Chapter 456: Straw Hat's Repair Appearance

Feng County, Quzhao Prefecture.

The sky was azure, and the sun shone brightly. The vast plains below looked like a colorful mosaic, pieced together with patches of various sizes and hues, resembling a vibrant painting.

A closer look revealed that these colorful patches covering the plains were actually clothes—garments of all styles for men, women, and children, along with numerous accessories like hats and gloves.

This was the territory of the Yi Clan.

From time to time, many children's clothes could be seen rising from the ground, tumbling and playing together in groups across the sky, flying to and fro in a peaceful and beautiful scene.

However, this vibrant and beautiful world was soon interrupted by a rift appearing in the void.

Immediately, a howling sound emanated from within, and in the next instant, a head tumbled out, landing with a thud on the ground. After rolling a few times, it came to rest face down.

As a large number of clothes scattered and then swiftly floated back, the head tried to reorient itself, but it appeared too weak to do so.

But such a minor inconvenience was, of course, no match for the "Father of Heavenly Dao." The head stuck out its tongue and pushed hard against the ground, using the leverage to instantly turn upright and look around in surprise.

"The Yi Clan?"

This head belonged to the Captain.

The moment he saw the Yi Clan members around him, a surge of pleasant surprise filled the Captain's heart. He knew he had successfully returned to Feng County.

"I have a good friend in the Yi Clan," the Captain murmured. Drawn by his aura, a woman's glove swiftly approached from a distance, joyfully fluttering around him, seemingly delighted.

The Captain chuckled, recognizing the glove as his good friend. He was about to speak when, in the next instant, a group of hats flew toward them from afar, their eager scramble causing the Captain's expression to change.

Fortunately, his good friend quickly flew over to the hats. Though how the Yi Clan communicated was unclear, the group of hats circled the Captain a few times before reluctantly departing.

Watching the hats disappear, the Captain breathed a sigh of relief. Then, with the glove's help, he ascended into the sky, gazing around with a look of triumph.

"This time went incredibly smoothly, haha."

"I wonder how little Ah Qing is doing. That kid isn't simple; he should be fine. I'll focus on regenerating my body here first."

As he thought this, the Captain tried to look up at the glove holding his hair, licked his lips, and whispered, "Little You You, what good food do you Yi Clan have? Take me to try some... Also, are there any interesting places where I can broaden my horizons?"

Hearing this, the woman's glove repeatedly bent its index finger as if nodding, then led the Captain, whose eyes were gleaming with anticipation, further and further away.

Several days later, in a desert located several prefectures away from here, a place where the Seven Blood Eyes flying boat once passed, the sunlight was scorching like fire. The ground was devoid of vegetation, only intense heatwaves that distorted the air like a sea of flames, spreading in all directions. Looking around, not a single trace of human presence could be seen across the entire desert, only occasional strange lights glinting in the sunlight and the hazy, ephemeral mist-cities of the Yanmiao Clan.

A short while later, a hundred-zhang dharma-vessel streaked across the sky with a whistling sound.

This dharma-vessel was oval-shaped and quite peculiar, equipped with over a dozen pairs of translucent sails that resembled long blades or wings. As they emitted a chilling gleam, the entire hull of the vessel appeared purplish-black.

The bow featured a sinister ghost totem, which was actually the soul suppressed by evil fire within a magical aperture, integrated into the dharma-vessel to form its spirit body.

All of this caused the dharma-vessel to emit the aura of a Heavenly Palace Golden Core cultivator.

Inside the dharma-vessel's cabin, Xu Qing, who had restored his human form, was currently meditating cross-legged.

He had been transported back three days ago, appearing directly in this desert.

Although the weather here was harsh, with extreme temperatures that even cultivators would not wish to endure for too long, he had at least not landed in an extremely dangerous place. This brought a sigh of relief to Xu Qing's heart.

He immediately took out his dharma-vessel, sat cross-legged inside to avoid the high temperatures, and used these three days to organize his gains from this trip.

"My cultivation has directly advanced from five Heavenly Palaces to eight Heavenly Palaces, and the ninth Heavenly Palace has also formed to a significant extent!"

"When Brother Kong reached the nine-palace combat strength, he could kill early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. I should be able to do the same now. If I go all out..." A sharp glint appeared in Xu Qing's eyes.

"I can kill ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators, even those with deeper cultivation!"

"Next, only the ninth, tenth, and eleventh Heavenly Palaces remain. Once all of them are fully manifested, I can attempt to break through and advance to the Nascent Soul stage!"

Xu Qing murmured, his mood fluctuating as he recalled his other gains.

"Three thousand one hundred forty-two Dao Fruits!"

"One Life Lantern!"

"Various alchemy and artifact refining materials imbued with spiritual essence!"

"Shares in the Heavenly Dao!"

Xu Qing took a deep breath. After organizing all his gains, he felt very satisfied with this expedition.

"I wonder how Qingqiu is doing."

Xu Qing recalled the previous teleportation and felt a slight worry after pondering, but he knew she was not a weak woman. Anyone who could survive the awakening of the divine remnant face must be extraordinary.

So, after some thought, he decided there was no need to worry.

As for Ning Yan, he hadn't considered him. And the Captain...

Xu Qing thought that even if he himself perished, the Captain probably wouldn't die. Even if only his head remained, he'd likely be bouncing around again in no time.

"I'll leave Senior Brother alone; he'll return to the prefectural city on his own. What I need to do now is hurry back."

Xu Qing looked down at the ethereal hidden symbols drawn by Zixuan on his body.

These runes had changed significantly. Initially scarlet, their color had now become extremely faint, almost invisible without careful examination.

"Three months haven't passed yet..." Xu Qing sighed, but he understood. The emergence of the Heavenly Dao, the descent of merit, and the infusion of cosmic power would all invisibly erode these ethereal hidden symbols.

The fact that even this small trace remained was quite remarkable.

"I must return as soon as possible!" Xu Qing looked up at the world outside the dharma-vessel. He knew very well that what he had done among the Saint Lan Clan was earth-shattering.

It would inevitably trigger a series of searches.

Although he was currently in Feng County, his concealment was rapidly fading, which filled Xu Qing with unease. His Sixth Heavenly Palace also gave him the same sensation.

This uneasiness made Xu Qing frown. Due to the distance and environment, it was difficult to transmit messages via sword, so he formed hand seals and pressed them onto the dharma-vessel, causing its speed to greatly increase. It also turned transparent, concealing itself in the sky.

Having done this, Xu Qing felt a slight calm in his heart. He closed his eyes and adjusted his breathing.

And so, three more days passed.

The last ethereal hidden symbol on Xu Qing's body dissipated.

The moment it faded, it was nighttime outside. Although the sunlight was gone, the high temperature persisted, and heatwaves permeated the air around the dharma-vessel.

Xu Qing slowly opened his eyes. After checking his body, a look of doubt appeared on his face. He pondered for a moment, then stepped out of the cabin.

The moment he emerged, a wave of heat assaulted him. Instantly, sweat beaded on his forehead, and his entire body was drenched, but Xu Qing paid no attention. He stood at the bow, gazing around, his expression gradually turning grim.

"Something's not right."

"The unease within my mind hasn't dissipated over the past few days; instead, it's grown stronger, especially at the moment the ethereal hidden symbol lost its effect. My heart almost pounded out of my chest."

Xu Qing sensed his Sixth Heavenly Palace, noticing the Azure Dragon Heavenly Dao swiftly moving within it, conveying anxiety. His expression darkened.

This was not the first time the Azure Dragon Heavenly Dao had issued a warning. Xu Qing recalled the first instance occurred in the prefectural city, just before he and the Captain were about to embark on an important mission.

It had persisted ever since, but it had never been this intense, only subtle.

However, in that very instant, this feeling of unease suddenly surged.

Xu Qing looked up, gazing in the direction of Feng County. It wasn't too far from here; at his current speed, it would take about a month. Once he reached Feng County, he could utilize the city's teleportation array.

"Ten days!" Xu Qing murmured, then looked in other directions.

This desert was incredibly vast. Information from his Sword-Wielder secret training emerged in Xu Qing's mind: Quzhao Prefecture was entirely composed of desert, and its high temperatures were unsuitable for humans, resulting in very few human settlements. While there were Sword-Wielders, they were located in distant oases on the periphery.

Traveling there would take significantly longer than heading towards the prefectural city.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes. After pondering, he took a step forward, raised his right hand, and put away his dharma-vessel. Instead of flying towards the horizon, he headed directly towards the ground.

Since the human teleportation points were far away and his unsettling premonition was so strong, Xu Qing decided not to continue blindly flying or to change his route.

The former was dangerous, and the latter would be largely meaningless.

He decided to take a different approach: attempt to use a non-human teleportation point.

After all, this was Feng County, human territory, so the Yanmiao Clan living here should, in theory, not make things overly difficult.

With this thought, Xu Qing accelerated, dashing directly across the desert ground.

After searching, not long before dawn, he finally found a Yanmiao Clan city. The moment he approached, mist rose within the city, and several unfriendly divine senses immediately locked onto him.

Without hesitation, Xu Qing immediately took out his Sword-Wielder's command sword, clasped his fists, and courteously spoke.

"I am a Sword-Wielder from the Human Race's Enforcement Department. I am on an important military mission and dare not delay. Therefore, I humbly request the Yanmiao Clan to lend me the use of your teleportation array. All fees will be paid, and I will remember this kindness, reporting it to the Sword-Wielder's Palace for record. I implore the Yanmiao Clan for your cooperation!"

The divine senses emanating from the Yanmiao Clan city swept over the command sword in Xu Qing's hand. After a moment, a voice echoed back.

"Wait!"

Xu Qing respectfully lowered his head and waited silently.

He waited for over an hour. Xu Qing glanced at the already brightening sky and respectfully inquired again.

"Continue waiting!" The Yanmiao Clan's voice was cold.

"May I ask how much longer? Time is truly pressing, and I dare not delay," Xu Qing courteously added.

"Unknown."

Hearing this, Xu Qing turned and stopped waiting, speeding away into the distance. A chill rose in his heart. It was normal for them to disagree, and he could understand a direct refusal.

But to make him wait like this indicated a degree of malice.

Xu Qing took a deep breath, his cultivation bursting forth entirely. Especially with the Bloodwing Radiant Lamp shining with red light inside him, his speed suddenly surged under its augmentation, transforming him directly into a long rainbow that vanished into the horizon in the blink of an eye.

Time flowed, and six days passed.

By deploying the Underworld Spirit Bloodwing Lamp, despite the immense consumption of his spiritual power, Xu Qing finally shaved four days off his travel time. He was now nearing the borders of Feng County's prefectural city.

His deep foundation was evident during these six days; his physical condition remained at its peak, though his spirit showed a hint of fatigue from days of heightened vigilance.

During this time, Xu Qing had also considered finding a place to hide and figuring out the source of his unease. However, when this thought arose, the Heavenly Dao's warning did not diminish; instead, the anxiety emanating from the Azure Dragon intensified.

Now, with only an hour's journey left to the state border ahead, Xu Qing's concentration did not waver in the slightest, and his speed surged again. But just then, at the edge of his vision, a figure suddenly materialized.

It blocked his path!

The figure wore a straw raincoat and a straw hat, exuding a chilling aura.

"Just barely, you almost escaped."

A low voice, filled with intense killing intent, echoed in all directions.