Chapter 500: Little Junior Brother, I'm Here

As the vast army crossed the border, an overwhelming force swept through, compelling all evil within Feng County to retreat. The sky howled, the earth thundered, and an ominous presence steadily grew.

Tens of thousands of colossal vessels soared through the clouds. From Qing Qin's right head, Xu Qing moved to the leading grand vessel of the Sword-Holding Court.

The Blood Refiner was there. Xu Qing had come specifically to inquire about the Corpse Restriction, a matter he had originally discovered. The massive hand from inside the bronze door remained deeply etched in his memory.

"The Corpse Restriction Zone, like other restricted areas, was formed by a divine remnant opening its eyes and looking upon it twice. According to ancient records and years of exploration into the Corpse Restriction, the first time the divine remnant looked, countless years ago, it gazed upon an ancient bronze door deep within the Forbidden Sea, transforming that area. The second gaze was also directed at this very door. In fact, this pattern isn't exclusive to restricted zones; many forbidden areas share the same origin, stemming from unique items. Some speculate that each time the divine remnant opens its eyes, it's searching for something, while others believe it's sifting or selecting. The truth, however, remains unknown."

Blood Refiner would not have provided such detailed information to anyone else, but Xu Qing's inquiries were an exception. He slowly began to speak, divulging everything he knew to his favorite grand-disciple.

Xu Qing appeared pensive, remembering how he had once used the Seven Blood Pupils taboo art to glimpse the shattered guzheng in the forbidden area adjacent to the Scavenger Camp in Southern Phoenix Continent.

"The 'emperor' of the Corpse Restriction is, in essence, a life form created over countless years from the aura emanating from the ancient bronze door within this forbidden zone, infused with anomalous matter. This explains why, when the bronze door cracked open, it was effortlessly swallowed without any resistance. You can, to some extent, consider these forbidden zones as pastures."

Blood Refiner looked at Xu Qing and spoke hoarsely. "The apparent caretakers are merely managers; they themselves are but lambs. The true owners of the pasture are dormant. They await the divine remnant's third gaze, hoping to awaken truly in the embrace of that third glance and transform their respective regions into divine domains."

This explanation was new to Xu Qing. After a moment of silence, he suddenly inquired, "What about the Phoenix Restriction then?"

"The Phoenix Restriction... it's different," Blood Refiner said, shaking his head. "Its origin isn't an item; it's the Blazing Phoenix itself, which doesn't need to slumber because it's inherently awake. The Blazing Phoenix can either await the divine remnant's third gaze or choose to advance on its own. That's why the Blazing Phoenix is unique."

"Caw!" A proud cry from Qing Qin echoed from outside the grand vessel.

Xu Qing, surprised, turned to look at Qing Qin outside the vessel.

Qing Qin wasn't flying; it was rather lazy. It used two of its claws to grip two grand vessels, hanging beneath them as if inverted, while its three heads swayed, exhaling and inhaling clouds.

Noticing Xu Qing's gaze, its right head lifted, and a flicker of discontent appeared in its eyes. Xu Qing understood the expression; he realized Qing Qin wanted to eradicate a clan. "Senior, there's no hurry; an opportunity will arise," Xu Qing quickly reassured it. Only then did Qing Qin's right head lower, and it resumed exhaling clouds of utter boredom, looking completely listless.

Observing this, Blood Refiner seemed pensive and let out a sigh of deep emotion.

"Your master is a capable individual. Taking you and your senior sister as disciples in this lifetime is both his good fortune and yours. Therefore, you must live well and grow strong, without worrying about anything else. While this old man can still move, I shall protect your path!"

Blood Refiner glanced at Xu Qing, his appreciation growing even stronger.

"Huh? My senior sister and I? What about Eldest Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother?" Xu Qing was taken aback.

"Them? Haha, I forgot," Blood Refiner scoffed.

"We cultivators must not be swayed by carnal desires. Your Third Senior Brother was doing perfectly well, but he insisted on pursuing the Saintess of the Grand Director Immortal Sect. He failed to elope, giving the Grand Director Immortal Sect leverage, and last year they captured him from overseas. Now he's been reduced to breeding stock within the sect. Look how miserable he is! This is the fate of insufficient cultivation!" Blood Refiner's expression showed his exasperation.

"If his cultivation were sufficient, like your master's, with just a single glare, which Dao companion or their family would dare to refuse?"

Xu Qing's expression turned odd. He glanced at the Old Ancestor, unsure if there was an ulterior meaning to that comment.

"His current state is unbearable. Your master is too lazy to rescue him, and I'm unwilling to demand his return."

"And your Eldest Senior Brother... he's also fallen into it, for some reason. Half a year ago, he sent a letter to your master, asking him to help propose to someone named Tao. He's neglecting his duties, not being a proper Sword-Holder, not cultivating diligently, all he cares about is!"

Xu Qing blinked, remaining silent.

"Still, you, Fourth Junior, are good. Remember, as cultivators, while we don't necessarily sever all romantic desires, such matters are not the priority. Cultivation is paramount."

"Once you reach the Returning to Void realm, what kind of Dao companion won't you find? Tall, short, stout, slender—all kinds of female cultivators will be lining up for you to choose from."

"Your Grand-Ancestor here, I'm a veteran of these matters. You won't go wrong by listening to me. You must strive hard!"

Blood Refiner spoke earnestly. Xu Qing hesitated, then whispered, "Isn't it the same for Second Senior Sister and Huang Yan..."

"That's different!" Blood Refiner coughed, glanced at Qing Qin outside, and refrained from saying anything further.

Xu Qing was somewhat surprised. He noticed Blood Refiner's gaze and then recalled the moment when he had used the Seven Blood Pupils forbidden artifact to observe Huang Yan, and the latter had sensed it.

He had always felt Huang Yan was extraordinary. "Huang Yan once mentioned having a brother in the Prefecture Capital, asking him to look after me..." As Xu Qing pondered this, an incredible thought suddenly sparked in his mind, and his heart skipped a beat. He instinctively looked towards Qing Qin.

Qing Qin's previous easy acceptance had always puzzled Xu Qing; he hadn't known the reason.

After some thought, Xu Qing suppressed the matter, planning to find an opportunity to ask Qing Qin later.

Time passed. Under the arrangements of the Sword-Holding Court, the Yinghuang State army commenced large-scale teleportation, significantly shortening the journey to Qu Zhao State. Three days later, the army was merely three hours away.

During these three days, Xu Qing stayed by Blood Refiner's side, gaining an understanding of the events that had transpired within the sect during his absence. Concurrently, he visited the Grand Elder multiple times, sharing front-line information and real-time intelligence received from the Bureau of Decrees regarding the Garment Restriction, to strategize collaborative efforts.

"The Garment Restriction in Qu Zhao State lies at the edge of the Yi Clan's territory. It is not a jungle, but an enormous black burial shroud. This burial shroud is imbued with ill omens and permeated with anomalous matter. Any living creature entering it feels as if they have stepped into a dim, chaotic, and entirely isolated alien realm. Essentially, this calamity stems from the reawakening of this black burial shroud. The primary victims were not the Sword-Holding Court or the human race of Qu Zhao State, but the Yi Clan. The Yi Clan, in fact, is not indigenous to Qu Zhao State; they are a new clan that emerged within the Garment Restriction after the divine remnant arrived and formed it. They reject death and yearn for beauty, which conflicts with the environment of the Garment Restriction. Therefore, they separated and formed their own clan outside. This is also why they are utterly incompatible with the Garment Restriction. Therefore, their constant vigilance over the Garment Restriction is an instinctive act for the Yi Clan. This time, Qu Zhao State has mobilized the entire state's power and is nearing completion of the Garment Restriction's seal. According to information from the Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Court, the situation has been significantly brought under control."

This information was compiled by Qing Qiu and received by Xu Qing. While the Grand Elder possessed some knowledge, it wasn't as comprehensive as the summary provided by the Bureau of Decrees.

"Then this time, with our assistance, we can accelerate the completion of this seal, just as we did with the Corpse Restriction," the Grand Elder stated in a deep voice upon hearing the report.

Xu Qing nodded, his gaze briefly sweeping over the Ghastly Spirit Venerable behind the Grand Elder, who had shrunk to human size.

As a prisoner, she had no personal freedom and was therefore brought along with the army. Sensing Xu Qing's gaze, the Ghastly Spirit snorted, ignoring him.

Xu Qing glanced but paid no mind. After further discussion with the Grand Elder, he left the grand vessel and returned to Qing Qin's right head as the army drew closer to Qu Zhao State.

Utilizing the remaining time before reaching Qu Zhao State, Xu Qing recalled his earlier suspicions and quietly asked, "Senior Qing Qin, do you... know Huang Yan?"

"Caw?" Qing Qin, in the midst of preening the feathers on its necks, blinked all three of its heads simultaneously.

Xu Qing met its gaze and tentatively suggested, "Senior Qing Qin, perhaps we could communicate telepathically?"

"Caw!" Dissatisfaction flashed in Qing Qin's eyes; it seemed determined to communicate solely through its 'caws.' All three heads shook, about to continue, but the next instant, they suddenly jolted and simultaneously gazed into the distance.

It wasn't just Qing Qin; the Yinghuang State army in the sky immediately released magical fluctuations, locking onto the front.

Qu Zhao State. The profound solemnity among everyone stemmed from the incredibly dense aura of death rising from the land of Qu Zhao State, altering the sky and everything within it.

In Xu Qing's memory, Qu Zhao State was characterized by vast plains, especially the region they were now entering, which was Yi Clan territory.

The Yi Clan occupied nearly one-fifth of Qu Zhao State's territory, and their presence made the land vibrant and beautiful.

But now... the entire area was covered in a desolate gray-white. It was an incomparably massive corpse shroud!

Upon closer inspection, this corpse shroud was revealed to be composed of countless Yi Clan members, fused together to form such a vast covering.

There were clothes, pants, hats, and gloves—all manner of attire—but their colors were no longer vibrant, instead a uniform gray-white.

Terrifying fluctuations emanated from the corpse shroud, affecting the sky and rendering the heavens dim, the color of decaying corpses, which instilled a sense of oppression.

The gray-white of the land exuded desolation and a thick aura of death. With divine perception, one could even discern that all the Yi Clan members forming this corpse shroud were deceased.

This was a cloth woven from their own corpses. It was a harrowing sight.

Xu Qing remained silent. As the Yinghuang State army advanced, they finally observed the combined forces of Qu Zhao State's various sects and clans.

Numbering over a million, these forces were spread out along the edges of the colossal corpse shroud, operating under the command of the Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Court. Various clans were present, most of them exerting their full cultivation power to lift this astonishing shroud and slowly extend its coverage forward.

Additionally, an array of forbidden artifacts, each unique in appearance, circled the sky. They emitted strands of silk that connected to the corpse shroud, lifting it with immense power.

What they were covering was an enormous black burial shroud; compared to it, cultivators appeared as insignificant as ants.

Only the colossal corpse shroud stood out the most.

As the covering continued, the shroud had already reached the chest level of the black burial garment. Concurrently, dozens of Grand Cultivators of the Returning to Void realm, led by the Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Court's Grand Elder, were unleashing their divine abilities and spells, bombarding the burial shroud.

They were battling a grotesque figure formed from the black mist emanating from the black burial shroud.

Various clans were represented within this figure, all clad in identical black burial shrouds, emitting astonishing anomalous matter.

At the very bottom, the black burial shroud itself resembled an abyss, radiating a terrifying and malevolent aura. Countless black forms writhed within, seemingly struggling with all their might.

Soul-shaking growls emanated from within, shaking heaven and earth, accompanied by powerful exhalations.

Each exhalation was a burst of black death mist. Wherever it passed, even the Returning to Void cultivators were forced to evade, and the corpse shroud would visibly sway.

This was the seal formed by Qu Zhao State, leveraging the full power of its entire state.

The arrival of Yinghuang State had already captured the attention of Qu Zhao State, and cultivators from all clans showed signs of excitement.

On their journey, Xu Qing had already contacted the Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Court using his authority, so their arrival was not unexpected but long anticipated.

"Many thanks, Bureau Chief Xu, for your assistance! And profound thanks to all fellow Daoists from Yinghuang State for your support! Please unleash your suppressing power and collaborate with us to complete the seal!"

The Grand Elder of the Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Court, a middle-aged cultivator, appeared visibly excited after his gaze swept over the Yinghuang State army.

Xu Qing nodded, understanding that this was no time for pleasantries. He gently stroked Qing Qin, which then let out a roar and charged forward, being the first to directly unleash a beam of its divine light towards the black burial shroud.

As the divine light descended, the grotesque figures formed by the black mist instantly disintegrated. The burial shroud trembled, and furious roars emanated from within it.

Simultaneously, Yinghuang State's cultivators surged forward. Under the command of their respective sects, as the Sword-Holding Court's Yin-Yang formations descended, they expertly took their positions, sitting cross-legged within the formations. The sound of chanting once again resonated.

"I carry the essence of heaven and earth, and with Daoist incantations, I seal the ghostly realms. The Yin-Yang Dao seal descends; let no defiance be shown."

Heaven and earth shifted color, winds and clouds surged. The suppression from Yinghuang State, amidst the flashing of the Yin-Yang formations and the echoing chants, descended from the sky, forcefully sweeping everything away.

The earth rumbled, and the black burial shroud trembled visibly. Yinghuang State's intervention spurred the exhausted cultivators of Qu Zhao State to unleash their remaining strength, accelerating the spread of the corpse shroud.

Just then, as Xu Qing stood on Qing Qin's right head, sweeping across above the black burial shroud, his communication jade slip suddenly vibrated, and a long-unheard voice emanated from it.

"Little Junior Brother, I'm here! I see you! You've finally arrived; quickly come and help me!"

Xu Qing's eyes narrowed. Ever since he and the Captain separated at the Ten Intestine Tree, the Captain had been entirely incommunicado. Had Xu Qing not firmly believed that the Captain would survive even if only his head remained, he would have thought the Captain had perished.

He had, therefore, harbored a persistent worry. Yet now, within this very Garment Restriction, he actually heard the Captain's voice.

Xu Qing looked sharply. Within the black burial shroud below, which was mostly covered, amidst the countless figures formed from the endless dense mist, one figure waved towards Xu Qing, its appearance vaguely resembling the Captain.

Due to the distance and the hazy mist, Xu Qing could only discern a blurry outline. Furthermore, the figure also emitted black mist, making it, at first glance, barely distinguishable from the other grotesque mist shadows generated by the Garment Restriction itself.

So, after a glance, suspicion arose in Xu Qing's heart. "I haven't heard of the Garment Restriction's power causing illusions..."

"It's not an illusion! Little Ah Qing, quickly save me!"

Xu Qing raised an eyebrow. Standing on Qing Qin's right head, he lowered his gaze and carefully examined the figure he suspected was the Captain. He gradually made out churning black mist behind it, forming large hands that seemed filled with madness and rage, attempting to seize it.

This scene clearly indicated that the Captain had committed an act that incurred widespread wrath.

Upon seeing this, Xu Qing confirmed the figure's identity. "Senior Qing Qin, that person is my Senior Brother. I trouble you, revered senior..." Xu Qing said to Qing Qin.

Qing Qin was continuously flashing its purplish-red light around. Each sweep caused numerous Garment Restriction figures to collapse, and it seized the opportunity to suck them in with its three heads, enjoying it immensely as if drinking fine wine.

Upon hearing Xu Qing's words, Qing Qin's head jolted. "Caw!"

Its massive body plunged with a resounding boom directly into the dense mist of the Garment Restriction below. In its wake, all Garment Restriction figures that rushed forth either shrieked as they were dispersed by the light, shattered upon impact, or were directly swallowed whole.

In the blink of an eye, Qing Qin carried Xu Qing deep into the Garment Restriction.

This scene immediately caught the attention of both the Yinghuang State and Qu Zhao State Sword-Holding Courts. The two Grand Elders' expressions shifted, and they simultaneously charged forward.

Xu Qing's current status was exceptionally important in their eyes; he could not be lost.

Blood Refiner, too, moved with incredible speed. Though his cultivation was inferior to the two Grand Elders, he was the first to rush towards Xu Qing.

After all, it was his own grand-disciple. On this battlefield, whether it concerned the seal or the lives and deaths of others, the safety of his own was paramount in his eyes, so he never strayed too far.

As these three charged out, Qing Qin had already carried Xu Qing deeper into the Garment Restriction. With their descent, everything around them turned pitch black, dense anomalous matter converged from all directions, and the roars from within the Garment Restriction grew increasingly deafening.

Ahead, the Captain's blurry figure had become much clearer. He was desperately trying to burst out of the Garment Restriction, but the countless massive hands behind him were now almost upon him.

In this critical moment, the Captain went all out, a look of madness in his eyes. His body shook, and instantly, countless eyes sprouted across his form. They detached from his flesh, flying directly towards the massive hands, embedding themselves within them before erupting.

Amidst the roar, many of the massive hands exploded. Seizing this opportunity, the Captain burst forth, heading straight for Xu Qing.

"Little Junior Brother!" The Captain raised his right hand, reaching for Qing Qin. The distance between them was now only a hundred zhang.

For Qing Qin, a hundred zhang was well within reach. But just as its right head was about to extend, its three heads suddenly changed expression, and all its feathers instantly bristled.

An intense life-or-death crisis surged within its mind.

A terrifying pressure erupted from the depths of the Garment Restriction, thundering across heaven and earth, shaking all directions. Xu Qing and Qing Qin bore the full brunt of it.

Even a low growl, like muffled thunder, roared forth from the Garment Restriction behind the Captain.

"Villain!!"

Amidst this roar, more massive hands appeared, bulging with black veins, looking even more grotesque, and moving faster as they lunged towards the Captain.

Furthermore, beneath these massive hands, in the deepest part of the Garment Restriction, a pair of crimson eyes suddenly opened, filled with madness and rage, and rapidly growing larger.

Clearly, the face to which those eyes belonged was rapidly approaching.

Witnessing this, the Captain immediately panicked, the madness in his eyes intensifying. His raised right hand instantly conjured a long blade, and he shockingly slashed across his own neck, severing his head.

His headless body then spun, and he desperately lifted his right foot, kicking the head forcefully, sending it like a ball directly towards Xu Qing.

After traversing a hundred zhang and being caught by Xu Qing, the Captain finally breathed a sigh of relief. Simultaneously, Qing Qin abruptly retreated.

Almost the instant Xu Qing caught the Captain's head, a hundred zhang away, the Captain's headless body was violently swallowed by a suddenly appearing massive maw. Simultaneously, a colossal face manifested there.

This colossal face appeared as if it had been submerged in water for a long time, rotten and swollen, utterly grotesque and repulsive. It exuded a thick stench, and its mouth chewed with all its might, seemingly consumed by extreme hatred.

The crimson glow in its eyes pulsed with madness. It locked onto the head in Xu Qing's hand, roaring once more, stirring up towering black mist, and charging furiously towards Xu Qing.

Qing Qin let out a piercing shriek, flapping its wings with all its might. Its cultivation fully erupted, increasing its speed, and in the blink of an eye, it burst out of the Garment Restriction.

Just as the colossal face was about to pursue, the two Grand Elders and Blood Refiner simultaneously launched their attacks. Moreover, Yinghuang State's suppressing power erupted, forcefully pushing it back.

With a thunderous boom, the face roared, shaking the heavens, and its charge momentarily halted. However, seeing the Captain's head now further away, it struggled violently in a frenzy, still attempting to pursue.

But at this moment, Qu Zhao State's corpse shroud rapidly enveloped the area. The instant the face broke free from its restraints and continued its pursuit, the shroud covered it from above.

The next instant, a muffled roar, filled with endless indignation and fury, emanated from beneath the corpse shroud. Soon, the face began to bulge from the shroud, seemingly attempting to break through.

"Villain, I will kill you!"

The earth-shattering roar was imbued with extreme hatred.

However, the combined power of the two states generated astonishing suppressive force. Amidst the echoing scriptures and under the seal of Qu Zhao State's cultivators, the corpse shroud continued its forward coverage. The bulging face ultimately failed to break through and was forced into submission.

Yet, the roars persisted.

"Villain! Shameless! I will surely devour you, tear you to shreds, swallow you whole!"

In the distance, the Ghastly Spirit, hearing this voice, was visibly moved. She evidently recalled her own past misery and, feeling empathy, couldn't help but curse inwardly: "Thief, I will absolutely not let you off! Sooner or later, I will finish you off, swallow you, and eat you!"

Meanwhile, in mid-air, Xu Qing, perched on Qing Qin's right head, watched this scene and listened to the chaos. His expression was strange, and a powerful sense of trepidation gripped him.

He glanced at the face on the corpse shroud below, which, though suppressed, still struggled frantically, then turned to look at the Captain's head in his hand.

Simultaneously, Qing Qin's central and left heads stared at the Captain, as did the two Grand Elders of the Sword-Holding Court and many more cultivators from both states, all gradually turning their gaze to the Captain's head.

This sight immediately made the Captain draw a long breath. Realizing the situation, he quickly spoke loudly.

"I've performed a meritorious deed! I've rendered great service to the Sword-Holding Palace, and I've rendered great service to Qu Zhao State!"

"Do you know why that brainless behemoth in this Garment Restriction ultimately failed to fully revive? Because of me! With my unwavering conviction as a Sword-Holder, my resolve to save Qu Zhao State, and my love for humanity, I ventured alone into the deepest parts of the Garment Restriction, risking immense danger!"

"Finally, at the very moment that brainless behemoth began to revive, I successfully bit into its soul-heart several times, rendering it incomplete!"

"This, consequently, caused an unforeseen complication in its revival!"

The Captain was somewhat anxious. He knew full well that his sudden appearance and actions could easily lead to misunderstandings, which is why he immediately explained himself.

If he were to be perceived as the cause of the Garment Restriction calamity, the trouble would be immense.

He hadn't anticipated that what began as a casual outing with his companions would lead to an earth-shattering upheaval. And now, having barely escaped with his life, he saw millions of cultivators from two states gathered in the world around him.

Their gazes seemed unfriendly. Unaware of the external situation, seeing this scene, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

He felt as if this massive formation was poised to eliminate him.

At this thought, the Captain shivered, feeling even more wronged, lamenting inwardly that he truly hadn't caused this!

The Captain's words reached the ears of those around him, eliciting various expressions. Qu Zhao State's cultivators seemed disbelieving, especially since the massive face below was still roaring furiously.

Consequently, most people from Qu Zhao State turned their gaze to Xu Qing and the Yinghuang State Grand Elder.

The Yinghuang State Grand Elder's brow furrowed slightly. He had a strong impression of Chen Erniu and was now inwardly assessing the veracity of his statements, so he turned to Blood Refiner.

After all, Chen Erniu was a disciple of the Seven Blood Pupils.

Blood Refiner's expression became stern as he spoke solemnly. "Chen Erniu is one of the most outstanding disciples of my Seven Blood Pupils. He grew up within the sect from a young age, is honest and trustworthy, always minds his own business, possesses a simple and sincere nature, never causes trouble, and never lies. This old man believes his words."