Chapter 139: The Divine Transformation Fled in Terror

The goal of this trip was achieved, but Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun did not leave immediately.

Following Jiang Yuqi, the two arrived at the display stand where the mask gifted by the master of Tingyu Tower was kept.

"Before the Zhengdao Alliance was founded, the Holy Emperor once held a position at Tingyu Tower; even then, his business philosophy was far ahead of its time, greatly increasing the tower's revenue…"

Tingyu Tower was an organization similar to a merchant guild; before it was absorbed into the Zhengdao Alliance, its main business was buying and selling heavenly treasures, artifacts, pills, and cultivation techniques.

Even the famed 【Jingyue Flying Sword】, now renowned across the Central Continent, pales in comparison to Tingyu Tower—it couldn't even carry its shoes.

According to Jiang Yuqi, Yuan, after joining Tingyu Tower, revitalized a failing shop within less than half a year through his advanced business philosophy, expanded it steadily, and eventually earned an audience with the tower's master.

"I've heard of this," Xiang Yuanjun explained. "When Yuan took over that shop, his cultivation was already quite high. Many young cultivators from our sects were close to him, not to mention the secret influence of Lingzu's disciple."

"That may well have been part of why the master of that generation of Tingyu Tower agreed to meet Yuan."

Business philosophy may have been one factor, but Yuan's extensive network was also a crucial element.

At this moment, Jiang Yuqi continued his explanation.

"Later, due to an accident, the Holy Emperor and the Tingyu Tower master accidentally entered a perilous Secret Realm, but they ultimately emerged unharmed."

"After exiting the Secret Realm, the Tingyu Tower master gifted the mask he had always worn to the Holy Emperor."

"But after that, the Holy Emperor left Tingyu Tower."

This story sounded strangely familiar.

Xiang Yuanjun continued to explain to Xu Xing.

"It was after emerging from that Secret Realm that the master of that generation of Tingyu Tower had a conflict with Lingzu's disciple."

"Hmm…" Xu Xing paused for two seconds. "If I'm not mistaken, the master of that generation of Tingyu Tower was a woman."

"Correct," Xiang Yuanjun hesitated, then spoke in a peculiar tone. "Brother Dao, you see through this quite clearly."

"Hm?"

Xiang Yuanjun tilted his head slightly, saying nothing.

Hm? …

……

By noon, the number of people in the front hall gradually increased.

Ji Shi Valley, Shenji Lianbao Pavilion, Ling Yin Fang, plus the Longxiang Qingtianzong body cultivators already inside—except for the Huanhuan cultivator from the Huanhuan Sect, who was likely still recovering, all the Xian Sect's ceremonial envoys had now appeared here.

Since only the front hall was open to the public, after viewing all the exhibits, Xu Xing and Xiang Yuanjun left the main hall.

"I'm delighted to have served as your guide," Jiang Yuqi said, standing before them with a smile.

"Thank you for your trouble," Xu Xing nodded slightly.

"It is my honor to help more people learn of the Holy Emperor's deeds."

"By the way, who is Jiang Yujiu?" As they parted, Xu Xing casually asked.

Jiang Yuqi paused: "Little Jiu… is my granddaughter."

"…."

You gave your granddaughter a name like that? … In the Cultivation Realm, nothing is impossible.

…………

In the evening, at the accommodation arranged by the Zhengdao Alliance.

Xu Xing stood alone by the window, holding the red jade.

The dim yellow light bathed the entire city, making it impossible to tell whether this was land or seabed.

Through this red jade, he had confirmed the locations where Yuan had deliberately left items.

Not many—only three.

One was extremely distant, located in one of the most dangerous places on the entire Central Continent—Qing Xu.

Given that Yuan's bookshelf held many texts about Qing Xu, this was unsurprising.

Another was not as far as the first, but still not close—Ling Yin Fang.

It was also the place several fellow cultivators recommended he visit; it was perfectly normal, perhaps even connected to Lingzu's disciple.

And the final one…

Was inside this very city of the Zhengdao Alliance's highest council—the Gao Ta!

But its exact location was severed by an extraordinarily tight, multi-layered protective barrier.

"I'll have to pick a time to go there."

The items left by his fellow townsman, Xu Xing could not simply ignore.

Moreover, according to the Zhengdao Alliance's system, only those who have merged with the Dao may serve as council members, and the council leader must surpass that realm.

After obtaining the item and leaving, they would never detect it.

Suddenly, Xu Xing's heart stirred; his gaze dropped toward the distance.

There stood a towering, dark-golden Gao Ta, appearing even more solemn under the dim yellow light—the Council Leader's Gao Ta! But Xu Xing was not focused on that; he noticed the faint aura leaking out.

He had not sensed it before.

Tracing it upward, he felt numerous sublime, majestic auras beneath the tower, interwoven like a net, merging as if ocean currents connected—collectively, their terrifying might far exceeded that of a merged Dao cultivator, even faintly surpassing that of Li Ke and other Star Domain Wardens.

"They're also trying…" Xu Xing murmured.

He was not surprised; cultivators naturally seek higher realms.

Beneath the Qidaxian Sect, some founders of Zhengdaoda Sects were themselves from that era, and it is indeed possible they are now brushing against that threshold.

"I hope they succeed."

If humanity could produce another cultivator who crosses that threshold, it would be the best possible outcome.

Their significance far outweighs that of a merged Dao cultivator.

Xu Xing withdrew his gaze and ceased his observation.

Soon after he withdrew his gaze, a terrified voice suddenly rang out.

"No! I don't want to go to the Starry Sky!"

Following the sound, a long rainbow streaked across the horizon.

Within the rainbow was a cultivation expert of the Spirit Transformation Realm, dressed in luxurious robes but face twisted with terror.

Behind him trailed several streaks of light, all also Spirit Transformation Realm cultivators.

From the hands of those behind, dozens of white-gold chains woven from runes were flung forth, like writhing dragons, stirring waves of spiritual energy through the void as they coiled toward the terrified Spirit Transformation cultivator.

Rattling! The white-gold rune chains were of high rank, certainly not something a single Spirit Transformation cultivator could wield.

In less than a minute, the chains caught up to the fleeing Spirit Transformation cultivator.

The foremost chain wrapped around his waist; the others swiftly followed, binding his limbs.

Each rune wriggled like tiny insects, burrowing into his body, and his entire aura plummeted rapidly as the runes flooded in.

"Ahh!!!"

His screams echoed through the heavens.

His face contorted in excruciating pain.

Ten seconds later! The spiritual energy of a Spirit Transformation cultivator had withered under the runes' influence, sinking to the level of an ordinary mortal with no cultivation at all.

Now he was barely alive, seemingly lacking even the strength to scream.

The white-gold chains continued to coil, until they wrapped him completely from head to toe, leaving no gap.

Then, several other Spirit Transformation cultivators each gripped one of the chains, hoisting him into midair.

Carrying him thus, they flew toward the tallest tower in the center of the city—the Speaker's Gao Ta.

From afar, it looked like a predator wrapping its prey in a cocoon and dragging it back to its nest.

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(End of chapter)