NOVPUBMoments later.
Ji Jingqiu sat under the ancient tree, the old man and the middle-aged man facing him, their gazes burning with excitement and fervor, as if they were appraising a rare treasure of the world.
The voice of Long Qingyang resounded in Ji Jingqiu's mind:
"Zhang Daoxuan is the name of the first Daoist Master..."
"This one's state seems somewhat like the gods of the Federation, yet there are numerous differences."
"Additionally, you should not underestimate the two in front of you, one a Heart Image, the other a Heavenly Person. It's no surprise Marshal He had such a contingency plan after all these years, still possessing such profound foundations."
"As far as we know, in the Nine States, a Heavenly Person is indisputably a powerhouse, worthy of guarding a territory, serving as a Divine General, with power over life and death, all at their fingertips."
"Tsk, in a sense, martial artists living in the Nine States have much more freedom than in the Federation..."
Ji Jingqiu had not expected that some of the arrangements mentioned by Senior He would involve a clan with a Heavenly Person Stationed as the "gatekeeper."
Moreover, it wasn't the two opposite him that had truly made him feel at ease enough to sit down, but rather the ancient tree beside him. This individual who called herself Aunt Mu, claimed to be a companion of Senior He.
He communicated through Spirit Resonance, "Aunt Mu, indeed I have come guided by Senior He, may I ask where this place is?"
The hanging branches poked his cheek and ruffled his hair affectionately. Ji Jingqiu did not resist but sat obediently.
This scene made the eyebrows of the old man and the middle-aged man involuntarily twitch.
Unless there were other surprises, this young man must be the generational descendant of that one!
In the past, this guardian deity of the clan for thousands of years rarely responded to them, let alone showed such affection. But now, it was so fond of the young man before them, clearly out of affection for the dwelling, because of that being's presence.
A gentle and graceful voice brushed over Ji Jingqiu's heart.
[This place is a corner of Yanfu State, nothing special about it, just that the gateway is here, hence He instructed me to keep watch here.]
[I, like He, am a member of the Human-like Alliance of the Great Universe. I am from the Forest of Group Stars, a star cluster that is over five million light-years from your Federation. In your Federation's terms, I belong to the Elf race.]
[The ancestors of the two before you were followers of He. Before He returned, he promised their forebears that someone would lead them to glory in the future.]
Elves?
Ji Jingqiu subconsciously asked, "Aunt Mu, have you heard of the Po Suo Half-plane?"
The hanging branches seemed more joyful as they swayed.
[Of course, it's one of our ancestral lands, as well as the ancestral land for all creatures aligned with nature. Have you been there?]
"Not yet, but I will enter for trials in two weeks."
Ji Jingqiu briefly shared the details.
[So it's the portal left by the World Venerable.]
[I've often heard He talk about him, saying that he was indeed extraordinary, whether in talent, skill, or ambition, he could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with oneself, especially since his path, though a salvation path, was also a path of certain death...]
That must be Marshal Mu.
Ji Jingqiu thought. 𝒏𝒐𝒗𝒑𝒖𝒃.𝙘𝒐𝒎
[Enough about that. If you're heading to the Po Suo Half-plane, I can give you some coordinates. You can try your luck when the time comes to see if you can gain some opportunities.]
[Hmph, your Federation has only controlled the Po Suo Half-plane for ten thousand years, but our Forest of Group Stars has a history of exploring it for tens, even hundreds of millions of years!]
"Thank you, Aunt Mu!"
Ji Jingqiu was delighted in his heart, this was completely an unexpected gain!
[It's nothing. You need to grow quickly because you won't have much time. You've heard about the Inheritance Ancient Road, haven't you?]
"Yes, it was mentioned in Senior He's message as well."
[You need to be prepared, it will be your first trial.]
"Understood." Ji Jingqiu suddenly thought of something and asked, "Aunt Mu, why did Senior He seal off this passage?"
The Federation had searched for thousands of years before finding the passage to the Nine States.
But in fact, Senior He and Marshal Ji had already discovered the path a thousand years ago!
[I'm not sure of the details, but it seems all these were arranged by Ji Tianxing. Additionally, He was somewhat disheartened at that time, so he closed off the gateway...]
Disheartened...
Ji Jingqiu suddenly recalled the vision he saw in the Spirit Ocean.
[How does your strength compare among your peers in the Federation?]
"I have attained the innate formless state, which places me among the eminent of my peers in the Federation."
[Oh? You've attained the body of a Heavenly Person in the True Seed Realm, just like Zhang Daoxuan? Did you cross the Heavenly Person Barrier through an opportunity in the Nether Sea?]
This time the voice carried a strong curiosity.
"I've crossed the Innate Barrier with the help of Reverse Innate."
Ji Jingqiu thought to himself, is the Innate Taoist Body also called the body of a Heavenly Person? This term doesn't seem to be used within the Federation.
[No wonder He chose you as his successor, to purely rely on Reverse Innate to cross the Heavenly Person Barrier and achieve the body of a Heavenly Person. Such talent, even in the history of our Forest of Group Stars for a million years, is exceedingly rare!]
[Since you have already proven your Innate state, I am somewhat relieved. You may spar with the younger generation of the clan tomorrow, settle their minds, and also let me assess your strength.]
"Should I be dominant or courteous?"
[Show your full strength.]
The mental exchange was nearly instantaneous.
Ji Jingqiu looked up at the two before him and politely said, "I am Ji Jingqiu, may I know how to address you both?"
"I am Jin Lie, the Clan Leader of this generation in our clan, pleased to meet Young Master Ji."
