Chapter 498: I, Am Back

Within minutes, Qingqiu meticulously compiled all information regarding Quzhao State and Yinghuang State since the war began, thoughtfully dividing it into two jade slips for Xu Qing. She delivered them to Xu Qing, who was resting with his eyes closed inside the Scripture Office.

She wasn't doing this work alone; other Sword Holders assisted in the review to ensure accuracy, after which they had to add their personal mark. This was a method of accountability established to prevent any oversights.

Xu Qing opened his eyes, took the jade slips, and began to examine them.

In Feng Hai County, acquiring military resources from foreign races was currently impossible. Therefore, Xu Qing could only think of two places: Quzhao State and Yinghuang State. Due to the outbreaks of the Robe Ban and Corpse Ban, these two states had previously been ordered by the Palace Master not to deploy to the front lines. Instead, they were to fully suppress the bans and prevent any unrest during the war.

Feng Hai County comprised a total of thirteen states. If the strength of these two states could be unleashed, it would provide nearly 20% of the current front line's required forces. For the front line, this would be an enormous military aid.

However, this undertaking was exceedingly difficult; even if Xu Qing could request Qingqin's assistance, the challenge would remain significant. Therefore, he began to study the information about these two states.

"The calamity of the Robe Ban has been largely suppressed, but this is the most critical period. Currently, the entire Quzhao State, under the coordination of its Sword Holder's Court, is fully committed to the final sealing. During this time, combat strength is indispensable to prevent a resurgence of the Robe Ban, and it will take another month."

Xu Qing frowned and sighed inwardly. A month was too long; for the current front line in Feng Hai County, it would be too late. However, if the sealing wasn't completed, the entire state would first be ravaged by the forbidden lands. All human sects within that state would have their foundations destroyed, and countless humans would become fodder for the forbidden lands, undergoing complete mutation. If it spread, chaos would inevitably erupt within Feng Hai County. Furthermore, most foreign races in these two states also participated in the sealing. Unlike other states, the immediate danger on their doorstep compelled these foreign races to act.

Thus, Xu Qing would find it very difficult to issue a directive to cancel the sealing and immediately proceed to the front lines. This was especially true for Yinghuang State, Xu Qing's home base. Even with over ninety tribes from the forbidden sea collaborating against the Corpse Ban and pooling most of Yinghuang State's power, they had only barely managed to suppress the Corpse Ban's chaos. It was currently in a stalemate.

Xu Qing remained silent, meticulously examining the jade slips. After a long while, as he reviewed the information on Yinghuang State, his eyes suddenly narrowed. He noticed a piece of information recorded in the Sword Holder's Court's routine reports.

"Most of the foreign races and factions in Yinghuang State participated in the battle against the Corpse Ban. However, some did not, primarily the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain and Ghost Emperor Mountain."

"However, after communication, these two major factions agreed not to venture half a step outside their territories during this period."

"The Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain and the Seven Souls of Ghost Emperor Mountain are all manifestations of the Ghost Emperor's own soul. The remaining imprint of Ghost Emperor Mountain cannot be destroyed by anything less than an Incipient God, making them immortal beings. Forcing them to fight would inevitably cause friction, and without sincerity, their participation would be useless for sealing the Corpse Ban; it would only require diverting attention to monitor them."

"Therefore, to avoid complications and wasting time, our state's Sword Holder's Court decided to allow them not to participate in the battle."

Xu Qing gazed at this information, pondering for a long time. He then stood up and paced within the Scripture Office. His eyes showed moments of resolve, then hesitation, as if he were weighing his options.

Qingqiu and Ning Yan, who were nearby, rarely saw Xu Qing so hesitant. Not even when he confronted the Dark Sky God Child had they seen him like this. After exchanging glances, they instinctively held their breath.

After pacing for dozens of steps, still frowning, Xu Qing sensed the Ghost Emperor Palace within his body. He then stopped, looked up at the sky outside, and a determined expression appeared on his face.

"Qingqiu, Ning Yan, you two will remain in charge of the Scripture Office. Compile front-line information and monitor the progress of material transportation. I grant Qingqiu the authority to use the Sword Holder Palace's formation to send a message to my command sword if there are urgent matters."

Qingqiu quickly puffed out her chest and was about to speak loudly, but then remembered her pride. She suppressed her instinct and nodded with feigned calmness.

Ning Yan, with fewer reservations, loudly affirmed and then asked curiously, "Senior Brother Xu, are you going out?"

Xu Qing glanced at Ning Yan but didn't answer his question. He didn't want to disclose his specific destination before departure, so he merely said, "I'm going to the Robe Ban."

With that, Xu Qing stepped out of the Scripture Office without hesitation. He raised his foot and walked towards the sky, reaching the firmament in just a few steps. The giant bird Qingqin squawked, revealing its three enormous heads from within the clouds. It looked excitedly at Xu Qing, making a swallowing motion, as if it still yearned to wipe out tribes. Its right head quickly extended beneath Xu Qing, carrying him on its head.

As Xu Qing's divine thought was transmitted, a powerful gleam appeared in Qingqin's eyes. It flapped its wings fiercely, and the sky above the county capital seemed to explode. With a roar, Qingqin, carrying Xu Qing, vanished from the area.

Qingqin's speed was so great that, over short distances, it was not much slower than a teleportation array. However, for long journeys, it was ultimately less convenient. Xu Qing did not want to prematurely reveal his specific destination; although he understood the possibility was small, he still felt necessary caution was warranted. So, after leaving the county capital's vicinity, he found a teleportation array belonging to the Sword Holder Palace and stepped into it with Qingqin, who had significantly shrunk, vanishing inside.

After several transfers, three days later, Xu Qing and Qingqin appeared at the border of Yinghuang State, beyond the northern plains. Although it was noon, the sunlight here seemed to provide only light, devoid of warmth. Icy winds whistled through, stirring up a sea of snowflakes that swirled between heaven and earth. The biting cold wind pierced to the bone, and the earth was covered in a blanket of silver. Only the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar, standing in the distance, was earth-shattering, giving a sense of grandeur.

However, in Xu Qing's memory, the countless tents surrounding the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar had made this place a human gathering area, akin to a town. But now, most of the tents here were empty. The cold wind rushed through, causing countless tents to sway and emit rustling sounds. Only a few scattered elderly figures, heavily bundled, occasionally appeared in the cold wind. These individuals were not Sword Holders, but residents of this area. They had clearly been left behind by the Sword Holder's Court, not permitted to participate in the war due to their advanced age.

From the sky, Xu Qing glanced at the black palace atop the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar. He could sense that the number of Sword Holders present there was not large.

"The Grand Beginning Separation Pillar..." Xu Qing signaled Qingqin to circle in the sky above. As clouds gathered due to Qingqin's arrival, Xu Qing, enveloped in the mist, gazed at the earth-shattering pillar. To achieve his objective this time, he needed to use the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar for verification.

So Xu Qing suddenly raised his right hand and made a slight grasping motion in the air. Simultaneously, the Ghost Emperor Palace within his body began to operate, and the figure of the Ghost Emperor, sitting cross-legged inside, suddenly opened its eyes. Instantly, the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar vibrated intensely. This immediately attracted the attention of the local rogue cultivators and the Yinghuang State Sword Holder's Court. Their expressions changed as they also noticed the enormous, faintly visible silhouette of the giant bird in the clouds above.

"Who goes there!"

Once in Yinghuang State, concealment was pointless. Xu Qing, standing on Qingqin, took out his command sword and spoke calmly, "Xu Qing."

As Xu Qing's voice echoed, and with a flap of Qingqin's wings, the clouds enveloping them dispersed. His figure was immediately noticed by the Sword Holders on duty within the Yinghuang State Sword Holder's Court. In other states, Sword Holders might first need to identify the name, then recognize Xu Qing's appearance to initially ascertain his identity, and finally confirm it with the command sword. However, in Yinghuang State, Xu Qing's appearance was incredibly clear in the memory of the Sword Holders. After all, his promotion and the ten-thousand-zhang radiance had occurred under the witness of all Sword Holders in Yinghuang State. So, once the Sword Holder's Court's formation dispersed and Xu Qing's command sword was confirmed, figures of Sword Holders swiftly flew out.

"Xu Qing!"

"It's Commander Xu!"

Most of these Sword Holders were somewhat familiar to Xu Qing. Upon seeing him, their expressions became cordial, and they immediately paid their respects. One of the Sword Holders responsible for guarding stepped forward and spoke respectfully, "Commander Xu, are you going to activate the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar? Do you require our assistance?"

Xu Qing shook his head. He knew that the Ghost Cave was suppressed beneath the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar and could not be easily opened. He was only here to attempt something, so he suddenly made a grasping motion with his right hand, and the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar's vibration immediately intensified. But he understood that he could only do this much. To truly shake it loose and remove it was utterly impossible with his current cultivation level.

However, Xu Qing's purpose was not to remove the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar, but rather...

"Artifact Spirit!" Xu Qing suddenly spoke, his voice echoing like thunder. He was calling out to the artifact spirit of the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar; this was his true objective.

After a long while, as the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar vibrated, a low groan that spread throughout heaven and earth emanated from it. While the sound pierced the nine heavens and shook the eight directions, a pair of enormous eyes appeared on the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar. An ancient aura permeated all directions, and when they looked at Xu Qing, a clear sense of bewilderment appeared in those eyes.

This scene astonished the Sword Holders present. They naturally knew the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar had an artifact spirit, but normally, this spirit was dormant. Only the Grand Elder of the Sword Holder's Court could communicate with it. Yet now, at Xu Qing's call, the entity had actually awakened.

Xu Qing gazed at the eyes of the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar's artifact spirit. The Ghost Emperor Palace within his body vibrated even more intensely, and the eyes of the Ghost Emperor figure sitting cross-legged inside also gleamed.

Xu Qing pondered, feeling it wasn't enough. With a wave of his hand, he leveraged the power of the Demon Talisman. Behind him, heaven and earth changed color, and clouds surged from all directions as a vague Ghost Emperor Mountain appeared, descending.

"Ghost Emperor Mountain!"

"This... this..."

For cultivators from other states, Ghost Emperor Mountain wasn't as familiar, nor would they immediately grasp its significance. But for cultivators in Yinghuang State, the existence of Ghost Emperor Mountain was incredibly clear. Upon recognizing it at a glance, their expressions changed drastically, filled with horror.

At this moment, the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar also vibrated to its extreme. The confusion in the artifact spirit's eyes instantly turned into bewilderment, and faintly contained a hint of excitement. Seeing this, Xu Qing felt a wave of relief. This time, everything he intended to do upon returning to Yinghuang State relied on the Ghost Emperor Palace, so he had to first verify if his ideas were viable.

"Artifact Spirit, do you recognize me?" Xu Qing suddenly asked.

"The Emperor is reviving!" the artifact spirit on the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar transmitted after a few breaths of silence. It did not answer Xu Qing's question directly but uttered four words carrying a different meaning.

This somewhat conflicted with Xu Qing's initial judgment; according to his analysis, it should have been about inheritance. But it didn't matter; the artifact spirit's awakening aligned with Xu Qing's first step. So he spoke softly, "Then, can you convey this message to the Three Souls and Seven Psyches? Tell them... I have arrived."

A merchant wanting to prove their goods are good and effective needs buyer recognition and trust. If the merchant directly approached the buyer, the effect would be poor; even presenting some evidence wouldn't guarantee a controllable outcome. However, with a substantial endorsement, a recommendation from a third party would naturally be different.

This was why Xu Qing came to the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar, and it was the first step of his plan. It was very important. However, if it genuinely failed, Xu Qing did have other methods, though they would be much more circuitous. His ultimate goal was to act as a merchant and conduct a deal with the Three Souls and Seven Psyches of Ghost Emperor Mountain. The artifact spirit of the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar was his endorsement.

So, after about the time it takes an incense stick to burn, once the artifact spirit of the Grand Beginning Separation Pillar had conveyed the message to the Three Souls and Seven Psyches using its special method, Xu Qing departed. In the sky, he stood on Qingqin's right head and sped towards the direction of the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain.

As they moved south, the wind and snow gradually dissipated, and the earth shed its white covering, turning verdant. When a vast Immortal-Bearing Ancient River appeared in Xu Qing's sight, memories from the past welled up in his heart. Xu Qing hadn't expected to return in such a manner after several years away. Amidst his silence, Qingqin let out a squawk, pulling Xu Qing from his memories.

"Senior, it's not good to easily wipe out tribes now, but I will look for an opportunity," Xu Qing quickly said.

Qingqin seemed a little regretful. It flapped its wings, swiftly approaching the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain under Xu Qing's guidance. At its extreme speed, it wasn't long before the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain appeared in the distance. Here, skulls formed ridges, skeletons were like forests, human skins stuck together in sheets, and hair became felt. A wind of withered hair blew, covering the ground in black. Viewed from mid-air, it was even more apparent: a veritable mountain of corpses and sea of blood, a reeking human purgatory.

Previously, Xu Qing hadn't understood why the Sword Holder's Court allowed such a faction to exist. But now he clearly understood that the Ghost Emperor hadn't truly died; its high status meant its Three Souls and Seven Psyches also possessed immortal power. This made them extremely special; as long as the Ghost Emperor's divine aura existed, they would not perish. So it wasn't that they were indestructible, but that they simply could not be destroyed. Furthermore, if pushed too hard, and they abandoned their self-independence, the Ghost Emperor... would awaken. At that time, the fate of Feng Hai County would rest entirely on the revived Ghost Emperor's single thought. This matter could not be gambled on.

According to the Sword Holder Palace's judgment on this type of ancient Incipient God, they would be ravenously hungry upon awakening, and devouring an entire state or county would not be impossible. Thus, the attitude of successive County Governors towards the Ghost Emperor was the same as towards forbidden lands. Ultimately, it was because humanity was weak. If it were the era of the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor, these Three Souls and Seven Psyches would have simply been suppressed, and even if the Ghost Emperor revived, it would still not escape suppression. As for these Three Souls and Seven Psyches, they also knew not to overstep their bounds. So they didn't significantly expand their own influence, merely plundering various small tribes and nations within their territory.

Xu Qing had no particular fondness for these Three Spirits, but with the front line in danger, some things had to be done, even if he disliked them.

With his arrival, the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain experienced surging winds and churning clouds; the earth trembled, and cracks appeared in the firmament. Of the three huge mountain peaks that originally stood here, only two now remained. The mountain where Youjing once resided had long since collapsed, leaving only a low hill. The other two mountain peaks, transformed into enormous chairs, remained as before.

On the right mountain, around the seat made of giant beast bones, countless departed souls permeated the air. A figure, massive in body but emaciated like kindling, sat there. His entire body was skeletal. A massive tumor on his back, suffused with blue and red blood vessels, pulsed regularly, emitting thundering sounds like war drums that echoed through heaven and earth, shaking one's soul. This figure was none other than the Earth Soul among the Three Spirits: Revered Spirit Jueyang!

He now raised his head and coldly stared at Qingqin, who was speeding through the sky. As for the highest mountain peak beside it, it was shrouded in thick black mist, making the figure inside indiscernible. Only intermittent panting sounds echoed from within. That was the location of Ghost Emperor Mountain's strongest soul: the Heavenly Soul Taiguang Revered Spirit!

Around the mountain, countless cultivators from the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain felt the pressure from the sky and trembled. Revered Spirit Jueyang suddenly opened his mouth.

"Halt!"

"Squawk!"

Given Qingqin's ferocity, how could it stop simply because of Revered Spirit Jueyang's words? After letting out a ferocious squawk in response, Qingqin continuously circled the Three Spirits of Zhen Dao Mountain. Its left head even extended, swiftly sweeping across the ground, opening its enormous mouth and devouring one local cultivator after another. As chewing sounds emanated and shrill screams echoed, Qingqin, seemingly finding the taste quite good, landed on the ground with a thud. Its massive body was taller than the Three Spirits Mountains. Standing there, it continuously devoured the 'snacks' of cultivators desperately fleeing and wailing around it, while provocatively looking at the Earth Soul. However, it also knew Xu Qing's general purpose for this visit. So, after a glance, it raised its right head, moved it to the front of the Three Spirits Mountains, and looked down intently.

Revered Spirit Jueyang remained silent, not bothering with his fleeing subordinates, but gazing at Xu Qing, who stood on Qingqin's right head.

"I remember you, you tiny worm! How dare you return here!" Jueyang said coldly.

Xu Qing, within the protective light emitted by Qingqin, looked at the enormous Revered Spirit Jueyang. His expression calm, he slowly spoke, "If I am a worm, then what are you?" Xu Qing wasted no words. The Ghost Emperor Palace within his body vibrated, and he activated the Demon Talisman, causing the shadow of Ghost Emperor Mountain to suddenly descend behind him. Its massive body and vast pressure appeared, and its eyes opened and closed, causing heaven and earth