Chapter 643: Noon Has Arrived

Inside the sky vortex, thunderbolts continuously descended, one after another, striking the blood cocoon with booming roars. The blood cocoon was visibly shrinking amidst the resounding noise. Countless electric currents flowed rapidly down its surface like a waterfall, transforming into a brilliant thunder pool on the ground, its sound shaking the world.

This was because the four princes, using their inherent authority, forcibly assigned the ownership of this area's heavens and earth to Xu Qing. Also transferred were the lingering power of the God-Slaying Platform and the historical events witnessed in this place. Its immense weight and clarity triggered such a startling and heart-stirring display of thunder.

Simultaneously, the four, leveraging their inherited sovereign bloodline, granted Xu Qing the qualification to possess the great divine ability of the God-Slaying Platform. This was an acknowledgment from the source of this divine ability, on behalf of their father, Li Zihua, ensuring the legitimacy of the process. Consequently, the formation of the heavenly tribulation's aura became even more terrifying. This was precisely the outcome the princes desired; they intended to refine everything in this area using the primeval thunder tribulation, continuously compressing the heavens and earth of this place onto Xu Qing.

This was a form of assistance. Under this compression and propulsion, Xu Qing could achieve twice the result with half the effort, allowing him to truly master the God-Slaying Platform in a shorter time and with greater probability. The goal was not merely for it to appear in his Sea of Consciousness, but for him to completely transform it into his own ultimate killer move.

However, for Xu Qing, this process was akin to refining. Outside, the thunder tribulation bombarded his body and soul, while inside the blood cocoon, the heavens and earth collapsed, pressing in on him. Within him, his Sea of Consciousness roared, and the phantom of the God-Slaying Platform expanded outwards. The collision between internal and external forces caused Xu Qing's body to continuously shatter and his mind to gradually wither. His dozens of Nascent Souls were now operating at full capacity, unleashing their power. At this moment, the purple water also played a crucial role. Its restorative power, like a flowing spring, nourished everything while also enabling Xu Qing to withstand greater pressure. This naturally increased his chances of success.

As the thunder continued to fall and the blood cocoon visibly shrank, Xu Qing's body trembled, his skin showing several visible cracks from which blood flowed. The endless electric light penetrating the blood cocoon, combined with the immense pressure within, was refining everything inside, aiming to crush it all. With each contraction of the blood cocoon, half of the internal world collapsed. The God-Slaying Platform's world, which had been formed, was the first to shatter amidst booming sounds. It turned into countless specks of ash, rushing towards Xu Qing.

Next, the Sky Blade, formed from the sky curtain and earth-city hanging high within the blood cocoon, also collapsed, turning into fragments that were then compressed into dust, similarly heading for Xu Qing. Afterwards, the altar where Xu Qing stood crumbled and disintegrated. As for the "little chicks" also thrown inside, they were wailing. They were linked to Xu Qing, serving as his sacrificial and tribulation-bearing substitutes. Under this immense pressure, they were helping Xu Qing share the burden of life and death. Ultimately, as the blood cocoon continued to contract, everything within it, now seemingly imbued with electric light, enveloped Xu Qing. The blood cocoon, now less than three zhang in size, trembled violently with each contraction, appearing as if it could collapse at any moment.

The thunder continued, and lightning struck incessantly.

"Although I told him the 'Xi Nan Tu Order' would only unfold after his success, this was to make him more determined to transform the God-Slaying Platform into his ultimate killer move," the prince thought. "But in reality, the 'Xi Nan Tu Order' has been in progress all along."

The four princes' expressions grew increasingly solemn as they gazed at the blood cocoon. The Captain and others, watching from afar, were also profoundly shocked by the unfolding events. They were all waiting.

Time passed. Half an hour later, the sky vortex seemed to connect to an even vaster thunder pool, acting like a gaping hole from which thunder endlessly surged forth. The blood cocoon's form was obscured by countless lightning bolts, making it indistinct. A faint sense of decay subtly emanated from within. Those waiting outside felt varying degrees of anxiety rise in their hearts. Just then, a killing intent suddenly emerged from this decay, instantly spreading in all directions with earth-shattering power. Everyone's hearts wavered, and the sky vortex momentarily paused. A murmur slowly emanated from within the blood cocoon.

"Ghost Emperor Mountain transforms into a Slaying Platform, Ding-Yi-San-Er's fortune forms the blade groove." As the words emerged, cracks rapidly spread across the blood cocoon, as if a terrifying power was brewing within. The embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, the Divine Curse Poison Ban as the blade, the blade's radiance shaped like dawn's glow – as the first murmur reverberated, the blood cocoon roared and began to collapse.

"Golden Crow as connection, Purple Moon as seal, embraced by time, driven by sundial life-lamps!" The murmur continued to echo. Wu Jianwu, Ning Yan, and others instantly turned pale, instinctively retreating. They felt an astonishing ripple ascending from within the blood cocoon, seemingly containing a force of rules that caused the sky vortex's thunder, as it continued to fall, to become indistinct.

Until the final murmur resonated. "Sundial noon, heaven and earth severed together."

The blood cocoon burst open directly with a flash of blade light, possessing infinite momentum and unparalleled lethality, forming naturally from within. Instantly, the sky churned and the earth roared. This fragmented world became even more broken. The Canglong roared, and with a swift sway in mid-air, transformed into a colossal blade. This blade contained the essence of the Grand Azure, and the Dao-Slaying charm to become the Sky Blade. The power of the poison ban swiftly converged, forming a blade within. It possessed all the pinnacle aspects of poison and prohibition; once it struck, in addition to its inherent might, it also contained a poison-ban curse.

Next, the light of dawn formed a cold glint on the blade, capable of severing all things, shattering all origins, transforming all techniques—profound and mysterious. The earth churned. Ghost Emperor Mountain and Ding-Yi-San-Er also transformed into the Slaying Platform's blade groove. One could see the Ghost Emperor raising his hand, supporting the Grand Prison, which was filled with the power of fortune, forming an illusory canyon. Next, the Golden Crow flew, connecting heaven and earth, while the Purple Moon formed patterns that spread everywhere. Divine treasures within were activated, integrating and empowering it.

Xu Qing's five sundial crowns materialized in the sky. Their gnomons rotated, releasing the aura of time passing, which permeated all directions. Suddenly, all five pointers halted, simultaneously reaching exactly a quarter past noon. The next instant, a single blade strike severed the sky, heading straight for the sky vortex. The descending heavenly thunder tore through the firmament, as if opening up heaven and earth, astonishing gods and ghosts alike! Lightning severed, the thunder pool shattered, the life tribulation was cut, heaven and earth roared. The God-Slaying Platform blurred, swiftly converged, and finally transformed into a Bottle of Time.

The bottle descended, and Xu Qing, emerging from the void, caught it and placed it on his palm. Gazing at the bottle, Xu Qing's eyes were clear. After a moment, he put the bottle away, clasped his hands towards the four princes, bowed, and softly spoke, "Many thanks to the four seniors for your assistance."

Ning Yan and the others gasped in shock, the Captain's eyes gleamed with an unusual light, and the four princes smiled. Prince Mingmei suddenly spoke, "Does this divine ability have a name?"

Xu Qing looked up, gazed at the distant heavens and earth, and calmly replied, "Its name is: It's Noon!"

Princess Mingmei smiled and nodded, admiring Xu Qing even more. The prince beside her coughed, his eyes filled with appreciation, and slowly spoke, "Not bad, but you must not become complacent. Your other Nascent Souls still need refining. Only then can your ultimate killer move display its full power. Now then, have you decided whether to incorporate the collective aspirations of all beings here to form your blade?" As he spoke, the prince's gaze swept over the Captain.

The Captain coughed, then raised his hand and waved. Instantly, six white orbs of light appeared in his hand. Within these six orbs of light were the struggles and hopes of all beings in the Sacrifice Moon Great Domain. One could see countless faces within them upon closer inspection. They represented the collective aspirations of all beings that had gathered here during Xu Qing's tribulation, collected by the Captain.

"Senior Brother should have other uses for them," Xu Qing said deeply, looking at the Captain. Based on his experience with Senior Brother's grand schemes, Xu Qing knew well that Senior Brother's plans often involved interconnected layers. Everything that had happened so far was clearly for the sake of these collective aspirations.

Hearing Xu Qing's words, the Captain's spirits lifted, and he burst into laughter, anticipation rising in his heart. This time, he felt, the "grand scheme" hadn't quite felt right. While Xu Qing had always been brilliant, he himself was no slouch; they were always a formidable duo, unleashing twin swords, unparalleled heroes. But this time, he felt wronged. He had opened the sealed land, participated in scripting the plan, and even prepared the props. Yet, the control had ultimately been seized by the princes, leaving him to merely cooperate and perform. That might have been acceptable, but halfway through the performance, Little A-Qing began his outburst. And it wasn't just a single outburst; it came in waves: first the ancient aura, then the God-Slaying Platform, followed by ancient memories, and finally, just when it seemed over, this thunder tribulation. Thinking about this, he felt a weariness in his heart. Being Little A-Qing's Senior Brother was, he realized, no simple task.

"Finally, it's my turn," the Captain thought, taking a deep breath. He strode out into mid-air, positioning himself beside Xu Qing. "Junior Brother, pay close attention. What comes next... is the true purpose of our grand scheme this time."

Xu Qing blinked, feigning an expression of anticipation. Noticing Xu Qing's expression, the Captain felt a surge of pride. He lifted his head arrogantly and sharply waved his hand in front of him. "Following the ancient covenant before the flow of time, with the collective aspirations of all beings as a guide, transform into a descending imprint, paving the path of the spirit gods, piercing through the Gate of Fiery Moon! Superior God of Fiery Moon, I summon you!"

As the Captain's words rang out, the collective aspirations in his hand flew up, rapidly circling in front of him, eventually merging to form a gigantic ring. The ring rotated with a booming sound, seemingly opening a path to the dwelling place of another superior god. A terrifying aura, distinct from the Scarlet Mother's, emanated a trace from this passage. Just a single trace caused the princes and others to instantly stir. The entire sealed land blurred for a moment as anomalous matter explosively erupted here.

Meanwhile, in the Qing Sha Great Desert outside, similar anomalies were clearly manifesting.