NOVPUB"What’s wrong?" Xu Qingshan turned his head, asking with confusion.
"As my Destiny is about to form, I want to put more effort into cultivating.
This Heavenly Martial Competition has no meaning for me," Jiang Xier shook her head and said.
"This Heavenly Martial Competition is hosted by the Baili Family, and it’s said that the top ten winners will receive a Great Dao Pill each.
And the top twenty will even have the chance to cultivate in the small world left by Emperor Changkong of the past.
Are you sure you don’t want to participate?" Xu Qingshan asked.
Great Dao Pills are crucial for cultivators in the Divine Vein Realm or those stepping into the Divine Vein.
And the secret realm left by Emperor Changkong can greatly accelerate one’s cultivation.
When Destiny is about to form, countless people need to stabilize their cultivation at the peak of the Divine Vein, the best state to be in.
Yet, the Divine Vein is already at the pinnacle that humans can reach.
It’s not that easy to enter, and countless people fail despite a lifetime of effort.
So, at this time, if self-cultivation alone seems far off, many turn to external factors for help.
"Then I’ll give it a try," after thinking it over, Jiang Xier finally said.
Xu Qingshan smiled and nodded in approval.
He said, "Prepare yourselves. In three months, follow me to the Baili Family.
During this period, try to improve your strength as much as possible. At that time, you’ll meet the Saint Heirs from various sects, as well as some talented Loose Cultivators."
"Disciple understands," the others quickly nodded in agreement.
After the others had left, Xu Zimei then said, "Dad, I might need to leave for a while."
"Where are you going this time?" Xu Qingshan asked with a frown.
"Just some personal matters to take care of," Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"What about the Heavenly Martial Competition this time?" asked Xu Qingshan.
"The Sect is counting on you to stand out."
"By then, you can just take them. We’ll meet up at the Baili Family," Xu Zimei said.
"Then be careful," Xu Qingshan advised with concern.
After leaving Azure Mountain Peak, Xu Zimei decided to visit Red Dust Palace.
Firstly, to find Nirvana Beads there, and secondly, to see Lan Ke’er.
The two of them had been apart for such a long time. Since the last incident when he eradicated the Lan Family, he hadn’t seen her again.
After bidding farewell to Lin Ruhu, Xu Zimei prepared to inform Xiao Guizi as well.
However, when he arrived at Xiao Guizi’s dwelling, he couldn’t find him even after a long search.
Logically, Xiao Guizi should have returned to the sect by now. His injuries couldn’t have taken so long to heal.
Fortunately, he found Yao Shengnan, who was still within the sect.
...…
"Xiao Guizi left?" Xu Zimei exclaimed in surprise.
"Yes," Yao Shengnan nodded, saying, "He told me not to tell you."
"Why?" Xu Zimei asked, puzzled.
"Gui Lin said, he’s lived too ordinary a life. His early life was cared for by you, and the latter half might continue under the sect’s protection," Yao Shengnan explained.
"He wants to take on the world on his own, without relying on anyone else.
Perhaps when the time comes to compete for Destiny, he might be able to help you."
"That kid," Xu Zimei laughed softly.
"Since he has decided on the path he wants to take, I shouldn’t say much. Take care, everyone."
After bidding goodbye to Yao Shengnan, Xu Zimei left the True Martial Holy Sect on his own.
As one of the Ten Great Forbidden Lands, the dangers within Red Dust Palace are no less than those of the other forbidden areas.
Generally, there’s only one type of person who travels to Red Dust Palace.
Those who are disillusioned with the mortal world and seek solitude would go there.
Or perhaps those of great evil who have a moment of epiphany.
Those who have gone through great changes and lost hope, the disillusioned, this is their refuge.
The origin of the Red Dust Palace stemmed from a divine spirit of the Mythical Era.
As for its authenticity, it has become impossible to trace.
It is said that during the Mythical Era, there was a World-weary Divine Girl.
She had witnessed all sins of the world, the greed, foolishness, evil desires, and killings.
Thus, she created her own separate realm. This world was pure and bright, accessible only to those who had relinquished the Seven Emotions and the Six Desires, individuals without greed or desire, without kin or cause.
Should any other person enter this place, they would face the punishment of the divine spirit.
About whether the World-weary Divine Girl still exists, opinions vary, but it’s undeniable that the Red Dust Palace is a place even Great Emperors prefer not to provoke.
...
The winter season was somewhat cold.
Every breath taken was visible as white mist, and snowflakes began to fall from the sky.
The weather was a bit gloomy, and Xu Zimei walked upon the endless white expanse, shaking off a bit of the snow from his body.
The Red Dust Palace wasn’t located in the Central Continent, in strict terms, but beneath the Endless Heaven Sea.
It was an underwater world.
Xu Zimei had to make his way to the heart of the Eastern Continent to reach the Red Dust Palace.
Walking on the snowy path, the sky turned from noon to dusk.
Xu Zimei found himself ever further from the True Martial Holy Sect.
By evening, as the light began to fade, Xu Zimei slowly halted his steps.
There were no cities around, especially in this icy world, it was quite deserted.
"Since you’ve come, show yourself. What’s the point in skulking about?" Xu Zimei said, looking around as he suddenly spoke up.
Along the way, from the moment he left the True Martial Holy Sect, he felt that someone was constantly watching him.
However, the other party’s methods were quite clever, and for the time being, he couldn’t figure them out.
Now that he’d traveled so far, and seeing the other party still hadn’t made a move, Xu Zimei decided to speak up first.
"Worthy of being the Saint Heir of the True Martial Holy Sect, your perception is indeed sharp," a series of sinister laughters echoed from around him.
Suddenly, ripples emerged in the void, and three figures in black emerged from the emptiness.
All three figures were clad in black robes, their faces and heads completely obscured by dark bamboo hats.
"Since you dared to come, why play the turtle, hiding your head?" Xu Zimei said with a smile.
"Can’t help it. Your True Martial Holy Sect is too powerful, and we brothers don’t want to stir trouble," one of the men in black robes said.
"Is this a personal vendetta between us, or did someone send you?" Xu Zimei asked.
"There’s no need for you to know that. It’s better to take your questions to the underworld and ask those you’ve killed," one of the figures responded.
Immediately after, the three figures all emitted an imposing aura that soared into the sky.
This aura was all at the peak of the Divine Vein Realm.
"Three at the peak of the Divine Vein Realm, what a generous display," Xu Zimei said with a light chuckle.
The three of them wasted no more words and directly used their True Fate abilities.
The True Fates of these three happened to all be wolves.
The Bright Moon Wolf, the Canxing Wolf, and the Monster Fierce Wolf.
The three wolves seemed to represent the moon, the stars, and the sun.
They all lunged toward Xu Zimei.
Each wolf’s body was hundreds of times larger, and a fishy wind bore down on him.
With a light chuckle, Xu Zimei levitated off the ground, surrounded by the pervading force of creation.
With just two punches and a kick, he sent the three wolves flying.
"Bright Moon Wave,
Stellar Strike,
Monster Inferno Claw," the three men shouted in unison. A vast expanse of Spiritual Energy enveloped them, and their three True Fate Monster Beasts once again became much more powerful.
"Suppression," Xu Zimei commanded softly.
