“We all come from different small worlds, and compared to the Xuanhuang Realm, there is a natural disparity in level. However, we also possess an advantage that cannot be underestimated.”
“And that is diversity.”
“Just as your [Empire] is able to command exotic beasts in battle, over the years, other small worlds have each developed unique and extraordinary abilities.”
“Even if these abilities are slightly inferior to the immortal arts of the Xuanhuang Realm, if we combine all our strengths and integrate the best of all worlds, it may not be impossible to formulate a system capable of rivaling immortal arts.”
Xu Bai spoke confidently.
Xiao Qing’s first reaction was to shake her head.
However, before she could speak, Xu Bai raised a hand to interrupt her and solemnly said, “It all depends on human effort. Everyone knows that the chances are slim, but at this juncture, we have no choice but to fight to the death.”
“You should be even more aware than I am of the kind of life mortals live under the rule of cultivators, right?”
“The members of the Federation of All Worlds are all rulers of their respective realms. Even if they face death, they would never willingly live as mere cattle and horses.”
Xu Bai’s expression darkened instantly. “While we won’t go to war against them, they can forget about receiving any protection from us.”
Xiao Qing spoke softly, “You need not worry, Fellow Daoist. Our Empire would never align with the Xuanhuang Realm. However, matters of the Empire are not for me to decide alone.”
“Please wait here for a moment. I need to discuss this with Her Majesty the Imperial Princess and the Imperial Council.”
Hearing this, Xu Bai nodded in understanding.
At the same time, he made a request. “I have heard that the Empire was built upon the corpse of a three-headed divine bird.”
“And that its head was severed by an immortal’s sword strike in ancient times.”
“Such a magnificent sight—since I am here, it would be a great regret if I could not witness it with my own eyes. Would you be able to fulfill this long-held wish of mine?”
Xiao Qing’s eyes flickered as she looked at Xu Bai’s smiling face.
After a brief moment, she agreed. “It’s a small matter. Since you are interested, I will arrange for someone to take you there. However, be cautious—the severed head still retains residual sword aura and lingering intent.”
Xu Bai’s face showed astonishment before turning to delight. “For the sword aura to remain after so long, it must have been a truly remarkable strike. Now I am even more eager to see it.”
Xiao Qing simply smiled without saying a word.
After she left, it was only a short while before a young woman, appearing to be around seventeen or eighteen years old, entered the room. She was dressed in a gauzy robe.
“Sir, please follow me.”
As she spoke, the young woman summoned a peculiar, balloon-like beast.
A slit opened on the surface of the sphere, and the woman stepped inside.
Xu Bai, filled with curiosity, followed suit.
Inside the sphere, there were seats for passengers. As soon as they entered, the sphere expanded once more.
It slowly floated out of the spire-like palace and swiftly soared toward the Empire’s sacred land.
The body of the balloon-like beast gradually became transparent, allowing Xu Bai to clearly see the scenery around him.
“This is a [Flying Sphere Beast]. Once it inflates, it can soar through the skies and ride the wind at extreme speeds. It is the most common means of travel for Imperial citizens visiting the holy land,” the young woman explained in a soft, melodious voice.
“However, since you are visiting, Holy Master Qing has already given instructions to clear the holy land of all visitors temporarily, to ensure you are not disturbed.”
…
Under the gentle guidance of the woman’s voice, they soon arrived at one of the severed heads of the Red Nine-Headed Divine Beast.
“This is one of the Nine Holy Temples.”
Xu Bai followed the young woman into the silent temple. The moment he stepped inside, he faintly heard wailing and agonized howls.
The floor and walls were covered in pitch-black stone slabs, giving the temple an austere and eerie atmosphere.
Without needing further direction, Xu Bai instinctively followed the source of the sounds, heading deeper into the temple.
The further he went, the louder the sorrowful cries of the beast became.
According to the young woman’s introduction, these were not merely echoes of the Red Nine-Headed Beast’s final cries before its death…
It was not the divine bird itself but the countless exotic beasts slaughtered and sacrificed over the years by the empire to quell its ferocity, whose collective wails formed a mournful chorus.
Every temple had witnessed the tragic deaths of an untold number of these creatures.
The entanglement of countless vengeful spirits was enough to turn an ordinary area into something akin to an underworld of torment.
Yet, within this temple, though there was an eerie atmosphere, no spirits had manifested to cause trouble.
This was solely because of a sharp and unparalleled sword aura that had been suppressing them all along.
“Swish…”
A strand of hair drifted down for no apparent reason, causing Xu Bai to stop in his tracks.
Ahead of him, black flesh twisted and coiled like tangled vines, forming a grotesque mass.
From time to time, it would wriggle slightly, making it hard to believe that this was the corpse of a monstrous beast that had perished thousands of years ago.
And floating just above this black mass was a red sword aura—
Like a long, drifting thread.
In truth, ordinary cultivators could not perceive this red thread of sword aura.
Let alone the common folk of the empire.
They could only infer the remnants of “immortal sword aura” from the continuously suppressed black flesh and the bursts of sword energy that occasionally flared outward.
But Xu Bai could see everything clearly.
Even…
Xu Bai closed his eyes slightly.
A vivid image suddenly emerged in his mind.
A streak of crimson light illuminating the heavens and earth—so swift that even lightning seemed sluggish in comparison.
Its contained sharpness seemed capable of splitting the world itself.
“It looks like a thread, but in truth, it is…”
“A sword.”
Gazing at the red line before him, Xu Bai pondered for an unknown length of time before murmuring, deep in thought.
“Is this the red thread gifted by Mister Bai…?”
“Compared to the wooden sword he casually crafted in the Fallen Immortal Realm, this red-threaded sword exudes an even stronger intent of slaughter.”
“Rather than a pure sword, it carries a trace of judgment within it.”
A flood of insights surged into Xu Bai’s heart.
In his mind, he could almost see the figure of Mr. Bai—casually flicking a single thread.
And in that instant, the unparalleled ferocious beast, the Red Nine-Headed Beast, perished on the spot.
…
Lost in his enlightenment, Xu Bai remained unaware of the passage of time.
The young girl in the gauzy dress did not dare to disturb him and simply stood silently behind him.
Not far from Xu Bai, separated by only a single temple wall—
Xiao Qing and a graceful young woman were watching him intently through the transparent barrier.
“So, can you confirm it?” Xiao Qing asked, a rare trace of urgency flickering in her eyes.
The young woman had kept her eyes closed the entire time.
Her eyelashes trembled incessantly, sweat beading on her face.
After a long moment, she suddenly opened her eyes.
“How can this be…?”
Her expression was filled with shock.
“When I look at him, it’s as if I am looking at myself!”