Chapter 383: Young Eagle Spreads Its Wings

Above the ancient bronze mirror of the Sea Corpse Clan.

Xu Qing suddenly opened his eyes. His body churned violently, and his internal organs were in immense pain. A sweet taste filled his throat, and a mouthful of fresh blood spurted out, landing on the ancient mirror. It spread into droplets, a shocking sight.

When he looked up, a look of profound shock appeared in Xu Qing's eyes.

"That giant composed of countless corpses... was it the Corpse Ban Emperor?"

"It was eaten by the entity inside the bronze gate."

Xu Qing recalled the golden arm he had seen extending from within the bronze gate. The divine aura emanating from it and its vast, unbearable presence still caused endless turmoil in his heart. He knew clearly that the scene he had witnessed was merely the memory of an alien cultivator, not a direct observation. This meant the experience had already been filtered and relayed. Yet, even so, Xu Qing's clone had directly collapsed, and his main body had also been injured. One could imagine that the arm's status must be extraordinarily high.

"Another deity..." Xu Qing didn't need to guess; he already knew the answer. He wondered how many deities truly existed in this world.

After a long while, Xu Qing finally suppressed his turbulent emotions. He immediately used the Seven-Blood Pupils Forbidden Artifact to contact his master and inform him of everything he had witnessed.

Soon after Xu Qing's report, bells began to chime throughout the Eight Sects Alliance, and the Elders' Council, where the patriarchs of all sects resided, immediately convened an emergency meeting. Xu Qing didn't know how the Eight Sects Alliance would handle the matter afterward. At that moment, he received a directive from Master Seven, instructing him not to probe the depths of the forbidden zone but to closely monitor its periphery. Master Seven also advised him to return immediately if he sensed any danger. Xu Qing sensed the gravity of the situation from his master's words and assented to the command. While healing his injuries, he simultaneously locked the Seven-Blood Pupils Forbidden Artifact onto the edge of the Corpse Ban, monitoring it constantly.

The Eight Sects Alliance reacted swiftly. Within just two days, the forbidden artifacts of all its sects were activated, and the Alliance simultaneously announced to Yinghuang Prefecture that the Corpse Ban might have changed. This announcement immediately caused an uproar throughout Yinghuang Prefecture. The last similar incident had occurred in the Lingyin Forbidden Zone. Though the catastrophe it caused had passed long ago, it was still documented in the historical records of various sects. The tragic conditions then were appalling.

Subsequently, the Eight Sects Alliance dispatched a team of powerful cultivators, led by the patriarchs of the First and Third Sects, to enter the Corpse Ban for a final investigation. For this investigation, the Eight Sects Alliance also invited the Sword-Wielding Court to participate as a witness. The matter was too significant; it wasn't just the Eight Sects Alliance that was concerned, but also the Taisi Immortal Sect and the Litu Cult. After all, if something went wrong with the Corpse Ban, no force within Yinghuang Prefecture would be able to escape its consequences. The Sword-Wielding Court was also involved.

A Sword-Wielding Elder personally arrived. Their group quickly entered the Corpse Ban, which Xu Qing closely monitored via the forbidden artifact. After they entered, waves of fluctuations erupted within the Corpse Ban. The entire process didn't last long, just half a month, before the Eight Sects Alliance group returned. Each of them wore a solemn expression, as did the accompanying Sword-Wielding Elder who had witnessed the investigation. Soon, the results of the Corpse Ban inquiry were announced to all of Yinghuang Prefecture.

The forbidden zone had indeed changed: the Corpse Gate had opened, and the Corpse Emperor had fallen. However, the impact was not widespread, and the area had been re-sealed and reinforced. As soon as this news was released, most of the smaller sects and forces in Yinghuang Prefecture breathed a sigh of relief. However, the major sects did not; instead, they grew more vigilant, restricted their activities, and heightened their defenses. While the announcement's content was true and the facts were as stated, the Eight Sects Alliance's investigation this time had uncovered a crucial clue. The Corpse Gate of the Corpse Ban had not opened on its own, nor had it been opened from within; instead, it had been opened from the outside. Furthermore, even with the reinforced seal, it was considered only marginally effective. Sooner or later, the Corpse Ban would cause chaos. However, this wasn't expected to happen soon, as the Eight Sects Alliance had discovered the issue promptly, giving Yinghuang Prefecture time to prepare. Nevertheless, the question of who had opened the Corpse Gate became a pall, hanging over the hearts of all major sects in Yinghuang Prefecture. Those capable of opening the Corpse Gate were certainly no ordinary individuals. Some suspected Zhuzhao, but various clues seemed to point elsewhere, suggesting the involvement of an even more terrifying force.

All of this transpired within half a month.

On the eve of impending turmoil, Xu Qing's three-month stint as a 'treasure keeper' also came to an end. Although the Corpse Ban's changes heightened the Eight Sects Alliance's vigilance, they maintained an outwardly relaxed but inwardly tense demeanor. Essential tasks still had to be carried out, such as the rotation of stationed personnel at the branch sect in the Feng Hai Commandery capital. Therefore, by the time Xu Qing returned, the Eight Sects Alliance had already finalized the list of individuals for the trip to Feng Hai Commandery.

This time, Immortal Zi Xuan would lead the team to the commandery capital. She would be stationed there for ten years, presiding over the branch sect. Concurrently, the Peak Master of the Fifth Peak of the Seven-Blood Pupils was appointed as the branch sect master and would accompany them, also for a ten-year term. Additionally, some talented disciples from various sects were also arranged to be sent to the commandery capital for training. Among them were Huang Yikun and Huang Lingfei from the Profound Nether Sect, and Sima Ru, who had failed the Sword-Wielding trial in the Hunter's Gate. As for the Seven-Blood Pupils, at the request of the First Peak's Peak Master, Wu Jianwu's name was also added to the list. It seemed the Peak Master found this disciple quite displeasing and wished to send him away, preferring an "out of sight, out of mind" approach. Besides these, there were also dozens of disciples from various sects; a small portion were at the Foundation Establishment stage, but most were Heavenly Palace Golden Core cultivators. Many of them Xu Qing had not met before.

After the list was confirmed, on the third day following Xu Qing's return, a massive flying boat ascended from within the Eight Sects Alliance. The Captain also seemed to feel it, instinctively moving closer to Xu Qing, for Immortal Zi Xuan had arrived. She arrived alongside Master Five of the Seven-Blood Pupils, who respectfully walked a step behind her. Dressed in a long purple gown, Immortal Zi Xuan, as she approached from the horizon, resembled a blooming Bauhinia flower. After boarding the flying boat, she gave Xu Qing a faint smile without saying anything more, then entered the cabin with Master Five, who was to brief her on the itinerary. Master Five was not a male cultivator but an old woman. However, within the Seven-Blood Pupils, all peak masters were respectfully addressed as "Master." Standing there, she glanced at Xu Qing and the Captain, a smile on her face, then respectfully stepped into the cabin.

Wu Jianwu shrunk his neck and sighed in relief. The Captain shot Wu Jianwu a look of disdain. "Look at you, cowering like that! What are you afraid of?"

"You fear the Immortal more than my dog; each time you're rebuked, you inwardly roar!" Wu Jianwu rolled his eyes at the Captain. His poetic skill had noticeably declined, a clear sign of not having practiced for three months. Xu Qing glanced at the Captain and Wu Jianwu, then stepped back a few paces, maintaining his distance.

He also observed the new arrivals outside the flying boat. These disciples from various sects, after boarding, mostly showed anticipation, but also a discernible vigilance. After all, for most, this journey was the longest they had ever undertaken. They were all uncertain about what might happen along the way or how things would be once they reached the commandery capital. The flying boat did not depart immediately; instead, it hovered in mid-air as cultivators from various sects swiftly arrived one after another. Moreover, Immortal Zi Xuan, as the team leader, had not yet made an appearance.

Xu Qing stood on the flying boat, gazing at the distant sky and land, holding a small seal in his hand. It was a treasure the patriarch had promised him before his departure. Just as he was examining the small seal, a sigh of emotion came from beside him.

"Little Ah Qing," the voice exclaimed, "do you know how difficult it is to go three months without eating? I'll never covet anything from the Profound Nether Sect again; they're too cruel, unless my cultivation is high enough!" The Captain, a look of lamentation on his face, walked over to Xu Qing and let out a deep sigh. Behind him, Wu Jianwu followed, his face reflecting the relief of having survived a calamity.

Not having seen them for three months, Xu Qing noticed that the Captain seemed to have lost weight, and Wu Jianwu looked haggard. However, Wu Jianwu's cultivation had clearly improved significantly, now remarkably reaching the Four Flames stage. This speed genuinely surprised Xu Qing. But considering Wu Jianwu's experience in the Demonic Snake Secret Realm, Xu Qing understood that achieving this was plausible, as that realm was specifically designed for opening dharma apertures. From this perspective, it could be considered a blessing in disguise for Wu Jianwu.

"Did Immortal Zi Xuan intentionally do this?" This thought suddenly crossed Xu Qing's mind.

"Three months unable to recite poetry, a hundred days of torment—who truly knows!" Wu Jianwu, with his hands behind his back, gazed at the sky and land, sighing deeply with immense emotion. "Should I become the Heavenly Emperor one day, I shall ensure those who have insulted me meet a violent end!"

Almost the instant Wu Jianwu's words left his lips, a cold snort resonated from the sky. Wu Jianwu's expression changed, his body trembled, and a fawning look immediately appeared on his face.

In this climate of uncertainty, they instinctively turned their gaze to Xu Qing and the Captain, respectfully. This was because, in the unknown commandery capital, Xu Qing and the Captain were different from them: the others were merely joining the branch sect, while Xu Qing and the Captain were reporting for duty and receiving official assignments. To some extent, their roles largely involved serving the sect's Sword-Wielders. Moreover, if they were to cause any trouble in the commandery capital, it would still fall upon a Sword-Wielder to resolve it. Thus, their status and identity began to shift the moment they stepped onto this flying boat. While foolish individuals existed, they were rare among this group. They naturally had a clear understanding of the future developments.

Soon, with everyone assembled, and as cultivators from the various sects of the Eight Sects Alliance watched from the ground, the massive flying boat, carrying hundreds of people, roared away into the distance from mid-air.

On the ground, Master Seven looked up, gazing at the flying boat with blessings in his eyes. "May all be well."

"What, can't bear to see them go?" Blood Refiner said with a smile, sitting beside Master Seven.

"It's quite far, after all," Master Seven said with a smile, "but it's good for young people to go out and gain more experience. Besides, Yinghuang Prefecture might not be peaceful in the near future, so it's good for them to be away."

"The Corpse Ban..." Hearing this, Blood Refiner's expression turned solemn, and he turned his head to gaze in the direction of the Corpse Ban. "Have they discovered who was responsible?"

"All clues point to... the Saintly Clan within the Saintly Vast Domain, where our Feng Hai Commandery is located!" Master Seven said softly. "The Saintly Clan: they rebelled against humanity to form their own clan, relying on the Black Heaven Clan. They are the rulers of the Saintly Domain and are incredibly brutal towards our human race."