Chapter 444: The Situation Worsens

The individual who claimed to be a descendant of the E-Xian race was Ning Yan. Xu Qing recalled the captain mentioning that Ning Yan had vanished after passing the reserve assessment, and despite a long search, the captain had been unable to locate him. The original plan for this mission was to bring Ning Yan along for a significant undertaking, intending to use him as a shield during critical moments. Now, observing him, Xu Qing realized the young man had secretly come to the True Immortal's Ten Intestines.

*Is the awakened bloodline he mentioned truly that of the E-Xian race, or is this identity a disguise?* Xu Qing's mind raced, yet his expression remained perfectly neutral, revealing no hint of his thoughts. His gaze, as cool as ever, briefly swept over Ning Yan.

Meanwhile, Chen Erniu, standing nearby, wore a knowing smile. Qing Qiu continued to feign ignorance.

Ning Yan, however, felt a slight tremor of unease. He didn't recognize the two Black Heaven individuals. Yet, an instinctive chill ran down his spine; particularly unsettling him was the Black Heaven member's knowing smile, which caused him to panic. *Why is this Black Heaven individual smiling at me like that?*

Ning Yan, feeling anxious, quickly glanced at Qing Qiu. Even without a mask and despite her changed attire, her aura was unmistakable, allowing him to identify her instantly. After all, they were both from Yinghuang Prefecture and had initially been competitors, so Ning Yan had observed Qing Qiu for a considerable time. But at that moment, he wasn't concerned with why Qing Qiu was there. Instead, he inwardly groaned, realizing he had a critical vulnerability: his appearance hadn't changed. This was not by choice; due to peculiar circumstances, he couldn't fundamentally alter his appearance or aura, relying solely on magical artifacts for disguise. However, after his capture, all his artifacts had been confiscated. Consequently, his only desire was to depart immediately, as a profound sense of unease had begun to swell within him.

As fate would have it, Ning Yan had barely moved when the captain suddenly spoke, just as the Saint Lan escorts stood up.

"The E-Xian race is quite interesting," the captain said. "I'll take this one."

The captain gestured towards Ning Yan. Ning Yan's scalp prickled with dread, his breath quickened, and his mind lurched.

*Did he see through my identity? That's impossible!* Ning Yan's heart pounded with a mix of anxiety and terror, and countless rumors about the Black Heaven race flooded his mind. But he had no say in the matter. Hearing the captain's words, the Saint Lan cultivators immediately assented without hesitation, quickly escorting Ning Yan to Chen Erniu and respectfully presenting the ropes that bound him. Chen Erniu nodded slightly, accepted the ropes, and with a tug, compelled the trembling Ning Yan to take a few steps forward.

Ning Yan quickly adopted an ingratiating expression as he looked at Chen Erniu's rather unsettling smile. "This humble one greets Your Excellency."

"I wonder what the intestines of the E-Xian race taste like," the captain mused, baring his teeth at Ning Yan before licking his lips.

Ning Yan's mind reeled, his expression shifting rapidly. He tried to retreat but was instantly yanked by the captain's rope, unable to break free. Trembling uncontrollably, he stammered, "Your Excellency, please don't jest. My flesh is pungent and unsavory; it's not good to eat."

Observing the scene, Qing Qiu sighed inwardly. She had no particular like or dislike for Ning Yan; he was simply a stranger. But now, in a foreign land, seeing a fellow countryman in such dire straits, facing the risk of being consumed, stirred a ripple of emotion within her, and a somber expression involuntarily crossed her face.

Noticing Qing Qiu's expression, Xu Qing's gaze shifted to the captain, and he spoke calmly. "What do you want with this E-Xian member? Are you interested in their intestines?"

"My Lord Son of God, that is certainly not the case," the captain replied respectfully, bowing to Xu Qing.

Ning Yan secretly exhaled in relief, but the captain promptly continued. "Your subordinate has recently been researching bloodline elixirs. I've used most races for experimentation, but I haven't yet tried the E-Xian race. So, I intend to take him back and refine him alive." As he spoke, the captain scrutinized Ning Yan, stepping closer to inspect his jaw and teeth, his eyes gleaming with anticipation, as if appraising the quality of a medicinal pill. He even licked his lips.

Ning Yan's mind buzzed. His mind had just eased after the captain's previous remark, but now, upon hearing this, he trembled even more intensely. His entire being was consumed by boundless terror, and tears welled in his eyes.

"Your Excellency, I know where many of my kin reside," Ning Yan pleaded. "Many of them possess much purer and more potent bloodlines than mine. Can I offer them in exchange?"

The captain stroked his chin, a cryptic smile playing on his lips, and remained silent, continuously appraising Ning Yan from head to toe. Ning Yan's fear intensified, and despair clouded his eyes.

Xu Qing paid no mind to the captain and Ning Yan. He glanced at the sky, then toward the depths of the jungle. He observed that over ninety percent of the fruits were unripe, with many varying noticeably in size, suggesting they wouldn't all ripen within a single day. Thus, he slowly addressed Muyie, who stood respectfully by his side.

"Will all the fruits be ripe by tomorrow?"

Muyie hesitated, then after a moment of thought, replied in a low voice. "My Lord, normally it would be tomorrow, but according to ancient texts, the ripening period for these Dao Fruits is merely an approximate range, not precise. However, even if they aren't ripe by tomorrow, they will certainly be ready within seven days at the absolute latest."

Xu Qing frowned slightly. He was reluctant to linger in the Saint Lan clan, fearing unforeseen complications, yet he felt a sense of dissatisfaction at the thought of leaving prematurely. *Seven days, then. I suppose I can endure a bit longer!* Xu Qing murmured to himself, then turned and headed towards the Heavenly Peak Nation. Muyie quickly followed, and the entire group departed.

The captain's expression remained unchanged. With a tug of the rope, Ning Yan was dragged along, trembling, his mind a jumble of confusion, indignation, fear, and regret. Truly, everything was unfolding contrary to his meticulous plan. He had calculated that even if this venture failed, he wouldn't be in danger; his identity as an E-Xian descendant would ensure he was merely detained for a period before being released. After all, this place was formed by the last pure-blooded E-Xian to achieve immortality, and the E-Xian were the indigenous people of the Saint Lan domain, thus possessing a numerous lineage. The Saint Lan, as newcomers, were reluctant to easily provoke conflict between the two races. He had even anticipated being able to leave with one or two Dao Fruits, making the entire venture highly profitable—the very reason he had come. Yet, he never imagined he would encounter the Black Heaven race here.

As Ning Yan was led away, his heart heavy with sorrow and indignity, he glanced up at Qing Qiu and saw a similar expression in her eyes. And so, these two disgruntled individuals, escorted by a retinue of Saint Lan guards, returned to the Heavenly Peak Nation's imperial palace alongside Xu Qing and the captain.

Once there, Xu Qing settled into his usual cross-legged meditation in the grand hall. Qing Qiu sat beside him, seething inwardly. She hadn't fully resigned herself to her identity as a maidservant and was constantly searching for an escape opportunity. The captain, however, behaved differently than usual. Upon their return, he led Ning Yan, his eyes gleaming with intense anticipation, toward a side hall. Ning Yan was powerless to resist, his face a mask of anxiety, terror, and desperate pleading, continuously begging for mercy as he was forcibly pulled inside.

Soon, Ning Yan's agonizing wails echoed from within the side hall. "Your Excellency, what... what are you doing?"

"Ah!"

The mournful wails soon transformed into screams of agony. Qing Qiu's body shuddered. She couldn't discern what was happening in the side hall, nor could her senses penetrate it, but the piercing screams allowed her to conjure countless horrific images. She then glanced at Xu Qing, whose expression remained placid, and gained a deeper, chilling insight into the Black Heaven race's cruelty. *The Black Heaven race, they all deserve to die, especially these two!* Qing Qiu's thoughts churned.

Xu Qing paid no mind to it. To him, the screams clearly indicated that the captain was biting Ning Yan. *He was probably too discreet to indulge much when he was a Sword Wielder, but now that his identity has shifted, knowing the captain's nature, he'll surely conduct a thorough 'study' of Ning Yan's flesh and blood.*

Xu Qing extended his perception, merging once more with the Black Heaven idol hovering above the palace, resuming his research—the most intriguing pursuit during his time of waiting. *If I could bring it back to Fenghai County...* Expectation rose within Xu Qing.

This Black Heaven idol was truly remarkable. It contained an abundant amount of Red Moon power, constantly emitting strange foreign substances. While Xu Qing could command it, taking it away would ultimately be problematic. Firstly, the idol couldn't be stored in a spatial bag and was far too conspicuous. Secondly, if it ever truly encountered the Red Moon, the idol would likely betray them instantly. Taking it would undoubtedly be like carrying a volatile thunderclap, ready to explode at any moment. *Unless I can completely replace the Red Moon power within its body with my Purple Moon power.* Xu Qing narrowed his eyes; this was precisely the focus of his research during this period.

As Xu Qing delved deeper into his research, dusk settled. The sky beyond the grand canopy gradually darkened, and within its illuminated confines, the floating humanoid lanterns, powered by life-flames, slowly dimmed.

In the dimming light, outside the Heavenly Peak Nation's imperial palace, on the altar once dedicated to the Black Heaven divinity, dozens of Saint Lan cultivators now stood solemnly. The surrounding area had long been sealed and protected by formations, preventing any outside perception. Among the dozens gathered at the altar, most were at the peak of the Nascent Soul realm, with only five having surpassed them to reach the Spiritual Repository realm. The monarch of the Heavenly Peak Nation was among them. Standing before the group was an elder in a black robe, his reddish skin giving him an eerie appearance. Behind him, four concealed treasures emanated terrifying pressure. He was the Imperial Preceptor of the Heavenly Peak Nation. His face was grim as he looked up at the distant palace, then surveyed the gathering, and let out a cold snort.

"This matter is utterly preposterous!" he declared. "Each of you, as rulers of your nations, I refuse to believe you are so utterly clueless as to lack even the most basic judgment! The Black Heaven Superior Race—what distinguished status do they hold? How could they possibly arrive here via a mere caravan? And it just happens to coincide with the ripening of the Dao Fruits? Furthermore, one of those two impostors has not only mixed beliefs but also a chaotic bloodline. How could they possibly be from the Black Heaven Superior Race? Moreover, their maidservant is a newly promoted Sword Wielder of the human race this generation, named Qing Qiu. You've all verified this information, so why the continued hesitation?"

The elder admonished them, and everyone lowered their heads in silence, though their gazes all flickered towards the monarch of the Heavenly Peak Nation. In truth, regarding Xu Qing and the captain's identities, most remained skeptical even now. Yet, the idol had undeniably prostrated itself, and the aura of blessing felt genuine. This contradiction left them bewildered.

"And as for your blessed offspring, Monarch," the elder continued coldly, then looked toward the palace, "I investigated it earlier; it was merely a deceptive illusion. If you doubt me, send him to the Imperial Dynasty, and let them inspect him. What's particularly laughable about these two, despite their ability to deceive you, is their greatest flaw: of all things to impersonate, they chose the Black Heaven Son of God. Hmph, I have studied among the Black Heaven race for many years and have numerous Black Heaven associates. I have never once heard of the Black Heaven Divine Temple having a 'Son of God'! Furthermore, the Black Heaven idol is, after all, an inanimate object. Since you haven't visited the Black Heaven race, you might not know this, but similar occurrences with the Black Heaven idol have happened many times before, mostly due to inherent tidal fluctuations in its divine power. These two imposters are remarkably knowledgeable about the Black Heaven race, and their timing was exceptionally shrewd."

A cold glint flashed in the elder's eyes. "However, they are ultimately destined to miscalculate, for when I studied among the Black Heaven race years ago, I received a Black Heaven Spirit Ghost bestowed by the Divine Temple! The Spirit Ghost of the Black Heaven Divine Temple possesses sentience and is far more perceptive than a mere idol. It simply needs to sense them once to reveal the truth!"

As he spoke, the elder raised his right hand to his brow. His body trembled as he spat out a mouthful of blood, and instantly, his brow split open, from which a shadowy black apparition swiftly emerged. The moment it appeared, gusts of an eerie wind swept through the area, jolting the minds of all Saint Lan individuals present. Their Black Heaven bloodlines stirred within them, and the dark marks on their brows grew more distinct.

"Spirit Ghost, I ask you to verify!" The elder took a deep breath and spoke respectfully. As the Spirit Ghost cackled and ascended, turning its gaze towards the imperial palace, the elder, with a grim expression, spoke to the surrounding crowd. "After the Spirit Ghost's verification, Heavenly Peak Monarch, you are to personally capture those two audacious imposters alive. I intend to..."

The elder had just reached this point in his instructions when, before he could finish, the spectral entity in the sky suddenly began to tremble. Its entire form erupted in black light, spreading outward like a blinding sea. Its eyes blazed with an unprecedented intensity, and its body shook even more violently. Finally, it let out a shriek, and its spectral eyes burst. Its body recoiled, plummeting onto the altar, where it instantly prostrated itself towards the imperial palace, repeatedly kowtowing.

"My Lord!" it cried. "That is the Lord's aura! We mere mortals cannot gaze directly upon it!"

The Spirit Ghost, now blinded and trembling incessantly, spoke with extreme fervor and excitement. This sight instantly sent a resounding shock through the minds of all the surrounding Saint Lan individuals. The Heavenly Peak Nation's monarch's breathing quickened. Even someone as inherently suspicious as him now genuinely believed. The other monarchs likewise felt their scalps prickle, their minds awash with overwhelming waves of revelation. All reason for doubt vanished, replaced by an intense fanaticism in their eyes. The elder who had released the Spirit Ghost also trembled, his eyes wide with utter disbelief.

"This... this..."

Just as their minds were individually reeling, from the direction of the imperial palace, the Black Heaven idol that had been floating there suddenly unfolded its crossed arms, rising a thousand zhang into the air. Its eyes glowed with black light as it gazed down upon the altar. And directly above its head, the figures of Xu Qing and the captain vaguely materialized.

Xu Qing's gaze, cold and displeased, swept across the ground. Beside him, the captain's expression was one of profound fury—the righteous indignation of seeing his own Son of God disrespected erupted from his eyes. His voice, cold as a biting wind, echoed with anger in all directions. "Your suspicious nature, while not inherently a flaw, becomes a profound act of disrespect when taken too far."

As the captain spoke, muffled thunder rumbled across the sky, and the very colors of the world seemed to shift. At that instant, a moon-shaped totem blazed on Xu Qing's brow, and his body radiated fluctuations of a transcendental status, originating from the Purple Moon Heavenly Palace. In that instant, within the entire Heavenly Peak Nation, the trace of Black Heaven blood in the veins of every Saint Lan clan member boiled uncontrollably. All thirty-six city-state monarchs trembled and bowed their heads towards the celestial idol. Even the Imperial Preceptor of the Heavenly Peak Nation felt his mind reeling. He glanced at the Black Heaven Spirit Ghost, still prostrating and kowtowing beside him. His breathing quickened, and finally, he too lowered his head, bowing towards the sky.

Although every one of them surpassed Xu Qing in cultivation, and might have used their power to assert their status against ordinary low-ranking Black Heaven individuals, they now felt the overwhelming majesty from the Son of God and the suppression of their own bloodlines, leaving their minds in turmoil. Yet, they felt no sense of humiliation, for from beginning to end, these two arriving Black Heaven individuals had not overly asserted their supreme status; rather, it was the monarchs who had continuously provoked and tested them.

"Let this be the last time," Xu Qing's voice echoed from the sky, speaking for the first time. As his calm voice resonated, he gazed deeply at the assembled crowd, then waved his hand, and his figure vanished. The idol returned to its normal height, hovering above the grand hall, its eyes closing once more.

A profound silence descended upon the entire city. At the altar, the Heavenly Peak Nation's Imperial Preceptor took a deep breath, suppressing his inner shock, and immediately transmitted an order to the monarch. "Immediately and secretly report this matter to the Imperial Dynasty. A Black Heaven individual, likely of supreme bloodline, has arrived at the True Immortal's Ten Intestines, and we are not qualified to receive them. Additionally, send your offspring, who received the Son of God's blessing, to the Imperial Dynasty! Regardless of its veracity, this is an earth-shattering event! If it is truly real..." The elder took a deep breath. "I fear that all the Black Heaven Divine Temples across the four great dynasties of the Saint Lan race will be shaken, and your descendant's future status will become incredibly exalted!"

As the Imperial Preceptor spoke, a wind swept through the heavens and earth, causing the True Immortal's Ten Intestines Tree in the sky to sway and the grand canopy to rustle. A wind began to rise. Tonight's wind was fierce. The grand canopy formed by the True Immortal's Ten Intestines swayed in the sky, its sound echoing across all directions, as the wind swept across the land, kicking up dust and whistling past buildings throughout the Heavenly Peak Nation. Bells hanging under the eaves of countless homes jingled crisply in the wind, particularly pronounced within the imperial palace.

Amidst a cascade of sounds, within the imperial palace, Xu Qing withdrew his gaze from the night and looked at the captain beside him. "Senior Brother," Xu Qing conveyed telepathically in a low voice, "we cannot wait much longer. If the True Immortal's Ten Intestines haven't fully formed Dao Fruits within two days at most, we must leave."

The captain sighed, looking somewhat troubled. Although they had managed to defuse the previous attempts to test them, the captain understood that this also signified the situation was inevitably spiraling towards an uncontrollable trajectory.

"I don't think it's a big deal, actually," the captain mused, glancing at Xu Qing. No matter how he sensed Xu Qing, the latter felt like a Black Heaven individual as genuine as could be. Not only did the idol prostrate itself, but Xu Qing could also bestow blessings upon the Saint Lan race. Now, even the sentient Black Heaven Spirit Ghost had prostrated itself. These three incidents combined stirred a new wave of ideas within the captain.

"Little A Qing, how did you even manage that?" the captain's curiosity flared again. "This can't possibly be Red Moon aura anymore."

Xu Qing pondered for a moment, then, for once, replied telepathically without concealment. "The deity the Black Heaven race worships," Xu Qing began, "I seized a trace of its authority at the Primordial Spirit Pillar. So, it must have been mistaken for the Red Moon."

The captain's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he gasped. Though he had entertained suspicions before, Xu Qing's direct answer sent a shockwave through his mind. After a pause, the captain abruptly stood up, paced a few times, then turned to face Xu Qing.

"Little Junior Brother, should we go for something big?" A wild glint appeared in the captain's eyes.

Xu Qing sighed, knowing exactly what the captain was planning. This was also why he had previously kept the Purple Moon a secret. "Since you are now as genuine as it gets, why don't we go to the Black Heaven Divine Temple and have them send us to the Black Heaven race directly?"

"The Void Concealment Talisman on me will only last another month and a half at most. Once it fades, even if my aura remains correct, I could still be exposed. More critically, if the deity within the Red Moon merely glances at me, I'll be instantly obliterated." Xu Qing shook his head decisively.

The captain was disheartened, but he knew such a move wouldn't be audacious; it would be suicidal. So, after a moment of contemplation, he gritted his teeth. "Tomorrow, we'll continue to take people to collect Dao Fruits. Even if most aren't ripe, we can't afford to be particular; we'll focus on gathering ripe ones from other regions. Then we'll wait a few more days, Little A Qing. The Dao Fruits are just one prize; the true treasure is the True Immortal's Ten Intestines! This is a rare opportunity for us!"

Xu Qing hesitated, then gritted his teeth. "Three days at most!"

Hearing this, the captain's eyes gleamed with wild excitement, and he nodded. "Fine, five days at most! Additionally, tomorrow I'll spread the word. Since things have come to this, let them doubt if they wish; you are, after all, genuinely who you appear to be. I'll inform the other city-states that we can bestow blessings, but only in exchange for valuable treasures!" The captain's eyes were slightly bloodshot with excitement.

Two days later, as Xu Qing and the captain split up—Xu Qing diligently collecting Dao Fruits, and the captain venturing to other city-states to spread word about their ability to bestow blessings—the Heavenly Peak Nation delegation teleported to the capital of the Heavenly Wind Dynasty, one of the four great Saint Lan dynasties. The group was led by the Heavenly Peak Nation's Imperial Preceptor, with Muyie also among them. Immediately upon their arrival in the Heavenly Wind Dynasty, they reported the matter of the Black Heaven race.

Initially, this matter did not draw the attention of the Heavenly Wind Dynasty. After all, the high-ranking nobility of the four great Saint Lan dynasties didn't pay much heed to ordinary Black Heaven individuals. However, as the Heavenly Peak Nation's report reached them, the relevant departments began investigating Muyie. After successive layers of scrutiny, one astonishing result after another was reported, and the incident gradually created a significant stir within the dynasty.

"The Black Heaven aura is so potent it ranks as First Tier, perhaps even surpassing it!"

"All bloodline examinations confirm it's absolutely genuine; he was indeed blessed!"

"Even the Black Heaven Divine Temple itself cannot directly elevate someone from the Fourth Tier to the First Tier!"

"This is no mere blessing; this is a divine bestowal!"

After these investigative findings were successively reported, the thoughts of the Heavenly Wind Dynasty's high command and royal family remained unknown to outsiders. However, two imperial decrees were swiftly issued. The first decree ordered Muyie to be sent to the Black Heaven Divine Temple for verification and further instructions. The second decree dispatched the Black Clad Guard immediately to the Heavenly Peak Nation, ostensibly as escorts, but secretly to monitor them, with strict orders against any negligence.