Chapter 1351

The door of the Phoenix Bird Hall opened slowly.

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

Thus the entire Phoenix Bird Hall became, at this moment, like a river of time and space.

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

The first ripple, in the instant it bloomed, spread the images within time throughout the hall.

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

Within it, birds sang and flowers fragrant, all was peace and harmony.

In the distance, cultivators of the Seven Blood Eyes 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 Eyes 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 smiling brightly.

This woman was alluring, her black hair long and flowing down her back, lightly bound with a pink silk ribbon, wearing a dress of purple 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 Immortal Zixuan.

The ripples swayed, stirring ripples; outside the time-image, Xu Qing showed a smile, 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.

And on the river, a great vessel sailed in tranquility.

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

And Xu Qing at that time 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 life's joys and sorrows, nor revealed loneliness.

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

Immortal Zixuan in the image trembled, looking toward 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, within the Phoenix Bird Hall, rose and fell with the ripples of time.

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

In the ripple, one could see the giant serpent statue, where the two sat, their past heart-to-heart words echoing in memory.

Faintly, there was also the secret chamber within Feng Haijun, where Immortal Zixuan drew upon Xu Qing's form the image of guardianship.

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

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

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

Facing Immortal Zixuan, he raised his hand.

The stellar radiance in Immortal Zixuan's eyes, at the moment they opened, illuminated the world.

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

Thus, Immortal Zixuan without hesitation grasped Xu Qing's hand.

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

"I have returned."

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

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

There stood two graves.

There, too, was the home Xu Qing had long chosen for himself.

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

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

Thus he brought Immortal Zixuan to dwell upon Mount Zhaoxia.

This dwelling, half a cycle passed.

In 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 Wilds above the heavens, they had never opened their eyes.

However, on Mount Zhaoxia, two swords appeared.

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, soaring straight to the firmament, falling into the starry sky, and beheading the intruding deity.

Divine blood rained down.

It drew the gazes 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, deities from other star rings attempted to enter Eastern Wanggu via the Primordial Sea.

They were slain by a single sword.

These two swords shook Eastern Wanggu, alerting the deities watching this place.

And all of Eastern Wanggu thus came to possess a true sacred ground.

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

For Mount Zhaoxia exists and yet does not exist within spacetime.

But there was one who could ascend the mountain; she gazed long from outside, yet ultimately chose to depart.

This person was 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, Xiang Linger understood after those few days together.

……

Thus, another ten years passed.

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

In that gloom, 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 of the lingering glow of sunset—mysterious and obscure light.

It was Xu Qing.

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

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

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

Over these years, the Jin Gang Sect Patriarch had gained much fortune, becoming entirely the steward of Mount Zhaoxia, able to display his might anywhere in the 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 Jin Gang Sect Patriarch, had utterly vanished; what appeared on his face was the same worry as his mistress.

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

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

"Must you go?"

Xu Qing fell 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."