Chapter 196: Slaying The Divine Lord, Annihilating Zhou Tian Sect! Grudges Settled, Ji Qing Enters The Thirteen Meridians Of Purgatory!
“Boom.”
With this leap, Ji Qing landed in the Barren Realm Origin. His consciousness roared for a moment, as if he could perceive nothing.
I don’t know how long it took.
Ji Qing felt his thoughts becoming very slow.
However, Ji Qing “saw” those rules.
For example, water flows downhill.
For example, wind blows, thunder rumbles, and rain falls.
And for example, rivers, seas, and lakes flow endlessly…
All of this is incredibly ordinary.
In the eyes of many, these things seem innate, as if they have always been this way.
But few people delve deeper into why water flows downhill, why rivers, seas, and lakes flow endlessly, and why there is wind, thunder, and rain.
But Ji Qing is now “using his heart to replace heaven’s heart.” He saw rivers, seas, and lakes, saw wind, thunder, and rain, and even saw a stone and a blade of grass operating according to established rules.
Rules!
The rules between heaven and earth maintain the operation of all things.
The so-called “heaven’s heart” is like a piece of code, running coldly.
All things cannot shake “heaven’s heart.”
But it is precisely this kind of “heaven’s heart” that can continue to exist.
As long as the Barren Realm does not collapse, that “heaven’s heart” will continue to exist.
In reality, Ji Qing only looked for “an instant.”
But in the darkness, Ji Qing seemed to hear someone calling his name.
Who?
Ji Qing tried to see.
He saw it was Jiao Ling calling him.
But he remained motionless, as if he had “entered meditation.”
Ji Qing suddenly realized.
His vast fortune, which he had originally possessed, was now nearly depleted by half.
Yet, how long did he feel it had been?
It was only “an instant.”
Ji Qing suddenly became clear-headed and, using his fortune, leaped with all his might.
Finally, Ji Qing leaped out of the Barren Realm Origin once more.
Then, Ji Qing’s consciousness returned.
“Swish.”
Ji Qing’s eyes snapped open.
“Fellow Daoist Ji, you’re finally awake…”
Jiao Ling’s eyes were filled with anxiety.
“What happened?”
Ji Qing asked.
“Fellow Daoist Ji, you weren’t in seclusion, yet you went into such a deep meditation for a full three months! Didn’t you say before that you would go to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory in the Outer Domain after three months? When the time came, I kept trying to wake you up, but you were in too deep a meditation and wouldn’t wake up.”
Jiao Ling explained.
“I was in meditation for three months?”
Ji Qing was very surprised.
He clearly remembered that when he was “using his heart to replace heaven’s heart,” it had only felt like “an instant.”
How could three months have passed so quickly?
Ji Qing’s heart sank.
Perhaps his spirit was too weak, his mind too weak.
“Using his heart to replace heaven’s heart” felt like only “an instant,” but in reality, three months had passed.
In three months, Ji Qing’s “consciousness” had almost been erased.
It even consumed at least half of his fortune to withstand it.
Without fortune, Ji Qing feared his consciousness would be erased in an instant.
However, Ji Qing’s risky endeavor was for the purpose of tempering his “mind.”
He just didn’t know if “using his heart to replace heaven’s heart” was beneficial for tempering his mind.
Thus, Ji Qing opened the Demon Record to check his current condition.
Ji Qing: Martial Saint （ Perfection ）
Domain Space: Minor Accomplishment （ 3% ）
Nine Heavens Mandate Lock: Fifth Level （ 3% ）
Divinity: Hundred Dao Realm （ One Hundred Threads of Divinity ）
Mind: Immovable as a Mountain （ First Realm Third Order ）
Origin Points: 50,703,800 points
Ji Qing’s domain space and mandate lock had not improved much.
This was because Ji Qing hadn’t had time to research the mandate lock during this period.
However, Ji Qing’s focus was on his mind.
As expected, the Demon Record also showed the state of his mind.
“First Realm Third Order?”
Ji Qing was startled.
He clearly remembered that when he passed the third trial of the Martial Dao Seal, his heart realm was First Realm Second Order!
From Second Order to Third Order.
It seemed like only an increase of one order, but it was equivalent to a ten percent increase in his overall strength!
Previously, with only a First Realm Second Order mind, Ji Qing could only mobilize twenty percent of his physical body’s power.
Now, he could mobilize thirty percent of his power!
The additional ten percent might seem small, but rephrasing it would reveal how terrifying Ji Qing’s improvement was.
Compared to three months ago when he passed the Martial Dao Seal, his combat power had surged by 50%.
What a massive improvement!
If before, Ji Qing’s punch at extreme sublimation could barely break the threshold between Spirit Transformation and Void Glimpse, barely distorting the rules.
And he couldn’t even guarantee that every punch would break the threshold.
Now, with his combat power surging by another 50%, he was very confident that every punch could now break the threshold, and each punch might rival that of a Void Comprehension Realm Cultivator.
Even if it was still the weakest Void Comprehension, it was still the power of the Void Comprehension Realm!
And he now only had a First Realm Third Order mind; what about Fourth Order, Fifth Order, or even Tenth Order minds?
At that point, with just his current physical body’s strength, Ji Qing could obliterate many Void Comprehension Realm Cultivators.
It wouldn’t be impossible for his physical body’s might to rival that of the Divine Ability Realm.
Moreover, a crucial point was that Ji Qing seemed to have found a “shortcut” to improve his mind.
That was “using his heart to replace heaven’s heart.”
In just three months, his mind had improved by one order.
If he could sustain it for a longer period, wouldn’t his mind realm be able to reach higher?
Ji Qing felt this possibility was very high!
He could indeed use spiritual imprints to integrate into the Barren Realm Origin to improve his mind realm.
And the effect was quite good.
There were no side effects.
His mind improved naturally.
But the key was that his fortune was halved.
Without fortune, Ji Qing wouldn’t dare to “use his heart to replace heaven’s heart”; without the protection of fortune, his mind and consciousness would be instantly erased by the Barren Realm Origin.
Although this method was unique to Ji Qing and very effective, the conditions were too harsh.
“If I had a little more time, and accumulated more fortune, I might be able to try ‘using my heart to replace heaven’s heart’ again. Unfortunately, the three months are up, and I have to go to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory…”
Ji Qing felt some regret.
He had wanted to raise his mind realm to Fourth Order or even Fifth Order.
But sadly, there was no more time.
Moreover, the Barren Realm’s fortune was now concentrated on Ji Qing.
Staying longer in the Barren Realm would require a lot of time to accumulate fortune.
It was better to venture into the Outer Domain.
If he could accumulate fortune in the Outer Domain, it would be far more immense than the fortune of a mere Inner World like the Barren Realm.
“First, I’ll go to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory to strive to accumulate a large amount of fortune, and then I’ll return to the Barren Realm to ‘use my heart to replace heaven’s heart’ and improve my mind realm!”
Ji Qing had a plan in his heart.
“How is True Monarch Baoyue?”
Ji Qing asked.
“Still no movement.”
Jiao Ling replied.
Ji Qing thought for a moment and decided not to wait any longer.
He didn’t have time either.
“When Fellow Daoist Baoyue awakens, tell her to temporarily stay at the Wind Thunder Sect. I’ll go to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory and try to return as soon as possible. Then we’ll decide if we should take Fellow Daoist Baoyue to the Outer Domain.”
Ji Qing instructed Jiao Ling.
“Okay.”
“Once you go to the Outer Domain, Fellow Daoist Ji, even as a disciple of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, you must act cautiously.”
Ji Qing nodded.
He then summoned True Lord Tiansheng, the Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect, and others, and informed them of his decision.
True Lord Tiansheng and the others had long been mentally prepared, knowing that Ji Qing was about to leave.
“Oh right, what about the Zhou Tian Sect?”
Ji Qing suddenly asked.
“The Zhou Tian Sect has sealed their mountain and has no activity currently.”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect replied.
Ji Qing fell into thought.
The Zhou Tian Sect and the Wind Thunder Sect were old enemies.
Although the Zhou Tian Sect was sealed and could not come out, it was better to be safe than sorry.
The current Wind Thunder Sect had no Deity Transformation Divine Lord.
Once Ji Qing left the Barren Realm and did not return for a long time, the Wind Thunder Sect might encounter trouble.
Especially if the Zhou Tian Sect unexpectedly broke the seal, the Wind Thunder Sect would be in trouble.
Ji Qing calculated the time.
There was still one day left before the three months were up.
It should be enough time!
If the Zhou Tian Sect was not destroyed, Ji Qing would not be at peace!
Moreover, Ji Qing’s strength had increased again, and he truly possessed Void Glimpse combat power.
Before, he couldn’t break the Wind Thunder Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation, but now it was different.
Void Glimpse combat power was enough to sweep across the entire Barren Domain, let alone a mere Zhou Tian Sect Mountain Protecting Formation.
“If the Zhou Tian Sect is not destroyed, my heart cannot be at peace!”
Ji Qing stood up abruptly.
“Fellow Daoist Tiansheng, Sect Master, Ji Mou is going to the Zhou Tian Sect to settle our grudges once and for all!”
Ji Qing’s words startled everyone.
“What?”
“Supreme Elder, please don’t be rash. The Zhou Tian Sect has sealed their mountain. Even a Deity Transformation Divine Lord cannot break their protective formation. If we provoke the Zhou Tian Sect’s Deity Transformation Divine Lord, the consequences are unimaginable…”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect was immediately greatly alarmed and tried to persuade Ji Qing.
The true extent of Ji Qing’s current strength was actually unknown to them.
After all, they didn’t know how powerful the second trial of the Martial Dao Seal was.
In their estimations, and based on his past battle records, Ji Qing was now a Martial Saint and could perhaps fight against a Martial God. However, even a Martial God could not break the sealed protective formation of the Zhou Tian Sect.
Instead, it would thoroughly anger the Zhou Tian Sect, making it a loss outweighing the gain.
Even if they had to eliminate the Zhou Tian Sect, it should be after Ji Qing went to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, further improved his strength, and broke through to Martial God, thereby having an absolute advantage before destroying the Zhou Tian Sect.
Going to destroy the Zhou Tian Sect now was too hasty and not the best choice.
Ji Qing smiled slightly and said, “It’s fine, Ji Mou knows what he’s doing. A mere Zhou Tian Sect is not worth mentioning! Sect Master, you can bring some people to receive the Zhou Tian Sect afterwards.”
After speaking, Ji Qing immediately got up and left Immeasurable Peak, disappearing into the sky in an instant.
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect, True Lord Tiansheng, Feng Jin Martial Saint, and others exchanged glances, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Finally, True Lord Tiansheng’s eyes flashed with sharp light, and he said in a deep voice, “The Supreme Elder never does anything without certainty. Since the Supreme Elder is so confident, he must have the assurance to crush the Zhou Tian Sect! If that’s the case, what are we still hesitating for? Sect Master, quickly gather some people and head to the Zhou Tian Sect. The Supreme Elder will handle the destruction of the Zhou Tian Sect, and we still need to empty their foundation…”
“Alright!”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect gritted his teeth and immediately assembled manpower to head to the Zhou Tian Sect.
He also wanted to see what level Ji Qing’s strength had reached after breaking through the Martial Dao Seal.
Ji Qing unleashed his Domain Space and quickly arrived at Zhou Tian City.
Since the Zhou Tian Sect sealed its mountain, Zhou Tian City had not been as bustling as it once was.
However, Zhou Tian City was still a large city, and cultivators still came and went.
“Whoosh.”
Ji Qing directly flew into Zhou Tian City.
His figure materialized, and many people in Zhou Tian City discovered him.
Immediately, many people’s expressions changed because they all recognized Ji Qing.
Ji Qing was currently at the peak of his power.
In the entire Desolate Realm, who didn’t know Ji Qing?
“Is that… Martial Saint Ji?”
“Yes, it’s Martial Saint Ji who just broke through the Martial Dao Seal. It is said that the Martial Dao Seal has now disappeared, which is equivalent to saving all Martial Artists in our Desolate Realm.”
“Why has Martial Saint Ji come to Zhou Tian City?”
“Martial Saint Ji hails from the Wind Thunder Sect, and it is rumored that he has some grudges with the Zhou Tian Sect. Now that Martial Saint Ji has suddenly arrived at Zhou Tian City, is he here to deal with the Zhou Tian Sect?”
“But the Zhou Tian Sect has already sealed its mountain, and their Mountain Protecting Formation is at full power. Even several Deity Transformation Divine Lords cannot break through the Zhou Tian Sect’s mountain gate, nor can a Martial God.”
The cultivators within Zhou Tian City were not afraid.
They were not Zhou Tian Sect cultivators, so what was there to fear?
Ji Qing’s clarity regarding grudges and favors was already renowned throughout the Desolate Realm.
Some bold cultivators even approached to observe, to see if Ji Qing truly intended to confront the Zhou Tian Sect.
It would also be an opportunity to witness Ji Qing’s might.
Ji Qing arrived at the Zhou Tian Sect’s mountain gate.
He observed for a while, and indeed, the Zhou Tian Sect had sealed its mountain.
The Mountain Protecting Formation operated automatically, resembling a turtle shell, making it truly difficult to breach.
Ji Qing wasted no words and immediately mobilized the power of his Physical Body.
“Boom.”
Ji Qing smashed his fist into the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation.
Instantly, the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation vibrated violently.
Ripples spread out in all directions, wave after wave.
It seemed on the verge of collapse at any moment.
But in the end, the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation held.
“Hmm?”
Inside the Zhou Tian Sect, the Zhou Tian Divine Lord was furious.
The Mountain Protecting Formation had been attacked?
The Zhou Tian Sect had already sealed its mountain; what grudges or enmities remained to warrant such relentless pursuit even after sealing their gates?
This was simply outrageous!
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord roared, “Who is it that wishes to annihilate my Zhou Tian Sect?”
When the Zhou Tian Divine Lord saw that it was Ji Qing, he was slightly stunned.
He sensed carefully again.
It was indeed only Ji Qing, with no sign of Divine Lord Tian Feng.
A Martial Saint dared to attack the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation?
Was he not insane?
But was Ji Qing truly insane?
Even if Ji Qing were insane, Divine Lord Tian Feng of the Wind Thunder Sect would stop him.
“Ji Qing, what exactly do you want? Our Zhou Tian Sect has been forced to seal its mountain, what more do you want? Do you truly intend to exterminate us?”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord’s voice resounded.
Ji Qing stood in the Void.
He had only attempted a single punch.
It had almost reached the peak of a Martial God.
This level of Power had not yet broken through the critical point, nor had it reached the Void Glimpse level.
The facts proved that the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation was indeed formidable.
At the Martial God level, even the peak of a Martial God, with a Spirit Transformation controller, could not break through the Mountain Protecting Formation.
However, Ji Qing was not at the Martial God level.
He could now mobilize thirty percent of his total Power.
Without even needing Extreme Sublimation, he could unleash a punch that surpassed the Martial God’s critical point.
A punch that surpassed the Martial God’s critical point had a characteristic feature: it could distort Rules!
Ji Qing walked step by step, slowly approaching the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation.
Ji Qing could even see the Zhou Tian Divine Lord within the Mountain Protecting Formation.
In the past, a Deity Transformation Divine Lord was someone high above and invincible in Ji Qing’s eyes.
But now, to Ji Qing, they were not worth mentioning.
“Ji Qing, you…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord wanted to say more.
But he was unaware of what was happening outside, nor did he know how terrifying Ji Qing was now.
He hadn’t even noticed how much Ji Qing’s gaze “valued” him.
He merely glanced casually, his eyes filled with indifference.
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord’s anger surged; he was, after all, a dignified Divine Lord, and even Divine Lord Tian Feng did not dare to disregard him so openly.
“Hmph, a mere Martial Saint attempting to break my Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation, you must be dreaming…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord sneered.
Then, he saw Ji Qing unleash a punch.
This punch, seemingly ordinary.
But for some reason, the Zhou Tian Divine Lord felt a jolt in his heart.
The people of Zhou Tian City also saw Ji Qing throw this punch.
They did not perceive any divine or miraculous quality.
They only felt that the “sky” had suddenly darkened.
It was as if countless stars were shining.
Vaguely, they could hear the roar of a True Dragon.
It was as if a True Dragon was circling Ji Qing.
“Boom.”
Ji Qing’s punch landed.
It emitted a muffled sound.
Everyone held their breath.
The Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation did not break.
Nor was there any earth-shattering commotion.
This punch still couldn’t break the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation?
However, Ji Qing seemed satisfied.
Just now, he had mobilized thirty percent of his entire Power for this punch.
Thirty percent of his Power had already broken the critical point and could distort Rules.
And the punch Ji Qing threw just now distorted “Space.”
Consequently, starting from the punch Ji Qing threw, a small black dot began to appear in the Void.
Then the small black dot began to expand continuously.
Collapse!
This was Space Collapse!
It was just a black dot, but it was a distortion of Space, which then evolved into Space Collapse.
What Mountain Protecting Formation, in the face of Space Collapse, was not worth mentioning.
The Mountain Protecting Formation did not even last for a moment, instantly annihilated.
And it wasn’t just the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation that was annihilated; anywhere affected by the Space Collapse was annihilated, turning into the most basic spatial dust.
This was absolute, complete annihilation!
“What? Space Collapse… Impossible, how could a Martial Saint unleash a punch that causes Space Collapse?”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord used his Primordial Spirit to cast Magic, attempting to “imprison” the Space Collapse.
However, how could it be contained?
No matter what Magic was used, upon encountering the Space Collapse, it all turned to dust.
This Space Collapse seemed unstoppable.
It could only grow larger.
It even spread towards the Zhou Tian Divine Lord.
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord could hardly believe that the Mountain Protecting Formation, maintained by generations of Zhou Tian Sect Patriarchs, was crumbling bit by bit like this.
“Divine Lord, save us…”
“Ah… Master, save me…”
“How could this happen… The Orthodox Lineage of the Zhou Tian Sect, for tens of thousands of years, is about to be extinguished…”
Countless disciples and Elders of the Zhou Tian Sect wailed.
“Escape!”
“Escape as many as you can!”
“As long as we escape, we will lie low, and our Zhou Tian Sect’s Orthodox Lineage will one day rise again…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord gritted his teeth.
He turned and fled.
At this moment, the only option was to escape. As long as they escaped, the Zhou Tian Sect could preserve its Orthodox Lineage.
However, could they only escape?
An invisible wall seemed to block all the Zhou Tian Sect members.
This was Ji Qing’s Domain Space!
A Minor Accomplishment Domain Space, even a Deity Transformation Divine Lord couldn’t escape.
“Suppress!”
Ji Qing let out a light shout.
Then, he reached out his hand, directly grabbing towards the Zhou Tian Divine Lord.
This hand seemed to cover the sky and blot out the sun.
It crossed a vast distance and seized the Zhou Tian Divine Lord.
The dignified Divine Lord was, like a small chick being carried, captured by a Martial Saint like Ji Qing.
Crucially, the Zhou Tian Divine Lord couldn’t even Move an inch, demonstrating how terrifying Ji Qing’s Power was at this moment.
This was merely the Power of his Physical Body.
Ji Qing hadn’t even used the Power of Return to Void.
At this moment, Ji Qing truly understood how terrifying it was to be able to mobilize thirty percent of one’s Power at the First Realm Third Order of the Mind.
“Ji Qing, let Tian Feng come see me…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord was still struggling.
“Divine Lord Tian Feng?”
Ji Qing shook his head, “You will never see him…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord’s eyes widened.
Then, a large amount of Power of Return to Void surged from Ji Qing’s hand.
“Ah…”
The Zhou Tian Divine Lord was rapidly disintegrated by the Power of Return to Void; even his Primordial Spirit was bit by bit Erased.
In the end, the Zhou Tian Divine Lord perished completely!
And Ji Qing acted as if he had done something insignificant.
This was not the first time Ji Qing had killed a Deity Transformation Divine Lord.
But for the cultivators of Zhou Tian City, this was the first time they had witnessed it, and thus, the shock was even greater than when Ji Qing shattered the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation.
After all, that was a Deity Transformation Divine Lord.
They had always been the supreme beings of Zhou Tian City.
And now, they were casually grasped by Ji Qing like a chick and erased without a sound, a dignified Divine Lord dead just like that.
Without even the strength to struggle.
Was this still a Martial Saint?
Many people seemed to suddenly realize that Ji Qing was merely a Martial Saint.
As a Martial Saint, he had broken through the Martial Dao Seal, achieving a feat that no one had accomplished in nearly ten thousand years in the Desolate Realm.
What a great achievement that was.
In comparison, killing a Deity Transformation Divine Lord seemed truly insignificant.
Ji Qing saw that the Zhou Tian Sect’s Mountain Protecting Formation had been completely shattered.
If the spatial collapse continued to expand, the entire mountain gate of the Zhou Tian Sect would be erased.
Then the people of the Wind Thunder Sect would get nothing.
So, Ji Qing extended his hand and gently pointed.
The spatial collapse suddenly stopped, and then disappeared.
At the same time, the Power of Return to Void appeared on the bodies of many cultivators of the Zhou Tian Sect, whether elders or disciples.
“Ah…”
“Martial Saint Ji, spare our lives…”
“We are willing to surrender to the Wind Thunder Sect…”
Countless disciples and elders of the Zhou Tian Sect wailed.
It was a pity that Ji Qing was unmoved.
He understood one thing: if he didn’t act, fine; but if he acted, he had to uproot the weeds completely!
Originally, the Wind Thunder Sect and the Zhou Tian Sect were hereditary enemies, with grudges spanning generations that could no longer be resolved.
Since that was the case, it was best to resolve it once and for all and annihilate them completely!
The Power of Return to Void was very efficient.
Neither Nascent Soul nor Golden Core cultivators could resist it.
When the Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect, True Lord Tiansheng, and others arrived, they witnessed a shocking scene before their eyes.
The mountain gate of the Zhou Tian Sect had almost collapsed by half.
It was as if it had been hard-erased by some terrifying power.
And all the disciples and elders within the Zhou Tian Sect had vanished without a trace.
The people of Zhou Tian City also fell silent.
They had just witnessed Ji Qing use the Power of Return to Void with their own eyes, and saw what true “Return to Ruin” was.
They felt immensely shocked in their hearts.
Who would dare to say anything more?
“Supreme Elder, this…”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect couldn’t help but ask.
He and True Lord Tiansheng had rushed here at the fastest speed.
They had wanted to see Ji Qing display his might.
But, this was it?
It was already over?
Ji Qing nodded and said, “Go in and search. Take whatever is useful. As for the Zhou Tian Sect, there is no need for it to exist anymore…”
“Yes, Supreme Elder.”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect was extremely stirred.
This was their own Supreme Elder!
He was even more domineering than Divine Lord Tian Feng back then!
As for the Divine Lord of the Zhou Tian Sect?
Needless to say, he was definitely dead.
Ji Qing could kill a Divine Lord even before he attempted the Martial Dao Seal, so a mere Divine Lord of the Zhou Tian Sect was nothing.
Look at how the countless cultivators of Zhou Tian City were stunned into silence.
It was evident how terrifying Ji Qing’s prestige was.
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect led his men to the mountain gate of the Zhou Tian Sect and scavenged.
They took away almost everything that could be carried.
They even dug up the Spirit Vein.
The once grand mountain gate of the Zhou Tian Sect was now reduced to ruins.
But Ji Qing did not even spare the ruins of the mountain gate.
He unleashed a punch, and the space collapsed again, gradually engulfing the entire mountain gate of the Zhou Tian Sect.
Everything disappeared.
The Zhou Tian Sect seemed to have been erased from existence, as if its traces had been wiped away.
It was as if the Zhou Tian Sect had never existed.
After completing all this, Ji Qing left Zhou Tian City with his people.
After annihilating the Zhou Tian Sect, Ji Qing finally felt at ease.
“It’s time to go…”
Ji Qing had done all he could.
The Wind Thunder Sect would be fine for the time being.
The only thing that made Ji Qing a little uneasy was True Monarch Baoyue.
But she wouldn’t be able to wake up anytime soon.
Time waited for no one, and Ji Qing could only go to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory in the Outer Domain first.
“Farewell, Supreme Elder!”
The Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Sect, True Lord Tiansheng, and others stood respectfully outside Immeasurable Peak.
Ji Qing nodded.
“Swish.”
Ji Qing transformed into a streak of light and disappeared into the sky.
When Ji Qing arrived at the World Membrane Passage again, he found that the Martial Dao Seal had completely disappeared.
Both Immortal Dao Cultivators and Martial Artists could freely enter and exit the Outer Domain.
“Young Friend Ji, have you made all the arrangements?”
At this moment, Can Xiu Venerable, Hunyi, and Shangheng, the three Venerables, also approached Ji Qing.
“All arrangements have been made.”
Ji Qing nodded.
“Alright, let’s go then.”
With that, the three Venerables took a step forward and flew into the World Membrane Passage.
It was Ji Qing’s first time going to the Outer Domain.
But he did not hesitate, and followed closely, flying into the World Membrane Passage, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.
“Shua.”
Ji Qing felt as if he had “passed through” a membrane.
He encountered some resistance.
After passing through the World Membrane, he arrived in a pitch-black place.
There was no air, no spiritual energy.
All that met the eye was darkness.
Well, it couldn’t be said to be completely dark.
Ji Qing looked back and saw the location of the Desolate Realm, which resembled a nebula, emitting faint rays of light, appearing extremely dazzling in this boundless darkness.
Can Xiu Venerable, Hunyi, and Shangheng smiled and said, “Young Friend Ji, it’s normal to feel a bit unaccustomed as this is your first time in the Outer Domain. The Desolate Realm behind you is your Inner World, and this boundless darkness is called the ‘Black Ruins’. It is said that the ‘Black Ruins’ are infinite, yet they can give birth to countless Inner Worlds.”
“Traveling in the Black Ruins by mere flight is impossible; you must travel through space. Because the Black Ruins are too vast, you can’t travel far by flying. This is also why only Spirit Transformation Divine Lords can venture into the Outer Domain, because their Primordial Spirits can traverse the void, allowing them to barely travel in the Black Ruins. As for those below Spirit Transformation, they can’t even travel, and are like three-year-old infants in the Black Ruins.”
Ji Qing understood.
Spirit Transformation could barely travel.
After all, the range of Primordial Spirit traversing space was very short.
And the consumption was very high.
Only Void Comprehension could perform long-distance spatial traversal, and in the vast Black Ruins of the Outer Domain, only Void Comprehension could truly cross the Black Ruins.
“Young Friend Ji, although you are not in the Void Comprehension Realm, your power has reached the Void Comprehension level. You can try to distort the rules of space and then traverse space. We will teach you some tricks for traversing space.”
Can Xiu Venerable said.
Ji Qing nodded.
He could already distort space, and even though he was only a Martial Saint, theoretically he could traverse space.
Can Xiu Venerable taught Ji Qing some spatial traversal techniques, and Ji Qing learned them quickly.
Thus, Ji Qing unleashed a punch.
The void shattered instantly.
Ji Qing’s figure flickered, and he had already vanished into the void.
Ji Qing firmly locked onto “Can Xiu Venerable.”
Following him through space.
Traversing through the space of the Black Ruins exerted great pressure on the physical body.
Fortunately, Ji Qing’s physical body was very strong, so the spatial pressure of the Black Ruins was nothing.
Ji Qing traversed space several times in a row and became increasingly proficient in spatial traversal.
Can Xiu, Hunyi, and Shangheng exchanged glances.
Their expressions were filled with surprise and uncertainty.
They had carefully observed Ji Qing as they traversed space with him.
Ji Qing could easily break through the space of the Black Ruins with every punch.
This was unlike before, where it required an Extreme Sublimation punch to break through the critical point.
The three of them knew very well what this meant.
It meant that Ji Qing could easily break through the limit and distort the rules with a casual punch.
It meant that Ji Qing had become stronger again!
“In just three months, Ji Qing’s physical body has become much stronger again?”
“I wonder if it’s his physical body that’s stronger, or his mind that has improved… I lean towards the physical body being stronger. After all, Ji Qing’s talent in physical cultivation is obvious to all, arguably the most top-tier in the entire Outer Domain! Conversely, his talent in the mind is very poor, so his mind couldn’t have improved so much in such a short time.”
“That’s right, it should be his physical body that has strengthened again. With such physical body talent, even if his mind is very poor, the Spirit Fusion Lineage should still accept him, right? If they don’t accept him, then it will be a big problem…”
“Hmph, if the Spirit Fusion Lineage doesn’t accept him, we can go to other lineages. With Ji Qing’s physical body talent, among the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, are we afraid no one will want him?”
The three felt slightly relieved.
Ji Qing’s weaknesses were significant, but his strengths were also immense!
Ji Qing’s physical body talent was comparable to that of divine beasts and ferocious beasts.
Such physical body talent was highly sought after among the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
The three, as Observers, were also Ji Qing’s “guides.”
They were essentially taking Ji Qing to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory for “recommendation.”
Whichever lineage wanted him, they would go to that lineage.
Theoretically, since Ji Qing had cultivated the Merger Scripture, he should go to the Spirit Fusion Lineage.
But if the Spirit Fusion Lineage did not accept him, he could go to other lineages.
These Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory were not so much a sect as a force.
They were relatively scattered.
To outsiders, they appeared ferocious and unrestrained, no different from some demons.
But internally, the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory were very loose, with not many rigid rules.
The three Venerables, as “guides,” would receive benefits if they pleased the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
If no one wanted him, or if there was no competition for him, they would receive very little benefit.
“Let’s not think too much about it now. Let’s go back to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory first.”
Thus, the three Venerables led Ji Qing, traversing space all the way.
Finally, Ji Qing stopped.
“We’re here!”
“That nebula ahead is the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory!”
Ji Qing looked out.
That nebula was much larger and more dazzling than the Desolate Realm.
“The Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory are also in an Inner World?”
Ji Qing asked.
“Of course, but this Inner World was created by a Great Expert. And it moves constantly within the Black Ruins, with no fixed location. Those who are not formal members of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory cannot find the mountain gate of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.”
Ji Qing was deeply shocked.
A Great Expert created an Inner World?
This was creation.
What cultivation realm was a Great Expert capable of creation?
But such an existence must be unattainable, far beyond Ji Qing’s imagination.
Moreover, the Inner World could move within the Black Ruins, which was equivalent to a Supreme Treasure, wasn’t it?
“Oh, aren’t these Can Xiu, Hunyi, and Shangheng, three Fellow Daoists? I heard you were assigned a remote and weak Inner World, and now you’re back, bringing a Martial Saint? Did this Martial Saint pass the Martial Dao Seal?”
At this moment, three figures flew from the void of the Black Ruins in the distance.
They seemed to know Can Xiu Venerable.
Can Xiu glanced at them and said with a smile, “Indeed. We were quite lucky this time. After taking over the Martial Dao Seal, we encountered a good seedling within a thousand years. Look, we’ve brought this good seedling back to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.”
The three’s eyes lit up, and they exclaimed, “Congratulations to the three Fellow Daoists. I heard you’ve replaced ‘Xuan Ming’ and his two companions. Hahaha, those three are quite unlucky now. They encountered a powerful expert who collapsed an Inner World, forcing them to return shamefully to accept punishment.”
Can Xiu Venerable was startled.
It seemed that the three of ‘Xuan Ming’ were truly unlucky.
“Observers” generally stayed for several hundred or even a thousand years.
It can be even longer, it depends on the “Observer” themselves. If they feel there is no hope, they will be transferred away.
Canopus Venerable, the “previous” Observer, was actually the trio of “Xuan Ming”.
Unfortunately, during their long time in the Desolate Realm, they waited in vain and did not encounter Ji Qing.
Ji Qing’s heart also tensed.
Encountering a strong opponent, their Inner World was also shattered?
What happens if the Inner World collapses?
Ji Qing didn’t even need to ask.
Most likely, everyone in that world perished.
This is the true situation in the Outer Domain.
An entire Inner World, destroyed just like that.
So, will the Desolate Realm also face the danger of extinction one day?
As if guessing Ji Qing’s thoughts, Canopus Venerable sighed and said: “Young Friend Ji, the Outer Domain is very dangerous. If you want to protect your homeland, you must cultivate diligently and strive to grow to the point where you can shelter it. Otherwise, if your homeland is destroyed, you will regret it endlessly. My homeland was destroyed by a powerful expert, but my cultivation is too low, and I am still unable to exact revenge…”
Ji Qing’s heart trembled.
He didn’t expect Canopus Venerable’s homeland was also gone.
“I will never be able to exact revenge in this lifetime, but I am fortunate to have met Young Friend Ji, and perhaps I will have to rely on Young Friend Ji in the future.”
Ji Qing remained silent.
He certainly wouldn’t make any promises about such a matter.
How terrifying must an expert be who can destroy an entire realm?
He was still far from it.
“Alright Canopus, stop dwelling on the past. Let’s go in quickly and send Young Friend Ji to the Spirit Fusion Lineage.”
Hun Yi Venerable spoke.
Thus, the three of them, along with Ji Qing, flew into the mountain gate of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
“Whoosh.”
Ji Qing flew into the Inner World.
The mountain gate of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory is also called “Purgatory Realm.”
It is more than ten times larger than the Desolate Realm.
As soon as Ji Qing stepped inside, he immediately felt the rich Spiritual Energy.
The entire Purgatory Realm had been divided up by the Thirteen Meridians.
Although called Thirteen Meridians, they can also be viewed as thirteen sects.
Each occupying a vast territory.
Only when facing outsiders are they collectively referred to as the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
However, within the Purgatory Realm, there are many internal conflicts between the Thirteen Meridians.
The four of them traversed Space, crossing an infinite distance, arriving at a large city.
This large city is the headquarters of the Spirit Fusion Lineage.
It is called Melting God City!
Canopus Venerable and the others flew into Melting God City. There were many cultivators inside, but upon seeing Canopus Venerable and the others, they all bowed respectfully.
Clearly, Canopus Venerable held a high position.
And, contrary to Ji Qing’s imagination, there were many ordinary cultivators in Melting God City.
There were even cultivators.
The Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory primarily focus on the Martial Way, but that does not mean they only consist of Martial Artists.
These cultivators ranged from Dao Foundation to Martial God.
“Are these all cultivators of the Spirit Fusion Lineage?”
Ji Qing couldn’t help but ask.
“No, these are all slaves!”
“Slaves?”
Ji Qing’s eyes widened.
“Yes, in the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, if a disciple or elder has direct bloodline descendants, they are only allowed to keep them for five generations. After five generations, they are all demoted to slaves. Anyone from the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory can demand anything from these slaves.”
“Is that what I think it is?”
“Yes, it’s exactly what you think. You can demand anything from them, and even if you kill them, there will be no crime.”
Ji Qing fell silent.
No wonder they said the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory were overbearing.
Acting as they pleased, neither good nor evil, without restraint.
The internal management of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory was also like this.
Other than “their own people,” there were only slaves.
No one else.
“However, it’s actually quite good to be a slave in the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory. You can cultivate freely as long as you don’t provoke a formal disciple. In fact, if a formal disciple wants a slave to serve them, it’s a tremendous Opportunity.”
“Moreover, there’s another benefit to being a slave: if you can advance to the Divine Ability Realm or Void Comprehension Realm, you can then transition to the outer disciples of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory and become a formal member of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.”
“For example, the three of us actually entered the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory as slaves by all sorts of means from the Outer Domain, and then through our own hard work and cultivation, we reached the Divine Ability Realm, and finally transitioned to the outer disciples, becoming formal members of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, and became ‘Observers’ assigned to the Desolate Realm.”
“Core Disciples of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory will always only be Heavenly Talents selected through the Martial Dao Seal! Therefore, Young Friend Ji, even if you are currently only a Martial Saint, as long as you are registered in the Spirit Fusion Lineage, your status will be far above ours…”
Ji Qing was greatly shocked.
Only then did he realize that his status in the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory was so high?
As long as one was registered in the Spirit Fusion Lineage, they were a Core Disciple!
Therefore, the true core of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory were actually “selected” through the Martial Dao Seal.
The so-called formal members of the outer disciples were merely tools for errands and tasks.
This was the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
Truly overbearing.
But Ji Qing was looking forward to the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory.
After all, he had passed the Martial Dao Seal and was inherently a Core Disciple of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, not a tool.
“To join the Spirit Fusion Lineage, you must go to the Great Hall of Spirit Fusion and see if the Spirit Fusion Lineage will accept you?”
The three of them led Ji Qing all the way to the Great Hall of Spirit Fusion.
There were not many people inside.
But each of them exuded an extremely terrifying aura.
Even Canopus Venerable and the other two were extremely cautious.
“Reporting to the Elder, we are Observers from the ‘Desolate Realm’. The Martial Dao Seal in the Desolate Realm has been active for nearly ten thousand years, and a good seed has emerged, breaking the Martial Dao Seal!”
“Boom.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the Great Hall immediately erupted in commotion.
“A good seed who broke the Martial Dao Seal?”
“Hahaha, we’ve finally waited again.”
“Our Spirit Fusion Lineage finally has a Core Disciple…”
Gazes immediately fell upon Ji Qing.
At the same time, a large number of cultivators flew in from outside.
Each figure was extremely terrifying.
At this moment, an Elder asked impatiently: “Canopus, tell us quickly, how astonishing was this good seed’s performance in the Martial Dao Seal?”
Everyone also looked at the three of Canopus with eager eyes.
This was the value of “Observers.”
Discovering good seeds.
They could even describe in detail the performances during the trials, allowing the Elders of the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory to understand the “Core Disciples” better.
Canopus Venerable straightened his back, his gaze sharp, seemingly unafraid of any Elder.
He said with full vigor: “Martial Saint Ji Qing, in the first trial of the Martial Dao Seal, achieved compatibility with the Merger Scripture and chose to cultivate the Merger Scripture.”
“Then, Ji Qing achieved Beginner level in the Merger Scripture in one day, reached Perfection in one day, and cultivated the Merger Divine Body in one day!”
“Ji Qing’s talent is peerless. The three of us Observers unanimously evaluated it as ‘Perfect’.”
“Boom.”
Upon hearing this, those imposing figures couldn’t help but widen their eyes.
In the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory, it is widely known that the Spirit Fusion Lineage has the fewest members.
After all, the Merger Scripture is too difficult.
Even though it belongs to the Upper Three Meridians, its extreme difficulty results in a very small number of Core Disciples who can cultivate the Merger Scripture and pass the Martial Dao Seal.
Every new one is a major event for the Spirit Fusion Lineage!
And now?
Canopus actually brought back someone who achieved Beginner level in the Merger Scripture in one day, Perfection in one day, and cultivated the Merger Divine Body in one day.
Such talent is rare even in the history of the Spirit Fusion Lineage!
A major event!
This is a colossal event!
Has the Spirit Fusion Lineage found another peerless talent?
The last time the Spirit Fusion Lineage had such a talented individual was tens of thousands of years ago, and that person even led the Spirit Fusion Lineage to become the foremost meridian among the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory!
They were prestigious for tens of thousands of years!
To this day, the Spirit Fusion Lineage has been silent for too long.
Although still one of the Upper Three Meridians, where is their former glory?
What does the Spirit Fusion Lineage lack?
Isn’t it a lack of a peerlessly talented individual?
“Quick, quick, tell us about Ji Qing’s performance in the second trial. I can’t wait any longer…”
An Elder, whose appearance was unclear and whose entire being seemed to flicker with birth and death, with Yin and Yang illusions, emanating waves of terrifying aura, was eagerly urging Canopus Venerable.
Terrifying existences were all eager to hear what kind of brilliance the good seed, rarely found in the Spirit Fusion Lineage for eons, had displayed.
Thus, all eyes fell on Canopus Venerable and Ji Qing.
Their eyes were filled with longing.
Ji Qing suddenly had a strange feeling.
While what Canopus Venerable said was true, wasn’t the “tone” he used a bit too exaggerated?
He glanced at Canopus Venerable again.
The other party’s expression was solemn, full of confidence.
“In the second trial, Ji Qing encountered the ferocious beast Taotie…”
Upon hearing the word “Taotie,” the crowd in the Great Hall couldn’t help but feel a heavy heart.
Taotie.
To this day, none of the Core Disciples in the Thirteen Meridians of Purgatory have ever defeated Taotie.
Could it be…
The crowd’s eyes brightened.
A faint guess formed in their minds.
In an instant, their emotions became excited.
ps: Last night, I stayed up until three in the morning. Old Yue really went all out, another burst of twenty thousand words, requesting monthly votes! Requesting monthly votes! Throw them all to Old Yue, Old Yue thanks you all!
