[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-beyond-the-passage-of-time":3,"chapter-beyond-the-passage-of-time-beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-960":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Beyond the Passage of Time",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2345400,4583,"Chapter 960: A Fair Trade","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-960",960,"\u003Cp>\"The Ancient Spirit Clan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The clan that unified Wanggu before the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing in this world permeated by death, Lao Jiu gazed into the dim firmament and spoke calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Their clan was skilled in war; they were born as snakes, only transforming into human form later, after which dragons and snakes accompanied them, forming the Ancient Spirit Battle Body.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This clan ruled the Wanggu era, suppressing all other clans until they had no choice but to bow their heads.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even the Human Clan of that time was once weak, fragmented, and broken.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Lao Jiu spoke, he walked forward. With every step he took, the firmament churned, the earth roared, countless wandering souls scattered, and the skeletons in the mud trembled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The aura emanating from Lao Jiu grew more intense as he moved forward. Vaguely, a trace of an aura that did not belong to Wanggu seemed to rise within him, pointing toward the outside world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing and Erniu followed behind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erniu looked left and right, extremely curious about this place. From time to time, he would squat down to dig up some soil, or reach out to grab some wandering souls, the light in his eyes growing increasingly intense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, he had a deep interest in this place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Xu Qing, his expression was earnest as he listened to the words of Ninth Grandfather.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had some understanding of the Ancient Spirit Clan, it was clearly still insufficient before Ninth Grandfather, a living history who had survived from the era of the Profound Nether Ancient Emperor to the present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What concerned him even more was the trace of an aura emanating from Ninth Grandfather that did not belong to Wanggu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Xu Qing might have been ignorant of this, but now, under the authority of his right eye, he could see causality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, in his eyes, the aura emanating from Ninth Grandfather was causality from beyond the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Eldest Senior Brother once said that Senior Li Zihua is returning... Looking at it this way, the aura on Ninth Grandfather is the guidance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing was lost in thought as Lao Jiu's words continued to echo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although the Ancient Spirit Clan was powerful, their time ruling Wanggu was like a flash in the pan. After reaching their peak in a short time, their Spirit Emperor did a crazy thing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He gathered the strength of the entire clan, pooled their destiny, and plotted against the Heavenly Dao.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He attempted to seize all Heavenly Dao for himself, merging them into one, so that he would become the strongest and only Heavenly Dao of Wanggu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Once successful, his will would be the will of Wanggu, and his Dao would be the Dao of Wanggu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He would also use this to surpass Xia Xian, who had once created Wanggu and raised many Heavenly Dao, and from then on, the fate of Wanggu would be reduced to the fate of one person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This would also allow the Ancient Spirit Clan to rule Wanggu forever, with all clans eternally suppressed, and he himself would break through the bottleneck of Xia Xian and walk his own path of immortality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Lao Jiu said this, his expression revealed a trace of admiration. What he admired was not the Ancient Spirit Emperor's actions, but the ambition and choice of a powerhouse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Such a figure...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Jiu paused his steps, looked up at the distant void, a trace of fighting spirit appearing in his eyes, and slowly raised his right hand, as if grasping at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, Erniu, who was following behind Xu Qing and Lao Jiu, dug up a skeleton from the ground. After putting it away, seeing that Xu Qing was listening intently, Erniu simply coughed, preparing to show off his erudition as the Eldest Senior Brother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, imitating Lao Jiu's tone, he spoke indifferently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But this is a great rebellion!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the possibility of success was naturally extremely slim. In the end, the Spirit Emperor failed, suffered the backlash of all the Heavenly Dao of Wanggu, and the clan's bloodline was cursed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the critical moment, the Spirit Emperor used his own terrifying cultivation base to bring most of his clansmen into his Great World, attempting to avoid the total catastrophe of the clan under the backlash of the Wanggu Heavenly Dao, but even so, they could not escape the curse in the end.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Therefore, the Spirit Emperor fell, his Great World withered and turned into a dead world, and all the Ancient Spirit clansmen within it perished instantly. The terrifying thing about this curse was not just such a simple extinction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That was, after all, a curse from all the Heavenly Dao of Wanggu combined. Under that curse, the dead Ancient Spirit clansmen turned into wandering souls that wailed in pain day and night.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This withered dead world thus became the Ancient Spirit Dead Kingdom, eternally enduring the torture of the curse, eternally buried deep beneath the Wanggu continent.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"At the same time...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erniu was about to show off his knowledge, but before he could finish, Lao Jiu, who was in front, raised his hand and grabbed at the sky. Immediately, the firmament roared, and countless muffled thunderclaps exploded in the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thousands of lightning bolts gathered from the sky, heading straight for Lao Jiu, illuminating the world as they landed on his raised right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a grasp, this endless lightning directly transformed into a long sword of electric light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once this sword appeared, the world changed color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A formidable aura and terrifying fluctuations rose from Lao Jiu, and then... he swung the sword toward the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword Qi shocked the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed as if a roar came from the void. In the next instant, the sky was directly torn open by this terrifying sword strike, revealing a huge crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A storm spread from the crack, sweeping across all directions, and at the same time, it revealed a scene familiar to Xu Qing from within the crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, was an imperial palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep within the palace, there was a mountain of flesh and blood, and a huge eye floated above the peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment, the eye opened, revealing a golden light, and was glaring at this place through the crack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It saw Xu Qing, whom it had not seen for a long time, but what concerned it most at this moment was the figure whose sword had torn open the heavens and whose body was filled with heaven-shaking baleful Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It recognized him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it fought against Red Mother, it had already taken note of this ninth son of Li Zihua. It was truly because the sword he had swung after gathering momentum in front of Red Mother had made its mind fluctuate as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing was just about to speak, but Lao Jiu, who was in front, had already stepped into the crack in one stride and appeared above the giant eye of the Ancient Spirit Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Audacious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low roar, containing the rules of this world of death, boomed out from the Ancient Spirit Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the sky of the world where the Ancient Spirit Emperor resided became even dimmer, the earth rose continuously, and countless wandering souls and countless skeletons all surged forth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the River of Yellow Springs arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the will of the entire world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It moved according to the divine sense of the Ancient Spirit Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only that, but abilities that seemed like authority and divine power shone within the giant eye of the Ancient Spirit Emperor; that was its own special ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under its gaze, anyone hostile to it would have light injuries become heavy injuries, and heavy injuries would turn into fatal death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, within this Ancient Spirit World, there were ninety-eight other imperial palaces and giant eyes, all of which opened at this moment, all staring at Lao Jiu, ready to strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Jiu's expression did not change in the slightest, but within that coldness, there was more fighting spirit, as if he really wanted to have a fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation reached its peak in an instant, and it looked like it was about to break out at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing walked out of the crack, stood by Lao Jiu's side, and spoke respectfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ninth Grandfather, let me coordinate this matter, shall I? His Majesty the Spirit Emperor is not an outsider, we don't need to resort to weapons.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lao Jiu glanced at Xu Qing, frowned, and finally reluctantly agreed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After pacifying Ninth Grandfather, Xu Qing turned around and bowed to the Ancient Spirit Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This junior greets Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ancient Spirit Emperor's heart churned, and countless curses erupted within. It was about to roar, but after its gaze fell on Xu Qing, all the curses turned into shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your physical body...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All the giant eyes of the Ancient Spirit Emperor contracted simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its attention had previously been drawn by Lao Jiu, but now that it landed on Xu Qing, it immediately sensed the terror of Xu Qing's physical body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This junior had some opportunities previously, so my physical body has changed. I will explain this to Your Majesty later. I came here today for the Imperial Qi.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing looked at the thirteen dragons formed by the destiny of the Ancient Spirit Clan around the giant eye of the Ancient Spirit Emperor and spoke slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ancient Spirit Emperor suppressed the shock in its heart, its giant eye revealing a gloomy light, and directly refused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing's expression remained as usual. He was not surprised by the Ancient Spirit Emperor's answer, and he had dealt with the other party too many times. On the way here, the three of them had actually already had a plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, a smile appeared on his face, and he spoke softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, this junior came here under the orders of our Human Clan Empress.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Although Your Majesty is in seclusion here, you should have sensed the fluctuations when our Human Clan Empress ascended to the God Platform previously.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Xu Qing spoke, he released his own Human Clan destiny, causing the power of destiny to swirl around him, and he even changed into the official robes of the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor with a wave of his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The one speaking now is the Zhencang King personally conferred by our Human Clan Empress, and the Crown Prince's Grand Tutor! Furthermore, I am the Great Profound Heaven, triple-conferred by the Yan Yue Profound Heaven Clan!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erniu spoke proudly and loudly; he naturally knew how to cooperate with Xu Qing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heavy breathing, like the wind, whistled in this world of death, and all the giant eyes of the Ancient Spirit Emperor showed ripples at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Human Clan Empress becoming a god—although it hadn't seen it directly, it had indeed sensed it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To say it wasn't wary would be impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that the unwillingness in its heart was still rising. The feeling of being robbed made it feel that its dignity had been challenged, and it was about to speak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Qing glanced at Erniu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Erniu smiled, stared at the giant eye of the Ancient Spirit Emperor, looked down from a position of superiority, and sent out a resonant voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Little Junior Brother, I know you have a history with this Ancient Spirit Emperor and don't want to bully the small with the big. Otherwise, as long as we report this to Master, with his status as a Xia Xian, he could reshape your physical body and naturally could also suppress this world with one palm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ancient Spirit Emperor was shocked again in its heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the same time, seeing that the communication was fruitless, Lao Jiu's expression revealed a trace of impatience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why waste words? My father is about to return. If you don't give the Imperial Qi today, I will take it by force. If I am injured by even a fraction, on the day my father returns, I will destroy all your layouts for rebirth.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, the aura of guidance from beyond the heavens emanating from Lao Jiu became even more intense, even forming a blurry starry sky, and vaguely, it seemed as if a blood-colored star was approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pressure that came made the Ancient Spirit Emperor's heart churn again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that its past dignity made it still unable to accept this feeling of being blackmailed, and its breathing became increasingly rapid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that the timing was about right, Xu Qing walked a few steps, stood in front of the giant eye, and bowed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, I hadn't finished my words just now. This junior did not come here to directly demand the thirteen strands of Imperial Qi, but to trade.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After speaking, Xu Qing raised his hand, took out the puppet from the Spirit Sound Forbidden Zone, and sent it in front of the Ancient Spirit Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This spirit body is the master of the forbidden zone; I hope Your Majesty likes it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was giving the Ancient Spirit Emperor a way out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Ancient Spirit Emperor fell silent, cursing inwardly once more; he naturally saw through the coordinated acting of the three, but... whether it was the Empress, Xu Qing’s Master, or Li Zihua, none were people he could afford to provoke right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, he had a major matter currently underway in secret, and if any Divine Platform were to descend, he feared he would be exposed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, after a long while, the Ancient Spirit Emperor suppressed the nausea in his heart, glared fiercely at Xu Qing, and released a suction force from his giant eye, instantly drawing the puppet inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Following the *crunch, crunch* sounds of chewing, as if venting all his pent-up frustration into the biting, the thirteen dragons of destiny beside the Ancient Spirit Emperor let out a low roar after a dozen breaths and charged straight toward Xu Qing and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanying them was the Ancient Spirit Emperor’s repressed, gloomy voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leave! Do not come again!\"\u003C\u002Fp>",2353,"2026-06-21T00:45:20.082Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","f343bf5720bc92e802660e13d9b23f3e495c286224daf71d198b071eb6e470c2","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-961","beyond-the-passage-of-time-chapter-959",998,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbeyond-the-passage-of-time-cover.jpg"]