Chapter 347: Zi Xuan? Xuan?!

The group walked through the Tianmen, passing the Reception Hall and the Audience Hall.

The Tianmen was majestic, with mighty divine generals guarding all four sides; aside from reduced specifications in various aspects, its overall layout was identical to the Ninefold Tiangong of the Main World.

Most of these divine generals and celestial soldiers were summoned from the Main World.

Occasionally, exceptionally talented beings from the Xuantai Qingming Realm also served in these roles.

"The authority held by the Emperor-level deities of this realm, while not as comprehensive as that of a Heaven Sovereign, is equal in rank," said Xiang Yuanjun, gazing at the numerous halls ahead. "Will you also adopt a similar structure for the 'Ascension Guidance Immortal Network'?"

"That remains uncertain."

Xu Xing held the 'Divine Path Information Vessel' in his palm; now the entire sphere glowed a brilliant gold.

"In my conception, the 'Ascension Guidance Immortal Network' is merely meant to make it easier for the younger generation to carry out related missions, while also providing some safeguards."

At the very center of the 'Divine Path Information Vessel,' two additional points had appeared around the bright golden dot.

One was crimson as fire, containing a radiant golden feather—supremely yang, utterly pure.

One was icy and chilling, containing a pure white branch—supremely yin, utterly clean.

Heaven Sovereign, Sun, Moon.

These three divine positions form the core and foundation of this realm's Divine Path system.

If placed within a world aligned with the Dao at the level of union, the world could extract its information and instantly generate a complete Divine Path operational framework from nothing.

Worlds below the level of Dao-aligned Great Realm cannot withstand such information.

"Moreover, collecting this realm's Divine Path system is only for reference; should additions be needed later, we can simply revise it."

Xiang Yuanjun nodded slightly: "By the way, after you left, the Elder Lingzu sent several messages."

She looked at Bie Xuening.

"Some of them concern your two disciples."

Bie Xuening paused: "What did they mention?"

Yue Ling, who led the way, also perked up her ears.

The master's two disciples…

Xiao Jiu Yu and Xiao Yunlu?

"Your eldest disciple, according to the Elder Lingzu, still has the same personality, but has become far more diligent in cultivation; recently, she has completed several missions and made remarkable progress."

"Your younger disciple rested for a while after the Three Realms Trial, then joined her senior sister on two missions; now she has reached the peak of Foundation Establishment and is preparing to ascend to Jin Dan."

Ascending to Jin Dan…

"... Good," Bie Xuening fell silent for a moment. "It's been a trouble for Sister Ji during this time."

Previous replies had mentioned that Sister Ji had been caring for her two disciples.

Yet she never imagined that during her absence, that rebellious disciple had become the youngest Soul Transformation, and even her newly taken apprentice was nearly at Jin Dan…

The group walked while chatting.

Soon they passed through layer upon layer of Heavenly Palaces and arrived at the Ninth Tiangong, the core of the Xuantai Qingming Divine Court.

Amidst the surrounding divine palaces and halls, a dark blue-green hall stood silently.

Divine qi gave birth to eternal green auspicious grasses and wondrous flowers that never withered for a thousand years.

Inside the hall, rows of jade-like pillars extended forward, carved with bas-reliefs depicting the growth of five grains, the changing of seasons, and the turning of solar terms.

Qingming Hall!

This was the most central hall of the Xuantai Qingming Divine Court's Ninefold Heavenly Palaces.

Emperor Sui Zu's divine body permanently dwelled here, governing the authority over the 'Divine Qi' of heaven and earth, overseeing all matters related to it!

"Here we are! This is it!" Yue Ling pointed ahead at the Qingming Hall. "Last time this guy tried to cause trouble for the Xiang Jianzong, I gave him a terrible beating!"

Now it seemed several more energy signatures had appeared inside…

Who cares—they're all mere minor cultivators of Tongxuan realm!

"I'm going in first!"

Saying this, Yue Ling rushed ahead.

Xu Xing, Bie Xuening, and Xiang Yuanjun followed calmly behind.

…

…

Inside Qingming Hall.

The highest dais.

Emperor Sui Zu Di Jun wore a troubled expression, his heart heavy with frustration.

Ever since someone had inexplicably broken in and beaten him last time, he had been utterly dispirited.

To investigate that person's identity and avoid accidentally violating the so-called 'Xiang Jianzong Regulations,' he had spent some resources, asking several familiar Daoist friends to look into it—after all, better a fellow Daoist die than himself…

Of course, this wasn't about finding the identity to seek revenge!

After all, the man could crush him into ash with a single slap—he dared not harbor even the slightest ill thought!

Having lived for eons, he had experienced several brutal Immortal Eras; he naturally knew that a 'Ant-level' must humbly lie prostrate before a 'Senior-level.'

Though he was now at Tongxuan, compared to that person… he was no different from an 'ant.'

Yet the investigation results were unsatisfactory.

Xiang Jianzong… it sounded like a sect composed entirely of sword cultivators; the name had indeed existed in the previous Immortal Era's grand age.

But it was only a sect whose highest level reached Dao-Union—and it was wiped out during the transition of great eras…

In previous eras, a few similar names had appeared, but they were even weaker, unable to even touch Dao-Union, let alone produce a master who could crush him into ash with a single slap.

'Sigh~'

He sighed inwardly.

Not having any leads was already frustrating enough, but two ancient monsters who had been stuck at their cultivation for years somehow guessed part of the truth through unknown channels...

Faced with this suspected power beyond Tongxuan, they could no longer suppress their curiosity.

And then they found him.

As the saying goes, two fists cannot fight four hands, let alone that any one of them was beyond his match.

In the end, though he didn't reveal everything about that day, the two ancient monsters—old and cunning—still deduced something, and stayed on in his Divine Court. Of course, they didn't wish to utterly offend him, so they agreed to leave after he relinquished the Authority of Yuanqi.

After all, the Great Immortal Era won't last much longer.

It's not like that one would suddenly come back to deal with him again!

Just as he was thinking this...

"Hey!"

A crisp voice came from outside the hall, startling Emperor Sui Zu so badly he leapt to his feet with a jerk.

He looked up nervously...

Thud!

Without the slightest hesitation, he knelt down with perfect decisiveness!

"Your humble servant greets my lord! I have not left my post during this time, nor interfered in mortal affairs!"

His voice rang loud, his expression reverent, his posture flawless—no flaw could be found.

He had already knelt before; now, kneeling again carried not the slightest psychological burden.

Above the Qingming Hall.

Yue Ling was momentarily taken aback by his performance, scratching her head in confusion before finally realizing.

Please... collect... 6... 9... Shu... for... me...!

Tsk tsk!

Looks like my last lesson for him was quite effective!

Wanting to show off to the Master, she turned back—only to see the Master's calm gaze...

Hmm...

Better not.

"Cough!" Yue Ling stiffened her small face. "You brought two trash fish here—are you planning to surround and attack me?"

Emperor Sui Zu shuddered violently, recalling the agony that pierced his soul, and quickly distanced himself.

"Of course not! They came on their own—I don't even know them!"

"Heh!"

With a soft laugh, rolling purple qi seeped out from the void.

The Dao's resonance boomed, echoing through the hall,

"As the Origin of the Profound, I am the Grand Dao Sect..."

The Dao's voice was vast and ethereal, weaving cosmic principles; a figure stepped forth amid the swirling purple qi.

He was a man with purple hair, purple eyes, and a purple robe, a purple mark on his forehead.

"I am Zi Xuan. I pay my respects to the Elder."

Yue Ling's eyes darkened with seriousness.

Xuan?!

Not just her—even Xu Xing and the other two felt the same suspicion rise.

"Is it Him, younger brother?" Bie Xuening's expression turned solemn.

"It shouldn't be... but..." Xu Xing extended his palm. "We must observe further."

After arriving in this world, he had already searched thoroughly—there shouldn't have been any left.

Yet previously, Xuan's avatar had transmitted teachings right under the nose of his Sword Intent Spirit Body...

Do not underestimate it.

Boom!

A hand of ordinary size, the moment it extended, swelled into boundless vastness—encompassing all ten directions, sealing past and future, forbidding all fate and karmic light!

The Qingming Hall, the Xuantai Qingming Divine Court, the Xuantai Qingming Heaven—even the world itself, and the surrounding Chaos Sea realms!

All were seized in a single grasp by that hand, beyond any language to describe!

And at the very center of it all stood the man who had just appeared, calling himself "Zi Xuan."

Hummm!

Countless tiny sword lights flickered within the palm, slicing him—and the Dao he cultivated—into countless billions of fragments, analyzing him at the most fundamental level!

Everything froze in that instant.

The churning chaos of the Chaos Sea, the world's own inhalation and exhalation, the ceaseless flow of Daoic principles—even the river of time itself...

Only Hong Zun, and Bie Xuening, Xiang Yuanjun, and Yue Ling beside Xu Xing remained untouched.

"How? Is it Him?" Xiang Yuanjun asked.

She herself saw nothing amiss.

But she knew well: she still had a gap between herself and "Xuan."

"..." Xu Xing stared at the shredded Zi Xuan, pausing a moment. "It doesn't seem to be."

Though this fellow's opening words, his purple qi, even the Dao he cultivated resembled Xuan's, he truly wasn't.

Even if it were Xuan, he couldn't possibly deceive me while sliced into countless fragments...

No.

"I'll look again."

Just been tricked by Xuan, how careful can one be too much!

Hummm!

The sword light reappeared.

After some time…

After multiple confirmations, Xu Xing finally determined that this guy had very average character and no connection whatsoever to Xuan—he was merely somewhat similar.

Instantly, all strange phenomena withdrew and vanished, and everything resumed its normal operation!

The person involved noticed nothing, even smiling as if wanting to say more.

"Forgive me, Elder…"

After receiving Xu Xing's confirmation, Yue Ling exhaled in relief and glared at him fiercely:

"What are you pretending for?!"

Huh?

Zi Xuan was utterly bewildered.

What happened to me?

(End of Chapter)