peculiar essences. For example, the Jiameng Upper Spring Essence primarily enhances vitality, while the Suiyang Heavy Light Essence boosts the efficacy of elixirs, and the Shangzhang Gengjin Essence can be used for refining artifacts."

"Also, there's the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment itself. Comprehending its battle intent here can form a spiritual seal of battle in one's sea of consciousness. This is also a good thing, possessing considerable destructive power, and it's not difficult to achieve. For instance, I feel like I'm close to comprehending it just by looking at this Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment. Plus, this can earn extra points in the Sword Holder trial assessment."

Xu Qing nodded seriously, deciding to try comprehending it himself later.

Seeing Xu Qing's earnestness, the captain inwardly chuckled. In reality, comprehending this spiritual seal was extremely difficult, but he deliberately made it sound simple to emphasize his status as senior brother. This way, if Xu Qing progressed slowly, it would make him, Chen Erniu, seem very impressive.

With these hidden thoughts, the trio approached the vicinity of the Primordial Pillar City. Here, Xu Qing put away his magical vessel.

The three figures flickered, landing in the tent city, and headed towards the Eight Sects Alliance's encampment. Since the area was crowded, the cost of renting accommodation would surely be high, so they naturally went to the sect's free encampment.

Thus, after navigating through the crowds, Xu Qing and his companions finally arrived at the Eight Sects Alliance's encampment here. The location was not far from the Primordial Pillar of Disembodiment, consisting of over a hundred tents. When Xu Qing and the others arrived, their disguises dissipated, and their appearance immediately drew the attention of the Eight Sects Alliance disciples.

The captain and Yan Yan were fine, but Xu Qing's identity was different. As the Alliance's only one of this generation to enjoy the treatment of a Dao Child, he was renowned within the Eight Sects Alliance. So, as soon as he walked in, many Alliance disciples clasped their fists and bowed in greeting.

There were over a hundred Eight Sects Alliance disciples who had come this time, most of whom were at the Foundation Establishment stage, with few Golden Core cultivators. The majority of them would not be able to become Sword Holders; they came because their age qualified them, and according to their sect's arrangements, their purpose was primarily to gain experience.

Among them were many disciples from the various peaks of the Seven Blood Eyes, and even the mute disciple was present. Seeing Xu Qing and the captain, they all bowed respectfully. The mute disciple, in particular, quickly ran to Xu Qing's side, instinctively guarding him.

Soon, the three settled down. Through conversations with Seven Blood Eyes disciples, Xu Qing learned that the Alliance leaders this time were his own ancestor, Blood Refiner, and Yan Yan's grandmother. The sect masters of the Hunter's Pavilion and the Heavenly Mirror Treasure Sect were also present.

His master, however, had not come. Ancestor Blood Refiner and the sect masters had gone to the Sword Holders' Tribunal upon arrival, presumably to discuss something. Seeing this, Xu Qing did not immediately go to pay his respects.

As for Yan Yan, she felt a bit guilty, as she had secretly run away from Seven Blood Eyes. Upon hearing that her grandmother was here, she was about to say something to Xu Qing, but with the vibration of her sound transmission jade slip, Yan Yan sighed.

"Brother Xu Qing, my old lady knows I'm here and wants me to go find her. I'll go appease her first, otherwise it'll be hard to sneak out again in the future."

The captain on the side visibly relaxed, clearly relieved that Ancestor Zixuan had not come.

"The Ancestor is here? He must be here for me. Don't let that old man's usual seriousness fool you; he admires me greatly. This time he's probably here to persuade me to return to the sect. Little Ah Qing, you won't do; you're usually too awkward with words. Remember to pay me back your debts later, and I might consider teaching you some ways to please old folks."

The captain spoke proudly. Xu Qing blinked upon hearing this.

"Senior Brother is right," Xu Qing said. "I suggest you go pay your respects to the Ancestor first. Perhaps the Ancestor knows something about the trial. Inquiring about it would be very beneficial for our participation in the trial."

"That makes sense!" The captain's eyes lit up at the words, and he was about to leave, but then he paused, turning to look at Xu Qing suspiciously.

"Little Ah Qing, it's rare for you to say so much. Something's not right about you." Xu Qing looked into the captain's eyes, his expression one of surprise.

The captain gazed at Xu Qing's expression, full of suspicion, and was about to speak, but just then, a cold snort suddenly echoed from the distant sky. The sound was like a great bell, reverberating in all directions, stirring winds and clouds, shaking heaven and earth.

"Where the Sword Holders' Tribunal stands, all foreign races are forbidden."

"Any foreign race who enters shall be slain!"