Chapter 428: A Bamboo Spanning a Thousand Autumns

As he spoke, Ghost Hand flicked his sleeve, and bolts of heavenly lightning immediately formed, crashing down with a roar. After continuously bombarding the area, he let out a cold snort and departed. Xu Qing glanced at the Wood Spirit tribesman, whose body lay mostly shattered on the ground, then withdrew his gaze and followed.

On the ground, the giant withered tree's face showed a bitter expression. As its body trembled and swayed, its gaze fell upon Xu Qing's receding figure in the sky, and it murmured to itself. "His right wrist... it actually bears a line of spiritual fortune..."

Several hours later, at the edge of this small world, Ghost Hand and Xu Qing concluded their boundary prison journey. Before leaving, Xu Qing earnestly requested Ghost Hand to let him experience what it felt like to bear the rules on his own. After all, this was something he had to achieve in the future; otherwise, if he could never patrol alone and always had to be accompanied, becoming a pawn in District C would be meaningless.

"Are you sure?" Ghost Hand glanced at Xu Qing. "To bear the rules of an entire realm and walk with them on your shoulders... only Nascent Soul cultivators can accomplish this. While some Golden Core cultivators can, they are rare, and most would collapse within three to five breaths."

Xu Qing pondered, then his expression became solemn, and he bowed in agreement. "Alright."

Ghost Hand said nothing more and immediately released his shared burden. The next moment, Xu Qing's entire body roared as if countless mountains were pressing down on him. His body emitted creaking sounds, his soul trembled, and a strong tearing sensation emerged throughout his body. It felt as though he could tear apart and collapse into death at any moment.

Ghost Hand shook his head, and just as he was about to withdraw the power, Xu Qing's Golden Crow Refining All Spirits technique surged at that moment. His physical strength fully erupted, and he actually managed to endure it. It was still difficult, and his body trembled violently, but as time passed, breath by breath, Ghost Hand's expression gradually changed.

After a hundred breaths, Xu Qing managed to lift his head and looked at Ghost Hand. "Senior," he said, "I believe I can withstand the descent of the rules."

Ghost Hand was moved, and a bright gleam slowly appeared in his eyes. "You can do it, kid. Not only is your physical body strong, but your soul is equally astonishing. Most cultivators at your cultivation level cannot achieve this."

After speaking, Ghost Hand flicked his sleeve, and immediately, the pressure on Xu Qing lightened as Ghost Hand resumed sharing the burden of the rules. From extreme compression to instant relief, Xu Qing's body trembled with the sudden change; he clearly felt his inner physical strength had improved somewhat in those brief hundred breaths. It was as if he had been re-tempered. This invigorated Xu Qing. "But don't get complacent," Ghost Hand added. "While it's rare for Golden Core cultivators to achieve this, it's not unheard of."

Ghost Hand smiled, said nothing more, and, forming a hand seal, led Xu Qing out of the small world. When they reappeared outside the world, on their way back through the void, Xu Qing wasn't complacent about enduring for a hundred breaths. He thought of the Ancient Spirit Race that Ghost Hand had mentioned earlier, and so he inquired, "The Ancient Spirit Race?"

Ghost Hand recalled. "They are a peculiar race. Looking back through history from our present time, I think there's some truth to them being called the 'Fated Race.' This race is said to possess astonishing innate talents related to fortune; they can bless themselves and others. I'm not entirely clear on the specifics. However, it is rumored that their race's Spirit Emperor attempted to use the fortune of the Wanggu Continent to break through the Ancient Emperor realm and ascend to a higher level, but failed. This resulted in the depletion of Wanggu's fortune, and ninety percent of their race's bloodline was extinguished overnight, ending the era of the Ancient Spirit Race."

As they spoke, the two had already emerged from within the mural, returning to the 90th floor of the Ministry of Justice. "That's all for today," Ghost Hand said. "Since you can somewhat withstand the descent of the rules, continue to adapt and see how long it takes you to truly withstand the rules' descent into the boundary prison and complete a patrol." At this point, Ghost Hand offered a few words of encouragement, then, drinking his wine, turned and left. Xu Qing clasped his fist and bowed towards Ghost Hand's receding back, then, feeling mentally exhausted, he left the Ministry of Justice and returned to Sword Pavilion.

On the way, he recalled the scenes from the boundary prison within that small world; he was still somewhat shocked by the Sword-Holding Palace's methods, and he also thought of the more than forty Near-Immortal races within the small world. "Near-Immortal races..."

Xu Qing suppressed his inner fatigue and began to ponder. To clearly investigate this matter, the obstacles were significant and difficult to avoid, yet Xu Qing greatly desired the fifty thousand military merits, especially wanting to obtain that second-class reward. After all, going to Morning Glow Mountain required not only military merits but also battle merits.

Thus, a profound look appeared in Xu Qing's eyes, and after analyzing it in his mind, he suddenly had an idea. "Actually," he thought, "there's another approach: starting with the immortal puppet itself. This requires understanding how immortal puppets are made."

Murmuring to himself, Xu Qing recalled Ghost Hand mentioning that the County Governor's Aide had some research on immortal puppets, so he took out his Sword-Holding Envoy's command sword and used his military merits to apply for an opportunity to meet the County Governor's Aide and learn. The entire county recognized the County Governor's Aide as immensely knowledgeable, so typically, when they had questions or needs, they would consult him. However, the County Governor's Aide usually assisted the County Governor in managing the county, and his duties were extensive, so when an application would be approved depended on the Aide's own time.

Xu Qing was fortunate; after returning to Sword Pavilion and meditating for half an hour, he received a reply from the County Governor's Aide.

"Xu Qing?"

"County Governor's Aide," Xu Qing said respectfully, taking out his jade slip.

"What is it?" the County Governor's Aide's voice asked, carrying a hint of fatigue, as he had clearly just finished his official duties.

Xu Qing knew it was best not to disturb him too much, so he briefly stated his request to learn about immortal puppets.

"Immortal puppets, you say?" the Aide replied. "If you have time now, come over. I'll take you to see them for yourself."

Hearing the County Governor's Aide's reply, Xu Qing's spirits lifted, and he left Sword Pavilion, heading straight for the county capital.

The night was not yet deep, and the county capital was brightly lit. Many shops were open, there were many commoners about, and even some snack stalls were still operating. Sword-Holding Envoys and county patrols could occasionally be seen on the streets. Xu Qing headed straight for the County Governor's Aide's mansion, located in the east of the city. Upon arriving, he explained his purpose to the mansion's guards and was eventually led to the exterior of the Aide's study.

"Sword-Holding Envoy Xu Qing requests an audience with the County Governor's Aide," Xu Qing announced, his expression solemn as he clasped his fist and bowed.

"Come in," the County Governor's Aide's tired voice came from inside the study.

Xu Qing respectfully walked over, pushed open the study door, and saw the County Governor's Aide, who was busy mixing potions, along with several of his assistants. One of the assistants was a newly promoted Sword-Holding Envoy from Xu Qing's own cohort. This Sword-Holding Envoy nodded upon seeing Xu Qing, then proceeded to prepare the potion according to the Aide's instructions. Xu Qing did not disturb them; he stood to the side, his gaze sweeping across the study. He saw many potted plants and flowers nearby; some were medicinal herbs, others were ordinary flowers.

At this moment, the County Governor's Aide had a tired expression, but his eyes were very bright, and he was clearly at a critical stage of mixing. Under his complete concentration, bottle after bottle of potion were mixed together. Upon completion, he quickly walked to a pot of rock osmanthus and gently dripped the potion into the soil. But clearly, the potion had a deviation, and the potted plant visibly withered until it perished.

"Alas," the County Governor's Aide sighed softly. He rubbed his brow, then turned to look at Xu Qing. Just as he was about to speak, his communication jade slip vibrated. He took it out to check, and his expression became a little more serious.

"Xu Qing," he said, "the County Governor has summoned me. I cannot explain immortal puppets to you today. Here are some materials I previously recorded about immortal puppets. Study them yourself, and if you have any questions, come ask me again."

It seemed the matter was somewhat serious; the County Governor's Aide said nothing more. After handing Xu Qing a recording jade slip, he straightened his robes. Before leaving, he nodded apologetically to Xu Qing, instructed his assistants in the study to continue mixing the potions, then hurriedly departed, stepping into the air.

Xu Qing took the jade slip and bowed with clasped fists. Seeing the County Governor's Aide's assistants in the study begin to re-mix the potion, Xu Qing knew it was inappropriate to linger, so he bid farewell and left the Aide's mansion.

On his way back to Sword Pavilion, the bustle of the county capital was gradually fading. Though many shops were still open, some snack stalls were packing up. Xu Qing's gaze swept around, and he saw a small hawthorn candy stall packing up. Looking at the bright red hawthorn candies, he thought for a moment, then walked over and bought a skewer.

Holding it, Xu Qing took a bite, his eyebrows rose, and he looked down at the hawthorn candy in his hand. This hawthorn candy tasted excellent, much better than those from the Seven Blood Eyes. Its perfectly balanced sweet and sour taste, mixed with a cool sensation, reminded Xu Qing of his childhood memories in Peerless City. So he turned to look at the hawthorn candy stall, but the vendor had already left.

"Should have bought a few more," Xu Qing murmured, taking another bite. The taste was still excellent.

And so, under the moonlight, he ate the hawthorn candy while sensing the jade slip given by the County Governor's Aide, examining the information about immortal puppets within. The jade slip contained very detailed records and was equipped with many diagrams and images, clearly showing the County Governor's Aide's profound research on the topic. Xu Qing quickly scanned through it, feeling deep admiration for the County Governor's Aide's vast knowledge. Just as he was about to leave the county capital, he suddenly stirred and looked up into the distance.

Among the distant pavilions, a black-robed middle-aged cultivator was speeding along. He was very fast, continuously waving his hand and throwing out clouds of poisonous powder that spread with the wind. The poison was potent, instantly causing any plants it fell on to wither and emit a foul smell. Behind him was another person, fiercely giving chase. The pursuer was a woman, dressed in a Sword-Holding Envoy's robe, wearing a mask on her face, and carrying a huge ghoul scythe—it was Qingqiu. Her eyes gleamed with intense murderous intent, and she was shrouded in a fierce aura, attempting to catch up to the middle-aged cultivator. However, the opponent possessed the same five-palace combat power as Qingqiu, and coupled with the poison spreading with the wind, it was impossible for Qingqiu to close the distance for a while.

Xu Qing glanced at them. As someone who frequently undertook missions recently, he immediately recognized the black-clad man as a wanted criminal, recalling that the man had a nickname, 'Kid'. So Xu Qing had some impression of him. However, since Qingqiu was already in pursuit, he didn't plan to get involved and was about to leave.

But the next moment, as the wind blew, some of the poison drifted towards Xu Qing. This amount of poison was nothing to Xu Qing, but the hawthorn candy in his hand, still half-eaten, visibly blackened and emitted a foul smell after being exposed to the wind.

Xu Qing's expression instantly darkened. He coldly looked up at the black-clad man fleeing into the distance, then abruptly raised his right hand and swung it. The bamboo skewer from his hawthorn candy instantly flew out. Its speed created a sharp whistling sound, heading straight for the black-clad man. In an instant, with a *thump*, the hawthorn candy skewer instantly pierced the black-clad man's head, passing through it. As the blackened, foul-smelling hawthorn candies dropped one by one, the black-clad man's eyes widened, and he died instantly, his body falling to the ground with a thud.