Chapter 442: Divine Personhood

Outside the Sky Dome Kingdom’s city gate, silence instantly fell.

All the Saintly Waves people stared, their eyes wide, first bewildered, then horrified. Regardless of their cultivation level or how much they had previously doubted Xu Qing and Chen Erniu, at this moment, witnessing the Black Sky idol kneeling and trembling with emotion, and hearing its cries, tidal waves surged within each of them, leaving them utterly stunned.

Even the Spirit Hoard realm King felt a boom in his mind, his spirit stirred by an unprecedented storm that swept through his entire sea of consciousness, and the three secret hoards behind him twisted.

The most profoundly shocked, however, was the young Saintly Waves man who had escorted Xu Qing and Chen Erniu all the way here. As the Prince of the Sky Dome Kingdom, he had always prided himself on his intellect. Throughout the journey, he had feigned foolishness, believing he had successfully tricked two petty thieves with his scheme. But now, everything had instantly reversed, leaving him struggling to comprehend.

At this moment, his eyes were wide open, his mind roared the loudest, and his heart was overwhelmed by a tumultuous storm. A million celestial thunders seemed to explode in his brain, the thunderous roar leaving his expression utterly dazed.

"This... this...""How is this possible!""That's... the Black Sky idol!"

His body trembled, his breathing quickened, and along with the shock, he felt an intense sense of unreality.

Among the thirty-six city-states, not every one was eligible to invite an idol from the Upper Kingdom Dynasty. Only four city-states held this privilege, signifying that these four cities were direct forces of the four great Saintly Waves dynasties in this region. Therefore, this prince of a small kingdom knew very well what the Black Sky idol symbolized.

It symbolized the Black Sky race! For an idol symbolizing the Black Sky race to actually kneel before the other party was already absurd, let alone the two words it had shouted. These two words, like a celestial law, echoed in all directions, as if heaven and earth themselves were about to change color because of them.

Qing Qiu's mind was equally shaken. At this moment, she felt her thoughts were in disarray. Initially, when she saw the two "Black Sky" individuals exposed, she instinctively believed them to be fakes. This also explained why they hadn't killed her, and she was almost certain they were human. But before this thought could take root, it was shattered the next instant. It wasn't a simple reversal, but a world-shattering, earth-overturning upheaval. Because the two words "My Lord" carried too profound a meaning; pondering them deeply would utterly shock everyone.

In an instant, all gazes in the area converged on the expressionless Xu Qing. These gazes contained horror, complexity, shock, disbelief, and incredulity.

Even the Captain, who had planned and communicated with Xu Qing on the way, clearly hadn't expected the effect to be so exaggerated. Only Xu Qing's expression remained calm from beginning to end; as for what he felt internally, outsiders could not know. In any case, calmness was his most common expression, and he was skilled at maintaining it.

Earlier on the journey, he and the Captain had noticed an issue with the young Saintly Waves man.

First, the other party's cultivation was very weak; normally, they wouldn't dare to probe, because if the probe succeeded, death would be the only outcome for them. Second, it was inherently illogical for a lower race to probe an upper race in such a manner, no matter how clever the method. But obviously, if they hadn't probed and had simply believed them directly, that would have seemed too fake.

This was the reason for the young Saintly Waves man's probing along the way: he wasn't trying to uncover the truth, but rather he was worried his own thoughts would be discerned, so he deliberately probed. It was a method of acting based on reverse psychology. It was precisely this action that made him and the Captain notice something amiss. As for how to respond, Xu Qing had already thought of a solution during the journey.

He had previously spent three days studying the Black Sky race's eyes in the Prefecture City. His gains were not only in magical techniques but also in the influence of his own Purple Moon Heavenly Palace on eyes. At that moment, he vaguely realized that after disguising himself as a Black Sky individual, he might, in some respects, be even more esteemed than a true Black Sky.

This was because the Black Sky race worshiped the Red Moon, and the Purple Moon within his Fourth Heavenly Palace was formed from authority plundered from the Red Moon, thus also possessing divine status. To a certain extent, he and the Red Moon were one and the same. This was also why the Black Sky idol called him "My Lord." Even cultivators who had long been in close proximity to the Red Moon and were extremely devout would find it hard to discern any issue, as this was inherently a power of the same origin, belonging to the divine status. Only the Red Moon itself could tell.

At this moment, with everyone shaken and silence all around, the Captain's expression turned to anger, and his cold voice reverberated in all directions.

"How dare the Saintly Waves race!""Who are you, and what right do you have to inspect my Black Sky divine son!""If you jeopardize my race's great undertaking, your deaths will not be worth regretting!"

As the Captain's words spread, the Black Sky idol, kneeling before Xu Qing, suddenly erupted with black light, radiating astonishing malevolence from its entire being, and abruptly turned its head to face the people of the Sky Dome Kingdom. Xu Qing narrowed his eyes. He could feel that he was able to command this Black Sky idol.

Concurrently, with the Captain's voice and the Black Sky idol's malevolence, gasps echoed from the Sky Dome Kingdom. The King of the Sky Dome Kingdom stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply to Xu Qing.

"Cultivator of a lower race, I pay respects to the upper race!"

Following him, all the Saintly Waves people at the city gate, their minds trembling, came forward and collectively bowed to Xu Qing.

"Greetings, upper race!"

The Prince of the Sky Dome Kingdom directly fell to his knees with a thud, tremblingly exclaiming, "Greetings, upper race!" His heart was in turmoil; the whole event felt like a dream.

Behind Xu Qing, Qing Qiu watched this scene. While her mind buzzed, a strong murderous intent also arose within her. She understood that this "Black Sky" individual before her possessed extremely high status and position. "If I were to slay him..." Qing Qiu lowered her head, concealing the killing intent in her heart.

Amidst the surging emotions of the crowd, Xu Qing stepped forward, walking onto the Black Sky idol before him. He stood directly on its head, sat cross-legged, and spoke calmly.

"Your guess was correct; I was indeed disguised."

As his words spread, everyone around them bowed their heads.

"I was disguised as an ordinary Black Sky."

After saying this, as Xu Qing's Fourth Heavenly Palace vibrated, the Black Sky idol beneath him rose from its kneeling position, emanating an earth-shattering pressure in all directions. As the black light spread, winds surged, and heaven and earth changed color.

The Captain moved, also stepping onto the idol's head, standing behind Xu Qing, gazing proudly down at the land. Subsequently, the Black Sky idol ascended into the sky, majestically overlooking the world below. With Xu Qing and the Captain on its head, their figures blurred, as if merged into the night beneath the celestial canopy, exuding an unfathomable aura.

On the ground, all the Saintly Waves cultivators were shaken. The King's expression was somewhat hesitant, but he understood that at this moment, he had to bow again: "Greetings, Divine Son!" Then all the Saintly Waves people collectively bowed. The Prince, at this moment, showed even greater fervor in his eyes, his voice the loudest.

He was a Saintly Waves individual; this race was once human, so humanity was also present in this Prince of the Sky Dome Kingdom. And in human nature, conviction gained after doubt is often stronger than normal belief.

Under the worship of the Saintly Waves people, Xu Qing and the Captain did not leave. Instead, they were invited by the King into the Sky Dome Kingdom. Their thoughts did not need to be explained to the Sky Dome Kingdom, and the Sky Dome Kingdom dared not ask. However, upon entering the city, the Captain inquired about the matter of the True Immortal's Ten Intestines, learning that there were still nine days until the Ten Intestine Tree's fruits matured.

Subsequently, in the Sky Dome Kingdom's imperial palace, Xu Qing and the Captain settled down. The Black Sky idol did not depart; it floated above Xu Qing's residing palace, guarding all directions. As for Qing Qiu, the Captain requested her to change into a maid's attire to serve as a female attendant during this period. Qing Qiu gritted her teeth and could only agree.

The arrival of the Black Sky Divine Son could not be concealed, as the matter was too significant. Thus, news quickly spread to all thirty-six city-states. While their minds were shaken, they inevitably still harbored some doubts.

Just like this, three days passed. During these three days, Xu Qing primarily focused on studying the Black Sky idol. Additionally, the Captain couldn't help but curiously ask him about the idol's kneeling. They had discussed it on the way, but Xu Qing hadn't mentioned the Purple Moon, only the Red Moon's aura.

"I have the Red Moon's aura too! That's not right, why didn't that thing kneel to me? It even said my faith was impure and my bloodline chaotic. It's talking nonsense." The Captain was somewhat unhappy. Xu Qing thought for a moment and informed him about the Illusory Concealment Talisman formed by the Purple Profound Immortal. The Captain looked envious, sighed deeply, and couldn't help but take out a peach to eat.

Qing Qiu couldn't hear their telepathic communication, but seeing the Captain eat a peach, she paused. Just as she was about to observe closely, the peach vanished, and he looked solemnly towards the palace entrance.

Outside the great hall, the King arrived with his son, respectfully inviting them.

"Divine Son, the thirty-six city-states humbly request to host a grand banquet for you."

"The Divine Son has no interest in this!" Inside the hall, Xu Qing, who was meditating cross-legged, said nothing. The Captain, by his side, spoke calmly.

The King of the Sky Dome Kingdom outside bowed his head upon hearing this, his expression unseen, and continued respectfully: "It was this humble cultivator's rashness. I will inform the other city-states immediately. Additionally, my Sky Dome Kingdom's Imperial Advisor has returned and seeks an audience with you, esteemed one."

"No!" the Captain continued.

The King of the Sky Dome Kingdom outside still bowed his head. After standing there for a while, he spoke again.

"My unworthy son, Muyie, has offended you, esteemed one, this time. I have already punished him severely. Do you have any other commands?" Inside the hall, the Captain narrowed his eyes; he had discerned a different meaning in these words, so he looked at Xu Qing. Xu Qing's expression was calm as he gazed at the Prince outside, who was kneeling beside the King and had neither looked up nor spoken, then suddenly said:

"Muyie, you once said you yearned for the Black Sky's blessing."

As Xu Qing spoke, the young Saintly Waves man immediately looked up, his eyes filled with fervor, and he kowtowed heavily. The King of the Sky Dome Kingdom remained bowed, revealing no hint of his emotions.

"Two Profound Sky Demonic Moon Pills, and one hundred thousand True Immortal Ten Intestine Dao Fruits." Xu Qing did not elaborate but directly stated the items required for the blessing. He knew well that while a strong posture was necessary, pushing it too far would eventually lead to uncontrollable complications. Especially, one should not underestimate anyone. Even a prince had such schemes, let alone the King and all the cultivators of the Sky Dome Kingdom before him. As for exposing his needs by speaking this way, combined with the previous multiple refusals that would incite more suspicion, this was precisely the outcome Xu Qing desired. Because the Ghost Hand had taught him that one could not simply deny everything; a false answer needed to be given within, making it more authentic.

So, as his words spread and the King's eyes narrowed slightly and his brows furrowed, Xu Qing spoke calmly.

"Muyie, step forward."

The King was startled. The young Saintly Waves man beside him, hearing this, breathed rapidly, his eyes even more fervent. He rose and respectfully walked into the great hall, kneeling before Xu Qing and speaking loudly.

"Divine Son!"

Xu Qing raised his right hand. As his Fourth Heavenly Palace vibrated, a wisp of special alien substance formed from the Purple Moon gathered at Xu Qing's index finger, and he directly touched it to the Sky Dome Prince's forehead. After the touch, the Sky Dome Prince trembled all over, his cultivation instantly erupted, a fleeting purple glow appeared in his eyes, and an aura infinitely close to the Red Moon burst forth from his body. Vaguely, there was even a sense of divinity about him. His gaze towards Xu Qing was no longer fervent, but devout, and he immediately prostrated himself, performing a great bow.

"My Lord!"

This scene once again stirred an enormous wave in the King's mind. His expression changed rapidly, and his breathing quickened. Although his cultivation prevented him from seeing through Xu Qing, he could see through his own son. He clearly felt that at this moment, his son's body had acquired a trace of the Black Sky race's aura, and his spiritual power had changed. This aura integrated into his flesh and blood, into his cultivation, becoming one with him, also allowing the blessed person to utilize a part of the Black Sky race's innate abilities. This was identical to what he had seen in the Upper Kingdom Dynasty among the royal and noble offspring blessed by the Black Sky race—and perhaps even surpassed it. And in the Saintly Waves race, where social hierarchy was strictly enforced, this aura signified that one's status and position would henceforth be entirely different, akin to being elevated in rank!

Amidst these immense mental waves, the King looked at Xu Qing, and Xu Qing looked back at him. Xu Qing said nothing; he expressed his stance through his actions. His previous multiple refusals were a display of attitude. The demands he made were not a transaction, but commands! This, alone, befitted the identity of a Black Sky. And it was not overdone.