A winding curve divided the map into two halves.
On one side, the map’s details were exceptionally clear—names of regions, topography, and terrain were all visible at a glance.
On the other side of the curve, however, everything was shrouded in mist. Even the general outlines of the regions were difficult to discern.
It was only vaguely divided into five sections.
“The Five Elders Association is under the strict control of five Longevity Immortal Heavenly Sovereigns. It’s nearly impossible to infiltrate. Even our Federation of All Worlds knows very little about it.”
As Xu Bai spoke, he swiftly marked thousands of black dots on the map.
Most of them were within the territory of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, while only a few were located in the mist-covered area.
“These are the small worlds that can already be ruled out. The vast majority of them have yet to be discovered by the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance. However, some have already been exposed.”
Xu Bai pointed lightly, and thirty-seven of the black dots were marked with small flags bearing the character “仙” (Immortal).
Another four hundred thirty-five immortal-character flags flew to different corners of the map.
“Xu Ke’s whereabouts should be within the remaining small worlds of the Xuanhuang Realm.”
Standing before the map, Xu Bai said calmly,
“I hope you can find Xu ke before you finish searching all the remaining small worlds within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance’s territory.”
“Otherwise, if he is unfortunate enough to be in a small world whose entrance lies within the Five Elders Association’s domain, then there will be almost no hope.”
At this moment, Xiao Hong couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you called the Federation of All Worlds? Can’t you provide us with the entrances to the small worlds under your control?”
Xu Bai, however, responded with a question of his own, “Fellow Daoist Hong, do you think I’m some high-ranking figure in the Federation of All Worlds?”
“To ensure the safety of each small world, our Federation designates special envoys responsible for maintaining contact with specific small worlds. Aside from their assigned worlds, these envoys know nothing about the others.” Xu Bai explained.
“If you have the ability to capture Elder Liu, the Dao Integration cultivator who came with me last time, and subject him to torture, you might be able to get some information from him.”
Xiao Hong was immediately speechless.
The Imperial Princess looked at the map of the Xuanhuang Realm before her, feeling an overwhelming sense of helplessness.
Her gaze was no longer as resolute as before. “This… it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
“What? You’re not having second thoughts already, are you?” Xu Bai asked with some surprise.
“Whatever Xiao Hei can do, I can do as well. Daoist Xu, rest assured, the Empire will not go back on its word.”
At this moment, the once hesitant Xiao Qing suddenly became firm.
Under Xiao Qing’s instruction, the Imperial Princess finally handed over the improved [Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Technique] to Xu Bai.
It was not recorded in books or jade slips.
Instead, it was inscribed by a rare Bookworm, a unique beast of the Empire.
“To practice the Holy Blood Embryo Transformation Method, certain specific resources are required. Daoist Xu, please wait a moment while we prepare them for you,” Xiao Qing continued.
Xu Bai nodded slightly.
Without immediately checking the contents stored within the Bookworm, he first put it away. Then, after a moment of contemplation, he suggested,
“Your top priority now is to race against the cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance.”
“Besides using the power of the Tianxuan Treasure Record to quickly and conveniently detect small world entrances, you might also be able to determine Xu Ke’s general location through divination techniques.”
“Did Xu ke leave behind any personal belongings? If so, I might be able to ask a senior from our organization to help with a divination.”
With a smile, Xu Bai added,
“After all, I am quite curious about this ancestor of mine.”
Within the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the empire harbored quite a few law thieves.
If they also had the Endstone Disc gifted by Xu Bai, they could search for small world entrances without revealing their identities.
Upon hearing Xu Bai’s words, Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong exchanged a glance.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Qing finally spoke: “When Master left back then, there were indeed some personal belongings that he did not take with him. We have kept them well.”
“Fellow Daoist, please come with me.”
With that, Xiao Qing led Xu Bai to the very top of the tower palace, into an unremarkable small room.
Unlike the lavish room they had met in earlier, the interior was extremely simple and plain.
There was no trace of it being the residence of the empire’s founder.
“This was where Master lived back then. Everything inside has remained untouched. At first, we still held onto hope that Master might return. But after so many years, we have long realized that was nothing more than a futile wish.” Xiao Hong’s tone carried a hint of sorrow.
Xu Bai’s gaze swept across the small room, and suddenly, his heart trembled.
Inside one of the wooden desk drawers, he discovered a faintly worn red string!
It was just a few short strands, seemingly on the verge of breaking apart.
Yet, both its appearance and the faint aura it carried were unmistakably familiar to Xu Bai!
“This is the red string that Mr. Bai left for Xu Ke?”
“He didn’t take it with him when he left?”
Xu Bai was shaken to his core.
Without betraying his emotions, he shifted his gaze, as if examining other objects in the room.
But in his mind, he kept replaying the sight of that red string.
“There’s no mistake. This is the red string that Xu Ke used to easily slay Red Nine-Headed.”
“But this doesn’t seem to be the original artifact—rather, just a single strand separated from it.”
“Was it meant as a final protective measure for the empire…?”
“Judging from how it’s been left here to gather dust, it seems that Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong don’t actually know how terrifying this red string truly is.”
Xu Bai’s thoughts spun rapidly, and at the same time, he felt a surge of uncontrollable excitement.
He knew all too well the terrifying power contained within this red string.
Even though only a single strand remained, it was likely still capable of posing a fatal threat to a Dao Integration cultivator.
Naturally, a desire arose in Xu Bai’s heart to claim it as his own.
“The art of deduction is profoundly mysterious. It’s best to collect as many items as possible.”
He explained, “It’s fine. These are all just ordinary objects. To maximize the chances of finding Master, Fellow Daoist should take as many as needed.” Xiao Qing spoke nonchalantly.
Thus, Xu Bai took a brush and a set of clothes that Xu Ke had once worn from the room.
Finally, after making a show of thoroughly searching the surroundings, he discreetly took the red string as well.
“That was too easy?”
With the treasure now in hand, Xu Bai still found it hard to believe.
But after discussing a few more details with Xiao Qing and the others and bidding them farewell, he finally left the empire.
Only then did he confirm—he had truly obtained Mr. Bai’s red string so effortlessly.
“Now I just need to study its specific usage.”
Xu Bai did not dare to linger. He sped all the way back to the Xuanhuang Realm.
Instead of returning to Tianliang City, he went to a nearby Dao Discussion Tower branch residence and entered seclusion.