Chapter 1238: Encounter with the Green Ox

Fate, wonderfully inexplicable.

That familiar figure, the disheveled appearance, and the madness within the expression.

Most importantly, although the other party had only a skull left, they still re-swallowed the scattered Heavenly Principle dust, as if performing a special behavior of self-circulation...

These scenes caused Xu Qing's heart and spirit to stir with intense ripples.

No matter how, he never expected that he would actually meet his senior brother here...

And upon seeing Chen Erniu, Xu Qing suddenly understood something about cause and effect.

He recalled the teleportation formation that appeared within that heaven and earth secret realm.

"The use of that formation requires two specific conditions: one is possessing Star Ring Grass, the other is possessing a Golden Rat, and only those who possess both—besides me, there is also my senior brother."

Similarly, Xu Qing also recalled the layout of the Immortal Venerable, where the Fourth Star Ring God Venerate's omniscience was concealed by the cause and effect of the Upper Wasteland; now, looking... that concealing power, besides himself, must also be his senior brother.

He also played a role.

At the same time, Xu Qing recalled what the Aurora Young Master said when bestowing upon him the fate divinity of the Upper Wasteland.

He said, originally there should have been one person appearing to receive his divinity's gift, but for some unknown reason, that person never came.

"The one who didn't come, is it my senior brother?"

As these scenes surfaced in Xu Qing's mind, the people of the funeral procession also all turned their gazes toward Xu Qing.

Among them, Li Mengtu, who was most familiar with Xu Qing, and whose identity as a close attendant in the Aurora Immortal Palace's mirror image was etched like a brand in his heart and spirit, thus stepped forward, bowed excitedly, and then began to explain their reason for coming here.

"Young Master, we received the Star Ring Child's plea for help; the Heavenly Principle dust he had just refined was stolen by a mysterious little thief."

"And that little thief is cunning, skilled at concealment, himself possessing many strange methods, even Zhou Zhengli suspects that this little thief might still have accomplices!"

"Now that little thief is sealed within that expanse of universe ahead; we plan to refine this universe, leaving the little thief nowhere to escape, while also preparing to see if any possible accomplices will come to assist!"

Hearing Li Mengtu's words, Xu Qing's expression grew even more strange.

If speaking of accomplices... Xu Qing felt it should be himself.

Thus he glanced at Zhou Zhengli.

Zhou Zhengli's expression shifted.

And the others, at this moment, also all came forward to pay respects after Xu Qing's arrival.

Among them, the Evil Spirit Child was respectful and dared not be lax in the slightest, while also pondering in his heart.

"This person who has come here, gazing upon that universe, why is his expression like this?"

The Qianjun Piyi brothers trembled; their focus was not on Xu Qing's current expression, but on themselves.

At this moment, feeling uneasy in their hearts, they exerted all their strength to make their own light less bright, fearing that if Xu Qing waved his hand, they would turn into flying immortal swords.

Though they tried to conceal it, the instinct of the immortal swords from deep within their souls, uncontrollably transmitting the joy of meeting their master.

Thus the two became even more uneasy.

And Yuanshan Su, as always like autumn waters, silently bowed.

Star Ring Child, after paying respects to Xu Qing, although he noticed Xu Qing's strange expression, during this period he had been hunting thieves, his heart and spirit entirely on that little thief.

Thus his gaze quickly turned toward the universe he had sealed, his killing intent toward the thief who stole his Heavenly Principle dust growing stronger.

As for Zhou Zhengli, at this moment his expression suddenly became solemn, and he spoke in a low voice.

"Young Master, I believe that Daoist friend did not intentionally steal; there are clues to this matter, and it might even be that this Daoist friend's cultivation is related to order, or perhaps the Heavenly Principle dust was attracted to him and actively approached."

Upon hearing this, others fell into thought, while Star Ring Child's eyes flashed with a cold gleam, he fiercely looked at Zhou Zhengli, then turned his gaze to Xu Qing, and in his bitter heart, a hint of understanding also arose.

Facing Star Ring Child's gaze, Zhou Zhengli ignored it, his eyes only on Xu Qing, and he continued speaking.

"As for his companion..."

Xu Qing coughed once, raised his right hand, and pointed toward the universe ahead.

With this gesture, it seemed as if a storm suddenly erupted from within that universe, sweeping in all directions, causing cosmic ripples, countless stars scattering brilliant starlight, gathering into the power of opening and closing.

In the next instant, the starry sky trembled, the seal dissipated.

Faintly, in the depths of this universe, a meteorite was revealed, and on the meteorite, Chen Erniu's figure appeared, his expression dazed, his face full of disbelief.

However, limited by cultivation, Xu Qing and the others could see Chen Erniu clearly, but from Chen Erniu's perception looking back, it was merely a blur.

And upon seeing Chen Erniu clearly, Star Ring Child's killing intent in his eyes suddenly surged.

Xu Qing helplessly spoke softly.

"That is my senior brother..."

Upon hearing this, Li Mengtu's eyes widened, Zhou Zhengli's heart and spirit trembled, and the Evil Spirit Child also gasped.

The Qianjun Piyi brothers froze, and Yuanshan Su also revealed a strange gleam in his eyes.

As for Star Ring Child, he fell silent, his gaze withdrawn from Chen Erniu, turning to fix his stare on Xu Qing.

Waiting for Xu Qing's decision.

The helpless feeling in Xu Qing's heart grew stronger; if Star Ring Child were still in his former state, Xu Qing would not care.

But after all this journey, things are no longer as before; the two have become comrades-in-arms.

And for Star Ring Child, those Heavenly Principle dust are crucial to his path as Xia Xian, of utmost importance.

But Xu Qing knows his senior brother's character too well—it's that he either doesn't pick things up when going out, or loses them...

What he has swallowed, wanting to take back, is infinitely difficult.

Thus, in his hesitation, Xu Qing raised his hand and waved; instantly, his constitution erupted, layer upon layer, the universe and space transforming, from within emerging a large amount of Heavenly Principle dust.

With Xu Qing's current cultivation and insight, plus his prior research on Heavenly Principle dust, achieving this is not difficult.

Thus, in an instant, sheets of Heavenly Principle dust appeared, transforming from the illusory to the real, floating before Star Ring Child.

At the same time, Xu Qing also took out the Heavenly Principle dust he had previously left behind, and presented them together to Star Ring Child.

"A misunderstanding."

Xu Qing said softly.

Xinghuanzi looked ahead at the recovered and even more numerous heavenly principle dust, his heart filled with countless thoughts, and finally bowed deeply to Xu Qing.

"Thank you!"

After saying that, he flickered and left, but just as his figure was about to vanish into the distant starry sky, his voice came through.

"On this journey, I will not forget the grace of the Dao and the bond of comrades."

I know you are not a Fifth Star Ring cultivator... when you return to your hometown, I will be with you.

Xu Qing nodded, waiting for Xinghuanzi's figure to disappear, then looked toward Zhou Zhengli and the others.

"I am indeed about to leave; coming here was also to see you all for the last time."

Xu Qing said calmly.

Limutu's eyes flashed with a strange light, anticipation rose, and after locking eyes with Xu Qing, he immediately spoke.

"Me too!"

Zhou Zhengli smiled; Xinghuanzi had seen it, and he naturally had also long noticed the signs.

"Wherever the Young Master goes, I will go."

"As for now, we will not disturb the Young Master and his fellow disciples catching up."

After saying that, Zhou Zhengli clasped his fists, turned, and left with Limutu.

Yuanshan Su said nothing, Xielingzi was also hesitant in his heart, and Qianjun Piyi was overjoyed; thus, they each carried their own thoughts and departed.

Watching their figures fade until they were completely gone, Xu Qing turned his head to look at that expanse of the universe, at the excitedly leaping Erniu, and a smile rarely seen on his face appeared.

That was his eldest senior brother, one of the few people he cared about most.

He then took a step forward.

Crossing the starry sky, stepping over the void, he appeared before Erniu.

"Little A-Qing!!"

Erniu was exhilarated, feeling a strong dreamlike sensation in his heart.

"Eldest Senior Brother..."

Xu Qing coughed once, while also thinking of what was to come on the road ahead—his eldest senior brother would surely react with endless sourness, yet on the surface put up all kinds of resistance.

"How nostalgic."

Xu Qing laughed.

——

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