Chapter 378: Life Goes On

The morning light reflected on the dark forbidden sea, casting a somber glow as the magic ship sailed away under the blue sky. Xu Qing looked up and watched for a long time, not withdrawing his gaze until the magic ship was out of sight.

Huang Yan had been quite uncomfortable since arriving in Yinghuang Prefecture, so his departure was understandable. Xu Qing respected his decision and wished him and his second senior sister a brighter future in Nanhuang Continent.

"I wish them all the best," Xu Qing murmured softly. He then turned and left the harbor, making his way to the mountain gate of the Seven Blood Eyes sect.

He was going to pay respects to Sixth Master. He had originally intended to go yesterday but was taken into the Demonic Serpent Secret Realm by Immortal Zixuan.

As he walked up the mountain gate steps now, facing the wind and listening to the rustling of the large trees planted within the gate, Xu Qing felt a profound sense of calm.

In the early morning, most disciples in the sect were engaged in morning cultivation. From a distance, the chanting of scriptures echoed—a new practice resulting from the Seven Blood Eyes' reforms after joining the Alliance.

They had begun cultivating their minds. Xu Qing only learned of this upon his return, during yesterday's banquet. The practice of mind cultivation was proposed by Seventh Master and had recently begun to spread throughout the entire sect. This had indeed surprised many disciples, as previously, everyone had focused solely on cultivating techniques, with no attention to the mind.

Xu Qing pondered this, realizing that, given the timeline, it seemed to be his master's initiative after studying the divine test subject.

Lost in thought, Xu Qing followed the steps to the back mountain. Along the way, any disciples he encountered showed him immense respect, stopping from a distance to bow in greeting.

Before long, in a bamboo grove in the back mountain of the Seven Blood Eyes sect, Xu Qing saw a grave. Offerings were placed before the grave, and incense smoke wafted upwards. Two middle-aged cultivators were also there, silently gazing at the inscriptions on the tombstone. Xu Qing recognized them; they were Sixth Master's disciples.

They noticed Xu Qing's arrival, glanced back at him, clasped their fists in greeting, and said, "Xu Qing, congratulations on becoming a Sword Bearer."

Xu Qing silently approached and returned their bow.

"We two have been ordered to go out," one said. "Before leaving, we came here to pay our respects to Master. Alas, things change so quickly. A year has passed in a flash."

"Junior Brother Xu, we won't disturb your tribute. Farewell." The two sighed, saying no more.

"I wish both of you senior brothers a smooth journey," Xu Qing said sincerely, bowing once.

The two waved their hands, their expressions still tinged with sadness, and departed by stepping into the air. Though the deceased are gone and the living continue, there are always moments when the heart is stirred.

Xu Qing sat before Sixth Master's grave, took out two flasks of wine, pouring one onto the grave soil and taking a large gulp from the other. He said nothing, just drank, as the mountain wind and the sky's light mingled, continuously flowing through the world. An hour later, Xu Qing stood up. "Sixth Master," he said, "next time I visit, I'll bring you a few heads of the Zhuzhao to enjoy with your wine."

After speaking, Xu Qing bowed deeply to the tombstone. May peace prevail in heaven and on earth.

Xu Qing turned and left the back mountain. He did not leave the mountain gate but intended to find his master. He had many questions for his master, such as the changes in the Ghost Emperor Mountain within his Sea of Consciousness, and the Sword Bearer Grand Elder's assertion during a lecture on plants that spiritual herbs might be a direction for studying deities.

With these thoughts in mind, Xu Qing walked within the mountain gate. During that time, he sent a telepathic greeting to his master, who replied that he was in the pavilion at the mountaintop and told him to come over.

Knowing his master's location, Xu Qing quickened his pace. As he walked towards the mountaintop pavilion, his expression subtly changed as he looked towards the small path ahead of the mountain gate. A familiar voice came from there.

"Little one, you're lucky to have met me," a voice said. "Your Uncle Master Ding Xiaohai has a bad temper. Are you able to contradict him? If I hadn't just come out of seclusion and passed by, he could have crippled you with one slap."

"Yes, I'll listen to you, Uncle Master Ding," a shy and soft voice replied, accompanying Ding Xue's words.

Soon, Ding Xue, with a ponytail, a heroic bearing, and an ancient sword on her back, appeared in Xu Qing's sight. She carried herself like a senior, with a small boy, about ten years old, walking beside her. The little boy's clothes were very clean, as was his face.

He politely nodded, but the next instant, he sensed Xu Qing before Ding Xue did. The moment he saw Xu Qing, his expression suddenly changed. Clearly showing fear and apprehension, his body froze for a moment, and he instinctively hid behind Ding Xue.

Ding Xue was surprised, then she also saw Xu Qing in the distance. Her eyes immediately lit up, and quickly leaving the little boy aside, she ran towards Xu Qing alone. All her previous heroic bearing was replaced by delight.

"Brother Xu Qing, I was just about to look for you!" she exclaimed. "I was still in seclusion when you returned yesterday. Look, I'm almost at sixty dharma orifices and about to ignite my second life fire! But I haven't forgotten; I'll work even harder." When Ding Xue saw Xu Qing, her eyes shimmered with an unusual light, filled with joy.

"Brother Xu Qing, are you going up the mountain for something?"

Xu Qing also smiled, marveling at how quickly her cultivation had improved. After all, a little over a year ago, on the way back from Ghost Emperor Mountain, Ding Xue had only just completed her first life fire. However, recalling Seventh Master's words about raising girls with abundant resources, Xu Qing roughly understood the reason.

"Very good," Xu Qing praised genuinely, then told her he was going to see his master. Hearing Xu Qing praise her, Ding Xue's heart quickened, her cheeks flushed slightly, and her face radiated happiness.

Xu Qing's gaze fell behind Ding Xue, landing on the restless little boy in the distance. The little boy remained rooted to the spot, unsure whether to leave or stay. His face was filled with timidity, and fear rose in his heart. He was truly afraid of Xu Qing.

Although Xu Qing had given him the token that allowed him to join the Seven Blood Eyes sect, the words Xu Qing said when he left that day made him realize that Xu Qing had seen through everything about him. Moreover, he had once felt a suppressive force from Xu Qing, and now, looking again, this suppressive force had grown incredibly powerful. Others might not perceive it, but he was different. He sensed it with immense clarity; it was the oppressive aura of Ghost Emperor Mountain.

This little boy was precisely the anomaly transformed into human form, whom Seventh Master had favored when he stayed in the small town at the foot of Ghost Emperor Mountain with him and Ding Xue.

"Brother Xu Qing, you remember him, right? The little boy from that town." Noticing Xu Qing's gaze, Ding Xue said with a smile. "Wang Ling, why don't you come over and greet your Uncle Master Xu?" she added, glaring at the little boy.

Suppressing his fear, the little boy, his scalp tingling, took a few steps forward and greeted Xu Qing, his voice slightly trembling.

"Hello, Uncle Master Xu."

Xu Qing's expression was calm. He inquired about the situation, learning that the child had been at the mountain gate for several months, staying at the foot of the mountain during that time. Today, he had come up the mountain to exchange for a Dharma boat, but for some reason, he had incurred Ding Xiaohai's displeasure. Ding Xue, upon passing by after emerging from seclusion, had lent him a hand.

"I saw Ding Xiaohai looking at him with a strange gaze, as if he wanted to devour him. I don't know why, which is why I helped him out," Ding Xue secretly transmitted to Xu Qing, her face still holding a loving smile. Although she appeared docile and gentle in front of Xu Qing, in reality, she was incredibly astute, sharp-witted, and possessed both cunning and keen observation skills.

"Brother Xu Qing, hurry and go see Master," Ding Xue said with a smile. "I'll come find you later; I also need to take little Wang Ling down the mountain first."

Xu Qing nodded and walked on.

The little boy beside Ding Xue now turned his head, watching Xu Qing's retreating figure. A hint of envy appeared deep in his eyes as he recalled Xu Qing's words to him that day, and he couldn't help but speak softly.

"Big Brother... ah, Uncle Master Xu, what you said to me that day..."

"Work hard, and you will achieve it," Xu Qing said, turning to glance at the little boy and nodding.

The little boy took a deep breath, also nodded, and walked away with Ding Xue, amidst her smiling gaze. He wanted to become a human, a true human, and this was the only reason he had come to the Seven Blood Eyes sect.

After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, at the peak of the Seven Blood Eyes mountain gate, inside the pavilion, Xu Qing's figure walked in. He immediately saw his serious-faced master and the middle-aged attendant beside him, both engaged in a game of chess. However, compared to Seventh Master's sternness, the middle-aged attendant, whom Xu Qing knew well, had a relaxed expression.

After seeing Xu Qing, the middle-aged attendant was about to stand up and greet him, but Xu Qing preemptively bowed his head and clasped his fists in a greeting. The middle-aged attendant smiled and stood up to return the greeting.

Seventh Master, who was nearby, flicked his sleeve, scattering the chess pieces, and spoke indifferently. "Your playing is terrible," he said. "I gave you so many pieces, and you still lost."

"Fourth, come and play chess with your master." The middle-aged attendant smiled wryly and moved aside.

Xu Qing walked over with his usual expression, tidied the scattered chess pieces, and began to play. However, his chess skills were quite ordinary, so as they played, a smile appeared on Seventh Master's face.

"Fourth, your mind is not calm," Seventh Master said. "Chess reflects one's state of mind. From this move, I can tell something is on your mind."

"Indeed, nothing can be hidden from Master."

Xu Qing looked into Seventh Master's eyes and said earnestly, conveniently ignoring that he had already mentioned he had something to ask about when he sent his telepathic message. The middle-aged attendant, seeing that the master and disciple had something to discuss, retreated and even waved his hand to seal off the surroundings, then sat cross-legged outside.

"Speak," Seventh Master said, picking up a chess piece contentedly and playing with it in his hand.

"Master, there's been a change in the Ghost Emperor Mountain within my body," Xu Qing said, taking a deep breath, his expression solemn.

"What kind of change?" Seventh Master asked casually, his chess piece poised to drop.

"It took my form."

With a clatter, the chess piece fell from Seventh Master's hand onto the board. He looked up, gazing at Xu Qing with a bewildered expression.

"What did you say?"