The news of Li Hao’s breakthrough in cultivation soon spread, and not long after, Ji Yun Yue and others rushed over to visit him.
Upon seeing him again, they all sensed that Li Hao’s aura had subtly changed.
However, with the All Phenomena Attributes concealing it, they were unable to probe the specifics.
Li Hao asked and learned that his Spirit-Entering in the Artistic Path and cultivation of his meridians had taken a total of five days.
“When can I go see my mother?” Li Hao inquired.
“The wild sea is almost calmed, and you’ll be able to see her soon.”
Ji Yun Yue took out an ancient mirror about ten inches tall from her space, and said gently, “This is the Sacred Treasure Observing Heaven Mirror, borrowed temporarily from the Family Head. It allows you to see into Qiu Tian Dao; you can see Qingqing right now across the void.”
Li Hao took it and, with Ji Yun Yue’s guidance, infused his power into it. In no time, he felt his consciousness seemingly sinking into the ancient mirror, and a vast map emerged in his mind.
This map included the entire Ji Family’s Holy Land Secret Realm, and by concentrating his thoughts, Li Hao could observe the entire secret realm.
The fact that they had borrowed this item for him also indicated the Ji Family’s recognition of Li Hao.
Li Hao could feel their intentions, but he didn’t presumptuously spy on other places; instead, he focused his thoughts on the extreme north of Holy Land Secret Realm as Ji Yun Yue had described.
On the mirror appeared a scene, as if piercing through clouds and mist, an expansive sea emerged.
The sea was deep and dark red, as if at the bottom, there lay a layer of settled blood.
Waves churned above, clouds gathered, and occasionally, sea winds swirled.
An inner astonishment arose in Li Hao’s heart; the expanse of the Ji Family’s Holy Land Secret Realm was far beyond his imagination.
The Holy Land he had seen before seemed to occupy only one percent of the map in comparison!
In the center of this vast sea was a pitch-black abyss, looking bottomless from a high vantage point, like a giant eyeball at the heart of the sea.
Hovering above this immense abyss was an island, swaying slightly with the fierce winds from above.
Around the island, from three different angles, were three thick, massive chains inserted into the island. The island seemed like a kite, held in place by the three chains, preventing it from ascending any higher.
Li Hao concentrated his thoughts on the island and saw several mountain caves and dwellings, but within the mountains there was a thatched cottage.
In front of the cottage was a figure bending over to move stones, piling them beside the thatched shack. Her clothes were torn, her hair unkempt as if it had not been combed or washed for a long time.
Her face and arms were smeared with dirt and dried mud stains.
Despite the disheveled appearance, Li Hao recognized her at a glance as the woman who had held him in her arms fifteen years ago.
Li Hao had not expected that at this reunion, his first glimpse of her would be in such a ragged state.
Contrary to the memories he had of her in the Divine General Mansion, wearing luxurious clothing and living a life of luxury, she now appeared completely different.
Li Hao’s expression darkened with an emotion that was either anger or complexity surging from his heart. He took a deep breath and said,
“With my mother’s level of cultivation, she should not be in such a dire state, could it be that her powers have been disabled?”
Ji Yun Yue and the others also saw the scene in the mirror, and their expressions changed slightly, aware of the situation on Qiu Tian Dao.
It was an exceedingly vicious place; hence, many criminals from the Ji Family were imprisoned there.
Crimes like those committed by Ji Qingqing were considered minor there. Others, such as betraying the family, colluding with demons, and harming fellow kin for treasure, varied.
Some were executed on the spot, while others pleaded mercy based on their ancestors’ merits, and thus were spared and exiled there.
“Qingqing’s cultivation was not wasted.”
Ji Yunqing, afraid of any misunderstanding, explained hurriedly, “If her cultivation were wasted, she would not survive for even a few days on Qiu Tian Dao; it would be no different from execution.”
“That’s correct. Besides, Qingqing’s bloodline is pure, and she was considered a prodigy among our clan, reaching the Three Immortal Realms at a young age. It would be a pity to waste her cultivation,” said Ji Yun Yue.
She looked at the scene within the ancient mirror and continued, “The reason for such a condition is due to the special laws of Qiu Tian Dao.”
“In the wild sea outside Qiu Tian Dao, ordinary people cannot cross, not even those in the Ultimate Study Realm, unless one masters their own Dao Domain and uses its laws to counteract the laws of the wild sea.”
“And in the desolate abyss at the heart of the wild sea, even Dao Domain is ineffective. That area is a complete no-fly zone; even sound cannot travel there, and the natural energy of heaven and earth is cut off!”
“As a result, cultivation is impossible on Qiu Tian Dao, and any energy spent is lost without the possibility of replenishment.”
“Those prisoners held there eventually can only rely on the strength of their bodies to endure. If they can’t hold on, they simply die there.”
Ji Yun Yue spoke softly, “When Qingqing was first sent to Qiu Tian Dao, her Heaven and Earth Space was filled with food and drink. The Family Head turned a blind eye, and our plan was to resupply every ten years. Being too frequent would lead to gossip. So there is no need to worry about her sustenance, but indeed, the conditions there are somewhat harsh.”
Ji Yunqing nodded and sighed, “Luckily, the Heavenly Dynasty has arranged that the other prisoners on the island dare not provoke Qingqing. Moreover, those prisoners all hope for release and would not easily offend someone with strong backing unless absolutely necessary. Your mother, despite the hard life, doesn’t need to worry about other things.”
Li Hao silently focused on the ancient mirror, watching the woman in front of the cottage move the stones to rebuild a stone wall that had collapsed from the wind.
After wiping the sweat from her forehead, as if sensing something, she unexpectedly looked up towards the sky.