Chapter 1285

The door of the Phoenix Bird Hall opened slowly.

Outside there was no wind, yet time flowed, arriving silently with the opening door.

Thus the entire Phoenix Bird Hall, at this moment, seemed to become a river of time and space.

With the footsteps of the figure outside the door falling, ripples of time and space were stirred.

The first ripple, in the instant of blooming, spread the images within time throughout the hall.

In the image, rippling light reflected the land of the Seven Sects Alliance of old.

Within it, bird song and flower fragrance filled a scene of peace and harmony.

In the distance, cultivators of the Seven Blood Pupils could be seen building their sect; nearby, beneath the brilliant starry sky, outside the mountain gate of the Emperor Xuanyou Sect, two figures lurked like petty thieves.

This was the day the Seven Blood Pupils had just joined the Seven Sects Alliance, and also the scene where Erniu invited Xu Qing to accompany him to trade fingers with Huang Yikun.

In the image, above the heavens, there was also a woman, standing there with a smiling gaze.

This woman was alluring, her black hair flowing down her back, lightly bound with a pink silk ribbon, wearing a dress of purple mystic starlight that shone brilliantly, with mists and clouds gently swirling around her like an immortal, not of the mortal world.

At this moment her gaze fell upon Xu Qing below, and with a soft laugh she stepped forward.

In the image, amidst the shock of Erniu and Xu Qing, the woman approached Xu Qing, raised her finger, lifted his chin, and exhaled like orchids.

"Little friend, we meet again; you came so late to the Emperor Xuanyou Sect—did you lose your way?"

This was the first true encounter between Xu Qing and Zixuan.

The ripples swayed, stirring ripples; outside the time-image, Xu Qing smiled, and thus within the time-image, Xu Qing lifted his head, gazing at the woman who had lifted his chin, and spoke softly.

"Not lost—I followed the invisible thread in my heart, all the way here."

Upon these words, the woman in the image stiffened.

And the time-waves, the first ripple fell.

Outside, Xu Qing took a second step, and thus the second ripple bloomed within the Phoenix Bird Hall.

The Ancient River of Mystic Immortality appeared within the ripple, spreading throughout the world inside the hall.

It was dusk, the sun setting in the west.

Within the river, a great vessel sailed in tranquility.

By the rail, Zixuan leaned lightly, her figure seeming to melt into the evening sky.

At that time, Xu Qing sat not far off, his expression revealing some restraint.

"Xu Qing, play that tune—I wish to hear it."

The voice rose gently, and gradually the flute sounded, slow and lingering.

Though still carrying the air of the martial world, it no longer spoke of a lifetime's joys and sorrows, nor revealed loneliness.

As the flute notes drifted, they carried a hint of hope and also blessings.

The Zixuan in the image trembled, turning her gaze to Xu Qing.

And Xu Qing, seated there, now lifted his head and spoke softly.

"This melody was once called Parting Sorrow; now it is called Reunion."

……

One scene after another unfolded within the Phoenix Bird Hall as the time-ripples rose and fell.

Xu Qing walked step by step toward Zixuan, each step falling, and the time-image was reenacted.

Within the ripple, one could see the shadow of two figures sitting on the giant serpent statue, their past heart-to-heart words echoing in memory.

Faintly, there was also the scene within the secret chamber of Feng Haijun, where Zixuan drew a protective image upon Xu Qing.

And there was the silhouette within the human imperial capital, where someone obtained the Zixuan Shangqing Lamp for Zixuan.

All this intertwined, forming the roar of time and space, surging in waves within the Phoenix Bird Hall.

Finally, within the Phoenix Bird Hall, Xu Qing stepped upon the ripples and walked before the cross-legged Zixuan.

Facing Zixuan, he raised his hand.

The starlight in Zixuan's eyes, at the moment they opened before, had illuminated the world.

And Xu Qing's approach was like infusing color into that illuminated world.

Thus, Zixuan hesitated not, and seized Xu Qing's hand.

Xu Qing's expression gentle, he helped Zixuan rise and spoke softly.

"I have returned."

In the next instant, the Phoenix Bird Hall fell silent, and within the depths of Feng Haijun, it became blurred until it vanished.

When it reappeared, it was no longer in Feng Haijun City, but upon Mount Zhaoxia of old.

There stood two graves.

There, too, was where Xu Qing had long ago chosen his home.

For in memory, his parents had naturally blurred, yet they were here.

Having been sacrificed to the Upper Wasteland, Xu Qing could not find them in time and space; now the sole proof of their existence was these two graves.

Thus, he brought Zixuan to dwell upon Mount Zhaoxia.

This dwelling, half a sixty-year cycle passed.

During this half-cycle, the prosperous age of Eastern Wanggu unfolded.

And Zhou Zhengli and the others had fully adapted to Eastern Wanggu, each going their own way—some in closed-door cultivation, some opening mountain gates to preach the Dao.

Each cultivated in their own manner.

As for the Upper Wasteland above the heavens, it had never opened its eyes.

However, on Mount Zhaoxia, two swords emerged.

The first sword, twenty-seven years ago, in the starry sky beyond Eastern Wanggu, a divine being crossed the boundary.

Thus, that sword rose from Mount Zhaoxia, soared straight into the heavens, fell into the starry sky, and beheaded the intruding divine spirit!

Divine blood rained down.

It attracted the gaze of all beings of Eastern Wanggu.

The second sword, five years ago, did not fall into the starry sky, but into the outer sea!

There, divine spirits from other star rings attempted to enter Eastern Wanggu through the Primordial Sea.

They were slain by a single sword!

These two swords shook Eastern Wanggu, and the divine spirits watching this place.

And all of Eastern Wanggu also witnessed the emergence of a true sacred site.

Thus, many came to Mount Zhaoxia, yet few could truly ascend it.

For Mount Zhaoxia exists and does not exist within spacetime.

Yet there is one who can ascend the mountain; she gazed long from outside, but ultimately chose to depart.

This person is Xiang Linger.

In this world, many things cannot be forced, especially the word "love."

Like Zhao Zhongheng, who suffered half his life, yet still could not attain love.

Decades ago, Xu Qing went to the Sacrificial Moon Great Realm; though nothing was said outright in the medicine shop, after several days of interaction, Xiang Linger already understood.

……

Thus, another ten years passed.

On this day, the twilight light fell upon heaven and earth, shining upon Mount Zhaoxia, refracting into brilliant radiance.

In that glow, a figure descended from the mountain.

This figure wore a single black robe, had purple hair flowing over the shoulders, a tall and slender frame, and walked as if born from the lingering glow of sunset — a mysterious, dark light.

It was Xu Qing.

Behind him was Zixuan, dressed in women's attire.

Though her clothing was simple, her beauty could not be concealed; yet at this moment, her expression bore a trace of worry as she gazed at Xu Qing, wanting to speak but hesitating.

Behind her stood the Golden Jin Gang Sect Patriarch, his form now solid, no longer a soul body.

Over these years, the Patriarch of the Golden Jin Gang Sect had naturally gained much fortune, becoming entirely the steward of Mount Zhaoxia, able to display his might and prestige anywhere in the outside world.

Even in leisure, he began writing storybooks……

Only Xiao Ying could contend with him for this position.

But his former pride, now on the Patriarch of the Golden Jin Gang Sect, had completely faded; the worry on his face mirrored that of his mistress.

Yet he understood: at this moment, he must not speak, nor disturb Xu Qing and Zixuan's farewell, so he silently stepped back.

Ignoring the Golden Jin Gang Sect Patriarch, Zixuan approached Xu Qing, adjusted his robes, and murmured.

"Must you go?"

Xu Qing remained silent.

After a long while, he turned his head toward the direction of the Devouring Heaven Great Realm and spoke softly.

"He whom I must settle accounts with has waited for me many years."