Chapter 1848: Beyond the World (Side Story)

The morning light of the forty provinces of Outer Shenzhou began to spread from the Canglan Sea in the far east.

Crimson dawn light pierced through layers of cloud sea, falling upon the endless floating cities and towns—those towering structures woven from merit-golden light and world will swayed gently in the morning breeze, the copper bells beneath their eaves chiming softly, their clear tones drifting over mountains, rivers, lakes, and seas into the ears of every living being. This was the first century since becoming the world's sovereign; the Outer Shenzhou world had long since shed its former turmoil, the world barriers expanded to their utmost, the territories of the forty provinces stretched like a galaxy of stars, heavenly fortune at its peak, spiritual energy abundant—even ordinary cultivators could find their own path upon this land.

Yet the morning courtyard of Luo'an Prefecture was quieter than any place in Outer Shenzhou.

On the stone-paved path of the Azure Stone Terrace, last night's phoenix tree leaves lay damp with dew, soft and silent underfoot. Li Luo sat by the stone table, his fingertips gently turning a warm white jade chess piece, which spun between his fingers, stirring a faint breeze that fluttered the plain paper at the table's corner—the final dossier of the Dark World's complete integration into Outer Shenzhou, ink dried, signature reading "World Sovereign Li Luo" in seven characters, strokes firm and vigorous yet touched with warmth, much like his expression now.

"What are you thinking about?"

Jiang Qinge's voice came from behind; she still wore a plain white long dress with gold-thread trim, her hair loosely tied up, revealing a smooth forehead. A hundred years had left no trace on her face, only her golden eyes, now more divine and serene than before, the Dao rhythm of the Ten Excellences Bright Aspect entwining her form, yet she held it in perfect restraint, only releasing a hint of tenderness when near Li Luo.

Li Luo turned his head; the chess piece at his fingertip landed on the board with a soft "tap." He looked toward the courtyard beyond, his gaze piercing layer after layer of space, falling upon the world barrier of Outer Shenzhou—there lay a chaotic void, thunderous gangs surging, spacetime twisting, yet faintly echoing ancient dragon chants and vast Buddhist light from a farther place.

Jiang Qinge stepped to his side, following his gaze, her brow faintly furrowing almost imperceptibly. "Those extraterritorial beings, though well-intentioned, may not be without motive. You are already the Sovereign of Outer Shenzhou; this world's fortune is fused with you—if you depart, even temporarily, variables are inevitable."

Her voice was soft, yet held undisguisable worry. A hundred years together, they had journeyed from youths of the Southwind Academy to the Sovereign and High Lord of Outer Shenzhou, now inseparable parts of each other's lives. She had seen him bloodied in the Withering-Glory Conflict, seen him cornered when the Dark Sect Patriarch seized his Myriad Aspect Seed, and seen him forge the Merit Tower with his own blood to bring eternal peace to myriad ages. Now Outer Shenzhou was tranquil, which should have been a time to stay together, yet he still walked toward farther horizons.

Li Luo reached out and took her hand. Her palm was cool, yet delicate, just as when he had held hers in the Spirit Phase Grotto Heaven. "Qinge, you know." His voice low and gentle, "The karmic debt left by that extraterritorial being is not only Outer Shenzhou's tribulation, but also my debt. It used Outer Shenzhou as nourishment, hoarding a revival seed—if I do not settle it, later its remnants may come seeking, or other extraterritorial evils may follow the trail, and this newly peaceful world will again fall into turmoil."

His fingertip lightly stroked the back of her hand, his gaze sweeping over all of Outer Shenzhou—the mountains and rivers of the forty provinces, every inch of land within his perception; cultivators' auras sparkled like stars, merit power flowing between heaven and earth, evil thoughts utterly dissolved, the edge where the Dark World merged with Outer Shenzhou now glowing with a soft halo. This was the homeland he had guarded with his life, the place he had struggled from a Phase-less youth to World Sovereign, sparing everything to protect.

"I have already linked the core of world will with the earth veins of Luo'an Prefecture." Li Luo said slowly, "If I depart, you shall be this world's 'Acting Sovereign'; as long as you remain, Outer Shenzhou's Dao will not fall into disorder. I have transmitted the ultimate profundity of merit aspect to those Li Tianwang and Lord Realm powerhouses—even Lord Realm beings cannot stir up waves." His words were calm, yet carried undeniable authority. Now he was no longer the youth who needed to risk life and limb to advance; the status of World Sovereign let him mobilize this world's every force at will—he reached out, and the phoenix tree outside would sprout branches and leaves; he lowered his gaze, and the tides of the Canglan Sea would return to calm; with a thought, every living being in the forty provinces could feel his will. This was absolute control, power transcending heaven and earth, yet also the burden he must bear.

Jiang Qinge fell silent for a long time, then nodded gently. She knew Li Luo's steps would never pause for ease. Once, for the promise of five years to marquess, he had carved a blood path through desperation; now, for Outer Shenzhou's lasting peace, he naturally could step onto the unknown extraterritorial path. "I will guard this place." She lifted her eyes to meet his, golden light within reflecting steadfast companionship, "But remember, this world still has me, waiting for your return."

Li Luo smiled, reaching to brush a stray strand of hair from her temple. "Rest assured, what I promise you, I never break."

As his words ended, light footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.

It was Yu Lang, along with Bai Doudou and Bai Mengmeng.

Yu Lang had now attained great completion in the Myriad Aspect Seed Dao, his cultivation reaching Lord Realm; the once carefree youth had gained some steadiness, yet when seeing Li Luo, his familiar roguish air remained unchanged. He carried a jar of aged wine, his steps large, but upon entering the morning courtyard, he unconsciously lightened his tread, the smile on his face fading somewhat.

"Luo Brother." He set the wine jar on the stone table, his voice somewhat deeper than usual, "Heard you're leaving?"

Li Luo nodded, pointing to the stone bench: "Sit."

Yu Lang sat down, but did not as usual rush to pour wine, merely rubbed his hands, his gaze sweeping over Li Luo, then Jiang Qinge, finally resting on the chessboard; after a while he squeezed out: "That extraterritorial place, I hear it's chaotic—thunder gangs can tear apart Lord Realm flesh, spacetime turbulence can swallow Heavenly Kings, you…… truly must go?"

Bai Mengmeng stood behind Bai Doudou, small hands clutching her sister's sleeve, a pair of bright, watery eyes fixed on Li Luo, eye sockets slightly red. The fear she had sunk into in the illusion still lingered fresh; had Li Luo not rescued her, she might still be trapped in that endless darkness. These years she had cultivated peacefully in Daxia City, her merit aspect progressing rapidly, no longer the timid little girl, yet hearing Li Luo would go extraterritorial, she could not help but fear.

"Li Luo Brother……" she whispered, voice trembling, "Out there so dangerous, can you not go? Outer Shenzhou is so good now, everyone's well, you stay here, okay?"

Bai Doudou patted her sister's hand, looked at Li Luo, expression complex. She had witnessed Li Luo's decisiveness—once, to save Mengmeng, he shattered the Evil Abyss Demon King's likeness with a palm, still etched in her mind. Yet precisely because she knew his strength, she understood extraterritorial danger more clearly—whatever could move the World Sovereign to act personally must far surpass the Dark Sect Patriarch. "Sovereign," she bowed slightly, tone solemn yet touched with personal affection, "Daxia's soldiers, and all cultivators of the forty provinces, are willing to serve you. If extraterritorial foes exist, we can go—no need for you to risk yourself."

Li Luo looked at the few before him, his heart warming slightly. A hundred years, things changed, people changed, yet these old friends' affection had never altered. He raised his hand, poured a cup of wine for Yu Lang, and a cup of clear tea each for Bai Doudou and Bai Mengmeng.

"I know your intentions." He raised his wine cup, clinking it with Yu Lang's, "But this journey, I must walk it myself."

He set down the cup, his gaze sweeping over the three: "Back when I was still a Phase-less youth, it was you who accompanied me to storm Southwind Academy, storm Daxia, storm the Heavenly Yuan Outer Shenzhou. Then, I protected you because I was your brother, your friend. Now I am World Sovereign, protecting Outer Shenzhou, protecting you—this is my duty."

"The extraterritorial being left behind deep karma. Though its revival seed is extinguished, its remnants remain, as do those extraterritorial forces following the trail—if I do not settle it, sooner or later they will find Outer Shenzhou. Then, those who suffer will be you, and every soul of this world."

Yu Lang drank the wine in silence, the liquid fiery, yet unable to suppress the bitterness in his heart. He recalled how, at Southwind Academy, Li Luo had been mocked as a Phase-less waste, and he had slapped his chest saying, "Who dares bully my brother Yu Lang?" He recalled the Withering-Glory Conflict, where Li Luo had walked the peerless path to hard-shock a Li Tianwang, while he had given his all in the rear to hold the line. He recalled Li Luo restoring his Aspect Palace, transmitting the Myriad Aspect Seed Dao—then, that affection unchanged by status.

"Luo Brother," he wiped his face, then lifted his head again, the gloom in his eyes dispersing, regaining some of his former spirit, "You want to go—brothers won't stop you. But remember, you once said we were brothers who stormed the world together. Even if you are now Sovereign, even if you go extraterritorial, we await your return to drink. If you lack hands, even if my cultivation falls short of yours, I can still block two blows for you!"

Bai Mengmeng also nodded firmly, small hands clenched tighter: "Li Luo Brother, I have now cultivated merit aspect, able to purify evil thoughts—if extraterritorial evils appear, I can help too!"

Bai Doudou pressed her lips, voice deep: "Daxia's iron cavalry stands ready at any moment. As soon as the Sovereign gives the word, the soldiers of the forty provinces can all follow you into battle."