Chapter 986: I Wish

The first star ring is roughly triangular, and it is blurry inside, as if shrouded by supreme power, making it impossible to explore!

The second star ring is much clearer, and there are marks inside, but they are only outlines.

The third and fourth are roughly the same.

But the fifth star ring is different; the mark of the old man sitting cross-legged in the center is relatively much clearer.

And looking at other star rings, there are also terrifying marks, some clear, some just outlines, different sizes, different shapes.

Gazing at these, Xu Qing's mind roars violently.

When he was reborn with the flesh of the Upper Desolation, some vague cognitions appeared in his consciousness, such as the thirty-six star rings.

Until he followed Yu Liuchen to the Outer Seas and was swallowed by that huge whale, he met the old man who claimed to be from the Immortal Capital of the fifth star ring.

The conversation with the old man expanded Xu Qing's vision, and he confirmed that the universe where he is located is one of the thirty-six star rings.

But that was all.

Knowing the information, without concrete images, and not knowing which star ring he is in.

So at this moment, when this star map of the thirty-six star rings appears before his eyes, the roar in his heart is heaven-shaking, and the ripples are enough to make his sea of consciousness churn violently.

He finally knows the star ring where he is located.

The ninth star ring!

And in this ninth star ring, there are many forces, East, West, South, and North, each with terrifying marks.

But Xu Qing doesn't know if it's an illusion, but whether it's the giant beast or the golden river, or the black tower and the paper person, they all vaguely point to the direction of the Remnant Face.

As if being attracted and pulled.

And judging from the degree of clarity, the Remnant Face is the clearest mark among all thirty-six star rings!

There is no other.

As for the other marks in the ninth star ring, and even all the marks visible in the entire thirty-six star rings, they are relatively inferior.

Only the first star ring, because it is blurry overall, is impossible to see clearly, not knowing if there exists a terrifying existence like the Remnant Face within it.

But regardless, the star map seen before his eyes is like the opening of heaven and earth in Xu Qing's mind, instantly expanding his worldview.

The world is before his eyes.

The starry sky is also in his eyes.

The star rings are infinitely vast.

Compared to this, the Wanggu Continent is like a grain of sand on a beach, insignificant, but because of the existence of the Upper Desolation, this grain of sand... is incomparably brilliant.

So until a long while later, Xu Qing takes a deep breath, barely letting his rippling heart calm down again.

"The level of the Remnant Face is a Half-Step God-Ming... so its degree of brilliance exceeds all."

"Then, what level are the marks in the four directions of this ninth star ring? God Lord? God Venerable?"

"In all likelihood, it is the latter."

"Then, was the Remnant Face originally in the ninth star ring, or did it arrive from other star rings?"

"The four directions of East, West, South, and North are all vaguely pulled by the Remnant Face..."

Xu Qing ponders. He is unfamiliar with the giant beast, and the golden river is also a similar existence he has never seen, but he has seen a similar object to that black tower.

"The remnant tower beneath the Forbidden Sea, which was later integrated into my own wings to form the Sacred Heaven Treasure Tower... I don't know if there is a connection between it and this black tower."

"As for the last paper person..."

A faint glow appears in Xu Qing's eyes. He thinks of the Deluozi who appeared in the battle of the fall of the Sword-Holding Great Emperor!

"Deluozi's methods are related to paper. Is there a connection with this paper person?"

For a long time, Xu Qing suppresses the various thoughts that keep erupting.

What he saw today is too shocking; he needs some time to settle.

And this place is clearly not a suitable location.

So Xu Qing sweeps his gaze around, his divine sense spreads, and after a moment, Xu Qing looks up, gazing at the more distant void.

In this place, he did not find that fleeing face.

However, the preciousness of this star map, judging from some extent, is astonishing.

Thus, Xu Qing imprints it in his mind, remembers it firmly, and his body flickers, beginning a larger-scale exploration.

But he instinctively does not approach this vast star map.

The first layer of candlelight in this jade slip possesses terrifying assimilation power, so in this second layer, Xu Qing knows he must be cautious.

This place is highly likely to also possess similar assimilation.

Just like that, an hour passes.

With Xu Qing's search, an inexplicable sense of crisis gradually rises in his heart.

Getting stronger and stronger.

Until now, it has reached the level of heart-palpitating fear.

This makes Xu Qing more certain of his previous guess.

"Cannot stay long."

Although it is regrettable that he did not find that face on this trip, and returning to the portrait layer where the candlelight is located would likely also result in not finding it, this makes Xu Qing's purpose for this trip unfulfilled.

But Xu Qing knows one thing more clearly: sometimes, fate is just like this.

He saw it twice, searched twice, and both were failures.

This shows... that face, perhaps possesses its own will; it does not want to be found.

"Pity..."

Xu Qing sighs lightly and touches the jade bottle in his storage bag.

"I hope the white dust within is enough for me to research and use."

Thinking of this, Xu Qing does not hesitate, his heart is decisive, his body flickers, and he heads straight for the space crack he entered earlier.

"I have stayed in this Boundary Source Secret Realm for a long time. To prevent any accidents, it is better to leave."

Xu Qing's speed is extremely fast, speeding through the void like a long rainbow, and soon he returns to the entrance crack.

He left a divine sense here earlier, and after checking that it is fine, his body steps out, approaching the crack, about to return to the previous candlelight world.

But just as Xu Qing's figure is about to pass through the crack, suddenly, in the void behind him, a strange yet familiar aura emerges.

After sensing it, Xu Qing's body shakes, his cultivation base erupts, his dual-face power flashes, and he turns around suddenly, staring dead at the void.

There, ripples are currently spreading.

Almost the moment Xu Qing looks, an object appears out of thin air in the center of these ripples.

That is a mask!

Its appearance is exactly that face Xu Qing saw twice with his own eyes but failed to pursue.

It's just that now, it has materialized and become a mask.

It seems this is its true form.

At this moment, it faces Xu Qing, as if observing, while also shaking, as if prepared to vanish instantly at any sign of trouble.

Xu Qing is vigilant, not acting rashly, but standing before the crack, observing as well, with thoughts in his heart.

"I went to find it, it hid from me, but when I gave up, it appeared on its own."

Just like that, a stick of incense passes.

Neither side has any behavior, just looking at each other, and this mask is no longer shaking as before, seemingly because Xu Qing did not strike, so its vigilance has decreased.

Just as Xu Qing narrows his eyes, pondering how to strike to capture this mask instantly, this mask seems to be able to perceive Xu Qing's thoughts, actually blurring swiftly, as if about to vanish again.

Xu Qing frowns, dismissing the thought of moving to strike, thinking that this object appeared when he didn't intend to search for it... so he simply gave up the idea of capturing it entirely.

Almost the moment he let go of this thought, the mask cleared again from the blur, and after gazing at Xu Qing for a while, it suddenly transmitted a fluctuation, its lips parted slightly, and a numb voice entered Xu Qing's heart.

"What wish do you want to make?"

Xu Qing is silent, his vigilance in his heart growing stronger. He doesn't know what this mask is, to be able to speak.

However, he has seen many bizarre things in his life, so he has his own judgment, understanding that some words cannot be replied to casually.

But just as Xu Qing is pondering here, the mask, seeing Xu Qing not answering, blurs again, as if about to vanish again.

Seeing this, Xu Qing's eyes flash, and he suddenly speaks.

"I wish..."

After these three words are spoken, the mask's blurred state pauses, clearing again. As it gazes at Xu Qing, Xu Qing takes a step back and steps directly into the crack behind him.

Instantly, his figure vanishes.

When he appears, he is no longer in the star map layer, but in the layer where the red candlelight is located.

Light and heat rush toward him.

Xu Qing ignores it, but flies to look at the crack, checking if the mask will follow.

Soon... at the space crack he is looking at, ripples appear, and the mask actually follows Xu Qing out.

The moment it appears, it gazes at Xu Qing.

As if waiting for Xu Qing to say the content of his wish.

Xu Qing narrows his eyes, his body flickers, and he speeds into the distance, while also paying attention to the mask.

And this mask, a look of hesitation appears on its expression, but soon it chooses to follow again, flying toward Xu Qing.

It seems Xu Qing's previous opening achieved some kind of cause.

And Xu Qing did not say the wish he made, so this cause had no result.

Thus, this mask no longer leaves, but follows behind Xu Qing.

Just like that, after flying for half a stick of incense, Xu Qing suddenly retreats, appearing instantly near the mask behind him, and grabs.

This time, this mask does not blur and vanish as before, but lets Xu Qing grab it.

In his hand, the mask looks at Xu Qing, as if still waiting for Xu Qing to say the content of the wish he made.

Xu Qing has no expression on his face and puts the mask casually into his sleeve.

Putting this object in the storage bag, Xu Qing is not at ease; after all, it is a living thing.

And practices like sealing might break the current state between them due to malicious behavior.

Especially after the previous test, Xu Qing judges that in all likelihood, this object will follow him until he says the content of the wish.

So the sleeve is very suitable.

As for the specifics of this mask, the karma of the wish, and the white dust matter, Xu Qing plans to study them carefully after leaving this Boundary Source Secret Realm.

And since the purpose of coming here has been achieved, and staying for a long time carries the risk of assimilation, Xu Qing does not hesitate, immediately takes out the Boundary Source Secret Realm token, and after a pinch, chooses to leave.

But with this pinch, the red candlelight in the distance suddenly flares up, enveloping the entire range and illuminating Xu Qing within.

I don't know if it's because of this firelight, but this token... actually has no reaction!

Xu Qing looks up at the red candle.

"Is it because the mask is on me, so this red candle won't let me leave?"

"Or is it for other reasons, causing this red candle's firelight to flare up..."

"Or perhaps, it's just a coincidence."

Xu Qing ponders, pinches the token again, and the red candle's fire flares up again, causing the token to fail.

This scene, and the malice it emits, makes Xu Qing's expression sink.