1758

Luo Shui city.

The Green Building.

In the largest, highest, and most luxurious private room of the entire building.

There were three pots of tea, four sets of fruits, eight savory dishes, and twelve beautifully carved decorations. The room was also installed with a Spirit Funnel formation, Focusing Incense, and colorful talismans, making the room dimly lit with heavenly light and mist almost like a scene of a dream.

If there was anything one needed, they would only have to tap the Communication Talisman on the table to summon an employee.

And Xie Dao Ling was the one staying in this room.

——Although Qin Xiao Lou was usually unreliable, he was completely capable when it came to respecting his master’s wishes.

Xie Dao Ling also felt satisfied, so after thinking briefly, she ordered Li An to inform Qin Xiao Lou to take some rest.

Cultivation did indeed require effort and persistence, but there was also such a thing as being overachieving, and it was necessary to have her disciples feel the care of their Shifu.

Xie Dao Ling casually leaned on her chair and began playing with the Key of the Wind while having some desserts.

[Whoa, you’re really impressive, your lifespan is practically infinite, how did you achieve this?] the Key of the Wind carefully flattered her.

“I was the previous Heavenly Emperor, so my lifespan is naturally synchronized with the Samsara itself” Xie Dao Ling smiled and replied.

[Hm, I really do like you as a wielder] the Key of the Wind happily said.

—–its ability required vitality as a fee to invoke.

“Your ability can access any location, how is that achieved?” Xie Dao Ling asked.

[That is very complicated to explain, not even your disciple had ever asked me about this yet] the Key of the Wind said.

Xie Dao Ling replied: “He’s too busy, so it’s likely that he didn’t have the time to ask, so now I’m asking you”

The Key of the Wind answered: [You are a being of the Samsara, then I’ll explain to you like this—-]

[When movement comes into existence, it is called ‘wind’. Wind is shapeless, existing but also not at the same time. It appears in all times and all places, it exists in all vastness of the universe, and manifests in all ten directions of heaven and earth. Even an empty void that no being, living or dead, can arrive in, as long as movement exists, I can reach it] the Key of the Wind said.

Xie Dao Ling pondered: “If it’s as you said, the power of the Four Saint Pillars has already transcended that of Laws and Mysteries”

[That is how it always was] the Key of the Wind confirmed.

“You said that you can appear in all times and all places, then does that mean I can use you to return to the past?” Xie Dao Ling asked.

[I have always had the ability to travel through Space-Time—— in the past, someone had used my broken body to forge three coins with the specific ability to return to the past and alter events] the Key of the Wind answered.

“If I remember correctly, such matters should be taboo” Xie Dao Ling questioned.

The Key of the Wind sternly replied: [Indeed, especially under the current circumstances where the Pendant of Fire is continuously unleashing the power of Miracles—— this would’ve resulted in powerful fluctuations that surpass Laws and Mysteries, which is why we remaining Saint Pillars are trying to stay as restrained as possible in fear of releasing fluctuations of similar power]

Xie Dao Ling silently listened.

The Key of the Wind continued: [And so, you cannot use me to distort history——- if the power to distort history and the power of Miracles were to exist in the same Boundless Void, it would be too eye-catching and immediately draw the attention of certain unknown entities]

Xie Dao Ling pondered: “I’ve seen the power of Miracles, and you have the power to distort history. If that’s the case, the coin and book that my disciple have should also possess abilities of similar depths”

The Key of the Wind sighed: [That is indeed true. All of them should have only been used once we four have been reunited for a very specific purpose——- it’s unfortunate that they are being utilized prematurely]

Xie Dao Ling remained silent for a few moments and asked: “There’s something I don’t understand, can you bring me back to the past to observe some of the things that have occurred?”

[Are you sure you want to return to the past? Then like we discussed earlier, you can only go as an observer without distorting history, otherwise, there would be very serious consequences] the Key of the Wind replied.

“No problem, I merely wanted to investigate the origin of a certain matter” Xie Dao Ling smiled and said.

[What is that?] the Key of the Wind asked.

Xie Dao Ling replied: “The current Heavenly Emperor had once sworn loyalty to me, so I want to know what happened to him… and how he became the way he currently is…”

The Key of the Wind agreed: [Constantly invoking the power of Miracles using the Pendant of Fire the way he is, it would only be a matter of time before this results in great troubles—— it’s certainly good to know everything there is to know about such a dangerous character sooner rather than later]

Xie Dao Ling stood up and declared: “Let’s go”

[Hm, it has also been a while since I’ve met the Chrono race, let us go!] the Key of the Wind said.

It jumped onto Xie Dao Ling’s hand.

Holding the Key of the Wind, Xie Dao Ling pointed it towards the void of space.

A green gate of wind opened up, revealing the infinite River of Time inside.

“Such power…”

Xie Dao Ling sighed and looked into the River of Time.

Countless visions of history appeared above the river, occasionally accompanied by unknown creatures that leapt out of the river in search of eerie shadows, almost as if they were hunting.

Time, so mysterious, so grand.

Xie Dao Ling put the key away and slowly stepped through the gate.

Right as she did so, the entire gate vanished from the void of space as if it never existed in the first place.

…

“Hey, plagiarizing book, I want to ask you something, do you think the Heavenly Emperor knows about the issue with the Pendant of Fire?”

Gu Qing Shan asked.

The Book of the Sea answered: [Of course he knows, the Pendant of Fire would definitely tell him—— and don’t call me a plagiarizing book!]

Gu Qing Shan appeared to be deep in thought as he muttered: “If the Pendant of Fire had already told him and he’s still invoking the power of Miracles in such an unrestrained manner…”

[That is indeed very strange] the Book of the Sea’s cover curled a bit like it was nodding and replied.

“No…”

Gu Qing Shan muses: “If a person knows that there was a cliff right in front of him and still jumps down, he must have already been prepared”

[By that you mean?]

“…He’s looking forward to the dangerous consequences”

Gu Qing Shan’s tone became harrowing: “Right, he’s actually trying to summon something”

The strong wind suddenly felt like they were howling louder than ever before.

The night deepened.

The presence of destruction was blowing against his face from a far distance.

The shroud of shadow continued to encroach upon the land, turning everything it passes through into dust.

Gu Qing Shan’s statement seemed to have made the situation even eerier.

Who knows what the Heavenly Emperor is trying to summon?

This is something I can’t deduce.

Gu Qing Shan sighed and couldn’t help but stand up again.

There were only a few kilometers left before the shroud of shadow swallowed him up as well.

But at this very moment, Gu Qing Shan felt certain ideas that he wouldn’t normally come up with suddenly popping into his head.

—–sometimes, I really just want to be a chef, feeling genuine happiness whenever people honestly praise my food.

But this simple goal is so difficult to achieve.

Gu Qing Shan donned his set of armor again, readjusted his bow, and fastened his blade—–

These were all the best items he could find within the warehouse, so there wasn’t anything better he could use, for now.

[What do you intend to do now?] the Book of the Sea asked.

“I’m just waiting for my city” Gu Qing Shan replied.

From the void of space, lines of bloody red text appear one after another:

[The Samsara’s manifestation is about to finish]

[After the countdown, your Immortal City will appear]

[Attention, the Immortal City will become a common fortress for you and your collaborators, providing you support against the Apocalypse]

[5]

[4]

[3]

[2]

[1]

[It has arrived]

The ground under his feet began to tremble, resulting in a loud rumbling noise.

Something was traveling through the world, gradually but surely moving along a specific trajectory to approach Gu Qing Shan.

The shroud of shadow was approaching closer and closer.

It was now only a few hundred meters away from Gu Qing Shan.

Thud!!!

A metallic surface suddenly emerged from below Gu Qing Shan’s feet.

The gigantic and ferocious metal body lifted him and took to the sky.

——it was a city forged completely out of metal!

——no, rather than calling it a city, it would be more accurate to call it an interstellar warship!

Its cold and mechanical appearance perfectly showed that it was born for war.

An indifferent electronic voice spoke up from inside the interstellar warship.:

[Following the demands of the City Lord, this vessel isn’t equipped with a central AI, now temporarily utilizing a war support interface]

Gu Qing Shan stood on the deck of the interstellar warship and quickly spoke: “Prepare to warp in three seconds, the target is 10,000 km to the Southeast, get ready!”

The indifferent electronic voice answered:

[Warp prepared]

[Initiating!]

In an instant, the gigantic interstellar warship vanished in front of the shroud of shadow.

…

10,000 kilometers from that location.

In the sky.

The interstellar warship reappeared without a pause.

[A technological war fortress? Why did you think of using technology?] the Book of the Sea asked.

Gu Qing Shan replied: “Because I’ve thought a certain thing through——”

[What is that?]

“If my Shifu’s previous life incarnation had appeared, as well as the past Heavenly Emperor and the army of heavenly beings, there’s no reason for her to not appear as well”

[Who is ‘she’?]

“—-Hm, a friend of mine, a companion who has fought by my side for as long as I can remember”

Gu Qing Shan replied.

It wasn’t just in his home world.

During the Age of Immemorial, he had seen her with his own eyes.

At that time, an interstellar warship from the Human realm had crashed through the Reality Gate, but it had been thoroughly damaged with only her remaining.

—-and it’s now the time to look for her!

Gu Qing Shan excitedly thought to himself.

Suddenly, some lines of bloody red text appeared again in front of his eyes:

[Your Immortal City has been fully constructed]

[Please name your Immortal City]

Gu Qing Shan’s expression froze, then suddenly recalled something.

She also told me to name her.

I didn’t manage to come up with anything for an entire day…

What am I supposed to

Luo Shui city.

The Green Building.

In the largest, highest, and most luxurious private room of the entire building.

There were three pots of tea, four sets of fruits, eight savory dishes, and twelve beautifully carved decorations. The room was also installed with a Spirit Funnel formation, Focusing Incense, and colorful talismans, making the room dimly lit with heavenly light and mist almost like a scene of a dream.

If there was anything one needed, they would only have to tap the Communication Talisman on the table to summon an employee.

And Xie Dao Ling was the one staying in this room.

——Although Qin Xiao Lou was usually unreliable, he was completely capable when it came to respecting his master’s wishes.

Xie Dao Ling also felt satisfied, so after thinking briefly, she ordered Li An to inform Qin Xiao Lou to take some rest.

Cultivation did indeed require effort and persistence, but there was also such a thing as being overachieving, and it was necessary to have her disciples feel the care of their Shifu.

Xie Dao Ling casually leaned on her chair and began playing with the Key of the Wind while having some desserts.

[Whoa, you’re really impressive, your lifespan is practically infinite, how did you achieve this?] the Key of the Wind carefully flattered her.

“I was the previous Heavenly Emperor, so my lifespan is naturally synchronized with the Samsara itself” Xie Dao Ling smiled and replied.

[Hm, I really do like you as a wielder] the Key of the Wind happily said.

—–its ability required vitality as a fee to invoke.

“Your ability can access any location, how is that achieved?” Xie Dao Ling asked.

[That is very complicated to explain, not even your disciple had ever asked me about this yet] the Key of the Wind said.

Xie Dao Ling replied: “He’s too busy, so it’s likely that he didn’t have the time to ask, so now I’m asking you”

The Key of the Wind answered: [You are a being of the Samsara, then I’ll explain to you like this—-]

[When movement comes into existence, it is called ‘wind’. Wind is shapeless, existing but also not at the same time. It appears in all times and all places, it exists in all vastness of the universe, and manifests in all ten directions of heaven and earth. Even an empty void that no being, living or dead, can arrive in, as long as movement exists, I can reach it] the Key of the Wind said.

Xie Dao Ling pondered: “If it’s as you said, the power of the Four Saint Pillars has already transcended that of Laws and Mysteries”

[That is how it always was] the Key of the Wind confirmed.

“You said that you can appear in all times and all places, then does that mean I can use you to return to the past?” Xie Dao Ling asked.

[I have always had the ability to travel through Space-Time—— in the past, someone had used my broken body to forge three coins with the specific ability to return to the past and alter events] the Key of the Wind answered.

“If I remember correctly, such matters should be taboo” Xie Dao Ling questioned.

The Key of the Wind sternly replied: [Indeed, especially under the current circumstances where the Pendant of Fire is continuously unleashing the power of Miracles—— this would’ve resulted in powerful fluctuations that surpass Laws and Mysteries, which is why we remaining Saint Pillars are trying to stay as restrained as possible in fear of releasing fluctuations of similar power]

Xie Dao Ling silently listened.

The Key of the Wind continued: [And so, you cannot use me to distort history——- if the power to distort history and the power of Miracles were to exist in the same Boundless Void, it would be too eye-catching and immediately draw the attention of certain unknown entities]

Xie Dao Ling pondered: “I’ve seen the power of Miracles, and you have the power to distort history. If that’s the case, the coin and book that my disciple have should also possess abilities of similar depths”

The Key of the Wind sighed: [That is indeed true. All of them should have only been used once we four have been reunited for a very specific purpose——- it’s unfortunate that they are being utilized prematurely]

Xie Dao Ling remained silent for a few moments and asked: “There’s something I don’t understand, can you bring me back to the past to observe some of the things that have occurred?”

[Are you sure you want to return to the past? Then like we discussed earlier, you can only go as an observer without distorting history, otherwise, there would be very serious consequences] the Key of the Wind replied.

“No problem, I merely wanted to investigate the origin of a certain matter” Xie Dao Ling smiled and said.

[What is that?] the Key of the Wind asked.

Xie Dao Ling replied: “The current Heavenly Emperor had once sworn loyalty to me, so I want to know what happened to him… and how he became the way he currently is…”

The Key of the Wind agreed: [Constantly invoking the power of Miracles using the Pendant of Fire the way he is, it would only be a matter of time before this results in great troubles—— it’s certainly good to know everything there is to know about such a dangerous character sooner rather than later]

Xie Dao Ling stood up and declared: “Let’s go”

[Hm, it has also been a while since I’ve met the Chrono race, let us go!] the Key of the Wind said.

It jumped onto Xie Dao Ling’s hand.

Holding the Key of the Wind, Xie Dao Ling pointed it towards the void of space.

A green gate of wind opened up, revealing the infinite River of Time inside.

“Such power…”

Xie Dao Ling sighed and looked into the River of Time.

Countless visions of history appeared above the river, occasionally accompanied by unknown creatures that leapt out of the river in search of eerie shadows, almost as if they were hunting.

Time, so mysterious, so grand.

Xie Dao Ling put the key away and slowly stepped through the gate.

Right as she did so, the entire gate vanished from the void of space as if it never existed in the first place.

…

“Hey, plagiarizing book, I want to ask you something, do you think the Heavenly Emperor knows about the issue with the Pendant of Fire?”

Gu Qing Shan asked.

The Book of the Sea answered: [Of course he knows, the Pendant of Fire would definitely tell him—— and don’t call me a plagiarizing book!]

Gu Qing Shan appeared to be deep in thought as he muttered: “If the Pendant of Fire had already told him and he’s still invoking the power of Miracles in such an unrestrained manner…”

[That is indeed very strange] the Book of the Sea’s cover curled a bit like it was nodding and replied.

“No…”

Gu Qing Shan muses: “If a person knows that there was a cliff right in front of him and still jumps down, he must have already been prepared”

[By that you mean?]

“…He’s looking forward to the dangerous consequences”

Gu Qing Shan’s tone became harrowing: “Right, he’s actually trying to summon something”

The strong wind suddenly felt like they were howling louder than ever before.

The night deepened.

The presence of destruction was blowing against his face from a far distance.

The shroud of shadow continued to encroach upon the land, turning everything it passes through into dust.

Gu Qing Shan’s statement seemed to have made the situation even eerier.

Who knows what the Heavenly Emperor is trying to summon?

This is something I can’t deduce.

Gu Qing Shan sighed and couldn’t help but stand up again.

There were only a few kilometers left before the shroud of shadow swallowed him up as well.

But at this very moment, Gu Qing Shan felt certain ideas that he wouldn’t normally come up with suddenly popping into his head.

—–sometimes, I really just want to be a chef, feeling genuine happiness whenever people honestly praise my food.

But this simple goal is so difficult to achieve.

Gu Qing Shan donned his set of armor again, readjusted his bow, and fastened his blade—–

These were all the best items he could find within the warehouse, so there wasn’t anything better he could use, for now.

[What do you intend to do now?] the Book of the Sea asked.

“I’m just waiting for my city” Gu Qing Shan replied.

From the void of space, lines of bloody red text appear one after another:

[The Samsara’s manifestation is about to finish]

[After the countdown, your Immortal City will appear]

[Attention, the Immortal City will become a common fortress for you and your collaborators, providing you support against the Apocalypse]

[5]

[4]

[3]

[2]

[1]

[It has arrived]

The ground under his feet began to tremble, resulting in a loud rumbling noise.

Something was traveling through the world, gradually but surely moving along a specific trajectory to approach Gu Qing Shan.

The shroud of shadow was approaching closer and closer.

It was now only a few hundred meters away from Gu Qing Shan.

Thud!!!

A metallic surface suddenly emerged from below Gu Qing Shan’s feet.

The gigantic and ferocious metal body lifted him and took to the sky.

——it was a city forged completely out of metal!

——no, rather than calling it a city, it would be more accurate to call it an interstellar warship!

Its cold and mechanical appearance perfectly showed that it was born for war.

An indifferent electronic voice spoke up from inside the interstellar warship.:

[Following the demands of the City Lord, this vessel isn’t equipped with a central AI, now temporarily utilizing a war support interface]

Gu Qing Shan stood on the deck of the interstellar warship and quickly spoke: “Prepare to warp in three seconds, the target is 10,000 km to the Southeast, get ready!”

The indifferent electronic voice answered:

[Warp prepared]

[Initiating!]

In an instant, the gigantic interstellar warship vanished in front of the shroud of shadow.

…

10,000 kilometers from that location.

In the sky.

The interstellar warship reappeared without a pause.

[A technological war fortress? Why did you think of using technology?] the Book of the Sea asked.

Gu Qing Shan replied: “Because I’ve thought a certain thing through——”

[What is that?]

“If my Shifu’s previous life incarnation had appeared, as well as the past Heavenly Emperor and the army of heavenly beings, there’s no reason for her to not appear as well”

[Who is ‘she’?]

“—-Hm, a friend of mine, a companion who has fought by my side for as long as I can remember”

Gu Qing Shan replied.

It wasn’t just in his home world.

During the Age of Immemorial, he had seen her with his own eyes.

At that time, an interstellar warship from the Human realm had crashed through the Reality Gate, but it had been thoroughly damaged with only her remaining.

—-and it’s now the time to look for her!

Gu Qing Shan excitedly thought to himself.

Suddenly, some lines of bloody red text appeared again in front of his eyes:

[Your Immortal City has been fully constructed]

[Please name your Immortal City]

Gu Qing Shan’s expression froze, then suddenly recalled something.

She also told me to name her.

I didn’t manage to come up with anything for an entire day…

What am I supposed to